Book Review: Out of the Dust

 
 Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse

Summary: (amazon)

 This gripping story, written in sparse first-person, free-verse poems, is the compelling tale of Billie Jo's struggle to survive during the dust bowl years of the Depression. With stoic courage, she learns to cope with the loss of her mother and her grieving father's slow deterioration. There is hope at the end when Billie Jo's badly burned hands are healed, and she is able to play her beloved piano again. The 1998 Newbery Medal winner.

My Thoughts:

This was a really different Historical Fiction novel (well it wasn't really a novel). First of all, it's in first person poems--100% of the book! I thought the poems fit the book really well, but it got confusing at some points. When you do poems, you can't really connect with the characters. It was a very quick and easy read, but I would not recommend it at all.

Content: None

My Rating: 2 stars (I didn't like it)
 
G, 10 and Up

How do you Write?

Do you Write best with music? 
Do you need it to be silent? 
Is your thinking better with food in your hand? 
Do you write a detailed plot--or just write as you go? 
Are you a typer? 
Or do you write you stories on paper?

Nonfiction? 
Biographies? 
Fairytales?
 What do you write?
 Why do you like writing?

Tell me! Comment, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Book Review: Losers Inc

 

Losers Inc. by Claudia Mills

Summary:(amazon)

 Ethan Winfield has never been an academic or athletic star like his older brother, Peter. But does that make him a failure? Of course not. Still, Ethan and his best friend, Julius Zimmerman, decide that they qualify to found an exclusive club: Losers, Inc.

No sooner have they done this, however, than both boys fall in love with the new student teacher. Ethan knows right away that to impress Ms. Gunderson he has to excel. Instead of reading the shortest book for his report, he has to read the longest. Instead of working with Julius on the worst project for the science fair, he has to make the best one--alone.

Unfortunately, it isn't Ms. Gunderson who falls for Ethan, but Lizzie Archer, class nerd. The teasing is unbearable! So without regard for Lizzie's feelings--and over Julius's objections--Ethan helps hatch a plot to prove that he's not Lizzie's boyfriend. The result is that even as he reports on a book that's longer than any Peter read in the sixth grade, and prepares a potentially winning science project, Ethan feels that he doesn't deserve anyone's love--not Ms. Gunderson's, not Lizzie's, not Julius's, not his own.

My Thoughts:

This book was downright weird. I read it for fun--but I mean, an eleven year old kid falling in love with a student teacher? Yeah, it was REALLY weird. The characters were mostly flat, the writing was boring, nothing really special. It was just a light right. One aspect I liked though, was the humor. It was perfectly silly for younger kids! I would recommend this book for kids in 3rd\4th grade who need an easy and fun book.

Content: None

G, 8 and up

Book Review: See You At Harry's

 


















See You at Harry's by Jo Knowles

Summary: (amazon)

 Twelve-year-old Fern feels invisible. It seems as though everyone in her family has better things to do than pay attention to her: Mom (when she’s not meditating) helps Dad run the family restaurant; Sarah is taking a gap year after high school; and Holden pretends that Mom and Dad and everyone else doesn’t know he’s gay, even as he fends off bullies at school. Then there’s Charlie: three years old, a "surprise" baby, the center of everyone’s world. He’s devoted to Fern, but he’s annoying, too, always getting his way, always dirty, always commanding attention. If it wasn’t for Ran, Fern’s calm and positive best friend, there’d be nowhere to turn. Ran’s mantra, "All will be well," is soothing in a way that nothing else seems to be. And when Ran says it, Fern can almost believe it’s true. But then tragedy strikes- and Fern feels not only more alone than ever, but also responsible for the accident that has wrenched her family apart. All will not be well. Or at least all will never be the same.

My Thoughts:

I had heard a lot of places that this was a good book. First of all, very little of the story had to do with Fern's family's restaurant. The writing was very bland and the characters were extremely flat. I felt also that only about half of this novel had to do with the tragedy. The other 50% was focused on  Fern's 14 year old, gay,  brother. I found this book boring and I wouldn't recommend it.

My Rating: 2 stars (I didn't like it)

Content: Cautious--tragedy, boys holding hands and dancing 


PG 12 and up

Book Review: Emmalee

 












 Emmalee by Jenni James

Summary: (amazon)

Emmalee Bradford thinks she's an expert at matchmaking, and she won't rest until all her friends are as happy as she is. Especially Hannah, the girl she's decided to make popular. Everyone loves Emmalee's advice -everyone, that is, except her annoying neighbor Chase Anderson, who has taken it upon himself to "fix" her.

My Thoughts:

I love Jane Austen, and I've seen both of the Emma movies. I always found Emma kind of oblivious and naive. But I still loved her story and Mr. Knightly. This book was almost the exact same story--just modern day. I really hate obnoxious teenage romances, but I actually didn't mind this one! The writing didn't bug me (for once!) and I really loved the characters. Oh my gosh, Chase was the best. Emma like I said, kind of bugged me but I love Emmalee. It was really funny too, and I was able to finish it in just a few hours. Overall I would recommend this as a funny, light romance. I will definitely

 My Rating: 4 stars (I really liked it!)

Content: Cautious--a lot of drama, kissing, girl gets pulled on boys lap

Writing Resources

poeticpower.com-- On-Going Poetry Contest

thesaurus.com--Online Thesaurus

http://character.namegeneratorfun.com/--Character Name Generator

nanowrimo.org--Write a Novel in a Month

teenink.com--Read other Teens Writing and Publish your Own

http://leaguewriters.blogspot.com/--A Website by YA authors

All of these are safe, I promise :) Have fun!

Book Review: Wonder

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Summary: (amazon)

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.

My thoughts:

I have mixed feelings about this book. First of all, I liked the idea of the book switching perspectives. But I thought that including the sisters boyfriend was unnecessary and kind of obnoxious. The writing was decent, but I didn't really fall in love with the characters the way I wanted to.  I liked Olivia, but that was really it. But the friendship element was fantastic, and I really liked the change in attitude towards the end. Overall, it was a pretty good book and I loved the idea and moral in it. The characters just didn't work for me.

My Rating: 4 stars (I liked it)

Content: Cautious--kissing, drama, bullying

PG, 10 and up