Knock Out

By K.A. Holt 

     This book is a treasure for readers of all ages.  I love this book, it was highly entertaining from the first page all the way through to the end; page turning action, drama and a direct pulse into young readers.  Levi is getting ready to enter Middle School, but he is no normal kid.  Levi is smaller than most and has been sickly most of his life.  He has to travel to Cincinnati a couple of times a year, just to check on his airways.  Levi has been able to develop by an overly protective mother and brother, who keep him sheltered from everything.  His best friend Tam, helps him get through the days.  As Levi enters the  middle school things will change and secrets begin to mount. 

     Levi wants to be the class clown and will do just about anything to get a laugh out of his classmates, even becoming a secret alternative mascot for the school.  He loves hearing all of the laughter! Tam even convinces Levi to join chess club, neither of them enjoyed that.  During a visit with his dad, a kernel of an idea is thrust into his head, Levi should try a sport, any sport, Mom does not need to know, his Dad will even foot the bill.  Levi has never been athletic because of his breathing issues, what sport could he ever do?  On a "joke" he says hey I want to try boxing.  Dad loves the idea and signs Levi up for gym time at a local ring.  On days that Levi is supposed to be at Chess club he either hangs out in his tree of his dad takes him to the gym.  Levi loves the energy and the focus that concentrating on his footing and hitting gives him.  He is small, quick and mighty.  

     Of course when lies start to build, at some point  they all come tumbling down.  Will all of Levi's secretive freedom be lost, or will his jailers see that he needs more freedom.  Of course  a couple of health problems stumble upon Levi and another trip to Cincinnati may give him his dreams.  Things are changing and Levi is coming of age right before your eyes.  

     What is the most impressive about this book is the complexity of the story told through poetic verse  The descriptive tone of the book, the reader is transported with Levi as he develops and grows and hurts.  Some of the verse is very evocative and thought provoking.  I am definitely giving this book a 5 out of 5 starts and believe that any reader 5th grade and up would enjoy this tale.  If you have the opportunity pick up your copy today.  

Links

Author K.A. Holt

Boxing Boarding School

Airway obstruction - causes

Where She Fell

Kaitln Ward 

     An interesting tale of growth and change.  Eliza is a shy anxious girl, who has a limited number of close friends.  Her two best pals are constantly getting her in trouble, but she is always following their demands in an effort to keep them happy.  When they challenge her to enter the dangerous swamp near her home, she anxiously steps foot on the forbidden ground.  The swamp is known for taking people, and they are never seen again.  Eliza falls into a sinkhole and is swallowed by the forbidden swamp.  

     Eliza who loves caves finds herself in a dark abyss.  Thankfully, she has her backpack with some supplies to keep her safe.  She moves silently in her blackened world, looking for a path out.  There is no light and no path to the known world.  She wanders and is chased by a feral beast.  Finally, she stumbles upon a community of other lost people that work together for their own safety.  This small group of people have made a cavern into a collective work environment, with rules and work groups.  Many of the residents have been under ground for several years, and are considered the leaders of the weary group.  Days are filled with hunting and gathering in an effort to sustain life.  Eliza discovers through the resident scientist, Mary that the cave system is large and is home to many different life forms, including humanoid.  

     In a chance meeting with a luminescent, and their death.  Eliza and her friends decide that it is time for them to hunt down an escape route.  The collective is angry that they are trying to leave and contain them.  Eliza and her friends decide to break out and escape into the caverns.  They run free and straight into dangerous situations.  After the death of one of her companions and their capture by a group of  luminescent, Eliza is convinced that they are doomed.  Is Eliza and her friends going to be able to break out and find their freedom?  

     I don't want to spoil to much of this book, so I am leaving a great deal out.  Unfortunately, the nature of the tale means a  great deal of back story, which does seem to drag on a great deal.  The book was very hard to dig into wholly.  With that being said the last half of the book is great.  The rising action and climax leaves the reader on the edge of their seat.  I am giving this book a 3 out of five stars and believe that it is appropriate for students at least in middle school (Eliza does have a romantic interest!).  It is an interesting tale and bearing witness to the blossoming of Eliza is rewarding.  This book does a great job of describing a world that many are not familiar and it felt very realistic.  I would definitely say that this is an interesting read! 

Links 

Sinkholes in Mighigan 

What causes a sinkhole? 

Creatures that live in caves