Summit Book Reviews

Anatoly of the Gomdars

by Brian Kluepfel

This hi/lo book features the Gomdars, who travel from village to village entertaining the occupants. At Hur village, the Razoots and Mahootneys attack during the entertainment, and in the confusion, Lady Hoople takes a baby by mistake. When the mistake is discovered, the Gomdars are too far away to return the boy, so they raise him as their own. They name him Anatoly, and the story continues, telling of his life as he grows into a young man. The Gomdars are endearing characters with distinctive personalities: Fraglitz, the beekeeper, talks to the bees; Biblio is the librarian and historian; Granz is the Gomdar leader, and Belda and Lady Hoople are Anatoly’s main caretakers. Each chapter highlights an incident in Anatoly’s life in which he learns an essential skill. At the end, they encounter the Hurs, and when the accidental kidnapping had been explained, a compromise is negotiated so Anatoly can benefit from both families.

This is a gentle story for the most part, but a few exciting incidents capture the reader’s attention. During the attack of the bandits, they make so much noise that the others need to keep their ears covered while they run away. At one point, Anatoly falls through the ice and is rescued by a stranger. The conclusion is a satisfying solution to the problem of where Anatoly belongs. This slim book will appeal to reluctant readers who like fantasy and will be useful for libraries who have a need for more high interest-low vocabulary books.
—VOYA, August 2002

Arthur Ashe and Me

by Allen B. Boyer

Faith Long, the heroine of Arthur Ashe and Me by Allen B. Boyer of Hershey, is a young tennis champion who sinks into depression after winning a key match against her best friend.

During school vacation, Faith gets a part-time job caring for the clay court at the local Green Leaf Tennis Club. When mysterious incidents begin to occur at the court, Faith goes there at dusk and sees a young man hitting tennis balls. He tells her he is Arthur Ashe and that he can play only at night and only at Green Leaf. He also says he was sent to help Faith find something she lost.

A puzzled Faith researches Ashe’s history at the library and learns that the No. 1 ranked tennis player died in 1993.

Faith is curious about Ashe’s ghostly appearances. He tells her he will answer her questions if she hits balls with him, but Faith is unsure she will ever pick up a racket or overcome her guilt feelings about her friend’s misfortune.

Boyer, a tennis aficionado, weaves a captivating tale of mystery, fatherly love and fortitude for readers in grades 5 to 8.
—The Patriot-News, December 2002

The Code

by Alexandra Powe Allred

The author, a professional athlete, has captured the essence of life in the ghettos of Washington, D.C. The story, told by a young black boy named Steven, unfolds with the brutal beating of a Mexican boy for his fancy sweats and new sneakers. Steven and his best friend, Taylor, are witnesses to the senseless slaying, but follow "The Code" of the streets, saying and doing nothing. Steven’s mother works a day job and a night job to support him and his grandmother, and Steven falls in with a gang in an attempt to earn money so his mother can quit her night job. When he and Taylor have a falling out over the gang’s violence, Steven must decide which way his life is going to proceed. Steven’s voice is authentic and true. His mother and grandmother, although somewhat one-dimensional characters, add enough feeling to the story to make Steven’s dilemma plausible. This book would be a good beginning for discussing the racism and bigotry that often exists even in those who themselves are victims of prejudice. Pair Allred’s tale with Monster by Walter Dean Myers to generate additional powerful discussions. Recommended.
—The Book Report, September/October 2002

Thirteen-year-old Steven lives in a gang-controlled area of Washington, D.C. with his mother and grandmother. He goes to a magnet school in Arlington, Virginia, along with his good friend, Taylor. Steven and Taylor are new members of the neighborhood gang, the Jags. Taylor joined because of his admiration for his older brother who is already a member, and Steven became a member as a way to protect his mother and make some money. They are witnesses to some of the Jags fatally beating a young boy. The question is what will they, particularly Steven, do—reveal what the gang has done or keep it a secret.

Looking at the basic elements of this book—plot, characters, setting—leads to minor criticisms. The author’s portrayal of District of Columbia geography contains inaccuracies, and it seems highly unlikely that Steven would be sent to an out-of-district school. Some characters lack depth, and like the plot, are occasionally manipulated too obviously to make the author’s point. The ending is wonderfully positive, which, unfortunately, also makes it highly unlikely. Overall, however, this fast-paced intriguing read teaches right from wrong, gives information about Malcolm X, describes the dangers of life in a gang-infested area, and presents a loving family struggling mightily to survive. What a great mother Ma is! The publisher produces more than 75 hi/lo books each year, offering many others like this attractively produced, normal-sized paperback with a cover that should help sell the book to the intended audience.
—VOYA, August 2002

Crossing the Line: A Tale of Two Teens In The Gaza Strip

by Alexandra Powe Allred

Crossing the Line: A Tale of Two Teens In The Gaza Strip by Alexandra Powe Allred is a high-interest, vocabulary developing novel for reader impaired and reading phobic teenage readers about two adolescent boys born on different sides of an enduring war in the Middle East. A poignant and moving story about the deadly impact adult hatreds can have on childhood friendships, Crossing The Line is highly recommended— especially for high school level reading skills development programs.
—Midwest Book Review, April 2003

Paulo’s Wall

by Rachelle DeSimone

Paulo’s Wall is a high-interest, low-vocabulary novel of fourteen-year-old Paulo Gomez trying to survive in a gang-plagued neighborhood. Paulo avoids the cholos and their baggy pants, T-shirts, and bright tattoos. When two members of Tres Palmas spray-paint their nicknames and the name of their gang on the concrete wall in front of Paulo’s house, he knows they are claiming his neighborhood, his street, his wall. If his mother sees the graffiti she will want to move into an apartment and Paulo would have to give up his dog Nikka. Paulo paints over the graffiti that night, but it’s back the next day larger than ever. Paulo finds himself alone in a battle that escalates to include repeated vandalism, gang harassment, threats of violence, weapons at school, and expulsion. Can Paulo succeed? Can the influence of the gangs be resisted? When tragedy finally strikes, will it bring peace to Paulo’s wall? Very highly recommended.
—Children’s Bookwatch, February 2003

The Shining Prince

by Susan Grohmann

The Shining Prince is the story of Michael Tsukamoto and his family as they are caught up in the American anti-Japanese hysteria that followed the bombing of Pearl harbor and the involvement of the United States in World War II. Michael and his family are interned into a Japanese relocation camp, then assimilated back into mainstream America. When that happens, Michael is faced with the choice of abandoning his Japanese heritage or, with the help of his Uncle Masatoshi, remain proud of his ancestral roots. Susan Grohmann perfectly captures a real-life challenge experience by thousands of Japanese-Americans during those dark days in this low-vocabulary/high-interest story which is especially recommended for reading adverse or otherwise reading challenged students in grades 6–12.
—Children’s Bookwatch, December 2002

Michael Tsukamoto has always been aware that being Japanese-American means dealing with prejudice, but he still lives life like most boys in California during the early 1940s. Then Pearl Harbor happens. Michael, his family, and many of his friends are suspected of everything from being sympathetic to the Japanese to actually causing Pearl Harbor and plotting further attacks. The book follows Michael's family as his parents lose their jobs, their home, and are forced into a concentration camp. Throughout it all, Michael's uncle reads to Michael's younger brother the "Tale of Genji," a story where Genji, son of a Japanese emperor, is sent into exile. The "Tale of Genji" somewhat parallels the experiences of the Tsaukamoto family; Michael's uncle and younger brother draw strength from this story that is part of their heritage. This book is a wonderful way to teach children about a side of American WWII history that is not often mentioned in the textbooks. Also, in the wake of 9/11/01, the book teaches the important lesson of not blaming others for acts of war because of their descent. This book might also help children who are currently victims of prejudice because of their background.
—Children's Literature