Blaze: Reputation Up In Flames

Blaze (or Love in the Time of Supervillains) by Laurie Boyle Crompton

Why did I read it?

I knew it was going to be chick lit (which I try to read every once in a while because its not what I normally read), but I figured I'd read this particular chick lit novel because it featured some geeky comic book stuff as well =D

What happened?

Blaze has been sacrificing her normal teenage life of going to the mall and having boyfriends since her Dad left her Mom, and she's ready for a change. Especially if that change came in the form of the nearly perfect, beautiful, and popular Mark (her younger brother's soccer coach), taking an interest in her. She might even consider changing her Super Virgin status...

And to Blaze's own turd-brown van driving, comic-book drawing self's amazement, Mark actually does go out with her. But, it isn't the happily-ever-after she imagined it would be. When  circumstances in and out of her control go completely sideways, Blaze finds her life turned completely upside-down, out of control, and her reputation smashed to smithereens.

Maybe what Blaze needs is a hero...or maybe she needs a chance to rise like a phoenix from the ashes...or maybe she just needs a chance to settle things with her Dad once and for all...or maybe she could just erase everything that happened (if only life was more like a comic book)...

What did I like or not like?

I was expecting chick lit, but I wasn't expecting to like the characters as much as I wound up liking them. Things do keep going from bad to worse, but Blaze is able to mostly keep her wits about her, and learns some interesting things along the way.

I also appreciated all the geeky, nerdy comic-book and fan-fiction references and conversations. Blaze has to deal with some intense stuff, but her juxtaposition of comic characters' problems and issues makes the novel lighter and easier to relate to.

P.S. This one has some cussing and sexual content.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Getting Off the Sidelines

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Why did I read it?

A friend of mine mentioned the movie (based on the book, with a screenplay by the author) a couple of months ago and said he really enjoyed it, and it was in the house because my sister just got done reading it. 

What happened?

Charlie is what people might describe as a wallflower; he is fantastic at observing, understanding, and listening, but when it comes to participating in life, he has a much harder time.

That is until his freshman year of high school when he meets Sam and Patrick. They smoke, go to parties, participate in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and basically turn Charlie's world upside down for the better.

For the first time in his life, Charlie has friends, is trying new things, and feels like he belongs. But, the problem with participating is that living life is so much more confusing when you are stuck in the middle of it instead of watching from the sidelines.

What did I like or not like?

I have recently found that I really, really like stream of consciousness novels (which this one happens to be). The honest, babbly, uncertain questions and statements that the character makes really give a great look at who that character really is.

This novel deals with drugs, drinking, sex, homosexuality, and all the other things that typical, modern teens deal with and experience. But, I agree with my friend when he said that it deals with many hard topics, and yet deals with them well.

A Step from Heaven?

A Step from Heaven by An Na

Why did I read it?

This was one of the books for my Diversity in Children's Literature class, and it also won the 2002 Michael L. Printz Award.

What happened?

Young Ju doesn't know what Mi Gook means, but she is pretty sure it means heaven. Her friend tells her that she won't be coming back once she goes there, and every time her struggling Apa (father) and Uhmma (mother) say the word, they associate it with a better place, and happiness. It can even make her Apa stop hitting her Uhmma. But, it turns out that Mi Gook isn't heaven at all. Its really a place called Ah-me-ri-ka.

Its a place where Young has to have her hair in curls, her mother and father still struggle, they live in a small house, and Halmoni (grandma) isn't around anymore because she is still in Korea.

As Young Ju starts going to school and church, she begins to find a balance between her Korean heritage, and her new American home. If only her family didn't make it such a confusing balancing act...

What did I like or not like?

This novel has a very interesting writing style. In an interview, the author mentions that she wanted to realistically portray childhood experiences, and she thought that was better portrayed in small instances and memories instead of a coherent narrative.

She writes, "Memory doesn't come as a complete story with a beginning, middle, and end, but rather lives in moments that focus on a smell or a touch or a feeling." This made the novel almost read like poetry, and was very cool.

In addition to this fascinating writing style, this novel does a great job portraying the struggle that Young Ju has between staying true to her heritage, and living in her new home. It also realistically portrays the struggle of loving her family, while they are often very difficult to love.

While this isn't a necessarily enjoyable novel to read, it is a powerful story, and I'm glad I read it.

I Am J: A Boy's Story (who was born as a girl)

I Am J by Cris Beam

Why did I read it?

I just started another library science class this summer, and it is Children's Literature for a Diverse Society. I am J is a new book that just rolled across my desk, and it fits right along with the themes of my class.

What happened?

J might have been born a girl, Jeni, but he has known his entire life that it was a mistake. He knew that if gender was assigned, that his was assigned incorrectly. J has plodded through his life, stuck with a body that he hates and that continues to betray him. But that is all about to change.

After a certain incident with his best friend, J starts to question how he's been living. Instead of existing as a head trying to avoid his body, he wants to start making changes to his body so it is closer to what he knows he is.

But, that decision starts to dissolve his relationships with his friends, his family, and the future that he had initially planned. While that is the case, J knows this is something he has to do, and while he will try to get those other pieces back, he knows he has to be himself.

What did I like or not like?

My first assignment for my summer class is talking about books on diversity and whether they serve as a window to another culture, or a mirror about myself. These kinds of books do both for me. I am not very familiar with the LGBTQ world, so Will Grayson, Will Grayson and I Am J were a very eye-opening window into how this community thinks and exists.

But on the other hand, both books made me think about my own ideas on these topics, and how we all question who we are and who we are going to become. So, they also served as a mirror.

P.S. This book deals with a transgender main character, discussions of sex and sexual identity, and has some cussing.

Hoping to Get Out of There

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Why did I read it?

I'm really enjoying my Young Adult Literature class. Even though its a lot of reading, its forcing me to read some fantastic books that have been on my radar, but I might not have read.

What happened?

It all started when Junior threw a dilapidated textbook at his math teacher's head. His teacher could have been furious, but instead, he was truthful. "Junior," he said, "unless you get off of the rez, you are going to wind up like every other Indian here; drunk, hopeless, and going nowhere. But, if you get out of here, you could be someone." Sizing up his situation on the reservation and finding it pretty accurate, Junior decides to do the crazy, hopeful, insane thing and go to Readan. Now, he would be the only Indian at the school, his friends on the rez would hate him, and no one like him had done anything like it before. But, Junior was committed to seeing things change, and change they do.

What did I like or not like?

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is an amzing story that sucks you in from the first page with its honesty, normality, and truthfulness. Mixed throughout the novel are short comics, drawn from Junior's perspective, that enhance the experience. Junior deals with grief, rejection, bullies, poverty, friendships, navigating relationships, being caught in-between two worlds, and dealing with his family. But, through it all, Junior finds hope in what he has, pushes toward a better future, and encourages the underdog in all of us.

P.S. This novel does contain some language and characters talking about sexual and crude topics.

The Savvys on the Bus...

Savvy by Ingrid Law

Why did I read it?

Would you believe that this is actually a book I started before the winter break? This was one of the last titles we were supposed to read for my master's class...but it seems time gets away from me around the holidays...

But, our programs started back up this week, and I wanted to make sure that my social media started back up too, so, I figured I'd finish this one off.

What happened?

Mississippi (Mibs) Beaumont lives in a family with special talents, called savvys, that show up on your thirteenth birthday. Most of her brother's birthdays had a few large hiccups, like a lighting storm or hurricane, as they discovered their hidden talents for the first time. But, instead of a storm front for her birthday, Mibs finds out that her father is in a coma after a car accident, and she can't even go see him because it happened a couple cities away.

The next day, after a hibernating turtle that looked dead wakes up, she can't help the funny feeling that her savvy might be to wake things or people up. Armed with that knowledge, Mibs sneaks aboard a bus heading toward her father. There are only a couple of problems. The bus has deliveries that have to be made, the bus driver doesn't know she's there, any ink on someone else's skin talks to her, and two of her brothers and two friends sneak aboard the bus with her. Nothing that bad could happen, right?

What did I like or not like?

The quirkiness of the characters and situations makes for an interesting read, and I enjoy stories with characters that have "special talents." There is also a nice theme of growing up, making decisions, and using the talents that you have.

Read Shakespeare? On Purpose?

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

Why did I read it?

Take a wild guess? My children's literature Master's class? You're good!

What happened?

Holling Hoodhood (yep that is the name of the character) is in the seventh grade, and is convinced his teacher, Mrs. Baker, has it out for him. On Wednesday afternoons, half of his class goes to Hebrew School, and the other half go to Catholic Catechism. Holling is the only kid in the class who attends a Presbyterian church, and so he has nowhere to go on Wednesdays. So, he gets to hang out with Mrs. Baker for the entire afternoon!

If she isn't having him bang the dust off of erasers or feed her oversized rats (that even she is afraid to get near), she has him read Shakespeare. As things move along, Holling realizes that Shakespeare might not be that bad (the curses he gives his characters are particularly juicy), and Mrs. Baker might not hate him as much as he thinks.

What did I like or not like about it?

Set in 1967, the Vietnam War comes up as a background theme throughout the novel. The two sides to that war are contrasted nicely by Holling's sister and his father. In addition to the historical perspective, Holling's perspective on things are often hilarious and very insightful. Ultimately, Holling starting to make choices about what and who he will be when he grows up is a fantastic story.

My Dad...The Rat

Beige by Cecil Castellucci

Why did I read it?

I'm a sucker for an interesting cover. I've wondered by this book many times on the shelves, so I figured I'd read it and see what it was about.

What happened?

Katy and her mom are a tight team. Her dad lives in Los Angeles, and hasn't been in the picture since she was a little girl. But, Katy is in for a bummer of a two weeks when her mom goes to Machu Picchu and sends her to spend the time with her dad. As if it isn't bad enough that her mom went to an archeological dig without her, Katy and her dad have absolutely nothing in common. He's a loud, ex-drug addict who is trying to make another go at being a drummer with his band Suck, and she is quiet, loves silence, and can't stand his brand of music. To add insult to injury, The Rat (her dad) has bribed an aspiring musician to "hang out" with her for the two weeks, and she and Lake (the bribee) have absolutely nothing in common either.

What did I like or not like?

As music plays a huge part in the story, each chapter has the title of a different rock song, which is pretty cool. The story and motivations also seem very realistic. The point of the book is finding your own personal voice and story, and it takes her polar-opposite dad to break that to Katy. Even though the story is not a feel-good type of story, I enjoyed it. P.S. For those who would like to know, there are some cuss words in here.

Smoke Signals meets A Christmas Carol and Quantum Leap

How is this Wednesday finding everyone? It’s a little rainy out in my direction, but I’m thinking spring might have finally arrived.

For the past two and a half years, I’ve been driving to Lewiston for my orthodontia work (it worked best with insurance). So every six weeks or so, I drive two and a half hours down and back for the sake of straight teeth and a correct bite (which I have found is totally worth it). This trip, I decided to try out a Book on CD, and I enjoyed it. Having a story play out while you drive definitely helps the time pass. It was also refreshing to enjoy the benefits of reading a novel without actually having to read a novel. You still get to enjoy the symbolism, plot twists, and imagery, without having to exert the effort to read words. I don’t think I’d take this as my only mode of reading, but it is nice for car rides!

So I listened to a Book on CD called Flight by Sherman Alexie, which was performed by Adam Beach. Alexie is a Native American who grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation, and attended Gonzaga University as well as Washington State University, where he graduated with a BA in American Studies. He has won several awards for his poetry, short stories, novels, and performance. Flight is one of his novels for young adults. Adam Beach is a Golden Globe nominated actor, who is also of Native American descent.

Flight tells the tale of Zits, who is a fifteen year old Native American who has some problems. His father abandoned his mother and him when he was born, his mother died of breast cancer, and his aunt and uncle abused him. After crashing through twenty-some half-way houses and foster homes, Zits just doesn’t care anymore. He is consumed by loneliness and anger, bounces in and out of jail, and drunkenness, and doesn’t have any reason to change. That is until Justice, a pretty white boy, teaches him how to use a gun on other people. Zits walks into a bank with a loaded pistol, but then finds himself being launched through time and space and lands in someone else’s body (think Quantum Leap meets The Christmas Carol meets Smoke Signals).

Zits bounces between several bodies reaching across many years and places, and experiences things that change his entire outlook on life and violence. He learns about the effects of war, violence, anger, loneliness, betrayal, and love.

Like so many other award-winning authors, Alexie’s work definitely has some content. F-bombs fly like crazy, there is plenty of innuendo and frank discussions of human anatomy, and the book also deals with some very violent scenarios. But, Alexie is writing from the perspective of a down-in-the-gutter teenager, and this is how he and those around him would talk. Even though it’s hard to get through all of these experiences, Alexie has written an interesting piece of literature that explores how a teenager who has never been loved finds hope and belonging.

Dangerous Pie

Happy almost noon everybody! How has your week been?

Mine’s going to be and has been crazy busy with all of the stuff going on. But I’ve had a chance the last few nights to read After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick, and I’m really glad I did.

Even though I didn’t know this when I started reading the book, this novel is a sequel/companion novel to another novel by Jordan called Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie. Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie concerned Steven Alper, an eighth grader whose younger brother, Jeffrey, is struggling through cancer. This book deals with Jeffrey Alper when he gets to eighth grade. I probably wouldn’t have gotten the connection other then Jeffrey’s email address involving dangerous pie, and the title of the first book involving dangerous pie. I’m going to have to add that book to my reading list because this one was amazing, and it would be cool to see how the story began.

After surviving cancer, and it not returning for five years, Jeffrey is pretty much in the clear for the whole cancer thing. But, that doesn’t mean things are easy. People still treat him differently because he had cancer, his brother decides to go off the deep end and beat some drums in Africa to “find himself,” and there is this really hot girl that Jeffrey has a huge crush on. That isn’t to mention the statewide math test that Jeffrey has to pass in order to graduate. That wouldn’t be a big deal if Jeffrey was normal. But, chemotherapy does funky things to cancer survivors sometimes, and Jeffrey is no exception. His brain has a very difficult time with math, so Jeffrey is pretty well convinced that he won’t graduate with the rest of his class. That is until Tad, his best friend who is also a cancer survivor, comes up with a plan to make sure he gets to walk across the stage.

Although this book deals with the heart-wrenching topic of cancer, it is heart-warming and hilarious. The very down-to-earth, realistic friendship of Jeffrey and Tad is very funny, and Jeffrey has a great outlook on some tough situations. Just like Jeffrey learns, the book reminds us to never take a day for granted and to move on even through hard times.