Russell Freedman brings narrative and historic photos together to give the reader a small taste of what it was like to live in Germany during the time Adolf Hitler’s rise and fall.

Not all Germans were deceived by Adolf Hitler’s promises. Hitler Youth Groups, in economically depressed post-World War I Germany, were pumped full of patriotism and uniforms. They appear to be a cross between high-school pep rallies and boy scouting. At first, Hans Scholl was very eager to be a part of this exciting group. In 1935, his Hitler Youth group took part in the Nazi Party Rally in Nuremberg where over 50,000 youth were present. Hans became “disillusioned by the mass conformity of the Nuremberg rally, the mindless obedience demanded of each participant.”(11) Afterwards, when Hans tried to run his patrol his own way he was taken out of his leadership position. By 1936, Hitler Youth group was mandatory. Other German youth groups were outlawed, most disbanded. Hans became part of the d.j.1.11 (German Boys League – Deutsche Jungendschaft) which had to meet in secret. When the d.j.1.11 met, someone might ask, ”  ‘ What is an Aryan?’… The group would reply in hooting unison” ‘Blond like Hitler!’ – who was dark. ‘Tall like Goebbels!’ – the propaganda minister, who was short. ‘Slender like Goring!’ the Nazi military leader, who was fat.” (14)

Sophie Scholl, Hans’ younger sister, was put under suspicion when she would not give up her Jewish friends.

Both, Hans and Sophie worked their mandatory service to their country in the National Labor Service. Before going onto college. After basic training, Hans was able to study medicine at university during the school year and be an army medic on the Russian Front during his summers off from school. Hans and his student friends wondered how they could help heal people in hospital, when outside the Nazis were killing them. Then in June 1942, Hans and a very small group of his most trusted friends began writing the leaflets – THE WHITE ROSE. A non-violent form of resistance, which eventually had them arrested, jailed, and executed. The supplies for the leaflets were all purchased in small quantities, all over the city, by many different people, so as to not raise suspicion. Then the leaflets were mailed from various post offices in a number of different cities to people throughout Germany.  The first leaflet called for resisting the Nazi regime, the second brought to light the atrocities in occupied territories, the third called the Nazi dictatorship evil and to sabotage things helping the war to continue, the fourth stated Hitler, the Fuhrer,  was all lies, Hell and Satan. It ended saying, ”  ‘ We will not be silent. We are your bad conscience. The White Rose will not leave you in peace.’  ” (46) The fifth leaflet stated the war’s end was near, Hitler will not win, be careful what side you are on. The sixth stated the terrible loss at Stalingrad, “Senselessly and irresponsibly driven” by Hitler.  (57)

Hans and Sophie Scholl were arrested on February 18, 1943. After their trial, where no witnesses were called and no family members were allowed to be present, they were executed by guillotine the same day.

Another White Rose began. Eventually, “British warplanes were dropping White Rose leaflets by the tens of thousands over Germany’s cities and towns.” (82)

There are now numerous streets named after this movement and a museum / memorial at the Munich University.

This book answered so many questions I have often pondered over, but never asked. It is such a relief to know there were German people standing up to Hitler, even though they were ineffective.

This is the first in the series, In Due Time. Strange things are happening in the library at Sands Middle School. Historical figures appear in the library, but the librarian whisks them away. The librarian meets with Matt, Luis, and Grace and shows them a magical book. The three students use the book to travel back in time and have an adventure in 1950s Brooklyn.

This series would appeal to those who have moved on from the Magic Tree House Series, but still want a time traveling adventure book. At the end of the book, the author includes what you would find if you were actually in Brooklyn in the 1950s.

This is number 8 in the Billy Sure Series. Billy and his friend, Manny, are celebrating after selling their rights to their hovercraft invention. Suddenly there is a new inventor in town and that inventor want to bring Manny on as the company CFO. Billy and Manny are trying to save their company by creating a new invention. Billy comes up with an invisibility spray, but so does the competitor. Billy and Manny’s friendship shows throughout the story.

Black and white sketches are interspersed throughout the text. The text is a page turner for those looking for a mystery.

There is a mystery at Odd Street School. The school bell starts to ring at midnight. It rang more than the twelve times that it should have for midnight. It happened again on another night and it is the talk of the school. Who or what is ringing the bell? What is the glowing figure in the bell tower? Agatha and her friends have a mystery to solve.

Told from the point of view of Agatha with an authentic voice. The text is broken up with black and white sketches that add to story. This book would appeal to those looking for a mystery in a short chapter book.

This is number 14 in the Galaxy Zack series. Zack can’t wait for school to end and to go to Camp Stellar on the planet Sylvan with his friend Drake. When they get there Zack and Drake are put in a cabin with two other campers, one of them who is not very nice. Throughout the story, Zack tries to figure out why the other camper is so mean.

This book would appeal to those beginning to read chapter books because the text is easy to read and there are pictures on nearly every page. This story would appeal to those who like space and adventure.

This a picture book biography of Nadia Comaneci, Romanian Olympic gymnast. Nadia was constantly moving – climbing trees and swinging on the branches. She was also fearless. Nadia’s mother signed her up for gymnastics to find a place for her energy. Bela Karolyi spotted her cartwheeling on the playground and Bela and Marta asked her to join their new gymnastic school. The book explains not just her successes but her challenges too. The beautiful illustrations compliment the text. The author also includes a timeline of events at the end of the book.

This is number 17 in the Captain Awesome series. Captain Awesome and his friends just finished watching the new Super Dude movie. On his way home, Captain Awesome sees villains everywhere including his sister, Queen Stinkypants. Captain Awesome has the chance to meet Super Dude, but feels with all of the new and old villains he is seeing may mean that evil is around.

This book would appeal to readers who like superheroes. The language is easy to read and illustrations on almost every page make this appealing to those who are beginning to read chapter books.

Roland Smith takes us to a world we have no experience with, probably do not want any experience with,  and keeps us glued to the pages while he explores that world for us.

This time, Roland takes us into the underground caverns of New York City. Here there are not one but two separate groups of people living in chosen isolation from the world we know above ground. Each group has secret ties to the above ground world. Secret even to the members of their own groups.

Now enters a young man who was born during a lunar eclipse- Cooper. Cooper does not understand why all his life he has been drawn to the dark of night. His parents do not understand it either. Nor does his younger brother, Patrick. When Coop leaves home after finishing high school, his family does not hear from him for months. Then suddenly Coop secretly contacts his brother. Just before Christmas, Coop mysteriously breaks off communication with Pat again. Pat tries to get his parents involved in finding Coop. When that fails, Pat sets out on his own to track down Coop. Little by little the pieces fall into place. Pat finds himself being blindfolded and taken down beneath the streets of New York City. Pat finds where Coop has been, but too late. Coop has moved onto another group living beneath the city. Warnings of how dangerous this other group is does not detour Coop. And so, Pat continues his search for his brother.

Roland hits the emotions involved with being in the dark, your skin will crawl, but you will not be able to put this book down.

Uruguay is part of the Exploring Countries in the Blastoff! Readers Level 5 series by ‘children’s press’.

This is a great way for middle primary students to read for information.  Each page usually contains a photo or part of one from the preceding page and one or two paragraphs of information. Just enough information to grab the students attention without overwhelming them. The contents include: location of Uruguay, wildlife, daily life, going to school, working, playing, food, and holidays. Sprinkled throughout the book are ‘Fun Facts’ (trivia) and ‘Did You Know?’ The last two pages before the glossary and index are “Fast Facts About Uruguay”. Here the reader will find a flag illustration, area, capital city, population, official language, national holidays, religions, major industries, natural resources, manufactured products, and money. Short, sweet and to the point. Just right for third and fourth graders, as well as, fifth graders.

Ten Little Bluebirds is a board book meant for pre-school and kindergarten. The ten little bluebirds cleverly diminish in number from ten to one with each turn of the page. The ten little bluebirds, in fact, diminish because they are cut only once and are fit into holes in page.

“Ten little bluebirds, singing in a tree.

Bright eyes, bright wings, as happy as can be.

Except for one, who wants to stay,

to sing with Mom all through the day.”

AS the reader turns the page, a new and different animal invites the little birds “Hey! Come and play. And one little bird decides to stay.” All is fine until the proofreader missed the mistake on #2 , when “Two little birds decide to stay.” Oops, only one should have stayed to complete the math concept being presented and the stories predictablity factor.

Each verse has a sentence with rhyme, but without practice, on the part of the reader, it does not stand out.

All ten birds are back with their mother at the end of the book for the end of their day.

Preschoolers will enjoy the cut-outs and counting the little birds.