The First Part Last

The First Part Last

by Angela Johnson
Published by: Simon and Schuster


Summary: Bobby is only 16 years old when he finds himself responsible for his own daughter, Feather. He is still in high school and living in his mother's house. She is kind to him, and helps him babysit sometimes, but she tells him that it's his child and his life now, and she isn't going to raise the child for him. Bobby adores Feather, but he faces many challenges in raising a daughter at such a young age and having to attend school. Sometimes he just forgets about her, reverting back to his simple life of before. But it's not long before he runs back and cradles her in his arms, chastising himself for forgetting little Feather even for one minute. Will he be able to handle all of this by himself?

Personal Review: I really enjoyed the feeling of reality this book gave me. It didn't sugar coat anything and told of Bobby's exhaustion and tears and regrets, but it was also filled with hope. I loved the character of Bobby, he is such a sensetive person, with a deep love for his new little daughter and he's willing to sacrafice for her. He is becoming a man, earlier than was intended perhaps, and I loved watching that transformation.

Cautionary Notes: Teen pregnancy and sex

Wintergirls

Wintergirls

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Published by: Viking

Summary: Lia had just found out that Cassie was dead. Her Cassie. They had been best friends for nine years up until a couple months before Cassie's death. They hadn't talked at all then, they weren't even friends anymore. But before she took her life, Cassie called Lia. Thirty-three times. On top of that, her family wants to make her fat but she's stronger than that, she can resist the food and make herself get skinny. Her parents yell at her all the time and force her to eat food. Things get harder and harder for Lia to cope and soon she's falling falling falling. Why is she doing this to herself?

Personal Review: This was one of the hardest books for me to read. It makes me want to eat to prove I'm not like the girl in the book. It makes me hungry and I have to put it down every now and then to stay sane. Laurie Halse Anderson uses such vivid language, it conveys the mood so strongly and touches the nerves in such a way that it's almost disconcerting. But I did enjoy the book and realized a lot of things about eating disorders that I hadn't before.

Cautionary note: This book is extremely vivid. I wouldn't reccommend it to just anybody. It packs a lot of emotion on sensitive subjects.

The Graduation of Jake Moon

The Graduation of Jake Moon
by Barbara Park
Aladdin Paperbacks
(I listened to this as a book on tape performed by Fred Savage)

Summary: Jake Moon didn't think anything of it when his grandfather, Skelly, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. His grandfather would forget things, like any old person did, and they would all go on living their lives as normally. He was dead wrong though. He didn't realize that Alzheimer's was more than forgetting where you set the keys. It was putting your clothing in the freezer, your wet towels in the oven, and forgetting your own grandson's name. And most of all, embarrassing him in front of friends and school mates. Jake loved his grandfather but found it more and more difficult to watch after him, realizing suddenly all he was missing out on. He even stopped hanging out with his friends so they wouldn't find out and and tease him relentlessly. Jake felt guilty for resenting Skelly, but never as much as when he suddenly dissappears.

Personal Review: It was very interesting to hear about an Alzheimer's patient from the perspective of a young boy and how it affects him at home and school. This book first captured the audience with Skelly's loving personality before the disease which made it all the sadder as we watched as he was overcome by each stage and slowly forgot things and became more and more dependent. I found it to be a very touching and uplifting story and would recommend it to anybody, especially a child who may be going through something very similar.

This video clip explains about what happens in the brain during Alzheimer's disease and how it affects the person

Locomotion

Locomotion
by Jacqueline Woodson
G. P. Putnam's Sons

Summary: Lonnie is eleven years old and has just lost both of his parents in a fire. He and his little sister Lilly were split up after the accident because nobody wanted to adopt an eleven year old boy. Every day his teacher, Ms. Marcus, sets aside an hour she calls poetry hour for the children to write poems. This book is the compilation of all the poems he's written during those hours which include memories of his past with his loving family, worries, hopes and dreams. He talks about how he's living with a lady named Miss Edna who has two grown up sons who have moved out, and how he rarely gets to visit his sister. Lonnie doesn't give up though, after this tragic event with his parents. He continues learning and living because of the comfort and encouragement of those who love him.


"Memory
Momma came running out of the kitchen
drying her hands on her jeans.
When she saw us just sitting there, she let out a breath.
Oh, My Lord, she said,
I thought you'd dropped my baby.
I asked
Was I ever your baby, Mama?
and Mama looked at me all warm and smiley.
You still are, she said.
Then she went back in the kitchen

I felt safe then.
I held Lili tighter.
Maybe if I was eleven then
and if one of my friends had been around,
I would have been embarrassed I guess,
but I was just a little kid

and nobody else was around.
Just me and Lili and Mama and the pigeons.
And outside the sun
getting bright and warm suddenly
like it'd been listening in." (p 5-6)

Personal Review: I fell in love with the little boy Lonnie while reading the book. He has so much goodness and innocence in him and you can see it all in his poetry. He adores his little sister, and misses his parents so much it hurts and sometimes makes him angry. But he keeps on living and loving and doing his best to be a good boy. This book gives me a sense of hope and graditude that life can become beautiful again even after a fire.

After the First Death

After the First Death

by Robert Cormier

Published by: Dell Laurel-Leaf

a division of Random House Children's Books

Summary: Kate was not always the driver of this bus. She was subsituting for her uncle, driving 16 kids to summer camp, when the bus was taken over by highjackers who forced her to drive to a bridge where they could be seen. Where negotiations could be made. It was Miro's duty to kill the bus driver, but they were all thrown off to find it was a girl. If she watched over the children and made sure they didn't fuss, she could live. For now. Finally a negotiation was reached between the highjackers and the Americans surrounding the bridge. But at what stake? What dire consequenses will these terms have on the people?

Personal Review: This was an amazing read for me. I was a little confused at some parts, but it all came together in the end. I think it is a beautiful peice of work and I loved the characterizations. I admired Kate's bravery especially, finding it easiest to put my place in her shoes than in any other character's. Because this story takes place in America and the present time it is scarily easy to relate to.

The Misadventures of Maude March

The Misadventures of Maude March

by Audrey Couloumbis

Published by: Yearling

Summary: Maude and her sister Sallie live with their old aunt Ruth in a little town called Cedar Rapids. One normal day while they're out shopping, Aunt Ruth is shot and killed by a stray bullet. Suddenly the girls have nobody to live with, no guardian of their own. They get along for a while, living with Reverand Pearson and doing a great amount of work to earn their stay. But when Old Mr. Wilburn asks for her hand in marraige and the Pearsons won't allow her to refuse, she decides to run off, to the west to find their only living relative, Uncle Arlen. Sallie tags along and together they make a pretty good team! They meet up with some interesting folks along the way and Maude finds out she's a pretty good shot!

Personal Review: I thought this story was so much fun. It shows two sisters succeeding out in the wild nature depending on themselves. It allows girls to explore that adventure spirit within themselves. The girl's personalities were bright and bubbly, with daring spirits willing to take the risks we hope they will so we can live vicariously through them and go along for the ride.

Thirteen Reasons Why

Thirteen Reasons Why

by Jay Asher
Published by: the Penguin Group





Summary: Clay Jensen wasn't expecting a package, but there it was, on his bed. And the most shocking part of all was that it was sent by a dead girl. Yet when he opened the package and found a bunch of tapes, he had no idea that he would soon be hearing Hannah Baker's voice. Hannah Baker had killed herself. And now she was letting everybody know why. Each side of a tape was meant for a different person, and each person was a reason. One of her reasons. For ending her life. Clay Jensen was shocked, horrified and confused as to why he was being sent the tapes. He couldn't remember doing anything wrong when it came to Hannah, sure he'd known her, had even kissed her once, but he didn't understand how any of his actions could lead her to want to end her life. He was about to find out.





Personal Review: I couldn't put this book down. It was a little disturbing but also eye opening to how something that may seem like such a little action could affect someone else so deeply. I think this is a book that should be reccommended with extreme caution because of the ideas that it teaches. It makes it seem okay to blame another person for your actions and mistakes when in fact it is very unhealthy to do so. If you understand that, there's no problem with reading this book, it really opens your mind to the way some people think.

Cautionary Note: Like I mentioned in my review, I would think carefully of who I reccommend this book to because of the ideas it teaches.

Here is a prievew that was put together by fans showing what the movie about this book might look like. enjoy!

Missing

Missing
by Catherine MacPhail

Published by: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books

Summary: Maxine Moody had been skipping school quite a bit these days. It all started when her older brother Derek didn't come home from school one day. All her parents cared about was Derek Derek Derek! Sure they loved him, but she was here with them, in their presence, and still all they could talk about was the child who was not there. Maxine secretly harbored ill feelings toward Derek for leaving and taking all the attention and sometimes even hoped that Derek would die so her parents could move on again. She realized later though to be careful what you wish for--Derek's body was found not long after. Instead of letting it go though, her parents became more attatched than ever. And what's even stranger, Maxine starts getting phone calls from Derek himself. But ghosts can't use phones....can they?

Personal Review: This book is really good at conveying suspense and keeping you guessing. It was for a little bit of a younger audience but I didn't feel too coddled as to where it wasn't thrilling anymore. It was a quick, easy read and keeps you engaged.