Thunder and Rain

by Charles Martin
Hennepin County Library hardcover 367 pages
genre: Christian fiction, adventure

Tyler Steele is a third generation Texas Ranger who pretty much sees life in black and white. The story of his life is engaging and I enjoyed it for the most part. There was a little too much gun-love, Texas-love, and Ranger-love for me . . . but it was balanced out with a great cast of characters (I love Georgia and Dumps!) and his love for Andie as well as for Samantha created a lot of tension. Brodie and Hope were great kid characters, but Hope's journal often sounded much, much, much too mature and reflective for a ten-year-old.

Grace Kelly: American Princess

By Elizabeth Gillen Surcouf
PRMS withdrawn / hardcover 64 pages
genre: non-fiction biography

This is one of the books I weeded out of the collection at school this fall. It was interesting, but fairly superficial. I enjoyed reading it both out of curiosity and because the photographs are stunning (of Princess Grace and of Monaco). She was a gorgeous woman. I would have liked more details about her life and death. The author doesn't really even explain how her daughter survived the car accident that took Grace's life.

Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword

by Barry Deutsch
PRMS paperback 139 pages
genre: YA graphic novel, adventure & fantasy

Interesting title, but not destined to become one of my favorites. Tag on the top of the front cover: "Yet another troll-fighting 11-year-old Orthodox Jewish girl." Hmmm. Mirka is likable enough. It is instructive without being overbearing in regard to Jewish customs. The plot just seemed a bit too awkward to me, though.

Slumdog Millionaire

by Vikas Swarup
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 9 discs
read by Christopher Simpson
genre: realistic fiction

This was a re-listen. What an incredible story! Mr. Simpson voices it very effectively. The tale of Ram Mohammed Thomas and his unlikely success winning a billion rupees amazes me in its intricacy and beauty amidst the horrors. In searching online to find out how to spell his unusual name (to satisfy the expectations of three different faith leaders), I'm horrified that his name is different in the movie version. Yet another reason NOT to watch the movie! The story of his name is one of my favorites in this wonderful book of storytelling.

Twisted

by Laurie Halse Anderson
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 5 discs
read by Mike Chamberlain
genre: YA coming-of-age

It always surprises me when an author's protagonist of the opposite gender hits the nail on the head. Tyler has transformed from a nobody nerd to a troublemaker with muscles. One dumb act of vandalism has changed his life; hormones and growth do the rest. I just don't feel like blogging now. Good book. Intense. Deals with a LOT of teen topics including suicide (thoughts and attempts), sex, drugs, bullying, family violence, etc. Chamberlain's vocal work was excellent.

Odd Apocalypse

by Dean R. Koontz
Hennepin County Library hardcover 355 pages
genre: paranormal mystery

I was on the waiting list for this for a looooong time so it was gratifying to get it and have time to read it (on the bus to TIES and waiting for a tire rotation). Odd and Annamaria have ended up at Roseland, an impressive estate with something very wrong. As Odd lets his psychic magnetism guide him, the dangers mount on all sides. I love the role Nikola Tesla played in this story. I find it amusing that Alfred Hitchcock is manifesting to Odd in this tale. Koontz has woven many current pop culture references in this story (including Justin Bieber). Delightful story, though I'll probably take a listen to it again when it comes out on audio. I simply adore the vocal work that David Aaron Baker does!

Vampire Knight

by Matsuri Hino
Dakota County Library paperback less than 200 pages
genre: YA manga paranormal romance

Surprisingly, though this one had the creepiest cover, I liked it best of the four I read recently. The school in this story has day classes and night classes (for vampires only, though that's top secret). Two students are members of the disciplinary committee - making sure students don't go in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yuki Cross (who looks shockingly young for so much responsibility) and Zero Kiryu (hot & older, naturally) have a strange mix of attraction and frustration toward one another.

Kitchen Princess

manga by Natsumi Ando & story by Miyuki Kobayashi
Dakota County Library paperback 200ish pages
genre: YA manga romance

I actually kind of liked this one - it's emphasis on food anyhow. Shocker - there are two boys interested in the same girl. The girl looks waaaay too young to be interested in older guys (she's middle school; they seem older teen / early 20s). I liked the drawings of the different desserts and the recipes at the end.

Story basics - Najika is in the Seika Academy and entered in a baking contest. The youngest contestant there, the academy's director points out that she's the daughter of two famous (but dead) pastry chefs. He basically wants to use her for marketing for his school. She's in love with one of the director's sons, but the other son is interested in her too.

Gakuen Alice

by Tachibana Higuchi
Dakota County Library paperback 200ish pages
genre: YA manga, fantasy

Sigh. In this one, best friends Mikan (looks like Alice in Wonderland) and Hotaru are separated when Hotaru goes to a special "Alice" school. Heart-broken, Mikan decides to go find her. Lo and behold, the school is for students with special giftings (called "Alices" - even for the boys). Turns out whiny Mikan has a special talent, too, only she doesn't even know what it is.

At least this one had some suspense and adventure in it, but it still isn't my cup of tea! I'm trying to find something that will meet the needs of my girls who keep asking for The Black Butler (because he's hot, basically, in a graphic sense of the word).

Land of the Blindfolded

by Sakura Tsukuba
Dakota County Library paperback 202 pages
genre: YA manga paranormal romance

"Kanade can sometimes see the future and Arou can always see the past. Even with the chemistry they feel, it's impossible to forecast what will become of their relationship. Adding to the tension, Namiki (a new student who can also see the future) develops a crush on Kanade."

My reactions to this (and other manga of this style):
1. I don't really get it or like it.
2. Why is the female drawn like a little girl and the guys drawn like hot teenagers? That's just creepy.
3. What is it with the female crying like an idiot every two seconds?

Nuff said.

Why I Fight

by J. Adams Oaks
sort of PRMS (long story) paperback 228 pages
genre: realistic fiction (gritty)

Twelve-year-old Wyatt is a neglected kid. When he accidentally burns down his house after being left alone for several days in a row, his uncle takes him out of the shelter where he ended up with "Fever" (his father) and Ma. Uncle Spade is not exactly a wonderful role model or parent figure for Wyatt. This book is well-written but made me sad. Wyatt is uneducated, unloved, and used for his size and strength. Spade has Wyatt train as a bare-fist fighter and lies about his age. Wyatt navigates the confusion of cities, Spade's "lady friends," grandma's strange religious rants, and the neglect of his own parents by zoning out.

Since it has been drawn on and is no longer officially in the collection, I read it to decide whether or not I'd replace it. It's worth replacing, but I'm not sure I will. Not many kids will be able to relate to the kind of life Wyatt is leading.

Cardboard

by Doug TenNapel
PRMS paperback 283 pages
genre: YA graphic novel, fantasy

Loved it! I need to buy the author's book that I don't yet own. Cam's unemployed carpenter dad gives him a cardboard box for his birthday. When the two of them make a cardboard boxer that comes to life, things quickly get out of hand. The evil neighbor Marcus adds much to the story!

Let Love Find You

by Johanna Lindsey
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 8 discs
read by Anne Flosnik
genre: historical romance

I might have enjoyed this story more, but the reader's voice was irritating and over-the-top on the romantic scenes. It ended up being more silly than romantic. I don't really know why I grab romance novels . . . with the exception of Lavyrle Spencer, I usually find the stories hopelessly lacking in good storytelling.

Amanda Locke is on her third season (almost an old maid at age 20!) and Devin Baldwin is the gorgeous, blunt bastard who makes her angry. Yeah, they end up together. No surprises in this genre. I wonder / think . . . would have I enjoyed it more if I had read the text instead of listening to Ms. Flosnik? Yes, but not much.

The Fireman's Wife

by Susan Farren
PRMS hardcover 200 pages
genre: memoir

Caught my eye when I was weeding. Interesting look at the life of a fireman's wife - the challenges, fears, and frustrations as well as the joys and celebrations. A great inside look at the life of firefighters from a spouse's perspective!

It's Not Summer WIthout You

by Jenny Han
PRMS hardcover 277 pages
genre: YA romance, coming-of-age

This story continues with Belly spending her first ever summer at home rather than at Cousins Beach until Jeremiah asks her to help find his brother Conrad. Details (such as what happened on that winter night at the very end of book one when Belly and Conrad take off in the middle of the night) are filled in as the story develops. Flashbacks, two pov (Belly & Jere), and other techniques tell us about Susannah's death, relationships, and grieving. Not great, but good. And now I'm curious to read book three . . .

Looking for Calvin and Hobbes: The Unconventional Story of Bill Watterson and His Revolutionary Comic Strip

by Nevin Martell
PRMS hardcover 231 pages
genre: biography

How tough it must have been for the author to write about a living person who wanted to be left alone! The book is lacking in information, but it's not for Martell's lack of effort. He talked to anyone who had anything to say about the reclusive Watterson. At times, I almost felt bad about even reading this book . . . if Watterson wants to stay out of the limelight, why not let him? Like the author, though, I have a strong affinity for Calvin and Hobbes (owning all the books except the $150 complete edition set) and am curious about the man who created such an incredible phenomenon. Throughout the book, Martell injects himself and his struggles into the tale. The interview with Watterson's mother truly was a pinnacle moment - at last, something new and substantive. Overall, not a book I'd recommend to anyone except the most diehard C&H fans.

Ostrich Boys

by Keith Gray
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 5 discs
read by Bruce Mann
genre: YA coming-of-age, grief

What an interesting book! I loved the British and Scottish accents (great vocal work by Mann), the way Blake analyzed what was going on in the wake of his best friend Ross' death, and the journey (physical and emotional) that the boys take. I did not like how much swearing and especially the use of the Lord's name in vain that the dialogue included.

Not sure this title would appeal to my readers, but the humor lightens the sadness of the boys' anger and hurt at the loss of their friend. I liked this story quite a bit. I liked Sim's ability to name different collective nouns. This seems to me a good companion story to Thirteen Reasons Why . . .

Two Destinies

by Elizabeth Musser
Hennepin County Library paperback 450ish pages
genre: Christian fiction, relationships

The culmination of the trilogy jumps 20 or so years and picks us up with everyone's lives, adding another dozen or so characters. Just as with the first book, I had to force myself to read it for the first 100 pages or so. Then I enjoyed it thoroughly and was drawn into Ophelie's and Rislene's story. I love how El Amin's encounters with others (except Yassir) turned out. Not loving how Musser drops hints for many, many, many pages before finally telling the story of what she's alluding to . . . (e.g. the terrible tragedy that has saddened Remi & Eliane Cebrian, the back story about Bachir, etc.) It's kind of maddening, but overall this was a good story. I like #2 the best, then this one, then the first one. Glad I'm done with them, though.

Stupid Fast

by Geoff Herbach
PRMS paperback 311 pages
genre: YA coming-of-age

I first encountered this book while trying to help an eighth grader write a character sketch. (A tough task, given he'd only read about 27 pages of the book . . . ) I was intrigued enough by the book to put a copy in my online shopping cart. Then a few days later, I met the author at Bookology! Talking with him (and buying a copy on-site for him to sign), I knew I had to finish reading this book! It's got so many layers to it - grief, cliques, romance, talent, suicide, bullying, family dynamics, communication, . . . it's a wonderful book! The author uses the Lord's name in vain and swearing more than I'd like, but I don't think teenagers will have a problem with that. Felton Reinstein goes from "joke to jock" during the summer between his sophomore and junior years in high school. His best friend is in South America visiting an ailing grandparent. His second-best friend would rather hang out with the debate team. His little brother is a piano prodigy. And his mother is changing. Felton just wants to eat, sleep, and grow hair. Highly recommended book.

Sleeping Freshman Never Lie

by David Lubar
PRMS paperback 279 pages
genre: YA coming-of-age

This was a re-read because I remember loving this book, but not the kind of reader to booktalk it to . . . I loved it again and it is pretty funny. I didn't remember, however, that it is about a really smart kid who dislikes PE. Hmmm. I've been trying to "sell" it to the wrong type of reader. This book is smart, funny, wonderful! Scott is a normal kid who is a bit unsure about starting high school. Of his three best friends, one gets a girlfriend, one moves away, and one becomes an athlete. Scott is wondering where he fits. Great themes - touches on friendship, bullying, suicide, literacy, . . . an English teacher is pretty much the adult hero in the book. Sigh. Right up my alley!

Two Testaments

by Elizabeth Musser
Hennepin County Library paperback 476 pages
genre: Christian historical fiction

Book two in the trilogy, I enjoyed this one much more than the first. Getting David out of Algeria, Hussein at the orphanage, Ophelie's sweet spirit, the future of the orphanage . . . good story! The funeral (I won't say whose!) was the most gripping part of the book. I could barely read for my tears. Loved it. I'm about 100 pages into book three and struggling to enjoy it (like with book one). Book club discusses #2 & #3 next Monday, so I'd better finish!

Feed

by M.T. Anderson
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 5 discs
read by David Aaron Baker
genre: dystopian SciFi

I hated this book. It's a magnificent piece of writing. (And I adore David Aaron Baker's interp! He also does the Odd Thomas books. I think I'll see if I can find books read by him, no matter the topic or author.) One of my colleagues looked at me as though I was crazy when I shared my love-hate for this book. Another colleague nodded in understanding. It reminded me of when I was a teenager reading The Lord of the Flies for the first time. Completely sucked in to the story, talking to the characters, traumatized by the events. Feed is also a powerful story, but I didn't "like" it much.

Set in the not-so-very-distant future, Titus is a typical rich American kid. The moon "sucks" and he's pumped to get his own "up-car." Violet has had a very different upbringing, with parents who resisted getting their own feeds and didn't want her to have the implant, either. When her feed was installed, she was older than most children are and her parents bought a budget model. Not good. Intimately affecting people's brains, tracking their interests, controlling their body's systems, the Feed also floods their minds with advertising.

Awesome, horrible book. I took a look at the print version in my library, but I think the audio brings it to life (especially the sensory overload) so much more effectively. Worth a read!

Added 2/6/14:
I did a re-read (of the print version) to get ready for 8th grade book club. It was a little too coarse for my students - one didn't finish it. I had warned them about the swearing, but this wasn't the right book for the readers! I am still impressed by how thought-provoking this book is . . . how much is already true? Could this happen in the future? I marked a lot of pages!

page 8/9 - "You put the 'supper' back in 'suppuration.' . . . and the subsequent reactions by characters.

39 -  "I missed the feed. I don't know when they first had feeds. Like maybe, fifty or a hundred years ago. Before that, they had to use their hands and their eyes. Computers were all outside the body. . . . . "

This entire page! I should just scan and post it! He goes on to talk about the educational advantages and how everyone is smart because they can look things up right away. ". . . like if you want to know which battles of the Civil War George Washington fought in and shit."

54 - "She asked me, 'Do you know how to read?' I nodded. 'I can read. A little. I kind of protested it in school TM (trademark). On the grounds that the silent 'E' is stupid.' 'This is the language called BASIC,' she said."  Just the issue of literacy and what it means to humanity . . . this book really, really resonates with me!

58 - the way the author intersperses "the feed" with the storyline . . . it's amazing how invasive the feed's messages are in these characters' lives. And it's amazing how much like real life with kids and cell phones this really is.

I honestly haven't figured out the role / purpose of the news briefs on world events (which most of the characters are either unaware of or unconcerned about). Only Violet is paying attention. These are the pages I marked with those scenes:  70, 98, 126, 151, 191 (Titus and Violet talking about it), 214, and 223 (when Titus is finally starting to understand).

80 - Violet and Titus at the mall, trying to skew the statistical analysis of their shopping profiles. It absolutely creeps me out how realistic this is! I hate being "sold to" based on past purchases.

90/91 - commentary on education and no one being willing to pay for it!!! "Now that school TM is run by the corporations, it's pretty brag, because it teaches us how the world can be used, like mainly how to use our feeds."

103 - conversation between Violet and Titus' dad about the trees being cut down to build an oxygen factory . . .

116 - the filet mignon farm . . . I actually found this part kind of funny, but also sad if you look at how a lot of food is mass-produced.

133 - Titus deciding to act *exactly* like his father when he is angry. Kids really do learn from our behavior!

192 - Titus' mind is on other things when the news in his upcar includes ". . . the physical and biological integrity of the earth relies at this point upon the dismantling of American-based corporate entities, whatever the cost."

200 - to me, the most heartbreaking moment in the story. "I deleted everything she had sent me."

211 - on their vacation getaway, the romance doesn't happen because Titus says, "I keep picturing you dead already."

219 - Titus starting to realize that commercialism and materialism aren't getting him anywhere.

221 - Violet's dad sharing his struggle with getting the feed for his daughter.

Paranormalcy

by Kiersten White
PRMS paperback 335 pages
genre: paranormal romance

My 8th grade book club is reading this and our discussion should be lively. So far, I've heard, "This is the worst book ever written!" and "I LOVE this book! It's the best!" Personally, I liked it more than I expected. It's different, quirky. Evelyn (Evie) can see through paranormal creatures' glamours to what is really inside (vampire, werewolf, hag, etc.). She works for the IPCA (International Paranormal Containment Agreement). Lend is a new creature she's never encountered before. A teenager like her, she is continually drawn to visit him in detainment. Funny, odd, interesting . . . I'm almost curious to read book two. And I'm definitely looking forward to discussing this with my students. BTW, the romance isn't very romantic, but it's still a fun book.

The Summer I Turned Pretty

by Jenny Han
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 6 discs
read by Jessica Almasy
genre: realistic fiction, romance, coming-of-age

"Belly" (short for Isabel) is almost 16, has been in love with family friend Conrad (2 years older) for all her life, and is heading to the summer house at Cousins Beach with her mom and brother Steven. Rounding out the summer crowd are Conrad's brother Jeremiah (Belly's best friend) and their mother Susannah. Relationships are key in this story - friendships, siblings, parent-child, and of course, romance!

Almasy's vocal work was perfect for this. Belly was a bit too immature for me, but realistic and believable for a 15-year-old. I'm sort of curious to read the next book to see how the characters develop. The author also left this story with a cliffhanger - Conrad showing up at Belly's house in the winter and the two of them taking off.

My Descent Into Death: a Second Chance at Life

by Howard Storm
error copy, hardcover, 146 pages
genre: memoir, Christian testimony

This book was wrapped in a jacket for Gary Paulsen's Notes from the Dog. The spine on the hardcover under that jacket even had Paulsen's name and title on it! Imagine the confusion of the student who checked it out, then brought it back with a confused, "I don't get this." Mackin quickly replaced it with the correct book.

I, however, have a hard time chucking books into the garbage. So this sat in my home for a few years until I started reading it while I brushed my teeth. Over the past few months, I've read the whole thing with a mix of joy and disbelief. I'm not sure why I have such a strong bias about people's return-from-death stories. . . who am I to doubt another person's experience? And I should just stick with the joy that this former atheist now believes in Jesus. Still, his time hanging out in heaven with Jesus sounds pretty involved, lengthy, and detailed . . . and not as authentic as the rest of his testimony. I'd be curious to have other believers read this and give me their opinion.

The Silent Boy

by Lois Lowry
Hennepin County Library audiobook 4 CDs
read by Karen Allen
genre: YA

I don't remember a lot about this story, but recall that it was touching. I read this four years ago; the title was on the sheet with the info for The Time Machine . . .

The Time Machine

by H. G. Wells
Hennepin County library, paperback 115 pages
genre: SciFi

I read this with my 8th grade book club three (?) years ago . . . or four. Wow! If those kids are seniors now . . . I'm losing some excellent helpers for my book fairs. Here are notes I found that I want to save.

Ch. 1 - gentlemen discuss four dimensions / time travel
2 - dinner guests / time traveler shows up
3 - travel into the future
4 - 802, 701 A.D. exploration / his theories on human development
5 - time machine missing! Panic, exploration, saving Weena, finding Morlocks
6 - time traveler goes down into the Morlocks' tunnels
7 - flowers in pocket / green building / overnight outdoors
8 - the museum (green palace)
9 - the fire / exhaustion & night in the open
10 - the Sphinx and the time machine
11 - 30,000,000 years into the future
12 - finishing his story / disbelief / he goes

Narrator / "I"
Time Traveler
Filby (red hair)
Psychologist
Very Young Man
Provincial Mayor
Medical Man / Doctor
Editor / Blank
Journalist / Dash
Silent Man / Choose
Weena / Eloi
Morlocks / underground

pg. 29 - para 2 last sentence
pg. 35 - para 1 families
pg. 46 - "Occidental" - define
pg. 54 - sun / planets / future
pg. 58-59 - Haves & Have-nots
pg. 70 - Carlovingian (def.)
pg. 74-75 - constellations different
pg. 76 - "Carlyle-like scorn of . . . "
pg. 80- deliquesced

I remember these kids watching the movie. I think they said something like, "H.G. Wells would turn in his grave if he saw that." Nice that they appreciate the literature and see how Hollywood can ruin a story.

Sweet Sanctuary

by Sheila Walsh & Cindy Martinusen-Coloma
Hennepin County Library paperback 302 pages
genre: Christian fiction / relationships

This one took a while to get going for me. The main character, Wren, is delightful (librarian, literary fan) but she is so conflicted about her own life that I want to yell at her (the way I'm always tempted to yell at Hamlet in his indecisiveness). It also frustrates me when the author(s) immediately make it clear that some horrible thing happened . . . but you have to wait to find out what it was. Since it so clearly impacted Wren and her entire life, it's a bit frustrating to wait for it to unfold. Paul was my favorite character. Bradley added a bit of intrigue - liked him.

Families can be maddening.

Matched

by Ally Condie
PRMS paperback ? pages
genre: dystopian romance

My 8th grade book club discussed this today. Since I read it last year, I didn't re-read it. I did okay discussing it with the kids, but was curious to see what my initial response was. Checked my blog for the last year and a half (after searching for the author's name and the title) and came up empty. I never wrote about it! Grrr. How often do I do that? I really, really like having this record of books and impressions so I don't get so darn confused.

Memories:
Liking Ky better than Xander, but feeling kind of bad for the "safe" best friend.
Not liking it as much as Hunger Games.
Comparing grandpa's death in this society to a Logan's Run scenario - the old are killed before they get to be too much of a health expense.
The beauty and power of poetry and literature.
The fearfulness of a tyrannical government (very Big Brother-ish)

The Story of Beautiful Girl

by Rachel Simon
Dakota County Library, hardcover, 340 pages
genre: historical fiction

What an amazing, beautiful story! I can hardly wait until we discus it at book club! Simon follows Beautiful Girl (Lynnie), Number 42 (Homan), the old lady (Martha / Mathilda), and sundry other characters as their lives interact and are ripped apart. Lynnie and Homan are residents of The School (or as he calls it, The Snare), placed there because of their developmental disabilities. Set in the early 1960s, the warehousing of handicapped people was fairly common.

Tonette's death, Clarence's & Smokes' cruelty, Doreen's situation . . . . so many realistic, painful scenarios. But the story never gets confusing; Simon does an amazing job of weaving the different lives together. I love Hannah's role in her sister's life! I love the significance of the lighthouse. I indentified most closely with Kate. This is such an amazing book! Beautifully written!

Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey

by Trenton Lee Stewart
Carver County Library audiobook 11 CDs
read by Del Roy
genre: YA mystery / adventure

I would have enjoyed reading this much more than I did listening. The narrator did a fine job, I suppose, but it just didn't work for me. The children seemed too childish and silly. In book one, they were clever and resourceful. In this story, they are headed to visit with Mr. Benedict after six months apart from one another. But they don't get the message warning them not to come. Mr. Benedict and Number Two have been kidnapped! They decide to embark on an adventure to try to save him anyway. Some of the clues and mysteries were engaging; others just irritated me and I know I would have read those sections much more quickly. Will I go on to book three? TBD. Not right now, for sure.

Two Crosses

by Elizabeth Musser
Hennepin County Library paperback 445 pages
genre: Christian historical fiction and romance

Gabriella is an American from Senegal (missionary parents) who is going to school in Castelnau, France in 1963(?). David Hoffman is an American teacher at the school - gorgeous, charming, mysterious, and only 23 years old. Sister Griolet is the elderly nun who runs the orphanage and the small school for American college students. Each of these people has an extensive back story. And there are dozens and dozens of other characters. The Algerian war for independence drives this story and Ali is the murderous man bent on revenge. The first 350 pages - I had to force myself to read. The last 100ish were phenomenal! Enough for me to pick up book two in the trilogy? Probably not.

And I'll bring my French/English dictionary to book club with me tonight because she used a LOT of french expressions. It didn't bother me because I know enough French to muddle by, but if someone really wants to know what something meant, I'd like a reference tool.

Black Butler

written & drawn by Yana Toboso
Hennepin County Library
genre: YA manga

I asked a die-hard manga fan what new series I should buy and she suggested this one. When I got it from the library, it looked okay. I probably shouldn't have read it . . . it's not that "bad" except that I really dislike manga-style comics. The butler is absolutely amazing; efficient, composed, never-stopping. Ciel Phantomhive, though a child, is the head of the Phantomhive company and fortune. Other than the butler, his household help are incredibly inept and always needing the butler Sebastian's help. Sebastian is incredibly handsome as well as efficient and at the end of this story, we learn of the mysterious bond between butler and child. I *so* don't like this book. Will I buy it for PRMS anyway? Or keep looking?

The Squire's Tale

by Gerald Morris
PRMS paperback 209 pages
genre:fantasy

Terrence doesn't know his parents, serves a hermit, and is an excellent cook. The hermit can't remember the past, but he sees the future as "memories." Thus when Gawain shows up, the hermit knows that Terrence will go with him to be his squire. And off they go to King Arthur's court, and off on a series of adventures. Morris' style was not my cup of tea - very episodic and jumpy. But it works well for sixth grade book club, and will help some of the kids to better understand the legendary tales.

Earth (the audiobook): A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race

by Jon Stewart and a lot of other people
read by Jon Stewart, Sigourney Weaver, and a bunch of other people
Hennepin County Library audiobook 3 CDs
genre: humor

Written as a guide for aliens after humans have annihilated ourselves, the guide covers earth's geography, history, culture, etc. Some of it is really funny, some of it is bizarre, some of it is just mundane. Stewart is much funnier onscreen. Many of his vocal asides are lost on this audiobook. There were some funny bits, though.

I Am Number Four The Lost Files: The Legacies

by Pittacus Lore
personal paperback 351 pages
genre: fantasy adventure

Much of this is part of the first three books, but this one fleshes out the experiences of six, nine, and numbers one through three a bit more. The third section is told from the point of view of a Mogadorian - Adamus, son of a powerful general. It will be interesting to see where this goes, since he's not quite dead at the end of this book. Good, but I'm ready for the sequel to The Rise of Nine (which has only been out for a month . . . ).

Old Testament - Minor Prophets

Hennepin County audioCDs
many readers
Holy Scripture

One of these days, I'm going to own audio versions of the entire Bible! This one started to get hard to listen to, though, without balancing New Testament, Psalms, etc. The prophets didn't have the cheeriest messages to share . . .

Amulet #5

graphic novel, fantasy adventure

I'm too lazy to go upstairs and get the details off the book. I wasn't going to blog about it at all, but I'm a bit compulsive. I recently re-read books 1-4 and saw this at Barnes & Noble. Great way to be money-wise, huh? I bought it, read it, shelved it. Not as good as the first four - the storytelling felt very jerky - and it just seems to be a bridge for book six. That said, I don't regret buying & having it.

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie

by Jordan Sonnenblick
PRMS paperback 273 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction, humorous, cancer

I love this book! This is a re-read, but I was so glad that my eighth grade book club enjoyed it that I had to read it again. Sonnenblick has such a great gift. He really gets middle school kids. I was crying through much of the last half, but there was plenty of humor as Steven navigates the challenges of middle school and having a little brother with leukemia. Beautiful story.

The Fault in Our Stars

by John Green
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 6 discs
read by Kate Rudd
genre: Teen realistic fiction, coming-of-age, cancer

Amazing. Painful. Beautiful.
I'm too tired to write coherently (conferences last night), but this is due back at the library. The voice work was fantastic - Kate Rudd brought the story to life extremely well. The story itself is very well-crafted. It was hard for me, though, as a Christian, to think about this resonating with kids when the protagonists (and their parents) lack any understanding of God and His love for us. The bleak perspective that Hazel has for her own mortality and Gus' ponderings on the Something that he believes in . . . just made me really sad. Green's writing is profound without being pedantic. I can see why he is so popular with my more capable readers. I actually finished this on Sunday, but haven't blogged lately.

The Hunger Pains: a Parody

by the Harvard Lampoon
Hennepin County Library paperback 157 pages
genre: humor, parody

The funniest part was the naming of characters:
Kantkiss Neverclean (Katniss Everdeen)
Archie Nemesis (Cato)
Jaesar Lenoman (Caesar Flickerman)

etc.

The story - not so funny. Kind of lame, actually. I thought about buying a copy for PRMS, but I don't think it's clever enough.

Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd

edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci
PRMS hardcover 403 pages
genre: short stories, geekyness, coming-of-age

Dobbs recommended this to me a year and a half ago! I finally picked it up just over a month ago and have been working my way through the stories. Some of them are fantastic; others didn't appeal to me. I think the beauty of a short story collection is that there are many different types of stories. I am too tired to skim through and list my favorites. Reading this made me realize that I'm really not very geeky at all! But at least I know what Daleks are and have been to the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Interesting collection!

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto

by Michael Pollan
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 5 discs
read by Scott Brick
genre: non-fiction, nutrition

Eat Food. Not Too Much. Mostly Plants.

That's the essence of Pollan's latest book. Fascinating but sometimes a little overwhelming, he debunks the last few decades of "nutritionism" and talks about how our country's obsession with eating healthier has actually made us more unhealthy. Amazing look at our culture and what brought us here.

Eat Food. Not Too Much. Mostly Plants. There were a LOT of points under these three topics, but I couldn't write them down while driving (safely), so I guess I'll have to get a print copy of the book. Amazing book. This guy is good!

Some other notes I made on the book:
- eat food your (great) grandmother would recognize
- don't eat food that cannot rot (e.g. Twinkies)
- avoid foods with ingredients you cannot pronounce, more than five ingredients, and/or high fructose corn syrup
- avoid food products that make health claims

The Rogue: Searching for the Real Sarah Palin

by Joe McGinniss
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 9 discs
read by Arthur Morey
genre: Non-fiction biography

This was an interesting experience. I didn't agree with the author when he criticized Palin's "extreme" religious views, because I wholeheartedly agree that followers of Jesus Christ should pray about decisions and listen to God's leading. What I have a huge problem with is how very different her actions were from what she supposedly believes. There were simply too many people who shared stories of manipulation, intimidation, and outsized egotism on both the parts of Sarah and Todd Palin that I have a hard time understanding how so many people still like and support her. Even before reading this book, she seemed to be an egomaniac, and that is extremely different from what Christ taught.

Very interesting book. McGinniss seems to be a very reputable author who truly loves Alaska and has spent a lot of time there. His research was exhaustive (other than not actually talking with the Palins, who absolutely freaked out about his proximity).

The Wedding Dress

by Rachel Hauck
Hennepin County Library paperback 337 pages
genre: Christian romance

Interesting story and we had a great discussion about it! There are multiple stories interwoven, but  primarily Charlotte's and Emily's. Each is a young woman wanting to marry. Charlotte's story takes place in 1912 as she becomes engaged to Phillip but has Daniel still in love with her. Charlotte is a modern owner of a wedding gown store. In between their lives, Mary Grace (1949) and Hillary (1968) also experience the amazing wedding gown sewn by Taffy Hayes.

Saltonstalls, Mrs. Caruthers, Tim, Katherine, . . . so many people and events but a great story of faith and life. Jodi had us each bring photos of our wedding gowns, so it was fun to share and talk about those, too. I love book club!

I hadn't read anything by this author before . . . but I'll gladly get more of her titles to read!

The Rise of Nine

by Pittacus Lore (pseudonym)
PRMS hardcover 360 pages
genre: YA fantasy adventure

Completely enjoyed this escapist fiction, but wish the author had put the character names at the start of each chapter rather than just changing the font. Can't wait for the next book to come out!!!! Want to know what happened to Sam, meet Number Five, and see what happens to Setrakus Ra. Fun YA lit. No surprise that the U.S. government forms ties with the evil Mogadorians just to get access to technology and weapons . . .

Bedpan Commando: The Story of a Combat Nurse during World War II

by June Wandrey
Mayo Clinic Libraries via ILL, paperback 234 pages
genre: memoir

The author signed the title page, "You honor me when you read my book." I don't suppose she's still alive (22 in 1942), but what an amazing story she has shared. Put together from letters and other documentation (written in 1989), this reads almost like a diary from the war. The story could have used some stronger editing for flow, but it's visceral reality comes through powerfully. She seems to have been a dynamo who didn't necessarily like following the rules.

I'd like to write more, but I'll have to get back to it later. One impressive thing about Minnesota libraries - I asked my librarian at the Eden Prairie branch to get this for me. I had looked in Minitex and knew there were copies in the state, but it was so very nice to have her request it for me.

The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak
Cina's, paperback, 550 pages
genre: Holocaust fiction

Told from death's point of view, this story is about Liesl, a little girl in the outskirts of Munich, Germany, during WWII. People recommended this to me for ages and I finally decided to get-r-done this summer. (Labor Day weekend still counts as summer, right?) It was powerful and painful. Liesl sees her little brother die right in front of her eyes as her mother is bringing them to be raised by foster parents. Rosa and Hans Hubermann have an odd mixture of love and abuse for the frightened little girl (mostly abuse from Rosa and gentle love from Hans). I didn't like when death's narration gave away key parts of the story (like Rudy's kiss). I will almost certainly re-read this book. It is quite good and has a lot to think about contained in it. But WWII books always make me so sad.

Moonlight on the Millpond

by Lori Wick
personal collection paperback 285 pages
genre: Christian historical fiction

Not so much. I'll hang on to The Princess for a light re-read, but this one just got on my nerves. Maddie gets forget-100%-of-what-happens after a few ounces of alcohol, though those around her see a woman who carries on conversations, flirts, walks, etc. in a normal manner. She forgets that she got married and slept with her crush? Right. Doesn't work for me. Plus, the hopping between multiple storylines to set things in place is disconcerting. Jace. Maddie. Woody. Eden. Cathy & Doyle. The Muldoons. The Nunleys. This book is heading for the donation bag.

I Suck at Girls

by Justin Halpern
Hennepin County Library hardcover 180 pages
genre: memoir, humor

Not as funny as his first book, this one has more heart. As he contemplates proposing to Amanda, his dad tells him to take a day to reflect. Justin spends the bulk of the book reminiscing about all his experiences with the opposite sex. Sometimes his recollections are funny, but more often they are poignant. He was not the man he hoped to be during his adolescence. An enjoyable read (and interesting for me to think about what my sons' stories might be if they wrote them down). Halpern is a talented author. How fun that his big break came through his Twitter feed!

Sh*t My Dad Says

by Justin Halpern
Hennepin County Library hardcover 158 pages
genre: NF memoir

Oh my. Though extremely profane, this made me laugh! Patty S first told me about Mr. Halpern. I checked it out online and laughed out loud. I don't really remember why I decided to request the book from the library, but it was a quick and enjoyable read. I read some of it out loud to Louise and Ann and was a bit shocked at the profanity coming out of my mouth . . . this will definitely not appeal to everyone.

But there's also a story of a father-son relationship that makes me curious for more. How did Justin become such a seemingly pleasant and creative individual with his dad being so rough all the time? (Though love shines through, too, and some of my favorite parts were when his dad just said "I love you.") It's also fascinating to read about how this book came to be. Halpern started using his dad's unusual sayings as his IM status, then as his Twitter feed. In a very short time, he went from a few followers to hundreds of thousands of followers and the media contacting him for interviews. Crazy!

House of Odd

written by Landry Q Walker and Dean Koontz
illustrated by Queenie Chan
Hennepin County Library paperback unpaged
genre: graphic novel paranormal mystery

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the others. Ozzie's friend from Hollywood, Nedra, has bought a mansion near Pico Mundo. It seems to be haunted, so Ozzie sends Odd (and Stormy) to check it out. Nedra has called in a group of "ghostbusters" who do a tv show on hauntings. The three-person team (plus a cat) have interesting personality dynamics. Odd doesn't get his usual psychic magnetism "vibes" and Elvis can't seem to approach the house. Turns out there's a portal to hell and the demons are playing. Weird, but not one I'll re-read. (I usually kind of like weird stories.)

Sparks: an Urban Fairytale

by Lawrence Marvit
Rochester Public Library (ILL Hennepin County)
paperback 410 pages
genre: teen graphic novel, fantasy

Jo (Josephine) is a 20-year-old mechanic with an alcoholic, abusive, police officer father and a continually stupored mother. Jo longs to belong, connect with people, but doesn't fit in well with her peers. She creates a pretend friend with scraps from old cars at the garage where she works. Lightning brings her creation to life. She teaches him language and gets a See and Speak so he has a voice.
Ultimately, I found this to be a very sad - almost tragic - story. Jo's alienation is definitely rooted in her parents' dysfunction. Her attempts to "go out" and do the things other young adults do doesn't turn out very well. The story is brilliantly written and drawn, but too mature in content and language for my middle school.

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat: and other clinical tales

by Oliver Sacks
Hennepin County Library hardcover 223 pages
genre: clinical psychology

- initially recommended to me about a decade ago by Jody West
- mentioned in Born on a Blue Day
- clinical case studies on many unusual neurological disorders
- lack of face recognition, synesthesia, autism, savants, etc.
- written in 1970s through early 80s, the writing often struck me as archaic (not that I've read LOTS of brain research info)
- interesting how he referenced others' research from the late 1800s through "modern" (early 80s) works
- remarkably NOT politically correct when he refers to morons, idiots, and defectives . . . kind of amusing in a way. One simply does not refer to people with disorders in this manner any more
- interesting to make connections between this book, the audiobook I'm listening to now (The Shallows), Born on a Blue Day, and You Don't Look Like Anyone I Know (10/11).
- many things I wanted to note while I was reading, but I can't think of any now

Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict

by Laurie Viera Rigler
Hennepin County audioCDs 6 discs
read by Orlagh Cassidy
genre: romance

Again, the legion of Austen fans and their tributes to her work leave me feeling disappointed and only wanting to read Austen's work. In this story, Courtney Stone time-travels to become Jane Mansfield. The out-of-time (a la Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court) fails to connect for me. One of her biggest hangups is not getting to wear makeup. Really? The conclusion was as odd and disappointing as the bulk of the story. Stick with the originals!

Born on a Blue Day

by Daniel Tammet
Hennepin County Library audiobook 6 discs
read by Simon Vance
genre: memoir

Daniel is a savant - functioning very high on the autism spectrum. This story of his life is both fascinating and disturbing. His loving parents and his partner Neil seem to be extraordinary people. Not many children so severely affected by a disorder can manage so well. This book also reminded me of a title recommended many years ago - The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat. That's on my reading shelf now. Daniel shares his personal story very effectively. Vance narrated wonderfully.

Odd Is On Our Side

by Dean Koontz
Hennepin County Library paperback 186 pages
genre: graphic novel, supernatural mystery

Odd Thomas is such a wonderful character! I love how the graphic novels are prequels to the first Odd book. In this one, the ghost of a small trick-or-treater is trying to get Odd's help during the annual Halloween celebration. Little Ozzie's editor is in town and along with Stormy, Elvis, and the rest of the Pico Mundo crew, they solve a mystery and save the town. Great stuff!

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
PRMS hardcover 273 pages
genre: autobiography, invention

For the first few chapters, I was taken aback by the superstitions and tall tales of William Kamkwamba's childhood in Wimbe, Malawi. But it really helped set the story and the culture as he grew up and confronted challenges. The hardest part of the story for me was during the nationwide famine, especially since the president and the greedy people didn't seem to care that their countrymen were suffering so badly.

This is an amazing story of determination and hope. Kamkwamba read books on physics, wondered how things worked (made me think of Alex!), took apart radios, and experimented. Once he built a windmill to generate electricity for his family, his personal story just got bigger and bigger! Great read!

Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls

by Mary Downing Hahn
Hennepin County Library hardcover 330 pages
genre: historical fiction, murder mystery

What an interesting book. I wanted to see justice done. I wanted to see the killer caught. (It reminded me of Lovely Bones in that regard.) I don't want to do any spoilers, but I will say that the author's afterword affected my perception of the story I'd just read. Most of my students seem put off by historical fiction (this is set in the 1950s) and yet it was a more innocent time. Some of Nora's and Ellie's dilemmas fit with what kids today deal with. I'd love to hear other people's perceptions of this story.

The Knife of Never Letting Go

by Patrick Ness
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 10 disks
read by Nick Podehl
genre: teen dystopian fiction

Oh. My. Word. This was so intense and different from other books I've read! I went onto Wikipedia to find out how the rest of the series goes. The suspense is too much! It was both horrifying and fascinating. When I first started listening to it (Podehl does an excellent job narrating), I wasn't sure of the setting - Earth or somewhere else? When? What the heck?

Settlers on New World have developed their own communities. Todd Hewitt has grown up as the youngest boy in Prentisstown, believing what he's been told. As he approaches his birthday (thirteen years of thirteen months each), he looks forward to becoming a man. On a random day in the swamp, though, he and his dog Manchee hear something unusual, and his life unravels into a crazy run from the evil men who want to take him.

Deadly

by Julie Chibbaro
Hennepin County Library paperback 293 pages
genre: historical fiction

Prudence Galewski is sixteen and interested in science. Her father left for the Spanish-American war in 1898 after her brother Benny died. She and her mother have been waiting for him to come back for eight years.

Interesting story (especially in connection with reading Yellow Death and Zeitoun the same weekend - the study of disease and an unjust imprisonment) but ultimately a bit too slow for me. I liked the journaling-style storytelling, but Prudence was too cautious a heroine for me. I can't picture my readers connecting with her. I enjoyed the author's notes at the end. An interesting task - to make Typhoid Mary seem more human and understandable. Again, I'm incredibly glad to live in an era of more advanced scientific understanding than the turn of that century!

Zeitoun

by Dave Eggers
Hennepin County Library paperback 325 pages
genre: NF, Hurricane Katrina, Muslim American

What a fascinating and awful story. I like how the author wove Abdulrahman Zeitoun's childhood and life story into this chronological tale of Hurricane Katrina. This honest, hardworking businessman stayed in New Orleans to protect his home and business. His wife Kathy took the children and left for safety. As he paddled around in his canoe helping people and feeding abandoned dogs, he began to realize the gravity of the situation and considered leaving. He waited a day too long, though, when National Guardsmen and police arrested him (without notifying him of his rights) and three other men in one of the properties Zeitoun owned. Never given a phone call, his wife assumed him dead. What an incredible story! And so very sad. It's hard to believe things like this actually happened here.

The Secret of the Yellow Death: A True Story of Medical Sleuthing

by Suzanne Jurmain
Hennepin County Library hardcover 90 pages
genre: NF children's

Interesting, very quick read. The author makes it as story-like as possible as she tracks the work of Dr. Walter Reed and other doctors in Cuba as they try to figure out how yellow fever is transmitted. One big breakthrough in medical history seems to be that Reed wanted to have the men's permission to use them as subjects in his study. It seems bizarre nowadays that people doubted mosquitoes' role in this disease!

Water's Edge

by Robert Whitlow
Hennepin County Library paperback 401 pages
genre: Christian fiction / legal thriller

This was a fun read! Legal thrillers aren't my favorite genre, but this had enough human drama and question-mark moments to keep me reading. I had never heard of this author before; I'll definitely look for more of his books.

Tom Crane is a young lawyer in Atlanta, hoping for a promotion. When he's fired instead, his girlfriend dumps him. From bad to worse, he heads back to his small hometown to close down his father's small legal office. His father died in a boating accident. But as he reads and closes files, a mystery comes to light.

Some of the pieces of the story seemed terribly unrealistic (especially the police work . . . ), but it was a good story.

Shine Coconut Moon

by Neesha Meminger
Hennepin County Library, hardcover 253 pages
genre: YA relationships, 9/11 fears

Samar (Sammy) is a normal teenager . . . except that it's just her and her mom. She spends a lot of time with her best friend Molly and Molly's huge extended family. Since I'm double-blogging the LitWits books this summer, here's a repeat of that post:

I enjoyed it, but didn't love it. Sammy is a fairly realistic character struggling with her identity, but the post 9/11 arrival of her uncle Sandeep opens her eyes to her Indian and Sikh heritage. I like how she and Molly have their fascination with lingerie and the "Real Deal" moment in their futures. Sammy's relationship with Mike was something teens would probably latch onto. The bullying and racism (and even Sammy's rejection of Bobbi) would make for some good discussion.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

by Mary E. Pearson
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 6 discs
read by Jenna Lamia
genre: YA SciFi, relationships

Also set in the future (southern California has been devastated by massive earthquakes and medical technology has advanced dramatically), this story has a teen girl waking from a coma with no memory of her former life. As bits and pieces come to her, Jenna is faced with a moral dilemma of gigantic proportions.

This is a well-told story. The reader did a splendid job bringing the story to life. I thought there was a follow-up to this story, but perhaps I'm thinking of a different book with a girl's name in the title . . . this book kept me guessing up until the end. I enjoyed it and thought it had some very interesting points to make about life. The author interview at the end was also enlightening.

Birthmarked

by Caragh M. O'Brien
PRMS paperback 359 pages
genre: YA dystopian mystery/adventure/relationships

Set in the future (2390 and on), water is a scarce commodity and "unlake" Superior is a dry bed with boulders and some plant growth. The Enclave is full of the privileged people while Gaia and her family live outside the wall. She has learned the art of midwifery from her mother. Then things get crazy. Her parents are arrested, she is interrogated, and she decides to sneak inside to save her parents.

I didn't exactly enjoy reading this, but I found it fascinating. The author's questions at the end are amazing - I really want to do this as a book club with 8th graders! I am curious to read the next book in the trilogy, but simply have too many books on my reading list right now. I want to see Leon safe and back with Gaia.

Defending Jacob

by William Landay
Hennepin County Library hardcover 421 pages
genre: suspense, courtroom murder

I'm not generally a big fan of courtroom dramas, but this will be a fun one to discuss this fall (PRMS book club). I've been on hold for it quite a long time and need to get it back to the library for the next person waiting. Andy Barber is an assistant DA and handles most of the murder cases. But when one of his son's classmates is murdered, he sees the case through a father's eyes. As the case proceeds, we learn more and more about Andy and his son Jacob (as well as Andy's ancestors). Is there such a thing as a "murder gene"? This will be an interesting book to talk about with other educators!

Laurie - liking to talk about things
Ben Rifkin - bullying
power of social networks
Jacob's psychology
Duffy - detective friend
Father O'Leary - Barber ex-con "friend"
Leonard Patz - sex offender

Battle Royale

by 2 Japanese guys
Hennepin County Library paperback unpaged
genre: Teen graphic novel, dystopian, violent

Definitely not my cup of tea! This is a lot like The Hunger Games, only much nastier, illustrated, and I dislike reading from right to left. A group of ninth graders (who look much older) have lost / won the "lottery" putting them into the "Program." The man who tells them that they must kill or be killed is a sadistic pervert.

The Three Questions

written & illustrated by Jon J Muth, based on a story by Leo Tolstoy
Hennepin County Library, hardcover ~32 page picture book
genre: children's book, philosophy

I enjoyed this more than I anticipated. The main character, Nikolai, has three questions:
When is the best time to do things?
Who is the most important one?
What is the right thing to do?
His friends have different advice, so he goes to see wise old Leo. He already knows the answers to the questions, but needs Leo's guidance to figure it all out.
A wonderful story! I can definitely see this being used in 8th grade world history during the world religions unit. I should buy a copy for PRMS.

The Outside of a Horse

by Ginny Rorby
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 7 discs
read by Emily Bauer
genre: YA coming-of-age, horses, war

This story was almost ruined for me by the reader. Her voice was too girlish and peppy (to fit the 13-year-old protagonist) for me, but she also varied her volume so much that I missed parts or had my ears blasted. I was constantly changing the volume as I listened in my car.

The title comes from an old English proverb (which I listened to three or four times before I heard it): ‘There's nothing so good for the inside of a man as the outside of a horse.’ Hannah's mother died from cancer when she was nine, her dad is fighting in Iraq, and her stepmother wants her to help with baby Jeffy. Hannah escapes to the nearby ranch to watch the horses and ends up being an unpaid worker there.

Once I got into the story and got over the narrator's voice bugging me, I really enjoyed this story. The horses, her dad's recovery, her growth as an adolescent, . . . Very nice. I would have liked it better when I was young and in my own "horse" phase. Her dad's transformation was the best part of the story.

The Princess

by Lori Wick
personal paperback 294 pages
genre: Christian romance

I'm not sure who gave this to me, but I was trying to de-clutter and contemplating just getting rid of it. Then I decided to give it a look-see. Then I went from "contrived" to "I need to finish reading this." It's a very odd mix of romance and witnessing the power of Jesus Christ in people's lives. I think I'll bring it up to the lake for when I want to re-read it.

Shelby decides to marry the widowed prince Nicolai (because the county's law declares the heir to the throne must be married by his 26th birthday) based on her parents' encouragement and the king's and queen's kindness. Never having seen him face-to-face (and wearing a blushing veil on her Big Day), they are virtual strangers. Like I said, contrived. But somewhere along the way, I grew to care about the characters and the story. I'm glad I read it (and have a tiny bit less clutter in my bedroom).

"Doing School" How We Are Creating a Generation of Stressed Out, Materialistic, and Miseducated Students

by Denise Clark Pope
Hennepin County Library hardcover 205 pages
genre: non-fiction, educational reform

What an interesting book. She followed five students for a school year and conducted numerous interviews with them. They were all success-oriented students in a fairly success-oriented school. However, virtually all of them excelled more for the end goals of a good college and a good career rather than for the joy of learning. (Shocking, right?)

I enjoyed reading this book and thinking about my students, my children, myself. She is effective at identifying the problem (to a certain degree), but does not really suggest how to effect reform the system. It reminded me of watching a Michael Moore movie . . . after I saw Bowling at Columbine, I was SO frustrated that he did not really have any solutions or suggestions at all. He never even adequately explained WHY the U.S. has so much more of a gun culture than European countries or Canada. This book felt the same way. The author railed about the situation, but didn't suggest a way out of it.

I enjoyed the students' personal stories, especially Roberto's. What an incredible young man!

A Weekend with Mr. Darcy

by Victoria Connelly
Hennepin County Library paperback 343 pages
genre: romance

Enjoyable romance novel about an English professor (Dr. Katherine Roberts) and a shy young woman (Robyn Love) who attend a Jane Austen conference. Each woman connects with a dashing young man (Warwick Lawton, aka Lorna Warwick for Katherine and Dan Harcourt for Robyn).

I saw book two in this series at Kathy Giesen's house and it made me curious. But it's not the best romance I've ever read and I'm not enough of a Jane Austen nut to feel as drawn as these characters are to "Jane" stories. I must admit, though, I'm curious to re-read Persuasion based on what some of the characters in this book said.

Eldest

by Christopher Paolini
personal copy, hardcover, 668 pages
genre: fantasy

I've been working on re-reading this for quite a while . . . my goal is to have the storyline fresh in my mind when I finally read Inheritance. This was a lot slower and less interesting than I remembered. Roran's story is my favorite part. Eragon's time with the dwarves and the elves should have been edited a LOT more. I'm glad to finally move on. The fight and Murtagh revelation at the end were too quick of a climax to a long, drawn-out story.

Feathers

by Jacqueline Woodson
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 3 discs
narrated by Sisi Aisha Johnson
genre: realistic fiction, relationships

Woodson is one of my favorite authors, but I may need to re-read this short book. Frannie is a sixth grader during the 1970s. Her older brother Shawn is deaf. Her mother is pregnant again after suffering multiple miscarriages. Hope is the thread running throughout the story. Feathers are an analogy for hope. Samantha, the Jesus Boy, Trevor, Ray-Ray . . . all the children's lives have themes that bring them together. Lyrically beautiful . . . not sure how I would "sell" it to middle schoolers.

The Death Cure

by James Dashner
PRMS hardcover 324 pages
book three in The Maze Runner series
genre: dystopian adventure

So glad to have it over with . . . violent, pointless, nasty series. Thomas refuses to get his memories back. Denver turns into Crank Central (non-dead zombie-like humans who have gone crazy and kill to eat other humans). Whatever. I just read this so I could find out how it ended. Newt wasn't immune. Thomas finally decided to trust his gut instincts. Chancellor Page ended up saving the day. The Gladers were reunited with Gally. Humanity radically changed forever.

The Scorch Trials

by James Dashner
PRMS hardcover 360 pages
genre: dystopian adventure
book two in The Maze Runner series

How can I keep reading books I don't like? Because I really, really want to understand what's going on in this series. Who is Thomas really? What is the point of what he's going through?

Violent, nasty, brutal. WICKED does more icky stuff to these kids. They are sent across a searing hot wasteland (The Scorch) and have to walk 100 miles north in two weeks to get to The Safe Haven. Cranks will try to kill and eat them, violent lightning storms fry some of them, etc. etc.

Aris, Brenda, and Jorge are introduced. I suspect everyone's motives.

The Serpent's Shadow

by Rick Riordan
PRMS hardcover 401 pages
genre: fantasy adventure, Egyptian mythology

The final part of the trilogy. Wonderful conclusion, though I really wanted them to find an actual cure for Walt (Akhenaton's curse). Enjoyed the story and the two wonderful young narrators.

The Throne of Fire

by Rick Riordan
PRMS hardcover 447 pages
book two in the Kane Chronicles
genre: fantasy, Egyptian mythology

Sadie and Carter are at it again - saving the world while having bizarre experiences as Egyptian magicians. I LOVE the voices of these two young people - Riordan can embody the voice and attitude of a 13-year-old British girl - simply amazing. They need to find three pieces of a scroll so they can awaken Ra and prevent Apophis from rising. They have been busy training initiates, but Carter is obsessing about finding Zia and Sadie is trying to figure out her personal love triangle with Anubis and Walt.
Reading these makes me curious about Egyptian mythology, something I know little about. I'm not sure why students don't seem to like this series as well as the Percy Jackson books . . . are they more challenging to read? Do the two narrators throw them off? Is Egyptian mythology less accessible than Greek? I'm appreciative of Riordan's talent. I like that there is humor in with the action and adventure.

Slathbog's Gold

by M.L. Forman
book one of Adventurer's Wanted series
Hennepin County Library hardcover 382 pages

Alex enters a book shop to ask about the strange sign in the front window, but finds himself signed on to be an adventurer. He travels to a place whose name I forgot and embarks upon a trip to vanquish a dragon. Everything about this book sounded perfect for our grade 6 LAX, which is why I requested it. I found it had positive values and a good tone, lots of traditional elements (dwarves, elves, trolls, etc.), and a somewhat reluctant hero. Ultimately, I thought it was slow, with too many descriptions of meals and travels. The fight with the dragon was extremely short and anticlimactic. I honestly don't know if middle school boys would like it, but I found it to be a disappointing fantasy title. The only innovative piece was the geebs - odd little messenger creatures who can only make yes and no sounds. I have no idea why 15-year-old Alex would be so reluctant to learn and use magic. I'm not planning to read book two to find out.

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X

by James Patterson
Hennepin County Library, audioCDs, 4 discs

Glad I finally read it. Odd story of an alien boy whose parents are murdered when he is three years old. At 15, he is on his own as an alien hunter. Lots of violence and improbable scenarios, but an entertaining story in some ways. I dislike the super-short chapters (but that's perhaps what some reluctant readers like) but enjoyed the ultimate triumph of good over evil. Not a very well-developed story, but an appealing fantasy / action tale for some middle school readers.

Traveler's Rest

by Ann Tatlock
Hennepin County Library paperback 342 pages
genre: Christian fiction

Nice story. I like this author. Jane is engaged to Seth, but when he returns from Iraq a paraplegic, everything changes for the young couple. He tells her to go away and find someone else. She still loves him and is committed to marrying him and caring for him. Truman is a wonderful older man who lives at the VA home and befriends both Jane and Seth. Wonderful characters, engaging story, somewhat predictable ending. My favorite scene is when Eugene shows Truman the video interview he did with Maggie before she died.

Brush Up Your Shakespeare

by Michael Macrone
Hennepin County Library, hard cover, 225 pages
genre: Literary non-fiction

I want to OWN this! Subtitled "A delightfully entertaining guide to the most famous and quotable expressions from the Bard," the author did an amazing job researching Shakespeare quotations. Interestingly enough, some that we consider his were published elsewhere first (like "it's Greek to me") and the author carefully explains that some others attributed to Shakespeare may have originated elsewhere. If he couldn't find earlier documentation, he gave credit to the play or sonnet in which WS used it first.

I stumbled upon this title when I was trying to find the source of the readers' theatre piece we use during the Medieval banquet at school. Fun for word nuts like me!

The Unbearable Book Club for Unsinkable Girls

by Julie Schumacher
Hennepin County Library, hardcover, 230 pages
genre: teen fiction

I had read a review of this book somewhere (connected with an author event) and I knew I wouldn't be able to go to the event, but was curious about the book. I put my name on the reserve list and by the time I got the book, I thought it was non-fiction. Since it was due at the library, I thought I'd skim it and return it (still a waiting list on it). Wow! I'm so glad I had time on a long car ride to read the whole thing. What a wonderful story!

CeeCee, Adrienne, Jill, and Wallis are very unlikely friends. When two of the moms come up with the idea of a mother-daughter book club, CeeCee and Adrienne are appalled. They are going into their junior (or senior) year of high school and do NOT want to have to do a book club. Jill takes her SAT-prep very seriously and thinks discussing the summer reading titles before AP English is a good idea. Wallis is the wild card . . . we never really learn her story, but the bits and pieces are intriguing. Adrienne's identity crisis is well developed and resolved throughout the story. (And I LOVE the "essay" and chapter headings!)

Schumacher is the director (?) of the creative writing program at the U of M. She can definitely walk the talk! This book is wonderful and one I'll add to the collection at PRMS.

Raising Dragons

by Bryan Davis
Hennepin County LIbrary hardcover ? pages
genre: Christian YA fantasy

I initially requested this as a possibility for a 6th grade LAX fantasy title, then wanted to read it just because I love to read, but finally decided to just peruse it and return it because I just don't have enough time! I only read the first two chapters before we got to the library, but I was really enjoying it. The protagonist doesn't realize that he has dragon blood, but he knows that his breath has been getting hotter and stronger. He also has strange dreams in which he's a dragon. Then a weird guy in a Cadillac is following him. The writing is very clean (not surprising from a Christian author) and appealing. This would work with upper elementary / young middle school kids. I wish I had time to finish reading it, because it's a delightful book from the outset.

Battle Dress

by Amy Efaw
loaned to me by a student, paperback, 290 pages
genre: YA fiction

Andi (Andrea) Davis is going to West Point. Her family is more doubtful than supportive that she can make it there. The toughness of Beast (basic training) and the challenges - both physical and mental - make her question herself over and over again.

Interesting book. Now that I've read it, I'm curious to hear why the student who loaned it to me liked it so much. The military part? Her personal struggle to succeed? There wasn't really any romance and not much in the way of subplots, but it was a worthwhile read.

Sarah's Key

by Tatiana DeRosnay
Hennepin County Library audioCDs (8 discs)
read by Polly Stone
genre: WWII fiction / modern day relationships

What I loved about this story: the balance between the events of 1942 and Julia learning about it sixty years later, the children (historical & modern), the unfolding of characters' lives.
What I disliked: the relationship between Julia and Bertrand, Julia's insecurities and dramas, Julia in general . . .

I learned a lot. I had no idea that the French police had complied so willingly with the Nazis during the occupation. I'm surprised and saddened that more people didn't try to help.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

by Ransom Riggs
PRMS hardcover 348 pages
genre: supernatural

What an unusual story! Jacob and his grandfather are close, but Jacob isn't quite sure what to believe about the stories he hears. When his grandfather is killed, no one believes Jacob's tale about the creature he saw. When Jacob and his father go to Cairnholm Island (the location of some of his grandfather's stories), strange things happen. Peculiar children, a time loop, hollowgasts, wights, . . . a very strange and captivating story! I love that the photographs in the book are actual vintage photos. Odd, scary, fascinating.

The Night Circus

by Erin Morgenstern
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 11 discs
narrated by Jim Dale
genre: historical fantasy

What an unusual, but very captivating story! Two young people, Celia and Marco, are bound by two older magicians when they are mere children. They don't fully understand what the "challenge" even is as they are training to undertake it. The Night Circus is created to be the venue for the challenge and it is filled with unusual people and attractions.

Amanda Wermerskirchen recommended this to me. I'll have to let her know how much I enjoyed it. Absolutely captivating and extraordinary! (It was also interesting to be listening to this intermixed with my reading of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.)

The Search Committee

by Tim Owens
Hennepin County Library, paperback, 389 pages
genre: Christian relationship fiction

First-time author. I enjoyed it, but didn't love it. I hope this isn't what the Presbyterian church is really like . . . not many of the characters seemed to have much of a personal relationship with the Lord. Great character study - I enjoyed Frankie's and Travis' narratives the most.

We had a wonderful discussion about it at Fish Tale last night (and yes, the cheesecake was wonderful).

An Invisible Thread

subtitled: The true story of an 11-year-old panhandler, a busy sales executive, and an unlikely meeting with destiny

by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski
Hennepin County Library, hardcover, 238 pages
genre: memoir

Maurice and Laura. Child and adult. Black and white. Shockingly poor and extremely sucessful. This is a wonderful narrative of the two people, how they met and mattered to one another, and how their histories shaped their lives. Amazing story. I'm glad I read it. Similar in ways to Same Kind of Different as Me, but basically secular.

Frank: The Voice

by James Kaplan
Hennepin County Library audioCDs (18 discs)
read by Rob Shapiro
genre: biography

This was a fascinating but also disturbing story. I didn't know much about Frank Sinatra, but he certainly wasn't someone I'll ever hold in very high regard. Despite the impact his mother Dolly had on his psyche, he was an arrogant, shallow, selfish person. He cheated on his wife horribly and treated his friends like dirt.

Listening to so much detail about his life made it hard to have the narrative stop when he won his Academy award for From Here to Eternity. He had another lifetime (and two more wives, I believe) after that! The author went into great detail about recording sessions, conversations, etc.

My favorites: asking my father-in-law if he had ever heard Sinatra sing live (he had) and getting curious about some of the songs and movies mentioned. I just got FHTE from the public library - I've never seen it before. I found myself Googling Montgomery Clift, Ava Gardner, etc. A small part of me wants to read a biography that goes from 1954 to the end of his life. I also got curious about his first wife and his children. But what a skunk of a man!

6/9/12 - Louie and I watched From Here to Eternity last night . . . how sad that the romantic relationships were so messed up! Interesting that this was the Academy Award winner in 1953.

The Orchid Affair

by Lauren Willig Hennepin County Library audioCDs 13 discs read by Kate Reading genre: historical romance Decent story, but also frustrating. Why do I listen to romance stories?! Interesting look at France just after the revolution. Didn't care for the juxtaposition of the modern day characters against the historical backdrop. Laura's characterization was bizarre - confident or unsure? Spy or neophyte? Sultry or uptight? Andre Jaouen worked well as a hero. Good enough story to keep me reading. Not good enough for me to recommend to others.

Tintin in America

by Herge PRMS 62 pages YA graphic novel adventure This is not my favorite Tintin book, but it’s the only one in this collection. I love Snowy and his resourcefulness! This is an interesting historical view of Europeans’ opinions of the U.S. in the 1930s. Weird mix of Chicago gangsters and wild west Indians. Enjoyable, but not the most engaging of the Tintin stories. (I actually missed Thompson and Thompson and Captain Haddock.

The Mysterious Benedict Society

by Trenton Lee Stewart
PRMS hardcover 485 pages
genre: mystery adventure

What an interesting story! This would be a wonderful title for LAX 6, but not the fantasy title we were seeking. Four children "pass" a strange series of tests that bring them to Mr. Benedict. Full of clever wordplay and strange situations, this book is absolutely delightful! I love how it is smart, but not too mature in content. It can be so hard to find books for excellent young readers. Stewart has a hit here. I may have to read books 2 and 3 now . . .

The Magician of Hoad

by Margaret Mahy Hennepin County Library paperback 411 pages genre: fantasy In trying to find a good title for LAX 6 in the fantasy genre, I've been previewing a lot of books. This one has many assets, but is overall too odd and uneven. I enjoyed it enough to finish it, but not enough to recommend it. Heriot, Cayley, Dysart, Linnet . . . none of them really engaged me. The King of Hoad, Betony, Carlyon, . . . . magic. peace. heroes. mumbo-jumbo trying to sound important. I'll pass on this one.

The Disappearing Spoon

by Sam Kean Hennepin County Library audioCDs 13 hours genre: science read by Sean Runnette Although I didn't enjoy chemistry in high school, I LOVED this book about the periodic table. From the jacket: "THe periodic table is one of our crowning scientific achievements, but it's also a treasure trove of passion, adventure, betrayal, and obsession." The author presents the stories behind the discovery of elements in such a fascinating manner that I found myself wanting to look at a periodic table. This story was absolutely wonderful! (And I don't really like chemistry much - the author is a very good storyteller indeed!)

The Cloud Searchers

Amulet: Book Three
by Kazu Kibuishi
PRMS hardcover 198 pages
genre: YA fantasy adventure graphic novel

I am really enjoying this series! I love the scene in the bar (reminiscent of the Star Wars cantina scene) and the new aspects of Prince Trellis. Looking forward to book four.

The Tale of Despereaux

by Kate DiCamillo
PRMS paperback 280 pages
genre: children's fantasy

I thought I had read this before, but I was just mixing it up with Edward Tulane. Lovely story of a small mouse with big ears who falls in love with a princess.

A student had donated a book and I was looking forward to collecting more copies for the sixth grade book / movie unit. When I looked at the donated copy, though, I noticed the words "junior novelization." Sure enough, after DiCamillo's book was made into a movie, someone else made a book of the movie . . . and changed the story too much for me. Instead of opening with Despereaux, the novelization opens with The Rat (Roscuro) and a sailor named Pietro. Sigh. This is one GONE book!

The original tale is quaint and sweet. It's a bit on the young side, but that makes sense. Her intended audience was not my middle school kids.

Dewey the Small-town Library Cat Who Touched the World

by Vicki Myron & Bret Witter
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 7 discs
read by Suzanne Toren
genre: memoir, animals

I finally broke down and got the audio version, even though I own the paperback. I spend too much time in my car to not use that time to get more "reading" done. Overall, I really enjoyed this book by Vicki Myron. She intertwines her life story with that of Dewey Readmore Books, who was left in the book return on a frigid night.

I guess I'm just a library nerd. This appeals to me in that I love books and libraries, too.

The Red Pyramid

by Rick Riordan
Kane Chronicles 1
PRMS paperback 516 pages
genre: fantasy / mythology adventure

Carter and Sadie are siblings being raised apart. Egyptian mythology, good vs. evil, Sadie is younger but also bolder. Their uncle Amos. Goddess Bast. Lots of fighting and travel portals.

Good, but I'm too tired to blog.

Amulet:: The Stonekeeper's Curse (book two)

by Kazu Kibuishi
PRMS hardcover 217 pages
genre: YA graphic novel fantasy

I am really enjoying this series! Not sure why it has taken me so long to read more of it. The surprising thing in this volume is that the elves are the bad guys! I didn't realize in book one that they were elves. Now I'm very curious about the elven prince and his role in the story. I love the fox character and am glad that Emily's mom is okay.

Of Mice and Men

by John Steinbeck
CMSE hardcover 107 pages
genre: classic American literature, historical fiction, relationships

I hadn't read this in over twenty years and had recommended it to David C. (who had to read a classic American work and does NOT like to read). I think he ended up going with Fahrenheit 451. I had forgotten how much swearing and slang was in this short little book (more like a novella than a true novel). Perhaps its length is what made so many English teachers choose it for high school students to read - at least it's short!

I loved seeing the way the different men communicate with one another. George and Lennie have such a simple yet profound relationship. Slim is my absolute favorite. I wish Lennie had been able to have a stuffed animal or a fur coat to fulfill his desire to pet something soft . . .

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

by Brian Selznick
PRMS hardcover 530 pages
genre: YA historical fiction

This was a re-read so that I had the story fresh in my mind when I watched Hugo. Lovely story. I actually liked the movie a lot, although it deviated from Selznick's book a fair amount. I loved learning about Georges Melies (the first time I read this) and seeing how his life story came to life. Wonderful. Glad I could share it with Louie!

The Puzzling World of Winston Breen

by Eric Berlin
Carver County Library kit book paperback 209 pages plus answers
genre: YA mystery

Loved it! Most of the mysteries were pretty easy to figure out. I wonder if the kids saw the note at the front of the book that you could go online to print out the puzzles. This will be fun to talk about. The wooden puzzle pieces, the town's history, the hidden treasure . . . all added up to a wonderful book in the same vein as The Westing Game. Good stuff!

Melonhead

by Katy Kelly
Carver County book-club-in-a-kit paperback 210 pages
genre: children's humor

It will be interesting to hear the kids' opinions (6th grade book club). I thought it was too "young" and not terribly funny. I liked how very "boy" Melonhead was - not really thinking about the consequences of his actions. I also liked that he and his friends weren't malicious (or even mischievous in a Dennis the Menace sense) but they were definitely getting into a lot of trouble. I marked a few spots to bring up at our discussion. Their rhyming name game was also kind of cute.

Hunger Games (US magazine)

Editors of US magazine
PRMS paperback 72 pages
genre: movie fandom

Lots of pics, interviews, etc. Interesting.

Odd Hours

by Dean Koontz
read by David Aaron Baker
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 7 discs
genre: paranormal mystery

Another wonderful Odd Thomas story! Odd is drawn to a coastal town, but he isn't sure why. Now that Elvis has moved on, Frank Sinatra is showing up regularly in Odd's life (as is Boo, one of the rare dog ghosts). Odd thwarts a nuclear terror plot, but encounters many interesting characters along the way. And he uses a gun! Anna Maria is strange, but since she leaves the town with Odd at the end of the story, I'm sure we'll get to know more about her in the next story.

To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel

by Siena Cherson Siegel
artwork by Mark Siegel
PRMS hardcover unpaged
genre: graphic novel memoir

Wonderful! I have tried ordering this many times, but it has not shipped to me until now. (Thank you, Amazon!) Siena shares her lifelong love of dance, her parents' divorce, and her decision to move in a different direction as an adult. Her husband illustrates her story beautifully. Dance lovers will definitely enjoy this well-told story.

Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat

by Lynne Jonell
art by Jonathan Bean
Carver County Library hardcover 346 pages
genre: YA fantasy, mystery

A sixth grader recommended this book for book club, but I don't have access to many copies. I enjoyed it, but am not sure how it would appeal to boys. Emmy is a nice girl, but no one seems to notice her except her evil nanny Miss Barmy. Emmy can hear the class rat talk, though no one else seems to until one day when Joe says something to her about it.

Full of adventure and rodents who have amazing powers, this was a delightful book. I believe I've met the author before. It might be fun to have her come and visit someday.

Brain Camp

by Susan Kim, Laurence Klavan, Faith Erin Hicks
PRMS paperback 151 pages
genre: YA graphic novel, SciFi

Subtitled "A summer at Camp Fielding will really change you," I'm glad I finally read this book. Weird, fun, interesting. Jenna is unusual in her family of overachievers. Lucas is on his way to being just like his father - a criminal in jail. When they are sent to Camp Fielding they quickly realize that something strange is going on.

Creepy, fun, and a little bit romantic (though Lucas' wet dream is a bit TMI . . . not sure middle school readers will "get" it), this is a good read. The storyline and artwork work well together to communicate a middle school mystery.

Same Kind of Different as Me

by Ron Hall, Denver Moore, and Lynn Vincent 

Hennepin County Library hardcover 235 pages 

genre: true life story 

subtitled: a modern-day slave, an international art dealer, and the unlikely woman who bound them together 

 

Amazing. Absolutely incredible story told in alternating chapters between Ron Hall (the art dealer) and Denver Moore (the black homeless man). This book had SO much going on that I want to own a copy. I love the life lessons that Ron learned. I cried. It is a beautiful book. Everyone in book club today enjoyed it. Excellent read!

 

<Above posted 3.26.2012. Below added 12.08.2020.>

 

I thought about buying a copy of this to own, but decided to re-read a library copy instead. (I've been trying to decrease my possessions . . . ) This is truly an amazing story. 

 

The pieces of Denver's story told in his youth in Louisiana really struck me. The time three white teenagers roped him and dragged him because he was helping a white woman change the tire on her car. Why didn't she speak up?! And seeing the house burn with his grandma inside, not being able to wake her up. How awful!

 

There are so many times that Ron's attitude and language bug me, but I appreciate that he is honest about his own skewed perspective. And I love the truth of what believers can do - share their own story. Amen! On page 61, I loved this observation:

Looking back now, I mourn the mutual wounds inflicted in verbal battles with the "unsaved." In fact, I have chosen to delete that particular term from my vocabulary as I have learned that even with my $500 European-designer bifocals, I cannot see into a person's heart to know his spiritual condition. All I can do is tell the jagged tale of my own spiritual journey and declare that my life has been the better for having followed Christ.

 

 All of Debbie's cancer journey was so very hard to read . . . the pain, the faith, the prayers, and the challenges. I loved how God spoke to and through Denver throughout this journey.

Page 143 has an example of Deborah's faithfulness. What an amazing woman!

"Let's praise God," she said.

"For what?" I thought without saying it.

"Let's forget what he (the doctor) said about only living one year, and let's just trust God," she told me. "Dr. Goldstein is just a doctor. We serve the living God, who knows our number of days. I intend to fulfill each one of mine."

There was some humor mixed in, mostly from Denver's perspective. At a fancy dinner honoring their work with the homeless, Denver made this observation (page 200-1).

When the food come, I took my cloth napkin and put it on my lap. And I kept a eye on Mr. Ron to make sure I was usin the right fork. I had learned by then that rich white folks got a lotta rules 'bout forks. I still ain't figured out why they got to use three or four different ones and make a lotta extra work for the folks in the kitchen.

Page 211 at Deborah's funeral from Denver's perspective (my bolding):

Then I felt like the Lord had given me a word for the people that was gathered there. And when the Lord say "speak," ain't much you can do but get up, open your mouth, and see what comes out.

Here's what come out that day: "Miss Debbie was a close enough friend a' mine that I prayed and prayed for her, day and night - even to the point of offerin God life for life. 'Let me go in,' I said to Him. 'Let her stay here, 'cause she more worthy than me to stay here on this earth, and I would be better off to go on up to heaven 'cause I ain't had no kinda luck down here.'"

Finally, on page 230, Ron's humble honesty resonates with me.

The pain of losing Deborah still brings tears. And I cannot mask my profound disappointment that God did not answer yes to our prayers for healing. I think He's okay with that. One of the phrases we evangelicals like to throw around is that Christianity is "not a religion; it's a relationship." I believe that, which is why I know that when my faith was shattered and I raged against Him, He still accepted me. And even though I have penciled a black mark in His column, I can be honest about it. That's what a relationship is about.

After re-reading this, I went online to "catch up" with these people. Ron Hall has remarried. Denver died in 2012. Ron's and Debbie's kids have families and careers of their own. Life goes on. God is good.

 

 

A Sound Among the Trees

by Susan Meissner
Hennepin County Library paperback 324 pages
genre: Christian historical fiction

Marielle marries Carson knowing about his dead wife, two wonderful children, and the historic home in Fredericksburg where his grandmother-in-law Adelaide resides. But she has no idea the stories that have become engrained in people's minds about the house, Adelaide's great-grandmother Susannah, and the potential for ghosts and spirits to continue wreaking havoc on the lives of those who live at Holly Oak.

I enjoyed this story and look forward to tonight's book club discussion. My favorites were the old letters Susannah wrote during the Civil War and Caroline's impact on modern-day events. I didn't like the eerie house-is-haunted nonsense. Some people!

The Upstairs Room

By Johanna Reiss
PRMS paperback 179 pages
genre: autobiographical, WWII

The author wrote down her story for her children to understand and ended up publishing a Newbery Honor book. Johanna "Annie" is only ten ("almost eleven!") when the Nazis are rounding up Jews. Her father wants to leave for America, but her mother suffers from headaches and wants to stay. Thinking they are safe in Denmark, it is too late to truly escape when the dangers grow. The family goes into hiding in three different places - the mother dies in the hospital.

I hadn't read this before giving it to my sixth grade book club and was concerned when a student said they had to stop reading because of all the swear words. The family that Annie and her older sister Sini stay with for over two years are simple farm folks. Johan has a penchant for rough language, Dientje is afraid of her own shadow, and Opoe (grandma) has a soft spot for the girls.

Good story. Much less disturbing than most Holocaust fiction. Discussion today. It will be interesting to see what the kids say.

Beauty

by Robin McKinley
PRMS paperback 325 pages
genre: fantasy, romance

For 8th grade book club, as a counterpoint to Beast (read earlier this year). Fun basic retelling of the classic story. I enjoyed it but the ending was surprisingly quick.

This Book Is Overdue! How LIbrarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All

by Marilyn Johnson
Hennepin County Library audiobook 6 discs
read by Hillary Huber
genre: non-fiction librarianship

I had read a review of this book and jumped when I saw it on the shelf. The author does a great job of sharing her impressions (mostly positive) of the many librarians she interviewed during research for this book. Especially when I experience that mix of old-fashioned sensibilities and techie newness . . . it was an interesting book. Made me wonder if anyone actually spends time on Second Life anymore, though . . . enjoyable book overall.

Eragon

by Christopher Paolini
home copy hardcover 497 pages
genre: fantasy

I can't read Inheritance until I re-read the first three books. This took me a few chapters to get into (again), but then I enjoyed the ride. Yes, Paolini borrowed heavily from Tolkien and other great fantasy writers, but he was only a teenager when he wrote this. Eragon is a delightful innocent, Saphira is magical, and Brom remains my favorite. One of my sixth grade book clubs read and discussed this, but I don't think they all *finished* it. Too bad, since it's a story worth reading. Not sure if I find the Ra'zac or the Shade to be creepier . . .

Brother Odd

by Dean Koontz
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 8 discs
read by David Aaron Baker
genre: supernatural mystery

The third Odd Thomas book, this one has Odd staying at a monastery as a guest so he can get a break from the ghosts of Pico Mundo. Then a new danger and mystery arises. I definitely liked this one better than the second one, though I missed Little Ozzie (only in this at the end) and some of the other characters of Pico Mundo. I'm really enjoying this quirky series. Part of the appeal is Odd's personal qualities. He's very unassuming. I especially like how he calls himself innocuous and the Russian stridently disagrees. Nice!

Forever Odd

by Dean Koontz
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 7 discs
read by David Aaron Baker

This one was much creepier than the first Odd Thomas book I read. Doctor Jessup's ghost leads Odd into a new situation, one that feels "wrong." Danny (Jessup's stepson & Odd's friend) has disappeared and Odd knows that he alone must find him. The evil people in this story are truly disturbing and scary.

Liked: Odd's communication with Elvis and the ghosts in the casino
Disliked: too much repetitive info (for those who haven't read Odd Thomas, I assume)

Overall, enjoyed it, but not as much as the first book.

Crossing Oceans

by Gina Holmes
genre: Christian fiction, relationships

Right after blogging about our (tonight) book club title, I looked to see what I had written about this author's first book. Nothing! I'm not a super-efficient (or effective) blogger . . . but I like having this repository of my responses to what I've been reading.

We read this title in September 2010 for the Spirit of Life book club. It was about a woman who was estranged from her family. She left home pregnant and lived her own life for a while. She returned home after being diagnosed with terminal cancer so that her daughter could be cared for by her father and grandmother when she is gone.

Her ex-boyfriend (and father of her child) is now married and since they are unable to conceive, they want the child.

Legal, emotional, ethical issues ensue. Very interesting and engaging book. I *loved* the grandma!

Dry as Rain

by Gina Holmes
Hennepin County Library paperback 373 pages
genre: Christian fiction, relationships

I had to force myself to read this one. I just couldn't empathize with the protagonist (Eric) who cheats on his wife but blames her for the distance in their marriage while also feeling deep love for her and intense guilt about his infidelity.

Kyra has suffered amnesia (but no other damage) in a car accident and doesn't remember that they're separated.

I spent the first half of the book just saying "TELL HER THE TRUTH!!!" and the second half saying, "Is this over yet?" Needless to say, I didn't like this nearly as much as Holmes' first book and I'm not super-eager to read more from her.

Alanna: the first adventure

by Tamora Pierce
PRMS paperback 274 pages
genre: fantasy adventure

Alanna and her twin brother want to trade places - she wants to train to become a knight and he wants to continue his education (albeit as a sorcerer, not as a lady). Their distracted father doesn't know the switch has been made and Alanna becomes Alan of Tremond. She makes friends and one enemy with the other pages, squires, thieves, etc. in the city.

Dashes of coming-of-age, magic, and a portent of romance to come. Interesting, but it didn't blow me away. It will be fun to hear what the 7th grade book club girls thought of it.

The Appeal

by John Grisham
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 10 discs
read by Michael Beck
genre: legal thriller

This book had a profound impact on me. I thought about it a LOT over the week or so that I listened to it. I really struggled with the realization that although this is fiction, much of the content is extremely true-to-life.

Basically, it is the 1% vs. the rest of us. Carl Trudeau, obscenely wealthy New York businessman, rejects the court ruling that his chemical company polluted, poisoned, and killed people in Beaumore, Mississippi. He connects with other powerful and corrupt people to "buy" a seat on the state Supreme Court so that the ruling will be rejected and he doesn't have to pay for the damage done by Crane Chemical.

Ugh. This was really hard for me to read, especially the conservative Christians overwhelmingly (and unthinkingly) supporting newcomer Ron Fisk for a judge seat he isn't qualified to occupy. The tactics and politics ring far too true.

Favorite character: Denny Ott! (Pastor who "gets it" and yet truly cares for his congregation as a genuine Christian.) The ending stunned me, yet makes perfect sense. Six billion. Of course.