Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson

Through heart-pounding narrative, the events surrounding the American Revolution and specifically the incidents about the continental soldiers' harsh winter conditions at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, come to life in this second novel in Laurie Halse Anderson's historical trilogy. Told from the point of view of former slave, Curzon, we learn about the network of spies used by British and American leaders, the ironic double standard for black soldiers fighting for the new country's freedom but not their own, and of course, the typical cruel treatment of human property by wealthy slave owners. Anderson has once again written about history in a way that makes it come alive for readers. If there had been books like this when I was growing up, I might not have been so bored with History classes in school. I'm looking forward to finishing this historic saga with the 2011 release of the final book, Ashes. Forge contains some violence and colorfully graphic descriptions of war-related trauma, disease, and a little strong language. Recommended for upper elementary to adult. This title is available at SMS Library.

Stitches: a Memoir by David Small

I feel sure that writing and illustrating this personal narrative must have been cathartic for David Small. He faced some mighty scary demons growing up. And for the record, they were still pretty intense to an adult reader. Stitches is one of those unique books that only comes along once in a great while. Its serious subject matter makes it eligible for some serious attention and a variety of award considerations (it was a National Book Award finalist), and its graphic (i.e. comic book-like) format makes it easily accessible to a wide range of readers. It is graphic in the other definition, too. The fact that it is an autobiographical memoir makes it unusual, but realizing that the subject of the book is himself a writer/illustrator the format makes perfect sense for him to tell his story in this manner. The injuries and damages inflicted on him as a child by his own parents are tough to digest in spots. It makes one appreciate him even more knowing he survived what he went through. As I read this amazing story, I couldn't help make comparisons in style to Brian Selznick's The Invention of Hugo Cabret, and subject matter to Dave Pelzer's A Child Called 'It'. If nothing else, Stitches brings to light that, unfortunately, there is still abuse going on in countless homes, even those of "good" families. This book should appeal to a wide range of readers, but will especially resonate with sensitive, artistic students, or anyone who has been the victim of a bully. Due to content, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone below middle school level. I would definitely caution anyone below high school age that what they are about to read is pretty strong stuff, even if it is presented in a comic-book format.