Saturday, November 14, 2015

Review: The Truth About Twinkie Pie

The Truth About Twinkie Pie The Truth About Twinkie Pie by Kat Yeh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book has a too cutesy cover for me, which would have normally turned me away from it. Luckily, the book itself has more to it than that. It is not a classic for me, but it is much more worthwhile than I expected - coming of age story for more than the MC.

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Review: Where I Belong

Where I Belong Where I Belong by Mary Downing Hahn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

During the first part of this book, I thought many of the characters were very stereotyped and lacking empathy for the MC. Interestingly, after I have finished it and am now reflecting on it, I am seeing this as very astute reflections of his own perceptions. The characters in his life gain more depth and nuance as he is able to see them better.



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Review: WuMo: Something Is Wrong

WuMo: Something Is Wrong WuMo: Something Is Wrong by Mikael Wulff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Some of these really hit the mark. Enjoyed.

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Sunday, November 8, 2015

Review: Not Funny Ha-Ha: A Handbook for Something Hard

Not Funny Ha-Ha: A Handbook for Something Hard Not Funny Ha-Ha: A Handbook for Something Hard by Leah Hayes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a straightforward book, addressing in simple form a very limited topic: medical and surgical abortion. It doesn't espouse a point of view, but rather explains several key things to expect when a woman decides to have an abortion. I will never need to use the information personally - I am beyond that stage in life, but I am glad that this book exists.

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Saturday, November 7, 2015

Review: And Tango Makes Three

And Tango Makes Three And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This a simple sweet story about two gay penguins raising the extra egg of a heterosexual pair. Enjoyable.

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Review: James Mollison: Playground

James Mollison: Playground James Mollison: Playground by Jon Ronson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is one of the genre where the author takes photographs of people and cultures around the world for purposes of description, comparison, and illustration. The first one of those that I remember reading was Material World: A Global Family Portrait, where families around the world took all of their possessions out of their houses and put them in front of their houses to be photographed. There have been others since then - at least one having to do with the food consumed in a week, I believe.

In this book, the photographer presents pictures of playgrounds in schools around the world, when the children were out at recess. Although I would have loved to have a wider range of examples of different schools and cultures, I think that is, in part, because I found it so intriguing that I just wanted more. My analytical self would love to measure all sorts of things with regard to the kids and cultures photographed: how many pictures show adults supervising the recess? how many show physical aggression? how big is the playing space? what types of structures are available for play? how close together are the students? how many students seem to be in groups? how many seem to be playing alone? are there differences between schools with all boys and schools with both boys and girls? on and on.

Too bad this book has to go back to the library.

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Monday, November 2, 2015

Review: Breaking Stalin's Nose

Breaking Stalin's Nose Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This excellent book is a great example of historical fiction and it is carefully written to bring children to the understanding of the seriousness and awfulness of the times, without being too graphic. Kids who aren't quite ready to contemplate the probable outcomes of all the arrests can readily believe that the arrested people are imprisoned. Others will understand the more likely subsequent events.

This might make an excellent read aloud, with students discussing how confusion, fear, and doubt are used by the people in authority to keep the citizens in line. The ethics of lying and/or telling the truth would also make a good discussion.

Very worthwhile.

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