A Norwegian spy in WWII

Did you know that during World War II, the Nazis invaded Norway?  It's true, and you'll learn about how some Norwegians reacted to the invasion in Shadow on the Mountain by Margi Preus.  Espen is 14, and life is rough as the Nazis place more and more restrictions on the lives of him and his friends, even taking over their beloved soccer team.  Espen joins the resistance movement: first, delivering illegal newspapers; then, passing messages; and finally, becoming a spy.  Two of his classmates join up with the Nazis, and soon Espen is real danger, trying to escape to Sweden by skiing through the mountains.  Will he make it?   The book includes a helpful map and glossary, and it's based on the real-life adventures of Norwegian Erling Storrusten.  

The Titanic: it wasn't JUST the iceberg

I'll admit that I've never been overly-fascinated with the story of the Titanic, so I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Titanic: Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson.  The author did an amazing job at her research; the book's many photographs, quotes from survivors, and illustrations really drew me into the story.  By following a variety of individuals (such as a young boy excited to be on such a large ship, the two wireless operators who were sending and receiving telegrams as the disaster unfolded, and a mother with her two sons), the reader is able to put a very personal touch on the situation.  I learned a lot, too - there were all sorts of problems that made the shipwreck even worse.  Did you know there weren't even enough lifeboats for all the passengers and crew?  And some lifeboats weren't even full when they were lowered off the sinking ship?  And a ship that could have helped rescue those in the water didn't? A thoroughly absorbing book, even for those familiar with this tragic event.

Girls, this one's for you

Have you or your girlfriends ever done any of this? Discovered boys.  Tried a new style of clothes or shoes or make-up that just didn't work.  Agonized over a zit.  Messed up a friendship.  Gotten a crush. Really, really embarrassed yourself in front of someone special.  Slammed a door.  Spaced out in class because you're daydreaming.  Gotten bad cramps. Tried to become someone you're not.  Gotten your hopes up.  Yelled at your mom or dad or brother or sister and you don't truly know why.  Sulked. Gotten your hopes crushed.  Fixed a friendship.  Had a mom or aunt or grama dry your tears.  Given a friend a huge hug.  Yes? If a lot of this sounds familiar, check out Planet Middle School, a wonderful book written in free verse by Nikki Grimes.  I bet you share it with a friend.

What would you do if you knew you were going blind?

Accept it?  Deny it?  Learn to deal with it?  Any of these reactions would and DO make sense in Blindsided by Priscilla Cummings.  Natalie is 14, and she has a disease that is slowly robbing her of her sight.  Her parents enroll her in a boarding school for the blind so that she can be taught strategies to cope. She doesn't want to be there - she's sure she's different from "them" - and she fights against learning Braille or how to use a white cane.  But as she slowly makes friends, she develops both skills and an inner strength that she'll need when some scary events take place, with one event ending in a sad and unexpected way.  Not only does the story seem very real (the author spent time studying blindness; her detailed knowledge is evident in her writing), but the way the teenagers react and speak is authentic.  The book will appeal to many middle school (and possibly high school) readers; I'd especially recommend it to fans of Shark Girl or The Running Dream.

Not for the squeamish!

Oooh, something kinda gross, just in time for Halloween!  If you have a weak stomach, you may want to stay away from The Book of Blood: From Legends and Leeches to Vampires and Veins by H. P. Newquist.  No, it's not completely disgusting, but you will see a bit of the red stuff as the author discusses everything from what blood is made up of to the amazing things that blood does for your body, and from old-time medical treatment (leeches! blood-letting!) to creatures both real and imagined that want to drink your blood.  There's even some cool information about unusual blood that other animals have.  Did you know that the blood from an icefish is clear?  And blood from a horseshoe crab is blue??  Check this out...if you dare...and learn what rare disease can turn a person's blood...green.

For German shepherd fans!

There are a lot of different, interesting aspects to How I, Nicky Flynn, Finally Get a Life (and a Dog) by Art Corriveau.  Nicky's parents have divorced; he and his mom have moved to a not-real-great (or big) apartment.  Nicky's mom surprises him by bringing home Reggie, a German shepherd and former guide dog for the blind.  Initially kind of mad, Nicky ends up bonding with Reggie and trying to figure out why the dog was returned to the pound.  At the same time he's learning about guide dogs in general and Reggie in particular, Nicky is dealing with school bullies, a girl who's trying to be his friend, a mom who isn't dealing well with the divorce, and a dad who's ignoring him.  Told in Nicky's voice, the story is authentic; parts are a little funny, but when characters mess up...it still seems real.

Powerful and haunting

Wow.  I don't usually get drawn into stories that are sad, but A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness was absolutely riveting.  Conor is 13, and as long as his mom has been battling cancer, he's been having the same awful nightmare.  One night he's visited by an enormous monster formed by a nearby yew tree.  Over time, and as Conor's mom tries more and more treatments that don't work, the monster tells Conor three confusing stories and then demands that Conor tell him a fourth one - the truth, the story of his nightmare.  Conor's feelings of helplessness, grief, and anger are laid bare; the monster - frightening, caring, maddeningly logical - is one of the most creatively written characters I've come across in a long time.  Black and white artwork adds an extraordinary, eerie quality.  I couldn't put this book down....

A dystopian thriller with a touch of romance

In the fast-paced Legend by Marie Lu the action never stops!  The story takes place in futuristic Los Angeles - there's no "United States" any more, just an ending war between the Republic and the Colonies - and it's told in alternating chapters by the two main characters, both 15 years old.  Day is the Republic's most wanted criminal; he's trying desperately to find a cure for the plague that has infected his little brother. June is brilliant and wealthy, heading for a prestigious career in the Republic's military.  When June's brother is killed, Day is the prime suspect - she's out to get him, but when their paths finally cross...a lot changes.  Besides falling for each other, they learn something really nasty that the Republic government is up to.  How can they put a stop to it, when Day is captured and his execution date is set?  Younger middle schoolers may not like the violence, but older students (and, yes, high school kids), especially fans of "The Hunger Games"-type books, won't be able to put this one down.

What would YOU do for fresh water?

Think about it, next time you take a drink, and then read A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park.  This short and excellent book alternates between two stories in Southern Sudan:  In 2008, Nya has to walk eight hours every day to gather fresh water for her family; in 1985, Salva is separated from his family when soldiers invade his village. Based on the real life of Salva Dut, the stories of survival and the importance of fresh water (especially when it's hard to get) are mesmerizing; when the stories intertwine at the end of the book, you may not be surprised, but I bet you're inspired.  This book has been used by many schools that have a "One Book" program; it would be great for students looking for a service project.

But she's black - will they let her compete?

I loved the title character in Kizzy Ann Stamps by Jeri Watts!  The year is 1963; Kizzy Ann is black, and she's nervous about starting at a new school that has just been integrated.  She's already faced hatred and bigotry, and she doesn't know what her white classmates will think of her.  Fortunately, KIzzy Ann has her beloved dog Shag.  Shag is a border collie, a type of dog that loves to work and is especially good at herding sheep.  With Shag at her side, she gets to know the others at her school a little better, but when she learns about a herding competition, she's not sure if she should go for it: what if a black girl isn't allowed to compete?  The story is told through letters to her new teacher and journal entries; although Kizzy Ann's voice sometimes sounds more like that of an adult than a child, she's a likable character and teaches us about an important part of our country's history.