1/2  Great autobiography - inspirational story

Bethany had it all:  she was the all-American beautiful blonde teen who lived in sunny Hawaii.  To top it off, she was gaining recognition and awards for her surfing skills.  Bethany even had companies willing to pay her to sponsor their products. 

Everything in Bethany's life changes when she was 13 years old.  Bethany goes to the beach with her family and her best friend.  While surfing the waves, Bethany suddenly feels a tug and sharp pain.  She has been attacked by a shark!  Bethany looks down and sees her arm is missing.

Against all odds, Bethany survives the attack, but her arm is lost forever.  Despite the horrific accident, Bethany is determined she will surf again. 

     You will be greatly inspired by Bethany Hamilton's strength, positive attitude, faith in God, and perservance.  The book also includes several pages of color photographs of Bethany's friends and family; readers will consider her a friend by the end of her story.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

 

I first read this amazing novel in October 2006 and could not stop singing its praises to everyone I knew.  This book is an amazing story.  Highly recommended!!!

Xing Xing is bound - a mere slave that is trapped in horrific surroundings.  She is bound to her late father's cruel second wife and selfish daughter. Xing Xing is bound to a life of servitude as a young girl in ancient China, where a woman is valued less than livestock and has no control over her life and her future. It would seem that Xing Xing is bound to be alone, with no parents to arrange for a suitable husband. 

     Xing Xing spends her days taking care of her half sister, Wei Ping, who cannot walk because of her foot bindings, the painful tradition for girls who are fit to be married. Even so, Xing Xing is content to practice her gift for poetry and calligraphy, and to dream of a life unbound by the laws of family and society.

But all of this is about to change as Stepmother, who has spent nearly all of the family's money, grows desperate to find a husband for Wei Ping. Xing Xing soon realizes that this greed and desperation may threaten not only her memories of the past, but also her dreams for the future.

   When Xing Xing discovers her mother's beautiful green gown and decides to dress up and go to the festival, her beauty and grace catch the eye of the handsome prince.  He must find the beautiful girl at the festival because he knows that she alone is his one true love. Soon Xing Xing's life will change forever.

This beautiful story has so many wonderful elements - rich details written in poetic prose, the Cinderella story combined with fascinating details about ancient Chinese culture, and Donna Jo Napoli's development of the main character Xing Xing.  Readers will admire and envy her strength and the simple contentment she seems to embody despite the unfair, harsh life forced upon her.  I admit I shed a few tears while reading this book!  Check it out - the story will touch anyone who reads it.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

  1/2  Provides historical information about the Civilian Conservation Corps established by President Roosevelt during the Great Depression.  Readers will want Moss to be successful and persevere (they won't be disappointed).

Moss Trawley had big plans - leaving his home, attending college, becoming a radio broadcaster,  and marrying his girl, Beatty.  During the Great Depression, however, even the best-laid plans go awry.  When Moss is laid-off from his job, he has to postpone all his goals for the future.  Right now he is concerned with his family's survival.  Moss knows he must locate his father, though he had deserted Moss and his family years ago.  They now need his father's financial support to survive.

     Moss does locate his father, but is disappointed to learn that his dad is a bumbling alcoholic who cares nothing about Moss or his mother.  Moss knows he must now become the man of the family.

Desperate for money, Moss signs up for the Civilian Conservation Corps.  Moss earns much more than free meals during his experience.  He learns true friendship, loyalty,  and leadership skills.  Moss finally learns to stand up for himself - no matter the cost.  He truly has become a man.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

     1/2  Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this novel

Eddy decides to join the US army although he is underage.  Not only does his father disapprove, he will no longer even look or speak to Eddy for this act of rebellion.  Eddy feels it is his duty , though, to show his loyalty to America by joining the United States military.  When the bombing of Pearl Harbor occurs, suddenly Eddy’s intentions are questioned just because he is of Japanese heritage.  Why are he and his friends treated so badly by their superiors just because their parents were born in Japan?  Isn’t it enough that they are all willing to sacrifice their lives for their American homeland?

Eddy expected to join the other soldiers in fighting against the Japanese and Germans when he suddenly learns he and the other American soldiers of Japanese heritage are assigned a secret mission.  They will live on an island, far away from friends and family, with little contact with the outside world.  Here they will help train dogs to attack their enemies – only Eddy and his friends are not the dog trainers.  They are the dog bait – “impersonating” the Japanese enemy so the dogs will learn to attack and kill.  Are their own lives in danger?

Graham Salisbury merges fact and fiction in this historical World War II novel.  Most novels for teens feature Nazi Germany and the Holocaust.  This is an interesting account that details the horrific treatment that many Japanese Americans had to face after Pearl Harbor - despite their allegiance to America.  Based on a true story, this book highlights the great courage and loyalty of the soldiers partaking in the "experiment" held on Cat Island.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

  1/2  Realistic plot, characters you care about

I love realistic fiction.  Joyce Maynard writes about real life - including family problems that teens do face today.  She also manages to write a satisfying conclusion without trivializing what the characters experience – not a fake, unrealistic happy ending that occurs in some novels for teens and tweens.

     When Nate comes home from school, he is shocked to see the blue police light flashing in his driveway.  His father staggers from the back yard.  He has blood running down his face, and does not even seem to recognize his own son.  Nate is scared and confused, but his mother and remaining family will not give him any answers.  What has really happened to his dad?  Nate finally learns his father shot himself and though he lived through his suicicde attempt, he is never coming home again.  To make matters worse, Nate has so many other problems to deal with – including a mother who is bitter, angry, and unforgiving.  Nate feels like he has lost both of his parents at the same time.  Most people can rely on other family members and friends to help them get through tough times – not Nate.  His grandfather hates Nate’s father and does not mind criticizing him in front of Nate and his sister.  Nate’s best friends abandon him – who wants to be friends with someone who has a crazy dad? Nate’s mother cannot afford to pay the bills on the farm, and it seems that he will now lose the only home he has ever known.  Could things get any worse?  Unfortunately, yes.  Since the police are unable to find the gun Nate’s father used, suspicion has fallen onto his mother.  Could she be the one who actually shot Nate’s father?  This book is not for the faint-hearted.  Even though this family endures great pain and hardships, they do manage to survive.  Nate eventually learns acceptance over things beyond his control, and he will keep going and keep living – no matter what other obstacles he must face.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007