Hey, folks! It’s October, the time of the year for jumping in leaf piles, getting ready for snow, and (probably my personal favorite) curling up by the fireside with a good book.
Speaking of good books, here's my list of my top five books I'm looking forward to reading this month (to be completely honest with you, I was originally going to read ten books—until I realized how much schoolwork/writing/other things I have to do)! Some of these I may-or-may-not-have started last year or even *cough* two years ago *cough*. (Side note: it's very strange how when you keep looking at/spelling "year"—or any word, really—it starts to not look like a word anymore...)
I'm really excited about reading these, so without further ado, let's get to it!
5. The War Below
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
The Nazis took Luka from his home in Ukraine and forced him into a labor camp. Now, Luka has smuggled himself out - even though he left behind his dearest friend, Lida. Someday, he vows, he'll find her again.
But first, he must survive.
Racing through the woods and mountains, Luka evades capture by both Nazis and Soviet agents. Though he finds some allies, he never knows who to trust. As Luka makes difficult choices in order to survive, desperate rescues and guerilla raids put him in the line of fire. Can he persevere long enough to find Lida again or make it back home where his father must be waiting for him?
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch delivers another action-packed story, inspired by true events, of daring quests and the crucial decisions we make in the face of war.
In September, I enjoyed some other books by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, including Making Bombs for Hitler, which tells Lida's story. I'm excited about reading The War Below!
4. Liar & Spy
Rebecca Stead
The first day Georges (the S is silent) moves into a new Brooklyn apartment, he sees a sign taped to a door in the basement: SPY CLUB MEETING—TODAY!
That’s how he meets his twelve-year-old neighbor Safer. He and Georges quickly become allies—and fellow spies. Their assignment? Tracking the mysterious Mr. X, who lives in the apartment upstairs. But as Safer’s requests become more and more demanding, Georges starts to wonder: how far is too far to go for your only friend?
When I started this book in September, I fell in love with it from the start. I already knew I liked the author, Rebecca Stead, from her book When You Reach Me, so I was excited about reading this book. I just hope I'm this excited when I finish it!
3. Chasing Redbird
Shannon Creech
It started out as an ordinary summer. But the minute thirteen-year-old Zinny discovered the old, overgrown trail that ran through the woods behind her family’s house, she realized that things were about to change.
It was her chance to finally make people notice her, and to have a place she could call her very own. But more than that, Zinny knew that the trail somehow held the key to all kinds of questions. And that the only way to understand her family, her Aunt Jessie’s death, and herself, was to find out where it went.
From Newbery Medal-winning author Sharon Creech comes a story of love, loss, and understanding, an intricately woven tale of a young girl who sets out in search of her place in the world—and discovers it in her own backyard.
Chasing Redbird has sat on my older sister's shelf for maybe two years? I've picked it up once or twice—and I'm intrigued by the story—but somehow, I always get distracted by something. Hopefully, this month will be different!
2. Ruby Holler
Shannon Creech
Brother and sister Dallas and Florida are the “trouble twins.” In their short thirteen years, they’ve passed through countless foster homes, only to return to their dreary orphanage, Boxton Creek Home.
Run by the Trepids, a greedy and strict couple, Boxton Creek seems impossible to escape. When Mr. Trepid informs the twins that they’ll be helping old Tiller and Sairy Morey go on separate adventures, Dallas and Florida are suspicious.
As the twins adjust to the natural beauty of the outdoors, help the Tillers prepare for their adventures, and foil a robbery, their ultimate search for freedom leads them home to Ruby Holler.
I started reading this book four—five?—years ago, with my older sister. Now that my younger sister has started reading this, too, I figure I might as well read this. I hope I enjoy it as much as my sisters tell me I will :P
1. The Star That Always Stays
Anna Rose Johnson
Growing up on Beaver Island, Grand-père told Norvia stories—stories about her ancestor Migizi, about Biboonke-o-nini the Wintermaker, about the Crane Clan and the Reindeer Clan. He sang her songs in the old language, and her grandmothers taught her to make story quilts and maple candy. On the island, Norvia was proud of her Ojibwe heritage.
Things are different in the city. Here, Norvia’s mother forces her to pretend she’s not Native at all—even to Mr. Ward, Ma’s new husband, and to Vernon, Norvia’s irritating new stepbrother. In fact, there are a lot of changes in the city: ten-cent movies, gleaming soda shops, speedy automobiles, ninth grade. It’s dizzying for a girl who grew up on the forested shores of Lake Michigan.
Despite the move, the upheaval, and the looming threat of world war, Norvia and her siblings—all five of them—are determined to make 1914 their best year ever. Norvia is certain that her future depends upon it... and upon her discretion.
But how can she have the best year ever if she has to hide who she truly is?
We all love curling up with a good book, don't we? And The Star That Always Stays fits that "good book" criteria, from what I've heard (and already seen!).
I've already fallen in love with these characters, even at just 20 pages in. They're just likable, in that way.
I've heard a lot of good things about this, and I'm really excited to start reading it!
Do you like these books? I sure hope I will! At the end of the month, I'll be rating these five books in order of how much I enjoyed them. I'll also be featuring one of your thoughts on these books—comment on this post or contact me to get that chance.
Until next time!
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