The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World

The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World by Jonathan Freedland. A thrilling biography of one of the first men to escape from Auschwitz. Rudolf Vrba was a Jew who was deported to Auschwitz. After what he saw there he was determined to escape and warn the Jews of what awaited them. He believed if they knew they would resist. He and his friend Fred Wetzler escaped and wrote a report that reached all the major powers, and even the remaining Jewish rulers, and yet nothing was done. Rudolf, haunted by his past, never forgave those he held responsible among the Jewish leaders for not warning the other Jews. A powerful story of heroism and horror. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content). 

Further Up and Further In: Understanding Narnia

Further Up and Further In: Understanding Narnia is by Joseph Pearce. A wonderful nonfiction look at Christianity in Narnia. This is a must read for all Narnia fans, and indeed for all fans of Lewis. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Two Gentlemen of Verona

Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare. Classic historical fiction drama by the Bard. One of Shakespeare's earlier plays, maybe his first. You can see his greatness and genius, but in a nascent state. Two friends fall in love, but one deserts his first love to try and win the love of his best friend - because nothing will go wrong there! He betrays his friend, to get a girl who doesn't love him and spurns the girl who does, but it's Shakespeare, so all's well in the end.

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Tempest

The Tempest by William Shakespeare. The classic historical fiction drama by the master of English literature. Prospero and his daughter Miranda are abandoned on a magical island by his wicked brother who assumes his dukeship. This is story of their rescue and their return to Milan. Possibly Shakespeare's last play, and definitely one of his best. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10. 

If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?: My Adventures in the Art & Science of Relating and Communicating

If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?: My Adventures in the Art & Science of Relating and Communicating is by Alan Alda. A humorous, yet insightful, look at the ways we do, and don't, communicate with each other. There is much here to think on. A really good and fast read. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10. 

The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare

The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare is by G. K. Chesterton. I really don't know how to classify this wonderful little book. Some say it's a metaphysical thriller, but that doesn't seen quite right. When a detective, posing as poet, infiltrates an anarchist group, he discovers that all is not as he has been led to believe. Chesterton, in his inimitable style, takes us on a roller coaster of strange events and wild chases, to a very strange conclusion. This book is well worth the time to read! A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon

Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon is by Melissa L. Sevigny. A fascinating nonfiction account of two female scientists and their love of botany. In 1938, two women set out to map the botany of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon. This is their story. A well researched and enjoyable read. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10.