The White Darkness

The White Darkness
By Geraldine McCaughrean
Oxford University Press

Summary: Symone was in love with a man who was dead, she'd never even met him. His name was Titus Oates, an explorer who had braved the ices of Antarctica. Yet Sym held conversations in her head with this man, she felt like she knew him because of all the books she'd read. She loved everything thing about Antarctica and she'd read everything about it too. In books given to her by her father and Uncle Victor. That's why when Uncle Victor turns their "Paris Trip" into a full fledged Arctic Adventure, Sym doesn't protest. She's finally getting her dream come true! When they arrive though, She wonders if her Uncle Victor is coming for the excitement of exploring...or is there something else on his mind?

"When the White Darkness sets in, it's such a kindness. All shadows disappear - the sky, the ground - leaving nothing but a milky, trembling nothingness. It's a sweet light, a pleasant light, like lying under a sheet on a summer morning: the presence of light without any of the usual complications - like being able to see. Perfect ignorance was like this, I remember: a feeling of enlightenment without ever quite grasping what was going on. They call it the White Darkness." (305)

Personal Review: The White Darkness is a fascinating, chilling story. The language McCaughrean uses in her novel is so rich and beautiful, I enjoyed every page of it. It made me want to be an explorer myself even though Sym's experience was less than enjoyable. While terrifying, McCaughrean's descriptions are also exciting. It was a very enjoyable read and I would recommend it to young adults of all ages. There was nothing in it too disturbing or offensive to stop me from recommending it.

This video shows the passage of time in Antarctica during the different seasons

I am the Messenger

I am the Messenger

By Markus Zusak

Published by: Alfred A. Knopf

Summary: Ed Kennedy didn't really intend to stop that bank robber, but now that he has he's started recieving playing cards in the mail. All of them aces, and they have stuff written on them too. He figured out eventually that they were clues to different people that needed help, and somebody thought he was the right person to do it. Some of the tasks he finds daunting--how can he stop a man from raping his wife while their child cries on the porch outside? While other tasks are easier, even enjoyable. Helping a loving family by buying beautiful Christmas lights for them. Ed finds satisfaction out of all these good deeds, still he wonders though, who is behind all this? Why have they chosen him? And what clues will the next Ace hold?

Personal Review: It was hard for me to get past the first chapter for some reason, but once I did I couldn't put the book down. I loved wondering at what the next task would be and felt the satisfaction of accomplishment when Ed found a creative way to carry it out. Ed started out as just a regular kid, just 19 years old, and doesn't find it easy to do all these things. It inspires me to step outside my bubble a little more to help a person.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
By Jeff Kinney
Published by: Amulet Books


Summary: Greg Heffley has suddenly found himself in middle school where he faces challenges and choices every day that threaten his reputation. For instance, Greg is realizing that his best friend Rowley doesn't understand how to make cool decisions and is beginning to be an embarrassment. At first Rowley doesn't notice that Greg is annoyed with the way Rowley sometimes acts, or he doesn't show it. Until one day when Rowley has to take the blame for something Greg did, it's finally the last straw. Greg suddenly realizes how alone he is without Rowley so now he has to find a way to win him back!

Personal Review: What I absolutely love about this book is how true it is! It captures the essence of being a kid so realistically that it makes it hysterical! I see things that Greg Heffley does that are so pathetic and rude yet I remember the days when I might have done those same things. Embarrassment was a much bigger deal in middle school and that is a big chunk of what Greg focuses on: avoiding embarrassment. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this as I remembered my own self-concious days from the past.

Here's a video clip of Jeff Kinney talking about how he wrote Diary of a Wimpy Kid, enjoy!