Which Way is Home?

Which Way is Home?

Maria Kiely

Nancy Paulsen/Penguin, 2020

173 pages

Historical Fiction

Grades 4-7

Debut novelist, Kiely. fictionalizes her mother's actual escape from Communist Czechoslovakia in the late 1940's. World War II is over and Czechoslovakia can finally breath after Nazi invasion and the devastation left behind after the war. Anna misses her father. He was a spy for the allies during the war and, now that the Soviet Union has taken over his beloved country, refuses to pledge to it's allegiance. This has made life very dangerous for the while family. Currently in France, it is not safe for Papa to come home. Anna and her mother and older sister are currently living on her grandmother's farm and life is filled with animals, cousins, and games. One day, an aunt whisks her away to the city, where she meets up with her mother and sister only to discover that they must secretly flee the country. A train trip yields strange behaviors from her mother, encounters with strangers, and much changing of trains. After a night in a hotel, the small family meets up with a member of the underground, who will lead them across the boarder, along with a teenage boy named Honza, who immediately becomes a friend. After being double-crossed by their guide, the courageous group, almost by accident, stumbles across the boarder, where they encounter two nice American soldiers. The soldiers escort them to the German outpost, where they are taken to a displacement center for refugees. At the converted school the travelers are reunited with some old friends and connect with fellow Czechoslovakian loyalists. The family is safe, but where is Papa? How will they find him in this big world with no money and nowhere to turn?

Lately I have been reading many eastern European books and am not sure if its a coincidence or a publishing trend. This title traces the escape of a young girl and her family from soviet Czechoslovakia to German, the former country of their enemies. Along the way they meet kind people, as well as dishonest ones. Once at the refugee center Anna asks "which way is home?", only to realize that she can never return to the home of her birth and now she and her family must make a new home. This is a relevant story for today's times and may make readers a bit more sympathetic to the needs of others turning to our country for sanctuary. What I like about this book is that the reading level and maturity skew a bit younger than most historical fiction middle grade titles. It is hard to find historical fiction for younger grades and reading levels, especially on subjects "off the beaten path". The book reads quickly, is exciting, and easy to comprehend. Anna is a likable and relatable character. Readers will travel across the boarder right along with her and experience the uncertainty and apprehension of the changes and insecurities she is facing. My favorite part of the book is the author's note at the end, which separates fact from fiction and includes a photo of the author's mother and aunt at the age right before the events in this story take place. It is comforting to know that the characters in the story find a new home and that Anna eventually lands in the United States, where she has a family of her own and a daughter, who grows up to be an author. pure satisfaction!

Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles

Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles
Thomas Lennon
Abrams, 2019
286 pages
Grades 4-7
Fantasy/Adventure
Ronan Boyle series #1

Meet Ronan Boyle the narrowist and youngest recruit of the Irish secret police force (Garda) who keeps the peace within Tir Na Nog (the land of magical creatures). Ronan is an unlikely candidate, selected only because he can fit in a tight space, yet proves his worth by his can-do attitude and unflappable nature. He is, at least, more consistent a cadet than Tim the Medium-Sized Bear (who it is suspected wandered into the training center out of the woods) or Brian Bean, who got himself killed, yet whose ghost still rattles around telling his customary jokes. After completing training Ronan joins the captain on his first mission, armed with only his wooden training shillelagh. They must first answer a riddle to cross the bridge to Tir Na Nog and then they encounter two leprechaun rascals, one of whom if you look at directly, you immediately are his prisoner of love. Laughter and mayhem ensue as Ronan and the captain attempt to put the wold to rights and recover thousands of Euros worth of stolen wine. Meanwhile, Ronan's parents are in prison for a crime they didn't commit. The actual culprit is still at large and connected to the misdeeds currently transpiring in the magical world. Does Ronan have the stuff to save the day?

Get ready to laugh-out-loud while reading this first series installment. Lennon comes from an entertainment background (including working with Weird Al) and is truly funny. Some of the humor might go over the heads of the intended audience, but there is enough gross-gags and low-hanging fruit to satisfy all maturity levels. The format of the book will attract readers. It is written as a discovered file of Ronan's, including diagrams, maps, and his first person account of events. The Irish setting is fully realized in both language, climate, and featured mythical creatures. Ireland has such a rich folkloric tradition that there is no shortage of interesting characters. The leprechauns featured are not the warm and fuzzy guys featured in picture books. These rascals are nasty and gassy--and pretty hilarious. The action never stops and my only complaint is just just that. I felt like I never had a moment to breath while reading this book, which pings along from one episode to the next at a breakneck speed. That said-the target audience will appreciate this and keep turning pages. The book ends with a cliff hanger, encouraging readers to pick up the next installment, The Swamp of Certain Death, which was recently released.

King and the Dragonflies

King and the Dragonflies

Kacen Callender

Scholastic, 2020

259 pages

Grades 6-8

Realistic Fiction

Twelve-year-old King's brother has recently passed away from a freak accident and he and his family are still, understandably, shattered. King is convinced that Khalid is now visiting him as a dragonfly and still talks to him in human form in his dreams. Meanwhile, at school things are weird. King fell out with his friend Sandy after Sandy confessed that he thinks he might be gay. Khalid overheard this conversation and told King to stop being friends. Now Sandy has run away from home to escape an abusive father and only King can help him. Further complications arise as thoughts are turning to romance in this rural Louisianan middle school. King's closest female friend develops a crush on him and they start "dating". King realizes that he doesn't like her "that way" and may also be gay. Conversations with his parents about both hiding Sandy and his sexuality do not go the way he would have liked. Sandy is found and King finds himself in trouble and his friend back in an abusive situation. Should he and Sandy run away together? A trip to Mardi Gras brings the action to a climax and the start of healing for King's family.

I'm not a hundred percent sure how I felt about this book. There is kind of a lot going on, yet it felt a bit "talky" to me. King is dealing with two major events: the death of his brother and the emergence of his sexuality preferences. Beyond that, there is not much of a plot, just everyone talking to each other and working through the issues within small town Louisiana. King is a believable and realistically flawed, yet sweet, character. He reads young, which he is. There are very few books written on this age level for boys dealing with crushes on other boys and for that reason, this book is important. It will guide other such readers in walking through the process, as well as opening the eyes of "straight" readers and educating them to be sensitive to their peers. The sadness of grief and the family's process of dealing with it is also realistically portrayed. The thought that our loved ones are still with us will be a comfort to other kids going through this difficult process. I love that King's family eventually wakes up and steps up, though the ending ties together a bit too neatly. Somehow, I feel that the cover did not help this book. I did not pick it up on my own (and fear that kids won't as well) I read it after hearing positive comments from other librarians and the National Book Award nomination. Although not for everyone, this book will appeal to kids who like angsty realistic reads or who may be going through similar struggles.

The Blackbird Girls

 

The Blackbird Girls
Viking, 2020
340 pages
Grades 5-8
Historical Fiction
Anne Blankman

Alternating points of view tell the story of the worst nuclear power-plant disaster in world history: Chernobyl. Valentina waits for her father to return from his job working nights at the local nuclear power plant. She has learned to be very careful, as life is not easy for people of Jewish decent living in Soviet Ukraine in 1986. Her classmate, Oksana, also is waiting for her father to return. She has often bullied Valentina for her family's heritage, yet has family secrets of her own to keep. After the disaster, which the Soviet government is downplaying, Oksana's mother is unable to care for her and Valentina's mother puts them both on a train to Kiev to stay with a grandmother Valentina never knew she had. The girls travel together, adjust to their new lives, and forge a tentative friendship, despite the differences in their pasts. Meanwhile, other chapters relate the story of Rifka, as she flees her family home to escape the Germans during World War II and finds help in unexpected places. Eventually, the stories come together, creating a satisfying tale of disaster in a not-so-long ago time and place.

I have been meaning to read this book for a while, but just couldn't get to it. It was in my hands just as we started the quarantine in March and I couldn't face a book about Chernobyl, especially such a thick one. Finally, I cracked into it-and couldn't put it down! I thought the book would be more about the actual disaster, but it really is more of a historic account of the country's response to the disaster and how it specifically affected two young girls. Most books I read about Russia take place during the revolution or WWII. There is very little written about more modern Soviet life. I found this peak into 1980's Soviet culture fascinating, as it was the secret menace looming in my childhood. Serving many families who are recent immigrants from Russia, I am sure that this book will find an audience in my town. The miniseries Chernobyl that came out last year re-surged interest in the disaster and will attract readers. This account is approachable, exciting, and fascinating. Beyond the incredible events, it is, at its core, a friendship story that many young readers will relate to. I love the alternating points of view and the "Rifka" chapters. Readers will guess the identity of Rifka before she is revealed, yet it is still satisfying once all comes out into the open and all of the plot lines come together. Chapter headings make clear who is narrating and in which timeline. An overlooked piece of history in children's literature, who's time has come. Historical information and further resources are available at the back of the volume.

Honus and Me

 

Honus and Me

Dan Gutman
Avon, 1997 140 pages
Grades 3-6
Sports/Fantasy

The Baseball Card Adventures series #1

Joe "Stosh" Stoshack loves playing baseball. He is a pretty decent player--except when the other team gets into his head. They pick on his physical characteristics, which are less than ideal and of which he is sensitive. While cleaning out his neighbor's attic he stumbles upon a mint baseball card of Honus Wagner, which happens to be the rarest card in the world and worth thousands of dollars. Stash's parents are divorced and money is tight living with his single mom. Stash ventures to the local baseball card store to possibly sell the card, but the less-than-scrupulous owner tries to cheat him out of it. While trying to decide what to do one night, the Honus card that Stash is holding begins to tingle. Suddenly he finds Honus himself sitting in his bedroom. In the morning Stash thinks it must have been a dream, yet Honus shows up at the ball field the next day. Things get even weirder when Stash travels back to 1909, where Honus' team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, are playing in the World Series. Stosh gets to see his idol in action and even gets a chance to play himself. Stosh's life will never be quite the same again!

Dan Gutman, of My Weird School fame, as well as other popular series and stand-alone titles for children, certainly knows what will appeal to his readers. All of his books are high interest and this series is no exception. The premise of The Baseball Card Adventures is that kids travel through time via a baseball card and meet historic ball players and learn a bit about the time period. Baseball fans gobble this series up, but even non-sports folks, such as myself, will also enjoy, possibly picking up some facts about the game along the way. I love anything time travel, so that is my hook. Although there is enough Baseball to satisfy sports kids, it does not overwhelm the story and there honestly is something for everybody. It is also a story about a boy discovering how to believe in himself and choosing the right thing to do, when the unethical choice is so appealing. The reading level is perfect for kids leaving easier chapter books behind, yet not quite ready for Mike Lupica. Gutman provides biographical information and historic photos in the back of the volume to show readers the facts behind the fiction. First published in the 90's, this series has held up and is still an easy sell to both reluctant and serious readers alike.

Displacement

Displacement
Kiku Hughes
First Second, 2020
277 pages
Grades 5-Up
Graphic Novel/Historical Fiction

Red Hood

Red Hood

Elana Arnold

Balzer & Bray, 2020

353 pages

Grades 10-Up

Fantasy

The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy-tale Detectives

The Fairy-Tales Detectives

Michael Buckley

Abrams, 2005

288 Pages

Grades 3-7

Fantasy/Fairy Tales

Sister Grimm series #1

Sabrina and Daphne have been bouncing around horrible foster homes for the past two years. Now they find themselves dumped in small town, Fairyport Landing, with a grandmother whom they thought was dead. Granny Relda is certainly an odd sort and the whole town seems quite strange. Her assistant, Mr. Canis, appears rather, well, canine, though certainly devoted to Granny Relda, despite his intimidating demeanor. Grandmother Grimm finally confesses that they are part of a wonderful tradition: descendants of the Grimm brothers who inherited the job of looking after the "Everafters", characters from legends and fairy tales. Can their grandmother be telling the truth? Is she even really their grandmother? Before the girls can truly ponder these questions, disaster strikes: A giant arrives, practically killing them all, and runs off with Granny and Mr. Canis. The girls team up with legendary Puck from A Midsummer Night's Dream fame, who competes with Sabrina to be the leader of the team. Granny's secret magic mirror tips them off to Jack the Giant Killer, whom they rescue from jail and enlist to help. The climax of the story takes place at Prince Charming's annual ball, where secrets are revealed, surprises await, and the true nature of some of the trusted characters emerge. Do Sabrina and Daphne have what it takes to save Granny and preserve the magical town, continuing the family legacy?

This is not a new book, nor is it the first time I am reading it. I gave it a re-read to prepare for a book group and was reminded of what a fun series this is! With all of the fairy tale reworkings currently flooding the market, this series started it all. Readers will enjoy seeing their favorite fairy tale characters come to life and be introduced in a modern setting. Many kids will relate to the cynical Sabrina and others will appreciate the trusting and dreamy Daphne, both characters complimenting each other and forming a formidable team. The story and reading level are perfect for readers graduating from early chapter books and looking for titles with a little more bite, but not quite ready for The Land of Stories. The book's mystery is solved by the end and readers now have a better idea of which characters to trust. Further adventures continue in the series, giving readers somewhere to go when they finish. My book discussion group really enjoyed this title and had fun discussing which fictional character they would like to meet in real life. Two members went on to read some original Grimm's tales. Mission accomplished!

Ikenga

Ikenga
Nnedi Okorafor
Viking/Penguin, 2020 227 pages
Grades 4-7
Fantasy/Mystery

Twelve-year-old Nnamdi's father, the police chief of their Nigerian town, is murdered. But by whom? Nnamdi and his mother feel completely lost and bereft, especially as a new police chief is immediately installed in Dad's old office. The funeral is very strange, as some of the area’s most notorious criminals come by to pay their respects. Which one of them is responsible for the murder? Nnamdi wants to sniff out the culprit, but how can a mere boy fight hardened criminals? Dad's ghost comes to the rescue by presenting Nnamdi with a magical Ikenga, a statue holding magical powers. The Ikenga turns our hero to an enormous man who can fight the bad guys and is taken seriously. Now that Nnamdi has virtually superhero powers, he works with his best friend Chioma to discover the responsible party for Dad’s death. Even though the powers require a learning curve and Nnamdi also struggles with keeping his temper in check, he manages to track down several suspects, all while putting some bad guys out of business. Meanwhile, Mom starts dating a new guy. Could he be the murderer? Eventually the perpetrator is identified and justice is served, all thanks to the bravery and strength of Nnamdi aka "The Man".

Debut author Okoafor offers something very different in middle grade literature. It is unusual to read a novel for children set in modern day Nigeria and readers will learn about a different culture, all while enjoying the action of the superhero story. Nnamdi transforms into a superhero and, although he struggles controlling his alter-ego, brings about justice in an unfair world. Many readers will wish that they can be given an Ikenga as well to fix the injustices in their own lives and gain control over that which they lack. Boys, especially, will enjoy the non-stop action and superhero tropes. I especially loved the names of the villains and their quirky personalities, straight out of an episode of Batman. The mystery surrounding Dad's death offers a few red-herrings and surprises. It is resolved in a satisfying manner, which will leave readers breathing a sigh of relief. A fresh take and setting on classic superheroes, Ikenga will find an audience, especially among Black Panther fans. The ending leaves room for a possible sequel, so, perhaps, Nnamdi and Chioma will return for another adventure.

From the Desk of Zoe Washington

From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Janae Marks
Katherine Tegen Books, 2020 304 pages

Grades 4-7
Realistic Fiction

It is the summer before 7th grade and Zoe is consumed with friendship dilemmas and baking. Her dream is to get on a Food Network show for kid bakers. Everything goes topsy-turvy when she receives a letter from her biological father, who is currently serving out a prison session and has never written to her before. What? Zoe knows that her mother, now remarried to an awesome stepfather, would disapprove of communication with Marcus, so she goes behind Mom’s back. Grandma catches Zoe and agrees to become a co-conspirator, even agreeing to let Zoe talk to Marcus on the phone from her house. Further complications arise when Marcus says he never committed the crime and was appointed a lawyer who did not work hard for him. Zoe digs into some research on her own and begins to believe that Marcus is telling the truth. Meanwhile, Zoe is interning for a local bakery, hoping to prove herself so she will gain permission to audition for the Food Network show. Does she have what it takes to be the next best kid baker? Can she find any evidence to help out Marcus? And what will Mom do once she finds out?

 Debut middle grade author, Janae Marks, has written one of my favorite new books of the year. Zoe is a likable and determined protagonist, yet realistically flawed. I love her chutzpah in thinking that she will be a better baker than the pros at her internship and that she takes on the case to free her biological father. What I didn't like about her is the sneaking behind her mother's back and the stubbornness she displays in some of her relationships. This makes her a well-rounded and realistic character who kids will relate to, especially tweens, who suddenly find their parents annoying and have a desperate need for privacy. It is refreshing to see a character whose parent is in prison and this will bring comfort to readers who can relate. Bakers will enjoy the story as well and will set out to create their own cupcake recipe, as Zoe does. Another plus is the book will expose kids to music that maybe they have never explored, as Marcus sends a new song with every letter. I know it encouraged me to check out a few. The author's website (janaemarks.com) offers some fun extras, including a recipe for Zoe's cupcakes and a playlist of the music. There is much to delve into within the pages of this book and I plan on using it with my elementary book club as December’s selection.

Three Keys

Three Keys

Kelly Yang

Scholastic, 2020 271 pages

Grades 4-6

Realistic Fiction

Yang follows the adventures of Mia and the Calivista hotel in this sequel to the critically acclaimed Front Desk. Mia's family now owns the Calivista, along with a few shareholders, and are living "the American Dream". Resident and family friend, Hank, is now the marketing manager and he and Mia are working towards increasing business and welcoming immigrants. Unfortunately, they are in a welcoming minority. The state of California is voting on a proposition taking away many rights of undocumented Americans, including schooling for their children. This will directly affect Mia's best friend, Lupe, whose family is undocumented. When Mia's father is put in a detention center with threats of deportation, the girls get involved in trying to find legal counsel to keep him in the country and with his family. Meanwhile, a new teacher appears to be unsympathetic to the plight of many of her bicultural students, and, worse of all, seems non-supportive of Mia's writing. Mia and Lupe start a club for kids who feel as if they are treated differently. Surprisingly, former nemesis Jason joins the club, seemingly changed and different from his father, the evil former Calista owner. Can one kid make a difference? Mia is determined to find out!

Yang returns to the world of the Calivista and Anaheim California in the 1990's. All of the quirky motel characters are back with Hank at center stage. Mia, again, rises to the occasion and puts her pen to good use as she refuses to give up and manages to save the day through her efforts. Mia's determination and commitment to justice will certainly serve as an inspiration to readers. When her teacher gives her poor marks for writing, she finds out the reason behind the poor grades and works to improve. By putting in this effort with her teacher, the two come to a better understanding and both of them change for the better. Throughout the novel readers will see examples of how to be a loyal friend, doing the ethical thing, and being true to yourself. We also see a situation relatable to many immigrant children, as Mia becomes increasingly "American", while her parents hold onto Chinese customs. The book is loosely based on the author's own childhood and although it is set in the past, I would not label it historical fiction. With the exception of the absence of cell phones, the topics explored in this book are still happening today. Legal pathways to American citizenship continue to be impossible for many folks from poor countries and discrimination is still prevalent. An author's note in the back of the book offers the truth behind the story and sheds further light on the current situation in the US. Certainly intention driven, it will be a happy day for this country when these stories are no longer needed.

Early Departures

Early Departures
Justin Reynolds
HarperCollins, 2020 471 pages
Grades 9-Up
Science Fiction-ish

Jamal clearly has a chip on his shoulder. His parents died in a tragic accident two years prior and he has closed himself off from the world ever since. He was unable to connect with his best friend and comedy partner, Q, when his own father was dying and the neglect has left the friendship in shambles. Now, the only people he has left are his awesome girlfriend and very pregnant older sister. A party at the beach has Jamal finally trying to make things right with Q, only it all ends in yet another argument. When leaving the party, Jamal sees Q struggling in the water and without hesitation jumps in to save him. Unfortunately, the rescue does not go easy and the boys barely make it back to shore. Jamal is revived, yet Q is whisked away in an ambulance with Jamal by his side. It looks as if the worst has happened, only a chance presents itself. Jamal and Q's mother are faced with a decision to try to bring Q back to life for a few brief months. Should they agree to the procedure? And if they do and it should work, should they tell Q?

 Honestly, I listened to this audio book thinking the author read JASON Reynolds not Justin, unaware of the author's first teen book released last year. Pretty early on I discovered my mistake in that the story began very breezy and light, lacking the intensity of the more famous Reynolds. This Reynolds held my attention through the swift plot and spot-on character voices.  Throughout the book, even when the story gets quite serious, humor resounds, infused with excerpts from Jamal and Q's successful YouTube sketch comedy show. What starts out as a contemporary teen friendship/romance goes very "Black Mirror" as Q is brought back from the dead by science and is given a short amount of time to live. Jamal reconciles with his friend, realizing that holding a grudge is no longer important, and struggles with whether or not to tell him the truth about his impending death--again. Throughout the original story line and zippy dialog, relationships are mended, hurt feelings resolved, and characters mature and grow. This would be a great choice for book discussion and will appeal to a variety of readers, including those who don't think they like to read. A happy mistake led to wonderful escapism and got me thinking about ethical "what ifs".