YA – Page 9 – One Chapter

Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

“Snow, snow, snow!” If you’ve read this book, you’ll understand my statement but if you haven’t and you enjoy these types of novels, you’ll want to read this novel sooner than later.

Holy Moly! I’m trying to read slow but seriously I can’t! I’m too consumed in the lives of Suki and Della to even think I can go any slower. It’s as if I’ve been climbing a mountain and now, I’m falling, seriously tumbling down, like a rock out of control.

Della’s telling the story of her sucky life. She’s not depressed because she doesn’t have a normal family, she’s just curious about what it would be like to have one. Her 16-year -old sister is taking care of her, her mother is incarcerated with her parental rights terminated and now, they’re living with a foster mom. I had to wonder about Suki, what was her life like. She was older than Della so when did things start going downhill? The girls have mixed feeling about where they’re at. It’s a soft-landing spot but it’s also a place where they’re not sure they should be getting comfortable in.

When Suki gets a job, Della needs to go with her and she waits for her to finish her shift. I liked the closeness that these sisters had and I hoped that it would continue. Suki has this strong mature image but still I wondered about her. What was her life like as a small child? Della’s comments about swimming tore at my heart. I couldn’t believe that she’d never been in a pool before. Nor had she owned a swimming suit. As a 10- year-old, I had hoped she had played in water before.

I liked how Francine was trying to provide a normal life for them, she didn’t try to spoil them but she gave them structure and guidance. The girls are battling their previous lives with all the demons and ghosts that came with them. I enjoyed this book and I read it in one sitting, barely putting it down. Make sure that you read the author’s note in the book as they make this story personal and they provide websites, links, and they answer a few questions. 5 stars.

The Assignment by Lisa M. Wiemer

Really? Logan’s taken her seat in history class, as Mr. Bartley addresses the class to explain their next assignment. This graded project is top-secret so nothing is to be discussed outside of class. Top-secret? Why is that, I’m wondering. Each student will be assigned either a 1 or a 2 and that, will direct them on which position they will defend in their paper. So, the students aren’t defending their own position on this topic? No, it’s random. What’s the topic, you ask? The students will need to pretend it’s 1942, and that they’re part of Hitler’s Elite Nazi’s Leadership Group. The concern is over the growing Jewish community: what should they do with the over 11 million Jews that are in Europe? Are they on the pro (1) or con (2) side of this problem? Pro: they exterminate them or Con: they put them in work camps/ghettos and sterilize them. I think I understand why it is top-secret. Did their teacher really only give them these 2 options for this required assignment?

I couldn’t believe a teacher would actually give their students this assignment and feel good about it. When Logan and her best friend Cede, who is also in the class, question Mr. Bartley about it, he justifies the paper. While some students are taking this assignment seriously, there are those who are pushing the subject, by adding in physical displays of Nazism in the classroom. Frustrated, the two friends keep reaching out to people to stop the assignment while they also try to create an alternate assignment that they hope the teacher will approve. I liked their persistence in this matter and how the author showed this process. The friends kept looking for solutions even though things weren’t working out for them.

Romance does fly in the book, as Logan and Cede’s friendship changes. They were great friends but this turns into something serious as they try to get the assignment terminated. They each had felt attracted to each other but neither of them had acted on their feelings until this project gave them a deeper connection to one another. They were great friends who just took it to the next level.

I liked how the teens discovered more about themselves and their families during this process. I enjoyed how they tried to stop the assignment and what finally happened in the end. The book made me think about what I would have done if I was standing in their shoes.

The Circus of Stolen Dreams by Lorelei Savaryn

She just wasn’t ready so, when the Land of Dreams appeared, Andrea was more than ready to pay the price of admission. Her price was: one of her dreams or a memory but what awaited her was, the opportunity to forget her troubles. This was definitely a good deal, Andrea thought. As the carnival specular surrounded her, Andrea tried to put the past 3 years behind her.

It had been 3 years since Andrea’s brother disappeared. Her parents have been moving forward and have decided to finally get rid of the rest of Francis’ possessions that have been boxed up and stacked in the garage. Andrea just couldn’t deal with moving on without Francis. When she came across Reverie, I think she was hoping that this might be the escape that she was looking for.

I was mesmerized by this novel. I loved how Andrea fell for Reverie and it’s magic. She befriended Penny, who shows Andrea how the Land of Dreams works. Penny has been at Reverie for a while so she knows everything about it. It’s a magical journey as Andrea travels to Reverie searching for answers. I enjoyed the little twists in the story and the adventure that it took me on. I enjoyed the character of Andrea as she had a huge heart and she was much stronger than she thought she was. I really loved the love and the bonds that I felt in this book. A fantastic book that I really enjoyed.

“I ask the Sandman”

“To a land of dreams, in which I can play”

Show-How Guides: Friendship Bracelets: The 10 Essential Bracelets Everyone Should Know! by Keith Zoo

Check out this book on making friendship bracelets. I do remember making these when I was younger. I had tons of them but mine were the simpler ones. I like looking at the ones the kids make now. I had to see what this book offered and see if I could make some.

This book says there are instructions for 10 bracelets from the zipper, to the fishtail, to the chevron, just to name a few. I didn’t know there were that many different ones! The book does explain how to make the knots and tells you how to finish tying off the bracelets.

With each detailed numbered, step-by-step instruction for each bracelet, each instruction tells you which type of string works best for that bracelet whether it be yarn, hemp, embroidery floss, paracord, lanyard string, etc. It also gives you how many of each color you will need and how many inches you will need to get started. At the back of the book, there are options if you want to experiment with your friendship bracelets and do something more.

So, what did I think? I really liked this book. It was more than I expected. I thought it might have a few different ideas but that some of the ideas would be the same bracelet only expanded but some of these looked unique and would be fun to make. Did they look complicated? No, some of them looked like they might be time-consuming but the end result would be worth it. These little pocket books are worth checking out. For $5.99, you can’t beat it. The size of the book is 4-1/8 by 6- 7/8 and about 1/8 thick. There are a few in this series and they ‘re new. 5 stars

Show-How Guides: Paper Airplanes: The 11 Essential Planes Everyone Should Know! by Keith Zoo

Wow! I think this is a super cute book! With 11 different ways to craft a paper airplane, this little pocket book is worth checking out. For $5.99, you can’t beat it. The size of the book is 4-1/8 inches by 6-7/8 and is about 1/8 thick. There are a few in this series and they’re new.

Providing step-by-step, detailed directions, they explain how to create these paper airplanes from a v-wing, to a crosswing, to a helicopter, just to name a few. With each instruction, you get a rating on each on their speed, airtime, distance, acrobatics, and uniqueness, from one bar to four bars. Some planes take 1 page of directions and one takes 5. There are some tips at the back of the book to try and some MODS (modifications to mix things up on your paper airplanes). So, is this complicated? No, it’s pretty straight forward. The directions are simple to follow and I liked how they shaded things and dotted things to make things less complicated. What do you need: paper, ruler, scissors, and paper clips and off you go. There is a Table of Contents and tips on how to be successful at the beginning of the book. This book is a fun one to have and make sure you check out the other ones in the series.

Show-How Guides: Hair Braiding: The 9 Essential Braids Everyone Should Know! by Keith Zoo

I wished I had this book years ago when my granddaughter’s hair was longer. I really needed help then. With 9 different numbered step-by-step instructions, this book is great! From the basic braid, to the cornrows, to the waterfall, to the fishtail, this book is fun! You can do your own hair or someone else’s.

The book gives you advice on how to get started on your own hair or someone else’s and what you’ll need: comb, brush, hair clip, elastics, bobby pins, spray bottle, pomade or anti-frizz serum. At the back of the book, there are some extra fun tips which are worth checking out. This book has it all!

Each step-by-step direction is numbered so you can’t get lost. It has listed what you need to get started. The illustrations are very detailed and show the layering using red and black colors on a round head with printed instructions down below each step.

This definitely is a huge help! Sure, it will be time consuming the first couple times you use this but to have this resource at your side is priceless. To look back and find which braid you want to make and how you can do it before attempting it would help too. These little pocket books are worth checking out. For $5.99, you can’t beat it. The size of the book is 4-1/8 by 6- 7/8 and about 1/8 thick. There are a few in this series and they’re new. 5 stars.

Allies by Alan Gratz

I have to thank Alan again for the trip. It was a short trip but it was definitely worth it, as I was walked along beside a handful of young individuals who were out to make a difference in the world in 1944. They each had their own agenda for how they were about to beat the Nazi’s, their own energy, and their own history which powered them. I was only there because Alan allowed me to be. This book, along with many others that he has written, put me on the front lines with these individuals and let me see firsthand, the amazing journey that these individuals experienced, that I myself, only felt.

If I haven’t said this before, I will say it now, you need to read one of Alan Gratz’s books. Geared towards young readers, Alan is an amazing writer that has won numerous awards and has been on the NY Times best sellers list. I, as a grandmother, love his books and can testify that from the beginning pages, I’m hooked. Alan stories includes topics such as honor, love, and family, just to name a few and once you read one, you’ll want to binge read the rest.

In this book, each of these individuals are fighting the Nazi’s with their own personal agenda. Every few chapters we are introduced to a new individual until we meet them all and then, during the rest of the book, we follow their involvement in the war. There were many times, I couldn’t wait to get back to a certain character but I enjoyed every character in this book. I enjoyed their different perspectives and motives for their involvement.

I can’t tell you how many times, I caught myself holding my breath or I found myself sitting at the edge of the couch, while reading this book. This is not a relaxing read. The intensity, the emotions, and the images that went on inside my head were intense. Struggling to stay afloat in the water as the floating dead bodies hit up against them, their heavy gear weighing them down, where do they go from here? The bullets hitting the water and the boats, they’re all around them. Dang, I was shouting at the book by this time and my heart was racing. Then, we had the medic who made light of the discrimination some soldiers threw at him while later, we really saw how he really felt about it and what he did when faced with these individuals again. The author includes some notes in the back of this book and you really need to read them. This book, what else can I say besides, read it. Take the journey and see 1944 through the eyes of these individuals. 5 stars!

The Canyon’s Edge by Dusti Bowling

I love the power of verse. No longer do my eyes slide across or skim while I decipher each word on the page. My eyes seem to stop at each word, recognizing its value and its strength on the line before moving on. For each word, has power and is essential.

A tragic event took the life of Nora’s mother and now, Nora and her father are trying to find a new normal. Enjoying the great outdoors, Nora’s birthday was supposed to be a day of celebration, as the pair hiked and explored an area canyon. The celebrating quickly came to an end, as they stopped for a break, when the father-daughter pair is separated. Unexpected challenges and fears must be confronted if they ever plan on being united again.

Written with short chapters, this book is beautifully written and is emotionally charged. You can’t help but be drawn into the character of Nora as she conveys her feelings about her situation. A fantastic read.

Ghost Wood Song by Erica Waters

When I read this synopsis at the library, I wondered why I hadn’t heard about this book before. I already had a mountain of books to read but what the heck, what’s one more. A fiddle that can summon ghosts from their grave, oh yeah! Imagine the significances of that but then again, what would be the repercussions?

Shady is the main character of this book and she’s been having nightmares since her father died in a tragic accident. Shady can’t make any sense of what these nightmares mean. If only she could talk to her father again, he could probably answer many of Shady’s questions

Shady has an interesting family. Her grandmother was a medium who helped individuals talk to their dead loved ones. Her father had a fiddle that could summon spirits. Only her father’s fiddle seemed to cause more trouble than good. Shady has not seen her father’s fiddle since the day of his accident, it was in the vehicle with him. If only Shady could find her father’s fiddle and play it, she could talk to her father once again.

I liked the depth of this story. The mystery surrounding the fiddle and the history of Shady’s family, I found these interesting. I have mixed feelings about Shady though, as I liked how she believed in her family but how she treated some other individuals, I thought it wasn’t right. Why these individuals would put up it, I didn’t understand. As the lies and the past came to light in the story, I started to wonder if anyone knew the whole account or if they all, just had their own little part. I think the book could have been shorter, as parts of the story felt drawn out to me. I’m glad that I found this book at the library and read it.

This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

Courtney is one of my favorite writers and I admit I was hesitating to read a book about a zombie apocalypse and a suicidal girl. I mean, if you think about it, it’s a sad situation really and a strange combination. Yet, Courtney pulled it off and the book was engaging, sensitive, and entertaining.

Sloane was relieved when she was distracted from eating her breakfast. Now, she wouldn’t get in trouble for not eating but what are they going to do with the woman that her father stabbed with the shard of glass? As Sloane looks out their door, she sees the neighbor with the heart condition, lying on the grass, with individuals hunched over him. As Sloane watches, she notices that his chest is being pulled open by their fingers.

If those images don’t want you to board-up your house, I don’t know what would? I don’t know much about zombie apocalypses but I know, I’m not ready for one after reading this book.

It is now a week later and I find Sloane in a high school, barricaded with a handful of teenagers. There are the typical teen power and relationship issues with these survivors which I’m glad the author included as it makes this drama more realistic. The high school is a great fortress, as it has a lot of amnesties except its BIG. Big means lots of places to keep secure and lots of places for problems. THUD! THUD! Someone is pounding on a door and now, what are they going to do?

Sloane doesn’t know why she is with these teens. She has wondered this from the beginning as she doesn’t share the same feelings as the other teens. While the others want to survive and get to where other humans are, Sloane feels just the opposite. Her feelings all started six months ago when her family started to have problems and they have only escalated. Sloane’s character was perfect for his book.

I enjoyed reading this book and was glad that I picked it up.