Review: Orbiting Jupiter

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have enjoyed some of the other books that Gary D. Schmidt has written---they have always been a bit touching, and very real. This storyline is very different. Jack and his parents have decided to take in a foster kid named Joseph. All that Jack knows about him is: he tried to kill a teacher; he won't wear anything orange; he won't let anyone stand behind him; he won't let anyone touch him; he won't go into rooms that are too small; and, he has a daughter. Whoa. The writing is beautiful and simple, the two boys will creep into your heart, and you will feel your heart break. Good story for both girls and boys, adults, too.

View all my reviews

Review: We Will Not Be Silent: The White Rose Student Resistance Movement That Defied Adolf Hitler

We Will Not Be Silent: The White Rose Student Resistance Movement That Defied Adolf Hitler by Russell Freedman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read many of Russell Freedman's historical nonfiction books, which are all well-researched and full of photographs, and this one is another to add to the collection in the Maxson MS library. The setting is Nazi Germany, and our heroes are young college students who defied Adolf Hitler and his notorious regime. The White Rose student movement was founded by Hans Scholl and a few friends, and soon included his sister, Sophie Scholl. In a time when children turned against parents, and neighbor against neighbor, Hans and Sophie Scholl were able to inspire a brave group of college students, and distribute thousands of leaflets condemning the Nazis. Freedman brings their story alive, and gives the reader wonderful photographs to leave a lasting image on our hearts.

View all my reviews