Judd Winick: Pedro and ME

This was the season of the Real World that I truly got involved. I cared about the people, and was awed by Pedro's spirit.
This graphic novel detailing Judd's experience, relationship, and lessons learned from his friendship with Pedro was an awesome tribute and learning vehicle.

His drawings are minimalistic, but the emotions can't be missed on the faces of the individuals in Winick's text. A bit racy from time to time, but totally worth a conversation with a young person for the tremendously down-to-earth vital information provided from Pedro's life.

AWESOME.

Libba Bray: A Great and Terrible Beauty

Not your ordinary tale of magic, Gemma Doyle is growing up in a Victorian, suppressive, on-the-brink of change time period, and she is trying to discover who she is.
Really powerful, Bray uses strong language, lyrical imagery, and literary devices (simile/metaphor, etc.) that aren't see as often in young adult fiction. An amazing book. I can't wait to read the last two.

Peter Dickenson: Angel Isle

Book 2 (Sequel to The Ropemaker)

Frustrating beginning, but once past that, an exciting and well-worth it adventure with another strong female heroine!

Jay Asher: Th1rteen R3asons Why

Dang...
Super good book.
A box of cassettes arrive at good-guy-Clay's house, and he has no clue what is in store for him. His crush, Hannah Baker, killed herself recently, and it is her voice on the tapes...she has 13 reasons, 13 connections, 13 people who impacted her decision. While the overall story is a bummer--Hannah goes through things no teenager (let alone an adult) should have to experience, but the overall message of connection is totally worth the pain. Every single thing we do as humans impact something--someone--and we may not even realize it. So when someone ponders whether to say "hi" to an outcast, maybe think about the good that could come from your positive interactions.
I got to listen to the audiobook--and the man and woman who read this (it is told in alternating voices--totally awesome) did an amazing job. Really an excellent text!

Markus Zusak: I am the Messenger

A-MAZING!!!!!!!
Totally original, though the ending was slightly trite, totally an awesome book. Zusak is brilliant in his descriptions, and hearing it read by an Aussie totally added to the experience. I know that my Aussie accent in my head could never have compared! Very suspenseful, totally unique plot line, and actually not a downer overall...Check it out!

Harper Lee: To Kill A Mockingbird

Forgot how much I love this book.
I hope my students are semi-enjoying it--though I know I am not doing it the justice it deserves...still makes me cry every time I read it.

Cormac McCarthy: Blood Meridian

Or, crap with a large, droll, side of useless violence crap.

Ishmael Beah: A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier

Powerful text, written extremely well, very graphic and hard to fathom some of the occurrences he was forced to endure. It ended too abruptly for me, but I am hoping that means a follow-up as to where he is now. The text is not all war though. We get a glimpse into life in Sierra Leon, his childhood, and journey that led him into soldierhood. His "rehabilitation" and subsequent trials following his relocation conclude the text, but as I said, it ended too quickly. It was amazing to read that he was 12 and shooting people, all the while I was finishing off my quaint high school experience--which I just thought was the whole world at the time. This book really put a great deal into perspective for me, including how very lucky I am.

Erik Larson: The Devil in the White City

Ready for the book club!!

Be sure to give it past 55 pages. That is when the story kicks in and you forget for a moment that you are reading a non-fiction text.

Fascinating and enjoyable, interesting and educational. Chicago locale, gruesome psychopathic killer....A time in history (Chicago's World Fair--late 1800s) that I didn't know about. It was a girthy text, but flew by once I got past the initial 55 pages.

Cormac McCarthy: The Road

Luckily the ending leaves the reader with a glimmer of hope.