Inside Out And Back Again by Thanhha Lai

I have read this book in the past several times for school but it's been a while so I re-read it! I was also informed that I will have to read this again for 8th grade but it's a good book so I don't mind much. 
I truly love this book because the poetry is simple but is also descriptive and has lots of depth. Even though this story is set in the 1970s, it is still very relevant today in terms of what the main characters family is escaping, the things they have to leave behind, and what they face when they get to a new country. It also has a sequel, but i have sadly not gotten around to reading it yet. 
- Emilia

Claudette Colvin: Twice Towards Justice By: Phillip Hoose

If you could ask the author/illustrator of this book one question, what would it be, and why?

I would ask Phillip Hoose, author of Claudette Colvin: Twice Towards Justice if he would do the same thing Claudette did if he was black and was the same age as Claudette. On March 2nd, 1955 Claudette Colvin refused to give up her seat to a white woman, the law at that time, which led to her being dragged out of the bus by police and arrested. Claudette was taken to court where she was found guilty on all of her three charges. After an appeal, the judge dropped two of three charges but kept the charge of Claudette physically assaulting a police officer, something that she denied. Nine months later, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus which sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. After many weeks of boycotting buses, Claudette and four other plaintiffs testified that the system of busing was unconstitutional in the case Browder vs. Gayle. I wonder if Phillip Hoose, in Claudette's identity and time period, would refuse to give up his seat to a white woman. It is interesting to hear people's perspectives if they were put in other people's shoes. I enjoyed reading this book and hope that our society can continue to fight for racial justice.

-James

Hidden: A True Story of the Holocaust, by Fanya Gottesfeld Heller and Joshua M. Greene

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?

I would recommend Hidden: A True Story of the Holocaust, by Fanya Gottesfeld Heller and Joshua M. Greene because it is important to read stories about how bad the holocaust was. True stories from this part of history are critical to know because we don’t want to make the same mistakes Hitler made. Reading personal stories about the holocaust show in a relatable way what happens when groups of people are dehumanized. The people in this book that protected the Jews put their life on the line to shield innocent people from the Nazis. Those people showed that even when some people do horrible things, there are still others who are brave and do good in the world in the middle of horrible situations. Hidden is an important book to read because it is a true story about the extreme good things and the extreme bad things that people are capable of doing. It was both inspiring and horrifying to read.

-Gabriel

Reading Challenges

Hey US Readers!  Do you know about our extra reading challenges this summer?  If you read one book in each of the following five areas, you will be eligible to try and win an extra special prize:

• Ask someone for a recommendation and read the first book they name.
• Read a book made into a movie or TV show.
• Read a biography, memoir, or story based on a real person.
• Read a book set "out of this world" and/or in space.
• Read a book that starts with the first letter of your name.

When you submit your reviews, let us know if your book falls into one of the five categories.  Need some suggestions?  Ask your librarian or scroll through the reviews before yours to get some ideas.  Here are some of my top choices for "biography, memoir, or story based on a real person".

The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion & the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming

The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hendrix

Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman

Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman

-Librarian Margaret (Collins Branch)

Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?

This is a book about Betty X before she was Malcolm X's wife.
Betty lived with her aunt when she was two to when she was 6. when her aunt died she lived with her mother. But Betty does not feel a sense of belonging with her mother Ollie May the way she did with her aunt. In spite of racial prejudice Betty must find her way through her relationship with her mother.
I recommend this book to people who like realistic fiction and reading stories set in the civil rights era.

-Penny

Lucky Broken Girl. Ruth Behar

This book is so good! It,s based on a true story. This girl was in a car accident and she had to be in a REALLY big cast! There were so many struggles to get her walking again. It is a little boring at first, but it’s still good. Sorry about the typos -Iris

Real Friends by Shannon Hale

If you were written into this book, what would your role be, and why?

This book was recommended to me by a couple of my friends. If I was written into this book, I would hope to be someone like Veronica. She is kind to everyone, and is open to new things. Even though she is a grade older than Shannon, she is still a good friend to her. Also, she inspires Shannon to be like her. 

-6th Grade

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls 1&2

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?

These books are good for any occasion! These books are about a lot of strong and powerful women and how they made an impact. These books are great for any age and VERY empowering! I totally recommend these books.

-6th grade

Young Lincoln by Jan Jacobi

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?

I really enjoyed the book Young Lincoln by Jan Jacobi. It was very interesting to me to find out about Abraham Lincoln’s life before he became president. For example, I did not know that he did not get along well with his father. I would highly recommend it to other 6th graders.

-6th grade