Amber Appleton is the princess of hope - she's super involved in tons of community service projects, and she bounces through life with a song in her heart and a smile on her lips. Which is why nobody has figured out yet that she and her mom are homeless (living on a school bus), and that things aren't so rosy in Amber's home life.
In typical Matthew Quick style, this is a fun book full of slang and trendy teen talk. He's a master at getting you inside the head of his fully-formed characters, and Amber's a real prize. While she's doing her best and pulling out all the stops, she's also just as flawed and mis-directed as the rest of us.
Additionally, this book is chock full of other fantastic people: the misfit band of boys with whom Amber hangs, her English-as-a-second-language learners (aka The Korean Divas for Christ), and all the old folks at the Methodist home gathering for her weekly verbal smackdown with a hundred-year-old pessimist, just to name a few.
I loved this book - but then, I haven't read a bad Matthew Quick book yet. Highly recommended.
Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Thursday, September 18, 2014
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
One day recent retiree Harold Fry walks down to the mailbox to post a letter. The walk feels so good he decides to wait 'til he reaches the next letter box - then the next, and the next. Suddenly, the letter he was going to send seems insubstantial; his message requires more. Next thing you know, Harold has decided to walk the length of England. Immediately. With no planning. In yachting shoes.
The book follow's Harold's walk and his mindframe; the time alone and the exertion on his unprepared body wreak havoc with his mental state. Will he make it? Why in the heck is he doing this? And why can't he and Maureen just TALK to one another!?
It's a lovely book full of ups, downs, and good intentions. Harold may be a little loony, but his heart is in the right place. You'll want to find out how this walk ends.
The book follow's Harold's walk and his mindframe; the time alone and the exertion on his unprepared body wreak havoc with his mental state. Will he make it? Why in the heck is he doing this? And why can't he and Maureen just TALK to one another!?
It's a lovely book full of ups, downs, and good intentions. Harold may be a little loony, but his heart is in the right place. You'll want to find out how this walk ends.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Rose Under Fire
by Elizabeth Wein
The sequel to Code Name Verity is an equally compelling, wrenching account of World War II. This time the prisoner we get to know is in a concentration camp. As tough as it seemed Verity's battles were, Rose experiences and sees even worse. Although this is a work of fiction, Wein has managed to continue the pleas of so many of the victims: "Tell the world." This is only a sliver of insight into what happened to so very many people.
Rose is a young ferry pilot from the USA. By the standards of that war, she should never have been flying within range of the enemy. Upon finding herself a prisoner of war, she follows instructions from the one English speaker she meets in order to be treated as humanely as possible. As expected, translations, and huge masses of individuals simply create havoc which change her circumstances exponentially.
Throughout her horrific explanations, the reader sees glimpses of hope. Rose's memories of home, her boyfriend, and her primarily up-to-date account of the war give other prisoners something to cling to. The sense of community and family many of them create give Rose opportunities to find strength when her own suffering threatens to overwhelm.
The sequel to Code Name Verity is an equally compelling, wrenching account of World War II. This time the prisoner we get to know is in a concentration camp. As tough as it seemed Verity's battles were, Rose experiences and sees even worse. Although this is a work of fiction, Wein has managed to continue the pleas of so many of the victims: "Tell the world." This is only a sliver of insight into what happened to so very many people.
Rose is a young ferry pilot from the USA. By the standards of that war, she should never have been flying within range of the enemy. Upon finding herself a prisoner of war, she follows instructions from the one English speaker she meets in order to be treated as humanely as possible. As expected, translations, and huge masses of individuals simply create havoc which change her circumstances exponentially.
Throughout her horrific explanations, the reader sees glimpses of hope. Rose's memories of home, her boyfriend, and her primarily up-to-date account of the war give other prisoners something to cling to. The sense of community and family many of them create give Rose opportunities to find strength when her own suffering threatens to overwhelm.
Monday, June 18, 2012
The fantastic flying books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
by William Joyce
This title should be required reading for every library employee, everywhere. It encompasses the myriad feelings we experience on a daily basis when surrounded by stories. I love the idea that books get mixed up because they are tired of their own stories and want to be around a different type. The metaphor for life is exceptionally well done. The story was previously done as a short film that won an Academy Award in 2012. The story behind the book is as extraordinary as the one upon the pages.
This title should be required reading for every library employee, everywhere. It encompasses the myriad feelings we experience on a daily basis when surrounded by stories. I love the idea that books get mixed up because they are tired of their own stories and want to be around a different type. The metaphor for life is exceptionally well done. The story was previously done as a short film that won an Academy Award in 2012. The story behind the book is as extraordinary as the one upon the pages.
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