Grandpa Green

Possibly one of the most beautiful children's books I've ever read, this story by Lane Smith illustrates the tragic journey of a child and their gradual understanding of a grandparent diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. While our daughter is in preschool, and unaware of any of those changes around her, she still fell in love with the imagery and story in the book. It's a tear-jerker! Be warned!

Enders Game by Orson Scott Card

Enders Game by Orson Scott Card

For years I've had students tell me "you've gotta read Enders Game" Now, I understand why. 

Ender Wiggin, the title character, is both heartbreaking and heroic. His journey from "Third" (a term given to third children in this futuristic society where families are only allowed two) to commander-in-training of the most powerful army on the planet shapes the content of this story. Yet, while this book is full of action, heroic battles and underdog victory, the heart of this story is the evolution of little Ender and the people closest to him that struggle to accept his fate. The book is futuristic, yet, like most well-written dystopian literature, very current and human. Ender is forced to follow a fate dictated to him not by choice, but by need. He feels a pressure beyond his years and a disconnect from those around him because of his unique position. I think this is much like our students today. They are often times forced to follow a path (school, college, career, marriage, children--best in everything) and we often times ignore their true needs, focusing instead on pushing them tp the finish line of this Race to Nowhere. And like Ender, our students are isolated--they're bullied, they're afraid and they can feel utterly alone even in the chaos of our modern media. If you think about it, our kids are being pushed to be come like Ender--brilliant, adaptable to change and new situations, thriving in an environment of competition, winners and losers, and most importantly, rapidly losing a childhood that they are struggling to keep hold of.

On the flip side of this story though, what feels like the "other" story, is the adventure of preparing to fight for freedom and to conquer an enemy so fearsome that it unites the entire planet under an umbrella of cooperation. The political and military story of this novel are just as enthralling as the characterization and journey of Ender. The world is united because of a threat--the threat of a hostile, alien race overtaking all of Earth's resources and killing all humankind. The approach to the defeat of this race is manipulated by characters in the book in rather unexpected ways, particularly Ender's brother and sister, Peter and Valentine. The training sequences and battle practices, the conversations of commanders and politicians, build into a climactic and surprising twist that I didn't even see coming. 

In the world of popular stories like Hunger Games and Harry Potter, Ender needs to reclaim it's place as one of the first, a YA book that breaches the adult world and has relevant lessons for both kid and adult alike. This is what makes Ender's Game a worthwhile read and a YA classic! 

An Interview with the Author: A Commentary on Ender

Hotel At the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
by Jamie Ford

I began reading this book the weekend of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, and while reading, the parallels between the setting of this story (1942, Seattle, recently after the attack on Pearl Harbor) and the response by our country in 2001 to the attacks on the World Trade Centers and Pentagon was startling. And humbling.

The story follows the life of young Henry, as he grapples with being different (Chinese) in a starkly white environment (the American school his parents force him to attend). While there he meets Keiko, young, beautiful and painfully to him, her and the rest of the country, Japanese. What develops is a novel that explores the complexities of family, nationality and citizenship. And what it left in me was a sense that I've seen it all before--the pain of ignorance, of guilt by association and of the judgment of irrational fear.

The connection to 9/11 is simple: After Pearl Harbor we were deathly afraid of the American-born Japanese, critical of their every move. After 9/11, we had that same response towards the Muslims, Arab-born Americans who now became a target of suspicion and of fear. And the same moral questions that exist in the book about protection versus control and safety versus loss of individual rights reverberate through our own society in the aftermath of terrorism on our soil. Reading this book allowed me to see these struggles through the eyes of those that are constantly met by suspicion. One of the most poignant moments in the novel exists between Henry, a Chinese-American student, and the white Americans that constantly torment him for being a "jap"--to the point where Henry wears a button that simply reads "I am Chinese" to avoid the quick prejudice that accompanied his presence in public places. Henry doesn't want to wear it, but the necessity of protecting himself eventually outweighs his distaste for the meaning behind his badge.

And contrasted to the fear present in the characters lives is the beautiful story between Keiko, the Japanese-American student, and Henry, the Chinese-American student, two characters torn between the "freedom" offered by the American dream and their traditional beliefs in their own homes and families. Their developing relationship is the catalyst for the emotional journey the reader makes--and the reason that at the end of the novel, you begin to re-evaluate your own response to people you've been told to fear and to the people that you've so easily written off as worthless. This journey is the value and the reason to read this novel!

Author's Note: When I recently heard the author speak at Richardson Reads One Book, he shared something that was difficult to comprehend. Many studios and people have come forward to create the film version of this story, and Mr. Ford believes he has a story worthy of being made into a movie. But, he has one requirement--a deal breaker so to speak--that the main character Henry remain Chinese. Every studio, director and screenwriter that has approached him has made it known that this movie will not be financed unless a white, male lead carried the film, or, atleast had a made-up prominent role. It's interesting to think that while reading this book I reassured myself that as Americans we no longer were limited by this near-sightedness. Yet, here we are in 2011 with no financing for a film that would contain no white people. Just food for thought as you read this book!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

It's been a while since I've read a book in less than 24 hours (last time: two years ago, Hunger Games), so I was pleasantly surprised when I began this book and quite literally "could't put it down".

The premise of the book is similar to many dystopian young adult novels--a futuristic society, a teen once accepting of society now questioning the very core of the society as well as "who they are" separate from that society and then, an eventual journey to understanding their own existence--sprinkled with the necessary elements of romance, family and thrill--these books are always fun to read. This particular book takes place in futuristic Chicago where society has been divided into five houses, ahem, factions: Dauntless (the Brave) , Candor (the Honest), Erudite (the Thinkers), Abnegation (the Selfless) and Amity (the Peace-makers).  Once a teen is separated into their factions they are only allowed limited access to their families, unless they continue in the same faction of their childhood. The main character, Beatrice (Tris), finds out that she is what this society calls 'divergent'--a term that catapults her into the main conflict of the novel: A 'divergent' by nature has qualities of all of the other factions and can therefore think for themselves--they are unable to be controlled. In a controlling society, this makes Beatrice public enemy number one and she must learn to quickly hide the fact that she is divergent. The story continues from there and both face-paced and interesting, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

If you're looking for a break from heavy read, interested in dystopian fiction (or really, you like books like The Hunger Games) I recommend this book wholeheartedly for you!

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

The inspiration for this novel (antique found photography) is what truly makes this an adventure worth pursuing! The story begins with a murder and a grandson's journey into his family's mysteries, only to get caught up in the most extraordinary adventure he never imagined could even exist. Throughout the text are haunting photographs that the author found on various antique journeys throughout Europe and these photographs actually guide the story. While I read the book on the Nook, I can only imagine the effect in an actual book. I will warn that the book is predictable, but there's a reason that proven formula exists--it makes for one fantastic read! And of course, like all good young adult fiction, sets up the reader for a sequel.

If you're up for adventure, a litte fear, some romance and delicious mystery, then jump in to this novel! 

For added bonus: Ransom Riggs made a book trailer for the novel--you can see it here!

Skippy Dies by Paul Murray (an unfinished read)

I abandoned a book club read; I read enough to get the gist of the book, I skimmed the rest. And I'm so sad, because I had been looking forward to reading Skippy Dies for quite some time.

The novel is artfully constructed, and beautiful, tragic, and despairing, and haunting, and strangely, inspiring. I had to put it down, though, because I just couldn't handle the darkness (and this comes from a girl who considers The Road one of her all-time favorites). The darkness in this novel comes from the true loss of innocence among a group of British school boys attending one of the great last Catholic boarding schools in England. The novel, at times hysterical (I did laugh out loud), but mostly, at times downright disturbing, is an evolution of about five major characters on various journeys in understanding what we see as life. The boys become drug dealers, there's numerous accounts of rape, sex, and of course, scandal--mainly, the priestly abuse of a few of the more innocent characters. Our adult characters are few and reek of thoughts of "what could've been", accurate portrayals of middle age with no hope. The teacher of focus, a 30-something whiff of a man, struggles between the realities of his life (shacking up with an American dreamer) and the romanticism of the unknown (substitute female teacher and obvious flirt), and while this is a typical struggle (the old versus the new, the loss of dreams and the corresponding middle age) it seems to be re-birthed in a unique way in Howard the Coward. I think it's Howard's sections that drew me in the most as a reader, but then again, I'm the demographic he represents (but, just an FYI--I have an insane amount of hope where he has none) The novel, though, revolves around the death of dear Skippy and the prelude and consequent actions from this one moment.

The reason I put it down is because I couldn't bear to finish it. I tend to bear things differently now as a mother when I read; I no longer have the innocence of my non-parent heart protecting me. And it's that kind of depth in a novel that sometimes becomes too much. And I was sad, too, to put it down--because it's some of the most beautiful writing I've read since Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer--it had that artful, poignant tonality that I value and treasure in writing of the "real world". But for me, this one just was probably the wrong book at the wrong time.

So, I encourage you to try the book--especially if you're up for an existential journey through the plight of humanity--but I warn you that this novel is not for the faint at heart.

Matched by Ally Condie

I love a good dystopian novel, seriously. One of my favorite books is The Road by Cormac McCarthy. And I think, if I write a novel on my own someday, it will sit in a dystopian setting.

So, while I love this genre, I have to be honest that in the realm of Young Adult lit, it's becoming a dime-a-dozen setting. Almost to the point of losing originality. I read Delirium by Lauren Oliver earlier this summer and Matched seemed to be of the very same vein. That doesn't lessen the enjoyment of reading the book, but the pleasure I normally receive from this kind of novel had already been taken by Delirium so Matched seemed like an engaging repeat with slightly better story-telling on the part of the author.

Yet, I would recommend the book because of this very reason--these kinds of novels are some of my favorite reads. And, there's comfort in knowing where a book will go, because you are very aware that you will enjoy the ride getting there. Matched is about a society where the government chooses mates for people based on a genetic coding sequence, therefore, you are a perfect genetic foil for that person, meaning that your kids will be "perfect". The society has eradicated almost all forms of cancer and other genetic diseases, while also maintaining the perfect health of its citizens by removing all distractions--the food, entertainment and relaxation are all products of exclusive government control and development, even the date of a person's death. For the main character, Cassia, this has always brought a sense of comfort. However, a routine event gone wrong causes Cassia to question the now ill-seeming safety of her society. And of course, the book takes off from there.

It is the first in a trilogy, and I'm a sucker for series--especially because it always gives you something to look forward to. I'm a creature of expectations. I think that if you're in the mood for a fun, relatively engaging, and interesting piece, you're game for Matched.

Book Trailer:

The Wave by Susan Casey

I always try to challenge myself to read books that are "out of my genre". Our school librarian recommended The Wave to me recently as I was searching for a relevant non-fiction book, specifically "guy" non-fiction. She gushed about the book and remarked how it read like an action novel--energizing and thrilling, a true page-turner. Boy, was she spot on!

I loved reading this book. Not just for the story, but for the adventure I experienced by reading the story. I've never surfed, never been to Hawaii, or any of these other fairly exotic locales, and have only been out on the ocean in a small cruise ship in the Gulf of California. Yet, by reading this book, I feel like I've experienced on a small scale the adventure that these people constantly chase in the surfing world and the terrifying lives of those who make their living on the sea, sea captains of merchant vessels and cargo ships. The other tale in this book is the story of wave science and the shifting climate that continues to make wave science a priority both physically and economically. While reading her book, I found myself continually on the internet, checking her research and websites, watching videos of the experiences she herself witnessed or at least researched and examined. Below is a video of Susan Casey explaining her book and why she believes it's worthy of being read! I give this book a hearty two-thumbs-up. Enjoy!

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

To call this book a fantasy would be a stretch, but it is indeed fantastical. The premise is simple--a young girl discovers she has a remarkable skill; she is able to taste emotions within food, emotions felt by the person who made the food. From the onset of the story, I fell in love with this book. The voice of Rose, the girl with the "gift" reaches into places that we so often avoid in our own self introspection: despair, loneliness, guilt and a realization of what happens when left with life's version of your own expectations.

To avoid feeling emotion while eating food, Rose finds solace in processed matter. Pringles and Doritoes become her lifeline, a way for her to eat without a thousand emotions running through her. During one particular meal, Rose is overwhelmed by the feelings her mother has put into stew (a mixture of guilt and insane pleasure and slight love, with a conclusion that 13 year old Rose is unable to bear) and she runs for the pantry, opening every bag of chips and package of cookies she can find. She begs doctors, at the age of nine, for someone to remove her mouth--the only solution she can come up with. It isn't until later in the story, when Rose learns to accept her fate, that we truly see her inner strength winning over the inner turmoil. It's a poignant journey, and one that is worthy of discussion.

I recommend this book because it reminds me of Perks of Being a Wallflower, another book that deals with the realities of adolescence. I believe that there is power in the theme of adolescence. Especially because these books examine what happens when all of the adults in your life disappoint you, when your friends don't understand the realities of your life, and of course, when you have to say good-bye to a first love. Teen angst makes for such a great story, and with Aimee Bender's novel, this is teen angst that a cynical adult can truly feel and remember.

The Wolves of Andover by Kathleen Kent

I sometimes pick books with so much promise that end up having so little return. Tis' what happened with this one. One of my favorite periods to read about is early colonial--especially the Salem Witch Trial era, so any book historically placed in that era normally catches my eye, but turned out to be less what what I expected.

The book itself was entertaining--I read it in four or so days. And so, if you're looking for an entertaining read consider The Wolves of Andover. However, I was also looking for an enthralling read--an escape into times past and worlds away, a story that would wrap itself around my mind and force me to engage with it outside of the reading experiences--and this did not deliver. I've had students who've read Kathleen Kent (The Heretics Daughter) and had the same reaction--interesting, entertaining but not moving. The book details the life of Martha Carrier, a colonial "modern" woman, bent on finding her own destiny. She must first endure the servitude of house servant in her cousin, a selfish woman unaware of her lack of grit, as an aid to the upcoming birth. There is a small beauty to the relationship Martha has with her cousins children and this relationship is really the only empathetic relationship for the majority of the book--it's not until the end of the story that we experience the full tale of Thomas Morgan--assassin to King Charles and future husband to Martha--that we begin to care more about these characters.

There is a redeeming moment in the epilogue written in the voice of the author. Ms. Kent is a descendent of Salem Witch Martha Carrier, and this story was inspired by family lore of Martha's own love story and interaction with a man that many believed to be a fugitive hiding in the colonies. I almost wish I had known this reading the book as I might have found it a bit more fascinating--family legacy in storytelling is something I would like to experiment with in my own writing so I appreciate reading these stories in the lives of others (The Help comes to mind).