Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf

Milada, a young Czech girl, lives with her family as they learn to deal with the hardships in their town during WWII. Just as they are adjusting to life, her world is turned upside down when German soldiers come into her home and separate her family. Her father and brother are taken separately and Milada, her mother, sister, and grandmother are taken to a nearby school where they are stripped of their belongings. Milada and other children are examined by doctors and other German leaders and she notices that, suspiciously, all children with blond hair and light-colored eyes are "selected" and removed from the school. Being torn away from her family, she is forced to take on a new name, Eva, learn a new language, German, and subscribe to an entirely new way of life. After two years at this "learning center," she is adopted by a German family and forced to live the life of a "true German." Milada is torn between the person she is forced to become and the person she knows she truly is. She keeps her grandmother's pin with her, to serve as her North Star.

This extremely powerful story sheds light on yet another tragedy of history of which I had been unaware before reading this book. I am amazed by the resiliency of the human spirit and the gravity of family, no matter the situation or location of its members.

2009-2010 Texas Bluebonnet nominee

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street
by Jeanne Birdsall

In the second installment of Birdsall's series, readers get a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Penderwick Sister. The book begins with quite a mix of emotions - sadness and joy all at the same time. After awhile, the Penderwick girls find a way to help each other (and their father) adjust. However, when Aunt Claire drops in for one of her famous visits, the family's strength is challenged; she has delivered the "blue letter" that Rosy had all but forgotten. The sisters soon learn that the letter is a wish from their mother to their father. Upon hearing the details (that Mr. Pen is to start dating,) the sisters quickly devise the Save Daddy Plan! As you can imagine, the plan brings about lots of adventures for all members of the family! Rosy begins to learn about what it means to grow up, Jane and Skye learn about honesty, Batty learns that she is an excellent spy, and Mr. Pen realizes that his daughters are a force to be reckoned with! With a little hard work, and some help from their neighbors on Gardam Street, the Penderwick Family Honor is finally restored.

Check out Ms. Birdsall's website and learn how the Penderwicks are important to President Obama and his family!

2009-2010 Texas Bluebonnet nominee

Surprises According to Humphrey
by Betty G. Birney

Have you ever had a classroom pet? Room 26 at Longfellow School does! His name is Humphrey and he is a golden hamster. Humphrey loves to work math problems, add new words to his dictionary, and go on adventures when no one is watching! He is also very good at helping his classmates solve problems - so good, in fact, that they never even know he is responsible for the solution! He helps several students when they have problems with their friends or following Mrs. Brisbane's directions, but what will he do when Aldo is abducted by aliens? How will he help Mrs. Brisbane make the most important decision of her career?

This book is the fourth in the series. It is a nominee for the 2009-2010 Texas Bluebonnet Award.

Savvy by Ingrid Law

This book had been on my reading pile for awhile now and every time I saw the cover my anticipation and curiosity built even more. (Although I didn't know it, it was like I was a Beaumont child waiting for my thirteenth birthday to arrive!) It was the obvious choice as my first "summer read."

Mibs, like her brothers' savvies, is a force to be reckoned with. Like anyone about to enter the uncharted territory of teenhood, she is curious about what changes will come her way. Her father has been involved in a terrible accident, and Mibs finds herself making decisions that she would never ordinarily make. She learns to deal with the consequences of her choices, both good and bad, and learns that no matter how much things change, some things will always remain the same.

I loved the way the author provided great descriptions and little glimpses into the thoughts and feelings of each character. I enjoyed the fast pace and rhythm of her writing style. I'm anxious to recommend this book to my students and hear their reactions!

2009-2010 Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee

My first blog post!

After several months of thinking about the perfect blog name, I have found my online voice! Although I have followed numerous blogs over the years, I am excited about finally becoming a contributing part of the blogosphere.