Maus: My Father Bleeds History

Maus, the German word for 'mouse', is an all too obvious title that can be deciphered just from looking at the cover of the book. But this doesn't necessarily mean the book itself is anything typical. Maus is a survivor's tale, set in Europe during World War II smack in the center of Hitler's Holocaust. The idea was intricately conjured up by Art Spiegelman, and the tale itself belongs to his father, one of the few Jewish people to live through Auschwitz death camp. An uncommon factor that comes into play with this brilliant read is that it is told through pictures as well as writing. Unlike most graphic novels, there is much more actual reading to be had rather than a few words per speech bubble. Art Spiegelman's father, Vladek Spiegelman, recounts his life in Poland and surrounding countries as he and his family tried to flee the persecution of Jews. The tale switches from the real world, where Art speaks to his father, and the past, visualizing what it was like to be in the Holocaust. There's just one thing that makes this book so fun to read. Everyone person who is Jewish in the story are drawn as mice. And the Nazis? Why, cats, of course! This recount of history is often heart-wrenching, as well as humorous when appropriate, and it paints a picture of exactly how millions of people suffered. Even if you are not a fan of feeling miserable, I recommend reading Maus, because it is a story that everyone should know.

3P

5Q

Review by Sarah S.: Nobody's Princess by Esther Friesner

Helena Is a the princess of Sparta, she's so beautiful that people say she is daughter of Zeus.
She is destined to become the Queen of Sparta. That means she has to learn to sewing and weaving and other womanly chores. But unlike her Twin sister Clyemnestra she wants a different path in life. Helena starts to take lesions from her brothers teacher, she learns the way of the sword, spear, and bow. She travels the world under a disguise.

The book is filled with the stories of the gods and is a lot of fun to read. The reader get to fallow her from birth to the ripe age of 14 in this book. This book could be for boys or girls but would probably be more liked in the hands of a girl.

A must read.
Rating: 3Q, 3P

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney

Summer is here again and Greg has big plans which include a lot of sleeping and playing videogames. However, Mom and Dad don’t seem to understand and think he should spend more time outside. Thankfully Rowley’s dad is a member of the country club, where the boys can hang out by the pool and drink fruit smoothies by the dozen. That is until Mr. Jefferson receives the $83 bill and demands Greg and Rowley pay it back (WHAT!).

Greg hatches a plan to start a lawn business (VIP Lawn Care). It would be taking off if Mr. Jefferson hadn’t banned them from printing their flyers on his computer and if the yellow pages didn’t charge thousands of dollars for advertising. Gramma won’t be a reference for Greg but surely she won’t care if they use her lawnmower, since Greg doesn’t have any equipment. (How do you start those things?) And why don’t people understand that Greg just doesn’t do poo?

To make matters worse, Mom cancels the family vacation since money is tight. Birthday gifts are never what you want and the community pool is full of scary images. Welcome to the Dog Days of summer, Wimpy Kid style.

View all my Goodreads reviews >>

SIddhartha by Herman Hesse

"He smiled peacefully and gently, perhaps very graciously, perhaps very mockingly, exactly as the Illustrious One had smiled."

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse tells the classical tale of a young man in search of himself and inner peace. Siddhartha is born to a powerful and rich Brahmin. Wealth however does not satisfy Siddhartha and he goes on a journey of a life time to encounter the meaning of life and the true message of Buddhism. On his path to enlightenment Siddhartha encounters an extremist group who throws away all material possessions, and a town where Siddhartha finds success financially and emotionally. However Siddhartha's true lesson isn't learned until he comes upon a mystical river and an insightful boatman who teaches Siddhartha the true value of life. Herman Hesse won the Nobel Prize in 1946 for literature and this novel backs up his award. Deeply spiritual and moving Siddhartha will provide everyone with a little message of appreciation.

P:3 Q:5

A Kiss In TIme by: Alex Flinn

Ever want to read a new era princess story? How about sleeping beauty. Classic movies and books can be fun, but this new novel A Kiss In Time written by Alex Flinn takes a new twist to the classic tale.

Talia- the princess of Euphrasia has anything and everything her life could ask for beauty, grace, and intelligence but still her heart longs for the freedom to do as she pleases. The same freedom that has been taken from her for the past sixteen years of her life because of a curse which is to take place before her 16th birthday. Talia has been kept away from the world, and spindles especially to prolong and outlive the curse, until the eve of her birthday of course. Reaching out for freedom she seizes the opportunity, and has brought misfortune to her kingdom of Euphrasia forever. Her kingdom and herself sleep for 300 years, and are away from the rest of the world. Until one day a boy named Jack comes across a hedge and a hidden kingdom. He didn't plan of seeing a secret kingdom, nor to awaken some beautiful girl by a kiss, but only to to escape the school he was forced to attend in the first place. Travel with Jack and Talia to realize that nothing is what it seems, that feelings cannot just be bottled up, as well as fear and anger that people face in the world, but only to see and experience the real world for the first time.

Ratings:

5Q- Hard to imagine a better book

3P- Appeals to some readers

2009 Teens' Top Ten Announced! Check them out @ NCPL!

1. Paper Towns by John Green
2. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
3.The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
4. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
5. Identical by Ellen Hopkins
6.The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
7. Wake by Lisa McMann
8. Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast
9. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
10. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Hunger Games is an epic novel written by Suzzane Collins.

Katniss is living in the future United States, called Panem, which is now divided up into 12 districts, each ran by the Capitol. Every year, 24 boys and girls from each district go to a remote part of the country, and fight until the death. Since district 12 is the smallest, the people do not recieve much money, and have to scrounge for everything. From the time Kaniss' father died, she has taken the survival of her family upon herself, so when her sister is chosen to fight in the Games, Katniss volunteers herself. And so begins the training and preperation for the Hunger Games, a brutal and blood-lust event.

I very much enjoyed reading this book, because of how well developed the plot and characters are. It also portrays the wrongness of forcing children and teens to fight each other on reality TV.

Recomendation: 4.5 P

5 Q

Deadline by Chris Crutcher

What would you do if you found out that you had less than a year left to live? Would you make changes, do something you never dreamed you’d experience, live every moment for what it’s worth? Would you tell the people you love so they could prepare to lose you? Or would you keep it a secret?

Ben just found out his life has a deadline. He has a terminal blood disease and has less than a year to live. HE has decided to LIVE and forgo the treatments that will only extend his short time here on earth. HE has decided to go out for football and see if he can capture the glory that others find on the field. HE has decided to talk to Dallas Suzuki, the girl that makes his heart pound; on the off chance she might like him. HE has also decided to tell no one. Not his parents, his brother, Coach Banks, Dallas, NO ONE. Doc doesn’t agree, but since Ben is 18, he has no choice but to keep it confidential. How will this decision affect the choices and experiences Ben has planned for his senior year, for his life? What would you do if you had a deadline like this?

View all my Goodreads reviews

The Sledding Hill by Chris Crutcher

Eddie Proffit's year has really sucked, plain and simple, and it doesn't seem to be looking any brighter. To begin with, Eddie's father died in a work accident. Then his best friend, Billy Bartholomew, kicked a stack of Sheetrock, which fell onto him, breaking his neck and crushing him. As if those deaths couldn't be any worse, Eddie is the person who discovered both of the bodies. His grief has manifested itself in his desire to remain silent.

What Eddie hasn't realized is that Billy hasn't left him completely. Will Billy be able to help Eddie find his voice before it is too late? And has Eddie's silence actually helped him use his other senses to discover the power of books?

View all my Goodreads reviews >>