Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary Schmidt

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy is a captivating work of historical fiction and is deserving of its Newbery Honor and Printz Honor. The story has two central characters that many young adults will be able to relate to. Turner Buckminster is the son of a Minister who has recently been posted to the small, fictional coastal town of Phippsburg, Maine. The year is 1912, and this is a period where racism and prejudice is still evident. Turner finds himself not able to fit in with the youths of Phippsburg, a situation not helped by the bullying nature of the local Deacon’s son. Turner misses his old life back in Boston and frequently dreams of “lighting out for the territories.”

It is only after meeting Lizzie Bright Griffin, the granddaughter of Reverend Griffin of Malaga Island that Turner’s life experiences a change for the better. The friendship between Turner and Lizzie is genuine and earnest, yet it is frowned upon by the white residents of Phippsburg, given that the Griffin’s are African-American, and the residents of Malaga Island are viewed with animosity and prejudice by the white population of Phippsburg.

Turner is forbidden from associating with Lizzie or visiting Malaga Island, but he finds a way to get around his dad’s rules. In the meantime, another crisis is brewing – the residents of Malaga Island have been given a short period of time to move off the island, as the businessmen of Phippsburg have hit upon a plan to develop the island for financial profit.

Greed, prejudice, friendship, and many other themes are explored with a depth of credibility in this exacting piece of historical fiction. The author presents the characters as multi-dimensional characters with depth and not as mere cardboard characters. I highly recommend this story to young adults and fans of gripping historical fiction.

Cracker! The Best Dog in Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata

Cracker! The Best Dog in Vietnam is an engaging read, and is especially recommended for young adults. Author Cynthia Kadohata covers a lesser known part of the Vietnam War history, i.e. that of the use of dogs in military maneuvers during the Vietnam War. Cracker is a pedigreed German Shepherd show dog which has been retired from showing because of its’ damaged foot. Willie is the young boy who takes care of Cracker but when the new apartment Willie’s family moves to has a strict no-pets policy, Willie is forced to give up his beloved pet dog.
Next, viewers are introduced to Rick Hanski, a 17-year-old soldier who joins a military unit where soldiers are taught how to train and handle dogs to sniff out booby traps and enemies. The story mainly centers on Rick’s growing bond with Cracker and how the pair go on exciting yet dangerous missions in Vietnam.
The story is unique in that it contains three points of view – the dog Cracker; its trainer Rick Hanski; and, the young boy Willie who comes to the gradual realization that Cracker is no longer his pet but is Rick’s dog. This heartwarming, gritty, and engaging story will appeal to both male and female YA readers because though the subject matter deals with the Vietnam War and aspects of jungle warfare, the main theme explored here is that of the close bond between dog and human, and this is a theme which will resonate with many young adults.

Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf

Life in the tiny Czech village of Lidice was not easy in the year 1942, but Milada was happy, surrounded by a caring family and her best friend Terezie. Then her life was irrevocably changed on the night of her twelfth birthday - the Nazis came to her village and rounded up her father and brother and all the other men in the village and took them to an unknown destination. Milada, her beloved grandmother, mother, and baby sister, together with all the other village women and children were taken away to a nearby town where they were kept for a couple of days, presumably to be interrogated. Milada and a few other girls who all appear to share similar features such as blonde hair and blue eyes, are examined by Nazi doctors and before she knows it, Milada and a few other girls are taken away from their families.

Milada finds herself in a strange camp where she and the other girls are forced to abandon their native Czech language and are taught German, and the process of Aryanization is begun. Little does Milada know that she has been selected for the Lebensborn program, where Aryan-looking Czech and Polish children are Germanized and then adopted into German families. Milada is given a new name, Eva, but she strives to keep her real identity as well as her memories intact, in fulfillment of her grandmother's wish, and hangs on to the only object that reminds her of home, her grandmother's jeweled pin.

Milada's experiences are truly harrowing to read - she is forced to completely abandon thoughts of her former life and accept her given identity; she is compelled to embrace the German language and Hitler's policies without question; and before long, Milada finds the brainwashing and indoctrination have begun to take a strong hold over her. She is adopted by a high-ranking Nazi officer and his wife, and moves into a beautiful new home near a camp which emits a foul smell. Despite her experiences, Milada struggles valiantly to hold on to her true identity and hopes that she will be reunited with her real family someday.

Though this is a piece of historical fiction, the events described are based on actual historical events, and the author also portrays Milada as a credible character, a young girl struggling to hold on to her past, whilst finding herself irresistibly drawn to the comforts of her present life. Due to some disturbing themes - separation from family, some allusions to what goes on in the camp, etc., I think this novel is best suited for readers in Grades 6 and above. It is a compelling historical novel and deals with a little known event in history - that of the lost children who were taken away from their biological families and placed in the Lebensborn program. It reminds us that it was not only the Jews that suffered terribly during WW II (in what became known as the Holocaust), but non-Jews, and especially children suffered greatly as well. Recommended!

The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall by Mary Downing Hahn

"The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall" is a well-written, though a tad formulaic Gothic horror novel set in Victorian England. Twelve-year-old orphan Florence finds herself being whisked away from the grim London orphanage run by the cruel Miss Medleycoate to an imposing manor house in the English countryside. It turns out that she has a living great-uncle, Thomas who has been searching for her since an accident claimed the lives of her parents. Florence warms to her uncle Thomas who shares her passion for reading, but is treated abominably by her great-aunt Eugenie, who can't seem to stomach her presence.

Later, Florence discovers that she had a cousin, Sophia, who died about a year ago, and was her age. There is a also a nine-year-old male cousin, James, who is very sickly and confined to his bedroom, with strict orders not to be disturbed. Though Florence likes Crutchfield Hall, and prefers it to the orphanage, she senses a sinister presence everywhere she goes. Might it be the spirit of the dead Sophia, who was considered a paragon of beauty and virtue by Aunt Eugenie, and a spoilt, sullen girl by others? Why is Sophia haunting Crutchfield Hall, and what does she want of Florence? Also, why is Sophia bent on gaining access to James who appears terrified by the specter of his dead sister?

These questions are credibly addressed in this Gothic horror story geared more to upper elementary readers. I think older readers (Grades 6 and up) might find this story to be rather formulaic and boring. There is no great secret in this story or scares that send a genuine chill through readers. The book's strength, in my opinion, is the highly atmospheric writing which conveys the menace of the lost spirit of Sophia and evokes the real fears experienced by Florence, James, and housemaid Nellie. It makes an interesting read for young fans of the supernatural genre.

Anne Frank: The Anne Frank House Authorized Graphic Biography

As an ardent fan of Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl (Mass Market Paperback) and a keen reader of books on the Holocaust, this non-fiction graphic novel by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon is an excellent depiction of Anne's life story, and was produced under the auspices of the Anne Frank House. There is so much detailed information provided that it addresses almost all questions one would have on the subject of Anne Frank and the Secret Annexe (except that million-dollar question as to who actually betrayed the occupants of the Annexe).

It begins with background information on both Otto and Edith Frank, Anne's parents. It was interesting to read how Otto and his brothers were involved in the banking industry, and how Edith's family name, Hollander, was taken because they originally made their home in the Netherlands. Readers get to read about how Otto and Edith met, married, and had both Margot (Anne's older sister), and Anne of course. Together with the more salient historical information, readers are also given insights as to the distinct personalities of both Margot and Anne, who apparently showed their different personalities since they were babies (Margot hardly cried and was a quiet baby, Anne was constantly crying and demanding attention)! Anne's maturing into a self-possessed young woman (after a phase of adolescence angst) is also well-illustrated here.

The chapters of the book are well-organized in chronological order, and lots of detailed information provided for each period and event being narrated. The chapter titles are:
A Hopeful Beginning
Annelies Marie Frank
The Growth of Nazism
Amsterdam
Under German Rule
The Diary
The Eight Hiders
The New Year
Discovery
The Story Lives On

The illustrations are rich and amazingly detailed, many painstakingly copied from actual archival photographs that lend authenticity and credibility to the story unfolding within these pages. It is a very real and very human story, of a time that was so enveloped in darkness, where human beings committed unimaginable atrocities against other human beings because of bigotry and hatred. Anne Frank's story is one that will always hold universal appeal, and even now, decades after her death and the publication of her diary, her story bears repeating and remembering, especially for the younger generation. As Anne herself mentioned in her diary, "I don't believe war is simply the work of politicians and capitalists. Oh, no, the common man is every bit as guilty. The time will come when we'll be people again and not just Jews!" The graphic novel format also makes Anne's story and the Holocaust more accessible to the present generation.

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

This is my first Jennifer Donelly book and it certainly will not be my last. The author has plotted an intelligent and multi-layered story that straddles two timelines which isn't the easiest thing to achieve in a novel, but Donelly does a credible job of weaving these two stories together.

Andi Alpers attends an elite prep school in NYC, but this senior is anything but happy. She is tormented by the death of her little brother, and her life appears to be falling apart. Andi's mother is unstable, and her father has fled his old family for a less complicated life. When Andi's mother eventually gets committed, Andi finds herself truly adrift and lost in a sea of sadness and confusion. Reluctantly, she finds herself being dragged by her father to Paris.

In Paris, Andi discovers an antique guitar case and within it another treasure - an old diary dating from the French Revolution, written by another young woman, Alexandrine Paradis. Andi feels a deep connection to Alexandrine, and becomes caught up in the historical past. The story is infused with characters that are complex and multi-faceted, and the rich historical details result in a compelling narrative that will captivate reader's attention. The author also demonstrates mastery in handling the two different time periods, allowing readers to see how two very remarkable young women learn to come to terms with life's disappointments, whilst forging a future for themselves. A poignant must-read!

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

I have read several of Mary Downing Hahn's ghost stories and they are mostly well-written and atmospheric. In Wait Till Helen Comes, twelve year old Molly and her ten year old brother Michael are unhappy that their summer plans have been ruined by their mom and stepdad's decision to move to the country to devote time to their artistic pursuits. Things are made even more difficult by their seven year old stepsister, Heather, an extremely unhappy little girl who appears to hate Molly, Michael, and their mom. Heather is very possessive of her dad and rebuffs any friendly overtures by Molly's mom.

When the family moves to their new home, Molly is shocked to discover that their new place, an old church, also comes with an old graveyard! Molly senses something is not quite right with the graveyard especially when Heather finds a long-forgotten grave. Molly gets a bad feeling when she sees that the tombstone has the initials HEH, the same as Heather's. Soon after, Heather begins acting very strangely, and Molly thinks that Heather may be haunted by the spirit of a restless ghost who died almost a century ago. The trouble is, no one believes Molly, and the family tensions increase to the point that Molly loses all credibility with her mom and stepdad. When Molly and Michael do some research at the local library, they unearth some unsettling facts about the history of Harper House, the old ruins which has become Heather's favorite haunt. Molly fears that Heather's ghost friend may be a malignant spirit intent on causing all of them harm, but who is going to believe her and help her?

The author creates a credible sense of suspense and menace, and the story flows well. Molly is a character one can sympathize with, yet her scaredy-cat manner does get annoying at times. The spirit of the girl ghost is well portrayed, as is the character of Heather, a lonely, vulnerable, and deeply disturbed child. This another atmospheric and suspenseful ghost story from Ms. Hahn.