Friday, April 21, 2017

Sisters sent to Sweden to escape WWII...

Review:

A Faraway Island - Annika Thor, Linda Schenck

 

 

During World War II, many Jewish children were sent to other countries and placed with families to keep them safe. Stephie and Nellie were two of those children. They end up on a small island and with two different families. At first glance, Nellie is in the warm, loving family and Stephie ends up with a woman who doesn't seem to even like her. Stephie is holding on to the idea that their parents will join them and they will all go to America. 

 

This is a great story about two girls adjusting to their new life and dealing with bullying and prejudice. I felt so bad for Stephie. She is trying so hard, but she misses her old life and her parents so much. Her parents sent her and her sister away to save them from the Germans and their hatred. But, even in Sweden, they can't avoid it completely.

 

When Stephie finally reveals her pain to her foster mother (Aunt Marta), she finds that Aunt Marta is dealing with her own pain. They both realize they aren't alone and don't have to deal with everything on their own.

 

Recommended to:

Middle school ages, especially girls. Even though it's historical fiction, the problems the girls deal with are easily relatable. The book doesn't deal with the horrors of the concentration camps, but the way the war affects Stephie, Nellie, and their family.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1555015/sisters-sent-to-sweden-to-escape-wwii

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Coach helps teen turn his life around...

Review:

Ghost (Track) - Jason Reynolds

 

 

Like, for me, the best way to describe it is, I got a lot of scream inside.

- Chapter 3

 

Castle Crenshaw is in the seventh grade and he is always in trouble, mostly fighting. He doesn't take any crap. But, he sees a team running track in the park, proves he can run faster, and the Coach asks him to join. Castle (nicknamed Ghost) runs fast because he needed to. One night his father chased his mother and him out of their apartment. His father had a gun and was shooting at them. So, Ghost doesn't have it easy, and he doesn't always make the right choices, but this team and more importantly, the Coach are his chance for a new direction.

 

This book is a quick read, written for middle-grade students. The character of Ghost seems real; he is angry, embarrassed by where he lives, and has no father figure. The Coach becomes an important part of his life, not just on the team, but in helping him to make better choices and do the right thing.

 

I read this book for my Multicultural lit class. 

 

Recommended to:

Readers in grades 6-8, especially boys.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1554770/coach-helps-teen-turn-his-life-around

Booklikes-opoly status update

Bank: $32.00

 

April 19th

 

 

Bonus $10 from The better to see you, my dear

Nice Luck! Thanks!

 

 

Bank: $22.00

 

 

 

April 15th

Roll: 8

Book: City of Ember, Graphic Novel

144 pages = $2.00

 

 

Bank: $20.00

 

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1554755/booklikes-opoly-status-update

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Historical Mystery

Beastly Bones: A Jackaby Novel - William Ritter

 

 

 

 

 I've decided to go with a Jackaby sequel for my historical mystery. I really enjoyed the first book and have been planning to read more of them.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1554491/historical-mystery

Booklikes-opoly 4/19 roll

 

 

 

 

 

April 19th

Roll: 8 (doubles)

(I know it says 4/20, but it's 4/19 11:05 eastern time here)

 

lands me on 

Read a book where someone gets married, with jewelry on the cover, or where any character is a millionaire/billionaire!

 

Doubles so I roll again: 11

Which lands me on:

 

From what I read in the Q&A discussion board, I think I can choose to just read a book from the final square if I want. So, that is what I plan to do. Not sure what book yet though.

 

 

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1554483/booklikes-opoly-4-19-roll