Far Far Away by Tom McNeil

Far Far Away begins thus:

“What follows is the strange and fateful tale of a boy (Jeremy Johnson Johnson), a girl (Ginger Boultinghouse), and a ghost.  The boy possessed uncommon qualities, the girl was winsome and daring, and the ancient ghost (the teller of this fairy tale) intentions were good.”

The ancient ghost lived once as a mortal man known as Jacob Grimm.  Yes, the very Grimm who along with his brother Wilhelm wrote Grimm’s Fairy Tales.  Jacob, it seems, after he died went to Zwischenraum- the space between death and the afterlife.

Jeremy Johnson Johnson can hear the voice of the ghost of Jacob Grimm.  For that reason, “Jeremy hears strange whisperings” are taunted about him.  In the town of Never Better, Jeremy Johnson Johnson is definitely an outcast.

“There is yet another player in this cast, the Finder Of Occasions, someone who moved freely about the village, someone who watched and waited, someone who watched and waited, someone with tendencies so tortured and malignant that I could scarcely bring myself to them….”

Jeremy’s mother has run away.  His father has shut himself in his bedroom--forgoing of any normal life.  Their bookstore and home are being foreclosed.

If Jeremy Johnson Johnson can possibly win in the TV game, Uncommon Knowledge, there might be a hope for him and his father.

If you like fantasy and fairytales, this will be an enjoyable read.

Shadow on the Mountain by Margi Preus

If you are interested in fiction about the Holocaust, this historical fiction novel set in Norway during World War II might interest you.  It surely interested me as I had no knowledge about the Nazi occupation of Norway in 1940.  At one point 400,000 Nazi soldiers occupied Norway!  In fact, the Norwegian people were very worried that even after the war was over in 1945, these forces would still control Norway.

The story revolves around a fourteen year old character named Espen.  He has friends and plays on a competitive soccer team.

When the Nazis invade on April 9, 1940, the Norwegian army is only able to hold them until June 9, when Norway capitulates.  Despite this, nearly all Norwegian citizens conspired against the Nazis and committed resistance against their enemy by spying, by meeting secretly, by hoarding food, and other acts.  Espen decides he will aid the effort by carrying secret messages which will help the allies locate where the Nazis are located.  The work is extremely dangerous yet Espen perseveres for the resistance effort. 

It is interesting to see which of Espen’s soccer buddies decide to actually join the enemy.  They are the very students who would bully others at school or on the team.

Norway’s bitter winters and mountainous terrain are a great setting for the adventures that Espen is involved in.

When you realize that the character of Espen (Erling Storrusten) is based on an actual boy from this period of tumult, you appreciate the book all the more.

Read Shadow on the Mountain to find out more about this period in history.

Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle

It’s not easy being the younger brother of a high achieving older brother who is great looking,  tall, athletic, and smart.

Nate Foster is thirteen while his brother Anthony is sixteen.  Nate doesn’t like sports, is barely five feet four inches tall, and prefers singing and acting to sports.  Nate is constantly under attack from bullies at school. 

Luckily for Nate his best friend Libby appreciates his theatrical abilities and makes life bearable in Jankburg, PA.

When Libby finds out there is going to be an open casting call for E.T. The Musical in New York City, together they hatch a bold plan for Nate to take a Greyhound bus into the Port Authority in NYC so he can get to the casting call while his parents are away celebrating their 17^th wedding anniversary.

One stumbling block is Nate’s small size and his young looks.  Not to worry!  Libby has figured out all the details that Nate will need to use to navigate this daring escape from Jankburg, PA to the Big Apple.

What adventures await Nate once he gets to New York City by himself? How do his plans change when his parents end up coming home early due to a serious sports injury for his older brother Anthony?

Read Better Nate than Ever to find out!

Note: Nate’s next adventure is Five, Six, Seven, Nate!

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Love….love….loved this book!  Why? The main character, Willow Chance, is so endearing, so innocent and so special.

Willow has such a unique perspective.  She is obviously very intelligent, yet she has many obsessive tendencies.  She also has trouble fully understanding social situations.

When her class is given a standardized test, Willow finishes before all others in a very short time.  Her score is perfect! Her teacher believes she has cheated.  Willow is referred to a counselor- Dell Duke. Dell is pretty dysfunctional himself. He does pick up on Willow’s genius, however.

When a life changing event occurs, Willow becomes completely changed.  She can’t speak. She stops counting by 7s.  She can’t function normally at all.

Read this book! Willow’s recovery is endearing!  Her effect on others who respond to her plight is well worth the read.

Saving Bone by Shelley Stoehr

I loved, loved, loved the special relationship of the two main characters in Saving Bone!

Izzy (short for Isobel) and Seven (really Steven, but his father left off the “t” on his official birth certificate) are true best friends.

When Seven shows Izzy that a dog in their neighborhood is being abused by its owner, they hatch a plan to rescue the dog they affectionately call Bone.

There are reasons that Seven is so intent on rescuing the defenseless dog Bone. His home life has left him powerless and fueled his anger to undo any injustice he sees.

Read this charming book about friendship.

Just how far will Izzy and Seven’s friendship be tested?