Resistance

Resistance by Jennifer A. Nielsen

This is book is perfect for readers interested in learning about the Holocaust. There is quite a bit of violence, so I don't recommend this book to kids younger than 10. This is a stand-alone book, but Nielsen did write a book about life on the eastern side of the Berlin Wall titled, "A Night Divided." I'll surely write about it after I finish reading.

What the Book's All About

Chaya Lindner is only a kid when the Nazi party takes over Poland. Despite her Aryan looks, Chaya is a Jew, and is sent away from her home in Krakow. She becomes an activist and joins the resistance group, Akiva. Chaya becomes a "courier" and goes undercover as a Catholic to sneak food and supplies (as well as spreading the truth about Concentration Camps) to Jews in ghettos. Will Akiva survive the war? Will a shy newcomer named Esther ruin an Akiva mission? Do Chaya's parents have enough willpower to stay alive?

Chaya

• Confident
• Speaks multiple languages
• Akiva courier 

Esther

• New Akiva member
• Secretive
• Not confident
• possesses "every possible look and mannerism to radiate her Jewishness"

MS Sunshine State 2018-2019 Bk 9

First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez

Fans of The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora will also enjoy this Mexican inspired Sunshine State Book. The book is very positive and full of empowering messages, especially for girls. For people struggling with having to move away from their friends, or are struggling to express themselves in a positive way, this is a good book to read. 

What the Book's All About

  María "Malú" Luisa is moving to Chicago with her Mexican-American mother- and is not excited. If she had her way, she would stay home and hang out with her dad at his record store, go to school with her friends, and make "zines" (collages) in her spare time. Malú also loves to listen to rock classics. When she does move to Chicago, it seems like the world is against her. She even gets a dress code violation for her colored hair! With the help of new friends, she tries to convince the school that not every student is the same and that uniqueness should be celebrated, not condoned. Will Malú reach her goal? How can she embrace both the Mexican and American sides of her? Will she ever be able to finish a zine without her mother interrupting her?

Malú

• Mexican-American
• Loves hard rock
• "Punk"
• Struggles to relate with her mom
• Vegetarian

Note: Like with Ghost, I wasn't a huge fan of the book, but I did my best to be objective.

MS Sunshine State 2018-2019 Bk 8

The Firefly Code by Megan Frazer Blakemore

The Firefly Code is a book for fans of Lois Lowry's Giver Quartet. This book is a dystopian novel written for middle-school aged people, so there isn't any bloodshed (besides ordinary cuts/scrapes), or any other mature content.

What the Book's All About

Mori and her friends live on the peaceful Firefly Lane in the utopia of Old Harmonie. Everything is planned. When a resident turns 13, they learn about their true genetics- if they were born naturally, or if their parents genetically engineered them to have certain traits. They also have their "latency" manifested. They take a test to see what latency they may have, and choose which one best suits their future careers. At least it was peaceful. When a strange girl name Ilana from another utopian town moves to Firefly lane, questions arise. Ilana's behavior is strange and her story about where she came from doesn't seem to add up. Who is Ilana? Why won't anyone go into #9 Firefly Lane? Is Old Harmonie really a utopia?

Mori

• Great-granddaughter of a founder of Old Harmonie (not the aforementioned)
• Guesses she's not "a natural"
• Almost 13
• Has eye problems

Ilana Naughton

• New girl in Old Harmonie
• Comes from a different utopia in California
• Seems to be "natural"
• Loves to swim

MS Sunshine State 2018-2019 Bk 7

The Eureka Key by Sarah L. Thomson

This book is for people who like it when American history is incorporated into a modern fictitious book. If you liked A Crack in the Sea, you may also like this book. This is also a book for readers who like mysteries that aren't too easy to figure out. The Eureka Key is the first in Thomson's, "Secrets of the Seven," series.

What the Book's All About

When Sam learns about a contest to solve puzzles, he's all in, especially when he finds out that the winner gets an all-expenses-paid tour across America. He enters and solves every puzzle with relative ease. When it comes to the history portion, he is no buff, so he's surprised when he is one of the winners. The other is Martina, who is Sam's opposite. She's all about facts and mentions them all of the time. Accompanying Sam and Martina on the trip is Theo, a strong but silent type who turns out to be a descendant of George Washington. Sam soon figures out that this is no simple trip. He and Martina were recruited to follow clues that the Founding Fathers laid to find the keys they left. It also becomes apparent that they aren't the only ones searching. Who is this mysterious competitor? Why are the keys so special?  

Sam

• Puzzle master
• Loyal

Martina "Marty"

• Originally doesn't like the nickname Sam gives her, "Marty."
• Knows everything American history