This is an excellent young adult book. Set in space in the near future where space travel is run by the company. The story is about three sixteen yearThis is an excellent young adult book. Set in space in the near future where space travel is run by the company. The story is about three sixteen year olds who were conceived and born on a space station. They are brought back to live on earth. The novel is about the challenges they face on earth. I highly recommend this book....more
I have found that young adult and middle school novels seem to do a better job of grappling with the difficult cultural and human issues that we face I have found that young adult and middle school novels seem to do a better job of grappling with the difficult cultural and human issues that we face than adult novels. Gilbert tells the story of illegal immigrant parents from China from the perspective of their high school son who is soon to graduate. He is an artist who is seeking to get admitted to a prestigious art school on the East coast. While the author does not overtly state the young man is gay, it becomes clear that he is. The author does not make homosexuality the main theme of the book. Also, Danny and his friends are still coping with the suicide of a classmate a year ago. Another thread is that Danny has an older sister who he has been told is dead. He feels guilty that he lived and she did not. Gilbert raises a number of issues in the book and does a good job of resolving. The ending for me was sad.
My fifth grade daughter who is a budding artist read and enjoyed the book....more
I bought this book for my daughter. I have read it myself and find it a good read. It seemed to be slow in sections, but overall has a good storyline.I bought this book for my daughter. I have read it myself and find it a good read. It seemed to be slow in sections, but overall has a good storyline. Set in a world where dragons and humans have been at peace for years, the novel tells the story of Seraphina, who is half human and half dragon. She passes as human by hiding her dragon side. Half-breeds are not accepted by either humans or dragons....more
Are you looking for a great novel to read with your child, read Bud, Not Buddy? This historical novel is set in Michigan in the 1930s. We encounter BuAre you looking for a great novel to read with your child, read Bud, Not Buddy? This historical novel is set in Michigan in the 1930s. We encounter Bud four years after his mother has died. He has been in and out of foster homes and is currently in an orphanage from which he escapes. In the story Bud travels from Flint to Grand Rapids in search of his father. The story is about his adventures along the way.
My ten-year-old daughter read it in school so she read it to me. This is an amazing novel that parents should read with their children....more
The Girl Who Drank the Moon is another children's novel that I read with my daughter. The novel reads like a fairy tale and has witches, a dragon and The Girl Who Drank the Moon is another children's novel that I read with my daughter. The novel reads like a fairy tale and has witches, a dragon and a monster has characters. The premise is very similar to Shirley Jackson's short story, "The Lottery." Each year the village leaves the youngest child born that year in the forest for the wicked witch. The children are never seen again. Kelly Barnhill has created a fascinating tale that explores the world through various twists and turn as the mystery of why the village elders place the child in the woods for the witch. I recommend that parents read the book with their children and discuss it together....more
My nine-year-old daughter was assigned this book in her advanced reading class so I read it as well. The story is about the developing relationship ofMy nine-year-old daughter was assigned this book in her advanced reading class so I read it as well. The story is about the developing relationship of two young boys from different backgrounds and cultures. They each must overcome their perceptions and prejudices about the other. Set in the American past, the book explores the relationship of European settlers and native Americans. I would recommend that you read this book with your children and discuss how it applies to our lives today....more
Counting by 7s is another book my 9-year-old daughter and I read together. The novelist tells the story of a 12-year-old girl whose parents are killedCounting by 7s is another book my 9-year-old daughter and I read together. The novelist tells the story of a 12-year-old girl whose parents are killed in a car crash in the first chapter. As the story unfolds we follow the life of Willow Chance as she learns to cope with death and grief. This is a powerful novel that will touch the heart. I recommend that parents read it with their children so they can have important discussions. I also believe that adults can benefit from reading the novel as well....more
This is a fantastic young adult novel that should be read by adults. I read it with my nine-year-old daughter. The story is very emotional because it This is a fantastic young adult novel that should be read by adults. I read it with my nine-year-old daughter. The story is very emotional because it deals with the death of a friend from drowning and tells how Suzy Swanson, a seventh grader, copes with her grief. The story also revolves around how friends change and grow apart. Ali Benjamin, a science writer, fills the book with information about jellyfish that educates without being boring or preachy. I highly recommend this book to adults, teenagers and 9 - 12 year olds. I also recommend that you read and discuss the book with your son or daughter. ...more
I read this with my nine year old daughter and we both found in interesting and discussed it as we read it. The book is more sinister than most fantasI read this with my nine year old daughter and we both found in interesting and discussed it as we read it. The book is more sinister than most fantasy books and at time was scary for my daughter. Reading it together allowed me to discuss it with her. The story is about people called ferals who can talk with animals. They can control the animals to do their bidding. A war in the past between the ferals sets the stage for current story. It is a story of a fight between good and evil....more
See You in the Cosmos In his recordings, Alex shares his trip to New Mexico to attend a rocket festival. He takes a long a rocket he built, hoping to lSee You in the Cosmos In his recordings, Alex shares his trip to New Mexico to attend a rocket festival. He takes a long a rocket he built, hoping to launch it into space with the recordings. In route to the festival, Alex meets Zed and Steve, who help him and drive him first to Las Vegas to help him find his father and then on to Los Angeles to meet his brother. In Vegas, Alex discovers a half-sister, Terra, who joins him on his adventure. When they reach Los Angeles, they discover that Alex's older brother, Ronnie, is in Detroit, so Terra drives Alex back to Colorado, where they discover his mother is missing. Alex has an accident climbing to the roof of his house and winds up in the hospital which triggers an investigation by child services into Alex's home life.
This is an emotional novel that can and will bring tears to the eyes. I read the novel with my 9 year old daughter who is reading it for her book club. Even though it is billed as a novel for young adults, I know adults will enjoy it too. I highly recommend that parents read and discuss it with their children. The book highlights some difficult and emotional issues around mental illness.
My daughter and I took 5 or 6 months to finish this extra long novel in the Potter series. We would read for awhile and then put it aside and read somMy daughter and I took 5 or 6 months to finish this extra long novel in the Potter series. We would read for awhile and then put it aside and read something else. I am finding the series to becoming a little boring. Although, in the final few chapters, this one seemed to pick up steam. Whether I read anymore depends on the interest level of my daughter. ...more