Daniel Half Human, by David Chotjewitz

It is getting close to Passover, and Holocaust Remembrance Day is May 1 this year.  I read Daniel Half Human this past week; it takes place right before and during the rise of Hitler's regime, culminating at Kristallnacht.  It has been a long time since I read a story with this subject matter, but I am glad I finally picked it up.  It is actually translated from the German, and is based on truth (the characters are fictitious).  Daniel is the only child of a well-to-do couple, and has grown up speaking German, going to German schools, and making German friends.  His best friend, Armin, is an Aryan, and at 13 both boys are supportive of Hitler and look forward to joining the Hitler Youth.  Daniel and Armin swear to be blood brothers and cut their wrists to make it official.  However, soon after the declaration of bonded friendship, Daniel finds out he is half-Jewish from his mother's side (though, technically, if it is from his mother's side, he is all Jewish).  Furious, he keeps it a secret from everyone at school, including Armin.  He hates that his ancestry will prevent him from having a normal German life.  As time goes on, it becomes harder and harder to conceal his Jewish heritage, and Daniel must make a decision about his identity and what he will do to survive under Nazi rule.  Readers get a mental picture of what it was like in Germany at the time: how the teachers taught their students about the supposed genetic inferiority of all races except the Aryan race, the behaviour of people in response to each new law set forth by Hitler's regime, and the inner struggle of individuals caught between obeying the law and doing the right thing.  It is an excellent read; the book was published for a teen audience, but I think everyone should read it when the chance arrives.  I think it's important to read historical fiction in general, and some periods of history are better understood when read about in the context of a story using characters with whom you feel close.  I learned more about the Holocaust from reading memoirs and novels than from all of my history textbooks combined.  To this day, I have not yet encountered a history textbook that does the Holocaust justice.  I have always felt that the authors never managed to adequately communicate its horror and abomination.  I understand that it can be hard for some people to know that such sins were committed by a seemingly enlightened nation, while thousands among millions of people stood by and watched without raising an outcry.  But I think that it's important to realize that there is a potential for evil in all of us, and that there are many kinds of cruelty exhibited by human beings.  Enough said; I recommend Daniel Half Human: it is thought provoking and is very significant for this time of year. 

Outside Beauty, by Cynthia Kadohata

This is a different book.  I cannot recall reading another book with a similar cast of characters.  I really liked it, but it is not for everyone.  The story is about four sisters who each have different fathers, but are best friends and cannot imagine being without each other.  When circumstances force them to spend some time with their respective dads, they have to cope with being separated from each other, but immediately start finding a way to get back together.  The family structure may not go over too well with some parents.  However, I do not think that the story itself has an agenda.  The mother is not necessarily irresponsible: though she may have problems committing to one man, she is 100% committed to raising her daughters to be strong, capable women.  She does have her flaws, such as being overly concerned with physical beauty and looking young.  She depends on her boyfriends to pay for certain things, and if she can't, she uses her feminine charms to get other men to provide those things (car repairs, jewelry, etc.).  However, this is where the main character, who is also the narrator, comes in and brings us some perspective.  Shelby is the second oldest daughter, and, while she loves her mother immensely, she also acknowledges that her mother's ideas about life and love leave a little to be desired.  Mom is always giving her girls tips on how to be beautiful and young-looking, how to behave properly, how to be charming and seductive, etc.  But Shelby (who wears glasses and describes herself as a rather awkward-looking pre-teen) knows there is more to life than a string of guys who may or may not be the pleasant type.  I would recommend this to anyone over 13, really, or maybe a mature 12, but especially to those who have grown up in different family structures and feel like an outsider sometimes, whether it's within their immediate or extended family, at school, or with friends.  Shelby is another strong female character: she is supportive, smart and observant, and eventually embraces who she is and where she comes from.  I could almost label Outside Beauty as a growing-up book for girls. 

Diana Wynne Jones

I was sad to hear that Diana Wynne Jones passed away at the end of March.  In fact, a few of my favorite authors have passed away quite recently, including Brian Jacques, author of the Redwall series.  Diana Wynne Jones wrote numerous fantasy stories that were whimsical, humourous, and sometimes downright strange.  She knew how to tell a story, and I think she is one of the best writers of children's fantasy literature.  I have not read all of her books, but I will mention a few of my favorites: Howl's Moving Castle, Castle in the Air, Dogsbody,  and The Chronicles of Chrestomanci.  All of these are great choices for those 10 and up.  I believe Dogsbody is out of print, though I am sure one can find it used.  Jones was around long before JK Rowling, but I only discovered her after I read a few of the Harry Potter books.  Her stories were a wonderful discovery for me, and the Harry Potter fan should check Jones' books out-literally.  Go to the library!  Or, take a trip to your local bookstore.  We will remember Diana Wynne Jones as one of the best. 

Peeled, by Joan Bauer

Okay, I know it seems as if I have read nothing but books by Joan Bauer.  Well, it is true that the last three books I read were all by her, and I also had to return them all to the library at the same time.  But I promise you diverse reads in the future!  Anyway, Peeled should especially appeal to those who aspire to be a journalist, but anyone who reads it should enjoy it. I would even recommend it to the later middle school grades (7th & 8th); in most bookstores and libraries the book is kept in the teen section.  Let me tell you: if you want to be a journalist, be like Hildy Biddle.  Only write about events if you know for a fact that they are true.  Hildy lives in a small town where much of the local economy is based on family-owned orchards.  There are farmers' markets every weekend, and on the surface it would seem to be a pleasant little town in upstate New York.  Then strange things begin happening in the neighborhood, and Hildy, along with her team at the high school paper, work to uncover the truth while competing with the bigger town newspaper.  News (fictional or otherwise) travels fast, and as the story unfolds, Hildy learns what it really means to be a reporter and stays true to her passion.  Bauer has yet again created a strong and likable female protagonist, and I absolutely enjoyed reading this book.

Words of Wisdom

Here is something my grandfather once told me, and he often repeats it to me; he quotes Sir Francis Bacon: 

"Some books are meant to be tasted, others to be swallowed,

and some few to be chewed and digested;  That is, some books

are to be read only in parts; Others to be read, but not curiously;

And some few to be read wholly, and with dilligence and attention."

The actual quote words are from http://saxonwithaxe.xanga.com/574627774/item/.

I am finding more and more that this is true.  There was a period of time from my 6th grade year to about a year ago where I felt a compulsion to finish every book I ever started, no matter how bad it was.  I am still trying to break this habit, and I have succeeded in discontinuing a few quite awful books (one after only reading three or five pages!).  That being said, I did discontinue one book during my period of obsessive readings of entire texts.  This was Master and Commander, by Patrick O'Brian, and I stopped about 70 pages in because I was having a thoroughly difficult time understanding the jargon and naval terminology.  I must have been 15 or so, and was not eager to do background research on ships of the time.  I had wanted to read it because of the movie that came out.  Now I am at the age where  (given the time) I would willingly find a book of British and Napoleonic ships and warfare and attempt to read O'Brian again...Well, I am rambling, and I would like to close with something else that my grandfather has assured me of: that I will never, as long as I live, read every book I would like to read.  While I know that Grandpa is completely correct in his assertion, I still have a notion that I might just get close to fulfilling my literary dreams. 

How I Read

As can be inferred from the left-hand "About Me" panel, I am a full-time student.  Many people ask me how I have the time to read.  Here is the answer: I make the time.  Yes, I may go to sleep a little later, move constantly in a groggy state of mind and body, but I still find the energy to get everything done that I need to do.  Public transportation is my chosen travel mode, and it's a mixed blessing: I get to read or sleep, but it takes longer so I wake earlier and retire late.  Reading books of my own choosing keep me from going nutty from reading long textbook chapters and bright webpages for classes.  I wouldn't even consider my reading habits to be an "escape" method: it is something I do and it is part of who I am.  I may occasionally read something to "escape" from the stresses of daily life (I apologize for the cliche), but my primary objective is to learn something, whatever it might be.

Best Foot Forward, by Joan Bauer

If you loved Rules of the Road, read the sequel to find out what happens next!  Jenna grows even more into herself and comes to terms with some difficult personal issues.  She also develops her role at the shoe store and takes on more responsibility, encouraged by her boss and her coworkers.  I think Bauer does an excellent job at showing good business versus bad business, and the story is consistent from where it leaves off in Rules of the Road.  Again, I think this is a great book for girls (and boys!); it's a feel-good, fun read that also prods serious thinking about situations that many teenagers face, whether they work retail or not.