The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman

 

This is a book that will be on the list for California Young Reader Medal.  It's a great story that uses two time lines at the same time.  The nuclear reactor accident of the 1980s and World War II escaping the Germans.  Its about friendship, surviving dangerous and what really is family.  I liked this book a lot and even though it is middle school level, it's great to teach about history as well.  Add this to your school library.  It's a good read.  The audio book is also well done.  Good voice actor.

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai

Can you imagine what it would be like to leave the world that you grew up in,  the language, food, culture, plant life and weather and move to a different world?  This is the story of a girl who does just that.  Her world is shattered and her country is taken over by the Communists in the '70's.  I am including high school because it would fit in with Social Studies classes as a companion read.  It's a good story.  Simple but good.  Based on the author's on life experiences as a child.  Enjoy it's an important read.

Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin

I read this in an hour or less.  This ties in well with Soviet History.  The author/illustrator has at the end of the story a personal notation about an experience he had with the secret police when he lived in the Soviet Union.
Very good book and I hope this will be up for an award.  It takes us into the world of a 10 year old living in a communal apartment building and how quickly people can turn on you.  The illustrations are perfect for this story.