Title: Odette's Secrets
Author: Maryann Macdonald
Pages: 240
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's
Publication Date: February 26, 2013
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12969636-odette-s-secrets?ac=1
In a nutshell: Odette is a young French girl of Jewish decent who lives in Paris during World War II. After her father joins the French army and the persecution of the Jews worsens in Paris, Odette's mother sends her to live in the French countryside to pose as a Christian in order to protect her. This verse novel fictionalizes the true story of Odette Meyer, one of many of France's hidden Jewish children.
I'd recommend it to grades: 4 to 7
I'd recommend it to: poetry lovers, historical fiction fans, and students who aren't quite ready for Anne Frank's diary (or as a complement to her diary)
What I liked most about this book: The language is
beautiful yet age-appropriate/childlike, and the breadth of emotion is
both realistic and stunning for such a young girl. Many of the adults in Odette's life stand as excellent role models for her and for readers, especially her neighbor/godmother, Madame Marie, who as a Christian helps protect Odette and her mother. It's a thought-provoking and emotionally powerful read that's also a quick read due to its verse novel format, so even struggling readers could enjoy it.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): It saddened me to find out that Jews were banned from many public places including libraries in Paris during that time, but Odette and her cousins find a loophole and end up spending an afternoon in the library trying to retain some normalcy in the midst of the chaos around them, illustrating how books can be tools of peace and joy even on the darkest days. Books, stories, and poetry all play key roles in Odette's readjustment to her new life.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars
Title: Serafina's Promise
Author: Ann E. Burg
Pages: 304
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN: 9780545535649
Publication Date: September 24, 2013
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17270515-serafina-s-promise
In a nutshell: Serafina lives in a rural village in Haiti. She longs to go to school so she can pursue her dream of being a doctor. Her family cannot afford to send her to school, but a natural disaster changes their fate, and through adversity, Serafina may find a way to make her dream come true.
I'd recommend it for grades: 3 to 6
I'd recommend it to: fans of a feel-good story and students who enjoy learning about other cultures
What I liked most about this book: This verse novel is a quick, sweet read that features a charming main character. The descriptions of the setting are so vivid, you'll feel like you're walking the streets of her village with Serafina. Her passion for learning is contagious, and I think it could open the eyes of some first world kids and show them just how much of a blessing education really is. There's also a really nifty guide to Creole words and pronunciations at the end of the book.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): This line: "The only unbreakable home is one made from love." :)
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 3 stars
*I received an ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley.
I'm a huge fan of verse novels, and they're a great way to introduce yourself to reading more poetry! We were very kindly asked to participate in VerseDay 2013, a year-long celebration of all things poetry! VerseDay is sponsored by Gabrielle Prendergast over at VerseNovels.com. If you'd like to participate or learn more about VerseDay2013, check out the VerseDay page. Without further ado, here's my review of a fantastic verse novel that won the National Book Award and was a Newbery Honor Book as well. Enjoy!
Title: Inside Out & Back Again
Author: Thanhha Lai
Pages: 272
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 9780061962783
Publication Date: February 22, 2011
AR Levels: Book Level: 4.8; Interest Level: 4th-6th grades; Points: 2.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8537327-inside-out-back-again
In a nutshell: Ha lives in Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War. She leads a simple life that she loves even in the midst of a war-torn nation, but the Communists are coming to take her city, and she and her mother and three brothers must board a ship and flee to America. After weeks on a ship and in a camp in Guam, her family is sponsored by a man from Alabama to start a new life in the Deep South, which feels like a whole other world.
I'd recommend it for grades: 3rd to 6th
I'd recommend it to: historical fiction lovers, poetry fans, and anyone who's ever felt out of place or longed for home
What I liked most about this book: The language and writing style are so believably age-appropriate and yet beautiful and wise beyond her years. It's mostly based on the author's own life, so it has that added authenticity to it. This is another one of those books that just the right amount of sadness and humor. Also, I don't comment much on book covers on our blog, but this one cannot go unnoticed. Is that gorgeous or what?!
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): Ha has a somewhat difficult time learning English because there are so many exceptions to the rules, and she gets frustrated. She learns that to make something plural, you add an "s" or "es" to it, and so she feels like a snake always hissing English words. As we all know though, there are so many exceptions to that rule, and this annoys her. She comments, "Whoever invented English should be bitten by a snake." Such poetic justice haha. There's also a hilarious part where her family eats fried chicken for the first time! You'll have to read that to see for yourself. ;)
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars!
