Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Arnold Spirit is an Indian living on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Washington state. Born with hydrocephalus (water on the brain), Arnold has his share of struggles and becomes the brunt of jokes at the reservation school. His friend Rowdy (aptly named)acts as his protector. Arnold spends a lot of time recording his experiences in drawings which are scattered effectively through the book. When a teacher at the reservation school tells Arnold that he should want more, Arnold decides to enroll in the school in a nearby town off the reservation. Here he is surrounded by white students. Expecting to become an outcast as much as he was on the reservation, he is strangely accepted here. But, his friend Rowdy considers him a traitor as do other members of his community. The novel creates a complex picture of life on the reservation complete with alcoholism and the endless problems created by the disease. Family loyalty and eventually the loyalty of friendship prevail, however, as Arnold moves toward a better future than is his heritage. An enjoyable book with a wonderful message, but crude language in spots may make some middle school readers uncomfortable.

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Chains

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Isabel and her sister Ruth are slaves with the promise of freedom when their owner dies of smallpox and leaves a statement in her will promising freedom. That dream is soon eliminated when the heir of the owner's estate manages to keep the pastor from reading the will. Isabel and Ruth are sold to a Loyalist couple in upstate New York during the Revolutionary War. The cruel treatment by her Loyalist mistress underscores the fact that Isabel is in chains, not only because of her slave status, but she is chained between the rebels and the Loyalists, finding she can trust neither. Although there are promises made to her from both sides, she finds she must find her own freedom. This would be a worthwhile accompanying novel for middle and high school American Studies, Civil Rights, and African American History.

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Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie

Drums, Girls, And Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Although at little predictable, this was an uplifting story about eighth-grader Steven Alper. Steven's life is not much different than other eighth graders with the typical girl problems and family issues. Then his four-year-old brother, Jeffrey, is diagnosed with leukemia. Steven's world changes as his family tries to cope with the fear and unending adjustments they must make to cope with Jeffrey's illness. Steven throws himself into his drumming as he becomes invisible to his parents who now have little time or energy for interaction. But the family bonds are strong, and Steven really shows how deep his love is for his brother. Enjoyable.

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Great and Terrible Beauty

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Gemma Doyle lives in India with her family, but longs to go to school in England. On her 16th birthday, Gemma argues with her mother and runs away from her into the streets of Bombay. Then Gemma has a vision of her mother's death involving a dark shape. Because her mother is no longer there to forbid her going to England, Gemma gets her wish to go to Spence, a girl's school in England where young girls are groomed to be lovely young ladies suitable for marriage. Gemma's visions increase at Spence and she soon is involved in things more mysterious and mystical than proper training for marriage. The book is the first in a trilogy, which is a good thing, because after reading this book, the reader definitely wants more. Recommended for ages 14 and up.

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