This book was chosen as the inaugural book for my newly formed club! My friend Lyndsay and I decided to gather some girls from our on line message board and meet monthly at Panera to discuss books! A good idea on so many levels!
I must admit that I wasn't thrilled with the selection. Diane Chamberlain's The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes did not seem like MY type of book. Mystery, a bit of romance and secrets... a bit of a Harlequin romance in my opinion. But, I was shocked at just how riveted I became as I read the story.
CeeCee Wilkes is a very naive young woman. She gets swept up in a romance with an older man. He says all of the right things. If he makes a misstep in their relationship he always has an excuse to pacify her fears. She is head over heels in love with him, and believes that the feelings are mutual.
What happens next is a series of seemingly implausible events that Chamberlain is able to weave together into a fabulously suspenseful story. CeeCee's world is turned upside down. I could not put the book down. There were times I wanted to scream or slap CeeCee, but through it all I just had to know the eventual outcome.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Dead in the Family
The most current Charlaine Harris offering, Dead in the Family, introduces the reader to a few new characters. In this novel we get to meet Eric's maker. Being a fan of the True Blood television series, I was looking forward to some quality reading of the yummy man-child who made Eric, Godric. However, in the book, his maker is not Godric, but some Roman buffoon, Appius Livius Ocella. I did not like this whole story line. I enjoyed True Blood's version much better.
The thought of Sookie and Claude, the fairy fairy, living together is quite funny. Reading Eric's palatable jealousy was amusing as well. Another development I enjoyed reading about was Sookie's relationship with Hunter, Hadley's son. I love the fact she gets to mentor a telepath.
Now that I've caught up with the series, I feel a bit of a loss! When does the next book come out?
The thought of Sookie and Claude, the fairy fairy, living together is quite funny. Reading Eric's palatable jealousy was amusing as well. Another development I enjoyed reading about was Sookie's relationship with Hunter, Hadley's son. I love the fact she gets to mentor a telepath.
Now that I've caught up with the series, I feel a bit of a loss! When does the next book come out?
Dead and Gone
Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris continues to explore the mythical world of Sookie Stackhouse. In this book, the long-awaited coming out of the Weres occurs. Their big reveal does not go as smoothly as the Vampires however, and this is where the mayhem begins!
After reading others' reviews of the book, I realize that I do not take these books half as seriously as they do. I have not noticed continuity errors or name errors. I just enjoy the plot and roll with it. This being said, if you're going to make a serious study of the Vampire world using these books, this series is NOT for you!
After reading others' reviews of the book, I realize that I do not take these books half as seriously as they do. I have not noticed continuity errors or name errors. I just enjoy the plot and roll with it. This being said, if you're going to make a serious study of the Vampire world using these books, this series is NOT for you!
From Dead to Worse
With the introduction of so many characters in the Southern Vampire Series, it seems that Charlaine Harris needed a vehicle to begin to tie up some loose ends. From Dead to Worse gave Harris this opportunity. I actually appreciated spending some time with each of the couples and exploring their relationships. Although, I have to admit the character Amelia always causes me to pause, as my 3.5 year old daughter shares her name.
Sookie as stand-in bridesmaid was great! I also love the fact that Sookie meets her fae great-grandfather Niall. As I said in a previous review, I believe that this series is just getting more and more entertaining.
Sookie as stand-in bridesmaid was great! I also love the fact that Sookie meets her fae great-grandfather Niall. As I said in a previous review, I believe that this series is just getting more and more entertaining.
All Together Dead
I really should write my reviews for the Sookie Stackhouse books immediately after reading them, because quite honestly, they all begin to run together. However, unlike many of my friends and acquaintances, I feel Charlaine Harris's books in this series are getting better, not worse.
Each subsequent books seems to lose much of the tripe and begins to add a bit more substance. I've given up hope on steamy vampire sex scenes, but I admit that any scene with Erik is a favorite.
These books, for me, are definitely totally escapism. None of the themes presented in the book will end world hunger or create total peace on our planet, but they do make me a bit happier!
Each subsequent books seems to lose much of the tripe and begins to add a bit more substance. I've given up hope on steamy vampire sex scenes, but I admit that any scene with Erik is a favorite.
These books, for me, are definitely totally escapism. None of the themes presented in the book will end world hunger or create total peace on our planet, but they do make me a bit happier!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Monique and the Mango Rains
Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway was a book club selection. One, that in all honesty, I probably would have never chosen on my own. Kris Holloway served in the Peace Corps for two years. She was assigned to a remote village in Mali to assist midwife, Monique Dembele.
At twenty-four, Monique was quite young to be a midwife. She was the only medical personnel for the village of Nampossela. Mali has one of the highest fertility rates in sub-Saharan Africa - 6.8 children. The maternity mortality rate is among the top ten in the world. Less than 6% of the women use any form of birth control and over 96% of the women have some form of genital mutilation. All of the statistics make the job of midwifery extremely challenging. Yet, this is what Monique does. Quite successfully.
This tiny village has no electricity or running water and extremely limited medical supplies. But for all the things the village lacks, it is an extremely tight-knit community. Kris, who is given the name Fatumata Dembele, is quickly accepted by the villagers. She and Monique, her hostess and mentor, form a quick and lasting friendship.
This book follows Kris's two-year adventure in Mali, as well as, the years that follow. But more than Kris's adventure, this story is about Monique. It is about Monique's life and her calling. While I would never dream of joining the Peace Corp, nor visiting such a remote location, I was enthralled with the story. I had a cesarean section when I gave birth to my daughter, so I do not know what it is like to experience contractions or the immense work of labor and delivery. Reading Holloway's powerful descriptions of the births she and Dembele assist was amazing. The strength of the women to birth in little more than a mud hut with a table and then to leave hours later to work in the fields or attend their other children was startling.
Following the trials and tribulations of Monique's marriage made me realize how fortunate I am to have the freedom and power of choice in my life. The vast resources we have available made my heart hurt for the sick and dying children of the village, many who do not live past the age of five because of malnutrition. Linked to the title of the novel is a website created by Kris Holloway and her husband John Bidwell, whom she met in Mali. Through this website you can donate funds to help continue Monique's powerful work at a clinic created in her honor.
At twenty-four, Monique was quite young to be a midwife. She was the only medical personnel for the village of Nampossela. Mali has one of the highest fertility rates in sub-Saharan Africa - 6.8 children. The maternity mortality rate is among the top ten in the world. Less than 6% of the women use any form of birth control and over 96% of the women have some form of genital mutilation. All of the statistics make the job of midwifery extremely challenging. Yet, this is what Monique does. Quite successfully.
This tiny village has no electricity or running water and extremely limited medical supplies. But for all the things the village lacks, it is an extremely tight-knit community. Kris, who is given the name Fatumata Dembele, is quickly accepted by the villagers. She and Monique, her hostess and mentor, form a quick and lasting friendship.
This book follows Kris's two-year adventure in Mali, as well as, the years that follow. But more than Kris's adventure, this story is about Monique. It is about Monique's life and her calling. While I would never dream of joining the Peace Corp, nor visiting such a remote location, I was enthralled with the story. I had a cesarean section when I gave birth to my daughter, so I do not know what it is like to experience contractions or the immense work of labor and delivery. Reading Holloway's powerful descriptions of the births she and Dembele assist was amazing. The strength of the women to birth in little more than a mud hut with a table and then to leave hours later to work in the fields or attend their other children was startling.
Following the trials and tribulations of Monique's marriage made me realize how fortunate I am to have the freedom and power of choice in my life. The vast resources we have available made my heart hurt for the sick and dying children of the village, many who do not live past the age of five because of malnutrition. Linked to the title of the novel is a website created by Kris Holloway and her husband John Bidwell, whom she met in Mali. Through this website you can donate funds to help continue Monique's powerful work at a clinic created in her honor.
Marcelo in the Real World
Marcelo is 17 years old. He loves ponies. He is enthralled with religion. His bedroom is a tree house. He is autistic. He is also at a crossroads. His father is determined that his son be "normal". To that end, he insists that instead of taking care of the ponies at Paterson, Marcelo's school, that Marcelo works in the mail room of his law office. If Marcelo complies then he can choose to return to Paterson in the fall or attend the local public high school. If Marcelo does not join the "real" world for the summer, he must attend the local high school.
Francisco Stork has created a beautiful character in Marcelo. He is both child-like and extraordinarily wise. When we first meet him, he is unable to understand or exhibit real emotions. He will occasionally become angry, but he doesn't cry, has never felt "in love" and he doesn't understand jealousy or competition. However, by the end of the summer, with the help of Jasmine, his boss in the mail room and, Wendell, the son of his father's partner, he feels all of those emotions.
I had thought Marcelo in the Real World was simply an autistic boy's coming-of-age story, but this novel is so much more. It is a love story and a mystery as well. The story kept me totally engaged with its twists and turns. I came to despise Marcelo's father and Wendell. The character of Jasmine is so well-written and multi-dimensional. I adored her!
This book would be appropriate for high school students and some middle school students. While there is nothing totally untoward about the book, some parents may object to some of the language in the book. The book provided insight on how a child on the autistic spectrum thinks and responds to certain situations.
Francisco Stork has created a beautiful character in Marcelo. He is both child-like and extraordinarily wise. When we first meet him, he is unable to understand or exhibit real emotions. He will occasionally become angry, but he doesn't cry, has never felt "in love" and he doesn't understand jealousy or competition. However, by the end of the summer, with the help of Jasmine, his boss in the mail room and, Wendell, the son of his father's partner, he feels all of those emotions.
I had thought Marcelo in the Real World was simply an autistic boy's coming-of-age story, but this novel is so much more. It is a love story and a mystery as well. The story kept me totally engaged with its twists and turns. I came to despise Marcelo's father and Wendell. The character of Jasmine is so well-written and multi-dimensional. I adored her!
This book would be appropriate for high school students and some middle school students. While there is nothing totally untoward about the book, some parents may object to some of the language in the book. The book provided insight on how a child on the autistic spectrum thinks and responds to certain situations.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Definitely Dead
Typical Sookie story... I keep reading because I enjoy the television series, True Blood, so much. I love how it has improved the novel series.
Like everyone else I know that has read this book, cousin Hadley appears from nowhere and is suddenly dead. Hadley randomly appeared in the television series as well, so I was prepared.
There is a character, Amelia the witch, who shares my daughter's name. This bothers me for some reason.
Like everyone else I know that has read this book, cousin Hadley appears from nowhere and is suddenly dead. Hadley randomly appeared in the television series as well, so I was prepared.
There is a character, Amelia the witch, who shares my daughter's name. This bothers me for some reason.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
After the Holocaust
Howard Greenfeld wrote the book After the Holocaust because he realized that there was so much literature about the time prior to and during the war, but very little about what happened to the survivors after the war. His book follows eight survivors and their journeys.
The book is divided into four sections: Liberation, After the Liberation: The Search, The DP Camps and an afterword. Each section is both joyous and heartbreaking. You can feel the pain and guilt of surviving, but also the hope. Personally, I did not know much about the process after liberation, so it was very informative for me to learn about the search process and the displaced person camps. Presently, my students live in a time with an abundance of communication methods; people can connect quickly, and an internet search is no more time consuming than making a cup of coffee. However, after the war, this process was much more challenging.
I truly enjoyed the afterward. I liked finding out each of the eight survivors' outcomes. I know my students will also appreciate this section, as they always need every story's ending to be wrapped up completely. In short, Greenfeld's book is a great addition to any Holocaust library.
The book is divided into four sections: Liberation, After the Liberation: The Search, The DP Camps and an afterword. Each section is both joyous and heartbreaking. You can feel the pain and guilt of surviving, but also the hope. Personally, I did not know much about the process after liberation, so it was very informative for me to learn about the search process and the displaced person camps. Presently, my students live in a time with an abundance of communication methods; people can connect quickly, and an internet search is no more time consuming than making a cup of coffee. However, after the war, this process was much more challenging.
I truly enjoyed the afterward. I liked finding out each of the eight survivors' outcomes. I know my students will also appreciate this section, as they always need every story's ending to be wrapped up completely. In short, Greenfeld's book is a great addition to any Holocaust library.
We Remember the Holocaust
David A. Adler, son of a Jewish woman who escaped to America (via many other nations) just as the war started, began this book as a way to make the Holocaust more real for his children. The end product is a book full of information and pictures, a creation meant to be an introduction.
I enjoyed this book as the people Adler interviewed were children or teens at the time of the war. The stories the tell, from their perspective as young people, will make that time a bit easier to understand for my students. Within each of the nine chapters there are personal anecdotes, stories and pictures, giving this time period the humanity it deserves. The stories are graphic, but not overly disturbing, making this book appropriate for intermediate students as well as older students.
Students will have a well-rounded introduction to the events leading up to and after the Holocaust after reading this book that will, hopefully, lead them to want to read and learn more.
I enjoyed this book as the people Adler interviewed were children or teens at the time of the war. The stories the tell, from their perspective as young people, will make that time a bit easier to understand for my students. Within each of the nine chapters there are personal anecdotes, stories and pictures, giving this time period the humanity it deserves. The stories are graphic, but not overly disturbing, making this book appropriate for intermediate students as well as older students.
Students will have a well-rounded introduction to the events leading up to and after the Holocaust after reading this book that will, hopefully, lead them to want to read and learn more.
Memories of Survival
Bernice Steinhardt, with her mother, Esther Nisenthal Krinitz created Memories of Survival, the story of how Esther and her sister Mania survived the war disguised as Catholic farmhands.
Esther never felt competent as a writer, but she knew how she could be convey her story: through her embroidery skills. Her story is told through a series of embroidered panels, complete with stitched captions. After each panel, Bernice elaborates on the panel, more completely explaining the story. The detail in each of the panels is extraordinary. The captions, at times, are heart-breaking.
Esther had hoped to stitch her entire life story, but died before that happened. The book begins with images of her childhood home and ends with her arrival in America. There are other pieces of artwork, created by Esther, that may be seen on the site Art and Remembrance.
This book tells a harrowing tale, but the artwork expresses so much more. The reader will be struck by just how more he will learn through the images. This book is appropriate for younger children as well as older.
Esther never felt competent as a writer, but she knew how she could be convey her story: through her embroidery skills. Her story is told through a series of embroidered panels, complete with stitched captions. After each panel, Bernice elaborates on the panel, more completely explaining the story. The detail in each of the panels is extraordinary. The captions, at times, are heart-breaking.
Esther had hoped to stitch her entire life story, but died before that happened. The book begins with images of her childhood home and ends with her arrival in America. There are other pieces of artwork, created by Esther, that may be seen on the site Art and Remembrance.
This book tells a harrowing tale, but the artwork expresses so much more. The reader will be struck by just how more he will learn through the images. This book is appropriate for younger children as well as older.
The Cat with the Yellow Star: Coming of Age in Terezin
The Cat with the Yellow Star: Coming of Age in Terezin is set up like a picture book, but is written for a slightly older audience. This beautiful books tells the story of Ela Weissberger. Ela and her family were transported from their home in Czechoslovakia to Terezin.
While in the camp Ela becomes part of a group of children who perform the opera Brundibar. The children perform and rehearse daily allowing them temporary escape from the horror that is their reality. Ela plays the role of the cat. Ela performed some 55 times while in camp. At the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie, Illinois (and I'm sure in other Holocaust museums) there is footage of Ella and the rest of the children performing this opera.
This book is filled with wonderful pictures of Ela and others, but assumes a working knowledge of the Holocaust. None of the story is particularly grim or disturbing making it an excellent book to share with students as young as thrid grade.
Ela survived the war and went on to perform Brundibar as an adult with the many children's groups who have since performed the opera in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.
While in the camp Ela becomes part of a group of children who perform the opera Brundibar. The children perform and rehearse daily allowing them temporary escape from the horror that is their reality. Ela plays the role of the cat. Ela performed some 55 times while in camp. At the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie, Illinois (and I'm sure in other Holocaust museums) there is footage of Ella and the rest of the children performing this opera.
This book is filled with wonderful pictures of Ela and others, but assumes a working knowledge of the Holocaust. None of the story is particularly grim or disturbing making it an excellent book to share with students as young as thrid grade.
Ela survived the war and went on to perform Brundibar as an adult with the many children's groups who have since performed the opera in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.
The Flag with Fifty-Six Stars: A Gift from the Survivors of Mauthausen
I love this story! Susan Goldman Rubin's The Flag with Fifty-Six Stars: A gift from the Survivors of Mauthausen is beautiful. Mauthausen is one of the most notorious death camps and to read such a wonderful story of survival and hope is awe inspiring. The book begins with a simplistic introduction of how Mauthausen came to be, with quotes from survivors, soldiers and townspeople included. A great list of references and resources is included at the end of the book.
The story of the impending liberation and the creation of the American flag follows. Each page is accompanied by haunting illustrations by Bill Farnsworth. The drawings are so realistic that you'd think that they are photographs.
The story continues with the prisoners covertly creating an American flag using scraps of Nazi banners and prisoner uniforms. The inmates knew the flag had thirteen red and white stripes, but had to guess at the number of stars. The flag had an extra row of stars: fifty-six, instead of the forty-eight. All of this occurred during a time when the camp inmates new the Allies were near. They hoped freedom was imminent. The flag was presented to Colonel Seibel and flown over the camp as it was liberated. The flag is now in the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, California.
The story of the impending liberation and the creation of the American flag follows. Each page is accompanied by haunting illustrations by Bill Farnsworth. The drawings are so realistic that you'd think that they are photographs.
The story continues with the prisoners covertly creating an American flag using scraps of Nazi banners and prisoner uniforms. The inmates knew the flag had thirteen red and white stripes, but had to guess at the number of stars. The flag had an extra row of stars: fifty-six, instead of the forty-eight. All of this occurred during a time when the camp inmates new the Allies were near. They hoped freedom was imminent. The flag was presented to Colonel Seibel and flown over the camp as it was liberated. The flag is now in the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, California.
Dead as a Doornail
Well, now everyone in Sookie's family is special!
The plot is almost verging on ridiculous, but I can't stop myself!
I've decided the best way to go with this series is to not expect too much!
On to #6!
The plot is almost verging on ridiculous, but I can't stop myself!
I've decided the best way to go with this series is to not expect too much!
On to #6!
The Night Journey
Kathryn Lasky's young adult novel The Night Journey is loosely based on her Aunt Ann's own escape from Tsarist Russia. Much like the during the Holocaust, during this time Jews were mistreated and murdered during pogroms.
In the fictional account, Rachel spends time with her aged great-grandmother, Nana Sashie. Rachel dreads this time. However, Nana Sashie begins to tell Rachel tales of her childhood in Russia and Rachel is suddenly hooked! However, Rachel's parents believe that reliving the past upsets Nana and discourages Rachel from discussing the past.
Rachel visits Nana covertly, in the middle of the night. Through these secret story-telling visits Rachel learns to a bit more about who she is and learns to appreciate the elderly relative.
I like this story because it reminded me of my reluctance to spend time with my elderly grandmother. My grandma has since passed away, and now I struggle to remember her stories with any great clarity. It saddens me that, at the time, I did not appreciate her stories for what they were. This novel will, hopefully, help to remind students that relatives have wonderful histories to share with them.
I bought this book at the Scholastic Warehouse Sale, and one annoying issue with the book is that although Rachel is spelled correctly on the back cover, throughout the entire book her name is spelled "Rache".
In the fictional account, Rachel spends time with her aged great-grandmother, Nana Sashie. Rachel dreads this time. However, Nana Sashie begins to tell Rachel tales of her childhood in Russia and Rachel is suddenly hooked! However, Rachel's parents believe that reliving the past upsets Nana and discourages Rachel from discussing the past.
Rachel visits Nana covertly, in the middle of the night. Through these secret story-telling visits Rachel learns to a bit more about who she is and learns to appreciate the elderly relative.
I like this story because it reminded me of my reluctance to spend time with my elderly grandmother. My grandma has since passed away, and now I struggle to remember her stories with any great clarity. It saddens me that, at the time, I did not appreciate her stories for what they were. This novel will, hopefully, help to remind students that relatives have wonderful histories to share with them.
I bought this book at the Scholastic Warehouse Sale, and one annoying issue with the book is that although Rachel is spelled correctly on the back cover, throughout the entire book her name is spelled "Rache".
July 2010
Summertime... and the reading is easy. Blatant rip off from Porgy and Bess, but it truly fits. The weather is finally cooperating in Chicago and I have had the opportunity for a bit of R & R. Although at this point of my vacation, I only have 2 blissful weeks remaining. It's time to start concentrating on Young Adult novels that I plan to bring back to my classroom.
My goal for this school year is to create an entire classroom of readers. Some of my students will come to me as readers, others will fight me kicking and screaming. However, by the end of the year I want all of my students to LOVE reading! To that end, I'm going to try and share a new book each week, and celebrate a different author each month. I'm also going to allow students to have time to JUST read -- no strings attached -- free reading!
I'd love for kids to keep a running list of books and authors that they've read throughout the year. In this way, students will begin to see what they like and what they don't, and I'll be better able to make recommendations. Reading is such a vital skill that I truly hope I can begin to create, or rejuvenate the love of reading for the 60 eighth graders I'll be lucky enough to teach throughout the 2010 - 2011 school year!
76. The Night Journey by Kathryn Lasky
77. Dead as a Doornail (Sookie Stackhouse #5) by Charlaine Harris
78. The Flag with Fifty-Six Stars: A Gift from the Survivors of Mauthausen by Susan Goldman Rubin and Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth
79. The Cat with the Yellow Star: Coming of Age in Terezin by Susan Goldman Rubin and Ela Weissberger
80. Memories of Survival by Esther Niesenthal Krinitz and Bernice Steinhardt
81. We Remember the Holocaust by David A. Adler
82. After the Holocaust by Howard Greenfeld
83. Definitely Dead (Sookie Stackhouse #6) by Charlaine Harris
84. Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork
85. Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Midwife in Mali by Kris Holloway
86. All Together Dead (Sookie Stackhouse #7) by Charlaine Harris
87. From Dead To Worse (Sookie Stackhouse #8) by Charlaine Harris
88. Dead and Gone (Sookie Stackhouse #9) by Charlaine Harris
89. Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse #10) by Charlaine Harris
90. The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain
My goal for this school year is to create an entire classroom of readers. Some of my students will come to me as readers, others will fight me kicking and screaming. However, by the end of the year I want all of my students to LOVE reading! To that end, I'm going to try and share a new book each week, and celebrate a different author each month. I'm also going to allow students to have time to JUST read -- no strings attached -- free reading!
I'd love for kids to keep a running list of books and authors that they've read throughout the year. In this way, students will begin to see what they like and what they don't, and I'll be better able to make recommendations. Reading is such a vital skill that I truly hope I can begin to create, or rejuvenate the love of reading for the 60 eighth graders I'll be lucky enough to teach throughout the 2010 - 2011 school year!
76. The Night Journey by Kathryn Lasky
77. Dead as a Doornail (Sookie Stackhouse #5) by Charlaine Harris
78. The Flag with Fifty-Six Stars: A Gift from the Survivors of Mauthausen by Susan Goldman Rubin and Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth
79. The Cat with the Yellow Star: Coming of Age in Terezin by Susan Goldman Rubin and Ela Weissberger
80. Memories of Survival by Esther Niesenthal Krinitz and Bernice Steinhardt
81. We Remember the Holocaust by David A. Adler
82. After the Holocaust by Howard Greenfeld
83. Definitely Dead (Sookie Stackhouse #6) by Charlaine Harris
84. Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork
85. Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Midwife in Mali by Kris Holloway
86. All Together Dead (Sookie Stackhouse #7) by Charlaine Harris
87. From Dead To Worse (Sookie Stackhouse #8) by Charlaine Harris
88. Dead and Gone (Sookie Stackhouse #9) by Charlaine Harris
89. Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse #10) by Charlaine Harris
90. The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain
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