Review: The War I Finally Won

The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book picks up immediately where The War that Saved My Life left off. Ada and Jamie are living in the English countryside with Susan their guardian. The are finally cared for the way children should be cared for - with love and kindness. But this is WWII and even countryside isn't safe.

I didn't believe I could like a sequel better than the first book in the series, but I do. This book shows what real sacrifice looks like - from rationing, to blackout curtains, to giving up your home for the war effort to being bombed out of your home to losing loved ones. I love Ada. She's never been to school, she's very prickly, but she has a great depth of compassion and loyalty. She also has a well defined sense of justice and makes sure that justice is fairly administered.

This is a wonderful, wonderful book.

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Review: Wishtree

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"You can call me Red." This sweet story is told by a red oak tree. This particular tree is an old, "wish tree". People of the town hang their wishes in the branches of the tree each May. Red has seen them all - sad, silly, hopeful. This year Red decides to try and answer one wish. Red, with the help of her animal residents, work to bring a community together.

I loved this book. The voice of the tree was just what I imagine a tree would sound like, thoughtful and wise. I was amused by the animal residents - from their names, to their personalities, to their tree preferences. A very innovative way to introduce some very adult themes.

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Review: Hello, Universe

Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"I hear with my eyes."

This is the story of 4 children and the event that brings them all together. Virgil is shy and quiet, Valencia is clever and determined, Kaori is in tune with the universe (or so she thinks) and a budding entrepreneur, and Chet is a bully. The universe connects the 4 children in ways none of the expected, and all 4 had a role to play in the story.

I liked the characterization of the children. All very different in so many ways - physically, ethnically, temperamentally yet all were believable and likable (or at least understandable.)

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Review: Minecraft: The Island

Minecraft: The Island by Max Brooks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the book for lovers of all things Minecraft. It will take the reader through the beginning levels of the game, all through the telling of a story.

It was written by Max Brooks, an avid gamer and lover of Minecraft. My nephew walked me through the game during summer vacation and that really helped me understand the story in the book. It would have been a much more confusing book to read if I did have that background knowledge of the game.

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Review: The Stars Beneath Our Feet

The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lolly is 12 and lives in Harlem. His life is a tough one. He's being harassed by a gang, he lives in the projects, he barely sees his father, and his mother is in a new relationship. He's struggling with the loss of his brother. Building with Legos is his best way of coping. Now that's being threatened by a girl.

I liked a lot about this book, but I thought it tried to do too much. Lolly seemed to be facing EVERY issue a kid could face. After a while I kept thinking, "What next?" as he was confronted with a new challenge.

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