BookPikks

These companion books take place in a fictional country in modern day Africa.  Looking at  the problem of AIDS and child soldiers respectively, these books are difficult to read.  Yet, through his main character, Chanda, Stratton offers hope in the midst of despair.

Banner was only 14 years old when she started writing this book.  Five years later, she is a published author, with a fabulous novel to her name.  Although it gets a little long near the end, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to reading much more from Banner in the future.

A companion book to The Dead and the Gone. This one is set in rural Pennsylvania instead of New York City.  When the moon’s orbit is changed, the earth’s tides, volcanos and climate are changed as well.  Miranda and her family must struggle to survive the devastation that follows.

I have no idea how scientifically accurate Pheffer’s book is.  However, she paints a very realistic picture of the physical realities of life, if we were suddenly confronted with no electricity, heat, running water, or the ability to grow more food.  Pfeffer explores family and friend dynamics as well, when life becomes instantly about survival.

My favorite Napoli book to date.  This one tells the tale of a spoiled Irish princess who is kidnapped and brought far from home on a Viking slave ship.  Sold into slavery, Melkorka’s one protection is the vow of silence she has taken.  Fabulous book–highly recommended.

A fascinating series, spanning 15 some years in Pakistan.  Shabanu is a desert girl, who through a series of tragic events, is married off to be the fourth wife of a much older, wealthy and powerful clan leader.  Desperate for freedom and safety for herself and her young daughter, Shabanu waits for the right time to seize control of her own future.

Shabanu, a Newbery Honor book was the first, and in my mind, the best book of the series.  Staples includes rich Pakistani history and culture, and her tale of Shabanu being forced to leave her beloved family and desert home is amazing.  The remaining two books are good, and wrap up the story, but they aren’t of the same quality as the first.  Although I liked how the series ended overall, in The House of Djinn, Staples used djinn (mischievous spirits) to move the plot along.  These supernatural beings were not in keeping with the feel of the first two books, were very distracting, and not at all necessary for me.  Other than that, it’s an excellent series, well worth reading.