The Ballad of Jessie Pearl

The Ballad of Jessie Pearl by Shannon Hitchcock
4/5 stars
Namelos, 2013
128 pages
YA Historical

Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I feel like I've read more than my fair share of books involving tuberculosis, a malady that is essentially eradicated in the developed world and thus something I am not personally familiar with. It's such a common disease throughout history and there really wasn't much that could be done about it. Maybe you'd get better if you were able to rest, able to breathe fresh healthy air but maybe you'd die anyway.

Well after that downer note, let's move on to this book, about young Jessie Pearl and actually inspired by the author's family history. Our heroine is fourteen years old with dreams of becoming a teacher in 1920s rural North Carolina but when her family is visited by TB, she sets that dream aside to take care of her family.

As you can see from my summary above, this book isn't a flashy paranormal or dystopia. It's a deceptively simple historical novel delving deep into Jessie's life and family relationships. Jessie was never very good at the household chores but with a deceased mother and as the only daughter still at home, she steps up to fulfill that job even though it is a sacrifice for her. It was interesting to read about this more community-minded instead of individualistic person as I feel like our modern culture tends to praise those who strike out on their own, pursuing what they want no matter the cost even if it includes living others behind.

The book is pretty quiet as the family is left mostly alone-tuberculosis is contagious after all and no one wants to spread it around the community. But we still get a little sliver of romance and hints of the modernizing outside world such as the presence of the Model T. Its strengths lie in the character sketches and the very real feelings it evokes as you are moved by their plight.

Rape Girl

Rape Girl by Alina Klein
4.5/5 stars
Namelos, 2012
123 pages
YA Contemporary Issues

Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book grabbed my attention with its provocative straightforward title. Although I anticipated some tough passages, I thought that this would ultimately prove to be an important book that deserved to have the spotlight shone on it.

The plot is pretty straightforward.  While her mom's away, Valerie has a party including the guy she likes. Although she pukes on his shoes that night, he returns the next day and rapes her. After days of anxiety, her mother helps her report it, setting off a nightmare experience for Valerie, for now she is known as "Rape Girl."

I struggled a little with the beginning of the story as it alternated between "Before" and "After." Soon though I was pulled in by the simplicity of the writing and the power of the story. Valerie is miserable and conflicted, feelings well illustrated during the support group she attends (I would have liked to see more scenes there). Her rapist was a popular guy while she was relatively new in town and school is a chore for her. To compound it, her best friend drops her and she is treated like the criminal, even going so far as being forced to take math privately so they don't end up in a class together (when other crimes are committed, usually the victim is not penalized). It was so hard to read about him going about his life, seemingly unaffected while Valerie's life was in disarray.

Overall: Although I would have liked a little bit more depth into the main characters and especially the support group, I appreciated this read and I hope it gets the notice it deserves, sparking conversations among us.

Cover: I do not like this cover although I think it would be a hard cover to create but it's just so ugly to me. I feel like there has to be a way to get a more appealing cover without taking away from the seriousness of the topic.

Eddie's War

Eddie's War by Carol Fisher Saller
Namelos, 2011
194 pages
YA; Historical
5/5 stars

Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I must admit that I entered this book skeptically seeing that it was laid out in what looked like verse and my skepticism increased as I realized how short each chapter was and how short the book overall was. How could it possibly develop any characters or themes with such little time? Well, if you saw my star review up there, you'd see that Saller succeeded admirably and left me blinking back some tears because the characters did get under my skin and make me care.

This book is a historical novel set in small-town Illinois before and during WWII. Eddie is just a young boy living on a farm with his family but over the years he sees some things. Such as the Polish gypsy Jozef who is viewed with suspicion by the neighbors; such as his abusive grandfather; such as his older brother and friends going off to war; such as the mysteries of girls; such as standing up for what is right.

This book touches on everything; some books would cover the same events in 500 pages and not pack such an emotional punch. The humor, the sadness, the randomness of life all conveyed in this small package with lovely writing. And it left me with tears in my eyes from the feelings it evoked. Somewhat sadness over some of the events, somewhat sadness that the book was over, but mostly happy tears over a sweet story.

Overall: Highly recommended historical fiction novel for all.

Tip: A great, quick read that will touch your heart AND add another book to you read list for the year!