Sunday, October 7, 2007

LOSING FOREVER by Gayle Friesen


Above us loomed the old pine tree with the rope that had been held on to by countless kids as they jumped into the water. I'd never done it. The rope reminded me of a waiting hangman's noose.
Jes is holding on as tight as she can, but normal life seems to be slipping out of her hands. Her mother is getting married again and is totally preoccupied with planning a full church wedding, including the fancy dresses, catering and bridesmaids! And if one fool is in love is not enough, Jes's best girlfriend has fallen for a complete jerk.
To make matters worse, Jes also has to deal with Angela, her soon-to-be stepsister, who has come to stay for a month before the wedding. Tall, gorgeous, smart and devious, Angela seems intent on infiltrating Jes's life.
A half-crazed mother, a lovesick friend,a perfectly evil stepsister -- could things for Jes get any worse?

Friday, October 5, 2007

Glass Castle



This book is a super fast read! It is a 4 out of 5 star book for sure. It's about a young girl named Jeanette and her childhood within a dysfunctional family. Her father is an alcoholic and her mother is very "free spirited". Great adventures they have and many lessons for the reader to learn within this book. Highly recommend.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Skin Game, A Memoir by Caroline Kettlewell


I would recommend this memoir to people who may have had issues with cutting in their childhood and are now adults. The author, Caroline Kettlewell, has an amazingly acute vocabulary. She writes about growing up in an all-male private school due to her father's job as the headmaster. Her family lives on campus and she goes to school in town. Her older sister is popular with the male students at the academy and as Caroline begins to mature, she realizes that she is also able to gain that attention. She begins to cut herself at school in the bathroom, and when caught, she is teased by the rest of the kids about wanting attention. She continues to do it for a "release." The book seems to drag on a little. People who have gone through this experience might feel a stronger connection to the author. I would probably not recommend this book to lower level or struggling readers due to the vocabulary.

THE COYOTE ROAD - TRICKSTER TALES


Short Stories and poems from many different authors writing fiction (Holly Black, Charles de Lint, Kelly Link, Jane Yolen, etc.). Each author takes at a different spin on a trickster character. These stories come from many cultures and traditions all over the world. Great introduction to the trickster myths of the world.

Monday, October 1, 2007

EASY By Kerry Cohen Hoffmann


Kelsey M said...

Another easy reader for students who struggle with reading. While it isn't the best book, and the plot line goes from decent to horrible, I would still give this book a two out of five.

HEAVEN AND EARTH By Nora Roberts


Kelsey Minchow said...

Wonderful for anyone who loves Romance novels. The magical side adds something more to the usual lovey dovey story, and it's great to watch Riley and Mac overcome the darkness that haunts Three Sisters Island. While it's not necissary to read first book in the series to understand the plot line, I would still recommend it.

Warning: Lots of descriptive sex scenes.



Book Two in the Face the Fire trilogy.

MIDNIGHT PEARLS: A RETELLING OF 'THE LITTLE MERMAID' By Debbie Viguie


Kelsey Minchow said...

Another wonderful twist on a classic fairy tale. This story takes 'The Little Mermaid' and turns it completely around. A great easy reader.

BRIAR ROSE By Jane Yolen




Kelsey Minchow said...

Great for anyone who still loves those old fairy tales. This version of Sleeping Beauty twists into the dark secrets of the Holocaust, binding fact with fiction in a heart-wrenching tale of fulfilling a promise to a dying grandmother. A five out of five.

I'D TELL YOU I LOVE YOU, BUT THEN I'D HAVE TO KILL YOU By Ally Carter


Sam D. said...

This book is very good and teaches many things too.

Kelsey Minchow said...

This book is a great read for anyone looking for an easy book. It's humorous and compelling, with a very original story idea. I personally find the writer's writing style slightly juvenile, which would be great for some struggling readers.

FOR NOW by Gayle Friesen


Kelsey Minchow: This book is a great read for anyone who's ever gone through a divorce and/or remarrying of a parent. It's also wonderful for anyone just trying to live through the teenage years without going insane. I highly recommend this book to my fellow students at Bryan.