Hot Lunch by Rex Ogle

Free Lunch by Rex Ogle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow this book is a tough but necessary read as Rex tells us his life during one semester in middle school. Too many kids are living under horrific conditions; abusive parents, racism, poverty, and feelings of loss, abandonment and anger as they and Rex try to live each day in a hell that is overwhelming. Teachers, guidance counselors, teens and middle school kids MUST read this book. It is honest and sad and gripping! Highly recommended!

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Animal Zombies!: And Other Bloodsucking Beasts, Creepy Creatures, and Real-Life Monsters by Chana Stiefel

Animal Zombies!: And Other Bloodsucking Beasts, Creepy Creatures, and Real-Life Monsters by Chana Stiefel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh boy, I read this book as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge and I both loved and was grossed out by all the animal zombies---never knew about any of this!!! The photographs were authentic and awful (haha) beautiful in their horror. I never knew about any of this zombie cycle and was transfixed by Chana Stiefel's perfect fact bubbles and asking the reader if the animal/insect was the hero/villain? Filled with tons of facts kids will be poring over this National Geographic treasure and sharing with family and friends!

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The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Dan Brown

The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Don Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Great Graphic Novel Award Winner and Nonfiction Award Winner as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. Brown's illustrations and accompanying words/stories of the Syrian Refugees was horror filled with immigrants suffering death, beatings, and racism as they flee because of the reign of terror of the Syrian President, Bashar Al-Assad. Neighboring countries extend aid but it becomes too much for many and they stop allowing the refugees to enter and extend them aid. A must read as this crisis continues to unfold.

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Symphony For the City of the Dead: Dmitri Shostakovich and the Seige of Leningrad by MT Anderson

Symphony for the City of the Dead: Dmitri Shostakovich and the Siege of Leningrad by M.T. Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this nonfiction book as part of The 2016 Hub Reading Challenge. MT Anderson did a thorough job researching this brutal time in history and like a novel, he wove a story of brutality and beauty. Dmitri Shostakovich was a brilliant composer who loved Leningrad but hated the way the Stalin regime choked the people of Leningrad. On top of that, WWII and Hitler invade Russia and considering Russians "subhuman" he set out to destroy them. But Hitler did not know how much of a force Dmitri and the people of Leningrad would prove to be. A rousing book that I could not put down (but wanted to because I was sickened by Stalin & Hitler) and highly recommend!

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Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War by Steve Sheinkin

Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War by Steve Sheinkin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Nonfiction Book Award Winner as part of the 2016 Hub Challenge. I have read and loved all Sheinkin's nonfiction books and Most Dangerous does not disappoint!!! Sheinkin's thrilling narrative and thorough research brought the Vietnam War and it's atrocities alive. The government's role was riveting and heinous. Daniel Ellsberg was a dedicated government employee who was passionate in everything he did and Sheinkin's portrayal was moving and convincing. I could not stop turning the pages and it is Sheinkin's engrossing narrative that sucked me in and kept me glued to the final page! I recommend Teachers and students of American history read this- as well as adults and teens. Highly recommended!!!

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