Tempest by Julie Cross
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I liked this book.  The characters are older --college level, which is unusual for a YA book.  The plot of "time travel" is not new, however Cross has woven a unique tale around the theme.  Her characters are very likeable and very contemporary.  Protagonist is a guy.  There is enough suspense and action to keep you reading.

Fans of The Heist Society, older readers who liked Alex Rider when they were younger will enjoy this book as well as any others who like this genre of "lite" scifi and mystery. YA readers will like the contemporary characters.

8th grade and up.  Discussions cover all subjects, but not very graphic.  Sequel just came out and if I read sequels I would definitely read this one.


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Is It Night or Day? by Fern Schumer Chapman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Based on a true story, Chapman writes about her grandmother as a young girl who leaves Germany on her own to join an uncle in the U.S. and escape from the Nazi's.

Edith (Tiddy) was 14 years old when her parents sent her to America.  She was helped by a group of Americans (Lutheran's, Quakers and Jews) who saved European Jewish children from the Nazi's.  Similar to the Kindertransport, these people rescued 1,200 children from a most probable death in the concentration camps.

This is a good novel to pair with The Diary of Anne Frank and discuss the differences experienced by teenagers who were with their parents vs. others who were separated during WWII. Young people may question why people didn't just leave Germany and Chapman's story provides a good explanation of how difficult it was for families to pack up and leave their homes and relatives.  The story lends itself to a good discussion on how many teenagers could have done what Edith did as well as how accepting Americans were of Jewish immigrants.

A South Carolina Junior Book Award Nominee.


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Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a very powerful story of child soldiers in Cambodia.  It is a fictional account of the true story of Arn Chorn-Pond, founder of Children of War, an organization that aids children held hostage by war and violence.

My suggestion is that you first read the Epilogue, Author's Note and Acknowledgements at the end of the book.  Then you will understand why the story is written in the voice of young Arn.

The weak at heart should not read this book.  8th grade and up can handle the story.  It is unforgettable. If you find yourself getting angry maybe you can do something to make a difference in the world.



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Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

On sale July 24, 2012, but you can preorder it at your local independent book store or on your e-reader.

Eleanor fears her brother is being held by the “Dead,” the walking corpses that have been plaguing Philadelphia.  She solicits the support of a team of Spirit-Hunters to help her rescue him.  The Spirit-Hunters have invented a bomb that creates a pulse of electromagnetic energy to destroy the spiritual energy of the Dead.  Convincing them they need her help and defying the traditional behavior of a Victorian lady, she abandons her corsets and petticoats for a shirt and trousers to assist the Spirit-Hunters in their quest to fend off the Dead.

The highlight of the novel is Dennard’s success at creating the story around the Centennial International Exhibition of 1876.  This was the first official world’s fair in the United States. The historical exhibition in Philadelphia showcased America’s resources and technological advancements.  Dennard has woven her action scenes around the famous Corliss Steam Engine and Machinery Hall.

This is an unusual combination of historical fiction, steampunk and zombies by debut, young adult author, Susan Dennard.  The author has added elements of romance and humor as well as the gripping horror of zombies and necromancy.  The plot is not as dark as Carrie Ryan’s The Forest of Hands and Teeth, and the female characters are stronger than Anna Godbersen’s The Luxe.  Fans of Cassandra Clare’s Clockwork Angel will find a read alike in Dennard’s novel.  A sequel is expected next summer.




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Way to go, Grace Baghdady

Grace Baghdady is the first to post one of her reviews from the 7th grade geography summer reading list.   Grace read,  A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. Grace says, "I thought this book was really enjoyable and as proof of it I read it in only two to three hours."

Park, the author of The Single Shard read by every 4th grader at OPS has written a novel based on true stories about two children in Sudan. Salva, an eleven year old boy flees from his village in Sudan to escape political violence.  He walks miles to Ethiopia hoping to find safety in a refugee camp, but is forced out of the country and must travel many more treacherous miles to Kenya.  In her review Baghdady says, "Salva battles to stay alive by running away...he couldn't stay where he was raised because it was far too dangerous with men constantly coming to force men and young boys to fight.  I can't imagine how awful it was with kids killing kids."  The alternating chapter of eleven year old, Nya describes her everyday struggle to walk to find water for her family.  Park has written a compelling novel about survival and hope.  Take a couple of hours this summer and read her story.

The author Linda Sue Park has been writing her entire life.  Her first publication was a haiku in a children's magazine.  Read more about Park in her Scholastic biography.

Thanks, Grace for stepping up to Ms. Tewkesbury's challenge.  By the way, Ms. Tewkesbury  is in Zambia right now so I'm sure she will have some interesting stories to share with us.

Keep reading.  The list includes many stories that will have an impact on how you view freedom as well as the simple luxury of running water.

Looking forward to hearing from others.  If you've read A Long Walk to Water leave a comment on how it has made an impact on your life.

What's New? Cyborgs?

My friend Kim at Indigo Books on Johns Island gave me an advanced copy of Cinder--a retake of Cinderella.  A fractured fairy tale--not quite. In this story Cinderella is a cyborg--a mechanic cyborg repairing other people's technology.

In fictional accounts, cyborgs have biological and artificial parts.  They are usually portrayed as second class citizens, or not quite as good as humans.  Patricia McKissack, well known historical fiction writer and author of the Clone Codes describes cyborgs as no better than slaves.  But in this story, Cinder has special talents.  She knows when someone is lying and she has the remarkable skill of being able to scan the web by just thinking about someone or something!

Some of the plot is predictable.  Cinder falls for a handsome prince while hiding her Cyborg identity and she flees the ball as the original Cinderella did.  There is a wicked stepmother and sisters--but there are some interesting twists as well as a sequel in the works.

Personally, I can't wait to read it.



Eleanor's Story: An American Girl in Hitler's Germany by Eleanor Ramrath Garner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a wonderful story written by an American girl stranded with her family in Germany during WWII. She has remembered many events that impacted her childhood in Germany--7 or 8 years away from the United States. It is a very unique perspective and a must read for those who can never get enough information on this time period. While the story tells of the hardships they experienced, it does not discuss any of the holocaust because as she states, the German people did not really know what was happening. 

I did not realize how devastating the Russian invasion was in Germany and had no idea of the rape and trauma on German citizens. Stories and memories are so important to history. 

War Horse--a holiday treat!

Take your family to see the movie, War Horse.  Better yet, read the book out loud with your family and then go see the movie.  This way your children can critique the movie based on the book.  You may be able to find a paperback copy at the public library; however, there is an electronic copy that you can download as you read this blog.  Hub City and  Barnes and Noble in Spartanburg are out of stock unless you have an ereader.  Maybe you can find a friend with a copy.  I’ve got one.  Email me clmonner@gmail.com or call me 680-4306 and it’s yours.

Scholastic published this novel back in 2007.  One of our students, Evans, who has read all the horse books in our library, said she loved reading the book.  A couple years later I finally read it (Sorry, Evans) and I can see why she liked it so much.  There are no vampires, werewolves or wizards; just humans and animals.  And, a strong message of friendship,caring, hope, courage and persistence.

The story does include violence and the historical horrors of WWI battles, however, with a book, the violence is whatever your imagination creates.  Therefore any age would like reading or hearing the story.  Not sure about the movie.  It is rated PG so the battlefield visuals are probably not appropriate for very young children.

Morpurgo has written the story with the horse as the narrator.  At first I was not sure I would like reading it from the horse’s point of view.  But, I loved it.  This is the horse's journey from the farm to the battlefields.     The author has written over 100 books. Five of them have been made into films.  After the army he taught for ten years then left to start writing and set up “Farms for City Children” with his wife. The concept is to bring inner city school children to the farm and teach them to work with animals.

A rewarding story (an hopefully movie) for the holiday break.  Here’s the trailer on YouTube.  Let me know what you think if you go see it.