Destined to Live: A True Story of a Child in the Holocaust by Ruth Gruener

Destined to Live: A True Story of a Child in the  Holocaust

By Ruth Gruener

             The author Ruth Gruener does a wonderful job of recounting her time in Poland during World War II. Her given name is Aurelia Gamzer and she is a proud Jewish girl. Before the German's occupied Poland Aurelia who would be called Luncia. Her parents were hard workers in their candy shop. However, the occupation changed everything for the family. The moved out of their spacious beautiful home to the ghetto as they called it. She would live on very little and have to deal with living in hiding. She eventually will get to America but will realize what she went through was not as bad as her other friends who were Jewish too.

        I usually don't read books about the Holocaust or the Nazi invasion. It is history, but to read about so many people dying because they were not what Hitler saw fit as a human being makes me sad. I hate to read about children being hurt, tortured or killed. I decided to break down and read this book. To tell you the truth I am so glad I did. It was a true account of a young girls life. I was so interested to see what she went through and her thoughts. I am not sure how she did it, but she overcame all this to survive. Loved this book.

     As for students reading this........ I think this is a must for those who enjoy reading about WWII and the Holocaust. The story has a happy ending and everyone loves to have a happy ending. The language in the  book is very understandable. There are a few words that are either German or Polish to describe a few things, but the context clues help you understand what is being said. I would definitely recommend this book. It is a short read and quick too. I would love hear comments about this story from others. A must read for any teacher and student. 

Backlash by Sarah Darer Littman

Backlash

By Sarah Darer Littman

       

            Backlash  by Sarah Darer Littman has to be the best book I have read all summer. I have to say that says a lot considering I am only half way through summer reading for my classes. This is the book that I would definitely recommend to anyone. I would even suggest parents read this book. Love, love, love.

         The story centers around social media and how young people can be cruel to one another. The story is about a high school student name Lara who tries to kill herself after a Facebook posting of horrible awful things. The comments have depressed Lara that she feels the only way out is to overdose on pills. The comments come from a boy name Christian. As the story continues Lara's younger sister can't understand why their council woman mother and father don't see the drama that is always surrounding Lara. Sydney has her issue with being put to the side.

        Lara's former friend Bree is glad they are no longer friends. She just couldn't take the craziness of Lara and her whining. She takes a picture and posts it on social media about Lara. She is torn about things that are going on. Bree can't seem to understand how the two families were once close and no longer associated with one another. 

      This one incident will cause much backlash and feelings to be hurt. Lara will have to deal with the consequence. Syd will have to figure out how to be noticed in her family. Bree will have to live up to her mom's overbearing ways. Liam, Bree's brother, will have to figure out how he got caught in a situation that doesn't even include him. 

     The story Backlash by Sarah Darer Littman is a true to life story that we could read in the papers or see on television and movies. Today's young people are into social media and don't understand the consequences it brings when they post things online. Littman does a great job of writing a story that many young people could probably relate to. She shows the evil of social media and how it only takes one person to set a chain reaction.

    I would definitely recommend this story to all readers. As mentioned earlier I really think parents would get a wake up call in reading this about the evils of social media. I am planning on pushing this book to be read by my students. I would hope that the story would make them see how Facebook could effect others. Great book.

Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky

Gracefully Grayson

By: Ami Polonsky

            The story Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky is a great story. As an adult reader it is a great story as a young struggling reader depending on their interest will make this boring or great. The author did a great job of telling this story of young Grayson.

  

          The story is about a young boy named Grayson Sender in the 6th grade. He is in middle school and lives with his Uncle Evan and Aunt Sally. He has been sent to live with them due to the fact that his parents were killed in a car accident while he was at daycare. He has two cousins that are there at the apartment too. He doesn't seem to get along with Jack or I should say Jack doesn't get along with Grayson. Jack thinks he is a freak. Now younger Brett sees nothing but his cousin. 

          Grayson must try to figure out who he is. He daydreams about wearing outfits that appeal to girls. He has no idea why but hides who he really feels he is. He has really no friends at school and is befriend by Amelia for a short time. However, he seems to find something inside him to try out for a play being directed by his Humanities teacher Mr. Finn. He is unsure what part he wants to try out for until he auditions. He says Persephone. Now he must deal with the repercussion from schoolmates and his family.

        As the story continues on we learn some interesting facts about Grayson from letters him mother wrote to his grandmother Alice who is currently living in a nursey home. Grayson is very isolated and doesn't seem to socialize well with anyon. These letters are the key to finding out who he is.

      The story reminds me of the Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner story. Well not to the same extreme, but is current to what is going on in the news. I really enjoyed this story about Grayson. It would be a great little story for students who are trying to find themselves to read. I would definitely recommend it to my students and others.