You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins

You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, loved this book! I totally enjoyed the many different POV from the many generations of Indian American women from matriarch Ranee, to Sonia & Tara, to their daughters Chantel and Anna!!! The writing was real, exquisite, deeply and wonderfully plunging me into the Das family and their Indian history and their travel and love affair with America. I would also recommend reading this with Love, Hate & Other Filters, such important books teens will read, enjoy and discuss!!! Highly recommended!

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Okay For Now by Gary D. Schmidt

Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Schmidt has brought back some of his original characters from theand I am so glad Douglas Swieteck and Holling Hoodhood are here! Douglas is a kid who has the wise aleck sense of humor and it is because of his family life and he can't help himself from blurting out smart and mean stuff, it is his coping mechanism. But thankfully the characters he meets along the way---Lil Spicer, Mrs. Windemere, and Mr. Powell (to name just a few---Schmidt has so many finely drawn characters) are not put off by his comments and know just how to reel him in...Doug becomes a delivery boy who falls in love with the bird drawings of Audubon and begins a quest to help the library and himself. I love all of Schmidt's books and this is now my most favorite of his---you will love 1968 and the family's move to stupid Marysville, and Doug's coming of age. You will laugh, and cry and hold this book close because Schmidt's way with words is so powerful. Even though he is 13 yrs old ----teens will identify with Doug's life, family, friends and school.



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Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess

Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book was so compelling, I couldn't put it down. Meredith is a teen who has been molested by her father while he has molested lots of other children, boys and girls alike. When her father gets a nine year sentence, Meredith feels safe even though she is a pariah in her town. Imagine her disgust and fear when he is released after only 3 years!!! And her mother can't wait to be one big happy family. Meredith has been spending time with Andy, a teen who is now paralyzed but was once one of her father's victims. She is also open and honest with Nigel, a police officer who lives in her apartment complex. Meredith feels she is the only one who can stop her father, even though she has tried by not taking baths, leaving her hair in her eyes, wearing clothes that cover her up and are filthy. I felt I was in a car careening out of control as I read this sickening book of a girl's despair and hatred for all the lives her father has shattered. She is a strong girl who perseveres in spite of her mother, her father and the justice system. A great read!

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