March, 2011

“No Pretty Pictures: A Child of War” by Anita Lobel         

Anita was five years old when World War II began and changed her life forever.  Along with her brother and Niania (nanny) they went into hiding.  After several years the two children were caught and sent from one concentration camp to another.  Despite the horrible conditions and lack of food, the children managed to survive until liberation.  Discovered to have tuberculosis, the children then spent two years in a sanatorium in Sweden slowly recovering.  Miraculously they discovered their parents had survived and they were ultimately reunited.         

Beautifully written this is a moving memoir.  It is a story of courage, determination and the struggle to survive. Family photos are included throughout the book, and an epilogue, which explains what happened next. Overall, I would highly recommend this book.

“Number the Stars” by Lois Lowry         

Ten-year old Annemarie Johansen and her family fights for their Jewish friends survival during the Nazi occupation in Denmark during World War II.  Pre-warned that the Nazi’s intended to relocate the Jews, the Johansen family takes in Ellen while her parents hide elsewhere.  Posing as another daughter, they visit Uncle Henrik at his home near the sea.  Courageously, the family smuggles Ellen and her family out of the country.  Overall this is an interesting book however; it is geared towards a younger audience.

“Warrior’s Don’t Cry” by Melba Pattillo Beals         

Melba Pattillo Beals was one of the nine black teenagers who integrated Little Rock’s Central High School in 1957.  A story of courage and determination, Melba recounts the harassment she and the other eight teenagers suffered.  Despite the racism of the time, numerous white and black individuals stepped forward to help and warn her about pre-planned attacks.  This book is written in an engaging manner that keeps the reader interested.  Melba’s courage and quiet dignity can be used as an example for any teenager.

"Four Perfect Pebbles: A Holocaust Story” by Lila Perl and M. B. Lazan         

Marion was almost five years old when her family fled Germany for Holland.  Despite the visas and tickets they had to immigrate to the United States, they were unable to leave Europe once the Germans invaded Holland.  They then made arrangements to be part of a group immigrating to Palestine however, they were sent instead to Bergen-Belsen in the “family camp.”  The family is able to stay together until her father dies of typhus several months after liberation.         

I found this book a bit lackluster. The story alternates from Marion’s point of view and third person.  Such intertwining of narration and first-person voice makes the story a bit bland and unemotional.  Overall, this book lacks the intensity of other holocaust books.

“Don’t Laugh at Me” by Seskin and Shamblin       

This book is an adaptation of a song which has become the anthem for Operation Respect, an educational program.  The message of the book is that everyone is different and such differences should be respected.  No one likes to be laughed at.  This picture book is wonderful for teaching young children the values of respect and tolerance.

“I Never Saw Another Butterfly” Children’s Drawings and Poems from Terezin Concentration Camp, 1942 – 1944         

Beautiful, yet heartbreaking, this book contains the children’s drawings and poems from Terezin Concentration camp.  Between 1942 and 1944 over fifteen thousand children passed through Terezin. Art became a way of therapy as the children found ways to express their hurt and frustration.

“Melting Point” by Roger Colins         

After Albert Stohl’s wife passes away, he fulfills a promise to her by telling his children the truth about his past.  During World War II, Albert worked as an engineer, creating, installing and maintaining the crematoriums in Auschwitz.         

Wonderfully written, this book explores the question of failing to act amidst horrible circumstances. Albert and his family come to life through his vivid descriptions and character development. This is an interesting book written from a little explored viewpoint.  Overall, I highly recommend.

“The Decoy Princess” by Dawn Cook         

Princess Contessa learns that she is actually a street urchin, raised as a decoy to protect the real princess.  Amidst assassination attempts and the castle’s takeover, Contessa fights for her family and kingdom.  The characters are well-developed and have a unique voice of their own.  Well written, this is an intriguing story one that I highly recommend to fantasy readers of all types. 

“Princess at Sea” by Dawn Cook         

The sequel to The Decoy Princess finds Tessa fighting to free Princess Contessa from the pirates who have kidnapped her.  Although well-written, there is a bit of discontinuity between this book and the last.  Despite this, I really enjoyed the book.  Overall, I rate it a four out of five.

“The White Queen” by Philippa Gregory         

During the war of the roses brother turns on brother to win the throne of England.  The story unfolds through the eyes of Elizabeth Woodville, a woman who wins the heart of the newly crowned king.  She uses her cunning and ambition to place her family in positions of power, yet instability threatens everything.     

I found this book a bit lacking compared to Gregory’s other book series.  The story unraveled slowly and the characters seemed a bit one-dimensional and could not capture my attention or imagination. Although not a home run, the book wasn’t bad. Overall, I would rate it a three out of five.

“Remember WWII: Kids Who Survived Tell Their Stories” by Dorinda Makanaonalani Nicholson.         

The book is divided into three chapters which discuss the war in Europe, the war in the Pacific, and life in the United States.  It alternates between short autobiographical sections written by those who survived World War II and historical information. It also includes a number of photographs which set the tone for the passages.         

I found myself a bit bored reading this book. The historical passages were a bit dry. I would have liked more sections written by survivors in order to more fully explore their lives and history. If you are interesting in reading WWII survivor stories, there are a number of books out there that are more interesting to read and provide a more in-depth look at the survivors lives.

“Surviving Hitler: A Boy in the Nazi Death Camps” by Warren         

Jack Madelbaum was twelve-years old when the Nazis invaded Poland.  His family fled to a relative’s village, leaving his father behind to gather their belongings.  They soon received a postcard from their father telling them that he was in a concentration camp.  For the next two years, Jack worked hard to support his family by doing a variety of hard labor until he was separated from his family and sent to a labor camp.  Jack spent the next three years being transferred from camp-to-camp as he struggled to survive despite the horrendous conditions.

     Beautifully written, the story blends Jack’s voice with details about his life during WWII. It is a story of strength, courage and determination.  Overall, this book would be a great way to introduce and discuss the horrors of the holocaust with children.

“The Birchbark House” by Louise Erdrich         

The Birchbark House follows Omakayas (Little Frog), a member of the Ojibwa Native American tribe, through four seasons during 1847. From a smallpox epidemic that threatens her entire family to a winter of starvation, the family find time for love and adventure.  Beautifully written the characters come to life through the dialogue and their interactions. Children of all ages will relate to Omakayas struggles. Overall, I highly recommend this book.

“Bullies are a Pain in the Brain” by Trevor Romain         

Although this book covers an important topic, I found it to alternate between being too serious and too whimsical. I’m not sure a pre-teen would appreciate the book or its approach. One positive note is that the book contains numerous resources for parents and teachers including books, organizations and websites.

“The Hundred Penny Box” by Sharon Mathis         

Michael and his great-great-aunt Dew spend time together counting the pennies in her box.  As Michael counts, Dew tells him stories about the hundred years of her life.  I remember reading this book as a child and immediately starting my own penny box.  Re-reading it as an adult, I still found myself captivated by the idea and found myself pulling out my old collection of pennies to add more to it.  I highly recommend this book to children and adults alike.

“Counting Coup:  Becoming a Crow Chief on the Reservation and Beyond” by Joseph Medicine Crow”         

Born in 1913 on the Crow Indian Reservation, Joseph Medicine Crow recounts his childhood, training to become a Crow warrior and his experiences in World War II.  I found this book to be, although interesting, a slow read.  It was written in an unemotional matter-of-fact way, rather than in a story-telling manner.  Overall, I believe a child would become bored with this book and turn to more adventure-type stories.

“John Henry” by Julius Lester         

Wonderfully written and illustrated, this is a folk tale that any child would enjoy.  The dialogue is song-like and instantly engaging.  The pictures are very intricate and beautiful.