Publish date: 2006
Source: Library
"Raised in a religious -- yet abusive -- family, Pattyn Von Stratten starts asking questions -- about God, a woman's role, sex, love. She experiences the first stirrings of passion, but when her father catches her in a compromising position, events spiral out of control. Pattyn is sent to live with an aunt in the wilds of Nevada to find salvation and redemption. What she finds instead is love and acceptance -- until she realizes that her old demons will not let her go." (Goodreads)
I've been on an Ellen Hopkins kick lately, ever since I discovered that her books are great as audiobooks. I listened to Glass recently and picked up Burned at the library, which is not part of the Crank trilogy. I enjoyed it in terms of the audiobook but didn't like the story as much as Crank or Glass.
Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book rather than reading it. I know I missed certain aspects of poetry like shapes and punctuation by not reading a hard copy, but listening to verse novels is such a great experience. Laura Flanagan again did a wonderful job reading and conveying the many emotions of Pattyn throughout the novel.
Compared to Glass and Crank, the other Ellen Hopkins novels I have read, I did not like this one as much and I felt like there was just too much going on in the plot. I liked the beginning and Pattyn going to live with her aunt, but once Ethan came into the picture, it just seemed like too much for the story. I also felt like EH was making Mormons out to be terrible people, so that was kind of rough, although this is the only book I've read that centers around Mormonism. Interesting read, but ultimately too much going on...and the ending?!?! Not what I was expecting, that's for sure.
Publish date: June 2012
Source: Library
"Inquisitive and observant, Dora dreams of escaping her aristocratic country life to solve mysteries alongside Sherlock Holmes. So when she learns that the legendary detective might be her biological father, Dora jumps on the opportunity to travel to London and enlist his help in solving the mystery of her cousin’s ransomed love letters. But Dora arrives in London to devastating news: Sherlock Holmes is dead. Her dreams dashed, Dora is left to rely on her wits—and the assistance of an attractive yet enigmatic young detective—to save her cousin’s reputation and help rescue a kidnapped heiress along the way.
Steeped in Victorian atmosphere and intrigue, this gripping novel heralds the arrival of a fresh new voice in young adult literature." (Goodreads)
Secret Letters is a book that came to my attention a couple months ago when I read Tara's review of it. I thought it sounded pretty interesting and I love historical fiction, so when I saw it on the shelf at the library last week, I knew I had to borrow it. I ended up being pretty satisfied AND have the urge to rewatch season 1 of Sherlock!
I really love the time period in which Secret Letters is set and I thought the characters were great, although I really wish Dora could have had some interaction with Sherlock Holmes before he died (not a spoiler; it's in the blurb). It's not central to the mystery that he is alive, but still. Sherlock! My sadness pretty much went away when Peter Cartwright was introduced, though. Let's just say he's a good character and almost makes up for no Sherlock.
So great characters, good setting, entertaining mystery...what didn't I like since I am terrible and always find something? I felt like there were aspects of the plot that could have been delved into more, particularly regarding Adelaide. I am still really curious about her and feel like Leah Sheier could write a companion book about her. Hmm...
All in all, this was an entertaining read that had me flipping the pages to find out what happened. It wasn't perfect, but I'd definitely recommend it for a fun read if you are in the mood for historical fiction.
Author: Shawn Goodman
Publish date: 2010
Source: Library
"Shavonne is a fierce and desperate seventeen year-old who finds herself in a large juvenile lockup hundreds of miles from home. She wants to turn her life around before she turns eighteen, but her problems seem too big, and time is running out. Amidst corrupt guards, out-of-control girls, and shadows from her past, Shanvonne must find the courage to fight for a redemption she’s not sure she deserves." (Goodreads)
I would have never heard of this book if not for seeing fellow teacher and blogger Sarah pin it on Pinterest. I picked it up at the library that day (I take recommendations seriously!) and read it in a single sitting. What an absorbing book!
Something Like Hope was basically an intimate look at a teenager in lock up and how she works through the pain in her life. It was a quick read and definitely a page turner at fewer than 200 pages, plus the chapters were really short, which I like. I found myself really rooting for Shavonne despite being annoyed with her sometimes, but pleased with her growth. Even though the book is short, I felt like I really got to know the characters, especially Shavonne, Mr. D, Cinda, and Cyrus.
According to the book cover, the author used his background working as a counselor like Mr. D in juvenile detention centers to help write the book. It's obvious he knows what he's writing about and I thought this was a great glimpse into something like that. This will be a great addition to my classroom library and I think some of my students might really connect with Shavonne and the story. I will definitely be looking for a copy soon!
Publish date: 2007
Source: Library
"Crank. Glass. Ice. Crystal. Whatever you call it, it's all the same: a monster. And once it's got hold of you, this monster will never let you go.
Kristina thinks she can control it. Now with a baby to care for, she's determined to be the one deciding when and how much, the one calling the shots. But the monster is too strong, and before she knows it, Kristina is back in its grips. She needs the monster to keep going, to face the pressures of day-to-day life. She needs it to feel alive.
Once again the monster takes over Kristina's life and she will do anything for it, including giving up the one person who gives her the unconditional love she craves -- her baby.
The sequel to Crank, this is the continuing story of Kristina and her descent back to hell. Told in verse, it's a harrowing and disturbing look at addiction and the damage that it inflicts." (Goodreads)
BEWARE: Spoilers for Crank, the first book in this series, are below. You've been warned.
I read Crank a little while ago and really enjoyed my first experience with a verse novel. I tried the audiobook for the sequel, Glass, and loved both the novel and the audiobook.
In terms of the novel, I found Glass to be just as hard hitting as Crank, although much grittier in terms of drug use, sex, etc. Kristina falls more and more into drugs, this time meth, and oh man, I just wanted to smack her most of the time. She kept making terrible decision after terrible decision and it was so easy/sad to see how drugs just rip her life apart. The fact that Kristina has a baby in this book really shows you how immature she is...still.
In terms of the audiobook experience, I really liked listening to this verse novel. As I have heard from professional speakers and I now say to my students, poetry is meant to be read aloud and this book is no exception. Laura Flanagan, the narrator, did a great job at conveying Kristina's immaturity and her lack of caring as her life continues its downward spiral. I thought her rhythm was great and I felt really really satisfied when I was done listening, like I made the right choice to listen to the audio rather than read the print version. I would highly recommend listening to this series and have already borrowed another EH verse novel from the library, Burned.
Top Ten posts on my blog that give readers that best picture of ME
1. I am a Laura Ingalls Wilder fangirl. See my review of The Wilder Life to read about me being a LIW spaz as a kid (who am I kidding, I still am). Now I want to do what the author, Wendy McClure, did and visit LIW's homes. But in all seriousness, I think this post shows my voice well.
2. I wrote a short series of posts called Former Favorites, in which I waxed poetic on series I loved as a kid. See The Baby-sitters Club, Animorphs, Little House on the Prairie, Sweet Valley Twins, and The Face on the Milk Carton.
3. I went to the RT Convention in Chicago in April and met some fabulous bloggers and authors. Read my recap here.
4. I love readathons and did my first Dewey Readathon also in April. LOVED IT.
5. I wrote book blogging tips that I try to follow. I am oddly proud of this list.
6. I met Meg Cabot a few weeks ago. She rocks.
7. My review of Delirium, my favorite book of 2011.
8. My review of The Help audiobook, which was the first real audiobook that I loved.
9. My review of Between Shades of Gray, a new favorite (and a new fav author).
10. And, um, my About Me page, which is one of the first things I look at on people's blogs. Is that weird?
Basically these posts show you that I am nerdy, awkward, and fangirly AND COMPLETELY OKAY WITH THAT.
Author: Elizabeth Wein
Publish date: May 2012
Source: Library
"Oct. 11th, 1943—A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.
When “Verity” is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn’t stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she’s living a spy’s worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.
As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage and failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy?
Harrowing and beautifully written, Elizabeth Wein creates a visceral read of danger, resolve, and survival that shows just how far true friends will go to save each other. Code Name Verity is an outstanding novel that will stick with you long after the last page." (Goodreads)
I will start out this review by saying that I went into Code Name Verity with a completely open mind. I had heard a lot of great things about it, but because I often hype books up too much in my head, I tried to just read and enjoy Code Name Verity. That said, I read it and I feel like I'm the only person who did not love it.
First, what I liked. I loved the writing, I really did. Elizabeth Wein has a way with words and I thought the writing was just spot on. All the dialogue seemed real and I could imagine the characters in my head. Going along with that, I enjoyed that the book was mostly about female friendship. I feel like most books these days center around romance and it was great to read about friendship. Friends are awesome!
That all said, I just never really got into the book. Maybe it was the actual style in which the book was written (not the writing, but the confession type thing), but I never wanted to sit there and read and do nothing else. I'd read a chapter, find something else to do, and then not want to pick it back up. It's not that the plot wasn't interesting, it just never grabbed me. Really, though, I feel like I'm the only person who did not love this one. I almost feel bad about it, like I'm being mean by not liking it that much, but hey, we all like different books.
Even though I didn't love Code Name Verity, I think a lot of people will, so try this one out! You might love it!
