"Inside Out & Back Again" by Thanhha Lai

There is nothing better than falling in love with an assigned reading for one of your college courses which is exactly what happened to me when I was "forced" to read Inside Out and Back Again for my Children's Literature course.  This 2012 Newbery Honor book is actually a collection of poems (à la Love that Dog by Sharon Creech) and follows the story of 10-year-old Hà and her family as they flee from Saigon to Alabama when the city falls to the North Vietnamese.  Hà loves her native Saigon from the sweet snacks and smells found in the market to the papaya tree she grows in her backyard.  She lives with her three older brothers and her mother; her father was taken prisoner by the North Vietnamese several years ago and is classified as MIA.  When Saigon does fall to the North, Hà and her family escape the city by ship and immigrate to Alabama where they must learn a new language and new customs.

I think what I loved most about this book was Hà's poetic style.  Many of her poems were witty and clever with a strong and natural 10-year-old voice, and some of them were truly heartbreaking.  As the book is based off of real events from the author's (Thannha Lai) life, it is no surprise that he is able to capture the images and emotions that come with being forced to flee one's homeland with truthful clarity.  I have always been interested in the Vietnam War era, but had only really read accounts from United States citizens.  This novel brought a whole new perspective to that time period for me.  I would recommend this quick read for ages nine and up, especially those readers who are historical fiction fans or have a particular affinity for the Vietnam War era.

Grace gives this book five out of five carrots!

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"The Legend of L'Esprit" by Doris Greenberg and Pandré Shandley

As the resident dancer here at The Velveteen Rabbit, I was so excited to have The Legend of L'Esprit fall into my lap this summer.  It was the perfect summer read for someone who spent 14 years of her life in a dance studio, but I think the plot line will appeal to those who have never stepped foot in a dance class as well.

Libby Nobleton and her family have recently moved to Chicago and she is looking for a new dance studio to call home.  When she auditions for the premier studio, L'Esprit, she knows she's found her place.  But there's more to this dance studio than ballet barres and full-length mirrors; rumor has it that L'Esprit is haunted by the spirit of the prima ballerina who originally founded the school.  Now Libby and her new friends have to uncover the truth about what happened on the most tragic night of L'Esprit's history to help more than one soul find its peace.

What I found so refreshing about this first novel in the Dance Legacy series was its spot-on blend of the day-to-day life of a young dancer along with the mystery and intrigue of the paranormal phenomena at the dance studio.  I also appreciated the fact that Libby was not involved in a torrid love triangle; she's got a straight head on her shoulders and is an excellent role model both for young dancers, as well as young women in general.  That's not to say that this book is not without its romance!  There's just enough of it to keep the reader satisfied and it's handled in a way that makes it seem realistic, rather than totally unattainable. 

One of the unique features of this book was the dance glossary located in the back.  After having been taught dance by hearing the terms rather than reading them, it was fun to see them actually spelled out and say, "So that's how that's written!"  Each chapter features a different dance term as well, so you don't have to keep paging to the back of the book to look them up.  This is a must-read for those reading dancers out there, as well as those readers just looking for a good book.

Grace gives it 5 out of 5 carrots!

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“Wisdom’s Kiss” by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

 I have never been more confused  by the first 15 pages of a book as I was by the latest novel from the author of the Dairy Queen series.  Of course, if I had read the back cover of the book more carefully,  I would have realized the brilliance of the narrative from the first page.  What makes this book truly unique is the way Murdock seamlessly links diary entries,  letters, encyclopedia excerpts, a self-published family history, and a play to give this fantastic fairytale a unique sense of realism.  Once I figured out how to piece the story together from  the different sources,  I was able to fully enjoy the magic, adventure, and romance that fill the pages.

The story follows the adventures of Princess Wisdom, from the female-led kingdom of Montagne; Trudy, an orphaned kitchen maid; and Tips, a soldier and the object of Trudy’s affections.  Duchess Wilhelmina of Farina wants to absorb the smaller kingdom of Montagne and has set her master plan in motion to do just that.  Now the three heroes of this tale must save their empire from ruin – that is, if they can tolerate each other long enough to form a plan!  They are assisted, as well as hindered, by a thoroughly entertaining cast of characters including Sir Felis el Gato (a master swordsman with an ego longer than his sword), the Queen Mother Benevolence (an attentive and caring chaperone of Princess Wisdom), and her cat, Escoffier.  

As I’ve already mentioned, the unique narrative is what keeps the storyline fresh and exciting for the reader. Although it does take some getting used to, stringing the story together from the several sources of narration becomes a fun sort of game that propels the reader forward until the end of the book. If you’re looking for an entertaining read, Wisdom’s Kiss will not disappoint.

Grace gives this book four and a half out of five carrots!

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"Faith, Hope, and Ivy June" by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

In "Faith, Hope, and Ivy June", Naylor does an amazing job of comparing the lives of a country girl and a city girl. Ivy June Mosley and Catherine Combs, both from Kentucky, are participating in their 7th grades' first ever student exchange program. During their two-week stays, they each are supposed to record what they honestly think of the other girl's way of living. For Catherine, living in the rustic country is a more difficult change then it sounds. Not having a shower every day, at first, definitely seems impossible. Ivy June on the other hand is amazed by the big houses and the fact that Catherine has a room all to herself! Between the two, they learn a lot about life from each other and that people from different places are, well, different!

Realistic fiction is a genre I enjoy immensely. They way the characters, places and activities are described leaves a vivid image in your mind. I would recommend "Faith, Hope and Ivy June" to any girl.

Clare gives this book 5 out of 5 carrots!

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“Stupid Fast” by Geoff Herbach

I don’t often enjoy novels that involve sports – myself being "allergic" to athletics in general – but this new novel from Geoff Herbach captivated me from the first page. The story follows Felton Reinstein, a reluctant athlete who is trying to manage friends, a first love, and a family that is falling apart. It all starts when Felton decides to give his all in a PE 600-yard race, and beats the rest of the class by more than 150 yards. Then the coach convinces him to join the football team in the fall. Felton has never had that much interest in sports, but as he puts it, “I am stupid fast.” Now he has to figure out how to juggle his newfound athletic abilities, a mother who refuses to be a parent, a genius pianist of a little brother, and the new girl in town who wants to kiss him. And even his fantastical speed won’t help him run from the shocking secret about his past!

There aren’t too many good coming-of-age books for boys, but this novel is a sure bet! Told through Felton’s witty inner monologue, this book had me laughing out loud more than once. The unique first-person narrative really helps to capture the confusing awkwardness that accompanies being a teenager and will ring true with readers of any age or gender. “This could be a dark tale”, as the first line warns, but Herbach manages to keep readers laughing just enough to realize that even in dark times, there’s always light-hearted moment or two to keep you going.

Stupid Fast comes out in June 2011.

Grace gives this book five out of five carrots!

Click here to purchase your copy of "Stupid Fast" at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"Saint Training" by Elizabeth Fixmer

Clare's thoughts: Saint Training is about a devoted 11-year-old Catholic Mary Clare O'Brian. Determined to be a saint Mary Clare is especially careful about keeping her sins to a minimum (because saints almost never sin) and making sure all of her prayers count. But during this financially difficult time for her family of 13, she starts to wonder why God hasn't been answering her prayers.

This realistic fiction book, by Fort Atkinson author Elizabeth Fixmer, is about how a religion can be really important and mean a lot in a young girl's life. I really enjoyed this book because until reading Saint Training, I didn't realize what crazy things a very pious girl would do. I'd recommend this book for any girl 5th grade and up.

Kerry's thoughts: Even though I'm going to be at school in St. Paul, Minnesota, I'm seriously considering driving home for the weekend to be at the author signing for this marvelous book. Mary Clare is an adorable, realistic character with crazy curls and her own opinions. As a non-Catholic, I enjoyed learning about Catholicism through the eyes of a girl who is figuring out what she believes in a time of turmoil. Fixmer also provides a rare perspective on the war in Vietnam, exposing Mary Clare to the differing beliefs within her family and the Catholic Church. Along with being extraordinarily cute (especially in Mary Clare's letters to the Reverend Mother), this book is, simply put, delightful.

PS. The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop is hosting an author signing and Q&A session for Saint Training on Saturday, September 18, from 10am to noon. We'll hope to see you there!

Clare and Kerry give it 5 out of 5 carrots!

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"Waiting for Normal" by Leslie Connor

Waiting for Normal is one of the most normally written books I've ever read. It seems strange to compliment a book for being average, but in reality it makes the book believable and ties everything together. For the book's main character, twelve-year-old Addison Schneeter, nothing that is preciously normal should be taken for granted. After years of living through "all-or-nothing", see-sawing between an empty pantry and Thanksgiving feasts (in July), normal is all Addie wants.

This book is a realistic, heartfelt tale of courage and character, uniquely shown through the day-to-day trials, however odd, of a troubled sixth grader. Addie’s journey from her family of “twists and turns” to the esteemed and long awaited “normal” is not one to be missed. Though written more towards an audience of middle grades, it is a book that any reader can appreciate and learn from.

I originally read this book when it was first published as an advanced copy. Now that I've picked it up again, two years later, I'm remembering why I recommended it so highly in the first place.

“Normal..is when you know what is gonna happen. Not exactly what, because probably nobody gets that. But normal is being able to count on things…just because they belong that way.”

Kerry gives it five out of five carrots!

Click here to order your copy at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!