Heart of a Samurai

Book Title: Heart of a Samurai

Author: Margie Preus

Publisher: Amulet Books

Copyright Date: 2010

Selection Choice: Required class books.

Brief Annotation: In 1841, a Japanese whaling ship sinks after a storm and the members of the crew are forced to find and survive on a small island. 14-year old Manjiro and his crewmates are soon rescued by a American ship that was passing by. Unable to return to their native Japan, they go with the American ship as it heads to America. Language and cultural barriers plague them, but eventually they all begin to get along and Manjiro finds himself close to the ship's captain. The captain takes Manjiro back to his home in New England, where they stay for some time before Manjiro heads to California. All the while he is finding himself and missing his home in Japan. Will he go back, or will the move prove to be too difficult?

Your Rating: 4/5 stars. This book certainly wasn't what I expected it to be, though I was still delightfully surprised. The imagery and beautiful writing create a rich literary landscape that is very easy to get lost in. I liked the historical aspects as well as the character development.

Readers who will like this book: Readers who like historical fiction; readers interested in Japanese or American history.

Question to ask about this book before reading: What do you know about the Samurai or Samurai Code?

Question to ask about this book during reading: Can you make any connections to contemporary racism through what happens in this novel?

Question to ask about this book after reading: What genre would you classify this novel as?

1. Interest Level: Ages 11-16

2. Grade Level Equivalent: Grade 6 and up.

3. List awards: 2011 Newbery Honor Book; 2011 Asian/Pacific American Award for Children's Literature; 2011 ALSC Notable Children's Book.

Jacob Have I Loved

Book Title: Jacob Have I Loved

Author: Katherine Paterson

Publisher: Harper Collins

Copyright Date: 1991

Selection Choice: Book by Katherine Paterson

Brief Annotation: Sara Louise, or "Wheeze", lives in the shadow of her twin sister, Caroline. Living on the island of Rass in the early 1940s isn't easy- and being second behind her beautiful and talented sister makes things even harder on Wheeze. When both Caroline and Cass, Wheeze's best friend on the island, leave her for separate reasons, but later end up married. Grief stricken and hurt, Wheeze finally gets her mother's permission and blessing to leave the island and get a college education. She takes on a job as a midwife to earn support for her dream of becoming a doctor later on. She marries a widow and becomes a successful midwife. When a pair of twins is set to be born, Sara Louise's services are called upon, and unbeknown to her, she is about to learn the toughest lesson of her life.

Your Rating: 3/5 stars. While I enjoyed this book I found it very slow moving. I couldn't bring myself to have any compassion or empathy for Sara Louise. I found the story to drag at times. It was an interesting story and very well written, but perhaps it was just out of my interest range.

Readers who will like this book: Readers who like contemporary historical fiction. Readers who like strong female characters. Readers with sibling rivalry.

Question to ask about this book before reading: Have you ever been jealous of another person close to you? Why?

Question to ask about this book during reading: Which character do you find yourself identifying with?

Question to ask about this book after reading: How do we know when a person has truly "learned a lesson"?

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): 13 years and older

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 6th-9th grade

3. List awards: 1981 Newbery Medal

Escape from Saigon: How a Vietnam War Orphan Became an American Boy

Book Title: Escape from Saigon: How a Vietnam War Orphan Became an American Boy

Author: Andrea Warren

Publisher:

Copyright Date: 2004

Selection Choice: Memoir

Brief Annotation: Long was born in Saigon in 1966. His American father left when he was very young, and his Vietnamese mother, then grandmother, struggled to raise him during what was a difficult and frightening time. This story chronicles the trials and tribulations of growing up as a poor Amerasian in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, especially after the Americans leave in defeat, and anti-American North Vietnam troops begin descending south. He shares fond memories as well as the frequent heartbreak and difficulties that he and his family experienced. At the age of 8, he is given to an orphanage, and makes his way to his adoptive family in America with the help of Operation Babylift. Long, who is now known as Matthew, then describes his transition into a new family and culture.

Your Rating: 5/5 Stars. This is an engaging, honest, and personal account of the life of Long told through the author, who shares her connection with the story, and interweaves facts about the political and social events of Vietnam during the years of the war.

Readers who will like this book: Readers who would enjoy or could relate a story about adoption, readers who are interested in the Vietnam War, readers who would enjoy or benefit from a story about hardships and heartbreak, and also perseverance and friendship.

Question to ask about this book before reading: Have you heard of the Vietnam War? What do you know about it?

Question to ask about this book during reading: Why did Long’s mother try to give him up? Why did Long’s grandmother give him to the orphanage?

Question to ask about this book after reading: What factors help Long get through the difficult times he faced throughout the book?

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): 10-14

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 6

3. List awards: Booklist Editor’s Choice: Books For Youth 2004, IRA Notable Books for a Global Society, NCSS-CBC Notable Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, Louisiana YR Choice Book Award Master List, Society of Midland Authors Book Award, Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children 2005.

Junie B. Jones- Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (P.S. So Does May)

Book Title: Junie B. Jones- Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (P.S. So Does May)

Author(s) and Artist(s)--if applicable: Barbara Park and Denise Brunkus

Publisher: Random House

Copyright Date: 2005

Selection Choice: Part of a Series

Brief Annotation: Junie B. Jones and her class are going to have a secret Santa party. Junie B. draws the worst name possible, May’s name. Junie B. is then given the opportunity to give May the present she deserves. Will it be worthwhile for Junie B. to follow through with her plan?

Your Rating: 5/5

Readers who will like this book: Young readers who are learning to read. Junie B. Jones represents a great portrayal of a first grader so students will be able to relate to her easily.

Question to ask about this book before reading: Have you ever been so mad at someone that you wanted to get back at them by doing something bad?

Question to ask about this book during reading: Do you think Junie B. will follow through with giving May coal for her secret Santa gift? What do you think will happen to Junie B. and May if Junie gives her coal?

Question to ask about this book after reading: Why do you think Junie B. felt so good after giving May the squeeze a burp present?

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): 7-10

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 3-5

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3. List awards

The Midwife's Apprentice

Book Title: The Midwife's Apprentice

Author: Karen Cushman

Publisher: Clarion Books

Copyright Date: 1995

Selection Choice: Galda list of historical fiction novels

Brief Annotation: Brat, a girl of around 12 years old, is an orphan who is discovered living in a dung heap by a midwife named Jane Sharp. She is a skilled and in demand midwife, and takes Brat on as her apprentice. Over some time, Brat begins to develop into a stronger girl. She renames herself Alyce, makes friends with the villagers, and begins to hone the craft of midwifery. But when Jane Sharp abandons a woman in labor in favor of a rich woman, Alyce is left to deliver the first woman's child. After she successfully does so, the woman pays Alyce instead of Jane, and the two women begin a feud. Alyce begins working as a midwife without Jane's help. Will Alyce successfully prove herself? Or does she need to check her pride and work harder to become the woman she will be?

Your Rating: 5/5 stars. Cushman is one of my favorite authors; I must have read Catherine, Called Birdy twenty times when I was younger. She writes fantastic female characters who are spirited but believable for the time period they are set in. The amount of information about the time period you can get just by reading her book is astounding.

Readers who will like this book: Readers interested in medievil times. Readers who like strong yet flawed characters.

Question to ask about this book before reading: What is an apprentice?

Question to ask about this book during reading: What good and bad qualities does Brat, or Alyce, show?

Question to ask about this book after reading: Have you ever deferred help even when you needed it out of pride? What was the result?

Interest Level (age): 11-13 years old

Grade Equivalent: 5-7

Awards: Newbery Award 1996

A Break With Charity, a Story About the Salem Witch Trials

Book Title: A Break with Charity, a Story About the Salem Witch Trials

Author: Ann Rinaldi

Publisher: Gulliver Books

Copyright Date: 1992

Selection Choice: Historical Fiction

Brief Annotation: During the late 1600’s, a young girl named Susana becomes involved with a group of girls that are in the business of starting rumors about people they dislike. Ann, the leader of the group, will not allow Susana to be a member, but still confides in her about the plan to expose certain people as witches. At this time, this was a very serious accusation that involved a trial and a punishment, usually death, if one was found to be a witch. Susana realizes that this is extreme and that people’s lives are at stake, but Ann threatens to accuse Susana’s parents of witchcraft if she exposes Ann’s plan. Susana must choose to expose Ann and the other girls to stop innocent people from being harmed, or remain silent in order to ensure her parents’ safety.

Rating: 5/5

Readers who will like this book: Readers who enjoy historical fiction, readers who enjoy learning about the Salem Witch Trials

Question to ask about this book before reading: What do you know about the Salem Witch Trials? What was life like back then?

Question to ask about this book during reading: How is Susana different from the girls who meet at the house? Why do you think she wants to belong to their group?

Question to ask about this book after reading: What conclusions can you draw about human nature from the way that people treat each other in this book? Use examples from the book and relate them to examples from today.

Out of the Dust

Book Title: Out of the Dust

Author(s) and Artist(s)--if applicable: Karen Hesse

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Copyright Date: 1997

Selection Choice: Historical Fiction

Brief Annotation: The story takes place in the Great Depression during the Oklahoma dust bowl. Billie Jo is a fourteen year old girl who loses her mother and newborn baby brother due to a fire accident. She lives with her father who is trying to keep his farm alive but struggles because of all the dust and little rain. Billie Jo and her father become strangers to one another since her mother’s death as her father distances himself from Billie Jo and keeps to himself. Throughout the book, Billie Jo learns how to survive the dust, reunite with her father, and find strength inside herself to keep living. The story is a compelling novel that pulls readers in as Billie Jo learns about herself and the world.

Your Rating: 5/5

Readers who will like this book: Readers who enjoy reading in diary form and enjoys historical fiction.

Question to ask about this book before reading: What do you know about the dust bowl during the Great Depression?

Question to ask about this book during reading: Do you think Billie Jo and her father can reunite or will they remain strangers to one another?

Question to ask about this book after reading: What did you learn about what life was like during the Great Depression? Are there similarities between how Billie Jo and her father lived then and how some people may live today?

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): 11-13

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 6-8

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3. List awards

1998 Newbery Medal Winner

Winner of the 1998 Scott O'Dell Award