Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Review: Because They Marched: The People's Campaign for Voting Rights That Changed America


Because They Marched: The People's Campaign for Voting Rights That Changed America
Because They Marched: The People's Campaign for Voting Rights That Changed America by Russell Freedman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This book is the way history should be presented - a compelling photo-narrative of the real events of the time. With the Supreme Court's gutting of key provisions of the Voting Rights Act that this book talks about, it is even more important for young people to understand how hard people had to fight to get the right to vote.

I lived through this era, but I wasn't aware of all of the things that were happening at the time. This should be required reading for American History classes. Too bad, in a way, that it is too long to be a read aloud for younger students - at least for me, as a substitute teacher who is only there for a day.



View all my reviews

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Review: Somebody on This Bus Is Going to Be Famous!


Somebody on This Bus Is Going to Be Famous!
Somebody on This Bus Is Going to Be Famous! by J.B. Cheaney

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This book was surprisingly compelling to read. It is a slice of life story about some kids who ride the school bus every day, but there are also intertwining mysteries connected with each of the children and, indeed, with loads of other people in the community. The main problem I have with the book is that there were so many characters and such complicated interactions in the various mysteries that at some point, I kind of lost it about who was who. It does add to the depth and complexity, but I almost feel like I need to go back and read it again, making an interaction web as I go along. In the end, my take is that everyone has a story and we are often connected in ways we don't expect.



View all my reviews

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Review: The Princess in Black


The Princess in Black
The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



The fact that this book is clearly targeted for children who are younger than those I usually read for probably colors my perception of this book. Somehow I expected more from a book with Shannon Hale's name on it. Fluff.



View all my reviews

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Review: Half a World Away


Half a World Away
Half a World Away by Cynthia Kadohata

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



The books that really grab me are books with interesting characters and this book provides one. It also provides an interesting universal dilemma - how do you form a family? What is a family?

With several themes related to adoption, this book is not didactic, but is, rather, expository. Although I have never been personally involved in adoption, my sister and her husband adopted three kids from Russia, so I know a little bit about the financial and emotional investment it takes. But this book is the first one that helped me FEEL what attachment difficulties FEEL like - especially for older children who are adopted.

I am not generally very taken by descriptions of place. People and their interactions are more compelling to me. But one piece of imagery really is sticking with me for this book: the description of the wind. It isn't even a major element in the story, but somehow, the wind made everything more real.

I read this the same day I bought it. This includes re-reading part of it, because I wanted to see better how Jaden developed his interest in Dimash, once I figured out how important this relationship was to Jaden.

The only slightly annoying bit of the book was the continual emphasis on "bonding" time with the baby, Ramazan. "Bonding" seems almost like new-age psychobabble. I know it is important to the story, but my interest flagged a little when the word kept coming up.



View all my reviews

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Review: Dumbing Down America: The War on Our Nation's Brightest Young Minds


Dumbing Down America: The War on Our Nation's Brightest Young Minds
Dumbing Down America: The War on Our Nation's Brightest Young Minds by James R. Delisle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Dr. Delisle is absolutely one of my favorite lecturers and all around good guy of education, especially gifted education. So, it is with some reluctance that I admit that this book didn't have me mesmerized. The information is sound and compelling; the cause is super important and one that I thoroughly support; it just doesn't have quite the fire that I wanted. I supposed I am spoiled by his other books. I wanted the anecdotes of living and working with gifted children. I wanted the teachers' struggles, the administrators' questions. What I got was cold, hard facts and analysis. Don't get me wrong: these are VERY important and for the target audience of the book, this is what is needed. But it doesn't hit me in the heart like his other books have.



View all my reviews

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Review: Monster on the Hill


Monster on the Hill
Monster on the Hill by Rob Harrell

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I enjoyed this book and it furthers my gradual acceptance of graphic novels. It lacks a bit in depth, but the story is interesting. The illustrations are good. I would like to write a more favorable review of the book, but it didn't quite grab me enough to do so.



View all my reviews

Review: Minnie McClary Speaks Her Mind


Minnie McClary Speaks Her Mind
Minnie McClary Speaks Her Mind by Valerie Hobbs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I am a bit surprised that this book hasn't hit my radar sooner than this and that it wasn't available in my library system. I was able to order it through interlibrary loan, though.

I really enjoyed the whole focus of the book - the idea of asking good questions about life and standing up for what is right. I suppose that some people might be a bit uncomfortable about the issues that it brings up, but they are current and relevant. I like the fact that the main character, Minnie, is going through a very uncertain phase of her life and I think her dilemmas are craftily elucidated. The book isn't preachy or didactic; it seemed honest and supportive. I enjoyed it.



View all my reviews

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Review: The Best of Adrian Raeside: A Treasury of BC Cartoons


The Best of Adrian Raeside: A Treasury of BC Cartoons
The Best of Adrian Raeside: A Treasury of BC Cartoons by Adrian Raeside

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



One of the things I truly enjoy about cartoons and comics from different places is the insight they give into cultural differences. The things people deem important - or annoying - vary so much from location to location. In this case, it is the annoyance of the ferry system, since much of the Vancouver area is connected by ferries. Who would have thought they would have been targets for such barbs? For those of us who have mostly lived in landlocked places, this is an eye-opener.

On the other hand, there are things that seem universal as well: complaints about politicians, most notably. In this case, I am glad we share this problem with others. I would hate to think that the USA is the only place with insane and corrupt political scenes.

Other recommendations for cartoons with local flavor will be gladly received.



View all my reviews