The Paper Magician

By: Charlie N. Holmberg

Genre: YA Fiction/Fantasy

Pages: 224

Published: 2014

Told in: Third Person

Series: The Paper Magician Trilogy, #1

Compare to:

Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Laini Taylor

A Great and Terrible Beauty, Libba Bray

Rithmatist, Brandon Sanderson

In a nutshell:

Ceony is disappointed when she is assigned to apprentice as a paper magician, instead of metal. But, everything changes when her teacher’s heart is stolen by a dark magician. Ceony learns how powerful paper magic can be as she fights for her teacher’s life.

What you may enjoy:

The magic system is interesting and unique. Holmberg has created some fascinating magic all through the use of folded paper. The characters are engaging and fun, with depth and allure. This book is great in its uniqueness. You won’t find others out there like it.

What you may NOT enjoy:

Things get a little strange as Ceony ENTERS a heart. There are moments when your mind starts to wander as the plot becomes uninteresting. The book states the location as England in the early 1900s, but the details and dialogue don’t fit the scene.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Girl thrown back by an explosion; blood on girl; man held up in a choking grip; heart pulled from man’s chest; woman shot in the chest; woman screaming through giving birth; girl wades through a river of blood; severed animated hands reach to grab girl; hand chokes girl; dead, slaughtered bodies of men, women, and children lay rotting; woman cuts open her hand; woman throws blood at girl; man throws girl against a wall; man throws girl across a room; man pulls girl’s hair; girl cuts open arms and bleeds to death; girl slashes woman’s face; woman slaps girl.

Sex and Nudity:

Man grabs girl’s leg under her skirt; boy and girl kiss; man and woman kiss

Language and Profanity:

Damn (2 times); God (2 times)

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The Shack

By: William Paul Young

Genre: Fiction (Christian)

Pages: 252

Published: 2007

Told in: Third Person

Compare to:

Walking With God, John Eldredge

So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore, Jake Colsen

He Loves Me, Wayne Jacobsen

In a nutshell:

After evidence is found in a shack that Mack’s kidnapped daughter was murdered, he falls into a deep sorrow. Years later Mack receives an invitation from God to visit him at the shack. When Mack goes, he learns things about God and religion that he never expected.

What you may enjoy:

This is a pondering book, mostly filled with theological conversations between a man and God. If you want a book that makes you think and ponder on your religious beliefs, this may be a book for you. The relationships in the book are profound and tender.

What you may NOT enjoy:

The depiction of God as a women and how casually God is depicted is uncomfortable, bordering on blasphemy. Some of the religious theology is strange. The book feels a preachy and insincere.

Note: You will either love or hate this book. There is not much in between.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Girl jumps from a cliff; boy tied to a tree and beaten; man falls, gashing his head; boy nearly drowns; girl kidnapped; torn girl’s dress soaked in blood

Sex and Nudity:

Man kisses his father on the lips; Jesus kisses God on the lips

Language and Profanity:

Damn (3 times); hell; oh my God; bitch

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The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

By: Kate DiCamillo

Illustrations: Bagram Ibatoulline

Genre: Young Reader Fiction

Pages: 200

Published: 2006

Told in: Third Person

Compare to:

Charlotte’s Web, E.B. White

The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Beverly Cleary

Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Paterson

In a nutshell:

Edward is a porcelain rabbit who is vain and proud. When his owner loses him at sea he goes on a journey, meeting people who will teach him about love and hope.

What you may enjoy:

A beautiful story, both touching and heartbreaking. You grow attached to each character just as Edward does. The plot keeps you spellbound all the way to the end of the book. And the artwork is stunning!

What you may NOT enjoy:

The book uses some large vocabulary and deep concepts that may be difficult for younger children (depending on he child). It portrays characters as either good or bad, but not much of in between.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Boy dies (mentioned); drunken man hit boy; girl dies.

Sex and Nudity:

None

Language and Profanity:

None

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A Night Divided

By: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Genre: Juvenile Historical Fiction

Pages: 317

Published: 2015

Told in: First Person

Compare to:

I Pledge Allegiance, Chris Lynch

Stones in Water, Donna Jo Napoli

Number the Stars, Lois Lowry

In a nutshell:

When the Berlin wall goes up Gerta’s family is separated. Four years later she sees her father on the west side of the wall telling her to dig her way out. But will Gerta and her brother be able to dig to safety without being caught?

What you may enjoy:

This is a great look for kids at how the Berlin Wall affected people. The story is moving, especially the relationships in the family. It’s a pleasant read that will also expand your basic understanding of the Berlin Wall.

What you may NOT enjoy:

This book only touches on the history of the time, not fully expanding on the fear that was felt. Descriptions were often vague, making the story difficult to visualize. The end drags on a little more than necessary.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Woman jumps from a window and dies; boy shot in the back; boy tortured (mentioned); people killed for trying to escape; man hurt, bleeding from head; girl held forcibly; man lays dead; boy shot in the leg; man shot in the chest and killed (pool of blood mentioned).

Sex and Nudity:

None

Language and Profanity:

None

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