Hidden by Dauvillier, Lizano and Salsedo

Hidden
by Loic Dauvillier, Marc Lizano and Greg Salsedo
80 pages, 2014
Elementary

When grandma was a little Jewish girl, she lived in Paris.  But life wasn't all sweetness and roses- she lived in the time of World War II- when Jews were discriminated against, families were torn apart, and children were hidden in closets.  But Grandma Dounia has never told her story.  Until she tells it to her granddaughter in the middle of the night.

What a gentle way to discuss the horrors of the Holocaust with a young child.  The reader can see how deeply it affected Dounia as a child (at one point she can't talk for a few days), you see the emotions that fill her and how the horrors around her change her life.  But you don't see the horrors.  The reader sees the changes that come- people treating them differently, police taking people away, how different her mother is once she is returned.  It addresses all the issues that the Jews faced during WWII, but at the same time shows it in a manner appropriate for children.

Great read- worth looking at.  Should be appropriate for most children, but might invoke more questions about the events of the Holocaust.  Great way to tell this story.

"The President Has Been Shot!": The Assassination of John F. Kennedy

"The President Has Been Shot!": The Assassination of John F. Kennedy
by James L. Swanson
336 pages
High School

In the fall of 1963, the world was shocked by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the youngest president ever of the United States.  After narrowly winning the election a few years earlier, he had grown in maturity and handled several tense situations that could have been catastrophic otherwise.  

Learn not only about this young president and what he accomplished before being killed, but also about the sniper, what drove him, and what happened the day of the assassination. 

Sometimes I find it difficult to write summaries of non-fiction.  There's not really a plot to highlight most of the time, and not really twists and turns to follow.  That being said, this book kind of does have a plot, even if the ending is not a surprise.

Told in more of a narrative style, not just laying out facts, it made it much easier to read than a lot of other non-fiction.  I enjoyed learning about JFK's background, highlights of his presidential time, and how he reacted to various situations.  Somehow, there is this huge gap in my U.S. history education after World War I through the 1980's.  This has help fill in some of those details, and it was much easier to read than a lot of the adult books would be.

Overall, this was an excellent book.  It had lots of facts, background into situation so that the reader can understand not just President Kennedy's background, but also that of the shooter.  There are also a lot of photos and diagrams to help the reader understand exactly how events played out.  Due to the depth and seriousness of the subject, I would recommend mostly for high school aged, unless a kid is super interested in history.  Great book about the topic!

Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles, America's First Black Paratroopers

Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles, America's First Black Paratroopers
by Tanya Lee Stone
160 pages
Late Elementary-Middle School

Decades before the civil rights movement, the army was just a segregated as the the general population.  If you were black and joined the army, you usually ended doing dishes, building roads, or other support roles.  No units were mixed white and black, very few officers were black, and everything from housing to mess halls were separated.

When World War II hits and blacks start enlisting, they realize that prejudice is still very strong.  Although they joined to fight racism across the ocean, they must face it at home first.  As they struggle to prove themselves, the 555th company learns not only parachuting skills, but also how to stand up to prejudice they see all around them.  Standing up for themselves is just as important as standing against the enemy.

This was the story of the 555th company, later battalion, that helped integrate blacks into the rest of the army.  Numerous pictures and personal experiences dot this narrative.  I love how often they are found with smiles on their faces even if the times were rough.  They stood for what they knew what right, even though it wasn't easy.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.  It took me a little while to get into the rhythm of the narrative, but after I got the hang of it, the book was really engrossing.  Sometimes it was hard to keep names straight- lots of names in this!- but I think it was worth having all the personal experiences related in their words and personal situations.  I liked learning about another aspect of the war that I haven't known much about in the past.  While it didn't necessarily teach me about the war in general, it was very enlightening on what it was like to be of African-American decent during that time.

I will definitely recommend this!  Nothing grisly or bloody in the book (they don't see much was action) which makes it appropriate for the late elementary age, but would take the right kid to be excited about it.  If they want a historical perspective on the situation from a minority's point of view- perfect!  Really liked it, would have gotten full marks except I'm not a huge history fan in general. 

Truce

Truce
by Jim Murphy
144 pages
Middle School+

The Great War, World War I is raging through Europe, sending despair through hearts.  Soldiers are converging, battle lines are drawn.  Death stalks these men, taking its daily toll.  Hope is scarce, and the future looks dim.

In the midst of one of the most horrible times of war, one day stands different than the others.  Christmas Day, 1914, dawns cold and silent.  Instead of bullets, Christmas carols ring through the air.  A brief truce between the English and German lines has enemies chatting together, celebrating Christmas in an entirely new way.  While tomorrow they may go back to shooting each other, for now, they are all bound by the special season.

This was a really good book.  There were lots of things I liked, including how it told the story.  Instead of just plopping us in the middle of the war, it gave some background- how the war started, what it was like leading up to Christmas, and overall, what it was like to be a soldier.  It is easier to understand what a miracle that day was when it is compared to the normal existence of daily life.  While the truce wasn't universal and some people still fought, the people that did participate remembered it.  It change them, and changed their outlook on the war.

I like all the photos and maps included in the book, as well as all the historical context of the setting.  I am not a history buff, and this book really helped me, as an adult, understand what was going on in the war better than any class I have ever had.

Good book!  Great story to tell, plus I really liked how it told the story.  Teens will learn not only about this specific instance, but about the rest of the war as well.  I listed as Middle School mostly for content and some of the pictures.  Life was not always pretty as a soldier, and some of the photos reflect that.  Text is detailed and informative, but not overwhelming.  Great book for history projects, or for kids interested in factual books instead of fiction.

Around the World; Three Remarkable Journeys

Around the World; Three Remarkable Journeys
by Matt Phelan
240 pages
Late Elementary

Inspired by Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days, three individuals decide to take on their own journeys to explore the world. Meet a miner, a reporter and sea captain- each with different goals in life, but each one wanting to to repeat the amazing feat!

Thomas Stevens works in a mine, but wants something different in his life.  Instead of staying the darkness, he ventures out, buys a bicycle (the kind with the huge front wheel) and rides across the United States. Instead of stopping there, he gets sponsored to continue his ride around the world.  Taking a boat to England, he rides across Great Britain, Europe and even Asia.  Coming home, he had ridden a bicycle 13,500 miles.

While Phineas Fogg from Around the World in 80 Days completes the journey on time, Nellie Bly wants to beat this record.  After being rejected one year, the newspaper she writes for sends her on her journey.  Taking only one bag, she travels day and night, even meeting Jules Verne himself!  After delays in several places, can she make it back in time?

The last story tells of an old retired sailor who repairs a small sailboat, and decides to sail around the world.  Taking only the most basic of supplies, he sets off on his own.  Weathering storms and sickness, he travels the seas, sometimes facing days without any other human contact.  Can he survive the deadly seas?

So I found this book to be very interesting! While listed in the fiction area, it is based in facts, citing several resources where the the information had been found. I think because the story is retold and embellished, it counts as fiction, even though it is based on facts.

These people existed and did these amazing things!  Even in our day, many people have never traveled around the world, even though it is so much easier now.  These people were determined and accomplished feats many people never do.

This book is a great example of how literature and other arts can affect the world.  While I'm sure some people would want to travel, this book inspired people to do things they normally wouldn't do.  It is so interesting to me to see books change the world.

Overall, inspiring book!  The pictures were pretty good, but not brilliant.  The information what very interesting, and the stories well told.  Because there were three stories, each one went fast, and it was a quick read.  Great book to recommend for history or adventure lovers!