In the Shadow of the Sun

By Anne Sibley O'Brien 

     This book grabbed my attention from the very first sentence.  It is a very intriguing and thought provoking tale.  The author does a remarkable job of transporting the reader into a different time, culture and environment.  Really, makes one wonder what would they do if it was them, would you be able to survive and stay ahead of the soldiers.  Would you be a Mia, Simon or their father?  

     Mark Andrews takes his two children with him on a trip into North Korea.  They are forewarned and given a long list of rules.  Mr. Andrews has traveled here before as a food relief worker and somehow embroils himself in a faction power struggle.  Unknown to them they are about to embark on the journey of a lifetime.  Mark is arrested as Mia and Simon find incriminating images on a gifted cell phone.  They know that the only way to help their dad is to get the images out of the country.  They endeavor to allude the North Koreans on a harrowing escape across the country towards China.  This proves to be very difficult since Simon is a tall blond American while Mia, who is adopted, is from South Korea.  With little knowledge of the language, next to no money, no food how are they supposed to travel the distance to safety without being seen and captured?  It takes some luck, ingenuity and a lot of courage plus a little bit of help from surprise sources.  

     This was an excellent story, I loved the information given at the beginning of the book, very helpful in reading the tale.  Giving the background knowledge led to more understanding and a better appreciation of the dangers.  What I did not get 100% was some of the North Korean view point, it did not always connect to Simon and Mia.  I am giving this book a 4.5 out of 5, just for the disconnect.  I did really enjoy this book, it made me question what happened to some of the supporting characters.  This book is good for 5th grade students and up and encourage anybody to buy their copy today.  

links

Author - Anne Sibley O'Brien

Current guidelines to travel into North Korea

History of North Korea

Hidden Figures

By Margot Lee Shetterly

     After I heard about this group of courageous women I could not wait to read the book or watch the movie.  I am sad to say that the book is rather dry and reads like informative text.  These beautiful, brave women fought long and hard.  This book spent a lot of time dwelling on the news of the time of WWII and Civil Rights, and rarely gave one a glimpse into the lives of these women.  

     Hidden Figures follows four women and how they became part of Langley and computers for the United States.  Their drive and determination to  be recognized and productive members of NACA and NASA is noteworthy.  It is very eye opening that they even had the opportunity, especially when Civil Rights had not occurred.  I was surprised by a lot of the historical information,  but sorely missed some of the personal details about their day to day lives.  These women were incredible, mothers, wives and mathematicians.  It totally blows my mind they were able to make these extraordinary difficult computations, no matter they race or gender.  Not only that but the day to day struggle proving that they were capable, so inspirational.  

     Although I appreciated this book, I wish it would have a little more personal detail.  It was a fairly simple read and think that anybody over fifth grade would enjoy the information.  I am giving this book a 3 out of 5 stars.  If you are someone that enjoys history and would like a window into the home front during and after WWII, pick up your copy!

Links

Margot Lee Shetterly - author

Langley

Real computers

     

Somewhere There Is Still a Sun

By Michael Gruenbaum

     This book really epitomizes the idea of waiting for the other shoe to drop.  Misha is a young Czech boy, carefree, wealthy when the German's rose to power.  As his life begins to change, his Jewish heritage is the catalyst for rules that make no sense, at least to young Misha.  Long before entering the Jewish Ghetto, the writing was on the wall, no school, no fruit, no walking on certain roads, no playing in parks, the list goes on.  Is childhood and his comfortable life is slowly eroded, but with spirit and strength of will, Misha and most of his family will survive.  

     Misha's parents were well aware of the propensity of the German's of attaining Jewish riches, and planned accordingly by secreting much of their wealth to London, or friends in Prague.  As his comfortable life empties, he keeps telling himself, what else can be taken?  When they are forced to move into the old part of town into a small apartment, Misha remains content, hey he has his family with him.  One serious test of his faith is the loss of his father at the hands of the German's.  Then when the rest of his family and Misha are transported to Terezin at first he feels devastated.  Misha is fortunate, he has been separated from his mother and sister and placed in a children's dorm, room 7 to be exact.  He is forced to attend the program (school) and is introduced to the other inhabitants of the room, including its leader Franta.  

     Terezin is a concentration camp, more of a holding center for families being sent "east".  Franta is a gifted teacher, educating well beyond the classroom.  He is strict about the boys keeping themselves, clothing, beds and bathrooms very clean.  Knowing full well that filth harbors disease.  He also encourages the youngsters in his room to work together as a team, be punctual, never call each other names etc.  Only through working together in harmony may they one day beat the Germans.  Misha is content in his new reality, he likes his room mates and loves when they can play soccer or work on plays together.  As time marches on, periodically pink slips will go out to families that need to be transported to the east, groups and families are removed from Terezin some to never be seen again.  

     Through a little bit of luck and a whole lot of grit, Misha and his family avoid transport to the East, and are still in Terezin when survivors are sent back to Terezin, emaciated, bald and a bare semblance of who they were.  They are there when the Russian tanks roll in and when the Red Cross take control of Terezin.  Misha's return to Prague is at once joyful and poignant.  He is glad to be alive but is well aware that many of his room mates were not so fortunate.  Out of the 80 plus boys that spent time in room 7, only 11 survived, pretty devastating odds.  That bond that was forged by Franta has survived the test of time and the "boys" still meet up occasionally. 

     I really enjoyed this book, even though the content was deep it maintained a sort of youthful, naivete, a belief that things can get better.  Misha learns to take joy in the simple things, finding a soccer ball, stealing a dinner roll, or a tin of sardines.  I also appreciated the history of Terezin, there were many different concentration camps, by far the worst was Auschwitz, but anything that takes away freedom is deplorable.  I am giving this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars and thinks anybody above 5th grade will enjoy this book.  

Links 

Author - Michael Gruenbaum

Terezin

Brundibar - the Children's Opera

Prague - Post WW2

     

     

Lights Camera Disaster

By Erin Dionne

     I thoroughly enjoyed this interesting book, totally enjoyable.  An entertaining tale about our hapless heroin Hester, Hess for short.  She is on the verge of failing the eighth grade and losing all of her friends with the real possibility of repeating the year.  Hess has a learning disability, which curtails her ability to organize and function in the classroom.  She tries so hard to maintain her focus, but why can't the world be viewed through her camera?  When she is working on her movies and with her friends she is able to focus and is driven to stay on task, how can this be translated to her school work.  

     Just as everything is about to implode around her, her grades are at a new low, her friends are angry and she can not participate in the Hoot;  help comes from unexpected corners.  First of all, the drama teacher offers some insightful words of advice, she reminds Hess that she is the director or her own story (life).  Basically, that Hess is in charge of her actions, the focus that she uses in her films can be utilized in her real life problems.  Secondly, her brother gives her the genius idea of putting her notes and study as if she is prepping a movie, using a story board for organization.  These revelations prove to be the switch that Hess needs.  

     What is so amazing about this book is the insight that it gives the reader to the differences in many of its readers.  Not everyone learns the same way, not everyone has the capability of retaining information in the same manner.  Middle school can be a very rewarding but exhausting time.  A students growth and their potential are limitless, being able to express and learning in different modes is invaluable.  I am giving this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars and think that all students above the fifth grade will enjoy this funny but touching tale.  

Links 

Author - Erin Dionne

Executive Function Disorder

Coping methods for Anxiety

Can;t Look Away

By Donna Cooner 

     This is a extremely interesting read.  It was very eye opening, shedding light on the invasive beast that we have created with social media.  Today's youth no longer have the worries of popularity with in their immediate friends or schools, they are attempting popularity on a much wider scale.  When fashion icon, Torrey, looses her younger sister in a tragic accident, her avid followers can't ger enough of this real life drama.  Torrey and her parents even move out of the state to attempt to adjust to a life without Miranda.  

     Torrey is transplanted into the Texas community.  She feels that all eyes are upon her, used to being in the spotlight and popular, she thinks she knows how to be welcomed by the Queen bee and her underlings.  Blair, rules the schools social scene and one has to be welcomed into her social circle in order to become teen royalty.  Torrey knows how to walk the walk, she knows what she has to do to be accepted, but she is struggling with her sisters death and being pulled by the very attractive Luis and her cousin Raylene.  If she follows her mind she will be accepted, but if she follows her heart... HAPPINESS!  Luis becomes an incredible friend and sounding board, through his heritage and dealings with his family business.  His father is the owner of the local funeral home.  Luis hopes to follow in his foot steps and is very supportive of Torrey.  She finds some solace in collecting and keeping some of Miranda's belongings close to her, but she knows she has to let them go in order to deal with her sadness.  

     The book builds nicely to the climax, with Torrey having to make a definitive choice between Blair (and popularity) and Luis.  I am going to be honest, a lot of this book Torrey is very unlikeable.  She is very superficial and concerned about appearances, going as far as ignoring Luis when Blair or her underlings are around.  She is very cold and methodical in her quest for popularity.  Only when she realizes what is important do you learn to like our fashionista.  

     This book is a good read and entertaining, but I am only giving it a 3 out of 5 stars, for two reasons first of all it is very gender specific.  Second of all, it did drag a bit with the back story.  With that being said I feel that this book is a very emotionally mature story.  I think that young girls in 7th grade and higher would enjoy the content and how Torrey strives to be popular.  It is a good story but very sad.  

Links 

Author - Donna Cooner

Coping with the death of a loved one

Social Media Addiction

     

The War Below

By Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch 

     I love that this book and this author go beyond what one thinks they know about the plight of Europeans during and after World War II.  In the story "Making Bombs for Hitler", you meet two children that are surviving their ordeal in a German Concentration Camp, Luka and Lida become fast friends and learn to depend on each other in order to live.  This is the tale of Luka after he escapes the camp and how he hides, survives and tries to make it home.  

     He is very fortunate in that he stumbles upon a farmer and his wife that nurse him back to health and points him in the right direction.  Than as he stumbles to where he thinks is safety a young girl, Martina, finds him and teaches him how to remain safe from capture.  As the two of them elude soldiers they develop a close friendship, so when they stumble upon a hidden hospital and resistance fighters they willingly join the cause.  

     During Luka's time with the resistance, he learns a lot, and he is able to hone his medical capabilities, he becomes integral to his group and saves many lives.  As the war turns, however, and he looses Martina to a gunshot, he thinks he has to move on and continue on his quest to return home.  One of the adults in the resistance convinces him he should go out and share their story of what they have been able to accomplish.  Luka relents and heads away from home.  As he travels he notices an increasing number of people that have been dislocated and are homeless and have no place to go.  He follows along and finally reaches a camp run by Americans.  The Americans are trying to reconnect family members and communities, they provide food, clothing and other necessities.  For a long time Luka wanders the camps looking for family members or his friend Lida.  So when the day arrives that someone says they know her, he makes a point of hunting her down.  As he reconnects with Lida he is filled with love.  This love is put to the test when a Russian Soldier approaches Luka during school and says that his father is looking for him in Kyiv.  Luka is heartbroken when he hears the truth.  He rushes back to Lida and the reader is left with a deep hope that they remain together.
     What is amazing about this book is that it evokes images, sensations and feelings in a simple and concise manner.  All too often when hearing, learning or discussing World War II and German Concentration camps and the plight of many Europeans the emphasis is on the Jewish Holocaust.  I am in no way trying to minimize the horrors that were inflicted by the Germans, but this opens ones eyes to the atrocities on the entire continent and points out both perpetrators and victims.  I give this book a 4.5 out of 5, it was outstanding and would encourage anybody over 5th grade to enjoy this book!

Links 

Author

Battle of Kyiv (Kiev)

Russian Prison Camps

Resistance during WWII

Brown Girl Dreaming

By Jacqueline Woodson

     This book is a beautiful surprise.  Many people have told me that they love this book and I now know why.  It is extraordinarily well crafted, the voice is honest and the imagery transcends time.  This is an incredible narrative through the craft of poetry.  In this tale you meet the Woodson family as they grow and move from their Ohio home, to South Carolina and than New York during in the  1960's.  A time when this country went through the civil rights movement and emotions were charged. 
     Jacqueline is the youngest of the Woodson family, initially, and as such feels constantly challenged by her older siblings.  Both Odell and Hope are seemingly very intelligent one loves science and the other can lose themself in a good book.  Young Jacqueline wants to be a writer, but the process of getting her beautiful stories on paper is a struggle.  At first, she does not know how to write, than she struggles finding words that she knows how to spell, so her writing does not flow nor is it fluent. 
     As time marches and the Woodson family moves from Ohio to South Carolina, to live with their grandparents, whom they love a great deal.  Jacqueline and her siblings learn to love the heat of the deep south, though they do not understand all of tension between everyone.  They are forced to become Jehovah's Witness, by their grandmother.  They love their grandfather, whom they consider their daddy.  Their mother leaves them in her parents care while she travels to New York looking for a job that could support their needs.  When she finally returns to bring them to the big city with her, she brings a baby, Roman.  Jacqueline misses her South Carolina family and dislikes their new home and the cold dreary New York weather.  This new time in her life brings her her best friend Maria and opens her up to new experiences, public school.  Yet the still spend their summers in South Carolina with their aging grandparents.  Daddy's health is beginning to wane as a life time of cigarettes takes a toll on him.  As Jacqueline ages she learns more words and how to spell and she is finally recognized as a writer. 
     I love this book, it was a nice read and it flowed beautifully.  The use of powerful poetry worked well with the imagery that the author projected.  I am giving this book a 5 out of 5 stars and feel that it is appropriate for fourth grade and up.  The content about discrimination, although beautifully done and not graphic at all needs to be above third grade.  What I appreciated the most about this book is the multiple layers to each chapter and the ease of the read, very enjoyable.  If you have not done so, pick up your copy today. 

Links 

Author Jacqueline Woodson

The history of the Civil Rights movement in South Carolina

The History of New York city