What's New Teen Space
The Earth is Singing. Vanessa Curtis
Three strong Jewish women, three generations from one remarkable family. This story is told from the viewpoint of teenager, Hanna Michelson, who lives with her mother and grandmother. They are independent and courageous women who are about to go through the biggest testing of their lives.
Latvia has been reclaimed by the Russians and a harsh communist regime imposed upon the Latvian people. Supposed enemies of the state have disappeared, Hanna's father being one of them. Then the Russian occupation comes to an abrupt end when the Nazi army invades. Initially there is hope for a brighter future under the German leadership, but these feelings of optimism are quickly dashed for the Jewish residents of Latvia as anti semitic policies are introduced. Life becomes almost unbearable and Hanna and her family now face an unimaginable fate.
This is a fictional story but it is based on actual events and while it is not an enjoyable book, it is an important read. It is a haunting, beautifully-written story that stays with you long after you read the last page.
No map, great trip. Paul Fleischman
Paul Fleischman was raised in a carefree and rather eccentric household. Living in a house with no electricity or plumbing meant he learnt to be creative with his time and reading books was an integral part of his life. 'I grew up knowing that you can learn anything from books, just as my father did'.
Fleischman has enjoyed many travelling adventures and gained a lot of his writing inspiration from his experiences. He offers the encouragement that anyone can write so long as they find the right motivation and enthusiasm.
This book might appear from the cover to be a manual on how to write a book, but it is actually more of an autobiographical account of the author's life. However it does provide a few gems for those wishing to pursue writing for a career or personal enjoyment. I recommend this book as an interesting and engaging read for young adults.
Crying laughing. Lance Rubin
Winnie Friedman is bright, shrewd and witty. A perfect candidate for the school improv troupe, but she is very reluctant to join after her disastrous comedic performance at her own bat mitzvah. However, with a little persuasion from friends and the enticement of a prospective romance with a fellow improv performer, she takes the plunge and joins the group. But how can she laugh when she discovers, on the very day she enlists in the troupe, that her father has a terminal illness. He has always been her inspiration and her confidante and now she has to face the fact that her time with him will be limited.
Winnie is a very relatable character and it is easy to become absorbed into her struggles and her victories. This story takes you on a journey of emotional highs and lows - it definitely lives up to its title 'Crying Laughing'. This wonderfully heartwarming read is available from the library as a Borrowbox audio book.