Wild Wave review

 

Another WILD adventure from Rodman Philbrick, author of Wildfire and Wild River. Wild Wave is the adventure of two kids trapped in the aftermath of a tsunami.(goodreads summary)I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Middle Schoolers Nick Chase and Jess Hardy are spending a Saturday morning at an animal rescue sanctuary called the Friends of the Wild. Jess is a volunteer and Chase is gathering information for a school podcast assignment for one of his classes.  Suddenly, out of nowhere, an earthquake hits and everyone is frantic.  When they look over the bay area, the water is gone and boats are overturned on their sides. Only mud is left where the sea should be.  Nick and Jess's instinct tells them to run as a tsunami hits destroying everything in its path.  As the two kids run for high ground, they depend on each other for survival by working together and putting their courage to the test. 

 

This was a heart pounding and exciting middle grade novel. The story begins immediately by plunging readers into Nick and Jess's fight to stay alive.  As the rushing floodwaters push them deep into the forest, they begin to wonder how they will make it to safety or if they will ever see their families again.  They eventually find Mr. and Mrs. Bumper, the high school soccer coach and the science teacher at their middle school stranded in the forest.  Knowing they need to help save them as well, they decide to continue to trek out on their own, readily prepared by the Bumpers to face the dangerous elements ahead.  Remaining level headed and working together was a key part of the story for their survival. The numerous cliffhangers throughout makes you want to keep turning the pages. The chapters are fast-paced and short which would work well for reluctant readers.  We learn a lot about Nick and Jess as characters and their families.  They show their vulnerabilities and fear like any person would in a challenging situation such as this. But they also demonstrated maturity, strength, problem solving, courage and hope in finding their families alive.  Readers will relate to the pair and cheer for a positive outcome.   A great adventure story to end the summer with or pick up at the upcoming school book fair.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 10-12.~

Title:  Wild Wave

Author: Rodman Philbrick

Pub. date: August 2024 Scholastic Press

Genre: middle grade fiction, adventure

Hardcover 192 pgs.

 

 

 

 

The Winter Bird review

 

Forest animals help an injured nightingale survive the winter in a comforting story of friendship and resilience, lyrically told and gorgeously illustrated.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

When a nightingale is unable to fly south for the winter because of her injured wing, the other forest animals help her prepare for the cold weather.  The rabbits showed her how to make a warm bed from leaves and twigs.  A little grey squirrel shares its stores while the woodpeckers showed the song bird how to watch for the children to fill up the feeders.  Even though it was a scary time for the bird, she found there can be beauty in the harsh winter. 

 

This is a wonderful story that transitions between seasons.   The digital illustrations of the autumn evenings moving into a snow covered countryside onto an emerging spring are beautiful.  Many caring forest animals come to nightingale's aid showing her how to survive and become a winter bird.  I loved how rabbit and squirrel stuffed a nutshell with rabbit fur to keep bird's feet warm when the blizzard came.  The story is about compassion, caring and overcoming hardships with a little help from others.  It also shows readers how animals prepare and survive through harsh elements adapting until spring arrives.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title:  The Winter Bird

Author:   Kate Banks illustrated by Suzie Mason

Pub date:  October 2022, Candlewick Press

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

The Indestructible Tom Crean review

At the turn of the twentieth century, Antarctica is the last unexplored continent. The ice is unforgiving. It can break the human spirit. It takes many men willing to face hardship, danger, and years away from home to journey to this uncharted end of the earth. This is the story of one. His name is Tom Crean.

 

 

 

 Born on the West Coast of Ireland,  Tom Crean grew up on a large family farm.  But, as others have done from his countryside before him, he joined the British Navy at 16 and took to the seas. After ten years of working his way up the ranks, the ship Discovery is ready to leave for Antarctica and Tom is ready to step up for the adventure.  Soon to follow are two more harrowing explorations, one on the Terra Nova and the second on the Endurance, putting Tom's courage and strength to the test.

 

I love when I find new historical figures to share that I myself never knew about. This is a fascinating book about the early explorations of the Antarctic and one incredible hero, Tom Crean.  The expeditions take place from 1901- 1917 and details the crews perilous journeys through the unforgiving snow and ice.  What these men endured in the name of discovery and science is unbelievable.  I cannot imagine how anyone could survive the harsh environment but Tom is one of those heroes who persevered to save others.  Filled with many facts and details, it would make a wonderful addition to an explorers unit for the classroom or a project for grades 4-5.  The illustrations are done in soft water colors and pencil with plenty of detail and maps of the explored areas.  This book is Tom's story that needed to be told.   I  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 6-9.~  

 

Title: The Indestructible Tom Crean

Author:  Jennifer Thermes

Pub. date:  Januray 2023, Viking Books

Genre: nonfiction

Hardcover, 52 pgs.  

 

 

Running Wild review

Twelve-year-old Willa and her twin brothers have survived with their father in the Alaskan wilderness for five years. But Willa knows this can't go on--they must escape.(goodreads summary)






For the past five years, twelve year old Willa lives with her dad and ten year old twin brothers in the heart of the Alaskan wilderness.  Choosing to live life off the grid, her dad moved the family there after the death of her mother.  At first, it seemed like happy times as they built their homestead with a flourishing garden and learned various survival skills.  But as the years pass, life is becoming harder and Willa's dad more withdrawn. The thoughts of survival are a continuous worry for her.  She misses her old life of fruits and vegetables from the local market, attending school and having a normal life of a twelve year old girl.  Hunting has been unsuccessful and food is becoming more scarce. Willa is concerned there is not enough rations to last the upcoming harsh winter.  When her dad travels to town for supplies he tends to be gone for longer amounts of time bringing back alcohol upon his return. He seems to be drinking more which is making him distant and at times violent towards her brothers.  Longing for a better life and having fears of not making it through the upcoming winter gives Willa the courage and strength to escape with her brothers to Fort Yukon for help.

Winter is right around the corner and there is no better time for an Alaskan adventure and survival story.  It is told from Willa's viewpoint and she makes for a believable character.  There were times I felt she seemed older and to mature for a 12 year old girl living in the middle of nowhere but I guess under the circumstances why would she not be. She is also unaware of the changes happening to her body for a girl her age which are mentioned various times in detail throughout the story which cause her concern.  After her dad goes on a hunting trip, she decides it is a good time to embark on a risky and dangerous journey to Fort Yukon.  Along the way they encounter loosing supplies, tangling with a bear and the risk of frigid temperatures and storms. The kids were taught many survival skills from their dad that came in useful on their trip. Planning their escape was a huge undertaking but Willa was aware of the many dangers they could face. Especially traveling down the river on a makeshift raft with two ten year olds and a wolf pup who did come to their rescue when needed. She strongly felt they would not survive through the winter and feared for her brothers lives if she had not taken the chance.  There were a couple of times the children second guessed their adventure due to the fear and devotion to their father.  But Willa's courage and strength kept her strong knowing that a different outcome awaits if they did not go to the nearest town for help as soon as possible.   She was a level headed character, caring, ambitious and saw things a lot more realistically than her dad who was suffering from grief and depression.  She also knew her dad needed help too.  The writing depicted the Alaskan wilderness and cold well enough to visualize the extreme and harsh environment the kids lived in and faced. The siblings determination for survival keeps them going in search of a new life.  The story moves along nicely with a few thrilling action parts making it an anticipating page turner.   It was a short and easy read (under 200 pages) making this a good choice for reluctant female readers when it comes to adventure or survival stories.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 11 and up.~

Title:  Running Wild
Author:  Lucy Jane Bledsoe
Pub. date:  September 2019, Margaret Ferguson Books
Genre: realistic fiction
Hardcover,  195 pgs.

   

Storm Runners Book 2: The Surge review

Chase and his friends Nicole and Rashawn have just survived Hurricane Emily, the storm of the century, but their troubles are just beginning. Although they've made it to the safety of Nicole's family's farm--the winter home of the Rossi Brothers' Circus--the floodwaters are rising and they need to reach higher ground. The circus's lions have escaped their cages, and a dangerous and unpredictable leopard is also on the loose. Have Chase and his friends lived through a terrifying night only to face a new disaster? (goodreads summary)



Chase and his two friends finally make it back to the safety of Nicole's farm after a harrowing night of survival from Hurricane Emily's force. Unfortunately upon their arrival, the floodwaters are rising and dangerous animals are at large roaming the farm. Besides facing these hurdles, "Pet" the circus elephant, is about ready to give birth to a new baby any minute. The generator is also on the brink of running out of gas and the barn they are in will be losing the lights within an hour. They need to get to Chase's dad's fifth-wheel where there are plenty of cans of gasoline available. The only thing that could be standing between them is Hector, the aggressive leopard and the thought of four other hungry lions lurking the grounds.

This book picks up right at the end where the first one left off.  The chapters bounce back and forth between Chase trying to get through the dangers of reaching the gasoline on the other side of the property, to his father trying to get back to the farm himself. It still has the same adventure and excitement moving along each chapter as in the first book. Especially when the leopard and lion came into the picture.  There were a few sad moments when some of the animals died and another had to be put down by Nicole herself. These elements in the story only add to the urgency of the situation and for their survival themselves. The birth of the baby elephant did seem a bit descriptive and I did get a clear picture of that, too.  Making it through rising floodwaters, wind and dangerous animals really put these kids to the test. I lost track that they were only middle schoolers at one time, as they managed to think out each situation with such a level-head and face it calmly.  Again, this book is quick and fast-paced with short chapters that may hook reluctant readers.  The first book in the series, Storm Runners, should definitely be read first to help give a good understanding of the storyline. These characters really have to survive a very long night only to prepare themselves for more adventure awaiting them in the third book of the series. I think this is a "just right book" for grades 6-8.~

Title: Storm Runners Book 2: The Surge
Author: Roland Smith
Pub. date: September 2011, Scholastic
Genre: adventure, middle grade
Hardcover, 133 pages


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 Storm Runners - Book 1

Storm Runners Book 1 review

Chase Masters and his father are "storm runners," racing across the country in pursuit of hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. But when the hurricane of the century hits, Chase will be tested in ways he never could have imagined. (goodreads summary)







Chase and his father never seem to stay in one place very long.  After the loss of Chase's mother and sister, his father decides to take his building skills on the move to become the Masters of Disaster.  When people need help in rebuilding their communities after a natural disaster strikes, Chase's father John and his helper Tomas' are there to assist. This time they are heading down to Florida in the wake of Hurricane Emily, predicted to hit the St. Petersburg area. Chase is used to relocating to different places quickly and starting new schools, never staying more than a few days. He will be residing with the Rossi family on their farm which is used as a winter haven for a travelling circus and several exotic animals.  On Chase's first day of school, he figures out that the hurricane will change routes and will hit exactly where he is staying in Palm Breeze, instead of the St. Pete's area 40 miles away as predicted. Not believing him when he tells the school Principal they are safer to remain at school, Chase and the students are sent home on the bus. A sudden gust of wind blows the bus off its wheels with Chase, Nicole Rossi and a third student Rashawn on board. The three must fight for their lives to survive the hurricane's force and make it safely to shelter before it is too late.

This story is full of high adventure and heart pounding elements that will keep its' reader hooked with every turn of a page. I think it may also appeal to reluctant readers because it is a fast-paced, short read that is quite thrilling.  I especially like books that portray characters who remain level headed and calm in situations of crisis. This survival story is not short on peril and the characters handled the many life threatening circumstances they came upon.  From pounding hurricane wind and rain, roads breaking away from under them to crossing a flooded refuge full of alligators, it was hard to imagine that this story is based in one day's time.  I found Chase, Nicole and Rashawn very knowledgeable and full of problem solving skills making them strong, likable characters.  I also found myself learning about hurricane's, survival skills and that Chase's go bag filled with items in case of a disaster is a good idea. The ending was a bit of a surprise cliffhanger, which I did not see coming. Some may not like the book ending the way it did. But then again, I view it as a way to keep kids interested in reading and having another book in hand.  The last chapter gave a little foreshadowing for the next book and I am looking forward to following the series. The second book, The Surge, is available now and the third, The Eruption, just came out this month. I think this is a "just right book" for grades 4-7.~

Title: Storm Runners
Author: Roland Smith
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Pub. date: March 2011, Scholastic Press
Hardcover, 143 pgs.

Wild Life review

Erik is preparing for his first-ever hunting trip when he learns that his parents are being deployed to Iraq.  A few days later, Erik is shipped off to North Dakota to live with Big Darrell and Oma, grandparents he barely knows. When Erik rescues a dog that’s been stuck by a porcupine, Big Darrell says Erik can’t keep him. But Erik has already named her Quill and can’t bear to give her up.  He decides to run away, taking the dog and a shotgun, certain that they can make it on their own out on the prairie.  In this story of adventure and survival, Erik learns about the challenges and satisfactions of living off the land, the power of family secrets, and the pain of losing what you love. (goodreads summary)


Twelve year old Erik arrives home with exciting news that he passed his hunter safety course and is looking forward to his first outing with his best friend and father. It is soon overshadowed when Erik learns that both parents are being deployed to Iraq at the end of the week. Arrangements have been made for him to move to a very small, underdeveloped town in North Dakota to live with grandparents he does not know.  When Erik arrives, his grandmother is sweet but his grandfather "Big Darrell" is very cool and does nothing to welcome him into his home.  Erik cannot believe he will be living in this remote area for 6 months or maybe even longer. When a stray dog in need of help shows up at the farm with porcupine quills in its nose, he befriends the dog and feels that his life may be bearable after all. But to his dismay, Erik's grandfather says "No dogs" and strictly forbids it into the home. Unfortunately, the owner of the dog has also been located a couple of days later and is ready to take her back. Not only does he have a hard time adjusting to his new surroundings but also does not want to return the dog.  While Erik is alone one day, he decides to see what is behind the closed door that his grandparents do not want him to enter in. Inside, he finds a bedroom shrine from Erik's uncle who died at an early age from the Vietnam War.  When he notices his uncle's old hunting gear, gun and a few other supplies in the closet, he decides to run away to survive living a pioneer life on the land away from any adults telling him what to do.  Besides, what more does he need when he has supplies and a faithful dog by his side?

This story is a quick and fast paced survival/adventure read.  It moves along in a matter of five days time and Erik is faced with a few challenges such as finding shelter, hunger, thirst, sickness and snowy weather. Naturally, things do not go as planned for him and eventually realizes this adventure could be harder than he thought.  The writing was not only wonderfully descriptive but also gave me detailed feeling of the setting and characters.  Because of the fast pace, it just may capture some reluctant readers in need of a bookshare book.  I thought there were some great vocabulary words that kids may find new and noteworthy as well.  Hunting and cleaning pheasants and a rabbit is mentioned in detail but I guess that is part of the true survival experience Erik faces. Both Big Darrell and Erik had to come to terms with loss and change that made for some character development for each person.  I also thought the cover art was eye-catching and beautiful.  I think this is a "just right book" for grades 5-8.~

Title: Wild Life
Author: Cynthia DeFelice
Genre:  Fiction
Pub. Date: April 2011, RR Donnelly & Sons
Hardcover, 177 pgs.

Flutter: The story of four sisters and one incredible journey review

Big things are about the happen at Maple's house. Mama's going to have a baby, which means now there will be four Rittle sisters instead of just three. But when baby Lily is born too early and can't come home from the hospital, Maple knows it's up to her to save her sister. So she and Dawn, armed with a map and some leftover dinner, head off down a river and up a mountain to find the Wise Woman who can grant miracles. Now it's not only Lily's survival that they have to worry about, but also their own. The dangers that Maple and Dawn encounter on their journey makes them realize a thing or two about miracles-and about each other. (goodreads summary)

Maple is determined to help find a miracle to save her baby sister Lily who is born premature. Her heart is not strong enough and Maple knows that the Wise Woman of the Mountains is not just a Folklore but the miracle she must find to save Lily to help bring her home. The Wise Woman is known to be watching over a pool of miraculous water found in the Green Mountains of Vermont that is able to heal the sick back to health.  Maple sets out to find the special water but is interrupted by her eleven year old sister Dawn when she attempts to leave during the night. The girls decide to take a canoe down the river together to Peninsula State Park and from there this adventure story begins. During their 30 mile trip they encounter wild animals, poachers and the two embark on a dangerous journey together as the power of hope guides them to save their sister. 

I have read many adventure survival stories and feel that this debut novel was pretty good.  The story focuses on hope, love and true sisterhood. I enjoyed the writing style as it was very descriptive and placed me right alongside the two sisters journey into the wilderness. Many scenes were full of action and definitely heart pounding a couple of times. The adventures the two encountered did seem a little too intense for girls of such a young age of 9 and 11 though.  But then again, the author portrayed the characters with courage, being level headed and calm remembering their skills to problem solve instead of falling apart in harrowing situations. Stop and think first set the tone more than once when the girls reached a dangerous situation.  The story showed strength and the love of family along with some serious determination to help one another.  When the girls witnessed poachers in the fields killing a deer and owls, it could be something sensitive readers may find a little difficult to read.  I wanted to hurry past these parts quickly myself.  It did make for a fast paced and quick read.  I found myself picking up the book at any chance I could to see what happened in the end. I took away from the book enjoying the folklore and that believing in a miracle can happen. I would like to read more books by this author in the future. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 11 and up.

Title: Flutter
Author: Erin E. Moulton
Genre: realistic fiction, middle grade
Pub. Date: May 2011, Penquin Books
Hardcover, 200 pgs.

Trapped review

The day the blizzard started, no one knew that it was going to keep snowing for a week. That for those in its path, it would become not just a matter of keeping warm, but of staying alive....
Scotty and his friends Pete and Jason are among the last seven kids at their high school waiting to get picked up that day, and they soon realize that no one is coming for them. Still, it doesn't seem so bad to spend the night at school, especially when distractingly hot Krista and Julie are sleeping just down the hall. But then the power goes out, then the heat. The pipes freeze, and the roof shudders. As the days add up, the snow piles higher, and the empty halls grow colder and darker, the mounting pressure forces a devastating decision....(goodreads summary)

A very unlikely mix of teens are thrown into a survival mode situation when a blizzard hits part of a New England area and stalls for a week. Each one has their own diverse personality that they will need to manage with as well.  Scotty is the basketball athlete, there are his best friends Pete, who is just an ordinary guy and Jason who has a weird fascination with anything military, Les is labeled as the school thug who is the last person you'd want to be alone with, Eli is the creepy antisocial guy and Krista and Julie are the freshman cuties. But as the days go on,  Scotty is realizing that labels aren't always what they seem to be.  One nights stay turns into another as the mounting snow covers the schools windows and doors. They must do what they can to survive the next day or the question is will they? I thought it made for a good survival against-all-odds read and I liked how it was told in Scotty's voice.  The characters were placed in a do-or-die situation and I felt they handeled it quite maturely for their ages. Nobody came across as panicky or whiny but instead  level-headed enough to think in order to work out the situations of no heat, water, or food without any adult involvement.  This is a quiet book throughout and you will have to read to the end to find some excitement.  I am glad that I don't recall any offensive language (which is rare in today's YA books) There were a couple suggestive references, nothing acted on early in the beginning but that was skimmed over quickly enough.  Unfortunately, I was left feeling disappointed that the ending wrapped up fast and leaving me with many lingering questions.  All-in-all, it wasn't the greatest read for me but it did turn out to be a good realistic, survival story and with the authors writing he did give it a serious "what if" feel to the novel.  Kids may relate with the high school scene and social aspects portrayed.  I think this would be a "just right" book for ages 14 and up.~

Title:  Trapped
Author: Michael Northrup
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Pub. Date:  February 2011, Scholastic Press
Hardcover, 232 pgs.

Storm Mountain review

Impossible! Suicidal!  That's thirteen-year-old Cat's reaction to her impulsive, irrepressible cousin Ty's harebrained scheme to spread the ashes of their late fathers at the summit of the same treacherous mountain that claimed both their lives.  But when Ty sets off on his own--stealing her dog and her father's ashes--Cat is forced to follow against her better judgement. (goodreads summary)

Cat's mother is away for the weekend and she has made the perfect plans. To hang out with her beloved dog Mugs, make the best pizza ever, have a shot of mocha and stay up all night. Unfortunately, her cousin is left alone for the weekend too and shows up at her door and changes the plans in an instant.  According to Ty, he has a dream about his father that leads him to the idea he should spread his ashes atop Storm Mountain where both he and Cat's father lost their lives two years ago. Cat is against the idea from the beginning, aware of the dangers the mountain holds. The next morning, Ty takes off on his own willing to fullfill the destiny of his dream.  Angrily, Cat faces the trecherous mountain in search of finding Ty and bringing him to his senses. The story unfolds one survival adventure into another as the two make their way through the wilderness dependent on Cat's mountaineering skills to lead them home. They come face-to-face with an avalanche, falling into an ice crevasse and hoping to survive an oncoming snowstorm in a snow cave shelter just like their fathers tried but unfortunately cost them their lives. Something Cat is determined not let happen to them. The story is fast-paced and the chapters are short and quick.  It strives for humor with Ty's character but Cat doesn't play along. It is a survivial against the elements kind of story and would be a simple and fast read.  It would be a "just right book" for grades 5-7. ~

Title: Storm Mountain
Author: Tom Birdseye
Genre: Adventure/Survival
Pub. Date: June 2010, Holiday House
Hardcover, 135 pgs.

A Long Walk to Water review

A Long Walk to Water begins as two stories, told in alternating sections, about a girl in Sudan in 2008 and a boy in Sudan in 1985. The girl, Nya, is fetching water from a pond that is two hours’ walk from her home: she makes two trips to the pond every day. The boy, Salva, becomes one of the "lost boys" of Sudan, refugees who cover the African continent on foot as they search for their families and for a safe place to stay. Enduring every hardship from loneliness to attack by armed rebels to contact with killer lions and crocodiles, Salva is a survivor, and his story goes on to intersect with Nya’s in an astonishing and moving way. (goodreads summary)

Based on a true story, one moment will change this 11 year old boys life forever. In 1985, Salva's village is suddenly attacked by rebel soldiers while he is at school and  instructed by his teachers to run away into the bush.  Alone with no family, this is Salva's story of his fight for survival, courage and hope while he makes his way to Ethiopia to a refugee camp. He must withstand hunger, thirst, fear and loneliness during his years of travelling.  After being forced to leave Ethiopia, with determination he leads a group of boys to Kenya which later takes him to his final  journey to America.  Nya is a fictional girl from a village in the present time who walks hours daily for water for her family.  Her family faces disease and illness from the contaminated water source.

Even though this book is small with only 120 pages it will leave a big impact on its reader.  It is an incredible story of a boy who has lost so much and is forced to survive on his own at such a young age. I was in awe of Salva's courage and hope from the beginning to go on. With every sense of loss, Salva took more strength from it.  I found the book to be beautifully written and deeply moving.   Although the author toned them down, some depictions were vividly described but not too graphic. For example, the crocodiles in the river as people were forced to cross and the gunshots from the soldiers overhead at the same time.  It definitely added to the imagery and sorrow I felt while I was reading.  I also liked how the two characters of Salva and Nya paralleled in the chapters and gave me two different but connecting stories to follow to the end. I also found a connection between the title and storyline.  I learned so much about the civil war in Sudan and the devastating toll it took on millions of lives. Both stories ended with a positive outcome and I really took in reading about Salva's  past, present and what his future has in store.  Salva adds a note in the end where he states a very inspirational quote about perseverance to young people. I think this would be a "just right book" for grades 6-9. ~

Title:  A Long Walk to Water
Author: Linda Sue Park
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Pub. Date: November 2010,  Clarion Books
Hardcover, 120 pgs.

Is it Night or Day review

Twelve-year-old Edith Westerfeld has lived a protected life in the tiny German town of Stockstadt am Rhein. Now, as brutal acts of anti-semitism explode in Hitler's Germany, she is about to travel thousands of miles over land and sea to a place that seems as foreign as the moon: Chicago, Illinois. And because her parents can't get permission to leave Germany, she is traveling alone.      (jacket desciption)


I have always enjoyed reading historical fiction and this one is right up there with the best ones.  Based on true events and inspired by the experiences of the author's mother, I found this book hard to put down once I started it.  We learn about the history of WWII in school but not the effects on the children of the war until it is written from their point-of-view.  Leaving her family behind and coming to an unknown country is a struggle within itself.  Edith truly feels alone in this great big new world and she has no one to help her understand it. Her english is very limited and must learn fast to adapt to American ways. She lives with an Uncle and Aunt, but the Aunt treats her like a burden. She is a servant instead of family and lets Edith know it.  While attending American school, she faces more challenges, lonliness and ridicule from classmates.  The wonderful writing of this book placed me in Edith's shoes. It made me realize how fortunate I am that neither myself nor my children ever have to endure the hardships these children had to face.  It is a sad read, but one that awakens a part of history we have never been told. I think it is a "just right book" for 6th grade and up. ~

Title: Is it Night or Day?
Author: Fern Schumer Chapman
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pub. Date: May 2010, Farrar Straus Girous
Hardcover, 205 pgs.
book source: local library