Book Review: #murdertrending

The young adult novel, "#murdertrending," by Gretchen McNeil, is the goriest book I've ever read. There are so many murders, I lost track and may have gotten desensitized to the horror of it. By the end, I started to anticipate them, even look forward to how the next one was going to go down, because most of them were pretty imaginative.

In spite of the grisly nature, "#murdertrending" was a fresh, fun read that I didn't want to set down. The pace is quick, the story happens in 3 days, and a lot happens. The clues are scattered effectively and I genuinely liked the main character, the damaged 17-year-old Dee Guerrera.

Set in the future at a prison that gets spikes on social media by televising the murders of inmates, there is plenty that seems unbelievable, and even inconsistent within the story, but those are easily forgiven for the sheer fun of reading a quick plot-driven novel with a fresh voice.

Book Review: Whatshisface

I was attracted to the premise of "Whatshisface" by Gordon Korman, because who doesn't root for the underdog who doesn't get noticed?

Cooper Vega is used to being unnoticed. His family moves pretty often, so he is always the new kid. His parents buy him a state-of-the-art smart phone, the GX-4000, in an effort to soften the blow of another move.

It turns out to be his best friend, or the home of his best friend.  Because Cooper Vega's cell phone is haunted by a ghost from the 16th century.

Korman is great with funny, middle grade stories with a heart. This one doesn't fail, as long as you can suspend your beliefs of what is true and possible and allow a good story to unfold.

Book Club Discussion Questions: The Upside of Falling Down

I chose the young adult novel, "The Upside to Falling Down" by Rebekah Crane because I needed a light, entertaining read. It did deliver a colorful tale about a girl who wakes up in an Irish hospital with amnesia....and the sole survivor of a plane crash. She sets out to discover who she is in Ireland, before she is forced back into a life she doesn't remember in Cleveland, OH.  She also must dodge the media hungry for the story.

This book may be a bit adult for younger teen readers, as the main character is 18 years old and partakes in some adult activities (sex and drinking).

Discussion Questions

1. Clementine wakes up in a hospital in a foreign country knowing nothing about herself other than what she reads off a chart and what nurses tell her. What do you think that would be like? What is she feeling?

2. What are your thoughts on nurse Stephen? How does he help Clementine? Do you think he makes any mistakes?

3. What are your thoughts on Clementine? Is she a likable character? Do you think you would act and think the same or different if you were in her (lack of) shoes?

4. Clementine makes an effort not to watch media reports about the plane crash or her own life. Do you think this was wise? What other ways could she have utilized to put together the mystery of her past?

5. Do you think there was a reason she didn't want to remember?

6. What are your thoughts on Kieran? Do you think he was sincere? Did your thoughts on him change as his truth was revealed?

7. What are your thoughts on Siobhan's character? Why does Clementine want to be friends with her? Did your thoughts on her change when her truth was revealed?

8. What about Clive? What role did his character play in the story?

9. This book is set in Ireland. Did you learn anything about Ireland? Would you like to visit there? Is there something in the book you'd like to see? 

10. Kieran tells Clementine that people see what they want to see. What do you think that means? How does it play out in the story?

11. Overcoming fear is another recurring theme in the book. Do you think Kieran gives good advice when he says what lies on the other side of fear is freedom? Why or why not?

12. The book ends with many of Clementine's new life tying into her old life. Can you give three examples?

13. Do you think the title fits the book? How?

Book Review: The Librarian of Auschwitz

"The Librarian of Auschwitz," by Antonio Iturbe is a young adult novel about Dita, a young girl who miraculously survives the Holocaust, in spite of doing the very dangerous job of serving as the librarian in camp. 

This library consists of only eight books, and each of them are precious. Books are forbidden in the camps, so she has to keep them hidden, having special pockets sewn into her clothes to carry the books. She also gets supplies to repair them as best she can. Dita is an inventive girl who also employs some prisoners to be "living" books, because they can tell the stories well enough to make them real, and includes these people in her library. 

This story is not pleasant, but shows the reality of the horrible conditions people endured, when death was sometimes a blessing, and how the inhumanities were hidden from the outside world. Dita is not the only character, there are sympathetic Nazis you may want to root for, some you don't then change your mind, and other prisoners. This book pulls at your heart strings, and makes you angry that this happened to so many people, children, elders, families torn apart, or murdered together, starting with the child.

This book is based on a true story. While it is not pleasant, it is important. As a bonus, there is a cameo appearance of Anne Frank, who authored the notebook that inspired "The Diary of Anne Frank." 

Book Review: Where the Watermelons Grow

I can't stop the song loop in my head while reading this book. You know the one, the children's diddly, "Down By the Bay."

In spite of the earworm associated with the title, this book, "Where the Watermelons Grow," written by debut author Cindy Baldwin, is a solid middle grade read. Della is someone kids can associate with, because of her worries, her faults, and her actions. She wants to fix her mama, who has schizophrenia. She tries everything in her 11-year-old kid powers to help, which make no impact whatsoever.

This story tugs at the heartstrings, and makes you feel the heat of summer in the south. And reminds you of the powerlessness of youth, in spite of how hard you try. In the end, Della learns what she can do, and how to cope with a family that doesn't look as perfect as those around her. The author does a beautiful job tying up loose ends and giving a satisfactory ending.

Book Review: Stolen: A Letter to My Captor

"Stolen: A Letter to my Captor" by Lucy Christopher is a young adult novel written in the elusive and difficult-to-pull-off second person. It does involve some suspension of belief that a kidnapped teenager would remember this much detail about her experience. But the details are everything for driving the narrative and understanding Stockholm Syndrome.  I am an adult with a mostly rational mind, yet felt sympathy, compassion, even hope for a better ending for the man who kidnapped this child and held her captive in a remote desert in Australia. Also, it takes place mostly in Australia, and I learned a lot about the desert there, which added to my wanderlust.

This one is definitely worth a read.

Book Review: You're Welcome, Universe

Books with greetings to the universe are getting attention from the folks at the American Library Association. "You're Welcome, Universe," by Whitney Gardner is the 2018 Schneider Family Book Award winner in the teen category. The Schneider Family Book Awards honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.

In "You're Welcome, Universe," Julia is attending a new high school after being kicked out of her previous school for the deaf.  She is dealing with a fall out with her best friend, Jordyn, who is now dating Donovan, the boy Julia likes. Worse yet, she has to work with both of them at McDonald's, and see Donovan whisper in Jordyn's ear, now able to hear after getting a cochlear implant.

Julia is Deaf, and proud of it. She is also a graphic artist who loves the thrill of bombing a space. Her story brings color to the world of graffiti art and exposes realities of being Deaf among the hearing.

Book Review: Wishtree

Author Katherine Applegate gives voice to things that otherwise wouldn't. Her Newbery award winning "The One and Only Ivan" was a first person story from the perspective of a doomed silverback gorilla. In "Wishtree," she takes on an even more surprising point of view, that of a tree.

Red is a centuries old Red Oak that is more chatty than most trees. When two children living in the houses under its boughs are in trouble, he takes a risk and tells them a story to bring them together. It is against the rules, but that is the least of Red's worries. The owner of the houses is determined to cut down the old oak tree to keep its from further invading the plumbing and flooding the yards.

I liked the tree as a character, and the ensemble cast were terrific, from the skunks who name themselves after pleasant smells, the opossums who name themselves after things that scare them, to the crows that name themselves frequently after sounds they like. A very serious story is encapsulated within the romping substories that live within a centuries old tree.

Book Review: Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess

"Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess" by Shari Green captures the magic and frustration of childhood in a beautiful, multilayered story.  Macy has a fight with her best friend, a difficult project at school, and the threat of a for sale sign in front of her house. She is also deaf, but that isn't one of her problems, it's just a part of who she is.

I've often heard it said that when you take away one of the five senses, the others become more vibrant. Nearly every sense is engaged. Iris, the lady next door, wears orange and bakes cookies that contain messages. She and Macy communicate with notes in the shape of things they love. The language unfolds in verse, which gives it rhythm. 

The story isn't surprising, but it is a delightful journey. Macy and Iris develop a friendship that both of them need. Macy packs Iris's books and learns her stories, and finds a way to tell her own. The parallel of them, young and old, each facing a move they don't want, is like a warm embrace.

Book Review: Hello, Universe

"Hello Universe," by Erin Entrada Kelly won the 2018 John Newbery Medal for its outstanding contribution to children's literature.

It's the story of four diverse middle school students, each with a plan, and how their stories converge in the woods.

"There are no coincidences," is repeated, giving the reader the idea that their paths crossed for another reason.

The story is infused with a mystical feel that is not entirely due to Kaori's psychic
beliefs or the folktales that come alive in Virgil's imagination.

Told in shifting points of view, it can be difficult to find your groove at first, but the journey is worth it.

Book Review: Long Way Down

"Long Way Down" by Jason Reynolds is written in verse and takes place almost entirely in an elevator. Yet, as a reader, I kept turning the pages, hungry to find out what happens next.This is no ordinary elevator ride. Thoughtful, provocative, and touching, this is a book that sticks with you long after you close it.

Jason Reynolds must be getting a lot of fan mail 

demanding to know what Will did when he got off that elevator. 

Book Club Discussion Questions - "Windfall" by Jennifer E. Smith

I started a teen book club at the library. "Windfall" by Jennifer E. Smith was our first book choice, and the teens gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars. This story is about luck, and love, and what could happen if your best friend won the lottery.

When preparing for the book club, I was not able to find discussion questions online. So I wrote up my own, and now I am sharing it for others.

"Windfall" by Jennifer E. Smith Discussion Questions

1. Can you relate to how Teddy reacted when he won the lottery?

2. What would you do if you won the lottery?

3. Did you understand why Alice didn't want to take any money from Teddy? Would you feel the same?

4. How did Alice's background contribute to her decision?

5. How did Teddy's background contribute to how he reacted to winning the lottery?

6. Why was Alice afraid to tell Teddy how she feels?

7. Were there signs that Teddy felt the same way?

8. What would you do if you were in love with your best friend?

9. What were some of the good things that happened to Teddy after winning?

10. What other good things can you imagine happening after winning?

11. What were some of the bad things that happened to Teddy?

12. Can you think of some other bad things that could happen?

13. Do you think the money changed Teddy? How?

14. What about Alice? Did she change? Was it because of the money or something else?

15. What about Leo? What was his role in the story?

16. Can you think of some other ways this story could have ended? What would have happened if Alice took the money? What if Teddy didn't have romantic feelings for her? What if Teddy's ticket didn't win?

Book Review: The Inquisitor's Tale Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog

Author Adam  Gidwitz brings the Middle Ages to readers in The Inquisitor's Tale Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog.  This children's adventure story was awarded a Newbery Honor in 2017 and the Sydney Taylor Book Award.

It is told in a storyteller fashion by several observers of these magical children. William is a young monk with supernatural strength. Jacob is a Jewish boy who can heal all wounds. Jeanne is a peasant girl who has visions of the future, and is accompanied by her resurrected dog, Gwenforte. The children face perils that include a dragon with deadly farts, a lying monk and finally, an army of knights.

The illustrations by Hatem Aly accompany the story, adding to its fireside charm.

It is worthy to note the inspiration for the story, as many of the characters (including the holy dog) are based on real characters, events and legends from the Middle Ages. Be sure to stick around to read the Author's note.

Book Review: Wolf Hollow

"Wolf Hollow" by Lauren Wolk is one of those stories that brings you into another world with its rich setting and engaging storytelling. I felt like I was with Annabelle as she traversed the woods or her family farm. I nodded to the cows she mooed at as she passed to let them know it was her. I smelled the hay in the barn and felt the weight of the book in her hands.

Annabelle's life changes when a new student, Betty, arrives and shows surprising cruelty in her bullying.  When a local war veteran known to be odd steps in to protect Annabelle, he becomes a target. Lies unravel with more lies as Annabelle attempts to find a way to expose the truth and set things right, only to see things escalate.

At no point in this story could I predict what would happen next. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Book Review: Simon vs the Homosapiens Agenda

This terrific YA novel is about Simon, who is falling in love over emails while he comes out as gay to his friends and family. It reads like a diary sharing the innermost thoughts of a teenage boy.

This book is being made into a movie called "Love, Simon." I'm not sure why they changed the title, because the title was the reason I picked up this book, and it didn't disappoint. The main character is as snarky as the title suggests.