Saturday, January 31, 2015

I am Malala

 

I have not read the adult version of this book but I read this for our MSBA shortlist.  I am grateful to Bound to Stay Bound for sending me a copy.  Malala's story is powerful and should be shared with all.  I can't wait to put it in the library and share with my students.  I think my biggest take away is to live without fear and stand up for your beliefs.

Girl in Reverse

 

I liked the idea of this story.  Lily was adopted as a young child.  She has always been teased - first during WWII and now during the Korean War.  She finds objects left behind by her Gone Mom and eventually finds out more of her history with some surprises along the way.  

The story itself was interesting and the twist was cool...but I felt that the characters were not well developed - especially Elliot and I felt that the writing was disjointed...

How to Outswim a Shark...

 

This is the sequel to How to Outrun a Crocodile...  When I requested this on NetGalley I didn't realize this was the sequel (not sure why) and then I was a bit disappointed because I am usually hard pressed for reading time and don't usually read sequels.  I am glad I made the time for this.  It has been a while since I read the first one,  I didn't recommend it for MSBA (sorry) but I remember that is was pretty good (and I just recommended it to a student yesterday).  If anything I felt this one was stronger.  Maybe because of the conflict that Ana has with her nemesis Ashley.  In the first book it is more black and white - Ana good, Ashley bad.  In this book they become tentative friends and Ana really struggles with that and with other peer pressure, puberty issues.  I enjoyed it and look forward to purchasing the book for the library.

Friday, January 30, 2015

Friday Night 2 More Down

 

 

Okay, yes, 2 very different books but my strategy is to read books from other libraries before books I received from publishers so that's what I had to read next.

Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms was interesting.  Will grew up wild in Africa but when her father dies she is sent to a boarding school in England.  She does not fit in at all.  While I can appreciate the quality of the writing and while there was some hope for Will at the end of the book overall it was too sad for me to really enjoy.

And then we have WWI and a graphic novel.  I am not really a fan of graphic novels but I slogged my way through this,  WWI was disastrous...I did learn things but I can't say this is a favorite book...

Thursday, January 29, 2015

 

Loved this one - good action and adventure.  A good conflict and ultimate decision that must be made (don't want to spoil - but it was a tough one).  A little fantasy...

Ronan never knew his mother was part of a secret protective society until the day his father disappeared and people came after him.  Now he is on the run with another Blood Guard Jack Dawkins and a girl, Greta, from his old school.  Can they figure out what the Bend Sinister are up to and save the Pure.

Loved!!!