Resistance by Jennifer A. Nielsen

 

In Resistance, the reader meets Chaya Lindner, a Jewish teenager in Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II.  While most of her people are being forced into ghettos or removed to labor camps, she has chosen to use her blond, Polish looks and Polish accent to resist the Nazis.  She becomes a courier, someone who helps smuggle people out of the ghettos and smuggle food and information into the ghettos.  Soon, she is drawn into increasingly more dangerous work.  After her group is nearly destroyed, she is ordered to go with Esther to the Warsaw ghetto, where she will fight the Nazis directly.  As they travel, Chaya can't help but wonder if Esther is truly a member of the resistance, or someone who will get her killed.  If you are interested in World War II, this might be a good read for you.

Did you ever have a teacher who just got you?  Someone who seemed to like and understand you even if you weren't the greatest student?  Mine was named Mrs. Jerry Rae King, and the book Ms. Bixby's Last Day by John Anderson reminded me of her.  She was, as the three boys who share this story would say, one of "The Good Ones".  Topher, Steve, and Brand are three 6th grade misfits who have found each other and formed a friendship.  They also share their favorite teacher, Ms. Bixby.  When they discover that she is ill and will not finish the year with them, they are upset.  When she is too ill to make the party the class planned for her, they hatch a plan to bring the celebration to her.  Along the way, as they skip school and venture into unknown places and situations, their courage and friendship is tested, and we learn just how this teacher has touched their lives.  This is a wonderful novel, full of funny and tender moments, and I highly recommend it.