Hahn's books were some of my favorites when I was in elementary school, so I picked this one up at the book fair to see if it lived up to her books fr...moreHahn's books were some of my favorites when I was in elementary school, so I picked this one up at the book fair to see if it lived up to her books from the late 80's and 90's. I felt it took a bit too long to get to the good and spooky stuff, some of my students might have given up on it early...but that would be a shame, because it really had it's moments that even gave me the shivers (but in a good way). The watery cover and dark imaginary relating the lake is enough to make me wonder what might be underneath me next time I go for a swim.(less)
It was....okay. Not as wonderful as I had been hearing. The concept of course was right up my alley, but with opening that gave too much of the story ...moreIt was....okay. Not as wonderful as I had been hearing. The concept of course was right up my alley, but with opening that gave too much of the story away before we even met the main character....I felt annoyed. Poor Kate is lied by everyone who claims to care about her, throughout this whole book, and she's not angry at all because she's just perfect? Or maybe not that bright? I haven't decided, but it bugged me. Also, really big plot point//spoiler here....who sells themselves to a random stranger so their mom can live a few weeks longer?? If I am going to marry some random, but hot guy, my mom better live longer than a Few weeks or months, I want years man, in writing, no loop holes. What the heck? I know she wanted time to say goodbye....but really? I really wanted to like you book, Henry had promise even Kate did but it was all very...not right. (less)
Right so maybe I am the odd ball here, but I liked this much more than, "Before I Fall" (please don't shoot me.) "Before I fall had a g...moreRight so maybe I am the odd ball here, but I liked this much more than, "Before I Fall" (please don't shoot me.) "Before I fall had a great concept that I loved, but I am not a realistic fiction type of girl...and okay, so reliving a day over and over a la Groundhogs day isn't really realistic, the modern realistic teen girl setting is what I didn't relate to. "Delirium" takes an very cool concept hook and goes a step further into full blown dystopia. Wheeee! Yeah this is the new trend, I don't care, I've been a "OOOH LETS READ ABOUT THE SCARRRRYY FUTURE THAT ACTUALLY COULD HAPPEN WHICH MAKES IT SCARIER, OOOOH" reader since "Brave New World" and "Fahrenheit 451" were my high school reads back in the day. I like this trend, this trend can stay around replace the fluffy paranormals, please and thank you.
I am having issues typing up an ACTUAL review because someone is blaring the TV (Jerry Springer is still on TV?) next to me. But I will say this read was comparable to "Matched." Both of them were interesting, imaginative and had some really interesting themes. I think "Matched" may have more "bite" or I did until the very end of "Delirum" from what Lena finds in the crypts on....until that point the book was mostly interesting, then it pulled out all the stops and became an adventure.
I say this one is a solid 3.5, interested in seeing what happens next. (less)
That was...different. Not in a bad way though, just different. Nice to see a male main character, nice to see things from the "monster's" po...moreThat was...different. Not in a bad way though, just different. Nice to see a male main character, nice to see things from the "monster's" point of view. True, there are lots of paranormal YA books were the main character finds out they are actually not human, I love that Mackie knew this from the start but just tried to find a way to live his life.(less)
Picked this one up from the local library truthfully because of the title...lol I really like the poem ;) I also love folktale based stories, though I...morePicked this one up from the local library truthfully because of the title...lol I really like the poem ;) I also love folktale based stories, though Irish Mythology is not something I know too much about...it was a fun, adventure...a bit confusing read very quickly....a bit of a Iron King sort of vibe for anyone who loved a good traveling through magical lands inhabited by monsters looking for lost family members type of book. A solid YA fantasy. (less)
I love "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" as do my students (I work in two k-5 libraries) so when my ALA going friend offered to send me the ARC...moreI love "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" as do my students (I work in two k-5 libraries) so when my ALA going friend offered to send me the ARC of Brian Selznick's new work "Wonderstruck" I really was excited, and rightfully so, this book truly is a wonder!
It is similar to Hugo in that it is half yet and half graphic novel, but in this book the switching between graphics and text is very structured. Ben's story from 1977 was in text, while Rose's sections of the story are pictorial and set in 1927. Ben's story was engaging because it read as both an adventure and a mystery, I'm the type of person who would love to find herself living in a museum or a library.
You would think that Ben's story would be more detailed, that a reader would connect to him more as a character due to the opportunities text stories give for explanations, dialogue and character study, but following Rose's adventures in New York city was just as accessible. Selznick's detailed pictures are a visually treat to view, a wonder box itself, but it's the expressions of characters and the moments he choses to focus your attention on ( often done by showing a close up and expanding the view out to show more elements) that give you insight into Deaf Culture and the loneliness that comes from feeling like you don't have a place in the world.
I actually think my students will enjoy this as much Hugo, maybe even more because it is more accessible for them based on subject matter. Hugo looked flippin' cool, that's why they love it, not because they understand French cinema and automations.
This is a story that they can connect with more personally - filled with the excitement and wonder of a field trip to a world class museum and the heart and emotion of a Hallmark movie lol yeah I cried, I'm a sap like that ;)(less)
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