Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson

Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Newbery Medal

Published: 1980, 244 pgs.

Source: Personal library

Reason: Shelf Discovery Challenge

Review: 5/5 stars

I'm not sure exactly why I loved this book so much. There were parts that I thought were strange or even inappropriate. The crush she has on a certain character in the book is so strange and weird I could hardly believe it. But I decided to just kind of look over that and love the book anyway. Sara Louise Bradshaw and her twin sister Caroline live with their parents and grandmother on a small Island in the Chesapeake Bay. Louise is a tomboy and Caroline is a golden child with a beautiful voice and everyone adores her. The story is told from Louise's point of view and is both funny because of her great sense of humour but also very sad because of the angst that Louise feels towards her sister.

When I was growing up there were three of us sisters, 3 1/2 years apart. Even though we didn't dislike each other like Louise seems to dislike Caroline, there was plenty of jealousy. I really felt like I could identify with Louise's feelings even though I could also see that she brought on most of her misery herself. My sisters and I did the same thing to each other, comparing ourselves and always coming up short. Another reason I probably liked this book so much was that I was feeling under appreciated as a mother at the time so while I read, I just threw myself a big ol' pity party. Boo hoo for me! ;) Of course, the pity party has to end but sometimes it feels good to attend for a while.

Rating: 2.1.2 The 2's are for the weird, inappropriate crush and the way she describes her feelings and it seems like there may have been just a little bit of Biblical type profanity. (I'm not sure if I remember that right.)

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

Genre: Historical fiction, YA, Newbery

Published: 1958, 256 pgs.

Source: Personal library

For: Shelf Discovery Challenge 3/6

Review: 4.5/5 stars

This is another of those classic YA books that I should have read growing up but didn'teven know about. I wish that someone (my mom, a teacher, a friend) had steered me toward some of these wonderful books that I've now found as an adult. I did read some good books as a teenager but I also read a lot of garbage. At least now I can hopefully help my daughters read good books as they grow up. This is a book with a strong female protagonist who does what she knows is right and follows her heart. A great book for young girls (11 and up) that also teaches about early American history. I loved the characters, the story, and message of this book.

Rating: 1.1.1 I can't remember anything objectionable.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Category: YA or middle reader, Newbery Medal, Fantasy

Published: 2008, 307 pgs.

Review: 4/5 stars

The 2008 Newbery Medal winner, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is not quite what I expected. I'm not sure what I did expect but it wasn't what I got. I was surprised by the first chapter and the descriptions of the murders that take place. It seemed a little too much violence for a middle grader reader but once we got past that first chapter I felt much more comfortable with it. The book tells the story of Nobody Owens and how he is raised in the cemetery by ghosts and other frightful creatures. It's a fun story but is creepy at times. It's original and I can definitely see it in the form of a Tim Burton film some day.

Rating: 1.3.1 Like I said, I thought some of the violence was a little much for a kids' book. I would preview it before I let just any child read it.

Savvy by Ingrid Law

Category: Juvenile fiction, Newbery Honor

Published: May 2008, 342 pgs.

Review: 4/5 stars

Savvy by Ingrid Law is a sweet book about a girl and her journey to discover her own special gifts. I enjoyed this book but I'm afraid it didn't quite live up to the hype that I had read about it. It has a good message with a lot of interesting and likable characters and the story is original. I'm not sure what was missing for me but I still recommend reading it. I think I was expecting a 5 star book and for me it just didn't quite make it there.

Rating: 1.1.1 It's been a while since I read it but I don't think there was anything at all offensive in this book. My 9 year-old daughter really liked it.

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

Rating: 1.1.1
Category: Middle reader, Newbery Medal 2002
Published: 2001
Audiobook

Review: 4.5/5

I read this book months ago but have gotten very behind in my reviews. I really enjoyed it though so I want to finally get my thoughts down. The story is set in 12th century Korea. Tree Ear is a 10 year old orphan who is fascinated with the pottery made by several potters in his village. Orphans are not treated well since family and lineage is so important in the Korean culture but Tree Ear manages to become an apprentice to a potter who has no son. The story goes on from there and includes very interesting descriptions of how the pottery is made but the most compelling part of the book is the relationships between the characters. I really enjoyed this book. I lived in South Korea as a missionary for about 16 months so it was especially interesting to me but I recommend it to all. It's not a long book and I actually listened to the whole thing as I was doing one of my training runs for a marathon last year. I finished the book as I was running my last mile. I don't know if it was fatigue or the book but I was running down the road with tears streaming down my cheeks.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Rating: 1.1.1

Recommende audience: 8 and up

Category: Juvenile Fiction, Fantasy, YA Fiction

Review: 4/5 stars

I listened to the audio version of this book and I kind of wish that I hadn't. The narrator read in a little girl voice that distracted me. I'm sure it was intended to be listened to by children and the voice may have been appealing to children, but it wasn't to me. That being said, I thought it was a good book with a wonderful story. As I had been told, it is quite a bit different than the movie and I enjoyed both as separate, though similar stories. In the story, Ella is given a "gift" as a newborn by the completely clueless fairy, Lucinda. Lucinda gives her the gift of obedience so whatever Ella is told to do, she must obey. This turns out to be a curse rather than a gift as evidenced by the many difficult situations Ella finds herself in. Despite this curse and maybe because of it, Ella is a strong-willed, independent character who just wants to be able to do what she wants to do, instead of others dictating to her. I recommend this Newbery Honor book but I would suggest reading it rather than listening to it.

Rules by Cynthia Lord

Rating: 1.1.1

Recommended audience: 8 and up

Category: Juvenile, YA fiction

Review: 4.5/5

This is a wonderful book about 12 year-old Catherine who struggles to live a "normal" life with an autistic brother, 8 year-old David. Catherine is a protective big sister who loves her brother but also feels frustrated that their family seems to revolve around David and his needs. I really enjoyed this book but it did hit a little close to home. My two-year-old son does not have autism but is developmentally delayed and sees a speech therapist and occupational therapist like those talked about in the book. The sign language and the picture cards that are mentioned in the book are very familiar to me. I found myself getting a little depressed when the struggles of this family became very difficult, and I envisioned us in a similar position someday. I don't think we actually will have the same struggles but I did identify with them to some degree, so Rules was a little hard to read at times. Even so, I highly recommend this Newbery Honor book. My 8 year-old daughter read it before I got a chance to read it, and she really liked it too.

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt

Rating: 1.1.2

Recommended audience: 10 to adult

Category: YA or juvenile fiction, historical

Review:

I am falling in love with this author. After reading The Wednesday Wars I knew I had to read some more by Gary Schmidt. The cover of this book did not entice me very much and even though it had won a Newbery Honor (as had The Wednesday Wars) it did take me a long time to finally dig in and read it. I was richly rewarded for my efforts. This book is based on true events which took place in Maine in 1911. The small island of Malaga was home to about 50 people, mostly black, who lived in very poor conditions. The people of Phippsburg felt that the little homes and shacks on the island were an eyesore and were hurting Phippsburg's prospects for a thriving tourism business. They wanted the people of Malaga Island evicted. This book tells that story through the eyes of Lizzie Bright and Turner Buckminster (fictional characters), a black girl and white boy who become friends. Both funny and heartbreaking, I think this book could be a good book club selection because of its many themes including racism, religion, friendship, and family relationships.