**spoiler alert** Henry Forester, a 19 year old fighter pilot from Richmond, VA, was flying a mission over France when Hitler's Luftwaffe shot him dow...more**spoiler alert** Henry Forester, a 19 year old fighter pilot from Richmond, VA, was flying a mission over France when Hitler's Luftwaffe shot him down out of the sky. Henry escapes, and it is with the help of the French Resistance that he finds himself battling Germans on the ground as well. In the end, Henry regains a hard-fought freedom and finds his way home to reunite with his parents and neighbor girlfriend. A very true to life account of resistance during World War II.(less)
I love reading anything about Anne Frank as her diary inspired me as a young reader. Barry Denenberg writes this fictional diary from Anne's sister Ma...moreI love reading anything about Anne Frank as her diary inspired me as a young reader. Barry Denenberg writes this fictional diary from Anne's sister Margot's perspective. Denenberg provides interesting insights into what the family dealt with in hiding and how the sisters coped after they were discovered and forced to go to the Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Bergen-Belsen concentration camps.(less)
An interesting true account about the "Storm Warriors" of the Outer Banks of North Carolina who worked in the 1890s. The Storm Warriors were a group o...moreAn interesting true account about the "Storm Warriors" of the Outer Banks of North Carolina who worked in the 1890s. The Storm Warriors were a group of black surfmen of the Pea Island Life-Saving Station who saved countless lives of men, women, and children who were traveling on boats or ships which had capsized off the coast. The main character, Nathan, dreams of one day becoming a surfman with the Pea Island Life-Saving Station, but his dad discourages his dream since it is so dangerous and he thinks that Nathan should take over his job as fisherman when he gets older. Nathan discovers his future career choice as the novel progresses - this is a novel about dreams, hard work, honor, strength, and family.(less)
I haven't read a book by Ann Rinaldi that I don't like - she is one of the best writers of historical fiction for young readers that I have encountere...moreI haven't read a book by Ann Rinaldi that I don't like - she is one of the best writers of historical fiction for young readers that I have encountered. Numbering All the Bones chronicles the life of a thirteen year old house slave, Eulinda, during the Civil War. Eulinda agonizes over the fact that her Mistus sold her younger brother to a Southern plantation owner, and her older brother Neddy ran away to join the Union army. Eulinda doesn't understand the meaning of freedom or how to "make herself come true" until the end of the novel when she works with Clara Barton to mark the graves of the 13,000 Union soldiers who died in the Andersonville prison before war's end. Rinaldi always includes a Historical Note at the end of her novels to tell you what characters and bits of history are factual and which ones she has added to the historical scene. (less)
I picked this one up at the Barnes & Noble since Shelia P. Moses is going to be coming for a book signing soon. What I didn't realize until I star...moreI picked this one up at the Barnes & Noble since Shelia P. Moses is going to be coming for a book signing soon. What I didn't realize until I started this was that this is actually the sequel to The Legend of Buddy Bush. Set in postwar Harlem and in North Carolina, this story depicts societal differences between living in the North and the South, especially for black people during this time. Pictures and an Author's note at the end lend credibility to this piece of historical fiction. Abrupt and sad ending for me.(less)
I really enjoyed Gary Schmidt's writing style. It had more depth than some books that I have recently read. I was saddened by the amount of loss/death...moreI really enjoyed Gary Schmidt's writing style. It had more depth than some books that I have recently read. I was saddened by the amount of loss/deaths that occurred in the novel, but I like the sense of hope (that things might change) that you are left with at the end of the novel.(less)
What a powerful, haunting story! Written in free verse from the perspective of a 13 year old Nepalese girl, who was sold from her mountain home to ear...moreWhat a powerful, haunting story! Written in free verse from the perspective of a 13 year old Nepalese girl, who was sold from her mountain home to earn a living as a maid in the big city. Lakshmi was saddened to leave her mother and her baby brother, but she was eager to earn a living so she could send money back to her family for necessities like clothing, food, and a new tin roof, for which they were in desperate need. But when Lakshmi leaves, she is not taken to the big city to work as a maid, she is taken over the border into India where she is sold again to a brothel owner. The fact that this type of cruelty exists today is appalling to me. There were times when I was reading and I was thinking that this story took place years ago, and all the problems have, of course, been fixed by now. But then when the author mentions the fact that the girls watched The Bold and the Beautiful on tv every day, and the American who came to the brothel brought a digital camera, you realize that the time frame for the story is present day. The Author's Note at the end really brought to light the very real and current problem of sex trafficking in the world today. I remember seeing a Lifetime movie about sex trafficking in another country - cannot remember the name of the movie - but I remember being greatly affected by it. This book did the same thing for me. It was beautifully written - the vivid language brought this book to life, and the character descriptions and feelings were wrought so eloquently. I highly recommend this book - I cried for and cheered for Lakshmi - I cannot imagine what she and others like her must go through. Patricia McCormick captured this problem in real language that teenagers and adults will learn from and appreciate.(less)
What a powerful read - a strong complement to books like The Hiding Place and The Diary of a Young Girl! Bruno, a boy of nine years, finds himself in...moreWhat a powerful read - a strong complement to books like The Hiding Place and The Diary of a Young Girl! Bruno, a boy of nine years, finds himself in "Out With" during World War II where his father is a German Commandant, but he doesn't really understand all that is going on. He just sees the people living on the other side of the fence, the ones who wear the striped pajamas. Bruno meets one of those striped pajama boys, and he finally finds his first friend in "Out With" since moving from Berlin. This is a story of friendship, sibling relations, family, naivete, genocide, and the horrors of war. Soon to be a major motion picture, I look forward to seeing what they do with this novel.(less)
This is one of our Battle of the Books books this year, and I reread it recently. I like the format of the book which had the main character writing l...moreThis is one of our Battle of the Books books this year, and I reread it recently. I like the format of the book which had the main character writing letters to her cousin who was still back in Russia. Rifka, her parents, and two of her brothers fled Russia during the time in which Jewish families were being persecuted by the Russian peasants. Before boarding the boat that would take the family to America, the doctors discovered Rifka had ringworm, and she had to stay behind. Rifka stayed in Belgium with a family while she recovered enough to travel again, and it is Rifka's character that I enjoyed - she had spunk, grit, courage, and such determination. When Rifka arrives on Ellis Island, she is not allowed entrance into America right away. It is here that Rifka befriends a young Russian peasant boy, Ilya, whom she helps to achieve his goal of reuniting with his uncle. A happy ending made this story a pleasant read.(less)
This story opened in Nigeria where the corrupt military government killed the main characters' mother due to her husband's involvement with the local...moreThis story opened in Nigeria where the corrupt military government killed the main characters' mother due to her husband's involvement with the local newspaper, which obviously was printing articles that the government didn't want the locals to be reading. The two siblings, Sade and Femi, are whisked away to London where they would stay with an uncle until they could be reunited with their father. The only problem is that when the children arrive in London, their uncle is not there waiting for them. This is when the sister and brother duo find a resourcefulness that they never knew they had in order to survive. With help from a few local families, Sade and Femi adjust to being in London and wonder whether they will ever see their father or family members again.(less)
The story starts when the Flanagans move to Alcatraz in 1935 so Mr. Flanagan can work as an electrician in order to provide for his family. Moose Flan...moreThe story starts when the Flanagans move to Alcatraz in 1935 so Mr. Flanagan can work as an electrician in order to provide for his family. Moose Flanagan is intrigued by the fact that Al Capone is living on the same island with him, and while he tries to fit in with the other children on Alcatraz, he gets caught up in a variety of schemes that usually originate with the warden's daughter, Piper Williams. Moose is also in charge of watching his autistic big sister, Natalie, every afternoon which adds much depth to the story. I really liked this one - it was well-written, plus I liked the fact that it was mixed with realistic & historical fiction, two of my favorite genres.
Sarah Miller is a good, descriptive writer, one who really brings the struggle of teaching Helen Keller to life. I was surprised to read how little co...moreSarah Miller is a good, descriptive writer, one who really brings the struggle of teaching Helen Keller to life. I was surprised to read how little control Helen's parents had over Helen's behavior before Anne Sullivan came into their home. Because Helen's parents had felt sorry for Helen's condition and did not discipline her, it took over a month for Anne to make much progress with Helen. Little by little, Anne taught Helen self control, some etiquette, and how to recognize the words for objects that she touched. It was Anne's persistence as Helen's teacher that opened Helen's mind to the world of words. The author includes an informative Afterword as well as a Chronology, pictures, web sites, videos, and books for further reading.(less)
Some spoilers - read with caution! I really liked this story told by the Newbery Award winning author of Kira-Kira. In this novel, Rick Hanski trains t...moreSome spoilers - read with caution! I really liked this story told by the Newbery Award winning author of Kira-Kira. In this novel, Rick Hanski trains to be a dog handler before going to Vietnam. Cracker is his dog, and Rick always calls him "the best dog in Vietnam." The story unfolds as Rick and Cracker develop a friendship and a bond that helps them to become one unit in the field. Cracker is a fast learner, and she saves many men's lives in Vietnam, including the life of Rick. As was customary during the Vietnam years, dogs were considered military equipment and most service dogs were either euthanized or given to the South Vietnamese to keep fighting the North after the Americans left. Rick was injured pretty badly in his last battle, and he doesn't stop writing letters to all the "powers that be" until he is reunited with his dog. A touching story about the love between man and dog.(less)
Though loosely based on history, this novel chronicled the love affair between Anne Hathaway and William Shakespeare from the time Will was born until...moreThough loosely based on history, this novel chronicled the love affair between Anne Hathaway and William Shakespeare from the time Will was born until his death in 1616. Anne Hathaway met Will when he was a baby, and while Will was growing up, he always enjoyed Anne's company and flirted with her constantly. Anne lived on Hewlands Farm with her father, brash stepmother, and many siblings. After her father died, life with the stepmother got very tense, especially since her stepmother thought that Anne would become an old maid if she didn't get married soon. Anne was already five and twenty, and the stepmother was not happy that Anne had not found a suitable husband. When Will was eighteen and came back from his travels out of town (to teach and act), Anne saw him as the man he had become. She broke off her engagement with a nephew of her stepmother's, and while Anne was "with Will's child", Will and Anne married. The two really seemed to love each other, but Will's interest in the theater, writing poetry, and acting took him away from Stratford-upon-Avon and the family for most of their married life. Anne raised their three children with the help of Will's parents. Anne wanted to support Will's dreams, but she lived a lonely life in Stratford without her husband. Will came back to live with Anne in Stratford during the last five years of his life. The author's note at the end of the novel show us that there is not much known factual information about Shakespeare's life so Carolyn Meyer took liberties to fill in the gaps to tell a beautiful story. A good piece of historical fiction.(less)
**spoiler alert** Margaret and Elizabeth are best friends whose brothers have been sent to fight in World War II. The girls are being bullied by Gordy...more**spoiler alert** Margaret and Elizabeth are best friends whose brothers have been sent to fight in World War II. The girls are being bullied by Gordy, a tough kid in their neighborhood. Soon, the girls come to understand that Gordy's father is abusive, and Gordy has a huge secret that he has only told his two closest friends. The girls know he is hiding something, and they follow the boys one day only to discover that Gordy has been hiding his older brother, Stuart, who has deserted the war effort. Things get more interesting when Stuart becomes sick, and Gordy and his buddies and Margaret and Elizabeth have to work together to come up with a plan to protect Gordy's brother and to get him the help he needs.(less)
Claire Louise Corbet and her family live in Vicksburg, Mississippi during the Civil War. The town is split with friends and family who have joined bot...moreClaire Louise Corbet and her family live in Vicksburg, Mississippi during the Civil War. The town is split with friends and family who have joined both Confederate and Union sides of the war. Claire's older brother Landon attended Harvard and joined the Union army as a doctor while Claire's father joined the Confederate cause as a doctor in Lee's army. When the Union army was laying seige on the town of Vicksburg, Landon returns with a Confederate soldier, Robert, whom Landon had been treating for his injuries. Landon is stuck knowing that he could be court martialed if he does not turn in this Confederate soldier, but they have become friends so the decision is not easy. Claire doesn't allow her brother to turn Robert in because she gets involved with helping Robert escape on her beloved horse Jewel. Claire learns a great deal about family, sibling relationships, love, and war in this Rinaldi novel. I was disappointed the novel was so short. I think Rinaldi could have developed the story more, but as usual, Rinaldi "takes the reader there" and shows us what living in Vicksburg would have been like during the Civil War. Epilogue, Author's Note, and Bibliography complete the text. Recommended for upper elementary and middle school.(less)
Loved the writing style and language of Ann E. Burg in this debut novel. Written in free verse, Burg tells the story of Matt Pin who was airlifted out...moreLoved the writing style and language of Ann E. Burg in this debut novel. Written in free verse, Burg tells the story of Matt Pin who was airlifted out of Vietnam and adopted by an American family. Burg beautifully depicts the conflicts raging in Matt's world - guilt over his Vietnamese brother's injury, sadness over leaving his biological mother, excitement over making the school's baseball team, and turmoil over teammate prejudices. Through the inspiring words and direction of two great baseball coaches along with his adoptive father's introduction to local veterans at a Veteran Voices group at the local Community Center, Matt starts to grow and break through the mental binds that hold him and don't allow him to move forward. Beautifully written.(less)
Esperanza lives a life of luxury in Mexico with her mother and father, living on a ranch with servants and anything Esperanza could dream of having. H...moreEsperanza lives a life of luxury in Mexico with her mother and father, living on a ranch with servants and anything Esperanza could dream of having. Her life is torn apart when her father is murdered, and her evil uncles try to take the ranch from her mother and her. In order to avoid their involvement in their lives, Esperanza and her mother flee to the United States with several good friends, Miguel, Hortensia, and Alfonso, who had always worked for the Ortega family. Esperanza learns a great deal about survival and how to fend for herself and to also take care of her mother who got sick from the major duststorms that would hit the California area. With Miguel's friendship, Esperanza learns about family, love, friendship, and how to strive to reach your goals.(less)
Evie Spooner's father, Joe, has just come back from World War II, and Joe wants to celebrate by taking his wife, Beverley, and Evie to Palm Springs, F...moreEvie Spooner's father, Joe, has just come back from World War II, and Joe wants to celebrate by taking his wife, Beverley, and Evie to Palm Springs, FL for a vacation. While vacationing, they meet Peter Coleridge, who had served in Joe's company overseas. Everyone is delighted to meet and hang out with this gorgeous, friendly, and charming young man except for Joe whose high spirits are dimmed whenever Peter is around. Evie falls madly in love with this strapping young man, and more mysteries seem to unravel, especially those involving why Joe does not much care for the man. In the end, a huge accident on the water impacts all of the characters, and Joe and Beverly find themselves in court trying to prove their innocence. It is up to Evie to help her parents although there will be betrayal in the end. A sophisticated plot with many twists and turns...(less)
**spoiler alert** Ailin is the third daughter living in the Tao family in China during the early 20th century. Her family wants her to have her feet b...more**spoiler alert** Ailin is the third daughter living in the Tao family in China during the early 20th century. Her family wants her to have her feet bound so she will be a suitable pick for an early marriage agreement with Hanwei, the youngest son of the Liu family. With her father's support, Ailin refuses to have her feet bound - she loves running in the fields and being free to get around easily without the pain of bound feet. Her father also sends her to public school, which Ailin loves! Once Ailin's father dies, her uncle does not have the money to continue sending Ailin to public school. The uncle gives Ailin three choices - be a concubine for a local gentleman, be a farmer's wife and work in the fields, or become a nun. Ailin decides to be none of the three - she decides to be a nanny to the two children of the Warners, an American missionary family. Ailin travels to America with this same family where she discovers Chinatown and reunites with James Chew, and her life changes forever.(less)
I enjoy Mildred D. Taylor's writing so much! This was the prequel to the Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry series, and it explained how Cassie's grandfathe...moreI enjoy Mildred D. Taylor's writing so much! This was the prequel to the Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry series, and it explained how Cassie's grandfather acquired the land that was such an integral part of the stories that come later in the series. A great historical fiction read - so well-written, deep, rich characters! Really enjoyed it.(less)
This is one of my favorite YA books so I just reread it. This is the first in a series, and Mildred D. Taylor is an excellent writer who brings the st...moreThis is one of my favorite YA books so I just reread it. This is the first in a series, and Mildred D. Taylor is an excellent writer who brings the story of segregation in the South alive through her portrayal of the Logan family, a black family who owns land in Mississippi and who remain steadfast in their refusal to give up the land at any cost. I admire the strength of the Logan family and their respect and love for one another which permeates the pages of this book.(less)
An author learns about what happened on the island of Guernsey during World War II through a series of letters that she writes to the members of the G...moreAn author learns about what happened on the island of Guernsey during World War II through a series of letters that she writes to the members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. A quaint novel - very well-written. I like the authors' vocabulary usage - I even had to look up some of the words in the dictionary - loved the challenge.(less)
Although Helmuth Hubener, a German teen during World War II, has to join the Hitler Youth since it is a requirement, some of the ideals of Hitler and...moreAlthough Helmuth Hubener, a German teen during World War II, has to join the Hitler Youth since it is a requirement, some of the ideals of Hitler and the Fatherland do not sit well with him. He loves his country, but as more and more restrictions are placed on the German citizens and he sees his rights being taken away, he starts to question whether Hitler really wants peace as advertised when he was running for office. Hitler also proclaimed that Germans were not allowed to listen to any non-German radio broadcasts. One day, Helmuth's brother, Gerhard, brings home a forbidden radio which he bought on the Black Market. He locked it in the closet and told Helmuth not to mess with it, but the temptation was too great. After picking the lock on the closet, Helmuth begins to listen to the BBC each night to learn what is really going on in the world. Helmuth starts to print flyers and leaflets sharing the news that he learns on the BBC. His two best friends help him with this endeavor until Helmuth's boss turns him in for suspecting activity which opposed the Fatherland. Helmuth takes the fall for all of their illegal activities, and he is sentenced to execution for treason. Based on a true story, the story of Helmuth and his friends' bravery will stay with me for a long time. (less)
Hilary, who is part of a neo-Nazi group of teens, finds herself in a coma after having had a motorcycle accident with her boyfriend. In her comatose s...moreHilary, who is part of a neo-Nazi group of teens, finds herself in a coma after having had a motorcycle accident with her boyfriend. In her comatose state, she transforms into a young Jewish girl named Chana who lives in Poland with her family during World War II. Experiencing the struggles of this Jewish family firsthand gives Hilary new perspective, and she becomes a changed teen. A powerful portrayal of life in the Jewish ghetto - very poignant with images that will stay with you. Well-written. Strong language in parts. (less)
I reread this one, and I tell you it took a long time to get through it again. It moved slowly for me. I remember having more fun with it when I discu...moreI reread this one, and I tell you it took a long time to get through it again. It moved slowly for me. I remember having more fun with it when I discussed it with a class back in high school or college. Not sure why I wasn't as excited by the read this time. I think I tired of the mother and her expectations for her girls and I also tired of the social expectations of the period. Bah Humbug!(less)
In 1793, the yellow fever swept through Philadelphia, PA. In three months, the fever killed 10% of the city's population. The epidemic led many to fle...moreIn 1793, the yellow fever swept through Philadelphia, PA. In three months, the fever killed 10% of the city's population. The epidemic led many to flee the area until the disease died down, and many who stayed turned on neighbors and even cast out family members who were struck with the fever. It was not a particularly happy time. Mattie Cook lived in town with her mother and grandfather where they helped to run a coffee shop downstairs in their home. When the fever breaks out, Mattie's mom persuades Mattie and her grandfather to flee. Mattie and her grandfather have many of their own adventures on the way to a friend's farm, and ultimately land back in the city where everything has changed. It is like a ghost town. Under undesirable circumstances, Mattie makes some decisions that show she is growing into a very responsible young lady.(less)
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