Blogs

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love, love, love this author and this second book by Jandy Nelson has so much to savor and enjoy. I have to agree with my friend, Tiff Emerick, I did not want it to end. I kept reading small bits, hoping that would make the love, drama, brother/sister dysfunction, family sagas, and the art that wove its way through the plot, the characters, and healing last forever. Twins Jude and Noah tell parts of the story at different ages. At a certain point, what they once had so much of- love, honesty, and sharing became jealousy, lies and separation. Nelson's characters affected me deeply- not just Noah and Jude, but their mom (and her ghost), their grandmother's ghost, Brian, the English model and the crazy artist who takes Jude on as a student. There is so much to love about this novel, but I will leave you with the beauty of Nelson's words as Noah describes Brian, "I swear I can see sound, the dark green howling wind, the crimson crush of rain- all these sound-colors swirling around my room while I lie on my bed thinking about Brian. His name when I say it aloud: Azul." This is a must read; you will laugh, cry, sing, and sigh. The words evoke such wonderful colors, images, and emotions.


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We Were Here by Matt de la Pena
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A great pick for our Februrary book discussion this month with my librarian friends! I just loved Matt's other book, Mexican White Boy Mexican WhiteBoy and We Were Here is just as compelling. Miguel is in juvi for a crime he doesn't reveal but he is totally guilt ridden about. He gets into an argument with Mong, an Asian with a severely scarred face, many other problems and health issues---scary, scary kid. When Rondell arrives; Miguel already knows him there is more of a flow to his daily life. Miguel reads lots of books, records in his journal (judge's orders) hangs out with(and makes fun of)Rondell. It is when Mong breaks them out to escape to Mexico and get jobs, that life totally changes for the three escapees. Miguel acts hardcore but he is hiding a lot behind his Mexican bravado. As they travel (and hide) to Mexico, there will be life lessons Miguel (and Mong and Rondell) work through as they come to terms with themselves, family, and their place in the world. A riveting, adventure with Miguel and friends. Reluctant readers (and teens who enjoy urban fiction) will relate to all three characters and their dilemmas.

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Ask The Passengers by A.S. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

King has scored such a success with Astrid Jones, she has the indomitable spirit, but she doesn't know it yet. When she has questions about life, she wants to trust her best friend Kristina. But how can you trust your best friend when she talks to your mom about you on the phone. How can you trust your sister when your mom has girls night with her and never asks Astrid to join? And how can you ask your father anything when he is so busy getting high. Astrid and Ellis lived a wonderful life in a big city before their mom, Claire moved them to perfect little Unityville. Astrid has a few friends and works many weekends at a catering company where she is expert at deveining shrimp. It is here that she meets Dee and they find time to hug and kiss one another in the big freezer. Dee knows what she wants, but Astrid is just not sure. It is when Kristina comes up with a plan for Astrid to act like she is dating a guy and then after the date, Kristina and Astrid will go to the gay bar in town. Even though they are underage, they get in and it is not until much later, that their worlds come tumbling down when the bar is raided. Everyone is in trouble, but somehow Kristina convinces Astrid's mom that it was all Astrid's idea. Astrid still does not come out and tell everyone about herself and Dee. This hurts Dee but Astrid is continually working her way back to real truth and it is through her many talks to the passengers who fly overhead as Astrid lays on the picnic table in her back yard and questions imaginary Phil Socrates that she is able to accept and love herself. Astrid mends fences with her parents and sister, but they are flawed and it is when Astrid realizes this that she can accept their shortcomings. Astrid doesn't buckle under peer pressure but it takes most of the book for Astrid to berate Kristina and rebuke Dee. Until she does this, Astrid uses boys to hide who she really is and she feels very badly. Astrid never likes keeping secrets but she has not become strong enough to combat the lies until the night at the bar when they are all arrested. It is through all the LOVE that Astrid sends out to the passengers on the planes that she is able to march forward, happy with who she is, loving her imperfect life, verbally sparring with herself and Phil Socrates that we get an empowered, happy Astrid who will continue to question herself and others and above all, like herself for who she truly is.

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Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is another visual delight, part pictures beautifully drawn by Brian Selznick and part story about Ben who is hearing impaired, loses his mother and tries to track down his father. Juxtaposed are the pictures which tells the story of Rose who lives many years earlier, is also deaf and leads a miserable existence with her father. Rose is also fixated on a famous actress and longs to run away to a better, more happy life. Through the pictures and story interspersed throughout, you will love finding out what Ben discovers when he travels to New York to try to find any kind of clues as to who his father is. It is when we follow the art work and story that we are treated to the beauty of Selznick's drawings of the New York skyline and the wolves of Gunflint, Minnesota and following 2 characters as they open doors into dioramas, museums, nature,words, city life and country life. Selnick gives us beauty and wonder and so much more in this 637 page book!

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Scowler by Daniel Kraus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow, there is something so twisted but absorbing in Daniel Kraus' books. I still think about Rotters and last night I couldn't get back to sleep thinking about Ry, his mom, and little sister, Sarah as Marvin Burke (dad and father) terrorizes his family after escaping from prison. But that is just one small part of this horror story extraordinaire. A meteorite has landed in their yard and Ry needs to call upon his three childhood toys to help him save his family from the sick, twisted, maniac that is his father. I couldn't stop checking the cover as I read the book and the title, Scowler, is Ry's bloodthirsty toy (his doctor says Scowler is really his father)and he is an unbelievable adversary for Ry while the other 2 toys, Mr. Furrington and Jesus Christ are much more normal, caring, and likable. I read this as part of The Hub Challenge and boy am I glad I did, I just didn't like the crazy, scary thoughts keeping me awake:)


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