FINISHED:
Dumon Tak, Bibi. [Laura Watkinson, translator] (2011). Soldier bear. Grand Rapids, MI.: Eerdmans.

[Interesting (true!) story about a group of soldiers in WWII who took in a bear as their mascot, but was then made an honorary soldier because of the theraputic nature of the bear to the soldiers.  Great story, but I found the writing (maybe it's a translation issue?) to be kind of stilted and plodding.]

STARTED:
McMann, Lisa. (2011). The Unwanteds. New York: Aladdin.

[It's touted as "Harry Potter meets the Hunger Games"...  Who WOULDN'T want to read this one?!?]

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