**spoiler alert** A beautifully weaved story of the Civil Rights movement. Sticks and Sam are brothers living in a household of nonviolence. Their fat**spoiler alert** A beautifully weaved story of the Civil Rights movement. Sticks and Sam are brothers living in a household of nonviolence. Their father is a well-respected lawyer who marches and dines with Martin Luther King Jr. while Sticks is planning a revolution of his own, with the Black Panthers. It starts innocently enough with "taking the blame", then sneaking out, hiding a gun in their bedroom and going to Black Panther meetings and escalates into full-blown arguments, rioting, and removal from the house. There is no happy ending with the story as there is one black boy who is found not guilty through Sam's testimony, yet the same day he is released, Sam's brother, Sticks, is shot dead. ...more
I think I need to pick up the "adult" version instead of the young readers edition. I was looking for more, this was just way too simple. Don't dislikI think I need to pick up the "adult" version instead of the young readers edition. I was looking for more, this was just way too simple. Don't dislike the story, the man, or the idea, just the adaption, I'll let you know when I pick up the other book! ...more
It never did quite get it together. I was waiting for some really big unveiling of Xan's issues told from the perspective of his eighteen year old broIt never did quite get it together. I was waiting for some really big unveiling of Xan's issues told from the perspective of his eighteen year old brother who lives in the same room (the brother who has it together, Robert). It seems like he's got autism and is protected by Robert and his mother. Yet, the story begins to diverge in a few directions-- a shark trying to get money from their single mother, Robert's girlfriend, Robert's job and life and then all of a sudden Xan is hanging out with an extremist group trying to wreak havoc in the name of social justice? It left me puzzled and confused and the writing doesn't help clarify that the story really isn't about anything in particular (and if it's supposed to be then it's not good writing)....more
I'm not quite sure how to digest this anthology-- a collection of short stories, letters, one play by Rita Williams Garcia, and others written about wI'm not quite sure how to digest this anthology-- a collection of short stories, letters, one play by Rita Williams Garcia, and others written about war. As Aronson and Campbell state about what they believe about war, the collection is really the "truth" about war to encourage our youth as well as adults about the costs of war mentally, physically, emotionally, sexually (for women of war) and the hell people go through, not just currently in Iraq and Afghanistan but in wars past.
It's a motley mix of perspectives, many anti-war and those discussing being upfront and on the front lines about the realism, shock, and madness of fighting and killing. It goes with a lot of documentaries discussing war as well and whether we've glamourized it or gotten used to it, but it does leave room for a guttural and visceral reation and probably can spark some great conversations. Definitely worth recommending, and great for students to learn about debating and learning to listen to the other side, especially if it's not what you believe in....more
Nefertiti has escaped using her cunning plan from the first book, and now she's making her way back to become Queen with a man more suitable to her taNefertiti has escaped using her cunning plan from the first book, and now she's making her way back to become Queen with a man more suitable to her tastes and sensibilities, especially because she's such a strong-willed unstoppable woman. Definitely worth reading although, as with the first book, could be a little shorter, although if you're a historical reader and in to the background of the story, it's worth the extra time to truly understand Egyptian and royal life. ...more
I read Friesner's Helen of Troy books and enjoyed the ease in which I learned about something from way back when, plus with the great colors and imageI read Friesner's Helen of Troy books and enjoyed the ease in which I learned about something from way back when, plus with the great colors and image on the cover, I decided to read about the second books about Nefertiti. While a little long (it probably would have worked in about 250 pages), it was a inventive glimpse into Egyptian life during this tumultuous time. The story involves slaves, servants, education, deception, lies and snakes. But, between girl empowerment (only because the Nefertiti is the main character) and the boys and men who play integral parts in the ruling of Egyptian lands, it could certainly be workable for both (although guys might be hesitant to pick up a book with a chick on the front). ...more
The abuse is the very talked about bullying that goes on in schools across the country. Poison Ivy (real name Ivy) who has been bullied in school rantThe abuse is the very talked about bullying that goes on in schools across the country. Poison Ivy (real name Ivy) who has been bullied in school rants in a letter her teacher discovers. So, to make American Government more interesting, she decides to put on trial the three girls who bully Ivy.
Told from alternating points of views of different kids in the school, it's a very watered-down story of the judicial system (as teenagers see it), complete with mean girls, dumb jocks, Einstein's, and the peanut gallery.
The only saving grace was the somewhat apt imagery of fish-- as Ivy describes her life in school swimming around, upstream, downstream, etc. Funny and oddball. It's short and sweet, like The Girls (also about bullying), easy to read, and discusses government and the courts, which could be used in class....more
**spoiler alert** Sanchez wrote the book because so many of his fans discuss their sexuality and their spirituality and find it difficult to come to t**spoiler alert** Sanchez wrote the book because so many of his fans discuss their sexuality and their spirituality and find it difficult to come to terms with both, so Sanchez wrote the story of Manuel and Paul. In a pretty un-unique story line, a new boy shows up with the confidence to proclaim his homosexuality while Paul, who has been questioning it and trying to seek answers from God, has not, until Manuel helps him "see the light."
By the end, Paul admits it to himself, his family (who sticks up for him at church when the pastor proclaims his stance on creating a GSA at their local school) and to his long-time girlfriend who kind-of knew all along. And of course, there's the scene that turns everything and that's when Manuel and Paul fight and Paul finds out later that Manuel was beat within inches of his life. Priorities shift, he admits his sexuality to everyone, and life moves on, with God.
Not original, but I enjoyed the intersection of religion and homosexuality and I'm sure his fans and students struggling with this will appreciate it. ...more
I generally enjoy Reinhardt's work but couldn't get into the story or the writing. It felt chopping and disorganized and I couldn't stick with it. I generally enjoy Reinhardt's work but couldn't get into the story or the writing. It felt chopping and disorganized and I couldn't stick with it. ...more
When a new president is going to be elected in the United States who is not only Jewish but a gay man, the US turns into a political minefield. But thWhen a new president is going to be elected in the United States who is not only Jewish but a gay man, the US turns into a political minefield. But the main character and his boyfriend and friends are determined to see it through by defending the future president and the future of America by standing up for what they believe in....more
People wonder what heaven would be like and Sebold tells a beautifully painful story of what people in heaven want to know: what is it like after deatPeople wonder what heaven would be like and Sebold tells a beautifully painful story of what people in heaven want to know: what is it like after death? The special perspective lends itself to phenomenal out-of-body experiences. LOVE.
Updated in 2024: I fell in love with this one all over again. It was more than Sebold reading this audiobook version. It was more than the general things I remembered about loving the book because as an adult reading it again, now with kids of my own and a marriage, everything ached- in an observant, mundane and magical, realistic way. This is a reread I'm doing having turned 40 and picking 40 seminal books. This one brought me right back but I didn't remember Lindsey as much being an integral element. There are other scenes I remember vividly (to the point that I photocopied pages EONS ago when I first read it). It's mood is exactly the reason I also love The Virgin Suicides. And even in my area and a decade later than Sebold, we had our own Suzie Salmon-- her name was Sara Ann Wood. Won't ever forget that name....more
**spoiler alert** Jude's father beats him and is then killed in front of his eyes. He discovers his mother is a DA and is running for mayor. But when **spoiler alert** Jude's father beats him and is then killed in front of his eyes. He discovers his mother is a DA and is running for mayor. But when he makes a stupid mistake with drugs, Jude takes the fall set up by his mother's sweet-talking boyfriend and spends five years in jail for something that he didn't do to further his mother's career. In the end, Jude gets revenge on Harry and his mother, while falling in love.
And Jude discovered that hope was more powerful than fear. You could break a man with hope....more
I didn't review it when I read it all those years ago however I included this on my 40 influential books that I'm rereading in 2024 and just like the I didn't review it when I read it all those years ago however I included this on my 40 influential books that I'm rereading in 2024 and just like the other classic, Jane Eyre I had on my list, this one is a dud again for me.
Ironically I had read the graphic novel adaptation that came out this past year and was lukewarm, but thought it was the format/choices for the graphic novel adaptation. Now listening to it again, I wasn't as invested in the story and it's dystopian feelings about how we are now versus how 1930s Huxley thought about the future. Maybe it's because many of the feelings and ennui about the world is so much more in alignment that it doesn't feel innovative like it had when I read it before? Unsure....more
A suspenseful Cormier book of twelve year old Jason who has been accused of killing his seven year old friend. Is he the killer that he confesses to bA suspenseful Cormier book of twelve year old Jason who has been accused of killing his seven year old friend. Is he the killer that he confesses to be or is Trent, the master interrogator just that good at closing the deal and getting people to admit things when they really didn't do them.
He looked at the boy. So fragile, in his innocence and naivete. So vulnerable. Suggestible. Unguarded, open to being shaped and molded. ...more
Daniel grew up not knowing he was 1/4 Jewish until the rise of Hitler and the confession that his mother was half-Jewish. From then on, Daniel must hiDaniel grew up not knowing he was 1/4 Jewish until the rise of Hitler and the confession that his mother was half-Jewish. From then on, Daniel must hide this, even from his best friend, Armin. But, when it's finally out, Armin, while a Nazi party member himself, still sticks by Daniel, even falling in love with a Jewish cousin of Daniel's.
By the end, many years later, Armin gets his comeuppance when Daniel finds Armin beaten and battered with a great conclusion that pits friendship against the ideals of the time. ...more
**spoiler alert** A dismal tale of the Holocaust through the parallel yet different lives of two boys: one Jew one German. Shmuel is so innocent, and **spoiler alert** A dismal tale of the Holocaust through the parallel yet different lives of two boys: one Jew one German. Shmuel is so innocent, and so is Bruno, who does not know who Hitler really is or what his father really does. The end sends chills down anyone's spine and gets you every time, even when you're watching the movie and you know it's coming!
And then the room went very dark and somehow, despite the chaos that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel's hand in his own and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go....more
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