Almost Autumn

By Marianne Kaurin 

     To be honest, this is not my favorite book.  It is fairly difficult to read, it totally left me underwhelmed.  The book is supposed to be about a love story in Norway leading up to the German occupation.  This book is difficult to follow simply because each chapter is from a new perspective.  I am not new to this idea and generally enjoy the creativity of this technique, but this did not add to the character or give anybody a depth of understanding, it seemed very one dimensional.  What could have been an incredibly interesting story ended up flat.  

     This book is told from several different view points.  The main character, Ilse,  is a vapid, self involved young women who defies her parents in order to further her relationship with Hermann Rod.  She does not like the restrictions that have been placed on her for her own safety and is constantly thwarting her parents good intentions.  Hermann Rod, Ilse's love interest, is not Jewish, but is harboring secrets, he claims to want to be an artist, but Ilse has never heard of this desire.  We discover that he is helping a resistance to the German occupation.  His connections give him some trouble and saves many lives, possibly Ilse's.  Isaak is Ilse's father, he knows that he has lost business and they are quickly running out of money.  He wants things to be different and has the foresight to remove all of the money from the bank for safe keeping.  Isaak is taken away one night with no warning, this leaves his dependents at a loss.  The shop has been closed, and they do not know where he has been taken.  Ilse's sister Sonja, is very beautiful, a wonderful seamstress and a pleasure to have around the house, meaning she helps out with cooking a cleaning.  She is very frustrated with Ilse who does nothing to help out.  Of course, after Isaak has been taken, things fall apart, they are living in tenuous times, the Germans come and take the entire family with the help of Ole, their neighbor.  Ole drives a taxi and is sickened by the duty of taking many Jew's, some of them his friends, to the wharf for deportation.  Ole feels that he has no choice but to follow his directions, he fears for his life and his family.  What happens to everyone in this one town in Norway, only finishing the book will tell you.  Does everyone survive the holocaust?  Do they survive incarceration?  Will Ilse be reunited with her family? Hermann?  

     I do appreciate the content of this story, I just wish it would have dealt with more realistic content and focused on fewer viewpoints.  I am giving this book a 2.5 out of 5 and feel that it is appropriate for anybody in fifth thru eighth grade.  It was interesting but  I just wish it hadn't glossed over so many details, it left too much up to interpretation.  

Links

Author Marianne Kaurin

Holocaust Resistance

Non Jewish Resistance

The River Between Us

By Richard Peck 

     This is an interesting story, in that it gives the reader a glimpse into two different time periods.  The most prevalent time is America before and during the Civil War.  Secondly, the reader gets a peak into the beginning of the 1900's.  I loved reading about the road trip, where they had to patch all four tires on the car and it only overheated once.  The real eye opening information is the stories surrounding a small Illinois town near the Mississippi River.  The author masterfully crafts the tenuous path that many American's had to follow in the war between the states.  It also illustrates the depths of racism in this country.

     When a young Leleand Hutchings travels to Grand Tower, Illinois to meet the Pruitts, his father's family. Leland and his younger brother meet their relatives, and as their father spends time with his ailing Aunt Delphine, Leland learns the family history from his Aunt Tilly.  A history that they all lived through as she explains of the time leading up to and through the Civil War.  The Pruitts are a  small family that lived along the Mississippi River in a small town called Grand Tower.  Their father had been missing for years and they aremade ends meet any way they ccould.  Tilly and her twin brother were coming of age, Noah was a very young "Man of the House", and wanted to join the North as tensions escalated.  Tilly had to do a lot of the household chores and mind her sister, Cassie who is very insightful (meaning she sees tragedies of the past and possibly the future).  As war between the states seemed eminent, a river boat stopped off and two mysterious passengers disembarked.
      Delphine and Calinda were unique to say the least, Delphine was beutiful and young and Calinda was a young negro woman.  Their relationship wass what separates them however, they were definitely not master and slave, but how were they connected.  Delphine refused to go any further north and asked for directions to the nearest inn, Ma Pruitt heard them and invited the two to state at the home, they might not have much, but what they had was clean and respectful.  Of course, Noah becomes enamored of the mysterious and beautiful Delphine.  The plot thickens when Noah decided to join the Northern forces and marched off for training, one night Ma Pruitt wakens Tilly with the demand to go save Noah.  Tilly and Delphine prepare to enter Cairo Illinois, where the North has set up camp for their forces.  They discover that Noah is very ill and nurse him back to health.  During their time in Cairo, Tilly finds out the truth about Delphine and Calinda, a truth that I am not going to tell you! 
     The surprises do not stop there.  After Noah is nursed back to health he marches to his first battle, Tilly and Delphine sense that something is not right.  They discover that Noah was shot during the battle  and has lost his arm, they nurse him yet again, until he is strong enough to make the trip to Grand Tower.  When they arrive home, there is yet more tragedy, as they discover Cassie has dwindled down to nothing, Mama Pruitt is gone, having thrown herself into the Mississippi, when she saw a casket being unloaded off of a river boat.  Leland thinks he has a good understanding of his family history until, his father unloads one last secret on their trip home. 
     This is book is very interesting and appropriate for students grade 6 and up.  I would rate this book at a 4 out of 5 stars, just because it may be hard to grasp two very different periods in time, especially ones that are so disparate from the current era.  With that being said if you want to find out the two big secrets, you are going to have to read the book! 

Links 
Books by Richard Peck

History of Illinois during the Civil War

Grand Tower Illinois

The Mississippi River during the Civil War

Catacombs

By Madelene Roux 

     First off I have to apologize, I began reading this book before I realized it was the third book in a series.  I am in the process of rectifying the situation and will be posting on the previous two books as soon as possible.  Dan, Abby and Jordan are three friends that have a long and interesting history.  They have had experiences that are outside of the norm and have faced many dangers together.  As the trio prepare to enter life after high school and go their own way, they decide on a road trip to take Jordan to New Orleans.  Jordan will be living with his Uncle and attending college in the historic city.  Ellie plans on pursuing her art and Dan will be returning home to attend college.  

     Along their route, they get an inkling that something is not as it should be.  Strange things begin to happen and Dan reveals that he stole some folders from the "Warden".  People are following them and mysterious things begin to happen, like unexpected visitors outside of their tent in the middle of the night.  Do the trio know who they can trust? Where are they safe.  This harrowing tale and the nefarious people that they encounter help answer a lot of questions that Dan has about his past.  Dan who grew up with adoptive parents has always had questions about his family, who they were and why did they abandon him...  The paranormal is definitely involved in this interesting tale, in the guise of other worldly texts from a dead friend and ghostly visions of Dan's father.  Where else can this story take them but into the Catacombs under New Orleans.  

     I did find this book a very interesting read, unfortunately was a bit lost, because it was the third book in a series.  I am going to withhold my rating until I have read all three books.  Please look for updates in the near future.  I can say however, that this book is appropriate for middle school readers and older and that everyone should be able to enjoy the story.  

Links 

Author: Madelene Roux

Images of Catacombs

Cemeteries of New Orleans

History of New Orleans

The Fourteenth Goldfish

By Jennifer L. Holm 

     What a great read!  A pleasurable, multi-layered, multi-generational read that I really enjoyed!  This book is full of surprising twists and humor, most assuredly on every page.  Ellie is embroiled in aiding her teenage grandfather, yep you read that right her teenage grandfather.  Ellie is having a hard time with the fifth grade and the loss of her best friend and her goldfish, but things quickly change when her grandfather shows up on the doorstep.  Her grandfather, a scientist, has discovered a fountain of youth, per say, a jelly fish of youth, and has rejuvenated himself to his teenage years.  Unfortunately, for him, no one believes who he is and his discovery is going unnoticed!  

     Melvin is convinced that Ellie can help him break into his lab and retrieve the jellyfish so he can continue his experiments.  Ellie and some new friends try to help him attempt several break ins at the lab, meanwhile Melvin discovers getting his youth back is not all he remembered.  The obvious downfall is the return of acne, and the loss of his freedom of driving a car.  His daughter is now responsible for her father and makes him help with chores and return to school, under the guise of a nephew.  When Melvin discovers that he is not even mentioned in the science books, and many feel that he is a quack, things shift into high gear.  Melvin eventually, sets out on his own, to discover more of the world.  Ellie learns to appreciate science and discovery from her grandfather and truly misses him.  

     There are several lasting lessons in this book.  One that you don't know what you will really miss until it is gone, two that the lessons that we learn and the interactions that we have outside of our own generation are exceedingly worthwhile.  This is a fantastic book that I am giving a 4.5 stars out of 5, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and was very sad when I finished it.  I feel that this book is appropriate for fourth grade and up and that everyone would enjoy the story.  

Links 

Author; Jennifer L. Holm

Fountain of Youth

The Hate You Give

By Angie Thomas 

     This is a beautifully crafted, hard hitting book.  I had heard about the book, seen the trailer and knew it was something that I had to read.  I also knew that I may not be comfortable with all of the content, but I am so glad that I finished this book.  It is a great book and an illuminating window into the life of an African American teenager.  It is very unapologetic and in your face about the racism and the inequality in our society as well as relevant to tensions among the police force and people of color.  

     Starr Carter is a young woman of color.  Her parents have worked hard to ensure that her and her siblings attend a private school, well away from the gang bangers and drugs in their neighborhood.  Living in the garden district, but going to school over a half hour away, has Starr straddling two different worlds.  At school she does not want to appear ghetto, while at home she doesn't want to be uppity.  When these two worlds collide and Starr is forced to merge her two selves is when she finds her voice and discovers who she really can be.  The tragic loss of her friend is the match that ignites a fire in the garden district and Starr's heart.  Will she find her voice in time to make a difference, will her and her friends make it through the tragedy unscathed?  

     Normally, I would do a much more involved summary of this book, but this book is so good that I hope you read it yourself.  I love this book and am giving it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.  The content is mature with some swearing, so I would encourage anybody younger than 8th grade to wait to read this book.  Although the heroine in "The Hate You Give" is feminine, this book would be enjoyed by all students.  I do feel that this is a great book and it is an important, relevant message to everyone.  

links 

Angie Thomas - Author

Books about "Black Lives Matter"

     

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