Newbery 2012

Dead End in Norvelt
Author: Jack Gantos
Genre: Historical Fiction
Plot: Jack is growing up in Post-WW2 Norvelt, PA but he gets grounded for the summer after he accidentally fires his father's Japanese rifle.  The only thing he's allowed to do is help one of the old ladies in town write obituaries.
Verdict: Wild and crazy
My rating: 3 stars


Inside Out & Back Again
Author: Thanhha Lai
Genre: Poetry/Historical Fiction
Plot: Ha is a Vietnamese girl who escapes from South Vietnam right before the fall of Saigon.  Her family is relocated to Alabama as refugees and they try to fit in a strange new country.
Verdict: Great story
My rating: 3 stars


Breaking Stalin's Nose
Author: Eugene Yelchin
Genre: Historical Fiction
Plot: Sasha's father is taken in for being a traitor the day before he is supposed to be initiated into the Young Pioneers but he goes to school anyway.
Verdict: Wow.  Just Wow.  Chilling.
My rating: 5 stars

Interestingly enough, this entire year is historical fiction, although two of the books are based on some actual events.  My favorite of the bunch is Breaking Stalin's Nose.  Dead End in Norvelt was fine in my opinion but I find it drags a bit in parts.

Jack Gantos is known for his Joey Pigza series, but Dead End in Norvelt is loosely based on his life.  There are some interesting sequences with his nosebleeds and also with Hell's Angels. 

Inside Out and Back Again is an interesting poetic novel which is technically fiction but is also based on the author's actual experiences.  I think it may find a kindred spirit with English Language Learners who can relate to the author's experience of not knowing any English and going to school.  I would contrast this book with Grace Lin's The Year of the Dog which has some similar themes about fitting into a school as an Asian American.

Breaking Stalin's Nose is extremely chilling.  I read it shortly after reading Hitler Youth and I saw a lot of parallels between the Hitler Youth and the Young Pioneers.  The book is a very quick read and takes place in the span of less than 24 hours.