Soldier's Secret (YA) (5/5)

Soldier's Secret

This book tells the true story of Deborah Sampson, a woman who disguises herself as a man in order to fight in the Revoluntionary War. Deborah is a true heroine and this book is a good, quick read. I found it interesting to learn how a woman was able to disguise herself and how some men who discovered her identity reacted. MS and HS boys and girls would like this book.

Wide eyed Maggie

Maggie looks wide eyed in this picture. She had been sleeping on the kitty condo and probably didn't appreciate me taking her picture.

Purple Heart (YA) (5/5)

Purple Heart (YA) (5/5)

Matt is in Iraq fighting the war. He gets injured and can't really remember the circumstances of when he was injured. He heads back to his unit and gets back in the thick of battle again. This book shows the effects, physical and mental, of war on people. Some swearing, some violence but a powerful book for HS boys and girls. Good read.

Little Audrey (YA) (4.5/5)

Little Audrey (4.5/5) (YA)

This is a memoir of sorts about growing up in a coal mine town. Audrey is the oldest of 4 girls, 5 if you count her sister who died a few months ago. Dad has a drinking issue; Mom is still dealing with her daughter's death. Sounds dreary but there is humor in this book. I especially liked Audrey's friend Virgil and his monkey obsession. A good, quick read.

Schooled (YA) (5/5)

Schooled (YA) (5/5)

Cap Anderson has lived his entire life on a hippie type commune with his grandmother, Rain. Rain falls and breaks her hip and Cap must move in with a social worker and go to the local middle school. Needless to say, he is like a fish out of water. He gets elected as 8th grade President as a joke and he has no idea that it is a joke. Good humor in this one and a good message to the book. MS and HS boys and girls would like this one.

Puppet (YA) (5/5)

Puppet (YA) (5/5)

Based on a true story, this tells the tale of a Hungarian Jewish boy who was forced to testify against his father and family friends when a Christian girl comes up missing. The Jews are accused of killing her and they are thrown in jail. This shows yet another horror of the hatred that Jewish people faced. This was a powerful book.

Murder Packs a Suitcase (3.5/5)

Murder Packs a Suitcase (3.5/5)

First book in a cozy mystery series. Mallory Marlowe, newly widowed, begins a career as a travel writer. Her first assignment is to go to Florida. Quickly, a murder happens of a fellow travel writer and Mallory is considered a suspect. She decides to try to find the real murderer herself. Good twists and turns--I didn't figure out who did it--but a little slow in parts.