Run, Boy, Run: A Novel by Uri Orlev

Call number: Juvenile Young Adult Collection PZ7.0633 Ru 2003

Recommended by: Yuki Ueno, International student from Japan

"Run, Boy, Run" was written by Uri Orlev in 2003. This story is true. A nine year old, Jurek, escaped from Warasaw Ghetto. He survived in the woods, and worked in someone's house as a maid. He was scared because he didn't know when he would die. One day, he met some friends, and they tried to help each other. They hunted a wild animal, and then they cooked. "I want you to remember what I'm going to tell you. You have to stay alive." This are the most impressive words that his father said to Jurek. It was sad, however, he was a really brave man.

This book is really sad, but you can see into his life. He managed to stay alive. His passion and energy were so strong. Also, you can learn about the circumstances of Germany during World War II. I can say that this book is worth reading. You will understand the hardships of his life and importance of life in general.

Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl

Call number: Juvenile Young Adult Collection PZ7.D1515 Fan 2002

Recommended by: Takeshi Iwasaki, International student from Japan

One day, a fox called Mr. Fox stole some food for his family from three farmers and was injured by them at his own fault. Moreover, his family was chased by the farmers, but they could manage to escape from them. So, they started to dig a hole for their house. After a long time, they found each three farmer's house by chance, and got some food and water. Finally, they succeeded in reaching their house, and held a big feast with their friends. They decided to make an underground town in order to not need to go out to get some food.
This is a book for children. I dislike to read and usually don't read any books, but I could enjoy reading this one more than usual. I think this book is telling children the one who has a kind or brave heart succeeds in something. I can recommend someone to read this book.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney

Call number: Juvenile Young Adult Collection PZ7.K6232 Dr 2008

Recommended by: Waleed Binselim, International Student from Saudi Arabia, Haggerty English Language Program

The New York Times bestseller written by Jeff Kinney, this is the second book of this series. There’s a movie for this book with the same name. The main character, Greg, he has a lot of scams. Sometimes he’s being selfish, rude, and conceited. In this book, Greg is writing about his friends in school, his annoying brother, Rodrick, and his family.

I think this book is for all ages and it has some funny quotes like when the dumb Rowley is trying to pretend that Chirag is invisible.
Chirag: Rowley, Do you think I exist?
Rowley: No! I can’t even hear you or see you.
Greg: *Facepalm*
If you like to read a funny realistic diary, I suggest you read this book.

Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling

Call number: Juvenile Collection Pz7.K632 J8
Recommended by Lalita Suthammarak, International student from Thailand, Haggerty English Language Program

Do you know anything about the origin of things in this world? This book includes many short stories about the origin of things in the world such as how the alphabet was made, how the leopard got his spots, how the whale got his throat. These are the example titles of stories in this book.

The author presented the stories, lead by the wild animals. The stories started at the beginning of the Earth. The animals met ridiculous situations that grab the reader’ attention to keep reading their stories. Combine with fantasy and variety of the stories, such as wizards, god and magic, makes the reader remember those stories easily. The stories of these animals are now so famous. It was created into a cartoon animation and children around the world used to watch some.

I was a child who used to watch them in animation too. It answered my questions when I was young. When I read this book, it reminded me about how I felt when I watched the cartoons as a child. I enjoyed the stories so much. I hope I could watch those stories one more time. And you! Do you remember that you have ever heard the stories about the origin of things from this book? You should read this book to get the answer.

Dream Factory by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler

Call number: Juvenile Young Adult Collection PZ7.B250583 2007

Recommended by: Kurumi Shimada, International student from Japan, Haggerty English Language Program

The book title is Dream Factory and it was written by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler. This story began when the character actors at Disney World went on strike, and teens were hired on behalf of them immediately. One ordinarily girl, Ella, was assigned the role of Cinderella, and that reason is simple because she fits the Cinderella’s shoe. She falls in love with Luke, who plays the character of Dale, and he also falls in love with Ella. Before they are hired at Disney World, their image of Disney was a dream land and a very pleasant place, but after being hired, their image changed. They wondered why this is the happiest place on earth, and they realized that it is hard to make a dream world. However, they supported each other and they are accomplished their task.

I think this book for girl teenagers, but I could enjoy reading it because I only knew Disney as a dreamland. If you want to know the backstage of Disney World, you should read this book. You can know how the character actors feel and you might change your image about Disney World.

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Call Number: Stacks: PS3527.A15 L6 1992
Recommended by: Ogerta Lala, International student from Albania

“Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta”

Awesome , written by an evil inspired brain. The first part of the book is poetry, the second, is delirium and insanity. This book is the place where the perversion turns into a mythological picture, the forbidden sensual desire turns into a demonic girl. The story begins in Europe where the depressed Humbert lives his secret passions that comes from his roots. America is the magical land where he meets Dolores Haze. The protagonist has a dream: to join his young soul mate, Lolita. But the difficulties are huge: his personality, his insane passion, his tremendous jealousy and of course, the society of 1960. That’s why Humbert decides to marry Ms. Haze, the mother of Lolita, who very soon dies in a tragic car accident. Humber pretends to be the natural father of the girl and that’s how their long dangerous adventure on the highways of the U.S starts. During the reading of the book we will know the mature, the shy, the selfish Humbert and at the same time we will know his insane and unnatural love for Lolita. On the other side is the little Lolita, orphaned, alone, without a childhood and family. A little girl who knows very well her seductive power, her sensual skills while continuing to be innocent. This book is one of those books that should be read and discovered.

Andy Warhol: Prince of Pop by Jan Greenberg & Sandra Jordan

Call Number: Juvenile Young Adult Collection N6537.W28 G74 2004
Recommended by: Jiseon Yun, International student from Korea, Haggerty English Language Program

This book was written by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan about Andy Warhol (1928-1987), the well-known pop artist. It tells his whole life from his birth to death. He was interested in art from when he was young. He has a different view of seeing things and it affected his work. He was an isolated person and he didn’t seem to have any problem with his life even when he was struggling with financial problems. He had a great enthusiasm for art. His life wasn’t extraordinary but it was enough to attract others.

Before I read this book, I just liked some of his paintings and I didn’t know much about him. After reading this book, he inspired me to have lots of interest in not only him but also in art. I could enjoy reading this book from beginning to end as I couldn’t stop turning pages until a new story started. If you have seen any of his works and want to know more about him, I highly recommend you read this book. You will find something special that you didn’t know before.