13 Gifts

13 Gifts   By Wendy Mass

***** 5/5 stars

When Tara Brennan breaks into school to steal a goat she is caught and punished (obviously). After a lot of discussion between Tara’s parents, they agree on a punishment--spend the summer in the small town of Willow Falls while Tara’s parents spend it in Madagascar studying lemurs. In Willow Falls, Tara quickly realizes strange things--it would be impossible not to. There are two friends who use blackboards to communicate, a girl who loses her phone at least every two months, and a strange woman with a duck-shaped birthmark on her cheek. That woman is the strangest of all. Tara needs to collect thirteen items for her before July 13, Tara’s birthday. If she doesn’t, the woman claims that Tara will lose her immortal soul and Tara does not want that.

13 Gifts is very well written. You won’t be able to put it down.

The Book Thief

 The Book Thief   By Markus Zusak

***** 5/5 stars   Historical Fiction
At the beginning of WW II, Lisel is forced to live with foster parents. She also does not know how to read. As WW II progresses, Lisel discovers the power of words. She realizes that they can be used for good or evil.

Lisel reminds me of Katie from Kira-kira. Lisel is similar to Katie because she is very hopeful and she goes through a lot of hardship. Now that I think about it, Lisel also reminds me of Ling from Revolution is not a Dinner Party. Ling goes through hardship like Lisel and Katie. Both Lisel and Ling care a lot about others.

The Book Thief is sure to make an impact on your life.  At the very least, this book will make you see things differently.

Revolution is not a Dinner Party

Revolution is not a Dinner Party  By Ying Chang Compestine

***** 4/5 stars  Historical Fiction

The first sentence of this book is, "The summer of 1972, before I turned nine, danger began knocking on doors all over China." That sentence describes the whole book pretty well. Ling lives in China during the Cultural Revolution. The Revolution threatens Ling and her family's lives but they try to survive and avoid danger under the harsh rule of Chairman Mao.

            This book reminds me of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas , a story about a very naive boy growing up in World War II. Ling is very naive and isn't sure what is going on in parts of the book. This book also reminds me of North Korea. During the Cultural Revolution, China was very similar to North Korea in many ways.  They respected their leader in the same way, a lot of the people were starving, and the police could barge into someone's house at any time.

            Throughout this book, Ling overcomes challenges and hardships. She surprises the reader with strength that is unexpected in someone so small.