Escape to Gold Mountain: A Graphic History of the Chinese in North America by David H.T. Wong. Arsenal Pulp Press, 2012, 233 pages.

Graphic history of the Chinese in North America. Not nonfiction exactly, as the history is told through the experience of one family-- but certainly a true story at its core--little is written of the shameful treatment of Chinese immigrants in the US and Canada. Wong's graphic reads like a history and feels very YA-- in every positive sense, but will no doubt appeal to adults too. I always say i love a graphic memoir-- but i love a well done graphic history too.  Read it.

Black Potatoes: the story of the Great Irish Famine, 1845-1850 by Susan Campbell Bartoletti. Houghton Miffin Company, Boston, 2001 180 pages.

Bartoletti is a well known and highly respected writer and researcher of History for  children. Social history of the Irish Potato Famine. Good scientific explanation and first person account of famine, as well as explaination of British political policies that caused the famine and caused mass exodus from Ireland.

The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler. RazorBill, 2011. 356 pages.

The story line-- that in 1996 Emma Stone installs AOL on her new computer and, inexpicably, finds her facebook page from 15 years in the future-- promises more than it delivers. The writing and the plot were mediocre at best. EEEh, its alright.

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. Vintage Contemporaries, 1991. 110 pages.

Originally published in 1984, The House on Mango Street, a YA coming of age classic, reads and feels as fresh as if it were written today. Cisneros reveals Esperanza's world through a series of short, vingettes that read like poetry-- sparse and powerful  with well chosen words. We experience life on Mango Street-- we see  and smell  and feel ---as if we lived there with Esperanza, and Marin and Nenny.  This book lives up to its well deserved reputation.

Friedrich by Hans Peter Richter. Puffin Books, 1987. 149 pages.

School room classic tale of the holocaust translated from the German and told from the point of view of Friedrich's best friend and neighbor, an Aryan youth, whose first name we never learn. A chronological listing of memories, vingnettes, of the life of Friedrich and his family from 1930 through 1942, told in a factual, reporter style. We see as things turn to bad and worse for the jewish family, but the narrator only reports what happens- leaving it to us to guess the meaning or to feel the emotion. A quick read, a classic and very well done. great for discussion and to recommend. A chronological listing of historical events at back. 12+

Ten Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abdel-Fattah, Scholastic, 2010. 297 pages.

Travel Team by Mike Lupica. Puffin Books, 2004. 274 pages.

12 year old Danny eats, drinks and sleeps basketball. And he is a great player-- despite his very, very small stature. Basketball defines him- in no small part- because it is the only way he and his dad relate to each other. His Dad, divorced from Danny's mom and living across the country, was a local basketball phenom who is still legendary in Danny's Connecticut town but who tragically lost it all his first year in the majors when he crashed his car in a drunk driving accident that ended his sports career and almost ended his life. When Danny is not chosen for the 6th grade travel team because of his small size- the team his legendary dad brought to its only state championship victory, Danny is devasted. But thanks to Aly, Danny's mom,
 (who is the rock in his life and throughout this story) Danny and his Dad reconnect and start their own travel team for all the kids who were unfairly denied a team spot by the parents (Dads) who run the league.  A story about redemption, new beginnings, over coming adversity, trying hard, good sportsmanship, fairness, life, bouncing back and telling truths. A good story for any kid-- advanced 5th graders and up. A great book for basketball fans. Well written. i enjoyed it, and it has the exact amount of truth and feel good to be a great choice for bookclubs too.