Book Review #2- African Am

Black Angels: African American Author by Linda Beatrice Brown,2009,260pp.

$16.99 Novel/Civil War/BelongingISBN: 978-0-399-25030-9

Luke was going to turn twelve on his next birthday. No one knew for sure about his age. Luke does not want to be living as a slave anymore, so he decides to run from home and join with the Union Soldiers.

Luke lived with his Aunt Eugenia. She cared for Luke and works for a white Family. She cleaned, cooked, and did laundry for the family. His uncle-“Unc Steph” taught Luke how to chop wood and other chores. Upon leaving to become a Union Soldier, he thought Unc Steph would declare “That’s what I call a Right Grown Man!” This made Luke feel proud.

Daylily, a black nine year old girl was hiding in the woods while her sister and her two babies were killed by soldiers. Daylily is now forced to fend for herself.

Caswell, a white seven year old boy loses his mother to a fire in their plantation house, thought to be started by Yankees. His father, a racist, had left earlier to join the Confederate army. Now, Caswell is on his own.

The three children meet in the woods. They do not like each other upon meeting, but are forced to work together to survive. The fighting, killing, and loss they witness is graphic and violent. Shades of Gray by Carolyn Reeder (S & S,1989) and Black Angels by Rita Murphy (Delacorte, 2001) add to the impact of war on children.

The events in the story are sometimes confusing and the slave dialect is difficult to understand for the Freshman or Sophomore reader. It might be helpful to have students take turns reading to get the story started and continue with class discussions. “Brown,s first YA novel will grab readers with its searing survival story and, most of all, its questions about the meaning of family”. (Rochman, Hazel Copyright 2009 Booklist)

The three children experience a coming of age while making their way slowly to the North. They move in constant fear and sickness. Their hunger for food as well as family leads them to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. For the reader, this close location will come as a significant point of history.

This story of survival, slavery, race relations, and coming of age, gives the reader a sense of appreciation of freedom and civil rights.

Review #1 The Boxer and the Spy

Catherine Schaaf
cschaaf@st.philip-neri.org

Sports and Mystery: The Boxer and the Spy by Robert B. Parker

The Boxer and the Spy: A Mystery by Robert B. Parker Philomel, 2008, 210 pp.
$17.99Mystery/Detective/BoxingISBN: 978-0-399-24775-0

A body of a high school student is washed up on the beach of Cabot, a small town in New England. The student was a quiet boy, not interested in sports, but liked to draw and watch old movies.

When Terry, a student from the same school hears Jason died of a suicide linked to steroids; he can not accept the police report. He does not think the side-effects of steroids can lead to people killing themselves. He also, questions whether Jason even takes steroids, as he is not an athlete. Terry starts his own silent investigation.

Terry Novak is learning to be a boxer. He is a young neophyte, learning the “art of the dance” through George. George is thought to be an old boxing pro, a has-been of sorts.
He encourages Terry to “use your head” when fighting. George wants Terry to know his opponents strengths and weaknesses. Their relationship of mentoring, father and big brother, but always respect (a modern day “Rocky”) helps guide his patience and objectivity toward the investigation.

The mysterious death of Jason Green has William Dawes Regional High School talking.
Terry finds himself discussing his questions of Jason’s death with his friend Abby. She
helps keep track of their research and starts a spy network. Together, they start to confide their concerns with George.

The principal, Mr. Bullard finds out about their investigation and tells them to stop inquiring; this is not their business. When Terry continues to ask questions, a foot-
ball player is sent to quiet him. Terry may have to use his boxing skills to fight him
off. They have now placed themselves in “grave danger, and surviving is going to be
a fight”.

This novel is considered “a teen thriller” and mystery. It is appealing to YA high school students, male or female. The Boxer and the Spy reader does not have to be a boxing fan to enjoy this book. The substance of a small romance, friendship and mentoring lead to a surprise for the reader.