Middle Grade

Yellow Star

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by Jennifer Roy
ages 9-12

This is not a happy book. Then again, what book about the Holocaust is a happy book? Granted, this one has a happy ending — it’s a story based on the life of the author’s aunt, and she survived — but getting there is harsh, depressing, and painful. Which means that Roy did an incredible job depicting the life and circumstances of her aunt Syvia’s childhood.

I’m trying to figure out a way to sum up the book without giving a mini-history lesson. For those who don’t know their World War II history, this story of one of the 800 survivors — only 12 of which were children — of the Lodz, Poland ghetto is not a fun one to read. Written in verse, I think to mimic the spare conditions of Syvia’s life, Roy captures the faith and family togetherness in the face of pure hopelessness quite well. There were parts that made me cringe — the Nazis deported all the children at one point, tearing them from their family; it was only through the courage and resorcefulness of Syvia’s father (and herself) that she managed to survive that time — and others that made me cry. I am amazed at Syvia, and at the luck — miracles? providence? chance? — that she had during her life. There were so many (more than 270,000 people lived in the ghetto at one time) that didn’t get her chance.

I’m not sure I can separate a critique of the book (can I say that in this instance I felt the verse was good, but unnecessary?) from the life. It’s a good book — not a great one — with a worthy story. And a story worth reading. Which makes the book worth reading, too.

Diamond of Drury Lane

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by Julia Golding
ages 10+

You’re looking for a good adventure story right? Something light, a little bit thrilling, with a smidgen of romance and mystery and politics, and a lot of getting out of tight scrapes? You’ve come to the right place, my friends, and I offer you The Diamond of Drury Lane, the first in a series by Brit author Julia Golding.

Cat — short for Catherine — Royal is an orphan of uncertain (call her 12ish) age, and having been taken in at a young age by a Mr. Sheridan, owner of the Royal Theater (hence the last name) in London. She’s grown up backstage at the theater, and while her most estimable position is message runner, she loves her life. Then one day, she overhears Mr. Sheridan talking to a somewhat suspicious-looking man about hiding a diamond in the theater. The same day, a former slave named Pedro Hawkins (who plays the violin marvelously) shows up. Between these two events, Cat’s life will never be the same — or boring! — again.

The best word to describe the book is fun. It’s not deep, being meant for middle graders and all, but it keeps it’s pace well (especially since it’s 400+ pages long!), and keeps the reader, well me at least, engaged. There’s a lot of tight scrapes, a lot of close calls, a lot of adventure in the highest sense.

What really made the book for me, though, was Cat. I loved her. She had me wrapped around her finger, hook, line and sinker. Full of spunk and sass, but caring, loving and oh-so-needy, Cat’s voice completely carried the book for me. She was willing to trust others, yet smart enough to figure what she needed to out. The other characters — and there were a lot — weren’t quite as compelling, though I did like Johnny and Lord Francis. I couldn’t quite figure Pedro out, but I think that was intentional. He wasn’t supposed to be a cut-and-dried character, but I’m not sure Golding quite pulled the ambiguity off. Still, that’s a minor quibble in what is otherwise a clever book.

This is a good stand-alone book, which makes me wonder what Golding’s going to do with Cat in the next book. Here’s hoping it’s published in the US…

(Just for the record: because this is a Cybils nominee, I’ve been asked to make sure y’all know this is my opinion only, and not that of the panel.)

Bringing the Boy Home

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by N.A. Nelson
ages: 11+

Seven years ago, Tirio was put in a canoe and set afloat on the Amazon river; he’d been cast out by his tribe, the Takunami, because he was born deformed. He was rescued by an American anthropologist, Sara, and brought to Miami for treatment, and a good home. Now, nearing his thirteenth birthday, Tirio feels a pull back to the Amazon, to his tribe, and a desire to complete his soche seche tente, the test boys in his tribe have to complete in order to pass into manhood. The question is, will he be able to do it?

I was surprised at how much I liked this book. The cover does absolutely nothing for me, and I was expecting to sludge through it as per my duty. But, enjoy it I did. There’s a parallel story with Luka, another thirteen-year-old boy. I wondered about that story until about 2/3 of the way through I figured out the connection between Luka and Tirio. It seemed obvious, but once I figured it out , it worked for me, and it gave the story that much more power. Nelson is really quite good at balancing the natural and supernatural, Tirio believes in the Good Gods and they guide him on his quest. It could have been hokey, but it came off as believable and natural, if a bit eerie. I l iked Tirio as a character, too (more than Luka, though he was interesting). He had a disability, and he was able not only to work with it, but to overcome it. And he was more than willing to stand on his own two feet, and do what needed to be done.

My only quibble would be that it feels more factual than it really is; in the afterward, Nelson admits that little is known about indiginous tribes in the Amazon, and she pretty much made everything up. But, knowing that, it works as an adventure story. And it works really well.

(Just for the record: because this is a Cybils nominee, I’ve been asked to make sure y’all know this is my opinion only, and not that of the panel.)

Shooting the Moon

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by Frances O’Roark Dowell
ages 10+

Sometimes, when I read a book, I’m so moved by it that I’m at a loss for words. This is one of those times. This book hit me hard, in the gut. I loved it, I was moved by it… but I have no idea how to write what I’m feeling right now.

Instead, I’ll send you to read Becky’s and Betsy’s reviews. They pretty much sum up everything I’d like to say.

(Just for the record: because this is a Cybils nominee, I’ve been asked to make sure y’all know this is my opinion only, and not that of the panel.)

The Boy Who Dared

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by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
ages 12+

I’m not sure how many people know the story of Helmuth Hübener. He was a boy during the rise of Hitler to power, and a teenager during the war. He was a member of my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons). He was increasingly disturbed by Hitler and the Nazis and the war, and decided to do something about it: distribute leaflets and paphlets, being helped by two of his friends, with information gained from the BBC. For which he was arrested. And executed.

He was 17.

I was familiar with Hübener’s story before reading this book; soon after I left to college, my two brothers were in a production of a play about Hübener’s efforts and outcome. I never saw the production, but I had one brother playing an SS officer and the other was one of Hübener’s friends (Karl Schnibbe). Needless to say, it was a pretty emotional event for everyone (including my mother, who sat in the audience and watched one son torture the other!), something so monumental that it made it into letters to me.

Needless to say, I was pretty interested in this book, not only because of the church connection but because of the play. Especially since I only knew the barest outline of Hübener’s life and what he had done, or tried to do. And on top of all that, there’s issues of church and state, and patriotism and doing one’s best. Not to mention is freedom of speech more important than obeying the law. It’s a complex story.

Bartoletti handled the whole thing marvelously. Told in flashback from Hübener’s reminsinces on his last day of life, she basically covers 10 years of his life… from Hitler’s initial rise to power in 1932 through to Hübener’s death in 1942. She treated Hübener’s beliefs and our church well, and accurately, and never made anyone out to be more than human. Hitler was evil, of course, but Bartoletti balanced the evil of Hitler’s deeds with the desire of the German people to save face, and their belief that Hitler’s promises would make everything better. She also addressed the complexities of obeying the law versus doing what one believes to be right, and Hübener’s efforts to fight the propeganda of the Nazis.

The only thing that I didn’t like — and it’s a minor quibble — is that because this is a book for younger readers, Bartoletti glanced over a lot of the harshness and violence. I felt like the trial and torture and prisonment of Hübener was glanced over, and almost downplayed. I think I would have liked a bit more, but that would have made this book more young adult than I think Barotoletti was going for. (Though my library has it shelved in the YA section.)

As I said, though, that’s a minor quibble. The afterword is fascinating, and the book is gripping. And I think this is one World War II story that deserves to be wider known.

(Just for the record: because this is a Cybils nominee, I’ve been asked to make sure y’all know this is my opinion only, and not that of the panel.)

Anna Smudge: Professional Shrink

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by MAC
ages 8+

Throw Nancy Drew, an action movie, a couple of graphic novels, Dr. Phil and a bunch of talented (and precocious) 11-year-olds in a blender, mix them up, you’d have… a mess. No, really, what’d you get is something pretty close to Anna Smudge. And, just for the record, it’s a whole lotta fun.

Donny “The Meatball” Fratelli has escaped from prison. Anna’s sixth grade art teacher, Mrs. Summer has gone insance, yelling about knowing who “Mr. Who”, a legendary (but mysterious) crime boss, is. Anna’s life is complex enough: she has to deal with her parents being gone because of business all the time, in addition to being bullied at school. Her two worlds intersect, though, when she discovers her true talent: being a shrink, and one of her clients turns out to be none other than The Meatball himself. Add a bit of mystery — who really is Mr. Who? — a lot of adventure — horse chases, breaking into abandoned gymnasiums, and being trapped in the Holland Tunnel — and you’ve got a quite the book.

I liked that it was fast-paced and entertaining. It read a bit like a movie, which isn’t a bad thing sometimes. Especially in a mystery/adventure novel; because of the way it was written, it managed to grab and keep my attention. There wasn’t anything deep or searching about it, but I thought it was a lot of fun. Additionally, I really 0liked the characters, especially Anna and her friends: Quenton (the chef), Rachel (the reporter) , Amy (the secretary), Todd (the artist), and Clea (the photographer). It’s a stylized book with a stylized concept, but it worked for me. Enough so, that I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, Quenton Cohen: Professional Chef, due out May 2009.

(Just for the record: because this is a Cybils nominee, I’ve been asked to make sure y’all know this is my opinion only, and not that of the panel.)

The Girl Who Could Fly

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by Victoria Forester
ages 11+

My interest for this book was piqued after reading this review over at Charlotte’s Library. Especially the part about more heart than Savvy and The Mysterious Benedict Society. Since I really really liked both of those, I knew I had to read this one. And you know why, Charlotte’s right: The Girl Who Could Fly is a unique book, full of heart, amazing discoveries, thrilling adventures, and enough emotion to blow you away.

Simply, Piper McCloud can fly. She was born a “floater”, and, eventually, realized that she could probably fly. However, her flying creates a bit of a problem: those in Lowland County don’t take to people flying very well. Enter a special government task force to take care of the problem. They whisk Piper away to a special school, where she meets more kids with exceptional abilities, and faces what could probably be the biggest challenge in her short life.

The biggest challenge with reviewing this book is not giving too much away. I was thinking that this book was nice and all, until about halfway through when the first twist happened. Suddenly, I couldn’t put it down. I’ll just say that it’s an incredible, and emotional, roller coaster ride from there to the end, one that had me on the edge of my seat, biting my nails.

And if that isn’t enough of a recommendation for you, M pried it out of my hands last night, and read it all in one sitting. Then she picked it up this morning (she’s home from school with a bit of a stomach bug), and read it again.

I would go into detail about why we love it so much, but I think the best thing is for you to go out and read it yourself. You’ll be glad you did.

(Just for the record: because this is a Cybils nominee, I’ve been asked to make sure y’all know this is my opinion only, and not that of the panel.)

Thank You, Lucky Stars

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by Beverly Donofrio
ages 8-12

Ally’s best friend is Betsy. It’s been that way forever (well, at least since kindergarten). They’ve done everything together always. But, on the first day of 5th grade, Ally discovers Betsy dumped her for their arch-enemy, Mona. Ally’s distraught, depressed, downcast, especially since this year is the Fifth Grade Talent show and she was going to perform in it… with Betsy! To add insult to injury, the only person who’s willing to be Ally’s friend is the new girl, Tina, who is odd, to say the least. After some bumps and fits, and a couple of very crucial decisions, Ally decides that maybe, just maybe, 5th grade will be okay after all.

This was an odd, quirky little book. That doesn’t equal bad; I read it out loud to C and we both really enjoyed it. It spurred some interesting discussions of the 70s — Ally’s parents are older, and Ally loves everything disco — and, more importantly, the nature of friendship. Tina’s an interesting character; strong and unafraid to be her own person. I really liked, and appreciated, that about her. Ally, though, I couldn’t quite get a bead on — the mix between 70s and present was a little off-putting (for me, at least; C didn’t mind so much), and I couldn’t quite figure out what Donofrio was trying to do with Ally. But, in the end, the book won me over: there’s so much enthusiasm, and heart, that I couldn’t help it.

My only real complaint, is that it didn’t come with a playlist. I think I could have used that.

(Just for the record: because this is a Cybils nominee, I’ve been asked to make sure y’all know this is my opinion only, and not that of the panel.)

My Cousin, the Alien

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by Pamela F. Service
ages 8-11

Zach is a perfectly normal kid. Good parents, doing well enough at school, a few friends. Except that he’s got this cousin, Ethan, who thinks that he’s an alien. Zach and Ethan had an encounter with a cat — they thought they heard the cat talk — when they were younger, and ever since then Ethan’s been trying to convince everyone that he’s an alien prince from another planet. Zach thinks it’s all nonsense, but he does his best to defend Ethan from the people making fun of him. I should say that he think it’s all nonsense, until Ethan notices two big, fat, ugly, bald guys who are constantly following them. He’s convinced they’re alien bad guys trying to kill him.

The thing is: what if he’s right?

I’m not sure what I was expecting when I started this book, but I know I wasn’t expecting to have as much fun with it as I did. I had a blast. It was quick-paced, fun, and interspersed with comic book-style illustrations, it was something that could engage a reluctant reader as well as entertaining more advanced ones. It even had a bit of a surprise ending (even if I could see it coming…) with a nice twist. And a promise of sequels.

Fun, no?

(Just for the record: because this is a Cybils nominee, I’ve been asked to make sure y’all know this is my opinion only, and not that of the panel.)

A Thousand Never Evers

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by Shana Burg
ages 12+

Over the years, when I have told people that the year we lived in Mississippi was hell for me, they always ask me what made it so hard. I have struggled to try and find the perfect answer… it’s a combination of moving from a huge city to a smallish rural town combined with the blatant racism of our neighbors that we encountered that made it the worst place on earth for me to live.

Now, when people ask, I’m just going to refer them to this book. Burg — no stranger to the situation, being both Jewish and the daughter of a Civil Rights lawyer — captured, for me at least, the hate that some white people down south had (and have) for African Americans so perfectly that it was both uncanny and disturbing.

It’s the summer of 1963, and Addie Ann just wants to figure out how to survive seventh grade. Then her boss, Old Man Adams, dies, and leaves his six acre garden to all of Kuckachoo — both whites and blacks. Of course, that doesn’t sit well with the mayor or the sheriff, so they conveniently forget to inform the white side of town that Mr. Adams wanted it that way. So, later in the fall, when the garden is discovered to be destroyed, the person that the town decides is at fault is Addie’s Uncle Bump. Being Mississippi, no one expects the trial to come out right, and it’s up to Addie to find the missing pieces in order to set Uncle Bump free.

Actually, this book isn’t that easy to sum up in one paragraph: there’s an awful lot going on. A lot of it centers on the basic conflict between white and black: in employment, in housing, in voter registration, in the administration of justice. Everything negative you’ve ever heard of makes an appearance: the Klu Klux Klan, cross burnings, home bombings. But, I think Addie’s narration has a softening influence — she’s an engaging main character, one who’s vulnerable and tough at the same time. Her voice makes this book worth getting through; without her, it would be too depressing.

It was a very tough book for me to get through at points. But, I think it’s the toughness that comes from a well-written, and honest, book.

(Just for the record: because this is a Cybils nominee, I’ve been asked to make sure y’all know this is my opinion only, and not that of the panel.)