The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise: A Novel by Julia Stuart

My rating: 5 of 5 stars






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Let's Take the Long Way Home: A Memoir of Friendship by Gail Caldwell

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


"I know now that we never get over great losses; we absorb them, and they carve us into different, often kinder, creatures. Sometimes I think that the pain is what yields the solution. Grief and memory create their own narrative..." (p. 182)



A wonderful story of friendship and love.



I have to admit that I almost abandoned this book. At the beginning it seemed to perfect... her friendship, the connection they had over their alcoholism. The author's friend, Caroline, had written a book about her struggle with alcohol and I felt for the first 100 pages or so... that the author, Gail, was competing with her friend's story. But then, the story took on a "truthfulness" to me. It became authentic when she began to describe her friends illness and death and then the death of her beloved dog.



The truths she writes in the 2nd half of the book were heartfelt and filled with deep meaning.



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Hate List by Jennifer Brown

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Pain and isolation. The character of this novel, Valerie, felt so much of both. She found herself in a situation that left her pained (both mentally and physically) as well as isolated (from family and friends alike). She survived a terrible trauma that few can imagine - the death of friends and enemies at the hand of her boyfriend.

The part of the novel that was so upsetting to me was the portrayal of the father. What got to me was the realism of his reaction to his daughter. So many parents do this daily - think the worst of their children and instead of helping them deal - shut them out.




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Resilience by Elizabeth Edwards

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


With the recent passing of Elizabeth Edwards I decided to read her book RESILIENCE and learn more about how this woman was able to overcome so much - the loss of her 16 year-old son, the disintegration of her marriage, and the battle for her life (twice).

What came across in the book to me is simply a woman's life that was filled with pain. A life that did not turn out the way she had hoped. With each new adversity, she fell, hit bottom and then dug her way back up.

Her grief at the loss of her son was all consuming. All encompassing. As Americans, there are times when we have such romanticized notions of the "rich and famous". She disproves many of those notions.

She states on page 92 "Grief is a long process of untangling ourselves from the physical reality of the person and from our expectations of a future with them." How very true.



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2011 Debut Author Challenge

In 2011 I am taking the Debut Author Challenge to read a minimum of 12 Young Adult books published in 2011... I think I can do it and what a great way to keep current on books to share with my classes.

Here is the link to the website if you are interested in participating...
http://www.thestorysiren.com/2010/11/2011-debut-author-challenge.html

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Finished reading this novel. When I first started to read it, I have to be honest, I wasn't sure I would be able to finish it. I am glad that I did.

The novel deals with a sensitive topic - homosexual relationships between two boys in a school setting. But - the message of the novel is much deeper. To be true to who you are and to be a true friend. This is summed up for me on p. 260 of the novel when Tiny Cooper, one of the main characters says, "But with friendship, there's nothing like that. Being in a relationship, that's something you choose. Being friends, that just something you are."

So many times, teenagers (and many adults for that matter) do not realize the power of friendship and what it means to truly be a friend.




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The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson




Where do I even begin in my response to this novel?! It was one of those books that I could not put down, wanting to make discoveries along with the characters and then sad when it has ended.

To me, this is a novel about coming to terms with our grief. Grief that consumes us. Overpowers us. Makes us forget who we are. Leads us to who we can be. I recently also read John Green's novel LOOKING FOR ALASKA and I have made a connection between these two novels. The characters, both Lennie and Alaska, are fearful of the loss of the memories.

When one dies, we begin to loose our sense of that person. It becomes harder to remember their mannerisms, their scent, their voice. And in that loss, we dread loosing them in our memories. For, without them here on earth, our memories are all we have.

For those of us who have lost someone we loved... this novel reminds us that even in the midst of our loss - we can be whole. We can transcend the pain and live with passion. We can become who were are meant to be and still remain loyal to the memory of the one we loved.

In memory to my father who passed away on May 6, 1982 (when I was 12), my grandmother who passed away in June 1979 (when I was 9) and my mother who passed away in April 2007 (when I was 38)... your memories are with me, your love sustains me...



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A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A thoughtful and provocative read. The human condition and how we are able to learn from others - learning from those whom we did not even know had a lesson to teach us.

It is the story of Grant, whose aunt has asked him to visit his cousin in jail who is waiting for the electric chair. During the court proceedings, her son, Jefferson, was referred to as a "hog" and she wants to ensure that he knows he is a man. To die like a man.

Grant states "I still don't even know if the sheriff will even let me visit him. And suppose he did: what then? What do I say to him? Do I know what a man is? Do I know how a man is supposed to die? I'm still trying to find out how a man should live. Am I supposed to tell someone how to die who has never lived?"

And then..."Suppose I was allowed to visit him, and suppose I reached him and made him realize that he was as much a man as any other many; then what? He's still going to die. The next day, the next week, the next month. So what will I have accomplished? What will I have done? Why not let the hog die without knowing anything?" (p. 31)

Throughout the story, Grant does learn to live and he comes to a deeper appreciation of himself just as Jefferson looses all.

A wonderful novel. Very deep and will require another reading, on another day.



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Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


What an amazing story. It is true, that if we can see things from other's perspectives and rid ourselves of our own prejudices and preconceptions that a depth of understanding will be achieved that allows us all to grow as individuals who cannot live individually, but need the help, guidance and assistance of others.

We need to see people for who they ARE not who we want them to BE. (same concept that I just read about the other day in John Green's PAPER TOWNS).



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An Abundance of Katherines

I have been on a John Green roll lately, reading LOOKING FOR ALASKA and then PAPER TOWNS. But this one... I just could not get into it.

Paper Towns by John Green

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Whenever, as an adult, I read a YA book and it makes me re-think how I am living my life... that is a powerful book. There were so many fundamental human truths in PAPER TOWNS.

How many times do we not see someone for who they are, but for who we want them to be? hope them to be? need them to be? And... when we finally see the real person that was there along but we did not see through the "mirror" we had created, things change. Our relationship with that person changes - when, if we had been looking at them through a "window" instead, we would not have been disappointed, we would have been amazed.

The inclusion of so much of Walden's work was wonderful. To pull in great literature into a YA book - great concept.

Would love to use this book in my classroom.



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Hero by S.L. Rottman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wonderful read. Look forward to sharing with students next semester.



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Looking for Alaska by John Green

My rating: 4 of 5 stars






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The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

There are so many social and peer pressure issues found within the pages of this book. Should one change to be part of a group? How much of oneself are you willing to give up and defend? When do you simply cave?

These are questions that I asked myself after reading this book. The main character could have stopped the "chocolate war" when he was instructed to. He did not do this.

As a mother, I thought about how my children would react to this type of peer pressure. As an educator, I wonder about the conversations that would be produced based on the events found in the plot of this novel.



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Jane Austen: A Life Revealed by Catherine Reef

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I have always been fascinated with women writers of days gone by. Their lives and the circumstances of their upbringing is such a part of their lives, reflected in their characters and their words.

This book brought forth the relationships of Jane Austen's life and how she was viewed by those who read her books when they were first published. The book, however, became tedious when the author would provided pages upon pages of summary of each of Jane's novels. This information slowed down the reading and I had to constantly remind myself that it was not Jane's life I was reading about, but one of her characters.

The number of names of family and friends presented in the novel was also a bit overwhelming. A little family tree or relationship matrix at the beginning of the chapters would have made the reading more enjoyable.



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Review of a novel by Elizabeth Laird

Review of The Betrayal of Maggie Blair

I finished reading this book yesterday and enjoyed it immensely. The author was able to capture the time period through her characterization of Maggie Blair and those with whom she befriended and helped her as she grew from a young timid lass to an individual with a sense of purpose and confidence in her ability to traverse her world alone.

The historical pieces that were included made the reading that much more authentic and relateable to the reader. The influence the Church had on the lives of individuals was amazing and portrayed vividly through the actions and events that the characters encountered.

Enjoyed the book very much. Will plan on purchasing for inclusion in my classroom library and will recommend to those students who enjoy historical fiction.

Thank you for the opportunity to read the novel.

Review of Awaken

This novel will not be published until April 2010...

Here is my review. Enjoy!

Review of novel Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

This Young Adult novel, set in 2060, takes place within a society that is fully integrated with technology. Every aspect of each citizens life is monitored, safeguarded, and controlled through technology. The idea of meeting face to face to discuss an issue or enjoy a cup of coffee is a foreign concept to most. Individuals have never experienced the ocean, the mountains or real grass, as the landscape has been transformed through the use of plastic trees and grass.

The main character of the novel is Madeline Freeman, the heiress of Digital School which her father envisioned, implemented and controls. She, however, is a teenager who questions the circumstances in which she finds herself. And therefore, in this society, is also then questioning her father's authority and his way of life.

Many of the issues presented within the context of this novel are valuable to teenagers who can easily relate to Madeline's dilemmas regarding authority and social awkwardness. The idea of never being able to voice your opinion if it is against the social norm is something that many teens struggle with. They are seen as defiant and disrespectful instead of inquisitive and questioning.

As our current society becomes more and more reliant on technology we are becoming a culture where manners and social interactions are being disregarded. If you don't believe that, just stand in line at the grocery store while someone talks on their cell phone about problems that are more appropriate for X rated movies.

In the novel, information is shared, but in a secretive way. One can always "delete" interactions and not have to live the idea of others knowing your personal information and most embarrassing situations. There is a "awkwardness" of social situations, like in Chapter 4 when Justin rang the doorbell. We are becoming a society who relies on "friends" from social networks to fill voids that are best filled by real people in real situations.

A novel that contains themes that teens can easily relate to: parenting, technology, peer pressure, social awkwardness, and many others.

An enjoyable read.

I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak




Wanted to finish the book - and then a sense of emptiness when I am done. That always happens to me when I read a book that is truly amazing.

I love the quote at the end... "If a guy like you can stand up and do what you did, then maybe everyone can. Maybe everyone can live beyond what they're capable of."



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The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Once I started reading this book I could not put it down. A well written story with a very interesting narrator - Death. At the end, I felt disappointed that it was over. Amazing since it was 550 pages!



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Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Even after reading this book, I am not sure of my reaction to it. The content - so important in today's world for teenagers - was disturbing to me in so many ways. A must read for young girls who are falling victim to eating disorders.



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The Alchemyst by Michael Scott

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I was not prepared to enjoy this book, but I truly did. I had to slow down and stop myself from reading the other two that are in my classroom library. I will get to them this year though.



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The Year We Disappeared: A Father - Daughter Memoir by Cylin Busby

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I thought I would enjoy this book from the standpoint of hearing a police officer's story, since I am married to a police officer. Unfortunately, that was not the case.



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Summer Reading - Mark Twain

Being from the Elmira, New York area... we are famous in the fact that Mark Twain lived here during the summers at Quarry Farm and wrote some of his most famous pieces while vacationing on the Chemung River.

Reading Mark Twain, in today's world - like many other classics - is challenging in and of itself. With the word usage and language of the times - not really gelling with our word usage and language... it can be a bit troublesome.

What I enjoyed about the books was their charming qualities (I read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Prince and The Pauper)... but... I also wondered how much students are able to get from the books when reading on their own without any guidance regarding the time period in which the tales were composed.

The Outsiders by: S.E. Hinton

We have just begun reading S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders in class... a great book with so many opportunities for discussions. One of the great things about literature is that it provides us the opportunity to express opinions about topics and events that we might never otherwise discuss.

I look forward to the wonderful discussions we will have regarding the major themes we find in the novel.

Book Review

A day spent with Kathleen Odean learning about all the great books published in the last year... it was both awe inspiring and overwhelming. For there will never be enough hours in the day or days in the week to get through all of the wonderful books she introduced. A wealth of information and reading.

So... each week... a new book will be focused on and discussed... even if I am the only one reading this blog :) I will know that I am doing my part to spread the word about great literature for Young Adults and hopefully, lighting the fire for reading in the students that I see each and everyday.

Thirteen Reasons Why

What a powerful book!!! It is amazing that someone can be going through so much and noone takes the time to notice. I think of the students I interact with everyday... what some of them must be feeling, experiencing, living... that noone pays attention too.

This is a powerful book by Jay Asher that should be required reading for those who care about kids.

UPDATE!!!! May 5, 2010
We actually discussed this recently at my book club... what an interesting discussion. We talked a great deal about the power that teachers have in working with students...

Speak!

I just finished reading this book. My daughter's 8th grade English class is going to be reading it at school - and I thought I should also read it so we can discuss some of the content at home. And there is some heavy content to discuss - acceptance issues among teenagers, date rape, under age drinking, and so many more.

The book left we a little dazed for a day or two... it would be very interesting to discuss with students and view their reactions to how things play out for the main character of the book at school. She is filled with fear and dread of anyone finding out what happened to her (date rape) and yet she needs to have someone on her side. She is conflicted on what to do and when she finally does tell her ex-BFF ... she doesn't believe her.

In the end - she has one teacher that she has built a relationship with that she spills her story out to. As the teacher of middle-schoolers, I can only hope that at some point, if one of my students is experiencing extreme difficulties in their life, that they will feel safe in discussing them... if not with me... then with someone else.

Killing reading in the classrooms!

Laziness and procrastination should be listed as certified diagnosis of overwhelmed mothers and educators... we have so much do to... so many books and journals and articles to read... that we loose sight of the activities that bring us joy - like reading for pleasure.

Isn't that amazing! The students are the same way. How many times do we hear it everyday -

"Why do we have to read? I hate reading?" Or, one of my favorites... "Why do we have to write so much in English class?" When another student responds "Because it's English class!"

Yet, as an adult, I also put reading on the back burner (like the burned dinner...). We expect students to come to our classrooms to read and enjoy what they are reading, yet we kill it with study guides, vocabulary review, questions, quizzes, tests. If you did that to me for every book I read - I too would quit reading. My kindle (which I received in November) would not already have 67 books (full length and samples) already downloaded just waiting to be devoured.

How do we move students from Learning to Read - to Reading to Learn without killing the fun and enjoyment that comes from being immersed in a passage of depth and adventure?