The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth: Popularity, Quirk Theory, and Why Outsiders Thrive After High School by Alexandra Robbins
I thought I'd throw in a nonfiction read for those who like to read it. The fact that I prefer fiction is probably why I thought this was not only an informative read, but actually interesting. Robbins does a good job of telling her subjects' stories in narratives that read like fiction (there's dialogue, development, etc.). The book focuses on the school lives of six different people throughout the United States; these people are the "Cafeteria Fringe" or outsiders in their school/social communities. Joy is a new girl from Jamaica, Blue is a gamer, Eli is a nerd, Noah is a band geek, Danielle is a loner, Regan is a lesbian, and Whitney is a self-proclaimed popular bitch. All of these people face hardships in their social lives, even though they have different experiences and different places on the social spectrum. Robbins issues each subject a challenge during the school year that will [hopefully] change their social lives without forcing them to conform or change their own personalities in order to fit into a group.
Honestly, I think that this book should be required reading for any student attending school to be a teacher. It's not uncommon knowledge that middle and high school is hellacious for students who don't fit the social mold--are you rich enough/smart enough/thin enough/hip enough/athletic enough/vapid enough--but this looks into the problems that administrators and teachers have when it comes to allowing such behavior. Not all teachers and principals are guilty of protecting the social hierarchies established by teens, but some do grant favors or look the other way based on who is popular. I'm not naïve enough to think that reading a piece of literature will change one's ways, but perhaps it can influence one to stop and think about his/her actions.
Oh, and I loved how an entire section was devoted to why 7th grade is the worst year of school. Might I add that I really love my new job? :p
Target age range: adults
Friday, December 30, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Winter Garden
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
According to my Goodreads account, I've read over 60 novels this year. However, I'm rather disappointed in myself as of late because I've put reading aside in favor of technology (er, video games). What is the world coming to when a librarian does that? As my pre-New Year's Resolution, I promise to keep up with my blog as opposed to spending time with anything beginning with the word "Nintendo." If James Patterson can watch and then blog about movies on a regular basis while essentially writing a book a month, I can keep up with this. Besides, I got a Kindle Fire a couple of weeks ago, so (yay) technology can still be a part of my life.
Anyway, back to my current novel. Winter Garden started out a bit slow for me, but halfway through it, I was hooked. A blend of contemporary fiction, historical fiction, and fairy tales, this book takes readers on two sisters' journey to find their mother's love. Anya Whitson, mother of Meredith and Nina, has always rejected her daughters' attempts to reach out to her; it has happened so often in their lives, that they have stopped trying. However, after the death of her husband and much prodding from Nina, Anya begins to express herself through a powerful fairy tale she has not told her daughters since they were children.
The fairy tale takes readers to Russia in the 1940s during the siege of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). Vera, an optimistic, dreamy girl in a time when dreams were questioned and crushed, is forced to grow up once her father has been taken by the Black Knight. She finds herself in love with a prince, and she takes many risks in order to raise a family with him. Anya tells the story throughout the book, stopping when she can no longer go on. As the story becomes far more detailed and specific than Meredith and Nina have ever heard it, the two begin to wonder if there is more to the tale than just fantasy.
So should you pick it up? Yes. I like to read Hannah's books because they always center around a female protagonist who has some sort of realistic struggle (in many of her novels, it's family-related). I like her books, but it's--how to put this?--easy reading. Maybe a better way to put it is they are 'light' reads. Winter Garden has some very hard parts to read. Hannah has created characters that readers can feel genuine sympathy towards, especially when one considers that it's based on something that really happened. I've also always been a sucker for historical fiction (does anyone remember when I spent the entire summer of 2007 reading novels and biographies about Tudor England and nothing else??), and once the WWII Russia part of the story kicked in, I devoured the book. And, hey, it's winter time. The title says you should read it right now.
Target age range: Adult
According to my Goodreads account, I've read over 60 novels this year. However, I'm rather disappointed in myself as of late because I've put reading aside in favor of technology (er, video games). What is the world coming to when a librarian does that? As my pre-New Year's Resolution, I promise to keep up with my blog as opposed to spending time with anything beginning with the word "Nintendo." If James Patterson can watch and then blog about movies on a regular basis while essentially writing a book a month, I can keep up with this. Besides, I got a Kindle Fire a couple of weeks ago, so (yay) technology can still be a part of my life.
Anyway, back to my current novel. Winter Garden started out a bit slow for me, but halfway through it, I was hooked. A blend of contemporary fiction, historical fiction, and fairy tales, this book takes readers on two sisters' journey to find their mother's love. Anya Whitson, mother of Meredith and Nina, has always rejected her daughters' attempts to reach out to her; it has happened so often in their lives, that they have stopped trying. However, after the death of her husband and much prodding from Nina, Anya begins to express herself through a powerful fairy tale she has not told her daughters since they were children.
The fairy tale takes readers to Russia in the 1940s during the siege of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). Vera, an optimistic, dreamy girl in a time when dreams were questioned and crushed, is forced to grow up once her father has been taken by the Black Knight. She finds herself in love with a prince, and she takes many risks in order to raise a family with him. Anya tells the story throughout the book, stopping when she can no longer go on. As the story becomes far more detailed and specific than Meredith and Nina have ever heard it, the two begin to wonder if there is more to the tale than just fantasy.
So should you pick it up? Yes. I like to read Hannah's books because they always center around a female protagonist who has some sort of realistic struggle (in many of her novels, it's family-related). I like her books, but it's--how to put this?--easy reading. Maybe a better way to put it is they are 'light' reads. Winter Garden has some very hard parts to read. Hannah has created characters that readers can feel genuine sympathy towards, especially when one considers that it's based on something that really happened. I've also always been a sucker for historical fiction (does anyone remember when I spent the entire summer of 2007 reading novels and biographies about Tudor England and nothing else??), and once the WWII Russia part of the story kicked in, I devoured the book. And, hey, it's winter time. The title says you should read it right now.
Target age range: Adult
Sunday, November 27, 2011
The Christmas Wedding
The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson
It's been a while since I've posted, but I've been busy--playing video games. I know, I know, but there are worse vices to have, right? I've also been reading The Cricket in Times Square for Battle of the Books, so I can write practice questions. But I can only read a few pages at a time because I really dislike that book. I didn't like it when I was a kid, and not much has changed since then.
So what have I managed to squeeze in during down time from Nintendo? Since I was already feeling the yuletide cheer, The Christmas Wedding seemed fitting for a post-Thanksgiving read. Although not a typical Patterson thriller, Wedding keeps readers in suspense until the end. Gaby Summerhill, the novel's main character, is a widower who has decided to remarry. But who is the groom? Gaby plans an entire wedding without revealing who her lucky husband will be until after she's walked down the aisle. I've got to say that I was pleased with her choice; it's the person I would have picked based on his personality. And since she described all of them as good looking, personality is all the counts.
During her planning, readers learn about Gaby's family, and the subplots centering around each family develop as the days near Christmas. Gaby's children, Emily, Seth, Lizzie, and Claire are going through trials of their own. One is racing to the top of her law firm to make partner, another has a spouse with cancer, a child is causing an avalanche of trouble at school, and another is a struggling writer trying to sell a book.
Keeping with the tradition of Patterson's short chapters, this book is easy to finish within a short amount of time (hence why I had the time to read it). It's not full of psychotic killers, but still has readers turning pages. I'd recommend it for a fun holiday read.
Target age range: adults
It's been a while since I've posted, but I've been busy--playing video games. I know, I know, but there are worse vices to have, right? I've also been reading The Cricket in Times Square for Battle of the Books, so I can write practice questions. But I can only read a few pages at a time because I really dislike that book. I didn't like it when I was a kid, and not much has changed since then.
So what have I managed to squeeze in during down time from Nintendo? Since I was already feeling the yuletide cheer, The Christmas Wedding seemed fitting for a post-Thanksgiving read. Although not a typical Patterson thriller, Wedding keeps readers in suspense until the end. Gaby Summerhill, the novel's main character, is a widower who has decided to remarry. But who is the groom? Gaby plans an entire wedding without revealing who her lucky husband will be until after she's walked down the aisle. I've got to say that I was pleased with her choice; it's the person I would have picked based on his personality. And since she described all of them as good looking, personality is all the counts.
During her planning, readers learn about Gaby's family, and the subplots centering around each family develop as the days near Christmas. Gaby's children, Emily, Seth, Lizzie, and Claire are going through trials of their own. One is racing to the top of her law firm to make partner, another has a spouse with cancer, a child is causing an avalanche of trouble at school, and another is a struggling writer trying to sell a book.
Keeping with the tradition of Patterson's short chapters, this book is easy to finish within a short amount of time (hence why I had the time to read it). It's not full of psychotic killers, but still has readers turning pages. I'd recommend it for a fun holiday read.
Target age range: adults
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Blue
Blue by Joyce Hostetter
Blue is a WWII story that doesn't spend much time focusing on the war, but life on the home front. Ann Fay's father heads overseas to fight Hitler, leaving her in charge to wear the britches and be the man of the house. At first, things are going well; Ann Fay does a respectable job of balancing work and play. She keeps an eye on her younger brother and twin sisters, while planting a garden and helping her mother in the house.
Upon arriving at church one Sunday morning, the family is turned around with the news that polio has spread across Catawba County. The story really begins here; polio sweeps through Hickory, and Hickory fights back. An emergency hopsital, otherwise known as the Miracle of Hickory, is set up in a matter of days to help those suffering from polio. Ann Fay hears from newspapers and townspeople about the effects of polio, but suddenly it's in her own house. Follow Ann Fay as both she and her family live with the grief brought by polio while her father battles Axis powers in Europe.
This piece of historical fiction is very enjoyable, but could also be used in the classroom. WWII America, North Carolina history, segregation, and the polio outbreak align with Social Studies curriculum. Blue is classroom-friendly when it comes to language and content. A thirteen-year-old protagonist keeps the readers engaged.
Target age range: upper elementary/middle school
Blue is a WWII story that doesn't spend much time focusing on the war, but life on the home front. Ann Fay's father heads overseas to fight Hitler, leaving her in charge to wear the britches and be the man of the house. At first, things are going well; Ann Fay does a respectable job of balancing work and play. She keeps an eye on her younger brother and twin sisters, while planting a garden and helping her mother in the house.
Upon arriving at church one Sunday morning, the family is turned around with the news that polio has spread across Catawba County. The story really begins here; polio sweeps through Hickory, and Hickory fights back. An emergency hopsital, otherwise known as the Miracle of Hickory, is set up in a matter of days to help those suffering from polio. Ann Fay hears from newspapers and townspeople about the effects of polio, but suddenly it's in her own house. Follow Ann Fay as both she and her family live with the grief brought by polio while her father battles Axis powers in Europe.
This piece of historical fiction is very enjoyable, but could also be used in the classroom. WWII America, North Carolina history, segregation, and the polio outbreak align with Social Studies curriculum. Blue is classroom-friendly when it comes to language and content. A thirteen-year-old protagonist keeps the readers engaged.
Target age range: upper elementary/middle school
Monday, October 31, 2011
Pitching Pro
A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson by Michelle Y. Green
Set in post-WWII America, Mamie Johnson fights to play baseball in a world dominated not only by men, but by white men. Jackie Robinson's dive into professional baseball opened the door a crack for Mamie, but--as she reveals--the division between the sexes remained steadfast.
I would declare this as a biography with some sass. Told in first person, Mamie relives her baseball career starting when she played in the backyard with family and friends and ending with her pitching in the Negro Leagues. The narrator's tone throughout the book is lighthearted, although not in a way that scoffs at her struggles. She seems to have taken the hand that was dealt to her in stride.
Her positive, yet saucy, attitude makes this a biography sports fans and young girls would appreciate. It portrays the ability to overcome social obstacles, while still managing to accomplish one's goals. It's also a fast-paced read, so struggling readers may find this a doable chapter book.
Target age range: upper elementary/middle school
Set in post-WWII America, Mamie Johnson fights to play baseball in a world dominated not only by men, but by white men. Jackie Robinson's dive into professional baseball opened the door a crack for Mamie, but--as she reveals--the division between the sexes remained steadfast.
I would declare this as a biography with some sass. Told in first person, Mamie relives her baseball career starting when she played in the backyard with family and friends and ending with her pitching in the Negro Leagues. The narrator's tone throughout the book is lighthearted, although not in a way that scoffs at her struggles. She seems to have taken the hand that was dealt to her in stride.
Her positive, yet saucy, attitude makes this a biography sports fans and young girls would appreciate. It portrays the ability to overcome social obstacles, while still managing to accomplish one's goals. It's also a fast-paced read, so struggling readers may find this a doable chapter book.
Target age range: upper elementary/middle school
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Your protagonist is a hamster.
In Humphrey's habit of emphasizing a word three times: ADORABLE-ADORABLE-ADORABLE.
I found this book to be charming for readers while still managing to captivate interest. In a literary world that's raising prostitots (thanks for the word, Dance Moms) via age inappropriate series (for example, House of Night, which twelve year olds were devouring in my class last year), Humphrey captivates its audience through a relatable character who isn't crude/sexy/superficial.
Purchased from a pet store by a substitute, Humphrey is brought to Room 26 in order to teach students responsibility. When Ms. Mac (the sub) leaves after the return of Room 26's regular classroom teacher, Humphrey is forced to spend weekends with his classmates at their homes. Humphrey learns something about each child: one lives in a non-English speaking household, one lives with a giant dog, one has a family addicted to TV. In turn for cleaning his cage and feeding him lettuce, Humphrey provides each family with some helpful advice--like if a hamster happens to unplug your TV, it's okay not to plug it back in for a few days. The underlying subtexts of "it's okay to be different" and "some of your classmates may have struggles at home" reach readers who find themselves empathizing with the supporting characters.
The ability to snatch readers' attentions at a time when hormones and what's "cool" begin to impede their judgements is what makes this book a worthy read for kids. My fourth graders are fighting over who gets the next available copy. Luckily for them, Humphrey comes in a series (minus the prostitots).
Target age range: upper elementary/early middle school
review - n. a formal assessment or examination of something
I love to read. Sometimes you get a really great book, but then there are times when books are somehow lacking. And (unfortunately) you occasionally get a book that is just not the slightest bit interesting doing it for you.
In August of 2011, I took over as the librarian in an elementary school, so I spend a lot of my time reading children's literature. Prior to that I was a middle grades Language Arts teacher for fives years, and before that I worked in a university library. I'm hoping to read and review books for all ages in this blog in order to try to save you from those terrible books and lead you towards some that I personally liked.
Enjoy.
In August of 2011, I took over as the librarian in an elementary school, so I spend a lot of my time reading children's literature. Prior to that I was a middle grades Language Arts teacher for fives years, and before that I worked in a university library. I'm hoping to read and review books for all ages in this blog in order to try to save you from those terrible books and lead you towards some that I personally liked.
Enjoy.
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