August 4, 2011
I read this trilogy in three days. It captured my attention and enticed me to keep reading. I was recommended this book ages ago by an eighth grade student, but I wasn't interested in it at the time. Now that it is summer, I decided to give these books a spin...I'm glad I did. Shiver, Linger, and Forever are well written young adult fiction. They are exciting without being over-done with a touch of tenderness to which most teens can relate.
Basic premise: Grace was attacked by wolves when she was 11, but one of the wolves saved her from being killed. Grace and the wolf watch each other from afar for years. At age 17, Grace discovers that the wolves are actually werewolves, and she and the aforementioned wolf fall into a very Shakespearean tragedy influenced star-crossed love affair. Ultimately, this is a love story with a splash of werewolves, the theme of true love conquers all with a dash of suspense here and there. The series is well written and will definitely capture the attention of the 15+ age group (probably more the girls than the boys).
The problem I have with this series (and most YA fiction, for that matter) is the lack of strong parental characters. I realize that the nuclear family of the 1950s has long since gone by the wayside, but it would be nice to read a book geared toward the younger set that shows a respectful, healthy relationship between the protagonist and his/her parental units.
Out of all of the books, I felt that Shiver was the strongest and best written, but each book holds its own appeal. Even though these novels were written for teens, this thirty-something mother certainly appreciated this tender trilogy.
Grade: B+
Monday, August 8, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Book: Room by Emma Donoghue
August 4, 2011
This book came highly recommended by my friend, Kate. If you haven't heard of this book, then you are most likely unaware of these obscure titles as well: The DaVinci Code, Twilight, or Harry Potter either...Room has had plenty of hype, and it deserved it all.
When I learned of the basic premise from a student of mine, I didn't want to read this book because I feared it would be too depressing (it wasn't). Here's the plot synopsis: a 19 year old girl gets abducted and confined in an 11 x 11 shed, she gives birth to a son, Jack, who, when the story begins, is turning five years old. The story is told from Jack's perspective which was an interesting choice, but painted the novel in a light that would not have been possible from any other point of view. Jack's perception of life is confined to the limitations of Room. His optimistic and happy proclivity counterbalance the shadow that clings to his mother. His mother, affectionately known only as Ma throughout the novel, is an amazing, intelligent woman and mother given her circumstances; she uses her resources to teach her son not only literacy and numeracy, but also gifts him with compassion, protection, and her unconditional, unrelenting, and heart-breakingly honest love.
Room is the type of book that captured me from the first few lines and rendered me incapacitated until it was complete. Yes, there were some unbelievable parts, which, due to spoilers, I won't mention. This story's plot may have started as a heart-wrenching story of abduction and abuse, but it ends as an endearing love story between mother and son.
My grade: I would give Room an A, all day, every day.
This book came highly recommended by my friend, Kate. If you haven't heard of this book, then you are most likely unaware of these obscure titles as well: The DaVinci Code, Twilight, or Harry Potter either...Room has had plenty of hype, and it deserved it all.
When I learned of the basic premise from a student of mine, I didn't want to read this book because I feared it would be too depressing (it wasn't). Here's the plot synopsis: a 19 year old girl gets abducted and confined in an 11 x 11 shed, she gives birth to a son, Jack, who, when the story begins, is turning five years old. The story is told from Jack's perspective which was an interesting choice, but painted the novel in a light that would not have been possible from any other point of view. Jack's perception of life is confined to the limitations of Room. His optimistic and happy proclivity counterbalance the shadow that clings to his mother. His mother, affectionately known only as Ma throughout the novel, is an amazing, intelligent woman and mother given her circumstances; she uses her resources to teach her son not only literacy and numeracy, but also gifts him with compassion, protection, and her unconditional, unrelenting, and heart-breakingly honest love.
Room is the type of book that captured me from the first few lines and rendered me incapacitated until it was complete. Yes, there were some unbelievable parts, which, due to spoilers, I won't mention. This story's plot may have started as a heart-wrenching story of abduction and abuse, but it ends as an endearing love story between mother and son.
My grade: I would give Room an A, all day, every day.
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