Title: The trouble with May Amelia
Author: Jennifer L. Holm
ISBN: 9781416913733
Source: ARC
This book is a sequel to the Newbery Honor winning Our Only May Amelia! This piece of historical fiction is based on events from the author's family history. As a girl growing up in the Washington state wilderness, May Amelia struggles to prove that she can be as valuable to the family as a boy. She is called upon to translate a conversation between her father and a land speculator. The results are disastrous and she fears that her father will never forgive her.
I think that students at my school would especially identify with May Amelia as many of them are the children of immigrants, and are relied upon to translate for their non-English speaking parents.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Restoring Our Bodies, Reclaiming Our Lives by Aimee Liu
Title: Restoring Our Bodies, Reclaiming Our Lives
SubTitle: Guidance and Reflections on Recovery from Eating Disorders
Author: Aimee Liu
ISBN: 781590308776
Source: electronic ARC
This was the first e-book that I have read. I have seen others, and used them for reference, but this is the first one that I actually sat and read an entire book off of a computer screen. Now, I want a kindle or nook.
This title caught my interest. I have been asked on several occasions to provide resources to other staff members regarding eating disorders. This book offers hope by providing anecdotes from people with different varieties of eating disorder who are in recovery. In almost every case, the person has a crisis moment where they decide that they must change or die. These triggers are different for each individual. Another common thread is the relapse. Nearly everyone slipped back into old habits at some point in their recovery. Through letters, the author shows that there is not one simple solution. Recovery is achieved by varied combinations of counseling, journaling, medication, working with dietitians or therapists and is frequently achieved after a period of trial and error. The letters provide insight into what the sufferer is feeling whether they suffer from anorexia, bulimia, compulsive overeating or some variant of these.The author stresses the importance of supportive friends and family in aiding recovery. I would recommend this book for anyone with a close friend or family member who has an eating disorder. If lovingly shared with a person who has an eating disorder, I think that it could reassure them that while recovery is not easy, it is achievable.
SubTitle: Guidance and Reflections on Recovery from Eating Disorders
Author: Aimee Liu
ISBN: 781590308776
Source: electronic ARC
This was the first e-book that I have read. I have seen others, and used them for reference, but this is the first one that I actually sat and read an entire book off of a computer screen. Now, I want a kindle or nook.
This title caught my interest. I have been asked on several occasions to provide resources to other staff members regarding eating disorders. This book offers hope by providing anecdotes from people with different varieties of eating disorder who are in recovery. In almost every case, the person has a crisis moment where they decide that they must change or die. These triggers are different for each individual. Another common thread is the relapse. Nearly everyone slipped back into old habits at some point in their recovery. Through letters, the author shows that there is not one simple solution. Recovery is achieved by varied combinations of counseling, journaling, medication, working with dietitians or therapists and is frequently achieved after a period of trial and error. The letters provide insight into what the sufferer is feeling whether they suffer from anorexia, bulimia, compulsive overeating or some variant of these.The author stresses the importance of supportive friends and family in aiding recovery. I would recommend this book for anyone with a close friend or family member who has an eating disorder. If lovingly shared with a person who has an eating disorder, I think that it could reassure them that while recovery is not easy, it is achievable.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
The Lemonade Crime by Jacqueline Davies
Title: The Lemonade Crime
Author: Jacqueline Davies Author Website: www.jacquelinedavies.com
ISBN: 9780547279671
Source: ARC
Even though this is the sequel to The Lemonade War, the author included enough detail that the books can be read and enjoyed without having read the first one in the series. Evan and Scott's friendship is spoiled because Evan is convinced that Scott has stolen the money from the lemonade sale. Jessie decides to set up a mock court on the playground complete with judge, jury, and attorneys. Both sides agree to abide by the decision of the jury. Although the guilty party is found not guilty, the story has a satisfying ending and the friendship between Scott and Evan is restored. This book would be appealing to upper elementary and middle school students with an interest in books about law, fairness and friendship.
Author: Jacqueline Davies Author Website: www.jacquelinedavies.com
ISBN: 9780547279671
Source: ARC
Even though this is the sequel to The Lemonade War, the author included enough detail that the books can be read and enjoyed without having read the first one in the series. Evan and Scott's friendship is spoiled because Evan is convinced that Scott has stolen the money from the lemonade sale. Jessie decides to set up a mock court on the playground complete with judge, jury, and attorneys. Both sides agree to abide by the decision of the jury. Although the guilty party is found not guilty, the story has a satisfying ending and the friendship between Scott and Evan is restored. This book would be appealing to upper elementary and middle school students with an interest in books about law, fairness and friendship.
Family by Micol Ostow
Title: Family
Author: Micol Ostow
ISBN: 9781606841556
Source: Free ARC
I don't care for the free verse poetry style of this story, but read it anyway. I can see how it could appeal to high school students who want thick books with a great deal of "white space." This is the story of Melinda who leaves an unhappy home life. She meets up with Henry who invites her to join his family. Melinda reveals the circumstances that lead her into this cult-like lifestyle that culminates in robbery and murder. For those old enough to remember, it will spark flashbacks to the Charles Manson murders. The first person account shows how a seemingly normal girl could find herself in this situation. Adult readers will anticipate what is coming and want to warn Melissa that Henry is not the solution to her problems.
Author: Micol Ostow
ISBN: 9781606841556
Source: Free ARC
I don't care for the free verse poetry style of this story, but read it anyway. I can see how it could appeal to high school students who want thick books with a great deal of "white space." This is the story of Melinda who leaves an unhappy home life. She meets up with Henry who invites her to join his family. Melinda reveals the circumstances that lead her into this cult-like lifestyle that culminates in robbery and murder. For those old enough to remember, it will spark flashbacks to the Charles Manson murders. The first person account shows how a seemingly normal girl could find herself in this situation. Adult readers will anticipate what is coming and want to warn Melissa that Henry is not the solution to her problems.
Friday, May 6, 2011
My Library Wiki
Sunday, April 17, 2011
A Tale Dark & Grimm
Another recent read:
A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz ISBN 978-0525-42334-8
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and plan to purchase it for my middle school library. Like the Series of Unfortunate Events, the narrator cautions the reader at several points that the story is going to take a turn for the worse and they may want to reconsider continuing. This particular tale takes the familiar characters of Hansel and Gretal through a series of difficult, harrowing adventures. The tales are rather gruesome, but most middle school kids like that. I am sure that this title will circulate well. It got rave reviews from the 3 7th grade girls that I loaned it to.
A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz ISBN 978-0525-42334-8
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and plan to purchase it for my middle school library. Like the Series of Unfortunate Events, the narrator cautions the reader at several points that the story is going to take a turn for the worse and they may want to reconsider continuing. This particular tale takes the familiar characters of Hansel and Gretal through a series of difficult, harrowing adventures. The tales are rather gruesome, but most middle school kids like that. I am sure that this title will circulate well. It got rave reviews from the 3 7th grade girls that I loaned it to.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
13 rue Thérèse
Title: 13 rue Thérèse
Author: Elena Mauli Shapiro
Author's website: http://elenamaulishapiro.com/13-rue-therese/
I read an ARC of this book 2 weeks ago. This is a ghost story, mystery, romance all woven together. It took me a while to figure out what was going on because of the way the author wrote it. When I did catch on, I was impressed with the clever style. I wouldn't recommended this for students below high school because of some graphic content. I can see the book graffitied with "Read p. XXX!" Even if she had omitted that, I think that the style would be too confusing for most teen readers and that they wouldn't stick with it. I enjoyed the story behind the book about the artifacts that inspired it and how the author came by them. I did pass this on to some adult friends. Like me, they couldn't put it down until they were finished.
Author: Elena Mauli Shapiro
Author's website: http://elenamaulishapiro.com/13-rue-therese/
I read an ARC of this book 2 weeks ago. This is a ghost story, mystery, romance all woven together. It took me a while to figure out what was going on because of the way the author wrote it. When I did catch on, I was impressed with the clever style. I wouldn't recommended this for students below high school because of some graphic content. I can see the book graffitied with "Read p. XXX!" Even if she had omitted that, I think that the style would be too confusing for most teen readers and that they wouldn't stick with it. I enjoyed the story behind the book about the artifacts that inspired it and how the author came by them. I did pass this on to some adult friends. Like me, they couldn't put it down until they were finished.
Finally, I Begin
I had intended to start a reading blog for the longest time as a place to log the books that I read, a brief summary of them and my thoughts about them. Today, I was asked for the address of my book blog, so was "forced" to come here and start it.
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