The Boy on the Wooden Box

The Boy on the Wooden Box: How the Impossible Became Possible...On Schindler's List by Leon Leyson

Summary: This is a memoir of a boy who was saved from the Holocaust by being placed on Schindler's List.  For those who have read Schindler's List or seen the movie, people mentioned in the book will be familiar. For those who are not familiar with the story of Schindler's List, this book should spark interest in the story.

My Thoughts: A good memoir and biography of a Holocaust survivor who was a child at the time. The book starts with Leon's sheltered childhood in a small village in eastern Poland before the war begins, surrounded by generations of extended family.  The story goes through his pre-war childhood, the family's move to Krakow, and then the events of World War II and the Holocaust unfold and the reader is introduced to Oscar Schindler and Amon Goeth.  The book ends with the eulogies given at Leon's funeral in early 2013 by his two children.  A worthwhile read!

Breaker Boys

Breaker Boys: How a Photograph Helped End Child Labor by Michael Burgan

Summary: Lewis Hine was a photographer took pictures of child laborers accross the United States.  Some of his most famous pictures were taken of child workers in the coal mines of Pennsylvania.  They were used by the Progressive movement to help end child labor in the United States.

My Thoughts: The photos of these child laborers are powerful even today.  Both the history of the fight against child labor in the United States and the work of Lewis Hine is woven together in an easy to follow narrative. 

Miracle on 49th Street

Miracle on 49th Street by Mike Lupica

Summary: After her mother's death, tweleve-year-old Molly learns that her father is a basketball star for the Boston Celtics.

My Thoughts: This was the first book I've read by Mike Lupica.  I've seen his work for years, but never picked anything up to read.  I enjoyed this story.  The story moved quickly, which I liked and was set in Boston and New York City, both fun places to visit!  Molly is a great character and I would love to meet her and see what happens next in her life.

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Umbrella Summer

Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff

After her brother Jared dies, ten-year-old Annie worries about the hidden dangers of everything, from bug bites to bicycle riding, until she is befriended by a new neighbor who is grieving her own loss.

My Thoughts - This is a touching story about how one girl struggles with recovering from the loss of her brother. The story made me cry. I would recommend this to anyone dealing with grief or anyone who just wants a story they will remember for quite awhile.

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Pies and Prejudice

Pies and Prejudice by Heather Vogel Frederick

With Emma and her family living in England, the Mother-Daughter Book Club continues by videoconferencing. While tackling "Pride and Prejudice" and coping with new romances, the three other daughters start a pie business with a goal of earning enough to bring Emma home for a visit. Put when the plan falls short, they wonder if they will ever be able to get together again.

My Thoughts - I love the Mother-Daughter Book Club series! Since I read the first book a couple of summers ago, I have eagerly awaited each one! I even had the pleasure of meeting the author at the Texas Book Festival two years ago! This installment didn't disappoint either! The girls are growing up, but they are still friends and still having fun together. This year includes world travel to England and Jane Austen country. After reading this installment of the Mother-Daughter Book Club, I want to visit Jane Austen country too!

*Summary taken from CIP data.

The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z.

The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. by Kate Messner

Gianna has less than one week to complete her leaf project if she wants to compete in the upcoming cross-country sectionals, but issues like procrastination, disorganization--and her grandmother's declining health--seem destined to keep her from finishing.

My Thoughts - This is a story that has depth. Gianna is dealing with some hard issues, like her grandmother's failing mind, and some typical issues, like procrastinating on a big science project. There is humor and sadness and Gianna has to learn to deal with both as part of life. I liked that the story moves quickly. It would make a great read aloud for a class too!

* Summary taken from CIP data.

Only the Good Spy Young

Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter

Cammie Morgan questions the loyalty of her classmates and friends after she learns that one of her most trusted allies is actually a double-agent, and now danger follows her everywhere.


My Thoughts - I loved this next book in the Gallagher Girls series!  At the beginning of the book, I was a bit confused and had to stop and remember what had happened in the previous book.  But I quickly got back on track and couldn't put this book down!  I look forward to Ally Carter's next book!
 
*Summary taken from CIP data.

Ashes

Ashes by Kathryn Lasky


In 1932 Berlin, thirteen-year-old Gaby Schramm witnesses the beginning of Hitler's rise to power, as soldiers become ubiquitous, her beloved literature teacher starts wearing a jewelled swastika pin, and the family's dear friend, Albert Einstein, leave the country while Gaby's parents secretly bury his books and papers in their small yard. 


My Thoughts - I tend to enjoy historical fiction set in this time period.  I imagine that Gaby's feelings and reactions to what was happening around her were typical of young people at that time.  I liked this story, especially the twist with Albert Einstein and another twist with Gaby's sister. 


*Summary taken from CIP data.

City of Ashes

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Sixteen-year-old Clary conintues trying to make sense of the swiftly changing events and relationships in her life as she becomes further involved with the Shadowhunters and their pursuit of demons and discovers some terrifying truths about her parents, her brother Jace, and her boyfriend Simon.

My Thoughs: This was a fast-paced page turner! I'm ready for City of Glass, the last book in The Mortal Instruments trilogy!  I can't wait to find out what happens with Clary and Jace!  I can't say more because I don't want to spoil any of the story for you.

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Four Perfect Pebbles

Four Perfect Pebbles: A Holocaust Story by Lila Perl and Marion Blumenthal Lazan


The author tells the story of her family's experience as Jews in Hitler's Germany, tracing their horrifying journey from their home country to Holland and back again, living in refugee, transit and prison camps, including Bergen-Belson.


My Thoughts - This is another powerful story narrated by a  mother and daughter as they tell their story of survival.


*Summary taken from CIP data.

City of Bones

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare


Suddenly able to see demons and the Shadowhunters who are dedicated to returning them to their own dimension, fifteen-year-old Clary Fray is drawn into this bizarre world when her mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a monster.


My Thoughts - Get ready for a fantastic ride through this story that twists and turns and leaves you hanging and running for the next book in the series! 


*Summary taken from CIP data.

Cold Hands, Warm Heart

Cold Hands, Warm Heart

After sixteen-year-old Tyler convinces his parents to donate the organs of his fourteen-year-old sister, who died during a gymnastis meet, he writes letters to the recipients, including Dani, who finally has a chance at normalcy after living fifteen years wiht a congenital heart defect.

My Thoughts: An interesting story from two points of view: Tyler's and Dani's. 

*Summary taken from CIP data.

In a Heartbeat

In a Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth

Told in their separate voices, Eagan, who has died in a figure-skating accident, becomes a heart donor for Amelia, who then begins taking on some aspects of Eagan's personality.

My Thoughts:  I stayed up late into the night to finish this captivating story!  It makes me wonder if it is possible, which the author addressed in an end note saying that there are reports from patients that this can happen but nothing has been scientifically proven.  I felt sad for Eagan and her mom.  I felt happy for Amelia and the new opportunity for life that this brings to her.

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Slob

Slob by Ellen Potter

Picked on, overweight genius Owen tries to invent a television that can see the past to find out what happened the day his parents were killed.

My Thoughts:  I liked this story that shows what middle school is really like from the point of view of the person who is bullied.  It has lots of sadly funny situations that made me keep reading!

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Swindle

Swindle by Gordon Korman

After unscrupulous collector S. Wendell Palamino cons him out a valuable baseball card, sixth-grader Griffin Bing puts together a band of misfits to break into Palamino's heavily guarded store and steal the card back, planning to use the money to finance his father's failing invention, the SmartPick fruit picker.

My Thoughts:  Wow!  What a page turner!  This story is full of fast paced adventure with all sorts of twists and turns!  Great read!

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Heist Society

Heist Society by Ally Carter


Fifteen-year-old Kat schemes her way into the best boarding school, hoping to leave the thieving antics of her family behind her, but Hal, a former co-conspirator, appears on campus to tell Kat that a powerful mobster believes her father stole art from a priceless collection, and in order to save him, Kat will have to recover the paintings.



My Thoughts:  I LOVED this book!  It played like a movie in my head as I read it.  The intrigue was great, it kept me reading straight through to the end!  I was left with questions still unanswered, so I hope there is another book coming!
 
*Summary taken from CIP data.

The 6th Grade Nickname Game

The 6th Grade Nickname Game by Gordon Korman

Eleven-year-old best friends Jeff and Wiley, who like to give nicknames to their classmates, try to find the right one for the new girl Cassandra, while adjusting to the football coach who has become their new teacher.

My Thoughts - Jeff and Wiley are great!  They have fun finding nicknames but have trouble finding the right one for Cassandra because they like her so much.  Their new teacher, the football coach, is hilarious!  I would like to see him in real life!

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Babymouse: Skater Girl

Babymouse: Skater Girl by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm



Babymouse is sad because everyone has a special talent and she doesn't know what hers is, so she starts ice skating and is excited when an Olympic coach notices her skills.

My Thoughts - Babymouse learns that if you really want something, you have to work hard at it. And if working hard at it is hard for you, you have to decide if what you are working for is really worth it to you! Funny and pink as always!


*Summary taken from CIP data.

Paisley Hanover Acts Out

Paisley Hanover Acts Out by Cameron Tuttle

Paisley is beginning her sophmore year in high school and trying to work her way up the social food chain.  But the first day of school puts her plan in jeopardy.  Will she be a Pop or an UnPop?  Paisley begins to see the downside of being popular and takes some anonymous jabs at the social food chain in The Fly, the school newspaper.  This is a funny satirical look at cliques in high school! 

My Thoughts:  I liked to see Paisley struggle with what is right versus what is popular and try to make her way through.  I thought it was a funny page turner!  What story wouldn't be funny with a statue of a hornet in the school quad?

The Book Whisperer

The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller


Sixth grade teacher Donalyn Miller describes the instructional approach she uses to turn children into readers, based on a combination of individual choice, a program of independent reading, a collection of high-interest books, and appropriate and authentic reading behavior modeling.



My Thoughts:  I so enjoyed this book!  It was so inspiring!  I wish I taught at a school full of reading teachers that all subscribed to Donalyn Miller's ideas and methods.  I am left thinking of how I can impact readers in the library.
 
*Summary taken from CIP data.