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.  

Love and Gelato gets 4 Stars {ya lit, contemporary fiction, romance}

Tuscany. Romance. Sweet story. Delicious bakeries. Gelato.  

Seriously, there's not much you can't like about this sweet young adult book.  

Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch is a fun book that any teenage girl would enjoy.  There's romance, mystery, great character development, and some deep subjects, like cancer, as well.  A fun book with some depth in topics is hard to find.  There's a lot to love with Love and Gelato, and therefore it's well deserving of it's 4 out of 5 stars rating.  

This novel is a quick read, and even though the story line was almost completely predictable, I'm pretty sure only adults reading this ya book would care about that.  I did feel the growth Lina experienced in the story was great.  I loved seeing, in a glossed over way I believe, how Lina dealt with her mother's death from cancer.  I loved seeing Lina find a father-like figure.  I believe there's a good chance this book could benefit others who have to deal and work through a death in the family especially a parent. 

Overall, this book was the light fun read I was looking for after a heavy book like Ghost Boy. 

If you pick this YA book up, enjoy! 

Happy Fun Light Romance in Tuscany YA Reading!  

Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
Rating: 4/5 stars
Best For: 13-18 year old girls, 7th grade and up 
Clean Read: Yes, a little language.   
Worth a Check Out: Yes, when you are looking for a fun light read.
Buy It or Not: Yes if you like chick-lit, Meg Cabot, or Ally Carter type of books.  
Book Club Discussion: Did Lina feel obligated to go to Tuscany b/c it was her mother's wish, or her mother's death-bed wish?  Why do you think Lina felt like it was difficult to be social after her mother's death? Cancer is always tough, but do you think it was tougher on Lina b/c she was a teenager?  Would you consider this story a "coming of age" story, if so why?

Did you read Love and Gelato?  What did you think? 

A quote I loved from Love and Gelato: 

"You know, people come to Italy for all sorts of reasons, but when they stay, it's for the same two things." 
"What?"
"Love and gelato."

Lighter than My Shadow gets 3.5 Stars {ya lit, graphic novel}

Lighter than My Shadow by Katie Green is a young adult/teen memoir in graphic novel format.  This fast/quick read is perfect for reluctant readers, and anyone that has struggled with an eating disorder and/or sexual abuse.  

This book is heavy and talks about many tough subjects including the pain, frustration, and recovery from those subjects.  However, this tough heavy book is quite well done.  Overall, Lighter than My Shadow felt real and raw; it was hard to read at times, but it was also enlightening and encouraging. 

Lighter than My Shadow gets 3.5 out of 5 stars in my book review.  I think the artistic vision is great, and telling this story in graphic novel format was a great choice.  However, I sometimes found myself confused with the pictures and what exactly was going on.  This book is definitely not clean as there are drawings of Katie naked and drawings of the sexual abuse.   

I will say that this book is not one I am going to own, and I don't think it is one most people are going to buy.  However, there is a definite place for it in a school or public library collection.  Lighter than My Shadow has value, and it should be accessible for all those that need it.  Anyone looking for a help and hope with anorexia, eating disorder, recovery, and sexual abuse should definitely pick this book up.  It's a beautiful and valuable book; though, it is definitely not a book for everyone. 
  

Happy reading even if it is an incredibly difficult subject. 


Lighter than My Shadow by Katie Green
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Best For: 14 years old and up, 9th grade and up. 
Clean Read: No. Not clean at all, though in context with this tough subject.
Worth a Check Out: No, unless you want a great perspective on mental illness, eating disorder, and sexual assault.
Buy It or Not: No.
Read Aloud: No.
Lesson Ideas: Anorexia, eating disorder, mental illness, depression, sexual assault, sexual abuse, recovery, perspective. 


I received this book from Myrick Marketing in exchange for my review and honest opinion.  All of my thoughts, opinions, and words are my own.

Stalking Jack the Ripper gets 4.5 Stars {mystery, historical fiction, ya lit, teen}

Murder. Surprise. Suspense. Unpredictable. Historical fiction. Mystery. Romance. Girl Power. Family drama. Fast read.

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco is the first book in a new series that seems perfect for this time of year.  Though, honestly it'd be a fun read anytime of year.  Definitely check this one out.   You may be grabbing for the second (Hunting Prince Dracula) book sooner than you realized.

This new teen/young adult read was so very close to a perfect rating.  Though, 4.5 out of 5 stars is pretty darn impressive, and is definitely worth a read or listen (audiobook) to. Maniscalco truly wrote a unique and fun story that keeps you guessing until the very end.  I loved the story line, and I loved that a historical fiction type story to be inspiring.  I love seeing strong female characters, and Stalking Jack the Ripper is about a girl that is smart, pushes herself to learn and grow, and not afraid to go after what she wants.

This book is fantastic.  It has some language and deals with murder, but overall it's a really fun read.  The only reason Stalking Jack the Ripper didn't get the perfect 5 stars is because of the romance.  At times the love story was cheesy and a bit over the top in my opinion, but otherwise this book is fantastic.

Definitely check this book and enjoy your reading time.


Happy Bone Chilling Fun and Fascinating Mystery/Historical Fiction Reading!

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Best For: 14 years old and up, 9th grade and up. 
Clean Read: Language
Worth a Check Out: Yes.
Buy It or Not: Buy it if you have a young adult or find this time period fascinating.
Read Aloud: No.
Book Club Discussion Topics: The beginnings of forensic science. If you were in Anna's situation with her family, what would you have done? Jack the Ripper, what do you know about him?

Calling All Rebels {banned book week}

Banned Books?!  Really, there is such a thing.  Groups or individuals head to public, school, or special libraries requesting a certain book pulled from a shelf for a variety of reasons.  Their reasons vary, but are usually as a result of the author's personal actions or beliefs or the content in the book. 

Librarians across the world strive to keep books on the shelves.  Librarians strive to avoid censoring books; we believe parents and the individual can make the choice for himself, herself, or for one's own children. 

Banning books inhibits free speech.  Books have power to teach, inspire, unite, and honestly change the world.  Books have power.  Let's not limit that power by censoring books for everyone. 

In order to celebrate Banned Book Week I will be posting more banned books and some of the ridiculous reasons they were banned or attempted to be banned.  Be sure to check back all week long. 

I'm a banned book reader. Are you? 

The Kid's Banned Books List always surprises everyone.  I'm assuming b/c the list is full of books they read and loved.

The YA and Adult Banned Book list is full of classics.  A lot of the classics are banned... interesting huh?

Let's see how much of a rebel you are.  How many banned books have you read?

Join the Rebellion. Read a Banned Book! 

Carve the Mark gets 2 Stars {sci-fi, ya lit}

I thoroughly enjoyed the Divergent series.  It was fast paced, lots of action, likable characters, and enough quirky and unique aspects but not completely out there.  It was a fun series.  However, everything I liked about Divergent was not in Veronica Roth's new book.  Sadness.  

Carve the Mark is Roth's latest book, and I will say I am not a fan.  I give this book 2 out of 5 stars, and the only reason this book received 2 instead of 1 star is b/c I did finish this book.  To be honest, this book is slow-paced, boring, scattered and hard to follow plot, boring characters. and some sensitive topics, like racism, poorly presented.  

I would be surprised if Roth purposely wrote this story with a racist undertone; however, the characters and different groups of people with different skin colors (one peaceful and the other savage) was poorly written and editors should've caught it.  Shame on everyone involved.   

All in all, I was highly disappointed with Veronica's latest book.  I truly hope she can publish another great one so she is not known as a one-hit wonder.    

When was the last time you were thoroughly disappointed by a book? 

Happy Sci-Fi YA Lit Space reading! Though, if you really want to read this book I suggest you read/listen to the audiobook.  That may be the only way you'd be able to get through it.

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth
Rating: 2/5 stars
Best For: 14 - 18 year olds, 9th grade and up.
Worth a Check Out: No.
Buy It or Not: No.
Read Aloud: No.
Lesson Ideas: Portrayal of sensitive subjects like race. 

Perfect gets 4.5 Stars {ya lit, series: flawed #2, dystopia}

Perfect, definitely fitting book to share today. The day that this rare Total Eclipse is streaking across America.  This day when the moon and the sun perfectly line up.  Okay, maybe I like to stretch connections, but you have to agree it is sort of appropriate.    

"There's the person you think you should be, and there's the person you really are." 

I like to think I should be perfect.  I should have that tight and toned stomach.  I should never be sick (which I have been the past few days- ugh).  I should be eternally patient with my kids, and I should be able to successfully teach them to be grateful, independent, and persistent.  There's a lot that I feel I should have in order to be "perfect."  However, my stomach is still not toned and my baby is 2.5 years old.  I got a doozer of a cold this weekend.  I get frustrated and lose patience with my kids, and I'm still working on teaching them all those necessary lessons so they can be successful and good members of society.  I am definitely not perfect, but I do love my kids and husband.   My husband even joked with me saying I was reading my autobiography when he saw the title of this book.  We all joke about my perfection, but we can only joke about it b/c it is so far from being true.

The person I think I should be is far from who I really am, but I'm still chasing that perfect MeganRuth and that helps me strive for better daily.  

Perfect by Cecelia Ahern is the second book in the Flawed series.  Personally, I loved that Ahern reviewed some of the first books significant events in the beginning of Perfect.  She wrote it in a way where I wasn't lost for not having recently read the first book, but yet the second book was able to start as well.  

Perfect gets 4.5 out of 5 stars from me.  Overall, I thought the story and pace was well done.  I felt the story wasn't predictable and kept you wanting to read more.  I felt the character development was good.  Celestine was cautious at the beginning, but she truly started to become the strong person everyone already felt she was.  I thought her two sides of the coin speech to the Flawed was well done and portrayed her strength that had been developing throughout the book.  I truly enjoyed the story and read it quite quickly.  

I had  a few minor glitches which caused the rating to drop.  Most of these glitches should've been caught by a good editor.  At the beginning, when Celestine talks about her brandings she often brings up the 6th branding that no one knows about.  However, Celestine brings up this 6th branding a lot and it is always in an extremely dramatic fashion.  It's okay the first couple times, but after that it was a tad annoying.  The other two reasons for the dropped rating is the typo errors I found on pg 49 and pg 79.  The first error, the author writes the wrong name for Carrick's mom.  The second error was a simple typo.  However, both typos should've been caught by one of the editors.  

Overall, Perfect is a great read and a fast read.  It isn't perfect, but it's pretty darn good.   


Happy Fun Dystopia Series reading! 

Perfect by Cecelia Ahern
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Best For: 14 and up, 9th grade and up.
Worth a Check Out: Yes.
Buy It or Not: If you own Flawed, then pick this one up too.
Read Aloud: I'd say no, especially b/c it is book two in a series.  However, it could work well to read with a high school child that hates reading.
Lesson Ideas: Morals, Courage, Power of Smells, Memory, Trust 

Once and For All gets 3 Stars {YA Lit, Contemporary Fiction}

I love Sarah Dessen's writing.  I love that she is a contemporary fiction writer with a touch of romance.  I love that her books have depth and cover deeper issues.  I love that she is from Chapel Hill North Carolina.  I've read many of her books, if not all of them, and have enjoyed most of them.  I think Just Listen is one of my favorites.  

I love most of Dessen's books, but I didn't love this book.  I feel Once and For All lacked the depth and the character development that young adults and high school students need.  Besides the lack of character development I think the storyline and plot were lacking.  

Once and For All is an okay read, but I definitely don't think it's even close to being Dessen's finest work.

3 out of 5 stars is my official book review rating.  I was disappointed with the character development, lack of depth, and a weak plot.  I was disappointed that Louna didn't show any growth.  I was disappointed she had sex on a beach with someone she barely met, even if it was "true love" and they had expressed their enduring love for each other.  I was disappointed that Ambrose had no real great redeeming qualities.  I guess there were a lot of things that I was disappointed with, and I probably scored this book higher b/c I like Dessen.  

Though, there were a few things that I did like.  I thought her mom being a wedding planner was fun.  I thought her mom's relationship with her business partner was enjoyable as well as showed more diversity than other Dessen books had.  I thought Ben was a decent guy.  I liked that Louna, the main character, was going to college.  Sad though, that a character getting an education reaches the things I liked.  

To be honest there was a lot of disappointment in an already somewhat boring read.  If I didn't already have a love for Dessen's books I probably wouldn't have finished it.  I can say that I will not recommend this book.  I guess I learned that even your favorite authors have bad days/books.  It's a hard lesson to learn sometimes.   

Are you a Sarah Dessen fan?  What's your favorite book of hers? Am I far off your views of this book?  
  
Happy Young Adult Contemporary Lit Reading! 


Once and For All by Sarah Dessen
Rating: 3/5 stars
Best For: 14-18 year olds, high school and up
Worth a Check Out: If you like contemporary lit
Buy It or Not: Not
Sex/Violence/Language: Sex is mentioned but little detail.  Violence is referred to. Some language in context.
Read Aloud: No
Lesson Ideas: Honestly, I wouldn't use this for any lessons. 

Asking For It gets 3 Stars {ya lit, contemporary fiction, printz honor}

*** Trigger Warning: Abuse/Rape ***

I have read and reviewed more than a few books on rape.  I didn't have the thought to include that above warning until I saw someone on Goodreads do that.  Personally knowing more than a few people who have been raped I understand they can have triggers.  I just wanted to be sure my book review doesn't make things more difficult for them, but helps them.  

Asking For It by Louise O'Neill is about rape, sex, rape culture, slut-shaming, and bullying.  This book has sex, drugs, underage drinking, and language; it is definitely not a clean book.  The subject most definitely is tough, but there is value in it b/c it is so realistic.  I hope by the realism this book portrays that others can learn from this book.  

However, I only gave this Printz Honor Book, Asking for It, 3 out of 5 stars.  I feel this award winning book is good for the tough subject and something that is very real.  I would dare say that the majority of society knows someone that was raped.  What happened to Emma happens too much; once is too much.  Though, if we all see this tough subject in our lives, then the real value of this book is if there's something more.  I felt this book missed out on really teaching and inspiring.  

I did not like Emma, buy I did feel bad for her.  Though, to be honest I didn't like any characters.  There really wasn't one likable character.  Though, I felt like that with Luckiest Girl Alive.  After reading this book I had the thought that Emma is going to turn into Ani from that book. 

The slut-shaming and bullying that went on, especially over social media reminded me of 13 Reasons Why.   The rape and how it changed Emma to be withdrawn and pull back from everyone reminded me a lot of Speak. 

The entire time reading this book, in one setting, I was in pain for the choices Emma made, the horrible things that were done to her, her pulling out of pressing charges, and her family not supporting her.  It was a tough read b/c I felt it could've helped more than just causing people to talk such taboo subjects like rape, consent, bullying, slut-shaming, and more.  The one benefit is that this story is fictional; I only hope that boys and girls alike read this and decide to learn from all of the character's choices and make their life better

Overall, this is a tough, and not clean, young adult/teen/high school read.  This book would be valuable to discuss bullying, slut-shaming, self-esteem, underage drinking, drug use, and more not so pleasant subjects, but one that need to discussed in homes or classrooms.

Happy Teen Printz Honor Book Reading!


Asking for It by Louise O'Neill
Rating: 3/5 stars
Best For: 14 yrs and up, 9th grade and up
Worth a Check Out: Yes.
Buy It or Not: Not.
Read Aloud: It's real and intense dealing with rape, but I think Speak may be better suited for emphasizing the growth.
Lesson Ideas: Rape, Consent, Bullying, Slut-Shaming

High School Graduate DIY Survival Kit {diy, craft, gift}

In college I learned I could get by on $30 a month for groceries.  In college I learned I could work more, study more, and have more fun with friends than I thought possible.  In college I learned that I should think before acting b/c the consequences can be painful and long lasting.  In college I learned that even the hardest classes still only last 4 months and you just have to hang on.  

College, and those early working years as an elementary school teacher, provided a lot of lessons learned.  I loved those years of learning more about myself and what I was capable of.  I truly hope the high school kids I interact with at school or at church can make fewer mistakes than I did and learn who they are and what they are capable of. 

When I was 17 I had a teacher at church that gave me this small Survival Kit.  It was similar to the kit shown above.  I don't remember all the items and lessons those items taught, but I remember looking back at the survival kit for many years after I received it.  

I teach junior and seniors in high school at church.  Many of the kids are graduating this week, and moving onto bigger and better things.  I gave them my version of a High School Graduate Survival Kit.  I also gave a little info or story to go with why that lesson is important to surviving the storms of life.  

When I scoured Pinterest I found some okay ideas for Survival Kits, but nothing I felt was really good to go like I was hoping.  Therefore, I made what I consider to be the best survival kit for high school graduates moving onto the next phase.  This kit has some candy and all of the items are easy to find and not expensive.  This kit has some fun reminders as well as deep and meaningful lessons.  I'm telling you, this kit has it all and it is good to go.    

You can print off the bag label/descriptions here; it is a document you can edit if there is something you want to remove, add, or edit.  

In regards to the Survival Kit, I placed all of the items in a sandwich bag, and handed a bag to each of the kids as we had a great lesson.

May this Survival Kit be helpful, and may it make your life a little easier b/c it is already done.  

Happy Do It Yourself Survival Kit Making and Teenage Influencing!

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! 

March Book Three gets 5 Stars {non-fiction, graphic novel, printz award}

This book has it all.  One President of the United States dies, another gives powerful speeches and help make big changes in the country.  With it being Black History Month as well as President's Day I felt this book was an absolute must to share with you today!   

Police arrests, murders, determination, perseverance, equal rights, voting, the Freedom March, and so many more shocking events occurred during the civil rights movement.  I absolutely loved March Book Three, and I completely understand why it won the Printz Award, Coretta Scott King Award, and 4 other major awards.

March Book Three by John Lewis is well deserving of these awards, and honestly one of the best books I've read.  This book, is the third and final book in the March series telling the complete civil rights movement from John Lewis' experience.  

I give March Book Three 5 out of 5 Stars.  The pictures are fantastic, the story line is great, the pace is quick, the words are powerful, and the events are inspiring.  I learned so much while reading not only this book, but the entire series.  It is a must read for sure, and I am so glad I have it in my personal library.

At the very beginning it took me a second to remember what SNCC stood for b/c book three didn't overlap with the second book.  There is so much I really liked about this book.  I loved that the writing had the perfect balance of facts to teach and dialogue to keep the story going.  

I really enjoyed John Lewis' view on JFK's death and the fear he had with Johnson becoming the President.  I think his feelings are relatable to how many feel any time a new President begins his presidency. I was shocked of the events as well as the aftermath from the Freedom Summer, and I was inspired by Fannie Lou Hamer's speech as well as President Johnson's speech.  I was in awe of the fight, dedication, and perseverance Lewis and many other's had to complete their march from Selma to Montgomery.  I was shocked the FBI was wiretapping the Freedom Democratic Party and MLK.   To be honest, I learned so much reading this book and series.  

I absolutely think every one high school aged and up should read this book and series.  It is powerful and inspiring.  I loved that Lewis connected the first and last book with the reason for writing these books.  Lewis is brilliant, funny, and I'm so glad he wrote this book.     

In regards to the series as a whole, I would have to give the entire March series 5 stars.  It's all well done, connects so well to one another, very informative as well as entertaining. and all around great.  I personally love that Lewis wanted to make this a graphic novel.  I think it reaches a wider audience and the pictures provide the reader with a valuable and necessary connection to the story and the events.  

My reviews of March Book One and March Book Two can be found at the links provided.  You definitely need to read this non-fiction series in order, and you most definitely need to give this series a read.  It's fantastic!   

Amazon has the following book review from School Library Journal: 

"In the final installment in the trilogy, Congressman Lewis concludes his firsthand account of the civil rights era. Simultaneously epic and intimate, this dynamic work spotlights pivotal moments (the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL; the Freedom Summer murders; the 1964 Democratic National Convention; and the Selma to Montgomery marches) through the lens of one who was there from the beginning. Lewis's willingness to speak from the heart about moments of doubt and anguish imbues the book with emotional depth. Complex material is tackled but never oversimplified—many pages are positively crammed with text—and, as in previous volumes, discussion of tensions among the various factions of the movement adds nuance and should spark conversation among readers. Through images of steely-eyed police, motion lines, and the use of stark black backgrounds for particularly painful moments, Powell underscores Lewis's statement that he and his cohorts "were in the middle of a war." These vivid black-and-white visuals soar, conveying expressions of hope, scorn, and devastation and making storied figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Fannie Lou Hamer feel three-dimensional and familiar. VERDICT This essential addition to graphic novel shelves, history curricula, and memoir collections will resonate with teens and adults alike."

This series is superb, and though I wouldn't have anticipated it winning the Printz Award (the best book for young adults) this year, I am so glad it did.  It is well deserving.  

Have you read the March trilogy yet?  What did you think? 

Happy Powerful Inspiring and Such a Valuable Historical Graphic Novel Reading! 



I received this book from Myrick Marketing in exchange for my review and honest opinion.  All of my thoughts, opinions, and words are my own.