Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip M. Hoose

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip M. Hoose is about the Montgomery, Alabama fight for desegregation on city buses. Claudette Colvin was 15 in 1955 when she refused to get out of her bus seat for a white passenger. She was dragged off the bus by police and arrested. Later, she was convicted of breaking segregation laws, disturbing the peace, and assaulting a police officer. The NAACP got involved and tried to help her, but all that resulted was a reversal on the first two charges - leaving assaulting a police officer on her permanent record. Later that year, another black teen refused to give up her seat on the bus. Her story was covered up so quickly, most people have never heard of Mary Louise Smith. Finally, 9 months after Claudette made her stand against segregation, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus. This mild-mannered 42 year old was a better fit than Claudette or Mary Louise for the "face" of descrimination, so the NAACP launched the bus boycott that lasted over a year. Claudette ended up being able to help her cause in the end, however, by suing the state of Alabama, along with Mary Louise and two other women who had been terrorized on public busses. They won their case and eventually the Supreme Court ruled that all busses must be integrated in Alabama.

This was a really interesting story. I had never heard of Claudette Colvin before reading this book. I didn't realize that anyone had come before Rosa Parks in fighting the unfairness of the bus procedures. Claudette's story is sad - because she was seen as emotional and rebellious, her stand on the bus couldn't be used to start the bus boycott they were planning. Claudette's life really took a turn for the worse in the years following her refusal to give up her seat. She was discriminated against by her own peers at school! This was an eye-opening nonfiction book for me.

Chasing Lincoln's Killer: The Search for John Wilkes Booth by James L. Swanson

Chasing Lincoln's Killer: The Search for John Wilkes Booth by James L. Swanson is exactly what the title implies - the events leading up to and followed the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. It follows John Wilkes Booth and several of his accomplices and acquaintances through the planning process of the murder. It follows Lincoln and his family as they make plans to see American Cousin at Ford's Theater on April 14th, (Good Friday) 1865. It also follows the aftermath of the shooting. The rest of the book is about the manhunt to chase down Booth and the rest of the people involved, as well as Booth's escape.

This is one of the most engaging nonfiction books I've ever read. I literally couldn't put it down. I didn't know most of the background information and history behind Lincoln's death, so I really learned a lot. It was full of adventure!

Cracker! The Best Dog in Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata

Cracker! The Best Dog in Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata is about Rick, a 17 year old boy from Wisconsin who decides to enlist in the army during the Vietnam War. This is also the story of Cracker, a German Shepherd who is given to the army because her owners cannot keep her in their new apartment. Rick gets chosen to be a dog handler and trains with Cracker. At first, Cracker is so sad about having to leave her family, especially the boy Willie, she is mean and won't allow anyone near her. Eventually, she and Rick form an inseperable bond and become one of the best dog and handler teams in Vietnam. They are even selected to go on secret, special missions, just based on their reputation. On one mission, Cracker and Rick become separated. Rick ends up being flown back to the United States with an injury, leaving Cracker behind in Vietnam. Rick makes it his mission to find Cracker, and writes letter after letter to everyone he can think of. Cracker makes it her mission to find Rick, no matter where he is.

I didn't think I'd like this book - I'm not the biggest fan of war novels. This one surprised me, though! I liked the way the perspective switched between Rick and Cracker. I also liked learning some of the history behind the army using dogs during wars and what happened to them afterward. I ended up liking this book a lot! This is one of the 2009 - 2010 Maud Hart Lovelace nominees.

Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate

Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate is about Kek, an immigrant from Sudan, just learning how to survive in America. His father and brother were killed in Africa and Kek barely made it out alive. His mother was separated from him when soldiers attacked, and no one knows where she is. Kek is brought to the United States to live with his aunt and cousin, who have also been affected by the violence in Sudan. Kek is amazed at the modern technology and customs in America, but continues to hold on to his own beliefs and ideas about life. He also continues to believe that his mother is alive and will one day join him.

This was a great book. It is told in verse, so it's a quick read. The broad ideas within the story are relevant to everyone's lives - this isn't just a story about an immigrant trying to survive in America. It's a story that could be about any one of us, struggling in a new place, learning new things, trying our best, making mistakes, overcoming obstacles, etc. This is one of the 2009 - 2010 Maud Hart Lovelace nominees.

Rules by Cynthia Lord

Rules by Cynthia Lord is about Catherine, the older sister of David who has been diagnosed with autism. Catherine has set up a set of rules for David to teach him how to behave. His rules consist of things like, "Say 'thank you' when someone gives you a present (even if you don't like it)" and "You can yell at a playground, but not at dinner" and "Sometimes people laugh when they like you. But sometimes they laugh to hurt you." When a new girl moves in next door, just Catherine's age, she is thrilled to have a new friend, even though Kristi has begun hanging out with Ryan, a boy who has always terrorized David. Catherine also makes a new friend while going to David's doctor appointments. Jason is in a wheelchair and can't talk. Catherine notices that he uses a notebook filled with single words to communicate. Because of her artistic abilities, Catherine begins making new words for Jason's notebook - things that teenagers say like, "Whatever" and "Stinks a big one" and "Why not?" As Catherine gets to know Jason, the cards begin to reflect what's going on in Catherine's life, including her feelings toward Kristi, Ryan, and her family life with David. In the end Catherine learns some big lessons about life and how to treat other people.

I absolutely loved this book. I read it in one day because I couldn't put it down! I really felt a connection with Catherine. She was such a nice girl, trying to do the right things. This is one of the 2009 - 2010 Maud Hart Lovelace nominees.

Peak by Roland Smith

Peak by Roland Smith is about a boy named Peak who got into BIG trouble when he used his climbing gear to scale some of the tallest buildings in New York City. When he finally got caught spray painting his blue mountain tags at the top of the Woolworth Building, his sentence was to live out the rest of his days until his 18th birthday as far away from New York as possible. He went to Tibet to live with his dad, a famous climber. Little did Peak know that his dad had different plans for him. Josh, Peak's dad, ran a mountain climbing business that took paying guests up to the tallest peaks, including Everest. Josh has a plan for Peak to be the youngest American to make it to the summit of Mt. Everest!

This was a great book - full of action, adventure and suspense! I was really rooting for Peak the entire time. The ending was a surprise, but I wouldn't change it! Awesome adventure story!! This is one of the 2009 - 2010 Maud Hart Lovelace Nominees.

Leepike Ridge by Nathan (N. D.) Wilson

Leepike Ridge by Nathan (N. D.) Wilson is about Tom, an eleven year old boy who lives with his mother in a house chained to the top of a rock. Tom's father died three years earlier, and his mom has been seeing another man lately. When their new refrigerator arrives with a huge box and packing material, Tom goes out to play around. He ends up throwing everything into the stream that runs past his house and is told to retrieve everything. That night at dinner, Jeffrey asks his mother to marry him, and Tom loses it. He climbs to the top of his house, then later that night, sneaks out of his bedroom. He ends up by the stream's edge and finds the huge piece of packing foam from the fridge box. He hops on the foam and takes the ride of his life down the stream. Getting bashed and bruised by rocks is the least of his worries when Tom gets stuck in the face of the rock cliff. Eventually, the current pulls him under the face of the cliff and into a hidden cave. He rides the current over waterfalls and through the caves until he is hopelessly lost under the mountain. No one knows he left and no one know where he is, except the two strange men on the shore of the stream who yelled at Tom just as he was pulled under.

This was a great adventure story with a lot of twists and turns! Some of the plot twists were predictable, but some were surprising! There was a bit of mystery and some interesting ancient history woven into the story as well. This is one of the 2009 - 2010 Maud Hart Lovelace nominees.

Fire from the Rock by Sharon Draper

Fire from the Rock by Sharon Draper is set in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957, two years after the United States made it legal to integrate all public schools. Little Rock has not yet integrated the schools, but is preparing to do so the following school year, despite strong resistance from many white people including the governor. Sylvia has been chosen to be one of the first African American students to attend the previously all-white high school in Little Rock. She wrestles with this decision throughout the story. Her brother and sister are viciously attacked, her parents' jobs are threatened, and even her friends begin to turn their backs on her as a result of her decision to attend the new school. Sylvia desperately wants to do something good in the world, but wonders if she is brave and strong enough to withstand the consequences of her decisions.

This was a very compelling story. I have heard of the "Little Rock Nine," the nine students who were the first African American students to attend Central High School, but I didn't know much about the selection process. Sylvia and her family were fictional characters in this story, but the events surrounding the integration of Central High School and the violence and racism toward the black people of the community were very real. This is one of the 2009 - 2010 Maud Hart Lovelace nominees.

Schooled by Gordon Korman

Schooled by Gordon Korman is about Capricorn Anderson, a fourteen-year-old boy who was raised by his hippie grandmother on a farm his whole life. When Rain falls out of a tree, Cap is forced to live with a temporary foster family until she recovers enough to take care of him on their farm again. This means that Cap has to go to public school for the first time in his life. Going to Claverage (or, C Average, as the students call it) Middle School is an eye-opening experience for Cap. He has never seen a locker, never had classes (he was homeschooled), and never had friends. But, Cap takes it all in stride with an extremely positive attitude. Zach, the self-appointed leader of the school, decides to make this experience miserable for Cap and nominates him for class president. Little does Zach know, his own little empire is about to crumble around him as students begin to really like Cap and what he stands for.

I really liked this book! Gordon Korman is an excellent author, and never fails to deliver a great story. This book is told through the perspectives of all of the major characters in the story - Cap, Mrs. Donnelly (the case worker/foster parent), Zach, Lena (the most popular girl in school), Hugh (Cap's first friend, the dorky kid who narrowly escaped being nominated for class president), and others. It was fun to change characters with every chapter, to see how each individual felt about what was happening with Cap.

La Linea by Ann Jaramillo

La Linea by Ann Jaramillo is about fifteen-year-old Miguel and his thirteen-year-old sister, Elena. Seven years ago their parents left for La Linea, the line separating Mexico and the United States, promising to send for them as soon as possible. That time has finally arrived for Miguel - his father sent word and made arrangements for him to travel across the border illegally, and into the United States. Little does Miguel know that Elena has been spying on his preparations for his trip, and has decided to come along. This story travels with Miguel and Elena, and eventually with their traveling partner, Javier, as they attempt to make it across La Linea to meet their parents on the other side.

I liked this book. There were a lot of Spanish words and phrases included within the text, which made it feel more realistic. There is an author's note in the back which explains a bit about the story - while it is fiction, it is based on real events. This is one of the 2009-2010 Maud Hart Lovelace Nominees.

Anything but Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Anything but Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin is about Jason, a 6th grader who is autistic. The story is told through his point of view. Jason knows he's different than other people. He knows he pulls his hair and flaps his hands. He know most people don't understand and don't really like him. He can tell when people are making fun of him and when people are being genuinely nice (which doesn't happen a lot). His dad and brother seem to understand Jason pretty well, but his mom struggles. The only place where Jason feels comfortable being himself is online. He belongs to StoryBoard, a place for kids to write original stories and share them over the Internet. His powerful writing attracted the attention of a girl, who regularly corresponds with him through e-mail. They share stories and give tips and ideas about each other's work. Jason even begins referring to her as his girlfriend! Then, his parents throw a huge surprise at him - they are taking him to the StoryBoard Writing Convention this year! This is something he's always wanted to do! He's so excited and can't wait to tell Rebecca. But then Jason finds out that Rebecca is going, too. He is terrified that once she sees him for the first time, she won't want to be his friend anymore. This terror almost causes Jason to lose the chance to go. His parents don't understand why he's so upset about the convention and decide he must be afraid to fly so they set up a "flying simulator" in the living room and make him practice every night! The truth is, Jason is worried about losing the only real friend he has ever had because of his autism.

I loved this book! I have never read a story like this. It was interesting the way the author showed Jason's perspective on everything - his flapping and hair pulling, why he pushed over the potter's wheel in art, how he deals with new situations, etc. It makes me wonder what kind of experience Nora Baskin has had with a person with autism. I also liked the way she wove ideas about autism and writing techniques within the story. Greak book!

No Shame, No Fear by Ann Turnbull

No Shame, No Fear by Ann Turnbull is about fifteen year old Susanna, a Quaker growing up in England in the 1600s. During this time, the Quakers were persecuted for their religious beliefs as well as their customs, by the Church of England. Basically, anyone who was not a Quaker felt obliged to yell obscenities at them, throw manure and rotting food at them, and force them to give money. Susanna's father ends up in jail because he refuses to give the church (to which he doesn't belong) ten percent of his income. Because of this, their family struggles to make ends meet. Susanna takes a job in the city, working at a print shop for another Quaker woman. There, she meets seventeen year old Will, who has just returned to town from three years of studying at Oxford. They are immediately enthralled with one another, and Will begins to learn more and more about the Quakers, much to the chagrin of his father. Eventually, Will begins joining the Quaker meetings and practicing their ways. His father, an elder in the church, does everything within his power to stop this from happening. Soon, a law is passed in England making it illegal for the Quakers to meet in their worship meetings. Nearly all of the adults in town are arrested and held in prison for continuing to meet. Things get worse and worse for Will and Susanna, making it almost impossible for them to marry, which has been their plan all along. Will must go to London to earn a steady job; Susanna must take care of her younger siblings while her parents are in jail. Will they ever meet again?

I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure I'd like it at the beginning, but it was very interesting. I didn't know very much about the Quakers before. I had no idea they were persecuted, much like the "witches" in Salem, and at around the same time period. There is a sequel called Forged in the Fire.

Glass by Ellen Hopkins

Glass by Ellen Hopkins is the sequel to Crank. Glass takes off where Crank ends, with Kristina living at home with her parents and her new baby. For awhile, things are OK. Kristina falls into a pattern at home and everything is fine. She feels the constant pull to crystal meth, but is able to stay away from it, especially since she doesn't really have any connections in her home town. That all falls apart when she reconnects with her old friend's sister. Suddenly Kristina is thrown back into her wild ways and is even letting her alter-ego, Bree, show her ugly side. After nearly missing her own son's baptism and falling into a sleep so deep that she didn't wake up to his screams when he rolled under a chair, Kristina's family has had enough. They kick her out of the house, telling her she is not allowed to come home until she is clean. Unfortunately, this was not the "wake-up-call" they were hoping for. Kristina continues to spiral downward and it appears there is no net to catch her.

I liked this book almost better than Crank. It was just the thing to answer my question, "Then what happened?" This book is definitely for a mature audience due to the drug use and physical scenes. From what I know about meth users, this book seems to do a good job showing what life is like for the user, family, and friends - tragic.

The Juvie Three by Gordan Korman

The Juvie Three by Gordan Korman is about Gecko, Arjay, and Terrance, three juvenile delinquents who get a second chance at freedom. These three ended up in correctional facilities for everything from being the get-away driver to manslaughter. Who knows why Doug Healy is working so hard to get them out! Doug runs a half-way-house in downtown New York for kids just like Gecko, Arjay, and Terrance. The three boys know if they mess up their schooling, community service, and therapy, they're back in the slammer. That doesn't prevent them from trying to explore a little bit. When Terrance tries to sneak out the balcony fire escape, there is a scuffle and Doug Healy falls three stories. He hits his head, is taken to the hospital, and falls into a coma. The boys don't know what do to - if they tell the police, they'll all be sent back to jail - if they don't they run the risk of getting caught. They think Doug will be released from the hospital soon and try to go on with their new-found free lives, following all of the rules as best they can. Unfortunately, when Doug wakes up from his coma, he has amnesia! Now the boys are really in trouble! Can they maintain their positive lifestyle changes with the pressures of gangs, violence, music, and girls? What happens when their social service agent stops by for one of her surprise visits? Will the nasty, nosy neighbor, Mrs. Leibowitz notice anything? Can the boys survive together, despite not getting along with one another?

I really liked this book. My favorite character was Arjay - the kid who just happened to wind up in a really terrible situation through no fault of his own, trying to make the best of it and hoping things turn out OK. I think any person reading this book will relate to one of the four main characters in some way.

All the Broken Pieces by Ann E. Burg

All the Broken Pieces by Ann E. Burg is about Matt Pin, a young Vietnamese boy who has been adopted by a family in the U.S. just after the Vietnam War. This story details Matt's struggle to fit in at his school, where the other students see him as the enemy. Many of his classmates' siblings went to fight in the Vietnam War and never came home. Their anger about their loved ones' deaths is taken out on Matt. Matt also struggles with his memories of his mother and brother. Matt never knew his father, an American soldier who abandoned them. Matt's brother was terribly injured in a landmine explosion, and Matt believes it was his fault. His mother, trying to keep him safe, sent Matt with the American soldiers to go to America for a better life. Matt, however, thinks she sent him away as a punishment for what happened to his little brother. Matt's adoptive father teaches Matt to play baseball, and he's really good. He even makes the school team! But, it's even harder for him to fit in there, because he is mercilessly taunted by his own teammates. This story is about Matt's search to fit in somewhere, to feel loved, wanted, and worthwhile.

I loved this book. It is a quick read because it is written in free-verse. The suthor does a wonderful job at weaving all parts of the story together. The reader feels so sad for Matt and all he's been through, but also feels some compassion for the kids at his school who lost siblings in the war. This is a thought-provoking, well told story about a very sad time in history.

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak is about Ed Kennedy, an average nineteen-year-old living in the town he grew up in without much future prospects. That is, until he stops a bank robbery! Just after his instant fame, strange messages begin arriving in the mail, printed on playing cards. The first card, the ace of diamonds, simply has three addresses and times printed on it. At first, Ed thinks it might be one of his friends sending him the messages, but as he works to solve the mystery, he soon realizes that they are coming from someone else entirely. When he goes to each address at the designated times, he sees people who need something from him. One woman and her daughter need his help to escape an abusive man, one girl needs help with her confidence, one family just needs something to brighten their spirit, a priest needs help filling his church, etc. On and on it goes, until the final card is revealed - the Joker. Through helping all of the people on these cards, Ed learns a lot about himself and what he wants to make of his life.

This was an excellent book - I loved it. It is definately for a more mature audience due to language, violence, and other physical scenes. I would even suggest this book for high-school or adults. The message (and messenger) in this book was incredible. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.

Valiant by Holly Black

Valiant by Holly Black is about Val, a seventeen-year-old girl from New Jersey. After some trouble at home, Val runs away to New York City. Initially, she intends to return home, but she meets some friends, and decides to stay. At first, things with her new friends are fine, but then Val realizes that there is something strange about them. She discovers that things in the world are not always what they seem, and falls into a strange new world of monsters, faeries, ogres, and evil. Val finds herself in the middle of a "war" between the dark faeries and the light faeries, and ends up having to do things she never knew she was capable of - including going home.

I really liked this book. It is definitely for a more mature audience because of some language and physical scenes. There were some references to Holly Black's other book, Tithe, which I also really liked. There is another "modern tale of faerie" book called Ironside, which I will also be reading soon!

Seekers: The Quest Begins by Erin Hunter

Seekers by Erin Hunter is about three bears, Kallik, a young polar bear, Lusa, a young brown bear, and Toklo, a young grizzly bear. Each of these three bears is trying to learn about the world and how to survive in it. They all go on a long journey, and their stories intertwine in the end.

This was a good adventure story! Each chapter is told through a different bears' perspective. I learned a lot about the different types of bears, their habitat, and their habits. I really liked the way the world was described through the eyes of the young bears. The reader has to make a lot of inferences, as the names of common things (like guns, roads, cars) are different. For example, the bears called guns, "fire sticks," but the author doesn't offer an explanation of the term - just a description of the gun. This is the first book in the series.

Found (The Missing Series, #1) by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix is about Jonah, a middle schooler who believes he has led an ordinary life, except for being adopted. That is until he receives a mysterious letter in the mail with no return address. The only message is, "You are one of the missing." At first, Jonah dismisses it as a practical joke, but starts to take it more seriously when his friend Chip receives the same letter. That is the day Chip finds out he's adopted, too. Jonah, Chip, and Jonah's sister Katherine begin digging into the boys' adoption, and find some very interesting information about themselves and 34 other kids who are about their age, all living in the same area. It turns out that one day, out of nowhere, a plane full of babies (an nothing else) appeared from thin air. Their quest for information turns dangerous as they get closer and closer to the truth, and find that certain people are desperately trying to keep them from it.

I really liked the beginning of this book, when I was still trying to solve the mystery of the airplane and babies myself. I didn't know the book was going to be about time travel, so I lost a little interest when it turned out that's what happened. The next book in the series, Sent, come out on August 25th, 2009. It is about Chip, Alex, and Jonah and their adventures in the 15th century.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Animal Farm by George Orwell is about the Manor Farm. Mr. Jones is not a very master of the farm. He tends to drink and forget to feed his animals. Old Major, an old, but respected, boar on the farm gathers the animals together and gets them riled up for a revolution. Soon after, old Major passes away. Mr. Jones forgets to feed the animals one too many times, and they revolt, chasing him, his wife, and all of the farm workers from the land. The animals decide they can look after the farm themselves, without the help of any "two-legs". The pigs are in charge, and develop a set of seven commandments for all animals to follow. They create a song about their newfound freedom and begin spreading their message across England. Initially, they run the farm well - everyone chipping in and doing their part. But, eventually, their system begins to fail. Mr. Jones gets some local farmers together and tries to take the farm back, but the animals are able to beat them back. There is unrest amongst the pigs however, and the two leaders fight over everything. One pig, Napoleon, is able to drum up enough support from all of the other animals, and they end up driving Snowball, the other leader, out. Things fall apart from there, with the pigs becomming more and more elitist, forcing the other animals to work long hours with fewer and fewer rations. They even begin secretly changing the seven commandments! Any animals caught speaking out against the pigs or acting as "traitors" are killed! Eventually, the pigs even begin working with humans - selling their products and making deals, all the while assuring the other animals that things are still better than they were when Mr. Jones ran the place. By the end, most of the animals don't even remember what it was like back then.

This is a classic that I never read in high school or college. It was really interesting! I'm not sure I think it was quite as enlightening as it's made out to be, but I enjoyed the story!

The Shadow Club by Neal Shusterman

The Shadow Club by Neal Shusterman is about Jared and Cheryl, best friends who share a similar problem: they are both ALWAYS second best. For Jared, he is always beat out in the track meets by his teammate and long-time foe, Austin Pace. For Cheryl, it's her cousin, Rebecca, who is a better singer and actress. Not only do these "Number Ones" always beat out Jared and Cheryl, they both can't seem to help rubbing their faces in it. One day, Cheryl and Jared have had enough. They form the Shadow Club and invite other second-best kids from their school to join. The purpose of their club is simple - revenge. They each take delight in pulling simple practicle jokes on the other club members' archrivals. Unfortunately, just when the kids decide to quit their pranks, someone else has different ideas. Someone has infiltrated their club and begins pulling pranks on the "Number Ones" that are more serious, and even dangerous. Jared, Cheryl, and the other club members think they know who it is, and do their best to pull the confession out of him. However, things start to get out of hand, people start getting seriously hurt, and the school vice-principal gets involved.

I really liked this book! I can easily see how kids who never live up to their own expectations for themselves and are constantly taunted can think only of revenge. I thought the ending had a few twists I wasn't expecting. There is a sequel, The Shadow Club Rising, that I will be reading soon. I really like Neal Shusterman and this book didn't let me down!