It's nice to see YA historical fiction that is not about the Nazis. One of the things I gained from this book was a better appreciation of the fear thIt's nice to see YA historical fiction that is not about the Nazis. One of the things I gained from this book was a better appreciation of the fear that gripped so many in America during the Cuban Missile Crisis. A nice, easy YA read....more
I cannot say enough good things about this YA read. I appreciate the realistic fiction with a boy as the main character -- a departure from the sea ofI cannot say enough good things about this YA read. I appreciate the realistic fiction with a boy as the main character -- a departure from the sea of fantasy out there.
When his much-younger brother is diagnosed with leukemia, Steven Alper goes through a range of experiences and emotions. But what is interesting is seeing through his lens how differently his parents, teachers, friends and others cope with the news and the disease. Steven's voice hits just the right balance between sarcasm and vulnerability. Loved it!!...more
Great YA read. Humorous and diabolical, Frankie hijacks an all-male secret society at her prep school as part psychological study, part attempt to recGreat YA read. Humorous and diabolical, Frankie hijacks an all-male secret society at her prep school as part psychological study, part attempt to reclaim her boyfriend. I think I most liked that is was not a neat-as-a-pin Hollywood ending....more
Oh Mamah you make me crazy! After hearing about this book I wanted to love it but totally and completely did not connect with Mamah Borthwick. It is lOh Mamah you make me crazy! After hearing about this book I wanted to love it but totally and completely did not connect with Mamah Borthwick. It is lovingly written about her and much of it is beautiful language but I just found myself frustrated by her and therefore distracted....more
A surprisingly easy read about one of the "founding families" of Wall Street. I enjoy the rare glimpse into Henry Goldman and his family. I would haveA surprisingly easy read about one of the "founding families" of Wall Street. I enjoy the rare glimpse into Henry Goldman and his family. I would have loved the addition of a family tree to keep straight the inter-weavings with the Sachs family....more
What a rich and wonderful book. I was a little concerned it would be the main character's Jeffery Archer-esque quest across countries to find his trueWhat a rich and wonderful book. I was a little concerned it would be the main character's Jeffery Archer-esque quest across countries to find his true father. Instead it turned out to be the story of family. I couldn't put it down -- and if you could see my calendar this fall you would know that is really saying something. ...more
I think this was a problem of expectations. I expected this book to be quirky, poignant, and mostly an adventure (based largely on the summary on thisI think this was a problem of expectations. I expected this book to be quirky, poignant, and mostly an adventure (based largely on the summary on this website). What I got was melancholy, grief and very little adventure. The changes in narrative voices were confusing to me and I found myself lost at a number of the visual gimmicks that Foer used.
Having said all that, I found my heart captured by young Oskar, the protagonist of the story and primary narrator. I ached for him in his longing and confusion. What a sweet character....more
Oh how I loved this book! The author said in an interview that the idea for the book began when she imagined what Sherlock Holmes would have been likeOh how I loved this book! The author said in an interview that the idea for the book began when she imagined what Sherlock Holmes would have been like if he had been a woman. It has been a long time since I've read a mystery novel and even longer since I've read Arthur Conan Doyle's classic Sherlock Holmes. I intend to change that....more
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