“The Enemy” written by Sara Holbrook is a historical fiction story with some facts from real life. This book touches on many subjects, such as friendship, bullying at school, multicultural neighborhoods and family relationships. It takes place in 1954, in the U.S. during the Cold War.
In this book the author describes different points of view about Nazi’s and Communist’s at that time. It also shows the fear that adults and children felt, and how some of them stood up for what they believe is right.
Marjorie Campbell, a twelve year old girl, lives with her family in Detroit, Michigan. The main hero’s life is really confusing. She always worries about making the right decision. In her own family she stays on her mom’s side and helps her to hide a box of banned books (at that time) from others, including her dad and adopted brother, because they have different thoughts about it. At the same time, in Marjorie’s class comes a new girl, who moved with her family from some other country, and they looked like they were German. Marjorie likes this strange girl with a good heart and an accent, but her classmates ( including her best friend ) mark this new girl as a target for bullies. That’s why Marjorie struggles with her feelings and decision on what side she should choose. This book would be enjoyed by students and adults who like historical books. 

Review by Marianna

Itch! Explains the mystery of what causes a person to experience the sensation of the itch and to follow up that sensation with a scratch. Sanchez starts off with a chapter explaining skin – its parts, its purpose, and its reaction to irritants. The bulk of the remaining chapters focus on specific irritants: Lice, fleas, plants, mosquitoes, tarantulas, fungi, bed bugs. The final chapter examines the positive side of itching.

Illustrations are fun to look at and complement the text. Page format is interesting, with traditional text block, chapter heading, subheadings and balanced with a creative multimedia approach mimicking a bulletin board and scrapbook. Chapters start with a scenario that introduces the irritant, provides history and then jumps into the itch explanation and human reaction to scratch. It also has great tips for dealing with irritants that are environmentally friendly.

Itch! Is a fun and informative addition that sheds light on the physiological reaction to things that make us itch. Highly recommended.

Angela Cervantes creates a story of friendship and mystery set in Mexico City. Paloma Marquez joins her mother for a summer of adventure and art appreciation in her father’s homeland. Paloma quickly makes new friends and finds herself embroiled in the intrigue behind artist Frida Kahlo’s missing peacock ring. Paloma and her friends vow to uncover the truth and return the precious ring to its rightful home, La Casa Azul, where Frida’s personal items are showcased for all to see and celebrate. This story will touch the heart and soul as it celebrates loyalty, embraces forgiveness, and promotes valor. This sweet, honest and art filled book is a strong addition.

The novel “Tru & Nelle A Christmas Tale” is the second series book written by G. Neri. This interesting historical fiction book includes the facts and stories from the lives of best friends, Truman Capote and Nellie Harper Lee and their Christmas adventure.

Everything starts when “little” Nelle’s friend , Tru , goes back to town Monroeville . He came with his mom Little Mae and his stepdad Cuban Joe. They were in a custody battle with Tru’s biological dad , Arch Peterson.  Afterwards Truman left the courthouse with his mom Nina and Joe , and went back to New York.
Two years pass and Tru was feeling sorry about his decision to stay with his mom and move back to New York. After the some time it became apparent, that Nina didn’t care about her son at all, instead she only cared about herself and her wealthy lifestyle.
“Truman felt that everything had gone wrong since he’d left Monroeville.” His mom “ was constantly bemoaning all his quirks : his funny high voice, the way he sasheyed when he walked and eccentric clothing he wore, and the artsy boys he befriended.” Finally his mother decided to ship him to St. John’s Military Academy for Boys where they had very strict rules, which was too much for the delicate little Truman. Even then his mom refused to visit him and didn’t listen his complains about this school , such as bullying and overly strict rules. At that time Tru could only think about one place, Monroeville. He missed all of his relatives and friends, especially his best ones Nelle and Big Boy. That’s why the 13 years’ old boy Tru escapes from the military boys’ school, and try to make it to Monroeville for Christmas.

At the end of the book also includes some other story, interesting informations, facts, and photos

In my opinion the main thing that happens at the end of this story is that Truman decided to try to change his attitude, and make smart decisions in service of other. Also through this story the young readers can discover the real spirit of Christmas. It also shows how important it is to remember  mercy, charity and kindness, and to surrounding us with people. We should never forget to help and believe in each other, even if we are different.

I recommend this book for young readers. It’s a great novel for elementary and middle school students, who like to read about childhood’ friendship and adventures.

Reviewed by Marianna

Ever the Brave is the second installment in the Class of Kingdoms fantasy series.  Summerill constructs a world of adventure, political struggle and mysticism. Britta is back and is learning to live with her newly discovered gifts; however, she must keep her gifts a secret as witchcraft is outlawed in Malam kingdom. Keeping her powers secret proves a challenging task when she is bound to King Aodren.  This connection, unwanted and dangerous, risks her relationship with the King’s Hunter, Cohen. Amidst the tangle of feelings and interactions with King Aodren, Britta also learns that she is connected to the treacherous villain Cohen is hunting. When he returns from the hunt in the neighboring kingdom empty handed, he must fight for his King, his country and his true love.  A page turner, fantasy lovers will not want to put this book down.

“Sink or Swim” is a historical fiction novel written by Steve Watkins (author of the I Survive series). Inspired by the true story of the brave young boy, Calvin Graham, who, at age 13, enlisted in the US Navy and served on the battleship USS South Dakota in the South Pacific in intense fighting with the Japanese.

The story starts with an incident that happens with Colton’s older brother during their fishing trip. His seventeen-year-old brother, Danny, was injured, so Colton decided to assume his brother’s identity, and enlisted into the US Navy. After that Colton’s journey begins.

As for me, the most intense and tragic part of this book is when, after the battle, a U-boat explodes beneath Colton’s patrol craft, killing his closest shipmate and wounding Colton’s leg. The survivors are set adrift in an overloaded lifeboat with few rations and connection with anyone. The author excellently describes their attempts to survive in the ocean for a couple of weeks during mid October without food, water, under the sun in the daytime and sometimes surrounded by sharks. But at that time Colton’s thoughts were about his family: “I prayed we would be rescued, and I prayed that if we weren’t, that Mama and Danny would somehow find out what happened to me, and would know that I loved them all the way to the end.”

I would recommend this book for young readers ( ages 8-12 ), who likes stories about World War II and who also enjoys books about U boats or Navy. I liked this novel.

Review by Marianna

Review submitted by OHS Library Secretary, Mikel Debuse-Losh

Narrated by Clare, this tale takes the reader on a dramatic journey through the occult, which is growing like a black mold just underneath the surface of her sleepy southern town. The writing style is florid and graphic and will appeal to some readers who enjoy stories of demonology, possession, and exorcism. It’s not for the squeamish. The author is adept at crafting vivid, multi-sensory scenes that morph in completely unpredictable ways, but the writing is almost cartoonish in its exaggerated style. You can’t help but root for Clare, regardless. She is portrayed as gritty,  insightful and a real trooper given the ordeals she has to go through. It’s a nail-biter to the end.

15-year-old Clare has had a miserable life replete with an alcoholic mom, a dad that died when when she was young, and a scoundrel of a stepdad. Her lifeline has been her good demon, who soothes and settles her – and now her only source of  comfort has been ripped from her in an exorcism.

Review submitted by OHS student, Helen J.

Six students survive a school shooting. One student starts a rumor about one of the students that died, and the others want to get the story straight. But their community isn’t that welcoming to this “true” story.

You should read this book because it is a story of discovery and trust. This story is about acceptance of hard trials that people go through.

How do you deal with death, especially the death of someone you look up to and admire? For Charlie, the death of his father will spin him into a world he never imagined for himself. Sent to his grandparents for the summer in 1988, Charlie learns he has friends, family, comic book heroes, basketball and jazz to help him get back to feeling normal. While Grandaddy impresses upon Charlie the job of being on a team and playing a full game, it’s his cousin Roxie who teaches him the game and moves to be great in the game. Grandmother’s cooking makes all things bearable as she listens and shares in his new adventure. A quick trip to jail might also be life-changing, and friend Skinny goes with him because that’s what friends do. Readers watch a 12 year old Charlie become something special, being the path of maturing into Chuck, father of Jordan and Josh Bell from Alexander’s earlier Newbury Award Winning The Crossover. A prequel to that novel in verse, Rebound will give depth to the story of the Bell family but can be read as a stand alone as well.

This new series- The Questioneers- follow the picture book characters: Rosie Revere, Iggy Peck, and Ada Twist into the chapter book realm.

This first book begins with the trio working on an invention to help Rosie’s uncle, Zookeeper Fred scare away snakes. Even after five models, Rosie is not giving up . Her talents get temporarily guided away from that project to help her Aunt Rose and her aunt’s friends. These ladies were, ” ‘the Blue River Riveters,’ she said. ‘We worked together at the B-29 factory during World War II. We built more airplanes that you could imagine. We made a difference back when it was needed the most. And we still do our part.!’ ” (30)

Young readers will follow Rosie’s efforts to help others in the now popular STEM movement. “Rosie loved engineering, It made her happier that just about anything.” (41) Readers will follow Rosie from the brainstorming beginnings through to her end project. Rosie loved brainstorming, design, research, making prototypes, and testing. (49)
Rosie is not successful on her first attempts, but she does not give up. When Rosie gets frustrated the motto “STOP AND THINK!” comes to her aid.

In this book, Rosie is asked to come up with an invention that will help Aunt Rose’s friend June paint in the Art-a-Go-Go competition in the park, when June has two broken wrists.

As each chapter begins, red quad graph paper gives light to Rosie’s thoughts through Rosie’s sketches and diagrams of the work in progress. June is set to paint at the competition, using Rosie’s Paintapalooza 9. Mid-way through the painting, June’s arms become too tired, then a brush breaks. Undaunted, Rosie makes adjustments.

In the end the Blue River Riveters make Rosie, Ada, and Iggy “HONORARY RIVETERS!”

After the story ends, keep reading or you will miss out on: ODE TO A VALVE, ABOUT VALVES, ABOUT THE RIVETERS, THINK ABOUT THIS, and ABOUT THE AUTHOR and ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR.