Refugee by Alan Gratz

We are afraid of what we don’t understand. We also tend to vilify what makes us afraid. As refugees flee their various countries, many frightened people see them as criminals or terrorists. Alan Gratz’s book helps us recognize what they really are--people. They are people with lives so miserable that they give up all they know and love to face countless dangers in hopes of safety. In spite of this, so many people tragically turn those refugees away.

In Refugee, Gratz tells the story of three young people. Josef is a young Jewish boy living in Germany in the late 1930s. Isabel is a Cuban girl in 1994. And Mahmoud is a Syrian boy in 2015. While their exact experiences and time periods are different, their search for refuge is the same--dangerous, tragic, and frightening. I hope many will read this book and recognize the humanity behind refugees. I hope also, that we will all strive to be more welcoming and humane to those in need.

Recommended ages--12 and up

Charlie Hernandez and the League of Shadows by Ryan Calejo

Life gets strange for Charlie Hernandez when his parents disappear and his house mysteriously burns. But then he grows horns and feathers. Creatures from his abuela’s Hispanic mythology start appearing. Soon Charlie and his friend Violet Rey are on a crazy and dangerous search for truth. Their search takes them on a wild ride and introduces them to mythological creatures both good and bad.

Charlie Hernandez and the League of Shadows is a high action trip through the highlights of Hispanic mythology. It is a great addition for fans of Percy Jackson and lovers of diverse books. Charlie and Violet are plucky characters that readers will enjoy. I look forward to more adventures to come.

Recommended ages 10 and up

A Taste for Monsters by Matthew J. Kirby

After phosphorus contamination leaves her face severely disfigured, Evelyn has been scrambling to survive the streets of London. She applies to be a nurse in the London Hospital, but even there they say her face is too disturbing. Instead, she obtains work as an attendant for Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man. They build a strong friendship based on their desires to hide from the world. However, Evelyn and Joseph’s peace is shattered when the infamous Jack the Ripper begins his murders. The ghosts of murder victims begin to haunt the two at night and the shock is harmful to Joseph’s health.

A Taste for Monsters is an interesting historical fiction story with echoes of gothic novels. Readers interested in Victorian London who also enjoy a good ghost story will find a perfect fit. Kirby does a great job with characterization and stays remarkably close to what is known about Joseph Merrick’s life. This is a chilling, but educational read.

Recommended ages--12 and up