September, 2014

"Fever, 1793" by Laurie Halse Anderson         

When a deadly fever strikes Philadelphia, Mattie fears for the safety of her mother and grandfather.  When her mother quickly becomes ill, Mattie and her grandfather leave town, hoping to make it to a friend’s farm.  When they are deserted on the road, Mattie and her grandfather both become ill.

     This was a well written and well paced story.  I enjoyed the characters and understood Mattie's fear and frustration.  Although this is historical fiction, I believe many young adults and teenager will find themselves enjoying this book.  Overall, highly recommended.

"Wildlife" by Fiona Wood         

This book alternates between Sib and Lou as they work through an outdoor education program.  Filled with teenage drama, secrets and reveals, this is a book many female teenagers will enjoy.  As a woman in my mid-thirties, I found the book less appealing but know that it will appeal to a certain age group. 

"A Light in the Wilderness" by Jane Kirkpatrick         

Letitia, a free slave, "marries" a white immigrant, Davey Carson.  While their union is not legally recognized, she feels a bond for him, and hopes that he feels the same for her.  When the pair decide to travel west, the story turns into a real life Oregon trail story.  Interspaced with Letitia's story, is the story of Nancy Hawkins.  A woman who befriends Letitia and accepts her freedom.         

This was a well written and engaging book.  I was fascinated by Letitia's story and her court cases towards the end of the book.  I would love to read more by this author, overall, highly recommended.

"Finding Rebecca" by Eoin Dempsey         

When Nazi's invade the island of Jersey, Christopher and Rebecca's lives are irrevocably changed.  Childhood sweethearts (with a long and complicated past) are torn apart when Rebecca is forced to register as a Jew and later shipped off to a concentration camp.  Desperate to save her, Christopher uses his connections to join the Nazi SS and gains a post in Auschwitz.     

I'm not quite sure who I feel about this book.  It seemed to take a really long time to set up the relationship between Christopher and Rebecca.  I think the book would have been more effective if it alternated between Christopher's time in Auschwitz and their childhood.  Not a bad read, but this is not one I would find myself re-reading.

"84 Ribbons" by Paddy Eger                 

This book deals with several tough issues, particular weight, dieting and diet pills.  I cannot describe the book as uplifting, rather it came across as sad and depressing.  I did find myself rooting for Marta and hoping that she would be able to overcome her challenges.  Overall, not a bad book, one well worth sharing with teenagers.

"The Walled City" by Ryan Graudin         

This book alternates between Jin, Mei Yee and Dai, three inhabitants of the Walled City.  Ruled by a ruthless gang, drugs, prostitution and crime are the norms.  While Jin is masquerading as a boy, she is really looking for her sister Mei Yee.  Mei Yee works as a prostitute in the most prestigious, and hard to enter, brothel in the city.  Dai, is working with Jin in order to penetrate the brothel, in order to obtain evidence against the gang leader.

     I thought this book was slow and tedious.  I kept waiting and waiting for something to happen, yet it seemed like time was standing still.  The characters were well put together but the plot desperately needed help.  Overall, a bust.

"Cleopatra's Daughter" by Michelle Moran         

After the death of Marc Antony and Cleopatra, their children Selene and Alexander are taken by Octavian and marched through Rome in chains.  Despite their fear, they are treated decently, and placed in the household of Octavia (Octavian's sister).  Raised with the "royal" children, they are somewhat privileged and protected.  While mourning the loss of their parents, the two find a life in Rome and grow into their own.

     I thought this was a fascinating, well written book.  Selene and Alexander were both exotic yet relatable.  I really wanted to read more, I just didn't want the book to end.  Overall, highly recommended.  I look forward to reading other books from this author.

"Rashi's Daughters, Book I:  Joheved" by Maggie Anton         

Joheved, the daughter of a Jewish scholar finds herself caught between her parents when she desires to learn Talmud.  While her father is ecstatic to teach her, his mother believes that a learned woman will never make an appropriate marriage match.  Despite her mother's objections, Joheved and her sister Miriam begins learning Torah.  When local merchants help her father set up a Yeshiva (school), Joheved becomes betrothed to Meir ben Samuel.

     I thought this was a very interesting and exciting book.  Let me say that I am an atheist.  I did not think the book was preachy.  I really saw it more as a cultural book rather than a religious book.  I have already purchased the other 2 books in the series and am looking forward to reading them.

"The Aftermath" by Jen Alexander         

Claudia lives in the aftermath, a world ravaged and torn and filled with cannibals.  She has banded together with a small group of people for survival.  However, nothing is as it seems.  Claudia finds herself saying and doing things outside of her control.  Sometimes, she slips into the mind of her gamer, a person controlling her from a sterile white room.

     I thought this was an interesting concept.  The book started out a bit slow, as Claudia realized that she was a character in a game and that she had little, if no control over her own actions.  I don't want to spoil the book, but the reveal at the end really didn't add up to how things happened throughout the story.  There were too many inconsistencies for my liking.  I think teenagers will really enjoy this book, and won't even think about the incongruities throughout the story.  I might pick up the next book, just to see how things are resolved and explained.

"Rashi's Daughter, Book 2:  Miriam" by Maggie Anton         

The second book in the series, this story focuses on Miriam, Rashi's middle child.  When Miriam's fiancée dies in a tragic accident, she is thrust into depression and despair.   Not even her training as a midwife can bring her out of her funk.  Only time and distance seems to help.  After marrying Judah, the two struggle with a variety of issues.  Judah struggles with homosexual urges, while Miriam decides to learn the art of circumcision, causing great debate within her community.

     Overall, I thought this book was well written. It wasn't as engaging as the first book, which I found a bit surprising. I wish the book focused more on her being a midwife and mohl which would have caught my interest a bit more. I think I just wanted a little more from the story, everything seemed a bit too easy for Miriam.

"My Father" by Maria Rasputin         

Maria takes on the rumors about her father, Rasputin, in this book.  It is a fascinating look at Rasputin and his family. Particularly his relationships and the almost cult like worship his family provided to him.  Overall, well worth reading.

"The End of the Line" by Sharon E. McKay         

When five year old Beatrix's mother is pulled on a tram (because she is Jewish) the conductor and ticket taker quickly step up, claiming that she is their niece.  After taking her home, they are a bit befuddled and aren't quite sure what to do with her.  Despite great risks, they pull in  neighbor, who helps take care of the little girl.

     Overall, I thought this is a very good story for pre-teens.  It shows the heroism of ordinary people and how our actions can effect, even save others.  I did think the characters lacked a bit of depth, but it wasn't as off putting as I normally would have found it.  Highly recommended.