Bird by Angela Johnson

Last week I read several books, but haven't taken the time to post information. It was a busy week in the media center!
Bird by Angela Johnson was one of my favorites. Bird is a 13-year-old girl. Her stepfather, Cecil, has left the family. Bird runs away in hopes of finding and convincing him that he must come back home. Her journey takes her from Cleveland to Alabama. Her story is intermingled with Ethan and Jay's. How are they all connected? Bird is hiding out in a shed on Ethan's family's farm. Jay is mourning the sudden death of his brother. Ethan is recovering from heart surgery. You must read the book to see how all the character's lives are intermingled.

The Doll with the Yellow Star

Did you like reading NUMBER THE STARS? Do you like reading Holocaust stories? If so, give this book a try.
THE DOLL WITH THE YELLOW STAR is a new book by Yona Zeldis McDonough. Claudine, the main character, is an 8-year-old Jewish girl living in France. Even though times are difficult--Hitler's troops are everywhere and there isn't enough food -- she receives a beautiful doll for her birthday. Claudine names her doll Violette. Soon, Violette, along with Claudine and her parents, is wearing a yellow star on her clothing. War continues. Claudine and Violette are sent to live with relatives in America. Claudine must make the adjustment to living in America without Violette who was lost on the ship. Finally the war ends and Papa arrives -- alone!! He and Claudine travel back to France and try to put their lives back together. Read the story to see what happens to Claudine and her family.
This is a good book for 4th - 6th grade students.