Markus Zusak

Does a book about a child growing up in Nazi Germany narrated by Death sound intriguing? If so, definitely add The Book Thief to your reading list. Despite not knowing how to read, 9 year old Liesel Meminger has developed a growing obsession with books. After being sent to live with a couple called the Hubermanns, her passion only begins to grow as her adoptive father teaches her to read in the basement of her new home. Soon, Liesel is stealing books from the Nazi's book burning parties and the mayor's library just for a good story. Stealing books doesn't remain the most dangerous part of Liesel's life for long though, as one day her family decides to hide Max, a young Jewish man, in their basement. The events that unfold are both devastating and compelling, urging the reader to see where Liesel's journey takes her.

The Book Thief is one of the most thought-provoking books I've ever read. Zusak writes in a casual tone, which contrasts deeply with the dark subject matters in the novel.  The straightforward tone also differs from the more formal tone often used in other historical novels. Death as the narrator often intrudes with commentary, and nested in the novels is a separate illustrated book. Though there are numerous other novels that take place in this time period, you won't find a more original or creative one than The Book Thief.

          A Fine Balance, written by Rohinton Mistry, follows four main characters as they try to escape the oppressive Indian Government in the late 1970s and early 1980’s. Dina Dalal-a mid-class widowed 40-year old tailors Ishvar Darji and Omprakash Darji, and young student Maneck Kohlah form an unlikely bond when circumstances cause them to live in the same small apartment in an undisclosed city in India. This tragic novel mixes the political oppression during the emergency period in India with prejudice and racial oppression. Each character’s separate story interwoven with each other makes this book heartbreaking.  (Spoilers ahead)

Rohinton Mistry proved himself as a masterful writer with the publication of "A Fine Balance". This book will take your heart out of your chest and crush it to pieces after playing with your emotional sanity. Just a taste of this includes Dina’s father dying and her mother blaming her. Her brother physically abuses her and controls her to the dislikes of her removed family. Then, after she finds true happiness with her husband, Rustom, he gets hit by a bus and leaves her all alone against the world again. Also, Ishvar’s family- including his mother, father, and brother- are all burnt in their own house for wanting the right to vote. He has to support Omprakash as well as his father, Ishvar’s brother, who died in the fire. Any glimpse of hope and happiness is quickly crushed as you turn the next page. However, this makes this book extremely powerful as the message that Mistry sends across becomes extremely powerful.

          Set in rural China in the early twentieth century, The Good Earth, written by Pearl Buck, tells the rags-to-riches story of the farmer Wang Lung. The novel begins on Wang Lung's wedding day; his sickly father has arranged for him to marry O-Lan, a slave from the wealthy House of Hwang. In the following months, Wang Lung and O-Lan live frugally and tend to the fields through laborious days. Their combined effort yields larger harvests, of which they sell the surplus. Meanwhile, the Hwang family begins to face the repercussions of their wastefulness: they must sell their land if they wish to uphold their prodigal habits. Wang Lung seizes this opportunity, in the process taking his first steps towards his future prosperity. The winding path of Wang Lung’s adulthood is told through chapters which are separated up to several months apart from each other, lending credibility that each detail Buck includes is necessary to understanding the story.

One aspect of the novel which stood out to me was Buck’s jarring depiction of wealth inequality. The lifestyles of the peasant workers and farmers are vividly detailed, as are the verandas and great halls of the House of Hwang. This contrast allows the story to detail the many sides of a complex society without losing sight of the connection between humans and nature. Buck captures these concepts expertly, building themes of social class conflicts, morality, and the importance of simplicity. In retrospect, The Good Earth was an unexpected page-turner- I always found myself immersed in Buck’s portrayal of the land and its people, but I could never be sure what to expect next. 

          The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick tells the story of Hugo, a young orphan on a quest to unravel the mystery of a broken automaton left behind by his father. Living inside the walls of a train station in Paris, Hugo steals food and even toys as he bobs and weaves through vents and hatches to escape security. The first part of the novel delves into Hugo’s current life at the train station while the second part jumps into his past, and reveals his connection to a mysterious automaton that he is trying to fix. The third part of the book brings together all the threads from the previous chapters and leads to an unexpected twist at the end, leaving readers feeling satisfied with the outcome of the story. To illustrate Hugo’s journey from a broken orphan to a cinematic master, Selznick uses a mix of vivid texts and hand-drawn images. While the 500 page book may seem like a daunting read, the incredible plot and well written characters keep readers wanting for more, and the mix of images and text makes the book go by fairly fast. Another notable aspect of the novel is the unique combination of historical events and fictional characters. This creates a fascinating blend of reality and imagination, making the story more engaging for readers. Overall, The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a captivating book that appeals to readers of all ages.

Art Spiegelman

Recent controversy surrounding the removal of the graphic novel Maus from some school curriculums around America raise the question of whether or not this novel is even worth a read. The answer is a tremendous “YES.” Art Speigelman was an established comic artist before his novel was published, as he was famously the creator of the Garbage Pail Kids. However, this step into nonfiction is considered his magnum opus. In the novel, Speigelman tells his own father’s story o surviving the Holocaust, but in a stylized way through depicting Jews as mice, Nazis as cats, and other nationalities as pigs and dogs. 

This graphic novel manages to set itself apart from others in the Holocaust nonfiction genre not only through its medium, but also its themes. In an uncommon move for the genre, Speigelman sets part of his story in his own time, telling the story of himself and his father alongside the flashbacks to the Holocaust. This move is framed through Speigelman attempting to get his father to break his silence and tell him about his experience, but is really a method to unpack the generational trauma caused by the genocide. The novel tells both the story Speigelman’s father during the time he spent in Auschwitz, and in the modern day to show how the pain impacted him. The reader comes away from the book realizing that many survivors never really left those camps.

Christina Baker Kline

“Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Kline is a novel filled with heartbreak, real -life struggles, and ultimately, strength. Kline's novel goes back and forth between the present day and the past, describing the story of Vivian, a 91-year old woman, connecting with Molly, a troubled teen. The connection between the two is not easily understood. Rather, as you move through the pages of the book, learning about Vivians past and Molly’s present, the two characters' connection shines through. 

The thoughtful novel by Kline is filled with a sense of mystery regarding who Vivian is, and how she will change, or not change, Mollys life for the better. As you read through the chapters you begin to connect old symbols mentioned earlier in the novel, to their meanings regarding one's connection with their cultural past, the strength of children moving through life with no parents, and ways to remember those who helped you through your struggles. The novel puts the reader into the shoes of Molly who struggles to find a permanent home until she meets and connects with Vivian. The exploration of Molly and Vivians journey is simply exciting and will leave you wanting to continue reading to learn more and more. 

“Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Kline is a novel that you should read if you love making connections, especially involving symbolistic ideas. I believe that this novel can show many teenagers and young adults a new perspective into their childhoods and how vastly different others around them are without being able to even notice. I thoroughly recommend this book for mere enjoyment and pleasure. 

Michael Spradlin

A Prisoner of War, written by Michael Spradlin, published in 2017, is a sensational historical fiction literature that depicts the historical events of World War II. This book is suffused with intrigue and crucial life lessons. This novel transpires during World War II, as the main character Henry Forrest, grows up with a rough childhood. Henry’s mother died when he was young and Henry tries to escape his alcoholic dad by enlisting in the U.S. Army at the age of 15. Growing up on a farm, Henry believed he was built to persevere through the army and make a difference. However, Henry and his comrades/best friends are ensnared into a concentration camp by the Japanese during the war. Henry and his comrades must face the countless obstacles and horrors that come their way. The hardships and disasters the main character must face are ghastly, as they struggle to survive each day.

This book is great for young readers who are engrossed in action and history. The mystery and suspense keep building through the book, as you keep reading. I recommend this book because it is irresistible to stop reading and always keeps you wondering one question, will they survive?. This book keeps you on the edge of your seat, as you travel with Henry through World War II.

John Knowles

A Separate Peace by John Knowles is a coming-of-age novel that explores the complicated relationship between two teenage boys, Gene and Finny, at an all-boys boarding school during World War II. The novel is divided into three parts, with each section building upon the previous one to create a rich and complex story. Knowles' writing is simple and elegant, with vivid descriptions that transport the reader to the world of the novel. The characters are well-drawn and complex, with both Gene and Finny undergoing significant changes over the course of the story. The novel also explores larger themes of identity, friendship, and the impact of war on young people. One of the most impressive aspects of A Separate Peace is how it manages to balance its dark themes with moments of humor and lightness. The boys' antics, from jumping out of trees to organizing midnight swims, provide a welcome contrast to the heavier moments of the novel. This balance makes the novel more accessible to a wider audience, and allows it to resonate with readers of all ages. Overall, A Separate Peace is a timeless classic that deserves to be read and appreciated by readers of all backgrounds. Its themes of friendship, jealousy, and the impact of war are universal, and its characters are complex and relatable. While it may seem like a simple story on the surface, the novel's depth and complexity make it a rewarding read for anyone who is willing to dive in. 

Kip Wilson

The White Rose is a historical fiction book based on the true story of a resistance group ran by students at the University of Munich during the Nazi regime. The author Kip Wilson takes readers through the inspiring story of Sophie Scholl’s life. Sophie details how she grew up in an upper-middle class household in Germany surrounded by her loving siblings. However, following Hitler’s rise to power in 1933 and invasion into Poland in 1939, Sophie’s world is turned upside down. Her brothers and friends were drafted into the war and Sophie felt as if she could do nothing to resist against the regime. Once she moves to college she finds hope in a few individuals and forms the White Rose, a group of students who distributed thousands of leaflets and used graffiti to decry Nazi crimes.

Although Wilson concludes the story with Sophie’s eventual capture and death at only 21 years old, she details the impact that many of the members of the real-life White Rose resistance movement have on history today. In post-war Germany, the White Rose is honored for their bravery and courage to speak out against hate and injustice despite being silenced. Various schools, streets, and a prestigious award are named after individual members of the group. With the inclusion of inspirational characters and emotional, tragic incidents that many lived through, Kip Wilson does an excellent job of detailing the legacy of the impactful civil rights movement that stood up to the Nazi regime.