The Witch of Blackbird Pond

                                                                                                  By Elizabeth George Spear 


    This Newbery Award winning book is a classic story that is well worth the read.  Young Kit has no where to go but to her Aunt's house in the New England Colonies.  Her non traditional upbringing on the island of Barbados has ill prepared her fot the harsh reality of the cold Connecticut winter.  The harsh weather is nothing compared to the strict Puritan community of Wethersfield.
     Kit does not fit into her adoptive family her town.  She was raised in love and kindness and quickly comes in contact with stern Puritan beliefs.  She finds some solace in the home of Hannah Tupper, a Quaker that lives nearby.  Even though Hannah is believed to be a witch, Kit continues to visit the pond and befriend the lonely woman.  This little shack in the marsh becomes Kit's sanctuary which she shares with the frightened Prudence.  Her staunch support of the widow Tupper comes to a head when Hannah is believed to have cast a spell on the town and many are sick and dying.  Kit saves her friends life, but puts her own existence in jeopardy.  By her acknowledgment of the friendship with Hannah, Kit is brought up on witch charges, arrested and brought into the lecture hall for arraignment.  Nat comes to her rescue and Kit is free to return to her family.
     Through this ordeal, Kit comes to a couple of realizations, one William is not the man for her, she knows who she loves and where she wants to live, now is the time to set her future in action.
     This is a story about the plight of early American colonists, the inequality of women and how one strong girl stood up for her own future.  Even though this is not a true historical fiction, it is a very good read. I would give this book a 3.5 stars out of 5.  Even though I enjoyed it, now sure how many young ladies will enjoy the story.  Definitely, do not feel that it would be attractive to most young men.  It is an interesting read, however, and is well worth a look into early colonial America.

Link 

Witch trials in the United States

The Caribbean Trade

Elizabeth George Speare

Colonial Connecticut

Falling Over Sideways

                                                                                          By Jordan Sonnenblick


     What an awesome story and a great way to look at a family tragedy.  Claire is definitely a character full of middle school drama.  It's hard to be the youngest with a perfect older sibling.  Nothing seems to go Claire's way, school, dance, friends and family life.  Nothing ever seems to go the right way for Claire, But her world is forever changed when her outgoing, creative dad the author has a stroke right in front of her. and she is alone.  She can not contact her mother and she has to call 911 and help her dad.  Due to her quick actions her father lives, but a stroke can be a debilitating health condition.
     Now on top of all of the other middle school drama, Claire has lost her father, he is a shell of what he used to be.  The emotions are overwhelming.  Claire's father is unable to communicate in a normal fashion, and has other deficits.  His road to recovery is going to be long and difficult.  He does slowly begin to recuperate, but has a second health crisis when he contracts pneumonia from attempting to swallow his Thanksgiving "Feast".  Of course Claire happens to be in her crazy Science class and they are in a lockdown when she gets the text message.  This does not go over well with the teacher who takes Claire's phone away, among some straight up rebellion from her classmates.  The teacher slaps Claire and the whole group has to meet with the principle the following day.
     Eventually, Claire's father returns home from the hospital, a little bit healthier and Claire becomes his inspiration for rehabilitation.  She is instrumental in motivating him to try to do his rehab exercises.  The school year ends and Claire normally would be looking forward to her dance recital and her first participation in the father daughter dance, but how can she look forward to something that is not going to happen?  How can she expect her father to dance, he can barely walk.  Her brother volunteers for the duty and Claire is able to participate in the number, but not how she had envisioned this landmark event.
     This book was a great read.  I really resonated with me on multiple levels.  As a realistic fiction story the characters and events were spot on.  The author, did an incredible job describing feelings and circumstances in a careful and touching voice.  As an individual that has had a loved one suffer a stroke, I was touched with how close the descriptions were to reality.  I am giving this book a 5 out of 5 and feel that it is appropriate for anyone over 5th grade on.  This is an incredible empathetic read and multifaceted in tone and nature, many teaching points.

Links 

Author: Jordan Sonnenblick

Symptoms of a stroke

Stroke Rehab

What is a stroke?

Forge

                                                                                                   By Laurie Halse Anderson 

     A young escaped slave, Curzon, aids a young rebel in defeating a red coat.  This one act cements a friendship among the young men.  Curzon ends up re-enlisting in the American Army and marches with the rest of his troop to the winter encampment, Valley Forge.  He is just another soldier, freezing and starving in the bleak valley, until his old master, Mr. Bellingham finds him and he is forced to return to serving at Moore Hall.  Although, he is warm and fed, he would rather return to his compatriots in their hut, because he was a free man.
     Serving Mr. Bellingham and the household at Moore Hall would have been horrible if Curzon had not been reunited with his friend Isabel.  Isabel had helped Curzon escape, and then they had separated due to a misunderstanding.  As soon as he was able Curzon tried to encourage Isabel to escape with him again.  It was only then that she showed him that she wore a metal collar, signifying her slave status.  If she attempted to run, she would be recognized and return to Bellingham immediately.  Curzon decides to leave with out her, until Bellingham informs him that any misdeeds that Curzon does, the punishment will be awarded to Isabel.  Now, they must endeavor to flee together!
     The two bide their time, waiting, listening and learning as much as possible.

     I refuse to tell you of their escape, whether it is successful or not, you have to read this book.  I am giving this book a 5 out of 5 stars, It is an incredible representation of a historical fiction, told from a forgotten voice in our quest for independence.  The details that Anderson utilizes in her description of the huts and the lack of food for the soldiers are incredible.  Too often we romanticize wars and soldiers when the deplorable conditions and actions of soldiers are not so pretty.  This book is great for anybody over fourth grade!

Links 

Valley Forge

Historic Valley Forge

Slavery and the American Revolutionary War

General Washington at Valley Forge

Booked

                                                     By Kwame Alexander 

     Middle school is a tremendous time of growth and maturity.  A time of new interests, old friends new friends and romance.  Nick has a highly developed lexicon due to a father that is a professor of linguistics.  In fact, his father has even written a dictionary of interesting words.  Nick loves to play soccer, hang out with his best friend Coby, he is shy around the girl of his dreams, has a great relationship with his mother and friction with his father.  He has a marvelous mentor in the school's librarian, former rapper Mac. Nick seems to be muddling through his 8th grade year pretty well until strife between his parents makes his home life strained and until the class bullies come back to school.  One of the twins likes Nick's dream girl, which leads to even more turmoil.  

     When Nick's parents openly disagree and dad ends up sleeping on the couch, his life really starts shifting to a new normal.  Nick's mother decides to have a trial separation and moves out of state to further her career has a horse trainer.  This leaves Nick with an exacting father with extremely high expectations.  Nick's father forces him to read his dictionary daily and Nick hates to read even though his romantic interest is in the school's book club.  Nick's love of soccer and his best friend Coby are really his saving grace and they are looking forward to a large tournament with college scouts, but in a rival soccer match, when Coby is on the opposing team. Nick is injured and he suffers a burst appendix.  The tournament is out and Nick is devastated.  When Nick is injured his mom returns home and thinks seems to return to normal, until she packs to return to Kentucky.  Nick learns that the written word is his life-save; a new activity, book club, communicating with his mother and using his words to avoid confrontation.  Nick does return to health and his life has changed. 

     I absolutely love this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.  It was amusing fast paced and highly entertaining.  I think that it is very appropriate for any student 5th grade and higher.  I could not put this book down and will be one of those books that I will keep for a long time.  I especially liked the thought  that was put into the the font size, the footnotes and the care for the total package.  I never knew that poetry could be this incredible!  This book is awesome! 

Links

Kwame Alexander

Soccer rules

What to do if you are bullied.

Doll Bones

                                                                         By Holly Black 

     This book is ingenious and entertaining.  Welcome to the world of make believe where three friends spend all of their spare time in a created game from their own creative minds.  They have played the game for years, but those around the three friends do not understand their enjoyment and attachment to each other.  Zach, Poppy and Alice are in middle school and things are going to change.  When Zach's dad moves back in with them and throws all of the action figures away, Zach has no choice.  He can no longer participate in the game and is devastated.  Instead of explaining his dilemma to his best friends he lies and claims that he no longer wants to play.  

     Poppy and Alice are left without their hero and the game falls apart until Poppy rescues the queen from her tower (a display case) and begins to have nightmares.  She is told that she must  return the queen to her home.  She convinces Alice and Zach that they must help her and of course the three of them rush to do the queen's bidding.  The problem is that they must catch a bus in the middle of the night and they leave with out telling any adults.  Their quest becomes fraught with danger as they spend the night outside and learn to sail a boat on their route to East Liverpool.  When they are caught in the library, they all believe that the quest is doomed, but they have a small window to find Eleanor's burial spot and put the queen to rest.  

     I really enjoyed this coming of age book.  The tale is very well crafted and ripe with symbolism.  I am giving this book a 4.75 out of 5 and believe it is appropriate for all students fifth grade and higher.  It really is a book about learning to grow and find new interests and that sometimes it is okay to still play and things never stay the same forever!  Definitely worth the read! 

Links

Author - Holly Black

Bone China

East Liverpool OH

Just Listen

                                                                                  By Sarah Dessen 

     This is an incredibly powerful and well-crafted story.  Sarah Dessen approaches a current often hidden aspect of life unfortunately for many women.  Anabel appears to have everything that most teens crave, but one night her life crumbles and she did not know how to deal with her new reality.  Left to begin the upcoming school year with no friends and hated by Sophie, she tries to become invisible.  An unlikely friendship with the school's "bad boy", assists Anabel in dealing with her anger and remaining honest with herself and those around her.  

     Not until Anabel is confronted with  her own memories and another victim, and Owen asks for an explanation that she is not ready to give, does Anabel learn to just listen.  Anabel's friendship with Owen is in a shambles and she finally decides to listen to the CD's that he made for her.  Then a confrontation with an old friend forces Anabel to tell Owen the whole truth, all of her secrets. His understanding and encouragement has Anabel calling the detective and telling her family, what happened.  Finally, Anabel has righted her life and discovered that the truth has set her free that and the power of music.  

     I really enjoyed this story but feel that it is very mature in its content.  It is beautifully crafted and the character development is excellent.  I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars and would say it is appropriate for girls in high school.  This was a nice departure for my reading and I would encourage you to read it.  

Links 

Author: Sarah Dessen

Bullying

No means no

Anger Management

Summerlost

                                                                                                By Allie Condie

     This is a poignant tale of heartbreak and the resilient spirit of an individual to overcome the loss of not only her father but a young sibling as well.  Cedar comes to terms with her father and younger brother's death.  Ben had been autistic, but Cedar was able to understand and loved him.  It has been a year and her mother has decided to buy a summer home Iron Creek, near her family.  It should be good for them to be surrounded by loved ones while they learn to handle their new normal.  They quickly settle into a routine, but Cedar notices a young man riding by her home in a costume, and one day decides to follow to see where he goes.
     His destination is the local Shakespear in the park festival where he works doing concessions.  Even though Cedar is young, she is found a job at the festival and quickly becomes friends with Leo.  In an effort to make as much money as possible that summer Leo has concocted a scheme and asks if Cedar would like to be his partner.  The scheme is to give festival attendees a celebrity walk of Iron Creek's famed Lisette Chamberlain.  Of course, this is accomplished without any of the adults being aware of their activity.  Leo and Cedar are eventually caught and lose their jobs at the concession, yet Cedar continues to volunteer her time in the wardrobe department, where she has befriended Lisette's old friend.  In the end, Cedar and her family have decided to commemorate the loss of their loved ones by keeping and collecting items that Ben would have kept near at hand... a toothbrush, a screwdriver etc.
     This is a very enjoyable read, well crafted with some very strong figurative speech especially metaphor for example, "Sometimes I thought of the three of us as pencils with the erasers scrubbed down to the end, and the next swipe across the paper would tear through the page and make a scree sound" (Condie, 11).  I am going to only give this book a 3.5 out of 5.  Somehow the book fell flat and was anti-climatic, the developed story was not the conflict.  If you are looking for a light easy read, however, this is a good book to pick up.

Links

Michigan's Shakespeare in the Park

William Shakespeare

Allie Condie