It’s late, but you can’t fall asleep. It seems like your parents are having an argument and then you hear a door slam. Hmm; that’s probably not good. Looking around the room, you notice the light in your closet is on - except it wasn’t on when you went to bed. Weird...
Getting up, you move to the door a little reluctantly. Sure; you might have left the light on and forgotten. I mean, there’s a lot of stuff going on in your life right now. Gripping the handle, you pull the door towards you - slowly - and find...
Oh, I’m not going to tell you. If you want to know what Timothy July finds in his closet, you’ll just have to read The Nightmarys by Dan Poblocki. Let’s just say, though, that the author does a great job of coming up with page after page of really creepy images.
It seems that Timothy is seeing things. His history project partner, Abigail, a new student at school, seems to be seeing things as well - scary things, the kind of things that wait for you in the dark in the corner of your room when you try to sleep. Things Abigail calls, “The Nightmarys.”
Actually, quite a few of the people in Timothy’s life are seeing things. Could it have something to do with a mystery from a long time past or that freaky guy in the long trench coat who keeps showing up in weird places? Uh, I’m gonna’ have to say “yes.”
The Nightmarys is a really fun, creepy book. That said, it is also a story for students a bit younger than those for whom I usually write reviews. I’d say this is a very middle school book - although definitely entertaining for anyone. I liked it quite a lot, but I was aware of the lack of maturity in the characters. Everyone who’s twelve acts like he’s twelve - and that’s probably the way it should be.
LAME FACTOR: Just a small 1 out of 5 for the “kiddie” feel.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: I don’t think your parents will freak, but you might. It’s really pretty scary - which is awesome!
BRAIN POWER: This shouldn’t be a problem for anyone who can read a book with chapters - and that should be all of you.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
What is wrong with me? Why didn’t I read this book sooner - like a year ago when another teacher told me it was great?
The Hunger Games is awesome. Its main character, Katniss Everdeen, is amazing: resourceful, intelligent, independent. What is there not to like?
Set in post-Apocalyptic North America - and let me just say, I hope I’m not around when that happens - The Hunger Games involves people struggling to survive in the worst of circumstances. Katniss Everdeen is just a kid when her father is killed in an explosion. Left with a mother who has fallen into a semi-catatonic state and a delicate little sister, Katniss needs to take control if her family is going to survive. Arming herself first with small traps and later with bows and arrows, Katniss sets off towards the woods, determined to keep her family from starving.
If that were the worst Katniss had to face that would be - well, boring. Ha! Bring on the Hunger Games, a Roman coliseum inspired competition that pits child against child in a fight to the death. Now that’s cool.
Without letting you know what happens (because YOU should read it for yourself), let’s just say that Katniss rises to the occasion, becoming one of the truly kick-ass heroines of YA lit.
LAME FACTOR: A giant 0 out of 5. No one is lame in The Hunger Games.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: The Hunger Games is pretty violent, but nothing outrageous - you know, like a videogame.
BRAIN POWER: The Hunger Games is very well written - but you’ll manage, won’t you, Children?
The Hunger Games is awesome. Its main character, Katniss Everdeen, is amazing: resourceful, intelligent, independent. What is there not to like?
Set in post-Apocalyptic North America - and let me just say, I hope I’m not around when that happens - The Hunger Games involves people struggling to survive in the worst of circumstances. Katniss Everdeen is just a kid when her father is killed in an explosion. Left with a mother who has fallen into a semi-catatonic state and a delicate little sister, Katniss needs to take control if her family is going to survive. Arming herself first with small traps and later with bows and arrows, Katniss sets off towards the woods, determined to keep her family from starving.
If that were the worst Katniss had to face that would be - well, boring. Ha! Bring on the Hunger Games, a Roman coliseum inspired competition that pits child against child in a fight to the death. Now that’s cool.
Without letting you know what happens (because YOU should read it for yourself), let’s just say that Katniss rises to the occasion, becoming one of the truly kick-ass heroines of YA lit.
LAME FACTOR: A giant 0 out of 5. No one is lame in The Hunger Games.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: The Hunger Games is pretty violent, but nothing outrageous - you know, like a videogame.
BRAIN POWER: The Hunger Games is very well written - but you’ll manage, won’t you, Children?
Monday, September 5, 2011
Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
This summer I went camping in Yellowstone National Park which, as it turns out, was the perfect place for finishing up the Shiver series with Forever. Perfect because Yellowstone is the home of many, many animals including - you guessed it - wolves. Awesome. Not only are there wolves there, but I actually got to see one, a black wolf who was being followed by a coyote. He didn’t look like anyone I know, so I assume he was just a wolf. How disappointing.
This, of course, caused me to launch into a very long explanation of all three books while I was hiking with my husband. He politely nodded and “uh-huhhed.” He then warned me that there were people behind me - as though I would be embarrassed to have other people hear my story. Ha! Never be embarrassed to be a dork, Children.
Anyway, each night after I settled down in my sleeping bag and four layers of blankets, I powered up the Kindle and entered Minnesota. I was not disappointed.
All of the characters are here again - although maybe not in the form you’d expect. Grace is a wolf now, of course, but remains the character I’ve loved all along: practical, intelligent, a girl who loves to study. Sam, now no longer a wolf, is as intense and as devoted to Grace as ever. Isabel and Cole are also back and are each more likable than in the earlier books. Unfortunately, Isabel’s dad is also back and plotting a surprise for the wolves of Mercy Falls.
So what’s a boy to do when a vengeance-seeking dad is bent on killing his wolf-girlfriend?
I’d love to tell you - but I’m not going to. You’ll have to read it for yourself. Suffice it to say, Maggie Stiefvater is an excellent writer and knows how to finish up a series in an intelligent, and very satisfying way. Go her.
LAME FACTOR: Have you actually been reading my reviews? A zero for lameness, of course.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: No they won’t.
BRAIN POWER: Maggie Stiefvater is an excellent writer, so you may actually learn something. School has started, after all.
This, of course, caused me to launch into a very long explanation of all three books while I was hiking with my husband. He politely nodded and “uh-huhhed.” He then warned me that there were people behind me - as though I would be embarrassed to have other people hear my story. Ha! Never be embarrassed to be a dork, Children.
Anyway, each night after I settled down in my sleeping bag and four layers of blankets, I powered up the Kindle and entered Minnesota. I was not disappointed.
All of the characters are here again - although maybe not in the form you’d expect. Grace is a wolf now, of course, but remains the character I’ve loved all along: practical, intelligent, a girl who loves to study. Sam, now no longer a wolf, is as intense and as devoted to Grace as ever. Isabel and Cole are also back and are each more likable than in the earlier books. Unfortunately, Isabel’s dad is also back and plotting a surprise for the wolves of Mercy Falls.
So what’s a boy to do when a vengeance-seeking dad is bent on killing his wolf-girlfriend?
I’d love to tell you - but I’m not going to. You’ll have to read it for yourself. Suffice it to say, Maggie Stiefvater is an excellent writer and knows how to finish up a series in an intelligent, and very satisfying way. Go her.
LAME FACTOR: Have you actually been reading my reviews? A zero for lameness, of course.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: No they won’t.
BRAIN POWER: Maggie Stiefvater is an excellent writer, so you may actually learn something. School has started, after all.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Bad Girls Don’t Die: From Bad to Cursed by Katie Alender
Evil teenagers. Isn’t that redundant? Oh, just kidding.
Anyway, Bad Girls Don’t Die: From Bad to Cursed is full of evil teenagers. A sequel to Bad Girls Don’t Die, a book I absolutely loved, the story brings back pink-haired Alexis Warren, and her formerly possessed sister Kasey who has just been sprung from a mental institution.
Kasey’s reappearance has Alexis on edge (she did try to kill the entire family) and threatens to derail what had been shaping up to be an excellent school year. Her sister is sullen, at best, resenting the suspicious way Alexis looks at her, and she is understandably reluctant to go back to school. If kids will make fun over you over lame things like a haircut or an outfit, Kasey knows, a year in a mental institution is sure to be excellent mocking material.
Surprisingly, however, Kasey is welcomed by a group of girls including a new student, one of Alexis‘ old friends, and even Kasey’s former BFF, a girl whose arm she broke in the first book. Together, the girls meet regularly at one another’s homes and form a club that focuses on self-improvement. So everything is OK, right?
We’re all too smart to believe that. Alexis investigates further - using both her intelligence and a Ouija board - and realizes that these little models of perfection are messing with things better left alone. Afraid that her sister will end up trotting down the same supernatural path that almost got them all killed in the first book, Alexis begins attending the meetings herself. And that’s when everything in her life starts going incredibly...right - and that is so wrong.
Will Alexis have the strength to look beyond all of the amazing new gifts she has received in order to fight a force that seems stronger than all of them? I guess you’ll just have to read it for yourself.
LAME FACTOR: Although this book was not as awesomely scary as the first, it was sufficiently creepy to make it an excellent read. I definitely give it a 0 for lameness.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: Finally, someone who realizes that a YA book can actually survive on an interesting plot and excellent writing instead of sex, drugs, and assorted misdeeds. Unless your parents‘ have a problem with the supernatural, they’ll be fine.
BRAIN POWER: The writing here is very good but entirely understandable. Now that the, “this is too hard” excuse is out of the way, go read it.
Anyway, Bad Girls Don’t Die: From Bad to Cursed is full of evil teenagers. A sequel to Bad Girls Don’t Die, a book I absolutely loved, the story brings back pink-haired Alexis Warren, and her formerly possessed sister Kasey who has just been sprung from a mental institution.
Kasey’s reappearance has Alexis on edge (she did try to kill the entire family) and threatens to derail what had been shaping up to be an excellent school year. Her sister is sullen, at best, resenting the suspicious way Alexis looks at her, and she is understandably reluctant to go back to school. If kids will make fun over you over lame things like a haircut or an outfit, Kasey knows, a year in a mental institution is sure to be excellent mocking material.
Surprisingly, however, Kasey is welcomed by a group of girls including a new student, one of Alexis‘ old friends, and even Kasey’s former BFF, a girl whose arm she broke in the first book. Together, the girls meet regularly at one another’s homes and form a club that focuses on self-improvement. So everything is OK, right?
We’re all too smart to believe that. Alexis investigates further - using both her intelligence and a Ouija board - and realizes that these little models of perfection are messing with things better left alone. Afraid that her sister will end up trotting down the same supernatural path that almost got them all killed in the first book, Alexis begins attending the meetings herself. And that’s when everything in her life starts going incredibly...right - and that is so wrong.
Will Alexis have the strength to look beyond all of the amazing new gifts she has received in order to fight a force that seems stronger than all of them? I guess you’ll just have to read it for yourself.
LAME FACTOR: Although this book was not as awesomely scary as the first, it was sufficiently creepy to make it an excellent read. I definitely give it a 0 for lameness.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: Finally, someone who realizes that a YA book can actually survive on an interesting plot and excellent writing instead of sex, drugs, and assorted misdeeds. Unless your parents‘ have a problem with the supernatural, they’ll be fine.
BRAIN POWER: The writing here is very good but entirely understandable. Now that the, “this is too hard” excuse is out of the way, go read it.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Into the Wild Nerd Yonder by Julie Halpern
Let me just say that repeated use of the word “poop” when referring to something/someone other than a dog or a baby is a pretty good indication that I’m probably not going to love a book. Throw in a some more bodily function terminology and I’m going to have a hard time keeping the eye rolling to a minimum.
Potty language aside, Into the Wild Nerd Yonder wasn’t bad. OK, so that’s not exactly high praise, but it’s the best I can do. I was really looking forward to reading this book because I thought it was about a teenager’s enthusiastic embracing of her inner nerd. Instead, the book appears to be more about a girl’s horror at discovering that she is, in fact, a nerd. Listen, Sister, your hobby is making a different skirt for each day of the school year and listening to audio books. Your favorite subject is not gym, but pre-calculus. Hello Nerd.
Jessie Sloan and her lifelong best friends are undergoing a change. Char and Bizza, typical teenagers, are obsessed with being cool. This year finds them deciding to go punk - which is ironic since the last thing a real punk would be interested in would be “trying” to be anything. Bizza is so interested in being accepted into the new scene, and by one guy in particular, that she will do anything - and I mean anything. Ewww.
Ironically, doing her own thing is probably makes Jessie more of a punk than her two head-shaved friends. She thinks a lot about being cool as well, but she also thinks a lot about her skirt-making/audio book hobbies, too. And when Bizza tries to “impress” Jessie’s beloved crush, Van, Jess realizes she needs a new group of friends. Enter the Dungeon and Dragons crew.
Increasingly, Jessie finds herself drawn into a new circle, one in which being true to yourself, even when that means Dungeons and Dragons and cosplay, is more important that being cool. Her new friends are happy to see her, welcoming, and interesting. There’s even a new guy on whom Jessie turns her attention.
So what’s the problem? Well, as much as Jessie sees the good side of her new friends and the bad side of her former friends, she is very reluctant to become one of “them.” She continually asks herself if hanging around with nerds means she is a nerd. Uh..so what? And yes, Jessie, you are a nerd; get over it.
Into the Wild Nerd Yonder could have been a great lesson for kids struggling to find themselves - you know, be true to who you are and all that. Instead of realizing that being cool means being who you are and being happy with it, the book seems to suggest that sometimes you just need to accept that you’re not cool. I don’t think I like that.
LAME FACTOR: Into the Wild Nerd Yonder was a little disappointing. I’ll have to give it a 2.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: Oh yes, they might. Among other things (and there are quite a few of them), Bizza’s recreational activities with Van are downright disgusting - although not described in graphic detail.
BRAIN POWER: In terms of the other YA books I’ve read, the writing here isn’t overly complex. If you are looking for a relatively easy summer read, give it a try.
Potty language aside, Into the Wild Nerd Yonder wasn’t bad. OK, so that’s not exactly high praise, but it’s the best I can do. I was really looking forward to reading this book because I thought it was about a teenager’s enthusiastic embracing of her inner nerd. Instead, the book appears to be more about a girl’s horror at discovering that she is, in fact, a nerd. Listen, Sister, your hobby is making a different skirt for each day of the school year and listening to audio books. Your favorite subject is not gym, but pre-calculus. Hello Nerd.
Jessie Sloan and her lifelong best friends are undergoing a change. Char and Bizza, typical teenagers, are obsessed with being cool. This year finds them deciding to go punk - which is ironic since the last thing a real punk would be interested in would be “trying” to be anything. Bizza is so interested in being accepted into the new scene, and by one guy in particular, that she will do anything - and I mean anything. Ewww.
Ironically, doing her own thing is probably makes Jessie more of a punk than her two head-shaved friends. She thinks a lot about being cool as well, but she also thinks a lot about her skirt-making/audio book hobbies, too. And when Bizza tries to “impress” Jessie’s beloved crush, Van, Jess realizes she needs a new group of friends. Enter the Dungeon and Dragons crew.
Increasingly, Jessie finds herself drawn into a new circle, one in which being true to yourself, even when that means Dungeons and Dragons and cosplay, is more important that being cool. Her new friends are happy to see her, welcoming, and interesting. There’s even a new guy on whom Jessie turns her attention.
So what’s the problem? Well, as much as Jessie sees the good side of her new friends and the bad side of her former friends, she is very reluctant to become one of “them.” She continually asks herself if hanging around with nerds means she is a nerd. Uh..so what? And yes, Jessie, you are a nerd; get over it.
Into the Wild Nerd Yonder could have been a great lesson for kids struggling to find themselves - you know, be true to who you are and all that. Instead of realizing that being cool means being who you are and being happy with it, the book seems to suggest that sometimes you just need to accept that you’re not cool. I don’t think I like that.
LAME FACTOR: Into the Wild Nerd Yonder was a little disappointing. I’ll have to give it a 2.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: Oh yes, they might. Among other things (and there are quite a few of them), Bizza’s recreational activities with Van are downright disgusting - although not described in graphic detail.
BRAIN POWER: In terms of the other YA books I’ve read, the writing here isn’t overly complex. If you are looking for a relatively easy summer read, give it a try.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Sleepless by Thomas Fahy
“Emma Montgomery is having trouble sleeping. Every time she falls asleep, she sees horrible, gruesome things in her dreams - and when she wakes up, she isn’t where she was when she fell asleep.”
Sleepless by Thomas Fahy was a really fun book. It’s a YA horror book, a genre I hadn’t tried before. This made it especially interesting because the things that happened were totally unexpected and scary and sometimes even a little gross. I was always guessing at what would happen next. Awesome.
One of the two main characters, Emma, is having some sleepwalking problems - as are a few of her classmates at the fictional St. Opportuna High, located in the not-so-fictional Sea Cliff, New York. The trouble is, the sleepwalking usually coincides with the murders of Emma’s friends, particularly those friends with whom Emma traveled to New Orleans to help with hurricane Katrina clean-up. That little trip didn’t go so well, either. New Orleans, you say? As in voodoo? Oohhh. Spooky.
So who - or what - is behind these murders? Is it Jake, the pot-smoking second main character? How about Dr. Beecher, the group’s mentor who traveled with them to New Orleans and who has now formed a sort of secret society for students in his home? My money would be on Ms. Dupre, Emma’s tarot card reading and generally creepy next-door neighbor. But then, I could be wrong...maybe you should read it and find out for yourself.
Oh, and by the way, Children, that means I’ve finished summer reading book number two. How are you coming along?
LAME FACTOR: Sleepless was really entertaining and always kept me guessing. A definite 0 for lameness.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: I freaked a little bit myself. Jake and the drugs? Not cool - and not necessary either. Yes, we know teenagers smoke pot; we don’t have to make them the heros of our stories, do we?
BRAIN POWER: Sleepless was well-written and had an excellent vocabulary. It might make your head hurt - but you’ll get over it.
Sleepless by Thomas Fahy was a really fun book. It’s a YA horror book, a genre I hadn’t tried before. This made it especially interesting because the things that happened were totally unexpected and scary and sometimes even a little gross. I was always guessing at what would happen next. Awesome.
One of the two main characters, Emma, is having some sleepwalking problems - as are a few of her classmates at the fictional St. Opportuna High, located in the not-so-fictional Sea Cliff, New York. The trouble is, the sleepwalking usually coincides with the murders of Emma’s friends, particularly those friends with whom Emma traveled to New Orleans to help with hurricane Katrina clean-up. That little trip didn’t go so well, either. New Orleans, you say? As in voodoo? Oohhh. Spooky.
So who - or what - is behind these murders? Is it Jake, the pot-smoking second main character? How about Dr. Beecher, the group’s mentor who traveled with them to New Orleans and who has now formed a sort of secret society for students in his home? My money would be on Ms. Dupre, Emma’s tarot card reading and generally creepy next-door neighbor. But then, I could be wrong...maybe you should read it and find out for yourself.
Oh, and by the way, Children, that means I’ve finished summer reading book number two. How are you coming along?
LAME FACTOR: Sleepless was really entertaining and always kept me guessing. A definite 0 for lameness.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: I freaked a little bit myself. Jake and the drugs? Not cool - and not necessary either. Yes, we know teenagers smoke pot; we don’t have to make them the heros of our stories, do we?
BRAIN POWER: Sleepless was well-written and had an excellent vocabulary. It might make your head hurt - but you’ll get over it.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Summer Reading Contest and 1000 Celebration!
This morning, my husband told me about a blog that a man began recently. The writer said that overnight he received thousands of hits. Nice. It has taken me one full year to reach one thousand (as of right now I’m at 999).
I’ve decided, then, that I really need to celebrate the painstaking process that has brought me to 1000 and I want reward you, the readers who helped me get here.
So how about a summer reading contest? No, not that thing you sign up for at the library; instead, I’d like you to write to me describing the best YA book you’ve ever read, a book that you want to recommend for summer reading. Be sure to name the title and author, to give a brief description, and to explain why you recommend it. Remember not to give away too much info and ruin the book for everyone else. The person writing the most persuasive recommendation wins!
Winners will receive his/her choice of any one of the books I’ve written about since beginning the blog.
You may send submissions as comments to the blog. The contest ends on July 22, 2011.
Yeah 1000! Yeah readers!
I’ve decided, then, that I really need to celebrate the painstaking process that has brought me to 1000 and I want reward you, the readers who helped me get here.
So how about a summer reading contest? No, not that thing you sign up for at the library; instead, I’d like you to write to me describing the best YA book you’ve ever read, a book that you want to recommend for summer reading. Be sure to name the title and author, to give a brief description, and to explain why you recommend it. Remember not to give away too much info and ruin the book for everyone else. The person writing the most persuasive recommendation wins!
Winners will receive his/her choice of any one of the books I’ve written about since beginning the blog.
You may send submissions as comments to the blog. The contest ends on July 22, 2011.
Yeah 1000! Yeah readers!
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga
So how’s the summer going so far? I’m covered in mosquito bites, cuts, bruises, and a sunburn - in spite of many layers of SPF 70. What’s up with that, anyway? All in all, though, it’s been a pretty good week.
This week I have already managed something that you might find astonishing: I finished a summer reading book. Yes children; for those of you who have not even thought about reading, time is a-wastin’. Get to it. Why not start with The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl?
My experience with students is that even the ones who say they hate reading, are happy to read a graphic novel. Enter “Fanboy,” so-named because he is a tremendous fan of graphic novels and all things comic book. He is so much in love with the genre, in fact, that he is constantly at work creating his own graphic novel, Schemata.
I’m glad Fanboy has a hobby because he doesn’t have a life. “I’m a computer geek, a comic book geek, a study geek,” he says of himself. High school is, as it is for many people, Fanboy’s version of hell. The jocks and assorted popular kids seem to love tormenting him and he expects a kick, a punch, or an all out beating at every turn. His pregnant mother has an incredibly weird paranoia about allowing him to have friends over, so, even if he did find someone to hang out with, it wouldn’t be easy. Fanboy’s step-dad, Tony, speaks in monosyllables between beers. Even his one and only friend, Cal, a closet nerd member of the lacrosse team, often lets him down in favor of the jocks. Sounds pretty crappy, huh? Or is it? Do you think maybe it could be that Fanboy exaggerates everything? Do you think maybe if he stopped assuming everyone was against him, he might find out they’re not? It’s something to think about.
Enter Goth Girl, the title’s other hero. I have to be honest: even I’m more interested in Goth kids than comic book nerds - although I am quite proud to be nerdy. I mean, I may dress like a Lands End catalog, but I can appreciate the Goth look without actually attempting it. Goth Girl, Kyra, is, in my opinion, the really interesting character of the book. She’s pretty much crazy, running over anyone who gets in her way, and her entry into Fanboy’s life is the beginning of great things for him.
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl is a great summer read; that is, it is definitely not lame. Fanboy got on my nerves sometimes and Goth Girl needs about five years’ worth of detention, but I cried at the end and that’s a good thing.
LAME FACTOR: In spite of Fanboy’s often irritating whining about the misery that is his life, I give it a 0 for lameness.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: Uh, this time, they actually might. Have you ever taken a look at comic book heroines? Their disproportionate proportions will give you insight into what many comic book boys (OK, boys in general) are thinking about. The book isn’t too graphic, but might be over-the-top for sensitive parents.
BRAIN POWER: The book is well-written with an excellent vocabulary. I think I even looked up a word. That’s what you do with words you don’t know, children, you look them up.
This week I have already managed something that you might find astonishing: I finished a summer reading book. Yes children; for those of you who have not even thought about reading, time is a-wastin’. Get to it. Why not start with The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl?
My experience with students is that even the ones who say they hate reading, are happy to read a graphic novel. Enter “Fanboy,” so-named because he is a tremendous fan of graphic novels and all things comic book. He is so much in love with the genre, in fact, that he is constantly at work creating his own graphic novel, Schemata.
I’m glad Fanboy has a hobby because he doesn’t have a life. “I’m a computer geek, a comic book geek, a study geek,” he says of himself. High school is, as it is for many people, Fanboy’s version of hell. The jocks and assorted popular kids seem to love tormenting him and he expects a kick, a punch, or an all out beating at every turn. His pregnant mother has an incredibly weird paranoia about allowing him to have friends over, so, even if he did find someone to hang out with, it wouldn’t be easy. Fanboy’s step-dad, Tony, speaks in monosyllables between beers. Even his one and only friend, Cal, a closet nerd member of the lacrosse team, often lets him down in favor of the jocks. Sounds pretty crappy, huh? Or is it? Do you think maybe it could be that Fanboy exaggerates everything? Do you think maybe if he stopped assuming everyone was against him, he might find out they’re not? It’s something to think about.
Enter Goth Girl, the title’s other hero. I have to be honest: even I’m more interested in Goth kids than comic book nerds - although I am quite proud to be nerdy. I mean, I may dress like a Lands End catalog, but I can appreciate the Goth look without actually attempting it. Goth Girl, Kyra, is, in my opinion, the really interesting character of the book. She’s pretty much crazy, running over anyone who gets in her way, and her entry into Fanboy’s life is the beginning of great things for him.
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl is a great summer read; that is, it is definitely not lame. Fanboy got on my nerves sometimes and Goth Girl needs about five years’ worth of detention, but I cried at the end and that’s a good thing.
LAME FACTOR: In spite of Fanboy’s often irritating whining about the misery that is his life, I give it a 0 for lameness.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: Uh, this time, they actually might. Have you ever taken a look at comic book heroines? Their disproportionate proportions will give you insight into what many comic book boys (OK, boys in general) are thinking about. The book isn’t too graphic, but might be over-the-top for sensitive parents.
BRAIN POWER: The book is well-written with an excellent vocabulary. I think I even looked up a word. That’s what you do with words you don’t know, children, you look them up.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Runner by Carl Deuker
Did someone say “summer reading?” Yes, children. It’s almost here: summer vacation. And with that, of course, comes everyone’s favorite assignment, the summer reading packet. Does your school have a packet - or just a list? We’re hardcore, my friends, we distribute an entire packet to be completed for September. I think I’ll even give a test on the required reading. Ooohh. So mean.
And yet not. Did you know that your reading skills can go down two levels over a summer without reading? Add that to the grade level or two you are already behind and, well, that spells disaster.
So how about coming up with a plan for how you’ll handle the reading this summer? Let me help you out: how about starting out with this book, Runner by Carl Deuker.
I picked up Runner when I was wandering around another teacher’s classroom, teaching an especially boring study hall. I have a bad reputation for stealing books from other rooms but, to be fair, I always bring them back. Anyway, I did what I always do, I chose Runner based on the cover and, as usual, I wasn’t wrong.
At first glance, Chance Taylor, Runner’s main character, has an awesome life, living on a sailboat with his dad in Seattle. And that would be really cool - except that the boat is a rickety bucket, he has no other house, he has been abandoned by his mom and (what, the other stuff wasn’t bad enough?) his dad is alcoholic and generally unemployed.
Responsible young man that he is, Chance seems more worried about paying the bills than his dad. Which is why, when offered a shady sounding job that pays cash, he doesn’t think too hard about the details, but takes what he can get. It seems someone at the marina has noticed Chance running a long route to the park and back each day and wants him to incorporate a package pick-up into his routine. Some days, his new “employer” explains, they’ll be a package, other days, not. Chance just needs to casually pick up whatever is there, drop it into his backpack, and leave it in a locker at the marina. No questions, no looking into the packages. The $200 a week it pays is too much for Chance to turn down.
What do you think is in those packages? Drugs? Maybe. Something more sinister? Probably. Body parts? Now you’re being ridiculous. You’ll just have to read it to find out.
LAME FACTOR: Runner is a very clever book with an interesting twist and a very likeable main character. Zero on the lameness scale.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: The adults are the irresponsible ones here, not the kids. If anything, they’re role models.
BRAIN POWER: Runner won’t hurt your little brain. Go ahead and add it to the summer reading list.
And yet not. Did you know that your reading skills can go down two levels over a summer without reading? Add that to the grade level or two you are already behind and, well, that spells disaster.
So how about coming up with a plan for how you’ll handle the reading this summer? Let me help you out: how about starting out with this book, Runner by Carl Deuker.
I picked up Runner when I was wandering around another teacher’s classroom, teaching an especially boring study hall. I have a bad reputation for stealing books from other rooms but, to be fair, I always bring them back. Anyway, I did what I always do, I chose Runner based on the cover and, as usual, I wasn’t wrong.
At first glance, Chance Taylor, Runner’s main character, has an awesome life, living on a sailboat with his dad in Seattle. And that would be really cool - except that the boat is a rickety bucket, he has no other house, he has been abandoned by his mom and (what, the other stuff wasn’t bad enough?) his dad is alcoholic and generally unemployed.
Responsible young man that he is, Chance seems more worried about paying the bills than his dad. Which is why, when offered a shady sounding job that pays cash, he doesn’t think too hard about the details, but takes what he can get. It seems someone at the marina has noticed Chance running a long route to the park and back each day and wants him to incorporate a package pick-up into his routine. Some days, his new “employer” explains, they’ll be a package, other days, not. Chance just needs to casually pick up whatever is there, drop it into his backpack, and leave it in a locker at the marina. No questions, no looking into the packages. The $200 a week it pays is too much for Chance to turn down.
What do you think is in those packages? Drugs? Maybe. Something more sinister? Probably. Body parts? Now you’re being ridiculous. You’ll just have to read it to find out.
LAME FACTOR: Runner is a very clever book with an interesting twist and a very likeable main character. Zero on the lameness scale.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: The adults are the irresponsible ones here, not the kids. If anything, they’re role models.
BRAIN POWER: Runner won’t hurt your little brain. Go ahead and add it to the summer reading list.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
“Mrs. Lepetit, why are you reading that book?” I looked up to see Brianca staring at me with an expression somewhere between disbelief and annoyance. “Excuse me?” “Why are you reading that book? You know how it ends, don’t you?” “Uh, I have an idea,” I answered lowering the book to my lap, “but it will be OK. I’m sure the author will work it out in the next book.” “Mmm. Well, I don’t understand,” and Brianca returned slowly to her desk, shaking her head disapprovingly as she went.
In spite of Brianca’s warning, I actually went ahead and read Linger. I’m reckless like that. Shockingly, I thought it was great. I mean I’ve only been yakking about Shiver over and over again to anyone who’ll listen (or pretends to listen) and this is the sequel.
What makes it so great, you ask? Really? Haven’t you been paying any attention at all? Fine. Grace Brisbane is one of the greatest female YA heroines around. She is still smart (for the most part), independent, and is missing all of the things about girls that I don’t like - whining (I really hate whining), gossiping, obsessing over everything. In short, she is amazing.
That said, I do not like everyone in Shiver. Grace’s parents are pretty much failures as parents. You don’t ignore your teenaged child - unless you actually want them to turn into drug addicts - and if you are stupid or lazy enough to do so, you can’t expect to be able to turn around suddenly and start telling them what to do. In this case, the child is definitely smarter than the parents.
As for the story, we’re still working with werewolves here. Interestingly, even without the werewolves, this story would absolutely still work. The werewolves just make everything more awesome.
So what was Brianca’s problem? OK, so the ending might not be entirely satisfactory, but the direction it takes seems logical - that is, if stories about werewolves can be logical. Besides, the next book is titled Forever, and if you have any higher reading skills whatsoever, you can guess that everything will work out fine.
LAME FACTOR: A very big 0 for lameness - in spite of Grace’s highly irritating mother.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: Some drug, alcohol, and sex references but nothing too explicit. It’s hard to imagine that anyone will care - unless, of course, your mom turns out to be like Grace’s mom.
BRAIN POWER: Well-written but manageable for anyone with a brain.
In spite of Brianca’s warning, I actually went ahead and read Linger. I’m reckless like that. Shockingly, I thought it was great. I mean I’ve only been yakking about Shiver over and over again to anyone who’ll listen (or pretends to listen) and this is the sequel.
What makes it so great, you ask? Really? Haven’t you been paying any attention at all? Fine. Grace Brisbane is one of the greatest female YA heroines around. She is still smart (for the most part), independent, and is missing all of the things about girls that I don’t like - whining (I really hate whining), gossiping, obsessing over everything. In short, she is amazing.
That said, I do not like everyone in Shiver. Grace’s parents are pretty much failures as parents. You don’t ignore your teenaged child - unless you actually want them to turn into drug addicts - and if you are stupid or lazy enough to do so, you can’t expect to be able to turn around suddenly and start telling them what to do. In this case, the child is definitely smarter than the parents.
As for the story, we’re still working with werewolves here. Interestingly, even without the werewolves, this story would absolutely still work. The werewolves just make everything more awesome.
So what was Brianca’s problem? OK, so the ending might not be entirely satisfactory, but the direction it takes seems logical - that is, if stories about werewolves can be logical. Besides, the next book is titled Forever, and if you have any higher reading skills whatsoever, you can guess that everything will work out fine.
LAME FACTOR: A very big 0 for lameness - in spite of Grace’s highly irritating mother.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: Some drug, alcohol, and sex references but nothing too explicit. It’s hard to imagine that anyone will care - unless, of course, your mom turns out to be like Grace’s mom.
BRAIN POWER: Well-written but manageable for anyone with a brain.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan
Do you have any friends named Betsey? How about Lana – or even Sue? I’m guessing not. When your little brother is a complete moron, do you suggest that he “hush” – or do you perhaps say something stronger? My money is on stronger.
OK; so I’m always yakking about how reading isn’t lame and listing amazing books that you should be reading. I think I should also warn you, then, when lameness occurs. And here it is, children: Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan.
The story behind Killing Mr. Griffin sounds pretty cool: students hate strict teacher, decide to teach strict teacher a lesson – oops! – something goes seriously wrong. As a reasonably strict teacher myself, I think it’s just common sense to read these kinds of books. I need to know what the students are plotting so I can “watch my back,” so to speak.
It all sounds good, right? Eh. I thought the story was interesting, but the more I read, the more something was really off. First, the names. Betsey? Really? The last time I heard the name Betsey was when I was in high school which was – well, let’s just say it was in the 20th century. Then, the setting details. How many of you actually make Jell-o out of package? Why would you, when it comes in those amazing little plastic cups? What about television? What do you watch? Idol? DWTS? Not, I assume, The Newlywed Game or Let’s Make a Deal.
The more I read, the more I realized that this story was taking place in the 70’s, so I looked at the date in the front of the book and saw that it was originally published in 1978. That would be fine if the story was supposed to be taking place in the 70’s, but the author seems to have gone back in and added modern details like references to Google and cell phones. In the meantime, big things like mothers don’t seem to go to work during the day, but rather, sit around and play cards, are left like they are normal. I could be wrong, but I don’t think mothers have done that since Bewitched was running in prime time. (Yes, it was a TV show before it was a movie.)
My biggest complaint about Killing Mr. Griffin, however, is that the dialogue is completely unnatural. As a middle school teacher, I have a really good idea of what students sound like – and this isn’t it. “Will this do?” one teenager asks. Huh? I wish you spoke like that.
In my opinion, if the author wanted an updated version of her book, she should have changed much, much more. It isn’t enough to add a couple of pop culture details without eliminating those that are really dated. It’s like giving Ebenezer Scrooge an iPhone and trying to make us believe the story took place last Christmas. OK; so I’m exaggerating, but you get the idea.
In the end, the story wasn’t terrible – but the dialogue was awful. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
LAME FACTOR: Pretty lame. I give it a 3 out of 5.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: Are you kidding? This is the 70’s. Well, I supposed they might object to the whole killing your teacher thing – and the one small reference to drugs and alcohol – but overall it was really tame.
BRAIN POWER: You will be blown away by the amazing sentence structure of the characters. Just kidding. It wasn’t overly complex.
OK; so I’m always yakking about how reading isn’t lame and listing amazing books that you should be reading. I think I should also warn you, then, when lameness occurs. And here it is, children: Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan.
The story behind Killing Mr. Griffin sounds pretty cool: students hate strict teacher, decide to teach strict teacher a lesson – oops! – something goes seriously wrong. As a reasonably strict teacher myself, I think it’s just common sense to read these kinds of books. I need to know what the students are plotting so I can “watch my back,” so to speak.
It all sounds good, right? Eh. I thought the story was interesting, but the more I read, the more something was really off. First, the names. Betsey? Really? The last time I heard the name Betsey was when I was in high school which was – well, let’s just say it was in the 20th century. Then, the setting details. How many of you actually make Jell-o out of package? Why would you, when it comes in those amazing little plastic cups? What about television? What do you watch? Idol? DWTS? Not, I assume, The Newlywed Game or Let’s Make a Deal.
The more I read, the more I realized that this story was taking place in the 70’s, so I looked at the date in the front of the book and saw that it was originally published in 1978. That would be fine if the story was supposed to be taking place in the 70’s, but the author seems to have gone back in and added modern details like references to Google and cell phones. In the meantime, big things like mothers don’t seem to go to work during the day, but rather, sit around and play cards, are left like they are normal. I could be wrong, but I don’t think mothers have done that since Bewitched was running in prime time. (Yes, it was a TV show before it was a movie.)
My biggest complaint about Killing Mr. Griffin, however, is that the dialogue is completely unnatural. As a middle school teacher, I have a really good idea of what students sound like – and this isn’t it. “Will this do?” one teenager asks. Huh? I wish you spoke like that.
In my opinion, if the author wanted an updated version of her book, she should have changed much, much more. It isn’t enough to add a couple of pop culture details without eliminating those that are really dated. It’s like giving Ebenezer Scrooge an iPhone and trying to make us believe the story took place last Christmas. OK; so I’m exaggerating, but you get the idea.
In the end, the story wasn’t terrible – but the dialogue was awful. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
LAME FACTOR: Pretty lame. I give it a 3 out of 5.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: Are you kidding? This is the 70’s. Well, I supposed they might object to the whole killing your teacher thing – and the one small reference to drugs and alcohol – but overall it was really tame.
BRAIN POWER: You will be blown away by the amazing sentence structure of the characters. Just kidding. It wasn’t overly complex.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Lament by Maggie Stiefvater
Like many of you, children, I am currently on vacation. I am happy to report that I’ve escaped the cold, gray that is New York and am in Florida. Guess what I am doing in Florida. Swimming, you say? Yes, I am swimming. Sunning, you say? Well, not really. I’m Irish, so forget that. Was that reading you guessed next? No? How foolish of you: of course I am reading.
Since I am always yakking about how much I loved Shiver and it’s main character, Grace Brisbane, I decided to try another Maggie Stiefvater title: Lament. It was awesome!
Speaking of being Irish, this one is full of Celtic overtones: harps, singing, depressing stories. It also focuses on fairies. Happily for the reader, however, these are not the benevolent sort of fairies who leave quarters under your pillow and frolic tra-la under mushrooms. Now that would be lame. No, these fairies prefer murder and mayhem to frolicking - which is how this story idea goes from lame to awesome.
While I do not love Deirdre Monaghan, Lament’s main character, as much as I love Grace, at least this time it’s not far off. Deirdre has all of the traits I like best in women, both real and imagined: she’s smart, she’s talented, she’s a hard worker. What’s not to like?
Unfortunately for Deirdre, she is a “cloverhand,” someone who can see fairies. That would be amazing if these were the kind of fairies that cleaned your room and did your homework for you. It might even be cool if they were the type to, say, take your younger sibling’s voice away when he/ she is being annoying. It is definitely not cool when the fairies, - oh, I don’t know - try to knock off your friends. It’s always so much more complicated when the fairies have homicidal tendencies.
Like I said, however, Deirdre is very intelligent and quite resourceful. You can rest assured that this is one cloverhand who can handle herself. She might even find true - if not somewhat supernatural - love along the way.
LAME FACTOR: Deadly fairies? Need you ask? A big zero for lameness.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: The only way your parents will freak is if they’re those people who object to supernatural kinds of things - in which case you have my sympathy.
BRAIN POWER: Ooh. Big words. You’ll be fine.
Since I am always yakking about how much I loved Shiver and it’s main character, Grace Brisbane, I decided to try another Maggie Stiefvater title: Lament. It was awesome!
Speaking of being Irish, this one is full of Celtic overtones: harps, singing, depressing stories. It also focuses on fairies. Happily for the reader, however, these are not the benevolent sort of fairies who leave quarters under your pillow and frolic tra-la under mushrooms. Now that would be lame. No, these fairies prefer murder and mayhem to frolicking - which is how this story idea goes from lame to awesome.
While I do not love Deirdre Monaghan, Lament’s main character, as much as I love Grace, at least this time it’s not far off. Deirdre has all of the traits I like best in women, both real and imagined: she’s smart, she’s talented, she’s a hard worker. What’s not to like?
Unfortunately for Deirdre, she is a “cloverhand,” someone who can see fairies. That would be amazing if these were the kind of fairies that cleaned your room and did your homework for you. It might even be cool if they were the type to, say, take your younger sibling’s voice away when he/ she is being annoying. It is definitely not cool when the fairies, - oh, I don’t know - try to knock off your friends. It’s always so much more complicated when the fairies have homicidal tendencies.
Like I said, however, Deirdre is very intelligent and quite resourceful. You can rest assured that this is one cloverhand who can handle herself. She might even find true - if not somewhat supernatural - love along the way.
LAME FACTOR: Deadly fairies? Need you ask? A big zero for lameness.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: The only way your parents will freak is if they’re those people who object to supernatural kinds of things - in which case you have my sympathy.
BRAIN POWER: Ooh. Big words. You’ll be fine.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
The Body Finder Book Trailer
Enjoy this trailer for The Body Finder - but don't be confused kiddies, it's book, not a movie. That means you will have to read.
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Grace Brisbane has ruined everything for me. If you read my review of Shiver (and if you didn’t, why not?) then you’ll remember that Grace is my favorite character of the year. Quiet, sensible, intelligent: what’s not to like?
I was excited then when it seemed like the heroine of The Body Finder, Violet Ambrose, was just like my beloved Grace. No so. But more on that later.
The Body Finder has an awesome premise: a teenaged girl, Violet, has the ability to sense dead bodies. The bodies seem to emit some sort of sound, like a high-pitched whine, that draws Violet to them. Usually, she just finds the kinds of things you’d expect to uncover in a walk through the woods, you know, dead squirrels and assorted mangled critters. As a little kid she developed the habit of digging up these animals and burying them in a makeshift graveyard in the garden behind her house. Then, one day, during a walk in the woods with her dad, Violet hears a louder than normal cry and as she moves closer to the sound she crouches down and begins digging. A moment later - you guessed it - Violet uncovers a real body, the body of a little girl.
Shoot forward several years; Violet is a relatively happy high schooler (are there any really happy high schoolers?) whose biggest problem is her lifelong best friend, Jay. It seems that, over the summer, Jay has grown from a goofy little kid into a seriously hot guy. This transformation is not lost on Violet and she is now torn between her new-found attraction to Jay and her overwhelming desire to preserve their friendship.
So who has time to find dead bodies? Happily, Violet clears her head long enough to hear their cries. While out on a lake with Jay, Violet hears the familiar call. She assumes it’s just an animal, but she is compelled to move closer and closer to the sound. A missing teenaged girl is dead in the water.
It’s the beginning of a very busy season for Violet: a serial killer is at work in the area around her home. The calls from the dead come in fast and furious. Happily for the police chief (who happens to be Violet’s uncle) killers appear to emit a sound of their own, and Violet is on their trail.
What’s not to love? Well, I did like The Body Finder - a lot. But I think I had big expectations for Violet. I wanted her to be as serious and smart as Grace, and instead, I found myself annoyed at the completely empty interactions she has with her friends. But then I guess that’s why I don’t want to teach high school.
Overall, The Body Finder was based on a very interesting idea and Violet wasn’t completely repulsive. Grab yourself a copy and see what you think.
LAME FACTOR: I need to give it a 1 out of 5. Come on, kiddies. School is for making something out of yourself, not for making out.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: If you have your parents conned into believing that they can trust you to close your bedroom door with a boy in there, don’t let them read this book.
BRAIN POWER: Eh.
I was excited then when it seemed like the heroine of The Body Finder, Violet Ambrose, was just like my beloved Grace. No so. But more on that later.
The Body Finder has an awesome premise: a teenaged girl, Violet, has the ability to sense dead bodies. The bodies seem to emit some sort of sound, like a high-pitched whine, that draws Violet to them. Usually, she just finds the kinds of things you’d expect to uncover in a walk through the woods, you know, dead squirrels and assorted mangled critters. As a little kid she developed the habit of digging up these animals and burying them in a makeshift graveyard in the garden behind her house. Then, one day, during a walk in the woods with her dad, Violet hears a louder than normal cry and as she moves closer to the sound she crouches down and begins digging. A moment later - you guessed it - Violet uncovers a real body, the body of a little girl.
Shoot forward several years; Violet is a relatively happy high schooler (are there any really happy high schoolers?) whose biggest problem is her lifelong best friend, Jay. It seems that, over the summer, Jay has grown from a goofy little kid into a seriously hot guy. This transformation is not lost on Violet and she is now torn between her new-found attraction to Jay and her overwhelming desire to preserve their friendship.
So who has time to find dead bodies? Happily, Violet clears her head long enough to hear their cries. While out on a lake with Jay, Violet hears the familiar call. She assumes it’s just an animal, but she is compelled to move closer and closer to the sound. A missing teenaged girl is dead in the water.
It’s the beginning of a very busy season for Violet: a serial killer is at work in the area around her home. The calls from the dead come in fast and furious. Happily for the police chief (who happens to be Violet’s uncle) killers appear to emit a sound of their own, and Violet is on their trail.
What’s not to love? Well, I did like The Body Finder - a lot. But I think I had big expectations for Violet. I wanted her to be as serious and smart as Grace, and instead, I found myself annoyed at the completely empty interactions she has with her friends. But then I guess that’s why I don’t want to teach high school.
Overall, The Body Finder was based on a very interesting idea and Violet wasn’t completely repulsive. Grab yourself a copy and see what you think.
LAME FACTOR: I need to give it a 1 out of 5. Come on, kiddies. School is for making something out of yourself, not for making out.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: If you have your parents conned into believing that they can trust you to close your bedroom door with a boy in there, don’t let them read this book.
BRAIN POWER: Eh.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson
First of all, a big shout out to Molly in Section 703 for introducing me to this book. Second, I think a story will best demonstrate what I thought of Catalyst: Molly offered me this book at the end of third period on Wednesday, and I was able to return it to her on Thursday by fourth period. It's not like I didn't have anything to do, it was just that good.
Here’s something that will shock you: I have come to understand that my favorite books are those where the main character is an intelligent teenage girl with a lot of common sense. If she does not talk an excessive amount, that’s a plus. Not surprised? I had never actually figured that out until I started Catalyst and knew right away that the reason I would love the main character, Kate Malone, was because she was an amazing student whose main area of interest was chemistry. Awesome.
It turned out I was right: I thought Catalyst was a great book, although I didn’t always like Kate. She could be a little snotty and self-centered sometimes - even when she was trying to be nice. I guess we’ve all been there, though. Kate didn’t always demonstrate common sense either - like the time she decided making MIT the only school she’d apply to. Nobody’s that good. It’s called a safety school, Kate; get one.
As I started the book, I assumed that the MIT thing would be the big problem Kate dealt with throughout the story. Turns out, even I have a lot to learn about plot: MIT is probably one of the least important things in Kate’s life. There’s also her father, who is a minister, her dead mother, her obnoxious boyfriend (at least I thought he was obnoxious) and her asthmatic younger brother. There is also the town’s “white trash” citizen Teri, a teenage girl who could take on a longshoreman in an arm-wrestling contest. Teri lives with her mentally impaired mom and adorable younger brother in a shack of a house. You’ll be shocked to know that the shack isn’t flame retardant. Poof! up it goes. Did I mention Kate’s dad is a minister? So, like a good minister, he naturally invites Teri and her brother to come on over and live with them.
Dramatic, huh? Please; that’s nothing - but I’m stopping here. The twists and turns in this story could make you motion sick. At one point, I was actually shocked - and that doesn’t happen to me often when I read.
There is no reality show on TV that comes close to this drama, so put down the remote control, wave bye-bye to all the pretty little liars, and grab a copy of this book. You’ll learn a thing or two about drama.
LAME FACTOR: Do I really need to spell it out for you? This book is amazing. Zero lameness.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: Between schoolwork, long distance running, and helping out with her father’s parish activities (“activities” like Teri and her brother), Kate doesn’t have much time for getting into trouble. There’s a little action between Kate and her boyfriend, but she’s not all that into him anyway. Try reminding your parents of the crap they show on TV.
BRAIN POWER: Just because Kate is a genius, doesn’t mean you have to be. If your brain is average, you’ll manage.
Here’s something that will shock you: I have come to understand that my favorite books are those where the main character is an intelligent teenage girl with a lot of common sense. If she does not talk an excessive amount, that’s a plus. Not surprised? I had never actually figured that out until I started Catalyst and knew right away that the reason I would love the main character, Kate Malone, was because she was an amazing student whose main area of interest was chemistry. Awesome.
It turned out I was right: I thought Catalyst was a great book, although I didn’t always like Kate. She could be a little snotty and self-centered sometimes - even when she was trying to be nice. I guess we’ve all been there, though. Kate didn’t always demonstrate common sense either - like the time she decided making MIT the only school she’d apply to. Nobody’s that good. It’s called a safety school, Kate; get one.
As I started the book, I assumed that the MIT thing would be the big problem Kate dealt with throughout the story. Turns out, even I have a lot to learn about plot: MIT is probably one of the least important things in Kate’s life. There’s also her father, who is a minister, her dead mother, her obnoxious boyfriend (at least I thought he was obnoxious) and her asthmatic younger brother. There is also the town’s “white trash” citizen Teri, a teenage girl who could take on a longshoreman in an arm-wrestling contest. Teri lives with her mentally impaired mom and adorable younger brother in a shack of a house. You’ll be shocked to know that the shack isn’t flame retardant. Poof! up it goes. Did I mention Kate’s dad is a minister? So, like a good minister, he naturally invites Teri and her brother to come on over and live with them.
Dramatic, huh? Please; that’s nothing - but I’m stopping here. The twists and turns in this story could make you motion sick. At one point, I was actually shocked - and that doesn’t happen to me often when I read.
There is no reality show on TV that comes close to this drama, so put down the remote control, wave bye-bye to all the pretty little liars, and grab a copy of this book. You’ll learn a thing or two about drama.
LAME FACTOR: Do I really need to spell it out for you? This book is amazing. Zero lameness.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: Between schoolwork, long distance running, and helping out with her father’s parish activities (“activities” like Teri and her brother), Kate doesn’t have much time for getting into trouble. There’s a little action between Kate and her boyfriend, but she’s not all that into him anyway. Try reminding your parents of the crap they show on TV.
BRAIN POWER: Just because Kate is a genius, doesn’t mean you have to be. If your brain is average, you’ll manage.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Jane Eyre - The Greatest Book Ever is Once Again a Movie!
I'd like to believe that you will read Jane Eyre one day, but experience tells me otherwise. In the meantime, there is this new movie that looks like the best version of Jane Eyre that I've seen in a really long time (William Hurt and Charlotte Gainsbourg - really!?). It has just the right amount of dark creepiness, mystery, and romance. Here in the cultural wasteland that is Long Island, the movie comes out on 3/25/11. If you live in the civilized world, it's already out.
Do you feel inspired by this clip, but not inspired enough to read the original? How about reading the modern version, Jane, by April Lindner? Read my 3/12/11 post about that one.
Jane by April Lindner
Jane Eyre. The two most beautiful words in the English language. The greatest book of all time - and I should know, I’ve read a lot of books. I first read Jane Eyre when I was 13 and have read it at least once a year ever since. Believe me, that’s a lot of Jane Eyre.
Sympathetic soul that I am, however, I understand that the language in Jane Eyre - both the vocabulary and the sentence structure - is a little advanced for the “lol” “brb” generation. I’ve tried to convince several of my students to give it a try and even the best of them has failed. So sad.
So, along comes Jane by April Lindner. What do you want me to say? It’s no Jane Eyre, but it isn’t bad at all. Jane takes all of the important plot details of the original - orphaned young woman working as a governess, falls in love with mysterious employer who happens to have a very deep secret - and combines them with modern elements.
In this version, instead of Mr. Rochester, the passionate, dark hero of the original, we have Nico Rathburn, a rock star who is trying to get his career back on track. Our heroine, Jane, is a sensible young woman with a limited wardrobe and even more limited patience for nonsense. She has been forced to drop out of college as a result of her parents’ untimely deaths and has come to the Rathburn estate to help raise Nico’s daughter. Unless you’ve never read a romance book or watched a Lifetime movie in your entire existence, you can pretty much figure out what happens next. Or can you? Much like Jane Eyre, this Jane has an interesting plot twist that takes the story in an entirely new direction. Awesome.
Will Jane and Nico end up together? Will Jane find true love with someone else? Will somebody please explain to me why you people don’t read classics anymore? Oh well. It is what it is, so my advice is, pick up a copy of Jane. You might even be inspired to try out the original.
LAME FACTOR: Jane really is quite good. In honor of Charlotte Bronte, however, I can’t just give it a 0, so I’ll go with a 1. Very little lameness here.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: In modern terms, Jane is a very well-behaved young lady. The original Jane, however, had the superhuman strength to withstand the advances of an extremely appealing man. You go, Jane. That said, there is very little in here that is objectionable, but if your parents are extremely particular, you might want to run it by them first.
BRAIN POWER: You will need a brain. Short of that, I think you can handle it.
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