ALIAS ANNA: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis by Susan Hood with Greg Dawson

 

There are all sorts of stories about Jews surviving the terror of Hitler. ALIAS ANNA is a true story of Zhanna and Frina, two talented musicians, who managed to survive by hiding in plain sight.

Born in Ukraine, the sisters were surrounded by music. Both played the piano, and at a young age were offered scholarships to a well-known music school. They played concerts and their names were known in Ukraine and beyond.

When the Germans invaded, terror replaced music in their lives. Along with their parents, they were shuffled from place to place knowing that they could be killed at any moment. Their father was able to bribe a guard who let Zhanna escape. She managed to survive and later found out her sister escaped as well.

The sisters were able to change their names with some fake paperwork. Anna and Frina found themselves using their musical talent to entertain other prisoners and even German soldiers as they tried to stay alive and make it to the end of the war.

The story of ALIAS ANNA is the result of a letter written by Zhanna's granddaughter. As part of a school project, the granddaughter asks Zhanna to tell her the story of surviving WWII. Author Susan Hood helps Zhanna's son, Greg Dawson, tell the amazing tale of the two piano playing sisters. Told in verse, their story of survival is not only filled with their music, but also close calls and bravery that are truly inspiring.

THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA by TJ Klune

 

This book has been the talk of many of my friends and online sites. Inspired by a close friend and word that it would be May's library book discussion topic, I decided to give it a go. Its unusual characters and intriguing combination of realism and fantasy made for a rare reading experience.

Linus Baker, a caseworker for the DICOMY (Department in Charge of Magical Youth), takes his job quite seriously. The work involves visiting orphanages to determine if those in charge of these special children are doing their best to care for them and provide them with safe environments. After his visits he writes up reports that are known for their honesty and directness.

Linus has just received a very special assignment. He will be reporting to an isolated island, home to one of the DICOMY's orphanages. He is given a vague description of the orphanage and brief bios of the children living there. These children represent some of the most interesting and perhaps most dangerous of all the children he has ever observed. His stay is to last one month, and he is expected to report back to the Extremely Upper Management each week.

Intent on maintaining his usual detached observation methods, Linus soon determines this assignment is decidedly different. It is quickly obvious that the people in the town on the mainland have a profound dislike, and maybe even fear, of the children. Many rumors of their magical abilities abound, including their belief that one of the children is in fact the Anti-Christ.

Readers are in for a treat as they meet a wacky cast of characters, plenty of humor, unabashed prejudice, and a possibility of romance. THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA by TJ Klune is truly a treat. The praise heaped upon it is well deserved, and I highly recommend it.

EVERYWHERE BLUE by Joanne Rossmassler Fritz

April is Poetry Month! I'll be celebrating by reading a number of novels in verse. Here's the first one.

EVERYWHERE BLUE is about twelve year old Maddie and her family. Their lives usually revolve around music. Her mother gives voice lessons, her father tunes pianos and composes music, her brother and sister celebrate music in their own ways. Top on Maddie's mind is trying to earn an oboe solo in the spring concert. Her playing is definitely improving and is her way of dealing with stress.

When her parents get a phone call about her brother who is attending college in Colorado, the entire family begins to crumble. Strum was seen walking away from campus one afternoon, and he's now officially missing. Maddie's mother is distraught. Her father is concerned, but he and Strum have been at odds in recent years. 

Strum is a climate change activist who believes the younger generation needs to step up to make change. His father is a climate change denier who thinks Strum is wasting his time. Strum preaches about the Artic ice caps melting and endangering polar bears, so Maddie is convinced that he is headed north. 

Maddie's parents fly off to Colorado in search of answers. While they are gone, older sister Aria is in charge, but she takes off with friends leaving Maddie home alone and frightened. Maddie tries to stay close to her brother by joining the Eco Club her friend Emma started at school. Maddie hopes the club and practicing her oboe will keep her emotions under control, but she worries about a few strange habits she's developed are a sign of something bad.

Written in verse, EVERYWHERE BLUE paints a vivid picture of a family trying to deal with possible mental health issues and contradictory philosophies. Can they figure out where Strum has gone? Will they find him safe? Will his disappearance tear the family apart or pull them together?

 

TANGLED UP IN LUCK by Merrill Wyatt

 

Thank you to the Northwest Ohio Teen Book Festival for introducing me to this author and her book. The setting of the book is Wauseon, Ohio, a town near where I used to live. What fun to read about familiar names and places!

When the seventh graders at Wauseon Middle School are assigned a project the final weeks of the school year, Sloane Osburn and Amelia Miller-Poe become unlikely partners. Neither girl wants to work together, but there is no avoiding it. They are tasked with researching and trying to unravel the mystery of some jewels stolen generations ago.

Their English teacher, one of the town librarians, and the curator of the local historical museum have organized the project. As Sloane and Amelia put their heads together, they learn the mystery may involve their very own families. At first the girls struggle to work together, but learning to cooperate and share responsibilities proves to be the recipe for a budding friendship. Will they find the answer to the missing jewels? Will they discover sinister intentions involving members of their community? 

Author Merrill Wyatt has crafted an entertaining mystery with plenty of twists and turns. Even if readers aren't familiar with the setting of Wauseon, I'm sure they will appreciate this clever middle grade mystery. I look forward to reading the sequel.