Two Must Reads

Dear Jo- Christina Kilbourne

What Mr. Matteo Did- Priscilla C ummings

These are two very powerful novels that deserve a place in every library. Dear Jo is the story of a girl falling victim to an internet predator. Told through the journal entires of her best friend, who very nearly falls prey as well, this is a powerful look at the dangers of on-line chatting. This is a novel that I expect will be flying off the shelf. I believe this would also be important for parents to read.

The second novel centers around three 6th. grade girls who report their music teacher for being sexually inappropriate with them. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat as the story unfolds to eventually reveal that two of the girls have been coerced into this lie by the other girl. Things literally spiral out of control and lives are changed forever. This is not something that is generally addressed with tweens; in particular, what can happen if you lie about something like this.

The Lady and the Unicorn- Tracy Chevalier

Tracy tackles the origin of the famed medieval tapestries, now hanging in a protected environment in Paris. They depict a mystery; that of a lady seducing  a unicorn. This story looks at the  man who commissioned the tapestries, but even more at Nicolas, the painter hired to paint the pictures.  An arrogant rogue, Nicolas attempts to seduce every young woman that comes his way but in particular is interested in the young daughter of the man who hired him. Throughout we come to gain some knowledge of all that went into the weaving of tapestries and all the rules and regulations that permeated the guild. Chevalier’s gift is to seamlessly weave the story into the history introducing us not just to the facts, but the sounds, sights and flavours of that era. A very worthy read! I just picked up Burning Bright by the same author.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp- Rick Yancey

This reminded me somewhat of the Alex Rider books, only with an even more unlikely hero. Alfred is orphaned and goes to live with his uncle. He is a large, unwieldy boy who does not seem to have any particular skills. This all changes when his uncle enlists his help in stealing a sword, which turns out to be the sword Excalibur. Why is it that Alfred’s power seems to grow when he wields the sword? Why are knights and thugs all after him? Who is Alfred anyway?

This is a page-turner adventure for those of you who like a little of the mystical thrown into modern day life.

You might also enjoy Endymion Spring by Matthew Skelton.

Schooled- Gordon Korman

Well-known author of the Bruno and Boots series, the Island, Dive and Everest trilogies, Korman has written a funny and yet heart-warming novel about a young man, Capricorn, who has been raised in a commune and is suddenly thrust into the real world. When Capricorn’s hippie granmother breaks her hip, Capricorn has to attend school for the first time in his life. The kids who run Claverage Middle School always choose the biggest geek to be the school president, and then proceed to make his life sheer torture. Hugh Wionkleman has the job sewn up until Cap arrives on the scene in his home-made sandals, hemp clothes and his habit of performing tai chi on the front lawn. Who could be a better president than that? Capricorn is duly elected and then is subjected to all the worst forms of cruelty and bullying. Where most students would break, Cap seems to be unfazed by them until one act goes a little too far. Prepare for some good laughs, some sad moments and the surprising ending.

Recent Readings and Recommends

The Bonemender’s Oath- Holly Bennett

This sequel to The Bonemender does not disappont and the next one is on my reading list. This one centers more around Derkh, whom Gabrielle has rescued and healed, but is really one of the enemy they’ve been fighting. He finds himself in a strange position- torn between these people who treat him with real friendship, and the knowledge of where he really thinks he belongs.

 I have been reading some newer novels for a holocaust unit. Here are some of them.

Milkweed- Jerry Spinelli

 What an amazing book and fascinating perspective. It is told from the viewpoint of a ragamuffin street urchin who believes his name is Stopthief because that’s all anyone has ever called him. He is adopted by a group of orphans who thieve as a way of existence. He befriends a little Jewish girl and wishes he could be Jewish as well without any understanding of what the ramifications might be. As he accompanies this family into the Warsaw ghetto, we are  given us a very unique perspective on what life there might have been like.

Behind the Bedroom Wall- Laura E. Williams

Another book with a unique perspective, this is told from the viewpoint of a German girl who is brainwashed by the Fuhrer and through participating in the Nazi Youth group. When she finds out that her parents are hiding Jews, she has to decide where her loyalties lie. This wa s page-turner.

The Righteous Smuggler- Debbie Spring

This is also from the viewpoint of a non-Jew; a boy named Hendrik who has Jewish friends and is appalled at their treatment as the Nazis move into Holland. Hendrik and his father want to help in some way and decide they can use their fishing boat to smuggle Jewish families.