Moose Flanagan?????

I just finished reading Al Capone Shine My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko.  Evidentally, this is a sequel book.  I am very excited to get to read the first book, Al Capone Does My Shirts.  I have always been interested in history and Alcatraz.  I got to visit Alcatraz in 2007.  It is quite a tour.  Go, if you ever get a chance.  This book is great.  It has comedy, suspense, and is good for grades 6th and up.  It does have a few "potty" words in it.  The main character is Moose Flanagan, a twelve-year-old boy who lives on Alcatraz because his father is guard.  He always tries to make everyone happy and tell them what they want.  His sister is 16 years old and has an autistic disorder.  Moose asks Al Capone for his help in getting her into a special school.  Moose finds a note in his laundry stating DONE! in Al Capone's handwriting.  After this, Capone looks to square things up and needs Moose's help.  It is a very entertaining book and would encourage you to read it.     

War Games

I just finished my book talk on War Games by Audrey & Akila Couloumbis.  It is a good book.  It would be a good book for insight into World War II in other countries.  It is a fiction book but it is based on a true story.  It recounts what Akila Couloumbis' family went through during World War II.  He was born in the U.S. but his family is Greek.  His family moved back from the U.S. to Greece during the Great Depression and was caught there when Germany declared war on Europe.  In the book, the family is faced with the fact that the German army is invading Greece and this particular family has U.S. ties.  They have to hide their identity from the Germans.  A German colonel moves into their house to live there while the army occupies their town.  The main character of the book is a twelve-year-old boy who is faced with decisions that could affect his family and possibly his country.  The book has some intense moments and would be a good read for 6th to 8th graders.  Once I got into the book, it was hard to put down.