When Eric was fat and Sarah Byrnes was horribly scarred, the only friends they had were each other. Now Eric 'Moby' Calhoune has discovered swimming aWhen Eric was fat and Sarah Byrnes was horribly scarred, the only friends they had were each other. Now Eric 'Moby' Calhoune has discovered swimming and leaned up a bit, but Sarah Byrnes has gone from bad to worse—a mental break has left her in a hospital ward, awake but unable (or unwilling) to speak. As Eric navigates tough questions at school and searches for answers to help Sarah Byrnes, a complex tale of trials, trust, and friendship unfolds. The book is well organized—it jumps easily between past and present, juggling multiple plot lines, and brings everything together into a cohesive whole. There are exciting moments in the book, especially near the end, and interesting moments throughout. The main character is complex, interesting, and well-written. Unfortunately, I couldn’t say the same about the side characters; many of them felt like one-note characters, crafted to serve a role in the plot and theme. And speaking of theme, there was a lot of it. Some of it I agreed with, some I disagreed, but even the parts I agreed with sometimes felt shoved down my throat. Many of the villainous characters were completely one-sided, and many of the good characters were only explored as they related to the theme (I'm looking at Jody). The ending tied up nicely, but it almost felt a little bit too perfect to be real. That being said, I recommend this to people who are interested in heavy topics, but still want humor throughout and a happy ending....more
March: Book 3 concludes Lewis’s graphic autobiography series as he shares his struggle to end voter discrimination in 1960s America. Beginning with a March: Book 3 concludes Lewis’s graphic autobiography series as he shares his struggle to end voter discrimination in 1960s America. Beginning with a 1963 Alabama Church Bombing, March takes us through protests in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Malcolm X, and the police brutality and murder in face of peaceful protest leading up to the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The story is told mostly through Lewis’s narration intermixed with quotes from various speeches and events along his Civil Right’s journey. The choice to use a graphic format was an interesting one; in the portions of the book devoted to speeches, it sometimes felt stale, but it was well suited to other parts of the story—the brutality of the opposition, the scope of the marches, and the passion of those involved. Overall, I found the book enjoyable and informative, and I appreciated the insight into the difficulty of presenting a united front against segregation and discrimination. Anyone who enjoys graphic storytelling and is looking for deeper fare than standard comic books will enjoy this autobiography....more
“When people don't express themselves, they die one piece at a time.� There are so many things to love about Speak, but the thing that pulled me in fro“When people don't express themselves, they die one piece at a time.� There are so many things to love about Speak, but the thing that pulled me in from page one was the lovely voice that Anderson breathes into the main character. Melinda is an outcast—her friends abandon her, her classmates laugh at her, and she’s finding it harder and harder to open her mouth. As her pain grows and her grades slip, Melinda begins to consider the scariest option of all—to start speaking about what really happened the night she called the cops. ...more
August 9, 1945 began as a normal day for six-year-old Sachiko—little food, a chicken that didn’t lay, but a loving family and good friends. In NagasakAugust 9, 1945 began as a normal day for six-year-old Sachiko—little food, a chicken that didn’t lay, but a loving family and good friends. In Nagasaki, 1945, times are tough but survivable—at least, until Sachiko’s game of house is interrupted by a falling bomb. Her youngest brother is dead immediately; as her family flees, another brother dies from his burns, and another from the radiation sickness. Sachiko, her sister, and her parents are sick for months, but they recover to become survivors of an atomic bomb blast. Even for survivors, the rigors of postwar life and the mysterious ailments and cancers that afflict those near the bombing take a deadly toll. Sachiko’s story is clearly told with simple, unpretentious language that makes it easily readable for all ages. Interspersed between chapters, two-page spreads give historical background in more detail; some of these the average American will find familiar, but others are more unusual. As I read Sachiko, I was surprised by all the things I had never been taught—the symptoms of radiation poisoning (besides cancer), the quality of life in postwar Japan, and the way the doctors sent to study the effects of radiation refused to acknowledge its existence. Although the simplicity of this book may be frustrating for some adults, this book should be a part of every school’s education....more
In BOMB, Sheinkin lays down the fascinating tale of the Manhattan Project, the atomic bomb, and the espionage and sabatoge surrounding both. This taleIn BOMB, Sheinkin lays down the fascinating tale of the Manhattan Project, the atomic bomb, and the espionage and sabatoge surrounding both. This tale spans from the discovery of nuclear fission in 1938 through World War II until the conviction of KGB agents and the red scare. Along the way, it touches lightly on so many of the issues surrounding the race to the atom bomb—from leaked information to radiation to nuclear arms races—but the focus of the book is primarily on the stories of all those involved. Each chapter, point, or fact is focused on not just the event, but the experiences of individuals living it—from life as a German Physicist to a child in Hiroshima. For me, this was one of the books greatest strengths—it kept even the most dense and scientific parts readily engaging and allowed the author to show every side of an issue, making the book feel informative and unbiased. Although much of the information in BOMB wasn’t new to me, I found myself intrigued by the small details and personal reactions of everyone involved, and it made the book a fast read. The mix of readability and depth is unique—it’s understandable to teens and pre-teens, but adults will find it a good introduction to the history of the Atom Bomb as well....more
When a nearby yew tree starts transforming into a monster by night, 11-year-old Conor isn’t fazed. Between his recurring, terrifying nightmares, his gWhen a nearby yew tree starts transforming into a monster by night, 11-year-old Conor isn’t fazed. Between his recurring, terrifying nightmares, his growing isolation at school, and his mother’s serious illness, the monster is the least terrifying thing in his life. Like all so many of the best books, A Monster Calls isn’t easily defined—it’s somewhere between fantasy and reality, between childhood and adulthood, poetically written and deeply moving. One thing that impressed me was the way Conor’s life and challenges were revealed to us without the author ever listing them or saying them outright. The complexities of each trial and relationship came piece by piece throughout the story as we unravelled his character. Conor himself is one of the most compellingly crafted characters I’ve read recently. The rounded, fully-developed aspects of Conor’s grief and acceptance make this a perfect book for those dealing with chronic illness and death....more
Marcelo has never been normal—the closest thing to describe his brain is Aspergers, but even that doesn’t capture him. All his life, he’s been in his Marcelo has never been normal—the closest thing to describe his brain is Aspergers, but even that doesn’t capture him. All his life, he’s been in his own world—one of special schools, nights in a treehouse, and music that no one else can hear. But when his father threatens to send him to a normal high school, he reluctantly enters the “real world”—a summer internship at his father’s law practice, where he doesn’t know who or what to trust. There’s a boy who promises power, his intriguing mailroom supervisor, his father’s deal-cutting, and a mysterious photo of a burned, scarred girl. What really made the book for me was Marcelo’s voice—frank, literal, and struggling to understand the real world. The questions he ask—social, religious, ethical—are simple and human. This relationship-focused book is there for anyone who loves a strong voice and reads for the main character....more
Make Lemonade is a beautiful verse book told from the eyes of 15-year-old LaVaughn. LaVaughn’s circumstances are made clear through small details—no oMake Lemonade is a beautiful verse book told from the eyes of 15-year-old LaVaughn. LaVaughn’s circumstances are made clear through small details—no one in her 64-person apartment building has been to college, and she is determined to be the first. Looking for a job to save up, she starts babysitting for 17-year-old single mother Jolly, and slowly, rockily, a beautiful friendship is formed. Jolly’s two children grow to love their sitter, while LaVaughn learns what life can be like when you have no one to show you the way. The thing that surprised me about this book was its beautiful hope. I went in to this book expecting it to be depressing and painful, but even though the story didn’t shy away from reality, the happiness of the book far outshone the harshness. This hope added a layer of depth that many other books find lacking. I recommend this book to anyone who feels trapped by their life and circumstance....more
The Islamic Revolution. Beautiful art. Powerful voice. Introspection, patriotism, loss. Persepolis shares the story of Marji, ten-year-old daughter ofThe Islamic Revolution. Beautiful art. Powerful voice. Introspection, patriotism, loss. Persepolis shares the story of Marji, ten-year-old daughter of activists and granddaughter of an ex-prince. As Marji lives through the changes of the revolution, she grows increasingly aware of the conflict between her parents� beliefs and the education she is receiving in school. At the same time, she becomes increasingly aware of her own privilege—everything from a nice car to exposure to western news reports. Reading Persepolis, I was struck by her powerlessness—her and her parents� own acts of rebellions include drinking alcohol and listening to Michael Jackson. But as the war comes closer to her life, Marji comes into her own. Persepolis is an intriguing look at the way oppresive governments affect their own citizens and a perfect suplement to history books—a deeply moving personal story that brings Iranian history to life. ...more
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