Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am a fan of Rainbow Rowell- her characters, her plot, her dialog and all the dysfunction in families, with friends, etc. I LOVED Eleanor and Park and I Loved Fangirl!!! They both have an insecure main character in Eleanor and Cather. They both have an adorable male protagonist in Park and Levi. But Rowell has crafted a totally different story and gratifyingly absorbed me the whole time I read this engaging, humorous, and ultimately GREAT, GREAT, GREAT story of growing pains, tremendous insecurities, and fearsome love (for family and friends and boyfriends). Cather is a freshman in college and her twin, Wren (who has been her staunchest ally up to freshman year)is not her roommate and out partying hard and drinking and not returning Cath's calls. Cath has a scary roommate, Reagan (I loved her- she totally grows on you)and with Reagan comes her boyfriend, Levi. Cath has so many hangups and they are even more pronounced since Wren has ditched her and Cath isolates herself in her room, writes fan fiction about Simon and Baz (and has a huge readership). Rowell reveals all of Cath's insecurities in her dealings (or not) with her roommate and Levi, not eating in the cafeteria, and not going to parties. But the reader likes and roots for Cath- that she will throw off the blanket of fears and anxieties she has cocooned herself in and participate in life, college, and love. I love how characters don't give up on Cather, how Levi and her Professor work with Cath at her halting pace and how, in Cath's own crippling way- she achingly blooms. Please read this book; it is great writing, dialog, and characters trough and through. If you have not read her other book, Eleanor and Park - then read that after- I promise, you will not be disappointed. Her books and characters ring true (she gets family dysfuction, teens, and best of all romance)

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To Be Perfectly Honest by Sonya Sones

To Be Perfectly Honest: A Novel Based on an Untrue Story by Sonya Sones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am rally not a fan of unreliable narrators and in this novel in verse, Colette is an unreliable narrator, liar, fibber; it is just a part of her personality. She can't help it, and when you are the daughter of a famous movie star, well, many people just want to be your friend because your mom is famous, good looking, funny, etc. As Colette look forward to spending her summer in France with her friends, her hopes (and friendships) are dashed when her mom takes her on the set of her latest movie and makes her babysit her little brother, Will. She meets Connor and falls for him especially when he really seems to be interested in her....only problem, she has to babysit Will often. Colette (who is only 15) does have problems with consummating her relationship with Connor and it is only when "illness" becomes involved that Colette "almost" changes her mind. I love Sonya Sones; her characters are real and the games Colette plays may just catch up to her...Read this book and see what you think of Collette's problem with telling truth- she really does have an imagination!

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The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Maggie Stiefvater has pulled me in once again with her wondrous world of the Raven Boys searching still for mythic King Glendower through ley lines. But oh this story has added depth with the dream thieves, that is right- dream thieves are able to take things "out of" their dreams like keys, boxes and did I mention- "night horrors" can escape from thei dreams into the real world. They are scary, big and black apparitions with beaks and teeth and claws that can and will kill. Ronan's dreams have shaped his life, his personality, and his outlook. If you remember Ronan from the first book, The Raven Boys, he was not really likable, mean, but very handsome. I like his bird, Chainsaw and his brother, Matthew. Blue Sargent's family of seers is much more involved and expanded in this 2nd book. The Gray Man is a new character (and Kavinsky) and I will not say too much about them other than to say - read the book!!! The characters of Blue, Gansey, Adam, Noah, and Ronan experience much, grow a lot and the reader just really revels in their trials and tribulations. As the search continues for Glendower, the world of Henrietta and the living quarters of the Raven Boys and Blue's home of 300 Fox Way become entangled in solving the mystery of the Cabeswater and what is sapping its strength. It requires many of the characters working feverishly
toward the stunning climax. I can't wait for Book 3!!! An incredibly, gripping read---love, love, loved it!


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Smore - My Summer Reads

The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller

The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have gotten so many great ideas from Donalyn's book which emphasizes letting students read what they want and they will read more. She has her tried and true methods, students' reviews and conversations and just a wonderful way of children reading lots of great books. BUT!!! She stresses you must be a reader too; modeling reading in the classroom and constantly sharing books with book talks and a large classroom library and visiting the school library. So if you love to read, keep on reading and sharing your love of new books and tried and true books with you students. Highly recommended!!!

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The Archived by Victoria Schwab

The Archived by Victoria Schwab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tiff recommended this so long ago; now that I finally read it, I wish I had read it sooner! It was so good; action-packed all taking place within an old hotel, The Coronado. Mackenzie has a grandfather with special powers and as she grows up, he passes on his knowledge so one day she can take his place as a Keeper, one who returns histories (dead people) who have slipped back to The Archive. There are Keepers, Librarians, and Crew, and Mac is such a tenacious, tough, yet sensitive character. It is the death of her little brother, Ben that sends and keeps Mac in an inconsolable state, while still returning the histories. I loved Wesley; he lives in her hotel as well with his little sister. There is so much to his character---you have to read the book. I also enjoyed Owen and Roland. There is a mystery taking place in The Archive and MacKenzie wants to solve it but she can't really tell anyone about it. As she helps her parents get ready to open their coffee shop (maybe this will help them move on without Ben) Mac has too much work to do with the names appearing on her list that she must return to The Archive. Something is not right within the walls of the hotel and MacKenzie's abilities as a Keeper are sorely tested as she lies her way to answers. Schwab's book was so visually appealing and loved where Keepers could touch others and read/feel their thoughts and their past. MacKenzie works hard to try to trust and with living with the noise that is the job of a keeper. One good thing about reading this so late after I got it, I only have to wait until January for Unbound #8!!!

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The Good Braider by Terry Farish

The Good Braider by Terry Farish
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Viola's harrowing journey with her family from the war torn country of Sudan to Portland, Maine. Before laving Juba, Viola is raped by a soldier; her self worth and her bride price are stripped. Farish does a superb job painting the fear, anguish and despair of Viola and those in her community in fear for their lives while trying to flee a country gripped in civil war. Once Viola, her mother and little brother escape, Juba, they begin a long perilous journey to Khartoum. Once Viola arrives in Portland, Maine settling into a community of African immigrants, attending school and working a job there is the clash of the new American culture and preserving the Sudanese culture. This novel in verse achieves the beauty of Viola's new American world and harsh reminders of the brutal civil war, Viola's voice is strong, happy, conflicted, scared, and hopeful. I loved the braiding title, which symbolized Viola's African world of beauty and how once in the US, she does not braid anymore and will not have her own hair braided. It is through her friends and family from the Sudan as well as her American friends that Viola finds her place in her new world of Portland, Maine. This is a must read for young adults; they will learn about the genocide the Sudanese suffered through, they will appreciate the customs and community that are so important to Viola. What is even more important for teens is to see the world through Viola's eyes and the positive and negative impact of American culture on immigrant communities. Powerful, this book is beautiful!


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