A Dear America Special Edition set in Vienna, Austria and New York, 1938 The beginning of this book is a beautiful description of what Austria was like just before Hitler was allowed to take over the beautiful country of his birth. Julie and her family live a life of privilege and comfort until, as Jews, they are stripped of their dignity and way of life. Julie's father is a respected Doctor in...

I remember reading this book as a teenager many years ago- it was one of my book order books, that I still have in my collection. I really liked the cover illustration at the time, and actually still like it rather well. Lisa is a Danish Jew who joins the resistance along with other members of her family. Lisa distributes papers and leaflets on public transportation systems. After one...

Karin Levi is one of the lucky Jews to escape France alive, with her brother Marc. To be a Jew in France, during Hitler's occupation, was basically a death sentence. Follow the complex path of Karin and Marc as they move, under cover of darkness from place to place, searching for safety. Eventually the siblings reach Italy and are able to secure passage on the Henry Gibbons, a ship sent to...

Karin Levi is one of the lucky Jews to escape France alive, with her brother Marc. To be a Jew in France, during Hitler's occupation, was basically a death sentence. Follow the complex path of Karin and Marc as they move, under cover of darkness from place to place, searching for safety. Eventually the siblings reach Italy and are able to secure passage on the Henry Gibbons, a ship sent to...

I ordered this book at our library, and finally got it in. My boys were absolutely thrilled. "Did you order this for me?!?" "No, it's mine, I love mongooses." "It's mine, right, Mom?" "Is it mine? Is it mine? Is it mine?!?!?!?" "It's for all of us. We will all read it together." (collective sigh and rolling eyes) "Oh-kay." So, we all read it together and the verdict is in. This is one of their...

Ruth Mendenberg, a Polish Jew, has survived one of the most atrocious experiences in history; the Holocaust. She returns to her village in Poland, hoping to hear of someone in her family also having survived. Ruth finds no one, and is treated abominably by her uncle's former maid, who is wearing her mother's dress and living in the family home. Fifteen and all alone, Ruth has no desire to live....

the sequel to the Newberry Honor-winning A Long Way From Chicago We present to you a blast from America's past in this engaging, witty novel by one of our nation's best authors, Richard Peck. Holly first came across the novel without reading the prequel, and recommended it to Cari (after laughing and laughing and calling her on the phone saying, "You've got to read this.") as a possible future...

I have been aware of Beatrix Potter since I was young and heard the tales of Peter Rabbit who was endlessly getting into trouble. For my surprise girl’s night birthday party that my dear husband put together for me this last year, my good friend, Becky Y., brought a newer movie I’d never heard of before. She thought it would be perfect for a group of friends, most of whom are avid readers like...

A Newberry Honor book I read this book after first finding and reading its sequel, A Year Down Yonder. This is a great family read-aloud, or car-trip audio. Joey and his sister Mary Alice spend a week every summer visiting their Grandma Dowdel. Why the parents never come for a visit becomes apparent when you find out the quirks and looming domination that are Grandma Dowdel. Any daughter-in-law...

This is a non-fiction book about one of Baseball's best players. Satchel Paige played during a time of racial segregation in our nation's favorite pastime. Satchel overcame a difficult childhood to become famous among black fans. Satchel Paige was overlooked by mainstream media and 'regular' fans. At one point when Satchel's Negro League team played a white team, Satchel proved that he was the...

Wow did March fly or what? We had a busy month, which included Holly moving into our mom's basement with her family while they are between houses. Cari going to Disneyland with her family and did she tell you she forgot her suitcase on the family room couch, but never fear she remembered the bag of books for the whole family and it's a good excuse for a new wardrobe, right? We had our first...

Maw Books Blog! My good friend Natasha Maw is doing a fantastic book giveaway of an autographed copy of Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson! I have already done two posts on Laurie's new book, so you know three's a charm right. Natasha and I carpooled together and had a wonderful experience. It really is worth going to check out the videos of Laurie speaking to a fabtanstic group of authors and...

In 1927, Anne Hobbs is an amazing teacher who, after teaching in the western frontier town of Forest Grove, Oregon (where I lived once upon a time), decides to teach in the Alaskan wilderness. The journey to the gold-mining settlement of Chicken is grueling and unbearable, and ironically, somewhat flattering: "Along the way I had so much attention paid to me by men that sometimes I didn't think...

A book review of Girls Hold Up This World by Jada Pinkett Smith, photographs by Donyell Kennedy-McCullough. A poem about the strength and beauty of girls.

A book review of Narwhal:Unicorn of the Sea by Janet Halfmann, Illustrated by Steven James Petruccio. A young Narwhal’s life is chronicled for one year includes a mix of science facts and story telling techniques.

Mary Jane was one of many ground-breaking books written by Dorothy Sterling. It chronicles, in novel form, the challenges that faced brave children who chose to be pioneers in the integration of southern schools.

Two nights ago I went to a book signing at the King's English Bookstore for Laurie Halse Anderson author of Wintergirls, Speak, Chains and lots more.  I was fortunate to be able to read the arc courtesy of Natasha Maw who is seriously one of the most generous people I know and who I carpooled with. My review of Wintergirls is here.  Laurie Halse Anderson's website and blog. I wasn't quite sure...

A book review of Dolphin’s Rescue: The Story of a Pacific White-Sided Dolphin by Janet Halfmann and illustrated by Steven James Petruccio. A dolphin accidently lands aboard a research ship, will he survive.