The Boyfriend League by Rachel Hawthorne
Summary: Dani, a teenage girl and baseball enthusiast, and her best friend, Bird, convince their parents to host a college baseball play for the summer, hoping to get in good with the team and find a boyfriend.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Comments: I found this book on the list of most popular books checked out by teens at the Springville library and went in with no knowledge of what it was about. I was pleasantly surprised. It was a good, clean summer romance, and I can definitely see why teenage girls enjoy Hawthorne's books. I loved that it was centered around a baseball team, which I could really relate to, and read the whole thing in a day. Definitely something fun to give me a break from some of the depressing things I have read lately. It's the kind of story I write.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Summary: The Nolan family is struggling to get by in the early 1900's in Brooklyn, New York, and are go to great lengths to make ends meet, making sure the children stay in school to receive their education.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Comments: One of the best books I have read in a very long time, and I imagine this one will stay with me for many years to come. The story is of an amazing (and timeless) family who I instantly connected with, especially Francie, the main character. It was sad and heart wrenching without being depressing. I know now that although I may have felt differently as a child, I truly don't know what it is like to have to go without. I will never know poverty the way it is described in the book and I will always have opportunities that most characters in the book would never dream possible. I feel so blessed for the life I have and grateful for those who have risen above their difficult circumstances to become successful.
Summary: The Nolan family is struggling to get by in the early 1900's in Brooklyn, New York, and are go to great lengths to make ends meet, making sure the children stay in school to receive their education.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Comments: One of the best books I have read in a very long time, and I imagine this one will stay with me for many years to come. The story is of an amazing (and timeless) family who I instantly connected with, especially Francie, the main character. It was sad and heart wrenching without being depressing. I know now that although I may have felt differently as a child, I truly don't know what it is like to have to go without. I will never know poverty the way it is described in the book and I will always have opportunities that most characters in the book would never dream possible. I feel so blessed for the life I have and grateful for those who have risen above their difficult circumstances to become successful.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Prize Winner of Defiance
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How my Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less by Terry Ryan.
Summary: The true story of Evelyn Ryan, mother of ten, wife of one alcoholic husband, who was forced to use her wit and talents as a writer to win hundreds of contests just to make ends meet.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Comments: What an amazing story this is! It is so unbelievable, you will find yourself doubting whether or not it could possibly be true. The fact that it was written by her daughter, though, is enough evidence that all these events truly happened. I loved this book. I loved this woman who is a marvel to anyone who has ever raised children and worried about money at all. How did she do it? Read it. You will undoubtedly feel like your life is easy in comparison.
Summary: The true story of Evelyn Ryan, mother of ten, wife of one alcoholic husband, who was forced to use her wit and talents as a writer to win hundreds of contests just to make ends meet.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Comments: What an amazing story this is! It is so unbelievable, you will find yourself doubting whether or not it could possibly be true. The fact that it was written by her daughter, though, is enough evidence that all these events truly happened. I loved this book. I loved this woman who is a marvel to anyone who has ever raised children and worried about money at all. How did she do it? Read it. You will undoubtedly feel like your life is easy in comparison.
Fight Game
Fight Game by Kate Wild
Summary: After another run in with the law for fighting yet again, Freedom Smith is given the opportunity to vindicate himself if he will work undercover to bring down an illegal fight that has been going on for hundreds of years.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Comments: I picked this book up because it was a young adult nominee for a Beehive award. I enjoyed it, but found that I had to force myself to finish it, as I kept getting distracted by other things. The author is British and I didn't always understand all the lingo, which may have added to my indifference. It probably appeals more to teenage boys, who are more into fighting than I am, but for me it was just okay.
Summary: After another run in with the law for fighting yet again, Freedom Smith is given the opportunity to vindicate himself if he will work undercover to bring down an illegal fight that has been going on for hundreds of years.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Comments: I picked this book up because it was a young adult nominee for a Beehive award. I enjoyed it, but found that I had to force myself to finish it, as I kept getting distracted by other things. The author is British and I didn't always understand all the lingo, which may have added to my indifference. It probably appeals more to teenage boys, who are more into fighting than I am, but for me it was just okay.
The Tale of Despereaux
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Summary: The story of a Despereaux, an extraordinary mouse, Roscuro, a rat who craves the light, and Miggory Sow, a dim-witted girl who wants nothing more than to be princess.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Comments: This is one of my very favorite books. I read it a few years ago, and recently reread it for book club. The story is so simple--taking place in a castle where mice and rats usually stay hidden. Despereaux is banished to the dungeon because he is not like other mice. He loves to read and has fallen in love with the princess. Roscuro is plotting against the princess, broken hearted after being blamed for the queen's death. And Miggory Sow just wants to be loved, and thinks being a princess will make her happy. The stories of these three unusual characters collide, creating a story full of meaning. The themes of forgiveness, choosing light over darkness, and love are all present, meaning the book can be read, and loved, on many levels. I love this book! Read it!
Summary: The story of a Despereaux, an extraordinary mouse, Roscuro, a rat who craves the light, and Miggory Sow, a dim-witted girl who wants nothing more than to be princess.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Comments: This is one of my very favorite books. I read it a few years ago, and recently reread it for book club. The story is so simple--taking place in a castle where mice and rats usually stay hidden. Despereaux is banished to the dungeon because he is not like other mice. He loves to read and has fallen in love with the princess. Roscuro is plotting against the princess, broken hearted after being blamed for the queen's death. And Miggory Sow just wants to be loved, and thinks being a princess will make her happy. The stories of these three unusual characters collide, creating a story full of meaning. The themes of forgiveness, choosing light over darkness, and love are all present, meaning the book can be read, and loved, on many levels. I love this book! Read it!
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