Easy Target by Tim Shoemaker

Genre: Young Adult, Christian, Realistic Fiction

Source: I own a copy

There is nothing better in my opinion than a book with a great story line that also promotes Christianity.

Tim Shoemaker is a master at crafting such books.  The characters are always relatable.  As a teacher I have seen many homeschooled kids begin regular middle school. For many it is not much of a social jump as they attend church or other activities that have them fitting in socially. Then we have those who have been out of the loop socially and struggle with going to a regular school.

Hudson Sutton is one of the first types of kids. He was homeschooled, raised as a Christian and adjusted fairly well in the school. That is until the bullying starts. He tries to protect his new friends from the bullying going on.  He comes up with a wonderful plan only to realize that he himself has become a bully. Since he is so open about his faith he is like many teens who think they are doing the right thing, only to discover that what they are actually doing is not what God would have us do.  One thing that kept going through my mind was the scripture, “Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, I will repay.”  I guess a part of me remembers a time that I was so fed up with something that I thought I could help handle it. I then discovered that I had become a part of the same bad decisions. I justified my actions “because I prayed about it.”  There is a difference between praying and actually listening to what God is trying to tell us.  

All of the characters are well developed.  The setting was nicely done. The messages are clear. It is great that Hudson wanted to help his friends with the bullying issue. How far is too far? What happens when the bullied become the bullies?  A great question to end on and a recommendation to read this book. It is so worth is.

 

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.