Library Witch

Bibliographic- Ruby, Laura. Bone Gap. Blazer + Bray, 2015. ISBN 978-0-06-231760-5 Summary/ Critical Analysis- Bone Gap is a fascinating blend of contemporary fiction, woven with magical realism, with a dash of pure fantasy, and a mysterious kidnapping as its driving plot line. In short, this book has everything! 18 year old Finn lives in the small town of Bone Gap, Illinois and witnesses the kidnapping of his friend Roza (who is also a bit mysterious) but Finn cannot identify the man who took her. We get alternating viewpoints from Finn, Roza, and other citizens that unfold the mystery and background as the story progresses. There are moments when the characters and the reader question what is real, imagined, or a mix of both. The characters are well developed and have unique voices; each experience the magic of the town differently. Finn’s love interest, Petey, discovers that Finn has face blindness and that is why he does not look people in the eye (earning...

Bibliographic- Jameison, Victoria. Roller Girl. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2015. I SBN 978-0-525-42967-8. Summary/ Critical Analysis- Roller Girl is a bright, colorful graphic novel that explores Astrid’s journey through learning roller derby and navigating friendships. Astrid is a sassy 11 year old who doesn’t quite fit in with her classmates who are becoming interested in boys and make up and shopping. Her mom takes her to a roller derby bout in an “evening of cultural enlightenment”, which are normally so boring that Astrid falls asleep. This time, Astrid falls in LOVE with the sport and signs up for a summer camp to learn, despite the fact that her bestie won’t be joining her. As Astrid struggles to learn to skate, she also grapples with her changing relationships with her best friend, her mom, and her new roller derby friends. Over the course of the summer, Astrid learns how to be a good friend, becomes less self-centered, and comes into her own ...

Sepetys, Ruta. Between Shades of Gray. Philomel Books, 2011.     ISBN 978-0399254123 Plot summary/ critical analysis 1941, Lithuania: Lina and her family are taken by the Soviets in the middle of the night. They are separated from Lina’s father and taken to train cars that will eventually take them and other Lithuanians, Estonians, and Latvians to Soviet labor camps. Lina takes every opportunity to draw, finding both a release and purpose; she hopes that her drawing will make their way to her father so they can be found and rescued. Lina manages to form relationships with other prisoners, even falling in love at one point. Underneath all the trauma is a story of continuing to have hope and to fight even when it’s hard. Sepetys tackles the trauma and confusion in a straightforward way. It is depressing and necessary storytelling of a time in history that was covered up and ignored for decades. The descriptions are vivid and heartbreaking; you...

Cushman, Karen. Alchemy and Meggy Swann . Read by Katherine Kellgren. Listening Library, 2010. ASIN B003H2O8S8 Plot summary/ critical analysis/ audiobook elements Stubborn and clever, Meggy Swann is sent from the country to the city of London in 1573 to live and work with her alchemist father.She arrives in a bad temper that is matched by her distant father, and she struggles to find food, and kindness. As the story progresses, Meggy begins to change, to find her place amongst the filthy city in a time of progress and invention. She works to stop a murder plot by using her wits and new found printing press friend to create a ballad to warn the target of the scheme. By the end, Meggy has found friendship in a group of players, learned to work a printing press, and to speak up for herself and for others. She grows and changes in the way her father hoped his base metals would turn into gold. This work is accurate to the era, using language and grammar of the Eliza...

Schlitz, Laura Amy. The Hired Girl . Candlewick, 2015. ISBN 978-0763678180 Plot summary/ critical analysis Written as a diary that is based on the diary of the author’s grandmother, The Hired Girl tells the tale of a 14 year old named Joan. Her mother has passed, and her father makes her leave school to do the “women’s work” on their farm. She ends up running away to Baltimore where she is hired by a wealthy Jewish family in a time of new inventions and changing social norms. Joan’s diary tells of her many ups and downs in her experience working for her own money, and being mentored by Mr. Rosenbach. Her innocence of the world is on display throughout the book, but she strives to learn,to become a better writer, and to make her teacher back home proud. Adventures abound for the country girl, and we come to find out that Joan will have an excellent education and a shot at the future her mother wanted for her. The Hired Girl does a wonderful job showing the strug...