I think this book is an exceptional book for any parent- whether or not you have an outside-the-box child or the typical normal child. With a strong emphasis on giving all authority to God in every circumstance, with patience and acceptance and even embracing each child's differences, we see an example of how to deal with struggles. In no way did this book claim to have all the answers, or even did it lecture. However, both Nathan (the son with OCD, ADHD, and ODD) and his mother Sally tell the s I think this book is an exceptional book for any parent- whether or not you have an outside-the-box child or the typical normal child. With a strong emphasis on giving all authority to God in every circumstance, with patience and acceptance and even embracing each child's differences, we see an example of how to deal with struggles. In no way did this book claim to have all the answers, or even did it lecture. However, both Nathan (the son with OCD, ADHD, and ODD) and his mother Sally tell the story of the trials and successes growing up. Overall, a great book, full of insight and challenges.
4/5 stars
I think this book is an exceptional book for any parent- whether or not you have an outside-the-box child or the typical normal child. With a strong emphasis on giving all authority to God in every circumstance, with patience and acceptance and even embracing each child's differences, we see an example of how to deal with struggles. In no way did this book claim to have all the answers, or even did it lecture. However, both Nathan (the son with OCD, ADHD, and ODD) and his mother Sally tell the s I think this book is an exceptional book for any parent- whether or not you have an outside-the-box child or the typical normal child. With a strong emphasis on giving all authority to God in every circumstance, with patience and acceptance and even embracing each child's differences, we see an example of how to deal with struggles. In no way did this book claim to have all the answers, or even did it lecture. However, both Nathan (the son with OCD, ADHD, and ODD) and his mother Sally tell the story of the trials and successes growing up. Overall, a great book, full of insight and challenges.
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3/5 stars
One of the best movies in the entire universe is Breakfast Club. Remember when Judd Nelson gets together with Molly Ringwald? Same romance. But this book is a little different in that there is some realistic fantasy going on. Waverly knows that she is a plastic "mean girl", but when she magically finds herself talking to Marshall (teletransportation- is that a word?) she finds she can be herself. He finds that he can be a better him. But there is more substance than that- Marshall's home life, for example, is a little more psychological. And Waverly meets a girl who could really be her friend (maybe Ally Sheedy? I could be pushing it with that one). Overall, a good book that's reminiscent of the 80's movie culture, but connects it to today's youth. 3/5 stars
I was hoping for humorous vignettes of the two women's travels across the world. And there were some of those, but I felt towards the end there was far too much introspection over little things, almost to the point of being preachy. I would like to read their previous story about when Mia, the wayward daughter, eventually came home after years of her mother trying to help. So ,aye this book was more of a therapy for themselves rather than what I was expecting. Oh, those pesky expectations... 3/5 stars
I can't say this was the best book, and it seemed a little long to get to the end, but it had its moments. There was a variety of paranormal spatterings in the book from a fire ball person (wasn't too sure of that one), to having to special "gifts" to something else that would contain a spoiler. Basically Barrie's mother died so she was sent to Watson island to live with her mother's sister. The small town consists of the Watsons, the cream of the crop, the Beaufort's, and finally, the Colesons (bottom of the totem pole). Barrie just wants to know her family, but there are some deep seeded hurts that doesn't make it all that easy, other than with her aunt Prue. My questions were these while listening. First, why wouldn't people tell Barrie all their secrets? Everyone else in town seemed to know them, and she was going to live there. Also, what exactly were all those different impish beings? It's like we were just supposed to know they exist and accept them. Seems like Barrie should have been a little freaked out. So, yeah. 3 stars. 3/5 stars
I like the premise of a pristine girl who never really knew her father except to know that he is in a motorcycle gang. Then, she has to go live with him for a summer. But, of course, her life is in danger and she must be "babysat" by a very good looking young man. Uh, duh, they fall in love. So, there's that part which was kind of boring and obvious. But the motorcycle part, the mystery of how her mother had a whole different life that she's trying to figure out was pretty interesting. I enjoyed I like the premise of a pristine girl who never really knew her father except to know that he is in a motorcycle gang. Then, she has to go live with him for a summer. But, of course, her life is in danger and she must be "babysat" by a very good looking young man. Uh, duh, they fall in love. So, there's that part which was kind of boring and obvious. But the motorcycle part, the mystery of how her mother had a whole different life that she's trying to figure out was pretty interesting. I enjoyed the dichotomy of the different motorcycle gangs- some are there for family, some are there for the money. I knew someone, once, who said she was in a motorcycle gang. They can be mean- real mean. So, it was not too unexpected as far as what I imagined. But all in all, a decent read, and possibly a good read for our high school students who are looking for some dangerous love. 3/5 stars
I normally wouldn't have read this book, but since the author is going to be at NOVA teen fest, I wanted to read one of her books. I won't lie- it was out of my comfort zone, but that's good, because it helped me to understand a few things about circles outside of my own. First, this is about a young girl who is repeatedly mistaken for a boy. I was kind of confused because she said that she was always being looked at funny, but if she looked like a boy, why would there be long stares? Maybe it was her perception, which is something that is totally valid. She is coming from a Portuguese family that is extremely traditional, so the fact that now she has cut her hair is pretty much equal to selling drugs. Not a good situation. Her brother is the only one she truly trusts, and especially now that her best friends who always accepted her are being complete jerks. So she is trying to find a place. And of course, there is the romance situation where there is a girl that she completely is in love with, and wondering if it is reciprocated. Oh, yeah, she also is befriending a girl who is pregnant with her best friend's baby. Lots going on. I think that if we took away the whole "she's a girl but looks like a boy" situation, it would be incredibly close to Gabi, a Girl In Pieces, which is not a bad thing. It's about all the issues that happen in high school, but compounded by a few atypical things. It was interesting, and I'm pretty sure that I found some insight I probably wouldn't have if I hadn't read the book. 4/5 stars
If you told me to put two subjects- rodeos and anorexia together, I would have said it couldn't have been done. It's been done. Raesha, who lost her mother to cancer, is dealing with her father being gone as well as the new girl in town making the moves on her boyfriend. Plus, with the stress of the rodeo competition coming, she is slowly trying to get control of something, and that is her eating. She pushes away her friends; but she finds solace in being a reading buddy with the Kindergarten class. She is initially motivated by being leaner for the rodeo competition, but her devotion spirals into obsession with calories and not eating. All in all, this is a great book dealing with anorexia and how it permeates throughout a person's life and relationships. 3/5 stars
I read it. It's like a James Bond in the sea. I think I'd be interested in reading a more recent book since I kind of felt like there was a lot of walking around naked or in speedos. Maybe that's the norm for the book, but it seemed kind of odd. The plot was interesting. It starts with an old plane that pretty much decimates a quiet air force base until Dirk Pitt comes to the rescue. And then they find out that it is actually related to a science ship looking for that missing piece of the evoluti I read it. It's like a James Bond in the sea. I think I'd be interested in reading a more recent book since I kind of felt like there was a lot of walking around naked or in speedos. Maybe that's the norm for the book, but it seemed kind of odd. The plot was interesting. It starts with an old plane that pretty much decimates a quiet air force base until Dirk Pitt comes to the rescue. And then they find out that it is actually related to a science ship looking for that missing piece of the evolutionary chain in a fish. But wait, there's more. It continues on with that type of plot, all of which if I told you, I'd have to... well, you know. 3/5 stars
I like snarky, and this has it. Told from 3 "people's" point of view (but all in 3rd person except with the narrator talks directly to the reader), this book is an alternate history, to say the least. Lady Jane is to marry young King Edward's trusted advisor's son. (Sorry- convoluted sentence). But, the tricky part is that she finds out that he is an Edian, which is a person who turns into an animal. And her new husband is a Horse. He likes the name G. Edward is dying, but finds out that the rea I like snarky, and this has it. Told from 3 "people's" point of view (but all in 3rd person except with the narrator talks directly to the reader), this book is an alternate history, to say the least. Lady Jane is to marry young King Edward's trusted advisor's son. (Sorry- convoluted sentence). But, the tricky part is that she finds out that he is an Edian, which is a person who turns into an animal. And her new husband is a Horse. He likes the name G. Edward is dying, but finds out that the reason is not what he thinks it is. Basically, it's a story about trying to get the kingdom back into the right hands. So, it's part fantasy, part mystery, part adventure, part history, and I'm sure it crosses over other genres not mentioned. I know that the students will love it. I didn't, but I didn't hate it, either. 3/5 stars
A young girl is taken into a Native Indian tribe that is now taken back into white society by a man who travels around the country reading newspapers (clearly this is a historical fiction). As the girl and the man eventually begin to learn each other's ways, they also learn how to trust. Although this is set in the 1800's, it also is a timeless story. It's about respect for each other. It's about understanding each other's need, even if the person doesn't realize it. For instance, the gentleman who thought he needed to be by himself really needed someone in his life to give him more perspective. His newly adopted daughter needed to be in a world that she belonged- stuck between both a white world and a native world. Those two things seem to happen even today (well, not exactly, but you know what I mean). |
AuthorI'm a high school librarian. I love to read. Really. Love. To. Read. Archives
December 2023
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