David Peterson is fascinated by rumors of rum-running during Prohibition on the beach near his town. He is intrigued by the Black Duck, the most notorious rum-running boat in the area. Then, he learns that Ruben Hart, who lived during that time, is still alive. At first, Ruben won't talk to David, but finally tells a fascinating story of Prohibition, rum-running, and the daring captain of the Black Duck. When they were children, Ruben and his friend Jeddy found a dead body washed up on the beach. Rival bootlegging gangs thought that Ruben and Jeddy removed something important from the dead man's pocket. Soon, Ruben, Jeddy, and Jeddy's sister, Marina, became involved with some very dangerous characters as they tried to keep themselves safe. A fascinating book based on the true story of the Black Duck.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/28/2009

ISBN-10: 0142409022

ISBN-13: 9780142409022

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Gustave is an eleven year old Jewish boy who lives with his family in Paris, France in 1940. He and his two best friends are inseparable as they attend school and are Boy Scouts together. That is, until news about the Germans persuades his family to leave Paris for a 'safe' place in the countryside until they can obtain visas to sail to America. German soldiers in uniform and planes bombing the highway are just a few of the unhappy events. However, Gustav finds a way to distract the German soldiers so that his father can help with the Resistance in France. It is a good first book about the Holocaust.

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award Nominee 2012

Awards won: Sydney Taylor Honor Award

Reviewed by: cjones

Date read: 4/23/2012

ISBN-13: 9780385738811

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Commenter: Ellen, grade 55

In pre-Civil War America, Colton Westcott's life is nothing but trouble. He's on a wagon train to California when his Pa accidentally shoots him and then rides away. His baby brother dies, and his mother is sick. Twelve-year-old Colton and his two younger sisters try to keep their wagon rolling when a wheel breaks. Because his mother is black and his father is white, the other people on the wagon train won't help them. They finally get to a town with a doctor where Colton sees a help-wanted sign for the Pony Express. Maybe he could ride for the Pony Express, earn some money, and deliver freedom papers to Ma's sister, a runaway slave, in Sacramento. Follow Colton on the ride of his life, with dangerous mountains, storms, and people who might recognize that he's half-black.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/28/2009

ISBN-10: 0689871384

ISBN-13: 9780689871382

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Juliana's parents have separated and her mom has decided to move to an artists' colony with Juliana and her younger siblings. Just as they are all beginning to settle into their new home, Juliana's mom's college girlfriend, Liza, is discovered dead. Juliana is determined to find out who killed Liza before the killer strikes again. This determination causes her to be suspicious of everything and everyone. As Juliana becomes deeper and deeper into the murder mystery, buried memories from her childhood begin to surface. This book keeps you guessing who the murderer is till the very end.

Reviewed by: jb

Date read: 10/10/2011

ISBN-10: 0152054790

ISBN-13: 9780152054793

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Billy is excited about his birthday until a blizzard prevents his cousins from visiting. Even worse, the blizzard isn't bad enough to cancel school, so Billy and Mae, his sister, have to trudge through the snow to their one-room schoolhouse. As the blizzard threatens to trap the children and teacher at school, they decide to stay at the closest home for the night: Billy's house. Through an unexpected turn of events, Billy has visitors for his birthday after all!

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 6/1/2009

ISBN-10: 0823416569

ISBN-13: 9780823416561

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