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.