The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story by Diane Ackerman

Pages: 552

Intended Audience: Adult

Genre: Non-fiction / Biography / World War II / Holocaust

Notes for Parents: This is about the Holocaust and therefore contains mature content.

The Back Cover

1939: the Germans have invaded Poland. The keepers of the Warsaw Zoo, Jan and Antonina Zabinski, survive the bombardment of the city, only to see the occupiers ruthlessly kill many of their animals. The Nazis then carry off the prized specimens to Berlin for the program to create the “purest” breeds, much as they saw themselves as the purest human race. Opposed to all the Nazis represent, the Zabinskis risk their lives by hiding Jews in the now-empty animal cages, saving as many as three hundred people from extermination.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

The novel was made into a movie in 2017.

What’s good?

The story of the Zabinskis is a captivating tale of courage and defiance in Poland during World War II. This true account of their experiences is both tragic and uplifting as they watch what they’ve built be destroyed, and use that destruction to subvert the Nazi regime. The section of photographs is a fascinating album of memories that reminds of what the family lost. The inclusion of Irena Sendler and other important members of the Warsaw underground, illustrate the level of risk and the importance of the work done by the Zabinskis.

Best Part: I love that all the “guests” were given animal names.

What isn’t good?

There was way too much insignificant information to wade through in order to get to the heart of the story. Things like the history of the architecture of a house, descriptions of beetles, and a page and a half about a cat forced to raise fox pups (which was not as interesting a story as it sounds) bogged down what could have been a very exciting account of bravery during the Holocaust.

Worst part: Ugh! There were so many parts I could have done without.

Recommendation ☺☺☻☻☻ (2/5)

This was difficult to read. The interesting part of the story was so often interrupted by trivial details about things that didn’t really matter. I would have preferred reading more about the people and the situations. The story of the Zabinski’s and the other people working to save Jews from deportation was fascinating! I have a feeling that the movie (which I haven’t seen yet) might be better than the book.

Ackerman, Diane. The Zookeeper’s Wife: A War Story. New York: W.W. Norton, 2007.

Brave by Svetlana Chmakova

Pages: 241

Intended Audience: Teens and mature tweens

Genre: Graphic novel

Notes for Parents: Contains scenes of bullying.

The Back Cover

In his daydreams, Jensen is the biggest hero that ever was, saving the world and his friends on a daily basis. But his middle school reality is VERY different—math is hard, getting along with friends is hard…Even finding a partner for the class project is a huge problem when you always get picked last. And the pressure’s on even more once the school newspaper’s dynamic duo, Jenny and Akilah, draw Jensen into the whirlwind of school news, social-experiment projects, and behind-the-scenes club drama. Jensen has always played the middle school game one level at a time, but suddenly, someone’s cranked up the difficulty setting. Will those daring daydreams of his finally work in his favor, or will he have to find real solutions to his real-life problems?

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is a companion book to the author’s graphic novel Awkward. However, it works as a stand-alone story. (Jensen appeared as a minor character in Awkward.) A third book is planned called Crush.

What’s good?

Jensen is so easy to care about. Many readers will immediately be able to relate to him. He’s sweet, friendly, loves to draw, and wants to help. He’s grateful for the friends he has and doesn’t notice that some of his “friends” aren’t being very nice. He dreams of being brave but doesn’t recognize his own resiliency and strength. The cast of characters is diverse. Sub-plots include Jenny and Akilah’s friendship woes, and the dress code rebellion. The artwork is beautifully expressive. Best of all, the author offers no easy answers—no quick solutions. The story is both realistic and hopeful.

Best Part: Jorge. He was a small but important part of Jensen’s story.

What isn’t good?

I suppose there was room for a more complex story, but I like the simplicity of it. The colors are muted, but the drawings are well done, so that’s not a complaint either. There really isn’t anything I didn’t like.

Worst part: Nothing.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺☺ (5/5)

It was a quick and easy read with an unpretentious plot. The story touches on more than one kind of bullying, and creates a poignant and entertaining narrative of the middle school experience. Definitely recommended.

Chmakova, Svetlana. Brave. New York: Yen Press, 2017.

Warcross by Marie Lu

Pages: 353

Intended Audience: Teens

Genre: Science Fiction / Thriller

Notes for Parents: There is “virtual” violence (when they’re playing the Warcross game), and some actual violence, but nothing too graphic.

The Inside Cover

The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bouty hunter, tracking down Warcross players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty-hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. To make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.

Convinced she’s going to be arrested, Emika is shocked when instead she gets a call from the game’s creator, the elusive young billionaire Hideo Tanaka, with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem… and he wants Emika for the job. With no time to lose, Emika’s whisked off to Tokyo and thrust into a world of fame and fortune that she’s only dreamed of. But soon her investigation uncovers a sinister plot, with major consequences for the entire Warcross empire.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is the first book in a series. It takes place in the same universe (but an earlier era) as the Legend series. You don’t have to have read the Legend series to understand this one.

What’s good?

The virtual reality game Warcross has become a global industry and its championships is a high stakes international event in this future world. Emika is a strong, resilient young woman who accidentally gets noticed by the games creator and drawn into a mystery. There’s plenty of action, danger, tension, and excitement. The plot is simple and is surrounded by several strong sub-plots. Emika is a great character – clever, perceptive, and brave. The technology is easy to understand, as is the sla . The ending presents some interesting moral questions.

Best Part: Emika.

What isn’t good?

This is definitely a plot-driven story. While the main character, Emika, is well-drawn, her teammates and other secondary characters are not very developed. The mystery is good, but the romance is weak. A couple of big reveals shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise since the author drops several hints well ahead of time.

Worst part: I didn’t like the romance.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺☻ (4/5)

This was a hard book to put down. It was a fast-pace, virtual Hunger Games-like adventure that was easy to read. It was always moving forward, even when the story was looking back. I loved the main character, Emika, and enjoyed the diversity of the other characters. Definitely recommended.

Lu, Marie. Warcross. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2017. (Hardcover)

The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag

Pages: 213

Intended Audience: Tweens and Teens

Genre: Graphic Novel / Supernatural

Notes for Parents: Some mature themes

The Back Cover

Everyone in Aster’s family is born with magic. Boys grow up to be shapeshifters; girls into witches. No exceptions.

But Aster can’t seem to get the hang of shapeshifting. Instead, he spends his time spying on the witchery lessons the girls are getting. He seems to have a knack for casting spells and wants to know more, but the only person he can share his growing gift with is Charlie, a girl from the non-magical side of town.

Then, during a night of shapeshifting practice, one of the boys goes missing. Aster knows he can search for the boy with the witchcraft he’s been secretly learning. Could breaking his family’s most important tradition save the day—or ruin everything?

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is the author’s first middle-grade graphic novel.

What’s good?

This beautiful graphic novel uses fantasy to explore gender issues and other topics like friendship, family, secrets, and power. The plot is simple but with a complexity of themes, including gender roles, non-conformity, self-acceptance, and courage. The characters are well-developed, and very likeable. The novel is a quick and easy read with good illustrations.

Best Part: There is a great example of what we can become (a monster!) if we’re forced to deny who we really are.

What isn’t good?

There isn’t anything I didn’t like. The drawings aren’t as crisp as the kind of style I prefer, but they’re still good and the colors do a good job of setting the mood. If anything, I wish there was more to the story.

Worst part: None.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺☻ (4/5)

There’s so much in this one little story. It took me less than an hour to read, but I found in packed full of meaningful symbolism and excellent imagery that left me with lots to think about. Definitely recommended.

Ostertag, Molly Knox. The Witch Boy. New York: Graphix, 2017.

The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

Pages: 223

Intended Audience: Teens

Genre: Real life / Social issues

Notes for Parents: Contains some mature content.

The Back Cover

Four very different lives are about to become entangled.

Ruth has a secret that she can’t hide forever.

Dora wonders if she can ever truly escape where she comes from.

Alyce can’t bring herself to leave the life she’s always known.

Hank and his brothers decide it’s safer to run away.

They live in Alaska, on the cold edge of America, where each one must find the strength, courage, and heart to survive.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This book was a William C. Morris Award Finalist. It was also a New York Public Library Best 50 Books for Teens selection, a Chicago Public Library Best of the Best book, and a Shelf Awareness Best Teen Books of the Year selection.

What’s good?

This is a beautifully written, visual story about a group of teens living in 1970s Alaska. Their lives are simple but their problems are complex, though recognizable to every generation. As their connections to each other emerge, the story becomes a fascinating tale of friendship, love, survival, and the art of choosing your own family. Tough subjects are covered – death, alcoholism, violence, abuse, poverty – but the story never gets dark. It’s emotional, but always hopeful. Every character is important and every chapter has a purpose. Diversity, culture, and traditions are subtle themes. The ending is heartfelt.

Best Part: The chapter titles. (e.g. “Ballerina Fish Slayer” and “If You Must Smoke, Smoke Salmon”)

What isn’t good?

The book was interesting – quite engrossing, in fact – but there was very little excitement or action. The pace is slow, but steady.

Worst part: Nothing terrible.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺☻ (4/5)

I can best describe this book as warm and honest. It’s easy to read and easy to understand, and it is to the point with no unnecessary storytelling. It’s a sad but beautiful tale with a hopeful ending. Definitely recommended.

Hitchcock, Bonnie-Sue. The Smell of Other People’s Houses. New York: Ember, 2016.