October 30 - Book Review by Will

"I felt nothing or maybe it's more accurate to say I felt the Absence of Everything"

Head Case by Sarah Aronson chronicles the life of an injured teenager, Frank Marder. Confined to a wheel chair after a spinal cord injury, Frank struggles to do every task that once required little effort. Without the aid of several nurses and his grieving parents, Frank’s paralysis would prevent him from accessing the most basic necessities, neither food nor water.
Drunk Driving cost Frank his movement but girlfriend as well. Having lost a friend in similar circumstances I was able to relate to what some of the characters must have felt during times of great loss. Statistics say alcohol kills upwards of 400,000 people yearly, with 30% of those deaths caused by drunken driving accidents. The statistics speak to how careful youth must be when taking such risks.
Aronson connects well to her audience by writing about a relevant subject. The risks of drunk driving should be reinforced within this particular age group. She captures the audience with Frank’s story of hardship and writes with ease. Good Read.

Week of October 28, 2007

The Awakening by Kate Chopin captures the feelings and social awareness of Edna Pontellier, a 19th Century woman . This short novel can be appreciated on many levels . Not only do we have this classic work in print and audio, but also through electronic download.
Raiders Night by Robert Lipsyte tells the story of a high school football player torn between team loyalties and doing what is right.
ttfn and ttyl by lauren myracle are about Zoe, Maddy and Angela's lives as told through their instant messages. These novels are easy to get into and fun to follow.

Jenn's Picks -- Spooky Halloweeny themed

Neverwhere by Neil Gaimen -- Set in a creepy but intriguing world beneath the city of London, this is a story about a guy who's life changes speedily and irrevocably when he stops to help a wounded girl on the street. The author has a very clean style and a fantastic imagination.

Blood and chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause. The story of Vivian Gandillion, who is a 16 year old werewolf, who falls in love with a human, or a "meat boy." A good story about someone stuck between two very different worlds, and a great interpretation of life in a pack of werewolves. We have the movie as well, it's got the same title, and some of the same characters, and enjoyed watching it. If you're annoyed by movies that diverge from the original book, read it or watch it, but don't do both.

WEEK OF OCTOBER 21, 2007

Rash by Pete Hautman is about a future time in the United Safe States of America (one nation under the law).
About a quarter of the Nation’s population is incarcerated in work farms for crimes including anger and road rage.
The take on a future society determined to insure a safe environment free from even pastimes like football makes for a good read.
I enjoyed listening to our audio copy.

If you want to get a real feeling about what it was like to be a pirate; ship's captain; or a slave, read The Slave Ship by Marcus Rediker.
The author’s focus (1700-1808) includes accounts of many involved in the slave trade. I think it would be a fine resource for any paper
on the subject.


This week, I’ll be listening to The Awakening by Kate Chopin (1899) which explores treatment of women as property and not human beings.
The main character, Edna, undergoes an inner transformation which is at odds to her role as ‘model wife.’

Week of October 14, 2007

I’ll be listening to Rash by Pete Hautman this week. It’s about a future society that would rather be “safe than free.”

Scott Westerfeld's latest book, Extras, stars 15 year-old Aya Fuse.
Her initial concern is a popularity ranking of 451,369. Through daring feats involving special circumstances Aya discovers her true self and what’s really important to succeed.

Want to know the ins and outs of the slave trade through the eyes of one family? Try Copper Sun by Sharon Draper.

Here are a few of the latest books received:

• Gym Candy by Carl Deuker

(Freshman football and steroids)

• Frannie in Pieces by Delia Ephron

(Jigsaw puzzle helps Frannie come to terms with father’s death)

• No Place Safe by Kim Reid
  

( T921 A serial murderer began hunting black children in 1979 Atlanta.
Kim Reid's mother was a lead detective on the case)

• It’s Superman by Tom De Haven
  

(Early feats of daring-do by the man of steel)

• Freaks by Annette Curtis Klause
  

(17 year-old Abel, a freak show “normie” is haunted by mysterious wraith)

• In Search of Mockingbird by Loretta Ellsworth
  

(16 year-old goes by bus to visit reclusive Southern author)

Week of October 7, 2007

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is a story about a high school girl who's been
raped and tells no one. It's about how her classmates see her.
It's about consequences when she is able to tell what happened.
I listened to the audio version

We just received Extras by Scott Westerfeld. It's a sequel to the Uglies trilogy. I'm looking forward to reading it right after I finish listening to So Yesterday by the same author.

Scott Westerfeld is appearing for a talk and book signing at
Hicklebee's in Willow Glen http://www.hicklebees.com/

He'll be there Wednesday October 10, at 3PM.