Remember Us, by Jacqueline Woodson

     Remember Us is the latest book by the amazing author Jacqueline Woodson. It's the story of Sage, a young girl who lives in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, New York in the early 1970s. Sage is an above-average basketball player, and would rather shoot hoops all day than play with most of the other girls in her neighborhood. In some ways, this serves her well, as she is following her heart, doing what she loves. She wants to be the first woman playing in the NBA some day - the WNBA doesn't exist when this story takes place.

    At other times her passion and skills don't serve her well. She is shunned by some of the girls she used to play with when she was younger, and by boys who bully her for being too much like a boy (in that she not only likes basketball, but also that she is one of the best at it in Brooklyn). Sage's neighborhood is nicknamed "The Matchbox", because houses keep burning down, which adds one of many layers to this realistic fiction book.

    If you've never read a Woodson book before, you owe it to yourself to read one. I promise that once you have, you will want to read more! It's as if every story is really her own story...she writes "voice" as well as any author I have read and Remember Us is no exception. I don't know off hand how many books she has written, but I would guess maybe 20 or so? I have probably read 5 or 10 of them...every single one made me feel that I was actually the person telling the story - the main character, the protagonist. When reading Remember Us, I got sad when Sage was sad. I was joyful when Sage was schooling some boys at the basketball court. I missed her best friend when she wasn't able to hang out with him for a time. I admit to being a little lonely when the story ended...and that is how every single one of Woodson's books is, at least for me.

    Needless to say, this is a very good story. I finished this book yesterday morning and I still miss Sage! I can't wait for Woodson to write another book...I can't say that about most authors. 5 paws!

Impossible Escape, by Steve Sheinkin

     If you have been reading this blog, you know that author Steve Sheinkin is my all-time favorite non-fiction and historical fiction writer, and he does not disappoint in this newest book! The full title is Impossible Escape: A True Story of Survival and Heroism in Nazi Europe, and as the title suggests, this story takes place during World War 2, when Adolph Hitler and all those who went along with him set out to take over as much of the world as possible, and kill as many Jews along the way as possible. The killing of Jewish people (and many other groups that did not fit into the view of tomorrow that Hitler and those who agreed with him envisioned) was called the Final Solution, and as Sheinkin shows during this story, even when it was obvious that the war was ending and the Nazis were losing, the killing accelerated and continued.

    Impossible Escape is the true story of two school friends, teenagers who are trapped in Hitler's hatred, living in Slovakia. Rudi finds himself a prisoner in Auschwitz, a death camp in Poland, after being caught trying to leave his home country before the Nazi's have a chance to capture him and take him away. Gerta and her family are living as quietly and discreetly as possible in Hungary after escaping from Slovakia, living under false names to avoid being caught and killed. Rudi is motivated to escape when he learns that no one outside of Auschwitz knows what is taking place there, and he is determined to bring that truth to the rest of the world. He thinks that if the world really knew what was happening there, the war would more quickly come to an end.

    The realities in this book are not easy to read, and many are even, in my opinion, difficult. Yet these things did happen in our world, and not terribly long ago. Sheinkin asks in his book how so many people could have agreed with the hatred that seemed to be spreading across the world to the extent that allowed 6 million people to die because of it? I would also ask how we make sure something like that never, ever happens again. In today's world and even right here in our own country, there are people who seems to have enough people's attention to make their voices seem bigger or more important than others, and it seems a growing number of those voices are speaking the same kind of hateful speech that Hitler did during the time of this book. As young adults, it will be on your shoulders (as well as us older beings - I am seven years old, which is 40-something in dog years, after all!) together to counter those voices of hatred and superiority, so that all people (and dogs!) have a safe place to share ideas, ask questions, and live their lives without doing harm to others. A bit like the Golden Rule, but apparently, based on this story, not as easy to achieve as it is to say or remember. 

    Impossible Escape does have some happiness in its ending, but it is a pretty dark story overall. Like many of Sheinkin's books, it reads like a fiction story, even though it is very real. It takes a few chapters for the story to begin to come together, so if you enjoy non-fiction or historical fiction, or are drawn the stories of World War 2, give this book, and any Sheinkin book, your time and effort. You will be rewarded with what might also become one of your favorite authors and possibly life-changing information! 5 paws!

The Moth Keeper, by K. O'Neill

     My second graphic novel of this season so far...I hope I'm making you graphic novel fans happy and keeping you interested! The Moth Keeper is written and illustrated by K. O'Neill, who resides in New Zealand. According to the short author bio at the back of the book, they are a lover of nature, tea, and growing things. That is clearly evident in this fantasy story which follows Anya, a young being who volunteers to become a Moon-Moth keeper, a solo and lonely job but an important one in her village; the moths are rare and are the only pollinators of a beautiful Night-Tree. Moth Keeper definitely finds itself right in the middle of the fantasy genre, with its mythical creatures, beings of all species living and working together, and other-worldly spirits. All of which adds to the story, but also becomes a bit confusing at times. O'Neill leaves many pages and panels wordless, using her art to move the story forward, but also making the story at times hard to follow.

    Themes of duty to yourself and your community, friendship, strength, and found family are strong in this magical story. The artwork and paper choice of O'Neill and their publisher reminds me of an older picture book, perhaps, with its slightly muted color palette and the feel of the pages. These elements add to the mystical nature of the story overall, the variety of creatures, some of whom appear to be mixes of humans and other types of animals, such as owls and horses or camels. I admit there were a few times that I found myself lost in the storyline, trying to use the artwork to understand what I thought words would have helped convey. But the overall effect of the story and artwork are pretty solid, although I don't know if this will appeal to middle readers as much as more popular and accessible graphic novels, such as Smile or New Kid, for example. O'Neill has received many awards for their work but I confess this is the first of their book I have come across. I would definitely look at more of their work, but I don't know if I'd be so driven as to search for it. 3 paws and a wag!

The Labors of Hercules Beal, by Gary D. Schmidt

     Happy New Year, Readers! Welcome to a new year of wonderful stories to read and enjoy! There is not a better way to start this new year than with the newest release by one of my all-time favorite authors - Gary D. Schmidt! I think I've read four or five of his books over the years, and any time he has a new release it automatically goes to my must-read list. It's funny, because I've written in the past about how most of his books have the most boring, unappealing covers of any author I know, yet his storytelling skills are some of the best in the business! Anyway, that isn't the case with The Labors of Hercules Beal, which has a nice cover for a change (maybe he has someone new making cover decisions for him now?).

    The Greek mythological Hercules (Heracles, before the Romans renamed him) was given the task of completing twelve Labors, or challenges, for the king of Mycenae to atone (make up) for having killed his own wife and children. His tasks involved seemingly impossible things, such as slaying (or killing) a hydra, a multi-headed snake.

    In Schmidt's book, main character Hercules Beal is entering 7th grade. One of his teachers gives each student in class a year-long project, and Hercules's project is to duplicate the mythological Hercules's twelve Labors, as they apply to his own life. 7th grade Hercules is the smallest kid in his grade, yet he has to figure out how each of the twelve Labors can fit his real world. Leave it to master storyteller Schmidt to make this work!

    The storyline overall is a little bit like the tail wagging the dog, which means it seems Schmidt decided he wanted to build on the mythology to create this story, a bit like Percy Jackson, perhaps. Nothing wrong with this approach, but once or twice it seemed slightly convenient that the events in the modern-day Hercules's life could tie into the mythology of the Labors. However, with a few minor forced events along the way, Schmidt does a really good job here. 

    I mentioned that I have read many of Schmidt's books, and every one is really good - a few are even exceptional! Hercules Beal will not disappoint, and may be one of the better books you will read this year! Using his other books as the baseline, this book rates highly, but a tick below maybe Okay for Now or Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy. But Hercules will still be difficult to put down. Treat yourself to this story to start your year...you will be glad you did! 5 paws!

There are many ways to choose the next book you read - watching for your favorite authors is one way! Along with Gary D. Schmidt, here are a few authors that I always read whenever they release a new book; 

Jacquelyn Woodson

Jason Reynolds

Kate DiCamillo (although she also writes for very young children, so I usually skip those)

April Henry

Marie Lu

Who are some of your go-to authors? Let me know in the comments section...I can always use new authors to watch out for!