The Boy who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti. This book caused me to think really hard on what it means to stay silent or to take a stand. It is about a 17 year old boy who is tried for Treason in Nazi Germany. Helmuth Hubner's crime was listening to outlawed BBC radio and passing out leaflets that told the Germans the truth about the war. In his heart of hearts, he wanted to make a difference. He wanted to see Germans set free by the truth. In the end he pays the ultimate price for his crime.
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt. A wonderful story that made me laugh, cry and reminded me why I love Shakespeare so much! It is a coming of age novel set in the late 1960's in Long Island, NY. Holling Hoodhood gets to sit with his teacher, Ms. Baker every Wednesday afternoon and read Shakespeare. Not his idea of the perfect way to spend an afternoon. However, over time, he learns a lot of Shakespeare, life and what it means to find his own voice. Schmidt is a master at storytelling. This is definite must read book.
Schooled by Greg Korman If there ever is proof that the 60's commune life style was only for the "far out" crowd, this book is it! Cap is a lovable character who finds himself in another world when he is sent into the real world after his Grandmother, Rain has taken a fall. The comedy of how peace loving Cap changes the students at his middle school is sure to make the reader want to cheer for him too! All the things that happen in this book are highly improbable but Korman is a master at making the improbable not only possible but believable. This book is a total fun read.
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale. The Brother Grimms first told this story many years ago. Ms. Hale retells it and brings new life to the story. Dashti and Lady Saren are forced to live in a tower for seven years because Lady Saren refuses to marry a man she not only hates but is afraid to be near. Dashti is the strong handmaid who is saves them from the doom and finds true love in the process.
Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson. Things are never as they seem. Tyler who has just served community service time for a graffiti prank is implicated in a drunken crime which he did not commit. No one believes him, and it is up to him to make the right choices that will determine his future. Readers will root for Tyler and be happy that the good guy wins.
This is just a few of my suggestions. Well, I've got to go off shopping too! See you around next time!
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