Fourteen-year old Dave Mitchell lives with his parents, in a small apartment in the middle of New York City. He doesn't get along well with his father, and they get into many petty, explosive arguments that end up giving Dave's mother an asthma attack. After these fights, Dave usually finds shelter at 'Crazy' Kate's, the Cat Woman. One day he decides to adopt Cat, an orange tom that he befriends. It is through Cat that he meets his new friend, Tom, a nineteen-year old who doesn't have a lot of prospects, until Dave's dad decides to help him find a job. With Cat as his constant companion, Dave meets Mary, a girl he becomes great friends with, helps a struggling teen, and becomes closer to his father in this thoughtful book about growing up in one of the busiest cities in America.

Awards won: John Newbery Medal

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 1437838391

ISBN-13: 9781437838398

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Janusz Korczak loved children. Growing up in Poland, he saw how children were treated and wanted to make their lives a little easier and brighter. When Janusz became a young man, he studied to become a doctor. He wanted to make sure that all children, rich or poor, could get proper medical care. In 1912, he constructed an orphanage to take care of the children that no one wanted. When German soldiers invaded Poland in 1939, the lives of all Jewish children were in peril. Janusz did all he could to protect them. However, tragically in 1942, Adolf Hitler sent Janusz and his 192 orphans to Treblinka, a concentration camp. Even though there were many offers to save him, Janusz refused to be separated from the children in his care. He and his orphans lost their lives in the concentration camp. Read how one man's dedication, kindness, and generosity of spirit made the world a better place for children.

Similar books: The Champion of Children: The Story of Janusz Korczak by Tomasz Bogacki; King Matt the First by Janusz Korczak Shadow of the Wall by Christa Laird

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 8/2/2010

ISBN-10: 1580132553

ISBN-13: 9781580132558

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In the early years of the Civil War, teenage Kansan farm boy, Lije Tulley, becomes a Jayhawker, an abolitionist raider, freeing slaves from the neighboring state of Missouri, and then goes undercover there as a spy.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0688098509

ISBN-13: 9780688098506

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'Joan of Arc: Heroine of France' by Ann Tompert is a beautifully written and illustrated narrative biography of the life of St. Joan. Joan was born in the village of Domremy, France over 500 years ago. Before she reached the age of 17, she was visited by St. Michael the Archangel and instructed by God to take command of the French forces. Her mission was to drive the English out of France and to help lead the Dauphin Charles to Rheims to become 'officially' crowned the King of France. Although her life ended in tragedy, Joan accomplished her mission and has become one of the most famous and beloved heroines of France.

Similar authors: Josephine Poole; Diane Stanley; Shana Corey

Similar books: Warrior Girl: A Novel of Joan of Arc by Paulie Chandler; Joan of Arc by Josephine Poole; Saint Valentine by Ann Tompert; St. Patrick by Ann Tompert; Grandfather Tang's Story by Ann Tompert; Joan of Arc by Shana Corey

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/21/2010

ISBN-10: 1590780094

ISBN-13: 9781590780091

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In John, Paul, George & Ben, we get a glimpse of Lane Smith's amusing interpretation of the childhoods of our founding fathers. John Hancock wrote his name so large on the school chalkboard that his teacher muses that it can be read from space. A fifth lad is also included in the book. Tom was 'always doing his OWN thing.' The book includes a page that separates fact from fiction which probably gave it the non-fiction Dewey number.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/14/2009

ISBN-10: 0786848936

ISBN-13: 9780786848935

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