Not everyone living in Germany during WWII was a Nazi, some were book thieves. And how do we know this? Our friend Death, the narrator of this novel tells us so. Death is overworked and under appreciated during this most difficult time. The Book Thief is the coming of age saga of Leisel Memminger and her special story of how she endures daily life under very difficult circumstances. Leisel wins the affections of her foster father and mother, the young Jew the family is hiding in the basement, her next door neighbor Rudy and even Death. It is with wit and black humor that the author Markus Zusak approaches the story. The rich imagery he conjures makes it a story not easily forgotten.
I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS AND SENIORS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN WORLD WAR II.
Mrs. Sayan
Young Adult Librarian
Many years ago I traveled to Australia. I saw the cities; I saw the outback; but never did I see suburbs similar to one in Shaun Tan's TALES FROM OUTER SUBURBIA. Fifteen illustrated tales makes the mundane suburban world into a magical place. It begins with the water buffalo who sits in an abandoned lot pointing children in the right direction. There is the foreign exhange student, Eric, a tiny leaf-like creature, with a rather large sense of wonder. And there is the Expedition of two brothers; each brothers wonders if the map of their hometown really ends in nothing.
The book Rewind by William Sleator is a really great read. In the book Peter is given another chance at life. Peter has died form a car accident. Peter was mad when his parents told him that he was adopted. His parents had told him because his mom was having a baby. So after hearing that he was adopted, Peter ran into the street and was hit by Mrs. Hazelton his next door neighbors car and died instantaneously. After dying Peter hears a mysterious voice tell him that he will be given another chance at life, if he succeds he will get to keep on living his life. Now Peter has twelve hours to think of any place in his life to which he wants to transfered to. Now what place should Peter choose and how should he relive his life. Sould he start playing sports so his parents like him better or should he become friends with his greatest enemy, the school bully. Will Peter survive and make the most out of the chance he is given or will he die again, this time for good?
Books can be timeless and a great example is 1984 by George Orwell.
For everyone who has read Margaret Peterson Haddix's book, FOUND, the first book in THE MISSING series and have waited patiently to find out what happened to Jonah, his sister, Katherine, and his friend, Chip. The answers can be found in Haddix's SENT.
As a long time fan of Julia Child I was excited when I saw a trailer for the new film, JULIE/JULIA. I was even more excited, when I was browsing the fiction shelves and found a book entitled DEAR JULIA by Amy Bronwen Zemser. This story is the tale of two loners.
The book DURANGO STREET by Frank Bonham is a great read for all readers. In this book Rufus Henry was sent to detention camp because he was charged for grand theft auto. After many months Rufus is realesed from the camp and is let off in parole. According to Rufus's parole he must not join a gang under any circumstances. On the first day Rufus encounters a gang called the Gassers because his sister had told the police information about them. Now Rufus already has a gang after him. Now Rufus has no choice but to violate his parole, and look for a join a gang so he can have protection from the Gassers. The next day Rufus goes to meet his friend Walter Gibson and his gang the Moors. Walter Gibson is Rufus's friend from the detention camp. When Rufus asks the gang leader Bantu to join, Bantu hesitates. After some minutes of tough decisions Bantu lets Rufus join the Moors. Will Rufus be able to survive in the projecks? Find out by reading Durango street.
