As a former English tutor, I had the pleasure of reading this book with my students when it was first published, adding a project regarding the Great As a former English tutor, I had the pleasure of reading this book with my students when it was first published, adding a project regarding the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl era. Dorthea Lange and other photographers were included in their presentations. Post-teaching, fifteen years and counting, I have used this book as a private tutor, getting reluctant tween readers to explore the the author's writing style, discussing the use of poetic prose, simple language, and unique story-telling techniques. As an author, I am repeatedly astounded by the writing in this bittersweet story of a young girl who not only deals with the everyday angst of drought and hunger, but an additional tragedy that changes her life forever. If you have not yet read this wonderful book, you should. And if you have children or students who have not yet read it, I highly recommend. But discuss it with them. Help them understand how difficult life was in an era when most Americans had outhouses and rain was something they prayed for daily. Five shiny stars for Karen Hesse's timeless classic....more
I don't know what took me so long to review this timeless book. I won't go too far into details, as it would be easy to destroy the ending (much like I don't know what took me so long to review this timeless book. I won't go too far into details, as it would be easy to destroy the ending (much like the second edition, which gives away the gist of the story on the back of the book, much to my dismay.) While I am not a proponent of trigger warnings, let it be said that this book should be for young teens that are mature, and for ninth grade and up. I just finished reading it with three of my private students (summer book club, yay!) and they are rising 9th grade girls. They loved this book so much, they are telling all of their friends to read it. It came out quite a while ago, but it still holds its value. It is the story of a young girl who starts out her first day of high school knowing that all of those who used to be her friends are suddenly her enemies. Something happened during the previous summer, and Melinda (the protagonist) is to blame. But Melinda has a secret, and it festers so deeply that she hasn't the courage to talk to anyone about it. Laurie Halse Anderson, the author, shows us what it's like to hate the world because we hate ourselves, and that healing can only begin when we tell the truth to those who love us. With humor sugar coating the darkness at the heart of the story, Anderson nails the angst and snarkiness of a teenage girl so well, I would swear she was a teen herself. I think that most of us will find bits and pieces of Melinda's life in common with our own. Another classic to be read for years to come. Share it with your teens. It's totally worth it....more
If you're like me at the moment, needing something light and simple, but with solid writing, then this book is right up your alley. I have been readinIf you're like me at the moment, needing something light and simple, but with solid writing, then this book is right up your alley. I have been reading a lot of serious novels lately, and with all that's happening in the world currently, it was such a relief to kick back on a pair of Sundays and read Magic at Sea. Easy, uplifting, sexy, and sweet, this book has everything a reader needs to escape for a few hours. I did hope to see more stage magic, but that did not detract from the story at all. I think everyone needs the occasional HEA book. And even though it is #7 in a series, it never felt like I was missing something that was mentioned in previous books. It sits well enough on its own, so if you do not read serials (as I do not) then this is the perfect book for you. Pour yourself a cup of tea, or a glass of wine, and let the Waves Cruise Ship whisk you away!...more
Just finished reading this book a few weeks ago with my teen book club (I am a private tutor and this is mostly what I do over the summer). It was my Just finished reading this book a few weeks ago with my teen book club (I am a private tutor and this is mostly what I do over the summer). It was my third time reading this amazing fairy tale, and my third time crying. It has been and remains on my top twenty list of all-time favorite books. If you enjoy a fast read, and magical realism is something that interests you, I highly recommend Five People. Mitch Albom creates an unforgettable curmudgeon of a character in his protagonist, Eddie, who the children at the amusement park fondly refer to as "Eddie Maintenance." Eddie hates his life working at the amusement park, and believes his time here on earth means very little, if anything. But he's about to go on a journey of a heavenly kind, and a journey that will teach him (and hopefully the reader) that no person's life is for naught. I'm not giving anything away to say that this is a story of a man who dies, as this happens in the very first sentence. But what follows is a story of genius that I, as an author, can only hope to scrape the surface of with my own writing. Albom has a way with words that is simple and complex at the same time. I'm not even going to try to describe his style because to tear his words apart would be like gutting the story. But trust me when I tell you that this book is lovely in all of its sadness, and bittersweet is an understatement. I hope you enjoy it as much as I, and that you choose to visit Albom's idea of heaven with an open mind, and come away with a lighter heart. ...more
As a private writing tutor, this book is perfect for me, as I use interesting novels to share with students for extra reading. I did not have the bookAs a private writing tutor, this book is perfect for me, as I use interesting novels to share with students for extra reading. I did not have the book on-hand, as I loaned it to a student. So this really came in handy. Extremely well done. Couldn't ask for more as a guide to such a wonderful story....more
Thanks for waiting! I am a slow reader, and an even slower reviewer!
In The Confluence, Gregory Josephs brings us a modern fairy tale, complete with a Thanks for waiting! I am a slow reader, and an even slower reviewer!
In The Confluence, Gregory Josephs brings us a modern fairy tale, complete with a race against the clock to save mankind. How could a book like this go wrong? Well, in a different author’s hands it just might. Josephs seems not only to understand the teenage psyche, as well as the angst of a boy coming to terms with his sexuality, but he also seems to know on a deeper level what magical realism looks like. While this is in a sense a thriller, it reads like an older young adult version of Shelia Turnage’s Three Times Lucky, with a bit of Stephen King’s The Talisman thrown in for good measure. Josephs has a beautiful writing style, his words elegantly gracing each page as the tale unfolds. With an equally deft hand at both characterization and setting, The Confluence takes the reader on a journey between two worlds…or perhaps, across many worlds. With demons both external and internal, this novel is a unique story that bridges not only time, but the evils that prevail in both. It is at once a time travel story, a love story, and a family saga, all three elements integral to the plot, and, ultimately, the solid ending.
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