Refugee by Alan Gratz

I have to say this was my absolute favorite book in the Scholastic Book Fair Preview Pack.  Loved Refugee by Alan Gratz!

There are 3 stories from different historical events.  Each one is told from Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud.  Josef's story is from Germany during the time of the Holocaust and a group of Jewish refugees sail to Cuba on the St. Louis.  Isabel's story is from Cuba and there's a famine.  Fidel Castro encourages unhappy citizens to leave the country and try to make it to America.  Finally, the story of Mahmoud is current Syrian refugees fleeing their homes.

All of the stories are informative and moving.  I thought the author did a clever job of entwining their narratives.  This is a definite must read!

In the Shadow of the Sun by Anne Sibley O'Brien

Looking for something different?  In the sea of young adult novels, that starts to seem somewhat usual, this book is nothing like you've read before.  It's set in North Korea - I've never read a book with this setting before.  Definitely intriguing!

In the Shadow of the Sun by Anne Sibley O'Brien came with the fall Scholastic Book Fair Preview Pack I ordered.  I did enjoy it.  It's definitely got the adventure and drama in it.  Some parts get a little bogged down, but I think it was the author's intent to make sure the voices of the North Korean citizens and Mia, the main character, got heard.  Mia is South Korean, and was adopted when she was a baby.  The author adopted a Korean girl, and knows the struggles these young teens face when trying to fit in to an American family.

The story starts with Mia, her brother, and father on tour in North Korea.  The mother was going to go, but the grandmother got sick and she needed to stay behind to take care of her.  During the structured tour, Mia's dad is arrested.  Mia and her brother escape and decide to make it to safety at the Chinese border.  Their journey is dangerous, but through it they discover their insecurities and help each other become stronger.  I won't give away too much of the story!

I would recommend this book especially to those looking for something unique, especially where the story takes place.  North Korea is in the news, and this novel could help us see their country through their eyes.

The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge

Here's another book from the Scholastic Fall Book Fair Preview Pack, but it's not going to get as good of a review.  While it is definitely well written, I just don't see a middle school student enjoying this read.  It's historical fiction, but on a subject you would be hard pressed to find a young teen interested in.

The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge starts with a family having to leave behind their home in England after some kind of scandal.  The father is not only a pastor, but also an anthropologist, who's made a claim many cannot accept.  They move to an island, which currently is in the middle of a big promising dig.

The main character is the daughter, Faith.  She adores her father, but does not have a great relationship with her snobby high society mother.  Right after they arrive on the island Faith's father "commits suicide" because of the stress from his unusual claim, but Faith doesn't believe it.  Trying to prove her father's innocence and find the true murderer, she uncovers an even more mysterious find - the lie tree.  This plant feeds on the lies others say...

It's an intriguing read, but I found myself thinking... would a middle schooler want to read this?  Sadly, I don't think so.

Disappeared by Francisco X. Stork

This is a great read from the Scholastic Fall Book Fair Preview Pack, Disappeared by Francisco Stork.  Set in the border town of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, the narratives alternate between a sister and brother.  Both face difficult decisions - one is trying to expose the girl kidnapping ring after her best friend becomes one of the victims, and the other is being pressured to help smuggle drugs into the US.  Lots of suspense and drama!

Students looking for a fast paced tension filled book, direct them towards this title, and it will fulfill their wish!  Featured on the preview video, this novel would make for a wise purchase at the book fair.