Snowmobile: Bombardier's Dream Machine, by Jules Older. Illustrated by Michael Lauritano

Snowmobile: Bombardier's Dream Machine

This is a well-written, slightly fictionalized story of the French Canadian inventor of the snowmobile, Joseph-Armand Bombardier (1907-1964). While the story itself is true to the facts, the author has added interest by imagining conversations that could have taken place, and also by placing the invention of the snowmobile in context. Being snowbound, and unable to transport his young son to a hospital, Bombardier knew the value of being able to "drive" over deep snow.
Very readable, and with appealing pen-and-ink illustrations as well as photographs, this book is highly recommended for middle-grade elementary students. 2012.
K. Muhm

Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan's Rescue from War, by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch

Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan's Rescue from War

This short narrative reads like a well-written novel, but it's the true story of Tuyet Son Thi Anh, a young girl who endured polio and war, and who was flown out of Saigon in 1975 by Americans, at the end of the Vietnam War.
Tuyet spent most of her early years in a Vietnamese orphange, caring for children younger than she was, and with only vague memories of her mother. After the fall of Saigon, Tuyet and hundreds of other Vietnamese children were airlifted to western countries--and Tuyet found herself in Canada.
Her memories, as told to the author, are fascinating and poignant. Having never seen a bed, a bathtub, or a fork, Tuyet had many adjustments to make. But luckily she was cherished in her new Canadian family, and has been able to survive and thrive.
An author's note at the end of the book tells of now-adult Tuyet's life today.
Highly recommended! 2011.
K. Muhm