Bomb

Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin is another 2013 Newbery Honor book.  It is the true story of the atomic bomb--how scientists found the idea and how Americans worked to build it and stop other countries from succeeding in the same task.

This was a really amazing book.  The book was immediately engaging, and it was so fascinating to read in such detail about a topic I knew so little about.  The book reads more like a novel than a informational book. It's incredible to read about how the government kept this so top secret and how many Soviet spies were among everyday Americans.  So many people did so much work to ensure that America would be the first to build an atomic bomb....but once it was built, it changed our world forever.  The book was very thought-provoking (and a little scary) in the end to realize what our world is capable of. It's hard to give it the "loved" rating because it is such a sad, scary topic, but it was a super good book, and I learned a lot. I am definitely interested in reading more of this author's nonfiction books.

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

Three Times Lucky

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage is a 2013 Newbery Honor book. This book is about 11-year-old Mo who washed ashore in North Carolina during a hurricane when she was a baby and has lived there in Tupelo Landing ever since. She's enjoying her summer helping at the cafe, hanging out with her friend Dale, and attempting to find answers so she can write her autobiography.  But then a neighbor turns up murdered, and a city detective is in town, and Mo and Dale decide to become detectives themselves to find out the truth.

This was a really fun book--well written with engaging and distinct characters.  It took me a bit to get into the book, but I'm not sure if that was my fault or the book's fault.  But, once I got further in, it was a quick, enjoyable read.  Mo was endearing, and I liked how the book ended.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)