Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac

Wow. I learned so much from this book. I knew vaguely that Navajo Indians had made codes that were used in World War II, but I didn't know any details. Joseph Bruchac, who is himself a Native American, obviously did a ton of research to write this book. The character in the book is a young Navajo who enlists in the Marines and becomes a Code Talker. I found the story to be gripping, and I knew as I was reading it that it was entirely grounded in fact. The most fascinating part to me was the descriptions of what it was like for the Marines who fought the Japanese on the islands of the Pacific. Conditions were horrible, and so much needless killing occurred. Any reader interested in war will devour this book, and will enjoy a fast-paced war story with the added advantage of the perspective of the Navajo Indians who were told their language and culture was worthless, and later told to use that language to help their country.

Buddha Boy by Kathe Koja

Buddha Boy is one of the Maud Hart Lovelace books for next school year. I listened to it on CD this week. It's about a new kid at a high school who at first seems pretty weird. His head is shaved and he begs in the lunch room. It turns out that a lot of what the new kid does is based on Buddhism, and when Justin unwillingly becomes his friend he finds out what an incredible artist he is. Unfortunately, the powerful jocks of the school pick Jinsen to harass, and Justin has to decide where he stands. This book has lots to think about--religion, art, friendship--and is short and easy to read. It's only mature because of some of the language in the book, which isn't anything everyone hasn't already heard, but it is not language you can say at school. I think this one will be enjoyed by 7th and 8th grade boys and girls alike.

Next year's Maud Hart Lovelace Nominees

For all you over-achievers out there, here are next year's MHL nominees. (This info is online at http://www.maudhartlovelace.org/) The OMS media center already owns at least one of all of them except Buddha Boy, which we now have as an audiobook. The books have been ordered and 20 copies of each will be here any day.

Division II: (grades 6 - 8)

Hawksong by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements
Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins
Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes
* Buddha Boy by Kathe Koja
Blizzard's Wake by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Airborn by Kenneth Oppel
Rising Water by P. J. Petersen
The Boy Who Saved Baseball by John Ritter
Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan
Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde
* Soldier X by Don Wulffson

* Titles for mature readers.

Statewide Maud Hart Lovelace Winners

The results are in, and among 5,270 Division II voters across the state, the winning book this year was Hoot by Carl Hiaasen. The movie of this book is coming out soon, so it will only get more popular. Pageturners Book Club members were disappointed—it wasn't their favorite. They liked House of the Scorpion, but that was probably too advanced for many readers.

Here are the numbers of votes for the top 6 books. Interestingly, Hoot only had 13.8% of the vote, and City of Ember had 13.6% of the vote.

Hoot 728
City of Ember 719
Full Tilt 643
House of the Scorpion 632
Once Upon a Marigold 476
Skeleton Man 464

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

This book is already popular at OMS, maybe due to its very cool cover (which violates the school dress code, by the way). Ginny, a 17-year-old girl learns about herself while on a sort of scavenger hunt across Europe. Her beloved aunt has died and left her 13 envelopes in various places in Europe. She travels around alone with almost no money and no advance plans–maybe a little bit unrealistic for a girl so young, but it's fun to imagine. This book contains a nice combination of adventure, romance, growing up, and also coming to terms with disappointment and sadness.

I love to travel and my travel bug began at a young age when I read Betsy and the Great World by Maud Hart Lovelace. 13 Little Blue Envelopes might have the same effect on kids today when they read about Ginny's adventures in England, Paris, Italy, and Greece.

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

I was so surprised by how much I loved this book. It's about two Irish brothers who fight in World War I. On one dramatic night one of the brothers, in an attempt to stay awake all night, relives his childhood. You are immersed in the world of a poor Irish family, and an incredible relationship between the brothers and the girl they both love. In the end, the events of the war cause a heartbreaking choice with no good ending. I was shocked to find out that this story is based on a shameful piece of history. As one 8th grader said to me when she returned this book, "I didn't know this was going to make me cry!" Highly recommended for 7th and 8th grade readers and for adults, too.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

I kept hearing about this book from good readers and I decided I had better get it for our library and that I had better read it myself. Actually, I listened to it on CD in my car. I would say it's all about romance, but it's the vampire fans who have been reading it. At the risk of telling too much, I will just say that Bella falls in love with Edward, so much so that she is willing to live with the fact that Edward can hardly keep from killing her. As is always the case, love that is up against impossible obstacles is the strongest. If you can hold out through many chapters of longing and love, you will get to some good action in the end. Some reviews said this was for high school readers, but in my opinion there was nothing inappropriate for younger teens. Highly recommended for fans of romance and/or vampires.

Maud Hart Lovelace Winners

The OMS results are in for the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Contest.

Out of 169 votes, Full Tilt was the school-wide winner with 39 votes. Second place went to House of the Scorpion and 3rd place went to The City of Ember. Speak came in 4th overall, but if we subtracted all the 6th grade votes, Speak would have been the overall winner, so it was popular with the older crowd.

Now we are waiting to hear the state-wide winner, which will be announced on April 25.

All 12 books got at least one vote here at OMS, which shows that it was a pretty good list of books. Thanks everyone who read them and voted!

Totally Joe by James Howe

This book is funny and fresh, and a great example of first-person writing from the point of view of a 7th grade guy. His teacher assigned a big writing assignment--an alphabiography--in which Joe has to write his own autobiography by going through all the letters of the alphabet. Joe writes about his family, his current crush, his supportive group of friends, and about being harassed at school. Joe is dealing with normal 7th grade issues, but many of them are magnified by the fact that Joe is gay. Lucky for him he has a teacher he can confide in, and aunt who supports him unconditionally, a good group of friends, and a family that accepts him for who he is. If this book were about a straight middle school student everyone would love it. As it is, I know some people will not care for it. If you are ready for this kind of book, read it and enjoy. If you are not up for it now, read something else now and maybe try this one later. If you are able to get into the mind and heart of Joe, you will find a good hearted, smart, funny kid with a great story to tell.

Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez

Before we Were Free tells the somewhat autobiographical story of Julia Alvarez's cousin who lived in the Dominican Republic during the unstable days of the revolution. Her other wealthy and influential relatives fled to New York, but this girl's family stayed behind and helped plot the overthrow of the dictator. I'm not sure if kids will love this book, but I found it interesting because of my knowledge of Central America. This family lives in fear, later in hiding, and finally the mother and daughter escape to New York. The girl in the story is 12 years old, but I recommend the story for children ages 12 and up.

Bound by Donna Jo Napoli

Bound is a retelling of a Chinese Cinderella story. Xing Xing lives with her stepmother and stepsister in a cave and is forced to work hard and take care of her stepsister whose feet are being bound. Xing Xing takes comfort in the fish in her pond that she believes is the spirit of her dead mother. Of course, the stepmother is evil and only wants the best for her own daughter, not for Xing Xing. I enjoyed the details of ancient Chinese life and religion, and the action that takes place when Xing Xing sets off to find a traveling doctor. The ending is predictible, but doesn't take away from a good story. Recommended for readers grades 5-8.