Do you love to read historical fiction, specifically World War II era fiction?  Do you have an upcoming class assignment where you need a book from a specific time period? Place a hold or stop by your local branch to pick up one of these WWII fiction books.

Willow Run (2005)

During World War II, after 11-year-old Meggie moves with her parents to Willow Run, Michigan, when her father gets a job in the B-24 bomber-building factory, she  learns about different kinds of bravery from the people around her.

An Elephant in the Garden (2011)

Lizzie and Karl’s mother is a zoo keeper; the family has become attached to an orphaned elephant named Marlene, who will be destroyed as a precautionary measure so she and the other animals don’t run wild should the zoo be hit by bombs. The family persuades the zoo director to let Marlene stay in their garden instead.

The Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941 (2011)

Eleven-year-old Danny Crane is alone on his favorite beach in Hawaii when the world is torn apart and World War II officially hits the United States. Does he have what it takes to find his way home in the midst of the bombs, the smoke and the destruction of the day that will live in infamy?

Don’t You Know There’s a War On? (2001)

In wartime Brooklyn in 1943, 11-year-old Howie Crispers mounts a campaign to save his favorite teacher from being fired.

Black Radishes (2010)

When Paris is captured by the Nazis, Gustave knows that Marcel, Jean-Paul and their families must make it out of the occupied zone. And when he learns that his new friend Nicole works for the French Resistance, he comes up with a plan that just might work. But going into Occupied France is a risky thing to do when you are Jewish. And coming back alive? That is nearly impossible.

A Faraway Island (2009)

In 1939 Sweden, two Jewish sisters wait for their parents to flee the Nazis in Austria, but while 8-year-old Nellie settles in quickly, 12-year-old Stephie feels stranded at the end of the world, with a foster mother who is as cold and unforgiving as the island on which they live.

War Games (2009)

What were once just boys’ games become matters of life and death as Petros and his older brother Zola each wonder if, like their resistance-fighter cousin, they too can make a difference in a Nazi-occupied Greece.

Jimmy’s Stars (2008)

In 1943, 11-year-old Ellie is her brother Jimmy’s “best girl,” and when he leaves Pittsburgh just before Thanksgiving to fight in World War II, he promises he will return, asks her to leave the Christmas tree up until he does and reminds her to “let the joy out.”

The Coastwatcher (2005)

While 11-year-old Hugh, his family, and his cousin Tom are spending the summer of 1943 on the South Carolina shore to escpe the polio epidemic, Hugh uncovers clues that point to a German plot to sabotage a nearby naval base.

Someone Named Eva (2007)

From her home in Lidice, Czechoslovakia, in 1942, 11-year-old Milada is taken with other blond, blue-eyed children to a school in Poland to be trained as “proper Germans” for adoption by German families, but all the while she remembers her true name and history.

Due to the lack of snow, the Byron Township branch is canceling the Snowpalooza program that was originally scheduled for Saturday, February 18.  We are thankful for all of the patrons that donated hats, scarves and mittens for the program.  While we are disappointed that we will not be able to use them for snowmen, we know they will be put to good use through local charities.

The KDL staff would like to extend a huge thanks to all of the teens that submitted entries for our 2010 Poetry Contest.  We had over 100 entries that our staff had a great time reviewing.  Once we narrowed down the entries, our judge selected 10 winners and 1 honorable mention.  We have a PDF available for download on the KDL Teen page with all the winners and their poems for your enjoyment.  Congratulations to the winning poets:

1. “Remembering” by Emily Plants
2. “Holding Back” by Mollie Stahl
3. “One Morning’s Rehearsal” by Olivia Ezinga
4. “Just Let Me Cry” by Leanna Gorney
5. Untitled by Mary Verberg
6. “The Cemetary Across the Road Has Been Filling with Fireflies” by Patricia Schlutt
7. “Spotlight” by Brianne Stephens
8. “Porcelain” by DJ DeSmyter
9. “Diminuendo” by Evanne Zainia
10. “Starry Night” by Baily Green

Honorable Mention:

• “Just Let Me Cry” by Leanna Gorney

We would also like to extend a special thanks to our judge, David Cope.  David is a creative writing professor at Grand Rapids Community College as well as a published poet.  We appreciate his expertise and his willingness to judge our contest again this year.

Thanks again to all who made this year’s Poetry Contest a success!

It’s that time of year again — National Poetry Month is upon us!  Throughout the month of April KDL is hosting our seventh annual Word Wise teen poetry contest.

From April 1 to April 30 you are able to submit your poems online or at your local KDL branch.  Winners will be announced by mid May and each winner will receive a $50 gift card to Schuler Books and Music.  The winning poems will be published on the KDL website.  Take some time to check out our teen page for a complete list of rules and an online entry form.

If you are interested in reading poetry in honor of National Poetry Month, or looking for a little inspiration, check out a list of teen poetry books that are KDL staff favorites.  KDL is looking forward to another month of great poetry submissions!  Happy writing!