I reviewed The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak once already on this blog, April 14, 2009. But since then, I honed a super-short "review" for a staff selection blurb at work. I'm very proud of it. So here it is.
The tragedy of war, versus the beauty of kindness, friendship, and love.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
A ride fraught with worry, but fun too
2009 Newbery Honor, Savvy by Ingrid Law.
The more that Mibs tries to take control of her sticky situation, the more outrageously out of hand it becomes. Larger-than-life personalities and fun.
The more that Mibs tries to take control of her sticky situation, the more outrageously out of hand it becomes. Larger-than-life personalities and fun.
A Great Dog Story
2001 Newbery Honor, Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo.
A lot in common with The Higher Power of Lucky (girl, single parent, small town, hot summer, trailer living), and just as charming.
A lot in common with The Higher Power of Lucky (girl, single parent, small town, hot summer, trailer living), and just as charming.
Seafaring Adventure
2001 Newbery Honor, The Wanderer by Sharon Creech.
Three uncles, two boy cousins, and 13-year-old Sophie, by sailboat from Connecticut to England. Took only a single afternoon to read, and I loved it.
Three uncles, two boy cousins, and 13-year-old Sophie, by sailboat from Connecticut to England. Took only a single afternoon to read, and I loved it.
A Novel in Free Verse
1998 Newbery Medal, Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse.
How does poetry manage to convey so much meaning in so few words?
How does poetry manage to convey so much meaning in so few words?
Friendship: Owner's Manual Needed?
2007 Newbery Honor, Rules by Cynthia Lord.
A 12-year-old girl navigates the waters of making new friends while coping with the quirks of her younger, autistic brother.
A 12-year-old girl navigates the waters of making new friends while coping with the quirks of her younger, autistic brother.
Recommend for Boys!
2010 Newbery Honor, The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick.
A lively journey from 1863 Maine to the battle of Gettysburg, full of Dickensian villains and valiant heroes.
A lively journey from 1863 Maine to the battle of Gettysburg, full of Dickensian villains and valiant heroes.
At that Awkward Stage
2004 Newbery Honor, Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes.
Captures the feeling I most remember from being a 12-year-old girl: uncertainty how to behave, when you are not a child anymore, but not a grownup yet.
Captures the feeling I most remember from being a 12-year-old girl: uncertainty how to behave, when you are not a child anymore, but not a grownup yet.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Su-spense!
Life As We Knew It (Last Survivors, #1) by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Everything the book jacket said it would be--riveting, gripping, can't-put-it-down suspense, and "like an accident you can't turn away from watching".
The Dead and the Gone (Last Survivors, #2) by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Terrifying, yet perfectly plausible.
This World We Live In (Last Survivors, #3) by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Even more shocking yet perfectly believable events. The characters from book 1 and 2 meet, and things do not go as planned.
Everything the book jacket said it would be--riveting, gripping, can't-put-it-down suspense, and "like an accident you can't turn away from watching".
The Dead and the Gone (Last Survivors, #2) by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Terrifying, yet perfectly plausible.
This World We Live In (Last Survivors, #3) by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Even more shocking yet perfectly believable events. The characters from book 1 and 2 meet, and things do not go as planned.
World Civ. at Grandpa's Knee
1922 Newbery Medal (the very first one!), The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willem van Loon
The author writes to children as though they are gathered around him at the hearth, being entertained and educated at the same time. His explanation of Europe's wars during the 19th century led right into the reasons for WWI. I had never gotten a good picture of those events unfolding, until now.
The author writes to children as though they are gathered around him at the hearth, being entertained and educated at the same time. His explanation of Europe's wars during the 19th century led right into the reasons for WWI. I had never gotten a good picture of those events unfolding, until now.
Plenty of Heroes, For a Change
2010 Newbery Medal, When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. Two reviews for the price of one!
1) The off-topic review:
Featuring a rare occurrence in literature--a mother's boyfriend who is a kind, loving person, friend to the daughter, and someone whom the reader WANTS the mother to marry.
2) The more-to-the point review:
There are many heroes in this story. I can't reveal them without spoiling the intrigue. Please do yourself a favor--read this book and enjoy discovering them.
This book leads to:
A Wrinkle in Time by Maeleine L'Engle
1) The off-topic review:
Featuring a rare occurrence in literature--a mother's boyfriend who is a kind, loving person, friend to the daughter, and someone whom the reader WANTS the mother to marry.
2) The more-to-the point review:
There are many heroes in this story. I can't reveal them without spoiling the intrigue. Please do yourself a favor--read this book and enjoy discovering them.
This book leads to:
A Wrinkle in Time by Maeleine L'Engle
Ghosts and Goblins, not my usual fare
2010 Newbery Medal, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
All the fantasy I've read up to now has been the kind with wizardry. It was refreshing to me to enter this completely new setting.
All the fantasy I've read up to now has been the kind with wizardry. It was refreshing to me to enter this completely new setting.
What can I say?
Despite great interest in finding out the Newbery medalists and honor books each January, I have not gotten around in the last 10 or so years to actually READ most of them. That's changing this summer--I'm catching up.
As I finish each book and post a review on Goodreads, I know my review is just one of millions. What can I say that hasn't already been said about such a widely-read book? For a plot summary, people can read the dust jacket. A generic "It's great, you should read it" would be waste of time. So, my goal in reviewing is to be brief and personal. How brief? Not always tweet-worthy, but 20 words is the target. How personal? Focusing on what I liked best, learned, or was led to think about. And just to except my own rule, I may still sum up the plot--if I feel I can do a better job than the dust jacket. Posts to follow!
As I finish each book and post a review on Goodreads, I know my review is just one of millions. What can I say that hasn't already been said about such a widely-read book? For a plot summary, people can read the dust jacket. A generic "It's great, you should read it" would be waste of time. So, my goal in reviewing is to be brief and personal. How brief? Not always tweet-worthy, but 20 words is the target. How personal? Focusing on what I liked best, learned, or was led to think about. And just to except my own rule, I may still sum up the plot--if I feel I can do a better job than the dust jacket. Posts to follow!
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