Star of Fear, Star of Hope by Jo Hoestlandt

Star of Fear, Star of Hope

by Jo Hoestlandt

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: 5 out 5 stars

Have you ever said something to someone that you wished you could take back?  Then you should read the touching Star of Fear, Star of Hope by Jo Hoestlandt.  This moving story is about Helen and her best friend Lydia takes place in Paris during World War II.    The German occupation of Paris doesn’t affect Helen very much but it does Lydia.  Lydia’s mom has to sew a star on her clothes to show that she is Jewish.  It is July 15th, 1942 and Helen is going to be turning nine years old the next day so her mother allows her to have Lydia sleep over for the night.  They amuse themselves by telling ghost stories. When a stranger wearing a yellow star like Lydia's comes looking for a place to hide, Lydia suddenly wants to go home. Helen is angry and shouts to the departing girl that she is not her friend anymore. The next day Lydia and her family have disappeared.  One of the themes in the story is war and how it affects many people not just those directly involved.  Another theme is regret because Helen says something in the heat of the moment that she doesn’t really mean.  I think that Helen wishes that she could take those terrible words back because she never saw her friend again.  I recommend this book to everyone who has a special friendship and those who want to learn more about World War II.

My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete & Ryan Elizabeth Peete

My Brother Charlie

by Holly Robinson Peete & Ryan Elizabeth Peete

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Rating: 5 out 5 stars

Having a sibling who is Autistic and never talks to you or struggles to say I love you must be difficult.  To learn what it is like, you should read My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete and her daughter Ryan Elizabeth Peete.  Ryan co wrote the book with her mother about her own twin brother R.J.  When Callie and her identical twin brother Charlie are born their parents are so happy.  But as time goes on, their mother realizes that something is different about Charlie.  He doesn't play with his sister Callie and doesn't show affection to his mother when she kisses him.  His mother brings him to a doctor and they learn that he has Autism.  Which means that it is harder for him to express his feelings and stay safe.  At times, Callie is frustrated about how her brother behaves because he ruins play dates and will refuse to look at her.  But, she learns that while “Charlie may have autism, autism doesn't have Charlie.”  She realizes that he is special and a wonderful brother who shows his love in other ways than just saying it.  The theme of this story is acceptance of those who are different from us.  Even though at times it can be hard for Callie to deal with Charlie’s behavior, she understands that he is special.  I learned that it is important to not just say you love someone but to show you love someone.  I recommend this book to anyone who has a sibling or anyone who wants to understand what it is like to love someone who is autistic.