Are you searching for one of those special books that you become completely involved in from the beginning and can't stop reading until you read it all? "Framed in Fire", by David Patneaude, is just the book for you! This fiction book is packed with adventure, anticipation and mystery.
It begins with thirteen-year-old Peter having problems with his stepfather, Buck. When Peter is accused of pushing his little half-brother down the stairs, Buck begins to talk of having Peter placed into a hospital for children who have mental problems. When Peter ends up in such an institution, he finds that he has friends there, both on the staff and other patients. He begins to develop trust with his roommate who speaks only in poetry fashion when conversing with those around him. He befriends a girl who is anorexic and never eats. And, he becomes very good friends with a staff member who will soon be moving to California. But, he is very upset for having to leave his home, friends and school just because he feels that his stepfather didn't want him around.
This story is told through the eyes of Peter and we see and feel all that he is feeling, sensing and seeing as he tries to make his life better. It's very difficult for his mother to just stand by and let her husband manipulate Peter's life. She doesn't want Buck to treat her son the way he does and then have him "committed", but she doesn't want to stand up for Peter and lose her husband either. Unfortunately, for Peter, she chooses Buck.
There is one constant throughout the book and that is how Peter feels about his little half brother, the one he was accused of pushing down the stairs. "Lincoln" is adored by Peter and he loves his little brother and is constantly thinking about him. While at the hospital, it's Lincoln whom he misses most. It's evident to the reader that Peter has a bad situation with the step dad around and you want him to be able to go home, but not with Buck living there. But, just as you think Peter is going to have to go back to that same situation, Peter begins to have doubts that his real father might have died.
The story takes many unexpected turns and the unfolding events keep you turning the pages. I found myself reading the entire book in one setting because I couldn't wait to see what happened to Peter. This book is on this year's list for Mark Twain award nominees. I recommend it for ages 11 and older.
"Mr. Tanen's Ties", by Maryann Cocca-Leffler, is a colorful picture book about a principal, Mr. Tanen, who loves wearing bright, different looking ties to school. He wears his hot dog tie when the cooks are cooking frankfurters. He'll change into his umbrella tie if the weather suddenly changes to rain. He'll wear his official red, white, and blue tie when making presentations. He even has ties that play music. And when his students go on trips, they'll bring back ties for him to wear from their destinations. His office closet is packed with many brilliant, bright ties. But it's all about to change. When he's called into Mr. Apple's office for a School Departmental meeting, he finds that his boss, Mr. Apple, has told him to stop wearing all of these different, colored ties. He tells him that he is just to wear blue ties. He's very saddened by this because not only did he enjoy wearing his many ties, but the children looked forward to seeing which ties he would wear during the day. He feels blue just wearing the same colored tie every day and even the children comment on how boring it is at school now. Except that soon after all this had taken place, Mr. Tanen becomes ill and needs a substitute principal to stand in for him. Mr. Apple, his boss, takes over for the week. And guess what he discovers? You'll just have to read this book to find out!