10 Things to do Before I Die

by Daniel Ehrenhaft
PRMS hardcover 219 pages
genre: YA coming-of-age

This book went from intriguing to questionable to downright stupid to mildly redeeming - maybe. The premise is the classic "what would you do if you knew you only had 24 hours to live?" Ted Burger spends much of his time at the Circle Eat Diner with his best friend Mark and Mark's girlfriend Nikki.

My favorite part was when Ted saw Billy Rifkin and saw someone whose life had changed in a meaningful way. I also liked his epiphany that sex is not to be treated lightly. The rest of the story and the characters just didn't work very well. I like Ehrenhaft's more recent work better. This one just falls short.

A Separate Peace

by John Knowles
PRMS hard cover 204 pages
genre: YA coming-of-age, historical fiction 1940s

I can't even remember the protagonist's name! His story is defined by his relationship with Finny (Phineas) while the two teenagers are at Devon in New England during the outset of WWII. I read this because a student in grade 8 LAX was complaining about it and I was curious. There were portions were I was bored, and many I want to go back and re-read. What a rich book! There is much here to discuss. As I was reading it, I thought of Gallagher's Readicide. . . what a book to be careful in neither overteaching nor underteaching. Almost makes me want to be an English teacher again!

June Bug

by Chris Fabry
Hennepin County Library paperback 326 pages
genre: Christian fiction, mystery

Spoilers ahead . . .

Liked it, but didn't finish before our book club meeting. Jodi did NOT like it. Fabry leaves some pretty glaring loose ends. . . makes me want to read Dogwood to see if he addresses them. Why does John just walk away from June Bug after raising her for seven years? What happens with Sheila? How does June Bug reconcile her history with her new life? Will Mae and Leason parent June Bug any better than they did Dana?

The story opens in a Walmart with June Bug seeing her own photo age-progressed. The realization that her dad may not be her dad leads her to question many things about their life together. I liked the way the story unfolded, but agree that there were too many things that didn't fit. The one thing that most bothered me was that no one was punished for the attempted murder and subsequent kidnapping of a little girl - at least not in this story. Dana, Walker, and John all walked away.

Still, I like this author's storytelling style and am interested in trying another of his books.

Rainbow Jordan

by Alice Childress
PRMS paperback 127 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction, inner city

I really enjoyed this, but am not sure it would appeal to students. I thought about asking Jhanae or Tequilla to read it and give me their opinions, but I'm not sure they'd be interested. Rainbow (aka "Rainey") has an irresponsible mother who's gone a lot. Rainbow goes to spend time with Josie (foster care) and the story is told primarily from the perspective of these two - a 14-year-old and a 57-year-old. Rainbow's mother Kathie also has a "voice," but it isn't prominent.

Sad story, but Rainbow is a mature young lady who learns a bit and grows up through her life's challenges. I liked it.

Readicide: How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It

by Kelly Gallagher
PRMS paperback 118 pages
genre: professional, education

I finally finished the last ten pages . . . after starting it last fall. Incredible book. Should be mandatory reading for all English / language arts teachers. I hate that we as educators often have the opposite effect than what we desire! Instead of creating lifelong readers, we kill the love of reading. Fantastic book with practical advice. There's a fine distinction between under & over teaching literature. Free reading "in the flow" is crucial! Loved it.