Review: My Brigadista Year by Katherine Patterson

Synopsis: When thirteen-year-old Lora tells her parents that she wants to join Premier Castro’s army of young literacy teachers, her mother screeches to high heaven, and her father roars like a lion. Nora has barely been outside of Havana — why would she throw away her life in a remote shack with no electricity, sleeping on a hammock in somebody’s kitchen? But Nora is stubborn: didn’t her parents teach her to share what she has with someone in need? Surprisingly, Nora’s abuela takes her side, even as she makes Nora promise to come home if things get too hard. But how will Nora know for sure when that time has come? Shining light on a little-known moment in history, Katherine Paterson traces a young teen’s coming-of-age journey from a sheltered life to a singular mission: teaching fellow Cubans of all ages to read and write, while helping with the work of their daily lives and sharing the dangers posed by counterrevolutionaries hiding in the hills nearby. Inspired by true accounts, the novel includes an author’s note and a timeline of Cuban history. (from the online description)

Review: One of the best books I’ve read this year! Lora, only 13, volunteers for Fidel Castro’s Literacy Program. After learning how to teach, she is sent with an army of other young people into the countryside, to teach the poor how to read. It is full of danger and challenge.

First, having the story told in First-Person gives us real insight into the character growth and courage of Lora. Second, the research of the history of Cuba is impeccable. Seeing America through the eyes of Cubs Under Castro was enlightening and made me think about our country in a different (but good) way. Americans can get a bit myopic when it comes to our place in the world and this book helps open the viewpoint in a good way.

I highly recommend for anyone, ages 8-9 and above. There is some talk of death and fear, and one character does die. While not graphic (or even on-screen) it has an effect on the characters. The realities of what these kids did and what Cuba was like at the time is not washed-over, but told in simply language. History is not always pretty but worth reading and Patterson has given us a book worth reading. 

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None (Yet)

ISBN: 978-0-7636-9508-8
Year Published: 2017
Date Finished: 8-29-18
Pages: 198

Review: The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt

Synopsis: Raccoon brothers Bingo and J’miah are the newest recruits of the Official Sugar Man Swamp Scouts. The opportunity to serve the Sugar Man—the massive creature who delights in delicious sugar cane and magnanimously rules over the swamp—is an honor, and also a big responsibility, since the rest of the swamp critters rely heavily on the intel of these hardworking Scouts. Twelve-year-old Chap Brayburn is not a member of any such organization. But he loves the swamp something fierce, and he’ll do anything to help protect it. And help is surely needed, because world-class alligator wrestler Jaeger Stitch wants to turn Sugar Man swamp into an Alligator World Wrestling Arena and Theme Park, and the troubles don’t end there. There is also a gang of wild feral hogs on the march, headed straight toward them all. The Scouts are ready. All they have to do is wake up the Sugar Man. Problem is, no one’s been able to wake that fellow up in a decade or four…

Review: It was with much trepidation that I picked up this novel. Kathi Appelt’s The Underneath made me ugly-cry and left me depressed and heart-sore (although it is an excellent book for that very reason) and I was not eager to engage in a book that would cause emotions again.

However, I was pleasantly surprised. Told with a folk-tale vibe, along with exclamations and onomatopoeia and funny little quips, this story follows two raccoons who have the illustrations job of being Scouts for the Sugar Man. The Sugar Man rules the swamp, a creature of lore and legend, who guards the swamp and enjoys the particular sugarcane that grows in the damp low soil.

When the swamp is threated by unscrupulous land developers, the scouts, along with unintended help by a local boy, search for the Sugar Man.

The adventure, the character growth, the well-drawn atmosphere of the swamp, the real trouble the characters find themselves facing, all create a story fun to read for children. This book would be particularly suited to reading aloud, for all the fun works and exclamations it includes.

Recommend for mid-late elementary children and older, and worth reading for adults as well. 

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: National Book Award Long Listed Novel

ISBN: 978-1-4424-2108-0
Year Published: 2013
Date Finished: 8-28-2018
Pages: 327

Review: Beanpole by Barbara Parks

Synopsis: Lillian Pinkerton is tired of being teased about her height by her classmates and tries to make the Pom Squad to improve her self-esteem

Review: An older book, dated, and intended for a middle school audience. But I was drawn to it as a tall girl, who, like Lillian, grew tall in middle school, to the point I felt I towered above all my friends, and defiantly over the boys! I connected strongly with all the feelings of self-consciousness that Lillian did.

The story is simple enough. Lillian decided that on she wants three wishes – and she works (a good lesson) towards those wishes. But they don’t come true – at least, not how she intended.

But the real magic of the story was her growth. In the beginning, she hides herself, embarrassed of her height, and that causes her to shy-away from being a leader. But as she works towards her wishes, she grows: in courage, in confidence, in understanding about herself. It is good to see. By the end of the book, she has learned, at least a little, to accept her height and that other people don’t see it as big of a deal as she does. She also sees that she has more to offer to the world then her looks and finds confidence from her work ethic and successes.

Even if it is a dated (being written in 1983, naturally) it is worth reading for young girls, particularly those struggling with being quite tall at an early age. 

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 0-380-69840-4
Year Published: 1983
Date Finished: 8-24-2018
Pages: 147

Review: The Warrior's Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold (Vorkosigan Saga, Book 3)

Synopsis: Discharged from the Barrayan Military Academy, Miles Vorkosigan chances on a jumpship with a rebellious pilot and arranges to take over the ship. Events escalate from there, and soon Miles is commander of a mercenary fleet and reinvents himself as Admiral Naismith of the Dendarii Mercenary Army. (from the online description)

Review: The third in the Vorkosigan Saga, one of the first written, this is the first told from Miles' point of view. After he is denied entrance to the Military Academy due to his health, Miles heads to his Mother's home world, aimlessly and depressed. There, one small gesture of assistance mushrooms beyond his control and he soon finds himself at the head of a (fictional) mercenary fleet in charge of breaking a blockade.

Miles is a hilarious and ingenious character. Hyper-active, audacious, daring, and naïve – he’s thrilling to watch as he just digs himself a deeper hole. At the same time, he isn’t without depth. Constantly reminded of his own physical disabilities and his fear of his Father’s disappointment, his heart is there as well as his mind.

Fast-action, sorrow, character development, and intrigue make this a fun space adventure with surprising depth. As the all Bujold’s work, I highly recommend, particularly if you like solid science fiction adventure novels.

Bookmark: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 0-671-72066-X

Year Published: 1986

Date Finished: 8-22-2018

Pages: 315