Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai

This book was a super good read.  It was clean, it was interesting, it was different, and you couldn't wait to find out what happened at the end.  The main character, Fadi, a 12 y/o boy from Afganistan who leaves the country with his family is smart, of good moral character, and has a deep love for his family that drives him to do everything possible to find his missing sister.  Best of all, this is a book young guys would like!  Yeah!

Goodbye Vietnam by Gloria Whelan

Another fabulous book by Gloria Whelan.  Gripping story of a Vietnamese family trying to leave Vietnam before being imprisoned by the government.  It is a short book with lots of action and drama.  Eye opening as to what these families had to go through to escape an oppressive government.  Grief and heartache for many, freedom for some.  Very good read. 

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gaunt

I know I said I would not review Newbery winners, but this one is targeted for boys and is a fabulous read.  Several times throughout the book the main character says "Cheezus Crust" as a pseudo curse which I suppose some would find offensive, but I did not.  This book has mystery, outlandish characters, and the funny adventures of a grounded 14 year old boy in the midwest during the 1960's.  He has some hysterical times with his single, elderly neighbor woman, and there is a lot of history thrown in for good measure.  A great read!

The Robber and Me by Josef Holub

I found this book at the Goodwill and the synopsis on the back made it sound really good.  However, this book was translated from German.  I had trouble believing that this book was written in 1997, it seemed much older!  The reviews I read on Amazon were good, but I thought it had too many German terms, town names, etc. and a couple of awkard scenes for kids to actually like it.  I did finish it, but I would not recommend it for young boys who are the target audience for this book.  Rats!  I'll have to keep on looking for books boys will enjoy!

Shabanu - Daughter of the Wind by Suzanne Fisher Staples

Just finished this book about a Pakistani girl and her life in the desert.  This book is definitely for older girls as references are made about developing breasts, starting periods and what it will be like to be married, that I am sure boys would find disgusting.  The book depicts women as second class citizens and contains some violent scenes, however, I really enjoyed this book and am anxious to read the next one.  I learned a lot about middle eastern culture and actually read ahead to see what happened to the strong young woman
protagonist.  Sad at times, engaging in others, this book will keep you interested until the very end. 

Promises to the Dead by Mary Downing Hahn

This really good book takes place at the time of the Civil War.  It's about a 12 y/o boy who makes a promise to a dying slave woman that he will bring her 3 y/o son to a relatives house in Baltimore.  Clean, action packed, quick read.  Historical fiction but no where near boring.  This is the first book by Mary Downing Hahn that I have read.  She has written a lot of other books, but  by the covers they all look like ghost stories.  Has anyone read any of her other books?  Let me know. 

Lemonade Wars by Jacqueline Davies

Loved it!  Moved a bit slower than any book I've read recently, but is a great story about brother/sister relationships.  Big brother is upset because little sis will be skipping a grade and be in his classroom in the fall.  Covers all of the angst and anger that he is feeling as well as her not getting why he is upset.  Good, clean read about two siblings who really do love and enjoy being together even though a lemonade stand competition would lead you to believe otherwise.  Has two sequels that I have not read yet.

Northward to the moon by Polly Horvath

The back of the book states that this is reading level 5.0 and for ages 10-13.  It is supposedly narated by a tween girl, the oldest of her mother's four children.  However, her naration is that of a very well versed adult.  It comes across as odd, just like this story.  I would not recommend it.  One of her aunts remarks after seeing a nice looking young man that he looks like "sex on a stick".  The girl also spends some time trying to figure out who fathered her brothers, sister and self.  I thought is was a very bizarre story with a very unsatisfying ending.  This is dysfunctional family escapades at their best.

Powerless by Matthew Cody

This is a great book for boys (at last).  It involves kids with super powers, suspense, mystery, action, and friendship.  It is very clean and most of the characters have actual parents!  The ending sets up for the sequel which will be out in September 2012 called Super.   Both boys and girls 5th grade and up would love this book.

Enna Burning by Shannon Hale

This is the sequel to The Goose Girl.  I liked it, but it was definitely wierder than the first one.  Definitely for girls 10 and up and definitely for fantasy lovers.  Clean, but slightly violent, as her kingdom is at war and she uses her "gift of fire" to burn up the enemy. 

Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Once again I am reviewing a Newbery award winning book.  I loved it.  I saw that other reviewers were upset that there is alcohol use, but hey, it takes place during prohibition, and she is an abandoned child whose father rides the rails.  This story has an intricately weaved story that is slowly revealed page by page.  Although the protagonist is a girl, I think that both boys and girls would enjoy this story.  Good to the last word!

Calico Bush by Rachael Field

I vowed I would stay away from Newbery award and honor books because you probably already know that most of them are clean reads and just plain old good books.  This one was a 1936 Newberry honor book.  It is historical fiction set in Maine during the French Indian War.  It is about a French girl who loses her family and becomes a "bound out girl" to a family with 5 children.  A good read, but I am unsure if today's children would be interested in it.  There are a lot of french words, references to her Catholic upbringing and customs, and time period words and phrases all without explanation as to their meaning.  I think this would make this a difficult read for any child under the age of 10.  I, however, enjoyed it and think it would make a good read aloud so that explanations could be inserted.

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

I just finished this one and I loved it.  Based on a Grimm's Fairy Tale it has Kings, Queens, a princess and a lady in waiting.  Humor, drama, sorrow, murderous plots, deceit, love and honor in the middle ages.  If you read Amazon Books review of this book, one person hated it because of a scene of "bare breasted women".  To me is was just a slight reference in the middle of a retelling of an old war legend.  I had no problem with it especially since the rest of the book is so good I could not put it down.  I have already ordered the sequel, Enna Burning.

Great Books

I have read a ton of great young adult books over the years, however when I went to write a posts about them I realized that I should have done it right after reading the book, not several months or years later.  I can tell you a book is a great read, but I can't tell you if it had any foul language in it, etc.  So maybe I should post a list of great books to read (no guarantees on the exact content) and review them one by one as I reread them. 

Julie

A Pocket Full of Seeds by Marilyn Sachs

Yet another holocaust/Nazi era survivor book.  This one is a little different, in that it is about a Jewish family that lived in France at the time of the occupation.  It is told from the viewpoint of Nicole an 11 year old girl
who lives with her parents and little sister.  She comes home one day to find them gone.    Based on a true story (the best kind of book in my opinion).  The book details the effects of war on her country, her town, and her friends and family.  A sad but insightful read.

Belle Prater's Boy by Ruth White

This book takes place in 1953 in Virginia.  Belle Prater's boy Woodrow is sent to live with his maternal grandparents after his mother just suddenly disappears one night.  While there he reconnects with his cousin Gypsy and they become best friends during their 6th grade year.  They both have some deep sorrows to share and find great comfort and support in each other.  I think both boys and girls would like this book .
It moves quickly and is just a great read.

Purely Rosie Pearl by Patricia A. Cochrane

I liked this story because it had a different flavor to it than most.  Rosie Pearl is a 12 year old girl who is a migrant worker with her family during the great depression.  Their southern farm was destroyed by dust storms and they moved west to follow the crops.  The description of migrant life is vivid and detailed.  The story chronicles her family's summer, their experiences in California, and Rosie Pearl's relationship with her new "educated" friend Maggie.  Funny and poignant.  Don't let the dated looking cover turn you off. 

Bird Lake Moon by Kevin Henkes

I rejected another book by Kevin Henkes a few years ago, but decided to give his another try.  This book is great for middle school boys as it deals with two boys, honesty, grief, and friendship.  The chapters alternate between Mitch and Spencer, two young boys both dealing with their own grief.  One of the boys younger brother drown in Bird Lake and the other boy's parents are getting divorced.  They both end up on the shore of Bird Lake where their adventures begin. 

Have I got a book for you...

This blog was developed to help other teachers, parents and librarians find good, clean books for their middle and high school students to read.  It is more difficult than it should be so I thought I would post reviews of my favorite clean reads and hopefully you can share yours with me.  Read On!