Better Off Friends is the story of Macallan and Levi and it explores the age-old question: can guys and girls ever be just friends?
Macallan and Levi meet in middle school when Levi moves from California to Wisconsin and they almost instantly become friends. The story continues and evolves as they move through middle school and high school and realize that they may have more than just friendship feelings for each other.
I read this book at a time when my oldest daughter was dealing with a broken relationship and I am happy to be passing this book on to her as soon as I finish this blog for a couple of reasons.
1. This book reminds us how important friendship is to a relationship. I am convinced that my marriage has lasted as long as it has because I was friends with my husband for a year before we started dating. Friendship is an essential ingredient in a relationship.
2. This story details how complicated real relationships are. They are not easy and you have to work at them. Love is not all sunshine and unicorns and I think too many people these days think that if a relationship gets tough, it's time to get out. Wrong. It's time to roll up your sleeves and fix it. (Unless you really are just dating, then yes, it may be wise to just get out and move on.)
3. The story is told in alternating chapters by Macallan and Levi. Getting the first person male perspective on relationships (or female if you are a male reader) is enlightening. Knowing what boys thinking is eye-opening.
This is clearly a book written for young adults, but it was recommended to me by a middle school teacher so that makes perfect sense. The timing of this read could not have been better, however, and I am about to hand it off to my 17 year old who swears she's never going to date again. Maybe this book will help her to come around to the idea again one day.
Happy reading, friends!
-Dodie
Monday, June 13, 2016
#18: Paperboy by Vince Vawter
In my effort to read more award winning books for children, I picked up Paperboy solely because it was a Newberry Honor book. It is now book #3 on my all-time favorite book list. I loved this book and dare you not to love it too.
Paperboy is the story of one summer in the life of Little Man, the summer he takes over the paper route of his friend Rat for one month. Little Man is actually typing the story that we read because he stutters and he can actually get words out more clearly when he types them. English teachers everywhere BEWARE! Little Man doesn't ever use commas in his writing because commas mean pauses and he pauses enough when he's trying to talk (whether he wants to or not, he says). So, in his writing he leaves them out and types "and" and lots of them! The story begins with Little Man telling us that he's typing the story of the stabbing because he can't tell us without stuttering. A stabbing? Yes, we are immediately hooked and want to know who was stabbed and why. But Little Man has to give us some background information first and set the stage for the stabbing (which does't actually happen for a while) and so the story begins.
As you could imagine, a paper route for a boy who doesn't like to talk due to a stuttering problem seems like an ideal job. But since this story is set in 1959 (and is the mostly true story of the author's own life), Little Man must collect for the paper every Friday. As a result, he has to figure out a way to communicate with the people from whom he must collect money and he uses a lot of the tricks that his speech therapist is teaching him in order to be a successful collector. During his collection, he meets some really interesting characters: Mrs. Worthington, Mr. Spiro, and a boy who watches TV. Mrs. Worthington seems to be having a rough go of life and Little Man begins to feel as though he needs to watch out for and protect her. Mr. Spiro is a truly wonderful man who sees beyond Little Man's stuttering and teaches him to believe in himself. I found myself looking forward to the sections in the book about Little Man's Friday night collections so I could read the conversations between Mr. Spiro and Little Man. The boy who watches TV has an interesting story and I will leave those details to you to find out on your own. I don't want to spoil a cool story. While I loved Little Man, my favorite character was Mr. Spiro, who reminded me with this words and actions how influential one person can be in the overall life of a child.
While Paperboy hooks us with the story of a stabbing (and the character of Ara T) and details some black-white racial issues (namely as they pertain to Mam, the lady who takes care of Little Man and his family home) stemming from the times, I personally don't think that's what this story is really all about. I see Paperboy being the story of Little Man's coming into his own, embracing who he is, and being proud of himself for the first time in his life. As I was reading early on, I was struck by the thought that Little Man was no ordinary 11 year old. He seems so much wiser and then it hit me. Little Man doesn't talk much. Instead, he listens and he observes. That's where his wisdom comes from--from listening and watching. If only more people would talk less and listen more. Imagine what the world would be like?
At points when I was reading Paperboy, I had to remind myself that I was reading a kid's book. It is intended for ages 10 and up but it in no way reads like a typical kids book. I can see why this was a Newberry Honor book, but what I'd really like to know is why it didn't win? Maybe I should find and read the winner from that year. It must've been pretty amazing to have beaten this one.
Happy reading, friends!
-Dodie
Paperboy is the story of one summer in the life of Little Man, the summer he takes over the paper route of his friend Rat for one month. Little Man is actually typing the story that we read because he stutters and he can actually get words out more clearly when he types them. English teachers everywhere BEWARE! Little Man doesn't ever use commas in his writing because commas mean pauses and he pauses enough when he's trying to talk (whether he wants to or not, he says). So, in his writing he leaves them out and types "and" and lots of them! The story begins with Little Man telling us that he's typing the story of the stabbing because he can't tell us without stuttering. A stabbing? Yes, we are immediately hooked and want to know who was stabbed and why. But Little Man has to give us some background information first and set the stage for the stabbing (which does't actually happen for a while) and so the story begins.
As you could imagine, a paper route for a boy who doesn't like to talk due to a stuttering problem seems like an ideal job. But since this story is set in 1959 (and is the mostly true story of the author's own life), Little Man must collect for the paper every Friday. As a result, he has to figure out a way to communicate with the people from whom he must collect money and he uses a lot of the tricks that his speech therapist is teaching him in order to be a successful collector. During his collection, he meets some really interesting characters: Mrs. Worthington, Mr. Spiro, and a boy who watches TV. Mrs. Worthington seems to be having a rough go of life and Little Man begins to feel as though he needs to watch out for and protect her. Mr. Spiro is a truly wonderful man who sees beyond Little Man's stuttering and teaches him to believe in himself. I found myself looking forward to the sections in the book about Little Man's Friday night collections so I could read the conversations between Mr. Spiro and Little Man. The boy who watches TV has an interesting story and I will leave those details to you to find out on your own. I don't want to spoil a cool story. While I loved Little Man, my favorite character was Mr. Spiro, who reminded me with this words and actions how influential one person can be in the overall life of a child.
While Paperboy hooks us with the story of a stabbing (and the character of Ara T) and details some black-white racial issues (namely as they pertain to Mam, the lady who takes care of Little Man and his family home) stemming from the times, I personally don't think that's what this story is really all about. I see Paperboy being the story of Little Man's coming into his own, embracing who he is, and being proud of himself for the first time in his life. As I was reading early on, I was struck by the thought that Little Man was no ordinary 11 year old. He seems so much wiser and then it hit me. Little Man doesn't talk much. Instead, he listens and he observes. That's where his wisdom comes from--from listening and watching. If only more people would talk less and listen more. Imagine what the world would be like?
At points when I was reading Paperboy, I had to remind myself that I was reading a kid's book. It is intended for ages 10 and up but it in no way reads like a typical kids book. I can see why this was a Newberry Honor book, but what I'd really like to know is why it didn't win? Maybe I should find and read the winner from that year. It must've been pretty amazing to have beaten this one.
Happy reading, friends!
-Dodie
#17: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
An old college friend suggested that I read The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and after doing so it has soared to the top of my all-time favorite books list. Seriously, it's Wuthering Heights and then The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. (and then probably the book I am going to blog about next)
I will be honest and admit that when I read the first chapter, I was a bit put off by Fikry. He was grouchy and seemed rather old (as it turns out he is younger than me!) and I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy reading a book about this man. I am glad that I kept with the book, because my opinion of A.J. quickly changed.
A.J. is a young widower who runs a bookstore that was the dream of his wife's. He's now alone in a small island town running a bookstore that is barely making it. Luckily, he possesses a rare copy of a collection of poems by Edgar Allen Poe, so all is not lost. He knows that he can sell this book and his life can change. But, when someone steals his book and his one shot at financial freedom, and a new life, is lost A.J. is thrown into complete despair until one night when someone leaves an unexpected surprise in his store. From this point on, A.J.'s life will never be the same.
The structure of the book is very clever: each chapter begins with a quick review of sorts of a short story that is particularly meaningful for Fikry. He is clearly writing these reviews for someone (Maya) but it takes us a long time to learn who Maya is and why he is writing these reviews for her. The chapter that follows, then, connects Fikry's life to the plot of the short story or the particular idea from the short story that Fikry found relevant to his life. It's all very clever, really, and it reminds the readers how impactful books and stories can really be upon our lives.
As I read this brilliant story, I felt in a way that Fikry and I would be rather good friends if he were not a character in a book, because he and I share the same feelings about books. For instance, when Fikry realizes that the publisher's representative that he has worked with for years has passed away and that he knew very little of the man despite that, "he had spent hours with the man over the last half-dozen years. They had only ever discussed books but what, in this life, is more personal than books?" (pg18) What is more personal than books? I can think of very little, to be honest. I read a lot of books and I get asked by a lot of people what I would recommend to read and I often have a hard time passing along a title because what appeals to me may/may not appeal to others. What I find compelling could bore other people. What moved me to tears might make someone else laugh. Books are personal.
And Fikry, so nice of him, goes on to explain why in a later short story review: "...the things we respond to at twenty are not necessarily the same things we will respond to at forty and vice versa. This is true in books and also in life." (pg 41) This is so true! We read and fall in love with certain books sometimes because they are brilliant works but sometimes because our brain and our hearts are ready for the words and emotions evoked by the words. I can't tell you how many books I have read in high school and college that I think back on with such fondness, but am terrified to read again knowing that I am in a different place in my life and the book may not have the same impact upon me again. I have not read many a book because I am terrified of destroying the memory of greatness certain books have inside my head and heart.
I marked one other passage from this amazing book, and not because of it's relevance to books and reading. I marked it because it's excellent advice to give to my girls: "Someday, you may think of marrying. Pick someone who thinks you're the only person in the room." (pg 159) A.J. Fikry is a wise man. I wish his bookstore were real and that I could work there with him.
This book has touched my heart and my mind. I recommend it to anyone who loves books, who loves the feelings they evoke, and who knows that just because I loved it, it doesn't mean they will and yet they want to read it anyway.
Happy reading, friends!
-Dodie
I will be honest and admit that when I read the first chapter, I was a bit put off by Fikry. He was grouchy and seemed rather old (as it turns out he is younger than me!) and I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy reading a book about this man. I am glad that I kept with the book, because my opinion of A.J. quickly changed.
A.J. is a young widower who runs a bookstore that was the dream of his wife's. He's now alone in a small island town running a bookstore that is barely making it. Luckily, he possesses a rare copy of a collection of poems by Edgar Allen Poe, so all is not lost. He knows that he can sell this book and his life can change. But, when someone steals his book and his one shot at financial freedom, and a new life, is lost A.J. is thrown into complete despair until one night when someone leaves an unexpected surprise in his store. From this point on, A.J.'s life will never be the same.
The structure of the book is very clever: each chapter begins with a quick review of sorts of a short story that is particularly meaningful for Fikry. He is clearly writing these reviews for someone (Maya) but it takes us a long time to learn who Maya is and why he is writing these reviews for her. The chapter that follows, then, connects Fikry's life to the plot of the short story or the particular idea from the short story that Fikry found relevant to his life. It's all very clever, really, and it reminds the readers how impactful books and stories can really be upon our lives.
As I read this brilliant story, I felt in a way that Fikry and I would be rather good friends if he were not a character in a book, because he and I share the same feelings about books. For instance, when Fikry realizes that the publisher's representative that he has worked with for years has passed away and that he knew very little of the man despite that, "he had spent hours with the man over the last half-dozen years. They had only ever discussed books but what, in this life, is more personal than books?" (pg18) What is more personal than books? I can think of very little, to be honest. I read a lot of books and I get asked by a lot of people what I would recommend to read and I often have a hard time passing along a title because what appeals to me may/may not appeal to others. What I find compelling could bore other people. What moved me to tears might make someone else laugh. Books are personal.
And Fikry, so nice of him, goes on to explain why in a later short story review: "...the things we respond to at twenty are not necessarily the same things we will respond to at forty and vice versa. This is true in books and also in life." (pg 41) This is so true! We read and fall in love with certain books sometimes because they are brilliant works but sometimes because our brain and our hearts are ready for the words and emotions evoked by the words. I can't tell you how many books I have read in high school and college that I think back on with such fondness, but am terrified to read again knowing that I am in a different place in my life and the book may not have the same impact upon me again. I have not read many a book because I am terrified of destroying the memory of greatness certain books have inside my head and heart.
I marked one other passage from this amazing book, and not because of it's relevance to books and reading. I marked it because it's excellent advice to give to my girls: "Someday, you may think of marrying. Pick someone who thinks you're the only person in the room." (pg 159) A.J. Fikry is a wise man. I wish his bookstore were real and that I could work there with him.
This book has touched my heart and my mind. I recommend it to anyone who loves books, who loves the feelings they evoke, and who knows that just because I loved it, it doesn't mean they will and yet they want to read it anyway.
Happy reading, friends!
-Dodie
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
#15 and #16 The Kitchen House and Glory Over Everything: Beyond the Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom
My dear friend Pam suggested that I read The Kitchen House last year. As I always do when anyone recommends a book, I immediately pulled up my Amazon account and added the book to my cart (and then clicked "save for later") so that when I need a book, or when someone asks me what I want for Christmas or my birthday, my list is ready! Unfortunately, sort of, I never got to The Kitchen House because I have been so wrapped up in Outlander that I rarely read anything else these days. I say "unfortunately" because I had the amazing opportunity to attend this years' Junior League Book and Author Dinner and Kathleen Grissom was one of the author's who came to speak. At the time I wished I had read her book, but after listening to her speak, in a very cryptic, and teasing sort of way, I realized that I did not have to have read it before hand and found myself to be even more excited to read it than before. So, now that I am done with the 4th Outlander book, and my friend who reads them with me is still reading away at that one, I tackled both The Kitchen House and Glory Over Everything: Beyond the Kitchen House and loved them!
The Kitchen House is the simultaneous story of Lavinia (Abinia) and Belle. Lavinia is a white girl, around the age of seven when she comes to the Plantation as an indentured servant. Belle is a seemingly white girl who runs the kitchen house. What we soon learn is that Belle is actually half white and half black (the product of the relationship between the master of the plantation and a servant who's mere presence drives the mistress of the big house insane which is why she is now running the kitchen house) but she is fair and often passes for white. Their stories are told in alternating chapters and function in my mind to set up all sorts of paradoxes throughout the story: young versus old, child versus adult, white versus black, kitchen house versus big house, and I'm sure there are others that I missed.
As Lavinia and Belle tell their stories, we meet so many other characters, both from the big house and beyond, that are larger than life and remarkable (for better or for worse) in so many ways. At one point I remember thinking as I read that The Kitchen House would make a great mini-series on TV, like a 19th century The Thornbirds. There is so much drama and so many moments that make you gasp, I just could imagine it all coming to life on the screen. I also remember thinking as I was reading that no matter who you were in this time in history, if you weren't the white male in charge, and even sometimes if you were, your life was going to be just plain hard. Again I say, I am glad I was born in 1972.
When the book started coming to a close, I quickly ordered Glory Over Everything and was glad that I could literally close one and open the next. But what I quickly discovered, as I have often suspected, is that sequels are never as good as the originals.
Glory Over Everything is the story of James, Pan, and Sukey (also told in alternating chapters but sometimes James gets more than his fair share and will tell several chapters at a time). While The Kitchen House focused mainly on telling the story of life on the plantation, both in the kitchen house and in the big house, Glory Over Everything tells the stories of slaves on the run as they are helped to freedom (or death in some cases) by The Underground Railroad. Again, we have a contrast created by the characters: James is the wealthy white man, raised by white parents; Pan and Sukey are both runaway slaves. Of course, James is the grown-up Jamie that we met from the first book (and is of mixed race which causes all sorts of issues in this new story). It is really fascinating, and heart-warming on most cases, to see how he turns out, what he has made of his life, and ultimately what sort of man be becomes.
What I found to be the biggest difference between these two stories is the cast of characters. While I found The Kitchen House to be mini-series material, the action and drama in Glory over Everything wasn't quite as large. Now, please do not misunderstand. Glory Over Everything is still an amazing story and one that needed to be told. We needed to know what happened to Jamie (although I would've liked knowing what happened to everyone from The Kitchen House) and telling the story of The Underground Railroad is a natural progression from the plantation story that came first. I just felt that The Kitchen House was more powerful and told a more powerful story.
If you get a chance to read anything about Kathleen Grissom before reading these books, you should try to find her telling the story of how Lavinia and Belle came to be. She shared this story at the Book and Author event and it really is interesting how these characters spoke to Grissom and made their stories known. Or better yet, perhaps you might run into her one day (she lives close in Southern/Southside, VA), and she could tell you the story herself. I'm sure she would if you just ask! It's a good story!
I hope she plans to write more, this lady from Canada with a knack for telling Virginia History.
Happy reading, everyone!
:) Dodie
The Kitchen House is the simultaneous story of Lavinia (Abinia) and Belle. Lavinia is a white girl, around the age of seven when she comes to the Plantation as an indentured servant. Belle is a seemingly white girl who runs the kitchen house. What we soon learn is that Belle is actually half white and half black (the product of the relationship between the master of the plantation and a servant who's mere presence drives the mistress of the big house insane which is why she is now running the kitchen house) but she is fair and often passes for white. Their stories are told in alternating chapters and function in my mind to set up all sorts of paradoxes throughout the story: young versus old, child versus adult, white versus black, kitchen house versus big house, and I'm sure there are others that I missed.
As Lavinia and Belle tell their stories, we meet so many other characters, both from the big house and beyond, that are larger than life and remarkable (for better or for worse) in so many ways. At one point I remember thinking as I read that The Kitchen House would make a great mini-series on TV, like a 19th century The Thornbirds. There is so much drama and so many moments that make you gasp, I just could imagine it all coming to life on the screen. I also remember thinking as I was reading that no matter who you were in this time in history, if you weren't the white male in charge, and even sometimes if you were, your life was going to be just plain hard. Again I say, I am glad I was born in 1972.
When the book started coming to a close, I quickly ordered Glory Over Everything and was glad that I could literally close one and open the next. But what I quickly discovered, as I have often suspected, is that sequels are never as good as the originals.
Glory Over Everything is the story of James, Pan, and Sukey (also told in alternating chapters but sometimes James gets more than his fair share and will tell several chapters at a time). While The Kitchen House focused mainly on telling the story of life on the plantation, both in the kitchen house and in the big house, Glory Over Everything tells the stories of slaves on the run as they are helped to freedom (or death in some cases) by The Underground Railroad. Again, we have a contrast created by the characters: James is the wealthy white man, raised by white parents; Pan and Sukey are both runaway slaves. Of course, James is the grown-up Jamie that we met from the first book (and is of mixed race which causes all sorts of issues in this new story). It is really fascinating, and heart-warming on most cases, to see how he turns out, what he has made of his life, and ultimately what sort of man be becomes.
What I found to be the biggest difference between these two stories is the cast of characters. While I found The Kitchen House to be mini-series material, the action and drama in Glory over Everything wasn't quite as large. Now, please do not misunderstand. Glory Over Everything is still an amazing story and one that needed to be told. We needed to know what happened to Jamie (although I would've liked knowing what happened to everyone from The Kitchen House) and telling the story of The Underground Railroad is a natural progression from the plantation story that came first. I just felt that The Kitchen House was more powerful and told a more powerful story.
If you get a chance to read anything about Kathleen Grissom before reading these books, you should try to find her telling the story of how Lavinia and Belle came to be. She shared this story at the Book and Author event and it really is interesting how these characters spoke to Grissom and made their stories known. Or better yet, perhaps you might run into her one day (she lives close in Southern/Southside, VA), and she could tell you the story herself. I'm sure she would if you just ask! It's a good story!
I hope she plans to write more, this lady from Canada with a knack for telling Virginia History.
Happy reading, everyone!
:) Dodie
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
#14: Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
Well, I did it! I've read 4 of the 8 Outlander books! And my house is clean, my family is fed, and no one has been running around naked. In other words, don't be afraid of these books taking over your life. Balance is possible! I promise!
Drums of Autumn picks up where Voyager (a book whose details I can barely recall at this point...time to re-read the summary in the Outlandish Companion...yes I bought it. It's a great reference for this epic story) leaves off. And, if I may be so bold, with Outlander (the first book in the series) being first, I think Drums of Autumn may be my second favorite book in the series. I love the story line, the time travel, the new characters, and the Colonial American history that is present in the book. It was wonderful!
I must admit, however, that reading DOA while watching Season 2 of Outlander on STARZ was a bit much for me. It's hard to keep each individual story straight, much less to watch one part of the story while reading the story two books ahead. I found that I was always going back to the text of DOA to remind myself of the storyline, and even then I have been confused on certain parts of the plot (which I feel certain is because I know things from reading books 3 and 4). Oh well. I am sure that I am not the only Outlander fan overwhelmed by immense amounts of details present in this story.
I am taking a break between books 4 and 5 to catch up on other reading. It's nice to know that Jamie and Claire will be waiting for me when I am ready to resume reading. I can't believe there are still 4 more books, and a 9th is being written now. What else could happen to this family?
I can't wait to find out!
Happy reading everyone!
:)Dodie
Drums of Autumn picks up where Voyager (a book whose details I can barely recall at this point...time to re-read the summary in the Outlandish Companion...yes I bought it. It's a great reference for this epic story) leaves off. And, if I may be so bold, with Outlander (the first book in the series) being first, I think Drums of Autumn may be my second favorite book in the series. I love the story line, the time travel, the new characters, and the Colonial American history that is present in the book. It was wonderful!
I must admit, however, that reading DOA while watching Season 2 of Outlander on STARZ was a bit much for me. It's hard to keep each individual story straight, much less to watch one part of the story while reading the story two books ahead. I found that I was always going back to the text of DOA to remind myself of the storyline, and even then I have been confused on certain parts of the plot (which I feel certain is because I know things from reading books 3 and 4). Oh well. I am sure that I am not the only Outlander fan overwhelmed by immense amounts of details present in this story.
I am taking a break between books 4 and 5 to catch up on other reading. It's nice to know that Jamie and Claire will be waiting for me when I am ready to resume reading. I can't believe there are still 4 more books, and a 9th is being written now. What else could happen to this family?
I can't wait to find out!
Happy reading everyone!
:)Dodie
#13: The Secret Language of Sisters by Luanne Rice
I bought The Secret Language of Sisters at my school's book fair in an attempt to keep up with new children's literature. Although, I suspect that this particular book falls into the Young Adult category and, as a result, will soon be passed on to my girls for summer reading.
This book made an impact upon me for a few reasons. First, the story centers around two sisters who happen to be the exact same ages as my girls. Second, there's a car accident resulting from texting while driving (my greatest fear). Third, I had never heard of "locked-in syndrome" and wanted to know more.
Ruth Ann (Roo) and Mathilda (Tilly) are sisters and best friends. They really do know each other better than anyone else in the world and are connected in a way that only sisters can be. When Roo is involved in a tragic car accident, Tilly's world is shattered. With time and the secret language she and Roo share, she is able to move forward.
The novel is told in alternating chapters between Roo and Tilly-- a style I particularly enjoy as it gives readers a depth of information we would not get any other way. Roo's chapters after the accident are hard to read, as she is "locked-in" with a fully functioning brain, thoughts, and feelings; she simply is paralyzed with no means to communicate (how amazingly terrifying this must be). I can honestly say that reading her chapters made me uneasy. You can feel her fright and panic over her situation. These chapters are very well written. Very.
While this book does not have a traditional happy ending, I think it's realistic in the sense that many tragic accidents can't possibly have a happy ending. However, the people involved can learn to be happy again. And Roo and Tilly are able to do just that by the end of the book.
This is a great read. It did not read like a child's (teenager's) book yet it was still a quick read. I needed to know what happened to these girls and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. If you have daughters, or even teenagers who text (haha--what teenager doesn't text?), this book should be on your reading list. It serves as a poignant warning to all.
Happy reading everyone!
:)Dodie
This book made an impact upon me for a few reasons. First, the story centers around two sisters who happen to be the exact same ages as my girls. Second, there's a car accident resulting from texting while driving (my greatest fear). Third, I had never heard of "locked-in syndrome" and wanted to know more.
Ruth Ann (Roo) and Mathilda (Tilly) are sisters and best friends. They really do know each other better than anyone else in the world and are connected in a way that only sisters can be. When Roo is involved in a tragic car accident, Tilly's world is shattered. With time and the secret language she and Roo share, she is able to move forward.
The novel is told in alternating chapters between Roo and Tilly-- a style I particularly enjoy as it gives readers a depth of information we would not get any other way. Roo's chapters after the accident are hard to read, as she is "locked-in" with a fully functioning brain, thoughts, and feelings; she simply is paralyzed with no means to communicate (how amazingly terrifying this must be). I can honestly say that reading her chapters made me uneasy. You can feel her fright and panic over her situation. These chapters are very well written. Very.
While this book does not have a traditional happy ending, I think it's realistic in the sense that many tragic accidents can't possibly have a happy ending. However, the people involved can learn to be happy again. And Roo and Tilly are able to do just that by the end of the book.
This is a great read. It did not read like a child's (teenager's) book yet it was still a quick read. I needed to know what happened to these girls and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. If you have daughters, or even teenagers who text (haha--what teenager doesn't text?), this book should be on your reading list. It serves as a poignant warning to all.
Happy reading everyone!
:)Dodie
Friday, April 22, 2016
#12: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
I found this book at my school's book fair this week and bought it, wondering what a book told by a gorilla in the first person would be like. Well...much like Charlotte's Web, an all-time favorite of mine where talking animals are the main characters, The One and Only Ivan was amazing!
Ivan is a silverback gorilla who is the main attraction at The Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. He's not the only animal there--there is a talking parrot, Stella the elephant, and Bob, a dog who is a stray but who loves Ivan and sleeps with him at night while making himself scarce during the day. In a desperate attempt to bring more people to the mall, a baby elephant named Ruby appears and Stella, an older female, is so excited to have a baby to care for. But when Stella dies and Ruby is left alone, Ivan is faced with a problem: how does he make his promise to Stella for Ruby to have a better life a reality? Ivan is no ordinary silverback and he quickly hatches a plan, a plan that you will have to read the book in order to find out. I will ruin nothing here because it's quite spectacular.
There are a few humans in this novel: Mack, who runs the mall, George, who cleans the mall, Julia, George's daughter, and Maya, who we meet towards the end of the book. But they are all secondary characters to the animals.
This book is truly a gift and if you've ever read Charlotte's Web and loved it, The One and Only Ivan should be on your list of must-reads. This book makes me wish I was still teaching full-time so I could add it to my read-aloud rotation.
Happy reading, everyone!
:)Dodie
Ivan is a silverback gorilla who is the main attraction at The Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. He's not the only animal there--there is a talking parrot, Stella the elephant, and Bob, a dog who is a stray but who loves Ivan and sleeps with him at night while making himself scarce during the day. In a desperate attempt to bring more people to the mall, a baby elephant named Ruby appears and Stella, an older female, is so excited to have a baby to care for. But when Stella dies and Ruby is left alone, Ivan is faced with a problem: how does he make his promise to Stella for Ruby to have a better life a reality? Ivan is no ordinary silverback and he quickly hatches a plan, a plan that you will have to read the book in order to find out. I will ruin nothing here because it's quite spectacular.
There are a few humans in this novel: Mack, who runs the mall, George, who cleans the mall, Julia, George's daughter, and Maya, who we meet towards the end of the book. But they are all secondary characters to the animals.
This book is truly a gift and if you've ever read Charlotte's Web and loved it, The One and Only Ivan should be on your list of must-reads. This book makes me wish I was still teaching full-time so I could add it to my read-aloud rotation.
Happy reading, everyone!
:)Dodie
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