Anna's comments
(member since Aug 01, 2008)
Anna's comments from the YA Book Club group.
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They are older, but have you read the Caroline Cooney books? The eries begins with The Face on the Milk Carton.
The Hunger Games and Catching Fire--it is wonderful to raid the bookshelf of my daughter :)
It is definitely easy reading, but the Pretty Little Liars. If you live in a suburb, you can easily relate to the sarcasm.
Not sure if it was abandonment or more like that they considered her at an age to raise herself. Sadly Grace's parents are not that unusual from many parents who consider the parents needs first. In the "olden" days AKA my childhood parents were also busy (work, divorce, substance abuse), but the grandparents/aunts/uncles etc were also in the vicinity so you were raised by a tribe. Sam's parents? Were they any different than parents that can't handle a child that doesn't meet the parents' standards be it religious beliefs, sexual orientation, etc?
For me Evermore--beautiful scenery and also vibrant characters. Actually could be a TV series.
I liked how each chapter references a different temperature to indicate the story moving forward in time.
I also liked Carol--she overcame her demons so she could help Kaeleigh.
Ellen: do you think the Kristina books can be read by middle schoolers?
The mom was my least favorite--even if she was running away from reality she is still the adult (and parent).
Have you read books that discuss similar topics?
I do think money can lead to plea bargains and avoidance of accountability. For me I had a hard time with the book--not the writing style, but the parents. It is probably because I witness it on a daily basis (not the abuse, but parenting via text message).
I am reading Shiver and hopefully City of Bones (YA). Also reading The Invisible Circus.
and Scat
What age group would you recommend her books? I think it is a little too dark for middle school. I also read Keesha's House by Helen Frost which is in the same format. It deals with struggling teens, but ends with optimism.
I agree that the dysfunctionality (sex abuse leading to her substance issues and promiscuity) seems realistic. The mom neglecting her (despite him killing the other sister and continued alcoholism) for her own ambitions seemed unrealistic. Also it seems like he would have had to have random drug screens after the accident, but he continued drinking. Do you think the mom would have stayed with him? Do you think she knew about the molestation?
I just got Shiver tonight (I was on the wait list for 2 months).
This is the first one--are the others written in poetry format?
Love your definition Maxi! Do you attend a small school so the friends have been the same? My daughter is a 7th grader, but has switched schools and has several friends who have moved out of state so her group is constantly changing. She tends to switch groups depending on the sports season too. Due to all the changes I am not sure who she considers "family"--it was interesting she made a locker collage today and she had pics of her 5th grade friends, 6th grade friends; winter bball team; camp friends; and mom/dad/cousins/cat. Many of the friends live in different states now, but she must still think about them as she went to the trouble of printing the pics for the collage.
Does she write sequels? At the end Nate was returning to the U and Ruby was also going to attend the U so perhaps she would pick up that storyline.
Do you think it is harder to make that "family" connection with friends you make post-HS/college? The oldest ones were with you at the time of all your "firsts" so sometimes for me it is harder to connect with folks not knowing all of their past what shaped their personality. For instance I have a friend who I found out 5 years into our frienship that she and her husband were held at gunpoint during a robbery attempt during the first year of marriage. It wouldn't be something that you would just mention in casual conversation, but it helped understand the sacredness of their relationship.
Do you think both Cora and Ruby disliked Blake due to the shared experience with their mom?
