A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen

 

A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Historical Fiction, Adventure

Age – 10-13

Grade – 5-8

336 pages, hardcover

c. 2015

           A Night Divided, set in Berlin in 1961, is the story of then 8 year- old Gerta and her family waking up to find a barbed wired wall dividing their city. Her father and older brother Dominic are on the other side of the wall and cannot come back. Most of the story occurs four years later when Gerta, now 12, notices her father on the viewing platform of the wall making motions from an old song he used to sing to her involving digging. She concludes that he is asking her and her brother Fritz to tunnel under the wall.

            Attempting to escape Soviet controlled East Germany is extremely dangerous. Her best friend’s brother had tried to escape in the trunk of a car but was found and killed at the border. Now the whole family was under suspicion and being closely watched. Gerta’s mother has not the courage to do this and even her brother Fritz thinks her idea is crazy. However, Gerta is more like her father, who was involved in the resistance, and is determined to try. Eventually her brother joins her in this nearly impossible effort.  

            Nielsen does an excellent job of portraying the fear and resignation of many of the East Germans. Anyone could be a spy and trusting the wrong person could have disastrous results. Gerta and Fritz realize after a while that their apartment is bugged. Because of their father’s past political activity their family is being watched. To make matters worse it is almost time for Fritz to report for mandatory military duty. Tension continues to build throughout the story and since Gerta is the narrator the reader is drawn right into the action.

            This is a story about courage, perseverance, and the will to survive but it also a story of strong family dynamics. Even when they disagree about things, they are fiercely loyal to one another. Their mother is very against any attempt to try and escape to the west but when she realizes what Gerta and Fritz have accomplished she joins wholeheartedly in the effort. When Gerta or Fritz are exhausted, discouraged, or fearful the other one is there to support, encourage or do some of their work. Their love for one another is evident throughout the story and so is their desire to help their friends. In the end their hope, courage, and determination inspire others. In detailing a lesser known period of history, A Night Divided is also a story of true friendship, kindness, generosity, sacrifice, and regrets

The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander

 

 

The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander

Fantasy, Adventure

ages - 9-12

grades -4-7

206 pages, paperback

c. 1966

              The Castle of Llyr is a change of pace from the dramatic tension that ended The Black Cauldron. It deals with Princess Eilonwy’s background, introduces some new characters, and continues to show Taran’s growing maturity and self-awareness.  

            The story begins as Eilonwy is reluctantly preparing to travel to the Island of Mona to be trained as a proper princess by the king and queen there. Unbeknown to Eilonwy they also expect her to marry their son, prince Rhun. Taran is unhappy about her departure as he begins to realize how much he cares for her. Shortly after her arrival she is kidnapped with the help of the evil Chief Steward Magg and delivered into the hands of the evil enchantress Achren. Eilonwy is from the ancient and powerful house of Llyr whose women were powerful sorceresses. Achren hopes to use her powers to restore herself to a position of power.

            Much of the book describes the attempts of Taran, Gurgi, Fflewddur, Gwydion, and Prince Rhun to rescue Eilonwy. Prince Rhun is an interesting combination of a cheerful, good natured person and clumsy and naïve bungler who is often the cause of more problems. Taran’s relationship with him is further complicated by the fact that he is jealous of his potential relationship with Eilonwy and has promised his father, the king, to look after him and bring him back safely.  During their adventures the companions, except Gwydion, are trapped in a hut by a gigantic cat, Llyan, who has a great liking for Fflewddur’s harp playing and in a cave occupied by a depressed giant named Glew. When they finally reach Eilonwy they discover she is under an enchantment and does not recognize any of them.

            Though there is plenty of adventure I feel the real focus of the book is the growth of the characters Rhun, Taran and Eilonwy. Through his adventures, failures, and successes Rhun grows in self awareness and in the end is capable of great love and self - sacrifice. As Taran sees this he can put aside his jealousy and impatience with Rhun and accept him as a friend and companion. Perhaps the greatest change occurs in Eilonwy. At the start of the story she is the same strong willed, opinionated girl who likes getting her own way. At the end she is still strong willed but is using her will to save herself, her friends, and all Prydain at great personal cost. Again, without being didactic, Lloyd Alexander shows the superiority of humble self-sacrifice over the quest for power and glory.

           

 

            

Spy Runner by Eugene Yelchin

Spy Runner by Eugene Yelchin

Historical Fiction, Action/Adventure, Spy Fiction

ages 10-14

grades 5-9

352 pages, hardcover

c. 2019

         Spy Runner is a complicated book. It effectively presents the atmosphere of a small American town in 1953 during the Cold War era when the fear of Communists and foreigners was at its height. It also raises questions about propaganda, media-disseminated misinformation, and the price of truth. The narrator, 12 year-old Jake McCauley, finds himself in situations where he knows something is going on but he isn’t sure what it is. This is complicated by his sense that no one in his life is telling the truth and no one can be trusted.

            Jake never knew his father who left to serve during World War II when Jake was an infant and is currently listed as missing in action. Jake is convinced that his father is being held as a prisoner of war by the Russians in Siberia based on something he heard on the radio. Consequently when Jake’s mother rents out his father’s study to a Russian border because money is tight, Jake is angry and suspicious of the man who he assumes must be a Communist spy. Jake takes it upon himself to find the evidence that will prove that this man, Victor Shubin, is a Communist spy.

            As Jake pursues his investigation he realizes he is being followed by two men in a black car. He also notices a man with a gold tooth standing outside his house at night and then two FBI agents turn up at school to question him. Still unwilling to confide in anyone except his best friend, whose father is a major in the Air Force, Jake continues his dangerous investigation resulting in his being battered, beaten and exhausted. There are also several attempts on his life. When the students at his school find out a Russian is living at his house he is bullied and shunned by all his former friends, including his best friend. At this point Jake begins to question, for the first time, all he has been told about communist sympathizers and realizes that what his teacher had said about not believing all you hear on the radio might actually be true. Surprisingly there are a few times that Victor Shubin actually helps Jake out of a difficult situation.

            This is a book with lots of action and the plot moves along quickly. The chapters are short and usually end with a cliff hanger. Grainy black and white photos that look like they had been taken by a spy camera enhance the mood. Tension builds throughout the book and there are several plot twists near the end. Violent things happen to Jake during his investigations, such as nearly being run over, strangled and shot at, which is why I recommend it for a middle school audience. Jake survives it all  and in the end all the puzzling situations are resolved. Jake’s comment to his mother at the end of the book leaves the reader with an interesting thought. “Lying didn’t keep me safe. It made it worse.”

 

 

The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander

The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander

Adventure, Fantasy

Grades 4-7

Ages 9-12

229 pages, paperback

c. 1965

        The Black Cauldron is a Newbery Honor Book and the second book in the Chronicles of Prydain series. This is a darker, more serious book than The Book of Three but there is also much humor which keeps it for being too heavy. This time Taran and his companions are facing a greater evil and the stakes are higher. It is decided that the Black Cauldron, which Arawn uses to create his deathless warriors, must be destroyed. To accomplish this the band, along with Gwydion and other strong warriors, must travel deep into Arawn's domain. Once there they discover someone else has already taken the Cauldron. Then begins the long quest to find the Cauldron and destroy it.

          All the main characters from the first book return and several new characters are added. Adaron, the son of the Chief Bard, is a noble young man full of wisdom and can see things in dreams. Prince Ellidry, the youngest son of his family and thus without much of an inheritance, is arrogant and prideful. There is constant tension between him and Taran for most of the book. King Morgant and King Smoit are renowned warriors, but where Smoit is good-natured Morgant is vain and tends to keep his own counsel.

As the company retreats, they are chased by Arawn’s guards as well as the dreaded Huntsmen of Annuvin, ruthless warriors who grow stronger when one of their company is killed. They escape but are separated from the rest of the warriors.  Eventually they learn that the Cauldron has been taken by three mysterious women and is now hidden in the dangerous Marshes of Morva. The choice to seek the Cauldron themselves is a difficult one and it is surprising that Adaon, who was put in charge of the band, defers to Taran who decides to go forward. On their way to the marshes Adaon asks Taran to take care of his few precious possessions should harm befall him. The most precious is a brooch he wears that helps him see things clearly and gives him wisdom in dreams. When Adaon saves Taran’s life from the Huntsmen and is mortally wounded and Taran wears the brooch he realizes just how precious it is. With his new wisdom Taran can lead the band safely through the dangerous marshes but is forced to make the difficult decision to give the brooch to the three enchantresses in return for the Cauldron. He then learns the only way to destroy the Cauldron, which was the intention from the start, is for a living person to willingly enter it to die. Devastated by this news they decide to bring the Cauldron back to Caer Dallben and hope the old enchanter Dallben has some wisdom about what to do with it.

The task of carrying the Cauldron is nearly impossible and requires Taran to give up all hope of being a hero as he must promise to Ellidyr, whose help and strength is needed when the Cauldron gets stuck in the mud, to say that it was Ellidyr who found the Cauldron. Ellidyr had earlier abandoned the group to seek the Cauldron himself. Another significant betrayal occurs as they near the end of their journey, illustrating the power of the Cauldron to tempt good men to evil in their quest for power.  Just as good men can turn to evil so an evil man can repent and from an unexpected source comes a willing victim to enter the Cauldron and destroy it.

There is much action in this story but what really drives the story is the characters and the difficult choices they must make. Alexander presents issues of friendship, loyalty, honor, and self-sacrifice in compelling but not didactic ways. He raises questions of what is heroic, good leadership and how to judge those who turn from good to evil and evil to good. Taran began the quest for the Cauldron with his new sword, given by Dallben, full of excitement and hope for glory. He returns much sobered and wiser from the adventure. He comments to Gwydion, “I had longed to enter the world of men. Now I see it filled with sorrow, with cruelty and treachery, with those who would destroy all around them.” Gwydion also reminds him “but there are equal parts of love and joy. Think of Adaron and believe this. Think , too, of your companions. Out of friendship for you, they would have given up all they valued; indeed all they possessed.”

 

 

Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander

Adventure, Fantasy

grade 4-7

ages 9-12

190 pages, paperback

c. 1964

            The Book of Three is the first book in the five- book series called The Chronicles of Prydain. It is a classic epic fantasy adventure for younger readers and can be enjoyed by older readers as well. It is inspired by Welsh mythology but is not a retelling of the Welsh myths. I think one of its best elements are the characters and especially how the main character, Taran, develops throughout the series. I also find the theme of the true cost involved in the battle against evil to be both inspiring and a more realistic view than what is often shown in the superhero world.

            The Book of Three introduces the main characters that will continue through the series and establishes the main conflict between the forces of good and evil that are fighting for control of the imaginary land of Prydain. All the major characters are well developed and shown with their virtues and weaknesses, often in a comical way. Taran, who is given the title of Assistant Pig-Keeper, because he longs to be important and heroic, is stubborn, impatient, prideful, and sometimes rude. He also tends to blame others for his mistakes. By the end of his adventure he has grown in kindness, learned some leadership skills, and takes responsibility for his own mistakes, and sometimes those of others as well. He also develops a more accurate picture of what a hero really is.  Eilonwy is a strong-willed, opinionated, talkative, and somewhat scatterbrained princess. She is also an enchantress. During their journey she too grows in her ability to be kinder, generous, and self-sacrificing. Gurgi is a curious character, part man and part beast. In the beginning he is cowardly, whinny, and mostly interested in getting fed. As Taran learns to treat him with kindness and respect he becomes a loyal, brave, and selfless member of the company. Fflewddur Fflam is a king bored with his duties, and a would-be bard given to excessive exaggerations about his bravery and accomplishments. He also becomes a truly brave, loyal, and selfless companion.

            There are also other characters taken from the Welsh legends. Gwydion, the noble warrior, and prince of Prydain's House of Don, Arawn, the dread lord of Annuvin, the land of the dead, the Horned King, war leader of Arawn, Hen Wen, the oracular pig under Taran’s care and Dallben, the old enchanter who has taken care of Taran since infancy. Gwyn the Hunter and his hounds also have some bases in Welsh Mythology. Their presence normally signifies death.

            Taran’s adventures begin when Hen Wen becomes frightened and runs off into the forest. Taran immediately runs after her though he has been forbidden to enter the forest. He quickly becomes lost, encounters and is wounded by the Horned King then found and helped by Gwydion. Taran is initially disappointed by Gwydion modest appearance but gradually comes to realize “it is not the trappings that make the prince, nor the sword that makes the warrior.” Gwydion needs to find Hen Wen to discover what she knows of the Horned King and since it is too dangerous to send Taran home himself it is decided that they will both seek Hen Wen. They are captured and separated. Taran meets the Princess Eilonwy, who helps him escape from the dungeon, the bard Fflewddur Fflam, and Gurgi, half man half beast. Believing that Gwydion is dead they decide to travel to Caer Dathyl to warn the Sons of Don that the Horned King and his army of Cauldron Born, deathless warriors, are coming to attack them.

            Taran and his companions face many dangers as they continue their perilous journey trying to avoid running into the Horned King and his warriors. Along the way Taran makes some bad and some good decisions. In the end the companions, by working together, do reach their destination. Through Taran eyes we see that that to be a great hero one does not need to be the greatest swordsman or most powerful magician. It is our choices that make us heroes and our friends and companions who make us great, and these lessons are told with a generous dose of humor. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.

           

Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

Fantasy, Adventure

grade 6-8

ages 11-13

320 pages, hardcover

c.2020

       

            Race to the Sun is similar in tone to Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson Series in which mythological characters and contemporary culture are combined. Nizhoni Begay is a 7^th grade Navajo girl with a burning desire to be famous and popular. Unfortunately, the only way she has been noticed lately is for her mistakes, such as missing the basketball being thrown to her at a critical time in the game and having it hit her in the face. The distraction was caused by her newly awaken power of recognizing monsters in human form. Mr. Charles, the businessman in the stands, and potentially her dad’s new boss, is a monster. He is extremely interested in Nizhoni and her slightly younger brother Mac. He has plans to use Mac’s power over water to help his oil and gas company in fracking and to kill Nizhoni, who is a monster-slayer, so he can release all the monsters who have been imprisoned in the past. Nizhoni slowly becomes aware of Mr. Charles plans, especially when her stuffed horned toad, Mr. Yazzie, comes alive and begins to tell her more about her ancestry. Mr. Yazzie tells Nazhoni that she and her brother Mac are the Hero Twins of Navajo legend and it is their destiny to fight these monsters. This will require them to travel to the sacred land of the Navajo and find four sacred objects that must then be presented to Spider Woman. She, in turn, will help them journey to the home of the Sun. They will ask the Sun for the weapons they will need to fight the monsters. They will also have to pass four trials on their way to the Sun. Nazhoni’s best friend, Davery, accompanies them on the quest.

            Race to the Sun is an exciting, fast moving story. It is narrated by Nizhoni which allows you to see her transformation from an insecure, self-centered girl with anger management issues to a brave, self-sacrificing girl who has a healthy appreciation of both her strengths and weaknesses. The book also deals with the importance of family and cultural identity, forgiveness, friendship, and the hard work and sacrifices necessary to be a real hero. Nizhoni learns to face and conquer her fears during the trials and learns the importance of working together with others during the great battle with the monsters. She also learns the truth about her mother’s departure when she was an infant and that forgiveness can heal many old wounds. Elements of Navajo culture, such as respect for elders and appreciation of the natural world are also illustrated. References to the four sacred mountains and their guardians as well as the mention of other holy people could inspire further research into Navajo mythology.

     Race to the Sun is part of the Rick Riordan Presents series of books that seeks to find authors of minority cultures that can tell stories reflecting their cultures. Race to the Sun is an action, adventure fantasy that uses Navajo mythology as its backdrop. However, as I looked at reviews of the book, I discovered that some traditional Navajo people did not like the book. Their objections included some distortions of the traditional myths and some trivializing of the sacred figures in the myths. A further discussion of this can be found at https://americanindiansinchildrenslit. Roanhorse is a Native American but not a Navajo. However, she is married to a Navajo and wrote this book for her daughter. In the Author’s Notes she states that she wanted to share the beauty of the Navajo culture with both Navajo and non -Navajo kids and to show heroes that Navajo kids could relate to. She also identifies herself as a fantasy writer, not a cultural expert.

Words on Fire by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Words on Fire by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Historical Fiction, Adventure

ages 11-14

grades 6-9

336 pages, hardcover

c. 2019

            Words on Fire is a thought- provoking story about a little- known period in Lithuanian history. Russia occupied Lithuania from 1795-1918. After an uprising in 1863 – 1864 there was a 40-year ban on the Lithuanian language, press and books. This was the Tsar’s attempt to make the people adopt a Russian identity, but the people resisted. Some of the most courageous people were the book smugglers who risked their lives to bring people books in their own language and about their culture.

            This story begins in 1893 when 12-year-old Audra’s peaceful and sheltered life on the family farm is violently disrupted by the arrival of Cossack soldiers who arrest her parents. She barely manages to escape to the forest with a package her mother begged her to bring to a lady in a near-by village. Audra, whose name means storm, has chosen not to learn to read or write and is deeply troubled to learn that both her parents have chosen to risk their lives to smuggle books. She decides to deliver the book but has no plans to become involved in book smuggling. However, as she meets the individual book smugglers and does learn how to read and write, she becomes an enthusiastic, and skillful book smuggler.

            The story is told from Audra’s perspective and it is interesting to watch how her thought processing changes over time. At the beginning of the book she describes herself as “the girl who watched life from afar but rarely participated.” After she has learned to read and begins to understand the importance of the books in preserving the identity and culture of her people, she looks at herself differently. “I’d seen a glimpse of myself as I wished to be, a reflection of who I might become if I allowed courage to enter my heart, or ideas to enter my head…. When I imagined the girl I wanted to be, it was the girl who smuggled books.” This transition requires a lot of painful decisions. She desperately wishes to save her parents from being sent to the labor camps in Siberia and is given the opportunity if she will betray her new friend Lukas to Officer Rusakov.

            Lukas, another young book smuggler, Milda, the woman Audra brings the first book to, and Ben, an older book smuggler, are well drawn, courageous and self-sacrificing characters. Shortly after Lukas meets Audra he tells her a version of a Lithuanian folktale involving a brave girl and an evil snake trying to steal her family farm. While telling the story Lukas comments, “we’re all at risk of becoming the snake one day. The moment we start to choose what’s easy or safe, instead of what’s right, we start to become the snake.” This is the challenge the book smugglers face every day.

            This is a book that illustrates the importance of ideas and ideals and the sacrifices that are often necessary to protect them. It shows the importance of loyalty in friendship and the costly personal sacrifices that are sometimes required to keep them. There is also a moment of humor as Audra uses magic tricks, she learned from her father to trick Cossack soldiers. An inspiring, thought provoking, beautifully written book that I would recommend.

The Strangers

The Strangers by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Adventure, Science Fiction

Ages 9-12

Grades 4-7

405 pages, hardcover

c.2019

           Margaret Peterson Haddix is one of my favorite authors because she comes up with such original, compelling plot ideas. Her stories also have a positive feel even though she writes about difficult subjects. Perhaps the fact that she is a Christian account for this.

            The Grayson family, composed of Chess, age 11, Emily, age 9, Finn, age 7, and their mother, are a close knit, loving family. The three siblings, though very different in personalities, are very loyal and supportive to one another. The opening paragraph, which describes them racing home after school and letting Finn win, has the line, “Today he burst into the house calling out, “Mom! We’re home! It’s time to come and adore us!”

            This lovely picture quickly changes as the children find their mother distraught over the kidnapping of three children in Arizona who have their same names and birthdays. Suddenly she announces that she must leave for an urgent business trip and they will be staying with a friend of hers who they barely know.

            Haddix creates a suspenseful adventure story with elements of science fiction and many plot twists. As the children find the information their mother left for them to find, later, there are codes to unravel and more clues to follow. Throughout their adventure each sibling contributes to the solution using their unique gifts and talents. Chess is perceptive. He notices things and remembers them. He was the one who realized that they needed to use their personal knowledge about their mother to help solve the coded letter she left them. Emma is very logical and good with numbers which helps them apply the key to the code and begin to read the letter. Finn tries so hard to be brave and useful and he is the one who notices the different butterfly logos on his mother’s web pages which eventually helps them realize there is a code. Each chapter is told from the perspective of one of the siblings. This really helps in getting to know the characters and establishing a bond with them.

            The last part of the letter reveals the shocking news that their entire family comes from an alternative, evil world. Their parents were trying to bring down the evil leaders and in the end had to escape from that world. Now the children are faced with the question of how to rescue their mother. Read on to find out if their daring plan will succeed. There will be two more volumes in this Greystone Secret series.

The Player King by Avi

The Player King by Avi

Historical Fiction, Adventure

Age – 9-11

Grades – 4-6

195 pages, hardcover

c. 2017

          The Player King is historical fiction but based on the unusual true event of the orphan kitchen boy, Lambert Simnel, being trained to impersonate the missing Prince Edward, who has a truer claim to the English throne than the reigning King Henry VII. The Earl of Lincoln and Brother Simonds, actual historical persons, are those who train Lambert in order to regain their former positions of power and prestige.

            Lambert works in an underground tavern where his "life was worth no more than a spot of dry spit." When Brother Simonds first tells Lambert that he is Prince Edward Lambert thinks he is crazy. But after being trained in etiquette, given fancy clothes and fine food, he begins to believe that he is Prince Edward. He also begins to enjoy his new position of power to the point of abusing Brother Simonds. He learns, however, "The man who is close enough to help you up is near enough to push you down." Even when Lambert eventually learns that he was chosen because he looks somewhat like the actual Prince Edward, he tries to convince himself that he really is king.

         The story is told from Lambert’s point of view which allows the reader to share Lambert’s experiences as he is transformed from lowly kitchen boy to being crowned King of England in Ireland and leading an army to defeat King Henry VII. The short chapters, plot twists, and political intrigues keeps the action moving. The other characters are well developed and Avi supplies many historical details that give a real feel of the period. In keeping with the period, the language used at times is old-fashioned and younger readers might find that difficult.

         Avi raises many thought-provoking questions about the pursuit of power and to what extent one is willing to go in deceiving others in order to stay alive. Lambert is continually told by Brother Simonds, if you act like a king, you will be king.” In the end is Lambert a traitor or dupe or both?

           The Author Note at the back of the book explains what is known about the characters, the actual historical events and what was made up for the story. What happened to Lambert and the other historical characters is also revealed. The Ascendency Series, which I have blogged on, is a more detailed exploration of the same idea of presenting a royal look-alike to gain political power.

The Last Humanby Lee Bacon

The Last Human by Lee Bacon

Science Fiction, Adventure

ages - 9-12

grade 4-7

269 pages, hardcover

c. 2019

       The Last Human is about a robot civilization thirty years after the last humans have been exterminated. Therefore, robot XR_935 is so surprised when he encounters 12-year-old Emma, a human. The story is told from his point of view. He has been programmed to believe that all humans were dangerous, wasteful and the cause of many of the problems on earth due to their greed and violence. However, Emma is not at all like that. This causes XR_935 and his two coworkers, SkD_988 and Ceeron_902, to consider helping Emma reach the red dot on her map. Doing so goes against all that they know to be true and puts them in danger as well.

            This is an engaging, often humorous story, as the robots and Emma seek to understand each other. XR_935 has been designed with a complete data base of history and the information to do his job, which is solar installation. Ceeron_902 also works on solar installation but was designed to be super strong and do heavy lifting. SkD_988 works on solar installation as well but is a small robot who can move very quickly and communicates through emojis.

Besides being an adventure story, The Last Human is ultimately a story about friendship, technology, and the need to sometimes challenge the status quo, no matter the consequences. It raises many thought provoking questions about the nature of humanity, the danger of partial truths and the control of information in society, and what happens when one generalizes about a group of people. This is all done in a delightful, humorous way. Ceeron_902 has a great interest in human jokes and idioms which drives literal minded XR_935 crazy. In the beginning when Emma asks XR_935 if the other robots are his friends, he finds the concept incomprehensible, they are coworkers. By the end of the story there is no questions they are all, including Emma, real friends.

Allies by Alan Gratz

Allies by Alan Gratz

Historical Fiction

age - 11-13

grade 6-8

307 pages, hardcover

c. 2019

            An action- packed account of the Allied invasion of Normandy, June 6, 1944, D-Day, told from multiple points of view. Starting before dawn and ending after midnight you meet many different “allies.” Private Dee Carpenter, a 16 year- old Germany immigrant who lied about his age to enlist. Sid, a 17 year- old Jewish GI who becomes Dee’s friend until he finds out Dee is German. Samira Zidane, an 11 year-old girl and her mother Kenza who are French Algerians working with the French resistance. Canadians James McKay, 19 and Lance Corporal Sam Tremblay, a Cree Indian, who are part of the 1^st Canadian Parachute Battalion. Private Bill Richards, 19, who is a tank driver and part of the Royal Dragoons from England. Corporal Henry Allen, a 20 year-old African American medic in the 320^th Barrage Balloon Battalion. Monique Marchand, a 13 year-old French girl who came to the beach just before the attack started to retrieve her bathing suit from the day before. Lastly, Dorothy Powel, an American journalist for Collier’s Magazine sent to write about the invasion. Not all survive the day, but each contribute something to the ultimate victory.

            Gratz combines real history with fictional characters in a believable way. He is writing about a horrific experience, but he does so in an age appropriate way. There are scenes of the carnage of war, bombs exploding, men being shot down but also acts of heroism and kindness, loyalty and friendship. Allies is also more than just a war story as Gratz explores issues of racial prejudice against African Americans and Native Americans and stereotypes of women. Equally thought provoking is the tension that develops between Dee and Sid when Sid realizes that Dee is German.

            The Author’s Note at the back of the book is filled with interesting historical information as to what really happened regarding the various Operations mentioned in the book, Operation Neptune, the American landing on Omaha beach, Operation Tortoise, the French Resistance effort, and Operation Tonga, the dropping of paratroopers. Gratz explains that he made up several operation names to identify several unnamed events that really happened.  Operation Amiens, the use of Sherman tanks that float, Operation Integration, the unit of African American soldiers, and Operation Bathing Suit. There really was a young French student nurse who came to get her bathing suit and stayed to help wounded soldiers.

           

Remarkables by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Remarkables by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Realistic Fiction, Some Fantasy Elements

age- 10-12

grade - 5-8

292 pages, hardcover

c. 2019

There are many “remarkable” elements in this book. One element that is often missing in current literature is the positive portrayal of an intact family that have a real faith in God. Haddix isn’t preachy and realistically shows the struggles of different family members but the overall tone is positive and hopeful. She deals with some serious topics, such as bullying, and the impact drug addiction can have on all family members.

            The story begins when 11-year-old Marin and her family move from Illinois to Pennsylvania due to her mother’s new job as a professor of nursing. Her dad, a physical education teacher, is still looking for work and for now is the primary caregiver of their new baby, Owen. Marin has some unresolved issues with two girls back home, one of whom used to be her best friend. Still angry at the way they bullied her, she is also uncomfortable at the way she acted toward them at their last meeting. All this is making her anxious about her ability to make new friends when she starts middle school in the fall.  

            While exploring the area around her house she notices a group of teenagers who seem very happy. Suddenly they all disappear. In her attempts to solve this mystery she meets Charlie, who lives next door with his grandmother and two younger brothers. Charlie is living with his grandmother because both his parents are drug addicts, resulting from a tragic accident that his father was involved in. Charlie also sees these teenagers who he calls “The Remarkables.” Charlie has been studying them for a while and he believes they are time travelers. He is also convinced that one of them is his father before the terrible accident occurred that he feels responsible for. Together Marin and Charlie try to figure out if they can change the past and prevent Charlie’s father from turning to drugs to escape his guilt feelings. As they consider different options, they also begin to realize that changing the past could change some of the good things that have happened as a result of the accident.

            Once again Haddix present some thought - provoking ideas about how to deal with the past, present and future. Marin realizes that she and Charlie can’t change the past but then she comments, “Isn’t it better to think about working toward a good future than trying to change the past? … Because the present and the future are the only things you can do anything about . … You can have a good future because the past is over. All you can do is learn from it.” Thus, Charlie comes to realize he is not doomed to follow the mistakes of his father, that he can have a future full of hope. Marin finds the courage to reconcile with her old friends. The effect of that realization and hope is truly remarkable.

Stuffed by Liz Braswell

Stuffed by Liz Braswell

Realistic Fiction, Some Fantasy Elements

age- 9-11

grades 4-6

244 pages, hardcover

c. 2019

From the very first day the sun rose over the world there have been shadows,

For where there is Light, there is always Darkness.

Humans and their friends always play in the Light of the sun.

But there are monsters who lurk in the Darkness waiting to grab them.

What follows is one tale in the eternal war against the Dark.

It is the story of a small boy, and his even smaller guardian.

So, by the grace of the Velveteen, our story begins.

            Do you believe stuffed animals are only for very little kids or sissies? Clark and his friends know better. So, begins Stuffed. Clark is almost 11 and his Mother and the bullies at school think he is too old to be still playing with stuffed animals. Every night Clark strategically positions his army of stuffed animals around his bed. Sometimes in the morning they seemed to have moved and some of them look as if they have been in a fight. Even more alarming, after a package arrives from his grandmother containing things from his Dad’s childhood, there seems to be more darkness in the house, especially in his parent’s room. His Dad is getting weaker and weaker and it looks like there are little fang marks around his neck. Clark is convinced that an evil monster is attacking his Dad and when he meets D. A., a boy his age who also plays with stuffed animals, his thoughts are confirmed. D. A. knows even more about stuffies and monsters than Clark. He explains the MPF, Monster Protection Factor, of each of Clark’s animals according to the point values given for each attack feature, fangs, horns, claws, teeth, size, etc. Being handmade and loved adds extra points.

            Things take a dramatic turn for the worse for his Dad when Clark’s Mother makes him go to a sleep-away camp and, while away, places all his stuffed animals in a big garbage bag in the basement. Fortunately, while at camp Clark meets more kids who understand how the battle between stuffies and monsters work. He comes home prepared to save his Dad. Without his army of stuffies he is greatly handicapped. However, his grandmother presented him with a small, handmade sock animal as he was leaving for camp named Foon. The last and final battle will take place between the powerful, shadowy monster called a King Derker and the recently made Foon.

              This is truly a fun read and the author includes detailed directions and pictures of how to make your own stuffies. The last part of the book is told from Foon’s perspective. He may be small and newly made but his heart and courage are big. A classic tale of the ongoing fight between good and evil and the importance of friendship, loyalty and courage. Highly recommended.