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