A Night Divided by: Jennifer A. Nielsen

I cannot even begin to imagine what it was like for families living in Berlin after WWII.  However author Jennifer A. Nielsen in her book A Night Divided, has given me some understanding of the plight of many families during this time period.

I could not put this book down!  You are immediately drawn into the drama of Gerta and her family being divided by the Berlin Wall.  Her father and brother, Dominic, were on the West side of Berlin for a few days and when the wall went up on August 13, 1961 Gerta, her mom, and her brother Fritz were home on the East side.  Their family and many others were now unable to be together.  Gerta's father had been very vocal about his feelings about the government in the East so their family was being closely watched.  They learn that their home is bugged by the government so they are very creative in how they communicate while at home.

When Gerta spots her father on a lookout on the wall she sees him acting out a moves to a song he would sing for her at night.  She believes that her father wants her to dig to the other side of the wall.  It's been four long years since the family was separated and she convinces Fritz to help her dig the tunnel where their father was able to communicate to them through a mysterious delivery of a map.  They are running out of time because Fritz is almost old enough to be placed in the military and he doesn't want to be in the military.  They also learn that even their close friends can be now spies and enemies while an enemy might really be a friend.  Who can they really trust?  Soon their mother is helping with the digging which makes the work go much faster.  Will they make it out alive?  Will they see their father and Dominic?  You will need to read this ASAP to find out!

I have a favorite quote from this book as well.  Fritz tells his sister Gerta "Courage isn't knowing you can do something; it is only being willing to try".  Gerta was willing to try whatever she could to get her family reunited even if she didn't make it she would try.

I really loved this book and appreciate my new found knowledge about Berlin during this time in our world's history.

After reading this book spend sometime with your family.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Dash by: Kirby Larson

Historical Fiction at is best is what School Library Journal said about Kirby Larson's book Dash and I agree 100%.

Mitsi Kashino has lived with her family in the United States her entire life along with her brother and parents.  Her grandparents had moved to the United States many years before her birth and her grandmother continues to live with her and her family.  As Mitsi returns to school, after Christmas break, in January 1942 not quite a month after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor she finds everything has changed.  Her friends ignore her and while her teacher treats her the same Mitsi can sense her worry about Mitsi and her family.  Mitsi is unable to make sense of all the changes

Mitsi and her family are forced to leave their home in Washington State and are taken to a Japanese incarceration camp.  Dash, is Mitsi's dog and is unable to go to the camp.  Fortunately, her neighbor, Mrs. Bowker agrees to take care of Dash while Mitsi and her family is gone.  They hope they will not be gone for long because they are American citizens but at this moment in time life is uncertain for anyone of Japanese descent.

Mitsi and her family try their best to adjust to life in camp.  Slowly Mitsi makes a friend and sees some good in their small home and she is happy that her family is together.  Many families were not so lucky.  Mitsi writes to the general that is in charge of the camps asking to have her dog there with her.  She isn't allowed to have Dash with her but Mrs. Bowker writes letters for Dash and collecting the mail is now one of Mitsi's camp highlights.  Mitsi and her family go through changes at the camp.  She worries that her brother is in the wrong crowd and she learns how to be more independent.

I loved reading this book and learning more about the experience of Japanese Americans during WWII.  I think that knowing more about this time in American history is important for us all and learning through historical fiction stories is my favorite way of learning about history.  I am sure many young readers will enjoy this story of Dash, Mitsi, and the rest of her friends and family.

After reading this book spend time with your pet.

Happy Daily Reading!
Deanna

Pax by: Sara Pennypacker

This book has been talked about and reviewed by many.  It sat on my "to be read" pile for awhile.  I just wasn't convinced that everyone loved it.  I was afraid I would be the one who just wouldn't get into a book about a boy and his pet.  Especially a pet fox?  Who has a pet fox??

Well, I finished this book last week and I enjoyed it.  Author Sara Pennypacker's PAX is a book you won't forget and you will want to share it with your friends.

Pax is found as a fox pup by a young boy named Peter.  They are together all the time.  After the death of Peter's mother his dad decides to sign up to go to war.  Peter is to live with his grandfather and Pax will be set free into the wild.  Peter is very upset when his dad makes him trick Pax just outside a forest on their way to Peter's grandfather's home.

Pax was never a fox who lived in the wild.  He anxiously waits for Peter to return but when Peter doesn't return Pax tries to find his way in the wild.  He needs to learn how to hunt, eat, etc...  He befriends other foxes that have a hard time trusting him since he likes humans.  Wild foxes do not trust humans.  Through Pax's eyes we learn what he is learning on how to be on his own as a fox.  When the war comes close to the foxes will they survive?

Peter runs away from his grandfather's home to try to find Pax.  When he injures his foot he finds a farm in the middle of nowhere with a quirky farm woman (Vola) living there.  Vola befriends Peter making him stay with her until his foot heals.  Peter is also learning how to live on his own.  He finds new interests and skills living with Vola.  As we watch Peter grow we also see changes in Vola and how she adapts to her new housemate.  When Peter finally leaves the farm and looks for Pax he is sad to see the war so close to the forest where Pax now lives.  Will they find each other?

Each chapter is told from either Peter's or Pax's viewpoint.  I found this such a great way to get to know both of these characters as well as Vola.  I feel as though I've made three new friends and as they each go their own way I know they are forever changed because they know each other.  This is how we all go through life.  Influencing and helping those we meet along the way.

After reading this book go and try something you've never tried before.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Danger in the Darkest Hour by: Mary Pope Osborne

The series Magic Tree House has been a popular series for many years.  In the first Super Edition of the series, author Mary Pope Osborne has Jack, Annie and the treehouse going back in history.  I enjoy reading historical fiction and I believe that this is a great way to get our children interested in history.

Danger in the Darkest Hour takes Annie and Jack to Normandy, France in June 1944.  The battle of D-Day begins the very next day.  They need to find the right people to help them figure out the clues that will enable them to help one of their friends.  As they get close to their friend, they find others that need their help.  Can they save all those people and make it back home before morning?

I highly recommend this book to anyone.  However, if you have a child who is interested in World War II this would be a book they would enjoy and be able to relate to because I am sure most children already relate to Jack and Annie and their Magic Tree House.

After reading this story spend sometime with your family.  Find out if there is anyone in your family that has served their country during time of war.  Share family stories with each other and write them down so that future generations may enjoy the stories too.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna