Saturday, October 31, 2015

Promises to the Dead, Mary Downing Hahn. At the prelude to the Civil War, Jesse is out turtle hunting for his uncle's soup when he comes across a runaway slave with her boy, Perry. She is about to give birth and asks Jesse to get help. During the delivery, but knowing she is about to die, she forces Jesse to promise to take her son to his aunt in Maryland. Keeping his word, he takes little Perry with him but runs into the colonel that is looking for his runaway slave girl. Realizing Jesse knows more than he will tell, he stalks him and follows him to Maryland. Jesse finds Perry's rightful aunt and grandmother, fulfilling his promise. He soon confronts the colonel again and learns surprising information that leaves him conflicted.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

The Whole Story of Half a Girl, Veera Hiranandani. Sonia is half Jewish and half Indian and she doesn't feel she quite fits either heritage. Her Indian father lost his job and sinks into a deep depression, leaving a shell of the father she grew up with. Her Jewish mother, who doesn't practice the faith, works extra to compensate. Sonia attended the Community school with her best friend, Sam. But with money tight, she is forced to attend the local public school, which is quite different: structure, rules, grades, mean kids. She slowly makes a friend in Alisha, but also makes a friend in Kate, the star cheerleader. She is pulled toward Kate, who invites her to her house with her "cool" parents that are completely different than her own. However, Jess, Kate's best friend, whispers about her, because Sonia's clothes don't quite fit in and bringing her lunch is not cool. Sonia ignores Alisha's advances toward friendship, while also feeling her friendship with Sam slipping away.

Sonia's dad gets a new job and is sent to Hong Kong on business; yet, he never makes it there. He disappears and no one can find him, until her mom, finds him in a mental hospital. He sunk into a deeper depression and needs help. Sonia feels lost, alone and helpless. Her family is unraveling, her friendship with Kate is questionable and her bi-culture heritage is confusing. She struggles with trying to learn who she really is.
A Night Divided, Jennifer Nielsen. It is 1961 and the Berlin Wall goes up, dividing families, separating friends, enclosing people within its borders for years to come. Gerta, her brother Fritz, and their mother are left within the patrolled walls, while her father and brother, Dominic, left the city earlier that day for work. Life takes a drastic change: food is hard to come by, work is scarce, trust is absent and armed guards watch every move. One day, while walking with her friend, Anna, she notices her father and brother on the other side of the wall dancing and making odd motions. She believes he is signalling for her to dig under the wall and escape. She immediately tells Fritz and they form a plan. Their mother left to stay with their grandmother who is sick and away for many days. Gerta and Fritz find the place where they are supposed to dig and their daring attempt at escape begins. Getting dirty and trudging tools to their secret spot is risky and they worry about their neighbor who questions their every move with suspicion. Gerta's friend, Anna, lost her brother while attempting to escape and Anna is being told to stay away from Gerta.

Danger lurks around every corner, movements are monitored closely and no one is to be trusted. Hunger sets in, exhaustion causes mistakes and their mother has to buy into their plan. Digging a tunnel is no easy task and their time is running out.

For readers pulled toward gripping historical stories with a backdrop of truth, this book is for you. To know this is a real time period is chilling. Nielsen is the author of The False Prince, and an earlier book review is available.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Crenshaw, Katherine Applegate. Jackson and his family are struggling financially. He and his younger sister, Robin, play Cerealball to pass the time, which is accurately tossing Cheerios into a cap, or bowl before allowing themselves to eat it. Their father has multiple sclerosis and is unable to keep his construction and handy man jobs. Money is tight, things get sold and they have to move out of their home and into their minivan. His parents always see the brighter side of things, but Jackson wants to be treated like an adult and be told the honest truth. Crenshaw, his imaginary cat, comes around when Jackson seems to need him most; although, he likes things that can be explained and doesn't believe in imaginary friends.

This is a sweet and tender story about hope and family and looking forward. It's about growing up and staying young, wanting the facts, believing in the truth, and having a reliable friend with whom to share your feelings.