Hush

by Donna Jo Napoli

Summary: Melkorka and her sister Brigid are Irish princesses in the time of the Vikings. When their brother's hand is cruelly and randomly cut off to settle a gambling debt, their father hatches a plan to avenge him. This plan is dangerous, though, so he disguises his daughters and sends them to what he thinks is safety to let the danger pass. During their journey, they are kidnapped, and soon realize they are on a slave ship bound halfway across the world. The girls decide not to speak a word to each other, or to anyone else. Will their decision to hush save them, or be their undoing?

My thoughts: As modern Americans, we often think of slavery only in terms of what happened here on our soil. This book is set around 900 A.D., and is an interesting reminder that many groups and nationalities have endured the tragedy of slavery at one point or another in world history. The horrible things Melkorka lives through and witnesses are hard to believe, and her strength is inspirational. I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about the ending of this book. It was very disturbing, and not necessarily in a good way.

Catching Fire Book Trailer

Check out the Catching Fire book trailer here!

http://video.scholastic.com/services/player/bcpid1543302482?bctid=31267246001

The Boy Who Dared

by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Summary: Helmuth is a German boy growing up during the rise of the Nazi regime. As Hitler's noose on the German people gets tighter and tighter, and they get closer and closer to war, Helmuth begins to rebel against the rules he feels the German government is recklessly placing on its people. They are not allowed to listen to anything but German broadcasts on the radio, but Helmuth takes a chance, and illegally begins to listen to a BBC (British) broadcast. From the BBC, he finds that things are not really as Hitler would have the Germans believe, and that the Nazis are lying to the people to advance their own causes. He will pay an unthinkable price to stand up for his beliefs.

My thoughts: This book literally made my stomach hurt. It's a fictionalization of a real event, which means that the major events are all true and documented. Knowing that this young man actually had to live through the fear and torture described in this novel is so very, very sad. His courage to stand up for what was right makes him a hero. The real photos of Helmuth and his friends are an interesting addition to the book.

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life

by Wendy Mass

Summary: Jeremy's dad has been dead for several years, but a month before his 13th birthday, he receives a box that his dad left for him to open on that day. The box has four locks, but no keys, and Jeremy can't wait to find out what's inside. The lawyer who was supposed to have the keys doesn't have them, so Jeremy and his best friend Lizzy begin a quest to find the keys before his birthday, which takes them all over New York City. They meet many interesting people and have some funny, crazy, adventures along the way.

My thoughts: A sweet, sad, funny, intriguing story. You'll be dying to find out what's in the box, and you won't be disappointed.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

by Kate DiCamillo

Summary: Edward is a beautiful china rabbit, with real fur ears, and a huge ego. His arrogance is shocking, and he believes the world owes him. The girl who owns him, Abilene, adores him--he's her favorite toy. One day on a boat trip, Edward is snatched from Abilene's hands and falls deep, deep into the ocean, where he stays for many years, until he is found by a fisherman. Through the years, Edward is lost and found by many people, cared for lovingly, and horribly mistreated. With each passing year, and each new owner, Edward learns another lesson. Will his cold little heart ever warm?

My thoughts: This is one of those beautiful stories that stays with you forever. Even though Edward is unbearably snobby, it's easy to see that he is simply young and foolish at the beginning of the tale. His journey truly is miraculous.

I.Q.: Independence Hall Book Trailer

If the video won't play, try this link.

http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=132808&title=I_Q___Independence_Hall&ref=Mustanglibrarian

Wintergirls

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Summary: Cassie and Lia, friends from the time they were little girls, both struggle with eating disorders: Cassie with bulemia, and Lia with anorexia. Their disorders both bonded them, and tore them apart. The night Cassie's disease finally kills her, she calls Lia over and over again, but Lia doesn't pick up the phone. Lia must now deal with the guilt of abandoning Cassie in her hour of need in addition to dealing with her own anorexia.

My thoughts: This is such a sad book about two very sad disorders, but I think it's an important topic to tackle in YA literature. This book doesn't pull any punches when it comes to showing the very ugly side of these diseases. As usual, Anderson has written a book that will really touch the hearts of young women.

Heaven Looks A Lot Like the Mall

by Wendy Mass

Summary: Tessa gets hit in the head with a ball in gym class, and wakes up in a place that might be heaven, but certainly seems a lot like the mall where her parents work. There she meets a boy with a drill bit sticking out of his head, so she realizes pretty quickly something's not right! He charges her with finding the answer to a mysterious question, which leads Tessa to reflect on her life. Her bad choices start in elementary school, and she recounts each one in a matter-of-fact tone that lets the reader know that Tessa thinks she is simply a bad person, but you'll have to decide for yourself.

My thoughts: Tessa is so real it hurts. She sounds like the little voice in your head. You know, the one where you talk to yourself like you would never talk to anyone else? The one you're so glad no one else can hear? Recommended to me by Celeste G. and Sarah E., my wonderful 8th period library aides!