This book is written from the viewpoint of Addie who is struggling with many problems teenagers face. I like the frank discussions about diversity, homosexuality, being slow to reach puberty, being in the "popular" group while staying true to her values, dating a popular guy, and trying to maintain friendships with girls and boys she knew from childhood. As a grandmother, I find her close relationship with her grandmother heart-warming. My favorite quotation from the book is: "You never tell a star: Hey, tone it down." In this book Addie gains the self-confidence and maturity to be a star in her own way. If I had a teenager or preteen, I would like to read and discuss this book with him/her. It is truly a "coming of age" book that is well-written. $16.99 Antheneum Reviewed by: Julie Hoch.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
ADDIE ON THE INSIDE By: James Howe
ADDIE ON THE INSIDE By: James Howe
This book is written from the viewpoint of Addie who is struggling with many problems teenagers face. I like the frank discussions about diversity, homosexuality, being slow to reach puberty, being in the "popular" group while staying true to her values, dating a popular guy, and trying to maintain friendships with girls and boys she knew from childhood. As a grandmother, I find her close relationship with her grandmother heart-warming. My favorite quotation from the book is: "You never tell a star: Hey, tone it down." In this book Addie gains the self-confidence and maturity to be a star in her own way. If I had a teenager or preteen, I would like to read and discuss this book with him/her. It is truly a "coming of age" book that is well-written. $16.99 Antheneum Reviewed by: Julie Hoch.
This book is written from the viewpoint of Addie who is struggling with many problems teenagers face. I like the frank discussions about diversity, homosexuality, being slow to reach puberty, being in the "popular" group while staying true to her values, dating a popular guy, and trying to maintain friendships with girls and boys she knew from childhood. As a grandmother, I find her close relationship with her grandmother heart-warming. My favorite quotation from the book is: "You never tell a star: Hey, tone it down." In this book Addie gains the self-confidence and maturity to be a star in her own way. If I had a teenager or preteen, I would like to read and discuss this book with him/her. It is truly a "coming of age" book that is well-written. $16.99 Antheneum Reviewed by: Julie Hoch.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
WAITING FOR THE MAGIC By: Patricia MacLachlan
WAITING FOR THE MAGIC By: Patricia MacLachlanGoing to my mailbox today I discovered this wonderful package. In this envelope was a magical book. It is the story of a troubled family. William and Elinor's father has decided to leave, writing a note for each child that he will be back soon. Their mother takes the children to an animal shelter to get them a dog after their father leaves, only they come home with four dogs and a cat. Elinor can hear the animals talk! And thus begins the most magical tale of talking animals and bringing a family back together again. Not to missed. Ages 8-12 $15.99 Atheneum
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Meeting authors, Brian Selznik Malie Malloy, Kadir Nelson
Just had the most incredible weekend. I went to a booksellers convention and was fortunate enough to meet and hear so many authors.
Brian Selznik author of Wonderstruck was one of the most dynamic speakers I have ever heard. The way he writes his novel with little references to the book, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Farnkweiler.
How his wonderful characters are derived, to how he draws all those fantastic illustrations.Brian even went to the musuems in New York City to make sure all of his pictures were accurate too! A book and author your children should not miss. Also his movie for the Invention of Hugo Cabaret will be out on Thanksgiving, should be a wholesome family treat.
Malie Malloy author of The Apothecary was another speaker. Her novel takes place in England and all the references are accurate. Malie's talk took us through all the thought processes, so you actually felt like you were watching her compose the book.
Kadir Nelson was another speaker who showed us how he wanted to trace the real African American experience. His stunning painting are works of art, not to be missed.
There were many more authors, and hopefully I will blog about them soon. Please look for the blogspot about these fabulous books. Not to missed.
Brian Selznik author of Wonderstruck was one of the most dynamic speakers I have ever heard. The way he writes his novel with little references to the book, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Farnkweiler.
How his wonderful characters are derived, to how he draws all those fantastic illustrations.Brian even went to the musuems in New York City to make sure all of his pictures were accurate too! A book and author your children should not miss. Also his movie for the Invention of Hugo Cabaret will be out on Thanksgiving, should be a wholesome family treat.
Malie Malloy author of The Apothecary was another speaker. Her novel takes place in England and all the references are accurate. Malie's talk took us through all the thought processes, so you actually felt like you were watching her compose the book.
Kadir Nelson was another speaker who showed us how he wanted to trace the real African American experience. His stunning painting are works of art, not to be missed.
There were many more authors, and hopefully I will blog about them soon. Please look for the blogspot about these fabulous books. Not to missed.
WONDERSTRUCK By: Brian Selznick Ages 9 and up Fabulous Read
WONDERSTRUCK By: Brian SelznickJust like the title of the book you are struck with wonder as this story unfolds. Ben has lost the only parent he has ever known and is now living next door to his old house. While searching his mother's room for clues of his father he discovers a bookmark with the name Daniel on it. He tries to call the number on the bookmark and lightning strikes the phone line and renders Ben deaf. Thus begins his journey that takes him to New York to find out about Daniel.
Another story unfold throughout the book in pictures taking place in 1927, here you see a young girl climbing out her window to go into the city. She too is deaf.
When Ben arrives in the city his is robbed immediately and has to survive without hearing. Many things happen along the way to find his father. He ends up in a museum and finds a friend in Jamie a boy whose father works for the museum. With Jamie's help Ben begins to live in the museum.
Will Ben ever find his father, you must read this book to find out. If I had one book to give for the holidays to my grandsons this would be it. Ages 9 and up. $29.99 Scholastic Press Coming September 2011
APOTHECARY By: Maile Meloy
APOTHECARY By: Maile MeloyLet me start by saying this book is like nothing I have ever read. So intriguing is the plot that I couldn't put it down.
It starts off with a family in the year 1952 that is moving from Los Angeles to London. Janie is so angry with her parents that she has to leave her friends behind. Her parents are actors and Janie is left to take care of herself most of the time. So enters Benjamin the apothecary's son. He is in Janie's class at school and he is intrigued by Janie and begins to follow her. His mission in life is to become a spy, so they begin by spying on a man in the park. When Benjamin's father the apothecary is spotted with this man life takes a sudden turn. Benjamin's father tells him to guard a book called the Phamacopoeia and then he disappears. Benjamin and Janie must find out where he is and help save him. With the help of the Parmacopoeia they become invisible, turn into birds and stowaway on a ship all to find Benjamin's father. A must read for everyone. $16.99 Ages 10 up $16.99 Putnum
LOST VOICES By: Sarah Porter Young Adult
LOST VOICES By: Sarah Porter
Luce for fourteen-year-old Luce has never been easy. Her mother is dead, her father is missing, and her uncle is an abusive drunk. But Luce was still hopeful that one day she would be reunited with her father and that her life would return to normal again. That is, until one night when a storm hits and Luce is thrown into the sea. She expects to die, but instead she undergoes an amazing transformation and wakes up a mermaid. Suddenly, it seems as though Luce has found where she truly belongs, She loves her life among the mermaids until she discovers that she has an extraordinary talent, a talent that she is expected to use to murder humans. As the other mermaids begin to recognize Luce's skill, they begin to pressure her into using it to their advantage. Now Luce is struggling between loyalty to her new found family and her conscience. Ages 12 and up. Harcourt $16.99 Reviewed by Maggie age 16. Visual, language.
Luce for fourteen-year-old Luce has never been easy. Her mother is dead, her father is missing, and her uncle is an abusive drunk. But Luce was still hopeful that one day she would be reunited with her father and that her life would return to normal again. That is, until one night when a storm hits and Luce is thrown into the sea. She expects to die, but instead she undergoes an amazing transformation and wakes up a mermaid. Suddenly, it seems as though Luce has found where she truly belongs, She loves her life among the mermaids until she discovers that she has an extraordinary talent, a talent that she is expected to use to murder humans. As the other mermaids begin to recognize Luce's skill, they begin to pressure her into using it to their advantage. Now Luce is struggling between loyalty to her new found family and her conscience. Ages 12 and up. Harcourt $16.99 Reviewed by Maggie age 16. Visual, language.
DREAMS OF SIGNIFICANT GIRLS By: Christina Garcia
DREAMS OF SIGNIFICANT GIRLS By: Christina Garcia
The only thing that Vivien, Shirin, and Ingrid have in common is that they are being forced to spend the summer together at some swanky boarding school in Switzerland. At first that divides them and their first summer turns into a disaster. But the next summer as the girls navigate through their first loves, individual successes, and their first tragedies, it is their differences that ultimately bring them together. And when the girls return for their third and final summer at camp, they create a bond that would last a life time. Ages 12 and up. Simon and Schuster $16.99 Reviewed by Maggie, age 16. Sex and language.
The only thing that Vivien, Shirin, and Ingrid have in common is that they are being forced to spend the summer together at some swanky boarding school in Switzerland. At first that divides them and their first summer turns into a disaster. But the next summer as the girls navigate through their first loves, individual successes, and their first tragedies, it is their differences that ultimately bring them together. And when the girls return for their third and final summer at camp, they create a bond that would last a life time. Ages 12 and up. Simon and Schuster $16.99 Reviewed by Maggie, age 16. Sex and language.
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