The greatest part of this quirky, fun novel is the characters. All the main characters are so unique and special. I enjoyed spending time with them. To me, that’s what a great book is all about. If you don’t want to be with the characters, then you won’t keep reading. Ms. Amberson is a hoot! And I really cared about the family. The idea of the family living in a hotel was also interesting to me. I spent about 5 years in the hotel business, but it was with big chain hotels, so this little family run, historic hotel was fun place to be. Plus, the situations that they get themselves in and out of are hysterical. I laughed and had a great time!! Highly recommended for all. (and what a gorgeous cover!)
Friday, June 27, 2008
Maureen Johnson. SUITE SCARLETT
The greatest part of this quirky, fun novel is the characters. All the main characters are so unique and special. I enjoyed spending time with them. To me, that’s what a great book is all about. If you don’t want to be with the characters, then you won’t keep reading. Ms. Amberson is a hoot! And I really cared about the family. The idea of the family living in a hotel was also interesting to me. I spent about 5 years in the hotel business, but it was with big chain hotels, so this little family run, historic hotel was fun place to be. Plus, the situations that they get themselves in and out of are hysterical. I laughed and had a great time!! Highly recommended for all. (and what a gorgeous cover!)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Guest Blogger - Heather Johnson
The Cay: A Timeless Classic by Theodore Taylor
Theodore Taylor penned this novel about forgiveness and equality aimed at the young adult. The language is easy to follow and the descriptiveness employed really makes the reader feel like he or she is stuck on the cay with Timothy and Phillip. The Cay takes place off the
The ship is attacked by Germans and Phillip is separated from his mother and winds up on a raft in the middle of the ocean with Timothy. Phillip grew up very sheltered and his mother, in particular, was wary of black people. Timothy is getting on in years and does everything he can to help Phillip, who has lost his eyesight, stay safe. This is a tale about survival and, in order to survive, Phillip needs to put aside his inherent racism and work together with Timothy if they ever to reach safety.
This is a great story for young adults as there is certainly enough adventure to grab their attention and they learn about what is needed to survive in this world. They learn that racist thoughts can only hinder people when they are stripped from every convenience of their regular, day-to-day lives. Phillip comes full circle in this story and realizes that we are all human beings in this world just trying to make it and harboring ill will towards someone for no legitimate reason does more harm than good. I realized, as I read The Cay so many years after leaving middle school, that this is a worthwhile story for readers of all ages and wish that I had the privilege of reading it when I was in my formative years!
By-line:
This article was contributed by Heather Johnson, who is a regular writer on the subject of Concord Law School Reviews. She welcomes your questions, comments and writing job opportunities at heatherjohnson2323 at gmail dot com.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Susan Vaught. BIG FAT MANIFESTO
Jamie is one of the most enjoyable characters I’ve encountered in a long while. She’s refreshing, strong, honest, realistic and completely wonderful. Plus, her friends Freddie and No-No are well-developed and fun characters, as well as Burke and Heath. In fact, all the characters are realistic and unique. This was a surprisingly enlightening and memorable read! I highly recommend it.
Enjoy a sampling of the the Fat Girl Manifesto here from the author's website.
And read more about his author here. (glad I stumbled across her!)
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Margaret Peterson Haddix. FOUND
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Meg Cabot. AIRHEAD
And if you've been living under a rock & aren't familiar with Meg Cabot, check out her awesome website here and her blog here. She's really something!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Audrey D. Brashich. ALL MADE UP: A GIRLS GUIDE TO SEEING THROUGH CELEBRITY HYPE...AND CELEBRATING REAL BEAUTY
Here’s her website www.allmadeup.net
Her awesome blog is here: http://www.audreybrashich.blogs.com/
Check it out!