This is a new experience for Robeson,  nicknamed Crease, because his trousers always have a  crease in them. His term is only for three days, but those three days will be most memorable. Also three other students  are in PSS , and each will have a profound effect on Crease. Pacino, a boy from a rough neighborhood; Tariq also from a rough situation  and an eighth grade girl named Rosilyn.  During their time in PSS each student is assigned a mindless task like folding and/or stapling.  The room monitor Mr Patt involves himself doing  puzzles on his MacBook.

Not much chance for interaction one might think; however soon the three boys find themselves on a collision course headed for sure tragedy.  The relationships both bad and good develop quickly and run into trouble way beyond the confined time of PSS. The plot moves swiftly and will absorb even a reluctant reader curious to discover who will come out unscathed.

Very solid story of school relationships and family life particularly in the inner city. Lots of twists and turns to keep young readers attention on the story.

This story centers on 13 year old Samuel and takes place in the British Colony of Pennsylvania. Samuel and his parents live on the frontier. They are probably “well educated” by frontier standards meaning they can read and write. Samuel is off hunting bear when he notices smoke coming for the general area of where his family and other settlers live.  By the time he races home, he finds most of the cabins burned and many of the inhabitants slaughtered.  His family was not among the corpses. He buries the dead and then determined to rescue his parents, he begins tracking the survivors.

This story, however, is not simply historical fiction.  Each chapter is preceded by a non-fiction page telling about the Revolutionary War and its consequences for the people in the colonies. This information places the story events in a historical setting and thusly provides an aura of authenticity to the story.  As in other Paulsen books, the adventures Samuel undergoes, as he rescues his parents and a young girl whose family and home he had witnessed being destroyed by English sympathizer Indians,  are breathtaking and quite suspenseful.

The book will have great appeal for young male readers familiar with this author’s previous works. I highly recommend this also for any social science unit on the Revolutionary War. Fast read only 164 pages.

Dewey has been left in charge of the family business, The Bike Barn. Older sister Lil has been accepted as a student at an art class for the summer so Dewey and his brother Vince are very busy.  Seems everyone is using bikes now that gasoline is impossible to obtain. Add a mysterious old codger neighbor, a helper who shows up one day, two policemen and a set of impetuous twins and the plot is off and running, or should I say pedaling.

The parents call in everyday to check on the family.  The shop becomes very busy and soon Dewey discovers someone has been pilfering the shop. The sister’s summer class is cancelled so she decides to paint her summer mural project on the barn side, add  customers galore and one has the ingredients for a fun filled adventure.

Author Connor is a master plot manipulator who gets readers quickly involved. As the plot gets more and more involved the lifelike characters with their distinct personalities come alive on the pages. There is even a hint at a budding romance at The Bike Barn. I know I would love to meet this family again as the children grow and get involved with life.

For visitors to New York City who have spent any time in Central Park, this story will have special relevance. In  March 1855 an article in the New York Daily Times warned citizens the city would be taking over a large area to make a park.  Much of the area was swampy and rocky and occupied by the lowest dregs of the city.  Also included was a little settlement called BLACK VILLAGE.

In this settlement author Hansen has set her delightful story of  Maria Peters and her family. The Peters family run a small general store which serves in the capacity of a community center.  Everything happening in the community  revolves around this shop and the village school and church.  Maria is the oldest daughter in her family and seems to excel in all school subjects except sewing.  Her promotion to becoming a “Monitor” is dependent on her showing ability to make a shirt.

There are so many other activities which keep Maria involved in village life.  She befriends a new classmate Anna. Anna finally confesses her parents have bought their freedom but Anna is still owned by a former miserable mistress. Slave catchers have been sent  North to rescue her property. viz Anna.  Maria is sworn to secrecy. Sojourner Truth is in the neighborhood and so Maria decides to contact her to arrange for Anna’s freedom.

The story is alive with suspense and humor.  Family life of the period is depicted with careful attention to details. School life is also covered with fun attention to classroom life in the period. The story does provide some hope for the family after their property is sold.

I was especially taken with the page that started;  ”Charlie has autism.  But autism doesn’t have Charlie. If you ever get to meet my brother,  you’ll feel lucky to be his friend.”

The story is crammed full of the purest form of love–a brother and a sister. Charlie is there for her no matter what.  When she falls of her bike and cries, Charlie comes to her and says simply, “I love you.”  What more needs be said.

The art work is brilliant. Colorful, larger than life.  What a perfect way to depict these twins.

The nuns run the facility with iron gloves and offer little sympathy to the girls. To earn money for upkeep the nuns put the girls to work doing various jobs. At one point they crochet black berets to wear and sell; other times they are taken into the city of MIlan to sing at funerals and wakes. The two friends are constantly thinking of the parent(s) who have left them there.

They know Pina’s mother was sent a telegram but never responded. The girls get the address of the telegram and head into the city to approach Pina’s mother. Shortly thereafter Susanna’s US Navy father makes contact and arranges a visit at the Instituto.

Things seem to be looking up for the girls.  But in an attempt to emulate a saint suffering the stigmata and bring more suffering into her life, Susanna falls very ill. Her father’s reappearance after all these years aids greatly in her recovery. Pina however meets a different kind of reception.

By the end of a very quick moving story both girls are in  much improved positions with  more positive futures.

This author has written so many distinguished books for young readers independently and has co-authored a significant  number also.

A new book goes way beyond the familiar and takes youngsters back to grandparents’ farm.  THE TRUE GIFT: A CHRISTMAS STORY  by Patricia MacLachlan , illustrated by Brian Floca (Atheneum,  2009, $12.99) opens with Liam and Lily arriving at their grandparents for an annual holiday visit. Liam has brought his red sock with grey trim full of money to buy presents for everyone. Both children enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the small town where their grandparents live.

Since their last visit all the farm stock have been sold off. In the barnyard stands a lone white cow. The children are told the cow simply arrived one day and has been staying there at the farm. Both children are concerned the lone white cow must be lonely. There are no other animals on the farm at this time.

Things begin to happen when this notice appears on the bulletin board at the post office. WANTED: A cow friend for a lonely sad cow. It is Christmas and she needs a friend. Think how you’d feel. I’m buying, call Liam. (Gran and Grandpa’s phone number is at the bottom.)

Well, this is the season of wonders and strange happenings. A delightful honest simple story capturing the real meaning of this holiday especially as it relates to two youngsters imbued with holiday love. One to cherish after the buying rush.

Meli’s family are Albanian living in Serbia.  This alone causes conflict.  Meli’s family is forced to flee from their home to seek sanctuary elsewhere. They load the family farm truck with provisions but before they can leave the soldiers come and confiscate the truck  and its contents. Now the extended family, including an aged grandmother, set out to walk to the border. The survival of the family is amazing as they cobble together shelter and food along the way.

The family finally make their way to a Displaced Persons encampment in Macedonia, ultimately going to Barre  Vermont where they now reside.