Crossing The Wire

by Will Hobbs

A fast-paced, action-packed, exciting read that is also a current event hot topic.

Victor and Rico are friends from Los Árboles, Mexico. Victor's father died in South Carolina during a construction job. His family (mother, 2 sisters, and little brother) counted on Victor to make enough money to support them. When Victor finds out the corn prices are going to so low that there will be no way for the family to survive the year. He does not want his mother to become a beggar at one of the tourist cities.

Rico's brother, from Tucson, has sent $1500 for Rico to pay "coyotes" to bring him to El Norte. Victor cannot come up with that kind of money, but decides he too must cross the wire into the United States. At first Victor and Rico separated to make their journey north...both illegally. Through mountains, cactus, wild animals, border patrol, and more obstacles, the 15-year-olds make it across the wire only to be sent back to Mexico.

They find each other again, and decide they must try again. Rico goes behind Victor's back and signs them up to cross over with drug-smugglers. Their friendship is a stake, but even more, their lives are at at risk.

This story puts a face, young faces, on the topic of illegal immigration in post 9-11-2001. As a teacher in a school with over 60% of the students from Latin American countries, I believe this should be a required book for all students so we can have an open conversation about the topic in our community.

Mr. Hobbs discusses how he got the ideas for the story.

The Misfits

by James Howe

Addie (the tall, self-assured, smart girl), Skeezie (the 1950's, leather-jacket throwback guy), Joe (the colored-hair, flamboyant boy), and Bobby (the motherless, tie salesman) form the Gang of Five (although there are only four of them). They meet at the Candy Kitchen to conduct their Forum discussions to talk about the important things of their lives in 7th grade.

They have been called names for years. They are the outcasts...misfits. They decide something should be done to help themselves and all the other students like them. They form a third-party, and run for the Student Council. Their party is called the No-Name Party. Bobby give the speech of the school as he touches the emotions of anyone who has ever been called a name. And who hasn't been called a name in middle school?

Howe puts together a timely story that is funny, serious, and gutsy in the topics he covers. He does it in such a way that it is fair and believable even though the setting is in tiny Paintbrush Falls, NY. This is a 2007-08 Georgia Book Award Nominee that middle school students will enjoy reading.

Will Addie learn to work within the rules of the system? Will Joe be able to be himself? Will Skeezie ever be considered more than a troublemaker? Will Bobby be able to come to grips with his mother's death and his weight issues? Will the Gang of Five become the Student Council leaders of Paintbrush Falls Middle School? The book is a quick-read, so be sure you find out the answers to these questions and more.

The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs

By Betty G. Birney

This book is a great "stop and smell the roses" kind of story.

If you have ever thought how great things must be somewhere else (anywhere else), then this story is for you. Eleven-year-old Eben McAllister has the desire to visit all the exciting places on earth, namely the Seven Wonders of the World. [There's a new list being formed this year.]

Eben's father makes a wager with his son. If Eben can find seven Wonders in Sassafras Springs, MO, a train ticket awaits Eben. Eben's destination would be the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to visit his aunt.

Eben sets out to find Wonders in his home town. Though they may not be the Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, or the Statue of Zeus, the Wonders around Sassafras Springs have stories that open Eben's eyes to the great things that have happened to the people at home.

Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery

by John Feinstein

Stevie Thomas, a Philadelphia 8th grader, and Susan Carol Anderson, a North Carolina 8th grader, both win a writing contest sponsored by the U.S. Basketball Writer's Association. The prize is a ticket and press pass to the Final Four in New Orleans. The students are both paired with a professional writer who will help them get used to the March Madness atmosphere.

As the two young writers are about to enter a press conference they overhear a conversation between the nation's best player (Chip Graber) from Minnesota State University and a man threatening him if "the plan" is not executed as they previously discussed. Chip's dad (the MSU coach) would lose his job, MSU would have to forfeit all their games, and Chip would miss out on millions from the NBA.

Stevie and Susan Carol have only 48 hours to uncover what is going on, who is involved, and help Chip do what is right. There are several twists in the story, one of which is that St. Joe's and Duke are two of the other teams in the Final Four. Stevie is a St. Joe's fan, and Susan Carol is a Duke fan. Their teams have to lose in order for Chip to do the right thing.

Good story and great fun for college basketball fans. Lots of names readers will know. Feinstein does a good job capturing the personalities of famous sports announcers and coaches. Interestingly, Feinstein, who also wrote a scathing "non-fiction" book about Bob Knight's program at Indiana called A Season on the Brink, did not mention Bob Knight as he dropped the names of dozens of other famous coaches. As I write this, it is one day after Knight became the coach with the most Division I basketball victories - 880 - to pass Dean Smith.

Playing With The Enemy

By Gary Moore

This was a very personal read for me. It is the story of a man named
Gene Moore from Sesser, Illinois. Gene was a baseball prodigy, and at the age of 15 was given a contract by the Brooklyn Dodgers. World War II came along, and Gene did what so many young men did in those days. He put his personal life on hold to serve his country. He joined the Navy.

So why is it personal to me? He was my mom's first boyfriend, they dated a few times. My dad and Gene joined the Navy together, and did basic training together in Chicago. Gene's brother, Ward (who is in the story) was my uncle (married my mom's sister, Jamima). Gene's sister, Beth was my aunt (married my mom's brother George).

I remember my dad talking about a guy from Sesser who was a great catcher. I grew up a St. Louis Cardinals fan. We watched and attended dozens of games as I grew up. I still remember vividly, sitting at Busch Stadium and watching Johnny Bench (Cincinnati Reds) throw out a Cardinal runner at second base without coming out of his crouch. That was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. Dad said, "I used to watch that all the time growing up. A boy from Sesser (dad's home town too) threw out runners like that. He was good." That was all he said. Of course, I just thought dad was trying to remember days gone by that never really happened. I was wrong. As the saying goes, The older I get, the smarter my dad becomes.

Every August, my uncle and aunt - Bill & Annabel (from Pittsburgh) came home for a visit. The Pirates played the Cardinals in August, and we would always go see at least one game of the series. I never understood why so many people in my family rooted for the Pirates...until now. It was the Pirates organization that gave the "home-town boy," Gene Moore a second chance at a major league career. Gene messed up his ankle during his time in the Navy. He had metal rods inserted to attach his ankle to his leg (read the book to find out how it happened). The Dodgers released him, but four years later, the Pirate came looking for Gene.

As I learned about some aspects of Gene Moore's life, I also was able to learn about the town my ancestors called home. I played on the ball field they called The Lumberyard. My dad died two and a half years ago. I wish he could have read Gary's book. We could pick up our baseball talks again.

I couldn't watch baseball until the World Series - the Cardinals won. I knew how much baseball meant to dad, and it was just too painful to watch. I still don't know that I will be able to watch next season. But it sure has been good to talk with mom about some of the material in Playing With The Enemy.

The book is being made into a movie. Gene Moore will be played by his grandson (the author's son) Toby Moore.

Speak To Me (and I will listen between the lines)

A Georgia Children's Book Award Nominee 2006-07.

Yes, this is a picture book, with short prose from elementary students about life in school. But much like Dr. Suess books, the message may not be for children as much as adults -- specifically school teachers.

Children will "get it" because they understand the feelings behind the statements made by other young students. The big question is whether adults can "read between the lines" and begin to understand that children are telling us how they want to be treated, and how adults can get the most from the next generation.

This is definitely a book for "those who have ears to hear."

Looking For Bobowicz

A Georgia Book Award Nominee 2006-07.

Nick and his family move to Hoboken, NJ. It is a terribly hot summer. Fortunately for Nick, he meets two new friends who enjoy reading Classic Comics in the coolness of the basement in their buildings.

The book takes numerous nonsensical twists and turns as the three young friends seek to unravel the mystery of the Phantom who takes valuable items and replaces them with junk. The local librarian, a homeless man, a strange professor, and a DJ from a pirate radio station all provide clues and help the kids solve the mystery. And what's with the 6-foot chicken on the cover?!

It is a goofy, fun, enjoyable read that reminds us of the importance of imagination.

The Giant Rat of Summatra

This is a Georgia Book Award Nominee for 2006-07.

Twelve-year-old American cabin boy, Shipwreck, finds himself saved by Captain Gallows, a Mexican pirate and his band of buccaneers. After sailing half-way around the world, they make port in San Diego during the beginning of the Mexican/American War (1846). What will happen to Shipwreck once Captain Gallows retires and the Mexican Army advances into San Diego? Will Captain Gallows protect Shipwreck? Will Captain Gallows survive a potential mutiny?

A fast-paced book that will be fun for boys. Girls will enjoy the love story between Gallows and his childhood sweetheart.

Video podcast here.