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.

Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez

"Return to Sender" may focus on the plight of migrant workers, but it is also more than that. Tyler Paquette is grieving the loss of his beloved grandfather, and to top it off, his father is recovering from a horrific accident, one which has left him incapable of running the family farm on his own. Tyler fears losing his family farm and the way of life that is so important to him. Then he discovers that his parents have hired new migrant workers from Mexico (by way of North Carolina), and he wonders why his parents are being so secretive, telling him not to tell his friends and classmates about the new workers. Later, Tyler finds out that these workers are undocumented, and feels conflicted - why would his parents risk so much to hire these people? What if they get into trouble for harboring illegal immigrants? Yet Tyler realizes this may be the only option available to his parents in order to keep the farm going, and the migrant workers appear to be decent, hardworking folk.

Tyler also finds that the eldest daughter of the migrant family, i.e. Mari, is about his age and shares a common interest in astronomy. Over time, Tyler comes to care about Mari, her two younger sisters and the others, and does not wish to see them deported. However, others in the community are not so benevolent and are bent on seeing these migrants sent back to Mexico. Mari, meanwhile, struggles with her own conflicts - her mother has been missing for a while, and as the days pass by, the family's hopes of seeing Mama grow dim.

There is no real happy ending in this story, so it does credibly address some of the real issues having to do with the uncertain life of migrant workers, who literally live from day to day in the hopes that la migra will not arrest them and send them back to a life of poverty, with no means of supporting their families. There is an obvious political message here, but I felt it was well-integrated into the story without a happily ever after ending that would have diluted the story's message. The reality in today's United States is that there are many immigrant students in school without legal status, and it is time that other students, both citizens and legal aliens learn to understand how their peers might feel, living in constant fear. It is not a pleasant subject, but I felt the author did a credible job in weaving a compelling human interest story of friendship, immigrants, and life.

The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn

I have been reading many of Mary Downing Hahn's books for children and YA and love her supernatural-themed stories, especially her ghost stories. The Old Willis Place is an atmospheric ghost story which centers around a pair of siblings named Diana and Georgie. They have been living on the Willis farm for many years, and yet have no parents or family taking care of them. The siblings fend for themselves and are used to being on their own. Things change when a twelve-year-old girl named Lissa moves with her dad to the farm. Lissa's dad is the new caretaker who is tasked with overseeing the maintenance of the Old Willis Place, and when he's not working, he's writing.

Diana and Georgie begin to 'borrow' Lissa's things and Lissa gets upset when her new bicycle, a favorite book, and her beloved teddy bear get taken. She writes about her angry feelings in her diary, wishing her dad would send her to school like other children instead of homeschooling her and keeping her isolated from everyone else. Diana is curious about Lissa and wishes to make friends with her, but her brother keeps reminding her of the 'rules' which can't be broken - rules such as not being seen by Lissa and her dad, not talking to anyone else, etc.

When Diana eventually breaks the rules and becomes Lissa's friend, terrible consequences follow. Something old and malignant is unleashed when Lissa breaks into the Old Willis Place, and secrets long buried come to light. The story moves quite slowly in the beginning, and only takes off after Lissa enters the Old Willis Place. Children ages 9-12 will enjoy this suspenseful ghost story.

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl

I adore Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl (Mass Market Paperback) and have read it multiple times over the years. Anne's diary has come to mean different things to me as I've grown older - when I first read it as a ten-year-old girl, I was fascinated by the hidden life she led with her family and there was a sense of dread and excitement about her precarious circumstances, the danger of being discovered. When I read Anne's diary again as a teenager, I came to empathize with Anne's frustrations with her mother and the other adults around her whom Anne felt did not understand her and treated her as a child. I felt Anne's desire to be 'heard' and not just treated as an inconvenience or child was so much aligned with what I was going through during adolescence.

When I re-read the diary as an adult, I came to appreciate all the other things - the tragedy of having lost such an amazing and talented young voice in the most horrible of circumstances; the beauty of Anne's writing which is all the more amazing given how young she was when she wrote this diary; and the themes of alienation, fear, and hope. Now, as the mother of a young daughter, I read this diary again and gain another fresh perspective - of the complex relationship between daughter and mother. Anne had a strained relationship with her mother Edith, and clearly gravitated toward her beloved Pim (father). This was obvious even before Anne and her family were compelled to move into hiding in the Annex. As a mother, reading Anne's thoughts about her mother (often unflattering) was a disconcerting experience, though things do improve somewhat later on.

Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl is a classic not only of Holocaust literature, but also a classic Young Adult read with its myriad themes that will appeal to both adolescents and adult readers.

All The Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Downing Hahn

I have read and loved many of Mary Downing Hahn's ghost stories for children (yes, even an adult can appreciate them), and though many of her stories can be quite formulaic, I have enjoyed reading them and recommending them to my students, especially those who love ghost stories. The stories are generally well-plotted and are high on atmosphere, without any offensive language or gore.

In "All the Lovely Bad Ones", a pair of siblings who love playing pranks find that the joke is on them when they visit their grandmother at her inn in Vermont during the summer. Both twelve-year-old Travis and his younger sister Corey love playing tricks on people, and when they hear that their grandmother's inn may harbor restless spirits, they playact as ghosts in a bid to get the inn some attention and hopefully more guests for their grandmother's business. Their tricks do attract attention - from both humans and supernatural entities!

To Travis and Corey's horror, they find that the inn was once a poorhouse which was run by a cruel and greedy man and his sister. Many poor people died horrible deaths at the farm, and were buried in nameless graves. Among the dead are young boys who are now restless spirits, having been awakened from their sleep by Travis and Corey's shenanigans. Both brother and sister now have to set things right and put the spirits to rest at last.

The story moves along, though at times it does appear to drag. The back story of how the poor farm was run and what happened to its hapless residents makes for interesting reading. Travis and Corey are typical fun-loving teens though they can be annoying at times. Overall, it is an atmospheric ghost story that might appeal to upper elementary readers.

Nory Ryan's Song by Patricia Reilly Giff

The Great Hunger of 1845-1852 was a devastating time for the Irish. The devastation caused by the famine was terrible – families torn apart, untold suffering, and many making their way to America. It is this famine that forms the backdrop of Nory Ryan’s So...ng. Nory and her family have lived by Maidin Bay in Ireland for many generations. Their home is leased from the local English lord Cunningham, a cruel man with little regard for his tenants. His sole aim is to drive the tenants out so that he can have sheep grazing on the land. In this Cunningham is aided by his henchman Devlin who is merciless and ruthless in collecting rent owed on the homes. Nory’s father has gone off fishing to earn enough money to pay the rent, and leaves behind Nory, her older sisters Maggie and Celia, younger brother Patch, and Granda. Life is incredibly hard, but Nory’s gift of song and her family and friends keep her spirits high. Things take a turn for the worse when the potato crop goes bad. The disease causes all of the crops to fail, and leaves the people of Ireland wasting away from hunger. Nory’s sister Maggie leaves for America with her new husband, and Nory dreams of joining them someday, a dream shared by other members of the family.

The story focuses on Nory as the protagonist, of her feelings and struggles as she copes with the problem of surviving day-to-day and figuring out ways to find food or making whatever they find edible. Nory is a strong and selfless individual – she gives and gives, and gives some more. It is this great spark of humanity within Nory that attracts the attention of the village healer, Anna. At first Nory is troubled by this woman’s attentions, thinking her gift of healing possessed of some dark force, but as time goes by and times get more desperate, Nory realizes how much of a kindred spirit the older woman is, and comes to appreciate the old woman’s generosity, kindness, and gift for healing. This is a story that haunted me even after I finished it. The author writes with such heartfelt sincerity that I could picture the desperation within Nory and her family and friends as they struggled to contain their hunger and survive. The prose is descriptive and vivid, and the reader is able to visually picture the great suffering of the people of Ireland as portrayed by Nory and company. This is truly one of the best pieces of YA historical fiction I have read!

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

Well, having read and enjoyed Lemony Snickett's A Series of Unfortunate Events series of books, I had really not read much YA fantasy. Then I got offered The Emerald Atlas as a Vine review, and I snapped it up. To my delight, I found it fun and enjoyable. The three siblings, i.e. Kate, Michael, and Emma are likable in their roles as the orphan children who go on these adventures. Each child has his/her own distinct personality - Kate is the oldest sibling who bears the responsibility of looking out for her siblings; Michael is the smart one; and, Emma is the youngest sibling who is feisty and tough. The characterization of each sibling is credibly drawn and they appear real, not as mere cardboard characters.

The other strength of this novel is the language which is witty and funny. At times, the language does get overly descriptive which makes it tedious and lumbering, but on the whole, the story is engaging and fun and should appeal to young adults who love a good fantasy read.

Vesper: A Deviants Novel by Jeff Sampson

I have read many YA books in the paranormal/supernatural genre and after a while, the plots seem to mirror one another in some aspects. When I received Vesper as a Vine read, I was not sure what to expect - more of the same? To my pleasant surprise, it was actually quite a unique spin on some familiar story lines and I found myself engaged with the story.

The central character is Emily Webb, a geeky sort who doesn't quite fit in at school. A classmate's murder triggers some weird transformation in Emily (coincidentally, the classmate's name is also Emily, Emily Cooke). This transformation sees Emily having two distinct personalities, a day Emily who mirrors the original Emily Webb, and a night Emily who is very different, more independent, charismatic, and confident.

As the story unfolds (and it takes its time), the reader begins to piece together the puzzle that is Emily Webb, and the nature of her strange transformation. Intriguing and dark, this is an interesting read for fans of YA paranormal stories, and I look forward to reading the next installment in the series.

The Haunting of Charles Dickens by Lewis Buzbee

I love reading both YA fiction and historical fiction and was particularly impressed with The Haunting of Charles Dickens, a book I received a while back and only managed to read recently due to work and school commitments. The story centers around teenage protagonist Meg Pickel, who is desperately searching for her missing brother, Orion, who inexplicably disappeared six months earlier. Luckily for Meg, a family friend, Charles Dickens, aids her in her search.

The novel is filled with historical details, made all the more vivid by the illustrations of Greg Ruth, and drawing readers into the dark underbelly of London during the time. The historical details blend in with the story and bring this period to life, and as a reader, I felt transported into the London of the past, with all its bleakness and despair. The author masterfully recreates the period and lends the work a high level of credibility, a crucial ingredient for the success of a historical novel. Even the language used is for the most part faithful to the time period. The only drawback is that at times, the overly descriptive language can get a wee bit tedious, but other than that, I felt the author did an excellent job recreating 19th century London.

Credible, in-depth characterization is another important element I look for in a work of fiction, and Meg Pickel is a character that young adults will easily relate to. She is full of pluck and derring-do (walking on rooftops at night!); is observant and candid; curious and intelligent. It was heartening to see a strong female character in a story set in a period when females were for the most part subservient to men.

I loved this story and look forward to more of such from the author. I hope this book finds a fan following among young adults, and it would be wonderful if this motivates teenagers to look up the classics of English literature written by Charles Dickens, such as Great Expectations (my favorite of Dickens' novels), and David Copperfield, among many others.

Tom Thumb: The Remarkable True Story of a Man in Miniature by George Sullivan

The field of YA literature has been saturated with works of fiction, mainly in the fantasy/supernatural genre, so it was refreshing to see this well-written piece of non-fiction in the form of a biography on the life of Tom Thumb. Though written as a work of non-fiction, covering all aspects of Tom Thumb's life, the book reads like a piece of fiction and takes readers into a unique world and time. The historical details add to the interest value of this work, and the author clearly demonstrates evidence of deep research which adds to the credibility of the work. The illustrations will further entice young adult readers to enjoy the work. This is a biography of an intriguing personality who led an extraordinary life, and is highly recommended!

Voyage on the Great Titanic by Ellen Emerson White

I love reading books in diary form and the "Dear America" series of books for younger readers are not only beautifully bound, but each individual story is truly engaging, transporting readers into a bygone era with its enthralling adventures.

The heroines are typically young girls who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances, displaying immense courage in trying times. In this volume, the protagonist is Margaret Ann Brady, a young girl who has been living in an orphanage since her brother immigrated to America five years earlier. When Margaret is chosen as a travel companion for a lady on the Titanic, Margaret sees this as an opportunity to be together with her brother again. Little does Margaret realize of the horrors that lie ahead.

Another highlight of the book is the author's historical note which provides background information on the Titanic and life during the period. There are also archival photographs associated with the Titanic. The book really does provide a glimpse into what might have occurred on this doomed voyage, as seen through the eyes of a young girl. It makes for a riveting piece of historical fiction.

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Both the YA and historical fiction genres blend together beautifully in Laurie Halse Anderson's "Fever 1793". It is a gripping account, written from the point of view of a fourteen-year-old girl, Mattie Cook during the course of a year, 1793, in Philadelphia. Mattie lives with her mother and paternal grandfather, a Revolutionary War veteran, above a coffeehouse the family operates in Philadelphia. Mattie chafes under her mother's strict and proper upbringing, and the daily grind of doing chores wears out Mattie's patience.

Things change when the yellow fever epidemic sweeps Philadelphia and Mattie finds herself adrift without proper guidance when the people closest to her are unable to support her both emotionally and physically. The story tracks Mattie's growth as an individual, one who needs to make important, life-altering decisions, and grow quickly from childhood to adulthood within a span of a year. The story moves at a quick pace, and makes for riveting reading. Mattie is a strong-willed, defiant, and courageous young woman, and young adults will easily relate to her on this level. Her journey towards self-reliance and independence is credibly portrayed against the historical backdrop of the fever epidemic that swept Philadelphia in 1793 and took many lives. This is a well-written and engaging YA historical novel that will appeal to both teenagers and adults.

Walk Two Moons

I read this with a class of seventh graders and most of us enjoyed the story of Salamanca Tree Hiddle. This is a quick read as the chapters are short and the language flows easily. Yet, under this deceptively simple language lies some complex issues and themes which are revealed as the story progresses. Sal yearns for her mother, a character that is revealed as having left at the beginning of the story. So Sal and her paternal grandparents go on a journey to find her mother, a journey that takes them across the country, and one in which they meet some interesting characters.

I feel this book will particularly appeal to young adults as Salamanca is a character many teens will empathize with. As crucial plot elements are revealed, readers learn more about Sal and her family, her friend, and those inhabiting her environment. Sal makes this journey of self-discovery, of growing up and realizing that life is not about living within the confines of one's own comfort zone but of accepting unpalatable truths and making peace with these truths. A truly remarkable read and highly recommended for young adults.