Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan

Published: New York: Puffin, 1942
196 pages
Target Audience: ages 8-12
Reading level: 4.9
Genre: Historical Fiction
Themes: Cleverness, Creativity and Imagination, Courage and Honor, European History (World War II), Friendship

Synopsis: In 1940, the German army invades Norway and 12-year-old Peter Lundstrom's life is changed forever. His father is the local banker and his Uncle Victor is captain of a sea-worthy fishing boat. They, along with the other leaders of their community, conspire to aid Norway by smuggling over nine million dollars worth of the country's gold bullion to America, where it will be safely kept out of the hands of the German army. But first they must get the gold from the town bank down the snow-covered mountainside to the fjord (a narrow inlet of the sea) below where Victor's fishing boat awaits its valuable cargo. It is up to Peter and the other children of the town to take to their sleds and sneak the gold brick-by-brick past German sentries.
The Germans think the children look innocent enough, but one soldier, who speaks Norwegian, seems aware that some plan is afoot. Peter must create a diversion in order to keep the Germans from discovering the entire plot and he is captured in the process. His only hope for escape lies with his Uncle Victor and a soldier dressed as a German, who might just be on the side of Norway.
Snow Treasure is based on events that were said to have actually taken place during World War II. The book includes a brief account of a Norwegian freighter that arrived in Baltimore in 1940 with a cargo of gold bullion, reputedly smuggled past the Germans by children on their sleds. From this rumor, Mary McSwigan tells a riveting tale of adventure and courage that gives young readers a taste of life inside the Artic circle, and simultaneously teaches an exciting history lesson.

CHARACTER: ****
PLOT: ***
THEME: ***
LANGUAGE: ****
OVERALL RATING: ***
For young readers, Snow Treasure presents a very authentic picture of the occupation experience in Norway. It is a well-written adventure certain to interest young scholars of Norwegian history.

About the author: Marie McSwigan
http://www.catholicauthors.com/mcswigan.html

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

Published: New York: Delacorte Press, 2006.
304 pages
Target Audience: Young Adult
Reading levle:
Cenre: Historical Fiction
Themes: Character and Values, Culture and Diversity, Friends and Friendship

Synopsis: Alone in the world, teen-aged Hattie is driven to prove up on her uncle's homesteading claim. For years, sixteen-year-old Hattie's been shuttled between relatives. Tired of being Hattie Here-and-There, she courageously leaves Iowa to prove up on her late uncle's homestead claim near Vida, Montana. With a stubborn stick-to-itiveness, Hattie faces frost, drought and blizzards. Despite many hardships, Hattie forges ahead, sharing her adventures with her friends--especially Charlie, fighting in France--through letters and articles for her hometown paper.
Her backbreaking quest for a home is lightened by her neighbors, the Muellers. But she feels threatened by pressure to be a " Loyal" American, forbidding friendships with folks of German descent. Despite everything, Hattie's determined to stay until a tragedy causes her to discover the true meaning of home.

Newbery Honor 2007

CHARACTER: ****
PLOT: ****
THEME: ****
LANGUAGE: ****
OVERALL RATING: ****

I found Hattie Big Sky to be completely wonderful. I loved how kind Hattie is, how big-hearted, honest, and firm in her convictions. She refuses to let the anti-German sentiment keep her away from the Mullers, and she stands up to the people in town even though she is desperately lonely and looking to make a place for herself, a home, a family. In spite of the sure knowledge that she will stand alone, she takes that stand and refuses to give up her friendship with them. That alone would make Hattie Big Sky a great book but there is more, much more and I highly recommend it for the young adult audience.

About author: Kirby Larson
http://www.kirbylarson.com/hattiebigsky.html