Gretchen CarlsonThis spring I plowed through books that didn’t raise my heartbeat until I read, I Must Betray You (young adult) and Wild River (middle grade). Both are action-packed and inspiring.
I could not put either down. Seriously. When a book captures me, it’s my excuse to let dishes pile up…weeds grow…and leave work undone. Can you relate?
I Must Betray You, by Ruta Sepetys, is a gripping historical fiction account of teens forced to spy in Romania in the 1980’s. During the communistic reign of Nicola Ceausescu, the web of espionage grew until one out of ten people were spies. Fear reigned. There was no freedom of speech. Because every home was under surveillance, it wasn’t safe to talk about anything that might be controversial. Individuals whispered inside their own houses, and family members and friends often betrayed each other. Political dissidents were found dead or tortured and held in dank prisons. While elite government officials lived lavishly, most of the country struggled to survive. Each day, people waited in food lines for meager rations. Ruta Sepetys researched an incredible story of courageous teens who risked their lives for freedom. I wish everyone would read this book.
Violence: Even though this was a dark era, the author avoids detailed blood and gore descriptions. There are a few scenes when characters know a person is killed.
Romance: Very light and kept in the background. Two kisses and a little hand holding.
Wild River, by Rodman Philbrick, is a middle grade page-turner. Five students are selected to go on an adventure, a white-water rafting trip. A dam breaks in the middle of the night. and the students who are camping barely make it to higher ground while all their supplies and two adult guides are swept away. Because of a last-minute change in plans, no one knows the location of the students, so there are no rescue and rescue groups looking for them. Exhausted and hungry, they must survive the wilderness and sharp disagreements. This survival story is also a story about character and honesty. Wild River is a great family read-aloud with many points for discussion. Best yet: It has a surprise ending.
Violence: No blood is shed, but there are two deaths.
Romance: None
As summer blasts off, I’d love to know what books you’ll be reading and those that you can’t put down! Leave a comment!
Gretchen
Julane Fisher
Kristen Gwen
These sound amazing!! And I loved Philbrick’s, We Own the Sky, so I’ll definitely check his other one out. Thanks!
I’ve read most of Sepetys’ books, and they all are powerful. However, this was the first book I’d read by Philbrick. I look forward to reading more of his!
I loved I Must Betray You! Can’t wait to read Wild River. Nice to finally see a MG book with clean content!
Plus, it wasn’t a graphic novel! So many of the popular MG books are graphics. I still prefer the old-fashioned novels.
Both sound great. I’d heard of the Sepety. I’ve read a couple of her books and they are great. I haven’t heard of Wild River but I’m going to look it up. Thanks for the reviews.
It’s action packed, but the book also looks at character qualities and how to treat others.