Teacher Man

Teacher Man, by Frank McCourt

Author of Angela’s Ashes and ‘Tis, the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer finally sets down his memoir of his life as a teacher. I figured this would be a great final book of reading for the summer season to get me back in the groove of teaching. I’ll be pre-student teaching in a high school this fall and I can’t wait even though all of my other classes this semester are going to be the death of me. So much reading! But don’t worry; I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

To steal from the book jacket: “Teacher Man shows McCourt developing his unparalleled ability to tell us a great story as, five days a week, five periods per day, he works to gain the attention and respoect of unruly, hormonally charged or indifferent adolescents. McCourt’s rocky marriage, his failed attempt to get a PhD at Trinity College, Dublin, and his repeated firings due to his propensity to talk back to his superiors ironically led him to New York’s most prestigious school, Stuyvesant High School, where he finally finds a place and a voice.” McCourt’s tale is one constantly changing its scenery and plot. Starting out in Ireland, moving to America, working on a loading dock and finally getting his teaching certificate, Frank has done it all. He tells many stories of crazy lesson plans involving recipes being read to student instrumental music or tales of getting fired for eating a student’s sandwich right in front of the class. It is definitely a story of growth as over time Frank McCourt becomes the man he hoped to be when he started out.

It is an interesting style of narrative. While always extremely entertaining to read, the story jumps around a lot. Readers will start out in Frank’s first classroom but then be taken instantly back to his class through stories he would tell his students about Ireland and the working world. It is fitting, however, because he gets off topic in the beginning just as his students would in hopes that he would forget to teach them anything that day. It worked in his classroom; it works in the novel. After learning about his past, McCourt takes time himself to continue to talk about his failed time in Dublin. It isn’t until the third book, “Part III: Coming Alive in Room 205” that his tale actually becomes devoted to his time in the classroom. It isn’t until now that he has any successful stories to tell until arriving at Stuyvesant High School. It is here he starts to connect with the material and to his students but sadly this is only found in the last quarter of the memoir. Not that it wasn’t enjoyable reading what he had to say about his many failings in the field of education, but with a title like Teacher Man, I was originally hoping for more of a focused storyline to rival other teaching tales like Up the Down Staircase or To Sir With Love.

I would only recommend this book to other educators or future educators or anyone interesting in the education field. I am going to assume that any fans of Angela’s Ashes or ‘Tis would also like this memoir, but I cannot say for sure because I have not read McCourt’s other works. However, with a profound writing style like this, I am definitely interested in reading something of his that actually won a Pulitzer.

“It is what you read when you don't have to that determines what you will be when you can't help it.”

-Oscar Wilde

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by J.K. Rowling, read by Jim Dale

I understand this would have been more appropriate towards the beginning of the summer, but readers, that is when I started this audio version! I had hoped to start and finish it before the movie version came out but circumstances beyond my control kept me from it (dad stole some of the cd’s and then I kept driving with people who refused to listen to its goodness). Sure, call me a nerd, but I love Harry Potter.

After defeating some Death-Eaters and proving Lord Voldemort’s return at the Ministry of Magic in The Order of the Pheonix, Harry, Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The all-around mood in the wizarding world is caution and terror as Death-Eater attacks are increasing and the Daily Prophet shows more and more disappearances on the front page. On top of everything else, after passing their Ordinary Wizarding Level tests, the terrific three must also take increasingly hard classes on their way to becoming aurors (with some budding romances along the way). Harry has an advantage however when he comes across an old potions textbook with glorious amounts of helpful hints in the margins. The previous owner, the Half-Blood Prince, also included some new spells as well. Hermione of course doesn’t trust the book, but Harry lives by it, especially when the helpful hints gain him points in Potions class and helps save Ron’s life. Things turn dark when Harry finds a spell found in the margins labeled “for enemies” and uses it on Malfoy in a duel. The book holds some questions as to who the true Half-Blood Prince is, but the major thread of questioning and discovery in this novel comes in the form of Harry’s private lessons with Dumbledore this year. Dumbledore has decided to inform Harry what he can of Lord Voldemort’s past through a collection of gathered memories from random family members, witnesses and house elves. Harry must try to piece together what he can about Voldemort’s past and some objects called Horcruxes to attempt at gaining an advantage in a destined battle to the death with He-who-must-not-be-named.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a very important installment in the series. There is a lot of important background information on Lord Voldemort (a.k.a. Tom Marvolo Riddle) but also around events that led up to the death of Harry’s parents. This is very crucial and interesting information, but because of this, readers will find less action than previous books until the later chapters. Towards the end there are some amazingly important and breath-taking fights, duels, action sequences, etc, but even with all of the answer giving throughout the entire book, the end still leaves you questioning the future for Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Thankfully, the majority of this book’s final actions can be explained in the next audio book I plan on listening to (after I get it back from my dad) which has a good combination of information and action found in previous books. I like where the characters are in this book, even though some readers think there is too much teenage drama. May I remind readers that they are finally 16 and allowed to have crushes and drama? And what does any of it matter when you have the wonderful voices of Jim Dale filling your ears and taking you away to Hogwarts. I can’t wait for him to take me away in the final novel.

Harry Potter. Enough recommendation said. If you haven’t read it already, get on that loser!

“A good book is the best of friends, the same today and forever.”
- Martin Tupper

Me Talk Pretty One Day

Me Talk Pretty One Day, by David Sedaris

A #1 national bestseller, I was drawn to this book by word of mouth, but was convinced to buy it thanks to the well put-together David Sedaris table found at Barnes & Noble. You know how busy I have been, so it took me a while to get to this book in my very large pile. I’ve had it since December and I feel very accomplished to have it completed.

David Sedaris is a man who grew up in South Carolina before moving around the United States to San Francisco, Chicago and New York before ending up in Paris, France. Me Talk Pretty One Day is his memoir of trying to grow up and find his place as an individual. Dreaming of hitting it big and becoming famous, Sedaris has it rough as a child already recognizing himself as a homosexual at the age of eleven. Sent to speech pathology for a lisp, and suspecting that others like him are also being sent to kick out more than just the lisp, Sedaris searches for a way to become comfortable with himself. It is hard when even his guitar instructor turned him away for singing showtunes, but he eventually made some type of progress, if you can call it that. Constantly moving from city to city, job to job, Sedaris has been a personal assistant for a woman obsessed with catching a lost cockatoo for a reward and has moved the boxes of enough variable people to get a better understanding of the confusing human race. Leading to a life in Paris with his boyfriend Hugh, Sedaris finds some sense of security.

I found this memoir to be enjoyable to read, but I was hoping that it would be more like a novel. Especially in Part One (Sedaris’s portion devoted to living in the United States), the author jumps around between both random topics and time periods. It seemed as if he was jumping to the places that would give him the appearance of a misunderstood artist sitting in a nest of human hair or a troubled young adult with a flair for drug use. I wasn’t hip to the “edge” Sedaris was trying to portray because it just left the tale jagged and rough. I was hoping for more of something like his first chapter in speech class but was left disappointed until Part Deux. Part Deux (you guessed it, Sedaris’s portion devoted to living in France) is a much more enjoyable, less edgy storyline that flows much better than the jumpy Part One. Finally returning to anything relating to his title (Me Talk Pretty One Day) since the first chapter, Sedaris talks about his adventures in France learning the language and trying to communicate and exist in a foreign country. He finds himself defending the United States at dinner parties, being the scapegoat for America-hating Europeans, and fascinated by American tourists who speak negatively about him in English without knowing he can understand everything they are saying. This is a much better section of the memoir, so please make sure you plow through Part One to get to it. I was disappointed, though, on the seemingly lack of a general ending. Unless you count the fact that some of his family who could afford the trip came to France to celebrate Christmas as an ending, it is hard to find when the last chapter is really devoted to Sedaris’s father’s quirk of buying and hiding fruit past its expiration date.

I found this book enjoyable and it was nice to have to pass the time. I have said that Part Deux was exponentially better than Part One for storyline and chronological factors, but let me continue to say that I would only read this for bare entertainment. I can only see reading this to pass the time. It did and I had fun, but I cannot see reading this for any higher purpose because it seems that by the last page of this novel, the author is still searching for any shred of purpose and therefore has nothing to offer the reader besides his version of daydreams he has while staying awake after switching to caffinated tea instead of drugs. It’s fun as long as you just stay on the surface, as the author seems to do. Success for its wit, comedy and point of view, I can understand the limited crowd it has drawn while still making the work a national bestseller.

“The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it.”

-James Bryce

The Life of Cola di Rienzo

The Life of Cola di Rienzo, translated by John Wright
Class: History 110- Medieval, Renaissance, and Reformation Europe

A bronze statue of a hooded man stands reaching his hands towards the air. This real life statue of Cola di Rienzo is located near the Campidoglio in Rome where he was killed. A skilled politician, the rise to the top ended with a sudden fall.

The son of an innkeeper and washerwoman, Cola di Rienzo was learned in Latin and the classical texts. He was able to read inscriptions around his hometown of Rome that others could not. In Cola’s Rome, nobles were corrupt and took advantage of the people, unlike the classical Rome that Cola studied. When Rienzo’s brother was murdered, Rienzo decided it was his duty to bring back the former glory of Rome. Elected by the people, Cola di Rienzo took up the old title of Tribune to govern over Rome and its inhabitants. Strict on the actions of the nobles, Rienzo was fast to make enemies. Even the Pope who first gave him favor later turned against him. Exiled from Rome, Rienzo lived with the Holy Roman Emperor in Prague, pretending to be a distant relative instead of the son of an innkeeper. Rienzo was able to win back favor after seven years and was welcomed back by being given the title of knight. However, with most political stories, success is short. A new agricultural tax is unpopular and the nobles are quick to turn the people against Cola di Rienzo. One failed escape attempt later, the nobles at the Campidoglio stab Rienzo to death where his statue now stands.

A pivotal figure in political history, Cola di Rienzo brought back the tradition of rule by election from the people instead of the popular monarchy. A true tale of power through ascension instead of descending rule, Cola is not the only fascinating character. I’m going to go out on a limb and call the narrator one fascinating dude. A notary, like Cola di Rienzo at the beginning of the tale, this author is also very well learned, taking breaks from the story to insert his own opinion as well as offer extra information by referencing classical texts such as the Bible or Aristotle. Aside from the knowledge of these characters, there are also some pretty cool battles. Feuding Roman families (also fighting for control of the papacy) have been fighting for centuries and are now becoming increasingly violent against each other, the lower classes, and of course Rienzo. There are many battles and riots with many deaths worth hearing about. Interesting, though, is that the narration is pretty dry except for descriptions of Cola’s clothes in two scenes, one when he becomes Tribune and another when he becomes Knight. I guess the physical description is enough to show that this is no longer the son of low birth but instead someone who claims rule for himself and claims false relations to an emperor.

A classic tale of rising and falling out of political favor is an interesting topic seeing that it happens almost every time we turn on the news. Its interesting to see that this Renaissance man had a similar story centuries early. The only difference today is that the nobles don’t kidnap a disliked politician to the Capitol building and stab him to death. They know better. The reading experience was fine if totally necessary, but I will let you know that I fell asleep twice; so beware.

I chose this quote because it was reading that spurred the lives of both of these men into action:
“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”
- Frederick Douglass

Guys Write for Guys Read

Guys Write for Guys Read, presented by Jon Scieszka

Founder of the Guys Read program, Jon Scieszka (The Stinky Cheese Man) compiles a variable collection of works where “boys’ favorite authors write about being boys.” In an effort to encourage boys to read, this anthology has short stories, essays and even illustrations that are proven to keep a boy’s interest long enough to hopefully keep him reading for a lifetime.

Authors like Avi, Jack Gantos, Anthony Horowitz, James Howe, Brian Jacques, Stephen King and Gary Paulsen have all contributed to this 70+ piece collection. Rick Reilly’s “Funny You Should Ask” from The Life of Reilly might be my favorite. While sitting outside with his son, after a deep question, Reilly tries to explain to his son why they are on earth. “We’re here to nail a yield sign with an apple core from half a block away. We’re here to make our dog bite on the same lame fake throw for the gazillionth time. We’re here to win the stuffed bear or go broke trying.” After finishing his long list, readers learn that the son was actually asking why they were at the park when they were supposed to have picked up mommy a while ago. Esquire magazine shares some helpful “rules” to follow, while Jack Gantos teaches you what not to do through experience in “The Follower.” There are some great shared experiences, such as Anthony Horowitz’s “My French Teacher Tried to Kill Me” and Daniel Pinkwater’s “Lone (star) Ranger.” From peeing on the electric fence to collecting comic books to making the big sports play (or not), this book has something for at least every boy.

While some pieces are obviously better than most, what attracts me is the variety of the collection. Yes, there are the stereotypical essays on how to be a guy, but there are also the essays about how you don’t have to fit those macho standards to truly be a man. There is a number of Jon Scieszka pieces, but I guess you earn the right when it’s your anthology and your program. Some pieces were truly wonderful like the ones above, while others where just thrown in to catch attention. I’m sure some young boys have never read anything truly outrageous, so seeing at least two pieces that include multiple characters barfing would definitely liven up their reading list, even though I thought it was disgusting. There was a large majority of pieces devoted to sports, but there were also others about completely different topics that were refreshing. The variety tried to capture as many types of boy readers as possible, which, of course, is the entire goal of Guys Read. I could have done without some of the illustrations and the commentary written by the artists; isn’t this Guys WRITE for Guys READ? One extremely valuable piece of information included is at the end of each piece. If you find that you liked a piece of work, there at the bottom was the author’s short biography, a fun fact and a selected list of other books by the author the reader might like. It’s just the little spark that might lead boys to read something longer by choice.

A valiant effort, Guys Read has put together an impressive collection. If I were to recommend it, though, I would probably just refer you to some of the better pieces and kept a few others out of your knowledge. The good pieces are worth it while the lesser ones upset you when they just do not compare. But I can promise that no matter what your interest, there is something in here for you.

“Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few are to be chewed and digested.” - Francis Bacon

For more information on the Guys Read program, visit www.guysread.com.

The Song of Roland

The Song of Roland
Class: History 110- Medieval, Renaissance, and Reformation Europe

I thought I would include some reading I have done in class. This will most likely be the new habit come fall when I will have countless novels due, so I might as well get you used to the idea now.

Charlemagne is fighting the Saracens being led by Marsile in Spain. Charlemagne’s beloved nephew Roland has constantly fought valiantly by his side, but when Roland’s stepfather Ganelon commits an act of treason, Roland’s life is in danger. Marsile has offered a false peace pact in order to by the Saracens some time as Charlemagne’s troops return to France. Knowing Marsile has already killed two of Charlemagne’s messengers, Roland suggests his stepfather for the job to oversee this peace treaty. Ganelon has no choice to accept, but begins a plot to enact revenge on his stepson. Both Ganelon and Marsile wish to see the brave warrior dead for their own reasons and create a plan to cut off Roland’s troops in a mountain pass. It is taken out and Roland shortly finds himself in a heated battle with his best friend Oliver and a Bishop Turpin. Even though Roland is dealing blows with his sword Durendal that cut people in half, the French forces are still greatly outnumbered and losing. Roland’s pride will not let him call for help on Oliver’s request until it is too late.

The Song of Roland is an originally oral text that eventually made its way down into an English transition. The first time I read this was in French class senior year of high school while also re-enacting it. (Guess who was Roland!) Let me tell you, reading it in English is much better. The narration can get pretty repetitive, but the characters are all fantastic. The most interesting character has a very short scene. Aude, Roland’s betrothed and Oliver’s sister, when hearing of Roland’s death, falls dead on the spot. The interesting part about this piece has to do with when it was written down around 1090. At the time there was still a debate going on about valor and justice, etc. For example, you get the debate between Roland and Oliver, whether it is wiser and braver to fight to the death or to act wisely and call for help. Also, at Ganelon’s trial for treason some interesting questions about justice arise concerning what counts as treason and what legal punishment might only be revenge on Charlemagne’s part to Ganelon.

It’s definitely not going to be on the most recommended pieces of literature, but it is definitely a part of the canon for oral epics. The Song of Roland became an inspiration for Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series. It can’t be all that bad. If you end up picking up a copy and struggling with it (even though I don’t think you will), just be glad you are reading it in English and not in French like I had to.

“A truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more in old age, as a fine building should be seen by morning light, at noon and by moonlight.”
- Robertson Davies

The Poe Shadow

The Poe Shadow, by Matthew Pearl

Uniquely talented Matthew Pearl has produced another New York Times Bestseller in The Poe Shadow. After reading his previous thrilling work of literary historical fiction in The Dante Club, I couldn’t wait to see what else this novelist had up his sleeve. I was sad though that circumstances beyond my control have caused a 7-month delay of finishing this much desired book when I started it way back in January. Finally reaching the last page, I can know add it to my blog.

Quentin Clark is an attorney of 1849 Baltimore where news of Edgar Allan Poe’s death has shocked him, even if no one else had cared. After becoming a fan of this widely unknown writer, Clark began a correspondence with Poe to work as a legal aid in clearing his name of the false press statements about Poe’s drunken habits. Once Poe ends up dead under mysterious circumstances, Quentin Clark continues the work he promised Poe to make sure people know the truth about Poe’s life and death. This proves more difficult than expected under the conditions and Quentin must seek outside help. Mr. Clark decides to travel to France in order to find the real life inspiration for Poe’s dramatic mystery hero, C. Auguste Dupin. Since there are multiple possibilities believed for this inspiration, it becomes a contest to figure out the truth of Poe’s death first in order to prove which one is the real Dupin of “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” and “The Purloined Letter.” Quentin’s devotion leads to the diminishing of his law practice as well as his romantic relationship with an almost fiancé as he tries to deal with issues involving the popularly rising temperance movement, the Baltimore slave trade and even international conspiracies and assassination attempts. The investigation of one death leads to another and Quentin begins the telling of his story on trial.

Matthew Pearl’s novel is interesting enough during adventure sequences, but sadly these are rare. From crawling in hospital tunnels meant for dead bodies in order to eavesdrop on information, to hanging on the ledge of a city monument to evade French mobsters, those portions of the story are captivating and action packed. (There is even a swordfight!) The details in Pearl’s writings are what make him a great storyteller, but in The Poe Shadow, their use can also cause his downfall. There is much information and back-story that goes into planning a mystery-thriller, yet the presentation of these necessary facts is mainly involved with two men sitting and talking to each other. These back-stories are highly creative and crucial to the novel, but the explaining dialogue scenes appear too frequently for my taste. Forty percent of the time the conversation is about what has happened in the past, the other sixty percent is about what might have happened in the past and why they think so. The reader finds him or herself forcing the continued reading, waiting for the next enjoyable scene from Pearl’s fantastic pen (or keyboard) that eventually comes but fades too quickly into yet another dialogue of the previous events. There is no doubt that Pearl possesses a unique talent for historical fiction that serves him well and will most likely continue to do so (maybe in his 2009 The Last Dickens). It was the triumph of making it through the novel to the end that makes it possible for me to praise the book as a whole, even though some specific story-telling characteristics during the process appear wildly unattractive.

The Poe Shadow is a beautifully written piece of work that earns Matthew Pearl gold stars for originality, creativity, voice and style. It is a brilliant piece and stands on its own but there is the general feeling that it might have stood a little taller with a few changes. As it is, it surely would be next to nothing without Pearl’s previous success with The Dante Club that drew me and, I’m sure, others like me to his piece. I would recommend this novel to fans of Matthew Pearl, fans of Edgar Allan Poe, fans of mystery thrillers or fans of historical pieces.

“It is well to read everything of something, and something of everything.”
- Lord Henry P. Brougham

New Book Arrival from Amazon.com

I have gotten behind in some of my reading considering that I am currently working 2.5 jobs and taking a summer class, but thought I should still make a weekly post.

Earlier this year, while working as a pre-student teacher, I have shared the young adult novels I read with my sixth grade students. I was borrowing them from the classroom with much thanks to my wonderful Cooperating Teacher, but I decided to find my favorite on Amazon.com to own for myself.

Over the weekend, THIS BOOK arrived in the mail and I am very happy. I had my mother read it and she also agreed that it is a great book that could be read my adults. See, my book blog doesn't lie and you should definitely take its advice.

Coming soon to the book review blog: The Poe Shadow, by Matthew Pearl.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

My life is so busy; sometimes I want to live my life a different way. I listened to this audio book going to and from Ann Arbor and learned of a different way to go about life that makes me perfectly content with how things are going right now.

Thomas Button, his wife and the rest of the hospital staff were surprised by what they found after what was expected to be the birth of a newborn child in the 1860s south. Instead, waiting, too big for his bassinet, was a seventy-year-old man. This man was new to the world and yet had already learned to talk and knew enough to be discontent with only being offered bottles of milk to eat and a blanket to wear. Mr. Button took him home and tried to pass him off as a young boy through the use of knickers and hair dye. Benjamin was only happy talking with his grandfather. Eventually, Benjamin seemed to get some of his youth back as he got older, possibly a sickness being cured with time. When he was 20 he appeared 50 and could go out with his now accepting father. He met a young girl named Hildegard who liked older men, even though they were the same age. They got married, but were separated when Benjamin went off to fight in the Spanish American War in 1898. Returning home, Benjamin made the unique discovery that he was in fact growing younger. This displeased his wife who was growing older, a fact that made Benjamin less and less attracted to her. Marital strife and problems with his son blossomed as this curiosity continued. Soon, Benjamin appeared too young to be taken seriously as the man he was. Rejected, Benjamin was forced to live with his son and call him uncle. As a “child,” he now liked to hang out with his grandson as he had hung out with his grandfather decades earlier. It became tougher and tougher for Benjamin as everyone seemed to be going forward and be was slowly creeping behind.

This was a very short audio book because, in fact, it is an audio short story. Read by Kevin Killavey, this was a fantastic one hour and six minutes. I want him to read all of my books to me. He served as a great narrator, but was even more successful with the voices. Benjamin’s changing voice through his years alone was impressive as he progressed from creaky old man, strapping man, and squeaky teenager to silly toddler. This beautifully worded short story takes a unique look at the aging process and offers a perspective about growing older that does indeed make it understandable that even in real life as you grow older you actually grow younger.

This creative narrative was very fascinating and the spinning plot was consuming as poor Benjamin’s condition kept causing problems for him and those around him. I would definitely read the short story if the movie interested you. I fell in love with the movie and that is how I came across this short story. It is different but just as enjoyable. I would, though, recommend that for the most satisfaction you listen to Kevin Killavey read it to you. His version is available cheap on iTunes.

“Read in order to live.”
- Gustave Flaubert

The BFG

The BFG, by Roald Dahl

Forgive the seeming Dahl obsession, but when I bought these two books at a garage sale a couple weeks ago, I was too excited not to pass up the deal of 50 cents per book. Matilda was a joy as I’m sure you remember from last week’s review and this week it’s time for The BFG. I don’t really remember why I liked BFG as a child, and as I re-read it, I was not reminded.

Sophie is a girl in an English orphanage who, during the witching hour, sees a giant walking around London. She is not alone; this giant also sees her and takes her away to the Land of Giants. Lucky for Sophie, she was kidnapped by the title character the Big Friendly Giant. Sophie makes quick friends with this giant who definitely lives up to his name. When Sophie learns more about the giant country, she is fascinated to learn how the BFG captures dreams and sends them off to children around the world, but she is also appalled to learn that the nine other giants go around the world eating humans. The BFG does not approve and is a vegetarian, even if it means having to eat the disgusting snozzcumbers. Together, Sophie and the BFG create a plan involving the Queen of England to convince the world of the existence of giants in order to stop more humans being gobbled up by Fleshlumpeater, Bonecruncher, Manhugger, Childchewer, Meatdripper, Gizzardgulper, Maidmasher, Bloodbottler, and the Butcher Boy.

This novel makes some excellent points about the respect for all life both animal and human. The BFG even discusses the point that humans are not better than giants because humans are the only creatures who kill their own kind (not totally true, but the giants do not kill other giants). There are even more interesting points concerning belief in the unbelievable and being careful you don’t think you know everything. There are some fine lessons in this novel, but I think it might be best to select out those key parts and only read those. While the language of the BFG starts as charming (he has his own giant words for things as well as a mixed-up language because he never went to school), the BFG ended up just becoming annoying. There was a lot of explaining needed since one had to describe this fantasy country and all in it including the dream making process, but after a while it became dull and later was repetitive as all of this information was then retold to try and convince the Queen of England. The illustrations by Quentin Blake are still pleasant and enjoyable.

Although this novel had some interesting lessons to learn, and I’m sure many children will find the farting (excuse me, “whizpopping”) scenes humorous, as an adult, this book is not something to re-read. I tried to go back to my roots and think of better childhood times, but I only felt sorry for myself that I ever liked this book. I apologize to all BFG fans, but have you re-read it lately? Go read Matilda.


“So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall.”
- Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Matilda

Matilda, by Roald Dahl

I am in love with this story, but believe it or not, this is the first time I have ever actually read it myself. When I was younger, my mother made it a mission one summer to go to the library and pick out books she would read to my sister and I. Matilda is the only one of those books I remember her reading to us. I have kept that memory alive thanks to Danny DeVito and his movie version of this classic, but reading this again felt amazing.

Matilda was never really treated like the favorite child or even a well-loved child. She was constantly left alone to do things for herself since she was an infant. Her father was a used car salesman, her brother went to school, and her mother went to play Bingo several times during the week. Now alone, Matilda was able to become self-reliant. She taught herself how to do everything, including how to read. This girl could read at the age of 5! After having read everything in the house, Matilda decided to travel to the library where Mrs. Phelps the librarian helped her newfound love of the written work grow. Matilda was never appreciated and therefore decided that whenever her parents did something awful to her, it was only right that she pay them back. From sneaking in a talking parrot and convincing her family it was a ghost to bleaching her father’s hair and even super-gluing his hat to his head. Finally, it was decided that Matilda should go to school at Crunchem Hall. Her teacher Miss Honey was nice enough and found an interest in Matilda and her mind from day one, however the headmistress Miss Trunchbull believed the opposite, that all children are warts. Miss Trunchbull locked children in the Chokey, made them eat huge amounts of cake (you wouldn’t think this was mean, but it was), and even through children out of windows or over fences by their hair. Matilda excelled on her own in class with a little independent guidance from Miss Honey, but it wasn’t until the first time Miss Trunchbull was assigned to take over the class that she realized her full potential. Tipping over Miss Trunchbull’s newt-filled water glass with her eyes was “the first miracle.” Able to reproduce the experience with Miss Honey in private, they both agreed it was best that no one find out. After Miss Honey confesses the story of her childhood, Matilda decides to use her power for good in order to help the one person who has truly cared for her.

Looking back, I am not sure that I fully remember understanding everything during my first encounter with this text. Reading it again, I found an awful lot of British vocabulary that I’m sure must have gone completely over my head as a child. Nevertheless, this is a fantastically amusing story about believing in yourself and reaching your full potential. The illustrations by Quentin Blake are wonderful and bring you so much deeper into the story. I like the reasoning behind how Matilda gains her powers and then loses them, something that is in the novel but not in the movie, so you will have to read this great novel to find out.

This book is a must-read for everyone. Even if you have already seen Mara Wilson work her magic in the movie, nothing can compare to the novel. I don’t know anyone who says, “Matilda, ugh I hate that story.” No one. So if you do not know this novel or if it has just been a while, please read it. Whether it is for the first, second or thirtieth time, reading this book will remind you of your love for reading and the power reading novels can hold and will definitely inspire you to continue reading. (And if you need any suggestions, you are already at the right place!)

I think this following quote is completely perfect for this review that will be dedicated to my mother...
“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”
- Emilie Buchwald

And for your enjoyment/a trip down memory lane:

The Devil Wears Prada

The Devil Wears Prada, by Lauren Weisberger

What started as an Anne Hathway interest combined with my constant driving back and forth between home and Ann Arbor to cause me to resort to my second audio book for this blog. Read by Rachel Leigh Cook, The Devil Wears Prada kept my long hours in the car lively enough that I didn’t mind the amount of time behind the wheel that is putting a serious dent in my wallet.

Andrea Sachs is an aspiring writer fresh out of Northwestern University looking for some type of big break in New York City that will result in a job at The New Yorker. After very few positive responses, Elias Clark Publishing hires Andrea for a job as an assistant to the editor-in-chief of prestigious fashion magazine Runway, Miranda Priestly. Landing a job that a million girls would kill for, Andrea finds it’s not as glamorous as her co-workers are forcing themselves to believe. After a week of intense training with first assistant Emily, Andrea thinks she has everything under control until Miranda comes back to town and Andrea’s life, as she knows it, is changed. She is running impossible errands on demanding timelines, which causes her to alienate her family and friends for the job, resulting in strain on her relationship with English teacher boyfriend Alex (me?) and almost missing that her graduate student roommate Lily is gradually becoming an alcoholic. Andrea becomes enwrapped in the fashion industry she previously had no interest in to reach her goal. One year at Runway with Miranda and she could pretty much have her pick of any job, including her spot at The New Yorker. But how much was it worth? Andrea is running errands, fetching clothes and Starbucks, picking up Miranda’s dog from the groomer’s and even locating a pre-published version of the latest Harry Potter book for Miranda’s twin daughters. One year, it’s just one year. Or will this job have more of an effect than Andrea originally plans?

It’s impossible for me not to compare this book to the movie. Personally, and maybe because I saw it before the audio book, I like the movie better. Granted, Anne Hathaway is a major factor in this comparison, but there are minute plot and character differences between the book and movie that I think work better in the movie version (not to mention that the movie includes the Stanley Tucci character missing from the book). In the book, Emily is more of a helping figure for Andrea and Miranda is simply mean on purpose (making Andrea get an impossible lunch, knowing that she already has lunch plans elsewhere, calling people by the wrong names, and leaving out details over the phone just to make her assistants work harder). I think that Andrea in the book is less of a dynamic character than Andrea in the movie. I never really saw a character shift in the book. Andrea at the beginning seems to be Andrea at the end, the only difference being that when she finally is given an impossible task, she seems to quit because it’s too hard when she was previously able to accomplish everything. In the movie, Andrea’s character is changing. She is good at her job and her priorities are changing, but when she realizes that she could end up as Miranda, this is not how she wants to lead her life and chooses to leave. Also, in the movie, Miranda ends up being okay and giving a reference for Andrea’s new job for a newspaper, while in the book Andrea is hired because of a common link with someone who hates Miranda as much as she does. Not that impressive. I know it’s not really fair, but I’d rather watch the movie.

Rachel Leigh Cook does a good job at reading Weisberg’s novel, which is possibly based off of some real life experiences as a personal assistant. Cook does some voices in a good way that adds variety without being obnoxiously theatrical. She was a good reader and I can recommend her version of the audio book for those of us who are constantly driving back and forth and need something to fill the time constantly driving by mile markers that tick by like seconds. It’s nice to reach your destination and feel some sense of accomplishment rather than just whining about leg cramps and poor air conditioning.

“The habit of reading is the only enjoyment in which there is no alloy; it lasts when all other pleasures fade.”
- Anthony Trollope

Julie of the Wolves

Julie of the Wolves, by Jean Craighead George

I am coming upon the end of my time spent working in a middle school and as such, this is the last book I have read along with my sixth grade students. While some parts were pretty slow, others made up for it. The funny thing is that my sister saw me reading this book, remembered it from when she read it way back when and then proceeded to tell me the exact page number of a “dirty” scene. Interesting.

Known as Julie to the English-speakers and Miyax to the Eskimo, Julie lives in Alaska where the sun shone for months and then remained dark until the sun returned and brought life back. Her father is a skilled Eskimo hunter, but when he disappears while hunting, Julie must live with her conservative aunt that scolded Julie for speaking English and cutting her hair short. In an attempt to escape her aunt, Julie consented to an earlier pre-arranged marriage set up by her father. At the age of 13, Julie was married to a total stranger, lived with a whole new family, went to a whole new school and started to exchange letters with a pen pal in San Francisco. When her new “married” life became intolerable (see page 101, thanks sister), Julie decided to run away and take up her pen pal’s constant offers of going down to San Fran. Yet, running away was not as simple as she thought. Julie became lost on the tundra of the Arctic Circle and tried to survive with what Eskimo traditions her father had taught her from before. Just as she is about to starve, Julie takes a risk with a nearby wolf pack that eventually adopts her as their own. Julie is saved and becomes one of the tribe, with Nails, Silver, Sister, Zit, Zat, Zing, the friendly pup Kapu, the bold leader Amaroq, and the lone wolf who is constantly suspicious and never trusting of the new human Jello. Amaroq takes care of Julie after she learns the ways of the wolf and how to communicate properly. Living for months, lost on the tundra, Julie returns to the Eskimo ways of her ancestors, living with nature and accepting the name Miyax. Miyax appreciates her new way of life with the wolves, but when Miyax finds her way back to civilization during the hunting season, she must try to protect her new wolf friends from the bounty out on wolves for hunters.

I am very happy with the way the narrative of this novel was set up. It is split into three parts. During part one, Miyax is already lost on the tundra and must figure out a way to survive and learn how to get the wolves to accept her and offer her help before she starves. The sections on the tundra are pretty dry for the most part. Part two, though, goes back in time during Julie’s childhood to learn why Julie had run away and found herself in such a position. Part three has Miyax working with the wolves, but trying to find a new balance between old and new world traditions as she comes back to civilization. The tundra parts may have been slow but they were thankfully broken up in the middle. The ending to this novel is bittersweet, but I will admit that it was also confusing. On the last two pages, Miyax changes her mind for what seems to be 15 times and then finally she makes up her mind during the last sentence and I still have not yet decided if I like it. I say bittersweet because I like the ending and hate it at the same time. Or maybe I just hate the situation because of the characters involved and the conflict between a dying older way of life being put aside for a newer modern one.

This book has some very dry parts and the tundra scenes seem to last forever. I would not recommend this book for anyone who gets bored easily or has trouble paying attention when things get repetitive. However, do not let that stop you. I think this book has some great things to say and some actually stunning scenes that are both exciting and moving. And how bad can this book really be if it won the Newberry Medal? Enough said; read it.

“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island.”
- Walt Disney

The Call of the Wild

The Call of the Wild, by Jack London

I am surprised how long I lasted without reading this book or anything by Jack London. I was told that this book is a rite of passage for boyhood; it looks like I am a little late. This was definitely an interesting novel considering that I was not to eager to read a book whose main character was a dog.

Buck was kidnapped from his comfortable home in sunny California to be sold and transported up into the frigid Artic Canada where dogs were needed to work the ever-popular Gold Rush. After a grueling train ride, and an even more violent training session with “the man in the red sweater,” Buck was transformed into a dog whose spirit could not be broken. This novel portrays Buck’s growing assent to popularity in Canada as well as his journey from domestic to wilderness. He pulls sleds for many different men and learns how to grow in the ranks until finally becoming the lead sled dog. But one group of owners is too stupid and mean and for the first time Buck refuses to pull the sled and is almost beaten to death. He is saved when John Thornton removes him from the horrible owners, which works out well because both John and Buck witness their awful fate. Finally, Buck has found a man he can love and hopes that this one will not leave him like all the others. His growing dedication to Thornton adds to the legend of Buck after defensive attacks, rescues and feats of strength make him a well-known name. Slowly Buck comes closer and closer to the wild side the more he is exposed to the natural arctic world. This is the remarkable story of a dog born into luxury and how he becomes the leader of a wolf pack.

I was not sure how much I would like this book once I found out it was about a dog. I was not sure what to expect. I was thinking it would be something akin to Disney’s animated 101 Dalmatians but it is much closer to the Glenn Close version of the film. The story is told in third person so you never fully get inside Buck’s head. Instead, you learn about Buck through his actions and through the dialogue of the human characters that come in and out of his life. I never felt like I was reading a silly story about an animal, I liked the presentation London offered. The story was told well and had a great plot with constant action that kept the adventure going.

This action and adventure story is perfect for younger readers who want to be proven wrong that books are boring. This book is definitely not boring. It holds an amount of action and violence to remain heart pounding, while still remaining appropriate for all ages. And don’t let the fact that the main character is a dog stop you from reading this book as it almost did me. You will still be invested and rooting for a character you can relate to, even if you don’t have four legs and are covered in fur.

“Read, read, read.”
- William Faulkner

Everything on a Waffle

Everything on a Waffle, by Polly Horvath

A Newberry Honor Book, Everything on a Waffle has some interesting characters and moments that will keep you reading as you learn about human nature and believing in something so deep even without reason.

The title of the first chapter, as well as other chapter titles, is not very cryptic as to the contents of this story and how it starts. During a large storm in Coal Harbour, British Columbia, Primrose Squarp’s parents are lost at sea. The whole town pitches in to take care of her until her roaming Uncle Jack finally settles down to take in his estranged niece and at the same time try and turn Coal Harbour into a tourist hotspot. The school guidance counselor, Miss Honeycut, becomes worried when Primrose refuses to acknowledge that her parents are dead. She is convinced beyond a doubt that her parents are still alive somewhere and trying to get to her. Everyone looks down on her for this, especially Miss Honeycut, whose main concern is actually getting closer to Uncle Jack. Miss Honeycut tries to separate the pair and succeeds after Primrose loses a toe and part of her finger in two separate incidents. (I did not spoil the plot; just read the Table of Contents.) Primrose finds a friend in the cook Miss Bowzer at the local Coal Harbour restaurant, The Girl on the Red Swing, where everything you order is also served on a waffle. Even though there are consequences for refusing to believe what everyone tells her and having faith that her parents are alive, Primrose remains true to herself throughout.

Although I understand where the title of this novel comes from, I am a little confused as to why it was chosen for that purpose. I’ll admit that the title was something that drew me to read the book, as well as the cover illustration by Gina Freschet, but I believe it to be something cute without having really anything to do with the plot. However, much of the novel is food driven, adding a hint of originality and creativity on the part of the author. Each chapter ends with a recipe, collected by Primrose and put into a recipe notebook originally started by her mother before she disappeared. These recipes are from food Primrose has come across personally as well as from funny anecdotes, such as the neighbor who was so obsessed with boiling the perfect potatoes that she didn’t have time to look after her children. This creative feature is just one of the reasons this book was enjoyable. Each different character was truly unique and had something special to teach Primrose about people and what they do in certain situations in which they find themselves.

I would recommend this book to its intended younger audience, but would also recommend this novel to readers that love interesting characters to study or to any reader obsessed and driven by food. Some interesting arguments can be made about the people and events in this book, but I will leave it up to you to form them yourself.

“To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.”
- Victor Hugo

The Funny Thing Is...

The Funny Thing Is…, by Ellen DeGeneres

I sat debating if not the greatest question ever asked, then certainly one what would cause the entire world to scratch its head. Do audio books count as books in respect to book reviews? Then I thought to myself, “Hey, this is my blog. I do what I want. You can't control me.” And with a sense of teenage rebellion, I stormed off and slammed my door behind me to write this review of Ellen DeGeneres’s audio book that I bought on iTunes.

I love this audio book. Each chapter is like a mini-stand-up routine that kept me laughing out loud the entire time. I had my headphones in during a car ride and my entire family was getting upset with my giggling. I think they were just jealous that they were not in on the joke. And since this audio book was read by the author, it’s like Ellen became my best friend and she just loves to tell me stories. “The Brunch Bunch” is a great opener when regulars Paula Abdul, Diane Sawyer, Gloria Steinem, Donatella Versace, Ed Begley Jr., and Eminem come over to Ellen’s for Sunday brunch, but some have to go to the kid’s table when Diane shows up with Siegfried or Roy, Ed brings Tara Lipinski, and Paula brings her drycleaner. One chapter has Ellen convincing you “why prison wouldn’t be so bad” while another gives tips on getting out of embarrassing situations (such as accidentally flicking off John Travolta). In this book Ellen meets God, talks to a butterfly about the meaning of life, and even tells you how to save money by turning old fruit into blush and lip gloss (beware of bees). She is simply hilarious.

Each chapter is simply a gem. And having Ellen talk directly to you is simply one of the best experiences. She is seriously one of the funniest people, and as it turns out, not a bad writer at all. Her insights are unique and there is a natural flow to her ideas that seems like a normal conversation of the most random topics possible.

I recommend this book and audio book to everyone. Unless you are the type of person who hates having a good time, cringes at the sound of laughter, and loathes anything to do with creating positive energy, then do not read this book. If you are a fun-loving human, go get this book or even better: the audio book.

“The reading of all good books is like conversation with the finest men of the past centuries.”
- Descartes

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney

A #1 New York Times Bestseller, I had to find out what this book was all about it. I had heard good things about it, but mainly all from the younger audience, and for good reason. Recently, I have been reviewing young adult novels that could be also enjoyed by someone older and/or has a more sophisticated taste for literature. This is not one of those books; kiddies, you can keep this one to yourselves. It is perfect for younger readers, but adults should be weary to expect too much. And since I assume no younger readers are checking out this book review blog, I can focus this review to you more "refined" readers.

Greg Heffley keeps a journal because it will make things easier for him when he is rich and famous. Instead of answering questions about his past from numerous reporters, all he will have to do is show them his journal and be on his way. Right from the start, Greg has dreams of becoming well known and popular. This may seem like a stretch since Greg figures himself to be 52nd or 53rd most popular and his best friend Rowley is “probably hovering right around the 150 mark.” Greg uses his diary to describe life in middle school, even though he has said, “Just don’t expect me to be all ‘Dear Diary’ this and ‘Dear diary’ that.” Lucky for us, without Greg’s entries we wouldn’t know what was going on with his plans. From Halloween pranks to the school play to wrestling to safety patrol to the newspaper comic strip, Greg is constantly trying to put himself out there and move up in the rankings. However, when Rowley gets the job as the newspaper cartoonist and starts to become more popular, Greg is jealous and things fall apart. By the end of the novel, Greg must find a way to fix the friendship strained by the social pressures of middle school.

Described as “a novel in cartoons,” I would classify Jeff Kinney’s work as a very wordy graphic novel for children. Greg’s words are only made more entertaining by the number of cartoons and doodles he adds to his daily entries. Since this novel is taking place over an entire school year, there are several different short storylines going on, all of which are mildly entertaining, but only few work to weave together an actual novel. It seems more like a collection of short stories instead. The novel starts with a plan to become popular this school year, but this plot line does not resurface until towards the very end of the novel. It’s like Greg went through his school year and then finally remembered his plan when there was only a month left of school. Again, these shorter segments are mildly entertaining (with much credit due to the cartoons), but that is not enough to save the novel as a whole. It did not flow well enough to be given the title of a novel. I would rather have read Greg’s tales as individual stories than try to weave them together on my own. Jeff Kinney’s novel is very successful, but I believe it is because it is perfect for younger readers who need shorter segments in order to remember and comprehend what is going on.

My previous young adult novels, I believe, can be read by any age, but Diary of a Wimpy Kid may only be enjoyable by younger readers for its formatting and type of humor. I can see how they would enjoy this book, and I totally understand why it would become a bestseller, but I would never tell another adult to read this book without the purpose of being able to relate better to the younger generation. Some parts were interesting, but in all, this is overwhelmingly a novel for young readers only. With the content and its use of cartoons, this would be the perfect book for a younger reader unexcited by books and reading to slowly adjust to love them.

(Brief Summary: Kids- enjoy it! Adults- give it a try, but beware.)

“The greatest gift is a passion for reading.”
- Elizabeth Hardwick

The Cay

The Cay, by Theodore Taylor

Seeing how many issues and conflicts can be brought up in such a short number of pages, I understand why so many middle school teachers love this young adult novel. From war to racism to learning how to care for yourself, this book has it all.

Phillip Enright is a normal boy except for the fact that his father got transferred to Willemstad, which is on the island of Curacao off the coast of Venezuela. He adjusted fine, learning Dutch to go to the regular school with other students his age. It is not until World War II is brought to their shores in the form of German submarines that his mother becomes more intent on returning to the United States. While leaving his father behind, Phillip and his mother board the Hato to return to the States. The trip is interrupted, however, when the ship gets attacked and Phillip wakes up in a raft out at sea with a seventy-year-old black man named Timothy, a stray cat and a large bump on his head. Thanks to his mother’s influence, Phillip was brought up not to trust black people, but this is something he must get over when his recent head injury causes him to go blind. Unable to see, Phillip must depend on a man he was brought up to hate in order to survive. Finally reaching an island in the middle of nowhere, Phillip must learn how to co-exist with Timothy who is totally different from him, learn how to do things by himself while blind, as well as try to get rescued and survive a hurricane.

Taylor is able to weave a compact novel that seems adventurous without being overly so. The plot keeps readers engaged as well as asks them to think about social issues. His use of dialogue can be distracting with Timothy’s Caribbean vernacular, but I never got lost in what the character was saying. Phillip was able to show true growth through Taylor’s work and after reading this, I feel like maybe I could survive on an island, too.

This was a quick read, but a good read. It may not be for anyone who does not like LOST, Gillian’s Island, Cast Away or Survivor, but it could be great for those thrill seekers who want more than just action sequences. With this book, they will get that.

“There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them.”
- Joseph Brodsky

Jaguar

Jaguar, by Roland Smith

As some of you know, I have been working with sixth graders all semester as part of my secondary teaching certification program. My students are starting a new themed unit called “the need to survive.” Some of these books sounded interesting, so I volunteered to take one home with me and see what it was all about. I took home Jaguar, and I am so happy I did. Simply amazing book!

Jacob “Jake” Lansa, after spending a year with his father in Kenya, is upset when he is left behind to live at his grandfather’s retirement home while Jake’s father, Doc, goes off to Brazil to start up a jaguar preserve. When Jake finally gets a chance to visit, he hopes to convince his father to let him stay in the Amazon instead of being sent back to Poughkeepsie, New York. After a violent accident, Doc has no choice but to let Jake come along if the jaguar preserve is going to be created. However, more danger seems to follow as they hire a suspicious boat driver and Jake believes a man with a scar is following the expedition. Jake is a valued member of the team, but has some difficulty trying to accept the fact that while his father was away in Brazil, he never tried to contact Jake, not even when Doc started to date a botanist named Flanna. Not only does Jake have family issues to deal with, but he also has to find a way to survive in the jungle and save the day when serious peril catches up with the group trying to set up a wildlife preserve.

Roland Smith is a research biologist as well as a children’s author. It is no wonder then that so much of his book is extremely detailed towards the environment of Brazil and what happens to the plants, animals and indigenous people when explorers come in search of resources. The characters are dynamic and the plot is captivating. I kept thinking to myself that I would love to see this as a movie. Even though it is intended for ages “10 and up” and has a fifth grade reading level, I really think anyone with a sense of adventure can love this book. It has mystery and excitement, all wrapped up in a brilliantly written plot where things intertwined perfectly throughout the novel. It is a very well thought out plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat while also educating readers about issues in Brazil and the rainforest.

I loved this book. It definitely fits into the adventure category and had me constantly turning pages to see what happens next. I did not feel like I was reading a young adult novel and therefore feel comfortable in recommending this book to everyone with eyes. I really want this to become a movie, just so more people know about it and because I think it would be good. I’d pay to see it.

“There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all.”
- Jacqueline Kennedy

I think it is also fitting to know that I read and completed this book on Earth Day. Ironic.

Review of Reviews

So here it is, the reason for the quotation marks with "weekly." I am no longer available to post a new entry every Monday because I have finally run out of books to review. From this point on I will review a book as soon as I have completed it, but right now I need to catch up on all of those books sitting untouched on my bookshelf.

Until then, here is a reminder of the book reviews I have completed so far during my "Between the Covers" book review blog project. Links will take you to the original review.

Running with Scissors, by Augusten Burroughs
What-the-Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy, by Gregory Maguire
Dry, by Augusten Burroughs
The Dante Club, by Matthew Pearl
Everything is Illuminated, by Jonathon Safran Foer
The Big House: A Century in the Life of an American Summer Home, by George Howe Colt
Diminished Capacity, by Sherwood Kiraly
Darkly Dreaming Dexter, by Jeff Lindsay
Dearly Devoted Dexter, by Jeff Lindsay
Dexter in the Dark, by Jeff Lindsay
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, by Jack Gantos
Up the Down Staircase, by Bel Kaufman
Portrait of an Unknown Woman, by Venora Bennett

Please go check out any book review you might have missed. Hopefully, at least some of you very few readers are inspired to read at least one of these books. There are some really good ones up there!

I'll be back when I have finished my latest book. Until then, maybe I'll mess around with the layout and colors for my blog. We'll see.


“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
- Dr. Seuss, "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!"

Portrait of an Unknown Woman

Portrait of an Unknown Woman, by Venora Bennett

This historical fiction is set during the time of Henry VIII, but reads like it should be an episode on The Tudors. An interesting tale about discovering those that surround you on a more deeper level, whether or like what you find or not, this is definitely a great book by a brilliant author.

Meg is an adoptive daughter of Sir Thomas More, and she is the steady narrator through such uneven times. Religion is changing for England and King Henry is planning to divorce his wife, even leave the church if necessary, in order to marry Anne Boelyn. From Meg's eyes readers get to see how the family is being affected in such hard times when she has a father who deals too harshly with heretics and a husband who keeps secrets from her. When a painter named Hans Holbein enters the family drama in order to do a simple family portrait, he stays tangled within the workings of the More family. He has a keen eye for detail that lets him learn more than most. His scenes are always interesting as readers see the character grow over the years to become a better painter and get more crafty at hiding secret meanings inside his paintings. There are many secrets in this novel, some to do with unwanted pregnancy, some to do with punishing heretics, and others to do with hidden identities that may end up ruining King Henry’s legitimacy to the crown. Meg surely has her struggles cut out for her with a painter in love with her, a father she loves but does not agree with, and a husband who may be the key to changing everything in these dark times.

Being historical fiction, this novel definitely stresses the fiction. Based on real characters and some real events, it must be remembered that the majority of these events did not happen, but oh would it be amazing if they did. Henry VIII and Sir Thomas More are real characters, as is the adoptive daughter Meg Clements, but who I was surprised to find as real was Hans Holbein. His scenes were my favorite when he is given the chance to narrate what is going on in his head, but most interestingly while painting. His thought process for a painting is fascinating because he is constantly trying to figure out ways to sneak hidden truths into them. I find this fascinating.

This is a good book, but just from my previous experience, I might say that more females will enjoy this book than males. There is stuff for males inside the novel, but the title, the cover and the time period might scare them away. I would definitely recommend this book, but only to a certain type of reader who is interested in this era or at least knows something about the time. Otherwise, I think a reader might find themselves lost, however, I only havea minimal knowledge and was able to do just fine.

“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” - Confucius

These paintings are actual works by Hans Holbein:

The Ambassadors:
Sir Thomas Moore (the portrait that brought Hans Holbein to the novel):
A gift for Meg (her portrait?):
The painting that inspired the novel:

Up the Down Staircase

Up the Down Staircase, by Bel Kaufman

Another trip down memory lane: fall play junior year of high school. This is the book that became a play as well as a movie. As a future secondary English Language Arts teacher, I might call it the Freedom Writers of its time, a true inspiration. Even if you aren’t headed towards a career in education, this book still has a lot to offer. I have owned two copies of this book in my lifetime, and both have been taken from me by fellow book lover friends and never returned.

“Hi, Teach!” Calvin Coolidge is a new environment for Miss Sylvia Barrett, who expects anything but the conditions she finds at this troubled school. Still full of high hopes, the committed and idealistic teacher tries to do her best in a building that is falling apart with students who don’t care about school. She continues to “fight the good fight” against what stands in the way of good teaching, everything from school bureaucracy and teacher relationships to the personal lives of the students. Sylvia tries to do her best to inspire and motivate a classroom of extremely diverse pupils, but finds it hard without the support of her administration and a department head that does not have enough copies of Romeo and Juliet so recommends Ivanhoe instead. The students have their own troubles without interacting with a teacher they do not yet believe legitimately cares for them: the rebel Joe Ferone, the dreamer Alice Blake, the class president Harry Kagan, and the class clown Lou Martin, just to name a few. Of course, the teachers are not immune to having their own problems, with one teacher who would rather be a writer, a school nurse who wants to help but is forbidden by rules, a librarian who wants to keep her books inside the library, and another English teacher who feels she has found a balance and offers Sylvia constant encouragement. With everything going on at Calvin Coolidge, Sylvia has some hard choices to make about how to deal with the environment, how to reach the students (if possible), and whether or not to seek out a new job. It is a funny and touching story with lessons for teachers, students, parents and anyone concerned with public education, or even those who aren’t.

I have never seen another book written like this. Instead of the normal format, Russian-born Bel Kaufman offers up something original. The majority of the novel is portrayed in various forms of written text: letters to an old friend, administrative memos, teacher-to-teacher communications, student essays, as well as comments from the suggestion box that came to impact the classroom the most. This format offers a means for the characters to speak for themselves in a way that simple dialogue cannot convey. I will admit that in the beginning the format makes it hard to keep student names straight, but there is a lot of white space on the page that makes the reader feel successful with the amount of page turning going on. It serves as a completely enjoyable quick read, while having the impact of a major canonical literary work. “Hi Pupe!”

This book is definitely in my top favorites. I can and am recommending this book to all types of readers, but I think for all current and future teachers, it is a mandatory piece.

“Every reader finds himself. The writer's work is merely a kind of optical instrument that makes it possible for the reader to discern what, without this book, he would perhaps never have seen in himself.”
- Marcel Proust

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, by Jack Gantos

I'm sorry; I just had to. I am teaching this book in a sixth grade class I have been working in as part of my education program this semester. To prepare, I just spent my Sunday afternoon reading it from front to cover. Previously, I had only read Chapter 3 "Handful" when I adapted it to become my ribbon-winning (sometimes) Dramatic Interpretation piece for the Detroit Catholic Forensics League competitions during my senior year of high school. Finally having the chance to read the whole thing, I can tell you: it is a joy.

Joey Pigza is "wired." Due to his hyperactivity, he is not following the rules, never paying attention and constantly bouncing off the walls. His medications are supposed to help control this problem, but they aren't always reliable and tend to wear off. He has had these issues ever since he was born, just like his grandmother who raised him and his father who left him. When his mother returns one summer, things start to change. His mother is more loving and tends not to shut him in the refrigerator, but Joey's hyperactivity remains. In class, it becomes a serious problem as the teachers and administrators are constantly threatening to send Joey to the special-ed center downtown. Deep down, Joey knows he is a good boy at heart, but he can't always control himself. Separate incidents involving a pencil sharpener, swallowing his house key, a field trip to Amish town, and a pair of scissors gets Joey in too much trouble for him or his recently returned mother to handle. Joey tries his hardest to do the right thing, but something always seems to go wrong.

Just reading Chapter 3 was really not enough to enjoy Jack Gantos's writing from the point of view of a young boy with hyperactivity. The narration makes you totally fall for this kid and feel what he feels. Some parts just break your heart while others tend to lift your soul. Following Joey on this journey of trying to deal with his hyperactivity and medications that don't always work the way they should is brilliantly done by Gantos's style. You will definitely fall for Joey and understand the hard conditions that I am sure many young other students are trying to deal with as they grow up, both internal and external.

Even though this is a book for young adults, I believe it has something to offer for a reader of any age. I can't wait to see how my reading activity goes with this novel.

“We read to know we are not alone.”
- C.S. Lewis

Dexter in the Dark

Dexter in the Dark, by Jeff Lindsay

Third in the series, Jeff Lindsay always has something for Dexter up his sleeve, but this time it almost becomes too much for one of my favorite characters to handle.

Dexter Morgan, forensic analyst for the Miami Police Department, has a secret that only a few know about. And the only reason they know is because this secret helped save their lives at one time or another. Dexter Morgan is a serial killer. But don’t worry, he’s not out to get you; that is, as long as you aren’t a dangerous criminal yourself. Thanks to his cop foster father, Dexter has been trained to seek out and kill only the bad guys that the police can’t put away on their own. Can’t get a warrant? No problem, Dexter doesn’t need one once he’s sure he has found his guy. With the help of his inner voice, the “Dark Passenger,” Dexter is smart, meticulous, and unstoppable. However, upon arrival at a new crime scene, his “Dark Passenger” is scared off and Dexter is left alone. Dexter finds it difficult to work without his inner-voice giving him serial killer tips to help him out. And if it weren’t hard enough for this killer with a conscience, Dexter must also try to plan his upcoming wedding to girlfriend Rita, and deal with his soon to be step-children, Cody and Astor, that appear to have the same type of “inner shadow” as Dexter. On top of his regular life, trying to look normal, the now vulnerable Dexter must try to solve this new case with his foul-mouthed cop sister Deborah and without the “Dark Passenger.” It just keeps getting better when Cody and Astor get involved and possibly become the next victims of a new voice that shares the narration while stalking our Dexter.

The plot is exactly what you’ve come to expect from Jeff Lindsay: creative, engaging, and always intelligent. The style of writing, however, has changed somewhat in this novel. For starters, Dexter is not the only narrator. He is still our favorite, darkly comic voice, but he must now share time with two other narrators that do not compare to what readers have been used to. There is the new watchman figure, always on the periphery, identity unknown to the readers until the end. In addition, there is a type of third person narrator that has its own sections in italics. These sections seem interesting because they start to describe the origins of where Dexter’s “Dark Passenger” might come from, and whether or not there are others like him with the same passengers. Yet, these sections seem too repetitive and take away from the voice we really want to be hearing: Dexter’s. Jeff Lindsay still has his amazing writing talent; I just think his attempt at trying some new things is something we as readers could probably do without. When you strike oil with a narrator like Dexter Morgan, stop drilling.

I would still say that nothing compares to Jeff Lindsay’s first novel in the series, Darkly Dreaming Dexter, but once you start reading, you will not be able to stop. This is in major part to Jeff Lindsay, but I also like to think it is because of the characters themselves, even if they only seem real in my head. This is a definite series to have on your reading list.

“The ability to read awoke inside me some long dormant craving to be mentally alive.”
- Autobiography of Malcolm X, 1964

Dearly Devoted Dexter

Dearly Devoted Dexter, by Jeff Lindsay

The lovable serial killer with a conscience is back after his latest adventure. Dexter must try and stay out of the radar after Darkly Dreaming Dexter, but this may prove harder than expected.

When the ice truck killer from the last novel inserted Dexter and those around him into the fray, Dexter briefly comes into the spotlight after his previous life of lurking in the shadows. The already suspicious Sergeant Doakes seems even surer now that Dexter is a creep in need of supervision and takes it upon himself to survey the lab rat specializing in blood spatter analysis for the Miami Police Department. Doakes may have his suspicions, but Dexter is not going to let the sergeant find out what homicidal extra-curricular activities he’s been up to. Dexter Morgan is pushed even farther into his human disguise by spending time with his girlfriend Rita and her two kids. But when an ex-military psycho killer from Doakes’ past starts acting up in Miami, Dexter must come out of hiding to track him down with his cop sister Deborah and her new FBI boyfriend. This ex-military doctor kidnaps other former military figures, like Doakes, and mutilates the bodies in a “reverse-hangman” type fashion until very little of their original bodies are left. Will Dexter’s fascination with this new villain allow him to continue his search when Doakes becomes the next target? Or will Dexter let the crazed doctor take away the only person who suspects Dexter is anything but a genuine guy?

Jeff Lindsay has put out another fantastic piece of writing from the point of view of our favorite serial killer. Dexter’s unique narration offers hilarious comments from an exceptional personality of someone faking his way through everyday life. The other police characters are back as well as some new characters for the new case. All are brilliantly combined with a thrilling plot that makes even the most gruesome acts enjoyable.

I will give the same recommendation for this novel because I am a big fan of this book series for its constant originality in a popular genre where that rarely seems to be the case. You don’t have to be a gore lover to read this series, because in fact there is very little. Read the series for its unique point of view from the darkly comic main character in which everyone is sure to take pleasure.

“Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.”
- Mary Schmich

Darkly Dreaming Dexter

Darkly Dreaming Dexter, by Jeff Lindsay

The basis for Showtime’s Emmy nominated “Dexter,” that just previously finished its third season, is this wonderfully original series by Jeff Lindsay. You’ve seen cat-and-mouse mystery thrillers before, but none like this from a truly unique point of view.

Dexter Morgan, a blood-splatter forensic analyst for the Miami police department, goes above and beyond to catch the bad guy. If there is not enough evidence to catch the murderer and put him behind bars for good, Dexter takes care of it himself. However, Dexter’s secret is not that he is a superhero; Dexter Morgan is a serial killer. Here’s the catch, he only kills the bad guys. He fakes a normal life with his girlfriend Rita and his cop sister Deborah, but things become more complicated when a series of murders start to mimic Dexter’s method. As a child, Dexter was found on a brutal crime scene where his mother was murdered. The officer on scene, Harry, became Dexter’s foster father, but it wasn’t long before Harry started to see the beginnings of Dexter’s dark side. Instead of kicking that badness out, Harry trained Dexter to have a conscience and only get those that the law could not get by itself. He was also trained to never get caught. When this new series of murders seems to be sending messages directly to Dexter that only he can see, it seems that someone might know what Dexter does as a hobby. But with Harry dead who could possibly know besides Dexter? Could it be that Dexter’s training and wiring has blown and he no longer only kills bad guys and just doesn’t know it yet? He better find out quickly when those close to him start becoming targets. The only way to do this is to figure out more about his past before Harry found him at the crime scene and confront that buried past.

In his first book to the series, Jeff Lindsay brilliantly introduces a new point of view that has rarely been seen in literature, that of the serial killer mastermind. He makes it easy to fall for the killer even though Dexter is emotionless and fakes everything to the real world. There is also a fine bunch of characters to interact with in this way, his girlfriend Rita who might be as damaged as him, his foster-sister Deborah desperately trying to move from vice to homicide, a perverted lab forensic lab partner, a female lieutenant constantly flirting with him, and a Sergeant Doakes who may be the only one that suspects Dexter is more than what he seems. The fantastic way Lindsay gets his readers into the head of this serial killer is more than enough to make you enthusiastic for the rest of his series. And the fact that the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat constantly, and each new clever step blows your mind, will keep you flipping through the pages so fast you are in danger of a paper cut.

I would strongly recommend this book as well as Season One of Showtime’s “Dexter” that follows the same plotline. I am a big fan of this book series for its constant originality in a popular genre where that rarely seems the case.

“It is not true we have only one life to love, if we can read, we can live as many lives and as many kinds of lives as we wish.”
- S.I. Hayakawa