In the Bookcase

8/30/2010

Book Review: Candy Bombers

Candy Bombers


Candy Bombers


written by Robert Elmer

160 pages

 

 

Erich and his family live in Berlin, Germany. The Cold War is raging on, in addition to the many problems left over from World War II. It is not a happy time.

As a teenager, Erich is in the midst of this horrible confusion with his mother, grandmother, aunt, & his cousin, Katarina. He takes it upon himself to find food for his starving family, which drives him into the undertaking of getting back at Germany's enemies--the Soviet soldiers. Erich blames the Russians for everything, including taking his father's life. Erich has a mission, but it lands both himself & Katarina, in an unpleasant situation dealing with the Americans. They don't know what will happen to them now, or if they'll make it back home safely.

With talk of war, spies, bombs, and no food in Berlin... What can a boy do to make a better difference in his life, and the lives around him?

* (This is actually book #1 in a series called "The Wall")
This book is probably best recommended for the ages of 10-14.

Monthly Book Reviews Challenge
I'm participating in the Monthly Book Reviews Challenge. Please stop by Hannah's Hangout for more info, and to see all the other great book reviews for this month!







8/27/2010

Favorite Finds #4

It's Friday! I have some links to this week's Favorite Finds. It has actually been several weeks since I last posted one of these.

All of the following articles are written by girls, and I have found these particular blog posts interesting or inspiring. Hope you enjoy them them too!

"Rands and Cents" (Rachel @ Under African Skies)

"There’s Something about the Color Purple" (Breezy @ A Bowl of Moss & Pebbles)

"Still Wet with Dew" (Jessica @ Seven Sisters)

"Inspiration..." (Tessa @ Christ is Write)

"Finding Time, Creating Space [for Writing]" (Tessa @ Christ is Write)




8/11/2010

Link to Me .:. My Blog Button

Hello Readers, For anyone who wants to take any of my blog buttons, here they are. Feel free to leave a comment & let me know you grabbed my link. Thanks!


www.inthebookcase.blogspot.com



Louisa May Alcott Reading Challenge



Louisa May Alcott Reading Challenge



A Literary Christmas: Reading Challenge // inthebookcase.blogspot.com



A Literary Christmas: Reading Challenge // inthebookcase.blogspot.com



1912, Titanic! A series of posts at www.inthebookcase.blogspot.com






8/02/2010

Book Review: Quake! Disaster in San Francisco

Quake! Disaster in San Francisco


Quake! Disaster in San Francisco


written by Gail Langer Karwoski

153 pages

(recommended for ages 10 & up)

 

 

I can't really remember ever studying about the San Francisco earthquake before. Reading this fictional account brought me great insight of what this historical event of 1906 was all about. Not only did the earthquake bring great harm to the city, but it was also the fires that did horrible damage.

This book "Quake" is a fictional story, but even I learned a lot from reading it. Jacob Kaufman is the main character, and he is a Jewish boy. The earthquake separates him from his family and tears up life as he knew it. He meets a Chinese boy who is also separated from his family. These young boys run into many people who don't like Jacob's new friend San Wei Chang, and I think this book is good at showing what the prejudice against the Chinese must have like at that time. Wherever Jacob & San go, they also have a special furry friend that stays with them through thick and thin. Through all the chapters, the author did a wonderful job at painting out everything for you to see. The scenes of hundreds and thousands of newly homeless people seemed so thoroughly described.

Together these boys are in for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. They are surrounded by a devastated San Francisco, and they might never see their families again.

This is a grand story of a boy, his friend, and a dog... it's about separated families, missing homes, and broken lives.


Monthly Book Reviews Challenge
I'm participating in the Monthly Book Reviews Challenge. Please stop by Hannah's Hangout for more info, and to see all the other great book reviews for this month!