Book Reviews from Personal Reading

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Review of Suspense: Two Truths and a Lie

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  Summary: While traveling to a school competition, a sudden blizzard forces Nell and her theater group to take shelter in a creepy, run-down hotel. They meet other groups sheltering there as well, including a rival team heading for the same competition. The first night in the hotel, the two groups play the game, Two Truths and a Lie, to pass the time. Things get dark when one game piece admits to multiple killings. Then it is discovered that the hotel was the scene of an unsolved double murder many years ago. Everyone is a suspect in the haunting confession. The next morning, one of Nell’s theater friends is found dead. Trapped without power or access to help, Nell and her friends must protect themselves and find a way to survive. Criteria: This book fit the criteria necessary. It was in the suspense category, published in the last 10 years, and I had not read it. It does not have as many accolades and awards as some of the other books reviewed  here but does have positive re...
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Review of Historical Fiction: Genevieve's War

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  Summary: Genevieve spent the summer of 1939 in Alsace with Mémé, her stern grandmother. The plan was for 13-year-old Genevieve to return to America before the Germans invade France. Impulsively and at the last minute, she decides to stay and help Mémé on her farm. German soldiers occupy the area, deporting Jewish residents and housing an officer in Mémé’s farmhouse. Resistance is not a new idea to the people of Alsace, and Genevieve soon learns the ropes as well. Throughout the book we see Genevieve grow up, one might argue too quickly, amidst challenging times, and we witness Genevieve’s hostility for her stern grandmother evolve into empathy, respect, and love .  Criteria: Response: Character: Initially, I struggled to appreciate Genevieve. So impulsive. So reckless. So.... childish. Of course she is. She is a child. We got to see Genevieve grow from a selfish, impulsive child learning about the realities of war into a shrewd young woman capable of becoming a force with th...
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Review of Newbery Medal Winner: Merci Suarez Changes Gears

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Summary: Merci and her brother are Cuban-American scholarship students at their private school in Florida. Merci never feels like she belongs. Mean girl Edna has a plan to make Merci’s life miserable, and things at home are hard, too. Something is wrong with the way Grandpa is acting. He’s forgetting things he knows, he falls, and since when did he have a temper? No one in the family will talk about it, leaving Merci to feel alone at home and at school. Criteria:  Merci Suarez changes gears  fit the criteria in the books I was looking for: it was published in the last 10 years, I had not read it previously, and it is a Newberry Medal winner. Booklist referred to it as a must-read and the Horn Book Guide points out that the natural use of Spanish (language) builds authenticity. Response:  Style and Language Since Merci is the age of the students I teach, it is relevant to my current job. Author Meg Medina does an excellent job of capturing the highs and lows of middle scho...
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