OyMG by Amy Fellner Dominy

OyMG is about Ellie Jane Taylor, a Jewish girl who lives with her brother Benny (Jewish), Mom (Jewish) and Dad (Lutheran). She lives down the street from her very religious Zeydeh. Ellie loves to argue about anything and everything. She is accepted to a Christian debate camp, and if she wins the oratory tournament she could get a scholarship to Benedict school. Zeydeh is not so happy that Ellie is going to a Christian camp.

At camp, Ellie falls for her competition, Devon Yetes, the grandson of Doris Yetes. Doris Yetes is the woman who started and gives out the scholarships. Ellie is asked by Doris to have an interview. Devon warns Ellie to put her Bubbe's Jewish star necklace away because Doris Yetes is kind of "weird" about Jewish people. Doris gave Ellie a scholarship form to fill out questions. Ellie wasn't sure what she should put as her religion. She put Christian, technically she was half and half so she wasn't completely lying. Of course, Zeydeh was not happy about this. Ellie explained to her parents her reasons for writing Christian.

Doris Yetes sees so much of herself in Ellie.

Throughout the story you learn about Ellie's struggles about friends, family,religion and who she really is as a person.

Does Ellie end up getting the scholarship? Does she change her religion on the form? Does Ellie learn to stand up for what is right even if she isn't sure who is standing with her? Does Ellie end up going to Benedict school?

Read OyMG to find out.

I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. You learned about the struggle any Jewish person faces, no matter the age, by being proud of their religion. You also learn about how people can be antisametic because of a person's religion. This book shows how in real life you are going to be faced with many difficult decisions, struggles and choices but you will always have friends, family, and teachers guiding your way and helping you. I would recommend this book to 7th graders and up because it has a great message about friendship, family, love and about being proud of your religion.

well, I have to go read some more,

Mollie

Behind the Bedroom Wall by Laura E. Williams

Korinna, Eva and Rita are German lovers, Jew haters and Adolf Hitler followers. It is their job to turn Jew-lovers and unloyal Germans into the police. Korinna believes EVERYTHING Hitler says and does. One night Korinna hears scratching behind her wall. She walks over and moves her wardrobe. To her surprise, she sees a Jewish mom and daughter hiding in a small hole in HER wall. Her parents explain to her how their house is part of an escape route for Jews. Karinna is upset and shocked.

Korinna couldn't understand why her mom was being so nice to the Jews. After a while Korinna takes a liking to Rachel and Sophie, the daughter and mom behind the wall. Rita, one of Korinna's best friends, thinks Korinna is hiding something. Of course she is.

German soldiers are constantly keeping an eye on Korinna's house. Always searching the place.

Do Sophie and Rachel escape to freedom? Does anyone find out about Korinna's secret? Does Korinna finally learn the importance of freedom and love? Read Behind the Bedroom Wall to find out.

I really enjoyed Behind the Bedroom Wall. At times, I did find it scary. Since the book was based on the Holocaust, the thought of the events really happening was a big awakening.

I would recommend this book to any seventh grader or older who is interested in the Holocaust. I would not suggest children under the age of eleven to read the book.

I have got to go read some more,

Mollie