Sam and CY students & staff are reading…

Who would like this book? Anyone (grades 6 and up) interested in what it would have been like for a young boy in a poor Mexican family working on farms in California in the 1950s.

Why? Panchito is a young boy in Mexico when his father (Papa) decides to move his family to California to pursue the American dream. Their experience as farm workers, following the crops, comes alive through the first-person narration of Panchito. He tells a series of stories filled with heart-breaking difficulties and moving, meaningful moments in his life as a growing boy. Panchito tells of his efforts to help his family and to “prove” himself, his desire to excel in school, and of his disappointment when he has to miss school. These experiences come alive with his simple descriptions of particular people and events that held special significance for him. The stories follow a loose chronology but are more of a series of vignettes rather than a full autobiography. They give a stirring portrait of the immigrant experience that will spark much discussion. Be prepared for a difficult ending.
This book is a 2011-2012 Battle of the Books selection.

The details: 116 p. 1997   Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? Readers looking for a funny, coming-of-age, first-person narration that also gives an entertaining view of melding cultures in America. Grades 6-10.

Why? Violet Paz’s life in the Chicago suburbs shows the influence of her Cuban-American father — namely, dominoes and cigars — but she knows nothing else about Cuba and does not speak Spanish. She is surprised, then, when her Cuban grandmother, Abuela, insists that Violet have a Quinceanero, the traditional Latina coming-of-age ceremony for 15-year-old girls. In fact, Violet has never heard of this ceremony before and is at first terror-stricken over any event that involves wearing a pink dress with ruffles. Violet slowly, and hilariously, learns that Quinces are not all alike, giving her the responsibility to discover what will make her Quince reflect her personality. The process of accepting and planning the grand event is the hub of the highly entertaining plot, bringing together the different parts of Violet’s life: her high-spirited family, her loyal friends, her place as comedian on her school’s speech team, and her potential romance. The first-person narration is a perfect window through which to experience the humor, warmth, and revelations of her life. Get ready to laugh out loud. You’ll also want to break out the dominoes and sugar cubes!
This book is a 2011-2012 Battle of the Books selection.

The details: 304 p. 2003    Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? People who love historical fiction, and adventure.

Why? This book has a lot of ways of keeping the reader into the book. Sam is a slave, and has been one most of his young life. Sam finally feels the courage to escape, and run away. Sam is caught and brought to an Indian fort with the leader Ashi-Yaholo where he is taught to fight the white man and get revenge. Oskee-wa is Sam’s love that he meets when training, and she is the main reason why he stayed. Sam has the battle of his life when he faces the blue coats (Americans) to find his freedom and help others as well.

The details: p. 205 2004   Review by Danny

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Who would like this book? Anyone who likes a thrilling romance that always keeps you guessing so that you won’t want to stop reading.

Why? In this book, a girl named Brittany falls in love with an odd match, Alex, a tough gang member from the north-side. But the love isn’t one sided or instant. At first Alex only tries to get Brittany, the most popular girl in school, for a bet, but somewhere along the lines it becomes much more… for the both of them. The intensity and feeling in this book never lacks.

The details: 368 p. 2008   Review by Emilee
Not currently at Cal Young. Grade 9-12?

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Who would like this book? People who like books that you can learn from, and books that have unexpected events in them.

Why? North of Beautiful is about a teenager whose Dad has held her back for her whole life. She always thought that she couldn’t go anywhere in life because of her controlling father. She had a birthmark on the right side of her face. She always felt ugly and unwanted. Then one day she unexpectedly met a boy named Jacob who gave her a new perspective on life, and taught her many valuable lessons.

The details:   373 p. 2009      Review by Geneva

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Who would like this book? Readers who are interested in the day-to-day experience of soldiers in the Civil War and/or the experience of Native Americans during this time period.

Why? Louis Nolette, an Abenaki Indian, is only 15 when he decides to join the Union army during the Civil War. He ends up in the Irish Brigade and fights in a series of battles. I had great expectations for this book since I love Code Talker by the same author. Unfortunately, this book fell short in several ways. Even though it is set in the midst of war, it does not have a central conflict that drives the characters. The characters themselves are one-dimensional. I kept with it until the end because I thought it would pick up, but I remained bored and mystified at the lack of plot, conflict, and characterization. The book does give insight into the Native American mindset, the Irish, and the daily rigors of the Civil War. The story is based on the experiences of Jospeh Bruchac’s great-grandfather. Read it as a way to learn about the Civil War but don’t expect a riveting plot.

The details: 298 p. 2008   Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? Anyone (grades 6 – 11) who likes adventure on the seas, shipwrecks, whaling, Japanese culture, cross-cultural experiences, and the 19th century.

Why? Manjiro, 14 at the beginning of his amazing adventures, tells a story that starts with a harrowing storm and continues with one captivating experience after another. It’s the mid 19th century, and his Japanese homeland is dedicated to remaining isolated from the rest of the world. Manjiro is a poor fisherman with wistful dreams of being a samurai. When he and three other fishermen get blown out to sea in a sudden storm, he thinks he will die. Instead, they are rescued by an American whaling ship. The Japanese men think that the whalers are barbarians, and the whalers think that the Japanese are cannibals. Manjiro overcomes this chasm between their cultures with curiosity and bravery, and he forms a deep bond with the captain of the ship, William Whitfield. With every unfolding chapter of Manjiro’s life, there are new adventures and new insights. It is an amazing book and all the more remarkable because it is based on a true story and includes the sketches of the real Manjiro. Don’t miss this book if any of these features appeal to you. This book is much better than this review!

The details: 301 p. 2010     Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? Readers who would like to read an exciting (but sad in the end) story about living as a racial minority in the late 1800s in Louisiana, alligator hunting in the middle of the night, and enjoying a family of eccentric uncles. Grades 7 – 10.

Why? Calogero Scalise, 14, has moved from Sicily (Italy) to the Louisiana bayou to be with his relatives after his mother dies (his father abandoned them years earlier). As he settles in with his uncles and cousin, he learns the grocery business and is confused by the racism of the Southern whites. It’s 1898 and he and his Sicilian relatives are rejected by the whites, who view them as an economic threat. The Sicilians find some friendship with the African Americans. In one great scene, two young African Americans take Calogero and his cousin on a middle-of-the-night alligator hunt in the swamp. Another entertaining theme is Calogero’s attempts to get a romance going with their sister, Patricia. These fictional details add realistic depth to the historical setting. In an historical note, the author explains that the story was inspired by an event involving Sicilian grocers in Louisiana in 1899. This event, and the ending of the story, is tragically sad, so prepare yourself as you read.

The details: 280 p. 2009  Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? If you like sailing and/or survival stories, this book is a sure bet. Grades 4-8.

Why? The story starts in England, where Michael’s dad has lost his job and their lives are at a dead end. His dad’s solution is to buy a saliboat and sail around the world with his family. Michael, his parents, and their dog Stella embark on a dream journey full of adventure. After a good time in Australia, they encounter a storm in the Coral Sea and Michael and Stella go overboard, washing up on a seemingly uninhabited island. When food and water mysteriously appear, keeping Michael and Stella alive, Michael knows he is not alone. The story of his secret benefactor and their growing friendship unfolds with a captivating combination of tension and resolution. It’s a great story of friendship and survival with a significant historical hook.

The details: 2004, 176 p.    Review by Samrarian

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Review by Spencer

Who would like this book? People who enjoy a sad story about a little girl growing up in China with unloving parents.

Why? A little girl named Adeline Yen is the child of a women who died a few weeks after Adeline’s birth. She lived with her Grandma, Grandpa, her loving Aunt Baba, her father and all of her siblings. Her father remarries to a 17 year old women who only loves her birth children. Adeline is separated from her aunt and joins many boarding schools. In each school she is one of the smartest children. She is inspired by her grandfather to write a play and submit it to a contest. After a few months of waiting to see if she won, her grandfather died.. and a few months later she won the contest. Her (normally not caring) father is so proud and he allows Adeline to go to medical school (unlike Adeline’s older sister). She grows up to be a doctor and a writer.

The details:205 p. 1999   Submitted by Spencer

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