2010 December

5 Great Books For Tween Girls

North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley

Terra’s dream is to leave her small town for college and start anew, where the port wine stain on her face will not draw so much attention. Her verbally abusive father constantly tells her she can’t make it on her own in hopes of controlling her future. When Terra meets Jacob, a Goth Chinese teenager who doesn’t care to fit in, he begins to show her that she can take control of her life. What follows is an utterly compelling journey that’s both geographic and emotional. Best for grades 7 and up.

3Willows 3 Willows by Ann Brashares

Jo, Ama and Polly were inseparable in third grade, but that’s changed as they’ve grown up. During the summer before high school, each girl is tested – Jo discovers her parents are separating, Ama goes on a trip she didn’t choose and Polly learns some hard truths about her mother. By the end of the summer, they realize that old friendships sometimes really are the best; it’s an engaging tale by the author of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

TheHungerGames Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

North America has been destroyed and reborn as the nation of Panem, a glittering Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Every year, each district must send two young people to the Hunger Games, where they compete to the death until only one survives. The story is a cross between reality television and Lord of the Flies, and is told by Katniss, who’s long been able to survive on her hunting skills and keen instincts. You’ll be rooting for her from the start and won’t be able to close this book until it’s breathless ending. And you won’t be able to wait for the next book in the series! This will be an immediate hit with grades seven and up.

TheOtherSideOfTHeIsland The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman

We meet Honor when she and her parents move from the North Country into the Enclosure. Honor’s a rebel – her name doesn’t sound right and she’s rather play with boys or splash in the water rather than engage in “girl play.” Her parents don’t follow the rules either, refusing to pray to Earth Mother and daring to have a second child. When her parents disappear and Honor and her brother become Boarders, she learns of the sinister world she lives in. In spite of all this, however, Honor always has hope, which shines through this marvelous book. You must read it! Best for grades 7 and up.

Graceling Graceling by Kristin Cashore

In a land of seven kingdoms, a very few people are born with a Grace. Some may have a Grace for cooking, others a Grace for music. Katsa’s grace is for killing; she’s been able to kill men with her bare hands since the age of eight. Desperate to use her Grace for good, she has secretly formed a council of citizens who are willing to risk their lives in the name of fairness and honesty. When a Council mission goes a bit wrong, Katsa finds Po, another who possesses the killing Grace, and he changes her life. This incredible debut novel is a must-read for grade 9 all the way to adult!

The Song of Kahunsha Book Review

With award-winning plays and critically acclaimed novels under his belt, Anosh Irani is one of Canada’s most promising young writers. He deserves our praise again with The Song of Kahunsha, his second novel.

Chamdi is a ten-year-old orphan who sets off into the streets of the Bombay in search of his father, despite the fact that he has no idea who he is or what he looks like. He is disoriented and apprehensive, but quickly meets Sumdi and Guddi, a brother and sister who also call the streets their home. As the religious tension rises in 1993 Bombay, Chamdi quickly discovers what it takes to survive, but never loses his hopeful optimism.

Irani’s first novel, The Cripple and His Talismans, was fuelled by the dark enchantment that lives on the city’s streets. In this novel, however, the religious riots have Chamdi dreamily imagining a more peaceful, beautiful place; a city that he names Kahunsha. As the days (and horrifying nights) go on, we slowly come to understand that there is no Kahunsha to be found here, and we must accept the dismal truth of Chamdi’s situation.

Chamdi must ultimately decide between a life of desperation and street walking, or mere destitution while working for Anand Bhai, the kingpin of the city’s crime community. The Song of Kahunsha compellingly redefines the notion of family and the significance of honour while at the same time demonstrates the beautiful melancholy that’s apparent but often unnoticeable when we’re met with personal tragedy.

Even when he opts for what seems to him to be the better of the two, Chamdi leaves us with a sense of buoyancy that raises our hope as the curtain falls:

“So he made up his mind to achieve something so wonderful that if he were to tell anyone his life story, it would take days to tell, even weeks, and the ending would be a happy one…”

Thriller Book Review – Compelled to Carry on & Read ‘Til the End – Jonathan Kellerman Does it Again

Every serious reader of fiction loves a good mystery or thriller novel. Unfortunately, it’s really hard to find one that takes your breath away and leaves you on a high every page of the book. Luckily however, I found one recently, and I’d like to recommend it to you:

“Compulsion” by Jonathan Kellerman; (Alex Delaware Novel), Ballantine Books, New York, NY. 2008 ISBM 978-0-345-46528-3

After you read this you understand why a clinical psychologist is able to peg the characters the way he does, and it is no wonder that Kellerman is one of the greatest fiction “Thriller” authors of all times. Perhaps one of his most famous books was Bones, but if you ask me, I think this is one of his best.

Several murders appear unrelated, yet, all with very curious circumstances, thus triggering the intense mind of an LAPD homicide detective that will not leave well enough alone. The thrill of the chase, the gathering of clues and getting inside the mind of the killer, takes the reader through a myriad of suspense, intrigue and keeps you flipping pages, until you are done.

Just wait until you find out what happens, I’d love to tell you right now, because this is a cool story and the beginning, middle an end are blurred together in a fog that lifts into the face of terror. My gosh is this a great book. I think Jonathan Kellerman has truly out done himself this time, or should I say; again! I’d recommend this book to anyone who can handle the suspense of this thriller of a novel.

Childhood Cancer Book Review – Where’s My Hair?

As a special education specialist I have seen many books that children struggle with because the reading is too hard. Many books lack age appropriate reading. Let me tell you about a new children’s book authored by Patti Block, of Minnesota, titled Where’s My Hair? This book definitely has an age appropriate reading level and can be used for educational purposes.

Where’s my Hair is about the days of a young cancer patient. It starts off with the news that a young boys friend is sick. He talks about how his friend needs to go to the doctor a lot. How there will be good days and bad days. He tells how he feels about his friend. He waits for the day where they can play again. This book is a great reading book for the young reader. The style of writing by this author is simple. The author does not use big words. She gets her points across by using simple words; words that young people, including young readers will understand.

This amazing book can also be used an an educational resource for any young person who is dealing with cancer, whether it is themselves that has been diagnosed or a loved one. The book can easily be read over and over again so the child can remember what will happen when their loved one goes to the doctor for their cancer treatments. Repetition while reading is an important factor for the child to learn and remember.

This pictures in Where’s My Hair? are vivid and full of color. They too will help the child understand what is happening in the story if they are too young to read by themselves.

Bottom line–this book would be an amazing tool to add to your personal or professional collection.

Where’s My Hair?
Author: Patti Block
Illustrator: Swapan Debnath
ISBN: 978-1-936046-12-6

"The Horse with the Golden Mane" by Russell A. Vassallo – Book Review

Are you looking for a book with adventure, mystery and romance all in one volume? If that is what you are looking for, your search is over. “The Horse with the Golden Mane” has it all. There are three short stories in this book which encompass all of these: adventure, mystery and romance. This is a very delightful read by a great story teller. Russell A Vassallo brings his love of animals and being a gifted storyteller to life in this book. And, if you don’t favor horses, there is a dog as a major character in the first story.

The story “Eric” deals with a man who was freed from a Nazi death camp and exiled to America. He develops an unusual friendship between him and a Doberman pinscher. It is very exciting to see how this story comes to an end as there are many twists and turns throughout. I had difficulty laying this book down while engaged in this story.

The next is the story of “Taj.” Taj is a horse who hasn’t lived up to his full potential as a race horse. Grant Larsen feels a connection between him and the horse and saves his life. Perhaps the real reason for Taj’s existence isn’t really racing, but a different purpose. He chases all over looking for where this horse could have been taken. He is amazed and surprised when he sees what Taj’s purpose really is. It’s a heartwarming story with a tear-jerking ending.

The title story “The Horse with the Golden Mane,” is a wonderful story of undying love of a man named Pierce Bernard. With a self-sacrificing love, Pierce frantically searches for his wife. Pierce develops a bond with an abused horse. The lack of trust in humans that this animal has after its abuse is very well brought out. Pierce finds himself talking with the horse and it becomes evident that the horse ends up being a very close friend to Pierce. In the process of getting the horse to trust him, Pierce learns very much about himself. Will Pierce ever find his wife Maya?

I would highly recommend this book to animal lovers and short story lovers. The stories are very engaging and addictive. My wish is that Russell A Vassallo writes more books like this one. “The Horse with the Golden Mane” is an awesome book that I will long remember reading.

Interview with Erik Hare, Author of "Downriver"

Erik has made his living as a chemical engineer, furniture designer and internet entrepreneur, and writer; this vast experience and his constant interest in dabbling in more things makes him believe himself best suited to be a writer. His new novel 揇ownriver? the story of a transformational journey that follows a major life-changing event, also demonstrates that he is a gifted teacher of life lessons.

Tyler: Welcome Erik and thank you for joining me today. 揇ownriver?is the story of Popey, a Hopneg, whose home is destroyed by a Human, and who then sets out to learn more about Humans. How did you first come up with the concept of the Hopnegs?

Erik: Actually, my son George had a very small imaginary friend named Popey when he was 3. When I talked with him about it, I realized that George was dealing with being the smallest member of the family. It didn抰 take me long to understand that everyone feels small and scared at some point in their lives, especially as kids. Getting past that, rather than accepting it, is very important to not only realizing your dreams but actually becoming them.

Tyler: How old is George now and what does he think about Popey and the fact that he provided you with the inspiration for the character and his world?

Erik: George just turned 7, and frankly he doesn抰 like to talk about imaginary friends much.

Tyler:: What kind of response to 揇ownriver?have you received from other children?

Erik: They抳e liked it, but it is a bit challenging for them. They always ask me questions! The ones here in Saint Paul recognized that all the places it is set in are real, so if nothing else they have to ask me about them.

Tyler: Would you share with us one of the insights into human character Popey gains?

Erik: That life is rarely an epic battle between 揼ood?and 揺vil? It is mostly a daily struggle between the mundane and the obvious–the daily grind of moving through the motions versus taking a step back where you can see how obviously beautiful life really is.

Tyler: What were you trying to say about human society by viewing humans as giants from the perspective of a small creature?

Erik: At this point in history, everything in the world is available to all of us. That makes us feel small and helpless much more than it invigorates us. No one really has control over the whirlwind of forces that make our lives what they are. We all have to accept this and somehow find a space for ourselves. Some of the brightest and most creative kids become Goths, which I have little problem with. I offer 揇ownriver?to them as a brighter, more hopeful alternative–don抰 worry about 搕he machine?because no one knows what抯 really going on. Find a way to do something decent and let the others wallow in their own delusion if they have to.

Tyler: That抯 a wonderful point, Erik. We all need to take responsibility for our lives rather than blaming society or 搕he machine? In 揇ownriver? the main character, Popey, learns more about the magic of the world through experience and observation than simply by reading and other traditional educational methods. Are you suggesting there are many roads to knowledge we largely ignore?

Erik: Definitely. If you keep your eyes open, you can learn almost anything. It also can take a lot of stupid questions if you are fearless enough to not care about what people think of them.

Tyler: Your work seems to reflect a need for individualism and following our own paths and dreams. How have your own personal experiences led you to these beliefs?

Erik: I抳e been lost many times in my life. I grew up in Miami, and saw more violence committed than I should have as a child. I抳e been searching for better ways ever since. Through these experiences, I抳e had the feeling that I see the world differently than many people. Perhaps it抯 a defense mechanism, but it抯 what I am and I have to make it work somehow.

Tyler: When did you realize writing could be a means to finding and teaching those better ways?

Erik: Reading to my kids, I started to realize that so many works of this sort are about good triumphing over evil through swordplay, magic, pistols, or some other violent means. That抯 just nonsense to me. Violence doesn抰 solve anything, even if it is sometimes necessary to make a point. It抯 always, 揟he King is dead, long live the King?and then everything goes on as before. I realized that my kids and all the other ones out there will probably never see such a situation. What will they see? How can they make it work? What kind of people will they really be? If I was going to be a good father and teach them how to be decent people, I had to answer some of that myself.

Tyler: I know you have written other stories. Would you tell us a little about your past writings?

Erik: My writing has been mostly technical and political, designed to convince people. So many stories in the newspaper leave another more interesting story untold, and I love to follow these stories to that next level. At some point, I realized that this complicated world is better understood through the heart than the brain. I developed a desire to help people down a path where they can 揼et it? and act more purposefully. When I write fiction, I tend to write about misfits and people at the margins of the world. I抳e used people with serious social problems and homeless people as a way to get the world to open its eyes a bit and actually see what is around them.

Tyler: Do you feel 揇ownriver?marks a change or transition in your writing?

Erik: It抯 my first long work, so that is important. I wasn抰 sure that I could keep something this long and full of ideas about the world moving. I also taught myself how to keep a constant theme running; in this case, I tried to write like water, always moving and shimmering and changing. I was happy with the effect, even if it meant my writing style became a bit unusual, so I will do more of that.

Tyler: Should we look for more tales of Popey and the Hopnegs, or what other kinds of projects are you currently working on?

Erik: I抦 working on more profitable writing these days, but I抎 like to write a sequel. It may take its form later this summer, and my first blush has it more radical and edgy. Popey is a leader, but on his terms and for his own reasons.

Tyler: We will be looking forward then to meeting Popey again. Erik, thank you again for talking with me today. In closing, would you please let our readers know where they can find out more information about your book and where to purchase it?

Erik: It抯 available on amazon.com and other online booksellers. I maintain a page at http://www.authorsden.com/erikhare with more reviews and other works of mine.

Over Time – A Story of Lost Loves, Found Glory, and Business Treachery

What if you could re-live your favorite NFL game memory? You can … the legends live on in the suspenseful novel “Over Time” (ISBN 0974075418) by Brian Hill and Dee Power, authors of the popular book, “The Making of a Bestseller.”

“Over Time,” the drama of high finance, hostile takeovers and vicious venture capitalists is interwoven with an emotionally engaging, nostalgic football story about friendships that last forever.

Time is running out for Dan to save the business that took his family sixty years to build. Kelly’s lifework crumbles around her. Mike thinks he’ll always be the guy watching the world from the sidelines. Mark dies just when his dream of playing football for the National Football League seemed within reach.

Then a letter lost for twenty years arrives and sends the game of life into overtime.

It all comes down to a desperate financial gamble, a football game for the ages, and the emotional reunion of four college friends who could not be separated by time, distance, or even death.

With warmth, suspense, humor, memorable characters and a realistic depiction of the world of high finance and professional football, “Over Time” scores a touchdown with football fans and fans of romantic suspense fiction alike.

In a perfect world, novels would cater to both football-loving men and women who love to read romantic thrillers. “Over Time” does both.

Golfers have Bagger Vance, baseball fans have Field of Dreams. Now football fans have a book they can call their own: Over Time.

Brian Hill and Dee Power have done an outstanding job collaborating on their first novel. The work captivated me from the opening paragraph. The varied aspects of friendship. football and finance are artistically melded together and grab the readers attention. The characters are all well defined and well crafted. As you begin to get to know them better you experience their anger, joy, love and heartaches as they journey through the game called life.

The two stories, one about professional football during the glory years of Lombardi, and the other about current day corporate struggles are expertly woven around each other, and culminate in an exciting climax. You don’t have to be a Green Bay Packer fan to enjoy this book. If you’ve ever been a sports fan of any team, this book will make you stand up and cheer.

Grab your copy of “Over Time” now and get ready for the upcoming 2009 Football season. You’ll be glad you did.

"Tales From the Conch Republic" by Ralph Krugler – Reader Review

Ahoy, me hearties! Shiver me timbers! Who ye be tryin’ to hornswaggle out of this merry yarn? Ye must share it or meet with the likes of Davy Jones himself!

Pardon the dramatic opening, but after reading this tale of adventure on the high-seas, one can’t help but get caught up in the excitement. Picture this…a beautiful island, set alone in the great watery abyss. A man awakens on the shore to wonder where and how he has arrived in his current state. He has no memory of what transpired prior to his landing there, nor where there really is. He is disheveled and reeks of enough rum to set the night aglow. But wait…this man is not a mere man, but a pirate! Captain Daniel Payton is his name …pirate extraordinaire, vagabond, scoundrel, friend of wenches near and far, are his games, to name a few. The Captain has awakened on the shores of Port Elizabeth, also known as the lands belonging to Governor Blankenslip, or so he is advised by young Bartholomew Blankenslip, his son. Now let me say, to know the Captain is to love the Captain as his character is built with many interesting quirks. For one, although he is a master with almost any weapon, he can’t remember the names of those he meets for the life of him. When speaking with young master Blankenslip, the confusion which ensues from such a small introduction leads to a more than willing agreement to be struck to get rid of this same man…he simply wants some food, rum, and a means by which to dispatch from the island. These goals being reached, Captain Payton sets off for the ports of faraway lands…or so he thinks. This is not the first visit for him to this island, nor the last time he will meet with young Bartholomew.

Being a pirate, stealing, or borrowing as he prefers, is in his very nature. His chosen means of escape was the boy’s father’s boat, for which the lad suffers greatly under the Governor’s hand. Thinking himself scot-free, Captain Payton sets out for his second escape attempt only to be befuddled by a vengeful spirit. The vengeance sought is justified as the spirit in question is that of Captain Jonathan Melbourne. This gentleman formerly of His Majesty’s Royal Navy was dispatched in a rather unfortunate attack on his vessel…unfortunate in the fact that not only were he and many of his men slain, but it occurred purely through being sold out by one of their one, Captain Brightside. This cowardly man wanted the vessel upon which they sailed, the Scavenger, for himself as well as glory and title, and so made the deal with the devil as was carried out. Captain Melbourne’s spirit, as well as his men’s, needs Brightside slaughtered in the same manner as they in order to release their souls from their watery anchor. Can a pirate be trusted with assisting in such a task? What about his crew?

With a lively cast of characters, and detailed descriptions of the lands in which they travel, it is not hard to envision yourself as a member of this hearty crew. Smell the salty air, listen to the wind gust into the sails, and have a laugh at the antics of Captain Payton. You can certainly count on an exciting tale with this lot. Happy reading!

Book Review – Exploring Egypt, Dick Lutz

A Tour Guide for Travelers Through Ancient and Modern Egypt

Dick and Mary Lutz are part of an International Expeditions Tour group, made up of twenty two members. An Egypt Air flight takes them from JFK Airport in New York to Cairo to begin the tour. Books on Egyptology are made up of conjecture, myth, and historical fact. Gifted travel writer Dick Lutz helps the reader understand the important rudiments of Egyptian history in “Exploring Egypt.”

Lutz writes in an informative and informal style which is warm and insightful. I enjoyed the insights from journal like entries which reflected his personal observations, preferences, and opinions. Much of Egyptology is mysterious, sometimes disputed, and often inconclusive. Dick recounts these various assumptions, speculations, and suppositions without bias, or criticism. His excitement in reporting whets the appetite of the reader, making them eager to glean more information from the extensive annotated bibliography included in the book.

This book is a user friendly guidebook for the traveler planning to visit Egypt. The book is divided in to three parts. Part one is an overview of an ancient civilization, part two gives a glimpse into the period between ancient and modern Egypt, and includes an exciting tour of museums, the pyramids, and the Sphinx at Giza. Part three takes the reader on visits to the cities of Memphis, Cairo, and Luxor.

The black and white photos provided by Mary Lutz add another dimension to Dick’s easy flowing narrative. There are also some spectacular color photos, credited to various photographers. These photos highlight the Temple of Hatshepsut, Luxor, and Pyramids at Giza, a Cairo Mosque, Kom Ombo, Tuankhamen’s Tomb, and Karnak.

The final section of the book provides the reader with an up to date look at modern Egypt. Lutz includes a synopsis of Egypt’s religions, politics, literature housing, military, foreign relations, business and economy.

Whether this is your first international trip or you are a seasoned traveler, this book will make your visit to Egypt more enjoyable. You should read the book prior to departure, keep it handy as a reference guide while on your visit, and as a reminder of pleasant memories when you return to share the excitement of your trip with your family and friends. This is another important book in the genre of travel and the study of an ancient civilization. “Exploring Egypt” is a great read and an important reference guide.

As reviewed for Midwest Book Review

From the National Forensic Academy to a Local Case – Thriller Book Review

If you love suspense thrillers, and love it when you find one that you just cannot put down then perhaps, I might recommend an excellent book to you? One in which politics, crime, investigative work, are twisted and turned, interwoven with expense and intrigue, which will have you on the edge of your seat for some 300 pages. Seriously, it is that good, and the book is:

“At Risk” by Patricia Cornwell; Berkley Books, New York, NY; 2006, ISBN: 978-0-425-21476-3

First, I’d surely like to recommend a few other books to you by Patricia Cornwell; Predators, Blow Fly, and Trace. Cornwell is a superb writer of suspenseful and thriller type novels, and has earned the right to appear on the New York Times Best Seller list multiple times, almost to the point now that every new book produced will end up there; perhaps a king of the genre or at least one of the few greats.

Although most do not like descriptive-ness of her writing, no one can deny the pure literary talent behind those words and visual imagery. In this book an investigator is attending the National Forensic Academy finds himself summoned back to Massachusetts by the District Attorney, who just happens to be running for governor. Part of the platform of this politician is an initiative to bring DNA into criminal investigations.

To prove this can be done, He is assigned a 29-year old case, which has gone completely unsolved. Imagine the pressure and the problems associated with this. About this time all hell breaks lose. Please consider reading this.

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