(2) 4-6 As a result of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and FDR's ensuing Executive Order 9066, eight-year-old Mae Yanagi and her family were uprooted from their home in Hayward, California, and forced to relocate to Topaz, a so-called Japanese internment camp (see appended note on terminology) in the desert of central Utah. Mae's third-grade class kept a journal that year, and her journal is used as the starting point to explore, in eleven chapters, what it was like to live in Topaz, especially from a child's viewpoint. Tunnell (The Children of Topaz) touches on such topics as holiday observances, medical care, pets, recreation, and religious worship. The reminiscences of Mae and her classmates are aptly woven into the narrative, and the resiliency of these children is inspiring. Numerous black-and-white photographs as well as color reproductions of the journal entries--there's something on nearly every page--break up the text, while the ample back matter includes an enlightening chapter-long author's note, photo notes and credits, source notes, a glossary, a selected bibliography, and an index.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(2) 4-6 American pilot Gail Halvorsen, along with his fellow servicemen, delivered candy to children in post-WWII West Berlin--dropping the treats from their bomber planes. Copious photographs and reproductions of letters bring the children's gratitude to life. By beginning with these personal stories, Tunnell piques readers' interest in learning more about the conflict between the Soviets and the Germans, information provided in later chapters. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2010

(4) YA Aminah's (Wishing Moon) efforts to help others using an Aladdin–esque magic lamp are thwarted when the lamp is stolen, seemingly by a trusted friend. The narrative overreaches slightly to encompass multiple plot lines and points of view, but the uncommon, elegantly depicted setting and sly references to classic tales add texture to an already engaging adventure.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(3) YA In this fantasy inspired by Arabian Nights, orphaned Aminah becomes the master of the jinni of the lamp and is granted three wishes every month. While seeking to improve her own lot, Aminah discovers that her true desire is to help others. With a unique Middle Eastern setting, suspenseful plot, and strong cast of characters--including the amusing Jinni--the novel has a lot to offer.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(4) 4-6 Based on real events, this novel relates the experiences of three German Mormon teenagers, narrator Rudi and his friends Helmuth and Karl, who listen to forbidden radio broadcasts and distribute anti-Nazi handbills. The teens are imprisoned and one sentenced to death in a story that suffers from a flat and distant prose style. An author's note provides additional information, and a time line is included.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kevin O'Malley. A witch puts a spell on her freshly baked pumpkin pie to protect it from scavengers, but a vampire, ghoul, ghost, banshee, zombie, and skeleton find the pie irresistible. They stuff themselves, then fall asleep--and the spell transforms them into the various ingredients the witch needs to bake a new pie. The repetitive text and large spooky-comic illustrations make the tale a fine not-too-scary read-aloud.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander