#tbt: Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Image: Penguin Random House

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. 400 p. Philomel Books/ Penguin Young Readers, February 2, 2016. 9780399160301.

Last week, I happened to see online that this book was ten years old. This book illuminates an event in history of which I was unaware, a maritime tragedy whose losses actually dwarf the more well-known sinking of the Titanic and Lusitania. 

The story switches POV between four young narrators. They are trekking across war torn Europe in 1945 hoping to obtain passage on the Gustav Wilhelm, a pleasure cruiser, now tasked with evacuating refugees. It is a difficult read that is both poignant and heartbreaking as it depicts the horrors of war in unflinching detail. 

Salt to the Sea was named to many State Book Awards lists, was a Goodreads Best for 2016, and won the Carnegie Medal. I can't recommend this, or any other book by this author enough. 

#tbt: Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

Image: Penguin Random House

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz. 204 p. Philomel Books/ Penguin Young Readers, May, 2001. 9780399236201. (Own)

Happy Thursday! #tbt features one of my go-to series starters for students who want a lot of action. Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz is just the ticket. If a student enjoys it, they often go on to read more in the series and there are thirteen!

Alex Rider is an orphan who lives with his uncle and American nanny, Jack in England. He thinks his uncle is a banker and he's shocked to learn that he was killed in a car accident. But things aren't adding up for Alex, so he seeks out the damaged car and finds it is riddled with bullets. Someone killed his uncle.

It turns out that his uncle was an MI6 agent and was killed during an investigation; one that the MI6 bosses want fourteen-year-old Alex to complete. He receives some training and is sent undercover to investigate a multimillionaire who is planning to plant a dirty bomb in thousands of computers that will be distributed to the children of the UK. 

If you're a reader who likes gadgets, suspense and plenty of action. Stormbreaker and the rest of the series are the books for you. Happy reading!

#tbt: Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Image: Penguin Random House

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. 352 p. Philomel/ Penguin Young Readers Group, March, 2011. 9780399254123. (Own.)

It's a dreary, rainy Thursday here in northern NJ and my dogs are not happy. And, hot weather is on its way. Ugh.  #tbt features Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. The night that fifteen-year-old Lina's father failed to return home, Soviet forces invaded her home and forced the family to a truck. They were then loaded onto crowded cattle cars and transported thousands of miles from Lithuainia to Siberia, where they were imprisoned in harsh labor camps.

Most people are aware of the genocide that happened in Nazi Germany, but might not be aware of the genocide that occurred when Stalin annexed the Baltic countries of Lithuainia, Estonia, and Latvia. Millions were deported or otherwise disappeared during World War II and remained in these camps until the mid-1950s.

This is not an easy book to read. Lina's story is based on extensive interviews and research the author conducted while visiting family in Lithuainia. Most were still afraid to speak of the time more than fifty years after being freed. Between Shades of Gray was Ms. Sepetys' debut novel. It was published in March of 2011 and was named a New York Times Notable book, was a Carnegie Medal Finalist as well as a Morris Award Finalist and won the Golden Kite Award. It has been translated into more than thirty languages and was adapted for film and renamed Ashes in the Snow. Last fall, a graphic novel adaptation was published.

Teen Tuesday and Audiook Review: I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

Image: Penguin Random House

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~7 hours, 10 minutes. Read by Edoardo Ballerini. Listening Library/ Penguin Random House, February, 2022. 9780593502280. (Review of downloadable e-audio borrowed from public library.)

Teen Tuesday features I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys. The year is 1989. Romania is governed by a cruel dictator, Nicholae Ceausescu and Romanians are starving while he lives in luxury. His secret service, the Securitate, are everywhere, encouraging neighbor to turn in neighbor for the most minor of infractions. Seventeen-year-old would-be poet, Christian Fortescu lives in a tiny apartment with his parents, older sister and ailing but spunky grandfather, Bunu. Christian is rounded up by the Securitate and the agent blackmails him into becoming an informant. They've learned he has an American dollar, given to him by the son of a diplomat. This is a punishable offense, but if he agrees to spy on the diplomat, he will not be prosecuted. The agent even promises medicine for Bunu.

Who was the informant? It could be anyone, including his best friend, Luca. Or, could it be his crush, Liliana? Terse intelligence reports are interspersed between the short, tense chapters in first-person, which increases the already high suspense. 

Ms. Sepetys paints a vivid, bleak and scary picture of life under a repressive dictator who managed to keep his citizens in the dark about life outside Romania while communism fell. She narrated the plentiful back matter. Edoardo Ballerini deftly conveys Christian's growing paranoia and fear. Additionally, his fluent pronunciation of names was quite helpful. 

Fans of the author or complex, well-researched historical fiction will love this. 

Middle Grade Monday: Hope Wins: a Collection of Inspiring Stories for Young Readers edited by Rose Brock

Image: Penguin Random House

Hope Wins: a Collection of Inspiring Stories for Young Readers edited by Rose Brock. 196 p. Philomel Books/ Penguin Young Readers Group, May 10, 2022. 9780593463932. (Review of finished copy courtesy of Blue Slip Media.) 

Happy Monday TMS Readers. I hope you had a wonderful weekend even though the weather was a drag. Middle Grade Monday features Hope Wins: a Collection of Inspiring Stories for Young Readers, edited by Rose Brock. If ever there was a "right book at the right time," (Thank you Professor Nana.) this collection of stories around the theme of hope is it. Twenty-two children's authors were asked by editor, Rose Brock to write a personal story and the results are inspiring in different ways. Some of the stories are rooted in sadness, such as Stuart Gibbs' exploration of grief, which may surprise young readers because his books are very humorous.  Other authors stick with the genre they are mostly notable for, such as R.L. Stine thinking that he wants to see a ghost, until he does, or Matt de la Peńa's story about an opportunity to play high school basket ball at a "better" school. James Bird and Rex Ogle explore their difficult childhood.

Tom Angleberger, of Origami Yoda fame, writes about his autism being viewed a "major malfunction" during his youth and Christina Soontornvat writes about learning to handle rude patrons with grace from her immigrant parents who ran a restaurant. Some, such as Soman Chainani, J. Cervantes and Gordon Korman, write about their path to author-hood. And then there's Adam Gidwitz, who just wants to be cool.

A short story collection is like a tapas restaurant. You have lots of great choices that are served up on a series of bite-sized dishes; enough to satisfy, but not enough to get stuffed. Sure, there may be some stories that you might wish were longer, but then you always have the option of seeking out other works by that author.

Happy Book Birthday tomorrow to Hope Wins! It would be a terrific addition to any school or classroom library. Many of the stories beg to be read aloud and discussed. And who doesn't need a little hope and resilience nowadays?

Teen Tuesday: We are Not from Here by Jennie Torres Sanchez

Image: Penguin Random House

We Are Not From Here by Jennie Torres Sanchez. 368 p. Philomel/ Penguin Young Readers Group, March 2020.

Happy Tuesday! I hope you got out and about in the delightfully breezy weather after school yesterday. Latinx Heritage Month continues and Teen Tuesday features We Are Not From Here by Jennie Torres Sanchez. This searing novel is a gut punch. It grips the reader from page one and often tightens its grip so unbearably, you will need to put the book down and remind yourself to breathe. Not gonna lie - this is a tough read for a mature teen reader. But it's relevant and important.

Three teens, Pulga, Chico and Pequeña are cousins, best friends and found family. Chico's mother died tragically, so Pulga' and Pequeña's step in to raise and protect him. They are dirt poor and live in a terrible neighborhood run by Rey and his gang. Pequeña has caught Rey's eye and has no choice in the matter. Pulga and Chico witnessed Rey murder a beloved shopkeeper and now have to join the gang or risk death.

There's no way out. Or is there? Pulga has been studying maps and the route of La Bestia, a perilous train, difficult to board and hang on, but which promises transportation nearer to the U.S. border. Worst of all is the terror of knowing if they get caught and returned home, death awaits them.

This is an unflinching read that shines a light on tough issues facing thousands of people who risk their lives in search of a new start and relative safety in the U.S.

We are Not from Here published last year and earned at least four starred reviews, made quite a number of "Best" lists, including New York Public Library's and was named a Pura Belpré Honor. Highly recommended! Pulga, Chico and Pequeña won't soon leave your heart-space. 

#tbt: Merlin: the Lost Years by T. A. Barron

Image: Penguin Random House

Happy Thursday! #tbt features Merlin: the Lost Years by T. A. Barron. This is the first book of five in the Lost Years of Merlin series. The author eventually wrote a total of twelve in what became the Merlin Saga. Merlin: the Lost Years was originally published in 1996 with the title, The Lost Years of Merlin. Mr. Barron envisioned what the youth of Merlin, the wizard from Arthurian legend, might have been. He had also originally planned a trilogy about Merlin, but said in an author visit, "Merlin wouldn't let me go after the third book. There was more to his story."

Merlin: the Lost Years is fast-paced and filled with mystery and adventure and used to be my go-to book to give to students who claimed to hate to read.

Waiting on Wednesday: Singled Out: the True Story of Glenn Burke by Andrew Maraniss

Image: Penguin Random House

Singled Out: the True Story of Glenn Burke by Andrew Maraniss. 320 p. Philomel Books/ Penguin Young Readers Group, March 2, 2021. 9780593116722.

Waiting on Wednesday features Singled Out: the True Story of Glenn Burke by Andrew Maraniss. Here's the publisher's synopsis: "On October 2nd, 1977, Glenn Burke, outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, made history without even swinging a bat. When his teammate Dusty Baker hit a historic home run, Glenn enthusiastically congratulated him with the first ever high five. But Glenn also made history in another way—he was the first openly gay MLB player. While he did not come out publicly until after his playing days were over, Glenn's sexuality was known to his teammates, family, and friends. His MLB career would be cut short after only three years, but his legacy and impact on the athletic and LGBTQIA+ community would resonate for years to come. 

New York Times bestselling author Andrew Maraniss tells the story of Glenn Burke: from his childhood growing up in Oakland, his journey to the MLB and the World Series, the joy in discovering who he really was, to more difficult times: facing injury, addiction, and the AIDS epidemic.

Packed with black-and-white photographs and thoroughly researched, never-before-seen details about Glenn's life, Singled Out is the fascinating story of a trailblazer in sports—and the history and culture that shaped the world around him."

Until I read High Five for Glenn Burke, I had never heard of Glenn Burke. Now, I have a biography to look forward to reading! I always learn so much from children's literature! Singled Out releases on March 2.

#tbt: Heat by Mike Lupica

Image: Penguin Random House

Heat by Mike Lupica. 224 p. Philomel/ Penguin Young Readers Group, 2006. 9780399243011. (Own)

#tbt features Heat by Mike Lupica. Heat is the story of Michael Arroyo, a twelve-year-old pitching phenom with an 80 mph pitch. Coaches don't think he's twelve and want him to produce his birth certificate only that's not easy because it's in Cuba and investigation by the authorities will reveal that Michael's father died and his not-quite-eighteen-year-old older brother has been caring for him. Lupica was a sports journalist who wrote a column for the New York Daily News. He wrote several biographies of sports figures and novels for adults before making his middle grade debut with Travel Team in 2004. Heat is his second book for young people published in 2006. Lupica published a sequel to Heat recently called Strike Zone.

#tbt: Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

Image: Penguin

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine. 320 p. Philomel Books/ Penguin Young Readers Group, 2010. (Own)

#tbt is another student recommendation. Sixth grader, Esther, recommends Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine. Mockingbird  was published in 2010 and won the 2010 National Book Award as well as many state awards.

Ten-year-old Caitlin has Aspergers and tends to see the world rigidly in black and white. She's odd and is aware that her classmates see her as "weird." Her brother, Devon, was her shelter. Now Devon is dead—killed with a teacher and another student in a school shooting—and Caitlin is adrift. Through Caitlin's first-person narration, readers see the world through her eyes and can't help but be impressed by her resiliency. Mockingbird is a great book to develop empathy. If you like emotionally intense books, this one's for you. While you're at it, check out some of the author's other titles like The Absolute Value of Mike or Seeing Red!

#tbt: Slob by Ellen Potter

Image: Penguin/ Philomel

Slob by Ellen Potter. 208 p. Philomel Books/ Penguin Young Reader's Group, May, 2009. 9780399247057. (Own.)

It isn't often that I get to use this word, but happy penultimate Thursday of the summer, TMS Readers! Yes, we have one more Thursday of summer before I get to see your smiling faces! I also get to use the word penultimate four more times! 

Thanks to Samaaya for recommending Slob by Ellen Potter for #tbt. Twelve-year-old Owen Birnbaum is the fattest kid in school and bullied about it, even by his gym teacher. Worse yet, someone is stealing the Oreos out of his lunch each day. Owen is also a genius inventor. He'd like to invent a television that shows the past as well as a device to catch his Oreo thief. Something happened two years ago that he needs to see. While this is a sad book, it is also laugh-out-loud funny. Owen is a character you won't soon forget. 

#tbt: Redwall by Brian Jacques

Redwall by Brian Jacques. Illustrated by Troy Howell. 351 p. Philomel Books, June, 1987. 9780399214240. (Own)

#tbt features Redwall by Brian Jacques (pronounced Jakes). Jacques wrote Redwall for the special friends he had been reading to at a school for the blind. He didn't like the books and wrote his own. Redwall is the first book in the Redwall series and was published in 1986. He wrote twenty two more until his death in 2011, with the last book being published posthumously.

Redwall is an abbey where animals live in peace. Young Matthias dreams of adventure. That comes in the form of Cluny the Scourge, a huge rat with a poisonous tail. He dreams of making Redwall Abbey his own. All the characters are animals and they all have their own curious dialect, making the reading a bit difficult. Hang in there. The books are satisfying reading, especially if you enjoy animal fantasy.

My family owns the tenth anniversary edition. I love the cover of this one.

Fact Friday: Remember the Bridge: Poems of a People by Carole Boston Weatherford

Remember the Bridge: Poems of a People by Carole Boston Weatherford. 53 p. Philomel Books/ Penguin Young Readers Group, January, 2002. 0399237267.   (Own.)

Fact Friday features Remember the Bridge: Poems of a People by Carole Boston Weatherford. This powerful collection of poems highlights pivotal events over four hundred years of African American history from the earliest slave traders' arrival in Africa through the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement and America's first African-American female astronaut. Heroes both named and anonymous, male and female who helped shaped history. The book is beautifully designed and the poems are paired with archival photos and engravings, some of which are quite difficult to view. An author's note describes the origin and history of the book's journey from graduate class assignment to the finished book. There are many cross-curricular possibilities to explore here. No library collection is complete without this title. I was very sad to learn yesterday that the book has gone out of print. Such a shame. I hope nothing happens to my library's copy.