Sparrow Road by Sheila O'Connor

It's the summer before seventh grade, and twelve-year- old Raine O’Rourke's mother suddenly takes a job hours from home at mysterious Sparrow Road– a creepy, dilapidated mansion that houses an eccentric group of artists. As Raine tries to make sense of her new surroundings, she forges friendships with a cast of quirky characters including the outrageous and funky Josie.Together, Raine and Josie decide to solve the mysteries of Sparrow Road–from its haunting history as an orphanage to the secrets of its silent, brooding owner, Viktor. But it's an unexpected secret from Raine's own life that changes her forever. An affecting and beautifully written story of family and forgiveness,Sparrow Road is an incredible gift.

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Sparrow Road is a whimsically inspiring novel of discovery, family secrets, and forgiveness making it a strikingly wonderful work in middle grade fiction.

The story opens with a lot of mysterious things. When Raine is pulled from her comfortable life in Milwaukee, she suddenly finds herself at a summer country home for artists. Not only is twelve-year-old Raine not told why she is there, she must live among a very eccentric group of adults who retain a week of silence until Sundays; and of course there are many secrets hidden within the grounds of Sparrow Road.

The beginning of the story was very strong and though confusing, it made me want to keep reading. I felt the storyline slowed a bit toward the middle which may disinterest younger readers to a point, but it retained its  poetic and emotional narrative quite nicely. Nonetheless Sparrow Road is an splendid debut novel with a touching message and a setting so dreamy and vidid, you won’t want to leave.

Recommendation: Highly recommend! although the plot might seem to be somewhat juvenile for teenagers, the actual message and writing might appeal more to older readers rather than middle graders. Whatever age, it will be timeless to those who enjoy it.

Ages 12+

Content: references to alcoholism/drinking

|Pages: 247|Release Date: May 2011|Publisher: Putnam's Sons|

|Genre: Contemporary fiction, family, coming-of-age, relationships|

|Content Rating: 5/5|Cover: 5/5|Overall: 5/5|

This review is copyrighted© by Books and Literature for Teens. Special thank-you to Stacey!

Stones for My Father by Trilby Kent: Blog Tour and GIVEAWAY

The Boer War was disastrous for the British: 22,000 of them died. Close to 7,000 Boers died. Nobody knows how many Africans lost their lives, but the number is estimated to be around 20,000. This tragic, and little remembered, chapter in history is the backdrop for Trilby Kent’s powerful novel. 

Corlie Roux’s father has always told her that God gave Africa to the Boers. Her life growing up on a farm in South Africa is not easy: it is beautiful, but it is also a harsh place where the heat can be so intense that the very raindrops sizzle. When her beloved father dies, she is left in the care of a cold, stern mother who clearly favors her two younger brothers. But she finds solace with her African maitie, Sipho, and in Africa itself.

Corlie’s world is about to vanish: the British are invading and driving Boers from their farms. The families who do not surrender escape to hidden laagers in the bush to help fight off the British. When Corlie’s laager is discovered, she and the others are sent to an internment camp. 

Corlie is strong and can draw on her knowledge of the land she loves, but is that enough to help her survive the starvation, disease, and loss that befalls her in the camp?

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After reading Kent’s debut novel, Medina Hill, I was excited to do another blog tour featuring her newest book. Once again Kent paints a unique time and place setting that holds a touching message of hope, survival, and family.

Similar to the war-torn stories like I Am David, Stones for My Father follows a young girl whose life is dramatically changed by violence and war. Corlie’s search for the truth also plays a wonderful part of the novel as she not only battles the hardships of an abusive parent but observes a changing culture. The descriptions of Corlie’s homeland of South Africa, its people–both native and of Dutch descent– and environment are nicely intertwined into the heart of story. Though the book slowed quite a bit toward the end and I wasn’t completely satisfied with what became of our heroine, Stones for My Father is still a well-written (and very informative) book for young readers; I greatly enjoyed it. I hope Kent continues her story-telling.

Recommendation: Although I can mostly see middle graders picking-up this book, it does have a very “mature” appeal to it in which enables “older readers”, such as myself, to enjoy it as well. Recommended for ages 10+

Content: Violence, death, war (PG)

|Pages: 170|Release Date: March 2011|Publisher: Tundra|

|Genre: Historical fiction, war, 1800s, middle grade|

|Content Rating: 5/5|Cover Rating: 5/5|Overall: 5/5

➩Blog Tour Giveaway!

Here's your chance to win a copy of Kent's latest novel, Stones For My Father. To enter, comment on my review then fill out this form. (CONTEST CLOSED)

• Open to CAN and US residents!!
• Ends May 11th, 12 pm EST
• Book will be mailed from publisher

Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson

In this stunning sequel to the National Book Award Finalist Chains, Isabel and Curzon are once again faced with a trial of survival and must continue their fight for freedom admits the backdrop of our country’s War for Independence. As the tale unfolds this time from Curzon’s perspective, Anderson takes us on a journey to the Revolution’s most famous battle of will, Valley Forge. Enduring the harsh winter as an escaped slave, Curzon must learn to fight his fears and find the strength to hope.

Following events and important figures throughout America’s Revolutionary War, the thrilling story of two young, runaway slaves is not the only thing makes Forge a unique book. Readers will marvel at how Anderson has brought history to life and has shown us little known facts about our nation’s beginnings.

In the first novel, our heroine Isabel takes us to the streets of New York City where some of the first battles for freedom began. In Forge however, Anderson lets us follow the events through a new set of eyes. Curzon is an interesting character voice that differs from Isabel not only because it’s from a young man’s point of view, but from a solider’s as well. In this second installation to the Seeds of America series, Curzon gives us an even more gruesome and realistic look into the time period, war, and   the hardships of a slave. As a big fan of historical fiction, I absolutely loved reading both Chains and Forge; I believe Anderson gives great insight on what was going on (rather than just the war) during 1777-78. Anderson is truly a gifted writer.

Recommendation: Readers of all ages will become absorbed in Anderson’s captivating and well researched novel of early American life and slavery. Living up to its expectations, Forge will not disappoint. Recommend to ages 12 and up.

Content: Violence and graphic images (PG)

|Pages: 281|Published: October 2010|Publisher: Atheneum|

|Genre: Historical fiction, Revolutionary War, middle grade|

|Age Group: Middle grade/YA ages 12+|Price: $16.99|

|Content Rating: 4/5|Enjoyed It: 5/5|Cover: 5/5|

|Overall Rating:|

The Trouble With Half A Moon by Danette Vigilante

Thirteen year old Dellie lives with the guilt that her little brother's death was her fault. Her mother cries all the time and because she wants Dellie to stay safe, she keeps her inside as much as she can. It doesn't matter that Dellie longs to go outside to be like other girls or that there's a boy she likes and he likes her too. All that matters to her mother is that she's safe at home. So, Dellie has no choice but to watch the world of her housing project through her second story window. 

Things start to change soon after new neighbors move in on the first floor. Trouble like this has never happened in Dellie's building before. Now there are men fighting on the stoop, gunshots echoing through the night and Corey, a hungry and abused five year old boy knocking on her door looking for something to eat. Corey reminds Dellie of her brother and even though their friendship is dangerous, she wonders if this time, she'll be able to do what needs to be done. Will she be able to save Corey?

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Despite its heavy topics of grief, loss, and urban life in the streets of Brooklyn’s Projects, Vigilante leaves plenty of room for development and discovery as she weaves a light, but impelling coming-of-age story.

Although Dellie’s situations are mainly impacted from her sometimes gritty surroundings, middle graders will connect with Dellie as she comes to peace with the death of her little brother and, as she experiences the many new things that also come with growing older. Through a simple yet thought-provoking dialogue, this debut author expresses what it feels like to loose the ones you love and to remember to have faith, even if we only see half of what is really there.

This is why I love (and enjoy) reading middle grade books so much. You get a wonderful in-depth and complex story in less than 200 pages yet still manage take away just as much from it as a YA or adult novel. I also liked the fact that Delli’s environment, race, and age didn’t overpower one or the other and were all presented equally throughout the book. Many times authors let only one of these details play the dominate role in showcasing their story. The Trouble With Half a Moon however, lets you flow with a variety of characters as Vigilante shows bits and pieces of Dellie’s neighborhood without loosing sight of the true message of the story. Overall, excellent writing and a great, enjoyable book for preteens.

Recommendation: Highly recommend. Even though it might be marketed towards young adults, I think middle graders would enjoy it much more. This would also be a very nice addition to a classroom library. Lots of good discussion topics! Ages 11+

Content: PG for some violence. More details!

The Last Straw: A quote from pg. 70

She [Miss Shirley] walks over to the moon and uses her fingers to trace where the other half should be. "Just because we cannot see this half of the moon doesn't mean it's not there," she says, studying me. "You have to believe it's there. Faith young one," she says...

|Pages: 178|Published: Jan. 2011|Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons|

|Genre: Contemporary fiction, coming-of-age, family drama, friendship, loss, grief|

|Content: PG|Age Group: Middle grade/YA ages 11+|Price: $16.99|

|Enjoyed It: 4/5|Content Rating: 5/5|Cover: 4/5|

|Overall: 5/5|

Scones and Sensibility + Interview with Lindsay Eland

Twelve-year-old Polly Madassa is convinced she was born for a more romantic age. A time when Elizabeth Bennett walked along the stone halls of Pemberley, arm in arm with her one true love, Mr. Dracy. A time when Anne Shirley gazed out at the wild seas off Prince Edward Island with her bosom friend, Diana, beside her. A time when a distinguished gentleman called upon a lady of quality, and true love was born in the locked eyes of two young lovers. But alas... Polly was born in the twenty-first century New Jersey. This however, does not hinder our young heroine from finding romance wherever she can conjure it up. So while Polly is burdened with the summer job of delivering baked goods from her parents' bakery to the people in her small beach town (how delightfully quaint!), she finds a way for force... um.... encourage romance to blossom. Indeed, Polly is determined to bring lovers, young and old, together... whether they want to be or not. - book jacket

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Sconces and Sensibility was a fun book to read. It might seem a little juvenile to older teens, but I thought it was a great story for pretty much any age. Polly, the main character, is a true romantic. She brings out the best and the worst in people. During this particular summer, Polly decides to take matters of love into her own hands had find suitable matches for her sister, Mr. Nighquist, Miss Wiskerton, and Mr. Fisk. The results were predicable, but I enjoyed watching Polly’s schemes unfold to her advantage or to her dismay.

The funny–and special thing–about Polly that sets her apart from most girls, is that she enjoys talking and thinking like Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice and often asks herself what Anne Shirley, from Anne of Green Gables, would do. I think  it’s neat that Eland incorporated these two very classic novels into the story. It was also a great way to sort of introduce those book as well to girls who have yet to read or even hear about them. At first, when you start reading Polly’s narrative, it seems silly that she tries to talk in the style of the Regency Era, but if you look past that, you’ll begin to see a character who is much like you and me. Once upon a time, it was every girl’s fantasy to wear pretty dresses, wear bonnets or sunhats, talk and walk like royalty, and be as elegant as possible. In many ways, Polly brings out the romantics in all of us because she is not afraid to be the person she wants to be whether it’s Elizabeth or Jane Bennett or Anne Shirley. The only problem is that Polly has yet to learn the different between reality and fiction. In the end, Polly has to realize her mistakes and the messes she caused from thinking that no matter what she does, everything will have a “happy ending”. I think Eland has very good potential as a children/young adult writer; it’s always nice to see a new voice in children’s literature.

My Recommendation: For kids/teens ages 10-15 (or any age) who have a soft-spot for Jane Austen inspired books, middle grade fiction, or just enjoy a fun story about matchmaking and scones!

Content: None (G)

The Final Straw: "For everyone knows that a girl cannot live on chicken cordon blue alone."

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|Pages: 309|Year Published: December 2009|Publisher: Egmont US|

|Genre: Contemporary fiction|Content: None (G)|

|Age Group: Ages 10+|Buy/Borrow?: Both|

|Enjoyed It: 4/5|Content: 5/5|Cover: 4/5|

|Overall: 4/5|

Interview with Lindsay Eland

{Blog Tour}

Prairie Winter by Bonnie Geisert

The Cresbard school means a lot to sixth grader Rachel Johnson. It means classes with a beloved teacher, important band rehearsals for the upcoming concert in Chicago, and time to hang out with Winnie and Darren and the rest of the town kids. For a twelve year-old living on a remote prairie farm with no phone, school means connection. And that connection is about to be severed. The most dangerous winter that Rachel has ever known is about to descend on Cresbard, marooning her on the farm and keeping her from the school she so desperately loves.

Then, in a surprising turn of events, Rachel’s dad agrees to fly his three oldest daughters to town so they can continue the school year. Rachel will be boarding in a hotel with no parents, no rules, and no chores. Her choice of desserts every night, two-stepping with Darren Baxter at the school dance . . .will Rachel ever be able to return to farm life after this?

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Based on the author's childhood in the 1950s, Prairie Winter continues the story of Rachel Johnson [first seen in Prairie Summer & Lessons]. During the harsh winter of 1955-56, Rachel and the rest of the Johnson girls experience some changes among the Johnson family and some special memories of life and school in South Dakota. It was an interesting little book; reminded me a lot of how my grandmother lived during that time. She too lived on a farm isolated from the bigger towns but she did have a telephone, unlike Rachel. 
This book is a short, sweet story–mainly for middle graders–but I don't see why teens wouldn't or couldn't read this. I never read any of the other books in Rachel's trilogy, but you don't really have to since each book is based on one event in the Johnson household. Again, because it is mainly intended for middle graders or kids, it's narration is "juvenile"; this didn't really bother me since a do read middle grade/kids books often, but it can be a little odd if you haven't touched a children's book in awhile.
Overall, Prairie Winter was a nice little fictional memoir of a farm girl's memories of the '50s. I'm not quite sure teens would be too interested in picking it up, but I definitely recommend for middle graders–it would be perfect for a book report and an interesting peek into the 1950s. Ages 10+.

|Pages: 224|Year Published: Nov. 2009|Publisher: Houghton Mifflin|
|Genre: Historical fiction, memoir, middle grade|
|Age Group: Ages 10+|Content: None|
|Buy or Borrow? Both|
|Enjoyed It: 4/5|Content Rating: 5/5|Cover: 5/5|
|Overall|