The Giver Series #s 39, 40, 41 and 42

 Our next book event at MNMS, will take place in late January 2013, and will feature Lois Lowry's The Giver Series.  I was inspired by a fellow coworker/reading teacher/reading pal to read the entire series and to share my reading experience with the students.  In addition, it's a timely series to read, as the dystopian fiction trend has captivated our middle school readers.  I have never read past book one, The Giver...and I read it in college as a requirement.  (I never responded well to required reading.) So, I am reading with a new purpose and love the book as if it's brand new.  Excited to begin book 2 this evening.  I will read straight through the series, as I hate to interrupt the story by reading others...muddies the literary waters of my brain. 

Here's the blurb from The Giver... 

"Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community.
When Jonas turns twelve he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now it's time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back."

All students, faculty and staff are invited to read along with me and to join me in late January before school for a book/breakfast meeting.  

Happy Reading!
RC

Nevermore #38

Finally!  I had time to read the last installment in the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson.  Nevermore was indeed, the finale.  I'm so relieved it's over!  Usually, I'm a fan of young adult series, but this story was over about three books ago!  Anti-climactic is the word I use to describe the ending.  And that's all I'm going to say...my students would absolutely hate me if I blogged any spoilers.  So, I'll just say that I'm ready for the next young adult series by Patterson.  I'm not thrilled with the other two in publication now, Witch and Wizard or Daniel X, so perhaps the Tandy character developed for his next murder mystery series will have more depth.  

Sorry I can't rave about this book!  I'm just glad to be finished.
Happier Reading!
RC

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn #37

I didn't have a choice.  I had to read this book once and have to reread it now.  No, I'm not taking a class.  No, I'm not attempting to reread everything I've ever read.  No, I'm not crazy.  But I can take a hint.  Here's what's been happening...

As a voting member of the Kentucky Bluegrass
Panel  for middle school, I was reintroduced to this classic I read in high school back during the Spring.  In one of the nominees, the main character adores this book and reads it every year.  Numerous times.  I had forgotten just how good the story is...(I have to admit that I skipped over a bunch of details when required to read it...but not this time!) 

In June, when it was time to place my annual "Out of Print" tee shirt order, this was the featured title.  Coincidence?  Perhaps.  Needless to say, I ordered it.

When it was time to return to work in July, I had an urge to clean out the book storage closet and what did I find?  You guessed it...30 copies of this book.  Untouched.  Spines unbroken.  What a waste, said I!!  I should read this with girls this year!  

Look at this gorgeous book jacket that the shirt was created from!  So much lovelier than the copies our library has.  Ugho! 

I was beginning to suspect that the universe wanted me to read this book again...so I picked it up and decided to reread it.  You know, just in case anyone commented on my shirt.  I needed to be able to give them an honest, up-to-date opinion on Betty Smith's classic novel. And then the final straw...I was Googling for one of my blog posts and BAM!...out of nowhere came the exact book cover I had a classroom set of. (It's not an appealing cover.  I knew I'd have trouble "selling" it to girls.) What in the world is this book doing in my Google feed?  I wasn't looking for it!  Okay, Okay, Okay, I said aloud to no one in particular.  I'll have a book event.  Just for girls.  

So I took a cue from one of our reading teachers and decided to hold a "Book Breakfast" for girls who would accept the challenge to read this classic with me.  I "sold" it to about 25 6-7-8 graders and have only lost 3-4 due to the length alone.  430 pages is daunting for some readers.  But those who stick with it will be delighted by Francie Nolan and her adventures in Brooklyn .  I've already shared a few scenes with my 8th grade classes and they've hee-hawed and chuckled and their eyes have misted up as I've explained Francie's days growing up as a poor child in a poor neighborhood.  Her courage is admirable.  Her strength is amazing.  Her story is one that any teenage girl can relate to.  It's amazing that Smith could capture adolescence in one girl whose story spans a century.  I believe that the girls who stick with Francie and finish her story will not only learn more about life in Brooklyn, New York during the 1920s, but will learn more about themselves as teenage girls.  Their questions, concerns, experiences are not unique.  They need to know they're not alone.

If you haven't read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, you should find yourself a copy soon.  I'm betting the public library has a copy you can borrow.  I have several on our middle school library shelf.  But I suggest you purchase your own copy.  To keep.

And don't let the first 175 pages stop you.  The details are there for a reason.   Give Francie a chance to tell her story.

It's one you won't soon forget.
Happy Reading!
RC   

Redeeming Love #36

Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers.  One of the most profound love stories I've read.  What touched me most was the author's note printed towards the end of this edition.  I struggle with the same issues that Rivers mentions and I felt honored that she would share her private struggles with me, her reader.  The sincerity and intimacy convinced me that this was a story I needed to read.  Although I hadn't read Gomer and Hosea's story from the Bible, I was familiar with the Biblical names and had a friend or two who had strongly suggested I read this book.  I ordered it from Amazon and when it was delivered, I was shocked by the sheer mass of the book itself.  The book is heavy!  Literally! 

I am ashamed that I wasn't able to blog about the book immediately after reading it...which is my usual habit now.  Francine Rivers provides the best summary of her story.  I'll provide an opinion...

So, taken from the awesome Rivers herself, here's a blurb...
California’s gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep.  Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside. Then she meets Michael Hosea. A man who seeks his Father’s heart in everything, Michael Hosea obeys God’s call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel’s every bitter expectation until, despite her resistance her frozen heart begins to thaw. But with her unexpected softening come overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband’s pursuing love, terrified of the truth she can no longer deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael Hosea does…the One who will never let her go.  A life-changing story of God’s unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love. 

And it truly is a story of redemption.  Angel's redemption.  I couldn't understand why she wouldn't accept Michael's love.  His acceptance.  His forgiveness.  I mean, c'mon ladies...she was a prostitute and a mighty fine one!  She was the town favorite!  And he waltzes in and saves her!  A knight in shining armor!  Just what we girls all dreamed of, right?  Not for Angel.  Her past had ruined her future.  Or so she believed.  I love the moment she begins to enjoy being Michael's wife.  Everything just becomes easier for her then.  And she is able to love others once she loves herself.  But only after accepting God's love for her.  That had to come first.

Would definitely recommend this book to any woman.  Especially one who feels that her past has somehow tainted her future.  Or to a woman who feels as is she's somehow unworthy of happiness.  There are many women out there...bless their hearts.  

Happy Reading!
RC