I read a lot of books about World War II, but usually not about specific battles or weapons. So I was surprised to find that I was completely engaged by Spearhead: an American tank gunner, his enemy and a collision of lives in World War II by Adam Makos. This nonfiction book, which the author adapted for young adults, could appeal to a lot of readers: those interested in armaments and weapons, those interested in the lives of soldiers and those interested in the ethical and moral dilemmas of war. The author follows a group of American tank operators and infantry fighting in Europe in 1944-1945, bringing them to life with details of their hometowns and personalities. You follow them into battle, cramped in the bellies of their lumbering tanks or dodging enemy fire while they ride on top. You're with them as they risk their lives, lose fellow soldiers who have become like family, and struggle with taking enemy lives. While the author spends time explaining the different types of tanks and military maneuvers, and paints riveting scenes of combat, the focus remains on the people fighting the war. This focus highlights the human toll of war, which I found especially relevant and heartbreaking in light of the current war in Ukraine. Despite the high-powered ammo and heavily armored tanks, often the weapons used in WWII offered the soldiers little protection. The sheer waste of life that comes with war came through very powerfully. Several chapters follow a young German tank soldier, the view from his side of the front lines, and his meeting with the “enemy” decades later. I have to admit that I finished reading about their reunion with tears in my eyes. If you like to read about the military or World War II, check out this book. It's about 300 pages, and includes pictures from the battlefield and the post-war reunion.
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In a society that accepts witches but regulates the use of magic, teenage witch Iris is struggling to move on after her friend’s misuse of magic turns deadly. Iris was cleared of wrongdoing, but the tragedy tears her family apart, forcing her and her mom to start new lives across the country. It leads Iris to hide her magic, especially from Pike Alder, a coworker at her mom’s nature refuge who hates witches and drives her crazy. But in a fit of frustration, Iris casts a spell she never intended to use. The result could mean deadly consequences for Pike and the new life Iris has built. It forces them to team up on a mission into the mountains surrounding the refuge in search of an injured owl who holds the key to the miscast spell. Will Iris be able to fix things while still keeping her magical secret from Pike? Or will the worst happen, causing her to violate the laws of magic and lose everything she holds dear? Wild is the Witch, a 2022 release by Rachel Griffin, is a page-turner that combines magic, nature and romance. The idea of magic as an organic force that can be channeled rather than controlled is refreshingly different from many other fantasy stories. The adventure in nature and Iris’ connection to animals reminded me of classic books by Gary Paulsen (Hatchet) and Jean Craighead George (Julie of the Wolves, My Side of the Mountain). The relationship between Iris and Pike is typical of many young adult romance novels where enemies forced together end up friends, and sometimes more. In addition, there is a positive depiction of a lesbian relationship. |
AuthorMrs. McHugh is a librarian and instructional technology specialist. She loves talking books and pop culture with her students at Hanover High School. Archives
February 2024
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