It's 1954 and Rosemary's school is being integrated. In the fall she won't be at her old elementary school with only black students, but will go to the 6th grade at a formerly all-white school. If that weren't difficult enough, she also has to cope with her best friend getting really sick and her parents fighting all the time. And when she starts school, she has to sit next to Grace Hamilton, who's from one of the msot racist families in town. With so much on her plate, it's sure to be a year with a lot of ups and downs for Rosemary.

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award

Reviewed by: Liz

Date read: 2/9/2010

ISBN: 043966098X

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Nine-year-old Bud and his five-year-old brother Temp dream of traveling through the Old West by horse. Their dreams come true when their dad, U.S. Marshall 'Catch-em-alive' Jack Abernathy gives them permission to go on a journey to the legendary Goodnight Ranch. It's 1909 so the West is still pretty wild and the boys have many adventures involving rattlesnakes, quicksand, and mirages. Based on a true story, this tale of the Abernathy brothers is quite exciting.

Reviewed by: mph

Date read: 06/02/2004

ISBN: 0064409538

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Adaline's father is Kit Carson and her mother is an Arapaho Indian. Adaline stays with her cousins in St. Louis while her father goes on explorations. Adaline's Arapaho culture/way of life clashes with that of her Caucasian cousins. Adaline eventually runs away and befriends a scraggly dog.

Reviewed by: NZ

Date read: 5/03/2001

ISBN: 043905947X

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Moose is headed to Alcatraz, even though he's only 12 years old. Moose, his parents and his autistic older sister, Natalie, will be living on the island along with other families who work at the prison. Although Moose's classmates at school in San Francisco glamorize his contact with notorious criminals such as Al Capone, Moose isn't very happy about living in such an unusual place. Moose's life becomes more complicated as he becomes more responsible for his sister and has run-ins with the warden's cute, but trouble-making, daughter.

Similar books: Al Capone Shines my Shoes

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award

Awards won: John Newbery Medal

Reviewed by: mph

Date read: 01/17/2005

ISBN: 0399238611

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Reader Comments
Alcatraz Island With Al Capone
Commenter: Lauryn S., age 12
This book was amazing and its a book that is a page turner and you cant stop reading it! Everyone has to read this book just because of how amazing it is. You felt bad for Moose at times because Moose's classmates though it was so cool to be on Alcatraz Island with bad people like Al Capone. Moose didn't think it was so good though.

Vera, a young girl from the Aleutian Islands, recounts the sad tale of her family's evacuation from their home to internment camps during World War II. The US government told the Native Americans that the evacuation was for their safety and protection during, but their lives became much more difficult as they were essentially stripped of their property and freedom for several years. Written in verse, this novel is based on true events in American history.

Reviewed by: mph

Date read: 01/15/2004

ISBN: 0689861893

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