false 57 337 333 true 5633982 read 1 true 3357309 currently-reading 3 true 3357308 to-read 49 false 3453285 adult-historical-fiction 48 false 3453270 childrens-fantasy 40 false 3453342 adult-romance 25 false 3427637 childrens-historical-fiction 20 false 3453394 adult-realistic-fiction 19 false 3453282 childrens-adventure 19 false 3599872 adult--law 17 false 3453413 childrens-realistic-fiction 17 false 3453277 childrens-scifi 17 false 3405628 all-time-favorites 15 false 3453362 adult-adventure 15 false 4525879 childrens-black-comedy 14 false 3649269 non-fiction- 12 false 4797372 2010-beehive-nominee 9 false 3453286 adult-fantasy 7 false 3453395 childrens-mystery 6 false 3453331 adult--light-humor 5 false 3685665 adult--suspense 5 false 3585214 biography 4 false 3453212 childrens-picture-book 4 false 7094359 animals 4 false 4684054 childrens-classic 3 false 3941360 religion 3 false 3453396 adult-mystery 2 false 4477460 adult-christmas 2 false 7071978 childrens-graphic 2 false 4519475 childrens-suspense 2 false 3684219 travel 2 false 4540028 adult--classic 2 false 5181658 childrens--horror 1 false 3684214 humanitarian 1 false 3684215 death 1 false 3453393 adult-scifi 1 false 3684195 sports 1 false 4872877 childrens--sports 1 false 7186929 young-adult--realistic 0 false 3453315 childrens-christmas http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78862415 South of Broad (Hardcover) by Pat Conroy
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78844582 to: Cookie (Hardcover) by Jacqueline Wilson
bookshelves: childrens-realistic-fiction
Beauty is a smart young girl who is not beautiful. She is very self-conscience about her looks and is teased at school for her name and has several nicknames, but the most cruel one is "Ugly." At school she must deal with these bullies, and a girl who wants to be her BFF but is afraid to. At home Beauty has additional problems. Her mother is gorgeous and supportive of Beauty but the father is extremely verbally abusive, and often physically abusive as well. The book talks about Beauty's ways of coping with her pressures, her dad's plans of an embarrassing birthday celebration, and her mom's idea of changing Beauty's nickname from "Ugly" to "Cookie." This was a difficult book for me to read because it hit home in many ways for me and I felt it was very accurate in describing Beauty's feelings. I wasn't sure if it would appeal to elementary girls, but I did a book talk on it and every girl in the class wanted to read it. This isn't a story about a girl who is abused. It is a story about a girl and her mother who learn to stand up for themselves. It is told with sensitivity and has several humorous moments as well. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78629087 to: The Cage (Mass Market Paperback) by Ruth Minsky Sender
bookshelves: biography, non-fiction-
This is a small book about a young girl's survival in the Polish Ghetto in 1939, transfer to Auschwitz, and details of her inhumane hardships.
Although this was a touching book, I am only giving it 3 stars because I think there are better written accounts of the holocaust, others I would recommend more highly. At around 250 pages perhaps it could have been more encompassing. It seemed to barely scratch the surface of so many lifechanging, history changing,circumstances and feelings. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77426081 to: The Tipping Point (Paperback) by Malcolm Gladwell
bookshelves: non-fiction-
This is a book that explans the importance of word of mouth communication, epidemics and immunities. I love the concepts and the intersting story-telling way Gladwell has of explaning his theories. What he had to say made a lot of sense to me. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77963594 to: Julian Rodriguez Episode Two: Invasion of the Relatives (Paperback) by Alexander Stadler
bookshelves: childrens-graphic
Julian Rodriguez, first officer, disguised as an 8 year old boy, reports to the Mothership on the bizarre behaviour of Earthlings during festivites.
This is a combination of a graphic novel and an easy chapter book. I found the story clever and very funny. The graphics were not as good as the first book. Although the concept is great for the intended age reader, I am wondering if the vocabulary is too difficult, "unhygenic, breached, subterranran containment facility",etc. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77464639 to: Jenny of the Tetons (Great Episodes) by Kristiana Gregory
bookshelves: childrens-historical-fiction
Based on the true story of "Beaver Dick" Leigh, explorer guide in the Teton region of Wyoming, and his Shoshone wife, Jenny. Lakes at the base of the Tetons are named after them. Their life has been chronicled through letters and a journal that Beaver Dick kept. This book adds a fictional character, 15 year old Carrie Hill, who comes to live with Jenny and her family after her own family is killed by Indians. At only 164 pages I read this all in one setting. I wished it had more, but it moved from one adventure to another, some funny and others tragic. I don't think it is elementary appropriate but others might. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76896145 to: Al Capone Shines My Shoes (Hardcover) by Gennifer Choldenko
bookshelves: childrens-historical-fiction
A great sequel to AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS. I liked this one as well as the first. It had more adventure, more interaction with the Alcatraz prisoners, more prejudice- meaning Natalie played an even larger role. There were also some new struggles, boyfriend/girlfriend, friend betrayal, and how to forgive. Very clever, interesting series told with humor and sensitivity. Highly recommend. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/75209015 to: Al Capone Does My Shirts (Paperback) by Gennifer Choldenko
bookshelves: childrens-historical-fiction
I totally loved this book. It takes place in 1935 on Alcatraz Island. 12 year old Moose's father is a guard and electrician at the prison. Despite the Warden's stern rules, his daughter, Piper concocts various escapades to come in contact with the most famous convict, Al Capone. The heart of the story is Moose's family, especially his older sister, Natalie, who is autistic and the interaction of Natalie with the rest of the family and people who live on the Island. Complex issues, handled with dignity and charm. This is a fun, interesting read. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/75362067 These Is My Words (Paperback) by Nancy E. Turner
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/75208402 to: The Magic Thief: Lost (Magic Thief) by Sarah Prineas
bookshelves: childrens-fantasy
This was a great sequel to THE MAGIC THIEF: STOLEN. The characters are well defined and likeable and the plot moves along quickly. ]]>