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.