Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Under the Persimmon Tree by Suzanne Fisher Staples

Najmah's life in Afghanistan has never been easy but at least she had her family. But after 9/11, the Taliban invade her home and take her father and brother away to fight with them. Then the Americans attack and her mother and infant brother are killed in an air raid. Knowing she cannot stay, Najmah disguises herself as a boy and begins the long journey to Pakistan in the belief that she will be safe there. She also believes that her father and brother will head there when they can. At the same time, we meet Nusrat, an American who has moved to Pakistan with her doctor husband to help the refugees. Nusrat has not heard from her husband since he left to help in Afghanistan. The two women meet in a refugee camp where they wait for news of there loved ones.

Monday, January 9, 2006

Olivia Kidney and the Exit Academy by Ellen Potter

Have you ever moved to a new home? I bet you've never moved to a place like Olivia and her father have rented. There is a lagoon in the living room and all the furniture floats! And the building's owner runs something known as the Exit Academy. Somehow this all involves mysterious visitors at all hours of the night wanting to know how they will die.