Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy

by Gary D Schmidt

Race, poverty, red shutters, religion, and mental health are some issues contained in Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy. There are differences between people. What are the reactions to individual differencs? If everyone has white houses with green shutters, what if you paint your shutters red? It seems like a simple, almost silly or trivial matter. Is it? What kinds of differences can or should be tolerated in people - different religions? Oh, my! And, what of the poor? What about people who vary in color? There are a lot of issus in this book. Like most really good stories, it is about a relationship. A relationship between a preacher's boy (white) and a poor girl (black) who enjoy sailing, throwing rocks, fishing, and hanging out. They are young and innocent as almost all people start out. But, alas, societal forces act to end innocence. Wake up and live in the real world kind of thing. What do they do? Can they hang in there? And what about great organ music and red shutters? Life is complicated - or not.


This is a book of historical fiction based on a colony of former slaves living on an island in New England. The white community on the mainland decides to confiscate the island and make it a tourist attraction. In the time of the book, a person could be committed to a mental institution if any two citizens signed a petition. Guess what. The island was full of not poor former slaves, but mentally unstable people.

To explore the front and back cover of Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy click here.

Review by Bob

Make Lemonade

I recommend the book because when I read it in 9th grade I related to the main character LaVaughn. She was a 14 year old girl who was looking for a babysitting job. The moral of the book is as the title suggests that despite hard times you can find hope and turn bad situations into good ones.

The book is about LaVaughn who becomes a babysitter for two kids named Jeremy and Jilly. They live with their mother, Jolly, in a very dirty apartment. Although the conditions are poor, LaVaughn becomes attached to the family. The story continues with LaVaughn trying to spend more time helping the family, even through some difficult situations.

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Review by Rachel

Number the Stars

Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry

When I was younger, I was always really intrigued (and horrified) by the Holocaust. Since there are a lot of books on that subject, it was easy for me to feed my interest! I don't remember who introduced me to this book, but it stood out among the many Holocaust stories that I read and made a big impression on me as a middle school student.

Number the Stars is a book about the persecution of Jews during World War 2, and the impact that it had on every person, including the book's main character, Annemarie Johansen. She is a 10-year-old living in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1943 and is caught up in the events surrounding the rescue of Danish Jews. She and her family risk their lives to help Annemarie's best friend, Ellen Rosen, avoid Nazi persecution and eventually escape by pretending that she is Annemarie's older sister who died earlier in the war as part of the Resistance, and later smuggling her and her family into Sweden. The book ends with the Germans surrendering to the Allied Forces. Denmark celebrates as it is returned to a free country. At that point, Annemarie finally learns all that really happened during the War and the Resistance, and resolves to wear Ellen's necklace until Ellen can return.

To explore the front and back cover of Number the Stars click here.

Review by Megan

Pobre Ana

I recommend the level I, elementary Spanish reader Pobre Ana, written by Blaine Ray. This simple, beginner "novela" is a perfect choice for students enrolled in Spanish I. Native speakers requiring a bit of basic review and limited vocabulary practice, may also enjoy the first chapter book in the Pobre Ana series. As a middle school Spanish instructor, I believe the Pobre Ana series is an essential tool for foreign language learning. Personally, I supplement my Spanish level I curriculum with cultural investigation, field study, focus on individual self-actualization, communication skills, and literature. The focused vocabulary bank (300-words) and applicable story line invites students to dive into Spanish literature.



Ana is the book's 15-year lead character. Readers can relate to Ana's struggles. She disagrees with her mother and father. She doesn't have new, designer clothes. She is a teenage student in a Californian school. When the opportunity to visit a family in Mexico arises, Ana jumps at the chance to "vacation" away from her family and her troubles. Will Mexico be the dream trip Ana envisions? Will Ana's troubles disappear? Readers will discover "si Ana es una chica con
problemas."

To learn more about Pobre Ana click here.

Review by Senorita Swanson

The Truth About Forever

I was first introduced to this book by a friend of mine and I am very glad I read it! I would recommend this book to anyone because it is just an enjoyable read. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen is the perfect read for teenagers as it deals with hardships, friendship, love and heartbreak; everything that teenagers can relate to. Trust me, you will not want to put this book down!


The Truth About Forever starts out at the beginning of summer. Macy Queen is already prepared for what she thinks is going to be the worst summer ever. Her boyfriend is leaving for camp and all Macy can think about is how alone she is going to be all summer. Then Macy meets a group of crazy people in a catering business and they convince her to work with them. Macy is doing something totally out of her comfort zone for the first time in her life, taking a chance. Macy ends up meeting Wes, a boy who has a completely difference lifestyle than Macy. At first look, Macy and Wes are complete opposites, but once they start talking and sharing stories, they see they are not so different after all.

To explore the front and back cover of The Truth About Forever click here.

Review by Carly

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Have you ever spent the night in a museum? Claudia and her little brother Jamie do! To find out what it would be like, read From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. This book has won numerous awards including a Newberry Medal and I can understand why. I enjoyed this book because of the adventure involved in the story. The characters in the book are very likable and the sibling relationship is both humorous and heartwarming. I love a good mystery and this book satisfied this component for me.


At the onset, twelve year old Claudia makes the decision to run away from home. Although she has three siblings, Claudia has her reasons for asking her younger brother Jamie to accompany her. She selects the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York as their place to hide out. The book describes their adventures of being inside of the museum, both during the day and at night. Claudia and Jamie become intrigued with a particular statue in the museum. Now, the mystery begins. You will have to read the book to find out what happens next! Although this book is over thirty years old, the characters are fresh. It is a fast-moving book that will keep your interest. I hope you like it!

To see the explore the front and back cover of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler click here.

Review by Debbie

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

I was first introduced to Harry Potter by my mom who randomly brought it home one day after hearing good things about it. At first I was unsure, but it turned out to be a marvelous adventure! J.K. Rowling brings you into the magical world as if you right in the middle of it all. I think middle school kids could easily relate to all the characters, as Harry and his friend are about middle school age.

The book starts out on Harry's 11th birthday as he finds out he has magical powers. He always suspected that something was different about him, it was only confirmed when an overly large man named Hagrid broke down his door. He goes to Hogwarts, the school of witch craft and wizardry. While there he finds out his history is more mysterious then he ever knew. Read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone to begin an adventure that you will never forget.

To read more about Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, click here.

Review by Jessica

Among the Hidden

The first time I read Among the Hidden, by Margaret Petterson Maddix, I was in fifth grade. Our principal read it to us and I immediately fell in love with it. After she finished it I re-read it again on my own and enjoyed it even more. It's suspenseful plot and gripping story line keeps you wanting more. The startling idea of only being able to have two children in a household, and seeing into a world of a child who cannot be seen, is an incredible story.

Among the Hidden is about a boy named Luke Garner. He is a third child in a world that frowns upon having more then two children. This story goes into detail on what it is like daily for him. He believes for the most part that he is alone and is the only third child until one day he sees a girl in a house where he knows for a fact there are already two children. The girl is Jen, she opens up his world and shows him that there are thousands just like them. Jen is willing to risk it all to fight back against the population police, yet Luke isn't so sure. Read Among the Hidden to find out what happens when Luke realizes how far he is willing to go to become free.

Check out the front and back cover of the Among the Hidden by clicking here.

Review by Amy

The Shadow Club

The Shadow Club by Neil Shusterman was recommended to me over the summer by Anastasia Gruper, my colleague at Bernotas. She has been using it as a read-aloud in her classroom and says her students immensely enjoy it. After I finished reading the books a few weeks ago, I can easily see why any middle school student would love this book. It is suspenseful, funny, and full of characters that one can easily relate to. Also, I absolutely love the theme of how bad things can happen to good kids when they take things to far. Furthermore, when my sister saw me reading this book, she excitedly said, "Oh my gosh! I love that book!"


Summary:

The Shadow Club tells the story of a group of kids who feel they are always second best. They seek to even the score by starting a club and playing a series of practical jokes on their arch rivals. The seemingly innocent pranks begin to spiral out of control, and the group of second best "good kids" realize what they have truly become. Read The Shadow Club and explore the themes of revenge, friendship, and mob mentality.

Check out the front and back cover of the The Shadow Club by clicking here.

Review by Mr. Juliano