The Bridge to Never Land

I was super excited when I saw that Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson (authors of the fabulous Peter and the Starcatchers series) had written a new book--The Bridge to Never Land.  This book is about Sarah and her brother Aiden, teenagers who find a coded document in their house and start to follow its clues.  Soon they realize that the things they read about in the Starcatchers books may actually be true, and they are on the run from the police and FBI as they try to look for the help they need.

This was a really fun book.  Like Barry and Pearson's previous series, the book was exciting and entertaining.  It was also fun to have connections with the Starcatchers series.  The book and characters were interesting and kept me engaged throughout.  I also liked how the book concluded super well (tying up loose ends)--but then gave a hint as to what could be the subject of a sequel.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice is a biography by Phillip Hoose; it was a Newbery honor book.  It tells about the early life of Claudette Colvin, who most people know very little about.  However, when she was a (black) teenager in March 1955, she refused to give up her seat to a white woman on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama.  This may sound unextraordinary if you know about Rosa Parks, but what Claudette did took place the year before Rosa Parks did the same thing.  This is the story of Claudette--a teenager who decided that she was going to take a stand against segregation.

This was an incredible book!  I can't believe that I never knew about Claudette Colvin or the Browder v. Gayle case that made such a difference in segregation.  This was a really amazing story that reminded me of the many brave, dedicated people who were part of the civil rights movement.  I also love that this was a thorough story/biography, but I got through it super quickly since it was written for kids.  I'd highly recommend this book to expand your understanding of the civil rights movement and to learn from some really exemplary people.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin was a 2010 Newbery honor book.  As part of my attempt to read all the medal/honor books from the last decade, I decided to read this one.  It is the story of Minli from the valley of Fruitless Mountain who loves hearing her father's stories about Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon.  She becomes disenchanted with her poor life and decides to go try to find a fortune for her family by seeking out the Old Man of the Moon.

I feel like the plot description does not do this book justice because it is a wonderful, engaging story.  It was a quick read but partially because I just didn't want to put it down.  I loved Minli's sweet, believing character and all the people and creatures she meets along her journey.  This book ties together Chinese folklore and is filled with the stories Minli is told throughout the book.  I also loved also the lesson Minli learns in the book about obtaining her family's fortune.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Forge

Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson is the sequel to a book I read awhile back called Chains.  I've loved all the historical fiction books I'd read by Laurie Halse Anderson in the past, so I was excited to read this one too.  Even though this is a sequel, it follows the secondary character from the first book, a slave named Curzon.  After being promised freedom from his owner after service in the Revolutionary War army, Curzon re-enlists in the army as a free person.  This book follows what happens to him during his time at Valley Forge.

This was another fabulous book.  It was completely engaging and interesting with characters I loved to love (and others I loved to hate).  It had clever twists and just a wonderful story, all with an incredible glimpse at what life was like for slaves, soldiers, and Patriots during the Revolutionary War.  Even better, the author threw in a little connection/shout-out to another one of her books that isn't even part of this series.  Too cool.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)