Dream Country gets 4.5 Stars {ya, historical fiction}

Dream Country comes out today!  On this day, when in America we think about freedom, you can grab a copy from Amazon, the library, or your favorite bookshop to read about a Liberian family (5 generations) searching and fighting for freedom. 

A Blog Tour means you get a chance to read what many of us thought of this newly published book by touring the participating blogs.  Yesterday, An Existence Transcribed shared her thoughts, and tomorrow you can head over to Jena Brown Writes to see what she thought of the the book.  Though this teen read is distressing, it is fantastic and adults as well as teens should give it a read.  

Dream Country  by Shannon Gibney is well deserving of it's 4.5 out of 5 stars in my review.  I found this young adult book to be a page turner.  It's a fascinating and enlightening story, that had me feeling for each of the characters in each of the parts of the story.   Dream Country is truly eye-opening to experiences and journey that spans almost 200 years for a family.

This book was broken up into 5 parts, each section was set during a different time with a different main character.  The parts of the story connect b/c they are all one family, but it isn't until you are in the last 2 sections you see how it all intertwines.  Too be honest, I loved the different sections of the story and the history that I learned with not only the historical events but how the people and main characters were treated.  The facts make the story interesting, but the character's feelings make the story powerful.  I loved the complex nature of the story that brought everything together.  I loved that the story of her family was created by Angel, a character you meet in the beginning.  She wrote the story for therapeutic purposes to help her understand not only her family, but also herself.  

Truly, Dream Country is a great book; it is well written (only one typo found).  The only improvement to the story would've been the curse words.  I felt the swearing was a bit excessive at the beginning, and a bit out of place in other sections.  Sometimes, I feel writing a book with that much language is in an effort to attract teen readers.  The story would've been just as powerful, if not more so, with less language.

Shannon Gibney's author note, at the end, explains how compelled she felt to write the story and who she hopes will read it.  "It is for anyone anywhere who has tried to make themselves whole through small pieces of a larger story they could cobble together.  It is for everything we have forgotten, and what we dream."

Dream Country is really great; I hope you get a chance to check it out.  I learned a ton, and found myself completely engrossed in Angel, Kollie, Togar, Yasmine, and Ujay's stories. 

My main thoughts while reading this book: Sad. Eye-Opening. Appreciative to know their stories. Sad tho.  Can't wait to her what you think of it. 

Happy Deep Insightful Distressing YA Historical Fiction Reading!  


Dream Country by Shannon Gibney
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Best For: 15 and up, 9th grade and up
# of Pages:  337
Clean Read: No, a lot of language with mentions, though little detail, of violence and raping. 
Worth a Check Out: Yes, this book is deep and sad, but so very good.
Buy It or Not: This book is well written with a beautiful story entwined. Definitely worth a purchase.   
Book Club Discussion: What do you think of the term fictional canvas of fact in regards to the narrative family history Angel wrote?  Why do you think it was therapeutic for Angel to find out where she came from?  The author stated that "some stories you choose, and others choose you. How do you think that would change the writing experience?  Do you think Yasmine changed b/c of where she was at, or b/c of the experiences she had? 
Lesson Ideas: Refugees. Refugee Camps. Liberia/Congo conflict. American Colonization Society. Forced Labor Period. Liberian Civil War. Immigrants. African Americans and Black Americans. Monrovia. Slavery vs. Poor Wages. Racism.  

Once you read Dream Country, I'd love to hear what you thought of it.


More than a few quotes I loved from Dream Country: 

"They {curse words} were like ketchup on a hamburger or pepper in soup- they gave everything flavor." -Kollie

"The brilliant younger daughter who everyone liked, and the disappointing older son who just wouldn't try. Those had been their identities and their relationship to each other as long as he could remember." - referencing Angel and Kollie

"DAD CANNOT SAVE YOU FROM EVERYTHING. ESPECIALLY YOURSELF." - Angel

"They say that America is the Land of Opportunity, and I suppose that it is.  If you want to better yourself, they will give you the opportunity to do so. But if you want to destroy yourself, they will give you that opportunity too."

"I worry I done wrong, brining you here," Yasmine said. "I worry that this place making you-making us-different. Meaner. Smaller, somehow."

"Time for allowing and forbidding and punishing's long gone. Now's the time for acceptance. And happiness for what's to be, and what already is." - Lani

"This was his favorite part of being a father; the physical closeness between him and the child. They way it inexplicably, magically translate into emotional closeness." - Ujay

"Our bodies enclose the twisted threads of history- passes flesh to flesh, from parent to child, conquer to conquered, lover to beloved." -Angel 

I received an ARC from Penguin Young Readers in exchange for my review and honest opinion.  All of my thoughts, opinions, and words are my own.  

Ghost Boy gets 4 Stars {nonfiction, biography, memoir, adult, inspiring}

When I began this book, I had no idea what this book was about.  I picked it up b/c it was an upcoming Book Club book; that is one reason I love Book Club.  Sure the conversation is great and the food is fun, but I love the fact that I get to read books I normally wouldn't have picked up.  

I had no idea this book was going to be so thought provoking.  I had no idea I was going to be so shocked by how people treated Martin.  I had no idea the abuse Martin went through.  I had no idea someone could go through so much and still come out on top and even happy.

Ghost Boy: My Miraculous Escape from a Life Locked Inside My Own Body by Martin Pistorius gets 4 out of 5 stars in my review of this adult memoir.  The book is inspiring. Martin's story is inspiring and eye-opening.  I had no idea a 12 year old boy that complained of a sore throat could suddenly stop moving and talking and appear in a vegetative state.  I had no idea people abused, physical and sexual, the vulnerable (aka those that can't talk or don't seem to have a high IQ).  

The abuse was disturbing, but all of the challenges Martin overcame were inspiring.  I was amazed Martin was able to communicate and even hold a job when at one point he couldn't move any part of his body.  Though, love is what I found to be most amazing.  I love that Martin overcame his fears of love; he loved and let someone love him completely for who he is.  

A couple aspects I thought could've been better were the ramblings and skipping around which made figuring out the timeline difficult.  I also felt the development of secondary characters, like his parents, lacking and it could've added to the power of the story.  

Ghost Boy is a great book, and I'm sure it'll provide a lot of great discussion at Book Club.  Though, I'm needed a lighter book to balance out all of these emotions.  

Happy Inspiring, Emotional, and Thought Provoking Book Reading!  

Ghost Boy: My Miraculous Escape from a Life Locked Inside My Own Body by Martin Pistorius
Rating: 4/5 stars
Best For: 18+, adults  
Clean Read: No, language, sexual abuse, and physical abuse.  
Worth a Check Out: Yes, it's Inspiring and sad all at the same time.
Buy It or Not: No. 
Book Club Discussion: Would you react more like Martin's mom or dad with his diagnosis?  What part of Martin's story is most inspiring/impressive? Were you glad you read this book, or did it skew you a bit? What is Martin's most admirable quality in your opinion? Was there anything in the story that most surprised you?  What do you think motivated Martin to share his story?   


Did you read Ghost Boy?  What did you think? 

A few quotes I loved from Ghost Boy: 

“I’d been put into a box long before, after all. Each of us has. Are you the “difficult” child or the “histrionic” lover, the “argumentative” sibling or the “long-suffering” spouse? Boxes make us easier to understand, but they also imprison us because people don’t see past them.”

“God and I didn’t talk about the big things in life—we didn’t engage in philosophical debates or argue about religion—but I talked to Him endlessly because I knew we shared something important. I didn’t have proof that He existed, but I believed in Him anyway because I knew He was real. God did the same for me. Unlike people, He didn’t need proof that I existed—He knew I did.”

“Dreams can be any size you want them to be. But the important thing is that you have one that is yours.” 

“None of us knows what we can bear until we’re asked.” 

"I've lived my whole life as a burden, she makes me feel weightless." 

"Life can't be experienced at arms length, it must be lived." 

"Life is about shades of gray; it isn't black and white." 


As you can tell from the number of quotes I have that this book was inspiring and thought provoking. As always, I'd love to hear what you thought. 

My Dear Hamilton gets 4.5 Stars {historical fiction, adult}

20 minutes.  That's how long I sat telling my husband about My Dear Hamilton.  It was one of those books I wanted to talk with someone about, but I didn't know anyone else that had read it.  Therefore, my poor husband becomes my sounding board.  

I shared with him the things that shocked me such as Alexander's well known scandal as well as the things Eliza found out after his death.  I was baffled that Gentlemen Duels lasted as long as they did.  I was surprised how Lafayette explained why an affair doesn't mean the husband doesn't love his wife.  I'm inspired with Eliza's dedication to serving and helping others.  I shared with him how wise her father, Philip Schulyer, was about what he chose to do with his wife's questionable actions.  I am amazed that Eliza was able to forgive and love through all that she suffered.   

Now, it took me far longer than 20 minutes to read this almost 700 page book. At times I felt like I was reading an incredibly well written US History book b/c the amount of factual history found inside these pages was impressive.  However, I do think the 637 pages was a bit excessive, and though I was anxious to turn the pages to find out what happened there were some moments that lulled and moved slower than I would've liked.  To be honest, I think that was my only qualm with the book.  

Hence the reason why My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie earned 4.5 out of 5 stars in my review.  

This book is fantastic.  It's a well written historical fiction novel with a story line that shocks (and per the author note at the end, all of the shocking things are factual), inspires, and educates you all at the same time.  I felt Eliza really grew and developed as a character, and the emotions you felt for her were captivating.

My Dear Hamilton, though long, is a great novel that is definitely worth a check-out.  Though, be warned that this new release novel will usually give you a limited check-out window from the library, so you'll have to read fast.      

My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Best For: Adults
Clean Read: Yes.  Though, there is talk of affairs, drinking,  homosexuality, and violence. 
Worth a Check Out: Yes.
Buy It or Not: If you love Historical Fictions and US History then buy it.
Read Aloud: No.
Book Club Discussion Ideas: There is an entire section in the back for book club questions; a few of my questions are: The Schuyler family's motto was Semper Fidelis- Always Faithful, Always Loyal. How does this play out in Eliza's life? Why was it important for Betsy to start going by the name Eliza? What did you think of the relationship among Eliza, Angelica, and Alexander?  How did Eliza's opinion of slavery evolve as she matured and aged? What did Eliza and her family sacrifice for the sake of the nation? What were Eliza's most important choices she made in her life?

This is an excellent, though long, historical fiction.

Just a few quotes I loved from My Dear Hamilton:  

"God put us here to make a better world." Eliza's mission her entire life. 

"The people we love are not exactly knowable. Even to themselves. But we love them anyway."

"Life, like backgammon, is a game of perseverance in which you're forced to choose the best move, even if it is only a choice between evils." 

"The only just way to judge a person is by the sum of their deeds, good and bad.  And in the balance, your father did far more good than harm.  That's all any of us can aim to do with our lives." 

Happy Interesting US History reading!  As always, I love to hear your thoughts on the book. 

Secrets of a Charmed Life gets 5 Stars {adult, historical fiction}

World War II. London Blitz. Fate. Mystery. Family. Dreams.  

Secrets of  Charmed Life by Susan Meissner is a beautiful WWII historical fiction story of resilience, family, mistakes, chasing dreams, and the makings of a happy life.  This novel is fantastic; I loved every minute of it.  There was excellent character development, an unpredictable story, and powerful moments that are impactful.  

The story of Julia and Emmy set during the time of the London Blitz not only opens your eyes to how extensive the bombings in London were, but also how resilient the community was with the motto, "Keep on and carry on" spoken.  Julia and Emmy's stories have similar threads of love and acceptance.       

Susan Meissner is a wonderful author.  I loved Fall of Marigolds, but I enjoyed Secrets of a Charmed Life even more.  If you are looking for a great clean adult historical fiction read, you must check out Meissner's books. 

Happy London Blitz Historical Fiction Reading! 


Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner
Rating: 5/5 stars
Best For: Adults.
Clean Read: Yes. There's action, and intensity regarding war time, but considered it clean. 
Worth a Check Out: Yes. The audiobook is a great check-out as well.
Buy It or Not: Buy, especially if you love historical fictions.
Read Aloud: The historical aspect of the London Blitz and the mystery that goes along with it would make a good read aloud with the right group/class.  It'd make a great book club book.
Book Club Discussion Ideas: How extensive the London Blitz was, Resilience, Impact of choices, Is it ever okay to lie?, People make mistakes, Fate and providence, What makes up a happy life?


Did you read Secrets of a Charmed Life? What did you think? 


Just a couple quotes and thoughts I loved from Secrets of a Charmed Life:

"Don't chase only the dream. Life is a journey not a destination."

We play the cards we've been dealt and other cards around us are impacted by the cards we play.

A happy life is not made up of what you dreamed of or achieved, but who you poured your  life into and who poured theirs into yours.  Love for others should be the motivation.

The Chemist gets 3.5 Stars {adult lit, mystery, action}

I have a couple confessions to start with today. 

First, I actually liked Twilight and felt the character development was well done.  Though, the remaining books were downhill for me.  I read them, but they were not as good.  I also watched the first couple movies.  I even ran a half marathon while listening to the Twilight movie.  I highly recommend listening to a movie you know while running a race.  It was fun and helped me keep my pace.    
  
Second, I HATED The Host.  Seriously, it was so long and dragged on and on and on.  I actually stopped reading it twice, but eventually finished the book. 

Third, I was dreading having to read The Chemist for my book club.  I hated The Host and it looked as long as that previously hated book, and I was just not super stoked about reading another Stephanie Meyer book.  In my eyes she was a One-Hit-Wonder.  However, people all have their own opinions.  I know there are some strong Meyer fans.  

Fourth, I was actually surprised with the fact that The Chemist was better than I thought it'd be.  I actually didn't hate it, and I even found parts of the story to be enjoyable.  

The Chemist by Stephanie Meyer gets 3.5 out of 5 Stars from me, and that is surprisingly good for a book I had extremely low expectations for.  All in all, there were several things I liked and several things I didn't like.    

I felt the spy novel based around chemistry was cool and unique; I always loved chemistry. so this was cool.  I liked how the main character was a small girl physically, but she was smart and won a lot of the time.  Brains can most definitely take you places.  I thought Alex's excitement for a common gray car was pretty funny.  I liked the characters, and even found myself liking Val for what she had to offer.  As well, I liked the overall storyline, even with all of it's imperfections.   Honestly, this book exceeded my expectations; it was a fun read with a pretty decent pace. 

Plus, I really enjoyed the epilogue, and especially loved where they ended up moving to.  Love that state! 

I felt the quick attachment Danny had for Alex to be a bit ridiculous; it was a little much a little too soon.  Alex's feelings went from pushing Danny away to truly caring for him seemed abrupt.  I felt some of the action scenes seemed a bit quick and abrupt.  I had to go back and read it again b/c I wasn't sure what happened.  I know action scenes can be hard to write, but it's important to write it well if you are writing a spy/action novel.  For the most part the pacing of the story was well done.  There were a few here and there moments in the book, especially the beginning, that drug a little slow, but overall not too bad.  It's honestly a fun read.       

As far as content is concerned, there were a few swear words, but overall it was a pretty clean read.  

Happy Surprisingly Decent Adult Literature Action, Spy, Mystery reading! 

The Chemist by Stephanie Meyer
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Best For: Adults
Worth a Check Out: Yes.
Buy It or Not: No.
Read Aloud: No.
Book Club Discussion Topics: Is the use of chemistry unique in Spy Novels? The Host was a long book, a little drug out in some areas.  Do you feel The Chemist was drug out (no pun intended)? Why are strong female characters so important for women and teen girls to read?  Was the epilogue one of the best parts of the book? Did Meyer write the action parts of the story well, or did it feel rushed and confusing?  Who was your favorite character and why? 


As always, I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts on this read? 

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan gets 4 Stars {adult lit, historical fiction}

7 to 10 cm. 3-4 inches.  That is the ideal size foot for a woman back in the day in China; that's called a "Lotus."   Can you believe that?  Seriously, that is half of the length of a piece of paper.  For some, that is about the size of the palm of your hand.  Wow!  Just wow!  I can't imagine my feet being that small.  

"Tiny feet can improve social standing."  At least, according to the Matchmaker in 19th century China.  

Not only did the size of a Chinese woman's foot surprise and shock me, but I had to laugh at the mention of how horrible it was to a be a big footed woman b/c that is what I am.  I also cringed while reading the pain and the process of foot binding (they break the bones), and became grateful that I am not a woman in 19th century China. 

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See is an historical fiction set in a remote village in China during the 1800s.  This book is an enlightening and educational read as well as entertaining.  

I learned about the foot binding process and how it starts around 6 years old.  I learned that matchmakers have a lot of power in determining your social standing.  I learned what a "Nu-Shu" relationship is and how only the upper class usually do it.  I learned how painful and difficult it was to walk with tiny feet.  I learned that tiny feet, the result of foot-binding, is a sexual thing for your spouse.  I learned that a good foot binding can bring your from lower-middle class to upper class, and a bad foot binding or no binding can lead to a life of servitude.  I learned that as a woman your main goal was to birth sons and you were not respected by your in-laws, who you lived with, until you did so.  I learned that women in China, during this time, had little power or choices; it was hard to change or get out of an abusive situation.  I learned about the secret women's writing and the language they created.  I learned that relationships with women are tough whether with your family or friends.  Lily felt her mother's love when her mom slapped her, and the miscommunication Lily had with Snow Flower made their friendship difficult.  I learned a lot about 19th century China including the fact that I am grateful I don't live during that time. 

This book earned 4 out of 5 stars.  It's a good book that causes the reader to feel a myriad of emotions, but it is a little slow at first.  I was saddened with Lily's feelings about her family and the death's throughout the book.  I was happy that Lily was in a better situation, but my heart ached for Snow Flower and when they had to flee to the mountains.  

I truly learned a ton.  However, there is one scene between Lily and Snow Flower that felt highly inappropriate and could make the reader uncomfortable.  I wouldn't say this is a clean read b/c of that scene.  I believe that scene was to show how Lily and Snow Flower were, but I felt it was unnecessary as well.  To be honest, it didn't add anything to the story and made me uncomfortable.  Many people question if this is a lesbian story, and I wouldn't say it is.  I think it was just young girls trying something new and being naive.  Though, it definitely wasn't necessary and you could completely skip that part of the story.          

Happy 19th Century Chinese Historical Fiction reading! 

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
Rating: 4/5 stars
Best For: 18 and up, adult
Worth a Check Out: Yes.
Buy It or Not: No, unless you enjoy Asian Lit.
Read Aloud: No, but it would make a great book club choice.
Lesson Ideas: China 19th century, Foot- binding, Chinese culture and traditions, Nu-Shu, Marriage traditions, Chinese Festivals, Women's rights, Chinese women's written language

A Fall of Marigolds gets 4.5/5 Stars {historical fiction, adult lit}

Two women, living 100 years apart, grieving a loss of a loved one with a connection to the same scarf.  It's a beautiful and unique story line for this adult historical fiction book. 

A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner is a fabulous book, and it'd make a great book club choice.  My book club actually read it, months ago, but I was awesome enough to have just recently finished the book.  Though to my credit, my book club picked 2 books that month.  So, I'm only a half-way book club slacker.  

Now that I have read this book, I will say it is a great story.  I loved learning about the Triangle Shirtwaist fire in 1911 and about the hospitals on Ellis Island for the immigrants.  I also loved this 9/11 story.  I loved the connection of the scarf.  I loved how both women were grieving.  I loved how both women had to be pushed to heal b/c they both felt a sense of responsibility.  

Clara was a nurse on Ellis Island in 1911.  Before going to the island she was a nurse at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory when a fire destroyed the building and killed many including a young man Clara cared for.  I like Clara, but I did get a little annoyed with her b/c her character developed incredibly slow.  I felt Clara's deep attachment for someone she barely knew and then not able to get over him dragged on far too long.  I understand her feeling guilty for his death, but she didn't try to overcome.  In my opinion, Clara's grief didn't seem to be equivalent to Taryn's grief. 

Taryn's story takes place in 2011, but her tragic story really brought the emotions out in me.  I cried while reading Taryn's story.  I think the reason for Taryn's story being more powerful was b/c Taryn was married and had not just met her love like Clara.  Being married is different in my eyes.  Taryn's story was also more powerful b/c I personally remember the historical tragedy, 9/11, that Taryn grieves from. Taryn's story, and the texts and phone messages she received had me in absolute tears.  I love when I cry yet cheer for the characters; you know it's a good book when that happens.   

Taryn's story was overall stronger, but Clara's scarf connection was more powerful.  Both stories were needed.  I do feel that love, healing, and God's hand in our lives is a beautiful theme.  I also feel there are some fantastic deep and impactful messages found throughout this book.  For example, I do agree with the message that people who experience tough things can stay in an in between place unless they try to heal and make the choice to "be happy."

Overall, A Fall of Marigolds is great and earned 4.5 out of 5 stars in my book review.  I loved how the two women's stories were woven together with a scarf but also with their grief and their agony from witnessing the tragedies.  I loved how both women had to get closure from their loves before they could move on and be happy.  I love how both stories were unique and set during great historical times, but that they were still tied together.  I loved the ending and thought it was truly beautiful.  

I did think the character development of Clara could've been written better aka made more realistic and less annoying.  There seemed to be too much time spent and pages written with Clara's story of her inability to try and overcome.  I felt Clara's grief was less powerful, and that time should've been spent on Taryn's story.  

However, I still thoroughly enjoyed  A Fall of Marigolds completely, and felt the story has some power to help other's heal and move past their "in between place."   

Happy Beautiful Historical Fiction Reading! 

A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Best For: Adults, especially a book club read.
Worth a Check Out: Yes. The audiobook is a great check-out as well.
Buy It or Not: Buy, especially if you love historical fictions or reading it for book club
Read Aloud: The audiobook is great, I am sure it could make a great read aloud with the right class.
Lesson Ideas: symbolism of scarf; healing; grieving; New York City tragedies


Did you read A Fall of Marigolds? What did you think? 

Sold gets 4.5 Stars {YA, Contemporary Fiction}

Abuse. Sex Trafficking. Children. Poverty. Nepal.  Sold by Patricia McCormick is a valuable and enlightening read about those tough subjects; it is a heavy and depressing read as well.  Parts of it reminded me of The Kite Runner, but that may be because of the heaviness of the book. 

The following book description from Amazon will give you a little better idea of the plot. 

"Lakshmi is a thirteen-year-old girl who lives with her family in a small hut on a mountain in Nepal. Though she is desperately poor, her life is full of simple pleasures, like playing hopscotch with her best friend from school, and having her mother brush her hair by the light of an oil lamp. But when the harsh Himalayan monsoons wash away all that remains of the family's crops, Lakshmi's stepfather says she must leave home and take a job to support her family. 

He introduces her to a glamorous stranger who tells her she will find her a job as a maid in the city. Glad to be able to help, Lakshmi journeys to India and arrives at "Happiness House" full of hope. But she soon learns the unthinkable truth: she has been sold into prostitution.

An old woman named Mumtaz rules the brothel with cruelty and cunning. She tells Lakshmi that she is trapped there until she can pay off her family's debt-then cheats Lakshmi of her meager earnings so that she can never leave.

Lakshmi's life becomes a nightmare from which she cannot escape. Still, she lives by her mother's words-Simply to endure is to triumph-and gradually, she forms friendships with the other girls that enable her to survive in this terrifying new world. Then the day comes when she must make a decision-will she risk everything for a chance to reclaim her life? 

Written in spare and evocative vignettes, this powerful novel renders a world that is as unimaginable as it is real, and a girl who not only survives but triumphs."

Sold is a valuable read about a part of the world, and a horrible truth many young girls, 12,000 girls every year according to McCormick's Author Note in the back, have to go through.  Sold is a tough read, but I'm glad I read it. 

I give Sold 4.5 out of 5 stars.  It's a powerful story written in free verse with a good plot.  The characters and character development were well done; I felt for the characters and all of their emotions.  I was sickened when Lakshmi realized what she was sold into prostitution.  I felt sorrow for the way the girls were treated.  I was disgusted with Lakshmi's father-in-law for selling his daughter for a coat and his debt.  I felt pain for the many girls that get tricked into prostitution, abused, and are afraid or feel they can't get out.  I felt emotions, and that was well done by McCormick.

The free verse writing makes for a fast read which is perfect for the reluctant reader.  The free verse poetry writing style can sometimes be distracting, but Sold wasn't.  I actually felt the writing style allowed the reader to think a little harder on what was happening. 

The only reason I took off a half a star was the ending.  I felt the power of the book and storyline had a deflating ending.  I also feel the triumphant story the book description claims is false as well.  Sold is an enlightening and powerful story, but not a story of triumph in my opinion. 

I liked Sold a lot.  Because of the heaviness of the book, and the topic of prostitution and sex trafficking I would say 9th grade is the youngest I'd have read this book.  it's a tough book about a tough subject, but a high school English teacher could have some great discussions with it... if it was approved.  

If you are looking for a good audio book, the authentic accent makes you really feel like you are in Nepal.  Whether you are reading this book or listening to it it will definitely open your eyes to things that are unfortunately happening far too often.        

Have you read Sold?  What did you think?

Sold by Patricia McCormick
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Best For: YA and up. 
Worth a Check Out: Yes!
Buy It or Not: Depressing read, not sure you'll want to reread it. 
Read Aloud: Powerful read aloud in a family setting, or possibly high school English if approved. Would make a great book club read. 
Lesson Ideas/Discussion Points: Women's rights, children's rights, sex-trafficking, abuse, poverty, Nepal



Happy reading! 

The Inquisitor's Tale gets 4 Stars {middle grade fiction, newbery honor}

That silver sticker on the front means it's a pretty good book.  Okay, the silver sticker on the front means its one of the best books published last year.  Kind of a big deal when you think about the ridiculous number of books published each and every year.

That silver sticker means it's a Newbery Honor book, aka a runner-up to the most distinguished book published last year in America.  

The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz won the Newbery Honor book this year.  

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.  I liked this book.  I liked the setting and that I learned so much about the middle ages.  I really liked the author's note at the end that included the inspiration for the characters and events; it was incredibly detailed and in depth.  I laughed out loud when I learned the farting dragon was a historical story Gidwitz came across; while reading the story I really thought the author put it in there just to attrack the boys.  I really did like this story and it's similarity to the Canterbury Tales, but that it was so creative and complex.  

There were only a few things I didn't like about the book; hence the high rating it deserved.  I didn't love that the book was slower in pace.  It wasn't a slow story or have any slow parts, but it did feel like a slow and methodical pace that wound it's way through.  I do think Gidwitz did a great job writing this book, and is well deserving of the Newbery Honor.  Overall, it is well written, a good story, funny, a tad random, and have enjoyable illustrations.

However, I think children would struggle to read this book or the book may struggle to keep the child's interest.  Personally, I'm not sure I would've read this book had it not won an award. Though, I'm glad I did read it, and I'm glad I listened to part of the audiobook.  The audiobook version is well done with several different voices for the many characters and other characters involved.   

I may have not picked up this book to read, but School Library Journal states in their review that this book is a must read. 

"What is a miracle? Is a miracle what happens when, faced with murderous bandits, a teenage monk rips a leg off his donkey, beats them to death with it, then restores the donkey's leg? Or is it a miracle when a cranky innkeeper is so moved by a little girl's friendliness that he risks his life to help her and her companions flee a posse of armed knights? Maybe the real miracle happens when readers attracted to the action and violence a particular author is known for find themselves strongly invested in the moral questions that plague bandit-killing monk and friendly peasant girl alike—along with every other character they encounter, from a young minstrel/pickpocket to Louis IX. Gidwitz's tale of medieval France successfully combines the epic with the personal, aiming for that heart-stopping moment when characters readers have come to care about find themselves on a collision course with one of the great wood chippers of history—the Inquisition, agents of which are in hot pursuit of three underdog characters (and one actual dog) from the very start. It is left to the titular Inquisitor to discover the truth behind the legends that quickly rise to surround these kids. He nudges it from each of the travelers at a roadside inn, the narrative tension rising as each facet is revealed. VERDICT This book appeals to the heart, to the mind, and to any reader's appetite for action: read it for the thrilling escapes, the fart jokes, the stinky cheese, and the palace intrigue. Read it for the Talmudic wisdom, commonsense philosophies, and moments of doubt. Read it for the palaces and monasteries and the unbelievable descriptions of food. But read it." 

So, what do you say, are you a medieval fan? Will you pick up this book to give it a read?  

I do think this could make an interesting book club book, or a great Battle of the Books book. 

Happy Medieval Award Winning Middle Grade Fiction reading!


The Inquisitor's Tale: Or The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz
Rating: 4/5 stars
Best For: 10- 14 year olds, 5th to 9th grade
Worth a Check Out: Yes!
Buy It or Not:  Probably not, unless you love the middle ages 
Read Aloud: It's a slow pace, but possibly in a 6th of 7th grade class or with a parent
Lesson Ideas: Middle Ages, France, Inquisitors

The War that Saved My Life gets 5 Stars {Middle Grade Fiction} {HIstorical Fiction} {Newbery Honor}

Yesterday, I shared a great WWII historical fiction book that won a Newbery Honor this year.  Echo is a great book and fabulous audio book.  Go check it out, especially if you love music.  

Today, I am sharing a fantastic WWII historical fiction book that also won a Newbery Honor this year.  The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is a great middle grade fiction book set during WWII in the southern part of England.  

I give The War that Saved My Life 5 out of 5 stars; it is that amazing of a book.  The story line is fantastic.  The character development of Ada, the main character, as well as the secondary characters are solid and well done.  The pace of the story is fast and enjoyable with no slow or lagging parts.  Plus, the messages portrayed in the story are beautiful and timeless.  I absolutely love how Ada and Susan heal each other.  This book is an all around excellent book that is so well written.  Bradley entwines the history with the story and development of many characters so perfectly.  Her Newbery Honor is well deserved.  

Even though this is a middle grade fiction book, I believe this would make an excellent book club selection.  The lessons learned, emotions felt, and the good and bad characters make this book a great discussion piece.  You will be happy, mad, frustrated, sad, worried, excited, and more.  This book will take you on a ride, and you will love every minute of it.    

The War that Saved My Life is a clean read, though the mother does abuse the kids.  This book would make an excellent read aloud for a 6th grade classroom especially b/c they learn about world history in social studies.  However, what Ada experiences from her mother and her own feelings can really provide for a lot of teaching and character building.

I really loved this book.  I loved so many aspects of it.  I loved how stubborn and hurt Ada was, but how she was able to love eventually.  I loved her love for horses.  I loved Susan's kindness, and how she really had to teach Ada and Jamie everything from cleanliness to what love and family truly is.  I loved learning more of the history of that time period.  I loved learning how WWII impacted people in England.  I loved learning that kids were sent out of London to live with others b/c of the fear of bombing in the city.  I loved learning that the German U Boats bombed more than military ships but impacted products, including food, being sent to people in England.  

Overall, this and The Nightingale are the best historical fictions I have read in a really really long time. 

Go check this book out.

Just to give you a little more info into the story line Amazon has the following book description: 

"An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War 2, from the acclaimed author of Jefferson’s Sons and for fans of Number the Stars. Nine-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him. So begins a new adventure of Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan—and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother? This masterful work of historical fiction is equal parts adventure and a moving tale of family and identity—a classic in the making."


This book is amazing!  Have you read it?  What did you think? 

Happy Absolutely Fantastic WWII Historical Fiction reading!