WHEN YOU TRAP A TIGER by Tae Keller

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

Fantasy, Korean Americans, Storytelling, Illness, Families

297 pages

Description
Booklist starred (November 1, 2019 (Vol. 116, No. 5))
Grades 3-6. If stories were written in the stars and guarded by tigers, this wondrous tale would be one of the brightest. Lily is happy when she, her mom, and sister, Sam, move, because it means they will spend more time with their grandmother, their halmoni, whose life is full of magic. Halmoni has always told beautiful stories about clever sisters and equally clever tigers—not to be trusted—but Lily soon finds that life is not how she expected it to be. Sam isn’t so happy about the move, and worse, Halmoni is very sick, so when a tiger appears to Lily, offering her a deal, she thinks it could be what saves her grandmother. Lily’s magical-realist world, rooted in Korean folklore, will envelop readers as she deals with growing up and—at times—apart from her sister, finding new friends, and coping with her grandmother's illness. Keller’s characters—from Halmoni, who dresses up to go grocery shopping, to Sam, who hides her own heartbreaks—will have readers wishing they were real. Every chapter is filled with a richness and magic that demands every word be treasured, a heartfelt reminder of the wonder and beauty in our everyday lives. Readers young and old will want to trap this story in a jar forever.

My Comments

Truly wonderous and mysterious. The magic intertwines with the family relationships. The tiger drew me in, but this is a deep story of love, grief and identity. This is not a light book. I believe it could be read by grades 6-8 so am a little mystified that it is targeted for grades 3-6 apart from the age of the main protagonist. A wonderfully magical and complex story.

 

THE BRIDGE HOME by Padma Venkatramen

The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman

India, Homelessness, Child Labor, Survival, Families

194 pages

Description

Booklist starred (February 1, 2019 (Vol. 115, No. 11)) Grades 5-7. In India, 11-year-old Viji and her 12-year-old sister, Rukku, run away to Chennai after their violent father strikes out at them. Unprepared for living on the streets, they befriend two homeless boys: Arul, who lost his family in a tsunami, and Muthu, who escaped from a so-called school where he was confined and forced to work. Together they pick through garbage dumps for glass and metal scraps to sell, sleep on an abandoned bridge, and form their own family. Rukku’s intellectual disability has made her dependent on Viji, who gradually learns that her sister is more capable than she had thought. When Rukku and Muthu fall ill, Viji makes tough decisions in hopes of saving their lives and later must cope with her grief before she can move on. The four children and their tight-knit relationship are portrayed with conviction and finesse. Written in the form of a letter from Viji to her sister, the affecting narrative transports readers to a faraway setting that becomes vivid and real. Although the young characters face unusually difficult challenges, they nevertheless find the courage they need to move forward. The author of A Time to Dance (2014), Venkatraman offers an absorbing novel of love, loss, and resilience.

My Comments This book is one of those rare finds that you can give to almost anyone. It brings alive the plight of children in heartbreaking circumstances, but also how the human spirit can often prevail. Absolutely love this one.

 

THE BOY AT THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN by John Boyne

 

The boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne

Historical Fiction, World War II - 262 pages

Description

Kirkus Reviews (April 15, 2016)

A young boy grows up in Adolf Hitler's mountain home in Austria.Seven-year-old Pierrot Fischer and his frail French mother live in Paris. His German father, a bitter ex-soldier, returned to Germany and died there. Pierrot's best friend is Anshel Bronstein, a deaf Jewish boy. After his mother dies, he lives in an orphanage, until his aunt Beatrix sends for him to join her at the Berghof mountain retreat in Austria, where she is housekeeper for Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun. It is here that he becomes ever more enthralled with Hitler and grows up, proudly wearing the uniform of the Hitler Youth, treating others with great disdain, basking in his self-importance, and then committing a terrible act of betrayal against his aunt. He witnesses vicious acts against Jews, and he hears firsthand of plans for extermination camps. Yet at war's end he maintains that he was only a child and didn't really understand. An epilogue has him returning to Paris, where he finds Anshel and begins a kind of catharsis. Boyne includes real Nazi leaders and historical details in his relentless depiction of Pierrot's inevitable corruption and self-delusion. As with The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2006), readers both need to know what Pierrot disingenuously doesn't and are expected to accept his extreme naivete, his total lack of awareness and comprehension in spite of what is right in front of him.Chilling, difficult, and definitely not for readers without a solid understanding of the Holocaust despite the relatively simple reading level. (Historical fiction. 12-14)

My Comments

Immensely sad, but compelling. This book would generate much discussion. As the review mentions, however, Pierrot's naivete is a bit difficult to believe. I would only give this book to my 8th graders who have some background on the holocaust.

WARRIOR CATS by Erin Hunter

 

Warriors (Series) by Erin Hunter

Into the Wild

Fantasy, Adventure, Social-Emotional Learning - 272 pages

Description
Rusty, a bored house kitten, is apprenticed by the ThunderClan and must struggle to fit in when the group of feral cats is threatened by ShadowClan, the enemy.

"Who hasn’t suspected that there’s more to cats than meets the eye? Rusty starts out as an ordinary house kitten, but his travels deep into the forest involve him in the epic battles of the cat warrior Clans who roam (and rule) the wild. With a new name—Firepaw—and a position as a Thunderclan apprentice, our feline hero faces his destiny, struggles with issues of friendship, honor, and courage, and betrayal, and learns what it truly means to be a warrior." -Teacher's Guide

Comments
Can't stop reading this series. It's a timeless cat-themed middle school Game of Thrones. Dare yourself to enter the world of Cat Warriors!

THE SKYLARK'S WAR by Hilary McKay

 

The Skylark's War by Hilary McKay

Historical Fiction, World War I, Sex Roles Fiction

324 pages

Description

Booklist starred (August 2018 (Vol. 114, No. 22))

Grades 7-10. While most writers fill in their main character’s backstory in a few paragraphs, this unusual novel begins when Clarry is born, in 1902, and follows her for more than 20 years. 

She and her older brother, Peter, grow up in a somewhat affluent, rather grim London household, but each year their emotionally distant father sends them off to Cornwell to spend a gloriously happy summer of freedom with their grandparents and their cousin Rupert. Midway through the book, 

WWI begins and their lives (Rupert’s in the trenches in France, and his cousins’ and their friends’ 

in England) are increasingly shaped by forces beyond their control. The characters are sharply delineated by their varied personalities, inclinations, and experiences. Their actions, though occasionally unexpected, seem inevitable in retrospect. McKay brings the period settings to life with vivid details, particularly when the war brings horrors to France and hardships to the home front. Flashbacks to the boys’ pivotal boarding school days fill the gaps in their stories, but the focus always returns to Clarry, her steadfast relationships, and her gradually widening world. Though love, pain, and loss shape this emotionally resonant story of coming of age in turbulent times, the ending is quietly hopeful and wholly satisfying.

Comments
I was drawn into this story despite some misgivings about it being too old-fashioned, but the writing style fits the time period perfectly. The timeless themes of war's devastating effects are portrayed honestly. The historical aspect brings to life the time period. This book should appeal to a wide audience. Highly recommended.

THE BOY, THE MOLE, THE FOX AND THE HORSE by Charlie Makesy

The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse 

by Charlie Mackesy

Description

From the revered British illustrator, a modern fable for all ages that explores life's universal lessons, 

featuring 100 color and black-and-white drawings.

"What do you want to be when you grow up?" asked the mole.

"Kind," said the boy.

Charlie Mackesy offers inspiration and hope in uncertain times in this beautiful book based on his famous quartet of characters. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse explores their unlikely friendship and the poignant, universal lessons they learn together.

Radiant with Mackesy's warmth and gentle wit, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse blends hand-written  narrative with dozens of drawings, including some of his best-loved illustrations (including "Help," which has been shared over one million times) and new, never-before-seen material. A modern classic in the vein of The Tao of Pooh, The Alchemist, and The Giving Tree, this charmingly designed keepsake will be 

treasured for generations to come.

My Comments

This book opens your heart. It's like drinking a refreshing glass of water when you didn't even know you were thirsty. Highly recommended for all ages!

LUCKY BROKEN GIRL by Ruth Behar

 

Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar

Realistic Fiction, Cuban-Americans, Immigration, Grief, Loss, Coming of Age

243 pages, Pura Belpre Award

ruthbehar.com

Description

Horn Book Magazine (July/August, 2017)

In this novel based on the author’s childhood, Ruthie is just ten years old in 1966 when she arrives in Queens from Cuba with her little brother and parents. Because she only speaks Spanish, she is placed in the fifth-grade “dumb” class. Over the next eight months Ruthie’s English improves, she becomes the neighborhood hopscotch queen, and she’s ready to move out of the remedial class. Life is looking up, but then everything comes crashing down when she breaks her leg in a car accident, requiring a full-body cast. Immobile in bed for almost a year, Ruthie is dependent on her mother for everything, and as the months pass, feelings of anger, loneliness, and despair fill her heart. When her next-door neighbor introduces her to drawing and painting, her attention refocuses and she begins to heal emotionally. As she attempts to learn how to walk again, Ruthie finds that friends, family, and the ability to look beyond the present into the future can help turn her “brokenness” into wholeness. Through an unflinchingly honest first-person narrative, readers are taken through a traumatic period in the author’s life (an appended note provides more context and encourages readers to “speak up. Tell your story”). Effectively scattered Spanish phrases lend authenticity, while period references evoke the 1960s setting. alma ramos-mcdermott

My Comments

Author's inscription: "For my son Gabriel, who was also wounded and recovered, and for children everywhere who suffer and look for hope." This is a lovely portrayal of Cuban culture and a loving family who have been forced to leave a country that they love due to political upheaval. The aftermath of a terrible car accident only adds to Ruthie's feeling of isolation. I love how she found art as a way to deal with feelings. This is accessible for all readers.  Highly recommended for grades 6-8.

TROPHY KID: OR HOW I WAS ADOPTED BY THE RICH AND FAMOUS by Steve Atinsky

 

Trophy Kid by Steve Atinsky

Realistic Fiction, Adoption, Celebrities, Croatia-War, Humor,  Satire

184 pages

Description

Since his much-publicized adoption at age three by American movie stars, thirteen-year-old Josef's carefully scripted public life has hidden the isolation he feels at home, but writing a book with a ghostwriter reveals much about his adoptive family and the one he lost during the war in Croatia.

Horn Book Guide (Spring 2009)

Thirteen-year-old Joe, a Croatian war orphan at age three who was adopted by Hollywood stars, is asked by his famous parents to write an autobiography. What starts out as a PR extravaganza soon turns into a life-changing journey as Joe revisits his birthplace and discovers the true meaning of family. The story is funny, well-written, and surprisingly touching.

My Comments

Excellent choice for kids who are having difficulty finding a book to read. The plot moves quickly. It is sad, but Josef's wry observations lend humor to the story. It is definitely satirical, but ends on a positive note. Great choice for grades 6-8.

CRENSHAW by Katherine Applegate

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

Fantasy, Cats, Homelessness, Poverty

245 pages

Description
Publishers Weekly (June 22, 2015)
Although he is "not an imaginary friend kind of guy," rising fifth-grader Jackson recognizes Crenshaw immediately. The cat, who walks on two legs and likes purple jellybeans, first appeared to Jackson three years ago when his family was living in their van. Although life has been stable since then, Jackson notices "Big piles of bills. Parents whispering. Parents arguing. Stuff getting sold." When he asks his parents if they have "a plan for making everything okay," they respond with evasive answers like "maybe they could plant a money tree in the back yard." Newbery Medalist Applegate (The One and Only Ivan) poignantly conveys Jackson's memory of hunger and homelessness and his realization that both threaten his family again. Certain that he has outgrown Crenshaw, Jackson feels both dismay and wonder that his friend has returned, with his playful, attention-getting antics (taking bubble baths, doing cartwheels and handstands) and thought-provoking answers to Jackson's questions. This accessible and moving novel demonstrates how the creative resilience of a child's mind can soften difficult situations, while exploring the intersection of imagination and truth. Ages 10-14. Agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Pippin Properties. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

My Comments
A heartbreaker, but in a gentle way. This is the kind of book that helps the reader truly feel the insecurity and loneliness of poverty, and understand that falling into poverty is not always in a family's control. Jackson's family is loving, but they have to make painful choices. Beautifully written. An important book. So, so important. Recommended for everyone.

 

LEGENDBORN by Tracy Deonn

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Fantasy, Paranormal, Demons, African American
Grades 8 and up

501 pages

Description

School Library Journal starred (July 1, 2020)

Gr 8 Up-In Deonn's rich and explosive debut, readers are introduced to a meticulously-built world of magic with roots in Arthurian legend and traditions of the African American South. After her mother's death, Bree enters an Early College program, despite still processing her grief. It's not long before she's pulled into a secret society, and is pushed by circumstance into dangerous tournaments to go from Page to Squire all while watching her back for the demons who would kill her. This book discusses pertinent topics such as institutional racism, intergenerational trauma, and feminism with grace and a natural, unforced style. Readers will delight in a delicious love triangle that promises to get more delectable with a sequel. Though heavy at times with exposition, the novel provides plenty of scenes rife with action and emotion. Deonn pulls off a surprise ending that will urge readers to start from the beginning, to collect the clues laid along the way. VERDICT A promising series debut perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare's City of Bones and Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Boys. This book underscores the movement for more inclusive versions of traditional Western narratives, and will be a favorite of contemporary fantasy readers. Highly recommended.-Abby Hargreaves, DC P.L. © Copyright 2020. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

My Comments

Great story plot! I love the Arthurian Legend twist.

GHOST BOYS by Jewell Parker Rhodes

 

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Realistic Fiction, African American, Grief, Families of Police Officers, Prejudice and Racism

214 pages

Description

School Library Journal (January 1, 2018)

Gr 4-8-The Towers Falling author once again tackles a timely yet difficult subject. In Chicago, 12-year-old black youth Jerome is shot and killed by a white police officer who mistakes a toy gun for a real one. As a ghost, Jerome witnesses the aftermath gripping both his family and that of the police officers. Jerome also meets another ghost-that of Emmett Till, a black boy

murdered in 1955. Through Till's story, he learns of the hundreds of other "ghost boys" left to roam and stop history from continually repeating itself. 

The only person who can see Jerome is the daughter of the white police officer, Sarah, and through her eyes, he realizes that his family

isn't the only one affected by the tragedy. Two families are destroyed with one split decision, and Sarah and Jerome together try to heal both of their families, along with Jerome's friend Carlos. It was Carlos' toy gun that Jerome was playing with, leaving Carlos with great guilt and the intense

desire to protect Jerome's little sister, Kim, from bullies and other sorrows. 

Deftly woven and poignantly told, this a story about society, biases both conscious and unconscious, and trying to right the wrongs of the world. VERDICT Rhodes captures the all-too-real pain of racial injustice

and provides an important window for readers who are just beginning to explore the ideas of privilege and implicit bias.

-Michele Shaw, Quail Run -Elementary School, San Ramon, CA 

©Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

My Comments
A powerful story that reads quickly. Jerome's death is written in a way that doesn't gloss over the immense sadness, but keeps a child's perspective which softens the horrific tragedy for young readers. What begins as a story that could be purely about the injustice of a mistaken identity police shooting, develops into a story of deep understanding, rebuilding, and hope. I hope that readers keep an open mind and read this book to the very end.

BLENDED by Sharon Draper

 

African American, Diverse Families, Divorce, Prejudice and Racism
307 pages

Description
School Library Journal, November 2018
Grades 4-7. Eleven-year-old Isabella is biracial; her mother is white and her father is black. Other people sometimes describe her as 'exotic,' but she doesn't think of herself that way. Isabella is also from a blended family. Her mother, a waitress at Waffle House has a serious boyfriend, a white guy who drives a truck, manages a bowling alley, and has dozens of interesting tattoos. Her father is a successful corporate attorney who drives a Mercedes and has a serious girlfriend, who is black, an interior decorator with a son that Isabella is looking forward to having for a big brother. Her parents share custody and each Sunday they meet at the mall and do "the exchange." Mostly, it's done curly, without talking, so Isabella "hates, hates, hates it." She finds solace in playing the piano and practicing for a big recital. Shifting between two sets of parents, no matter how much she cares about them and how different their lifestyles are, is hard. As new tensions begin to rise, Isabella works to find her place in the world. Draper has a way of speaking to the heart of tween concerns. The dialogue is realistic and the alternating chapters between Isabella's time with her mom and dad underscores the protagonist's discomfort moving back and forth between the. The story could have ended there and worked well as a frank, honest portrait of a modern, blended family. But a dangerous racially biased event near the end of the novel offers a deeper exploration of the unique struggles faced by young people of color. While the even is disturbing, Draper writes with grace, compassion, and respect for the intelligence and emotional lives of young readers. VERDICT This is Draper at her best, penning a current and ultimately uplifting story. It deserves a place on library shelves along with her other outstanding works. - Carol Connor, Cincinnati Public Schools

My Comments
Excellent choice for kids who are looking for realistic fiction: friendship, kid things like shopping and bowling with family, but also the harsh realities that face kids of color. The family relationships and friendships are touching and ring true. Draper is a wonderful storyteller who shows readers the realities of injustice with compassion in an age-appropriate way.

TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE SKY by Kwame Mbalia

Science Fiction, Paranormal, Legends, Adventure, African American Folklore

482 pages

Description

Booklist starred (August 2019) Vol 115, No. 22

Grades 4-8. After losing his debut boxing match, two weeks following his best friend Eddie's death, Tristan Strong is sent to his grandparents' Alabama farm. He grew up on his nana's stories-Black American folklore and African myths-which Eddie had been collecting in writing. This journal is all Tristan has left of his friend, so when one of those myths, the hilariously volatile Gum Baby, shows up to steal it, Tristan gives chase. In the struggle, he punches a Bottle Tree, inadvertently unleashing an evil spirit and tearing a hole into a parallel univer. The world he falls into is an amalgam of Nana's stories, and as Tristan lands in the middle of a conflict between gods, heroes, and ruthless iron monsters-snapping, serpentine manacles-he must reclaim Eddie's journal and return home, but not before discovering his own power and fixing the damage he caused. Mbalia's epic debut centers African American characters and tradition, featuring a pantheon of legends and aplot worthy of such tricksters as Brer Rabbit and Anansi the Weaver. perfectly paced, this cinematic adventure never drags, anchored by Tristan's conversational narration and balanced by his struggle to cope with a friend's passing. It brims with heart, humor, and action, successfully crafting a beautifully unified secondary world that brings the power of stories to glorious life.

My Comments

Fun, fast-paced adventure. Good for Riordan fans! Sequels: Tristan Strong Destroys the World and Tristan Strong Keeps Punching. Teacher's Guide available.

HATTIE BIG SKY by Kirby Lawson

Historical Fiction, World War I, Frontier and Pioneer Life, Self Reliance

289 pages

Description

Booklist starred (September 1, 2006 (Vol 103, No.1)
In this engaging historical novel set in 1918, 16-year-old orphan Hattie Brooks leaves Iowa and travels to a Montana homestead inherited from her uncle. In the beautiful but harsh setting, she has less than a year to fence and cultivate the land in order to keep it. neighbors who welcome Hattie help heal the hurt she has suffered from years f feeling unwanted. Chapters open with short artic,es that Hattie writes for an Iowa newspaper or her lively letters to a friend and possible beau who is in the military in France. The authentic first-person narrative, full of hope and anxiety, effectively portrays Hattie's struggles as a young woman with liimited options, a homesteader facing terrible odds, and a loyal citizen confused about the war and the local anit-German bias that endangers her new friends. Larson, whose great-grandmother homesteaded alone in Montana, read dozens of homesteaders' journals and based scenes in the book on reral events. Writing in figurative language that draws on nature and domestic detail to infuse her story with the sounds, smells, and sights of the prairie, she creates a richly textured novel full of memorable characters.

Horn Book Guide (Spring 2007) Set in Montana during World War I, Larson's novel tells a

gripping story of frontier life through the eyes of an unlikely homesteader--a sixteen-year-old orphan girl. Pressures to be a "loyal" American complicate her situation after she befriends a German couple. Evocative yet straightforward language ably depicts Hattie's joys and struggles. Recipes and an author's note are included. Reading list.

Comments

Pair this with Prairie Lotus for a more realistic take on

“Little House in the Woods.” I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. Kids might be reluctant to borrow it, thinking it could be old fashioned, but it’s a great story, an adventure, an example of female independence, courage, and resilience