Amina's Voice

This was a relatively brief, easy read about a Muslim family living in the U.S. in the present day and some of the struggles that they go through.  The main character is Amina, a sixth grader.  She is adjusting to middle school and is jealous as her best friend adds a new girl to their group.  I found the story a bit boring until the end, where a tragedy happens.  I do think reading this will enlighten some students about the struggles of Muslims in today's United States.  (FIC KHA)

The Lemonade War

I originally read the fourth in this series first.  (link) I was unaware it was a series.  I liked it so I thought I would go back and see how it all started.  Jessie and Evan are siblings.  Evan is starting fourth grade.  His sister should be starting third, but she skipped a grade and will be in his class!  Evan is not happy about it.    When they could have been working together on a lemonade stand for the last week of the summer, the two are battling against one another, not really understanding what is behind their anger and competition.  This is a quick, fun read.  I will buy more in the series as I think it will be a hit.  (FIC DAV)

The War I Finally Won

In this sequel to her The War That Saved my Life, Kimberley Brubaker Bradley continues the story of Ada and Jamie in their new home.  I could not buy this book fast enough after I read the first one.  This sequel offered more backstory and more fully developed a few of the storylines started in the first.   All of these characters will stay with me for a long time.  I enjoyed the introduction of Ruth's character and how it changed all of their ideas about Germans.   (FIC BRA)

An Elephant in the Garden

In this Michael Morpurgo novel set during WWII, we meet a family living in Dresden, Germany.  The mother works at the local zoo.  Fearing for the safety of an elephant she has cared for since its birth, she soon starts bringing her home at night to stay in her garden.  One night while they are out walking the elephant at a local park, their town is bombed.  They begin a journey to safety, never leaving the elephant behind.  Based on a true story, this was a brief but moving story, based on real-life events.  (FIC MOR)

Turnabout

May Petersen Haddix is the queen of science fiction.  This is her latest story which tackles the question of aging and lengthening life.   She calls it unaging.  People in a nursing home are given an injection that not only keeps them from aging, and therefore dying, but actually turns back the clock and makes them get younger.  But, the patients need to decide when to stop that process.  And unfortunately, the doctors haven't perfected that part.  What happens if the process can't be stopped?
(FIC HAD)

The War That Saved My Life

I was told I HAD to read this book. It is set during WWII, and I love a good historical fiction book. During WWII, children from London were taken from the city to live in the country with other families for their safety. (The government knew the city would be bombed by the Nazis.) Ada and Jamie are two such children who were glad to leave their family and get away because their mother was abusive. Ada is handicapped. She has a club foot. She was told by her mother she was never to go outside because she was ashamed of her. Ada's new home is the complete opposite. Encouraged to go outside, and treated by a doctor, Ada now has freedom and love. But can she trust the woman who seems to care for her? Will she have to go back to her abusive mother? I found Ava's character to be hauntingly real in her inability to trust and her confusion with the world outside of her previous isolation. I also love the character of Susan, their caretaker, who was also broken in a way, and who was also changed by the kids' presence. As soon as I finished it, I wanted to read it again. I believe a sequel is on its way. (FIC BRA)