Book Review: Everything I Was by Corinne Demas

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Everything-I-Was-Corinne-Demas/dp/0761373039
School and Library Binding $13.46
Kindle $9.99

Published April 2011
Carolrhoda Lab, Lerner Publishing Group
209 pages/Fiction, Young Adult





The publishing group Carolrhoda's aim is to promote "provocative boundary pushing literature for teens."

Irene is 13 and she lives in Manhattan New York City with her parents. They live in a luscious penthouse apartment. Irene attends a private school. Irene's mother has a strong penchant for spending money, and her doting and passive husband indulges her. When he looses his job their lives change dramatically.
They eventually move in with Irene's paternal grandfather. Even though there is tension in the home. The home is exactly what Irene has needed, a home, not a pampered palace.

I really liked this book and immediately became charmed with Irene.
She is not an overtly strong character, but believable.
She hides her emotions, stuffing them. She does not fully understand what has happened because her parents have hidden things from her and she is left to assume.
I liked the fact that she had a grandfather that loved her and listened to her---really paused and listened to her.
I disliked her mother. Hard to not be critical of her. Her dad needed to man-up. Pardon me I just had to let that out.
Irene is not only dealing with this life up-heave by moving, but she has a body that is developing from a child into a teenage girl. She also has angst about meeting new friends. She wants privacy yet wants companionship. She knows she has had something missing in her life yet did not know how to express it.
I saw 1 instance of cursing (I state that because I know some parents do care about this.)

Blissful Reading!
Annette

A Few Blog Bits of Interest

A few blogs that I found that you maybe interested in:

Ms. Yingling is one of my favorite blogs focusing on books for middle schoolers especially boys.
http://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/

A blog post on 18th Century books:
http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2011/05/19/18th-century-childrens-book-the-history-of-goody-little-two-shoes/

http://www.thebookcellarx.com/

http://shelfelf.wordpress.com/

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Book Review: The Other Side of Dark by Sarah Smith

A book I'd would not have normally read, but did and really liked it!

Published by Antheneum Books For Young Readers in 2010/320 pages
For 7th grade and up, or for ages 12 and up
*I disagree about the reader age given by publisher, of course my own opinion, but I feel this book is more adequate for high school age readers.

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://books.simonandschuster.biz/Other-Side-of-Dark/Sarah-Smith/9781442402805
Hardcover $16.99

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Other-Side-Dark-Sarah-Smith/dp/1442402806/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1306108207&sr=8-2
Hardcover $11.89
Paperback $7.99
Kindle $9.99

Teenage Katie Mullens has an amazing gift, she sees ghosts. Not the ghostly visions that we see in the movies. But full human apparitions of those dearly departed souls. Her gift began after her mother died tragically about a year ago. Katie lives with her step-dad. Katie has few friends, she's known at her school as crazy Kate. Katie is also an artist, she is rarely without her sketch pad and pencil. At a park Katie meets a new boy named George, George has down-syndrome.
Law is a bi-racial teenage boy that has gone to school with Katie for a long time. He secretly had a crush on her several years ago. His parents are educated career oriented professionals, they have high aspirations for his future. Law's parents frown on his friendship with a girl that is not the right color, nor the right economic bracket for their son. Law's father in his booming voice expresses distaste for Law's procrastination over a speech Law must give. Law just wants to study history of architecture, but he knows his father will not approve.
Katie and Law live in a town with a strong history of events that are painful for all, slavery. The Pinebank estate built in the 1800's is set for demolition. It was built by a man that was not only a slave holder but the wealthiest man of that era. Katie and Law will make a discovery that will upend their town and in the process develop a relationship.

I love history!
I love books that tell me a tale of true history and then create interesting characters that have quirky characteristics. I especially love it when the author weaves in characters not usually in books, such as the down-syndrome character named George. George is a sweet, lovable, steadfast character. He is someone we all want to rescue and this kept my interest through out the book.
Katie is quirky in her gift of seeing ghosts, yet I was never afraid of what she saw. I was never frightened, nor was there carnage or messiness in these apparitions. This gift was described more in sarcasm, or comedy. At times she wanted it to just go away so she could be normal. I believe that may refer to what all teenagers want, to fit in to be normal.
Both Katie and Law are characters that strive at all times to do the right thing. I admired them.
I was swept away by the story and once the historical content came in to be I became even more enamored.

There is only 1 thing that I disliked about this book. There are many 4 letter curse words. I'm not referring to Hell and Damn, but other more degrading wasteful talk. I'm sure the author added them because she feels that most youth speak this way. I'm an adult and don't. Don't need to, I can fully express myself without using those words. I'm aware that many feel that these words are not a big deal, they are just another word.
I wanted to let my readers know because there are a few of us out there that believe cursing is a big deal. And they may not want there child, even if they are a teenager, reading this book. Which is a shame because there were elements of this book that I really liked.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Home Is Beyond the Mountains by Celia Barker Lottridge

A story of astonishing bravery!

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Mountains-Celia-Barker-Lottridge/dp/0888999321/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1306104947&sr=8-1
Hardcover $13.22
Paperback $8.95

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://groundwoodbooks.com/gw_titles.cfm?pub_id=1432

Published in 2010 by Groundwood Books
Young Adult for ages 12 and up/224 pages

Samira age 9, her older brother Benyamin, baby sister Maryam, and their parents are living in an Assyrian village in northern Iran. During the summer of 1918 they flee carrying only what they are able to carry hoping to travel to where the British refugee camp is located. The Turks have invaded their area of Iran, an area that Samira's people have lived for centuries. The Assyrians speak the Syriac language and they are members of the Orthodox Church. For many days they travel along with others escaping. They travel through harsh environment and extreme weather, they travel over the mountains, they hide from Turkish army troops. The journey is perilous and with dangers at every turn.

This event is a true part of history I'd not heard of. I feel ignorant of history in the middle east, having only read a few books on this subject. I hope to continue to read books on this subject, as well as to continue to read books on children of other cultures.

The perilous journey of Samira is harrowing, what she endured astounding. Beyond doubt Samira is the heroine in this story.
She is a character that inspires any age reader. She is mature and wise beyond her 9 years of age, and as she grows she continues to transform in to a person of integrity and astounding greatness.
The people that care for those in the refugee camps work tirelessly for the children.
The children often must leave one camp and go to another, yet the workers are as understanding and supportive as they can be.
While in the camps Samira is given responsibilities as all the older children have.
The functions of the camp are explored as well as the health care and education they are given.
This is a story of adventure, fortitude, and family love.
The story is based on true events and of the authors mother and aunt growing up in Iran.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: More Stories from Grandma's Attic, Book 2 by Arleta Richardson

In my previous post I'd neglected to mention that Arleta Richardson's Grandma's Attic books are a series that were originally published in 1974, then revised in 1999, and now re-published by David C. Cook in 2011. My friend Becky at Becky's Book Reviews told me they were a favorite of hers as a child! Last night when I visited my 7 year old granddaughter I gave her the 1st book In Grandma's Attic and she ran off to her bedroom to read it. She is in the 1st grade, but reads at a nearly 4th grade reading level!

Published by David C. Cook April 1, 2011/144 pages/For reading level above 2nd Grade/Non-Fiction

Link for the book at publisher:
http://www.davidccook.com/catalog/Detail.cfm?sn=106806&source=search
Paperback $6.99

Link for the book at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/More-Stories-Grandmas-Attic/dp/0781403804/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1305989689&sr=1-1
Paperback 8.99 (pricey)
Kindle 7.19

Link for the book at Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/more-stories-from-grandmas-attic-repackaged/arleta-richardson/9780781403801/pd/403801?product_redirect=1&Ntt=9780781403801&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCN
Paperback $5.99 (great price)

There are 2 more Grandma's Attic series books to be published this year.
Still More Stories from Grandma's Attic July 2011
Treasures from Grandma's Attic July 2011

Little Arleta and her Grandma Mabel have an endearing relationship. Arleta often asks her Grandma Mabel to tell her stories of when she was a little girl. Grandma Mabel was born in the early 20th Century. This was an era of long skirts for girls, high top shoes with button closures, no electricity or indoor plumbing, childhood diseases that there was no immunization for, and long walks to school in the environment. It seems like a different world to Arleta, and her curiosity about this time prompts her to asks her Grandma Mabel to tell her those treasured stories. When Arleta Richardson grew up she wrote many of these stories down and they became apart of her books entitled Grandma's Attic series.


I have fallen in love with the first 2 books in this series that I've read. They remind me so much of my own visits with my grandmother's and of the stories they shared with me.
I can't wait to find out what my 7 year old granddaughter thinks of these books, as I've given her book 1 to read and I know she is reading it now.
Some examples of stories that Grandma Mabel shared with Arleta are: a kid goat raised in the house, the big snowstorm, pig in a poke, and a popping rag doll.
Grandma Mabel was a curious little girl and was constantly getting herself in to mischief. The stories are told with a twinkle in Grandma's eye, yet the reader understands that she would like for her granddaughter Arleta to learn from these stories, not just be entertained.

Thank you to David C. Cook and B and B Media Group for my free review copy.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: In Grandma's Attic by Arleta Richardson

"Tell me about when you were a little girl...."

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Grandmas-Attic/dp/0781403790/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1305898394&sr=1-1
Paperback $6.99
Kindle $5.59

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/in-grandmas-attic-repackaged/arleta-richardson/9780781403795/pd/403795?item_code=WW&netp_id=832309&event=ESRCN&view=details
Paperback $5.99

Published by David C. Cook April 1, 2011/144 pages/For ages 9-12/ Non-Fiction

Little Arleta loves her Grandma Mabel and she often asks her to tell stories of when she was a little girl.
Grandma Mabel was born in the early 1900's. This was a time of long dresses, wagons pulled by horses, no electricity, no inside plumbing (in rural areas), everything was handmade or preserved, and girls wore bonnets. Grandma Mabel's stories are full of nostalgia. Grandma Mabel as a young girl was full of curiosity and mischief. Arleta is amazed at the antics of her grandmother as a young girl. During this time of storytelling the two of them grow a closer bond, and for the rest of Arleta's life she will remember these memories.

I felt this is a great book for little girls--reading level 2nd grade through 5th grade.
The stories seem so far removed from the current culture we live in, it really is from another age. An age of no computers, or Twitter, or Blogger, or Facebook, and no television. Children read books, or played outside, or listened to stories that their parent's or grandparent's told. This was also an age when children had chores to do, as soon as they were old enough responsibilities were given to them in order to the perform household or farm functions.
Examples of various stories are: the button basket, hoop skirts, childhood diseases, tongue stuck to frozen pump handle, and the dark root cellar.
Arleta's respect and admiration for her grandmother is tender. It brings back memories of my own relationships with my two grandmother's. I too remember their stories of "when they were a little girl."

Thank you to David C. Cook and B and B Media Group for my free review copy!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Texas economy suffers each time student drops out of high school

Article on drop out rate in Texas! Sobering.


Texas economy suffers each time student drops out of high school

Book Review: Fair Weather by Richard Peck

A Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Fair-Weather-Richard-Peck/dp/0803725167
Hardcover $12.08
Paperback $6.99

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780803725164,00.html?Fair_Weather_Richard_Peck
Hardcover $16.99

Published by Dial Books--Penguin on September 10, 2001 (the day before 9/11)
Historical Fiction/For ages 9-12 (the main character is almost 14)

The year is 1893 and Rosie Beckett is almost 14, she lives in a rural area of Illinois. Her father is a farmer. They are "plain country people". Rosie's older sister is Lottie age 17 and her younger brother is Buster age 7. Rosie's aunt Euterpe sends them train tickets to travel to Chicago, to attend the World's Columbian Exposition Fair to honor the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America.

I loved this story! An event that I knew little about--The Chicago's World Fair came alive for me in the story of Rosie and her family.
The opening sentence set the tone for the story, " It was the last day of our old lives, and we didn't even know it." That sentence was a prediction of the amazing life altering changes that would occur in this family. The late 1800's was coming to a close and astonishing inventions were right on the cusp of development.  It was an age of exciting discoveries and advancement.
History is brought a live in the story of the Beckett family.
The story is a learning tool for children yet it does not feel as such.
To me their grandfather is the most interesting and eccentric character in the book. He has lived through many life experiences in his life, he has met many fascinating historical figures, yet is at ease with new inventions and change. Change is hard for many people especially as they grow older, but the grandfather seemed to cherish these new fangled ideas with excitement.
Rosie the main character and voice soaks in her world with intelligence. She is a girl with humor, solid work ethic, obedience to parents, a love of learning, and a restlessness for adventure. 

Above 3 photographs are from The World's Columbian Exposition. 

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: See What I See by Gloria Whelan

A character to admire!

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/See-What-I-Gloria-Whelan/dp/0061255459/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1305553248&sr=8-1
Hardback $12.74

Link for the book, plus excerpt @ publisher:
http://browseinside.harperteen.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780061255458

Published by HarperTeen on December 28, 2010/208 pages
Young Adult Fiction

Kate Tapert age 18 has recently graduated from high school. She won a scholarship to art school, but needs a place to live. Her estranged dad the famous artist Dalton Quinn lives in the same city as the art school. After showing up at his house with her suitcase, she is greeted icily by him, yet she finds beneath his cold cruel exterior that he needs her.
Kate's plans are about to change!

I liked Kate Tapert's character. She has confidence, foresight, creativity, determination, charm, and she is intuitive. A father she basically does not know, and he pushes her away when she tries to draw close to him; yet she does not shrink back in what she sees needs to be done for him. In determined manner she sets to work for his behalf.
I found elements of the story sad in what happens all to often in marriages that end. There are unresolved feelings of anger, sadness, and bitterness that trickles down or pours down to the children. Often the kids feel the brunt of whatever went wrong with the demise of the marriage. The kids deal with the aftershocks, blow-ups, and lectures on what is wrong with the other parent. In Kate's character we do not see resentment, nor unforgiveness, nor rebellion. Instead Kate appears to have her life together. She is level-headed, has dreams and goals, and is resolute in what she wants to accomplish. She is an admirable character and one that a young adult person that is going through some of the same life experiences as Kate, can look up to and emulate.
I also feel the book gave the reader an education in how to deal with difficult people. That difficult people we encounter maybe taking out on us their anger, but most of the time the problem is within them, it has nothing to do with us, but something in them....and we cannot fix them!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: How Huge The Night by Heather Munn and Lydia Munn

I could not put this book down, more than a page turner, I consider it to be an outstanding story and one I will not forget!

This book was provided for free to me for review by LitFuse Group and Kregel Publications.

Published April 30, 2011 by Kregel Publications
Fiction but based on real events/304 pages
Young Adult

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://store.kregel.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=2520
Paperback $14.99
Link to read an exerpt:
http://store.kregel.com/client/excerpt/978-0-8254-3310-8.pdf

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/how-huge-the-night/heather-munn/9780825433108/pd/433108?item_code=WW&netp_id=856137&event=ESRCN&view=details
Paperback $11.29

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/How-Huge-Night-Heather-Munn/dp/082543310X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305131060&sr=8-1
Paperback $11.69
Kindle $5.00

If you would like to read more information about the true story based on this book, I found a few links:
http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007518
http://www.auschwitz.dk/Trocme.htm
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/Chambon.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_Trocm%C3%A9

Review:
Julien Losier age 15 has recently moved with his parents and younger sister from Paris to the town of Tanieux. Tanieux is a small town in southeastern France. Tanieux is the town where his father was born and his paternal grandfather still lives. Julien's only memories of this town was visiting his grandfather during Christmas time, "a winter town, a cold, stone village huddled on its hillside." Julien's father is a teacher and his mother originally from Italy has a beautiful operatic voice. The year is 1940 and Hitler's Wehrmacht is marching across Europe, and soon they will be in France. Julien's parents have taken in a boarder, a young Jewish boy named Benjamin. Also weaved in to the story is Nina and Gustav. They are young teenage siblings living in Austria. Their ill father makes Nina promise to leave the country after his death. Nina and Gustav's plight is out of desperation and obedience to their father.
I read this book in 48 hours. I could not put the book down!

There are 3 significant things that I loved about this book.
1. The story is based on real events that happened during World War II. The town of Le Chambon sur-Lignon saved 5,000 Jewish children from death.
This to me was miraculous!
A town of Protestant people, descended from the Huguenot's defended, protected and kept safe 5,000 children. They were Jewish children unloved and hated by the many (Nazi's) that were intent on eradicating them.
2. The use of environment or facial expressions, or props to deepen the impact of the story for the reader. Some examples are:
Julien asked his mother about her experiences during World War I. "Moma looked at him, her face half in shadow.... She was looking at the candle as if it was the last light on earth. He stared at her.... She did not look at him. They sat for a long time, watching the candle quiver in the dark..... She looked at him, and her mouth lifted in the ghost of a smile."
This way of writing has a huge impact, it grips the reader drawing you in, grabbing your heart and twisting it a little.
Another example:
"They sat in silence, while outside the open window, the evening sky darkened slowly into night."
We know from this that the characters fear what lies ahead. They also feel their lives are descending in to the night--the abyss of uncertainty.
3. Christian belief lived out in action. How often I read fiction books that are full of Bible verses (which I love God's Word), yet the characters are mere puppetry. How Huge The Night makes an unforgettable impact because the people live out their faith in Jesus no matter the cost. I am reminded of what Ed McCulley stated in Beyond Gates of Splendor, "I have 1 desire now to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength in to it."
That my reader is bold, vibrant, FAITH.

I highly recommend this book! This book would be excellent for book discussion in a school classroom, or book club. I recommend this book for ages 5th grade and up.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

The Life Book Movement

The Life Book Movement has big plans for the 2011-12 school year.

 

Printing is underway for 1.2 million Life Books, and half of those have already been spoken for. Don’t miss your chance to let the churches in your area know how they can get involved in this fall.

 

What is the Life Book Movement? Founded by The Gideons International, The Life Book Movement is an innovative strategy to reach high school students with the Word of God. The movement is a Christian mission centered on The Life Book, a unique presentation of Scripture designed to engage high school students with the truth of God’s Word, created by Carl Blunt, president and CEO of The Life Book Movement. The Life Book presents a brief overview of the Old Testament and the Book of John using an interactive format with honest student comments and real-life questions in the margins. Readers are drawn into the only story that can change their lives forever. 

 

The Life Book Movement works with churches throughout the country by providing free copies of The Life Book for students to give as gifts to their friends and classmates during school. Blunt’s organization brilliantly takes advantage of a student’s freedom to distribute religious literature by getting The Life Book into the hands of Christian high school students and having them pass the books out to classmates at school—a practice that is acceptable, as long as the books are not distributed by school staff or other adults. In less than two years since the Life Book Movement got it’s start, over half a million Life Books have been distributed and the movement is growing by leaps and bounds.

 

Summer is almost here, but now is the time to think about mobilizing your students to reach their classmates this fall.  Don't miss out!  1.2 Million students will be reached with God's Word in the coming school year and we want Christian students in your area to reach them.  If you wait until the fall, you may be too late - books are being spoken for every day. 

 

Watch the promo video here.

 

A full online version of The Life Book is available for you to take a closer look at by clicking here.

 

www.thelifebook.com – www.twitter.com/carlblunt – www.facebook.com/carlblunt