**spoiler alert** What if your older sister was a psychopath? How would you turn out? This is the story of one such teenaged boy, Gerald. Will he surv**spoiler alert** What if your older sister was a psychopath? How would you turn out? This is the story of one such teenaged boy, Gerald. Will he survive his teenage years or not? ...more
Sarah Dessen fans will like this book by Rainbow Rowell. Cath (Cather) is a freshman at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. This is the story of heSarah Dessen fans will like this book by Rainbow Rowell. Cath (Cather) is a freshman at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. This is the story of her ups and downs during freshman year. Roommate tension, a twin sister who attends the same school, and first love amidst her need to continue writing fan fiction for the Simon Snow community. As for me, I must be getting old as I thought I would enjoy reading this more than I did. Reliving freshman year of college vicariously through Cath (Cather) wasn't as interesting or as fun as I hoped....more
**spoiler alert** This is the one where Betsy and Joe start dating and Betsy FINALLY wins the essay contest against Joe. Joe doesn't care because he i**spoiler alert** This is the one where Betsy and Joe start dating and Betsy FINALLY wins the essay contest against Joe. Joe doesn't care because he is infatuated and in love with Betsy. As with previous readings, Tacy's story remains the highlight of this book. Tacy who has shown no interest in boys in the previous books meets Mr. Kerr, an older man (27 or 28) and acquaintance of Besty's dad. She is immediately smitten, as is Harry (Mr. Kerr). Theirs is a sweet story that reminds one of how beautiful courtship and love can be. ...more
Scott's the new kid at the beach and he is not warmly welcomed by Jackson and his friends. What will it take for Scott to be accepted in his new home?Scott's the new kid at the beach and he is not warmly welcomed by Jackson and his friends. What will it take for Scott to be accepted in his new home? Unfortunately, the solution to Scott's problem felt a little too simplistic to me....more
Chick lit at its best! Can true love be found in a newsroom in the late 90s? Could you actually stalk someone and have him/her fall in love with you? Chick lit at its best! Can true love be found in a newsroom in the late 90s? Could you actually stalk someone and have him/her fall in love with you? This is the story of late 20 somethings, Beth, Jessica and Lincoln, who are figuring out what adulthood and love really are as the millennium approaches. ...more
Don't let the lack of full-color illustrations fool you! I can't wait to share this version with the kindergarteners, it's well told and I enjoyed theDon't let the lack of full-color illustrations fool you! I can't wait to share this version with the kindergarteners, it's well told and I enjoyed the long ago in France setting. ...more
Rereading the Betsy-Tacy high school stories this fall; this is the one where Betsy starts a sorority with her friends during her junior year. The sorRereading the Betsy-Tacy high school stories this fall; this is the one where Betsy starts a sorority with her friends during her junior year. The sorority monopolizes and dictates her junior year for better and for worse. Other highlights include Julia leaving home to attend the University of Minnesota. It's fun to read about what the U of M was like in the early 1900s. Betsy was a Junior is a hoot!...more
Reminiscent of Chris Van Allsburg's A Bad Day at Riverbend, a book full of intended scribbles. Instead of a western themed coloring book, this time itReminiscent of Chris Van Allsburg's A Bad Day at Riverbend, a book full of intended scribbles. Instead of a western themed coloring book, this time it's a book titled Birthday Bunny. Unlike Van Allsburg's book which I felt appealed to all readers, this one felt like a boy book to me. ...more
Usually, this time of year finds me reading the National Book Award winner or nominees for Young People's Literature. This year, I found myself readinUsually, this time of year finds me reading the National Book Award winner or nominees for Young People's Literature. This year, I found myself reading the winner for Nonfiction Literature. Do you believe in the American dream? A collection of stories about Americans, mostly individuals who still hope for the best no matter what their circumstances....more
Which one best defines this book? Choose one. A. An 80s teen movie plot B. A gloomy love story (the ending is only slightly more hopeful than The Fault Which one best defines this book? Choose one. A. An 80s teen movie plot B. A gloomy love story (the ending is only slightly more hopeful than The Fault in our Stars) C. A book that takes on one of the same issues (bullying) as Wonder, yet is much more sophisticated and for a more mature audience (or not) D. Will be celebrated during Freedom to Read Week (aka Banned Books Week) at the end of each September E. Future required reading for High School English (think Catcher in the Rye and Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian) All of the above and none of the above define this story of two teens, Eleanor and Park, growing up in Omaha during the mid 1980s. Once you start reading this book, you will not want to put it down until you reach the end. ...more
When I was in 3rd grade, I read the first four Betsy-Tacy books. I loved the stories so much that I wrote my own Betsy-Tacy story in which Tib's familWhen I was in 3rd grade, I read the first four Betsy-Tacy books. I loved the stories so much that I wrote my own Betsy-Tacy story in which Tib's family invites Betsy and Tacy on a trip to Milwaukee during summer break. My teacher asked me if I had copied it from one of the stories and I assured her I had not. My ideas were my own original ideas. Years later when I read this for the first time, I discovered that something very similar did happen to Betsy when she was in High School. And that is why I always enjoy rereading this one. How can I ever tire of Betsy's trip to Milwaukee to visit Tib and her German relatives during her Christmas break? Traveling alone by train for the first time, catching up with an old friend, celebrating the holidays with endless get-togethers with Tib's grandparents, aunts & uncles and staying up all night (for the first time) on New Year's Eve. ...more
This book is awesome! And worthy of all the buzz it's been receiving as a possible Caldecott contender. This is the story of how to make the dark yourThis book is awesome! And worthy of all the buzz it's been receiving as a possible Caldecott contender. This is the story of how to make the dark your friend. ...more
Life from college through 60. And what a charmed life it is. Alice and her friends all appear to have no problems finding jobs and there are many oppoLife from college through 60. And what a charmed life it is. Alice and her friends all appear to have no problems finding jobs and there are many opportunities for travels. The tragedies they do experience seem so commonplace and expected; a miscarriage, death of a parent/parents, and a brief bout with cancer. Considering who Ms. Naylor is writing this for; (tweens and teens) I suppose that's no surprise. For Ms. Naylor, Alice and her friends are meant to be role models of middle to upper class living....more
"Oh, woe is me." In this book, Greg finds out what it's like to be a loner with no friends. The last book, The Third Wheel, ended with a school dance "Oh, woe is me." In this book, Greg finds out what it's like to be a loner with no friends. The last book, The Third Wheel, ended with a school dance in which Greg's best friend Rowley and Abigail became a couple. Now Rowley has ditched him for Abigail. Will Greg be able to make any new friends? What about Fergley? Can he join a club? Or perhaps starts hanging with some of the seedier characters at his school? And his life at home isn't much better. Easter is coming soon and the Hefleys are spending time with Mom's dysfunctional family. How will the family survive their time with them? Somehow, Greg stays true to himself in this installment and shows a glimmer of hope to readers that he is beginning to grow up....more
"That which does not kill us makes us stronger." As soon as I discovered that one of my own "classic" quotes was originally Neitzsche's, I was hooked."That which does not kill us makes us stronger." As soon as I discovered that one of my own "classic" quotes was originally Neitzsche's, I was hooked. Two great thinkers of the 1880s meet in this book which deals with their obsessions with the fairer sex. ...more
Two stories in the one. In the first, Martin deals with new babysitter, Darla, who wants to practice dance movess. In the second, Martin and his frienTwo stories in the one. In the first, Martin deals with new babysitter, Darla, who wants to practice dance movess. In the second, Martin and his friend Stuart are trapped in a toy store. For anyone looking for a chapter book that's short and/or funny....more
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