“A better world” Sarah Langan

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Atria Books (Simon & Schuster). Published April 9, 2024.

In a world set 70 years in the future, Earth’s resources have been destroyed by mankind’s many interferences. Air has become barely breathable, jobs and food are scarce, the weather doesn’t make sense, and people are constantly angry. Linda knows she and her husband can’t raise their fifteen-year-old twins much longer in this environment, so it seemed like a miracle when they were accepted to live in Plymouth Valley, a private, invitation-only company town where they will have a clean, healthy, and safe life. All they must do is follow the rules.

At first, they struggled to adjust but soon became regulars with strange rituals practiced by residents. As Linda began to investigate these rituals, she soon realized Plymouth Valley’s yearly Winter Festival held a frightening significance for the town. Though she begged her family to leave, no one was allowed to leave. Linda will have to do all she can to save them from the horrors she suspects before it’s too late.

This seemingly omniscient view of Earth’s future is appallingly on track based on how Earth’s resources have been abused over the centuries. One can only hope towns like Plymouth Valley don’t come into being, or our future as humans is forever lost.

Highly recommended for Adults.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

The night war” Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Rated 5 stars ARC. Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House). To be published April 9, 2024. 281 p. (Includes “Author’s note.”)

Miriam and her parents lived in Germany until forced to flee to Paris after Kristallnacht when she was eight years old. After living in cramped quarters for four years, food supplies were dwindling, and her father was forced to go into hiding. Soon afterwards she was separated from her mother when the French police rounded up everyone and sent them to the Velodrome d’Hiver for deportation. During the confusion Miriam’s neighbor urged her to save her two-year-old daughter Nora and flee to Switzerland. Unsure of what to do, Miriam took Nora and tried to mingle with the onlookers. After being spotted by a German soldier, they were rescued by a young nun.

In time, Miriam was sent to a convent school and separated from Nora. To survive she needed to forget her Jewishness, but her failure to protect Nora and escape to Switzerland haunted her waking moments. After Sister Dominique took her to visit the nearby castle of Chenonceau, things changed when she became involved in the Resistance and met the ghost of Catherine de Medici.

With the addition of a ghost, young readers learn about France’s history as well as its role in World War II.

Recommended for ages 11-14.

“Uprising” Jennifer A. Nielsen

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. Scholastic Press (Scholastic). 356 p. (Includes period photographs, and “Author’s note.”) To be published March 5, 2024.

Lidia Janina Durr Zakrzewski was born in Poland and, when Germany invaded Poland in 1939 to start World War II, she was 15 years old. She had always been a strong-willed child, her father’s favorite, and the bane of her mother’s existence. When he left home to fight for Poland, she was devastated. Within a short time the Nazis took away their house, her beloved piano, and the money her father had left them to survive. Lidia, her older brother, and her mother struggled to put food on the table and to keep a roof over their heads.

After Poland fell, the mistreatment of Jews became something Lidia saw on a regular basis. Forced to move to a squalid neighborhood, the bedroom window of their apartment overlooked the Warsaw Ghetto. There, she noticed Jews starving and being sent to concentration camps. Lidia did her best to sneak food into the Ghetto, knowing that being caught would mean instant death.

Lidia’s anger against the occupation of her country stoked a fire in her to join the Polish resistance. Her brother was a member but, despite his objections, she joined. She survived harrowing near-death experiences, multiple injuries, battles, and more in her determination to free Poland. “Uprising” is her story.

Lidia might be an unknown name to many but, after reading Nielsen’s carefully researched book and viewing the period photographs, she will not stay unknown. Lidia’s story deserves to be told, as her bravery saved the lives of hundreds of innocent people.

Highly recommended for ages 15 and older.

“Amil and the after” Veera Hiranandani

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. Kokila (Penguin Random House). 244 p. (Includes “Glossary” and “Author’s note.”). To be published January 23, 2024.

In this sequel to “The night diary,” twelve-year-old Amil is having a hard time, as memories from the horrors of his family’s forced crossing from Pakistan to India threatens to overwhelm him. Though his family is both Hindu and Muslim, all Muslims were being forced to leave the place he’d called home for his entire life. Amil will never forget almost dying of thirst and the torturous voyage.

After their ordeal, his twin sister Nisha had been mute. Though she now speaks a little, she spends her time writing stories in her diary. For Amil, drawing seems to be the only thing that calms him so, whenever he has issues with his father, feels frustrated at school, or is lonely, he buries himself in illustrating his world and writing notes to his dead mother.

School is hard for Amil, as he finds it hard to concentrate. His two wishes are for a bicycle and for a best friend, but neither seem possible until he meets Vishal at school. Though thin and always hungry, Vishal is the first boy who wants to spend time with him. Amil is thrilled to have a friend but, when he finds out Vishal has been living in the street, is very sick, has no family members, and is posing as a Hindu to avoid violence aimed at Muslims, his eyes are opened to his own blessings. Amil finds ways to confront his own painful memories to make sure his friend lives to have his own.

Hiranandani’s descriptions of the 1947 partition of India and its effect on the previously tolerant population is eye-opening. Though Muslims, Sikhs, and Hindus had gotten along well for over three hundred years, it was difficult to understand why people turn on each other in chillingly murderous ways.

Recommended for ages 14 and older.

“The night diary” Veera Hiranandani

Rated 5 stars ***** Dial (Penguin/Random House). 2018

Twelve-year-old Nisha and her twin brother Amil live with their father and grandmother in a small village in India. Their cook, Kazi, has been with them for many years, and Nisha feels a special closeness to him as she cooks by his side. Their mother died when they were born so, when Kazi gives her a diary, she writes to her mother expressing her hopes and fears since she has difficulty expressing herself verbally.

It’s 1947 and, after almost 200 years, Great Britain is giving India its freedom. Its new leaders decided to partition her into two parts, forcing Hindus to relocate to the new country of Pakistan. Though Nisha and her brother are half Muslim through their mother, all anyone sees is their Hindu side. Partitioning the country caused Sikhs, Muslims and Hindis to see each other differently. Now, instead of getting along like they’d done for generations, each is intent on murdering the other confusing Nisha “I guess we’re Hindu because Papa and Dadi are. But you’re still a part of me, Mama. Where does that part go?” (p. 21)

Fearful for their lives, the family is forced to leave Kazi and their home behind, setting out on foot to travel hundreds of miles to the border. Along the way they experience near dehydration and starvation, while being witness to acts of savagery including murder. Halfway through their harrowing journey she meets her mother’s brother for the first time and enjoys their time together. However when her father finds her and Amil talking to a neighbor girl, they’re forced to leave her uncle’s home to try and reach the border via train.

Based on the experiences of the author’s family, “The night diary” is vividly realistic while the hatred mentality of former neighbors is disturbing.

Recommended for ages 14 and older.

“Max in the house of spies: A tale of World War II” Adam Gidwitz

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. Dutton Children’s Books (Penguin Random House). 298 p. (Includes “How much of this story is real?” and “Annotated Bibliography.”) To be published February 27, 2024.

Eleven-year-old Max was a genius, upset with how the Nazis changed his life. On Kristallnacht they beat his father, took him to Sachsenhausen for three days, and closed his watchmaking business. His parents frantically searched for a way out of the country, but no one wanted Jews. When the opportunity arose for children to be evacuated to England, they sent Max. On the ferry ride there two tiny men appeared on his shoulders. Berg, a kobold, and Stein, a dybbuk, wanted to escape Germany and planned to pester him for a few hundred years. No one could hear or see them except Max, so he was sure they were an illusion. They weren’t.

In England Max lived for more than a year with the wealthy Montagu family. When he found out Uncle Ewen Montagu was a spy with the British Naval Intelligence he wanted to be recruited so he could go to Berlin and find his parents. Shortly afterwards he impressed Admiral Godfrey with his skills and was thrilled to be trained as a spy. Max is sure being reunited with his parents will be easy, but doesn’t realize spy work is more dangerous than he thinks.

Readers will learn much about World War II in England, as Max’s story is interspersed with information about The Blitz and individuals who were real-life spies. Berg and Stein usually disagree with almost all of Max’s decisions, so their competing interests, comments, and actions will keep readers in stitches.

I enjoyed the humor, and learned that Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond series, was in the British Naval Intelligence. However, as those of you who follow my blog know, I don’t like reading books in a series unless I have all of them in front of me. Though I was not happy with the open ending I am now vested in Max, Berg, and Stein (which sounds like a great law firm). I must know what happens next.

Adam Gidwitz please let me know when you plan on releasing the ARC for book #2 because I NEED to read it right now. You’ve hooked me and will hook your young readers too.

Highly recommended for ages 12 and older.

“The storm we made” Vanessa Chan

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Marysue Rucci Books (Simon & Schuster). To be published January 2, 2024.

Malaya had been a colony of Great Britain for many years, treating its people like second class citizens while exporting its iron-ore and rubber. By 1934 Cecily had grown tired of the race and class divides between her people and their conquerors. Over the years her husband Gordon had worked up to a high position in the British administration. Through his connections she met General Fujiwara. Cecily was thrilled to learn of Japan’s hopes for a united Asia, where Asians wouldn’t be judged by the color of their skin. It would be a dream come true if Malayans could rule themselves.

Bored with her life, Cecily found excitement in her role as a spy and in her amorous feelings for Fujiwara. Gordon’s work provided them with plenty of material which helped Japan force out the British. Instead of a united Asia Malayans found themselves in terrible situations. The Japanese forced young girls into sexual slavery, boys were kidnapped and sent to railroad slave camps, while traitors were tortured and killed. As terrible things happened to Cecily’s family over the next 10 years, she blamed herself. She had given Malaya over to their enemy, so she had to pay the price of her betrayal.

This is the first time I had ever read about Malaya’s conquest, and the crimes of Japan in that country during World War II. Cecily, her daughters, and her son share the narratives from 1934 through 1945 through flashbacks and real time. Through them readers learn of the brutality of war, and the strength of its survivors. “The storm we made,” is an excellent choice for a book club as themes of good versus evil, relationships, sisterhood, and more will lead to important discussions.

Highly recommended for Adults.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“All we were promised” Ashton Lattimore

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Ballantine Books (Random House). Includes “Author’s note.” To be published April 2, 2024.

In 1833 Carrie and her father Jake were slaves on a Maryland plantation. After running away they changed their names and spent the next 4 years in Philadelphia. There James’ light skin enabled him to pursue whiteness and richness as his furniture making business grew, while Charlotte worked as his maid. Her resentment grew at his ability to freely move about while she had to stay home. She was lonely and wanted to make something of her life. After meeting Nell, a rich Philadelphian from a powerful Black family, Charlotte began sneaking out weekly to attend literary and Anti-Slavery meetings with her.

Though Nell had grown up rich and entitled she felt the other rich Black families of Philadelphia could do more for escaped slaves. They felt raising money was enough while Nell believed hands-on work was needed. She was thrilled to discover a kindred spirit in Charlotte and, though she was not of her social circle and her parents did not approve, Nell took her to Anti-Slavery meetings that included one in which a white mob attacked the speaker and the audience.

Evie had toiled alongside Carrie in Maryland and was in Philadelphia with her mistress for a short time. Though she had not seen her in four years, after she caught a glimpse of her at the market, she became obsessed with the idea of escaping. Though scared for her own freedom Charlotte enlisted Nell’s help to figure out a way to help Evie.

What Charlotte, Nell, and Evie didn’t know was that the anger of white Philadelphian’s towards anything or anyone having to do with anti-slavery was about to explode. The newly built Pennsylvania Hall and the Anti-Slavery convention were the sparks that lit the flames which forever changed their lives.

This book is a page turner filled with historical facts. A notable one is that Philadelphia, the so-called “cradle of liberty” and “city of brotherly love” had such a sordid history when it came to black and white relations. Another is its six-month loophole law (meant to keep slavery alive and well) utilized by George Washington and other slave owners to maintain the status quo.

Highly recommended for Adults.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“Artifice” Sharon Cameron

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. Scholastic Press (Scholastic). 381 p. (Includes “Author’s note.”) To be published November 7, 2023.

The Nazi invasion ended the life Isa’s parents and artist friends enjoyed at their art gallery in Amsterdam. After her mother died her father lost his ability to think rationally, so she had to make sure they had food and a place to live. She needed money to pay taxes on the gallery, so headed to an auction house with her father’s imitation Rembrandt. Unfortunately Michel, a Nazi soldier, knew the painting she sold to Hitler’s agent was fake. He threatened to turn her in if she didn’t help him escape to Switzerland.

Truus worked for the Resistance and needed money to smuggle Jewish babies out of the city. Isa gave her the money she’d gotten for the Rembrandt, and decided Nazis should pay for their escape. She needed to figure out how to turn her father’s paintings of the masters into credible forgeries, and knew painter Hans van Meegeren would be her unsuspecting teacher because Michel told her he sold Hermann Goering’s agent a Vermeer. She knew it was forged because she had the real one hidden in her gallery. Isa didn’t know the Nazis were looking for a woman with red hair who worked for the Resistance and caused many Nazi deaths. She has red hair.

“Artifice” weaves Isa’s story between scenes from the lives of real-life characters like Hans van Meegeren, as well as Johan van Hulst and Henriette Pimentel who saved over 600 Jewish babies from being killed at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Readers also learn about Hannie Schaft, the red-haired woman who gave the Nazis angst, as well as many other brave Dutchmen and women. Details about them are in the Author’s Note.

Highly recommended for Adults.

“Courage to dream: Tales of hope in the Holocaust” Neal Shusterman; ill. by Andrés Vera Martínez

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. Graphix (Scholastic). 245 p. (Includes “Author and Illustrator notes”, “Bibliography”, and “A note about the Hebrew letters in this book.”) To be published October 31, 2023.

Legends from European storytelling (such as Baba Yaga and the Golum) are intertwined with narratives from the Holocaust to educate readers on what happened during this terrible time in history, as well as with thoughts of what could have happened if magic existed to lend hope to those burdened by hate. Andrés Vera Martínez’s rich illustrations lend historical authenticity to Shusterman’s words, bringing each tale to life.

Facts, figures, and photographs from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, as well as from Israel’s Yad Vashem, are interspersed to remind readers that parts of the stories contain magical elements but are based on real events that happened to real people. Questions such as “What would the Holocaust have been like if happened today and not during World War II?” or “How many more Jewish people would have been killed if ordinary people didn’t step up and protect them from harm?” will keep readers thinking long after they’ve turned the final page.

Think of today’s Holocaust deniers, and don’t stay silent in the face of hate. Remember what the citizens of Denmark did to save their Jewish citizens from death camps. Be courageous.

Highly recommended for ages 16 and older.