World War II

Lovely War

~ Megan

I stumbled upon this book in the library where I work. It was on the bottom shelf, but the pink cover caught my eye. I immediately checked it out to myself and put it on my desk… where it sat untouched for a few days. I realized there was no way that I would be able to read 464 pages, so I used an audible credit and bought the audio book. I am so glad I did! Jayne Entwhistle is a favorite narrator. She, along with the other narrators, knocked this book out of the park!

Hazel’s sole focus in life is to attend a music conservatory. James’ focus is to come back from WWI. Aubrey’s desire to to make a name for himself in the world of jazz. Colette has no where else to be. As these four unsuspecting mortals go through their day-to-day activities, they never suspect that the gods and goddesses have a hand in those very activities.

This story is told from the perspective of Aphrodite, Apollo, Ares, and Hades. Each recounting their part in the love stories that unfold. Aphrodite, sitting in a hotel room in 1942, recounts a particular love-story she holds so dear. That love story begins in 1918.

This novel is detailed and the story so beautifully woven that I have a hard time not giving too many details away. Suffice it to say I was eager to find a student to check this book out! If you love a wonderfully written, slightly sad love story, then this book is for you!

Awesomeness:

-Hazel and Colette’s friendship is one to be admired.

-The writing style is delightful. The story is mostly told by Aphrodite but the males gods will speak throughout the novel as well. I have a whole new outlook on Hades.

-The historical notes section of the book is very detailed. For the audiobook, it was about 25 minutes and was read by the author. The research Julie did was outstanding!

Cautions:

-This is WWI and the race relations in the US are rough. There is a lot of negative attitudes and behaviors towards to African-American service men.

-This is a book set during two world wars. As you can imagine, the suffering and death rate is great. But nothing is written to an extreme or with excess graphics.

The Seabirds Trilogy

~ Megan

Imagine: it’s early summer. 1939. Your mother is dying from tuberculosis. You are packed up and sent to Maine to live with an eccentric aunt while your parents sail off to Switzerland as a last ditch effort to heal your mom.

This is exactly where Agatha finds herself. What she imagines will be a drab summer of fretting over her parents and learning to paint birds, turns into a grand adventure that will set her course for the duration of World War II.

The Seabirds Trilogy follows Agatha (dubbed Piper by her aunt), her aunt Edie, Horatio, Peter, and her three German-Jewish cousins. Ultimately what starts out as a combination honeymoon and attempt to meet up with her parents (Book 1) leads to her three cousins in Palestine each fighting, in their own way, for a homeland (Book 2). And ultimately, culminates in Australia on the Western Front! (Book 3).

Glasner has created a trilogy that both entices and educates. Full of historic references, these books take you on an adventure from Europe to Palestine to Hawaii to Australia. The characters are rich and real and quite frankly, tougher than nails.

Be prepared to be transported back to, what is quite possibly, the darkest time in the world’s history. As you get lost in the story, you will escape from the Nazi’s, smuggle Jewish children out of Europe, go undercover, learn to fly planes, go on secret missions, and escape a Japanese POW camp.

Book 1: Voyage of the Sandpiper

Awesomeness:

*Historical accuracy! All of her historical references are noted so you can look into them deeper.

Cautions:

*This book is set in WWII and while Glasner does not get graphic at all, concentration camps are mentioned, characters die, anti-Semitic comments are made, and there is some undercover work necessary to save lives.

Book 2: Flight of the Seahawks (My favorite!)

Awesomeness:

*Strong female characters

*Lots of historical information regarding a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

*Uniquely written

Cautions:

*Mostly takes place in Egypt and Palestine during WWII.

*Characters get involved in the fighting.

*Relationships between Arabs and Jews

Book 3: Song of the Storm Petrel

Awesomeness:

*Continued historical references

*Characters come to know Jesus

*Families are reunited

Cautions:

*Japanese treatment of POWs

*The dropping of the Atomic bomb

Note: the author reached out for me to review her books. I received the books for free but was otherwise uncompensated. The above thoughts are my own.

Flygirl

~ Megan

Flygirl

Grade Level: 4th

 

Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith was a very delightful read. It not only discussed events of WWII, but it zeroed in on the sacrifices made by women.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. It was empowering to read about the role of women in WWII. This book opens a discussion on gender, race, and religious issues. The main character, Ida Mae, is a fair skinned African-American woman living in Louisiana. She was taught to fly a small crop duster by her father but was unable to get her pilot’s license because of her color. Upon hearing of the WASP recruitment, she decides to use her fair complexion to get into the program.

This book does show readers the challenges faced by African-Americans in the 1940s as well as the challenges all women faced. The male characters in the book make snide comments about the ability of women to fly planes. There is even some ribbing between the women in regards to one girl being Jewish. On page 76, one of the characters says: “‘Carnies and hicks and Jews, oh my!”’

Because of the racial slanders, general belittling of women, and religious slurs, I would highly encourage parents to read this book before their child to get a better sense of the content and then decide if their child is mature enough to handle it. One of the friends of Ida Mae is very flirty and boy crazy. The author does a good job of making her comments nothing too risque. For example, on page 26 Jolene says, “… but I’ll be alive and looking good when those boys come home again. Remind them of what they’ve been fighting for.” There are also a few times where the girls visit local bars.

This book does lend itself to a whole lot of research potential. Your child can look into the planes mentioned, the WASP program, roles of Russian women in their military, and the roles of minorities in the army.

 

Overall, I believe that Flygirl is a worth-while read and would pair nicely with any nonfiction reading or research your child is doing over WWII. I think it would make a great book for a discussion group.
*All opinions and thoughts in this blog belong to the blogger and are not affiliated with the author.

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