Below you will find a variety of information about books. First and foremost, I will share a brief review of each book that I personally read. These may be found at the bottom of the page. However, I will also post, in the "Books to Check Out" section, information about old, new, and upcoming titles that I discover which may be of interest to others. In the "Interesting Information" section you will find links to articles with reading as their topics, or just about anything else connected to books that someone may find worth his or her time. If you run across anything that may be of interest to others, please send it to me and I will post it here. If you want to write you own review go here.
For the Academic Honors Reading list click here.
For the Academic Honors Reading list click here.
Interesting Information About Books and Reading
Taste Dive
A quick way to find a book to read. Just type in a book of you have read in the past to see a giant list of books that are similar. And it also works for music, movies, and television!
A quick way to find a book to read. Just type in a book of you have read in the past to see a giant list of books that are similar. And it also works for music, movies, and television!
"Yes, Teens are Texting and Using Social Media Instead of Reading Books, Researchers Say" I am not sure how shocking this article from The Washington Post is, but research is used to back up what most of us have been observing.
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Great article for all to read- "The 26 Major Advantages to Reading More Books and Why 3 in 4 People Are Being Shut Out of Success"
Sturgeon Book Reviews
I love this movie!!! This book chronicles the film from the time Darabont acquired the rights, through casting, filming, post-production, awards season, and its rise on video and beyond. If you have any desire to learn more about the movie then this is a must read!
I am not fan of book series, but this one was excellent. The final book was long, and I did feel like there were maybe too many characters introduced, but Shusterman was able to bring all their stories to a proper close. I won't say any more other than reading the three books in this series is well worth your time.
This story is set between the events of The Last Jedi and Rise of Skiwalker. It is a fairly simple tale geared toward a read who is looking for a quick and easy read. Not much of the overall sequel trilogy story arc is addressed, as this serves as a standalone story for these characters. I wasn't too impressed, but it isn't bad. Pick it up if you are looking for an easy Star Wars read.
This graphic auto-biography was shared with me by an FJH staff member. It tells the story of Malaka Gharib who grew up in California as the daughter of a Filipino mother and Egyptian father. Rather than tell her story in typical narrative form, Gharib simply walks us chronologically through key issues in her life from childhood until the present. She has fun with her book and attempts to make it interactive with some of the pages, but the true benefit comes from someone being open and honest about growing up as the child of immigrant parents. Nothing powerful or significant happens to her, which, for me, makes the story even more important. It is simply the reality of what millions of people in our country must think about every day.
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It is the book on which the movie Love, Simon is based (which I haven't seen yet but will soon). It tells the story of a closeted young man who has an online, anonymous crush on someone in his high school. The two boys use screen names and email each other on a regular basis but both are reluctant to meet. However, the book is more than just a story about this relationship, it is a story about high school, and friendship, and family, and growing up. Highly recommended.
This is an auto only book that I highly recommend to any Star Wars fan. It is one of the few stories that takes place prior to Episode 1. It is a story that chronicles the life of Count Dooku from the time he became a padawan up through the time he left the Jedi Order. The unique thing about this version is that it is a full-cast recording, complete with music and sound effects. It harkens back to the days of the public radio broadcasts of the original trilogy. If you have any interest in this era of Star Wars then get the audiobook and have a fun time listening to the story.
This was fun and fast-paced. I feel almost any reader would enjoy the story since it bends the genre and expectations. The characters are well-developed and the incorporation of social media into the story will keep it practical for today's readers. There is probably a fear of some readers that this will be too similar to his brother's books, but this is not like a John Green book so do not let that throw you off.
Jason Reynolds is beginning to pop up everywhere, and with good reason. This long poem is one of inspiration, but not your typical kind. It is not full of false hope and cheesy cliche's. Instead he offered a realistic outlook "for everyone". This approach is done with strong word choice and effective graphic design of the poem throughout the pages. I may even add this to my rotation of gifts for students of the year and graduates.
This caught my eye on the library shelf and was an enjoyable and quick read, but it will not be for everyone. Written in the style of Brian Selznick, this book is a blend of graphic novel and text. It tells the story of two girls living 30 years apart from each other, both of whom are dealing with personal demons. The book does a nice job with a gothic horror feel, but I have to say that it is not the normal uplifting and inspiring story normally found in young adult books of this type. I could even argue that the ending is one that should be redone considering the audience.
I really enjoy free verse novels and this one was no exception. The ability to tell a powerful story with limited writing is such a tremendous skill. This story of a young boy seeking to avenge his brother's murder is powerful, but the approach is what sets it apart. The reader follows Will on his 7 floor elevator ride as he is leaving to kill the boy that killed his brother. At each floor he encounters someone from his past as he struggles with his decision to follow the rules of the street.
If you are a fan of movies and have seen most of the ones listed here then this is an absolute must purchase. I got it for the maps, but I have to say that the essays which accompany each map are well-written and fresh takes on classic movies.
The follow up to Scythe did not disappoint. I won't say much here since it is a sequel, but I can tell you that I really wish the final book was out now!
I have said many times that I am not a big fan of books that are part of a series. Too many times I have felt the stories are too long just to serve the purpose of having multiple titles and I prefer a strong, tight story. However, there are exceptions. Shusterman is one of my favorite young adult authors, and the book Scythe is the first in a trilogy, but I am jumping right into its sequel now! Like with Unwind, Shusterman has created a futuristic world based on current issues and developed a story with strong characters, a quickly-paced plot, and events that make the reader think. I recommend this to anyone who reads the description and finds it even mildly interesting.
I wasn't sure what to expect in the prequel to Alexander's Newbery winning Crossover, but like that book I was pleasantly surprised. The lessons are meaningful, the characters well-developed, and the plot moves a good pace. In this story we meet the father from the first novel, Chuck Bell, as a young high school student who has recently lost his own dad. As he struggles with this change, his mother sends him to live with his grandparents for the summer where more than one lesson is learned. Anyone that has read Crossover will want to dive into this one as well.
I LOVED Mosquitoland, so I was quick to pick up this novel by David Arnold and it too was a winner. While it is a bit more geared toward high school readers, I loved the dive into this young teenage boy struggling to find himself as he begins his senior year. I can say that not much actually happens in the story, but I have always been drawn to stories that are more of a character analysis. The final end was nothing special but the journey to get me there more than made up for the traditional conclusion.
This is a non-fiction book told with great narrative style about an incident involving two teens living in Oakland. The story dives into the lives of the teenagers before and after one sets the other on fire aboard a city bus. Why was it done? What were the repercussions? Read this powerful book to find out.
This is a great read for fans of history. Meacham looks back at times in our history where we faced significant challenges and shows us how our country has always overcome them. You don't have to be a true student of history to enjoy the book because he explains everything well and in an easily accessible prose. However, those of you who know your history well will not find it repetitive or boring either. It is a great reflection on our nation for any type of reader.
While this is more in the style of a textbook, it is an excellent resource and read for anyone wanting to know more about the Bill of Rights. Key cases are discussed and the application of each amendment is follow from it initial idea to modern day. There is no reason those studying US history or those who want to understand their rights should not read this book.
I have been a fan of Palahniuk's books from early on, but lately he has gotten a bit to "out there" for me. This one brought me back into the fold, but I have to say that the final third did not have a conclusion that was on par with the start. Set in a futuristic society where the county is divided into new sections based on various classifications, this very adult story is one that could have said more than it did. The top-level Palahniuk humor was there, but he set up too many plot lines and failed to bring them together in a nice cohesive fashion.
When I was kid i used to love to read movie novelizations, but I have gotten away from them as an adult. This was well worth reading though, because it included some expanded scenes and added detail that was not in the movie. Anyone that is a fan of the film would enjoy this read.
This collection of tales about Luke Skywalker was a nice little diversion when I wanted something light to read. If you like the character of Luke and want to read some stories told in a variety of styles then pick it up. It is very simple to read, and there isn't much in the way of revealing information about Luke himself, but most younger Star Wars fans will enjoy it. The connecting interludes didn't bring a lot to the table but I like the concept. Maybe it will be improved upon in future publications of this style.
Many fans have been anticipating the next John Green book and this one will not disappoint. I didn't find anything special about the story, but the insight into what it can be like living with anxiety triggered by OCD is spot on. The "love" story is simple and not overdone, maybe his most realistic yet, and the plot moves along at a quick pace. And of course the use of Star Wars fan fiction can't hurt :)
I was a fan of Alexander's first two verse novels, and I found this one to be his best so far. I liked the fact that he left the sport realm and made our protagonist a musician instead of an athlete. Although the parental relationship was a bit cliche, I find his poetic writing to be a way to keep some simple storylines inventive and fresh. This would be a great read for just about any junior high student.
This is a powerfully drawn graphic story depicting the events of Hurricane Katrina. There is nothing revelatory in the telling of this tragedy, but if young people are unaware of what exactly happened this makes it clear. And the pictures are extremely well done.
This book has received quite a bit of praise since its publication and I enjoyed it, but didn't think it was written well. Not that it was written badly, it just wasn't anything exceptional. I did enjoy the subject matter though. It is the first young adult novel that I know of that has tackled the Black Lives Matter movement, and it handles it well. There is quite a bit of language in the story, so if that is an issue for you then avoid this book, but if you are looking for a simple read with complex themes then it is worth the time.
I consider this a must read for everyone. Ari Berman does a great job of taking a look at the history of the Voting Rights Act since its passage in the 1960s. I understand that it won't be for everyone because not as many people are interested in history books, but its information is well-researched and relevant in today's world.
This graphic novel has been on my "to-read" list for years and I finally got a copy. It was well-worth it. I don't want to give too much away but pay attention to the three stories that are interwoven with each other as they each help to provide insight into the life of a Chinese-American and his struggles to fit in.
I LOVE Michael Crichton. I know he isn't the most literary writer, but his stories are fun and well-thought-out. When he passed away I was very disappointed that I wouldn't get another book of his to devour. However, since his passing, three novels have been released. The first, his pirate book, was a found manuscript that wasn't published for a reason- it was simply bland. The second was an incomplete novel, Micro, that was finished by another author (and was well-done). This one is all Crichton. He apparently wrote it decades ago and it was one of the stories responsible for his research that led to Jurassic Park. It tells the fictional tale of a man who becomes involved in the true rivalry between paleontologists in the late 1800s. I felt is started a bit slow, but I was quickly hooked. If you like Crichton, you will like this. But keep in mind this is realistic fiction; nothing magical or sci-fi related happens. And it is not a dinosaur book. It is a western character study, and I loved it.
This was a simplistic story that I hoped was going to be set earlier in the timeline, but I would still recommend it to any Star Wars fan. The story takes place after the Empire's occupation of Jedha but before the Star Destroyer has descended upon the planet. Readers will get a little more insight into Base and Chirrut, but nothing revelatory is present in the story. It is geared toward an early middle-grade reader, so it isn't too difficult for most.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was given to me by a former student and I can't wait to recommend it to others myself. This is by far Mitch Albom's best novel. The narration is done by the personification of "music" and it follows a fictitious singer/guitar player throughout his life. Mystical things occur, and a love story is at its core, but I think just about any reader will find inspiration in the pages. And much of the music mentioned in the book can be found on YouTube or Spotify. I was constantly stopping my reading to listen to the songs.
Star Wars fans, and specifically those of Rebels and Zahn's original trilogy, will enjoy this in-depth look at the rise of this Chiss to the rank of Grand Admiral. It has good action and insight into this wonderful character. There are no secrets revealed, but as a character study it is a good read.
This is only for the true Star Wars fan, but it is a fantastic look at the effect of Star Wars upon our culture. There are a few behind the scenes sections but this isn't about the filming of the movies. Rather it looks at the decisions involved in the production of the films, the advertising involved, and how certain elements took off in our society. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone that is looking for a true history of the franchise.
I have wanted to read this one for a while because I like Dave Eggers, but once I saw a movie was being made I moved it to the top of my list. It is an adult book with some adult material, but the near-future that Eggers lays out is one that is frighteningly realistic. It pairs very well with our class discussions on dystopia and it shows were our obsession with technology and "sharing" could lead. I would make it a must-read for most Americans.
This was featured in a Entertainment Weekly and the premise intrigued me. An under-achieving son of the inventor of time-travel lives in an utopian-alternate timeline of our world. Of course he messes things up and creates our current world. The first-person writing was a hook for me, and the plot has great promise and interesting ideas, but overall the book didn't "wow" me the way it has critics. I would still recommend it to some adults and maybe a few teens, but it isn't a must read.
This one is simple. If you are a fan of Seinfeld you will enjoy this book. It is a basic history of the show with quite a bit behind the scenes information. There are times it gets repetitive, and nothing of significance is revealed, but for fans like me I will take anything I can.
I was in the middle of reading this when I heard the news of Carrie Fisher's death. It obviously caused me to look at her words and reflections in an entirely different light. Fisher has a fun and sarcastic writing style that I enjoy, and to have her provide even a glimpse into what it was like to be involved in Star Wars in 1976 was a treat for a fan like me. If you are a fan you need to read it.
I am a huge John Hughes fan! At least up until he ventured into family comedy territory after the success of Home Alone. This book does a nice job at giving some insight into the production of each of his movies, with a majority of the time being spent on his teen films. There are some nice background chapters as well that allow us to know what he was doing prior to the success of Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club. Sometimes the writing is a little disjointed, but this isn't meant to be an in-depth biography. It is more of a coffee table book that has quite a bit of writing in it. If you enjoy his movies then this is worth checking out.
This is the second time I have read this story, and it was just as good as it was the first time. I re-read it because the movie will be out this coming winter and the previews have me very excited. Don't be confused by the title or ominous cover- this is not a monster story. It is about a young boy that is coping with the imminent death of his mother who has cancer. The artwork in the book is amazing, but the words and emotions brought about by them are even more so. I would recommend this to any reader of any level and any age.
Hour of the Bees is a good read for anyone, like myself, who enjoys a character driven book. I will say that at times I wasn't sure if the storyline was going to sustain my interest; however, the end of the book paid off for me. Readers that have experience with an aging and senile relative, or those that have been estranged from family members, will be able to connect to this book more than others. However, it is accessible for anyone, so don't let that lack of connection keep you away.
I actually enjoyed this new Potter story! I wasn't sure what to expect, and I have never been a Harry Potter fanatic. I enjoyed all the books and movies, but I don't have them committed to memory as much as many of my current and past students. Reading this story as a play didn't bother me at all, and I liked the direction that the story took. If you are looking for another Harry Potter book then don't get your hopes up. This feels different, but it is a nice addition to the stories that exist. I would actually read another story that continues from where this one left off, and I would like to go see this play. If you are a true fan of Rowling's world then you should definitely pick this up, but if you consider yourself a purist, then be warned.
This is another novel I picked because of the cover. Not the picture this time, but the title. It is a simple story of three 8th graders trying to start a movement that will get more people to read To Kill a Mockingbird. You can read this story without have read Lee's novel, because the intention is to get others in the real world to read the book as well. There isn't much depth to the story, but it is a quick read and enjoyable. Give it a shot.
I chose to read the book solely on the cover alone. Look at that would you!?! How can you not want to read this book. And it did not disappoint. It is a young adult book that uses some language and deals with a some other young adult issues, but Mim, the main character, is another great voice for young girls. However, not everything is as wonderful as it appears to be in the beginning, and Mim is not the faultless character she makes herself out to be. Well worth your time.
This third effort from Selznick was not as strong as his previous two, but still worth the read. The structure is slightly different from the others in that the first half is told solely through pictures. Then it is straight text until a final set of illustrations that wrap up the story. I found the opening of the book to be intriguing but when it shifted to the text, I found myself wandering away while reading. He did a nice job of bringing me back with a small plot twist and for me the end salvaged the overall story. Well worth the read, and if you have never read a Selznick book this would be a good start because you know you have even better books to look forward to.
This is a wonderfully told auto-biography from one of the great young adult writers of our day. Ms. Woodson grew up in both the North and South during America's civil rights struggles, but these are not the only issues addressed in her book. Written in her often used verse style, Jacqueline Woodson does a beautiful job giving us insight into her younger years. Don't expect tons of action or continually plot lines, but rather let yourself get lost in the language and try to step another's shoes to expand your worldview.
This book is receiving strong reviews and being compared to The Fault in Our Stars, and I feel both the reviews and the comparison are deserved. Just in case the bright red word on the cover wasn't clue enough, this is a love story, but not one that is sappy and unrealistic as many can be in the world of young adult fiction. (And I do want to point out to some of my younger readers that this is a young adult book.) I enjoyed this story because of the narrator, a teenage boy driven my his desire to attend MIT and his disdain for all things English. As and English teacher I appreciated the Mockingbird references and the perspective of those in the world that do not share my affinity for the written word and abstract thought. The final chapters, and the way they are handled, solidified my enjoyment of this novel.
This is a collection of three stories about the new characters from the Force Awakens. The stories are set before the timeline of the film but they give information that explains events in the movie. Like the other books in this "series" (see below) the writing is simple and it is a fairly quick read, but if you are a fan of the movie then you will want to read this one.
This story about Han Solo is set between Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back. It is an enjoyable but easy read for any fan of Star Wars. Nothing special but it does have a lot of action. Like all the books published with it, there is a small connection to the new movie.
This story about Luke Skywalker is set between Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back. It focuses what Luke does to improve himself as a Jedi after the death of Obi-Wan. There are some connections with The Force Awakens but not anything big.
My daughter was reading this for school and it had been years since I had read it, so I joined her. I truly enjoyed reading it again. However, I also think it does not have high appeal for most junior high students. The themes are valid and still very timely, but the writing and slower pace are a bit much for most readers below the upper classes of high school. However, if you are a strong reader and enjoy dystopian fiction then give this one a go.
This book has received strong reviews and while I did the enjoy the mystery and the overall plot line, I felt like the writing was bit too disjointed. There was a bit more confusion than I normally expect from a young adult book and the choppy style had me lose interest now and then. That being said, I have had numerous students read the book (all girls so far) and they really seem to enjoy it, so it will remain one that I will continue to recommend.
I was excited to read this book when I found it at Half-Price books. Jon Scieszka is hilarious, normally his collections are wonderful, and this book is filled with over 70 entries by some of the best YA authors writing today. Unfortunately the "stories" become redundant with only three or four standing out from the rest. The premise is that a much despised editor is murdered and all of the authors are suspects. Each writes his or her alibi which could serve as some entertaining reading, but most of them are too similar to each other and don't showcase the voice of the individual author.
The Night Gardener is written as a classic gothic horror story but with some wit and humor thrown in. I was pleased with the overall story, but I am not sure how a junior high audience will take it. There could be too much exposition and narration with not enough thrills and horror. I will still recommend it to most, but I am very interested to see what kids think as they begin to check it out from my library.
Read my review on my blog- www.believedothink.wordpress.com
I thoroughly enjoyed Eleanor and Park, and frequently state it is better than The Fault in Our Stars in terms of young adult romance. Fangirl was another winner from Rainbow Rowell. Both my wife and I read it and loved it. The story is very simple, new college freshman has trouble adjusting, falls in love, has problem with twin sister, and writes fan fiction for a Harry-Potter-type story. Even though it is simple, Rowell's writing hooks you in and makes you want to continue reading. There is a little bit of language and some college situations, but I will still recommend it to my students.
As much as I love the Disney film, and most things associated with the boy who never grew up, I had never read Barrie's original story. I had seen the play on which this is based, so I knew the plot, but the writing here was a joy. I love the turn of the century prose that is used because it simply sounds better. Plus this new edition has some great "retro" illustrations and inserts which only enhanced the reading experience. Check out this version if you are a fan.
This was first recommend by our librarian, and then when it won the Newbery Medal I knew it had to be on my book list. The unique aspect of Crossover is that it is a verse novel (written in poetry) but with a male target audience. And I imagine that most of my boys in class would enjoy this story. The poetry used changes depending upon the scene, and the narrator stays the same throughout the story, which is not very common with most verse novels. I was also surprised with the ending of the book, which doesn't happen that often.
I didn't even know this book existed until I saw the movie trailer, but I knew immediately that I wanted to read it before it came out. And I am glad I did. It is another mature young-adult book due to its strong language, but the unique voice of the narrator makes it one of my recent favorites. Told in first person, Greg Gaines begins by chastising us for reading the book to begin with. He is a filmmaker, not a writer, he tells us. He then proceeds to tell us about this time in his life, with some flashback and other commentary, all with a sardonic wit that isn't found in most young adult lit. Most of you are familiar with the story because of the movie trailer and the obvious title. However, the book doesn't play out exactly as you may expect, which is what made me enjoy it even more.
Mr. Broviak recommended this one to me, and I am glad he did. It is told from the perspective of a high-school senior who has decided to kill a fellow classmate and then himself. Quick does an amazing job of getting us inside the mind of Leonard, and even manages to make us sympathize with this would-be shooter. It is one of the finest books I have read that shows the real struggles of many teens, not just the superficial ones normal portrayed in film and young adult lit. Because of of the mature subject matter and strong language, it is recommended for mature readers.
This was another winner from John Green. I obviously read this in anticipation of the movie, but it had been on my to-read list for awhile. If you have enjoyed his other books, then you will like this one, too. There isn't much deep here, but I did appreciate that once again, Green does not make an attempt to have a fairy-tale, young-adult ending. There isn't much else to say since, you are likely coming to this story knowing what you are going to get.
I was very excited when I saw Cary Elwes was writing this book. It is basically a reflection of his time filming The Princess Bride, but there is little depth to his tales and memories. Many of the comments he makes, and those he obtains from his fellow cast mates, are ones that I have heard on various commentaries and DVD special features. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the read, it just wasn't as insightful as I had hoped. However, if you are new to the movie or don't watch a lot of the extras available on the discs, then you will find it quite enjoyable.
The Martian has a classic premise- man stranded with seemingly no hope for rescue. Even putting him on Mars doesn't make the story all that unique. However, I was hooked by the voice of the narrator in the opening chapters. That is what sets this novel apart from most of its kind. Unfortunately, there is just a bit too much "science speak" here for my tastes. It is almost as if Weir was trying to show that his story is possible and grounded in scientific reality. But I found myself quick-skimming where multiple pages were taken up explaining how to upload a computer file or what exactly was going to be done on a repair excursion. The second half of the novel did not keep me as interested as the first, and most of my students would be bored with book, but it may be worth checking out for adults that find the premise interesting.
Flight is another good read by the author of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Like that novel, Flight is a book that is for a more mature reader due to its strong language. However, the growth of the narrator, who is half Native American, is a story that most should read. The book takes a very interesting turn about 1/4 of the way through and that is when the true lessons begin. I don't want to give much away, but the lessons of tolerance learned here are very worthwhile and Alexie's amusing writing comes through as in most of his books.
If you like baseball you will enjoy this read. Derek Jeter is using the 10 life lessons from his Turn2 foundation as the basis for a series of children's novels, and these are meant for a younger audience (4th or 5th grade). However, junior high readers will still enjoy the story and themes as long as they also enjoy the sport of baseball, and being a Yankee fan will help, too! While these books won't win any awards, they are a great option for the male reluctant reader. Give it a swing.
This adult thriller has been getting a lot of positive press lately. Much of the comparisons are to Gone Girl, and that is a valid connection, but this story isn't just another duplicate of that well-written book. I enjoyed this because of the multiple narrators, and the fact that tour main protagonist is flawed. She is not simply someone caught up in a crime, but instead she is someone that has placed herself there. The plots twists are not that surprising, but the way it is written will keep most readers in their chairs waiting to find out what happens next.
Yancey's first book in this series, The 5th Wave, was one of my favorites I read last year. Unfortunately this second one did not hold up for me. Much like his Monsterumologist series, he isn't able to maintain the story telling of the first book. The writing is excellent, but craft can only a read so far. At some point the plot must be interesting and it never got there with this book. Plus he changed narrators a couple of times and did so without reason or warning. The whole story seemed disjointed and was an overall disappointment. I'm not sure if I will venture into the next one or not.
I have never been a big comic fan or graphic novel reader; however, over the last few years I have begun to read more and more of both. I am not alone in this trend and a wider variety of this genre is hitting the market. Civil rights leader and congressman John Lewis has jumped aboard and written an auto-biographical graphic novel. It appears that it will be published in three books. This first one begins on Barack Obama's inauguration day, and has John Lewis recounting key events in his life to a mother and her two young sons that are visiting him. The drawings are well done and if anyone is interested in this time period I would highly recommend this book.
When I saw that Westerfeld had a new book coming out, a smile came to my face. And I became even more excited when I saw that the narration would switch back and forth from a young adult author who has written her first book to the actual book she wrote. Unfortunately the storyline of her fictional book had lapses in its plot that caused me to forget sections as I was alternating between the stories. The story of Darcy, the author, was a little more intriguing to me, but it never amounted to anything more than the struggles of a soon-to-be-published author. It appears that there are plans for sequels, but I don't know if I will bother to venture back into this world.
I know this is a classic story that is loved by many, but I just didn't enjoy much about it. I felt the story itself was very minimal with little occurring that actually mattered. The one bright spot I found was in the language itself. Babbitt writes beautifully and paints wonderful pictures with her words. I only read it because my 5th grader was reading it in class and I do believe it was a good book for them to experience. The writing style was more challenging for them, but the simple plot made the book accessible. It was a nice balance for this age reader, just not an adult.
I was very excited when I found this novel in the book store. I have been a fan of J.J. Abrams for a while now (and his work with Episode VII only made me a bigger one), so to see him connected with a novel peaked my interest. There are numerous stories contained within this book. The premise is that two college students are studying the mysterious author of a book (which you read as the main text), and they write to each other in the margins of the book. However, there are four different conversations between them that take place over time; each one distinguished by the color pens they are using. Plus the book contains notes, newspaper clippings, postcards, etc. to read in conjunction with their notes. Overall it was a very clever creation, but I will say that their conversations did not build to an exciting resolution. I would recommend it to those looking for a unique reading experience, but the story will be a bit of a letdown.
This graphic novel was one I delved into with no prior knowledge whatsoever. And I was pleasantly surprised. It is an allegorical tale of one "everyman", living in a boring and predictable society, who suddenly begins to grow an uncontrollable beard. The simple black and white drawings are remarkably engaging, and I found myself pouring over them and even going back to re-examine the seemingly basic details. The overall message is nothing new, but its presentation and outlandish premise makes this a must read for any fan of the genre or allegory.
Modeled after the wonderful Miss Peregrine books, Asylum uses found photographs from real institutions to help tell a story of a high school student living on a college campus as part of a summer program. He soon discovers that his dorm used to be an insane asylum and than mysterious deaths and experiments took place there. The premise is a good one, and Roux pulls of some decent suspense; however, her writing is not top-notch. The book is written in 3rd person limited, but it feels like she really wanted to make it first person. As a result there are time the narration doesn't flow well. As I have stated before, I am not a huge fan of series, but even with the weaker writing, I may check out the follow up novel to see if the suspense gets cranked up to a level that I would enjoy. I would recommend this to most junior high readers looking for a little scare.
I first read this book this book when I was in fifth grade and it beat out Where the Red Fern Grows as my favorite book for short time period. I am sure I reread it a couple of times over the following years, but I have not picked it up since. After book talking it with my classes I decided to read it again. Unfortunately, it just didn't hold up. I remember struggling with it when I was a kid and I think one of the reasons I liked it so much was that it was an accomplishment for me to read it. However, now I just find it a bit laborious (when reading through the eyes of a junior high student. As an adult, I appreciated the theme and some of the imagery, but the story itself and the reasons for the conflicts are weak. I know it is a beloved classic, and one that had an impact on me growing up, but I don't think I will venture into this world again.
After having several people recommend this novel to me, I finally got around to reading it. The premise of the Yellowstone super volcano erupting intrigued me, and the promise for a unique setting gave me more hope of a good read. I was not disappointed. The story moved a quick pace so the 450 page novel never drug like some stories in this genre. My one criticism was that the author didn't do a great job of showing the passage of time, but it was nothing to hurt the overall book. I was a little hesitant when I found out that it was yet another trilogy (can any young adult author just write a good action/dystopian/sci-fi story that doesn't have to be part of some elaborate series with an attempt to cash in on a film franchise?), but I am actually planning on reading the next book. I recommend this one to just about every reader.
I was very excited to see this book at our book fair. I purchased Countdown, the author's previous book, simply because of the striking cover. I found it intriguing and unique in its self-proclaimed documentary-novel style. When I saw that Revolution was going to be set during Freedom Summer, it shot to the top of my to-read list. As you can tell by the books below, I have been on a civil rights reading kick since our trip this summer. Unfortunately my expectations were a bit too high for this story. I still liked the docu-novel approach, although I felt those sections could have been spread out more in the book. But the story itself seemed to drag in places. Overall, I liked it and would recommend it; however, it need to say more than it did. The chances to educate and make a statement about Freedom Summer were lost because of the author's desire to flesh out her main character. I love character-driven books, but this one needed more punch.
This book had been on my to read list for a while, and after book talking it in class one day I finally decided to give it a shot. I thought the book was going to funny, yet unrealistic, story about a boy living on Alcatraz. However, what I got was much bette. I would describe it as more light-hearted rather than a comedy, but the realism is what hooked me. There was actually very little interaction with the inmates of the prison, and the main plot centered around one family's struggle to deal with their daughter's/sister's autism in the 1930s. I typically like stories that are more of a snapshot of the characters' lives rather than an over-the-top plot, and this book fit that bill perfectly. I am looking forward to reading the next two books in the series.
I was first recommended this book by a student, who simply told me the title and that I would like it. As I am sure many of you probably have, I thought, "I really don't want to read a book about cheerleading." However, after a quick search on the book I discovered why she recommended it. The cheerleader of the title is one of the women in New Orleans who was protesting Ruby Bridges and the integration of the public schools. I enjoyed this book, although there was less information and story about the integration than I would have liked. But the main character was enjoyable, and the premise of the story was intriguing. I would recommend to girls that like to read and adults that are looking for a quick story in between something heavy.
After visiting the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, my former principal, Roger Norris, saw my posts about it on Facebook and recommended Natchez Burning. I had never read anything by Greg Iles, but I'm always willing to try something new when recommend to me. This book is lengthy (788 pages), but on my Kindle I didn't notice the weight :) However, for such a long book, the pace never slowed. I was hooked from the beginning and even found myself cross-referencing the events mentioned in the book with real-life events of the 1960s. Many of the occurrences Iles writes about actually happened, and he weaves them expertly into his fictional narrative. My only complaint is that this is the first of a three-book series and I have to wait nearly a year for the next one to come out. This is not a young adult book, and is intended for a mature reader, but I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for a John Grisham style with more substance and depth.
Paperboy by Vince Vawter is the type of book that many adults will find interesting, but it is only for a select group of 5th-8th grade students. Set in 1959, the first-person novel follows a young boy who stutters over the course of four weeks in the summer when he takes over his friend's paper route. Over these weeks he encounters some interesting characters that change his his life forever.