**spoiler alert** Those who enjoyed Patricia Reilly Giff's Pictures of Hollis Woods will enjoy this. There was so much sadness in this story in which **spoiler alert** Those who enjoyed Patricia Reilly Giff's Pictures of Hollis Woods will enjoy this. There was so much sadness in this story in which a series of unrelated events all happen for a very good reason. The sad - a dead mother, a character who chooses not to talk, a boy who is deaf and blind. The happy - there's a dog in it and a loving if distant father. PS. Stick with this one, the ending is fabulous!...more
**spoiler alert** British humor, it reminded me of Jane Austen. The characters and situations are comical and over the top. I have a feeling this one **spoiler alert** British humor, it reminded me of Jane Austen. The characters and situations are comical and over the top. I have a feeling this one is more enjoyable as a movie, as I did I have difficulty keeping track of all the characters for the first part of the book. Disappointed that we never find out what Aunt Ada saw in the woodshed....more
You could call it a murder mystery, yet this book is so much more. . . it is the story of faith and forgiveness in small town Minnesota in the summer You could call it a murder mystery, yet this book is so much more. . . it is the story of faith and forgiveness in small town Minnesota in the summer of 1961. A summer that is filled with death, dying, and tragedy for 13 year old Frank, his younger brother Jake and the rest of their family. Dad who is a Methodist minister, Mom who is a homemaker, and their older, just-graduated, Julliard-bound sister Ariel. Almost as close as family are Gus, Dad's World War II buddy and Emil Brandt, Ariel's piano teacher and Mom's ex-fiancé. With five deaths and a suicide attempt, this is a book that will keep you both turning the pages and wanting to set it down because you're not ready for the story to end. Are they accidents, murders or both?...more
Gross, exaggerated humor for boys, especially those who like quick reads. With that said, I will confess it was a girl who requested this series and Gross, exaggerated humor for boys, especially those who like quick reads. With that said, I will confess it was a girl who requested this series and led me to read it....more
Remember LHJ's (Ladies Home Journal) "Can This Marriage Be Saved?" column?* This is Dellarobia and Cub's story. I found myself cheering for this couplRemember LHJ's (Ladies Home Journal) "Can This Marriage Be Saved?" column?* This is Dellarobia and Cub's story. I found myself cheering for this couple who were married as teens (view spoiler)[due to an unplanned pregnancy (hide spoiler)]. Can the sighting of monarch butterflies out of season on their Appalachian property bring them closer? More than a marriage story, this is a story about the plight of the monarch butterflies, climate change and the bias found in news media. (view spoiler)[They won't make it. The story begins with Dellarobia about to cheat on Cub. A rare sighting of monarch butterflies stop her in her tracks as she takes it as a sign. Though I remained hopeful through the entire story, the last chapter sealed their fate. Nothing changed. The last chapter may have well as been the first. (hide spoiler)] *It appears the magazine ceased publication in 2016....more
Hannah's hands have names; Sadie and Ratz. They are constantly twitching. They are constantly causing her to get in trouble, especially around her fouHannah's hands have names; Sadie and Ratz. They are constantly twitching. They are constantly causing her to get in trouble, especially around her four-year-old brother, Baby Boy. Can Hannah's hands stay still long enough to keep her out of trouble? And what about Baby Boy? What will happen to him? This is more than Hannah's story; it's also Baby Boy's story. And it's the story of two siblings growing to appreciate one another....more
This book has been on my To-Read list for years. Finally, I spotted it at an Usborne Book Fair. For anyone who is looking for a multicultural story, tThis book has been on my To-Read list for years. Finally, I spotted it at an Usborne Book Fair. For anyone who is looking for a multicultural story, this is perfect. No. 1 lives in a village in Nigeria (I believe) which is in Africa. This little chapter book is made up of four different stories about his extended family and their problems. Along with The Unforgotten Coat by Frank Cotell Boyce which takes place in Great Britian, but is about two boys from Mongolia, this would make a great class read-aloud....more
For me, this was an original concept. Disfigured by burns at age 4, Finch Nobles can talk with the dead. She talks with them much more than the livingFor me, this was an original concept. Disfigured by burns at age 4, Finch Nobles can talk with the dead. She talks with them much more than the living in this book which presents the world of the dead as a sort of Purgatory in which we go to face and our sins this becoming lighter. Light enough to go to the next level (which I like to think of as heaven.) We also learn that the dead have jobs; they control the tides, create storms, cause the growth of plants, etc. This is the story of how Finch finds her way back to the world of the living. A world full of people who may actually want to get to know her. A world where we all have scars we want to hide....more
A classic worth reading. Other stories with Dracula themes will make much more sense once you've read this and have the necessary prior knowledge. A peA classic worth reading. Other stories with Dracula themes will make much more sense once you've read this and have the necessary prior knowledge. A perfect book for October and the Halloween season....more
Dark and disturbing. Ree has grown up poor in the Ozarks. Her only way out is join the United States Army when she turns 17. But first she will need toDark and disturbing. Ree has grown up poor in the Ozarks. Her only way out is join the United States Army when she turns 17. But first she will need to track down her father who is on the lam because of a meth deal gone bad. If not, she, her mother and two younger brothers will lose their home and she will need to stay to help them survive the harsh realities of mountain living. Will she find her father? What other secrets will she learn about her family? And what about the relatives who do not want her to find her father and are willing to do anything to stop her?...more
Will this series never end? It has turned into a farce and a shadow of its former self. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants started out as a beautiful dWill this series never end? It has turned into a farce and a shadow of its former self. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants started out as a beautiful debut novel about 4 teenage girls coming of age while fearing they would go their separate ways. Sisterhood Everlasting turns it into a tale with plotlines that are found in soap operas. Carmen, Bridget (Bee), Lena, and Tibby are now 29 years old; not a one is married, although they do all have significant others at the start of this story. What they feared would happen when they were 15 has happened; they have lost touch with each other and appear to be going their separate ways. Keep in mine the solution(s) to their problem will sound more like it's from a Lifetime movie than real life....more
This was my first Jodi Picoult book and I look forward to reading more of this author's titles. Katie, a young Amish woman, is accused of murdering herThis was my first Jodi Picoult book and I look forward to reading more of this author's titles. Katie, a young Amish woman, is accused of murdering her newborn to hide the truth about an unplanned pregnancy. All evidence seems to point to her as the murderer. Can Ellie, a lawyer with her own personal issues, prove otherwise? Picoult explores multiple topics; Amish life, ghosts, murder, pregnancy and motherhood in this compelling novel that would make a good read for a book club. ...more
Curious to hear what my Book Club has to say about this story of three generations of women with Cuban heritage. Each woman has her own distinct persoCurious to hear what my Book Club has to say about this story of three generations of women with Cuban heritage. Each woman has her own distinct personality which causes her to view and react to the events through her own unique lens. As a reader, I found the multiple perspectives be confusing. May feel differently after hearing what others have to say. *Increased rating from 2 stars to 3 stars after discussion with my BROADs. Great book for book clubs looking for a book with female characters and a lyrical/poetic storytelling style. Whether you like the book or not, Cristina Gracia has an amazing voice!...more
Fans of animal stories will love this one. As for me, I was expecting something with a more hopeful ending. (This may have happened because of readingFans of animal stories will love this one. As for me, I was expecting something with a more hopeful ending. (This may have happened because of reading too many reviews before reading the book.) I felt sad when I started reading and that haunting feeling didn't go away as I continued to read this story of a gorilla and an elephant who are held captive as part of a mall exhibit. Can they escape the mall?...more
Fans of the Magic Tree House or Dragon Keepers will like this series. Young readers who are looking for beginning chapter books with magic or fantasy Fans of the Magic Tree House or Dragon Keepers will like this series. Young readers who are looking for beginning chapter books with magic or fantasy will also enjoy it....more
Depressing and disturbing. After all, it's a dystopian novel. Akin to a train wreck or bad car accident, it is difficult to stop reading this story abDepressing and disturbing. After all, it's a dystopian novel. Akin to a train wreck or bad car accident, it is difficult to stop reading this story about Jimmy, his best friend Crake and Oryx, the girl/woman they both love....more
I would read this one again. A satisfying Christmas read. This is the first book I have read by Garrison Kellior. As someone who is not familiar with hI would read this one again. A satisfying Christmas read. This is the first book I have read by Garrison Kellior. As someone who is not familiar with his radio show, humorous essays, etc.; I was pleasantly surprised to discover I like his deadpan mid-western sense of humor. Much more enjoyable than the crazy, exaggerated storytelling of Dave Barry....more
One of my favorite kind of books - fairly short, based loosely on a true story, accessible to a wide range of readers, and full of substance. Have you One of my favorite kind of books - fairly short, based loosely on a true story, accessible to a wide range of readers, and full of substance. Have you heard of Mongolia? Do you know anything about it? What are eagle-calming skills? Do demons exist? This is the story of sixth grader Julie who becomes a 'Good Guide' for two brothers from Mongolia who show up at her school one day. She's not sure exactly what that means but she is more than willing to accept her new role if it means she can learn more about the two new students and their Mongolian traditions. I recently reread this one. Just as good if not better the second time, this is the read aloud that I couldn't wait to begin with my class. ...more
Quirky story about a boy who loves monster movies and has a goal to create a thousand different monster faces. Each time he finished transforming himsQuirky story about a boy who loves monster movies and has a goal to create a thousand different monster faces. Each time he finished transforming himself with paint, makeup and tape; he takes a picture of himself and puts it in a special notebook. Will he be able to reach his goal? What secrets are Mr. Blake the local postman hiding? What happens when one of his monsters, The Beast, starts appearing for real? Find the answers to these and more in the last book written and illustrated by Brian Selznick until The Invention of Hugo Cabret. There were seven years between the books, yet one can see the early workings of Hugo in this one....more