Picture Book Reviews: Night Flight, Pop!, and Pete the Cat

  Last year I picked up pictures books and I've gotten to appreciate them much more than I did as a child. I hope to continue read and review them in the future. If you have any recommendations for me, please list them in the comments and I'll check them out!

Description: An account of Amelia Earhart's dangerous 1932 flight across the Atlantic Ocean from Newfoundland to Ireland, in which she survived bad weather and a malfunctioning airplane. Includes a brief biography of the aviator.

Review: On a May evening in 1932, Amelia Earhart climbed into her single-engine, red Lockheed Vega and flew across the ocean, departing from Newfoundland and landing on a farm in Northern Ireland. Burleigh's suspenseful text and Minor's shifting perspectives work together to pull readers into the drama and action as they experience the anxiety and exhilaration that accompanied this historic flight. Earhart's skill, stamina, and courage are put to the test when a thunderstorm erupts, her altimeter breaks, and icy wings cause the plane to plummet. You could feel yourself become frighten for Amelia and for a brief moment wonder what terror she must have felt being in that plane alone. The third-person narrative is arranged in two-line stanzas of free verse; the language is fresh and evocative, morphing to match Amelia's tenacity. I loved the illustrations in this book which brings the text to life. You can picture yourself flying next to Amelia and have a panoramic view of the sea and sky. I think this book would incite curiosity about flying and all the various requirements that pilots have to go through in order to fly. The book also includes a technical note, bibliography, and inspirational quotes from Earhart's writings. This a great picture book biography that I think both girls and boys would enjoy.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 2-4.

If you like this book try: Talkin' About Bessie by Nikki Grimes, Bravest Woman in America by Marissa Moss


Description: Full of fun historical facts, this book is the true story of how bubble gum was invented.

Review: This was a fun nonfiction read. It's got some amusing illustrations, easy text to read, and fun history facts behind the invention of bubble gum. The story also touches briefly on the origin of gum, and the back matter a short biography of Diemer, a fact list about gum, and a bibliography to make this book a more thorough package. I wouldn't necessarily pick this one up from the shelves, but I think with a pitch about candy (always a kid's favorite) it might get its readership. Overall, a pretty entertaining story.

Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 2-4

If you like this book try: Apples by Gail Gibbons


Description: Pete the cat wears his school shoes when visiting the library, the lunchroom, the playground, and more while singing his special song.

Review: The first day of school can cause lots of anxiety for the little ones. Blue cat Pete is here to help make his readers a little less nervous with his proved his ability to roll with the punches when his white sneakers were accidentally stained red. Sporting the red treads for the first day of school, Pete is unflappable. He smoothly goes with the flow throughout the day. School setting is nicely drawn with appealing eye-catching colors. There's humor to be found in the deadpan expressions of Pete and his fellow cats as he sits with friends in the lunchroom, plays at recess, and solves math problems on the board. There is also a free song that you can listen to while you're reading the book that might increase the reader's enjoyment of the story.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades PreK-2

If you like this book try: Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel, Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton

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Spies of Mississippi

  When you think of the Civil Rights Movement, what words and people suddenly pop into your mind? Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Jim Crow laws, segregation, and sit-ins are just a few that I can think of this morning, but I'm sure you can come up with much more. Never would I have thought spies would also be in that mix until I read Rick Bower's chilling and eye-opening book called the Spies of Mississippi: The True Story of the Spy Network That Tried to Destroy the Civil Rights Movement.

Description: In the 1950s and 1960s, the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission compiled secret files on more than 87,000 private citizens in the most extensive state spying program in U.S. history. Its mission: to save segregation.

Review: Drawing upon archival material, his impeccable research and personal investigation, Bowers has uncovered something new in the much discussed topic of the Civil Rights movement in the U.S. In 1956, the state of Mississippi created a Sovereignty Commission that started as a propaganda outlet for white supremacy quickly morphed into a full blown spy network, with a goal of stopping integration and crushing the civil rights movement in the state.
 In extensive details, Bowers discusses the Commission's tactics that were appalling and disregarded the constitutional rights for those who supported or aided the cause as well as the scope of this network's activities from its initial attempts to control or marginalize the NAACP and resist public and school and university integration into outright advocacy of violence and obstruction of justice. Although the Commission was thankfully abolished due to the federal civil rights legislation and the threat of financial sanctions, the author still warn his readers that racism is just as alive today as it was back then. Period black-and-white photographs, an appendix with reproductions of selected Commission documents, and an extensive bibliography of books and links to online archives supplement the text, making this a great resource for young readers doing a research project on the Civil Rights movement. Spies of Mississippi is a an eye-opening and powerful experience. 

Curriculum Connection: Social Studies

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: Race riots and violence are discussed. Recommended for Grades 6 and up.

If you like this book try: They Call Themselves the K.K.K. by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Claudette Colvin by Phillip Hoose

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Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

 Wild is one of my quick picks for an adult nonfiction read. It is a powerful, blazingly honest, inspiring memoir of woman who took herself out of her personal hell by tackling a solo, monumental journey into the wildness which proves that no matter how dark things can get you do have enough strength to carry on.

Description (from Goodreads): At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother's death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life: to hike the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—and to do it alone. She had no experience as a long-distance hiker, and the trail was little more than “an idea, vague and outlandish and full of promise.” But it was a promise of piecing back together a life that had come undone. Strayed faces down rattlesnakes and black bears, intense heat and record snowfalls, and both the beauty and loneliness of the trail. Told with great suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild vividly captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.

Review: Wild is an unsentimental memoir of the author's three-month solo hike from California to Washington along the Pacific Crest Trail. Following the death of her mother, Strayed's life quickly disintegrated. Family ties from her siblings and stepfather melted away. Feeling emotionally numb, she dived head first into infidelity and drug use, which resulted in a divorced from her decent husband and best friend. For the next four years, her life quickly spiraled into darkness and there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Strayed is very frank about her flaws and her writing is very candid, which is what drew me to her story. Her dark days will resonate with others who shared a similar event(s) in their own lives, but her means to find peace within herself may be a bit far fetched but not impossible.
  While waiting in line at an outdoors store, Strayed read the back cover of a book about the Pacific Crest Trail. Initially, the idea of hiking the trail became an abstract idea, something that might be listed on someone's bucket list, but then it quickly became a goal. With absolutely no backpacking experience whatsoever, being woefully under-prepared for the wilderness, out of shape and carrying a ridiculously overweight pack, the author set out from the small California town of Mojave, toward a bridge crossing the Columbia River at the Oregon-Washington border. Many would call her decision to be idiotic and impulsive and they would be right in many ways as she suffered aches, pains, loneliness, blistered, bloody feet, persistent hunger, and suspicious people along the way. Personally, I cringed when she made several decisions that could have easily been deadly yet I couldn't help but admire the author's tenacity of sticking to her goal when there were several times she could have easily stopped. I found a small part of myself connected to her plight and her conversational tone engaged me throughout her story. Strayed discovered a new found sense of awe; for overcoming her limitations along with gaining her inner and physical strength while hiking the PCT. She is stunned by how the trail both shattered and sheltered her as she released all her emotional baggage along the way.
  Some readers have found that Wild is a book filled with self pity and wallowing, but aren't most memoirs just that? If you're looking for a book talking about the wonders of hiking and the Pacific Crest Trail, Wild will surely disappoint you as there is not much discussion to be found. If you are in the mood for a candid and an inspiring narrative, Wild may work for you.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: This book contains strong language, drug use, and frank discussion of sex. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: Into the Wild by Jon Krauker, Claiming Ground by Laura Bell, A Blistered Kind of Love: One Couple's Trial by Trail by Angela Ballard, Cactus Eaters by Dan White

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Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

  It may come as no surprise to those who know me, but I am an introvert. For many years I thought it was a personality flaw that needed to be fixed as I was told by many that quiet people do not get ahead in life. Truthfully no matter how much I tried, I couldn't be something that I'm not. Susan Cain's Quiet affirmed that I'm actually normal and gave my introspection and love of solitude the legitimacy it deserves.

Description: Demonstrates how introverted people are misunderstood and undervalued in modern culture, charting the rise of extrovert ideology while sharing anecdotal examples of how to use introvert talents to adapt to various situations.

Review: We all heard the terms extrovert and introvert before. We may even have taken personality tests to see which category fits us the best or even know before hand. Our society leans towards those who are amongst many things assertive and socially active while the quiet ones are deemed to be in some ways defective or need fixing as a plethora of self help books will tell you. Susan Cain's bestselling book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking revisits the widely discussed dichotomy of personalities, but better yet she explains the how the trend of extrovertism came to be and why being an introvert is not a flaw.
  In the highly readable and enjoyable book, Cain defines the terms extrovert and introvert broadly. She even gives examples on how each individual who falls into either category succeed. What I loved about this book is how Cain gives excellent portraits of a number of introverts and shatters misconceptions. For example, she notes, introverts can negotiate as well as, or better than, alpha males and females because they can take a firm stand, listen, ruminate, and draw out important questions about the case. The breaks between psychological discussion with real life antidotes and situations is what brought Quiet to life. There were many moments where a light bulb clicked on when I read passages as to why I do the things I do subconsciously. To be honest, Quiet helped to reassured me that there was nothing really wrong with my personality and that it is okay not wanting to be super social and that for me sitting at home reading a fabulous book is just as good a weekend then going party hopping. Furthermore Cain also provides tips to parents and teachers of children who are introverted or seem socially awkward and isolated. She suggests, for instance, exposing them gradually to new experiences that are otherwise overstimulating.
   As you know I'm not a nonfiction reader as I don't gravitate to them naturally, but once in a while I come across a great title from which I learn something without feeling stupid. It's clear that Cain's research is diligent and she's passionate about the topic, but her voice never sounds condescending. I highly recommend picking this book up if your are at all curious about psychology or want a different, intelligent and absorbing read.

Curriculum Connection: Psychology

Rating: 4.5 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for teens interested in psychology and adults.

If you like this book try: Multiplicity: The New Science of Personality, Identity, and the Self by Rita Carter, Introvert Power: Why Your Inner Life Is Your Hidden Strength by Laurie Helgoe

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Banned/Challenged Books Reading Challenge: Three Wishes: Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak

 I find reading banned or challenged books to be like a treasure hunt of some sort. You are given a person's (or persons') reasons for objecting the book and then you can read it with their lens. Sometimes you can kind of see where the objection is coming from while other times you can't seem to make a logical connection. Three Wishes by Deborah Ellis hasn't stirred much controversey in the U.S. but it is one of top challenged books in Canada.

Description: Deborah Ellis's enormously popular Breadwinner trilogy recounted the experiences of children living in Afghanistan; now Ellis turns her attention to the young people of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. After visiting the region to conduct interviews, she presents their stories here in their own words. Twelve-year-old Nora, eleven-year-old Mohammad, and many others speak directly about their lives - which prove to be both ordinary and extraordinary: They argue with their siblings. They hate spinach. They have wishes for the future. Yet they have also seen their homes destroyed and families killed, and live amidst constant upheaval and violence.This simple, telling book allows young readers everywhere to see that the children caught in this conflict are just like them - but living far more difficult and dangerous lives. Without taking sides, it presents an unblinking portrait of children victimized by the endless struggle around them.

Review: Three Wishes is a hard and uncomfortable read not due to the book's writing style, but of the unflinching, honest, and often times bleak accounts of how war takes a toll on the lives of young people between the ages of 8 and 18. Instead of looking toward their futures with optimistic eyes, these kids really don't know whether they are going to be alive tomorrow. Instead of doing what we would call normal kids activities such as playing in the streets, they're lobbing rocks at soldier's and dodging tear gas and bullets.
  Presenting both sides of the conflict, Israeli and Palestinians kids talk openly about the conflict. Each narrative is prefaced with a short historical or personal background description providing a point of reference for the sentiments expressed. Anger, despair, and fear ripple through the story where you can see the constant cycle of violence takes their tow. Ellis effectively remains absent, serving as chronicler for these ordinary kids in traumatic circumstances. The three wishes range from being a doctor to wishing the war to end to simply wanting to grow old (something which I never considered as a wish). Along with the text, there are black-and-white photos of the narrators and of scenes in Ramallah and elsewhere where the children are from are included. Three Wishes is a heavy read, but it's a really good presentation of a confusing, complicated historic struggle told within a palpable and perceptive format.

Rating: 4 stars

Curriculum Connection: Social Studies, Current Events

Reasons why it was banned/challenged: In 2006 in Ontario, Canada, the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) urged public school boards to deny access to this children’s non-fiction book about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to students in the elementary grades. The CJC said that Ellis had provided a flawed historical introduction to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and that some of the children in the book portrayed Israeli soldiers as brutal, expressed ethnic hatred and glorified suicide bombing. The effect on young student readers, the CJC said, was "toxic."
  Update: Although the Ontario Library Association (OLA) had recommended Three Wishes to schools as part of its acclaimed Silver Birch reading program, and although schoolchildren were not required to read the book, at least five school boards in Ontario set restrictions on the text:
a) The District School Board of Niagara encouraged librarians to steer students in Grades 4–6 away from Three Wishes and to tell parents that their children had asked for the book.

b) The Greater Essex County District School Board restricted access to the book to students in Grade 7 or higher.

c) The Toronto District School Board restricted access to the book to students in Grade 7 or higher and withdrew the book from school library shelves.

d) The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board refused to stock the book and refused to provide copies to students who asked for it.

e) In 2005, before the CJC made its views about Three Wishes public, the York Regional District School Board also withdrew the book from the Silver Birch program.

Protests by the OLA, The Writers’ Union of Canada, PEN Canada and the Association of Canadian Publishers failed to persuade the school boards to repeal their restrictions. Source: Freedom to Read

Words of Caution: The objection to Three Wishes is clearly politically motivated. It's interesting that only one group presented in the book raised objection to the book. Yes, Israeli soldiers where depicted at times to be brutal, but how would you describe someone who demolished your house and kicked you out on the streets? The Palestinians people were also depicted as suicide bombers and terrorists, but there is no objection to this particular part of the book. Yes, attacks were discussed more passionately in some of the childrens' lives because they experienced the attack first hand-either they knew the person directly responsible or had loved ones who died. Without giving the situation context or understanding the other's thought process, it's easy to misconstue their feelings. I'm not saying what the childrens are advocating is right, but that's what they think and perhaps this is the place where we can start to change hatred into peace and understanding.
  As a librarian and educator, I find it offensive to imply that anyone would blindly give this book to a child without providing them enough information about the topic. The book presents an opportunity for discussion, which what I personally think the objective of writing this controversial book. There are not that many good books written on this topic for children and young adults. Furthermore, I'm not entirely sure what the CJC means by Elli's book not being accurate. You can't write a nonfiction book without real sources and authority. The book does have bibliographical references. I would definitely recommed this book for Grades 5 and up who've learned about this region in their classrooms.

If you like this book try: Samir and Yonatan by Daniella Carmi, 19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East by Naomi Shihab Nye

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Let's Pretend This Never Happened

  After reading a few serious books, I wanted something light and funny. I've gotten lots of good reviews of Let's Pretend This Never Happened from both coworkers and library patrons alike. I decided to give it a shot and for the most part I did enjoy it.

Description (from Goodreads): Jenny Lawson realized that the most mortifying moments of our lives—the ones we’d like to pretend never happened—are in fact the ones that define us. In the #1 New York Times bestseller, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Lawson takes readers on a hilarious journey recalling her bizarre upbringing in rural Texas, her devastatingly awkward high school years, and her relationship with her long-suffering husband, Victor.

Review: If you're looking for something funny or just a reassurance that maybe you're really not that weird then Let's Pretend This Never Happened is for you. If you, however, are looking for something with a bit more depth than a few chuckles here and there, this book will disappoint you.
  Jenny Lawson is definitely funny and I can definitely see her humorist wings growing. As a writer, however, she needs to stay focused. Let's Pretend This Never Happened is pretty much composed of tangents that are not linear nor really take any shape. For instance, there are footnotes and those footnotes have footnotes, but the footnotes don't really have much to do with the narrative but just a parenthetical that happens to be there. The lack of structure makes me think that the book wasn't edited to closely or that the editors chose to have Lawson's voice go unhindered due to her already large popularity (she has one of the biggest blogs on the internet called The Bloggess that has over a million page views on a daily basis). I did think there were chapters that were filler and I skimmed them without missing much. I would recommend jumping around and reading selective chapters instead of reading it straight through.
  Most of the book is read as if Lawson is constantly onstage and having to dish out a punchline all the time. I'll admit that majority of the punchlines were funny and amusing, but after a while it got really old and I found myself getting a little bored. My favorite parts of the book moves beyond the comedy and gets a bit personal as Lawson discusses poignant issues such as her pregnancy troubles and dealing with her anxiety. I do know that Lawson plans on exploring these issues in her next book, which would make the reading experience a bit more rewarding.
  While not mind blowing or expertly written, Let's Pretend This Never Happened is an amusing read that I would recommend for readers looking for a light and fun book. I do see Lawson's talent and I plan on reading more from her in the future.   

Rating: 3.5 stars

Words of Caution: Strong language, drug use mentioned, and crude humor. Recommended for older teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: I Was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloane Crosley, I Know I Am, But What Are You? by Samantha Bee, Half Empty by David Rakoff, Naked by David Sedaris

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Drop Dead Healthy: One Man's Humble Quest for Bodily Perfection

  Exercise tips and new diets constantly swarm us. We know what should be done though we may not necessarily follow through. For some a frightening health incident may spark a makeover and for others a little inspiration and direction could be just want they are searching for.

Description (from the Publisher): From the bestselling author of The Year of Living Biblically and The Know-It-All comes the true and truly hilarious story of one person's quest to become the healthiest man in the world. Hospitalized with a freak case of tropical pneumonia, goaded by his wife telling him, "I don't want to be a widow at forty-five," and ashamed of a middle-aged body best described as "a python that swallowed a goat," A.J. Jacobs felt compelled to change his ways and get healthy. And he didn't want only to lose weight, or finish a triathlon, or lower his cholesterol. His ambitions were far greater: maximal health from head to toe. The task was epic. He consulted an army of experts sleep consultants and sex clinicians, nutritionists and dermatologists. He subjected himself to dozens of different workoutsfrom Strollercize classes to Finger Fitness sessions, from bouldering with cavemen to a treadmill desk. And he took in a cartload of diets: raw foods, veganism, high protein, calorie restriction, extreme chewing, and dozens more. He bought gadgets and helmets, earphones and juicers. He poked and he pinched. He counted and he measured. The story of his transformation is not only brilliantly entertaining, but it just may be the healthiest book ever written. It will make you laugh until your sides split and endorphins flood your bloodstream. It will alter the contours of your brain, imprinting you with better habits of hygiene and diet. It will move you emotionally and get you moving physically in surprising ways. And it will give you occasion to reflect on the body's many mysteries and the ultimate pursuit of health: a well-lived life.

Review: I was going through a bit of genre burnout when I picked up Drop Dead Healthy wanted to read something that was completely different. While I'm not a health nut by any means, I did enjoy this book. A.J. Jacobs has been known to put himself through different experiments and chronicled what happened in his books. While he has written many books, he's mainly known for The Year of Living Biblically, in which he attempted to live his life by following every rule in the Bible for a year. In his latest release, Drop Dead Healthy, he writes about his latest endeavor: trying to become the healthiest person alive. The focus here is not just losing weight or lowering his bad cholesterol but being optimally healthiest at virtually every system of the body.
   You would think a book like Drop Dead Healthy would be boring and dull, but Jacobs infuses humor with research to prevent the book from becoming dry.  He is candid and records his results for each month and writes about what did and didn't get results. And, of course, this drives his family crazy during the whole thing.
  Jacobs covers a lot of interesting tidbits in his research, especially debunking a few well known health myths. He covered diets and exercise plans that I've never even heard of. Perhaps the book would have less staggering if he'd chosen a more narrow focus for the project, but I'm kind of glad that he didn't. There's just so much contradicting information about what is good and what isn't that it's even confusing for experts in the field. I also think that's the point of his point, there may not be just one solution and maybe the golden rule of moderation is the key to everything.
  Drop Dead Healthy is not meant to be a self-help or a manual on how to become healthy. It is a book that I would recommend in helping us rethink how well we are or aren't treating our body. I'd recommend it for those who feel like they need a boost in inspiration and who wouldn't mind to chuckle along the way. 

Curriculum Connection: Science, Health

Rating:  4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language and bodily function jokes, but other than that it's pretty clean. Recommended for teens interested in health and fitness as well as for adults.

If you like this book try: A Few Seconds of Panic by Stefan Fatsis, The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted and Other Small Acts of Liberation by Elizabeth Berg, Stay Fit and Healthy: Until You're Dead by Dave Barry

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The Reel Shelf Presents Tim Riggins (Friday Night Lights)

Welcome to The Reel Shelf, a new weekly feature here at Books in the Spotlight where I imagine what's on my favorite TV/Movie character's book shelves. If you have missed any of my previous Reel Shelf installments, you can find them all here. Today I'm spotlighting Tim Riggins from the fabulous and highly underrated television series Friday Night Lights. If you haven't watched the show, do it now. The entire series is now available on DVD.

Image and Quote from Tvfantatic.com

All I wanted to do was come home.

 








   It was really hard to choose one character from Friday Night Lights because the entire cast of characters are amazing. For me, Tim Riggins encapsulates everything that I love about the show. At first glance, it's easy to write off Tim as your typical frat boy/philanderer, but as the show evolves so does his depth. Tim comes from a broken home where both of his parents abandon him and his brother Billy in a haze of alcohol and drugs, leaving the boys to fend for themselves. While he may not excel at school, he is incredibly gifted and naturally talented to play fullback on his high school's football team. Though he may act as if he is nonchalant about the team and the sport, Tim needs the sport the most to help ground himself. Tim Riggins is a character that you want to slap upside the head and yell at because of his stupid mistakes. It's his puppy dog eyes and lazy smile that make you want to give him a big hug. Tim is a man of honor and loyalty and he is played by Taylor Kitsch. 

  Even though Tim isn't much of a reader himself, I think he would be interested in the following books. As always, if you see something that I've clearly missed please add them in the comments!

The Reel Shelf Presents Tim Riggin's Book Shelf

Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger- Return once again to the enduring account of life in the Mojo lane, to the Permian Panthers of Odessa -- the winningest high school football team in Texas history. Odessa is not known to be a town big on dreams, but the Panthers help keep the hopes and dreams of this small, dusty town going. Socially and racially divided, its fragile economy follows the treacherous boom-bust path of the oil business.In bad times, the unemployment rate barrels out of control; in good times, its murder rate skyrockets. But every Friday night from September to December, when the Permian High School Panthers play football, this West Texas town becomes a place where dreams can come true. With frankness and compassion, Bissinger chronicles one of the Panthers' dramatic seasons and shows how single-minded devotion to the team shapes the community and inspires-and sometimes shatters-the teenagers who wear the Panthers' uniforms. 

Underdogs by Markus Zusak- Cameron and Ruben Wolfe are champions at getting into fights, coming up with half-baked schemes, and generally disappointing girls, their parents, and their much more motivated older siblings. They're intensely loyal to each other, brothers at their best and at their very worst. But when Cameron falls head over heels for Ruben's girlfriend, the strength of their bond is tested to its breaking point.

 Catch by Will Leitch- Everything comes easy for Tim Temples. He’s got a sweet summer job, lots of love from the ladies, and parties with his high school buddies. Why does he need to go to college? Then Tim falls hard for Helena—a worldly and mysterious twenty-two year-old. Their relationship opens his eyes to life outside the small town of Mattoon, Illinois. Now Tim has to choose: Will he settle for being a small town hero, or will he leave it all behind to follow his dreams?

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson-  High school senior Tyler Miller used to be the kind of guy who faded into the background—average student, average looks, average dysfunctional family. But since he got busted for doing graffiti on the school, and spent the summer doing outdoor work to pay for it, he stands out like you wouldn’t believe. His new physique attracts the attention of queen bee Bethany Milbury, who just so happens to be his father’s boss’s daughter, the sister of his biggest enemy—and Tyler’s secret crush. And that sets off a string of events and changes that have Tyler questioning his place in the school, in his family, and in the world.

I'll Be There by Heather Goldberg Sloan- Sam Border wishes he could escape. Raised by an unstable father, he’s spent his life moving from place to place. But he could never abandon his little brother, Riddle.
Riddle Border doesn’t talk much. Instead, he draws pictures of the insides of things and waits for the day when the outsides of things will make sense. He worships his older brother. But how can they leave when there’s nowhere to go? Then everything changes. Because Sam meets Emily.
  Emily Bell believes in destiny. She sings for her church choir, though she doesn’t have a particularly good voice. Nothing, she feels, is mere coincidence. And she’s singing at the moment she first sees Sam. Everyone whose path you cross in life has the power to change you—sometimes in small ways, and sometimes in ways greater than you could have ever known.

Bleachers by John Grisham- High school all-American Neely Crenshaw was probably the best quarterback ever to play for the legendary Messina Spartans. Fifteen years have gone by since those glory days, and Neely has come home to Messina to bury Coach Eddie Rake, the man who molded the Spartans into an unbeatable football dynasty.
   Now, as Coach Rake's "boys" sit in the bleachers waiting for the dimming field lights to signal his passing, they replay the old games, relive the old glories, and try to decide once and for all whether they love Eddie Rake--or hate him. For Neely Crenshaw, a man who must finally forgive his coach--and himself--before he can get on with life, the stakes are especially high.

Knights of the Hill Country by Tim Tharp- In a small Oklahoma town, one star linebacker must decide what kind of man he wants to be--both on and off the field.
Welcome to Kennisaw--where Friday night high school football ranks right up there with God and country, and sometimes even comes in first. This year, the Kennisaw Knights are going for their fifth straight undefeated season, and if they succeed, they'll be more than the best high school team in the eastern Oklahoma hill country--they'll be legends.
  But the Knights' legacy is a heavy weight to carry for Hampton, linebacker and star of the team. On the field, he's so in control you'd think he was able to stop time. But his life off the field is a different story. His father walked out on him and his mom years ago, and now his mom has a new boyfriend every week. He's drawn to a smart, quirky girl at school--the type a star athlete just isn't supposed to associate with. And meanwhile, his best friend and teammate Blaine--the true friend who first introduced Hampton to football back when he had nothing else--is becoming uncomfortably competitive, and he's demanding Hampton's loyalty even as Hampton thinks he's going too far.

The Blind Side by Michael Lewis- The bestselling author of "Coach, Moneyball" and "Liar's Poker" delivers a multidimensional story that traces the upbringing of a young boy through to young adulthood, all through the lens of sports and his community of support. 

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally- What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Greeen moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line?

Pop by Gordon Korman- After moving to a new town, Marcus strikes up a friendship with Charlie Popovich, a former pro football player. As the two grow closer, Marcus learns that Charlie has early onset Alzheimer's disease as a result of suffering head injuries during his career. Marcus is willing to risk everything to help his new friend. 

Split by Swati Avasthi- Sixteen-Year-Old Jace Witherspoon arrives at the doorstep of his estranged brother Christian with a re-landscaped face (courtesy of his father’s fist), $3.84, and a secret. He tries to move on, going for new friends, a new school, and a new job, but all his changes can’t make him forget what he left behind—his mother, who is still trapped with his dad, and his ex-girlfriend, who is keeping his secret. At least so far.
  Worst of all, Jace realizes that if he really wants to move forward, he may first have to do what scares him most: He may have to go back. First-time novelist Swati Avasthi has created a riveting and remarkably nuanced portrait of what happens after. After you’ve said enough, after you’ve run, after you’ve made the split—how do you begin to live again? 

Raider's Night by Robert Lipsyte-The pressure is on. At Nearmont High School, football stars are treated like royalty, and Matt Rydek has just ascended to the throne. As co-captain of the Raiders, he's got it all, or so it seems: hot girls, all the right friends, plenty of juice to make him strong, and a winning team poised to go all the way. If he can keep his eye on the ball now, his future will be set, with a full ride to a Division One school, a shot at the pros, and most important his dad off his back. But when the team turns on one of its own, should Matt play by Raiders rules, or should he go long alone?

Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach- My name is Felton Reinstein, which is not a fast name. But last November, my voice finally dropped and I grew all this hair and then I got stupid fast. Fast like a donkey. Zing
Now they want me, the guy they used to call Squirrel Nut, to try out for the football team. With the jocks. But will that fix my mom? Make my brother stop dressing like a pirate? Most important, will it get me girls-especially Aleah? So I train. And I run. And I sneak off to Aleah's house in the night. But deep down I know I can't run forever. And I wonder what will happen when I finally have to stop.

The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta- Award-winning author Melina Marchetta reopens the story of the group of friends from her acclaimed novel Saving Francesca - but five years have passed, and now it's Thomas Mackee who needs saving. After his favorite uncle was blown to bits on his way to work in a foreign city, Tom watched his family implode. He quit school and turned his back on his music and everyone that mattered, including the girl he can't forget. Shooting for oblivion, he's hit rock bottom, forced to live with his single, pregnant aunt, work at the Union pub with his former friends, and reckon with his grieving, alcoholic father. Tom's in no shape to mend what's broken. But what if no one else is either? An unflinching look at family, forgiveness, and the fierce inner workings of love and friendship, The Piper's Son redefines what it means to go home again. 

Stick by Andrew Smith-  Fourteen-year-old Stark McClellan (nicknamed Stick because he’s tall and thin) is bullied for being “deformed” – he was born with only one ear. His older brother Bosten is always there to defend Stick. But the boys can’t defend one another from their abusive parents.
   When Stick realizes Bosten is gay, he knows that to survive his father's anger, Bosten must leave home. Stick has to find his brother, or he will never feel whole again. In his search, he will encounter good people, bad people, and people who are simply indifferent to kids from the wrong side of the tracks. But he never loses hope of finding love – and his brother.

Next Man Up by John Feinstein - An up-close look inside an NFL powerhouse, from the only writer in America who players and coaches would trust with their secrets. 

The Things a Brother Knows by Dana Reinhardt - The story of a young marine’s return from war in the Middle East and the psychological effects it has on his family. 

Leverage by Joshua C. Cohen- There's an extraordinary price for victory at Oregrove High. It is paid on - and off - the football field. And it claims its victims without mercy - including the most innocent bystanders.     When a violent, steroid-infused, ever-escalating prank war has devastating consequences, an unlikely friendship between a talented but emotionally damaged fullback and a promising gymnast might hold the key to a school's salvation. Told in alternating voices and with unapologetic truth, Leverage illuminates the fierce loyalty, flawed justice, and hard-won optimism of two young athletes.

Crackback by John Coy- When Miles Manning, a successful high school football player, discovers his teammates are using steroids--and one of them is his best friend--he's faced with a tough decision: Is he willing to do what it takes to win? Football is his life, and his family, especially his dad, is pinning its hopes on him. It's a lot of pressure for a high school junior to bear. This gripping look into the world of high school boys and athletes--and their struggle to be the best--is provocative and searingly honest. 

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Breaking Night

   As the end of the school year draws near, I'm getting a bit burnt out and frustrated. Projects pile up and deadlines loom over my head. I needed something to inspire me and put things into perspective. I got some clarity after finishing up Liz Murray's biography/memoir Breaking Night.

Description: The stunning memoir of a young woman who at age 15 was living on the streets but survived to make it to Harvard. Murray's story was featured in the Lifetime Original Movie "Homeless to Harvard."

Review: I have heard of Liz Murray briefly on the news many years ago, but I didn't really know the whole story. I knew she was homeless and then got admitted to Harvard, but I wasn't aware of her journey from A to B. Breaking Night is an admirable and inspirational story of hope, struggle, and of forgiveness.
  Murray had an unenviable childhood with drug addict parents living in the decaying Brox, where her parents were more concerned about their next 'hit' rather than putting food on the table or sheltering their children. While Murray's older sister was furious and distant regarding their family situation, the author craved her parents' acceptance that she rationalized their addictions and poverty, even though if that meant she would be grotesquely unkempt and ostracized at school. Much of the Murray's story focuses on her mother, who though loved her daughters couldn't overcome her drug use.  Murray's adolescence becomes increasingly traumatic, as her mother was diagnosed with AIDS and her scholarly yet seedy father becomes her guardian.
  While it is so easy for Murray to become part of her parent's world, she struggles not to and puts her emphasis on education not as a means for success initially but rather a exit out to her nightmarish reality and a step to taking charge of her life:

“Instead, what I was beginning to understand was that however things unfolded from here on, whatever the next chapter was, my life could never be the sum of one circumstance. It would be determined, as it had always been, by my willingness to put one foot in front of the other, moving forward, come what may.” 

 As she grows older, she confronts the reality of her parent's issues. Instead of sitting back and blaming them (which no one would argue that they don't deserve it), she tries to help them. Murray faces obstacles after obstacles, but she continues to fight and finds hope and support from friends. Murray ably captures the fearful, oppressive lifestyle of a homeless teen, constantly hustling for places to stay, and her tale is a disturbing reminder of lives lost to addiction and poverty. Though some of the dialogue can be of kilter, it doesn't diminish the powerful story of survival and hope. It is hard hitting yet uplifting at the same time, showing just want someone could achieve if they genuinely want it.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: Strong drug use, allusion to sexual abuse, some language, and few non-explicit sex scenes. Recommended for Grades 10 and up.

If you like this book try: Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs, The Kids Are Alright by Diana Welch, Glass Castle by Jeanette Wells, Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

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Picture Book Reviews: Featuring The Lion and the Mouse

  I have fond memories of story-time as a kid, where my class would gather up close to listen and watch as the teacher and/or librarian would read picture books or other books aloud. While I student taught in elementary school, I always looked forward to reading to the kids. The best times were when you see how the kids are involved in the story and you could tease them about what would happen next. This year I'm taking a part in a picture book challenge hosted by Jennifer over at An Abundance of Books  in hopes of finding some great reads and new favorite titles.  Today I'm featuring an eclectic mix of books that I've read so far this month and one I finished last year but never reviewed: Airport by Byron Barton, The Grand Mosque of Paris by Karen Gray Ruelle, and The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney.

Description: Describes in pictures what happens from the time an airplane passenger arrives at the airport, and boards the plane until the plane is in the air.


Review: Barton captures the wonder and excitement of discovering a new place, in this case it is an airport. With vibrant colors and drawings, we transport ourselves to the setting. His text is simple and brief while he lets his pictures do most of the work. I would definitely recommend this book to kids who are interested in learning about airplanes, trucks, and trains.  



Curriculum Connection: Unit on transportation

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None.


If you like this book try: Airplanes by Byron Barton, One the Move by John Searcy, 

Description: Presents the story of how Si Kaddour Benghabret, rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris, and other Muslims, gave Jews shelter and worked in the resistance to help them escape Nazi persecution during the German occupation of Paris.

Review: The Grand Mosque of Paris was a surprising find at my library. I never heard of this story, but I was anxious to read it. Despite the tensions between the two Abrahamic religious, the book focuses on brotherhood, hope, and where saving lives trumps all differences. The book begins with a quote that is well known in both the Islamic and Jewish traditions: Save one life, and it is as if you've saved all of humanity. During the Nazi occupation of France, Jews were being rounded up and sent to concentration camps. One place of refuge was the Grand Mosque in Paris, where Jewish adults and children hid, some briefly until some could either migrate to another country, while others stayed for a longer time. Thanks to the mosque's rector, and particularly Berbers from Algeria, many lives were saved. 
  The Grand Mosque of Paris was a fascinating, little-known piece of history. The book's afterward even explains the difficulties in researching the information and contacting people to interview for the book. Although the authors try to hard to explain everything in a little amount of space, they did a pretty good job overall. There were a few Islamic terms that could have been clarified, but I think readers will be able to define them using contextual clues. The drawings and color contrasts heightens the tension and hope alternately.

Curriculum Connection: Social Studies


Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 4-6

If you like this book try: Passage to Freedom by Ken Mochizuki

Description: In this wordless retelling of an Aesop fable, an adventuresome mouse proves that even small creatures are capable of great deeds when he rescues the King of the Jungle.

Review: The Lion and the Mouse won the Caldecott Award in 2010 and I can see why. Besides a few squeaks, hoots and one enormous roar, Pinkney's interpretation of Aesop's fable is wordless. By eliminating text, the reader can come closer to the Animal Kingdom from a safe distance. Colorful, vibrant, yet humble illustrations show a mouse unwittingly taking refuge on a lion's back as it scurries away from an owl. The large beast grabs and then releases the tiny creature, who later frees the lion who has become tangled in a hunter's snare. I don't recall learning about this Aesop fable, so the story was completely new to me but it pulled me in very quickly as the events unfolded. I was equally worried about the mouse and the lion.

  Pinkney enriches this classic tale of friendship and the universal theme of family effectively in several scenes as well as in the back endpapers, which show the lion walking with his mate and cubs as the mouse and her brood ride on his back. The lessons aren't forced but flow naturally into the story, proving that the author doesn't need words to tell a well done story and clearly demonstrates that pictures speak a thousand words.

Curriculum Connection: Fables and folklore

Rating: 4.5 stars

Words of Caution: None.


If you like this book try: The Lion Saw Himself in the Water by Idres Shah, Once a Mouse by Marcia Brown, Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young

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Children Mini-Reviews Featuring Animal Heroes

  I realized that I still have some children's books that I didn't get a chance to review yet from last year. Though the mini-reviews are brief, I think they cut to the chase and let you know my impressions about the books. Today I'll be reviewing: Animal Heroes by Sandra Markle, Kira, Kira by Cynthia Kadohata, and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor.

Description (from book's back cover): A guide dog leads its owner to safety down seventy-seven flights of stairs in the World Trade Center before the building collapses. A female gorilla in a zoo picks up and protects an unconscious toddler who falls into her enclosure. An elderly dog named Frisky keeps his owner awake and alive when Hurricane Katrina floods the house. Winnie the cat saves her owners from carbon monoxide poisoning. Animals, both wild and domestic, have become heroes when they've come to the rescue of humans. In these heartwarming, true stories, Sandra Markle shows how dogs, cats, cows, monkeys, and even dolphins use their normal senses or special training to help people in trouble or in need all over the world.

Review: Animal Heroes is a juvenile nonfiction book that contains lots of colorful pictures and information. As the title suggests, the book features numerous animals who have rescued humans, either their own owners or complete strangers caught in a dangerous situation. Rescues from 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina as well as more obscure disasters are included. One of my favorite stories was about a gorilla at a zoo who helped keep a child, who accidentally slipped into the cage, safe. The stories are remarkable. The stories also contain informative panels that further explain the situation in scientific terms such as the animals habit, what it means to have frostbite or hypothermia. An extensive bibliography, including a few website links, and a glossary is included along with further reading suggestions.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There are some photos and details of the 9/11 attack especially of the building crumbling and on fire which make be a bit scary for young readers. As an adult, I know I felt a bit uncomfortable. Recommended for Grades 3 to 6.

If you like this book try: Shelter Dogs by Peg Kehret



Description (from book's back cover): Glittering. That's how Katie Takeshima's sister, Lynn, makes everything seem. The sky is kira-kira for the same reason. And so are people's eyes. When Katie and her family move from a Japanese community in Iowa to the Deep South of Georgia, it's Lynn who explains to her why people stop them on the street to stare. And it's Lynn who, with her special way of viewing the world, teaches Katie to look beyond tomorrow. But when Lynn becomes desperately ill, and the whole family begins to fall apart, it is up to Katie to find a way to remind them all that there is always something glittering - kira-kira - in the future.

Review: Kira, Kira won the Newbery Award in 2005. It's one of those books that make you scratch your head and wonder why it was awarded. The writing is quite good and the plot is ok, but there's nothing really remarkable about it. It moved at a snail's pace kinda like a movie you thought was finished but only to find another scene pop on the screen. I liked knowing Katie's family and the Japanese culture. I was a bit confused, however,  as to what ailed her sister Lynn. There are hints about a terminal illness, which I thought was cancer but the illness was never explained. In the end Kira, Kira really didn't do anything for me and had it not win the Newbery I wouldn't have picked it up.

Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: There are some racial slurs and PG language in the book. Recommended for ages 12 and up.

If you like this book try: Return to Sender by Julia Alveraz


Description: A black family living in Mississippi during the Depression of the 1930s is faced with prejudice and discrimination which its children do not understand.

Review: I didn't realize that Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry was part of a series by Mildred Taylor. While I didn't feel lost reading the book, there's not much of a plot to the story. The book does a good job in showcasing the family's struggle against prejudice and racism. I loved learning about the members of the Logan family and was inspired by their tenacity to stand up to the injustice they are faced. My main problem with the book is how the adults, particularly the mother of the Logan family,  tries to shelter her children about what is happening around them such as the terrorism caused by the KKK. While her reasoning is understandable, I think it does a disservice to her children and I found it unbelievable. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry was awarded the Newbery Award in 1977.

Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: The "n" word is used quite frequently, but it does serve a purpose. There is also some violence in the book too. Recommended for strong Grade 5 readers and up.

If you like this book try: Logan family series by Mildred Taylor, Guardian by Julius Lester

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Top 10 Tuesday: Favorite Books Read in 2011

  Things will be relatively quiet here this week at my blog. I'm wrapping up a few left over reads for this year and will be participating in a few reading challenges for next year. Today's topic for Top 10 Tuesday, an awesome feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is discussing our favorite reads from 2011. Here are mine, in alphabetical order, along with a link to my review. I still have to write a couple of reviews for a couple of them and hope to do that this week.

Favorite Books Read in 2011

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake- One of the best YA horror books I've read in a really long time and my favorite debut novel from this year. I think it would make an awesome movie if Tim Burton, Neil Gaiman, and Joss Whedon got together for a project. Can't wait for Girl of Nightmares! 

Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin -  A powerful, unflinching, influential, and gripping story that forces us to think critically about racism in America. Though written several years ago, it is still important today. 

 Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1) by Laini Taylor - An exquisite, awe inspiring read that knocked my socks off. I'm highly anticipating on what happens next in Karou's adventure.

 Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen- A sweet, relatively clean tween romance that has heart and wisdom. I can't believe it took me this long to read it.

 Forever (Wolves of Mercy #3) by Maggie Stiefvater- The perfect conclusion to the Wolves of Mercy series. I don't think it could have ended in any other way. Romantic and haunting just like Maggie's writing.

Hard Bitten (Chicagoland Vampire #4) by Chloe Neil- I experienced a wide range of emotion while reading this book, but the last page had me stunned. I was so flummoxed that I had to read the last 5 pages at least three times. Fabulous tension, mystery, suspense, and romance. 

 

 Stolen by Lucy Christopher - Lucy Christopher's debut and Printz honoree title, Stolen, let me speechless and had me thinking for days. This book was so frightening that I couldn't deal with reading it by myself and began telling coworkers just to distance myself from it.

 Where She Went by Gayle Forman- Seeing Adam in so much pain broke my heart. I started crying around pg 50 of this book and didn't stop until an hour after I read the last page. It's perfect.

Wherever You Go by Heather Davis - A brilliantly crafted novel that seamlessly blends contemporary fiction with a dash of the supernatural. This quiet book pulled on my heart strings right away and didn't let go. I became so invested in Holly's, Rob's, and Jason's lives that I couldn't stop reading. The characters were honest and their problems were authentic. 

 Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick- Wonderstruck shows us how thrilling a museum can be. Visually stunning and aptly named, Wonderstruck is a definitely a wonder to behold regardless of its weight and tome-like appearance

 Other favorites not listed due to space constraints: Magic Slays (Kate Daniels #5) by Ilona Andrews, Silver Borne (Mercy Thompson #5) by Patricia Briggs, and The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan (Heroes of Olympus #2) 

What are your favorites from this year?

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A Walk in th Woods

  After reading a few lackluster titles, I wanted to read something funny that had depth. When I first read a book by David Sedaris (who's incredibly hilarious by the way), many people recommended that I should pick up Bill Bryson. I bought his book, A Walk in the Woods, at a book sale and then it sat on my shelf for many months until now. It definitely fulfilled my void and it was highly entertaining.

Description: Bryson share his experiences hiking the Appalachian Trail with a childhood friend. The two encounter eccentric characters, a blizzard, getting lost, and rude yuppies along the way.

Review: A Walk in the Woods is a smart, funny travel book that also manages to tackle some important issues without ever being heavy or didactic. Bryson, who was born in Iowa, moved to England and gained most of his hiking experience along that country's friendly trails from village to village and pub to pub. He is an experienced travel writer and he decided to tackle the 2200-mile trail from Georgia to Maine with his overweight, ex-alcoholic hiking partner Stephen Katz. Bryson suddenly realizes that his British hiking experiences are completely different from his American one. The book comprises of the hiker's poignant observations and their experiences along the Appalachian Trail (AT). I laughed several times while reading this book, particularly when the two men yelled at cursed at each other and themselves for taking on a ridiculous endeavor, much like myself when I start my workout, hating every minute and counting down the time when I can stop.
  Similarly, Bryson and Katz struggle along a part of the southern trail and then abandon the whole idea when they admitted they could under no circumstances complete the journey just by hiking. Bryson drives down and samples parts of the remaining AT, such as the Pennsylvania coal country, and finally he and Katz decide to give it another chance and set out into the 100-mile wilderness of Maine. Their constant badgering about food (i.e. what the did/didn't pack, who ate all of it, what are they going to do when it runs out, etc) had me in stitches and me realize that I'm not well equipped on going camping at all. Their journey is shaky to say the least and coupled by some bizarre people they meet along the way including a rude yuppies and an airhead American twenty year old who has absolutely no clue how stupid she sounds when she speaks.
  The book's biggest strength is its humor, but Bryson also manages to intersperse his observations on the environmental damage along selected portions of the trail, which us pause to think how much we take advantage of the environment around us. He also includes some really interesting history on both of the trail itself and the areas of the eastern mountains through which it winds. I didn't think these discussion chapters were abrupt, but rather added an additional depth to the story along with drinking problem that Katz struggles with. I would definitely recommend this book to people who enjoy humorous novels but also want depth. I also think this would be a great book to listen to on a road trip where you can commiserate along with our incompetent traveling heroes. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong language and crude humor. Marketed toward adults but I think it's suitable for teens in high school.

If you like this book try: Walking to Vermont by Christopher Wren, French Lessons by Peter Mayle

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