PDF - Christian Library Journal

MIDDLE SCHOOL
FICTION
concentrates on the intriguing details of wartime
life in America. Sentences are short and
choppy, in true diary fashion, but Osborne’s text
manages to capture the mood and emotion of a
time when American citizens were more united
than ever before.
This diary is part of the Dear America series,
and true to the series mission, My Secret War
teaches history while at the same time
entertaining it’s young readers. Real events are
fictionalized to include the main character,
however, the genuineness of the historical
context is maintained and reveals much about a
time when family, faith in God, and loyalty to
country were cherished American values.
The book includes a fictional epilogue that is a
bit unrealistic, but which will satisfiy the
romantic inclinations of pre-teen age girls. Other
interesting inclusions are a historical note with
details about America’s entrance into WWII,
historical photographs, newspaper clippings,
and a recipe for war cake, all of which further
the educational value of My Secret War.
Virginia Schnabel, Freelance Writer, Shelton, Washington
Nzingha : warrior queen of Matamba, by
Patricia McKissack. (The royal diaries.)
LCCN 00024216. New York: Scholastic,
2000. ISBN 0439112109, HBB, $10.95.
F. Nzingha, Queen of Matamba, d. 1663--Fiction;
Angola--History--1482-1648--Fiction; Princesses--
Fiction; Blacks--Angola--Fiction; Mbundu (African
people)--Fiction; Slave trade--Fiction. 136 p. Middle
school.
Nzingha, Warrior Queen of Matamba, by
Patricia McKissack, is set in Angola in 1595 and
purports to be the diary of Princess Nzingha,
First Daughter of Kiluanji, Ngola of the
Mbundu. Through her entries, the reader gets a
clear and interesting picture of life in Angola at
a time when the Mbundu are fighting to keep the
Portuguese from overrunning their country and
their people. Nzingha and her siblings are right
in the middle of the action, and by the end of the
book, Nzingha has come of age, been
recognized by her father as the future leader of
her country—contrary to tradition—and has had
a suitor ask for her hand in marriage.
Along the way, McKissack weaves in many
details of life in Angola, including traditional
ceremonies, foods, clothing, and social
practices. She also includes some aspects of the
country’s religion that may raise a few questions
in the minds of readers, especially Nzingha’s
relationship with Father Giovanni, a captured
Portuguese Catholic priest who teaches her and
her siblings and provides guidance regarding her
possible conversion in later life. He also serves
as advisor to Kiluanji in his dealings with the
Portuguese.
In the epilogue, McKissack adds information
about the rest of Nzingha’s life, a family tree,
and some fascinating photos, drawings and
maps. There is also a glossary and a
pronunciation guide, which could be helpful for
read-aloud times. This is a story that will appeal
to young girls of any race, and will be a valuable
addition to any library’s middle school
collection.
Betty Winslow, Bowling Green Christian Academy, Bowling Green,
Ohio
One eye laughing, the other weeping : the
diary of Julie Weiss, by Barry Denenberg.
(Dear America.) LCCN 00021920. New
York: Scholastic, 2000. ISBN 0439095182,
HBB, $12.95.
F. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Austria--Fiction;
Jews--Austria--Fiction; Austria--History--1938-1945--
Fiction; Emigration and immigration--Fiction; Diaries-
-Fiction. 250 p. Middle school.
As may be deduced from its title, One Eye
Laughing, the Other Weeping is a story of strong
contrasts. The first half of the novel is set in
Austria, 1938, just as Hitler’s army is taking
over the Austrian people. Twelve-year-old Julie
Weiss is the daughter of a well-to-do Jewish
doctor. She struggles with the insanity which
seems to have gripped every thread of her life as
she sees friends turn against her family, and
persecutions of the Jewish community tear her
own family to shreds. She likens her world to
the tale of Alice in Wonderland with its topsy
turvy twists and turns where nothing is as it
seems. Finally, after the suicide of her mother,
Julie’s father manages to arrange to have her
leave the country and travel to New York where
she will live with her Aunt and Uncle.
The second half of the book is Julie’s diary of
her life in New York, seemingly a fairyland in
contrast to the war she has left behind in Austria.
She struggles with the guilt of not being with her
father, and with the strangeness of living as an
alien in a new land. But in time she becomes
caught up in the actress life of her aunt and
eventually becomes an actress herself, finding
there the outlet for the emotions she has pent up
due to her war-time experiences.
Barry Denenberg has portrayed this period in
history so vividly, and developed his characters
so well, that it is hard to believe they are
fictional. It is not an easy story to read, due to
the atrocities that are represented, but it is
certainly a gripping glimpse into the
repercussions of anti-Semitism, teaching lessons
which the reader can’t afford to ignore. A
closing chapter provides context, depicting life
in war-torn Vienna in word and picture. Also
included are photos of New York during the
same time period.
Judy Driscoll, Retired Teacher, Poulsbo, Washington
Our strange new land : Elizabeth’s diary,
by Patricia Hermes. (My America.)
LCCN 99056356. New York: Scholastic,
2000. ISBN 0439112087, HBB, $8.95.
F. Jamestown (Va.)--History--Fiction; Virginia--
History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775--Fiction;
Diaries--Fiction. 109 p. Middle school.
It is August 11, 1609, and young Lizzie Barker
arrives in Jamestown with her parents after a
long and arduous storm-plagued sail from
England. She is especially sorry that her twin
brother, Caleb, had to be left in England because
of ill health, and decides to write a diary of her
experiences for him on a drawing pad stolen
from him before leaving England. Her struggle
of conscience over the theft, while large in her
Puritan mind, becomes nothing compared to the
struggles her family must face as they try to
forge a new home in this wilderness. Together
they face the death of friends, failure of crops,
and the threat of attack by savages living in the
wilderness.
In time, Lizzie is befriended by young
Pocahontas on her frequent visits to the village,
and is invited by Captain John Smith to
accompany him as an assistant ambassador
when he visits Powhatan’s village.
Our Strange New Land ends on October 9,
1609 as Lizzie frantically writes her final entry
in order to send her journal back to England with
Captain Smith; he is to give it to her brother,
who she hopes will be strong enough to join the
family the following spring.
Author Patricia Hermes includes a short
historical account of the settlement at
Jamestown to further acquaint her young readers
with this historical period.
Judy Driscoll, Retired Teacher, Poulsbo, Washington
Portrait of lies, written by Dandi Daley
Mackall; created by Terry K. Brown.
(Todaysgirls.com; 2.) LCCN 00020021.
Nashville: Tommy Nelson, Thomas
Nelson, 2000. ISBN 0849975611, PAP,
$5.99.
F. Artists--Fiction; Friendship--Fiction; Christian life-
-Fiction. 140 p. Middle school (High school).
Jamie Chandler is one of six girls who’ve started
a private on-line chat group associated with a
Christian website, TodaysGirls.com. Jamie is
the artist of the group. When she finds a
summer art camp through an on-line search, her
best friend, Bren, encourages her to go. In order
to get enough money together for tuition, she
needs to submit a portrait to apply for the
scholarship offered. But she doesn’t feel any of
her previous work is good enough, and the
deadline is only a few weeks away. A friend
from cyberspace (“van_gogh”) encourages her
to believe in her God-given artistic gift.
But long hours working at the Gnosh Pit (the
local hangout), and perfectionism cause her
creativity to fade. Despite these odds she does
her best and makes the deadline just in time.
When Jamie learns she’s won the scholarship,
she’s thrilled—until she realizes it’s not for the
piece she submitted; a friend has submitted a
portrait drawn by Jamie’s father. Will Jamie tell
the truth, despite the consequences? Whatever
decision she makes will be based on faith, and
on learning who “van_gogh” really is.
Dandi Daley Mackall captures a teen’s hopes
and dreams through realistic dialogue and
action. The story moves quickly with plenty of
turmoil conveyed through Jamie’s inner
thoughts and her struggle to believe in herself,
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