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Friday, February 27, 2009

Book Review: We Are the Ship by Kadir Nelson

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseballis an overview of African American history in baseball. Founded by Rube Foster, the Negro National League was created in response to professional baseball leagues unwritten rule that African Americans weren't allowed on their teams. It tells the stories of countless amazing players who faced discrimination, discouragement, and dissapointment to do what they loved most: play baseball.



This book was extremely informative. I knew basically nothing about Negro League baseball (or even baseball history). I loved how the narrator made it feel like he was recounting history as he recalled it - it personalized the story so much more. I felt really proud of myself for recognizing some of the big name players, until Nelson mentioned that there were so many more amazing players who remain virtually unknown, because they never made it to professional leagues. What a huge loss it is to think of how many great players we missed out on, simply because they had a different color skin. The illustrations were gorgeous - big, bold, and seemingly life-sized. This book definitely deserved the recognition and awards it's received.

RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Book Review: Envy: A Luxe Novel by Anna Godberson

Envy: a Luxe Novelcontinues the story of upper class New York society. The newly married Schoonmakers travel with friends (and enemies) to Florida to escape the cold. The Holland sisters are among them, Elizabeth just returned to society after her harrowing-but-hidden experiences, and Diana getting over her broken heart. Intrigues and jealousies and drama abound in this continuation of the Luxe series.



I was not as interested in the story of this one as the others (reviewed here and here) - it seemed a little to perfectly contrived. I continue to wonder if all elite upper class of turn of the century New York was as depraved and debauched as Godberson portrays them. I got a bit tired of all the descriptions of clothing and rooms as well as the continued lack of morality of most of the characters. I've discovered this kind of book is not usually a favorite with me. However, I will probably read the next book (which I was happy to learn is the last) because I want to know how the story ends.

RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: XX

Though not graphic or descriptive, there is a lot.

v-factor: none

Overall rating: **

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Book Review: Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges

Through My Eyestells the story of Ruby Bridges' experiences being the first black girl to integrate her school back in 1960. Her own reminiscences along with those of her teacher, family, and psychologist combine with photographs to bring this story to life. When Ruby first goes to school, escorted by U.S. Marshals, she is the only child in her class. Nearly all of the white students have been withdrawn by their angry parents. But, that doesn't stop her white teacher from loving and teaching Ruby.

Through My Eyes

This was my first look into this amazing story and I just fell in love with it! (Got the recommend from here.) Ruby tells her own story and makes it seem so much more personal. Her own ignorance of what is going on and even of racial prejudice add an innocent and heartbreaking note to the story. I am continually appalled at the behavior we as Americans display to others. I was especially sickened at the descriptions of the white mothers who stood outside the school protesting - their language and their hatred towards a six-year-old girl are just disgusting! We certainly have an interesting history.

RATINGS:
s-factor: none

Though there are racial epithets.

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->

Not necessarily violent, but sometimes frightening.

Overall rating: ***

Book Review: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte

The Tenant of Wildfell Halltells the story of Mrs. Graham, a mysterious woman who comes to live at Wildfell Hall. Her entrance into the quiet neighborhood inspires interest and gossip. When Gilbert Markham falls in love with his supposedly widowed neighbor, she decides to share her story with him. Her marriage to a dissolute, unfaithful, and cruel husband is chronicled in her diary and leads to the drastic measures she took to escape from him.



This really was a beautiful and I imagine fairly controversial story. Helen Graham, as she calls herself, is a woman who endures all kinds of indignities and sufferings at the hand of her husband. But, her independent spirit and will to help her child enable her to finally escape from him. The writing is lovely and the story engaging. Too bad this classic seems off the radar. I almost like this one better than her sisters' famous works.

RATINGS:
s-factor: !

A few.

mrg-factor: none
Though it has mature themes.

v-factor: ->
Some small incidents.

Overall rating: ****

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Book Review: Squashed by Joan Bauer

Squashedis the delightful story of Ellie, a girl with a passion for growing. She deals with teenage trauma, school, a misunderstanding father, and the trials of growing a prize-winning giant pumpkin all at once. Definitely enough for one girl to handle. Ellie faces pumpkin thieves, frost, hail storms, and the horrible last-year's-winner with wit and courage. But, will she win?



While this one did not satisfy as much as Bauer's other book I recently read, Squashed was a delightful read filled with humor and hilarious teenage drama. I think what I enjoyed the most was Ellie's passion about growing and all the vegetable humor. Ellie was by far the best part of the book, though her Abe Lincoln-look-alike father was a close second.

RATINGS:
s-factor: !

Maybe one or two.

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ***

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Book Review: Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

Princess of the Midnight Ballis a beautiful retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses. Rose and her eleven sisters (with eleven unique flower names) are wearing their dancing slippers out each night, much to the mystification and anger of the king and the people. When Galen, a recently returned soldier turned gardener learns of the princesses' problem, he decides to find a way to help. With the assistance of some magical objects, he learns just where the princesses are going and why. But, he discovers, it is much more difficult than he thought to break the enchantment.



I am a huge sucker for fairy tale retellings, but this book is just beautiful! I loved the characters, the humor, and especially the descriptions. With just the right amount of magic and mystery, I was unable to put this book down until its conclusion. Not to mention, the cover is just amazing! If you are a fan of George's other books, or fairy-tale retellings in general, this one will definitely satisfy.

RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->

Mostly intense situations, not violence.

Overall rating: ****

Book Review: Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher

Shadow Spinneris a story about Marjan, a young crippled girl who becomes entangled in intrigues in the Sultan's palace when Shahrazad needs another story. Each night Shahrazad tells the Sultan part of a story and each morning, he lets her live to finish the tale. Her situation becomes precarious when she begins to run short on stories. Marjan, a storyteller herself, brings a new story to Shahrazad, but they discover she only knows a part of it. They must embark on the dangerous task of unraveling the rest of the story.

Shadow Spinner (A Jean Karl Book)

Though perhaps not the best-written book I've read, this story was pretty interesting and I enjoyed Marjan's development. Her past is slowly revealed, almost as a side story, but I love how she recognizes what she needs to do and finally manages to do it. It has a good moral. I think the very best part of the book, however, was the "Lessons for Life and Storytelling" at the beginning of each chapter. These were by far the most interesting and fun parts.

RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->

Some scary things.

Overall rating: ***

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Book Review: The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd

The London Eye Mysterytells the story of how Ted and Kat's cousin, Salim, manages to disappear on the London Eye (a sort of ferris wheel) without a trace. Ted and Kat, who never have gotten along, put aside their differences to see if they can find out what happened to him, before it might be too late.



I really loved this book! I am not usually a mystery book reader, but this was great! I didn't quite figure out the whole mystery before it happened, though I was suspicious of why certain details were mentioned. Ted is my absolute favorite character. His mind, which is mentioned many times as not running on the same "operating system" is absolutely delightful to be in! His obsession with weather - I just really loved all of it. The story almost seemed a little secondary to my enjoyment of Ted. It was a pretty good mystery too :)

RATINGS:
s-factor: !

Some language.

mrg-factor: none
(Ted's view of kissing, however, is hilarious!)

v-factor: ->
A few somewhat frightening parts.

Overall rating: ****

Book Review: Hope was Here by Joan Bauer

Hope Was Hereis a story about Hope (who managed to change her name from Tulip) and her Aunt Addie who are making the move to a small town in Wisconsin after their diner had to close in New York. Hope, who is trying to live up to her name, is a waitress at the diner that her aunt now manages. Hope is skeptical that she will be able to make friends and fit in, but she is drawn in when the owner of the diner, G.T. Stoop, who has been diagnosed with Leukemia, decides to run for mayor against the old corrupt incumbant. She is impressed with G.T. and his desire to serve the community, as well as his love for life. Hope also manages to balance her crazy mother and a new love interest on her already full plate.



What a fun book! I laughed and cried and was really touched at the messages. Hope was a great character - believable and still good enough to emulate. The story was amazing and the theme of hope throughout left me feeling really...well, hopeful! I highly recommend this great little story for anyone looking for an uplifting read!

RATINGS:
s-factor: !

A few.

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

Book Review: After Tupac and D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson

After Tupac and D Fosteris the story of three best girl friends, spending nearly two years together. D Foster shows up one day in Neeka and her best friend's neighborhood, looking for friends. They three become inseparable, but D leads a very different life than the other two. D, living with her foster mother, has freedoms the other two girls envy - freedom to ride the bus by herself and roam around alone. But, the two girls begin to learn more about the kind of life D has as they bond over rapper Tupac Shakur's lyrics. Then, just as suddenly as she came, D is gone.



This book was really interesting. I loved the language and the way it was written - it sounded so real. It was really intriguing to me, because all three of the girls live such different lives than I have, being a white girl from a small(er) city. It gave me a glimpse into how people who are different have to fight for a lot of the things that just come naturally to others. Also an interesting side story of Neeka's gay brother and the unjust treatment he gets for being different.

RATINGS:
s-factor: !

A few scattered.

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->

Some violent things happen, but no details.

Overall rating: ***

Book Review: Chalice by Robin McKinley

Chaliceis a story about a girl trying to understand her unexpected new role as Chalice to a demesne with a new and very different Master. Second in power only to this Master, Chalice tries to understand her new role and the power and difficulties it presents, while getting to know the Master. The Master, newly brought back from being a fire priest, is finding it difficult to return to his normal human life. When the overlord threatens the uneasy peace they are trying to settle, Chalice does all she can to settle the land and the people, but will it be enough?

Chalice

While my synopsis is probably terribly confusing, I did not find the book to be nearly as confusing. I really love McKinley's beautiful writing style - her descriptions are just gorgeous. The story is interesting and suspenseful in places as well. McKinley has created another fantastic world with a strong female heroine. I wished things might be a little more explained and wanted to learn more about the characters, but overall, a wonderful story! (I have become a real fan of lots of McKinley's stuff, but be aware that her more adult titles have mrg stuff.)

RATINGS:
s-factor: none

(that I recall)

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->

A little involving fire, but not gory.

Overall rating: ****

Book Review: Holes by Louis Sachar

Holesis the story of Stanley Yelnats and his unfortunate streak of bad luck. Sent to Camp Green Lake, after he was incorrectly charged with stealing a pair of shoes, Stanley makes friends with a motley group of other delinquents. Stanley's story is tied up in a few other plots, including that of his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather.


I don't know why it took me so long to get around to this glorious book, but I finally read it. I adore the movie, so the plot wasn't terribly surprising, but I was pleased at how well the movie followed the book. No wonder I liked the movie! The humor shone through and I simply loved the weaving of the separate stories together. It is no great wonder this book won a Newbery.

RATINGS:
s-factor: !

(I don't remember any, but maybe one or two)

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->

Just a little bit mentioned, not described.

Overall rating: *****

Book Review: Highway Cats by Janet Taylor Lisle

Highway Catsis a story about three little kittens who have the audacity to survive a harrowing trip across a busy highway. The hardened highway cats aren't much interested in them, since they are so small and helpless, but Shredder begins to see something extraordinary about them. Particularly when they miraculously help the other cats to protect their homes from being demolished.

Highway Cats

This book was a quick and thoughtful book. The theme was clear, but not overbearing (I think). I loved the illustrations - they were perfect! There wasn't much "character" development - I wished there had been more about some of the other cats, particularly Khalia Koo, but it was a fun little book, particularly for young cat-lovers.

RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

(although, there is some mention of cats getting squashed on a highway)

Overall rating: ***

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Book Review: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Societyis a book written almost entirely of letters. When Juliet Ashton receives a letter from a man she never met, asking about a book he owns, she never expected where that correspondence might lead. She is introduced, by letters, to various members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, formed during the German occupation of the island Guernsey. Juliet, who was on the look out for ideas for a new book, thinks she just might have found the perfect subject.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Random House Reader's Circle)

I absolutely loved this book. I am normally not a fan of stories told through letters, but Juliet's letters were so hilarious that I couldn't help but love them! The story unfolded smoothly and sometimes I forgot everything was written in letter form. The quirky characters she writes to and eventually meets are lovable and fun. I just really enjoyed this story and especially the humor all around.

RATINGS:
s-factor: !@

Some, but not too many.

mrg-factor: none.

v-factor: ->
Some things Nazis perpetrated during the war.

Overall rating: ****

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

I Totally Won!

Guys, guys! I won something! I don't ever win stuff!

But now, thanks to Deanna at Once Upon a Time, I can feed the frenzy and buy more books! I encourage you to visit her site! She is one of my new favorite people (not that my friendship can be purchased with free stuff or anything...). She actually has a freakin' awesome blog about children's literature - from a teacher's point of view! Go, check her out! And if you are looking for other fantastic review sites, I have a bunch listed on the sidebar.

And I promise I will get another review up soon...

Monday, February 2, 2009

Book Review: My One Hundred Adventures by Polly Horvath

My One Hundred Adventureschronicles 12-year-old Jane's string of adventures over one summer. While she doesn't quite reach her quota of one hundred in that one summer, she discovers a lot about herself, her mother, and life in general.



I had really mixed feelings about this book. I absolutely loved the language. Horvath really describes things, particularly the ocean and its ambient surroundings, in such a way that it almost doesn't matter what else happens in the book. However, as I kept reading, I found myself not really very interested. The characters were all very quirky and strange, almost annoyingly so at times. I loved some of them, but since they were all odd, it kind of detracted from their individuality. The story was just not to my taste. There have been lots of starred reviews of this book, so please check those out (some of them can be found on Amazon) before making a judgment about the book. I guess it just wasn't right for me.

RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

(although there are "who's your daddy" issues)

v-factor: none

Overall rating: **

Book Review: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

The Last Lectureis a beautiful collection of wisdom and humor from Randy Paush's last lecture. Professors are often asked to give what was called a "last lecture," to share their thoughts about life and what they would want to be their last words. Randy, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and with only a few months of health remaining, finds new meaning and purpose behind his last lecture.

The Last Lecture

I absolutely loved this book! All of the praise is correct, as far as I'm concerned. Every section discussed some of Pausch's thoughts on life and each one seemed remarkably true and intelligent. I tried to pick just one or two gems from throughout the book, but I just couldn't narrow it down. Perhaps what impressed me the most was Pausch's outlook on life - he was positive throughout while still acknowledging the sorrow and difficulty of his situation. I also really loved how everything was always about his family - his wife and three young children. They are the most important things to him. Now, if only we could gain the perspective of a terminal patient without having the terminal part. I think that is one purpose for writing a book like this.

RATINGS:
s-factor: !

A few, not overwhelming.

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: *****
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