What I read this week

Citation: Meyer, M. (2012). Cinder.  New York: Feiwel & Friends. Summary: In a future world, Cinder is a cyborg living with her adoptive father's widow. She's the best mechanic in town. So good, in fact, that the Prince himself brings his own android to be fixed by Cinder. When the plague hits the shop down the street from hers, Cinder sneaks back home and then takes her step sister with her to salvage some pieces for the Prince's android.  The plague then gets her step-sister while they are at the junkyard, and being upset, cinder's stepmom/guardian volunteers her for the draft for cyborgs. Cinder is to go in to help with research on the plague to find a cure. The doctor doing this research discovers that Cinder is immune to the plague meaning she is from the moon, or lunar. Lunar people are feared and illegal on Earth. Cinder keeps running into Kai, the prince, and he eventually asks her, several times to the ball. Cinder knows she won't be able to go...

  Citation: Paulsen, G. (2006). Hatchet. New York: Simon Pulse. Summary:  Brian is flying in a small plane on his way to visit his father when the plane crashes. Stuck alone, after the pilot dies in the crash, in the wilderness, he must learn survival skills and even has time to prioritize his life. He gains skills like starting a fire, in unexpected places and learns how pety his problems really are. My thoughts: Though this is not typically my type of book, I can see the appeal for the reader into introspective books. Brian's struggle with his parents and his desperate attempts to survive, create a great story. I would recommend this to those who enjoy a more intense survival type story. Professional Review: "Gr 8-12 Brian Robeson, 13, is the only passenger on a small plane flying him to visit his father in the Canadian wilderness when the pilot has a heart attack and dies. The plane drifts off course and finally crashes into a small lake. Miraculously ...

Citation: Thomas, A. (2017). The hate u give. New York, NY: HaperCollins Summary:  Starr lives in the "poor" neighborhood, but goes to a school in the suburbs. She attends a party with her half sister and runs into an old friend, Kahlil. When gunshots are fired at the party, Starr and Kahlil run out of the party and Kahlil drives home. On their way home, a police officer pulls them over and kills Kahlil, despite him being unarmed and following his directions. The story follows Starr in the aftermath of her friend becoming a hashtag, of her choosing to keep her secret, and of the decision of the courts. My thoughts: I haven't cried because of a book in a long time, but this one got me several times. A gut wrenching tale that puts you in the shoes of someone dealing directly with police violence, why you might stay silent, speak up, or even get violent in these occasions. The book also deals a lot with racism obviously and how to navigate being an ally, through St...

Citation: Stead, P. C. (2016). Ideas are all around . New York, NY: Roaring Book Press.  Summary: This is book is written in the first person. Wednesday, the author's dog, wants the author to stop writing and go for a walk.  The author has no idea what to write about so he complies. They run into great friends, things, and ideas. One friend, Barbara, reminds the author that Ideas are all around. My Thoughts:  This book is fun. The art in the picture book is beautiful and the story is great. This is the book for those who need inspiration, a nice reminder for those of us who think we run out of ideas or have no ideas. Professional review: " K-Gr 3-What does a writer do when ideas elude him? He allows his adorable canine to tempt him outdoors for a walk. Stead writes in the first person, describing settings and the characters he meets: a turtle he calls Frank, who "makes quick for the dark water and disappears"; ducks who withhold any advice the...

Citation: Sáenz, B. A. (2012). Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe . New York:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. Summary: Ari, short for Aristotle, is a Mexican-American young adult living in El Paso. He goes outside every day, to the pool, to walk around, but he doesn't have any friends to do that with. Enter Dante, who first offers to teach Ari how to swim. Ari takes him up on the offer because there is just something about Dante that he is drawn to. Dante is also a Mexican- American living in El Paso, but they lead very different lives. Ari's dad is very quiet and reserves, especially since he got back from the war and Ari's brother went to jail. Dante's dad is a literature professor at the local university, a very affectionate, outwardly loving person. Aristotle and Dante spend the whole summer trying to discover the secrets of the universe. My thoughts: Everyone over the age of 12 should read this book. I personally lis...

Citation: Green, J. (2015). Looking for Alaska. New York, NY: Dutton Books, an imprint of Penguin Group. Summary : Miles is going to boarding school. Not because it’s where his dad went to; or because he doesn’t have any friends; but, because of the famous last words of Francois Rabelais , “I go to seek a great perhaps.” During the beginning of the year he found the adventure he was looking for. His roommate, known as The Colonel, and his friends are well known for pranking, not to mention one of his roommate’s friends is a beautiful girl miles soon falls for. Within the first few weeks Miles gets tossed into a lake on the ground with his arms duct taped to his sides by the “weekday warriors ( the rich kids who only attend the boarding school on the weekdays). This means war; and The Colonel, Miles, Alaska and their friend Takumi are ready. As story of love, loss, and the struggles of growing up. My Thoughts: This book is captivating, well written, and heartbreaking. I lov...