Book Drops: Ash by Malinda Lo

Ash by Malinda Lo.
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-316-04009-9

Ash, by Malinda Lo, is a retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale. Just like the original fairytale, Ash is orphaned by her parents and comes to live with an uncaring, cruel stepmother and 2 stepsisters. There are also fairies, magic and a kingdom with an eligible prince. However, Lo alters the tale and Ash is not the sweet Disney Cinderella that a lot of us know her as. Ash is a little tougher, a bit more outspoken, and is not searching for that love from her stepmother that we see played out in so many versions of Cinderella.

After the death of her mother, Ash stumbles upon the world of fairies. Growing up in the country, Ash and her village still practice the old ways, which still acknowledges the magic in the world. As she copes with her mother's death, Ash is drawn more and more towards this alternate world. She meets a fairy prince, Sidhean, and though he pushes her away, she continues to try to find her way back to the fairies.

Shortly after her mother's death, Ash's father falls ill and dies. After this, Ash's tale follows that of the original Cinderella story, and becomes the servant to her stepmother and stepsisters. During, this time, she has a chance meeting with the King's Huntress, Kaisa, whom she admires and soon becomes infatuated by.

As time goes on, Ash, becomes torn by her love of the Sidhean and her growing love for Kaisa. Whom will she choose? Death or Life?

This story is similar to the Mystic and Rider series by Sharon Shinn. It is a great story and an interesting take on Cinderella. Definitely, worth reading.

Book Drops: "The Dark and Hollow Places" by Carrie Ryan

I finished Carrie Ryan's final installment of the Forest of Hands and Teeth series, The Dark and Hollow Places, during this Turkey Day holiday. I thought it was a pretty good ending for this horror series. Annah is still in the City, waiting for Elias. 3 years have passed and she still cannot leave even though the City is getting worse. As she tries to leave, she notices a girl who looks just like her. Could it be Abigail? Annah needs to find out and strange things begin to happen. Annah struggles with her own self-doubt and insecurities as she tries to deal with the hordes of zombies that are beginning to infiltrate the city as well as dealing with the discovery that Elias and her sister are still alive.

If you liked the series, you will enjoy this finale.

Also, how come the UK cover of this book is a lot better than the US version? I am not a fan of the all the people on the covers. But again I guess that what the American audience likes.

Book Drops: The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

What a heartwarming and heartbreaking read! It is such a different take on writing a story, using words and defining them with the story of a relationship.

I would definitely recommend this for probably 9th graders and up. There are some experiences that I think 7th graders don't really know about. Not saying that 7th graders haven't been in love but there are certainly things in this book that they could not relate too.

It's a pretty quick read too.

Book Drops: Will Grayson, Will Grayson by Green and Levithan

Will Grayson, Will Grayson
Originally uploaded by Miss Martini (AnnaLynn M.)

This is the first book I read for the new year! Let the new list begin!

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green (Paper Towns and The Abundance of Katherines) and David Levithan.
New York: Dutton Books, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-525-42158-0

Why I Picked It Up:
I like John Green's writing. Also, I love the cover. It actually looks like the wall paper on my Droid. After reading the jacket, I wanted to read more. What would you do if you met someone with your same name? And actually ended up being connected in some way...

Why I Didn't Put It Down:
At the church I went to growing up, there was a man named Vicente Martino who was always mentioned in the church bulletin. The first time I saw his name in the bulletin I would think "why are they mentioning my dad in the bulletin?" My dad is named Vicente Martino too!!! I remember, being a kid and wanting to go up to the Italian Vicente Martino to go "Hey. My dad's named Vicente Martino too!" But, being the shy kid I was, I never did it. Plus, he sat at the very front and we always sat in the middle and my dad didn't go to church. This is what I thought about as I started reading this book. Will Grayson and Will Grayson are two completely different people. One is personable, talkative and straight. The other is angry, introverted and gay. One day, they meet in an unexpected place and things come crashing down in both of their lives. I could not put this book down. I love all the characters even the unappealing ones. It is such a compelling story about relationships, love, hate, secrets, lies and life that you just do not want to put it down. I laughed out loud at quite a few parts and some passages just stuck with me.

Who Would I Recommend This To:
Everyone. This is truly one of the books on my short list of books that I LOVE! It is up there with my love of 13 Blue Envelopes and Going Bovine. It's kind of like Glee in print format. Just a feel good story that anyone can relate to.

Hurray for another Rick Riordan Adventure!!!

This is the 3rd time I'm writing this post. You figure I would give up but I wanted to write it.

What Did I Read: Rick Riordan's The Lost Hero, Book 1 of the Heroes of Olympians.

Why Did I Pick This Up: RICK RIORDAN! I loved the Percy Jackson series and I was really excited to know that we would be returning to Camp Half Blood for this new series. Also, t he kids are super excited about this book. One student and I already have a favorite character - Leo Valdez!!! Go Leo! Go Hephaestus!!!

Why I Finished It: I couldn't put it down. I had to, of course, because I do need sleep but wow! what a fun exciting read. I loved the diversity of the characters, Piper is Native American and Leo is Latino. This gave Riordan the opportunity to mention myths from other cultures that are similar to the Greek and Roman mythologies that he is introducing to kids. I think, in a way, this might catch a kid's attention and spark their curiosity to learn more. It is funny, exciting, suspenseful and full of action and of course, we are introduced to a host of new gods, monsters and heroes. More evil, more good.

Who Would I Recommend This To: The growing Camp Half Blood campers and anyone who loves mythology or fantasy. Anyone who loves a good adventure and hero quest story.

Go Coach Hedge!!!!

Graphic Novel Friday: Peter & Max by Bill Willingham

I know, this isn't a graphic novel but it is a spin-off (?) off of Bill Willingham's Fables series, which all my friends rave about and I have yet to read. I know, I'm shunned now! Anyway, I thought, this work, Peter & Max which is amazing, qualifies for GNF since people do know the Fables series and may or may not know that Willingham and Steve Leialoha have "a (F)(a)(b)(l)(e)(s) Novel". Also, you do not need to have any knowledge of (F)(a)(b)(l)(e)(s) to enjoy this book. It's a great "stand-alone" work in the parlance of librarians.

I seem to have a theme going this week with the books I've chosen to read. I recently finished Audrey Niffenegger's Her Fearful Symmetry.

What Caught My Eye: I seem to have a bare branches silhouette thing going this week. Also, the Pied Piper hovering over those branches with the moon shining behind him. It looks magical and eerie. I also liked the typeface. I leafed through the pages and was struck by Leialoha's illustrations as well. What is this scene? What's happening here? Why the raven?

Why I Finished It: Because I couldn't put it down. I am still working on the 2010 Sleep Challenge proposed by Arianna Huffington and I am trying to not stay up nights reading but honestly, I did not want to put this book down and the last couple of nights I just slept with this book by my head because I just didn't want to stop reading. It's full of adventure and incredible worlds, war, music, magic, love, suspense, fear, and practically all emotions that make this one of my favorite reads for this year so far.

Who Would I Recommend This To: Everyone!!! I would read this aloud to young kids, who I know who are not easily frightened. I would share it with my middle schoolers (oh wait! It's part of the school collection). I would pass it on to adults who like fairytales and folklore and also just love a good read.

Book Drops: "Burn My Heart" by Beverley Naidoo (YA) (rated 5 stars)

Burn My Heart

by Beverley Naidoo

Originally published in 2007, “Burn My Heart” by Beverley Naidoo (http://www.beverleynaidoo.com/index2.html) is a story about cultures clashing and friendships tested because of prejudice and hate. Set in Kenya in the 1950s, the story follows two boys, Mugo and Mathew. Mugo is a Kikuyu teen, who works in the kitchen of a British settler. His family has worked for the Grayson family since they “settled” the land, a land under Kirinyaga mountain. Mathew Grayson is the British family’s son, who grew up with Mugo, who does not understand the tensions brewing around him and struggles to grasp what it means for his friendship with Mugo.

Both stories are interlaced together showing how one’s actions can be the consequences of another. Naidoo talks about the rise of the Mau Mau, a movement that rose out of the need for the Kikuyu to take back their land and fight for their civil rights, and how the British government dealt with the uprising only exacerbated the racial tensions between the settlers and the people they stole the land from.

I never knew about “the Emergency” or the Mau Mau movement and it is important to see how and remember how movements in other countries parallel those in the United States. The lives and struggles of the two boys, though fictional, are very believable and Naidoo expresses their conflict between how they view each other and how society wants them to view each other. This does not have a happy sugar-coated ending and is at times intense for an elementary school reader. It is definitely geared towards middle schoolers.

Excellent and I am glad that it is finally published for the United States market.

See more about Burn My Heart

Book Drops: "Simon Bloom: the Octopus Effect" by Michael Reisman (Children's/YA) (rated 4 stars)

Simon Bloom: The Octopus Effect

by Michael Reisman

This is Book 2 of the Simon Bloom series by Michael Reisman. I have not read the second but it is good as a stand-alone from the series. Reisman places a list of characters at the beginning as well as a glossary at the end to help keep new readers up to speed with what happened in the first book.

Simon Bloom, is a twelve year old kid, who has to save the world! Again! from the evil Sirabetta (aka Sara Beth). Along with his friends, Alysha and Owen, Simon must stop Sirabetta, who has some how regained her powers, which are activated by tattoos of various scientific formulas that cover her body. Along the way, Simon, Alysha, and Owen meet more people from the various scientific orders that were formed to help keep science moving forward. Some of these people are friends and of course, some of them are foes.

I love how this book is filled with science references, covering things from physics, biology and chemistry. There is also a little history spread in and as a kid reading it, there are lots of different things to learn, like the scientific name of saber-toothed tigers and characteristics and habits of octopi.

It is interesting how individuals are given their powers from “super” books, like the Book of Physics, which Simon becomes the Keeper of or the Book of Biology. The Books are linked to the universe and can transfer powers to the individual in charge of them. Some of the great fun of this book, is the scenes when people try out their new powers. For example, on pg. 167, Simon is given some traits of the octopus and his transformation is pretty gross. He has the flexibility trait and can stretch and shrink his arms and body. The way Reisman describes it is pretty nasty but I’m sure a boy and even girl reading it would find it hilarious and fascinating. Who doesn’t want powers?!? Even if they are weird and gross.

The fight scenes (yes, multiple! the kids and their friends get attacked by giant mammoths at one point) are really fun to read and you can feel the tension between the characters. There are really funny moments as well that had me laughing out loud. Fun read especially for those kids who love science.

Definitely good for 5th – 8th grades depending on the level of the reader. Good stuff!

See more about Simon Bloom: The Octopus Effect

Book Drops: "Living Dead Girl" by Elizabeth Scott (YA) (rated 5 stars)

Living Dead Girl

by Elizabeth Scott

If you like “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson or “Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold, you will probably like (though I am not sure “like” is the proper word) “Living Dead Girl” by Elizabeth Scott.

This book is written mainly as “Alice’s” thoughts. She has just turned 15 and is no longer looking like a “little girl,” which is what her kidnapper, Ray, craves and needs. It is really uncomfortable to read but you cannot put it down. She blocks him out when he touches her and disappears into her mind when he beats her. She replays the moments when she was kidnapped and how he keeps her as “his little girl.”
She lives in an apartment and is invisible. Or she feels invisible. No one knows and no one cares or questions why she is not in school. She wants to escape. But in order to escape, she would need to find a new “Alice.” Can she do that? She is empty and doesn’t care. She wants to be free. She really just wants to die. For the 5 years to end. 5 years of raping, abuse and death threats…

This book is 170 pages of uncomfortable intense moments. It is not for a young reader but for a mature middle schooler and high schooler. Though, it could be used as a discussion point with a younger reader (6th grade maybe 5th if they are mature). It covers issues of abuse and safety and survival. But it is disturbing so if you do have it in your collection and see a younger reader checking it out, I would warn them.

See more about Living Dead Girl

Book Review: "My Year of Meats" by Ruth L. Ozeki (rated 4 stars)

My Year of Meats

by Ruth L. Ozeki

I checked out this book from the public library because of a workshop I attended in preparation for my study tour to China. Yes, how does it relate? Well, our speaker is a professor of Asian American literature at UCLA so she mentioned some authors that she discusses with her undergraduate students. I have never read any of Ruth Ozeki’s books but I was interested in her movie “Halving the Bones” which again lead me to her writings.
This book probably does not help in my obsession with Michael Pollan and the food industry in the United States. Ozeki goes pretty in depth into the meat industry by using it as a focal point for a novel about women and the idealization of women in the home. The premise of the story is that Jane Takagi-Little, a half-Japanese and half-American, must help a Japanese business man, create a show called “My American Wife.” The show follows the ideal American wife, white, upper middle class, fit, etc., and shows her life as well as features a particular type of meat, preferrably beef, receipe.

However, Jane goes against the rules because she is a documentarian. She sees her role as producing this show for the greater good and sometimes, for the greater good, you need to show the truth. That may include showing an “imperfect family”, for example, a couple that adopted 6 Korean kids in addition to their two and one happens to be pregnant or a lesbian couple who have 2 adopted children or a couple who’s daughter happens to be in a wheelchair. And these couples even be vegetarian which goes against the real premise for the show, which is to promote the beef industry in Japan.

“My Year of Meats” is hilarious, heart-breaking, inspiring and informative. It is at times scary but you cannot help but become invested in Ozeki’s characters. Jane is not the only important figure. Her entire crew and the man she works for, that man’s wife as well as the families she films all become significant. There are a number of different themes that Ozeki addresses from being a child of parents from 2 very different cultures, racism, issues of adoption, issues of sexual orientation, tolerance, intolerance, the food industry, and so much more. It is definitely worth picking up and reading.

See more about My Year of Meats

Living like a Hermit

The last couple of weeks I feel like I have pretty much just holed up in my studio and have not gone out much. Granted, I have been sick and I put my self on a pretty tight budget (I've gotta save money for China) - so I ended up reading a whole lotta books. I try to write little book talks here and I was going to try to be ambitious and do mini movies but I think that may be a little too much for me at the moment.

I also have been in a locked in my headspace kind of place so I tend to not want to be around people...

But here is a list of what I have finished reading. I always wondered how those librarians who give those book talk workshops do it and now I know. (1) they don't sleep
(2) they don't go out
(3) they don't have tv (or they do and they don't really like to watch it)
or
(4) they have tv but only receive 1 channel so really what is the point? (that's me!)

Here are books I have finished:

• Ancient Philosophers by Don Nardo. This 110 page book is a brief introduction to ancient philosophy and covers both the east and the west. Nardo focuses on Democritus, Plato, Aristotle, Buddha and Confucius but he also mentions Socrates, Thales and Theophrastus. It contains maps of where these different philosophers lived in relation to one another as well as illustrations and depictions of these men. He pulls out the main questions that each philosopher focused on, writes on their childhood and lives as well as each man's contributions. In the end, there are passages attributed to each philosopher that asserts their contributions or views on things Nardo mentions in the earlier chapters. For example, Nardo writes about how Aristotle believed that slavery was natural and excerpts a passage from Politics to support this point. For Buddha, Nardo emphasized that Buddha focused on suffering and the passage is about how evildoers will not go unpunished. It is short but filled with a lot of good information and a great list for those interested in reading more. As always, Nardo is very accessible for those of us who are not philosophy majors or experts.
• The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti. This is based the true story of a German boy named Helmuth Hubener, who at age 16 was tried and executed by the Nazis for spreading "propaganda" on the truth about the war. Bartoletti interviewed Hubener's friends, 2 of who helped him spread his fliers and also were tried with him. It is told with Hubener in prison counting down the days to his execution looking back at his life. His family was very patriotic towards Germany. It is another perspective, one that I do not think we really acknowledge. The Germans who were against Hitler but also loved their country. Life and decisions are much more complicated than they seem. Bartoletti also included photographs of Hubener, his family and his friends.
  
• When You Are Engulfed In Flames by David Sedaris. This was much better than Dress Your Family In Corduroy and Denim. Sedaris again takes us on a hilarious ride as we catch glimpses of his life with Hugh and his family and living in France and then in Japan. The last tale focuses on Sedaris' quitting smoking. I can say that I know exactly how he was feeling except I did not spend $20,000 to do it. I really enjoyed his stories of following Hugh, who sounds like he's a speed walker, and his quest to quit smoking and his impressions of people. One of my favorite stories is about a plane ride where he doesn't want to give up his seat. His lozenge ends up somewhere awkward. You read it to find out where and what happens.
  

Also in my hermitude, I watched a couple of movies, which at the moment, I cannot remember any of the titles of..One of them was "27 dresses" - meh. Also watched "There Will Be Blood" - I don't get the big deal. Why all the hype? Daniel Day Lewis' character, Daniel, is an a--hole but I guess, it was a masterful performance of an a--hole. Then I watched some old favorites, like "Kinky Boots."