Pumpkin Falls Mystery Series by Heather Vogel Frederick

3.5 Stars | Heather Vogel Frederick | Mystery | Grades 4-8 | 5th Grade Reading Level | Around 350 pages

This is a cozy mystery series for middle-grade with the main character named Truly Lovejoy who is in middle school. The Lovejoys move from Texas to Pumpkin  Falls, New Hampshire to help run the struggling family bookstore. Mr. Lovejoy, the father has been injured in a military accident in Afghanistan and is looking for a new start. Truly is in the middle of the family with two older brothers and two younger sisters. Each book includes a mystery as well as lots of family and friendship plotlines.  Truly's friends form the Pumpkin Falls Private Eyes to help solve the mysteries in their little town. 

Book One:  Absolutely Truly

Truly finds an unsent letter in a first edition copy of Charlotte's Web which also goes missing and she and her friends go on a treasure hunt to solve the mystery. 

Book Two: Yours Truly  (check out my previous review)
It is the annual maple sugar festival and someone is sabotaging the maple trees. Truly also finds a diary in the floorboards of her home written by her namesake centuries ago. 

Book Three: Really Truly

Truly is sent to Mermaid Academy and uncovers the mystery of the sunken treasure from pirates during the founding of Pumpkin Falls. 

These books are very sweet,  light,  and cozy.  The mystery and family and friends share equal space.  Enjoyed the first ones more than the third one.  The mystery seemed a side plotline. I did think going to a Mermaid Academy was interesting and fun!  I also loved the cover art for book three. Such a beautiful summer scene. Look closely for the mermaid tail!  

Catherine's War by Julia Billet

 

4 Stars |Julia Billet | 2020| Graphic Novel | Grades 3-7| 3.7 Reading Level | 176 pages

This graphic novel is based on a true story about a girl named Rachel Cohen who discovers her passion for photography while she is living in a children's home outside Paris.  With World War II ramping up, she find herself sent into hiding because she is Jewish.  She has to change her name and is always wary of getting found out.  Her camera goes with her and she continues to document her life. 

The author writes this book based on her mother's childhood and what she faced during the War. You will find notes and photos detailing this information in the back of the book. 

The illustrations in this book are lovely and the story is another great one to add to stories of Jewish children who experienced World War II.  This book was translated from French as written by the author. 

Things We Didn't Say by Amy Lynn Green

Amy Lynn Green | Historical Fiction | 2020 | 416 pages | 12 1/2 hours listening time

This book is written by a Minnesota author and is also set in Minnesota.  It is a nominee for the 20201 Minnesota Book Award and the winner will be announced later this month.  It is published by Bethany House publishing company which is headquartered in Minnesota and they focus on Christian fiction. The author also works at this publishing company.  So, I was intrigued and wanted to read this book with so many connections. 

This story takes place during World War II in a small town north of Aitkin, Minnesota.  The town will be hosting a POW camp for German soldiers to help the farmers with farm work. The mayor thought it was a great idea but the residents of the town are not sure they want to associate with German prisoners in their town. 

Johanna Bergland, a linguistics student,  is recruited to come back home and help with translation services between the prisoners and the Americans.  She reluctantly accepts the position and moves back home.  Johanna begins to form relationships and sympathy with the residents of the camp but as a result, her forward ways make her a target for suspicion and gossip.   

This book is written in letters written by Johanna to her friends as well as some of the letters she translates from the prisoners. She also gets involved in having inmates write for the paper and so we see these articles as well. 

Historical fiction, mystery, romance, and Christian fiction all describe this novel. Johanna Bergland is a delightful and funny character and is really fun to follow her on her adventure back home again.  I look forward to reading more books by this author.