Yellow Star

Yellow Star

By Jennifer Roy

This story is written by the niece of Syvia Perlmutter, who interviewed her aunt to find out about her experience of living in the Lodz ghetto in Poland.  As the years went by in the Lodz ghetto all children were sent away to concentration camps on trains, however when the Russians finally freed the ghetto they found that twelve children were able to stay hidden and survive in the ghetto, Syvia being one them.  The story is told through young Syvia's eyes which show the terrible circumstances they had to face an the amazing strength that was found by many of the families.  

The War that Saved my Life

The War that Saved my Life

by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Ada, a young girl who was born with a clubfoot has been held hostage by her mother in their apartment because her mother says she's "crippled."  Ada, determined to do something with her live decides to teach herself to walk and eventually that gives her the ability to flee her home during WWII when other children are evacuating London to get away from bombings.  What Ada finds in the countryside of Kent is a things she has never known before and words she's never heard.  She's happy, sad, angry, grateful, and mad all at once.  This story is a great tale of how resilient humans really are. This story isn't only about Ada, there are many characters throughout the novel who teach Ada that she can do anything she puts her mind to.  

Miss Mayhem

Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins

Miss Mayhem is the second in a series known as the Rebel Belle series, the first book is titled Rebel Belle as well and a third book just out title Lady Renegades.  In the first book the readers is introduced to Harper Price, a southern belle.  After a strange run-in with her school janitor she discovers that she has super powers and finds out she is a Paladin, an ancient guardian with agility, super strength, and lethal fighting instincts.  Things get complicated when Harper finds out her responsibility as a Paladin is to protect the person she likes least.  The second book Miss Mayehm starts with Harper enjoying a simplistic life after the drama in the first book.  But, drama soon finds her and she is required to go through a series of trials in order to stay a Paladin. If you  enjoy mystery, suspense, and some magic this book is one for you.  It's quirky, funny, intense, and unique.

A Night Divided

A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen

Gerta, a 12-year-old girl finds her family divided overnight as the Berlin Wall goes up as her father and brother are on the western side, while her mother and other brother are on the eastern side.  Gerta is frustrated that so many people seem fine with the wall dividing the two sides, almost as penance for World War II.  Gerta, however is not willing to stay separated from her father and brother. With some clues secretly given to her by her father and a determined will, Gerta, with the help of her brother finds a way that they could possibly escape.  It's dangerous and challenging, but she's willing to do anything for her family's freedom, even risk her own life.

Orbiting Jupiter

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt

Orbiting Jupiter was a unique tale that was beautiful told. Joseph is a troubled child who enters foster care, the further you read the more you learn about Joseph's life story. Joseph's life story is not an easy one, but as the reader learns what makes Joseph want to do better in his life.  This book is hopeful and devastating at the same time.

Breathe

Breathe
By Sarah Crossan

Imagine living in a world with no air.  Breathe takes place in a world where oxygen doesn't exist as it once had.  In order to survive you must live a dome full of manufactured air and you must pay for it. Some are starting to believe that maybe they are not surviving in the dome, but instead they are trapped in it. The path of three teens intersect in this story for an interesting tale of what could happen in the future.  For students who enjoy this first book there is a second one titled Resist.

In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse

In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse
Joseph Marshall III

Jimmy McClean is a Lakota teenager.  He is often made fun of by his classmates because his name doesn't sound Lakota and he doesn't look Lakota with his light skin and green eyes.  Jimmy takes a trip with his grandfather to learn more about his Lakota heritage and one of the most important Lakota figures, Crazy Horse. Throughout the trip with his grandfather Jimmy learns the challenges and triumphs of Crazy Horse and the Lakota.  He also learns that is stronger than he once thought.