Looking for Alaska by John GreenMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
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Sunday, November 28, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
The Chocolate War by Robert CormierMy 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 ReefMy 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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Wednesday, November 24, 2010
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.
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.
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.
Monday, November 8, 2010
I Am the Messenger by Markus ZusakWanted 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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