Sharon Draper is an extremely consistent writer. I honestly don't think I've read anything she's written that I haven't completely enjoyed. She is nowSharon Draper is an extremely consistent writer. I honestly don't think I've read anything she's written that I haven't completely enjoyed. She is now the absolute favorite of one of my daughters, so every time she reads one, she tells me that I will love it and have to read it. And, she's right. ...more
Just as traumatic as I remembered, but I read it to my middle grade kids as an instructive piece on bullying. It opened up a lot of great conversationJust as traumatic as I remembered, but I read it to my middle grade kids as an instructive piece on bullying. It opened up a lot of great conversations....more
This book follows Kayla, who loves Double Dutch and wants to compete with her Brooklyn team. Insert parents on the verge of divorcing, and she is sentThis book follows Kayla, who loves Double Dutch and wants to compete with her Brooklyn team. Insert parents on the verge of divorcing, and she is sent to the South to stay with her nemesis cousin while her parents work it out. Spoiler: she and her cousin bond over Double Dutch, and manage to put together an unlikely team. My 10 year olds loved it. Caveat: there is some minor cursing in this book, and more kissing than I'm used to reading in this book's age bracket. Nothing graphic, but a lot of "fireworks" and smooching in a couple of scenes. It was fine for us, but maybe not for some kids/parents. With the main characters in middle school, it could go either the way of young adult or children's for classification, and I think it fell a little more on the teen side. ...more
**spoiler alert** This was a completely gripping read. I honestly couldn't put it down. This novel is told in the first-person by Raj, an Indian profe**spoiler alert** This was a completely gripping read. I honestly couldn't put it down. This novel is told in the first-person by Raj, an Indian professor who always feels a little out of step in his mostly white world. When he meets with another person who he assumes feels the same way, he commits a gasp-worthy social gaffe, which leads into a tailspin in his personal and professional lives.
For much of the novel, I was so frustrated. The people who wouldn't see things from Raj's perspective, the microaggressions, and the thoughtlessness. The hijacking of a situation through the use of social media was something we've seen too many times. And Raj also frustrated me through his lack of communication with his wife, his slowness to take action, and his constant inner monologue in which he was wronged. Sometimes, he just seemed like a bit of a jerk and so lost in his own narrative he seemed entirely selfish.
But, the ending was beautiful. Raj does what any good character in literature does, and he grows. The hard spots gentled, amends were made, and the narrative expanded. There are plenty of lessons here for the reader, and hopefully we all grow a bit too. ...more
Truly exceptional. Brubaker Bradley somehow managed to write a book about sexual abuse and suicide in a book for 10 year olds. Great explanation of coTruly exceptional. Brubaker Bradley somehow managed to write a book about sexual abuse and suicide in a book for 10 year olds. Great explanation of consent and what children are and are not responsible for. This story was heartfelt, realistic, and useful, as well as being an excellent story. I listened to it read by the incomparable Bahni Turpin, and she nailed it, just like always....more
An okay, if not terribly engaging story about a kid with an unspecified learning difficulty. He is always a few steps behind and finally gets (and losAn okay, if not terribly engaging story about a kid with an unspecified learning difficulty. He is always a few steps behind and finally gets (and loses) a sitter who understands him. His parents finally seem to accept him for he who he is at the end, and he feels better about himself....more
*possible spoilers* A gripping read that explores the complexities of what it is to be an ally, and how inappropriate even well-meaning white people c*possible spoilers* A gripping read that explores the complexities of what it is to be an ally, and how inappropriate even well-meaning white people can act with people of color. This book delves into the relationship between a 26 year old nanny and her white employer, and the latter's obsession with somehow possessing this young woman. There are also some interesting themes about the nanny/mother relationship in general, which can come with its own difficulties in perception of the child's best interests....more
Loading...
