That's two books in a row that Nicola Yoon has helped get me out of a reading rut. Following the success of her wildly popular first book, Yoon has maThat's two books in a row that Nicola Yoon has helped get me out of a reading rut. Following the success of her wildly popular first book, Yoon has managed to write an even more beautiful and compelling book the second time around, solidifying Yoon as an author whose books I will henceforth read without question or hesitation.
Oh the pressure I feel to give this book a higher rating given how many of my teacher and librarian friends loved this one, but I just didn't connect Oh the pressure I feel to give this book a higher rating given how many of my teacher and librarian friends loved this one, but I just didn't connect with the characters. Not one tear was shed during the reading/listening of this book. I think the reason I felt so disconnected is because with all the military jargon, I felt like I wasn't really inside the story, I was sort of hovering around the outskirts of it. I have no doubt that this is an amazing work of historical fiction, it just wasn't for me. I'm happy I read it though since I know which students I can now recommend it to, but it's not a book that feels especially close to my heart. ...more
Re-read on 11-02-14 for my prizing children's literature class and it was just as beautiful the second time around.
Both Aristotle and Dante never kneRe-read on 11-02-14 for my prizing children's literature class and it was just as beautiful the second time around.
Both Aristotle and Dante never knew what friendship was until they found each other. As both self-proclaimed loners, their relationship begins the day Dante offers to teach Ari how to swim at the local pool. From that moment on, the two boys share a bond that is almost palpable, and even distance, family complications, and near tragedy cannot break it.
Sparse, gentle, beautiful. Those are the best words I can use to describe Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.
Ari, Dante, and the entire cast of characters in this novel are some of the most loveable and memorable in all of literature. There is no forced conflict here. This is a novel where the plot doesn't move the story, the characters do, and that's just how I like my novels.
I could draw this out and make this a longer review, but I feel like I'd be doing the book's sparse, straightforward style a disservice by droning on about it. It's something you just need to experience for yourself. Its multiple 2013 ALA awards, including a coveted Printz honor, are testament enough to its timelessness.
I didn't love this book, but I didn't hate it either. I liked it because it's a great adventure story I can recommend to boys, but it wasn't a book I I didn't love this book, but I didn't hate it either. I liked it because it's a great adventure story I can recommend to boys, but it wasn't a book I would normally read of my own volition. ...more
Vera Dietz is beside herself when her estranged best friend Charlie dies before they have a chance to make amends. Now she has a difficult decision toVera Dietz is beside herself when her estranged best friend Charlie dies before they have a chance to make amends. Now she has a difficult decision to make: does she clear his name of a crime that people think he committed or does she allow her own anger and fear to keep her silent?
Describing the plot of this story is very simple. Describing the emotional impact this story will have on you once you read it is more difficult. Vera immediately draws you in with her story. When you're first introduced to her, you make a judgment about her: that she doesn't care about school and that she's turning into an alcoholic.
This judgment begins to fall apart once you continue reading the story and realize that despite working a full-time job, she gets straight A's in school, enjoys doing her homework, and is only drinking to numb the pain from her best friend's death.
There are no flowery descriptions or poetic passages in this book. The writing itself does not sustain the story. What keeps you reading is the author's ability to put personality and heart into a character. Vera feels like a real person. You want to be friends with her. You want to give her a hug when and then smack her upside the head for some of the decisions she makes.
Rife with symbolism, this book is the antidote for high school teachers to put away some of those stuffy classics and try something fresh that today's students will be able to respond to. YA lit today has just as many lessons and talking points as classical literature - if not more.
The only reason I didn't give this book five stars is because I was bummed that one very important part of the story was left unresolved at the end and it was a part that I REALLY wanted to know what happened....more
Wow! This book took me FOREVER to finish. I thought it was well-written, but the story was hard to get into. I also had a difficult time figuring out Wow! This book took me FOREVER to finish. I thought it was well-written, but the story was hard to get into. I also had a difficult time figuring out the expanse of time as well. The book wanted to be told in chronological order, but Donnelly bounced around in a very inconspicuous way and that confused me in some places. ...more
A solid, interesting read about the life of Charles Darwin and his wife Emma. I'm still scratching my head as to why it was marketed as YA though. SeeA solid, interesting read about the life of Charles Darwin and his wife Emma. I'm still scratching my head as to why it was marketed as YA though. Seemed more like an adult read to me. ...more
I did not enjoy this book until probably the last couple chapters. I didn't hate it enough to stop "reading" it (I listened to the audio book), but itI did not enjoy this book until probably the last couple chapters. I didn't hate it enough to stop "reading" it (I listened to the audio book), but it wasn't anything I felt I could really get into. I'm glad I stuck with it though because the ending was so emotional and filled with heart that I actually found myself crying - in the middle of my commute to work, sitting in traffic, I was crying.
Edited to add on 7/16/12: When I first read this book, I didn't love it. I had to sit with it for a while to really appreciate how truly special the story was. Now that I think back on this reading and listening experience, this truly was an amazing book....more
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