THE NOCTURNALS: THE MYSTERIOUS ABDUCTIONS (Book 1) by Tracey Hecht

The Nocturnals: The Mysterious Abductions (Book 1) by Tracey Hecht

Animal Fantasy, Adventure, Mystery, Australia, Endangered Animals, Poachers

220 pages

Description

Booklist (March 1, 2016 (Vol. 112, No. 13))

Grades 4-7. This new series documents the exploits of the Nocturnals, an unlikely trio who protect their fellow jungle denizens from all sorts of calamities—in this adventure, kidnappers. Tobin is a shy pangolin; Bismark is a vainglorious sugar glider; and Dawn is a mysterious, elegant fox. The three eventually locate the captives in a subterranean cave under the control of Boris, a terrifying crocodile. Boris means to enslave the animals and create a winning team for a hockeylike sport that will lure back the humans (“coachers”) who took his family. A Nocs-versus-Crocs game will decide everyone’s fate, until a nerve-wracking shoot-out ends in chaos: Boris is actually talking about poachers, and it becomes clear that his family will never come back. An offer of sympathy and friendship resolves the crisis. The characters are humorous and well developed, and the fast-moving plot features intrigue, unexpected twists, and the innovative hybrid hockey game. Accessible to upper elementary while sufficiently sophisticated for middle school, this new animal fantasy series should prove popular.

My Comments

Advanced elementary-Grade 6. Vocabulary and humor a bit advanced. Readers should be acquainted with the species of animals which are native to Australia. Fast moving and witty with serious undertones of human toll on animals. See Warrior Cat series for similar theme. Young for many sixth graders, but keep in mind according to reader.

 

EFREN DIVIDED by Ernesto Cisneros

Efren Divided by Ernesto Cisneros

Immigration, Children of Immigrants, Deportation, Mexican-Americans

263 pages

Description
Booklist starred (February 1, 2020 (Vol. 116, No. 11))
Efrén Nava has a tight-knit family—Max and Mia, his younger twin siblings; his hard-working father, Apá; and his mom, Queen of the Best Sopes, Amá (otherwise known as "Soperwoman" in Efrén’s mind), who is the glue that keeps the family together. 
Efrén is happy with the way his life is going—he's working hard at school, spending time with his best friend David, and visiting his school library. But one day, Efrén’s world comes crashing down when his beloved Amá gets deported. Now he must do his part in supporting his family, which means helping take care of his siblings, managing money, and being strong for his father, all while keeping up at school and helping David become class president. How long, he wonders, can the family go on without Amá? With matter-of-fact storytelling from Efrén’s point of view, Cisneros' debut offers a vivid glimpse into the difficult, tenuous lives of immigrant families, succinctly communicates the heartbreaking impact of deportations, and demonstrates the resiliency of those affected, all grounded in the perspective of a relatable protagonist. This timely middle-grade novel will not only open dialogue with children on the issue of immigration but also encourage conversations on the subjects of kindness, empathy, and activism. A moving novel perfectly pitched to its audience.

My Comments

This accessible novel provides material for book group or class discussions on empathy and cultural perspectives. Cisneros shows how fear keeps children of immigrants from sharing their difficulties and heartbreaks with teachers or adults who could help them. Some background information on the Mexico-United States border would be helpful, but Cisneros does a wonderful job portraying the experience of one family that is easily understood by a middle school reader.