The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
by Rodman Philbrick

Trying to rescue his older brother from the Civil War, Homer P. Figg goes on a whopping adventure joining a traveling circus; riding in a train, a boat, and a hot-air balloon; making a number of friends; and narrowly escaping some very dangerous situations.  This is a funny book with an endearing protagonist who tells a dubious tale of courage and love with a realistic voice.  A must-read! 

Captured by Pirates

Title: Twisted Journeys--Captured by Pirates
Authors: Justine & Ron Fontes
Publication Date: September 2007
ISBN 13: 978-0822562023

This book combines the graphic novel format with the choose your own adventure story  in the context of an exciting historical period when Pirates prowled the seas following the Spanish defeat by the Royal Navy.  The options vary widely and lead to death or safety.  The writing is copious enough to satisfy even the most voracious reader.  Whether you choose sign the oath to become a pirate, or avert your eyes to the inequality of life on the seas, whatever you decide is sure to give you enjoyment.  But be forewarned, appearances aren't always what they appear. 

Nothing Black or White, only A Million Shades of Gray

Title: A Million Shades of Gray
Author: Cynthia Kadohata
Publication Date: January 2010
ISBN 13: 978-1416918837

A Million Shades of Gray is an excellent book!  Set in South Vietnam just after the Americans disengage from battle, this is the story of courage, strength, perseverance, faith, selflessness, and war.  Y'Tin, the youngest elephant handler in Vietnam, and his family are in danger because he belongs to a clan of people who corroborated with the Americans during the war.  Y'Tin soon learns that war never ends as his family seeks refuge by hiding in the jungle.  A poignant and very moving story of a young boy growing up at war.     

Boy, Girl Die in Gangland Killings

Title: Yummy: the Last Days of a Southside Shorty
Author: G. Neri
Illustrator: Randy DuBurke
ISBN 13: 978-1584302674

This realistically illustrated novel tells the true story of Robert Sandifer, AKA Yummy.  Yummy lived in the south side of Chicago, an urban area terrorized by gangs and drugs.  At a very young age, Yummy set out to prove himself as a "tough shorty."  He began committing crimes for a tough local gang.  It wasn't long before he was going in and out of jail just like his drug addicted mom.  His father was serving a lifetime sentence in prison, and everyone had reason to believe that soon, Yummy would be too.

Then a terrible and heart-breaking thing happened.  11-year-old Yummy killed an innocent 14-year-old girl in his neighborhood.  Police didn't find him for days.  When they finally did, they found him shot to death by the gang he served. 

In a graphic novel with haunting illustrations that are true to life, Neri succeeds in telling a very disturbing but necessary story.  Told through the eyes of a young male protagonist, this story poses questions that might easily facilitate important classroom discussions.  Appropriate to young teens, Yummy explores consequence in the context of circumstance and delineates the tragic and conflated influences that have led to these, and many other senseless deaths like them.  An ALA Notable Book and a Coretta Scott King Honor book.

Sun Ning Fai Lok! (Happy Chinese New Year!)

Title: The Star Maker
Author: Laurence Yep
Publication Date:  December 2010
ISBN 13: 978-0060253158

The year is 1953.  The place is San Francisco's Chinatown.  The story follows Artie and his Uncle Chester as they prepare for Chinese New Year with their large and colorful family.  Artie, like everyone he meets in Chinatown, loves his uncle.  That's why he can't understand why his relatives all call his Uncle Chester a baby, and a bum.  When Artie makes a promise he can't keep, it's Uncle Chester who teaches him about honor and respect by helping him to celebrate the best Chinese New Year of his life.