Books of the Week Aug. 4-10

Title: “Girl in the Blue Coat” 

Author: Monica Hesse 

“Girl in the Blue Coat” is young adult fiction about a missing Jewish girl during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam in 1943. 

Hanneke Bakker is still mourning the death of her beloved boyfriend, Baz, who died with most of the Dutch resistance at the front lines during the invasion. She is now a deliverer of black-market items to anyone willing to pay the high price.   

She is making a delivery to a regular customer, Mrs. Janssen, when she is ushered inside to talk about a special request to find Mirjam, the Jewish girl who has been hiding in Mrs. Janssen’s pantry. Mirjam has gone without a trace and without evidence of how she got out.   

Hanneke is reluctant to accept the job because of its dangerous nature, but she can’t stop thinking about the girl in the blue coat.   

She agrees to try to locate her and finds herself in too deep.   

With the help of Baz’s brother, Ollie, and some new friends, Hanneke is in a race against time to find Mirjam before the Nazis do.   

This book shows how small efforts were going on behind the scenes to combat the occupation.  It is well-researched and includes true events, although names and details have been changed.   

Title: “Gone” 

Author: Michael Grant 

Reading Level: Young adult 

Perdido Beach, California, is like any other surfing town. Everyone’s lives are as normal as can be.  

Kids don’t have special powers. They aren’t trapped in a dome. They aren’t controlled by an alien being. 

However, this all changes in the blink of an eye.  

All at once, everyone 15 and older is gone. There is no explanation or trace as to where they have gone. Those 14 and younger are the only ones left. 

Without electricity, internet, adults or order, the children must learn to survive. This isn’t easy when bullies, danger and monsters are lurking. 

This book is a must-read young adult sci-fi book. The story has frights, thrills and more, and the characters are complex and entertaining. It will keep you on the edge of your seat.  

This book is available in the library and on the Libby App!