Reading Abounds

Title: Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow Author: Susan Campbell Bartoletti Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 137945 Description: Gives voice to the youth of Europe who were faced with choosing between indoctrination into the Nazi party or being targeted as undesirables and how they dealt with the consequences at the end of WWII. ***Newberry Honor Book*** Rubric Rating: Level 3: Laud It Why I Read It: I like books about history and this seemed like a good nonfiction book about this time period.  On quick scan it didn't seem to dense or overwhelming. Lori's Notes: Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler's Shadow is an amazing non-fiction account of 12 children and teens living in Germany during the indoctrination of the Hitler Youth and the rise of Adolf Hitler.  As a student one learns about the causes of war, dates of significant battles, and the horrible tragedy that is the aftermath.  One is often left to wonder how such tyrants gain power in a civilize

Title: The Game (Previously Titled: Invitation to the Game) Author: Monica Hughes Perma-Bound Cat#: 157695 Description: An adventure/survival story set in the future as teenagers are either assigned jobs or unemployed status when they graduate from high school. *** Canadian *** Rubric Rating: Level 2: Like It Why I Read It: I was looking for a dystopian novel by a Canadian and this book was enticing.  I also read some of Hughes' other books and quite liked them. Lori's Notes:  After being educated in a government school, Lisse and seven of her friends end up as "unemployeds" living in an inhospitable "DA" (designated area).  When they hear about "the game" they do everything they can to get invited.  A good read but further explanation as to some of the book's issues would have gone a long way, for example: Why couldn't the government get rid of the robots after the population rebounded?  Despite the number of questions I h

Title: Breaking Stalin's Nose Author: Eugene Yelchin Perma-Bound Cat#: 56148 Description: 10-year-old Sasha is painfully disillusioned about life in Stalinist Russia when his father -- the best Communist he knows -- is arrested. Rubric Rating: Level 4: Love it Why I Read It: The trim size of this book was smaller than normal and a quick flip through the book made it look like a quick read. Lori's Notes: A fantastic and fast-paced read taking place over just two days.  10-year-old Sasha's story begins with his letter to Stalin extolling the ruler's leadership. However, when his father is arrested (because his neighbour wants their larger apartment) Sasha sees communism as something entirely different.  The treatment of the children, once ostracized by the communist regime, is awful and their treatment by teachers and other students disgraceful.  A heart-wrenching story made more powerful through the use of graphite illustrations throughout the text. Re

Title: Little Brother Author: Cory Doctorow Perma-Bound Cat #: 26651 Description: After being interrogated for days by the Department of Homeland Security in the aftermath of a major terrorist attack on San Francisco, California, seventeen-year-old Marcus, released into what is now a police state, decides to use his expertise in computer hacking to set things right. ***Canadian*** Rubric Rating: Level 3: Laud it Why I Read It: This book was recommended by an associate. The cover didn't really appeal to me, so I may not have picked it up on my own. Lori's Notes:   Set in the near future, Marcus and his friends; Darryl, "Van," and "Jolu," skip school to participate in the geo-game "Harajuku Fun Madness."  Unfortunately, the teens find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time - the vicinity of a terrorist attack.  To make matters worse, while trying to get into a fall-out shelter, Darryl is stabbed by someone in the crowd.  I