Hannah is tired of hearing about tradition and remembering Jewish history. People are always telling Hannah to remember, but one night with her relatives, Hannah no longer needs to remember, she experiences. Somehow, someway, when Hannah opens the door to Elijah, she is Chaya. A young, frightened Chaya living in 1942 with her Aunt Gitl. How did she get there? And what will happen to her? But suddenly, her life with Aunt Gitl spins out of control. The German soldiers take over her village, rounding up the Jews like cattle and taking them to a horrible place. "The stomach of a werewolf" Hannah calls it. A Nazi Death Camp. And when she returns, Hannah no longer needs to remember. She has experienced.

Reviewed by Abby F., Charlotte, NC

Reader's comments about this book

This book was a brilliant, dazzling tale of the Nazi regime, and brings to startling reality how truly horrific World War II was.
-Katya, Charlotte, NC

I thought this book was really good. I didn't really understand the Holocaust but now it is clear. It tells how people starved, sacrificed food for the younger ones! It's amazing how so many people cared about each other. But it is sad what the Jewish people went through! I think the author did a great job on this book!!!!!!
-Monica, Clarkesville, Georgia

I read this book in school and watched the movie. It was sad, and I cant believe that Jews had to be hated literally to the point of death, and it`s sad that even this tragedy doesn`t open the eyes of the racist in our country.
-Ciara Jones, Charlotte, N.C.

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The eyes of Teddy, a nine-year-old girl, were drawn to the body swinging from a tree limb. The horror increased when Teddy recognized one of the men in white robes as her father. The author depicts what life might have been like for a girl whose best friend is black and whose father is in the Ku Klux Klan. The tension is there even in normally innocuous sentences, such as when her father says to her, "I want us to have a long talk as soon as we can, but I have a meetin' tonight." You can read more about the many children who participated in the civil rights movement in books such as Witness to Freedom and Freedom's Children.

Reviewed by Mel B., North County Regional

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Sarny lives on the Waller plantation. One day a slave named Nightjohn comes to the plantation with Mr. Waller. In exchange for a lip of tobacco, Nightjohn begins teaching Sarny how to write letters. After a while, it is revealed that he was free at one time, but returned to the South to teach slaves to read and write. But slaves caught reading and writing are punished severely. So when Mr. Waller catches Sarny writing, he looks for someone to blame. The punishment he inflicts has a permanent result. This book is filled with meaningful dialogue and characters. Written from Sarny's point of view, it powerfully portrays injustice, wonderment of the written language, and a spirit of hope.

Reviewed by Jeanenne R., Steele Creek Branch

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Reader's comments about this book

It was a great book!
-Sam, New York

Gary Paulsen has written a wonderful story about the brutal history of slavery. I have enjoyed the novel very much.
-koula, Queensland

It was so action packed.
-Des, KY

I had to read this book in 5th grade an i didn't understand it as well, but now I read it in the 9th and I am well informed about what happen back then. This was a wonderful book.
-Shaishai, Mobile, Alabama

This book was really good, and I enjoyed it a lot.
-Lila, Milwaukee, WI

I had really enjoyed this book because it told of how this slave girl met a new slave night John and escaped seeing how she will live a better life as a free person not as a slave.
-Brandon, Brooklyn, NY

This book is a great read, with characters you will love and hate. I got a sense of what it was really like back then. I actually felt like I was a slave. Great job, Gary Paulsen.
-Danielle, London, Kentucky

A wonderful book.
-Narhonda, Texas

This is a wonderful story of courage and the power of knowledge. This book shows that no matter what you lose or gain in life, true knowledge can never be taken away.
-Evelynette, Detroit, MI

I had to read this book in 7th grade. I absolutely loved it. It’s an amazing story and very heart touching. One of my favorites!
-Amy, CA

I love this book!
-Breanna, Mooresville, IN

I read this book this year in 7th grade! It was amazing! I absolutely loved it! I felt like I was in that time period with Sarney!
-Meagan, Brandenburg, Kentucky

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In 1832, thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is bound for Rhode Island from England in the Seahawk. After attending a school for proper young ladies, she is thrust alongside a mutinous crew led by a mad captain. She experiences a hurricane and three deaths on board which change the course of her life forever. Will she remain trapped in the "stultifying role of dutiful daughter" or will she choose her own destiny? Avi casts a sharp look at society and provides a suspenseful, adventurous sea tale.

Reviewed by Loretta T., North County Regional

Reader's comments about this book

This book is sooooo good!!! You have to read it!!! I love the way Charlotte speaks her mind.
-Laura, North Carolina

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle was a great book and I really enjoyed it. I thought it was fantastic because it showed how a young girl can come over so many obstacles when she really wants to achieve her goal. That is exactly what Charlotte Doyle did. I love all of Avi's books!
-Samantha, Train Your Brain Summer Reading

This book was written from a very interesting standpoint. Though I do not usually enjoy books that are set on a ship, I enjoyed The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle because the terms were made clear to you . You became familiar with the surroundings as Charlotte did, and you learned to love the characters. Also, this was an excellent introduction to colonial times.
-Britt, Houston, Texas

This book was sooo great!! When my teacher told us we had to read it, I didn't want to because I don't like to read a lot. As soon as I started reading the book I couldn't put it down. I read all the book and I got an A on my Charlotte Doyle test. I would recomend it to anyone.
-Erica, Atlanta, Georgia

This was a book I read at age 12, then read again later. I loved it, and it made me understand that sometimes, you must choose your own way in life - no one else can choose it for you. I really felt for Charlotte, and I felt so much joy at the end. You will love it too, boys or girls.
-Lauren, Charlotte, NC

Charlotte is a very spunky character that in scary situtations is very brave. This book is an excellent adventure story.
-Emma, Charlotte, NC

I read this book with my 3rd grade class, and it was great. I told my mom to read it and she loved it. I would recomend this book a 1,000 times. IT WAS SO GOOD!!!
-Monica, Nutley, NJ

This was a very inspiring book. It was pretty good even though I am not really into historical fiction-ish stuff that much. Really good, though. I really admire Charlotte.
-Kaitlin, Charlotte, NC

I think that this book is a great book for girls of all ages. It taught me that you need to make your own future based on the things that really matter to you. And obviously, you can tell how much sailing meant to Charlotte even though she had only been doing it for two months! When you find your passion you are able to tell right away that it is what you want to do for the rest of your life!
-Erika, Somers, CT

This is one of my favorite books- Avi is a wonderful writer.
-Kara, Lambert, MO

I love this book! I especially enjoyed the ending. It felt so real and the way it was written made me feel like I was in the story. An absolute must read.
-Elizabeth, Charlotte, N.C.

Man, I really didn't enjoy reading, but this book was enjoying even for me!
-Christian, Matthews, NC

This book is soooo cool I love it! Our 7th grade teacher made us choose a book and I'm lucky I chose this one:).
-Matt, NY

This is an awesome book! Our 5th grade teacher read to us about a chapter or two each day and it was so exciting! I would recommend it to anyone.
-Amanda, California

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We are now residents of the Twenty-First Century, but it never hurts to look back on the century before. Gallo's anthology is a fascinating collection of stories, each of which is set in a different decade of the Twentieth Century. Especially interesting are "The Electric Summer" by Richard Peck, based on his aunt's experiences at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904, and "Fourth and Too Long" by Chris Crutcher, about a young man who is kicked off his high school football team in the 1960's because his hair is too long. All together these stories offer a compelling look at the century we have just left behind.

Reviewed by Wildsmith S., South County Regional

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Newly orphaned Judith Sparrow has barely settled into her Uncle's spooky house when she hears rumors concerning the mystery of a young girl, Jade Green, who died there. Soon, strange and frightening things start to happen to Judith. Could the fact that she disobeyed Uncle Geoffrey's odd request not to bring anything green with her have anything to do with these terrifying occurrences? Told in the prim-but-passionate style of an old fashioned gothic romance, this genuinely creepy ghost story will keep readers young and old engrossed until the last suspenseful page.

Reviewed by Stephanie D., South County Regional

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Reader's comments about this book

This book is great. This book has it all - love, adventure, and mystery. You'll enjoy following Judith's new life at her uncle's house. Once you hear of Jade Green's life at the house you'll want to know more about her!
-Robin, Charlotte,NC

This book is not like any book you've ever read. It has mysteries to keep you on the edge of your seat til the last page and will keep you wondering HOW!
-Robyn, Charlotte, NC

Best ghost book I ever read!!
-Christy, Pasadena, CA

This book first grabbed me because it takes place right outside of my hometown. However once I started reading it I couldn't put it down!!! It is a great ghost story that tells of murder, false assumptions, sexual abuse, and greatest of all - trust.
-Briana, Charleston, S.C.

I think it's great. The scariest book ever. I knew Jade Green would haunt her!
-Lindsey, Charlotte, NC

This book was truely amazing... the thrills and chills while reading this book got me more interested:) For the people who are going to read this I highly suggest not reading at night time when it is dead silent. This is when you get scared...
-cortney, california

My teacher is reading this book to us as a read aloud and it is SO awesome.
-Gabrielle, Ontario

I loved this book you should read it but if you scare easily I recommend that you not to read it because it is sort of scary!!!!
-Valeria, Sarasota, FL

I think it's a really good book!!! I love it!!!
-Betsy Castro, Fremont, NE

I really love this book I think it is the best book for teens that is scary. So if you like crazy, romantic,suspenceful books I highly recomend this book!!!!!!
-Breauna, Richmond ,VA

This is one of the books that I'll love most that I have read in my entire life. It was great. I love this book.
-Camila, Anomino

I'm almost done reading this book. So far I love it and it's really good! I think it's probably going to be my fave.
-Elizabeth, Crescent City, CA

I LOVED this book! It was scary and haunting and kept you wondering. I got pretty scared in my room - I wouldn't read it at night. I got the chills!
-Andrea, Katy, TX

I loved this book so much. I offered a lot of book's to my friends but one of them told me this was a great book it had me in suspense at the end of every page. I wish there would be a second book it was so good I stayed in my room all day reading it.
-Elizabeth, Texas

It is great and it will have you scared the whole time.
-Andre, TN

I liked the book because at the end of every page there was suspense. I loved the book; it was kind of exciting and scary. Also, I love books that have you thinking.
-Telia, Nashville, TN

I loved it.
-Prince Mitchell, Nashvville, TN

This is a great book. It is a horror story that is not so scary that you can't sleep at night, but it is still scary.
-Alice, Greenville, SC

AWESOME BOOK! I got the chills a few times. I just couldn't stop reading it! I don't usually read ghost stories but this was just amazing!
-Danielle, New Jersey

This book is so creeeppppppy! Great to the max, but Charles scares me to death.
-Mandy, Ontario

I loved this book!
-audrey, ny

The book was awesome but the cousin Charles was really weird, but other than that I loved it and I had my friends read it too.
-Gabby, Gerber, CA

I actully enjoyed this book. Usually in the middle of a book I'm not intrested anymore and with this one I really loved reading it. I can admit at times I would get really creepd out and couldn't sleep. I felt as if Jade Green was in my presence. I totally recommend this book to anybody that loves heart thrilling books and loves how the words jump out of the page.
-Phyllis, Phoenix, AZ

Best book ever!!!
-Laura, Santiago, DR

This was the best book I have ever read. It was just perfect.
-nidhi patel, desplaines, IL

This book is the best book I have ever read. It is pretty scary, especially at night. I think the life lesson is not to trust everyone that you meet.
-Mellissa, LA, California

I found this to be a great book and I am making my friend read it!
-Caitlyn, Northampton, PA

My teacher is reading this to us in class and she only reads half of a chapter a day and I wish she would read more because it leaves you hanging after every chapter.
-Elise, Carmel, Indiana

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All Evyn has ever wanted is to be a storyteller, but that is ripped away fro him when he and his father are attacked. His father is killed and Evyn's tongue is cut off. Determined not to become a slave, Evyn teaches himself to read and write and is appointed the personal companion of the King of England. There Evyn's gifts are used as he records the events that lead up to the Norman invasion of 1066. This swashbuckling adventure story tells of one of the most important moments in England's history, the Battle of Hastings.

Reviewed by Snow W., South County Regional

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Reader's comments about this book

The King's Shadow is a really great book. You'll never guess what will happen next.
-Amy, LA, CA

I absolutely loved this book! Powerfully written, tragic and moving. Please read it!
-Jori, Midlothian, VA

This book was great and always kept me on the edge of my seat.
-Nicole, Westake, CA

I really loved this book! It was so interesting and provided a window for me into the past. I learned a lot about ancient English culture and found out after I had read part of the book that all the facts are true! I absolutely loved every second of reading it.
-Carolyn, VA

The King's Shadow is a wonderful hisorical book. It kept me up all night flipping the pages. Alder writes this book in a very powerful way. It's a great book. I hope you read it sometime.
-Con, Atlanta, GA

This book… well I can honestly say that this book was well written. I never had to guess what the author meant by a certain thing, and I was never lost. The ploy however, is boring if you prefer happier books and awesome if you are into the whole drama, tragedy after tragedy hero type thing. This book was full of action, but some of the parts in the story were a bit fuzzy. Overall, it was a great book. If you don't like history, war, or gore, than don't read it!
-Alexis, Discovery Bay, California

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I recently read a historical fiction book called Catherine, Called Birdy. It was an interesting book in the form of a diary that Catherine writes. The book is about a girl that's trapped in her life and she doesn't know what to do. It takes place in the 1500's and her mother is trying to teach Catherine to be a lady, while her father is trying to marry her off to strange and greedy men. All Catherine wants to do is be free and be her own person. This book is a funny, exciting, and suspenseful book. It is a must read!!!

Reviewed by Kelly G., South Charlotte Middle School

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Reader's comments about this book

This book is brilliant. It captures the reader and will not let you put it down! A splendid read for those who have a strong stubborness (like myself!) and an independent spirit.
-Abby, Charlotte, NC

A very inspiring humorous tale. I thought it was interesting how Catherine always spoke her mind. I really admired that about her.
-Kaitlin, Charlotte, NC

I really liked this book. It is one of the best books I have ever read.
-Zoey, Fresno, CA

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The United States is at war with Germany and Jenkinsville, Arkansas, is the site of a German POW camp. When Patty, an abused eleven-year-old Jewish girl, meets Anton, she sees him not as a Nazi prisoner, but as a frightened man who yearns for the days before Hitler and the war. When Anton escapes, Patty offers him asylum and food, risking her own freedom to protect him. The events of that summer will stay with young Patty for the rest of her life. Anton left her with memories of what it is to be loved and valued, but Patty must pay the consequences for her actions.

Reviewed by Louisa M., Morrison Regional

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Reader's comments about this book

I love this book very much. It's one of my favorites.
-Pearlney, San Francisco, CA

I read the book Summer of My German Soldier and I must say this book is fantastic. I could read it over and over again.
-Vanessa, Cincinnati, Ohio

I had to read this book for summer reading and it was ok in the beginning but in the end it's a great book.
-Jordan, Pacirica, CA

I had to read this book for a project in Middle School. When I first heard about the project, I thought it was going to be very boring. Surprisingly, I got hooked on the book quickly. I soon found myself absorbed in the book's details and Patty's life. For anyone who likes Historical Fiction, this is definately a book for you!
-Janet, McLean, Virginia

I love Summer of My German Soldier. A Jewish girl hiding and helping a Nazi. Some people would say it is the ultimate irony. But Patty looks past Anton's uniform and see's a scared young man. Anton starts to see past the fact Patty is a Jew and see a lonely girl. Together they are inspiring.
-Elizabeth, Charlotte, N.C.

I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to all teens.
-Brittany, Scottsburg, IN

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How does a poor, twelve-year-old girl in Saitter, Louisiana, learn to cope with a simple mother, a "slow" father, and derisive school mates? As Tiger Ann Parker struggles to grow up, circumstances help her decide whether to stay or to escape to the city and live with her sophisticated Aunt Doreen. First her grandmother dies, then Hurricane Audrey sweeps through their rural town creating havoc, while exposing everyone's true character. This powerfully written story illustrates the value of heart-felt love, hard work, and self-sacrifice which strengthen and bind together family and friends.

Reviewed by Loretta T., North County Regional

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Reader's comments about this book

This is a beautiful story of love, devotion and dreaming beyond your limits. Well written and down-to-earth.
-Abby, Charlotte, NC

This book really made you think about the lives other people might be living. Excellently told, it makes you feel like you've known Tiger Ann Parker and her friends and family for years.
-Jennifer, Concord, NC

Fantastic! I absolutely loved it!
-Bethani, Huntersville, NC

Great book. Love it. She coped with problems well
-Bailey, Alabamma

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