The Incredible Rescues: The Young Refugees Book three

Title:  The Incredible Rescues
Author:  Ed Dunlop
Target Age:  9-12
Approximate Reading Level:  5th grade
Main Characters:
    Hans
    Gretchen
    Miklos--a Hungarian Jew who befriends Hans and Gretchen

Summary:
Hans and Gretchen are now in Budapest, Hungary.  The story opens with Hans and Gretchen hiding in a trainyard watching Nazis loading Jews onto death trains heading for Auschwitz.  They later meet Miklos, who is working for Raoul Wallenberg.  Mr. Wallenberg left neutral Sweden to help Jews in Hungary escape, even though he himself is not Jewish.  With their father's permission, Hans and Gretchen take Miklos' place after he is injured and help Mr. Wallenberg mainly by carrying food and messages and by taking pictures.  However, at times, they are even facing Nazis and Arrow Cross members (young Hungarians who assist Nazi soldiers) to help Jewish people escape transportation to certain death.  Although they are always in danger, one attempt at help puts Gretchen in even more danger than usual--on a train bound for Auschwitz.

Review:
I have enjoyed this series multiple times, and am sure I will again.  This may be partly because I am interested in historical fiction regarding the Holecaust, but it is also because they are well-written.  Again, any phrases in foreign languages are explained at the back of the book.  This book also includes an Epilogue which explains that some of the characters and events actually happened.  Hans explains the plan of salvation to Miklos, but at another point struggles with trusting God due to what has happened to Gretchen.  I believe the book shows a good example of the Christian walk--it's not always easy, but God provides the strength as it's needed.
4 stars

The Young Refugees book two

Title: The Search for the Silver Eagle

Author:  Ed Dunlop

Target Age:  9-12

Approximate Reading Level:  5th grade

Main Characters: 

Hans: 12-year-old boy, named after his father

Gretchen: Hans' 9-year-old sister

Hans Kaltenbrunner (later Gustav Von Edler)

Summary:  Hans, Gretchen, and their Papa have escaped the Nazis in Austria, but they have been found out and must run again.  Although Allied agents find them safety with new identities in Vichy France (a portion of southern France unoccupied by Germany), they are not there long before German soldiers take over Vichy France as well.  They decide it will be safer to stay than to try to cross the border filled with German soldiers, and a new adventure begins.  While watching an air battle with a local boy, Hans watches an American plane get shot down.  Hans and Philipe decide to find the American plane.  While searching, they stumble across the pilot, and determine to help him and keep him safe from the Germans.  A few adults are brought into the secret, and the American asks for help.  The story follows the search by the town members who are against the Germans as well as the danger everyone is put in by Collette, Philippe's sister and a staunch supporter of the Germans because of her anger against the French over her father's death.

Review:  Another book that I have enjoyed re-reading.  There is a focus on the importance of witnessing whenever possible, since you don't know how long you may have the opportunity with someone.  French vocabulary is used in addition to German in this second book of the trilogy, and again they are in italics with a glossary in the back.  There is a quick blurb in the front of the book with a few historical facts about Vichy France that are relevant to the storyline.
****4 stars

Escape to Liechtenstien: The Young Refugees Book 1

I apologize that it's been 1 1/2 months since my last post.  My job and the holidays conspired against me.  Due to circumstances beyond my control, I am no longer working, so I hope to be able to post more often.
Today's book is the first in a three-part series entitled "The Young Refugees."  I will discuss books 2 and 3 in posts soon.

Title: Escape to Liechtenstein

Author: Ed Dunlop

Target Audience: ages 9-12

Reading level: approximately fifth grade

148 pages, plus a short glossary of German terms used

Main characters:

Gretchen, a nine-year-old Austrian girl

Hans, a twelve-year-old Austrian boy

Jacob, a thirteen-year-old Jewish fugitive 

Summary: The story is set during World War II, summer and fall of 1942.  Austria has been taken over by Germany, and the small village where Gretchen and Hans live has been attacked, leaving the children alone after their mother's death and their father being taken into the German army.  When soldiers storm the village, searching house by house for a young boy, the children have no idea that the fugitive is hiding in their barn.  The soldiers leave, not finding their prey, and Hans and Gretchen discover Jacob.  They agree to let Jacob hide in their barn overnight and share their small supply of food with him, learning that he is the one that the German soldiers are searching for, and he is heading for Liechtenstein, a neutral country that borders Austria.  They agree to accompany Jacob, although he protests at first.  The three children face a long, dangerous journey, with little help and many enemies.  Why does it seem like the entire German army is looking for Jacob?  And with dangers everywhere they turn, can they possibly make it to safety?

Review: Several German terms are used, but a glossary is included in the back for definitions.  The basic idea of the word can often be determined from context ("a steaming bowl of gulyassuppe . . . and a single slice of ankerbrot" -- possibly soup or stew, since it's hot, but it's morning, so it could be something like oatmeal, and a slice of bread, maybe? look in the glossary and find that gulyassuppe is a Hungarian soup and ankerbrot is an Austian bread), and all of the German words are in italics for easy identification.  The book clearly shows God's protection and providence as the children go through many trials heading for the Liechtenstein border.  There is some violence in the form of guns, land mines, and fists, but it is contextual (it is a war, after all) and it is not too graphic.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this book each time I have read it.

***** Five stars

Josie's Gift

Merry Christmas!

Title:  Josie's Gift
Author:  Kathleen Bostrom
Illustrator: Frank Ordaz
Reading level:  approximately 6th grade
35 pages

Summary:  The first Christmas after Josie's father died is also the first Christmas of America's Great Depression.  Despite Papa's yearly reminder that "Christmas is not about what we want.  It's about what we have," Josie badly wants a blue sweater she sees in the dress shop in town.  Although money is extremely tight, Mama is somehow able to buy the sweater.  When Josie, missing her father sneaks downstairs in the middle of the night Christmas Eve, she finds the sweater under the tree, then decides to seek comfort in the barn with the animals.  In the barn, she finds a couple with their baby, who came in the barn to get warm while traveling east.  They refuse Josie's offer to come into the house, but the baby's cries remind Josie of the newborn sheep she has helped with on the farm, and she insists on giving her new sweater to the baby, telling them of her father's saying about Christmas.  Josie returns to the house and becomes the newest participant in her father's wooden nativity scene, worshipping Jesus.

Review:  I love Christmas and Christmas stories, and this is a good one.  Christmas has become about what gifts we're going to get, rather than the greatest gift possible, which we have already been given.  Josie is reminded of what the season is really about--the baby Jesus--as well as the principle that it is better to give than to receive.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this book each time I have read it.
4 stars

I know it's a few days after Christmas, but that doesn't mean we can't still celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.  I had planned to post this before Christmas, but, hey life happens. :P

Bystander: A Bystander? Or the Bully's Next Target?

Title:  Bystander:  A Bystander?  Or the Bully's Next Target?
Author:  James Preller
Reading level:  Approximately 8th grade
223 pages
Main Character:  Eric Hayes

Summary:  Eric recently moved to Bellport, Long Island.  When Griffin, one of the most popular kids in seventh grade, decides to befriend Eric, Eric is happy.  But slowly Eric realizes that Griffin is not what he first seems to be.  But is Eric really doing anything wrong if he doesn't actively participate in Griffin's bullying, but merely watches without protesting?  Eventually, Eric decides to stand up to Griffin--and Griffin turns on Eric, even using a former victim to lure Eric into a trap.  However, as Eric continues to refuse to follow Griffin's example, Griffin chooses to ignore Eric.  As the story ends, Eric has made the basketball team, and Griffin has a new set of "friends." 

Review:  Griffin is a manipulative bully.  A bad guy who can fool people into thinking he's a good guy.  There are hints to Griffin's stealing things, and a reference to his having smoked, as well.  Griffin lives with just his father, who drinks and is sometimes abusive.  Griffin is not officially punished for his actions, but he loses his friends.  Also, one adult realizes he's not the charming young man he appears to be and that he's taking advantage of her decides to hire Eric rather than Griffin to care for her dog, even though Griffin took care of her previous dog.  There is also a fight, and possibly some language. (It seems like I remember at least an almost bad word, but I can't re-find it.)  So, obviously, there are some objectionable elements.  But, this book about bullying can be valuable in opening discussion.  Is it really possible to be just a bystander?  Or is a person who stands by without helping a victim of bullying condoning the bullying? 
The author also discusses the different types of bullying.  Girls bully differently than boys, and bullying does not have to be physical force.
Unrelated to the main plot line, but something you might want to be aware of:  there are a few references to Eric's father suffering from a mental illness.
3 stars--A good meal.
The book is satisfying. Maybe a couple problems with how things are treated, but overall a good book. Be very cautious with readers who accept everything they see in print. I would try another book by this author.
The biggest reason I dropped this from 4 stars is that I think Griffin's bullying and theft should have been found out by the authorities.  I realize that doesn't always happen, but I think it would have made the book better.

delays

Even though my new job is only part-time, it's making it harder to post consistently.  Also, it didn't help that the book I started to read for my next review was missing several pages (about 20 of the first 50), meaning I had to try to find another.
That being said, I will try to get another review up as soon as possible.  I have found another book, and look forward to reviewing it, as the topic is bullying.

Love in Christ,
Bella

2 more books about the Wemmicks

Titles:  If Only I Had A Green Nose and Best of All
Author:  Max Lucado
Illustrator:  Sergio Martinez
Target Audience:  young children
Reading level:  Can be read independently at approximately a 4th grade level, although it can also be read to younger child
Main characters: 
Eli, the woodcarver
Punchinello and Lucia
Punchinello's friends

Summary:  In If Only I Had A Green Nose, the Wemmicks are obsessed with the "in" thing.  At first, everyone is standing in line to have their noses painted green.  As the story progresses, the popular nose color changes to yellow, orange, and many other colors.  As the story opens, Punchinello and Lucia are in Eli's workshop, wondering why anyone would want to paint their nose.  Eli's answer is, "Because everyone is."  Punchinello is convinced to get his nose painted by some friends, but especially by Twiggy, a fellow Wemmick whom Punchinello likes.  But Punchinello and his friends soon learn the foolishness of doing something only because everyone else is.  They decide they want to be themselves again and return to Eli to ask for help.  Although the sanding is painful, Punchinello and his friends are glad to be returned to the way their Maker made them.
In Best of All, the Wemmicks are happy to welcome Bess Stovall to Wemmicksville, looking for Wemmicks to join her "Wonderful Wemmicks Club."  Bess Stovall is "the best of all" Wemmicks, and she's famous because everyone knows her (and everyone knows her because she's famous).  Bess Stovall is obsessed with "ancest-tree"--what type of tree each Wemmick was made from, and from what forest.  Some of the townspeople are made of walnut, pine, or elm while others are made of maple, which is the best (any guesses what Bess Stovall is made of? Anyone? That's right! Maple!)  Lucia is even made from the same tree as Bess (which of course makes Lucia better than the other maple Wemmicks).  One Wemmick is made of willow, which is the weakest wood, and therefore the worst--Punchinello.  Before long, the Wemmicks are caught up in looking down on each other because of their "ancest-tree."  Punchinello begins to feel sorry for himself until Eli reminds him that the Wemmick-maker knows better than the Wemmicks.  Lucia has also talked to Eli and apologizes to Punchinello for listening to the other Wemmicks instead of Eli.  The two Wemmicks walk back to town for Bess Stovall's send-off party.  As Bess is leaving, she leans too far out her carriage window and falls over the bridge.  Punchinello is the only Wemmick limber enough to rescue Bess (funny how she isn't worried about what type of wood she's touching when her life depends on it).  Punchinello has a new respect from the other Wemmicks, who decide to stop worrying about "ancest-trees." 

Review:  Again, love Max Lucado's ability to put important truths on a child's level.  Popularity is one of the most common problems today.  How many people, even Christians, haven't done something stupid to try to be popular?  But If . . . Nose shows that popularity isn't always easy--walking around with your nose in the air (how else will everyone see your popular painted nose?) makes it easy to bump into things.  And when the definition of popular changes, it's difficult to keep up.  Who decides what's popular anyway?  Who put "Willy With-it" in charge?  And, although it may hurt, it's always best to go back to your Maker and be what He wants you to be.  Best of All also deals with a common problem--judging others.  Often, people judge others about something over which they have no control (often skin color, gender, or disability, although not always).  Best of All teaches that everyone is purposefully made by the Maker--in the Wemmicks case, with that specific wood.  One wood is not better than another.  If reading the Wemmicks series, Best of All also shows that everyone messes up from time to time.  Although Lucia has followed Eli in the other books, she chooses to listen to Bess Stovall in this one and even begins ignoring Punchinello.
5 stars--Gourmet meal.
Great book. Nothing wrong whatsoever. It's pretty close to, "I don't think I could ever read anything better. " I think everyone should read this book. It is likely that very few books will get this rating.