October 26th 2009
Who would like this book? Middle School age kids who want a new perspective on life from Death himself.
Why? In The Book Thief, a girl named Liesel is going to live with foster parents because she is poor. She lives in Nazi Germany. On the train ride to her foster parents her brother dies, so when she gets to the home she is very sad and will not take a bath. Then the father, Hans Hubermann, comes in and shows her how to roll cigarettes. Liesel likes her new father better than his wife, Rosa Hubermann, Rosa is very loud mouthed and likes to say bad words. If you read this book, you need to make sure you are not queasy. This is a very good story narrated by Death. I would recommend this book to everyone.
The details: 552 p. 2005 Submitted by Michael R.
October 23rd 2009
Review by Madisyn
Who would like this book? People who like to learn about other country’s religion and how hard it is for women and girls in Afghanistan.
Why? I liked this book because I thought it was fun, and I learned a lot about Afghanistan. This book is about a family who lives in Afghanistan and how the Talib had changed their lives dramatically. This book has a surprising ending. This book is about how hard it is for women and girls to live in Afghanistan. Women and girls can’t go outside without a man or a boy with them. I thought this book was a really interesting book to read.
The details: 170 p. 2001 Submitted by Madisyn
A 2009-2010 Battle of the Book selection
October 5th 2009
Review by Amanda
Who would like this book? People who like reading about the past in the context of a daily diary.
Why? This book is based on a time when Texas was not a part of the United States yet. They wanted their independance from Mexico. Lucinda Lawrence’s brother Willis goes to help the army, and her father is hurt. She travels with her family in a wagon to get away from the oncoming Mexican army. Though she faces many tragedies, she still finds the strength to write in her precious diary.
The details: 221 p. 1998 Submitted by Amanda
October 1st 2009
Review by Michael
Who would like this book? Boys and girls in eighth grade or older.
Why? Marcus, Darrell, Van, and Jolu get caught in a terrorist explosion in San Francisco. As they are taken away they are detained by government officers. Marcus gets picked out and they take him to a prison for questioning. When he gets out he is told that they will be watching him. Then Marcus makes the X-net a free internet service that makes your data encrypted to everybody except you. Marcus then meets Ange who becomes his girlfriend. I would recommend this book to older people.
The details: 380 p. 2008 Submitted by Michael
August 27th 2009
Who would like this book? Anyone, grades 6 and up, who are interested in the history of Cuba, piercing free verse, or struggles for freedom will definitely want to read this short, powerful book.
Why? From 1850-1899, Cubans fought three wars with Spain in an attempt to gain their independence, only to be taken over by the United States in 1899. Engle chronicles these struggles using free verse in the voices of four narrators. Rosa, a traditional healer based on a real woman, tells the greater part of the story. She and her husband Jose, another narrator, provide shelter and care for runaway slaves and army deserters (Cuban and Spanish). One of these escapees is the young Silvia, another narrator who idolizes Rosa and learns the traditional ways from her. Rosa’s aid to the refugees makes her an enemy of the slaveholders and the Spanish. The fourth narrator, aptly named Lieutenant Death, acts for both these groups and desperately seeks to kill her. The alternating voices of these characters combine to tell a vivid, searing story of slavery and colonialism with powerful words. The book is worth reading both for its poetry and its history. Engle includes an Author’s Note, An Historical Note, a Chronology, and References. It’s not surprising that this book is a Newberry Honor Book (2009) and the winner of the Pura Belpre Award.
The details: 178 p. 2008 Review by Samrarian
June 28th 2009
Who would like this book? Anyone interested in what it would have been like to live in Afghanistan under the Taliban.
Why? Parvana, an eleven-year-old Afghan girl, does not often get out of the one-room apartment that she shares with her family in Kabul, Afghanistan. After years of war with the Soviet Union and now under the ruthless rule of the Taliban, Parvana must help her family struggle to get basic necessities. A luxury such as school is out of the question and illegal for girls. When Parvana’s father is arrested by the Taliban, her family has a problem: the women cannot go outside to earn money and shop, and the only boy in the family is a baby. Parvana realizes that she is the only one in the family that could pass for a boy and so consents to become the “breadwinner.” Throughout her many experiences both at home with her family and in the marketplace, Parvana demonstrates tenacity, courage, and intelligence. It is impossible to read about her life without wondering what it would be like to live in her situation. It is especially gripping to know that Deborah Ellis based the events of this book on the real-life experiences of women that she interviewed in the Afghan refugee camps. An afterword and a glossary answers some of the questions that the story brings up, and it will also motivate some students to do more research about the Taliban and the place of women in Afghan society. A 2009- 2010 Battle of the Book selection.
The details: 170 p. 2001 Submitted by Samrarian
A Battle of the Books selection for 2009-2010
May 18th 2009
Review by Kenzie
Who would like this book? Anybody interested in Hitler and Nazi Germany.
Why?
The 552-page novel, The Book Thief, tells the story of a 10-year-old girl named Liesel, living in Germany during 1939– also the time of Hitler’s reign. When Liesel’s younger brother died on their way to a new home (due to their mother’s poorness), Liesel feels as if her whole life has been ripped apart, plus she’s haunted with nightmares of her brother’s passing. But on the day of her brother’s burial, she comes upon a book, The Grave Digger’s Handbook. This triggers her interest, and with the help of Hans, learns to read. Throughout all of the secrets, fright, and air raids, Liesel learns just how powerful words really are. But it isn’t words that threaten to take away everything she has in life. It’s the secret of a hidden Jew, that if discovered, could ruin everything.
The details: 552 p. 2006 Submitted by Kenzie
May 11th 2009
Review by Monica
Who would like this book? Someone who likes World War II history.
Why? The book follows the life of a girl named Sumiko and her family when they’re sent away from their farm to an internment camp in the Nevada desert, which is also on an Indian reservation. Sumiko and her family suffer many hardships but Sumiko makes many friends in the camp, so maybe it wouldn’t be so horrible after all?
Read “Weedflower” to find out what happens to Sumiko and her family.
The details: 260 p. 2006 Submitted by Monica
April 1st 2009
Review by Sofie
Who would like this book? People who like books that are easy to read.
Why? Samir is frightened when he goes to a Israeli Hospital to get surgery on his fractured knee. While he’s there he meets kids like him, but one guy stands out in particular. Yonatan. The boys is fascinated with stars, planets, and galaxies. He teaches Samir many things about life and the planet. Their friendship is sweet. This story is very touching and gentle; read it if you like mellow books. 
The details: 183 p. 2000 Submitted by Sofie
March 9th 2009
Review by Kenzie
Who would like this book? People who hold interest in the 60s, war times, Shakespeare, or a good ‘make your own path’ story.
Why? Holling Hoodhood is completely convinced that Mrs. Baker hates his guts. Holling is different than his classmates; he doesn’t attend Temple Beth-El or Saint Adelbert’s, so he is forced to spend the end of every Wednesday with Mrs. Baker. Awful, right? That’s what Holling is sure of, until this seemingly evil teacher reveals the world of Shakespeare to him. Between the threatening elder school peers, the tough readings of Shakespeare, embarrassing costumes, and the Vietnam War, can Holling handle it when his family spread apart because of America’s issues? Find out in this 264-page novel, plus learn what it was like to live during America’s rough molding years.
The details: 264 p. 2007 Submitted by Kenzie
A Battle of the Books 2009-2010 selection