Reading Between the Lines

They Called Us Enemy by George Takei My rating: 5 of 5 stars George Takei's memoir in graphic novel format is absolutely a must read! A fellow teacher recommended I read this and I am so glad I did. I will add this memoir as an option for my 7th grade literature circle reads. It is amazing to me the way anyone of Japanese descent were forced into internment camps, which essentially was incarceration, even though they were American citizens. As a child, George and his family were moved from their home to a horse stall, small quarters, and then the camps lined with barbed wire. They were tagged like cattle on their way to the camps and treated unfairly. George grew up behind the barbed wire, watched his father and mother struggle for the family, and observed more that he ever should have as a child. As an adult, George took a stand for his people and the disgrace they suffered, he found his acting career, and a better life in the place that should ...

The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates by Jenny Pearson My rating: 5 of 5 stars I loved this book! Specifically, I enjoyed the relationship between Grams and Freddie and felt for him when she passed away. Mom passed away years ago, so dad and Grams was all that was left of family for Freddie. Freddie is trying to occupy his mind and begin searching online. He finds a fact about mothers that he did not know previously: "Babies' DNA has been found knitted into their mother's brain, bone, and heart tissue" (p.18). This fact only makes Freddie feel worse about losing mom and Grams, especially when he finds out who his real dad is... Freddie needs to find him! He knows his biological father is only his father through DNA, but he needs to know him. Freddie and his friends decide to sneak out on this awesome adventure to find his dad in Wales. The boys have a wonderful time and I loved the way Pearson wrote of the boys' hijinks ...

Game Change by Joseph Monninger My rating: 4 of 5 stars Imagine playing on a football team, practicing daily, but come game day sitting on the bench. Jeb's football days looked this way, until the star quarterback is injured and out for the rest of the season with only the state championship game left. Jeb is pulled up to starting quarterback and a college recruiter wants to check him out. Will Jeb fail under the pressure or advance his football career? A YA novel with football excitement. View all my reviews

Eventown by Corey Ann Haydu My rating: 5 of 5 stars Eventown is an incredible read. Corey Ann Haydu brings the reader into the lives of twins, Elodee and Naomi, who are entering 6th grade. The family seems to be struggling with something deep that leads to them moving. Throughout the reading, I found myself trying to figure out what happened to uproot the family, which is only revealed as questions begin to be answered. Elodee references the need to be the “before” Elodee as Naomi feels the same need. But why are they not the “before” of themselves? They pack up and move to Eventown, which does not have television or the internet. Mom is going to work at the tourism Welcome Center and the family rosebush is replanted at their new home. Dad talks about the importance of the family rosebush and how critical it is to care for the roots, but this confuses Elodee, why do they need to uproot themselves if roots are so important? Eventown is beautiful, but ...

Divan of Shah by Shah Asad Rizvi My rating: 4 of 5 stars I received a copy of Divan of Shah from the author in exchange for my honest review. Shah Asad Rizvi alternates the pages of his poetry book with a short quote and then the poem. Poetry is an area of writing that requires a strength as you are opening your heart’s thoughts to a world of strangers. Although I have never met the author, I finished the book feeling a connection to the lines upon the pages. Rizvi’s poetry explores themes of love, loss, hope, and spirituality. The first poem immediately pulled me in as the poem is simply titled Mother. As a mom and as an adult who may not see my mom daily, I connected to each line. I especially liked the line “There is not heaven like a mother’s presence” (p. 8). Just being in the room with my own mom, is a peaceful essence of safety, love, and acceptance. Throughout poems dance is connected to the movement of life. The poem Let Us Dance includes th...