Butter by Erin Jade Lange
Butter is a sixteen year old, 423 pound, Scottsdale high school student. Butter likes a girl named Anna, who doesn't know he exists. Not really anyway; she knows JP, her online boyfriend, who is actually Butter. Butter is a badass saxophone player, but keeps that mostly to himself. His mother shows her love through food, which is part of the problem, and his father ignores him because of the weight. Butter is unhappy, so he decides he's going to kill himself by eating himself to death. Some of the "mean" kids at school see his website, and "befriend" him. Of course, they aren't his real friends; they just want to see if Butter is going to go through with it. On some level, Butter knows they aren't really his friends, but he puts up with it because they are finally paying attention to him.
As the day draws near, Butter starts to wonder if he will be able to follow through with his plans. He likes the attention, and, strangely, he has started to lose weight. He just wants to belong.
Will he eat himself to death, or not?
Friday, November 29, 2013
Sunday, November 24, 2013
The TAYSHAS List Has Been Released....
and this book wasn't on it. Grrr.
Invisibility by Andrea Cremer and David Levithan
As I was perusing the stack of potential TAYSHAS books last Tuesday (the list was released to me on Thursday), I came across a familiar name: David Levithan. He wrote Every Day, which was on last year's list. I loved that book, so I thought I'd give this one a shot.
Let's just say the guy has a penchant for weird, impossible situations.
Stephen is a sixteen year old boy living alone in New York City. Alone because his mother is dead, and his father bailed on him when he was younger. He bailed because he couldn't deal with the fact that Stephen is invisible. Like, really invisible, as in NO ONE CAN SEE HIM. It was too hard for Stephen's dad, so he went and made a life for himself elsewhere. He still takes care of Stephen, from afar.
One day, Stephen comes home from a walk around Central Park, and sees a girl. Miraculously, she can see him too. This is such a shock to Stephen's system that he is not sure how to act. Never fear, though, he figures it out. The girl, by the way, is Elizabeth. She has moved to New York with her brother, Laurie, and her mother from Minnesota, where Laurie was brutally beaten for being gay. Elizabeth and Stephen spend a lot of time together and fall in love. They also find out that Stephen is invisible because his mother was cursed by her father before he was born.
Stephen's grandfather, apparently, has been looking for him a long time. The grandfather is a cursemaker, and derives great joy at what he does. Stephen's grandfather ends up in New York, and we learn that Elizabeth is a spellseeker, meaning she can see, and sometimes remove, curses placed on people. Unfortunately, the curse Stephen's grandfather placed on him is too much for her to remove. Stephen's grandfather finds Stephen, and all hell breaks loose.
Will the curse be broken so Stephen will no longer be invisible?
Invisibility by Andrea Cremer and David Levithan
As I was perusing the stack of potential TAYSHAS books last Tuesday (the list was released to me on Thursday), I came across a familiar name: David Levithan. He wrote Every Day, which was on last year's list. I loved that book, so I thought I'd give this one a shot.
Let's just say the guy has a penchant for weird, impossible situations.
Stephen is a sixteen year old boy living alone in New York City. Alone because his mother is dead, and his father bailed on him when he was younger. He bailed because he couldn't deal with the fact that Stephen is invisible. Like, really invisible, as in NO ONE CAN SEE HIM. It was too hard for Stephen's dad, so he went and made a life for himself elsewhere. He still takes care of Stephen, from afar.
One day, Stephen comes home from a walk around Central Park, and sees a girl. Miraculously, she can see him too. This is such a shock to Stephen's system that he is not sure how to act. Never fear, though, he figures it out. The girl, by the way, is Elizabeth. She has moved to New York with her brother, Laurie, and her mother from Minnesota, where Laurie was brutally beaten for being gay. Elizabeth and Stephen spend a lot of time together and fall in love. They also find out that Stephen is invisible because his mother was cursed by her father before he was born.
Stephen's grandfather, apparently, has been looking for him a long time. The grandfather is a cursemaker, and derives great joy at what he does. Stephen's grandfather ends up in New York, and we learn that Elizabeth is a spellseeker, meaning she can see, and sometimes remove, curses placed on people. Unfortunately, the curse Stephen's grandfather placed on him is too much for her to remove. Stephen's grandfather finds Stephen, and all hell breaks loose.
Will the curse be broken so Stephen will no longer be invisible?
Saturday, November 16, 2013
A Cinderella Story, Sort Of
Skinny by Donna Cooner
I read the blurb, and it sounded good. This is another possible TAYSHAS book.
Ever is fifteen and weighs a little over three hundred pounds. She has a voice in her head that puts her down at every turn. Ever has a stepmother and two stepsisters. She has tried every diet under the sun, but nothing seems to work. Ultimately, she decides to have gastric bypass done. Her best friend, Rat, is by her side through the whole ordeal.
When school starts, Ever finds herself mixing with the popular crowd. Finally, the boy she "loves" notices her, and hopes that the new Ever can win him over. Also, all Ever wants is to be the lead in the school musical. She takes drama class so she can do this.
Will the boy of her dreams be hers?
On a side note, I enjoyed the fact that this book takes place in Huntsville, Texas. Huntsville is about forty-five minutes from where I live, and it is where I went to college, where my son goes to college now. I loved the attention to detail about Huntsville. She mentioned Mackenzie's Barbecue and Tinsley's Chicken, the Sam Houston Statue and Old Sparky. She talked about going to Lake Conroe and the Galleria. It was awesome, until she discussed the "Fall Ball." This is where you know the author is not from around here. We don't have "Fall Balls" in Texas. We have Homecoming, and it's a big deal. A little more research would've helped with that, but it doesn't really take away from the book.
I read the blurb, and it sounded good. This is another possible TAYSHAS book.
Ever is fifteen and weighs a little over three hundred pounds. She has a voice in her head that puts her down at every turn. Ever has a stepmother and two stepsisters. She has tried every diet under the sun, but nothing seems to work. Ultimately, she decides to have gastric bypass done. Her best friend, Rat, is by her side through the whole ordeal.
When school starts, Ever finds herself mixing with the popular crowd. Finally, the boy she "loves" notices her, and hopes that the new Ever can win him over. Also, all Ever wants is to be the lead in the school musical. She takes drama class so she can do this.
Will the boy of her dreams be hers?
On a side note, I enjoyed the fact that this book takes place in Huntsville, Texas. Huntsville is about forty-five minutes from where I live, and it is where I went to college, where my son goes to college now. I loved the attention to detail about Huntsville. She mentioned Mackenzie's Barbecue and Tinsley's Chicken, the Sam Houston Statue and Old Sparky. She talked about going to Lake Conroe and the Galleria. It was awesome, until she discussed the "Fall Ball." This is where you know the author is not from around here. We don't have "Fall Balls" in Texas. We have Homecoming, and it's a big deal. A little more research would've helped with that, but it doesn't really take away from the book.
Monday, November 11, 2013
A Tale of Two Sisters
All You Never Wanted by Adele Griffin
I wasn't kidding with the title I gave this post. This really is a tale of two sisters, Alex and Thea. Alex is the blond, popular older sister, but, for some reason unknown to Thea, she has undergone a change recently. Thea is a year younger, and would do anything to be popular like her sister. She also has a crush on Alex's boyfriend. Basically, she wants to be Alex.
The girls' mother has recently remarried a go-zillionaire, so the girls have everything they could possibly want. Thea laps the wealth up, but Alex almost hates it. They live in a ginormous house in Greenwich, Connecticut, and they both drive brand new cars.
The book starts on Thursday. Alex is having a mental issue, and Thea is at school trying to worm her way into the popular crowd. Since their parents are out of town, Thea thinks it is a fine idea to throw a party. She thinks that if people can see where she lives, Camelot, that she will become popular. Alex just doesn't care.
All the events leading up to this party are told alternately by both sisters. We also get a glimpse of why Alex is acting the way she is. Interesting book.
I wasn't kidding with the title I gave this post. This really is a tale of two sisters, Alex and Thea. Alex is the blond, popular older sister, but, for some reason unknown to Thea, she has undergone a change recently. Thea is a year younger, and would do anything to be popular like her sister. She also has a crush on Alex's boyfriend. Basically, she wants to be Alex.
The girls' mother has recently remarried a go-zillionaire, so the girls have everything they could possibly want. Thea laps the wealth up, but Alex almost hates it. They live in a ginormous house in Greenwich, Connecticut, and they both drive brand new cars.
The book starts on Thursday. Alex is having a mental issue, and Thea is at school trying to worm her way into the popular crowd. Since their parents are out of town, Thea thinks it is a fine idea to throw a party. She thinks that if people can see where she lives, Camelot, that she will become popular. Alex just doesn't care.
All the events leading up to this party are told alternately by both sisters. We also get a glimpse of why Alex is acting the way she is. Interesting book.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
After Sookie
After Dead by Charlaine Harris
I can't believe I spent $12 on this book! It takes an alphabetical approach to tell you about every single character who was still living at the end of the last Sookie Stackhouse book. I was hoping for a novella that had a few stories about Eric, Bill, Pam, Alcide, Sookie, Sam, etc. I guess this technically fits the bill, but I read it in under an hour.
I can't believe I spent $12 on this book! It takes an alphabetical approach to tell you about every single character who was still living at the end of the last Sookie Stackhouse book. I was hoping for a novella that had a few stories about Eric, Bill, Pam, Alcide, Sookie, Sam, etc. I guess this technically fits the bill, but I read it in under an hour.
Girl, Found
If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch
I didn't want to put this one down. I was so intrigued by the story.
This is about Carey. She grew up in the Hundred Acre Woods, but it is not the same as where Pooh and Tigger live. She is fourteen and she lives in the woods with her little sister, Jenessa. They have a camper, but no electricity or running water. Their mother leaves them for weeks at a time, and Nessa has selective mutism.
One day, a couple find them in the woods, and it turns out to be Carey's father. Apparently, her mother kidnapped Carey from her father some ten years before. He rescues the girls and takes them home. Carey finds it difficult to find comfort, but this is because she has a secret that preys on her mind. Finally, she makes peace with the past so she can accept her present/future.
I didn't want to put this one down. I was so intrigued by the story.
This is about Carey. She grew up in the Hundred Acre Woods, but it is not the same as where Pooh and Tigger live. She is fourteen and she lives in the woods with her little sister, Jenessa. They have a camper, but no electricity or running water. Their mother leaves them for weeks at a time, and Nessa has selective mutism.
One day, a couple find them in the woods, and it turns out to be Carey's father. Apparently, her mother kidnapped Carey from her father some ten years before. He rescues the girls and takes them home. Carey finds it difficult to find comfort, but this is because she has a secret that preys on her mind. Finally, she makes peace with the past so she can accept her present/future.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Interesting Title
Dear Life, You Suck by Scott Blagden
With a title like that, how can one not be intrigued?
I went to the library on Monday during my conference period, on a mission to locate a dvd or vhs copy of the "movie" I was showing to my classes. While there, I chatted with the librarians. By the way, if you teach, make friends with the librarians because they will take care of you. Mine are awesome, and I like going to visit them. Anyway, the nominees for this year's TAYSHAS list had been pulled, and the librarians graciously allowed me to go through the stacks so I can read some of them. I narrowed my choices to four, and I chose this one-because of the title.
This book is actually very good. The language is not necessarily appropriate, but, given the audience it was written for, it works because that is how teenagers talk.
As it turns out, this book is about a seventeen year old boy named Cricket Cherpin. I know, haha. Cricket is an orphan who lives in an institution that was once a prison in Maine. Cricket is a bit of a trouble maker. The book begins with Cricket in the principal's office, receiving suspension for fighting a classmate. To be fair, he doesn't start these fights, and he fights those who are bullying others.
In English, Cricket is given an assignment that forces him to assess his life. He's nearly eighteen, and, due to his behavior, will not be allowed to live at the orphanage after he comes of age. Upon reflection, he realizes he has three choices for his future: as a fighter/boxer, drug dealer, or dead. He's leaning heavily toward choice number three. He becomes closer to a girl named Wynona, and he sees himself differently.
Loved this. Too bad the language will probably keep it from being a TAYSHAS book.
With a title like that, how can one not be intrigued?
I went to the library on Monday during my conference period, on a mission to locate a dvd or vhs copy of the "movie" I was showing to my classes. While there, I chatted with the librarians. By the way, if you teach, make friends with the librarians because they will take care of you. Mine are awesome, and I like going to visit them. Anyway, the nominees for this year's TAYSHAS list had been pulled, and the librarians graciously allowed me to go through the stacks so I can read some of them. I narrowed my choices to four, and I chose this one-because of the title.
This book is actually very good. The language is not necessarily appropriate, but, given the audience it was written for, it works because that is how teenagers talk.
As it turns out, this book is about a seventeen year old boy named Cricket Cherpin. I know, haha. Cricket is an orphan who lives in an institution that was once a prison in Maine. Cricket is a bit of a trouble maker. The book begins with Cricket in the principal's office, receiving suspension for fighting a classmate. To be fair, he doesn't start these fights, and he fights those who are bullying others.
In English, Cricket is given an assignment that forces him to assess his life. He's nearly eighteen, and, due to his behavior, will not be allowed to live at the orphanage after he comes of age. Upon reflection, he realizes he has three choices for his future: as a fighter/boxer, drug dealer, or dead. He's leaning heavily toward choice number three. He becomes closer to a girl named Wynona, and he sees himself differently.
Loved this. Too bad the language will probably keep it from being a TAYSHAS book.
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