Sunday 28 April 2013

Graceling

books.jpgGraceling by Kristin Cashore

Another great book about a strong (physically and mentally) young woman.  I love these books because they are so empowering and even though Katsa is "Graced" with special powers it still shows what women are capable of.  This book has great adventures and wonderful characters - both good and bad.  It is one of those books that are hard to put down because you just have to know what is going to happen next.



Shattered



Shattered by Eric Walters

This book, about a teen who is forced into volunteering at a local soup kitchen in order to pass a class, was marvellous.  It dealt with of a lot of very important issues, such as the homeless and war, that most people either don't realise are such huge issues or ignore them altogether.  It will change your perception of what it means to be homeless as well as what kind of people become homeless.  We learn along with Ian that all sorts of people become homeless for all sorts of different reasons.  One man he meets was in the army and was present during the atrocities that occurred during the Rwanda genocide.  Like Ian, most people do not realise what went on there because for some unknown reason it didn't make the front page news.  I believe everybody should read this book!

Saturday 13 April 2013

Cut



Cut by Patricia McCormick


I've actually owned this book for quite awhile but never got around to reading it.  I was forced to read it now because a teacher in my school had a problem with it being in my library - that it was inappropriate for students to read.  I think because it deals with a sensitive issue that people do not understand they think if they ignore it, it will go away.  This book was great.  It is about a young girl who has been committed to a psychiatric hospital because she cuts herself.  This book does not glorify self-mutilation (how would it be possible?) but makes it known that it is a very real problem but there is also help and that you are not a freak or crazy if you hurt yourself.  I wish this book had been around when I was younger, but even reading this book as an adult made me feel better about myself.  This is a very important book that should be included in all libraries for young adults.

What Happened to Serenity?



What Happened to Serenity? by PJ Sarah Collins

Summary: Katherine lives in complete isolation in a post-apocalyptic community.  Knowledge and the search for truth are not permitted.  A haunting story about growing up and searching for truth.


Another book that had potential but fell miserable short.  This is a post-apocalyptic story with a twist.  I won't say what the twist is but the reader figures it out pretty quickly and we have to painfully watch for the majority of the book as Katherine tries to figure it out for herself.  Of course I had to finish reading it to see how it ended but at least the ending was decent and was worth finishing.

Sunday 7 April 2013

The Worst Thing She Ever Did



The Worst Thing She Ever Did by Alice Kuipers

This book is about a teenage girl Sophie, who is dealing with (or not dealing with it as the case may be) the horrible death of her sister.  Since this book is told in diary format, we are not told how her sister died, we only see the struggles that Sophie goes through as she tries desperately to forget what happened, and continue on with her life as if nothing changed.  Her relationships with her friends and mum are very strained because she refuses to deal with what happened - she only wants to forget.  This was a very powerful book.

The Last Book in the Universe


Front Cover

The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick


Summary: After an earthquake has destroyed much of the planet, an epileptic teenager nicknamed Spaz begins the heroic fight to bring human intelligence back to the Earth of a distant future.


A futuristic look at the world after wars and earthquakes have destroyed most of the planet.  At first this book was a little hard to understand because they use quite a few different words in the future, but thankfully there was a great glossary at the end of the book that I referred to quite often.  This was basically an adventure story about a young boy who is trying to see his sister before she dies.  I have issues with the title of the book because it really wasn't about the last book in the universe.  While books have all been destroyed and nobody really remembers what they are, one old man remembers and is trying to write a book before he dies, but that is a very minor part of the book.  While I did feel a bit deceived by the title, it was an enjoyable read.

Monday 1 April 2013

Breaking Stalin's Nose



Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin

Summary: In the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union, ten-year-old Sasha idolizes his father, a devoted Communist, but when police take his father away and leave Sasha homeless, he is forced to examine his own perceptions, values, and beliefs.


This book, about a young boy growing up in Russia during Stalin's rule was wonderful.  This boy adores Stalin and believes all of the wonderful things that he says and all of the promises he's made.  Normally, books about Stalin or Hitler focus on the people who have seen through all of their lies and are trying to make a difference, but this one is seen through the eyes of a young boy who is still blinded by the promises of a better life.  I've never really thought about it before but Stalin came into power for a reason, he made people believe in him, and this boy's undying devotion to him, even after his father is arrested is heartbreaking.

Genocide


Product Details

Genocide by Jane Springer

This book is a nonfiction account of the genocidal atrocities that have occurred all over the world.  I don't normally read nonfiction books but this one came across my desk and I started reading it and I had to finish it.  I kept it in my van and only read it in small doses because that's all I could handle.  This is a very powerful book and it pulls no punches in placeing blame where blame should be placed (the US for one and people like us who just sit back and and watch without doing anything)  A very important book that everybody should read.