OCTOBER 29, 2007
A Girl, a Boy, and a Monster Cat by Gail Gauthier
Brandon goes to Hannah Dufrane's house three afternoons a week after school until his parents get home from work. Brandon is the kind of boy that would like to relax after school; maybe, chill in front of the television. Hannah, on the other hand, reads many books she gets from the library. Hannah loves to create with her imagination stories into fantasy play. She wants Brandon to join in with her in these activities. Sometimes, these playful activities can be very interesting! Hannah creates spy games, explorer games, pirate games. The only thing is Brandon never gets the best parts in these games! Hannah's cat gets those parts. Neighbors move in next door to Hannah with a little Chihuahua dog. Hannah's imagination really gets things going. You will have to read this book and see what happens! This books is most appropriate for readers in grades 1-3.
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OCTOBER 28, 2007
Someone Named Eva
This historical fiction novel recounts yet another horrific war crime committed by the Nazis during World War II. By surrendering early to Germany, the former Czechoslovakia had avoided the full wrath of the Nazis until the spring of 1942 when the small town of Lidice was targeted for reprisal for acts of the Czech resistance fighters. During the night of June 10, Nazis stormed in, first seizing all the men and boys to be instantly murdered and then taking women and children to a holding area. Once there, girls were closely examined to determine which had Aryan features (blonde hair and blue eyes). Those who "passed" were taken from their mothers and sent to a Lebensbom training center to learn the German language and culture. One girl who was taken and renamed Eva was determined to remember her family, her real name(Milada), and the Czech language even though it was forbidden. After two years spent in the Germanization process, Eva was formally adopted by the family of the Commandant of Ravensbruck concentration camp. Despite her longing to return to life in her homeland, she became very close to her new "sister" and "mother," and as the Allies drew ever nearer Eva realized that when the war ended she would have to make a difficult choice between her real and her adopted families. Although this is a fictionalized account, the abduction of young girls and their training to become German wives and mother is fact. In a detailed Author's Note, readers are given a full understanding of this cruel practice. Middle school students will find that this novel adds to their understanding of why WWII was a necessary war.
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OCTOBER 18, 2007
House of the Red Fish by Graham Salisbury
This sequel to the award-winning Under the Blood-Red Sun continues the story of Tomi Nakaji, a fourteen-year-old Japanese-American who lives in Hawaii during its most racist period - the years just after the sneak attack on the American naval ships docked in Pearl Harbor. Tomi's father, whose fishing boat was needlessly sunk in the terror-ridden days just after the bombing, has been taken to a relocation camp on the mainland. Knowing that his father will need his fishing sampan when he returns, Tomi becomes obsessed with the need to refloat the boat. Hindered by harassment from a vigilante posse, a strictly enforced curfew, and the hatred of Keet Wilson - a former friend, Tomi (with the vital help of a large assortment of loyal helpers) manages to keep pushing forward with his plan to somehow raise his father's boat. This historical fiction adventure story written by a longtime native of Hawaii and starring a diverse cast of boys of many races with a light-hearted sense of camaraderie among them will surely appeal to middle-school and junior high readers.
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OCTOBER 14, 2007
The Talented Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
Talent shows are for the gifted, so everyone thinks. Everyone has a talent, except me? Third becomes complicated for Clementine when she has to present a talent act in the school talent show fundraiser. She tries not to panic. However, she can't think of any talent she has to present in the show. It becomes even more difficult when her best friend, Margaret, has so many talents. Read and discover what Clementine comes up with to demonstrate in the talent show, which suprises everyone, most of all herself! This book is most suitable for 2nd and 3rd grade readers.
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OCTOBER 3, 2007
Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: School Days by Erica Silverman
This is a fun, early chapter book that contiues the adventures of Cowgirl Kate, and her horse, Cocoa. Kate loves to ride Cocoa every day, but one day, Kate tells Cocoa that she can not play with him all day today. She has to go to school. Cocoa is very sad and tries to follow Kate's school bus to school. This book is made up of four chapters. In each chapter, Kate and Cocoa have various adventures. Cocoa discovers that even though Cowgirl Kate has new adventures and has made new friends. Cocoa will always be one of her best friends. The illustrations by Betsy Lewin are just adorable and really depict the fun friendship Cowgirl Kate has with Cocoa. Readers will also enjoy the other two books in the series Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa and Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Partners. The first book, Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa, was the 2005 honor book for the Geisel award. The Geisel award is presented for the most distinguished book for beginning readers. This book, Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: School Days is recommended for students in grades 2-3. It would also make a good read-aloud for older preschoolers as well.
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OCTOBER 1, 2007
Homesick: My Own Story by Jean Fritz
This book follows the author’s experiences as the ten-year-old Jean Guttery, from her childhood in Hankow, China, to her arrival two years later in the place that her parents always referred to as “Washington, P.A.” Although Jean is born in China, she is considered a foreigner and longs for the home in the United States she has only seen through her parent's eyes and through the letters she receives from her grandmother and aunt. Each of the book’s seven chapters explores an aspect of Fritz’s growing sense of personal identity as she reviews her role within the family and her allegiances as an American abroad. As a first-person narrative, the story remains faithful to Fritz’s point of view as a young girl between 1925 and 1927 in a China that is starting to become openly hostile toward all foreigners. She doesn't pretend to understand all the politics going on around her, instead focusing on bullying at the British school she attends, presents she receives for Christmas, and vacationing spots her family visits. Chinese details are woven throughout the story giving a sense of the location and culture. Most suitable for children in grades 5 - 8, and for those interested in biographies and history.
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