Reviews

Almost Sisters

by Candri Hodges

Ever since Sallie Randall's father was killed in the Battle of Gettysburg, things have gone from bad to worse. It's now a year later, in the spring of 1864. Sallie's mother has been forced to sell the family dry goods store to pay off debts. But that's not the worst of it, in Sallie's mind—it's Ma's crazy plan to move west to Kansas, where she says they can claim 160 acres of land under the recently-passed Homestead Act for nothing more than their labor. But in order to do this, Sallie's mother must also work as housekeeper and cook for a neighboring farmer, and his two children, until she has the financial resources to build her own sod ranch house. So Sallie and her mother travel long miles on train and stagecoach to start their new lives. They live and work with Mr. Thatcher, his young son Rusty and daughter Rachel, who is almost the same age as Sallie. Sallie's hope rises as she meets Rachel. As an "only child," Sallie has always wanted a sister. She quickly wins the friendship of Rusty, but finds it tough to find acceptance with Rachel. When Sallie finds out the secret that causes Rachel's stubborn anger, she also finds a key to opening her heart to someone willing to be an "almost sister." This prairie tale of friendship will entertain Hi/Lo readers, particularly girls. The fine pencil drawings that are placed at the beginning of each short chapter are masterful and sensitive, ably communicating the emotions of the two main characters.
—Children's Literature

Clubhouse Threat

by Margo Sorenson

The African-American protagonist of Clubhouse Threat is 14-year-old Joshua, who takes a job as a caddy at a country club to earn enough money to go to football camp in the summer. Joshua has to go to football camp to get on the freshman team and have a chance at a college scholarship. But he faces challenges right away, including a head caddy who takes a dislike to him and an incident in which he and some of the other kids in his inner-city neighborhood are framed as thieves. Readers should enjoy the well-told, fast-paced story.
—MultiCultural Review, September 2002

Don't Bug Me

by Margo Sorenson

Schoolmates tease a boy about his father's pest control business, and he decides to do something about it. His dad's bright yellow truck is waiting for him at the curb with big red letters on the side reading "The Squish 'Em Squad" and on the top is a huge plastic model of an ant with a stupid grin on its face. How Zack come to deal with his embarrassment and the peer pressure it stems from makes for an engaging and lively story. Don't Bug Me is one in a series of outstanding and highly recommended stories in the "Cover-to-Cover Novels" series of Hi/Lo reading for grades 4-8.
—The Children's Bookwatch, May 1998

….While Carol Dines writes serious, sophisticated literature for able readers, another conference attendee, Margo Sorenson of Edina, writes for students at the other end of the continuum. Her softcover books are targeted to "reluctant and at-risk readers" who, although they are in fourth to the eighth grades, read only at the second grade level. Her fast-paced 1996 softcover chapter book, Don't Bug Me, demonstrates her ability to develop characters the reader cares about, within the mission-imposed constraints of using a limited vocabulary and non-complex plot. We look forward to her winter 1998 biography of Socrates which will also be done as part of this "Cover-to-Cover" series.
—Read Aloud Review, Brownstone Reviewing Services, Summer 1997

Fight in the Fields: Cesar Chavez and
Shatter with Words: Langston Hughes

by Margo Sorenson

By means of two fictional California teenagers, Aleesa and Kenneth, who travel through time, Sorenson presents the lives of major figures in American history. In Fight in the Fields, Aleesa and Kenneth are assigned to weed for school detention. They drink water from the school's jug and find themselves as migrant workers just before a strike in the 1960s. They learn of the poor conditions the farmworkers faced and confront the harsh tactics of the growers and police. In Shatter with Words, the two are struck by falling books at the library and end up in Harlem in 1931. They meet the poet, and are awed by his words, and follow him to a reading at the all-white University of North Carolina, where they experience the racism of the Jim Crow South. Each fictional adventure concludes with a brief factual biography of the subject.
—MultiCultural Review, December 1998

Funny Man

by Margo Sorenson

Derrick, the teenage hero of Funny Man, is a smart-mouthed master of practical jokes who has started getting into trouble, especially in English class, where his low grades may get him kicked off the football team. At his parents' urging, he takes a job at an Italian restaurant that needs more customers to stay in business, but the boss is soon annoyed at his fooling around. Derrick has to figure out how to use his sense of humor in a positive way, to improve his grades and get more customers to the restaurant in order to keep his job. The plot should appeal to middle school readers.
—MultiCultural Review, September 2002

Gypsy in the Cellar

by Bonnie Highsmith Taylor

Part of the Cover to Cover historical fiction series for students with low reading levels, this is the story of Doreen, a young Gypsy girl living in the 1930s with her extended family. In the summer they live under the stars in the country, while they usually live in an empty city building during the winter. As Doreen runs away from the police after being accused of stealing a baby, she falls and hurts her leg badly. Lost and disoriented, she sneaks in to the cellar of two elderly sisters, Miss Polly and Miss Emily. The sisters discover her the next morning and decide to let her stay with them until they find Doreen's family. Insisting that she go to school, Miss Emily and Miss Polly help Doreen overcome her dislike for school. Once Doreen's teacher discovers her wonderful singing voice, she asks Doreen to sing in an upcoming school program. When Doreen is hit by a car after a heckling incident instigated by another student, a friend contacts her uncle and she is reunited with her family.

Taylor's story will hold the interest of middle school and upper elementary students reading well below grade level, giving them the satisfaction of completing a book that looks "regular." Pitting Gypsies against Gajos (people who are not Gypsy) should stimulate interesting class discussions about their distasteful and incorrect actions toward each other and teach lessons about stereotypes, distrust, and prejudice.
—VOYA, April 2000

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A Light in the Sky

by Cynthia Mercati

Jeanne's brother was a member of the French Resistance when he was killed by the Nazis. The Germans occupy St. Germain, their tiny village, and Jeanne and her family are terrified for their safety. The last thing Jeanne should do is attract the attention of the occupying soldiers, but she finds herself doing just that when she helps an American pilot shot down by German war planes.

Intended for reluctant readers, this book is written at a third-grade level, but it will easily keep readers through the 8th grade enthralled. The plot moves quickly, weaving suspense and action into an intriguing historical setting. Recommended for all middle-grade collections.
—KLIATT, May 2000

Grades 4-7. In 1941, St. Germain is invaded by the Germans, and the serenity and peacefulness of this quiet French village all but disappear. When her brother is killed by the Nazis and her father is taken away to work in the German war factories, Jeanne Legrande is left to care for her young sister and help her mother through her grief. From the safety of her bedroom, the 14-year-old witnesses an air strike and notices that an RAF pilot has parachuted to safety. She follows the parachute's path and ventures out into the darkness, wanting desperately to save him before the Germans reach him. Her resourcefulness and bravery enable the young man to contact the Resistance and ultimately escape to England. This engaging story depicts the struggle of one girl's need to overcome her fears and discover an inner strength that leads to the survival of others. Friendship, famihal love, trust, and the misfortunes of war are themes that hold the story together, allowing for a well-structured, consistent plot. Jeanne's bravery allows her mother, who remained remorseful after her son was killed, to face her fears and grief, and praise Jeanne for her bravery. This poignant easy-to-read story will have readers thirsting for more of the same.
—School Library Journal, June 2000

This short, easy-to-read World War II story draws the reader into the life of teenage Jeanne and her dealings with the Nazis in France. Jeanne's brother was killed, and the Nazis took her father. She wants to do something to stop the Nazis. Late one night, she comes to the assistance of a downed U.S. pilot and "learns" to be brave without even realizing it. She risks her life to help several people who work in the Resistance and learns that scared people can be brave people. This is a good story for reluctant readers or low-level readers of middle school age. Although it is not a story with great depth, it is exciting enough to carry young readers to the end. It has action and a touch of romance. Even if you do not do a unit on World War II or the Holocaust, this high-interest story would be a good selection for your weaker readers who want an exciting read and will give historical fiction a try.
—The Book Report, September/October 2000

Linnie's Letters

by Candri Hodges

Linnie and her older sister write letters to one another describing their lives after their father abandoned Phoebe and her new husband on the prairie because of an argument while the rest of the family traveled West. These letters describe life in California and how the newlyweds are surviving in the Nebraska Territory. This is one of a series of high-interest, low-level reading books. As such, there is little development of characters or plot, and readers do not get a feel for the period. The story does describe the challenges on the prairie, including the problems of living in a sod house. Other difficulties are described, such as the destruction of crops and disease. Linnie's life is better but she realizes that her parents and sister should resolve their differences and become reunited. Finally, Phoebe has a baby and when she becomes ill, the family is reunited. The title will be of use to classrooms or libraries needing material for reluctant readers and the westward movement.
—School Library Journal, October 2000

An extended family's journey to California in a covered wagon is told through an exchange of letters. They capture the pioneer spirit of two sisters in the mid-1800s ,and relate the unfortunate falling-out between the father and his new son-in-law that splits the party in two. The older sister and her husband stay in the Nebraska Territory while the rest of the family continues on to California. Linnie, the little sister, writes to her sister once they are settled in California. The reader learns about life in the Nebraska Territory as well as life in the gold rush days of California. Written with a below-grade level reader in mind, the print is large and there are pictures throughout the book. With less than 100 pages, it will be appealing to struggling readers.
—Children's Literature

In 1858, eleven-year-old Linnie and her older sister, Phoebe, exchange letters about family life and their new homes in California and on the Nebraska prairie, respectively. Phoebe and her husband, Robert, are still angry because Phoebe's parents left them stranded on the prairie on the way westward. Robert wouldn't give up his late mother's heavy piano as the group's wagon train prepared to go over the mountains, so Phoebe's father decided to go on to California without them. In touching, sometimes humorous letters, Linnie shares her view of small-town California life as her sister describes her "soddy" home, a fire, and the birth of her baby son. The letter format makes events more real as the sisters chat, share, and chastise each other. Fast-paced and easy-to-read, this small historical fiction novel will keep readers turning pages to see if the family is ever reunited.
—The Book Report, November/December 2000

The Message, The Promise, and How Pigs Figure In

By M.J. Cosson

Jon Olivera is a fourteen-year-old boy with an unusual story to tell. After his parents divorce, Jon finds himself enrolled in a scuba diving course with his father—a strategy to promote bonding between the two. When both earn their diving certification, they celebrate with a trip to Hawaii. They participate in a dive in a submerged volcano, which is where Jon's magical experience occurs. He notices a strange fish beckoning him to follow, so he leaves the safety of the dive group and swims through a small opening in the rock wall. There, a group of fish performs a musical show for him all about the need to save oceans from contamination. After the show, Jon rejoins the frantic group, but does not tell anyone about what he saw. He eventually tells his parents and is put into therapy to sort things out. Jon's therapist helps him to find an outlet for his story—he becomes an environmental crusader, taking up leadership of his school's Environmental Action Club. This is an interesting approach to introducing the topic of causes to adolescents, and may spur some students to take their own action.
—Children's Literature

Nothing is for Free

by Margo Sorenson

Listed in 'Our Top Five "Easy to Finish Titles"'

—School Library Journal, February 1999, Article: "The Big Easy"

River of Ice

by Linda Baxter

Looking at the frost patterns forming on the window, Sasha Bausch is unaware of what spring and the thawing of the river would bring. More than anything, Sasha wishes to have his family reunited. His father and sister have lived in Latvia for the last two years, and Sasha wants them to come home or to go join them in Latvia. The problem is, Sasha is in Russia, the Stalinist revolution has just ended and travel from Russia is very difficult. The other problem is that his mother is a doctor. As travel officer Carina Mikalonova tells his mother, "As a medical doctor, you are necessary to the state." Sasha's life and struggle to leave his problem-plagued situation are presented, along with the people influencing his life, such as the menacing Carina Mikalonova and the mysterious Lazare. While there are many Russian words in the text, the author uses simple language and effective detail to carry the reader along Sasha's journey. A glossary is included. For any students unsure about this period of history, this book in the "Cover-to-Cover" series is a perfect starting point.
—Children's Literature

Set in Communist Russia in the 1930s, this hi/lo book offers a simple story line. Sasha and his mother are separated from his father and sister, who have managed to escape to Latvia. Sasha's mother, a doctor, attempts to gain permission from the government to unite her family in Latvia. Despite the poverty and repressive conditions, Sasha has a loving family, a best friend at school, and an old friendly neighbor—a Gulag survivor—who reveals to him the truth about the conditions under which they are living. Eventually, after much surreptitiousness and suspense, Sasha manages to flee, although his mother chooses to remain to care for her parents.

Written in brief declarative sentences, this historical fiction novel gives the reader a glimpse into a country where suspicion and secretiveness permeated everyday life. There are illustrations throughout the book; the cover illustration unfortunately is quite uninviting although appropriate once the reader has finished the book. A short glossary explains Russian words that appear in bold print throughout the text. Although the book is easy to read, it is questionable whether a reluctant reader would be interested in reading about this period unless for a school assignment. Perhaps in a community with a large population of Russian immigrants, this book would be of interest in view of the upheavals that have taken place since the end of the Cold War.
—VOYA, June 2001

A prime example of hi/lo publishing for below grade level readers in grades 2 to 12. The story takes place in Russia after the Communist Revolution and during the subsequent Stalinist purges. Despite its somber theme, there is always an element of hope for young Sasha, his mother and their friends and relatives. For several years, Sasha and his mother have sought permission to emigrate to Latvia in order to be reunited with his father and older sister, Raisa. Permission is repeatedly denied because his mother (an excellent medical doctor) is told that she must remain in Moscow to service the populace. When Sasha's elderly grandparents are dependent on him to help them to safety, he quickly comes of age and finds inner strength that he did not know he possessed. This small volume would be a great read-aloud for middle-grade listeners and an interesting historical resource for ESL teachers and readers. The black and white illustrations, glossary of Russian terms, and conversational tone enhance its value as an instruction tool. Recommended for middle-grade readers and listeners.
—Catholic Library World, March 2001

The Secret Room

By Cynthia Mercati

As Hitler invades most of Europe, Annie VanVries, a seventh grader, is living in Holland with her minister father, her mother, and her older sister, Siri. The VanVrieses' quiet life is shattered when the Nazis persecute the town's Jews and anyone who defends them. One day she discovers her father is part of the resistance and that he has been hiding a Jewish family in a secret room in the church. Annie visits the Sterns each day and befriends the daughter, Ruth. When the Nazis arrest Mr. VanVries, the responsibility of harboring the Sterns is left to Annie. The story ends there, with Annie realizing that she will have the memories of her father to keep her going. This book is written for the reluctant reader and labeled a hi/lo book. It is suspenseful and thought provoking, providing a simple introduction to the Nazi's attempt to rule Europe. It should find readership, especially for students who are not ready for Lois Lowry's Number the Stars of for Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl.
—The Book Report, May/June 2000

Annie and Leah are best friends when the Dutch town they live in is invaded by the Nazis. The townspeople are distraught. The two friends trade their necklaces: one with the golden star of David and the other a tiny silver cross, promising to never forget each other.

This small novel of 72 pages contain a wealth of historical information including how towns coped with the Nazis, what the Resistance was doing to counteract the Germans, and what Holland was like before and after the invasion. This publisher has a reputation for specializing in quality educational books with hi/lo titles. This book is great for middle school students who are reading at the third-grade level and are studying this historical event.
—KLIAT, May 2000

Rebellious, outspoken Annie VanVries, a minister's daughter in Holland, is constantly being asked why she can't be more like her older sister, Siri. However, she is uninterested in developing traditional female interests. When the Nazis invade Holland and occupy her small town, the spirited child is quick to defend her Jewish friends and to protest Nazi restrictions. After her best friend and her family are sent to a concentration camp, Annie is left with the echo of Leah's final words, "your memories are always with you." When she discovers that her father is a member of the Resistance and is sheltering a Jewish family in the church, Annie eagerly joins in helping them. An even greater surprise is that Siri has fallen in love with a Jewish boy. After their father's arrest by the Nazis, Annie learns a powerful lesson about her own inner strength and her capacity to sustain her family, and she serves as guardian of the hidden family. The black-and-white illustrations add nothing to the story, and the heavy-handed use of exclamation points is irritating. Still, Annie is a sympathetic character with whom youngsters, particularly reluctant readers, will identify. A sensitive, fast-paced story.
—School Library Journal, June 2000

As the daughter of a minister in 1940, Annie is expected to be quiet, smart, and well behaved. None of those things describe this rambunctious seventh grader. Fortunately, Annie's best friend Leah understands her. When Germany conquers Holland, Annie's life is completely changed. Leah must go into hiding, and two years pass with life getting progressively harder. Food is becoming scarce, electricity can only be used a few hours a day, and there are a lot of new rules. People who disobey the rules are sometimes beaten or taken away. One night while searching the church for her father, Annie's father trusts her to care for the Sterns. Each day Annie visits the Sterns, marveling how they must live so quietly, never going outside, and yet they seem happy. Describing the trees and birds to young Ruth Stern, Annie learns how to draw and use her imagination, and gradually slows down. When Annie's father is arrested, she resolves to continue hiding the Sterns and tack care of her own family.

The Secret Room by Cynthia Mercati is an historically accurate chapter book that could provide a starting point for a larger discussion of the Holocaust. The focus of the story is Annie's struggle with self-control and her eventual maturing. While the war with Germany and the plight of the Jews are important subplots, children reading this book will not gain a strong sense of the reality of war and the horror of the Holocaust. These themes have been painted with a very broad brush. Although Annie's life surely would have been in danger for aiding Jews, these facts are downplayed. Black and white drawings by Deb Bovy add interest to the beginning of each of the seven chapters.
—Christian Library Journal, Spring 2001

As Hitler invades most of Europe, Annie VanVries, a seventh grader, is living in Holland with her minister father, her mother, and her older sister, Siri. The VanVrieses' quiet life is shattered when the Nazis invade their small town. Annie watches as the Nazis persecute the town's Jews and anyone who defends them. One day she discovers her father is part of the resistance and that he has been hiding a Jewish family in a secret room in the church. Annie visits the Sterns each day and befriends the daughter, Ruth. When the Nazis arrest Mr. Van Vries, the responsibility of harboring the Sterns is left to Annie. The story ends there, with Annie realizing that she will have the memories of her father to keep her going. This book is written for the reluctant reader and labeled a hi/lo book. It is suspenseful and thought provoking, providing a simple introduction to the Nazis' attempt to rule Europe. It should find a readership, especially for students who are not ready for Lois Lowry's Number the Stars (Houghton Mifflin, 1989) or for Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl (Bantam, 1993).
—Book Report, May/June 2000

Annie and Leah are best friends when the Dutch town they live in is invaded by the Nazis. The townspeople are distraught. The two friends trade their necklaces: one with the golden star of David and the other a tiny silver cross, promising to never forget each other.

This small novel of 72 pages contains a wealth of historical information including how towns coped with the Nazis, what the Resistance was doing to counteract the Germans, and what Holland was like before and after the invasion. This publisher has a reputation for specializing in quality educational books with hi/lo titles. The book is great for middle school students who are reading at the third-grade level and are studying this historical event.
—KLIATT, May 2000

Annie is in seventh grade, and is finding it hard to be a Dutch minister's daughter with "an angel for a sister." Siri is in high school, beautiful and talented. She helps around the house, helps Mama with charity work, does needlework—in other words, is everything that Annie isn't. Mama is loving, but physically and emotionally weak, and can't seem to avoid comparing her daughters (to Annie's detriment, of course) which is like comparing cats and dogs. Then Holland is invaded by its neighbor, Germany, and there is a lot more to worry about than the misbehavior of a couple of little girls. Annie's best friend, Leah, is Jewish. And Leah knows that "there's no place safe in the world for us!" Gradually Annie learns what it is to be conquered. Papa is part of the Resistance, and when he shelters a Jewish family in the church, Annie had one more thing to worry about. But she never gives up the hope that these terrible times will end. And she knows that wherever they are, she and Leah will always be friends. This is written in the first person, and of course Anne Frank comparisons are inevitable. But it's a mid-grade novel, not a diary. And Annie and her family are not Jews. It might make a good introduction to the horrors of the Holocaust.
—Childrens Literature

Top Fin: Dophin Dives

by Addie Meyer Sanders

The story is almost formulaic. A group of misfit kids have been selected by their school (no explanation as to criteria) to participate in a five-week dolphin dive program. There is handsome, athletic Tyler, Jack the bully, Palo the clumsy class clown, Kelley who refuses to speak after the death of her father and Betsy who has been confined to a wheelchair after an accident. Naturally they all benefit from the program and there is even a teen romance kindled between Tyler and Kelly. Even Jake, who appears to be a bully because of his rotten home life, appears to get a second chance. In addition to the characters, kids will learn about dolphins and how programs of this sort have helped others. It is part of a series of high interest low-level books that should appeal to boys and girls. A "Cover-to-Cover" novel.
—Children's Literature

A Trip Through Time

by Cynthia Mercati

Max is visiting with his grandparents for a summer vacation and he is bored. When grandfather realizes Max is restless, he offers to tell his stories of WW II in Norway because he wants Max to know the history of this struggle. Grandmother sends Max to the dusty attic to get grandfather's scrapbook, but Max has difficulty finding it. As he rummages through the collection of old clothes and old furniture he is drawn to a door that he has never seen before. With some difficulty he opens it and finds himself outside, but in a strange setting—Norway. This is the beginning of a history lesson for Max will never forget. As Max is trying to decide where he is and what is going on, he is greeted by two boys about his own age who he eventually finds out are part of the Norwegian Resistance fighting the Germans. Is Max reliving his grandfather's past or is he dreaming? The plot follows similar stories of the underground movement against the Nazis but takes a twist because Max is not portraying his grandfather but another resistance fighter. His grandfather does become a part of the struggle, however, when the boys are sent on a mission to rescue prisoners form the Gestapo. As Max carries out his part of the mission, he realizes just what the historical importance of this time is really about.

The plot is simple, but it is one that should interest reluctant readers. The brief story is told as if Max doesn't realize where he is until the moment of the mission. When he returns through the door, he has an appreciation for grandfather's stories that he never had before. This is a book that should be added to collections for WW II study, especially if a library is looking for quick reads for reluctant readers.
—KLIATT, July 2000

The Winter of the Stone Woman

by Linda Baxter

Red Fox, a proud Lakota Native American, leaves the Blackstone School and must say goodbye to his girlfriend, Ellen-Riverhawk. He longs to return to his ancestors' way of life, but learns the government has moved his tribe from the life of teepees and hunting to houses and farming. As he struggles to help his people and find his heritage, he keeps in touch with Ellen (who is now a nanny) through letters that are included in the story. While he struggles with the changing culture of his tribe, he realizes that, in order to help his people, he must continue his education. This book would be an excellent resource to use in the classroom and the letters shared between Red Fox and Ellen make the book very personal.
—Children's Literature

Grades 4-8. Set in an unspecified year in the time of gas lamps and carriages, this story tells of two Native American teens who graduate from the Blackstone School in Phoenix, AZ. Encouraged by their teacher and headmaster to continue on to high school, both Red Fox, a Lakota youth from Nebraska, and Ellen, a Havasupai from Arizona, feel the need for time to think. Ellen accompanies a family to Italy, hired to look after their two children. Red Fox returns home to his grandfather, where he finds unwelcome changes caused by regulations of "the Bureau." Unable to comprehend a government document unwittingly signed by his grandfather, the teen eventually decides he needs additional schooling. But his love for Ellen draws him first to her family home, where she has returned to decide about her own future. Much of the story is told in letters written by the two protagonists and their friends. The action moves quickly through the year; a brief scene or letter represents several weeks, or a month. Details are few, and conflicts are over quickly, or set aside for future resolution. Reluctant readers will appreciate the fast pace, the brevity, and the charcoal sketches that begin each chapter. This sixth entry in "The Five Winters" series stands on its own, although there are frequent references to earlier events, and future events can be anticipated.
—School Library Journal, April 2000