I watched a movie with Gwenyth Paltrow once about how one little mishap can make a major change in a person's life. That was just about getting onto the Tube before it leaves, but this book is so much more about consequences to choices. Tom and Isabel want a baby. After three miscarriages, they find a boat on their remote island with a man and a baby. The man died, but the baby seems to be the answer to all their dreams. But one person's dream can be another person's nightmare, especially when it comes to motherhood. And what is the best interest of a child after a few years living a solitary life as a family since birth? Moral questions abound in this tale. A great book for book club Also, Deep End of the Ocean is similar. Funny how they both are about oceans.
Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero (4/5 stars)
At first it seems like a cute book, but the more we go into it, the more we see a deeper Gabi- a girl who is dealing with a father on meth, a feeling that her mother loves her brother more, a best friend who is pregnant, and another best friend who has told his father that he is gay. In the midst of all this, she finds love scenarios typical of a high schooler. I am wavering between a 3 and a 4. I enjoyed the realism of the heartbreaks of a teenager. I felt as though Gabi was somewhat preachy. It wasn't bad, but hence the wavering.
All American Boy by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely (4/5 stars)
I might have to change this to 5 stars reviews. I think that as I go about my week it will depend on how much I reference back to it or think about it. I really enjoyed hearing from Jason and Brendan (yeah, I used their first names like I'm their friend- I wish!) at NOVA teen fest about how they came up with the book. It meant a lot to have the background, as well as the personal meaning to the authors.
Basically, Rashad is beaten by a white cop who thinks that Rashad is stealing a .79 bag of chips. A white classmate sees the beating, and the rest of the book is about the week after, how the two deal with the situation. The key twist is that the cop is a good friend of the witness. Everyone should read it.
Selection by Kiera Cass (4/5 stars)
To be clear, this is not necessarily a dystopian. That just happens to be the backdrop of the plot line. I've been told it is a bachelor type book, and it is. And I have to admit, I really did like it. Completely a love story, and the cliff hanger is that we don't find out who is chosen yet. So, like Matt de la Pena's Living/Hunted series, I must read the next for me to have closure. But, it was enjoyable and now I feel like I can recommend it to many students.
Ugly Kicks by Kelsey Blair (3/5 stars)
Ashley is determined to a part of the basketball team, and determined to pay for it all on her own. Her brother is depressed, her mother works two jobs, and her friends don't seem to understand Ashley's new time commitments. Yet her determination gets her on the team. And on the team she learns the meaning of team and how to prioritize her time. Middle grade students would appreciate this book, and ESOL students may appreciate the simplicity of the book.
Girl from Home by Adam Mitzner (3/5 stars)
In this day and age of twisted endings, this book kind of fell flat. Girl from Home has three parts, one where Jonathan fell from being the financial king of the world and all the packages that came with it, to meeting the girl of his
high school dreams (Jackie) who also felt a bit flat, to the part where things are supposed to twist. That being said, it was entertaining, and I did get into it about half way in. So, three stars.
Sway by Kat Spears (3/5 stars)
So, you have a boy who is able to provide things to people that shouldn't normally be provided by a high school boy. Drugs, although not a good idea, I understand that dealing. Providing people, probably not the best idea. Basically, Jesse promises the typical jock guy that he can get him a date with the angelic Bridget. Um, isn't that kind of like pimping? So, that's one of my problems. And then, of course, there is the whole offensiveness to basically everyone who is anything different than perfect (but to be fair, he is offensive to everyone, so he's not singling one group out.) So why 3 stars? Because I'm a schmuck for this kind of novel of jerk who learns the meaning of not being a jerk. Not trying to give away spoilers, but it was very predictable. I guess that's the difference between a character driven and plot driven book.
100 Sideways Miles by Andrew Smith (3/5 stars)
There was a redeeming part at the end, but until then, I got a little tired of hearing about Cade's sexual antics and the love of Finn Easton who describes all time according to the miles it takes the earth to rotate one second (20 miles for those of you who want to know). There are some memorable parts, so it wasn't horrible, but it just didn't seem to flow for me. I can see how the high school students would like it (so at least 2 stars is for them), but the overall question I have is why is this book deemed so important to be a Virginia Readers' Choice?