I'm not going to lie- I forgot what this book was kind of about since I tend to write my reviews about a month later, but now that I'm refreshing, I now remember that it was cute and had a nice message without any "in your face". Basically, the girl who is happy to be herself despite hardships and has a good group of friends and family is now running for Prom Queen to get a scholarship. So this is a story that gives you a feeling that you can be yourself, and despite opposition and trials, you can still be awesome. Definitely will be a win with many of my students.
3/5 stars
I'm not going to lie- I forgot what this book was kind of about since I tend to write my reviews about a month later, but now that I'm refreshing, I now remember that it was cute and had a nice message without any "in your face". Basically, the girl who is happy to be herself despite hardships and has a good group of friends and family is now running for Prom Queen to get a scholarship. So this is a story that gives you a feeling that you can be yourself, and despite opposition and trials, you can still be awesome. Definitely will be a win with many of my students.
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3/5 stars This isn't a horrible book, but I do think that in order for it to receive the 3 stars, one must first read the initial Hunger Game series. I felt like the story line was ok, but I didn't care too much about any certain person. Well, I take that back. I did care because ultimately it led to poor Katniss kicking butt and being torn between Gale and Peeta. So, yeah, that was nice. And the story was interesting, how Donald Sutherland turned mean in Hunger Games, so the back story was pretty good. But when you expect the Hunger Games heart pulsing experience, you won't get it. But if you're new to my reviews, you may not know that I don't usually read entire series of books. But, I did read this series, and felt it was my due to be dedicated even to the #.5 book. And I'm glad I did. To those of you (and you know who I'm talking to) who think I'm under rating Ballad, thank you for still being my friend :-) 5/5 stars I loved learning more about this Superman story and how it directly challenged the KKK. I had heard about it, but I enjoyed actually reading it. Also interesting is the back story of Gene Luen Yang’s family history interspersed among the skeleton history of racism from the world wars and the rise of the KKK. Another viewpoint is to read the history of the creators of Superman. I have to say, the more I read history, the more complex the stories are when reading multiple perspectives of events. Judging from our history, our future of global acceptance seems daunting. 5/5 stars
Holy cow, what a phenomenal book about love, war, racism, and emotions that don’t stop even after you’ve read the book. Basically Aphrodite is giving testimony for cheating on her husband in a Roman? Greek? tribunal. In her defense, she tells the story of four young people who have fallen in love during WWI and how she has influenced them. The courage amidst romance is so heartfelt I couldn’t help but cheer for the young people making their way despite some intense, unfair hardships and the strength of their friendship keeping all keep afloat. And the ending- couldn’t have happened more beautifully. An enduring read that is written in such a captivating way I keep wanting to tell everyone about this book. 2.5/5 stars
I wanted to like this book more. I love the Gilded Age, and the 400 are so intriguing, but this book seemed to just want to roll up every social justice issue in this book that I felt are current issues of today. Not that they didn't happen back then, but to just hone in one issue. There was the issue of abortion, women's right to vote, homosexuality, extensive bribery, classism, misogyny, women's independence to not marry, and I'm sure more, but those are just a few. I think this book could have been more effective if there were just a couple of issues and not presented from the 2020 perspective. However, on the plus side there were some good stories about the Hope diamond and it's supposed curse, and the story was very easy to follow. There were no twists, but it was definitely not boring. So yeah, just a 2.5 star really. 4.5/5 stars YES YES YES! 4.5/5 stars. This is a book that has it all- adventure, retelling of Alice in Wonderland, girl kicks monster butt, and all with a girl who has a curfew. There is so much to this adventure, and I know there will be some heart wrenching scenes that reflect our society in many ways, but for now, I must find the other 2 books of this trilogy. I'm totally serious, and you all who know me, know that I'm usually quite content with just the first book. I am not content. I need to know more about Brianna, what happened to her father, what will happen to her friend, and who is this Dark Knight? (If I misspelled anything, sorry- I listened to the book). This is an intricate book that can be read at face value, but I have a feeling that there is much much more to the story. 5/5 stars Dang, there is a horrible horrible history of white people over black people in our country, which I knew but never to what extent. Even those people that are good are not as altruistic as we would like to think. Mr. Kendi gives us a detailed history of how America's racism got to where it is today. Starting with the inception of enslaved African from Portugal to 5 prominent people who have shaped our ideas of Black culture, we see how easy it is to be trapped into what we think is happening (from a white person's superiority) is good. Basically, using Cotton Mather, Thomas Jefferson, William Lloyd Garrison, WEB Dubois, and Angela Davis (one of the founders of BLM), we see how our views as a culture have been influenced by economics (which seems to infiltrate practically everything), statistics (which can always be manipulated), science (which is always changing), and of course, intentions. For instance, I was fascinated to learn that the main question was whether or not to share Christianity among the enslaved people because if they became Christians, then it wouldn't seem proper to own spiritual brothers and sisters. I was also fascinated by all the different theories of "integration" (for lack of a better word) for Black men and women with White men and women. In each era we think we are right in our assumptions, but in all reality, we are only sinking our country into more splintering racism. One of my many takeaways, though, is how many subtle things have crept into my thinking that I never knew. I wish this book could be the basis for a required class in high school. But it's not, even though it will be in our library. Multiple copies. Also, beware- you may have to read it several times because there is sooo much information. 4/5 stars UMMMM, this was good? Actually, it was very good, very philosophical. Basically a doctor who works in an Indian village is visited by a family of three who ask him to make them undead so they can come back to life. They have been given another chance and are told that this doctor can do it for them. But while this all seems a little bizarre, the whole time I'm at the edge of my seat hoping that it will work out and this nice family who has been murdered will have a new beginning. It brings up lots of different philosophical questions such as what is really in the afterlife, what makes a person good and what even are the ramifications of your actions on other people. And the ending will NOT disappoint. 4/5 stars
Whatever you are doing right now, please turn off any running water. This book scared the sweat out of me. And maybe it was not a good time during the coronavirus to read it, but for the most part, it was a "pandemic" all on its own. The scary thing is that it isn't inconceivable. The fact that there is no water- none- gives most of Southern California a death blow. So people try to escape to other parts of the country. But those who are left behind, and there are many, are the ones who show what true humanity is when the stakes are fending for your family. The government has let you down, the neighbors are now suspicious, and my favorite (but not), is the description of the water zombies- those who will do anything for a literal drop of water. There are so many things about the book that make me think, but in the end (and there is an end- this is a stand alone) we see how precious our water is and reminiscent of Blindness by Saramago, we see that human nature is nasty. 5/5 stars How have I missed this book for so long! I cried. Dag nabbit, I cried at a book meant for 5th graders. But I dare anyone else not to. When you have animals who you know are being hurt and may or may not know why, it does something to you. And Ivan was no different; nor were his companions at the makeshift carnival zoo. The writing made it so amazing. Short chapters, long chapters, illustrations, and wordsmithing made this book read like a movie to me. It was quick to read, but will last a very long time in my heart. I also enjoyed the ending. I think that's one of the things that drove me over the edge to create a little rivulet of tears going down my cheeks. But don't be scared to let your younger kiddos read the book. It is a good book for everyone. And if you don't cry, that's ok. I will still be your friend. 5/5 stars
Anything multicultural is a must read for all people. This book, like all of them, expands the country view of where you live to see other perceptions, other cultures, and other beliefs. The Henna Artist is no exception, except where we see the commonalities of cultures such as a caste system and the devastation of what jealousy can do to people. So a woman has escaped her abusive husband to begin a new life in 1950's India. She is not the elite caste, but she has created a henna business where her interactions with the rich have allowed her to be independent. Until her sister, who she did not know she had, shows up. And then things go south for a myriad of reasons. While the book is set in the 1950's, there are many common issues that resonate for today that involve independence, choice, and what people consider to be acceptable. I will say I also listened to the book and I am so glad to know how the names were pronounced. I couldn't stay away from the book and listened to it in 2 days. While I wasn't surprised by anything that happened, the layout of the language and characterization made it seem like I was going through all the motions with the people in the book. Final advice- read the book!!! You won't be disappointed. 5/5 stars Once again, another World War 2 book, but it's not. This is what happens after the war, after the prisoners are released from the concentration camps. There are lost family members, and in this book, a young girl is trying to find her younger brother because her parents went in the left line, to the gas chambers. So after some time in the hospital for physical and mental therapy, she goes on an adventure looking for her only surviving relative. Along the way she ends up in a refugee type camp where she makes friends and finds an mysterious man. Seeing her strength and yet long lasting effects from cruel situations creates a very robust character, coupled with other survivors who have their own stories. This is definitely a book that thinks beyond the war, to those who are effected from the war in 1946. A definite must for any shelf of those who love historical fiction, or are just ready for a good perspective. 3/5 stars To be fair, if this the only book I read about the 1980's AIDS crisis and the prejudices towards the Queer community, then I would be all over the book. In fact, I did tear up a little bit when there were some people that passed away. However, I had read another book with extremely similar themes of what makes a family, acceptance of lifestyles beyond the 1950's norm, and it was an adult book. However, as a young adult book, this is a fantastic book to introduce high school kids to that portion of our history about the inequities of the health system towards a certain population, as well as the acceptance. I was touched by the friendships and love story. And, I feel like the personalities of the students were pretty spot on for their age groups. Definitely a YA book for our shelves. |
AuthorI'm a high school librarian. I love to read. Really. Love. To. Read. Archives
December 2023
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