Jumping the Scratch by Sarah Weeks

  3.5 Stars – A book that needed to be written

Jamie’s life has been turned upside down.  His father left his family with barely a word goodbye.  He left the home he loved to live in a run-down, singlewide trailer with an aunt whom needs constant supervision due to a head injury.  To make matters worse, he was liked and accepted at his last school.  Now he’s the target of the school bully. 

Jamie wants nothing more than to forget his life, his past, and even his current situation at home and school.  The last person on earth he ever expected to help him was Audrey Krouch.  Audrey – a girl who wears weird clothes and  glasses on her face with no lens.  What Audrey uncovers is a deeply hidden, dark secret- one that Jamie has kept to himself for over a year.   Only until the secret is revealed,  is Jamie finally able to move forward.

I like the author of this novel – Sarah Weeks.  The novel she wrote on last year’s SCJBA list, So B. It was not one of my favorites.  Jumping the Scratch is also not one of my favorite novels on this list, either.  So, what do I like about her?  Her novels often center on conflicts that are uncommon, and ones that teens deal with BUT NOONE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT.    She handles it in a sensitive manner – but also does not downplay the impact these problems have on a young person’s life.  Sarah Weeks makes you want to turn the pages and keep reading.  Another bonus about her writing is that it gets to the point.  The plot moves along quickly, and   she   does   not   drag   things   out.  So, if you find that long novels lose your interest, and/or you are in a place in your life that’s not so great (as everyone is at times), give Jumping the Scratch a try.

3.5 Stars

Lise’s world is turned upside down when her mother is seriously injured in a car accident.  Unable to afford their home or return to work, Lise’s mother decides to move the family back to her childhood home in Maine.  Living on the beach for the summer doesn’t seem so bad at first, but the reality that Lise faces is nothing like what she imagines.  Her mother used to be happy, energetic, and fun.  Now Lise feels as if she has become the parent.  Her mother is quiet and withdrawn – often daydreaming about another time and another world that Lise is not a part of. 

The beach house is a worn down tiny shack that doesn’t even have a TV, and the crystal blue ocean is actually bone-piercing cold and impossible to swim in, even in the hottest weather.  Lise has left her best friends behind and finds that none of the popular, cool kids her age live anywhere close to where they’re staying.

Lise has a hard time accepting her situation but does her best to take care of her little brother, Free (who does not speak) and her injured mother despite her unhappiness.  Just when she begins to feel there is no hope, a stranger enters their lives.  Michael dated her mother in high school and clearly still cares for her.  Will Lise’s mother let him back into their lives – and back into her heart?  Will Lise find the inner happiness she needs to survive her new world?

Sand Dollar Summer shows that even in the face of conflict and hardships, family can pull together and emerge happier and stronger than ever before.

  4 stars – Great book 

I discovered Blood on the River: James Town 1607  by Elisa Carbone two years ago and loved reading this book.  I was very happy to see it on the South Carolina Junior Book Award nominee list for this year.  Though this book is classified as fiction, it contains many true events that occurred during the Jamestown settlement. 

The story focuses on eleven- year- old Samuel Collier, a page to Captain John Smith, who decided to travel to the New World.  An orphan who likes to use his fists, Samuel felt like he had nothing to lose by embarking on this journey.  The adventure he encountered, however, was beyond anything he ever could imagine.  You may be thinking…”Oh great…another book about Jamestown.”  This book is very different, however.  The details give the reader insight into other people who were key to the Jamestown settlement, beyond Captain John Smith.  To me, the best part of this book is the view of  Native American culture and daily life.  The book is suspenseful, interesting, and historically accurate. 

  4.5 stars 

Good Masters!  Sweet Ladies! Voices From a Medieval Village

by Laura Amy Schlitz, Illustrations by Robert Byrd

I rarely use words like “quaint” or “delightful” in book reviews, but both terms seem to apply in this book review.  Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! contains poems written from the point-of-view of various townspeople of very different statures living in the same medieval village.  The poems often connect in plot – giving the reader an insight into how the life and background of the villagers lends them a different perspective on events occurring in their town.

The author often incorporates humor into the poems – Lowdy, the Varlet’s child (Varlet refers to a man who looks after animals) paints a portrait of living in a home full of fleas.  He states:

I love the dogs, but God’s bones!

The house is full of fleas!

….Fleas in the bread,

Bloodsucking fleas

In the blankets of our beds,

Nibbling our buttocks,

And the back of our knees,

Biting and delighting

Through the night – those fleas!

(page 60)

The book contains interesting footnotes explaining unknown terms the reader will find in the poems.  The notes also explain various occupations of the townspeople.  The book provides a collective view of what life was like during the Middle Ages. 

Here are a few examples of the “voices” you will hear in Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! read by DR Hill students.  The poems include copyright free music  representing the Middle Ages -

Mariot and Maud are the Glassblower’s daughters.  They discuss Piers, their father’s apprentice, who has been promised the family business if he selects on of them to marry.  Maud clearly finds the idea of marrying Piers repulsive.  Though Mariot claims she feels the same as her sister – her words indicate the contrary:

-  Kas Streater and Charrion Morgan

Mogg is the Villein’s daughter.  A villein is a peasant who could be bought and sold like a slave.  His belongings were considered to be the property of the lord who resided over the manor.  Mogg’s father died recently.  She must come up with a plan to save the few resources her family has before they are taken by the greedy landowner.

- Charrion Morgan

Thomas is the doctor’s son.  He provides a glimpse into medieval medicine.

- John Gillespie

Isobel is The Lord’s Daughter.  In this poem, she expresses her frustration after someone in town threw a dung clod at her dress.  Isabel is upset because she knows that she lives a privileged life as a nobleman’s daughter but her social status was according to God’s will.  Furthermore, Isobel resents this treatment because she has always been charitable and helpful to others less fortunate.

- Kas Streater

Highly recommended

         Five well-deserved stars

      10-year-old Moon lived a life very different from other people.  He and his father lived in an isolated shelter that was covered with dirt and trees –  virtually impossible for anyone to detect – purposely hidden deep in a seemingly abandoned forest.  They had few traces of modern life – no electricity or running water, no store bought food, medicine, etc.  They survived by living off the land.  Moon never really questioned why they lived this way – he never knew anything different.  He did know that his father said they should never trust the government. 

Moon’s father taught him how to survive on his own, and said Moon should live in Alaska (far away from civilization) if anything ever happened to him.  He wanted him to find a place where other people distrusted the government also and were self-reliant.

Moon’s father held to his beliefs until he died.  His death from a broken leg could have easily been prevented with modern medicine or surgery, but he refused to re-enter society to seek treatment.  Suddenly Moon is all alone and unprepared to function in the modern world.

After Moon buries his father, he’s discovered by a man who has built a home on the same property as Moon and his father’s cave.  Life for Moon is turned upside down when he is sent to a group boy’s home.  

Unable to cope with all the changes and forced rules, Moon decides to escape.  His survival skills enable him to outrun and “whip” up on anybody – no matter their age or size.  Though he has what it takes to live on his own, Moon finds out being alone can actually be very lonely.  And though Moon does not need anyone else to help him live, he wants love, affection, and friendship.

Moon realizes that maybe, just maybe, his Pa was wrong all along.

I could write pages and pages about this incredible story.  Moon is very rough around the edges, but you can’t help but cheer him on throughout the story.  You want him to find happiness and your heart aches for the struggles he has to face when he must live in a world vastly different from his own.  The ending of this book is perfect, and (get ready) may make you shed a tear or two. 

I admire the creativity of this book and the original plot.  This book is the best novel I have read in a long time – truly amazing. 

4 stars – Grabbed my attention start to finish

Author Will Hobbs visited DR Hill in 2004. He is such a down-to-earth, nice guy who clearly has a passion for writing. I read several of his books in preparation of the author visit. My favorite was Jackie’s Wild Seattle. Now my favorite is Crossing the Wire.

Hobbs is an adventurer and a lover of nature – both of these personality traits are reflected in his novels. Some of his books contain lengthy descriptions of the setting – personally I find that tough to follow as a reader. Crossing the Wire, however, is more action-packed and suspenseful.

Victor is only 15 years old. Despite being young, he must grow up quickly and become a man. Now that Victor’s father is deceased, his family depends on him for their survival. In Mexico, there are limited opportunities for children born to poor families. Victor tries to save the family’s corn crop, their sole source of income, but falling prices and outside competitors leave his family penniless and facing starvation.

Victor must do the impossible – “Cross the wire” from Mexico to the United States in order to find work. This is his family’s last hope. Victor is determined to come to America – even at the risk of his own life.

Readers will be amazed at the hardship Victor faces on his journey. Hobbs spares no punches on how difficult the voyage is – near starvation, physical exhaustion, failed attempts resulting in deportation, extreme heat/cold, dodging bullets, betrayals, poisonous snakebites (and these are only a few events in the story). What impresses me most about this novel is that it makes the reader think. This is a reminder of how fortunate Americans are – and also gives you a different perspective of why people enter our country illegally.

Highly recommended

Baboquivari Peak – a landmark in the story. The author’s hiking expedition here inspired him to select this location as one of the novel’s settings

 4 stars

 Holly’s entire life was filled with conflict and tragedy.  After her dad died, Holly and her mom moved from one ratty apartment to another.  When Holly’s mom got fired for stealing from her workplace, they soon became homeless.  Holly never really cared about that.  Even the old van was home as long as her mother was there with her arms wrapped tightly around her.  That was before her mom met Eddie.

Holly’s mom started staying out late  – often leaving Holly alone all night in the van.  She also started acting funny, and her eyes were always shiny.  Holly soon learned that she would have to take care of herself to survive.  Not long after meeting Eddie, Holly’s mom died from a drug overdose in her arms.  Now Holly truly was all alone.

Don’t be fooled into thinking Holly’s life would become better after her mom was gone.  At least her mom loved her - though she loved heroin more than she ever loved Holly. 

Holly is bounced from one foster home to another.  She doesn’t want to trust another adult.  She feels like she can’t let her guard down again.

Holly reaches her breaking point when she is sent to live with The Benders.  Her foster father wants to be “closer” to Holly.  Holly can tell by the way he stares at her that his thoughts aren’t fatherly.  Her foster mother steals money from her husband, and then blames it on Holly.  Holly spends her nights cold, alone, and hungry – locked in a dark, damp, dirty laundry room with only a journal to keep her company.  At first Holly is angry that her teacher was forcing her to write in a stupid journal.  Soon, however, Holly finds comfort in the journal pages as she begins telling her story. 

The story will haunt you.  The pain Holly feels is achingly evident, and you will find yourself wondering how she continues to survive.

Holly decides to run away – this time for good.  Life on the streets cannot be any worse than the abusive home she lives in now…

All the pain she’s been through… nothing can shock her.  Life alone has to be better than this.

Unfortunately for Holly, she’s wrong.  Things can get much worse.

 Reading this book may make the problems you have in your life seem very small in comparison to Holly’s.  Despite the sadness the reader feels while reading about Holly’s experiences, the ending will bring you comfort.  Holly will at last find peace and happiness. 

4.5 stars -  

by Gennifer Choldenko

This fast-paced, funny book will hold the reader’s interest from start to end. 

Kirsten hates her life.  Her best friend Rory is suddenly popular and hangs out with the beautiful, but mean, Brianna.  Kirsten knows she will never be popular - she’s overweight and feels like an outcast.  Her mom and dad are always fighting now.  It seems like nothing will ever get better for her.

Suddenly there’s a new student named Walk who transfers to Kirsten’s school. 

Kirsten’s life is about to become much more interesting.  

She discovers who her true friends are – and finds out the shocking secret her parents have been keeping – one that brings Kirsten closer to Walk than she ever could have imagined.

4.5 Stars   1/2

Fascinating information, includes great pictures of Houdini, his family, and several of his magic tricks being performed 

Everyone has heard about Harry Houdini.  What you may not know is how he became legendary in the world of magic. In this book, the author does not reveal Harry’s magic secrets.  Sid Fleischman, a well-known author and himself a magician, would never break the magician honor code.  The author does give the reader a whole new view of the man behind the legend.  During his lifetime, Harry basically recreated himself – where he was from, his heritage, and even changed his own birth name. 

He builds a wildly successful career despite very poor, humble beginnings.  Harry always believed that the show must go on – and he shows this iron-clad will and determination literally until he takes his dying breath.  Harry wanted more than the ability to entertain the world.  He wanted to ensure his name would be kept immortal in the world of magic. The book chronicles Harry’s life, his love for his wife, Bess, and his talent for inventing (or sometimes “borrowing”) innovative and daring magic escapes.  The photos highlight amazing feats and also demonstrate that the great Houdini was a pretty extraordinary man – one whom was not without flaws, however.

Readers will enjoy this book, and may even develop their own interest in magic as a result.

5 stars  –

 Heat caught me by surprise.  I’m really not a big sports fan and in general, not a lover of sports fiction.  Though the love of baseball is definitely a central theme throughout the book, the novel is not just sports-centered.  The book is really a story of great courage and determination.  This is a feel good story that has the struggling young hero winning at the end, despite the great odds against him.  This has the makings of a great movie – though any shortened film adaptation will be weak in comparison to the book.

Michael is only twelve years old, but his pitching skills rival professional adult ball players.  His competitors are no match for Michael, and they (along with the coaches and jealous parents) know it.  Before long, a few people band together to take the matter in their own hands.  Michael is asked to produce his birth certificate in order to continue playing in the Little League.  This will show his true age and prove his American citizenship.  Ordinarily this situation would be a cinch for Michael.  His father would know who to contact in Cuba in order to obtain the proper documentation.  Then Michael could go back to the game – the sport that was his passion. 

There’s a big problem.  Michael has a secret.

One that could not only end his promising future in baseball, but that could tear him away from the only family he has left.

You will find yourself rooting for Michael and will learn through his example that with enough hard work and determination, any dream is possible.

3.5 stars  -  1/2

- Not my favorite, but will appeal to many readers

 This is What I Did has been highly recommended in several professional journals.  To me, this book was a bit of a disappointment for several reasons.  One may be because it has bullying as one of the main topics.  I understand why it’s important that writers include stories of bullying – it certainly has become a central issue in today’s world – even in cyberland.  We all know about true stories of terrible tragedy occurring as a result of bullying in schools, on MySpace, Facebook, etc.  That being said, it seems that young adult authors, however, frequently jump on a hot topic bandwagon - this novel being no exception.  To be fair, the book is about more than a young boy being harassed…

Logan was always a bit of an outcast at school and even within his own family.  Things began to look up when he met Zyler.  Though Zyler and Logan come from two very different backgrounds, they hit it off from the start.  Logan quickly learned not to ask Zyler too many questions about his background, particularly regarding his drunken, mostly absent father.  Logan overlooked the bruises on Zyler’s face and never questioned his stories of how he had broken his arm or his collarbone.  As much as Logan tried to not get involved, he soon found himself in the center of controversy…

Upset over a fight at his own home, Logan sneaks out of his house to go over to his Zyler’s.  What he sees in Zyler’s window, at first, angers him.  Cami, his crush, is sitting on Zyler’s bed.  They are talking about him, laughing over Logan’s hang up calls to Cami’s home.  Then they are kissing.  KISSING.  His best friend and the girl he loves!!  Logan, disgusted, turns to leave when he hears a door slam.  Zyler’s father storms into his bedroom in a violent, drunken rage with an evil glint in his eyes.  What Logan sees next he will never get over – he will never forget.

In the end, Logan feels he is the one who betrays his best friend – and he betrays himself.

This novel will hook most of its readers.  You will want to know – what did Logan see?  What happened?  Why did Logan’s family have to move to a different town.  Be prepared for the shocking answers AND the unanswered questions at the end.

4 stars –

Ginny describes her seventh grade year – her first boyfriend, her best friend’s betrayal, her brother’s arrest, and her mom’s remarriage, all through her “stuff.”  What kind of stuff?  Guidance counselor reports, notes she’s written, report cards, etc.  This book is a bit like reality TV.  It’s almost a guilty pleasure because you feel as if you are peeking or watching a person’s life unfold.  I loved this book b/c it was a quick read, kept my interest, and gave a realistic view of what it’s like to be a 7th grade girl whose life is not perfect!

Recommend

The Story of Rats and People

3  stars –

I admit it.  I didn’t want to read this book.  The beady red eyes…the huge furry rat on the cover…was so…ewwwwwwww….. 

Why I liked this book:

1.  Text and pictures made it very easy to read – 30 minutes.

2.  Side notes on the pages were interesting – such as “rat” dishes enjoyed in restaurants around the world.

3.  The book really exposes you to a whole other side of rats – such as how sanitary they actually are, how they have saved so many lives throughout history, their great strength and resiliency, and promising studies that indicate how valuable rats can be to our society.

 No – I will not be adopting any pet rats in the near future.  I am glad, however, that I can think of this book if I ever am surprised by an unexpected visit from one of these creatures!

 Read Oh, Rats!  You may find yourself becoming a rat fan as well.

Click the mp3 below to hear live rats!

Rats.mp3

 4 stars –

Sam’s life is hanging by a thread. Her best friend since elementary school has turned into a typical dorky, pervy middle school moron. Although Sam has four BFFs that she spends every weekend with, they don’t have a clue about her father’s alcoholism. Sam’s mother is always zoned out on yoga, and she never wants to hold Sam’s father accountable for his drinking binges. Desperate for advice, Sam turns to an anonymous source – by leaving a letter describing her problems in a library book. Soon Sam begins corresponding back and forth with a person she’s never even met. With this support things begin to get better, though. Sam finds herself the object of a hot high school guy’s crush. She is suddenly Miss Popularity at her own school. Her father promises to make some changes. Yep – life is good. That is…until the violence starts.

Lush is an important book for anyone in middle school dealing with struggles and stress in his home life. The author does not paint a pretty picture or a happy ending in this novel. This does, however, offer hope to anyone dealing with alcoholism – and will offer the reader hope in the end.

5 stars

Black Duck  is a book inspired by actual events in our history.  When alcohol was banned during Prohibition, a rum-running cargo called Black Duck became legendary for its seemingly heroic feats.  The crew was always managed harrowing escapes from the Coast Guard, and the boat itself seemed to vanish into thin air when being pursued.  Though the exploits of the boat and crew are interesting to read about, it’s the cast of characters in the novel that will capture the reader’s interest.

The story begins when David Peterson locates an elderly man named Ruben Hart who is rumored to have been a crew member of the Black Duck during his younger days.  Through informal interviews, David learns the story of Ruben, Ruben’s best friend Jeddy, and the tragic downfall of the Black Duck.

The story will leave the reader spellbound – starting with Ruben’s first recollections. Ruben asks David, “Have you ever seen a dead body?”  Then Ruben begins his story.. So Jeddy McKenzie and I came on this body… page 8

This novel hooks you from the start – all the way to the tragic, yet satisfying conclusion.

A novel in cartoons

4 stars

“Like I said, I’ll be famous one day, but for now I’m stuck in middle school with a bunch of morons.”