'Coolies' by Yin is an historical accounting of the Chinese contribution to the building of the transcontinental railroad in the United States of America in the mid-1800's. Beautifully told through the eyes of Shek and his little brother Wong, the author is able to describe the immense prejudice, (being called Coolies), the grueling and dangerous working conditions, and the poor pay that the Chinese workers were subjected to. Through the realistic illustrations of Chris Soentipiet, we are told the story of the enormous contribution and sacrifice made by many Chinese workmen in the building of a railroad and in the expansion of the United States.

Similar authors: Laurence Yep; Lila Perl; Karen Hesse, Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert; Eve Bunting; Shirin Yim Bridges

Similar books: The Transcontinental Railroad by John Perritano; Dragon's Gate by Laurence Yep; To the Golden Mountain: The Story of the Chinese who Built the Transcontinental Railroad by Lila Perl; Pop's Bridge by Eve Bunting; Papa's Mark by Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/27/2011

ISBN-10: 0399232273

ISBN-13: 9780399232275

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Coraline and her parents have just moved into a new house. The neighbors are extremely odd but friendly: one neighbor trains mice, and two elderly neighbors give her tea and read her fortune. Despite this she is terribly bored, especially since her parents aren't paying any attention to her. Coraline discovers that there is an empty space in the building next to her apartment, and becomes curious about it. When she finally figures out how to get through the door to the other side, she finds herself in a strange new world. It is awfully like her world, but not quite right. At first it seems great, with delicious foods, marvelous toys, and attentive new parents who look just like her regular parents but have shiny black buttons for eyes. The new parents want her to stay. They want to change her, but she decides to leave. Unfortunately, it is not that simple. There are other children trapped there too, and Coraline must use her wits and anything else she can find to free them all and get back to her ordinary life. This book is a great, spooky adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Similar authors: Garth Nix; China Mieville; Lewis Carroll

Similar books: M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman; Troubletwisters by Garth Nix and Sean Williams; Un Lun Dun by China Mieville; Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

Reviewed by: lauraf

Date read: 5/9/2012

ISBN-10: 0380977788

ISBN-13: 9780380977789

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Cornelia S. (for Street) Englehart lives in a two-story luxury apartment in New York City, where she is tended by a French woman named Mrs. Desjardins. Her parents are both well-known, gifted pianists. But Cornelia is not happy. In fact, she is very lonely. Her mother is always traveling the world doing concerts. Her father left before she was born. To top it all off, anybody who seems to want to make friends turns out to only be interested in getting closer to her mother. To fight back, Cornelia fends off one and all by using very large and obscure words as her every day language. One day she meets Victoria Somerset, an elderly writer who moves into the apartment next door and proceeds to turn it into a fascinating collection of rooms, each designed after a country that Victoria has visited and loved. And her stories! Cornelia is captivated by stories of the adventures Victoria and her three sisters had as they traveled Europe, Africa, and Asia when they were young. Cornelia has found a kindred spirit in Victoria, who also enjoys an immense vocabulary. But can it last?

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/28/2009

ISBN-10: 0440421101

ISBN-13: 9780440421108

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This is not your typical story about a kid who trades places with an adult. You know, where the adult is locked in a kid's body. Liam is twelve. He is a very mature twelve, and a tall kid with facial hair who is very often mistaken for an adult. But he is a kid, and a totally amazed kid when he wins a contest to ride on the out-of-this-world thrill rocket into space. That is when Liam concocts a plan to actually go on the trip without his parent's permission - he poses as his dad and brings along his best friend, Florida, as his daughter. An amazing journey unfolds as Liam and Florida take this once-in-a-lifetime thrill ride. You will be holding your breath as you turn the pages.

Reviewed by: adf

Date read: 4/5/2011

ISBN-10: 0061836834

ISBN-13: 9780061836831

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The year 1962 comes alive with the lyrics, photos, commercials, speeches, drills, and cartoons of the time in this extremely well written book. It weaves Franny's story during the Cuban Missle Crisis with her Uncle Ott's WWII losses that are very much a part of his every day, with all the other day-to-day happenings in her family during this historic time. First in the Sixties Trilogy.

Awards nominated: 2013 Rebecca Caudill Nominee

Reviewed by: adf

Date read: 3/21/2011

ISBN-10: 9780545106054

ISBN-13: 9780545106054

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Commenter: Valerie, grade 54