Picture the scene... I'm into my very lofty reading goals for the summer. I'm racing through some great books. I'm half way through Eric Walters' book, 'Alexandria of Africa' and I LEFT the book at the neighbourhood pool!!! Argh! So frustrating. And it's a library book. Oops! Good thing I'm the librarian. I need to practice what I preach.
So I will start a post about this book and have to finish it when I locate the missing copy.
I've been wanting to read this book for a while. It is popular in the library. I try to read the unpopular books in order to broaden horizons of my students; but decided to see if this one was as good as the preteen readers proclaim.
I have to say Walters seems to have a definite theme wherein teens that are off the rails get payback through some very extreme punishments. It can be quite satisfying. Alexandria is another tough teen who is spoiled and has never had to account for her behaviour. She is given an opportunity to serve 'time' in Africa, working for a charity. Another Walters theme is novels which center around African communities struggling with lack of resources needed to provide the basic necessities. Teens learning lessons in a different, eye opening environment is not only satisfying but educational for Walters audience. We should be very thankful for these life lessons!
'Alexandria of Africa' teaches some great lessons. Where I am currently, she has just visited the school which lacks many western touches, but makes up for this in the spirit of its students. Literally, the middle of the book and our protagonist is starting to show signs of humanity!
Stay tuned for an update of the status of my lost library book and Alexandria's adventures.
5 hours later: Update!!! Book found! phew!
Finished this evening and it was a predictable ending. It was satisfying to know that Alexandria learned that the excess that she enjoys at home is not even close to the norm in other parts of the world. All people, young and old should have a similar experience. It is so hard to teach gratitude on a daily basis when we do have so much and we are so lucky in many ways.
Showing posts with label YA Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label YA Fiction. Show all posts
Friday, July 8, 2016
Friday, February 5, 2016
Innocent - Eric Walters
My love affair with Eric Walters books continues. They never fail to entertain. This one I was reading at the bus stop with my kids. I was reading standing up waiting for a class to show up at the library. I finished it as I put on my boots to come home. I have never done this ever with a book, especially not a YA fiction! I had to find out what happened.
It is a compelling story about a likable young lady. The Secrets series was the brainchild of Eric Walters and Teresa Toten and this one tells the story of Lizzie/Betty/Elizabeth. She finds that her mother was murdered, leaving her orphaned. Her father is in Kingston Penitentiary serving time for the murder. He claims to be innocent. Lizzie is torn between the father she just met, the family who is supporting her and a young police officer with romantic interests. You want her to find love and belonging. You also feel that it's not going to be that easy. There is a 'Clue' like mystery woven throughout. A whodunit to introduce kids to the murder mystery! A great novel to teach mystery.
Eric Walters fans and mystery lovers will enjoy this one!
It is a compelling story about a likable young lady. The Secrets series was the brainchild of Eric Walters and Teresa Toten and this one tells the story of Lizzie/Betty/Elizabeth. She finds that her mother was murdered, leaving her orphaned. Her father is in Kingston Penitentiary serving time for the murder. He claims to be innocent. Lizzie is torn between the father she just met, the family who is supporting her and a young police officer with romantic interests. You want her to find love and belonging. You also feel that it's not going to be that easy. There is a 'Clue' like mystery woven throughout. A whodunit to introduce kids to the murder mystery! A great novel to teach mystery.
Eric Walters fans and mystery lovers will enjoy this one!
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl - Jesse Andrews
When I became an elementary school librarian, I inherited a collection of books that had been organized by someone else. Books were put in YA based on someone's thoughts on what should be strictly for grade 7 & 8 students. If students want to read these books, they need to be a certain age or they need permission from their parents to 'shop' anywhere in the library.
So while this book is BRILLIANT, the thought of putting it my library gives me anxiety. I'm usually fine with some mature language and questionable content. I feel like if a kid can find the f bomb or the adult content, I'm happy because they are reading! However, the mature content and language is really out there in this book. But the book is so great! What's a librarian to do? I feel like author, Jesse Andrews has perfectly captured the spirit of most teenage boys.
There is no searching for salacious tidbits, this book hits you over the head with them. But did I laugh out loud? Oh ya! It is so funny. If you ever struggled socially at all during high school, you will identify in more than one way to the trials of Greg.
At it's heart, this book is revealing and touching even though Greg claims to be untouched by the sickness and eventual death of Rachel (not a spoiler, as per the title). He claims over and over again that he is unaffected and learns nothing from the experience:
And then we sat and didn't say anything for awhile. You're probably hoping I was sitting there overflowing with love and tenderness. Maybe you should think about switching to a different book. Even to, like an owner's manual to a refrigerator or something. That would be more heartwarming than this.
I politely and firmly disagree. What Greg does is underline how difficult it is to deal with a friend who is dying, but in his discomfort and awkwardness we are drawn to his endearing way of befriending Rachel. He doesn't say the right things and it's a little painful at times (actually it's hilarious) but the realness is refreshing. We so often read about kids who do the right things and say exactly what needs to be said. That's not real life! Who EVER knows what to say in times like these? There's nothing you can say to make it all better. Thanks Greg Gaines for keeping it real and making me laugh out loud - Something that rarely happens in my reading.
So while this book is BRILLIANT, the thought of putting it my library gives me anxiety. I'm usually fine with some mature language and questionable content. I feel like if a kid can find the f bomb or the adult content, I'm happy because they are reading! However, the mature content and language is really out there in this book. But the book is so great! What's a librarian to do? I feel like author, Jesse Andrews has perfectly captured the spirit of most teenage boys.
There is no searching for salacious tidbits, this book hits you over the head with them. But did I laugh out loud? Oh ya! It is so funny. If you ever struggled socially at all during high school, you will identify in more than one way to the trials of Greg.
At it's heart, this book is revealing and touching even though Greg claims to be untouched by the sickness and eventual death of Rachel (not a spoiler, as per the title). He claims over and over again that he is unaffected and learns nothing from the experience:
And then we sat and didn't say anything for awhile. You're probably hoping I was sitting there overflowing with love and tenderness. Maybe you should think about switching to a different book. Even to, like an owner's manual to a refrigerator or something. That would be more heartwarming than this.
I politely and firmly disagree. What Greg does is underline how difficult it is to deal with a friend who is dying, but in his discomfort and awkwardness we are drawn to his endearing way of befriending Rachel. He doesn't say the right things and it's a little painful at times (actually it's hilarious) but the realness is refreshing. We so often read about kids who do the right things and say exactly what needs to be said. That's not real life! Who EVER knows what to say in times like these? There's nothing you can say to make it all better. Thanks Greg Gaines for keeping it real and making me laugh out loud - Something that rarely happens in my reading.
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Shaken - Eric Walters
'When the earth on which you stand has been shaken, maybe all that is left is the faith from above' - (Eric Walters)
Walters never ceases to amaze me! Shaken has a very different message from recent novels by Walters. In Shaken we are introduced to a minister's son who is questioning his faith after the passing of his mother. The minister and his kids are in Haiti helping to build an addition to an orphanage. Here Josh (Joshua) is introduced to a country of people who are suffering loss of their own.
Big Question #1 - How do you measure personal loss against someone else's?
Josh meets a pastor who doesn't seem to mind that he has questions about his faith. Pastor Dave lets Josh speak freely which is freeing to this boy who is mourning the death of his mother and trying to keep it together for his younger sister. His world (the world) is literally shaken when an earthquake strikes. Josh quickly takes on a leadership position to help those around him. Will he have the courage to do what needs to be done to save his new friends, his dad and his sister?
Again, Eric Walters take an opportunity to teach a bit of history. However in true a Walters style, we learn more about the human spirit.
Funny how you experience things at just the right time...I read this novel at a time when my own faith had been tested.
Big Question #2 - How DO people continue to have hope and faith when horrific things happen to them and the people they love most?
A timely read for me and I'm sure it will conjure up memories and emotions for the readers as well. Thanks for encouraging us to keep the faith!
Walters never ceases to amaze me! Shaken has a very different message from recent novels by Walters. In Shaken we are introduced to a minister's son who is questioning his faith after the passing of his mother. The minister and his kids are in Haiti helping to build an addition to an orphanage. Here Josh (Joshua) is introduced to a country of people who are suffering loss of their own.
Big Question #1 - How do you measure personal loss against someone else's?
Josh meets a pastor who doesn't seem to mind that he has questions about his faith. Pastor Dave lets Josh speak freely which is freeing to this boy who is mourning the death of his mother and trying to keep it together for his younger sister. His world (the world) is literally shaken when an earthquake strikes. Josh quickly takes on a leadership position to help those around him. Will he have the courage to do what needs to be done to save his new friends, his dad and his sister?
Again, Eric Walters take an opportunity to teach a bit of history. However in true a Walters style, we learn more about the human spirit.
Funny how you experience things at just the right time...I read this novel at a time when my own faith had been tested.
Big Question #2 - How DO people continue to have hope and faith when horrific things happen to them and the people they love most?
A timely read for me and I'm sure it will conjure up memories and emotions for the readers as well. Thanks for encouraging us to keep the faith!
Monday, August 10, 2015
Power Play - Eric Walters
I am a self professed Eric Walters super fan. As teacher-librarian in my elementary school for 4 years, I've always pushed Walters on all sorts of readers with much success. He has a real talent for reaching struggling readers and avid readers with topics that are timely, relevant and intriguing. Power Play does not disappoint. I always tell kids I'm a s-l-o-w reader, especially if the text doesn't grab me. This was a quick read. I needed to know what happens to the main character Cody, a tough, rough, hockey player dreaming about becoming a NHL legend. As gripping as the story is, this can be a difficult read. It deals with sexual assault in a very real way, describing the confusion and shame in a way that will stay with a reader. I would caution younger readers who think they can handle YA fiction about reading this sometimes upsetting and REAL story. If you have struggling readers who can handle the content, Power Play is a great choice. Another home run for Eric Walters in my opinion!
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