Village of Scoundrels (Based on a true story of courage during WWII) by Margi Preus

 

Village of Scoundrels by Margi Preus. 295 pages. 

Margi Preus tells the incredible true story of a group of French teenagers who helped save refugees in WWII. Among them is a young, Jewish boy who learns to forge documents to save his mother and later goes on to save hundreds of lives with his forgery skills. There is also a girl who overcomes her fear to carry messages for the Resistance. And a boy who smuggles people into Switzerland. But there is always the threat that they will be caught: A policeman is sent to keep an eye on them, German soldiers reside in a local hotel, and eventually the Gestapo arrives, armed with guns and a list of names. As the knot tightens, the young people must race against time to bring their friends to safety. 

I love reading and learning about WWII, so this was a very interesting book to read. The story line was a little bit choppy because the story is told from each of the characters' points of view. However, the author kept my attention and interest throughout the novel. I would recommend this book to children 4th grade or older interested in history and WWII. 

SIGNS OF SURVIVAL by Renee Hartman with Joshua M Greene

Signs of Survival by Renee Hartman and Joshua M Greene 122 pages Meet Renee and Herta, two sisters who faced the unimaginable -- together. This is their true story. As Jews living in 1940s Czechoslovakia, Renee, Herta, and their parents were in immediate danger when the Holocaust came to their door. As the only hearing person in her family, Renee had to alert her parents and sister whenever the sound of Nazi boots approached their home so they could hide. But soon their parents were tragically taken away, and the two sisters went on the run, desperate to find a safe place to hide. Eventually they, too, would be captured and taken to the concentration camp Bergen-Belsen. Communicating in sign language and relying on each other for strength in the midst of illness, death, and starvation, Renee and Herta would have to fight to survive the darkest of times. This gripping memoir, told in a vivid "oral history" format, is a testament to the power of sisterhood and love, and now more than ever a reminder of how important it is to honor the past, and keep telling our own stories. I love to read about the Holocaust. I didn't realize this was a true story when I began to read it. This is a juvenile book, and is a very quick read. I read it in one evening. It was very fact based and not much story or suspense involved. I also am very interested in sign language, but not much was addressed in the book. Overall, I would not reccommend to others, except 4-5 graders.

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer, 293 pages

Into Thin Air is a personal account of the disaster that happened on Mount Everest in 1996.  Recently made into the movie by the title Everest, this a detailed account of what happened on that fateful climb of the tallest mountain in the world.  Krakauer writes a griping account of what happened on the mountain when a freak storm hit and killed 8 climbers.  With the recent April earthquake in Nepal, this book is an even more compelling read. Jon Krakauer's writing style can't help but make you feel what the climber's are feeling as each one attempts to complete their individual quest for the summit of Everest.  I read this book previously in 2008 for a book club and recently saw the movie.  I enjoyed the movie so much I felt the need to reread Krakauer's bestselling account.

Until Tuesday by Luis Carlos Montalván

Until Tuesday by Luis Carlos Montalván -- 252 pages

Tuesday's training started when he was three days old. Every detail of his young life was intended so that he would one day be a service dog. He was never trained by the same person two days in a row, and was taught to serve the person holding the leash. So when he changed facilities and programs, there was only one person training him, and he bonded to that person quickly. Then they left, and then the next person left, and Tuesday's enthusiasm was gone. He was disappointing as a service dog with a mind of his own. He didn't trust anyone to stay with him anymore.

Luis served in the military for seventeen years, and when he was finally honorably discharged, his body and brain were broken. Traumatic brain damage and a cracked spine and Luis could get no where. He swallowed half a bottle of pain meds a day and drank constantly, trying to keep the pain and memories away. He could hardly walk down the street because of extreme PTSD and avoided trains and subs at all costs.

Until Tuesday is the story of how two broken spirits came together and healed.

This story is heart-breaking, heart-warming, exciting, and insightful. I'd recommend it to any person who ever had even a slight interest in service dogs.

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

176 pp. One of several candid memoirs written by Carrie Fisher, she details her childhood growing up the child of Hollywood stars, her addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs, and her bipolar diagnosis and subsequent electroshock therapy treatments. Tongue-in-cheek, self-deprecating, and witty.

Hitler’s Holy Relics: A True Story of Nazi Plunder and the Race to Recover the Crown Jewels of the Holy Roman Empire

Hitler’s Holy Relics: A True Story of Nazi Plunder and the Race to Recover the Crown Jewels of the Holy Roman Empire

By Sidney D. Kirkpatrick

316 pages

I would recommend this book. It was a delight and well written. It tells of the true story of an art professor, Walter William Horn, turned detective while serving in the aftermath of World War II. He was requested to find the missing crown jewels which the Nazi had plundered.

Miss Moore Thought Otherwise by Jan Pinborough

Miss Moore Thought Otherwise by Jan Pinborough, 40 pages

A long time ago, in the early 1900s, children were not allowed to take books from libraries.  People were afraid children would forget to return the books or get them dirty.  Anne Carroll Moore thought differently.  She moved to New York City and went to library school.  She went to work for the the New York Public Library and was put in charge of all the children's sections.  She believed children needed their own room in the library.  She worked to create the children's library.  This is an inspiring true story, beautifully illustrated by Debby Atwell.

Librarian On The Roof!: A True Story by M.G. King

Library On The Roof!: A True Story by M.G. King, 28 pages

Library On The Roof is a true story based on RoseAleta Laurell who spent a week in 2000 on the roof of the Dr. Eugene Clark Public Library in Lockhart, Texas to raise funds for the children's section of the library.  The town of Lockhart and supporters raised almost $40,000!  I found it incredible that RoseAleta had such devotion to her library to do this!

Into the Wild by John Krakauer

Into the Wild by John Krakauer, 207 pages

"Into the Wild" tells the story of Chris McCandless, aka Alexander Supertramp, a young man in search of many things.  Fresh from college and inspired by the likes of Jack London and Henry David Thoreau, Chris abandons the luxuries of society, assumes the identity of Alexander, and backpacks around the American west, with his ultimate goal being to live off the land in Alaska.  Alex does fulfill his dreams, but only at the cost of his own life.

If I were to say that this book changed me, I wouldn't be lying entirely.  Reading about Alex's adventures planted feeling of wanderlust in me.  It filled me with a need for travel, and a simple stroll through the park would not suffice.  In a way, I envy Alex.  He had a dream of personal freedom and pursued it.  But at what cost?  Beyond the obvious of his premature demise, in his departure from his life he also left behind many friends and family who will never again have their brother/son/friend back.

I really enjoyed this book.  Krakauer did an excellent job portraying McCandless/Supertramp as not just a hard-headed stubborn youth but as a dreamer and an adventurer who wouldn't give up on his dreams.  It's inspiring in a way.  Not that I'm going to disappear one day only to end up starving to death in the wilds of Alaska, but rather in a never give up on your dreams kind of way.  

Devil in Pew Number 7 by:Rebecca Nichols Alonzo

Devil in Pew Number 7  by Rebecca Nichols Alonzo  pg. 271

"When the Lord gets ready for me to leave this church, He won't send the message by the devil." 
Robert Nichols  1975

This is the true story of one family's devastating and violent persecution by a man obsessed with controlling the local church.  Rebecca's father, Robert Nichols, was called to serve as pastor at a small church in Sellerstown, North Carolina.  H J Watts was a wealthy member of the community who was in control of the church and many citizens of the farming community.  Mr. Watts was determined to rid himself of this popular preacher and his family.  Pastor Nichols chose to stand up to this man and all of his harsh harassment, even though his family was in danger.  One night this family's whole world was shattered when an armed man came into their home.  Rebecca Nichols Alonzo has written a true story of courage and forgiveness.  This book is a wonderful story about the power of  love and forgiveness.