- Michael Ames
- Aug 18, 2018
After the Nazi occupation of her hometown Amsterdam, Hanneke spends her time finding and delivering black market goods to customers. She looks out for herself and her family, trying to forget her pain over her boyfriend who was killed on the Dutch frontlines. When a client asks Hanneke for help, her first reaction is to stay away from trouble. Mrs. Janssen has been hiding a Jewish girl and that girl has vanished. She asks Hanneke to use her skills in finding things to locate the missing Mirjam.
As Hanneke searches for Mirjam, the mystery of her disappearance becomes more complicated. Hanneke also finds herself drawn into the resistance movement and more danger than she expected. Girl in the Blue Coat deals with both the trials of World War II life as well as the nobility of the people who resisted Nazi control. The mystery aspect draws attention away from the darkness of an awful time and keeps the story appropriate for teen readers. I recommend this read for teens both for the fast-paced story and the interesting historical elements.
Recommended ages--12 and up
- Michael Ames
- Aug 18, 2018
Aven Green has grown up believing she can do anything. And she can, even without arms. However, when her parents take a job running a run down theme park in Arizona, Aven faces her greatest challenge ever. She moves away from everything she knows and has to start again in a new place and make new friends. Suddenly, Aven can no longer ignore the “looks” she gets and, even worse, the pity or extra help people offer.
Life gets a little better when Aven meets Connor, another classmate excluded because of his Tourette’s syndrome. Together they explore Stagecoach Pass and try to uncover the mystery of the theme park’s past. With a little mystery, this book is entertaining, but its highlight is an amazing protagonist. Aven Green is a spunky character, overcoming great odds and winning the world over as she does. This is a perfect middle grade read for many ages and also a wonderful class read aloud. It will entertain kids while teaching empathy and understanding.
Recommended ages--8 and up
Generously peppered with photographs, illustrations, and maps, The Journey that Saved Curious George is perfectly paced nonfiction for its intended audience. Children will following Hans Augusto Reyersbach and Margarete Waldstein from childhood in Germany until they ultimately become Margret and H.A. Rey, the world famous creators of Curious George. This biography provides valuable information about the authors, but flows in a storybook form that keeps the reader’s attention. It includes interesting details about the Reys’ escape from Europe during World War II, as well as information about how the Curious George books were created and published. This is a great introduction to biography and nonfiction for younger readers.
Recommended ages--8 and up