The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is one of the best books I have ever read. This novel gripped me from the start and has yet to let me go. The characters are unforgettable, and the story is at once heart breaking, humbling, humorous and even life changing.
The book is set in Germany during Hitler's reign. The main character is a little girl named Liesel who has lost her family. On her journey to her new home where she will be cared for by a foster family, she steals her first book. Even though she cannot yet read, she realizes the power of words. The story is told by one of the most interesting narrators I have ever come across, Death. As Death goes about his work, and he is very busy during those years in Germany, he tells Liesel's tale and a bit of his own. Liesel adapts to her new life, learns how to read, continues to steal books and uses those words during times of crisis.
The cast of characters in this book have imprinted on my soul. Rudy, Liesel's best friend, Hans and Rosa, Liesel's foster parents, Max, the Jewish man Liesel's family hides in their basement, and Death himself. They each teach the reader about humanity. There are real heroes in these pages, characters who faced such peril and rose above, characters who put their lives on the line to help another human being. Even Death, who took such care with the souls that were his charge.
The author uses words very powerfully in this book, so fitting for a book about the power of words. It is itself a work of art. The subject matter is so heavy, but there is humor thrown in at just the right moment to lighten that heavy load. Zusak is an artist with the English language. This is a book that everyone should read. I will never forget these characters and this story will remain with me always.
Happy Reading!
Showing posts with label young adult. Show all posts
Showing posts with label young adult. Show all posts
Monday, August 22, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Artichoke's Heart
Suzanne Supplee writes a sweet, delectable, touching novel in Artichoke's Heart. The novel is centered around a young girl who is battling a weight issue. But so much more than that, she is trying to learn to love herself and see that others love her, too.
Rosemary is fat. She is also sweet, smart, loving, and strong. But she doesn't know that. She just sees herself as fat, maybe because her mother and her aunt are always reminding her of that and trying to help her lose weight. She is 15 and has no real friends other than some of the people that work in the beauty shop that her mother owns. When Rosemary finally has enough of being fat, she decides to make a change. The novel follows Rosemary on her courageous journey to shed the pounds and learn to love herself. Through a difficult illness that befalls her mother, through the taunts of the popular girls at school, through all the cravings, she finds a real friend and love, too. But most importantly, she figures out that she is special and that she has a lot of people around her who have loved her all along in spite of her size.
The reader is rooting for Rosemary all the way through this novel. You feel her highs and lows, believe in her even when she doesn't believe in herself and hope beyond hope that the people in her life are really trustworthy. I loved Rosemary and I loved this book. It will most likely make my favorites list this year. I believe it is meant as a juvenile fiction book, but I highly recommend it to any reader.
Happy Reading!
Rosemary is fat. She is also sweet, smart, loving, and strong. But she doesn't know that. She just sees herself as fat, maybe because her mother and her aunt are always reminding her of that and trying to help her lose weight. She is 15 and has no real friends other than some of the people that work in the beauty shop that her mother owns. When Rosemary finally has enough of being fat, she decides to make a change. The novel follows Rosemary on her courageous journey to shed the pounds and learn to love herself. Through a difficult illness that befalls her mother, through the taunts of the popular girls at school, through all the cravings, she finds a real friend and love, too. But most importantly, she figures out that she is special and that she has a lot of people around her who have loved her all along in spite of her size.
The reader is rooting for Rosemary all the way through this novel. You feel her highs and lows, believe in her even when she doesn't believe in herself and hope beyond hope that the people in her life are really trustworthy. I loved Rosemary and I loved this book. It will most likely make my favorites list this year. I believe it is meant as a juvenile fiction book, but I highly recommend it to any reader.
Happy Reading!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Mockingjay
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins is the final book in the Hunger Games trilogy. Like the others in the series it is very suspenseful and heartbreaking, but at the same time thought provoking and satisfying.
In Mockingjay, Katniss finds herself, her mother & sister and her best friend, Dale, in District 13. A safe place for the moment, while the rest of the districts rise in a rebellion against the Capital. She is the public figure at the forefront of the revolution. The face of the uprising. The spokesperson helping to increase the fire against those in charge in the Capitol. Once again she rises above injury, heartbreak, and difficult decisions to lead her people (whether she wants to or not). She has to figure out who to trust and how to best represent the rebellion. All the while, trying to figure out her relationships with Dale and Peeta, her partner in the Hunger Games, who for much of this book is missing, being held captive by the Capitol.
Underneath this storyline is a very real political message about keeping those in power in check, and about how power corrupts. It serves as sort of a warning for all of us about what could happen in the future if we don't keep our government from becoming too all powerful. But on top of all of that, this is a gripping story of hardship and triumph, and of love.
This book was emotionally draining to read. I read it in one day and loved every minute of it, even the heart wrenching ones. This entire series has been a wonderful ride. I highly recommend this series, although it is a little hard for me to see it as a young adult and I caution parents to read it first to judge the acceptability for their particular child. While I believe my son will love the series, at 11, he is not yet ready for the heavy subject matter. This book will be among my favorites of the year, and I look forward to sharing it with my oldest in a couple years.
Happy Reading!
In Mockingjay, Katniss finds herself, her mother & sister and her best friend, Dale, in District 13. A safe place for the moment, while the rest of the districts rise in a rebellion against the Capital. She is the public figure at the forefront of the revolution. The face of the uprising. The spokesperson helping to increase the fire against those in charge in the Capitol. Once again she rises above injury, heartbreak, and difficult decisions to lead her people (whether she wants to or not). She has to figure out who to trust and how to best represent the rebellion. All the while, trying to figure out her relationships with Dale and Peeta, her partner in the Hunger Games, who for much of this book is missing, being held captive by the Capitol.
Underneath this storyline is a very real political message about keeping those in power in check, and about how power corrupts. It serves as sort of a warning for all of us about what could happen in the future if we don't keep our government from becoming too all powerful. But on top of all of that, this is a gripping story of hardship and triumph, and of love.
This book was emotionally draining to read. I read it in one day and loved every minute of it, even the heart wrenching ones. This entire series has been a wonderful ride. I highly recommend this series, although it is a little hard for me to see it as a young adult and I caution parents to read it first to judge the acceptability for their particular child. While I believe my son will love the series, at 11, he is not yet ready for the heavy subject matter. This book will be among my favorites of the year, and I look forward to sharing it with my oldest in a couple years.
Happy Reading!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
3 Willows
3 Willows is a young adult novel from Ann Brashares, the author of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. This appears to be the beginning of a new series (on the cover it says "the sisterhood grows"). This book was a little slow to grab my attention, but ended up being okay.
The story is centered around three girls who are leaving middle school and entering high school. They are trying to grow up a bit over the summer and prepare for the new world of high school. Their friendship is faltering and when they spend the summer apart, it appears that they will be moving on separately. The three of them face different struggles, from divorcing parents, to facing fears, to an alcoholic mother. They each learn that they are stronger than they thought, and that the bonds of friendship are not so easily broken.
This book is loosely tied to the Traveling Pants books. The characters from the Traveling Pants series are mentioned, as these girls go to the same school. The previous sisterhood is a legend. One of the characters babysits a Traveling Pants characters younger brother & sister. Another character is a member of a family that was mentioned as a local tragedy during the Traveling Pants series. The younger sister of one of the Traveling Pants girls plays a minor role in this book, as well.
Overall, I would recommend this book if you read the Traveling Pants series and enjoyed it. As I mentioned, the book started kind of slow for me. It is certainly not on the same level as its predecessor. It is enjoyable, but will not stay with me long or be on the list of my favorites from this year.
Happy Reading!
The story is centered around three girls who are leaving middle school and entering high school. They are trying to grow up a bit over the summer and prepare for the new world of high school. Their friendship is faltering and when they spend the summer apart, it appears that they will be moving on separately. The three of them face different struggles, from divorcing parents, to facing fears, to an alcoholic mother. They each learn that they are stronger than they thought, and that the bonds of friendship are not so easily broken.
This book is loosely tied to the Traveling Pants books. The characters from the Traveling Pants series are mentioned, as these girls go to the same school. The previous sisterhood is a legend. One of the characters babysits a Traveling Pants characters younger brother & sister. Another character is a member of a family that was mentioned as a local tragedy during the Traveling Pants series. The younger sister of one of the Traveling Pants girls plays a minor role in this book, as well.
Overall, I would recommend this book if you read the Traveling Pants series and enjoyed it. As I mentioned, the book started kind of slow for me. It is certainly not on the same level as its predecessor. It is enjoyable, but will not stay with me long or be on the list of my favorites from this year.
Happy Reading!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Catching Fire
Catching Fire is the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. The series is for young adult readers, but I found the books gripping and highly enjoyable. This second book is just as quickly paced as the first and full of twists and turns sure to keep any reader on his toes.
After surviving The Hunger Games, Katniss becomes an unknowing part in a growing revolution in the Districts. Spurned by her act of defiance, the people of the Districts want to rise up against the Capitol. Back at home, she has to figure out how to live as a "survivor" of the games, how to continue to help those closest to her and how to use her celebrity to save those she loves. The Capitol is aware that she is the fuel to the fire in the Districts, but is unable to take her out easily due to her popularity with the citizens in the Capitol. To help her along the way, she has to work with many of the characters from the first novel, and they all have one goal - keeping her safe.
This book is full of twists and turns. I was surprised by several of them, things I truly did not see coming, up to the very end of the book. This book is again, brutal and heart wrenching, just like the first in the series. It kept me guessing and turning the pages at a furious pace. I absolutely loved this book and am anxious to read the third and final book in the series, which will be published sometime later this year. I highly recommend this series and am considering turning my fifth grade son onto it. I think he would enjoy it as well.
Happy Reading!
After surviving The Hunger Games, Katniss becomes an unknowing part in a growing revolution in the Districts. Spurned by her act of defiance, the people of the Districts want to rise up against the Capitol. Back at home, she has to figure out how to live as a "survivor" of the games, how to continue to help those closest to her and how to use her celebrity to save those she loves. The Capitol is aware that she is the fuel to the fire in the Districts, but is unable to take her out easily due to her popularity with the citizens in the Capitol. To help her along the way, she has to work with many of the characters from the first novel, and they all have one goal - keeping her safe.
This book is full of twists and turns. I was surprised by several of them, things I truly did not see coming, up to the very end of the book. This book is again, brutal and heart wrenching, just like the first in the series. It kept me guessing and turning the pages at a furious pace. I absolutely loved this book and am anxious to read the third and final book in the series, which will be published sometime later this year. I highly recommend this series and am considering turning my fifth grade son onto it. I think he would enjoy it as well.
Happy Reading!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
The Hunger Games
Wow! I just finished The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It was so good, I don't know if I could do it justice to write words about it. You need to go get this book and read it!
The Hunger Games is about a futuristic place called Panem which is where North America used to be. The area is divided in to districts that are ruled by "The Capitol". The districts are barely surviving, having to ration food, and work for the good of The Capitol. Each year, each district has to give up two children (age 12 to 18), one boy and one girl, for the Hunger Games - a competition devised to keep the districts in line by reminding them that The Capitol has the power, and also for entertainment purposes. The contestants in the Hunger Games are put into a large outside area called "the arena" where cameras follow their every move. It is like the most brutal form of reality TV. In the competition, there can be only one winner, every other competitor must die.
The main character is a girl. Katniss, from District 12. It is a heart wrenching story of how she competes in the Hunger Games, doing what she has to in order to survive. She has to constantly weigh survival against humanity, and love. This was a fantastic book that pulled me in immediately and has yet to release it's grip on me, and I am finished the book. The description of the places and the way the characters feelings are made known without having to spell them out made this book a real page turner. The Hunger Games is the first book in a trilogy. The second book, Catching Fire is already out. I cannot wait to read it!
Happy Reading!
The Hunger Games is about a futuristic place called Panem which is where North America used to be. The area is divided in to districts that are ruled by "The Capitol". The districts are barely surviving, having to ration food, and work for the good of The Capitol. Each year, each district has to give up two children (age 12 to 18), one boy and one girl, for the Hunger Games - a competition devised to keep the districts in line by reminding them that The Capitol has the power, and also for entertainment purposes. The contestants in the Hunger Games are put into a large outside area called "the arena" where cameras follow their every move. It is like the most brutal form of reality TV. In the competition, there can be only one winner, every other competitor must die.
The main character is a girl. Katniss, from District 12. It is a heart wrenching story of how she competes in the Hunger Games, doing what she has to in order to survive. She has to constantly weigh survival against humanity, and love. This was a fantastic book that pulled me in immediately and has yet to release it's grip on me, and I am finished the book. The description of the places and the way the characters feelings are made known without having to spell them out made this book a real page turner. The Hunger Games is the first book in a trilogy. The second book, Catching Fire is already out. I cannot wait to read it!
Happy Reading!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Dreamland
Dreamland is a young adult novel by Sarah Deesen. It is a novel about a teenage girl and the struggles she goes through when her older sister runs away from home, and she finds love. Having to live in her sister's shadow was nothing compared to living with her absence. It makes her even more invisible to her parents. As she struggles to find out who she is, without her sister (with whom she was very close), she finds love in a boy from another school. What follows is a path of destructive behavior that she cannot find her way out of. The novel is about friendship, family and love, and about finding your own dreams in spite of what someone else wants for you. I think it also sends a message to teenagers about the dangers in certain relationships and how our choices can drastically affect our futures.
This novel was hard to read as a parent. Watching this girl go down a dangerous path, while her parents are not looking, was very difficult to witness. She starts out with such a good head on her shoulders, but one person changes that. Her relationship with this one boy threatens her friendships and her relationship with her parents, and ultimately her life. It was scary to think of what could happen when a teenager doesn't tell anyone about what is going on in her life. She gets so involved and falls so heavily, that even though she knows things are bad, she does nothing to stop them. In the end, her recovery from these events takes a long time.
The sister makes some choices that affect her future, as well. She was set to go to an ivy league college, and leaves town because she doesn't feel like this was her dream. She feels it was what her parents wanted. She leaves this incredible future behind for a boy. I think the author was trying to get the reader to sympathize with the sister's character, but I just couldn't do it. It was so hard to read about those choices and try to sympathize, because as an adult and a parent all I could see was what she was throwing away. I could only imagine how I would have felt if these were my children.
I think the author romanticized life a bit, and I suppose most novelists do. But I think that is dangerous in a young adult novel. None of the struggle the sister must have faced was noted in the novel, and it does not go far enough into the future to truly show how her choices affect the rest of her life. This is not a book I would really want my teenage daughter to read. If she ever did, I would need to discuss the books themes with her, specifically the older sister's path, to ensure that she understood that life isn't that simple.
Overall it was a good book, and maybe an important one for parents to read. It is certainly important to read it if your children have.
Happy Reading!
This novel was hard to read as a parent. Watching this girl go down a dangerous path, while her parents are not looking, was very difficult to witness. She starts out with such a good head on her shoulders, but one person changes that. Her relationship with this one boy threatens her friendships and her relationship with her parents, and ultimately her life. It was scary to think of what could happen when a teenager doesn't tell anyone about what is going on in her life. She gets so involved and falls so heavily, that even though she knows things are bad, she does nothing to stop them. In the end, her recovery from these events takes a long time.
The sister makes some choices that affect her future, as well. She was set to go to an ivy league college, and leaves town because she doesn't feel like this was her dream. She feels it was what her parents wanted. She leaves this incredible future behind for a boy. I think the author was trying to get the reader to sympathize with the sister's character, but I just couldn't do it. It was so hard to read about those choices and try to sympathize, because as an adult and a parent all I could see was what she was throwing away. I could only imagine how I would have felt if these were my children.
I think the author romanticized life a bit, and I suppose most novelists do. But I think that is dangerous in a young adult novel. None of the struggle the sister must have faced was noted in the novel, and it does not go far enough into the future to truly show how her choices affect the rest of her life. This is not a book I would really want my teenage daughter to read. If she ever did, I would need to discuss the books themes with her, specifically the older sister's path, to ensure that she understood that life isn't that simple.
Overall it was a good book, and maybe an important one for parents to read. It is certainly important to read it if your children have.
Happy Reading!
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