by Martine Leavitt
So, I really went out of my box in reading this book. This is not classic, it's not classroom literature, and it's not historical. It is mystical, romantic, "spell-binding," and a really good story. This was one of my summer reads, when I typically stray from anything educational and just focus on fun. I would have never found this book on my own; it was recommended by a friend. The book is Young Adult, rated for 7th grade and up. There isn't anything inappropriate in it for younger kids, but the heroine is 16 and is looking for her one true love. For a contemporary read that is a little dark, but really interesting, I would definitely recommend this book.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Lois Lowry Pack
I love cheap books, so I never pass up a Scholastic deal. I especially love their packs where they lump several books together either of similar topics or by the same author. One of my Scholastic purchases was the Lois Lowry pack. The two books I received written by Lois Lowry were The Giver and Number the Stars.
The Giver is one of those books that you like while you're reading it and then finish and you're not sure you liked it. It is about a Utopian, futuristic society. It was written well and really makes you think about the government and control, freedom and responsibility, but there are definitely some mature elements and themes to deal with emotionally. While I was reading it, I found myself talking to Chris about it and even had disturbing dreams about it. As Jared would hear me talking about it, he kept asking about it and if it was something he should read. I had to respond that I didn't think he should read it yet. It is not a children's book. It is a Young Adult book and should be reserved for when they are mature enough to understand the complexities of the ideas presented.
It is hard to believe that Number the Stars was written by the same author. It is so different. This book is about a family during World War II who help a Jewish girl escape. It was really good and although there were some tense moments, I would definitely read this to my children, as well as recommend it for adults.
The Giver is one of those books that you like while you're reading it and then finish and you're not sure you liked it. It is about a Utopian, futuristic society. It was written well and really makes you think about the government and control, freedom and responsibility, but there are definitely some mature elements and themes to deal with emotionally. While I was reading it, I found myself talking to Chris about it and even had disturbing dreams about it. As Jared would hear me talking about it, he kept asking about it and if it was something he should read. I had to respond that I didn't think he should read it yet. It is not a children's book. It is a Young Adult book and should be reserved for when they are mature enough to understand the complexities of the ideas presented.
It is hard to believe that Number the Stars was written by the same author. It is so different. This book is about a family during World War II who help a Jewish girl escape. It was really good and although there were some tense moments, I would definitely read this to my children, as well as recommend it for adults.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Esperanza Rising
by Pam Munoz Ryan
This book was great. Of course it reminded so much of my childhood, not that my family were migrant workers from Mexico, but that we lived in the San Joaquin Valley where this story takes place. Especially my memories from when we lived in Greenfield, California which actually was a little town on the outskirts of Bakersfield that was surrounded by cotton fields. I remember going to the truck stop on the corner and seeing the workers as they gathered for the days work and loaded into the back of pickup trucks. Every trip to visit my grandparents meant us driving past Arvin and the fields where we could actually see the shantys and the workers bent in the fields and up through the Grapevine. I grew up in a world surrounded by prejudice against the Mexicans and am grateful that many of my friends in school were Mexican and that through knowing them I learned that they were no different than me. I am also grateful that I chose to take three years of Spanish in High School and that through these experiences my love grew for Mexico and the Mexican people.
I know there are several books out there about Migrant Workers, but this one is not just informative, but also really well written. My kids enjoyed the book and I appreciate the chance it gave me to talk to them about my childhood and some of the memories that I still retain. It's funny, but one of the things the kids enjoyed the most is that the chapters were titled with a different food.
This book was great. Of course it reminded so much of my childhood, not that my family were migrant workers from Mexico, but that we lived in the San Joaquin Valley where this story takes place. Especially my memories from when we lived in Greenfield, California which actually was a little town on the outskirts of Bakersfield that was surrounded by cotton fields. I remember going to the truck stop on the corner and seeing the workers as they gathered for the days work and loaded into the back of pickup trucks. Every trip to visit my grandparents meant us driving past Arvin and the fields where we could actually see the shantys and the workers bent in the fields and up through the Grapevine. I grew up in a world surrounded by prejudice against the Mexicans and am grateful that many of my friends in school were Mexican and that through knowing them I learned that they were no different than me. I am also grateful that I chose to take three years of Spanish in High School and that through these experiences my love grew for Mexico and the Mexican people.
I know there are several books out there about Migrant Workers, but this one is not just informative, but also really well written. My kids enjoyed the book and I appreciate the chance it gave me to talk to them about my childhood and some of the memories that I still retain. It's funny, but one of the things the kids enjoyed the most is that the chapters were titled with a different food.
Friday, April 30, 2010
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Yet another contemporary read that many of my friends recommended was The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer. This too was remarkable. I was a little wary when I opened the front page to find the entire text was written in the form of letters, but my wariness soon wore off as I began to be entranced in the lives of the characters who were writing the letters. I had no idea what to expect from this book. The last time my friends recommended a book that I had no idea what it was about I ended up reading Twilight. Not wanting to make that mistake again, but still believing that there might be something worthy in the book, I took my chances. Who would've thought that it would actually be a book not about literary societies, not about cooking, and not about romance, but a book about war and love. Notice that I do not consider love and romance to be the same thing. Well, I love reading about war and I tolerate a good love story, especially one filled with realistic characters and this book was just that.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
All Quiet on the Western Front
To anyone who reads my blog, it is not news that I do enjoy a good war story. It's not that I enjoy suffering, but more that I want to learn about the causes of such suffering so as to be able to do my best to ensure that such pain and sorrow are not repeated. I know I am not influencial by the world's standards, but I also believe strongly that I am raising at least part of the rising generation that will be our future. I also believe that they should be taught the ugly part of our history so that they will not forget what it would be like to live in the filthy trenches of World War I or to be a slave in a Nazi concentration camp and have all dignity stripped from a person with their clothing. I do not like most video games or computer games that glorify war and make it seem appealing to the younger generation. My recommendation to any youth who enjoys fighting would be to read a book like All Quiet on the Western Front. It is a fictional story, but many WWI veterans have attested to it's accuracy in it's portrayal of trench warfare. It also goes further into the minds of the boys who were thrown into this war than you would expect and in doing so provides a clear picture of the tragedy that befell them. Although this book is generally considered a children's or young adult novel, I would not recommend it for most children until they are around 16 years old, or at least mature enough to handle the graphic details that are included. I would recommend it to all adults and say it is as good to read this book as it is to read Elie Wiesel's book entitled Night.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Peace Like a River
Peace Like a River, written by Leif Enger was a GREAT read! After reading the first paragraph I turned to Chris and in a giddy voice said, "I can already tell I'm going to love this book." It did not dissapoint. I won't say too much about the book because I think everyone should read it and I wouldn't want to spoil the fun for anyone. It is however, in my opinion, the perfect blend of spirituality, action, suspense, love, family values, and just has awesome characters. I don't read many contemporary books, but I'm so glad my friend recommended this one, it was just what I needed.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
The Cay
by Theodore Taylor
In 1942, 11-year-old Phillip Enright lives with his parents on the Dutch island of Curaçao, but when the war moves too close for comfort, his mother decides to travel with him back to the safety of Virginia. When their boat is torpedoed, however, Phillip is blinded and finds himself adrift on a life raft with an old black man and a cat. They eventually land on a deserted island. Phillip is suspicious of "the large Negro," but soon grows to trust--and ultimately love--the patient and generous Timothy. I read this book to the kids and although this book says it's intended for grades 5-8, all my kids enjoyed it. It is however, a tear-jerker and I would not have made it through reading aloud if it weren't for my son finishing it for us. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading it's pre/sequel - Timothy of the Cay.
In 1942, 11-year-old Phillip Enright lives with his parents on the Dutch island of Curaçao, but when the war moves too close for comfort, his mother decides to travel with him back to the safety of Virginia. When their boat is torpedoed, however, Phillip is blinded and finds himself adrift on a life raft with an old black man and a cat. They eventually land on a deserted island. Phillip is suspicious of "the large Negro," but soon grows to trust--and ultimately love--the patient and generous Timothy. I read this book to the kids and although this book says it's intended for grades 5-8, all my kids enjoyed it. It is however, a tear-jerker and I would not have made it through reading aloud if it weren't for my son finishing it for us. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading it's pre/sequel - Timothy of the Cay.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)