Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff

Giff, Patricia Reilly. Lily’s Crossings. New York: Delacorte Press, 1997.

In this Newbery Medal/Honor book, Giff writes about the life of girl and her family who’s affected by World War II. As Lily is preparing for a summer of fun in her grandmother’s house, she soon learns that her best friend is moving so her father can work and her own widowed father is going overseas for the war. To make matters worse Lily has a slight problem of telling lies which will get her in trouble with her new Hungarian friend. As the summer progresses the two friends will learn to trust one another and use each other for support to survive this time of need. This story will tug at your heart as you learn their secrets and watch these two children grow through hard times.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Lowry, Lois. Number the Stars. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books, 1989.

Lois Lowry does an incredible job in her first historical fiction novel and it truly deserves the Newbery Medal/Honor. Annemarie Johansen, at the age of ten, already knows what life is like under Nazi occupation. However, her lessons in life will continue to grow as she learns that she must help her best friend and family to escape and have a chance of survival. Learning that everyone’s chance of life depends on the least that everyone knows, Annemarie must help her friends and remain silent throughout. Readers will be caught up in the suspense of whether or not they will all escape. This gripping story will give a small glimpse at life in Denmark and what citizens were willing to do for their friends during the Nazi invasion.

Days of Tears: A Novel in Dialogue by Julius Lester

Lester, Julius. Day of Tears: A Novel in Dialogue. New York: Hyperion Books, 2005.

Through dialogue, Julius Lester recreates what could possibly be going through the minds of people who went through one of the most emotional slave events in American history. In 1859, Savannah, Georgia will have one of the biggest slave auctions, and Lester will show readers what they are thinking during the time it takes place and their thoughts when each person becomes older. Seeing viewpoints from the auctioneer, the masters and their families, and adults and kids both included in the auction will give readers a vivid image in their head of what is was like for each of them. During the three days this auction takes place, rain will fall as it represents the tears that will shed from people who are truly affected by this auction. Hearing of split families, runaway slaves, and the lives of everyone around, you will walk away from this feeling like a part of this time period.

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Curtis, Christopher Paul. Bud, Not Buddy. New York: Delacorte Press, 1999.

Your heart will just melt for Bud, a ten year old boy who is placed in an orphanage after the death of his mother. Trying to find his father is now the goal, Bud will spend his time searching based off of simple clues his mother left behind. Making the journey from Flint, Michigan to Grand Rapids after running away from a terrible foster home, Bud will come across many people who will in their own way help him complete his search. Curtis does a fascinating job creating this story that will allow readers to laugh at Buds encounters as well as fall in love with him. This book is one that will have you rushing to turn the page to see what happens.