Student Saturday: Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor

 

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Student Reviewer:  Sophia G.

Hotel Magnifique is a fantasy book with elements of mystery that will grab your interest from the beginning and keep you hooked until the end. This book will especially appeal to siblings when they read about Jani and Zosa’s dynamic sibling relationship. Many people will be able to relate to Jani, who is an overprotective, caring, older sister, and Zosa, a younger sister who is coming out of her shell. Together, they explore the magical Hotel Magnifique which has enchantments and secrets to rival Hogwarts. I enjoyed this book not only for the plot, but because I was able to relate to my relationship with my sister.

When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

 

Genre:  Middle Grade, Biography

Source:  I purchased a copy. The opinions expressed here are my own.

 

This is the second graphic novel I have read that has greatly touched me. Omar and his brother Hassan are victims of the civil war in their country of Somalia. Omar witnesses his father's death. He runs to tell his mother. She thrusts Hassan into his arms and tells him to run. He joins thousands of others running from soldiers. He and his brother end up in a refuge camp in Kenya. Fatuma is their legal guardian, since they have no adults.  This story tells of his life in the refugee camp. The struggles of raising a younger brother who can't speak and has medical issues. It tells of his dream of going to school and making a better life. It tells of the dreams of everyone in the camp, dreaming of leaving the camps one day.  This is not an easy book to read. One of my students told me I HAD to read it. Before I could check it in and take it home another kids said, "I want to read it." So, I did what every good teacher would do, who wants to make readers of their students, I checked it out to him. I purchased my own copy to read this weekend. I am glad I did. We who live here in the land of the free have no right to complain when we read books like this. Our lives are so easy compared to the many refugees in camps all over the world.  This is a definite must read.

Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel, Realistic Fiction
Source: I purchased a copy. The opinions expressed here are my own.


I am not a real big reader of graphic novels. However, as part of my classroom challenge with my students I had to read a graphic novel. I chose this one because I had read his former book, "Hey Kiddo". I enjoyed this book even more and can't wait for my students to read it.  This is the author's true story of a year in high school when he worked at a summer camp for students who had cancer.  The way he was able to inspire those he worked with was amazing. What was more amazing was the way these kids inspired and changed his life.  It is not an easy book to read due to the topic. I found myself moved to tears throughout the book. The author doesn't sugar coat things, not even his own tough life. He was raised by his grandparents. The reasons can be found by reading this book.  I highly recommend it