I read the book Refugee by Alan Gratz. Refugee is about three different kids in three different time periods, however, they all have one thing in common, their home isn’t safe anymore and they must leave it. Josef is a Jewish boy born in Germany, escaping the Nazis in the 30s. Isabel is living in Communist Cuba during the 90s, looking to escape the riots and her family is trying to get to America. And Mahmoud, a Syrian boy living in a country being destroyed by war is struggling to travel to safety with his family. Even though I read all three stories at the same time, they took place in different eras, and the author does an extremely good job of connecting the stories (read it to find out how) and this connection is purposeful: the author is letting the reader know that these stories exist in every generation. While reading this book, I became connected to the characters. Since Josef is Jewish I can picture him as a member of my own family during that era. I can also connect to Mahmoud because he is living in modern times, in a modern city like me but his city is being destroyed. Although I didn’t connect to Isabel’s story as much, I still found it very interesting. Shortly after reading this book I read about a swimmer on the Refugee Olympic Team. She had a story that was similar to Mahmoud’s. She had to swim for three hours in freezing cold water, and was able to save 20 people. This made the book very real to me. Unlike the last book I read, I really enjoyed Refugee. It was truly a page turner. I think it’s really important for Ramaz students to read this book because we have been learning a lot about the Holocaust in history. The Holocaust was in the past but we need to remember that many people today need to escape the only place they know because it’s not safe due to gang violence, poor governance or more. After reading this book I feel so lucky to have been born in America where Jews and non-Jews have equal rights, where we have a democracy, and where I do not live in fear of imminent violence. Refugee by Alan Gratz. Scholastic Press, 2017. Buy the book here and support Stone Soup in the process! Have you read this book? Or do you plan on reading it? Let us know in the comments below!
Book Reviews
Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy, Reviewed by Nina Vigil, 12
It’s pretty much impossible to write a book review for a series. You’ll have to include every single one of the books, and summarize the plot of each without giving anything away, which is increasingly more difficult as you go on. However, I know a particularly good series—Wings of Fire, by Tui T. Sutherland—and I have decided to just review the first book, rather than the whole series. (Despite that, you should go read the entire thing after you read about this one!) In the first book, The Dragonet Prophecy, a war has been raging across the dragon continent of Pyrrhia for twenty years between three sisters who all want to be the queen of the SandWing dragon tribe. Five dragonets were prophesied to end the war by choosing a queen, and the Talons of Peace, an underground organization dedicated to ending the war, are in the process of training the five dragonets to go out into the world. The dragonets have lived under a mountain their whole lives waiting for this day. The story centers around Clay, a happy-go-lucky MudWing who loves food and hates fighting. He just wants to hang out with his friends and have fun, but unfortunately for him his Talons of Peace guardians are pressuring him to be the best fighter. Clay’s life turns upside down when Morrowseer, the NightWing who made the original prophecy, shows up and convinces the Talons of Peace dragons to kill one of Clay’s friends, Glory the RainWing, because she was only a substitute for the SkyWing that was supposed to be one of the chosen five. Clay and another dragonet, Tsunami the SeaWing, form a plan to escape with their friends. But right when their escape plan is about to succeed, who do they run into but the murderous, menacing, and thoroughly evil Queen Scarlet of the SkyWings! She captures the dragonets and brings them to her palace/prison/arena, where they are supposed to fight other dragons for her entertainment. How are the dragonets going to escape now? One of the things I especially liked about this book is how unique it is. For one, the main characters are dragons! Secondly, the prophecy isn’t absolute or set in stone; they can diverge from it, for instance by escaping. Among other things like the setting, this makes the series very distinctive. Another thing I liked is the many interesting characters throughout the story and how they all contribute something to the plot that can affect things later on in the series. I also admired how fully developed the plot is and how there are no plot holes. The best part is definitely how Tui T. Sutherland pops in small details that seem insignificant at first, but then suddenly explode into a huge part of the plot and take things on a completely different path than you were expecting. As a writer, it’s really hard to do that! Overall, Wings of Fire is a spectacular series and you should most definitely read the first book. And then, of course, read the rest of the series and don’t stop reading the rest of the series. I promise you it’ll be worth your time! Wings of Fire Book One: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland. Scholastic Press, 2012. Buy the book here and support Stone Soup in the process! Have you read this book? Or do you plan on reading it? Let us know in the comments below!
The Accidental Prime Minister, Reviewed by Vivaan, 9
The Accidental Prime Minister is a hilarious book written by Tom McLaughlin. It is about a 12 year old boy called Joe who leads an ordinary life. Joe is a fun loving, buoyant and determined boy. One day two events happen to coincide that change his life forever. He gathers that the park in which he played in was closing because the politicians wanted to construct a big tower on it and that Percival T. Duckholm, the British Prime Minister was visiting his school. In school amidst all the children, teachers and news reporters staring in awe, the usually shy Joe gives the surprised PM a good piece of his mind. After this incident Joe goes viral on all the news channels and for once Joe is the centre of attraction. In the end the there is to much pressure on the PM, he gets annoyed and calls Joe for a meeting. With the world wondering why Joe has been called the PM makes Joe unknowingly sign the papers to becoming the Prime Minister. From a normal school going kid, Joe is catapulted to success and to one of the most famed people on earth. Joe takes advantage of his leading position and vows to make the country an enjoyable place. Joe faces many challenges along the way, almost loses his job but in the end Joe fulfills his ambition and emerges successful. I read his book because I want pursue a career in politics myself and because the title managed to attract me. Throughout the book the author ridicules the politicians by employing sarcasm, wit and humour. “Duckholm liked to shout, he was one of the rudest men you are ever going to meet and he would sell his own grandmother for money.” He embodies the kind of ministers who are detested because they are lazy, don’t do anything for the country and are churlish. “Violletta, is a chilling woman, has a steely look on her face that makes everyone feel puny and unimportant.” She represents the kind of politicians who are greedy for money and power, are callous and want to further their own personal interests and ambitions giving it priority over the nation’s. In the book Tom McLaughlin is trying to convey that we need to treasure happiness and compassion just as much as materialistic things like money and factories. There are plenty of examples of disconcerting things splashing in the newspapers and making headlines every day. Examples of politicians making fools of themselves, getting embroiled in controversies, bickering over small issues, ceaselessly accusing each other and manifestos being just mere words plastered on walls during the elections are not uncommon. The crux of the matter is that people expect politicians to give them a happy and well managed country. All politicians do have the potential to grant everybody what they want, happiness and a well managed space. It’s just that some of them don’t.What stops them is their greed and hunger for power. There is a dearth of politicians to look up to and admire these days. This book is funny throughout, entertaining and extremely topical. The Accidental Prime Minister by Tom McLaughlin. Oxford University Press, 2015. Buy the book here and support Stone Soup in the process! Have you read this book? Or do you plan on reading it? Let us know in the comments below!
