Is It Night or Day?

Title: Is It Night or Day?

 

Author: Fern Schumer Chapman

 

Summary: In 1938, 12-year-old Edith, a Jewish girl, is sent away to America from her German village in the beginnings of the Holocaust. The only problem is that none of her family can come with her on the journey, however she does already have one sister awaiting her in America.

Life in America is hard, and each day, Edith struggles to raise money to buy the passes for her family to join her. The uncle and aunt she is staying with are rather unkind to her, though she develops an understanding with her cousin.

The book takes Edith over the course of about 4 years, and throughout those years, Edith grows and learns to adjust to life in her new country; America.

 

Comments: I loved this book. What I especially liked, is that this book is based off of the true story of Fern Schumer Chapman's own mother. How amazing is that?

Edith is likeable and her situation is saddening. Every step of the story, the reader will be cheering and rooting for her as she makes it through her extremely difficult journey.

This book has so much to offer. Edith grows so much over the 4 years. She travels from childhood to adulthood. Even in her different and tough situation, she has a lot of the same interests and insecurities as regular teens do, even in today's day. This makes Edith a very relevant and relatable main character.

This book would be best enjoyed by someone in the 10-12+ age range; a child who knows and understands the events of this time, can handle tragedy, and is able to handle a rather heavy yet hope filled book.

As much as I love this story, and as much as I would recommend it to everyone, I do wish that it had been longer in some parts and maybe a bit more detailed. It seemed to me like Edith's years in America passed by over the span of just a few chapters. I would've liked a longer book, or maybe even a trilogy series so that I could have more information rather than short snippets from her life over her years in America. Perhaps this was not a possibility in the publishing of the book, and either way, it does not matter because I am totally pleased with this story.

I felt a sort of connection to this book, though I can't exactly place my finger on why I did feel that way. I think it has a lot to do with this being a true story, and it also has a lot to do with the heartfelt writing of the author.

 

Rating: 5 stars!!!

 

 

A Year Without Autumn

Title: A Year Without Autumn

 

Author: Liz Kessler

 

Summary: Jenni Green and her best friend Autumn are on their annual vacation with their families. They are so excited to go swimming, horse riding, museum touring, and maybe a daring adventure or two. But one day, Jenni decides to use an abandoned elevator in the vacation building and she steps off the elevator to find herself a year forward in her life. As if it isn't scary enough to jump a year forward, Jenni sees the haunting events that will happen throughout the year. Jenni realizes that she must change the past to save the future.

 

Comments: This book was certainly captivating - it was a page turner. Sure, it was maybe a little predictable and it only took me about an hour and a half to read, but the book had the power to keep me reading from the beginning to the end in all one sitting.

The tragedies that happen over the course of the future that Jenni sees are rather drastic and tragic too. (Brother tragically injured, divorce, new sibling. etc. - I don't want to spoil the book) This book is a book that I could probably recommend for 8+, though the tragic health injuries can be scary at points for young readers.

 

Rating: 5 stars

The Red Umbrella

Title: The Red Umbrella

 

Author: Christina Diaz Gonzalez

 

Summary: 14-year-old Lucia Alvarez, growing up during the communist revolution, lives a carefree life with her parents and little brother. Her days consist of gossiping with her fashionable friend Ivette and dreaming of the dance and her 15th birthday party (a special celebration in her culture).

But it all changes once Ivette and other friends of Lucia begin to join the revolution clubs for children. Soon Lucia's friends are becoming more and more brainwashed into believing that the revolution is right. But Lucia's parents still disagree.

Then, the situation becomes even more dangerous and Lucia and her brother are shipped away to live in America until their parents can come retrieve them after the revolution or whenever they can get away.

The 2 of them move into a little Nebraska farming community and slowly make a life for themselves. Lucia starts high school and makes a true friend, and their foster parents are very nice and treat them like their own.

But then, something happens to Lucia's father and Lucia and her brother fear that they may never see their parents in America.

 

Comments: I liked this book and it was an enjoyable yet quick-paced read. For the readers who enjoyed I Lived on Butterfly Hill, this book will probably hit the spot. The book seems like it could be classified as almost more of a teen book, Lucia after all begins to drive in the book, grow to be a young lady, and there are also some more mature themes when Ivette's letters from her revolution experiences come into the story.
Lucia is a likeable girl and her character definitely grows throughout the story, in a rather pleasing way. I was quite impressed with the amount of time that Ms. Gonzalez could cover in this story, without making the story feel rushed in the least bit.
I would recommend this book for 12+, because there are some more mature themes, and there is also one time when while learning English, Lucia accidently says a cuss word instead of the word "beach" (I'll leave you to guess where that goes), but it is said by mistake of course.
I enjoyed this book, but for younger children just being introduced to this idea, I recommend I Lived on Butterfly Hill and then The Red Umbrella once the reader is a little older.

Rating: 5 stars

Willow Run

Title: Willow Run

 

Author: Patricia Reilly Giff

 

Summary: 11-year-old Margaret "Meggie" Dillon's life in the sleepy town of Rockaway in 1944, is turning upside down. Meggie's family, especially her grandfather, are being threatened by neighborhood boys who are suspicious of the Dillon family because of Grandfather's German accent. Then, Meggie's father accepts a job in Willow Run, and the whole family - except Grandfather - moves away. In Willow Run, the tiny homes are dirty and dark and the factory work is hard on both of her parents. On top of it all, Meggie misses her brother Eddie, who is overseas fighting.
Slowly Meggie makes a place for herself in Willow Run. She meets two friends, Harlan and Patches. They engage in many interesting adventures - including stealing ice cream from the ice cream truck (I am sure that Ms. Giff does not endorse this idea).

But one day, Eddie goes missing overseas. Her family mourns and also prays for him to be found safely.

During her stay in Willow Run, Meggie slowly begins to grow up and learn to keep her hope up for her family and most of all, her missing brother.

 

Comments: I really enjoyed this book. It pairs with Lily's Crossing quite nicely, yet it is a great stand-alone novel too. Readers do not need to know one book to enjoy the other in this case. I enjoyed this book even more than Lily's Crossing, I think, though the Rockaway landscape was a nice background in the Lily book.

Ms. Giff really does it again with this great work of historic fiction. Reading work by this author is always a treat, because I can always count on the story to be good - even if not each story is my favorite - the story is still always a worthwhile read.

Meggie is a likeable character, and I can just imagine her in this real situation in real life. Often times, Ms. Giff's books really have that power.

I recommend this book for 8+, or any children who know about WWII already and would not be confused by the reasons for Meggie moving or for Sam's missing notice.

I almost want a sequel (though this book was written a decade ago). I want more of Meggie Dillon's life!

 

Rating: 5 stars

Lily's Crossing

Title: Lily's Crossing

 

Author: Patricia Reilly Giff

 

Summary: Lily Mollahan, age 11, is excited to be staying in Rockaway vacation house for the summer of 1944. But things turn upside down as soon as she gets there. Her best friend, Margaret Dillon has to move because of the war, Lily's father joins up to fight in the war, and a refugee boy, her age, Albert, comes from Hungary to stay with neighbors.

Lily settles into life in Rockaway - though things are not easy living with her Gram. She slowly befriends Albert, but their friendship is challenged when Lily's notorious lying ways cause both children to possibly get hurt.

Comments: I love Patricia Reilly Giff so much. R My Name is Rachel is definitely on my list of all-time favorite historical fictions from the Depression Era.
This book was good too, but not my absolute favorite. Lily is a character with a lot of flaws and a lot of good intentions as well. She lies and makes up grand stories about aunts spying in Germany, her father being in the Secret Service, etc. However, Lily is also a kind girl and she doesn't lie to hurt people (Not that it makes the lies right, but it may make a slight difference). In the end, she does learn her lesson, and slowly grows up a bit.
I do wish that Gram and Lily would've grown a bit more in their relationship. Gram was never very unkind to Lily; Gram was just a bit sensible and stern, which flighty Lily did not like. However, in the end, Lily began to see past their differences and began to realize her love for Gram a bit more. I would've liked more of a relationship growth though.
I really like that this book partners with Willow Run, another book by Ms. Giff.
The book seems suitable for 8+, but would probably be most enjoyed by children who understand WWII and why Albert and his sister were refugees, etc.
The ending chapter where it skips to the next summer. Oh it was so well-written. Not too deep, but not light and anti-climatic either. I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but I must admit that it nearly brought tears to my eyes.

Rating: 5 stars

Turtle in Paradise

Title: Turtle in Paradise

 

Author: Jennifer L. Holm

 

Summary: In 1935, 11 year old Turtle has been sent to live in Key West with her cousins and aunt and uncle. She has never met them before - she has never even been to the town before, but once she gets there, things start out rough. Her cousins and their friends - all boys - do not take very kindly to her at first, but after a few days, tension eases and they slowly begin to accept her into their babysitting club. Turtle is beginning to make a new life for herself - she meets her grandmother for the first time, and is the only one who can seem to reach her, and she begins to feel at home. But then, Turtle discovers a treasure map and ventures away with the boys to find the treasure, just as Turtle's mother and suspicious boyfriend Archie show up in town.

 

Comments: I tried to read this book several years ago and I could not make it through the first 3 chapters. I decided that I had not given it a fair chance, and with a clearer understanding of the time that it was set in, I decided to pick it up once more. I am so glad that I did! The story is great and Turtle has something special to offer. Turtle is spunky and a hardcore girl. But the theme in the book is that "turtles may have a hard shell, but they have a soft underside." This is rather true in Turtle's case.

I would recommend this book to anyone 8+, but I read it around age 9 or 10 and could not really get into the story, so perhaps 10+ would be best. Really there isn't anything so "iffy" in the book, so the age doesn't matter.

I am so glad I gave this wonderful book a second chance!

 

Rating: 5 stars 

Cold War on Maplewood Street

Title: Cold War on Maplewood Street

 

Author: Gayle Rosengren

 

Summary: Joanna is growing up in 1962, and she feels that a lot of things are not fair for her. Her brother Sam joined up with the military and is now out on a ship somewhere far away -  a ship heading to Cuba. Joanna fears for her cherished, only brother's safety, and feels guilty about not writing him as part of a "promise" that she made in the heat of anger when Sam left.

As well as her fears for her older brother's safety, Joanna also begins to worry about smaller things, like her strange neighbor, staying home alone, the boy-girl party coming up on Saturday night at the popular girl's house, and other middle school worries. As her world seems to turn upside down during the Cuban missile crisis, Joanna must stay strong, for her mother, and most of all, her brother Sam.

 

Comments: I really enjoyed this book. It is based off of the author, Ms. Rosengren's personal childhood experiences, which I find to be quite interesting.

Joanna is realistic and relatable on many levels - she is a character that can be put into any time period and still work. Her worries and insecurities are all very typical for a girl of her age, and that is part of what makes her likeable.  

The story is short and powerful, yet not the sort of powerful that makes the reader cry or anything. The book carries just the right amount of power for a reader, and I think that the book could be suitable for 8+, but most likely best understood by those 10+.

Joanna and Sam's relationship is very sweet, even if it does have its ups-and-downs, and I always enjoy seeing positive sibling relationships in literature.

 

Rating: 5 stars