A Tale of a Holocaust Survivor

Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy
Publication Date: 2006
Awards: 2007 ALA Notable Children's Book, 2006 School Library Journal Best Book, 2011 Rebecca Caudill Nominee
Interest Level: 6th-8th, Reading Level: 6.1

If you were inspired by Anne Frank, I highly recommend, Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy.

The author, Jennifer Roy, had recently discovered, her Aunt Syvia (renamed Sylvia when she immigrated to the United States) was a survivor of the Holocaust. Jennifer and her aunt felt they needed to share her story with the world, so Jennifer recorded all that her aunt recounted. She created a stirring novel, written in first-person free verse, so the story flows so nicely and your are finished before you know it! It moves so quickly it will leaving you craving for more.

Syvia was only four years old when Nazis invaded her hometown, and forced her to move into a ghetto in Lodz, Poland. She was forced to leave her home for a small, one-bedroom apartment that she was expected to share with her mother, father, and older sister. Things around her change dramatically. There were curfews and her close friends and neighbors are always disappearing. Her family is forced to sell what little possessions they managed to bring with them, even Syvia's most precious companion, her doll.

Conditions only grew worse for Syvia and her family in the ghetto. More and more people were forced to live in the already cramped space. The Nazis were allowed to shoot anyone in the ghetto, whether they had broken a law or looked at them the wrong way, sometimes for no reason at all. Syvia had even witnessed the a murder in the middle of a crowded street.

The food was always sparse and what little food there was, was usually rotten or filled with dirt, glass, or debris. Syvia survived harsh winters that froze her fingers, and resulted in the death of many neighbors. She managed avoid the trains that would bring her to the Nazi concentration camps, thanks to her cunning father. She escaped the wrath of the Nazis and certain death by hiding in a dismal graveyard in the freezing cold night. When she finally walked out of the ghetto, she was ten years old.  270,000 people entered the ghetto and only 800 walk out. 12 of those 800 were children. Syvia was one of these children.

You will be reading true survivor story. You will travel on a journey with a girl who overcame all odds, no matter how terrible, because, even in the worst of times, the love of her family and hope for the future kept her alive. I highly recommend you read this book and prepare for a life-changing experience.

Check out this website to learn more about the Lodz Ghetto: http://www.holocaustresearchproject.org/

More Stories about the Holocaust:
Parallel Journeys by Eleanor Ayer
Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba by Margarita Engle
Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
The Grand Mosque of Paris by Karen Gray
Hana's Suitcase by Karen Levine
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Maus & Maus II by Art Spigelman
Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli
Behind the Bedroom Wall by Laura Williams
The Book Thief by Marcus Zuska

Want to find out More?
We Remember the Holocaust by David A. Adler
Tell Them We Remember by Susan D. Bachrach
Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitlers Shadow by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
The Hidden Children by Howard Greenfeld
The Holocaust by Patricia Levy
Smoke and Ashes: the Story of the Holocaust by Barbara Rogasky
Hiding to Survive by Maxine B. Rosenberg
Always Remember Me: How One Family Survived World War II by Marisabina Russo
Life in a Nazi Concentration Camp by Anne Grenn Saldinger
Anne Frank: Beyond the Diary by Ruud Van der Rol

The Museum of Thieves

Hey readers! I have another great new series that is sure to wrap you in. The Museum of Thieves is a exciting new series by author Lian Tanner.

In the city of Jewel, all rules are expected to be followed. It is a world that expects you to remain meek and timid. Anyone that displays any sign of impatience or gives any indication of boldness, are quickly dealt with by the Blessed Guardians. All children are to remain chained to an their parents or a Blessed Guardian until their sixteenth birthday, to "protect" them from the dangers of kidnappers, disease, ferocious animals, and drowning. There is no war, no pain, and no hazards. The city of Jewel seems like a place of peace and security, but looks can be deceiving.

Twelve year old, Goldie Roth is a girl who has constantly defied her Blessed Guardians Hope and Comfort. Don't let the names of the Guardians fool you. They are demanding, oppressive, and cruel. They strike fear into the hearts of many. No one dare cross the Blessed Guardians, not even the adults. Anyone who steps out of line is forced to wear heavy brass chains that weight down their shoulders, and those who wear the these chains are shunned by others. Goldie has been made to wear the Punishment Chains many times.

Goldie is counting down the days to Separation Day, the day she no longer has to wear the thin silver chain that confines her to the guardians. The day she is free from the Blessed Guardians tyrannical control. The day they can no longer force her to wear the dreaded Punishment Chains. The day when she will be free to walk the streets of Jewel on her own! The Grand Protector, ruler of the city of Jewel has decided to lower the age of Separation to twelve, and to Goldie, this news is golden!

Goldie is anxious for the day to arrive and will even do as Guardian Hope and Guardian Comfort command, if only it will mean her separation from these horrible chaperons. The day has finally come, Goldie has made it to the stage. The scissors are just about to cut her chain, when suddenly the Fugleman, enters the ceremony with some terrible news. There has been a bombing, and the Separation Ceremony must be canceled. This is the worst news Goldie has ever heard. She cannot endure another four years with the Guardians, she just can't! She makes a quick plan of escape and is off before anyone can stop her.

Now the hunt is on as the Guardians raid the city for the runaway child. She has become an outlaw. Her parents will go to Repentance (a jail for adults) and, when she is caught, she will be forced into Care (a jail for children). Goldie is distraught with what she has done and does not know where to turn. She is being followed at every turn by the Guardians and a strange man, and it is only a matter of time before she gets caught.

Enter the Museum of Dunt. Goldie stumbles upon the strange building in her attempt hide from the Guardians. It is her she meets a strange cast of characters that care for the building, and is soon recruited to care for the building herself. In a museum that is ever changing, and has quiet a temperament, she discovers this might be harder than expected. As she learns her new trade, Goldie discovers dangers that could destroy her city if ever released. There is a sinister plan brewing that just might release these dangers, and it is up to Goldie and her new colleagues to stop it!

The next in the series, City of Lies, is due to come out some time in October 2011.



If you like The Museum of Thieves, you might also enjoy:
The Search for Wondla by Tony DiTerlizzi
Gregor the Overlander Series by Susan Collins
The Clockwork Three by Matthew J. Kirby
Theodosia Series by R.L. LaFevers
The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

Hey Bloggers! Check out this survey...

Ms. Rebecca has created a survey to find out what you want to see on her very own blog! Those who complete the survey are eligible to win a prize. Just print out the confirmation page at the end of the survey and turn it in to the library by December 1st, 2010.

To learn more click here:  http://creteteens.wordpress.com/2010/11/01/blogsurvey/

To complete the survey click here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2QKTMCL
                    Don't forget to print out the confirmation page! 

To see more of Ms. Rebecca's blog click here: http://creteteens.wordpress.com/

- Miss Michelle

A Tale of the Brothers Reckless

One of my favorite genres is fantasy, especially ones that incorporate fairy tales and folk tales. If you're in the mood for a dark tale, try Reckless by Cornelia Funke. A word of caution to the reader: this is not your typical happily-ever-after. Cornelia digs deep into the original tales of the Brothers Grimm and weaves them into her tale of the brothers Reckless.

Our story begins with Jacob Reckless..His father has disappeared, leaving him to look after his younger brother, Will, and his grief-stricken mother. Jacob is going through a lot and it shows in his demeanor. He takes refuge in his father's study, looking through his things and reminiscing all the times they shared together. As he searches through his father's study for clues to where he might have gone, Jacob discovers a strange message left in one of his father's books. "The mirror will open only for he who cannot see himself."

As Jacob takes a closer look at the mysterious mirror, it soon reveals it's more than what it seems. He decodes the message and soon finds himself in an parallel universe called Mirrorworld. Jacob finds it much easier to live in the world behind the mirror, and spends more and more of his days behind it. It is his world, his secret, and he does not wish to share it with anyone.

Twelve years have past since discovering the mirror, and he has been able to keep his secret well hidden. He has become very familiar with the world, establishing himself as one of the greatest treasure hunters in Mirrorworld. One day, in his haste to escape reality, he makes a mistake, and his secret is discovered. Will has followed him in!

This is where all his troubles begins. Something has happened to his brother, something terrible, and it is up to Jacob to save him. Only Jacob knows the secrets of the world, and he will do anything it takes to uncover the one thing that will relieve his brother from this terrible curse. Jacob reluctantly enlists the help of his trusted companion, the shapeshifter, Fox, and Will's girlfriend, Clara. Thus begins our harrowing journey through a world where witches lure children in to houses made of sweets, dwarfs will do just about anything for a bit of gold, and Fairies are capable of creating fates worse than death.

This is a book for older readers, so if you're in fourth grade, you may want to wait another year before you pick it up. The beginning is a bit confusing, but I urge to not let this deter you from reading further. It gradually pieces together, and by the end of the book you will be very satisfied with the story that unfolds, and it will leave you craving for more. If you do find yourself loving the book your in luck! Funke is making this into a series and book 2 is soon to come.

If you still need more convincing, check out the book trailer:


Activity: What is your favorite fairy tale? Create a diorama of the fairy tale or one of their fairy tales represented in a book like Reckless. Share a picture of your diorama with us in a post or bring it in the library for display.

If you like Reckless, you may be interested in:
The Sister's Grimm Series by Michael Buckley  
Troll's Eye View edited by Ellen Daltow and Terri Windling
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carlson Levine
The Fairest by Gail Carlson Levine
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaman
Into the Woods by Lyn Gardner
The Witch's Boy by Michael Gruber (a personal favorite)
Straw into Gold by Gary Schmidt
Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh


Other Books by Cornelia Funke:
Dragon Thief
Ghosthunter Series
Igraine the Brave
Inkheart
Inkspell
Inkdeath
The Thief Lord
When Santa Fell to Earth 

-Miss Michelle

What is the True Meaning of Smekday?

If you're on a quest for a book filled with humor that will send you rolling on the floor with laughter, you're search is over. The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex is a one-way ticket to good fun. But reader beware, this book will cause you to laugh aloud often, probably resulting in a lot of questioning looks.

Meet Gratuity "Tip" Tucci. Her world had been invaded by aliens called Bloovs, and she is still expected to write a five-page paper for school, explaining what Smekday truly means to her. What is Smekday you ask? The year was 2013, and it was Christmas Day. The Bloovs invaded Earth and renamed the most wonderful time of the year, Smekday, in honor of their fearless leader, Captain Smek. Now instead of Christmas, everyone one must celebrate Smekday. Can you imagine a world without Santa Claus, Christmas cookies, and eggnog? Through her attempts at creating an essay that adequately satisfies her teacher, Gratuity details the events of the Bloov invasion and how this has affected the world as we know it.

It all started when her mother started complaining about the mole on her neck. This mole was huge, and stuck out like a sore thumb. It kept growing and changing colors.  Gratuity's first thought was cancer, but boy was she in for a surprise. Gratuity's mother told her the aliens were using it to speak to her. Gratuity thought this was one of the most ridiculous things she had ever heard, but kept that thought to herself, and appeased her mother's rambling. (Her mom's a little crazy.) Then Christmas day rolled around, her mother got a very strange look on her face and wouldn't respond to anything Gratuity said. She made her way to a graveyard, with Gratuity at her heels, trying to coax her back home to no avail. A giant ship came and took her mother away, right in front of Gratuity. Then came the invasion

For months, Gratuity was left to fend for herself. Then "Moving Day" rolled around. You see, the Bloov liked the planet Earth. They began moving into cities, adding their own gadgets and buildings to the city, making it their own. They found it was getting a little crowded, so they initiated "Moving Day." The Bloovs "graciously" decided to designated Florida as the spot of permanent residence for all humans. Three-hundred million people living in one state, and the Bloovs would take the rest.

The Bloovs provided transports for everyone, but Gratuity decides to make the journey to Florida herself, without the help of the atrocious Bloovs. Along the way, she encounters a lone Bloov, who has decidedly named himself J.Lo. Yes, J.Lo, after the pop artist Jeniffer Lopez. A startling friendship forms and they learn a little more about each other as they travel from Pennsylvania to Florida encountering everything from Happy Mouse Kingdom (how does it always stay so clean?) to the notorious Gorg. If you thought the Bloovs were bad, wait until you meet the Gorg.

Photograph of J.Lo and Gratuity

Adam Rex created all of the illustrations that accompany the story. Many of the pictures are photos taken by Gratuity or J.Lo during their journey. . When she is unable to provide us with a photograph, Gratuity provides us with her own sketches of objects she is trying to explain. Gratuity and J.Lo also co-author a few comic strips, detailing the history of the Bloovs.

I get a lot of hesitation when I recommend this book. The cover is a little odd and the story line sounds very strange, but trust me it's one that you'll want to go back to for a good laugh time and time again. It has a really great story line that keeps you hooked, and you'll gain a pretty close connection to the characters. Give it a chance. Everyone who has, thus far, has been really glad they have. Let me, and everyone else who might still need convincing, know what you think in a post. I can't wait to hear your comments.

There is also an awesome website that accompanies the book. You can learn all about Boov Uniforms, get a glimpse at how they move, view an informational video on the new Boov holidays and calendar, and much more! Check it out at http://www.smekday.com/

Who are these Bloovs? Click the website link to find out!

Ms. April will be holding a program called "Get Booked!" on November 15th at 6:30. She will be discussing The True Meaning of Smekday and welcomes anyone to come talk about it too! Milkshakes will be provide to motivate those brain cells.

Activity: After reading the story, pick an important scene you believe needs to be illustrated. Illustrate the scene just like Gratuity and send it to me in an email. I'll try to put all your illustrations in another post. Bring it to the library and we can hang in our Masterpiece section. Want to get a little more creative? Take a picture! Set up a scene from the book and take a picture of it. Just  let your imagination run wild. I'll be looking forward to seeing all of your brilliant ideas.

Happy Reading,
-Miss Michelle

Spooky Short Stories for Halloween

It's October and it's almost time to celebrate one of my favorite holidays...HALLOWEEN! To get in the spirit of Halloween I have been reading some spooky short stories. Half-Minute Horrors is the perfect companion for any spooky stories to tell around the campfire, at sleepover or at a Halloween party. The stories are so short it will take you only about 30 seconds to read! The stories are pretty scary too. It covers a wide variety of fears we all face like creepy spiders, creatures in the shadows, and the dangers of babysitting!

Half-Minute Horrors features authors that you may be familiar with. Neil Gaiman, the author of Coraline and the Graveyard Book, writes a story about a boy and his dog meeting a Shadow under some unfortunate circumstances. You'll also find a short story written by R.L. Stine, author of the Goosebumps, Ghosts of Fear Street, and Fear Street Series. His story deals with the common fear of monsters living in the closet and has a surprising twist at the end.

One of my favorite stories in the collection is told by Lemony Snicket, author of the Series of Unfortunate Events. As a kid, one of my number one fears was what might me lurking under my bed. I would always count to ten before turning off my light. As soon as the light went off, I would run to my bed and leap about 2 feet in the air, landing in my bed, taking care to stay away from the edge of my bed. This was a nightly routine to prevent whatever might be underneath from dragging me underneath. This story captured the fear I so often felt before bed, and I could feel a tingle down my spine as I read the story.

With over 70 different stories and authors, and great illustrations, you definitely have plenty to chose from. Let me know your favorite story from the collection, and why it was your favorite by posting below. What did you think of the book as a whole? Would you recommend it to a friend or tell it at your next sleepover?

Activity: Have your own scary stories you'd like to share? Submit it to or read other entries at the Half-Minute Horrors Webpage. If you create a story,we would love to hear about it. Let us know if you submit a story so we can take a look or bring it in to the library!

If you enjoyed these sets of stories, I encourage you to check out Alan Schwartz classic collection, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, More Scary Stories to Tell in Tell Dark, And Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones. This was a series I made sure to read every Halloween. Some stories gave me goosebumps and I had to make sure all the lights were on in the house. Mr. Schwartz also made sure to include some silly stories as well that are sure to get a laugh from your friends. If you have not read this series already, I highly recommend you check it out. 

The series was recently given a makeover. The new illustrations have been created by the famous illustrator Brett Helquist, so if your looking for it in the stores, make sure you take a look at the new illustrations. Don't worry, they're the same great stories, they just have different pictures. Check out the new covers and illustrations here:

New Scary Stories Covers

If you crave more, check out these great collections of spooky stories:

• 13 Scary Ghost Stories by Marianne Carus 
• Don't Open the Door After the Sun Goes Down by Al Carusone
• Horowitz Horror (series) by Anthony Horowitz
• The Dark Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural by Patricia McKissack
• The August House Book of Scary Stories: Spooky Tales for Telling Out Loud edited by Liz Smith Parkhurst
• Edgar Alan Poe's Tales of Mystery and Madness by Edgar Alan Poe
• Are You Scared Yet?: Haunted Houses (series) by San Souci
• Dare to Be Scared (series) by Robert San Souci 
• A Terrifying Taste of Short & Shivery (series) by Robert D. San Souci
• The Scary States of America by Michael Teitelbaum 
• Scary Stories for Sleepovers (series) Various Authors
• Chills Run Down My Spine by Jackie Vivelo

Have a favorite collection of scary stories, but don't see it on this list? Share it in a post!

- Miss Michelle

Attention All Readers and Bloggers!

Ever have a grand desire to read a great book, but simply don't know where to start? Do you want to find a book that was exactly like the one you just read? Do you really hate reading but are hoping someone will change your mind? Well, you have come to the right place!

Welcome to my diary! My name is Miss Michelle, and I work at the Crete Public Library. One of my favorite things to do is read, read, READ! I'm starting a blog about books for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, and I am hoping to gain some fellow book geek bloggers who can share their opinions.

My other friends from the library and I will be reading a wide variety of genres, giving you a summary of the story, and letting you know what we thought. We would love to hear what YOU think about the books we've read too, so post your comments! All you need is an email address and parental permission to join.

We will be posting quite a few blogs each month. If you respond to two posts a month, you are eligible for a prize. If you are one of the lucky bloggers, you will receive an email letting you know when you can come in and claim your prize.  (You must be within the MLS system, have a library card, and be in 4th, 5th, or 6th grade to be eligible for a prize.)

Even if you are not part of the MLS system, I encourage you to join our group and let us know what your ideas are about the books as well! 

If you have any suggestions for books that need to be on this blog, send me a post!

Welcome to the club!