Review: Listening for Lions

Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love this book. I love the main character, Rachel, and her bravery and strength. The story begins at the end of WWI, when influenza has killed half a million people in the US, and even travels to East Africa, where Rachel lives with her parents who run a hospital in a remote area far from Nairobi. The influenza kills her mom, and then her father who was the only doctor in the little hospital. Rachel's life changes drastically when another English family, who have evil intentions, convince her to take the place of their daughter who has just died. This lie leads Rachel to leave her beloved home and travel to England. She never forgets the advice from a dear friend, "If you are among evil people, you must be like the lion, gathering strength and awaiting your time." A really good story.

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Review: The Impossible Knife of Memory

The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another really good story from Laurie Halse Anderson. She so gets the dialogue of teens down perfectly in her novels, so realistic. Hayley is one of those girls that speaks her mind, gets on her teachers and councilor's every last nerve, and yet, she has the weight of the world on her shoulders. Hayley's dad is a vet, and is struggling with nightmares and suicidal demons. Hayley is running from her own memories, too. She has become the parent in their relationship, always worrying about where her dad's been, how much he's been drinking, and the bills. After being on the road with her truck-driving dad, her father decides to settle down in his old home town so Hayley can finish high school. She meets a terrific guy named Finn, who is the perfect match for Hayley's wit, but will her father ever allow her to live a normal life? There are some very serious, graphic war scenes in this book, and I would recommend this for very mature 8th graders and up.

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Review: Brown Girl Dreaming

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jacqueline Woodson has turned her childhood into a touching and heartfelt story that sweeps you along through the turbulent years of the 1960's and '70's. Through her free verse narrative, we move from South Carolina to New York City with her family, as Jackie lets us know how she always longed to write stories, even when reading and writing did not come easy for her. Her writing style lets us be there on the porch with her grandparents, where she was safe, and the food was delicious. When her mom moves them to NYC, life changes, and so does Jackie. We get some important history here, but mostly her reminisces about living with a single mom, not remembering her own father, but the deep love she had for her grandparents. A good read for 7th and 8th graders on into high school.

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The Odyssey

The Odyssey by Gareth Hinds
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this version of the classic "The Odyssey" by Homer. What a great way for young people to be introduced to ancient literature. The artwork is remarkable, and the retelling of this adventure kept me turning the pages. I think the only turn-off could be those danged Greek names, but there are ways of getting around difficult names, (right, Ms. Bouffidis???) Everyone is in here, from Cyclops to Calypso, and there are battles galore, disasters, and all the difficult things Odysseus had to do to get back home to his wife. This was a fun read!


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The Crossover

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a terrific story. It seems that nowadays a lot of writers for young people are using free verse to tell their stories, and Kwame Alexander is no exception. He tells the saga of twin brothers Josh and Jordan, and their famous father, (he played for the NBA), and one important year in their lives. The brothers are phenomenal on the court, but things seem to change when Jordan meets a girl, and Josh has a really hard time dealing with it. This is a family story,  with the father and mother playing a big role as the story unfolds. Quick read, a good fit for any reader in middle school. It brought tears to my eyes.


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Enrique's Journey: the Story of a Boy's Dangerous Odyssey to Reunite with His Mother

Enrique's Journey: The Story of a Boy's Dangerous Odyssey to Reunite with His Mother by Sonia Nazario
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really am giving this book 3 1/2 stars. It is not an easy book to read, because this is a true story of Enrique, who is left behind in Honduras after his mother makes the dangerous trek to the United States. He is only 5 at the time, but this parting will leave him scarred for the rest of his life. He and his sister are separated, and we learn of his impoverished life in Honduras, as he constantly waits for his mother's return, or for her to send for him. Years go by, Enrique gets in trouble with the law, he becomes addicted to sniffing glue, and still longs for his mother. He makes the dangerous choice of coming to America illegally, to find her. There are actual photos of Enrique and his family. The author, who is a renowned reporter, really gives you both sides of the picture, without judgement. It is an important story for young people to hear. This would be a good nonfiction selection for 7th grade and up.


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