Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kudos to author Eugene Yelchin for writing this story at a level that young adults can understand and realize how important it is to be free.

When I was a young girl my grandmother immigrated to the U.S. from the Ukraine.  She often told me about people she knew who had disappeared or she heard had been sent to Siberia. I didn't know what it meant although she tried to explain it to me.  Sometimes I thought she was telling me quirky stories because she was old.  Of course, now I know differently and reading this book helped to put it in a perspective that is easy to see what she was talking about.  She is gone now, but I still remember the stories.

Yelchin's novel is a very quick read, but very worthwhile.




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Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tamara Ireland Stone has written her first novel for YA readers and let's hope she continues to write more.  I'm not a great fan of time travel however, Stone's novel has a different twist and brings us some interesting ethical decisions.

Anna is from 1995 and Bennett is from 2012, but they meet when Bennett travels to Anna's time trying to find the sister he lost on a time travel adventure.

You will like Stone's characters and their friendships.  There is "lite" romance, adventure and a good ending.


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Chomp by Carl Hiaasen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Five stars as usual for a Hiaasen YA book.  Mr. Hiaasen should just stop writing adult books and stick to YA novels.  He is the best.

Chomp is another entertaining Hiaasen Florida ecological YA novel; this time including the themes of:

 Reality TV
 Animal protection--bats, snakes, gators and more....
 Florida's Everglades
 Teenagers -Friendships and Abuse
 Humor

and lots of adventure and fun.  Just read it.




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Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was not sure that I would like this novel since it is written by the author of The Clockwork Three which I thought was just OK.  But to my surprise it is very good.

Here is a review from Voices of Young Adults Journal (VOYA).  This reviewer says that Solveig's story is not compelling enough, however, I disagree.  This is a good example of why we all need to try reading different books on our own and decide what we enjoy reading. Reviews help, but everyone has different opinions.



Solveig is the King's daughter, but as middle child (and a girl, no less) she struggles to find her place in her father's kingdom. To make matters worse, Solveig's sister and brother, their attendants, and a chosen few others have fled the kingdom on the brink of war and now wait, protected behind a secluding wall of ice. Sitting ducks for the enemy army and with supplies running low, the group is anxious to be called home. Every day the fjord freezes a little more, squeezing out the possibility for rescue. In this fraught time, everyone must pitch in to survive, including the king's children. It is under these troubled conditions that Solveig discovers her own voice, her gift of storytelling, and her value to the community, not just as a helper, but as a story changer. Steampunk fans will enjoy the suspense and intrigue of this fantastic realm. The pace and tone is even; the characters and their reactions lovingly-drawn. The ideal audience for this book, however, will be the small (though loyal) genre fans. As interesting as it is, Solveig's story is probably not compelling enough to create crossover. VOYA Reviewer: Jennifer Miskec




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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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