Reeder, C. 1998. Foster’s War. New York: Scholasti Press

11-year old Foster has a lot of problems.  His family has lived throught the Great Depression, he lives in a neighborhood where the kids taunt him with names like “Foster Child,” his father is an emotional bully ruling the family with an iron fist, his beloved, older brother Mel has run away and joined the Army Air Corps, and Evelyn is an older sister whos job in life is to torment Foster and his little brother Ricky. That all begins to change when the Japanese bomb Peal Harbor.  Foster has to grow up fast as he deals with relocation of his best friend Jimmy Osaki, the war effort at school, rationing, and his new responsibility of taking care of his little brother as his mother works as a volunteer nurse at the local naval hospital. This is an enjoyable account of how people dealt with the tummult of 1942 as they tried to adjust to a war that, at the time, they weren’t even sure they would win.  It gives valuable insights into the Great Depression, the home front during the war, and the effects these had on the people. This coming of age story could also be listed under historical fiction.

David Burt, Fall 2008--14 Dec 2008

 Castellucci, C. & Rugg, J. (2007). The Plain Janes. New York: DC Comics.

After a major disaster in “Metro City”, Jane’s parents decide it’s time to move to a safer place. Soon Jane is a transfer student at “Suburbia” high school. Having a hard time meeting new friends Jane decides to sit at the reject table. There she finds three other girls all named Jane! Main Jane, as she is now called gets the other Janes to join her in forming a secret art gang. They call themselves P.L.A.I.N: People Loving Art In Neighborhoods. After a few “Art attacks” in public view, the pressure is on by the authorities to crack down on what they see as vandalism.

Will Wagler, Fall 2008

 Tweens 2008

Danziger, Paula   The Cat Ate My Gymsuit    New York:  The Putman & Grosset Group 1974

  Thirteen-year-old Marcy Lewis has it tough.  As a ninth grader at Dwight D. Eisenhower Junior High, she has few friends.  Her best friend, Nancy Sheridan, only became her friend because their mothers are both in the PTA.  If school is hard surely her home can be her sanctuary, right? Wrong.  Her father comes home angry from work almost every day and is emotionally abusive.  He calls her stupid and fat which does not help with her already low self image.  As it is, she is making all sorts of hilarious excuses to not dress up in gym class.  Then along came a new English teacher, Ms. Finney, who inspires the students with her new teaching methods.  The students enjoyed her class so much that Nancy suggested Ms. Finney start an after school club.  Marcy decides to join the after school club, Smedley, and life is starting to look up.  She suddenly no longer hates school and is along making new friends.  Life is going smoothly until Ms. Finney is suspended from school.  The principal does not approve of Ms. Finney’s teaching methods.  Shy Marcy is doing something that she would not have had the confidence to do prior to Ms. Finney.  She is taking a stand for something she believes in and has to live with the consequences of also being suspended from school.  Will Marcy come to regret her decision in protesting against Ms. Finney’s suspension?

Kim Leng, October 24, 2008