Reviews (90)

My Favorite Book of All Time
Wow. Where do I begin?
A rich, complex and vastly entertaining read
My college-age cousin told me about this book back in the summer as I was visting during vacation. I had a few books in my car (and some I told her about), but she insisted: this was an extraordinary read. That I simply had to put everything else aside and read it.
THE BOOK THIEF
Liesel Meminger, a German girl in the 1940's, survives the vicissitudes of war through two forces: the power of love and the power of words. At her younger brother's funeral, she steals The Gravedigger's Handbook as a remembrance of him. Her foster father quells her nightmares by teaching her to read, and she soon discovers that books soothe the soul. When her family hides a Jew in their basement, the young man writes to survive, often aiming his words directly at Leisel.Ultimately, it is the strength of her relationships and the reading and writing they inspire that save her life, spiritually and literally.
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Subjects:  1. Books and reading    2. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - History    3. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Death    6. Fiction    7. Historical - Holocaust    8. Historical - Military & Wars    9. Historical Fiction (Young Adult)    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Law & Crime    12. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    13. Storytelling    14. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Holocaust   

Reviews (1)

At last, Disney & Dahl's lost treasure.
I'm a Disneyphile and I've been coveting this book ever since I first heard about it. I've scoured Australian secondhand bookstores for years, hoping, by some miracle, that I might find an original copy tucked away in a dusty corner somewhere with a $2 sticker on it, but to no avail. [...].
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Mythical    2. Britain, Battle of, Great Britain, 1940    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. Classics    6. Fiction    7. Historical - Europe    8. Historical - Military & Wars    9. Imaginary creatures    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Juvenile Historical Fiction    12. Comics & Graphic Novels / General    13. Fantasy    14. Graphic novels    15. Second World War fiction   

Reviews (308)

boring, plotles, dull
I, Like many other unfortunate youth, had to read this book for school and do journal responses for each chapter. I did the assingnment with little difficulty without finishing the book. It was that predictable! I only read the first two chapters before I could do the responses with little trouble.
My brother sam is dead
Over the summer I read My brother sa is dead by James luneden Collier and Christopher Coliier. As one of my favorite books, there was many things i liked about I found interesting. When reading this book, you forget about reality and you start to feel as if you were in the story yourself.
Great Book to Spark an Early Interest in History
James Lincoln and Christopher Collier's story "my brother Sam is dead" begins at the dawn of the Revolution, a time when Loyalists felt much the same as Mr. Beach's remark to Sam in Chapter 1: "I think men of common sense will prevail. Nobody wants a rebellion except fools and hotheads." Doubtful or unaware of just how focused and set on independence from the Crown of England the Rebel militia actually were, the loyalists or tories of Colonial America were caught off guard when they realized "Live Free or Die" was more than a motto is was a commitment.
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Subjects:  1. 1775-1783, Revolution    2. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - History    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Fiction    5. Historical - Military & Wars    6. Historical - United States - Colonial    7. History    8. Juvenile fiction    9. Revolution, 1775-1783    10. Social Issues - Death & Dying    11. Social Situations - Death & Dying    12. United States    13. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / General   

Reviews (43)

Under a War Torn Sky
This book was fantastic. It was very realistic to war. It showed how evil some people can be but then how nice others can be. Henry Forester goes threw it all.Henry is a 19 year old pilot shot down behind enemy lines. He has to survive a lot to make it home. I suggest a tissue when you read it too. But don't get me wrong its an awesome book.

One of the best books i ever read
This book is brilliant, if you are interested in war, planes or thr second world war this is the book for you. It is clear nice easy to read writing and the chapters are short. The only problem is that i wished the story was longer it was that good.

Under a War-Torn Sky
Wow!What a page turner!From the start, I was pulled in and felt like I was right alongside Henry, feeling what he was feeling. Henry was a "boy" who was a fighter pilot that was shot down during World War II behind enemy lines.Due to his perseverence and with the help of many strangers(includingFrench Resistance fighters)who risk their lives, Henry makes it back to his family's farm in Virginia--as a man. This war story includes everything that anyone would want-danger, suspense, adventure, even romance!Don't miss it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Air pilots    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Fiction    6. France    7. Historical - Military & Wars    8. Historical Fiction (Young Adult)    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Social Issues - New Experience    11. Underground movements    12. World War, 1939-1945    13. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Military & Wars   

Editorial Review

A coming of age tale for young adults set in the trenches of the Vietnam War in the late 1960s, Read more

Reviews (257)

A War Story Chills You to the Bone
Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers, is a deep, exhilarating war story about Richard Perry, a young recruit along with his fellow soldiers as they endure the horrors of war in Vietnam. I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of war stories. This book is action packed, has a colorful cast of characters, and displays the horrors of war vividly.
Fallen Angels
The book Fallen Angles by Walter Dean Myers is a great book. Walter Dean Myers is one of my favorite authors. I have never been disapointed by any of his books. This one was about a young man drafted into the army. He was sent to active duty in Vietnam. It was all an errorthathe ended up in active duty he had a bad knee.The story brought you with the main character Richie Perry to the Vietnam war. Walter Dean Myers had you understand the fears and the feelings of the men in Perrys group. You met his new friends, sargents, and nurses. The book makes you feel like you areright there with them. You don't want to put the book down you were given more information about the Vietnam war. Its not as much the detail of the location and what was happening but more about the thoughts of the troops. You got the view from the people that were actually there in the trenches. They where trying to survive. There where men dying,they were friends there where feeling of loosing your friend to the war. Every one wanted to get out alive and well and start a new life. I recomend this book to anyone who likes war stories. This book will not only give you the war story, but the view from those who served. Not just the facts but the feelings.

Fallen Angels
The book Fallen Angles by Walter Dean Myers is a great book. Walter Dean Myers is one of my favorite authors. I have never been disapointed by any of his books. This one was about a young man drafted into the army. He was sent to active duty in Vietnam. It was all an errorthathe ended up in active duty he had a bad knee.The story brought you with the main character Richie Perry to the Vietnam war. Walter Dean Myers had you understand the fears and the feelings of the men in Perrys group. You met his new friends, sargents, and nurses. The book makes you feel like you areright there with them. You don't want to put the book down you were given more information about the Vietnam war. Its not as much the detail of the location and what was happening but more about the thoughts of the troops. You got the view from the people that were actually there in the trenches. They where trying to survive. There where men dying,they were friends there where feeling of loosing your friend to the war. Every one wanted to get out alive and well and start a new life. I recomend this book to anyone who likes war stories. This book will not only give you the war story, but the view from those who served. Not just the facts but the feelings. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Afro-Americans    2. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - History    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    4. Fiction    5. Historical - Military & Wars    6. Juvenile fiction    7. Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975    8. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (16)

It made me cry!
This was a very touching book. I read it to my 6 and 5 yo and I think they liked it fine. I was in tears at the end! The girls may not understand the whole message at this age by I will save it for the years to come!

The Wall by; Eve Bunting
I like this book because it tells about some brave people that die in the war. A lot of people visit the wall in Washington D.C to show repsect to the people that are dead. This is why I liek this book.

The Wall
The Wall has touched my heart. I am Vietnamese so I understand what the character in the books are feeling. This book teaches good information about the Vietnam wall that was made for the people that died in the Vietnam war. I think it's sad that the boy has to look for to look through the long list of names to find his grandpa's name. It was nice to see what the boy learns from the wall and the people at the wall too. I recomomand this too most kids so that they can learn about the wall that was made to honor all the people that died in the Vietnam war. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Fiction    4. Historical - Military & Wars    5. Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Was    6. Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Washington, D.C.)    7. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Military & Wars   

Reviews (31)

Bull Run
Bull Run- the first major battle of the Civil War. This book by Paul Fleischman describes that battle in the perspective of sixteen people. These people are very different from each other, all the way from northerners to southerners, from slaves to military leaders. Each point of view brings out a different purpose for the war, and gives a new meaning to controversy. All the people in the book are related to each other so much, but are very deeply divided. This book does describe the battle and events leading to the Battle of Bull Run, but has very little flow. It is not a very good book, and is not recommended as a source of reference.
Characters come alive!
Paul Fleischman has a unique way of intertwining characters and their perspectives of the Civil War.Great for classrooms and building presentations.This is a great way to teach summarizing by reading all of the vignettes for one character and summarizing their involvement with Bull Run.
Mondo monologues sans monotony
You can accuse Paul Fleischman of a lot of things.Laziness is not one of them.When I told the kids in the bookclub I run that we were going to be reading something called "Bull Run" by a Mr. Paul Fleischman, they were quick to inform me that they were already familiar with him."He's the guy who wrote, 'Joyful Noise'!", cried one delightedly.I agreed that this was indeed his best-known work but that, "Bull Run" was probably going to prove to be a little different from a poetry book of insect noises.This turned out to be a particularly foresighted statement when some concerned parents informed me that they were not comfortable with the violence of this book and would rather that their children not read it.I was caught a little unawares.I shouldn't have been.If you are one of those concerned parents, allow me to tell you that yes, there is violence in "Bull Run".Heck, you're not going to have a whole book about a single exceedingly bloody battle without some blood actually making it into the text.However, the battle violence is brief and the story a compelling one.If you've a kid just hankering for the glories of combat, this should snap them out of THAT little fantasy right quick.
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Subjects:  1. Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Fiction    5. Historical - Military & Wars    6. Historical - United States - 19th Century    7. Historical - United States - Colonial    8. Juvenile fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / Colonial & Revolutionary Periods   

Reviews (71)

Why not us?
This was a great book. Very hard to read at sometimes. To the one who didn't said it was boring how dare you! When I first started reading it was very slow but it quickly speeded up. As soon as this happend I couldn't put the book down. I was done before everyone else in my class. This is one of the best books I've read.
Daniel's Story
This book is about the Holocaust. Daniel's Story is a very educational and fun book. Daniel is a Jew. The Nazis are killing all Jews.
Daniels Story
Daniels Story is about the holocaust. This story is very interesting, sometimes I would gasp at some of the parts in the story. This story can be sad at times because the Germans where being very unkind to the Jewish children and adults. Germans would put the Jews in camps and put them in gas chambers, put them in a flaming fire, or even shot them in the head! When the Germans where getting the Jews out of there houses they would throw them out the windows! (Newborns,3,4,5,6,7...years old still out the windows!)It was very hard to listen to and it was very rude. They where trying to take over the world so they could have it them selves! I really injoyed reading this book because it was interesting and educating in almost every way! I dislike what the Germans did to the Jews, it was very cruel. This is actually the only holocaust book I've ever read, but atleast I can say it was the best! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Concentration camps    5. Fiction    6. Historical - Holocaust    7. Holocaust, Jewish (1933-1945)    8. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    9. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Military & Wars   

Reviews (1)

Christmas in the Trenches
A wonderful children's book filled with beautiful pictures, and a very moving tale about the WW1 Christmas truce.Book comes with the story and original song on CD. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Christmas Truce, 1914    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Historical - Military & Wars    7. Historical - United States - 20th Century    8. Holidays & Celebrations - Christmas    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Juvenile Historical Fiction    11. World War, 1914-1918   

Reviews (82)

boringsville the worlds worst book
This book is horrid dull and long. I won't reccommend it to anyone. Avi doesn't describe war the way it actually is. boooooooooooooooooooo

worst book I have ever read
I did not enjoy this book because it seems like Avi doesn't put thought into what he writes.another thing is that it doesn't hav actuall chapters so its hard to keed track of where you are reading.

The Fighting Ground
The Fighting Ground is a great book about a 15 years old boy named Jonathan who lived in Trenton, New Jersey.This book is set during the American Revolutionary war.America was fighting for its independence from England.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Fiction    4. Historical - Military & Wars    5. Historical - United States - Colonial    6. Historical fiction    7. History    8. Juvenile fiction    9. Revolution, 1775-1783    10. United States    11. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Military & Wars   

Reviews (25)

Watch out ! Reading Level Deflated
A fourth grade teacher used this book in her class for guided reading/literature circle, based on the age range listed. As a special educator in the classroom, I quickly became concerned for the vast majority of the class who did not grasp 80% of the book. The author requires the reader to draw many inferences, a difficult task for nine to ten-year olds. There is a great deal of historical period vocabulary and prior knowledge of the Revolutionary War and colonialism that needs to be pre-taught for anyone under sixth grade to comprehend, especially as the curriculum standards don't introduce the American Revolution until fifth grade.
The Journal of William Thomas Emerson, A Revolutionary War Patriot
I used this book for a literature circle group. Before reading you need to do a lot of background building about the conflicts between the British and the colonist that lead up to the revolutionary war. Lots of unfamiliar vocabulary. Good for very experienced readers. Less experienced readers will need more support. Very enjoyable reading and the students are learning a lot about the revolutionary war and colonial era

Journal of William Thomas Emerson
Can you imagine being a 14 year old boy and a orphan during the revolutionary war patriot in Boston, Massachusetts, 1774?
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Subjects:  1. Boston (Mass.)    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Diaries    6. Family - Orphans & Foster Homes    7. Fiction    8. Historical - Military & Wars    9. Historical - United States - Colonial    10. History    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. Juvenile Historical Fiction    13. Orphans    14. Revolution, 1775-1783    15. United States    16. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / General   

Reviews (37)

What an emotional story!
I'm a new elementary librarian and have only just learned about "Pink and Say" while teaching students about Historical Fiction.I read this story to a group of 5th graders and completly broke down crying while reading it.It is touching on so many levels - the relationship between Pink and Say, between Say and Moe Moe Bay, and between Pink and Moe Moe Bay.We also have a realistic glimpse of what it was like during that time - about it being illegal to teach slaves to read, about how the smells are the same in each house and about how humans require love and affection.I'm sure that my 5th graders felt this book on a deeper level since I was crying while reading it. I think they understood the horror of the time and not one child trivilized the story (which is easy to do if you are in 5th grade!).I loved the story and hope that I don't break down again with the other 5th graders I have to read it to!

Pink and say by patricia polacco
I like this book because it tell you about the war. It also tells you about a friendship between two people that care for each other. Pink saved Say life when he was hurt that is why I like this book.

A Beautiful Book
I first read "Pink and Say" many years ago, but each time I read it, tearscome to my eyes. Patricia Polacco tells the wonderful story of two young boys that have different skin colors but are very much alike. The story of their friendship is very touching and makes you think about life in a new light. I think it's a great book for young readers since it explains the struggle of African Americans and the Civil War without sounding like a text book. The wonderful illustrations really add to the true story. This is a wonderfulbook. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Civil War, 1861-1865    5. Fiction    6. Friendship    7. General    8. Historical - Military & Wars    9. History    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. United States    12. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure   

Editorial Review

In spare, almost biblical prose, Gary Paulsen writes of the horrors of combat in a Civil War novella that puts a powerful, more contemporary spin on Stephen Crane's classic Read more

Reviews (153)

it was good
i thought this book was interesting because it was true to the historical of the civil war and it had a nice mixture with the fiction of the story. i thought the ending was very truthfull to the times that the charecter lived, and i liked the hard truth of charley dying in the end because of his wounds

okay book
this book wasnt one of my favorites, it was still a good book but not my style.It needs more sports and not so much emotional drama.

Interest, but only interesting...
A short read about a young man seeking adventure and excitement. Going into a war he thinks nothing big will happen but why miss a chance like this? He soon finds out he was wrong, DEAD wrong. His life soon turns into a nightmare of death and a struggle to survive the savage rebel attacks.
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Subjects:  1. 1861-1865, Civil War    2. Children's 12-Up - History - Military / War    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Civil War, 1861-1865    5. Fiction    6. Historical - General    7. Historical - Military & Wars    8. History    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Post-traumatic stress disorder    11. United States    12. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Military & Wars   

Reviews (16)

Internment from a child's point of view
This was interesting to me since my mother was about Yuki's age when she went to "camp".My mother doesn't talk much about that time, maybe because some things you just want to forget.It helped me understand some of the fear and prejudice towards Japanese Americans during the war.I have mixed feelings about the internment.It was horrible how so many people lost their livelihoods, but on the other hand, in camp, they were sheltered from the hatred and hostility they may have experienced at home.This was wartime, so everyone was feeling some kind of unhappiness.I give this book 4 stars and 5 stars to Uchida's "Journey Home", the story which follows Yuki's family out of camp.

My Review
Yuki Sakane is a Japanese-American girl, who lives a normal life in Berkeley, California. In her school, kids make fun of her for being Japanese. They also call her "Jap" which is insulting for Japanese.
Yuki's Adventure
Yuki and all the other Japanese living in California have to evacuate after the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. Yuki and her family have to leave their pets, friends, and furniture behind and head to a camp in Topaz, Utah. People have to live in horse stalls and share bathrooms with people, but Yuki manages to be optimistic about it. Yuki gets a new friend named Emi and they always pal around together until Emi has an unfortunate illness. It is sad at parts when Yuki loses a loved one, but it has a happy ending. I liked this book because it taught me a lot about Japanese concentration camps in the 1940's and I thought the characters were very likeable and unique. This is a good book and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about the Japanese concentration camps. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Evacuation and relocation, 194    5. Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Historical - Military & Wars    9. Historical - United States - 20th Century    10. Japanese Americans    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. People & Places - United States - Asian American    13. Social Issues - Prejudice & Racism    14. United States    15. World War, 1939-1945   

Reviews (6)

Code Talker
What did Navajo Indians do in World War 2?The title of my book is Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac.The main character is Kii Yazhi.He is forced to go to boarding school.From boarding school he heads off to war.
code talker review
my son asked me to pick out a relatively short book from the library for his 8th grade book report.Code talker was it.After he raved about it, and spoke of some specifics, i read it myself before returning to the library.It is a beautifully told tale that intertwines the 'simple' english translation of a navajo language filled with spirituality, respect, honor, and a mythological belief in how things came to be.
Code Talkers
Code Talkers is a fantastic book. The author Joseph Bruchac really knows how to write a good book. When the main charector was growing up he was told he would be nothing. When he got out of boarding school he was on his way to being a big succes.
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Subjects:  1. Boys / Men    2. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - History    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Cryptography    5. Fiction    6. Historical - Military & Wars    7. Historical - United States - General    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Navajo code talkers    10. Navajo language    11. People & Places - United States - Native American    12. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Military & Wars   

Reviews (11)

The Worst Ever!!!!!!!!!
I thought this book was the worst book ever.It was so boring!Did I mention that it was the WORST BOOK EVER!!!!It was the worst book in the history of bad books.You should never read it.Take my word on that.Oh, and I didn't just choose to read it on my own.A teacher forced me to read the dumb novel.IT'S THE WORST BOOK EVER!!!!!!!

Nick's Review on the greatbook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the cold winter of1775, the American troops were stuck without ammunition, cannons or guns. So the American troops set out to look for left over guns in Ticonderoga. They had to go through lots of trouble to get there! The British had tons of weapons, so they were ready!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Read this book to see if the American soldiers survive the long trip to Ticonderoga.
Nick's Review on the greatbook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the cold winter of1775, the American troops were stuck without ammunition, cannons or guns. So the American troops set out to look for left over guns in Ticonderoga. They had to go through lots of trouble to get there! The British had tons of weapons, so they were ready!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Read this book to see if the American soldiers survive the long trip to Ticonderoga.
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Subjects:  1. 1750-1806    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Brothers    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Fiction    7. Historical - Military & Wars    8. Historical - United States - Colonial    9. History    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Knox, Henry    12. Knox, Henry,    13. Soldiers    14. United States    15. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure   

Reviews (5)

5 Stars just not enough
My daughter got this from the library at school this week and immediately my husband and I decided this is a book she should have.In the 5th grade living in Missoula, Montana, I was told by my Japanese-American teacher that Missoula had been the site of such a camp.I didn't want to believe her because I thought of the prison camps in Germany and immediately equated the two.Though the history of the American prison camps has been all-but buried, it's works like this that will allow us to teach our children and hopefully they will learn from the mistakes made.This heart-wrenching tale is of a family forced away from the sea where the grandfather had his boat and his fishing business to the camp in the Sierra Nevadas.The small boy at the camp later took his own family to the site to leave offerings at his father's grave at the camp.During this time, his daughter, Laura, left his cub scout scarf - an acknowledgement of a childhood stolen and that they were no less American than those who had imprisoned them there.The lessons of empathy and love are needed now more than ever.I would HIGHLY suggest this book to anyone able to read.My first grader has checked it out two weeks in a row - this is one book worth owning!

A Children's Book that Is So Much More
Wonderful, chilling book about the imprisonment(more euphemistically called internment by the governmeny) of Japanese-Americans during world war too, told from the point of view of a child who goes to visit one of the prisons(more euphemistically called "camps"), where her grandfather died, so far from the sea, where he had lived before his life was interrupted. It is sad and engulfing, with snippets of irony, that gets the message across with the help of bright pictures.

So Close to Us
Every time I read this story to the children in the library I worked at I cried.A year later I still remember it vividly.The book showed the atrocity of what we did simply by showing the emotions of Japanese-Americans 50 years later.One truly feels for the father uprooted from his life and culture; the grandfather uprooted from the sea and his fishing.I can relate to the tragedy of being removed from the water.Eve Bunting builds to a dramatic, emotional climax- which is not easy to do in a short children's book.Chris Soetpiet's illustrations are beautiful, with excellent use of both color and black and white.And the short historical synopsis at the end provides opportunity to discuss with children the reality behind the story. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Family - Multigenerational    4. Fiction    5. Grandfathers    6. Historical - Military & Wars    7. Historical - United States - 20th Century    8. Japanese Americans    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Manzanar War Relocation Center    11. People & Places - United States - Asian American    12. English literature: fiction texts    13. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Asian American   

Reviews (44)

A review of Snow Treasure
This book never got me excited as some of the great books I have read in the past, but this book is definitely not a totally boring book.It didn't get me excited because I think it was meant for younger students and I have read more exciting books before, so that book wouldn't seem as great of one to me.Marie McSwigan has had very good reviews on her books before and probably deserves more credit than she has gotten. A good book.
I think that Snow Treasure is an incredible story because Peter Lundstrom and his friend Michael Berg have to slip past Nazi Guards with nine million dollars in gold hidden on their sleds (with them on top of the gold).The Nazi troops parachuted to Peter's mini-village and kept the village captive.Nobody thought that the boys could beat the Nazi's until Peter's Uncle Victor came up with a plan on how to fool the enemy.I think that was a dangerous plan.I didn't think that I would ever do what they did!That's incredible!
The best heroic Norwegian historical fiction for kids in the English language
So I'm at a fancy Manhattan party hosted by Columbia University.It's at a swank bar and I'm surrounded by Columbia graduate film students who are mooching like it's nobody's business.Bear with me, this actually has to do with the book, "Snow Treasure".I'm just a humble children's librarian who happens to be married to one of these students so I'm biding my time and drinking my free drink when I am introduced to yet another filmmaker.Usually when I tell such people what my job is they are inclined to nod politely and then scan the room frantically for someone more interesting.Not this gal.On hearing about my job she practically grabs me by my lapels (I say "practically" since I am not in the habit of wearing lapels) and asks excitedly, "Have you read Snow Treasure?!?".I try to pry her fingers from my clothing while admitting that as well-read as I like to boast that I am, I actually don't know this book.She then launches into an emphatic explanation of how much she enjoyed this story when she was a child and how she would like to film it herself someday.And since she goes to school with my husband, it seems only polite that I should read this supposedly marvelous little work.I do, enjoy the book thoroughly, and here we are today.Whether you like it or hate it, it's hard not to admit that "Snow Treasure" is one of those books that stays with you for years and years at a time.