Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword

Title: Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword
Author: Barry Deutsch
ISBN: 9781419706196
Published: 2010
Characters: Mirka, Fruma, Zindel
Genre: fiction, graphic novel
Reading Level: 2nd grade
Interest Level: 3rd-7th grade
Plot Summary: Mirka is an 11 year old Orthodox Jewish girl who is being raised by her stepmother Fruma. But Mirka has a hard time staying out of trouble and bringing shame to her family, especially her sisters. Mirka dreams of being a dragon slayer, which is not what orthodox Jewish girls do. Hereville is a town of mostly other Orthodox Jewish families but one day when Mirka is out in the woods she comes across a mysterious house that she has never seen. Mirka is convinced that the women who lives there is a witch and when she eats a grape growing on the the fence she is chased down by a crazy creature. The creature it turns out is a talking pig that belongs to the women. Mirka later rescues the pig and earns a favor from the witch, who tell Mirka where to find a troll to earn herself a sword. But to get the sword Mirka must not only defeat the troll but disobey her family.
Review: Hereville is wonderful and very unique adventure. First, I really enjoy how Deutsch includes yiddish words throughout the story, thankfully he also includes what they mean. He really gives some great insight into the Orthodox Jewish culture and customs that those outside of the religion would not know or understand. Mirka is an unusual heroin but her devotion to being a dragon slayer leads her on an amazing and sometimes funny quest. The struggle between what she wants and what is expected for her is very relatable for tweens. I think it's funny that her knitting plays an important role in her earning her sword. I think it shows that the things from her culture and her family are important and that despite being an Orthodox Jewish girl she can still follow her dreams.
Reader's Annotation: Mirka is not your typical Orthodox Jewish girl, for starters she wants to be a dragon slayer. But first she must defeat a troll to earn her sword.
Main Themes: family, religion, quests
Read Alikes: Curses! Foiled Again by Jane Yolen
Why for Tweens? At 11 years old Mirka not only battles a giant pig but she defeats a giant troll to earn a sword for dragon slaying. The story is unique and fun and a wonderful adventure.

Are You there God? It's Me, Margaret.

Title: Are You there God? It's me, Margaret.
Author: Judy Blume
Reading Level: 4th grade
Interest Level: 4-7th grade
Plot Summary: Margaret is a 12 year old that recently moved from New York City to the suburbs and wants to fit in at her new school. Her neighbor and classmate soon invites her to join a secret club of girls but Margaret soon finds out that the secret club is the girls talking about getting bras, if they've gotten their period and boys. They do things like write down their secret boy crush and do exercises to increase their bust. Margaret's issues don't end there, she also has the question of religion looming over her head. Her parents are not religious but her Jewish grandmother is pressuring her to chose Judiasm over Christianity. Having a Jewish and Christian parent has Margaret torn over what religion is the right choice and she starts to explore both options. Margaret confides to God about her problems and questions in an attempt to work out what is the right answer. Growing up isn't easy but talking to God seems to help Margaret.
Review: Judy Blume's classic is a must read for all tween girls. The book doesn't have much appeal to tween boys but tween girls can relate to the ups and downs of Margaret as she tries to navigate new friendships and religion. I think that Blume does a great job at touching on religion without venturing into uncomfortable discussions. Instead she shows a girls honest questions about religion. Margaret is searching for answers and her honest discussions with God are very revealing about how Margaret feels.
Reader Annotation: Margaret has a new town, new friends and a big religious question, so who does she go to for help? God of course.
Themes: puberty, religion, school
Read Alikes: Eleven by Lauren Myracle
Why for Tweens? This book deals with a lot of tween girl issues like boys, friendships, first periods, bras and figuring out your identity. I also think the addition of religion appeals to tweens who are starting to ask questions about their own faith and beliefs.

Hatchet

Title: Hatchet
Author: Gary Paulsen
Published: 1988
Awards: Newbery Honor Book
Reading Level: 6th grade
Interest Level: 5-8th grade
Genre: adventure, survival
Other Books in the Series: The River, Brian's Winter, Brian's Return, Brian's Hunt
Characters: Brian
Plot Summary: Brian's parents have recently divorced and Brian is now splitting time between his parents. Brian is sent to Canada to spend the summer with his dad but when his pilot suffers a heart attack and their single engine plane goes down in the Canadian wilderness Brian finds himself alone with only his hatchet. Stranded in the woods with no way to get help Brian learns to scavenge and hunt. Brian has to survive on the land around him but can he survive long enough to be rescued?
Review: The story highlights a boys fight for survival and how with will and determination a young boy can survive on his own. Considering that Brian is alone for most the story with very limited dialogue the story is still interesting. You wonder how long Brian will be trapped in the woods and if he will ever be rescued. The book makes you question whether or not you yourself could survive in Brian's situation. Watching Brian grow through the story is also really interesting. You see him become more confident in his own skills for survival. You also see him breakdown and struggle.
Reader's Annotation: Brian crash lands in the Canadian wilderness with only his hatchet for survival. Will he make it in the wilderness and will anyone find him?
Themes: survival, family
Read-alikes: Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen
Why for tweens? This book has huge appeal to tween boys with Brian fighting for survival in the woods. He has to hunt and scavenge for food which boys will enjoy reading about.