Fear Trials by Lindsay Cummings
I liked Murder Complex so much that I got the prequel novella on my kindle. It's a fairly short read, but it highlights how Meadow became the killer that she had to be to survive the Shallows. It also shows Koi, and how he acts toward Meadow after he fails. We also get to see Meadow's mother in a much different light than in the main book.
This was a good, short read to tide me over till the sequel comes out in May.
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Friday, April 10, 2015
TAYSHAS #15
Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark
I always say that in teaching, the relationships with students is more important than the content I teach. I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but I am the teacher kids go to when they feel they need to talk to. I know this, and the counselors have told me this too. They purposely put the kids who need someone with me. I've had a student come out to me and ask for advice about telling her friends. I've talked one out of suicide. There's nothing special about me, per se, I just listen. I'm good at that. I have yet to have a student who is transgendered, but I feel that having read this book will help me to be empathetic when that day comes.
Brendan is a high school senior. He has a baby sister, a mother, an interloper, and a girlfriend. He is on the wrestling team, even though he hates it. Brendan also thinks he may be transgender. He is experiencing some serious confusion, as he is caught between liking aspects of being male, yet wanting to be female. It has caused problems with his girlfriend, and things get worse when his best friend catches him in a bra.
Lucky for Brendan, he meets Angel, who is also transgender, and works at a youth center for transgender teens. Angel has been through some rough times herself, but she is someone that Brendan can talk to. While there's no true resolution to this story, I'd like to believe that Brendan turns out ok. There were some dark times for him as he wrestled with his identity, and my heart broke for him. I want him to be ok.
This was told in verse, but this didn't detract from the message at all. In fact, for once, it was an easier read than it might have been. I like that the author also included messages within some of the poems.
All in all, and I know this sounds cheesy, but I feel like a better person for having read this.
I always say that in teaching, the relationships with students is more important than the content I teach. I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but I am the teacher kids go to when they feel they need to talk to. I know this, and the counselors have told me this too. They purposely put the kids who need someone with me. I've had a student come out to me and ask for advice about telling her friends. I've talked one out of suicide. There's nothing special about me, per se, I just listen. I'm good at that. I have yet to have a student who is transgendered, but I feel that having read this book will help me to be empathetic when that day comes.
Brendan is a high school senior. He has a baby sister, a mother, an interloper, and a girlfriend. He is on the wrestling team, even though he hates it. Brendan also thinks he may be transgender. He is experiencing some serious confusion, as he is caught between liking aspects of being male, yet wanting to be female. It has caused problems with his girlfriend, and things get worse when his best friend catches him in a bra.
Lucky for Brendan, he meets Angel, who is also transgender, and works at a youth center for transgender teens. Angel has been through some rough times herself, but she is someone that Brendan can talk to. While there's no true resolution to this story, I'd like to believe that Brendan turns out ok. There were some dark times for him as he wrestled with his identity, and my heart broke for him. I want him to be ok.
This was told in verse, but this didn't detract from the message at all. In fact, for once, it was an easier read than it might have been. I like that the author also included messages within some of the poems.
All in all, and I know this sounds cheesy, but I feel like a better person for having read this.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
TAYSHAS #14
Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer
Apparently books about girls in boarding schools are one of the themes of this year's list. Last year, it was boys in boarding schools.
Jam is sent to a boarding school in Vermont because she is having trouble coping with the death of her boyfriend, Reeve. This particular school caters, if you will, to people who have problems. Jam is chosen for a select English program. There are only four other students in the class, and it is the teacher's swan song.
The students are required to write in a journal in this class, and something happens to each of them when they do. This draws the five of them together, and helps them to heal.
I liked this book until I read the truth about Reeve. Then I felt cheated. Frankly, if her classmates had known this, I believe they would have felt cheated by Jam as well.
Apparently books about girls in boarding schools are one of the themes of this year's list. Last year, it was boys in boarding schools.
Jam is sent to a boarding school in Vermont because she is having trouble coping with the death of her boyfriend, Reeve. This particular school caters, if you will, to people who have problems. Jam is chosen for a select English program. There are only four other students in the class, and it is the teacher's swan song.
The students are required to write in a journal in this class, and something happens to each of them when they do. This draws the five of them together, and helps them to heal.
I liked this book until I read the truth about Reeve. Then I felt cheated. Frankly, if her classmates had known this, I believe they would have felt cheated by Jam as well.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Might be on my fall reading list
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexi
Some months ago, I saw the reading list for the Spring 2015 Young Adult Lit class, and this book was on it. I am taking that class this fall, and unless the list changes drastically, I am one book closer to having the list done.
I can see why this book has won so many awards. It's a nice mix of humor and realism, and you feel things with the narrator. It's great when the reader can laugh along with and feel things with the narrator.
Arnold "Junior" Spirit lives on an Indian reservation in Washington state. He has some health issues which makes him come across as a wimp, and many people mess with him. His best friend, Rowdy, protects him. On the first day of his freshman year, Junior gets upset because he is given a textbook that belonged to his mother when she was in high school, many years before. Junior gets so mad that he throws the book at his teacher and breaks his nose. While serving the suspension for this infraction, this teacher comes by and tells Junior he's better than the school on the reservation. Junior ends up going to a high school in a "nearby" white community.
At first, Junior is not well liked because he is different. He doesn't fit in at his school, and he doesn't fit in on the reservation because they feel like he has betrayed them for wanting better for himself. Junior makes some friends, plays varsity basketball, and becomes popular. Sounds good, right? Well, this is when the author gets serious. He makes no secret that alcoholism is a problem on the reservation, and because of alcohol, Junior loses three important people in his life. I cried with Junior when I read this.
Like I said, this book makes you feel what the narrator feels. That seems to be a rare and wonderful thing.
Some months ago, I saw the reading list for the Spring 2015 Young Adult Lit class, and this book was on it. I am taking that class this fall, and unless the list changes drastically, I am one book closer to having the list done.
I can see why this book has won so many awards. It's a nice mix of humor and realism, and you feel things with the narrator. It's great when the reader can laugh along with and feel things with the narrator.
Arnold "Junior" Spirit lives on an Indian reservation in Washington state. He has some health issues which makes him come across as a wimp, and many people mess with him. His best friend, Rowdy, protects him. On the first day of his freshman year, Junior gets upset because he is given a textbook that belonged to his mother when she was in high school, many years before. Junior gets so mad that he throws the book at his teacher and breaks his nose. While serving the suspension for this infraction, this teacher comes by and tells Junior he's better than the school on the reservation. Junior ends up going to a high school in a "nearby" white community.
At first, Junior is not well liked because he is different. He doesn't fit in at his school, and he doesn't fit in on the reservation because they feel like he has betrayed them for wanting better for himself. Junior makes some friends, plays varsity basketball, and becomes popular. Sounds good, right? Well, this is when the author gets serious. He makes no secret that alcoholism is a problem on the reservation, and because of alcohol, Junior loses three important people in his life. I cried with Junior when I read this.
Like I said, this book makes you feel what the narrator feels. That seems to be a rare and wonderful thing.
Friday, April 3, 2015
TAYSHAS #13
And We Stay by Jenny Hubbard
Emily is now away at boarding school. It was thought best for her after her boyfriend killed himself in the school library because she was pregnant and wouldn't marry him. That is the meat of the story.
Emily happens to share her birthday with Emily Dickinson, goes to the same school she did, and is a poet as well. Emily finds a connection with the famous poet.
Yea.
This was a fairly quick read, but not entirely entertaining.
Emily is now away at boarding school. It was thought best for her after her boyfriend killed himself in the school library because she was pregnant and wouldn't marry him. That is the meat of the story.
Emily happens to share her birthday with Emily Dickinson, goes to the same school she did, and is a poet as well. Emily finds a connection with the famous poet.
Yea.
This was a fairly quick read, but not entirely entertaining.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
TAYSHAS #12
Coaltown Jesus by Ron Koertge
I chose this because it was short, and then two different people told me I would like this book. It's short, and the format looks like verse. It was sweet, and gave me a new perspective on Jesus. Apparently, he's funny and likes Almond Joy candy bars.
Walker's brother recently died, and he has asked Jesus to help his mother cope with it. Turns out, Walker needs help coping too, though he doesn't realize it yet. Jesus hangs out with Walker for a few days, and Walker is able to see the beauty in what is around him. Jesus helps him, just like we believers think he will do.
I like this version of Jesus, and I hope he's this cool in Heaven.
I chose this because it was short, and then two different people told me I would like this book. It's short, and the format looks like verse. It was sweet, and gave me a new perspective on Jesus. Apparently, he's funny and likes Almond Joy candy bars.
Walker's brother recently died, and he has asked Jesus to help his mother cope with it. Turns out, Walker needs help coping too, though he doesn't realize it yet. Jesus hangs out with Walker for a few days, and Walker is able to see the beauty in what is around him. Jesus helps him, just like we believers think he will do.
I like this version of Jesus, and I hope he's this cool in Heaven.
TAYSHAS #11
I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
On the recommendation of one of my students and one of the school librarians, I read this book. For the first 75% of the book, I didn't like it. Not sure why I didn't give up, but I guess I am glad I didn't. I guess.
Noah and Jude are twins. Noah is crazy artistic and Jude is outgoing. The book is told by Noah at age fourteen and Jude at age sixteen. Basically, what happens before and after their mother's death. We learn their secrets and their heartbreaks, as well as their mother's.
Like I said, and ok book. It's winning a ton of awards, but I just don't understand why. I didn't think it was anything special, particularly since it took so much before I liked the book.
On the recommendation of one of my students and one of the school librarians, I read this book. For the first 75% of the book, I didn't like it. Not sure why I didn't give up, but I guess I am glad I didn't. I guess.
Noah and Jude are twins. Noah is crazy artistic and Jude is outgoing. The book is told by Noah at age fourteen and Jude at age sixteen. Basically, what happens before and after their mother's death. We learn their secrets and their heartbreaks, as well as their mother's.
Like I said, and ok book. It's winning a ton of awards, but I just don't understand why. I didn't think it was anything special, particularly since it took so much before I liked the book.
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