Atkinson, Rick. Battle of the Bulge.

Atkinson, Rick.  Battle of the Bulge.  Macmillan/ Henry Holt      2015  237p  $19.99  ISBN 978-1-62779-113-7  ms/hs  Nonfiction  E-BN 

The Battle of the Bulge is put into the context of World War II and the positions of both sides as the war was beginning to wind down.  There are maps, charts, timelines, and lists of key players and the countries involved in each side of the conflict.  Atkinson very carefully and skillfully explains the thought processes that both the Allies and Hitler had in this period of the conflict.  He also discusses the fact that Hitler’s own men disagreed with his assessment of the situation, but were powerless to alter his plans.  In general, this is an excellent and thorough discussion of the Battle of the Bulge and will also teach broader lessons about the war in its entirety.  Highly recommended.  

Summary: The Battle of the Bulge is put into the context of World War II and the positions of both sides as the war was beginning to wind down.  There are maps, charts, timelines, and lists of key players and the countries involved in each side of the conflict.

World War II                                                      --Carol Kennedy

Axelrod, Amy, & David Axelrod. The Bullet Catch: Murder by Misadventure.

Axelrod, Amy, & David Axelrod.  The Bullet Catch: Murder by Misadventure.  Holiday House  2015  245p  $17.95  ISBN 978-0-8234-2858-8   ms/hs  Historical fiction  VG-BON

Leo and three orphans leave their orphanage and strike out on their own.  Leo is a master pickpocket and secures money for the group, Murph is a master liar, and the other two boys provide the brains and brawn to stay just a step ahead of the police.  When Leo is betrayed by his friends, he goes in search of a job that fits his area of interest, which is magic and illusions.  He becomes an apprentice to the Great Barzini, who is about to strike it big.  Could this master magician be even more duplicitous than Leo bargained for?  This novel includes a lot of historical detail about New York City, the magicians of the era, the magic tricks of the era, and the ragtag existence of many young people with little education, compared to that of the wealthy adults around them.  This book is a fascinating read about illusions and the people who perform them, and it provides a rich understanding of New York City life in the early 1900s.  The mother/son writing team would do well to collaborate on other books, as this one is sure to spark a lot of interest.  The characters are very believable and their motives ring true. Some of the issues explored are that of truth versus deceit, the nature of friendship, and how people get by in a world in which they feel alone. 

Summary: Leo is betrayed by one of his fellow orphans in New York City in 1917. He manages to escape the police and find legitimate employment in the service of a magician who is about to strike it big.  Great historical details and a compelling story make this a book of note for grades 6-12.      

Magic-Fiction, New York City-History-Fiction                --Lois McNicol

Banks, Angelica. Finding Serendipity.

Banks, Angelica.  Finding Serendipity.  Macmillan/Henry Holt  2015  280p  $16.99  ISBN 978-1-62779-154-0  elem/ms  Fantasy  E-BN       

Tuesday McGillicuddy has kept a secret for years.  Her  mother is the famous author who writes under the name of Serendipity Smith.  When her mother seems to have disappeared, Tuesday wants to find her.  She finds the delicate silver thread words “The End” and realizes  how the writing works.  She begins typing her story and the thread of her words transports her into her story.  Thinking her mother must be lost in the Vivienne Small world that she writes about, Tuesday enters this world.  She joins Vivienne on adventures but learns that her story must find its own way to the end.
   

This is a beautiful, fantastical way to explain how an author enters the world of his or her characters.  In places the language is almost poetic.  The reader comes to care deeply about Tuesday and her attempt to find her way out and find her mother at the same time.

Precocious fourth graders and most fifth graders will be able to follow this story.  More mature readers who can lose themselves in a story will also be enchanted.   The writing process is defined as the author going into the story and living it. 

Summary: In this fantasy adventure, the reader may come to understand a little bit of the way an author’s mind works.  Grade 5-8.       

Fantasy-Fiction, Literature-Fiction                         --Joan Theal

Blumenthal, Karen. Tommy: The Gun That Changed America.

Blumenthal, Karen.  Tommy: The Gun That Changed America.    Macmillan/Roaring Brook Press  2015  232p  $19.99  ISBN 978-1-62672-084-8  ms/hs  Nonfiction  E-BN

The history of the Thompson submachine gun, which was conceived during World War I but did not see the light of day until the war ended, is detailed in this well-written, entertaining and informative book.  Blumenthal begins by discussing the Gatling gun, the antecedent of the Tommy, and, using a zippy, upbeat writing style, she continues to discuss the creation and manufacture of the Thompson, gun-running to the Irish Republican Army, prohibition and the history of the bootleggers, Al Capone and 1920s and 1930s gangsterism, the FBI, and the legacy of gun violence in America today.  Except for the prologue, the chapters follow a strict chronological order and each chapter is fascinating.  It is incredibly interesting to read American history as told from the point of view of a piece of technology, and it should make the history that much more interesting for the reluctant reader.  There are also plenty of black-and-white photographs illustrating every aspect of the history along the way, from the factories where the first Tommys were produced to stills of James Cagney playing Al Capone in the movies.  The author also provides numerous references, notes, acknowledgements, picture credits, and a good index.  Altogether a very satisfying read. 

Summary:  The history of the Thompson submachine gun, which was conceived during World War I but did not see the light of day until the day the war ended, is detailed in this well-written, entertaining and informative book.      

Guns, Firearms                                              --Carol Kennedy

Brown, Calef. Hypnotize a Tiger.

Brown, Calef.  Hypnotize a Tiger.  Macmillan/Henry Holt     2015  unp.  $17.99  ISBN 978-0-8050-9928-7  elem/ms  Poetry  VG-BN   

Welcome to the off-kilter and poetic world of Calef Brown.  This collection of whimsical poems highlights “The Critterverse”, “Poems of a Particular Vehicular Nature”, “Schoolishness”, “Facts Poetic”, and “Word Crashes”, and leads the young readers through madcap poems emhanced by funny illustrations.  The word play is always amusing and full of nonsense and unusual reflections.  This is a great book to be read aloud as well as silently.     

Summary:  Welcome to the off-kilter and poetic world of Calef Brown.  This is a great book to be read aloud as well as silently.        

Poetry                                                            --Susan Ogintz