MAY 24, 2012
The Lily Pond by Annika Thor
Second to be translated of four books originally penned in Sweden, The Lily Pond is a sequel to Batchelder award winner, Faraway Island which begins the saga of the Steiner sisters, Stephanie and Nellie - two young Jewish girls who are sent by their parents to Sweden from Vienna, Austria as Nazi Germany becomes ever more threatening to Jewish families. In this segment, Stephanie is on a scholarship attending a school in the city of Goteburg, some distance from Hjuvik, a village she has come to love. She is boarding somewhat unhappily with the aristocratic Sonenbergs, has a major crush on their son, Sven, and on her own must deal with being a "new" girl, facing down a prejudiced teacher, and keeping her schoolwork up to scholarship level. And always underlying everything is her worry about the fate of her parents whose infrequent letters keep Stephanie (and the reader) apprised of the worsening conditions for the Jews in Vienna. This is another worthy addition to the body of Holocaust literature so necessary to keep twenty-first century young people aware of this sad chapter in world history. Sixth through eighth grades will find it engrossing reading.
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MAY 22, 2012
Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
If you have read any or all of the Joey Pigza books, you already know of author Jack Gantos's humorous way of relating a story. This Newbery Award winner will not disappoint. It's summer 1962, and about-to-be twelve year old Jack is looking forward to a long, lazy vacation. His plans come to naught however, when he mistakenly ruins his mother's garden and infuriates his dad by fooling with his World War ll souvenir Japanese rifle. He is grounded bigtime in a rare cooperative action by his parents. Luckily (for Jack) his elderly neighbor, Miss Volker, needs his help typing obituaries for her part-time job for the town newspaper. In the course of the summer we also meet Mr. Spizz, who is courting Miss V. while dashing about town on a giant tricycle; a band of Hell's Angels seemingly seeking revenge for the death of one of their motorcyclist friends; and the funeral director's daughter, Mertie Jo, who teaches Jack more than he wants to know about the embalming trade. Woven throughout are Miss Volker's recollections of early Norvelt history as well as synopses of the biographies that Jack is reading and incorporating into a gradually maturing world view. This is a fascinating, humorous tale which will interest fifth through eighth grade readers.
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MAY 13, 2012
Beswitched by Kate Saunders
21st century Flora Fox, a British schoolgirl, is being sent away to Penrice Hall, a fancy boarding school. She is not happy about it, and is pouting. Flora’s parents are having their apartment renovated, and they are off to Italy, to help Flora’s injured grandmother. Flora doesn’t like her grandmother very much, and feels like her parents are putting her grandmother’s needs ahead of her own. Flora is consoled by the fact that she has a new laptop and a cell phone. As she is en route to Penrice Hall via train, Flora falls asleep and has a weird dream. When she awakens, an unknown companion is by her side, and she is wearing weird looking clothes. Things are even stranger, as she has memories from a different Flora, and arrives at St. Winifred’s School for Girls, and not at Penrice Hall. Flora is even more astounded to learn that the year is 1935! Flora’s new roommates had requested a girl from the future, through a summoning spell!
Flora desperately wants to get back to the 21st century, but she first must complete a task before she goes back. During her time in pre-World War II England, she becomes less self-absorbed and more considerate of others. Her roommates become her best friends. An engrossing story with a satisfying (though not too surprising) ending. Recommended for grades 5-8.
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MAY 8, 2012
Starfields by Carolyn Marsden
This book will surely grab a lot of interest due to its timely topic about the Mayan calendar that ends in 2012. Many people think it signals the end of the world. The book centers around a nine-year-old Mayan girl named Rosalba, and her new friend from Mexico City named Alicia. Alicia is in a rural part of Mexico where the Mayans have a village, along with her father and his team of scientists who are studying frogs. Rosalba is told not to trust the "ladinos", but she disobeys her father and secretly meets with Alicia in the forest. It is from Alicia that Rosalba hears the myth about the Mayan calendar, but she has never heard it before. Since she weaves the traditional stories onto blouses to sell in the market, she should know it. When she asks her mother and other villagers about the story, they are not familiar with it either. If their ancestors told this story, then it has somehow been lost over the ages. When bulldozers start tearing down everything in their path to build a road, the scientists discover that frogs are dying. The Mayans have mixed opinions about the building of the road and Alicia challenges Rosalba to do something to stop the destruction. The story alternates with another storyline involving a young shaman from 600 A.D. His eyes were bound at birth so he could not see. A man provides mushrooms and other hallucinagins to help him see visions and predict the future. In one vision, the shaman and Rosalba meet, which helps lead to her decision that goes against the traditional Mayan ways. This is an environmental story appropriate for readers in grades 4-6. Those who enjoyed the book "Hoot" would find this has a similar message. It will also appeal to those who enjoy multicultural stories since the reader is given a glimpse into the traditional Mayan culture. I found it thought-provoking and especially liked Alicia's explanation about a sun burst that happens on a regular basis as the Earth approaches the center of the universe. When this happens, all life on the planet is killed and begins again. Rosalba recognizes this as the Noah story. It seemed a plausible explanation as to how the Mayans might have calculated the next time this would happen to upset life on Earth. This is excellent to listen to on audio as well since the accents of the two girls are depicted and difficult Spanish words are pronounced.
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MAY 7, 2012
Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin
This easy-to-read story is told over the span of two days. Sasha Zaichak is a ten-year-old boy growing up in the Soviet Union under Stalin's rule. He is about to become a Young Pioneer and is extremely excited to learn that his father, a hero working for Soviet State Security, will be tying the red scarves of the children at his school the next day that will recognize this important step in becoming a Communist. Sasha is completely devoted to the coming Communism and writes a letter to Stalin promising his stength and vigilence to the cause. But the next day, nothing goes as he imagined and to top it off, in the excitement of carrying the banner for the Young Pioneer parade and ceremony, he accidently breaks the nose off the Stalin statue in the school hallway. The consequences for mutilating Soviet property is severe. Will Sasha show true Communist character as he has vowed, or have circumstances changed so much that he chooses another path? The writing is extremely clever and succinct in this story, it is easy to see why it was awarded a 2012 Newery Honor Award. Seeing communism through Sasha's innocent eyes and his justification of food shortages and communal living is precious. His guilt for his and his fathers' comparitively better room conditions is heartbreaking. And the amount of misinformation to which he has already been fed about the wonderful world of communism and the "hard lives of children in capitalist countries" is eye-opening. Plenty of black and white illustrations fill the pages, adding a sense of mood to the story, emphasizing the brutal weather and harsh living conditions. My take away from the story is that under Stalin's rule, everyone is looking out only for himself in an effort to remain alive, and no one can be trusted. Suitable for grades 4-6 and older readers interested in a look from a child's perspective into the Soviet Union under Stalin's leadership. This would also be great for discussion; there is a lot to talk about including the cliff-hanger ending. A similarly themed book, though aimed at a slightly higher audience, is "Hitler Youth", which looks at the part youth played under Hitler's rule. You can see my review of that title here:
http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=4725&BlogID=41&BlogPostID=730
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MAY 3, 2012
Underdogs by Mike Lupica
Why would a junior high football team, the Bulldogs, label themselves the "Underdogs?" Maybe not having equipment, uniforms, a coach or even eleven players has something to do with it! Twelve-year-old Will Tyler shows that he won't give up his dream of playing football by tackling first things first. He writes a desperate letter to a producer of athletic shoes and manages to capture the CEO's attention
and the donation of the equipment they need and which their economically depressed city council can't provide. Next, after securing the agreement of former gridiron star (his dad) to coach, he "only" needs eleven players. Much to his surprise (and the team's) surprise, the #11 position is filled by a soccer kicker "new girl" who can really punt. The final piece of the puzzle falls into place when a reluctant but truly talented player changes his mind and agrees to join the team. The underdogs have a season of challenges facing them as the town at last finds something to cheer about. Author Mike Lupica includes lots of detailed on-the-field action scenes which keep interest high. The
Underdogs will be a quick and involving read for those in grades five through seven.
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MAY 3, 2012
Looking for Me by Betsy R. Rosenthal
Eleven - year- old, Edith Paul is one of 12 siblings in her family.
She is growing up during the Great Depression Era near Baltimore, Maryland.
Her family is Jewish.
They live on a street which has many Catholic families.
They want to celebrate American holidays but stay true to their own traditions and cultural practices.
The story takes you into the Jewish culture of family, food, traditions regarding birth and death.
This story is one “middle” children of any tradition can relate to.
Edith is the fourth of twelve children.
She does not know a bed all to herself or new clothes just for her.
She often wonders what it would be like to have a new dress or sleep in a bed where you could spread out and not touch a sister.
Edith’s quest is to find her own self identity in the family sequence of people.
She sees her family as compared to a set of nesting dolls.
The story shows the joys and agitations of being in a large family.
There is humor and even tragedy in this creatively written poetic style book.
The main character, Edith, is the author’s grandmother.
The author includes pictures of the characters and definitions of words from the Jewish culture, if you are not familiar with them, at the end of the book.
The author fictionalized the story but based it on real people and real events in her extended family.
I enjoyed this book very much and I am not a “middle” child.
I would recommend this book for readers in fourth grade and older.
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MAY 2, 2012
Spunky Tells All by Ann Cameron
You will enter a dog’s world when you read
Spunky Tells All.
This is a delightful story with Spunky, a mixed breed middle- aged pet who came to human owners Ralph, Michelle, Julian and Huey.
Spunky is the main character and does all the talking.
His owners only hear the “yerf” but Spunky really has much more to say.
The story lets you think along with Spunky and you find yourself identifying with the world of dogs.
There is much dog humor in the story.
Spunky tries his best to please his owners.
They think Spunky needs another animal friend in the house.
So they select a cat, they affectionately call Fiona.
Now the trouble really begins.
Check out Spunky’s tale (not tail) in this humorous story.
Most appropriate for readers in grades 1-3 with an attraction for the challenged reader.
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MAY 1, 2012
Shelter From the Wind by Marion Dane Bauer
12 year old Stacy is angry and bitter. She is mad at her mom for taking off and not coming back, she is upset with Dad for getting re-married to Barbara, and she is angry at Barbara for being pregnant with Dad’s child. Stacy feels unwanted and unappreciated at home, so she decides to run away. Stacy just sets off one day, with nothing except her hat. Oklahoma summers can be brutal, and Stacy could kick herself for not even bringing water. She walks quite a ways, until she can’t walk anymore.
Stacy falls asleep, and is woken up by a pair of big dogs. The dogs lead her to Ella, an old lady, living on a homestead. Ella is surprised to see her, considering that Stacy’s home is 15 miles away. At any rate, Ella doesn’t judge. Stacy stays on with Ella, and helps around the house. She also helps Nimue, the female dog, to deliver her puppies. During this time, Ella and Stacy become friends, and they learn a lot from each other. Stacy realizes that everyone has problems, and that running away from those problems doesn’t do any good. Stacy also learns that although life can be full of heartache, it can also be a great joy. A very good coming-of-age novel. Recommended for readers in Grades 5-8.
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