Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was part of the 2014 Hub Reading Challenge and Stonewall Honor Book. David Levithan is such a good writer and the way he presents Two Boys Kissing is very interesting. He focuses on two boys who were once involved, trying to break the kissing record in the Guiness Book of World Records. He has side stories of two boyfriends and 2 boys who meet at a Gay Prom and a lone boy, Cooper( his online activities been caught by his father)who has run away. Tariq, also has an important presence and part as the one who films (he also creates a playlist that will play the duration of the kiss) the two boys kissing. But even more important are the voices of the gay men from the past who are the omniscient narrators as this story unfolds. Their voices were clear, honest, pained, angry and sad. Their voices will give the reader cause to rejoice and also dash their hopes. A powerful book.

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Dogs of War by Sheila Keenan & Nathan Fox

Dogs of War by Sheila Keenan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This graphic novel was part of the 2014 Hub Reading Challenge. I loved the three stories of dogs in WWI, WWII and the Vietnam War and their accomplishments, bravery and love for their handlers. Their stories were inspired by real military history. I especially liked the final story about Sheba, a German Shepherd, who stayed in Vietnam to continue to serve while his handler returned with PTSD, and how a boy and his dog Bouncer, helped him to search for answers. Highly recommended!

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The Adventures of Superhero Girl by Faith Erin Hicks

The Adventures of Superhero Girl by Faith Erin Hicks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this graphic novel as part of the 2014 Hub Reading Challenge and enjoyed introduction by Kurt Busiek. This was a funny look at a SuperHero Girl who doesn't have superhero powers like flying. She also doesn't have a tragic past and an arch nemesis. What she consistently has is the will to help others be it an old lady or battling monsters or ninjas. She has a roommate who has to help out once in a while and a brother who is a famous superhero, Kevin. Recommended read!

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Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner

Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Prince Honor book as part of the 2014 Hub Challenge and oh did I like it! The world that Miles Standish lives in is scary, bleak, and brutal. Miles is different and for that reason he has no friends and is bullied constantly by students AND teachers. Miles has one blue eye and one brown eye and "can't read, can't write, Miles Standish isn't bright." One day a family moves into Zone 7, the burned out, bombed block aptly named Zone 7 where only the ostracized live- and this family, Hector and his mom and dad, The Lushes, have a secret. The Lushes become like family to Miles and his grandfather. Hector stops the bullies in school from their constant assaults and provides the only light, true friendship, in Miles life. It is Hector who helps Miles stand up to the Motherland. The chapters are short, I couldn't stop turning the pages, and even more disturbing are the illustrations of maggots, flies and rats appearing on the pages with their own story.

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Will and Whit by Laura Lee Gulledge

Will & Whit by Laura Lee Gulledge
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the 2014 Hub Challenge. Willemina (Will) lives with her aunt after her parents die in a car accident. Will has a great group of friends, an aunt who is now her caretaker, she is afraid of the dark and keeps really really busy. With the coming of hurricane Whit, power is out for an extended time, resulting in Will confronting some deeply hidden fears. This graphic novel does not disappoint.

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The Book Thief by Markus Zusack

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I re-read this book as part of the 2014 Hub Challenge. I loved it when I first read it and the words, characters, and setting were just as beautiful and horrifying. Told from the point of view of Death, Liesel Meminger is a young girl who is adopted by a German family during the time the war with Germany broke out and the Jews were persecuted, killed, and some were hidden in homes, basements and walls. Liesel becomes the book thief when she picks up a book a gravedigger dropped while burying her brother, Werner. She continues to take books at a parade celebrating the Germans superiority (where she realizes Hitler probably killed her mother because she was a Communist)and later when she carries her step mother's laundry to the Mayor's house. His wife has a room full of books and lets Liesel read any of the books. Liesel's stepfather, Hans Hubermann is a wonderful man who has difficulty finding work because he will not join Hitler's party. He shows Liesel love, and teaches her to read. On the other hand her stepmother is gruff, and angry. But that changes the day, Hans accepts Max, a Jew (Max's dad saved Hans in the war)into their house. Liesel's stepmother now becomes a loving, scared person who supports hiding Max and swears Liesel to tell no one, even her best friend, Rudy. The story of Liesel, her friends and family, narrated by death is one of my favorite books. Everyone should read it, Markus Zusack speaks of a time that must never be forgotten in history. He writes with depth and compassion to show Liesel's world and how she continued to live despite losing everyone she loved, one by one. Death loves Liesel and you will too.

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Winger by Andrew Smith

Winger by Andrew Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the Yalsa Hub 2014 Reading Challenge and I loved it. For most of this book, I laughed at Ryan Dean West's loser status and proclamations. Winger, as he is called by his Rubgy friends is smart, 14, and a junior at a Prep school. After getting in trouble, Ryan Dean is now exiled to the bad kids dorm, Opportunity Hall with a really scary roommate, Chas. He misses his old roommates in the normal dorm. He is also madly in love with Annie Altman, who has been his best friend for two years. He is so insecure about so many things, you laugh out loud with him about his loser status. But this book is about so much more than his fumbling, sports, and high school hijinks. On the back cover of the book, I didn't understand why AS King said the book was "heart-wrenching" and Matt de la Pena called the book "raw." You only have to read Part Four to become so totally sad, angry, and beyond hope about this book. That is all I will say, YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!!!!

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Go: A Kidd's Guide to Graphic Design by Chip Kidd

Go: A Kidd's Guide to Graphic Design by Chip Kidd
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, Chip Kidd has written, designed, and illustrated the BEST book for graphic design for kids; I recommend everyone read this book----they will love it. What did I learn? I had no idea Chip Kidd was involved in sooo many books, book covers (like Jurassic Park and all the covers on pages 10-12, 68-69, p. 112-115). In each of the six chapters, Kidd goes into detail about What is Graphic Design?, Form, Typography, Content, Concept and 10 Design Projects. I really liked the Chapter 4 Concept on Illusion (p. 109) where Kidd, G. Spear and Augusten Burroughs "goofed on the title, Side Effects, by addig a sixth finger to the hand (mine)." I loved how Chip Kidd shared what the title of this book Go means, p. 117. I think it would be fun for kids to jump in and try the 10 design projects and post it on gothebook.com
Loved this book!!!

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Saints by Gene Luen Yang

Saints by Gene Luen Yang
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this as part of the 2014 Hub Challenge, and I enjoyed Four Girl (Vibiana) as much as I enjoyed Bao. She was a strong character because she had to be in her family. Four Girl seeks help and strength from Joan of Arc and Dr. Won and his wife and Father Bey as she converts to Christianity. As a Christian, Vibiana cares for children in the orphanage and begins to prepare to fight like Joan in order to fight against those who do not support Christianity. Like Bao in Boxers, will Vibiana survive?

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Boxers by Gene Luen Yang

Boxers by Gene Luen Yang
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this as part of the 2014 Hub Challenge and what a great graphic novel exploring the China of 1898 when the peasants were besieged by the foreign missionaries and soldiers. It was wonderful to see Bao's love of life, the gods and their involvement in his daily life and culture. My favorite character had to be Red Lantern; he had an impressive air about him that helped Bao mature and lead The Big Sword Society which later becomes The Society of the Righteous and Harmonious Fist. But Bao as he succeeds he continues to have doubts and conflicts with his mission. What will his future hold?

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Scowler by Daniel Kraus

Scowler by Daniel Kraus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow, there is something so twisted but absorbing in Daniel Kraus' books. I still think about Rotters and last night I couldn't get back to sleep thinking about Ry, his mom, and little sister, Sarah as Marvin Burke (dad and father) terrorizes his family after escaping from prison. But that is just one small part of this horror story extraordinaire. A meteorite has landed in their yard and Ry needs to call upon his three childhood toys to help him save his family from the sick, twisted, maniac that is his father. I couldn't stop checking the cover as I read the book and the title, Scowler, is Ry's bloodthirsty toy (his doctor says Scowler is really his father)and he is an unbelievable adversary for Ry while the other 2 toys, Mr. Furrington and Jesus Christ are much more normal, caring, and likable. I read this as part of The Hub Challenge and boy am I glad I did, I just didn't like the crazy, scary thoughts keeping me awake:)

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The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson (audio book)

The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the voice of the person who narrates this audiobook as the main character, Leon Leyson, who is saved from death (and others in his family) as a result of OsKar Schindler's compassion during the Holocaust. Even though this is a child's book, it will appeal to all readers, young and old. Highly recommended!

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The President Has Been Shot by James Swanson

"The President Has Been Shot!": The Assassination of John F. Kennedy by James L. Swanson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the 2014 Hub Challenge and my Goodreads group nonfiction title for the month of March. I loved James Swanson's narrative voice; the images and the extensive research he did to present a compelling read about a great man and his horrible assassination and what his family and the world were deprived of as a result of his life being cut short. There is an extensive bibliography consisting of books and websites and further reading. This is a must read book, both students, teachers and adults will respond to Swanson's engaging portrayal of John F. Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy, and their world.

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Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (Audio Book)

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this as part of the 2014 Hub Challenge and just like the book I read a year ago, I LOVED Rebecca Lowman's Eleanor and Sunil Malhotra's Park. Their voices, inflections all brought back to me how much I loved this book and ached for both characters. I can see why it won Amazing AudioBooks. I am not a fan of listening to books but I couldn't stop because Eleanor and Park became people to me, just like I became a part of their world in the book. I would love to see a movie made out of this book! If you have read or listened to this book, I recommend you do it sooner, rather than later. Rowell's depiction of Eleanor's family is so stark compared to Park's and (being a teacher)you know teens live in these families, worlds, dramas, etc. and hopefully reading and listening to these books will help teens when they see other characters have those struggles too.

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Call the Shots by Don Calame (paperback)

Call the Shots by Don Calame
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I re-read this book in paperback as part of the 2014 Hub Challenge. In this third humorous boy book, the hilarious trio of Cooper, Matt and Sean have come up with another wacky idea to gain notoriety with girls (they think) of producing a scary movie to win the prize money and help Sean who has to give up his bedroom since his mother is pregnant. Worse than living with his twin sister is listening to her call him gay, which he is not; he is just sensitive and a little bit weird. Calame is at his best with characters like Uncle Doug, Nessa, crazy Nick and Evelyn. Crude, lots of boy humour (sexual) and lots of laughs.

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Courage Has No Color by Tanya Lee Stone

Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles, America's First Black Paratroopers by Tanya Lee Stone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to the 2014 Hub Reading Challenge and the webinar hosting the nominees to the YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award, I was able to read this book and thoroughly enjoyed viewing Tanya Lee Stone talk about her research for this book. Thhis book is packed with photographs, interviews and quotes from the Triple Nickels themselves and others in history. Students need to read this noteworthy book about WWII and the trying times for African Americans who wanted to serve in the war for their country and were constantly relegated to menial tasks, inferior accommodations and segregated facilities. This book is a tribute to the steadfast African American soldiers, and paratroopers in Walter Morris' words, "We succeeded where we were not expected to succeed. And we overcame the pitfalls that were put out there. We overcame. And it's a warm feeling to know that, that color has nothing to do with it. It's what's in one's hearts. One's spirit. And that...should be a lesson to all of us. We should have, and we will have, a colorless society one day. And that will be the crowning jewel in this great country's history."

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Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I re-read this book as part of the 2014 Hub Challenge. I am so happy to see it continues to garner awards like The YALSA Quick Picks and The 2014 Pura Belpre Award Winner!!!Thanks to Rory and the Goodreads Group, YA Reads For Teachers (And Any Other Adults) for this MUST read book, Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick your Ass by Meg Medina. From the first sentence, “Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick your Ass” (just like the title) to the last sentence, “And I’ve found my rhythm at last-strong and simple, constant and mine,” I was riveted and sickened by Piddy Sanchez’s plight of being in a new school and being threatened by a bully on the first day. Piddy doesn’t know Yaqui and therefore is clueless about why Yaqui is out to get her. Yaqui has a group of girls who terrorize Piddy at school and at her after school job. Worse to come is the brutal fight when Yaqui and her terrorists surprise Piddy on her way home from school, beat her to a pulp, and film the fight as they tear off her shirt. Piddy never tells her mother what has happened (she tells her mother she fell on the steps) but she does confide in her aunt and makes her swear not to tell anyone. As a result of this fight, Piddy loses herself. She begins to fail her classes, cut school, and her personality begins to change. What will happen to Piddy? This is a book for all high school students; one girl’s life was drastically changed as a result of the continued harassment she endured. I highly recommend it for all readers (plus reluctant readers and those who enjoy urban fiction), teachers, and parents. The author suffered through something similar in junior high and this book reaches out to teens and helps them find their dignity again.

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Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book again as part of the 2014 Hub Challenge. Thank you to my librarian friends for giving me this book as a retirement gift!!! I love Ruta Sepetys; she has written two fabulous historical fiction books (first Between Shades of Gray) and both books with strong female protagonists who must make some very difficult decisions and feel very overwhelmed by their circumstances.
In Out of the Easy, Josie has lived in Louisiana, has a mother who is a prostitute and could care less about her own daughter. Since the young age of ten, Josie has lived in an apartment above a book store and it was the owner who saves her by giving her lodgings (she works in the book store with his son, Patrick)fostering a love of books, an education. When Josie has graduated high school, a very well-to-do man enters the book store and buys 2 poetry books for his wife. Jo feels a deep connection towards this man and she keeps the check he paid for the books with because she has a fantasy that he could be her father.
When he dies suddenly on New Years Eve, Josie thinks there is more to it. She has her beloved friend, Cokie, try to glean more information about his death. Another job Josie holds is cleaning the house of prostitution where her mother works. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Bayou traditions and superstitions, Josie's fortitude and her self consciousness about her heritage and worth. Sepetys' cast of characters are compelling from the prostitutes to the boys who want to know her better and including her worthless mother and evil boyfriend, Cincinnati. You will be plunged to the depths of despair for Josie but her optimism and endurance will keep you turning these pages and rooting for her!!!

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Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I re-read this book as part of the 2014 Hub Challenge. The awards this book has won and continues to win speak to its popularity as a book all teens and adults should read! Fifteen year old Lina’s life in Lithuania changes drastically when the Stalin regime brands her family, “thieves and prostitutes.” They are rounded up and forced from their homes and their land to the deprivation of Russian Siberia. Separated from her imprisoned father; Lina, her mother, and little brother, each try in their own way to survive the brutality of the Russian soldiers and the harshness of their environment. In the twelve years that they are brutalized, fall ill, and starve; thousands die, but it is through a determination to live to see their homeland, that drives these deportees to triumph through the hell of their imprisonment. If you loved The Book Thief, this book will speak to how the world must never let this kind of genocide ever occur again.

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The Nazi Hunters: How a Team of Spies an Survivors Captured the World's Most Notorious Nazi by Neal Bascomb

The Nazi Hunters: How a Team of Spies and Survivors Captured the World's Most Notorious Nazi by Neal Bascomb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The pursuit and capture of Adolf Eichmann after 15 years as part of the Nazi plan to exterminate the Jews was a profound and thrilling read. The secret plan was thoroughly planned by Jews who personally survived the Holocaust and lost loved ones in the concentration camps and the government officials of Israel. A highly recommended read for young adults and adults as a reminder of the atrocities by Hitler and the Germans against the Jews. Six million were exterminated and many were shot, beaten, starved and worked to death in addition to the furnaces of the concentration camps.

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