Thursday, March 8, 2018

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Wow.  Based on a true story, this is a story of survival, love, hope and strength.  Lale was one of the early prisoners in Auschwitz and as the tattooist, he managed to survive and to help Gita, who later became his wife, to survive as well.  His story is touching and horrible and shows yet another aspect of the horrors of the holocaust.  I highly recommend this book.

Monday, March 5, 2018

How To Avoid Extinction by Paul Acampora

How to Avoid Extinction
This is a fun to read comedy for middle grade children.  Leo goes on an unexpected road trip with his grandmother and his cousin Abbey and her dog, Kermit in search of dinosaurs and the meaning of life.  Together they have adventures and learn about life and each other on the way.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

A Monster Calls
Such a sad story!  Thirteen year old Connor's mother has cancer.  He has nightmares and a monster in his backyard also talks to him.  The monster tells Connor stories and says he is there to help, but is he really?  This story is a heart wrenching tale of how Connor deals with his feelings about his mother's illness and impending death.

Thursday, March 1, 2018

The Bicycle Spy by Yona Zeldis McDonough

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I listened to the audio book of this story and it was very well done!  I enjoyed hearing the French words pronounced in French.  The book is set in France during World War II, which is a bit different setting for a middle grade book.  It follows twelve year old Marcel who rides his bicycle to deliver loaves of bread for his parents who run a bakery.  He dreams of riding in the Tour de France one day, but the race has been canceled due to the war.  As the German occupation increases, Marcel must bring gingerbread to bribe the soldiers guarding the bridge in order to pass by.  He soon learns that he is not only carrying bread.  When a new girl, Delphine joins his class in school, he finds that they both share a love of bicycles and the Tour de France.  She also has a big secret though and soon needs his help.  I think that middle grade readers will enjoy this book. 

The Winter Baby by Sheila Newberry

The Winter Baby
As the story begins, in 1903, seventeen year old Kathleen, pregnant and homeless, stumbles through the snow and is found and rescued by a kind family that has two brothers who both fall in love with her.  The story follows the family through World War I and afterwards.  The historical part of the story is interesting and informative.