false 10 86 86 true 5747994 read 0 true 5557623 currently-reading 0 true 5557622 to-read 28 false 5752585 fiction 22 false 5757831 cathy 18 false 5754341 childrens-teen 17 false 5753428 classic-literature 10 false 5754439 childrens-juv-novels 7 false 5754460 nonfiction 7 false 5756918 valerie 5 false 5759792 childrens-picture 5 false 5753025 julie 3 false 5753244 alice 2 false 5758476 nancy 2 false 5757663 mary-lee 1 false 5759837 becky 1 false 5754578 poetry http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/67509085 to: Bone China (Hardcover) by Roma Tearne
bookshelves: alice, fiction
The decades long post-Empire politico-ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka provides the backdrop for this family saga. Having lost the family estate, Grace and Aloysius Da Silva move to Colombo to raise their five children in fading upper-class style. As life becomes more difficult for ethnic Tamils, some of the Da Silva children emigrate to Great Britain to start new lives. The many characters are all clearly and distinctly drawn as are their relationships. And though events often don't work out as family members hope, both in England and back in Sri Lanka, the lives of the Da Silvas reflect the changes in the post-Imperial world that make returning to their roots impossible. Like Lahiri's The Namesake, this novel deftly and movingly describes the immigrant experience. Recommended.-Alice ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/67508716 to: When You Reach Me (Hardcover) by Rebecca Stead
bookshelves: childrens-juv-novels, nancy
This book opens with the following quote: “The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious – Albert Einstein.” Miranda lives in New York City. Her very ordinary life revolves around neighborhood, family, school, and the normal sixth-grade friendship issues. But the beautiful and mysterious is there, too. She just has to learn where and how to look. And the reader has to learn with her – you won’t want to put it down until you’ve read it….twice. - Nancy ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/67508494 to: The Invisible Mountain (Hardcover) by Carolina De Robertis
bookshelves: alice, fiction
As seen from the eyes of three generations of Firielli women, this novel is an elegy to Uruguay and its sometimes turbulent 20th century history. But it is primarily the story of a family. First Pajarita, then Eva, then Salome in turn retain a strong sense of self while forging unbreakable connections with each other despite the slings and arrows in their lives. The narrative is both straightforward and lyrical, and the descriptions are treats for the senses. I loved the characters and recommend this book to those who like historical novels, especially family sagas. -- Alice ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/67508320 to: After the Fire, a Still Small Voice: A Novel (Hardcover) by Evie Wyld
bookshelves: alice, fiction
I can't believe a story this good and this well-written didn't make it to the Man Booker long list. Two apparently separate story lines gradually converge in a tough and gritty tale of the legacies of war in an Australian family. Leon's father never recovered from his Korean War experience, presaging Leon's own struggles after fighting in the Vietnam War. In an alternating story line that takes place in the very recent past, Frank attempts to find himself and start a new life in his grandparents' rustic cabin on the coast after breaking up with his girlfriend. Wyld does a remarkable job getting into the heads and beer mugs of her characters, presenting them with compassion and warts and making them totally believable. Great writing! Highly recommended. --Alice ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/67508168 to: Front and Center (Hardcover) by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
bookshelves: cathy, childrens-teen
You know when a good friend moves away and then they're back in town and you have lunch with them and you remember all the fun you used to have? That's just how Front and Center was for me! I loved catching up with D.J and her family again as D.J. begins to consider her college basketball options. All the familiar characters show up, as well as some new ones. It’s a satisfying conclusion to a delightful trilogy that can also be read as a stand-alone novel. For grades 7 and up.
-Cathy ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/67507968 to: Truckery Rhymes (Hardcover) by Jon Scieszka
bookshelves: cathy, childrens-picture
Jon Scieszka brings his magic to nursery rhymes again, adapting them to the characters of his TruckTown series. From “Peter, Peter, Payload Eater” to “Wrecker Rosie Sat on a Wall,” this picture book brings new twists to old favorites. Perfect for preschoolers through first graders, who will all pull different lessons from this very funny book.
-Cathy ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/67507594 to: The Unfinished Angel (Hardcover) by Sharon Creech
bookshelves: cathy, childrens-juv-novels
A little angel has lived in an ancient stone tower of Casa Rosa as long as she can remember. When Zola – an American girl who dresses in amazing colors – arrives in the village along with her father, who wants to start a school in the area, the angel has more on her hands than she could imagine. Zola constantly asks questions and wants the angel to fix everything that seems to be wrong. It’s another delightful story about community and belonging brought to us seemingly effortlessly by Sharon Creech. For grades 4 and up.-Cathy ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/67507381 to: Sloppy Joe (Hardcover) by Dave Keane
bookshelves: cathy, childrens-picture
Sloppy Joe is really, really sloppy. He leaves food under his bed and can never find his socks. One day, he decides to become Neat Joe, with predictably hilarious results. In the end, he realizes his family loves him just the way he is. Students will immediately recognize Denise Brunkus' illustrations, as she's illustrated all the Junie B. Jones books. A very fun book to share! For ages 4 and up.-Cathy ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/67506906 to: Shadow (Hardcover) by Jenny Moss
bookshelves: cathy, childrens-juv-novels
Shadow has never lived for herself; her job has always been to bear witness to the young queen’s life. In turn belittled and ignored by the palace staff, she’s horrified when one day she awakes to find the queen dead. Suddenly, Shadow is on the run with the queen’s suitor and nothing – and no one – is what it seems. A worthwhile read with a fascinating mythology. For grades 5 and up. -Cathy ]]>