Dec 15, 2011

Review: The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

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Title: The Wednesday Wars
Author: Gary D. Schmidt
Series: Stand-alone
Genre: Contemporary Historical Fiction (YA)
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Holling Hoodhood is really in for it. He’s just started seventh grade with Mrs. Baker, a teacher he knows is out to get him. Why else would she make him read Shakespeare … outside class?

The year is 1967, and everyone has bigger things to worry about, especially Vietnam. Then there’s the family business. As far as Holling’s father is concerned, the Hoodhoods need to be on their best behavior: the success of Hoodhood and Associates depends on it. But how can Holling stay out of trouble when he has so much to contend with? Rats, for one thing; cream puffs, for another. And Ariel’s costume: tights. That’s just for starters. In a series of mishaps and adventures over the course of the school year, fate sneaks up on Holling again and again.

Gary D. Schmidt has written a novel that is at turns comic and compelling, down-to-earth and over-the-top. In The Wednesday Wars, he offers an unforgettable antihero in Holling Hoodhood, a kid from the suburbs who embraces his destiny in spite of himself.

Oh my gosh. What a sweet, comedic story. During this read, there were many times that I laughed out loud, wanted to chuck something at Holling’s father, and felt a warmth so great that I felt like Hallmark couldn’t have produced a better feeling with one of their happy-go-lucky cards.

“When gods die, they die hard. It’s not like they fade away, or grow old, or fall asleep. They die in fire and pain, and when they come out of you, they leave your guts burned. It hurts more than anything you can talk about. And maybe worst of all is, you’re not sure if there will ever be another god to fill their place. Or if you’d ever want another god to fill their place. You don’t want the fire to go out inside you twice.” Holling

As I said, I wanted to chuck something at Holling’s father on more than one occasion. He made me so angry! First off, who in their right mind names their son Holling? Especially with a last name like Hoodhood. Second, he was just a selfish, arrogant jerk. And, I really enjoyed seeing Holling come out from under his grasp and learn that he could be whatever he wanted to be not what his father wanted.

I’ve never been a fan of Shakespeare. I don’t really understand it. The only play I’ve ever read through was Othello. After reading The Wednesday Wars, I really want to read more, especially the plays that Mrs. Baker had Holling read. Holling learned a lot of valuable lessons from those plays, lessons I think I need some help with. Who knew Shakespeare could do that? (I know a lot of people. It’s rhetorical for pity sake.)

The humor in this story was awesome. Normally, I have a hard time laughing out loud when I read. Not because a story isn’t funny, but because it’s usually not blatant enough for me to follow it. I don’t catch subtle humor very well. But, this humor is subtle and blatant. You can’t help but laugh because I was also once a seventh grader. And although I wasn’t a boy in the seventh grade, I still understood what it was like to be a seventh grader. The Wednesday Wars brought back so many memories of how I thought things like a costume made up of “yellow tights with feather on the butt” was the end of the world. Or, how I thought my teachers hated me because of the type of stuff they made me do in class. Or, how if you made one wrong move, because all the other seventh graders thought it was the end of the world too, you were cast aside like a pile of brick. Or, how even being cast aside like that, you could still come out on top.

I’m quite surprised at how much I enjoyed The Wednesday Wars. This is not usually my typical read and I thought that although I may like it, I wouldn’t like it enough to read again. But, I could honestly read this one again and enjoy it just as much the second time around as I did this first time.

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Dec 10, 2011

Review: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

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Title: Anna Dressed in Blood
Author: Kendare Blake
Series: Anna #1
Genre: Horror (YA)
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Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father’s mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead–keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn’t expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he’s never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas’s life.

I’ve never read a ghost story before. And, now having read one, I have no idea why. This was a fun adventure, one I’m looking forward to repeating.

This story was so unique. I didn’t expect anything that happened to happen. Although, since this was my first experience with this type of story, I’m not really sure what I was expecting. All I know is that I loved all the unexpected twists and turns.

I loved Blake’s writing. It was so descriptive. I also loved the characters’ personalities. They all had distinct ones and I loved the humor they brought into such a serious story. I particularly liked that the story was written from Cas’s point-of-view. I don’t read many male points-of-view and it was a refreshing change.

“Yes. Smashing. You’ll be just like those four chaps in the movie. You know the one, with the oversized marshmallow.” Gideon

I absolutely loved all the pop culture references Blake had in Anna Dressed in Blood. It brought back my own memories of experiencing them throughout my life. It helped me relate to the characters better. I just hope this doesn’t date the novel in the future because I think this is one that many generations could enjoy.

I look forward to reading more books by Blake. And, I especially look forward to Anna Dressed in Blood‘s sequel to find out what happens next.

Content Warning

There’s a lot of swearing in this book and a lot of it is the use of the F-word. I didn’t particularly care for it, but I loved the story so much that I was able to look past it and still enjoy it.

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Dec 8, 2011

Review: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

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Title: To Kill a Mockingbird
Author: Harper Lee
Series: Stand-alone
Genre: Classic (YA)
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The unforgettable novel of a childhood in a sleepy Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it, To Kill A Mockingbird became both an instant bestseller and a critical success when it was first published in 1960. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was later made into an Academy Award-winning film, also a classic.

Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, To Kill A Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior–to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, humor and pathos. Now with over 18 million copies in print and translated into forty languages, this regional story by a young Alabama woman claims universal appeal. Harper Lee always considered her book to be a simple love story. Today it is regarded as a masterpiece of American literature.

Wow. How do you say something about a book that has already had everything said about it? What do I have to add? Nothing … at least it feels like nothing. I just feel so inadequate to give this book a proper review, a review it deserves.

“Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough.” Scout

I guess first things first. I’m not sure why I waited so long to read this book. I really feel like I missed out not having read this in high school like I was supposed to. I feel like I missed out on a lot of discussion and analysis. I know I understood the more obvious points and I also know that I missed a lot in the symbolism because I didn’t have a teacher to guide me through the journey presented in this story.

I’m glad I finally read this book. It was extremely well-written and I enjoyed it immensely. It definitely made me think because its message is so profound. If you don’t understand what the book is about, all you have to read is Scout’s summary of the story her father read to her as Jem lay in his bed recovering from the traumatic events with Bob Ewell:

“Yeah, an’ they all thought it was Stoner’s Boy messin’ up their clubhouse an’ throwin’ ink all over it an’…. An’ they chased him ‘n’ never could catch him ’cause they didn’t know what he looked like, an’ Atticus, when they finally saw him, why he hadn’t done any of those things … Atticus, he was real nice….”

Scout’s summary is a definite understatement of the real intent of this story, but it helps you see that people aren’t who they seem to be or who people make them out to be, just like Tom Robinson and Boo Radley.

The characters in this book are extremely memorable. I loved Scout’s tenacity and sharp wit. I loved Jem’s stubbornness, especially when it came to protecting his family. I loved Atticus’s kind and nurturing nature. I also loved how solid he was. (I totally get why so many people are naming their children after him now.) I also loved Calpurnia and what she brought to the story. She helped prepare the children to see the injustice presented in this book. And, I even loved the small time we had with Boo.

My emotions were on a roller coaster as I read Scout’s story. I really love that Lee ended the book looking at the positive, even though most of the events that take place in it are enough to make you as mad as a hornet. Lee did a great job of portraying the hypocrisy and double standard there is with racism (e.g. it’s not okay for Hitler to torment the Jews, but it’s okay to put those of African descent in their place). She also did a fantastic job of portraying the honorable people during that time who tried to stamp out racism as best as they could (e.g. Atticus and Miss Maudie).

I really loved being in Scout’s head. I loved the innocence and youth factor she gave. I don’t think the story would’ve been the same or as profound a journey as it was had we been in any of the other characters’ heads. Even though I realized the injustice this story presented from the get go, my eyes were still opened as Scout’s eyes opened to the injustice around her.

If I were to give To Kill a Mockingbird a letter rating, I’d give it an A+. However, with the way I give star ratings, I’m only giving it four stars because although it’s my favorite classic, it’s not a favorite book. I feel a little ashamed for saying that, but it’s the truth. I’m glad I read it though, and I’ll definitely read it again.

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Nov 29, 2011

Review: Crossed by Ally Condie

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Title: Crossed
Author: Ally Condie
Series: Matched #2
Genre: Dystopian Romance (YA)
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In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky–taken by the Society to his certain death–only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia’s quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander–who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia’s heart–change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

There are a few slight spoilers in this review. However, I don’t think it will ruin the book for you if you haven’t read it.

I started reading Crossed in September. I borrowed an ARC from my friend Emily of Emily’s Reading Room until I bought my own copy when it was released. You’re probably thinking that I must have been bored out of my mind if it took me until yesterday to finish it. That’s not the case at all. This semester has been tough on me emotionally and physically, so I didn’t have as much time to read as I wanted and when I did, I didn’t feel like reading. It was nowhere near Crossed‘s fault.

Just like with Matched, I really enjoyed reading Crossed. The book didn’t feel like a middle book to me, which is a plus. I thought there was enough progression in the story and in the characters themselves to show that the story is heading in a good direction, even if to some it seemed the characters are right back where they started. I just hope everything is resolved the way I want it to be, but what reader doesn’t want that?

“Because in the end you can’t always choose what to keep. You can only choose how you let it go.” Ky

I love Ally’s writing style. It’s so poetic, beautiful, descriptive, and concise. The descriptions of the setting were so vivid. I could actually imagine being in Southern Utah, Ally’s inspiration for the setting. And, even though her writing doesn’t lend to a fast-paced or action-packed story like other dystopian novels, I think her story is much more thought-provoking, which lends to more intriguing discussions and thoughts about oppressive governments.

While Matched was told only from Cassia’s point-of-view, Crossed is told from both hers and Ky’s. (It has me wondering whether we’ll get Xander’s point-of-view in the next one.) I loved getting inside of Ky’s head, getting to know him better. He’s so much deeper than I had already gathered from only Cassia’s view of him. It was also nice to learn what he really thought of Cassia. And, at the same time, knowing his thoughts of Cassia is more heartbreaking since she’s still uncertain about Xander.

When I finished reading the book last night, my first thought was that I don’t want to wait for the third book. I want to know now who Cassia chooses and what happens to the Society and everyone involved. Needless to say, I’ll be anxiously awaiting the third book’s release next year.

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Oct 12, 2011

Review: Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn

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Title: Ella Minnow Pea
Author: Mark Dunn
Series: Stand-alone
Genre: Contemporary Dystopian
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Ella Minnow Pea is a girl living happily on the fictional island of Nollop off the coast of South Carolina. Nollop was named after Nevin Nollop, author of the immortal phrase containing all the letters of the alphabet, “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”

Now Ella finds herself acting to save her friends, family, and fellow citizens from the encroaching totalitarianism of the island’s Council, which has banned the use of certain letters of the alphabet as they fall from a memorial statue of Nevin Nollop. As the letters progressively drop from the statue they also disappear from the novel. The result is both a hilarious and moving story of one girl’s fight for freedom of expression and a linguistic tour de force sure to delight word lovers everywhere.

I read Ella Minnow Pea for this month’s book club read. Knowing it wasn’t my typical read, I wasn’t sure how I’d like it, but for the most part, I was pleasantly surprised.

I thought the story was a clever idea. It was a lot fun to see how the language evolved as a new tile fell off the statue. Not only was it fun to see this change, but it was also frustrating to see the council members become more and more controlling. I really wanted someone to assassinate them.

I haph startet painting my torso in pretty, motley hews. I sit in phront oph the mirror in the sleepy-room. I atmire my hantyworg. I am a hooman apstrat painting! Georgeanne

Near the end when almost all of the letters had fallen off the statue, I felt like I was playing a game of Mad Gab, trying to figure out what the characters were writing. It was quite funny and fun.

Ella Minnow Pea is written in an epistolary style, meaning the characters write each another about the changes happening on the island. I thought this style was very conducive to telling the story well. However, the style got old after a while. Why? It’s simple. When most people write, they write more formally than they speak, especially those concerned with language like the citizens of Nollop are. (I have a sneaking suspicion, however, that the Nollopians actually speak the way they write. If that’s really the case, I’m glad I’m not one of them. While I love beautifully written language, overly formal, extravagant spoken language in today’s society sounds too pretentious and out of place.) Anyway, because they all write so formally, I felt like I was reading one voice throughout the entire novel. I had a hard time picking out who was writing the letter until I read the close (unless, of course, they gave visual cues like “My dearest cousin Tassie,” which told me Ella was writing).

Because of the lack of character development, the use of overly flowery language, and the Mad Gab-esque feeling at the end, I didn’t enjoy Ella Minnow Pea as much as I would’ve liked. But, I do think it’s worth a read just for the sheer fun of seeing how the language evolves in the extreme circumstances the citizens find themselves in.

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