The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas by John Boyne

If you haven't read this book or seen this movie then I highly recommend you do.  I read the book several years ago.  It was written for students in the 9 to 16 age level.  It is a story about an eight year old boy named Bruno whose father was high up in the SS division of the German Army during WWII.  Bruno's father moved the family from Berlin to somewhere out in the countryside.  Bruno's father has taken over as Commandant of Auschwitz.  Being an adventurous 8 year old, Bruno discovers a boy living at what Bruno thinks is a farm and whose life and circumstances are very different from his own.  Their meeting results in a friendship that has devastating consequences .  As Bruno struggles to make sense of things going on around him, he is also faced with a truth about himself and his father.

The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas was made into a movie that follows the storyline well.  I recently watched the movie again, this time with my nine year old grandson, Blake.  Needless to say it made a profound impression on him.  It is a story he will never forget.  5 stars

  

The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank, by Ella Feldman

Very interesting perspective. This fictional novel takes the premise that Peter (a member of the other family living in hiding with Anne Frank's family) had somehow escaped the holocaust and made his way to America.  An engrossing book.  If only Peter (and all the rest) had lived. Just think what a different world this would have been. This book, even though it was fiction,  made me think of Peter and Anne for months.  4 stars

The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein

A lovely book to read. You'll love Enzo the dog and his outlook on life. We could all take life lessons from him. If you have a pet, it may make you look a little closer and wonder what they are really thinking about. A good book with a good message.

Same Kind of Different as Me, by Ron Hall

I am very familiar with the Union Gospel Mission featured in this book. They do an incredible job with the hungry and homeless people in Fort Worth, Texas. The think I liked most about this book was that the Halls didn't just talk about the issue of hunger and homelessness, they didn't just write a check and walk away, they actually stepped in and got involved with the mission and the people. By doing so, they established a beautiful relationship with Denver. This book had a very powerful message that we all should get.

The Harlot by Saskia Walker

I don't normally read Romance novels and Harlot reminded me why. Only with Harlot, my level of acceptence was pushed beyond limit. I enjoy romantic or erotic novels but I thought this one was smut. Too much drama and every kind of deviant sex imagineable. Thrown into the pot were gay/lesbian, S and M, rape, beastiality, self gratification, just to name a few. Take the sex out of the book and you have a poorly written book. Put the sex back into the book and you have a poorly written smutty book. Sorry, I just did not like this one.   If you are really into the Romance novel genre you might give it a try, but be prepared for the sex that is not really relative to the story.  It was a turnoff for me.

Oh Mexico! by Lucy Neville

This is a review of a book that is due for publication in August, 2011.  I read and reviewed the galley.

I really enjoyed this book. Oh Mexico! is a memoir by Lucy Neville of her experiences in Mexico City. Going from Australia to Mexico City was a culture shock for Lucy, to say the least. Lucy Neville weaves a wonderful image of Mexico that rings completely true. Her initial reaction to Mexico City is the exact same reaction I had the first time I went to Mexico City. As Lucy tries to assimilate herself into Mexican culture, I found myself visualizing her surroundings as well as her trials and tribulations. Her understanding of Mexican politics is spot on. Her characters are believable and joyful (especially Octavio!). I found Lucy's writing style to be witty, descriptive, and fun to read. Anyone who has ever experienced Mexico (or wanted to experience Mexico) will find this an enjoyable read.  3 stars

The Tigress of Forli, by Elizabeth Lev

The Tigress of Forli is a well researched historical account of Caterina Sforza, her extraordinary life and accomplishments. She was one of the most prominent women in Renaissance Italy. The story encompasses Caterina's life from childhood to her death. Caterina's life was a study of her perserverance, bravery, dedication, and focus. This story includes the history of her family and the part they played in politics in Italy in the late 1400s. Lev's portrayal of Caterina showed her to be a capable opponent in war, a caring mother, and protector of her children
.
I know this account of Caterina was well researched but it was difficult for me to get through it. While being an interesting story and character, it read more like a textbook. The facts were laid out well, but I never got a true feeling of the essence of Caterina Sforza. Having said that, I still enjoyed reading about a strong woman in Italian history.  3 stars.