Everyone knows that middle school is hard. That is especially true for Rafe K. who has a run in with the sixth grade bully within the first 2 minutes of school.
This book has a definite Diary of a Wimpy Kid feel, but there are a few suprising twists. (Especially finding out about Rafe's best friend Leo). As Rafe works on his great plan of being the only student to ever break every rule in school's code of conduct book, we grow to really care about him and his family.
I would recommend this book for any middle schooler or soon to be middle schooler. I gave this book to my 6th grade daughter and I will definitely write her opinions when she is done.
UPDATE: So my daughter, who is a non-reader, finished this book in about 3 hours. She could no put it down! She loved the characters and the story. She passed the book onto one of her friends.
I have to say the James Patterson is really branching out. He is writing for all different kinds of audiences and seems to be doing a great job at it!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Has it really been since Dec, that I posted????
I can't believe how long it has been since I posted! I just got back from TLA in Austin and had a wonderful time! Jamie Lee Curtis was so inspiring!
It was my first time to attend as a librarian, so it was nice to walk around the vendors and really think about how I could use things to enhance my classroom library. I still picked up way too many ARCs, but lots of them can be used at school.
I do needto start reading and posting again. I spoke with a very prolific blogger at TLA and the one key piece of advice she gave me was to blog everyday. So, I am really going to make that happen!
Today I am on my way to Smithville to help my brother and sister-in-law, as well as some friends, are riding the MS 150 from Houston to Austin today and tomorrow. Looking forward to helping these wonderful people who are raising funds to help with such a debilitating disease.
Thanks for sticking with me and keep reading! I will post again tomorrow.
It was my first time to attend as a librarian, so it was nice to walk around the vendors and really think about how I could use things to enhance my classroom library. I still picked up way too many ARCs, but lots of them can be used at school.
I do needto start reading and posting again. I spoke with a very prolific blogger at TLA and the one key piece of advice she gave me was to blog everyday. So, I am really going to make that happen!
Today I am on my way to Smithville to help my brother and sister-in-law, as well as some friends, are riding the MS 150 from Houston to Austin today and tomorrow. Looking forward to helping these wonderful people who are raising funds to help with such a debilitating disease.
Thanks for sticking with me and keep reading! I will post again tomorrow.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
December already!?!
Has it really been since September that I have posted. I have read so much since then, but not a lot of time to post about it. I will hopefully catch up over the holidays. I hope all my readers have a great holiday season.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (spoiler alert!)
SPOILER ALERT! BEWARE!
I remember picking up the Hunger Games and finishing it in about 5 hours without putting it down. When I got to the end of book 1 and realized it was a trilogy I was wondering how I could wait that long for the ending. Well, here it is: Mockingjay. If you have not read the other books, read them first. I also recommend re-reading Catching Fire before starting Mockingjay. I don't want to give away too much, so this may be brief.
Mockingjay begins with Katniss walking through the remains of burned out District 12. We find out that her family is safe and the survivors of District 12 now live in the Underground of District 13. Gale is also safe, but Peeta's fate at this time is unknown. The story takes us through the rise of the rebels against the Capitol.
Katniss has many struggles: the struggle of becoming the Mockingjay, the symbol of the uprising; the struggle of how to protect her family; the struggle of who to believe; the struggle of what to believe; and the struggle of who to love.
While reading, you realize that most of the time there is a sense of maturity in Katniss that I don't think we saw in the other books. She has her moments of immaturity, but, for the most part, the things she has done and overcome have made the character more mature. Watching Katniss mature throughout the story was interesting.
I think that Gale is a pretty consistent character, he will fight for what he believes is right. Peeta's character was a surprise to me in this story. I think it was his character that I liked the most in Mockingjay. His struggles and changes while harsh, made him endearing.
I knew someone had to die and was surprised by some of the characters that did. I found myself crying at the bombing death at the end of the Uprising. I was not prepared for that one. The choice that Katniss made at the trial was no surprise, but did add to her maturity.
I think that the choices that Katniss made were good. Choosing the dandelion over the fire was the right way to go. It was a great ending to choose "rebirth over destruction". The epilogue was a nice tie-up. Overall, I think this was a satisfactory ending to a wonderful trilogy, although, I think that Hunger Games will always be my favorite.
I remember picking up the Hunger Games and finishing it in about 5 hours without putting it down. When I got to the end of book 1 and realized it was a trilogy I was wondering how I could wait that long for the ending. Well, here it is: Mockingjay. If you have not read the other books, read them first. I also recommend re-reading Catching Fire before starting Mockingjay. I don't want to give away too much, so this may be brief.
Mockingjay begins with Katniss walking through the remains of burned out District 12. We find out that her family is safe and the survivors of District 12 now live in the Underground of District 13. Gale is also safe, but Peeta's fate at this time is unknown. The story takes us through the rise of the rebels against the Capitol.
Katniss has many struggles: the struggle of becoming the Mockingjay, the symbol of the uprising; the struggle of how to protect her family; the struggle of who to believe; the struggle of what to believe; and the struggle of who to love.
While reading, you realize that most of the time there is a sense of maturity in Katniss that I don't think we saw in the other books. She has her moments of immaturity, but, for the most part, the things she has done and overcome have made the character more mature. Watching Katniss mature throughout the story was interesting.
I think that Gale is a pretty consistent character, he will fight for what he believes is right. Peeta's character was a surprise to me in this story. I think it was his character that I liked the most in Mockingjay. His struggles and changes while harsh, made him endearing.
I knew someone had to die and was surprised by some of the characters that did. I found myself crying at the bombing death at the end of the Uprising. I was not prepared for that one. The choice that Katniss made at the trial was no surprise, but did add to her maturity.
I think that the choices that Katniss made were good. Choosing the dandelion over the fire was the right way to go. It was a great ending to choose "rebirth over destruction". The epilogue was a nice tie-up. Overall, I think this was a satisfactory ending to a wonderful trilogy, although, I think that Hunger Games will always be my favorite.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
I have finished the book, but I need awhile to digest before I type my review.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
I GOT A JOB!!
I haven't posted many reviews lately because I have been busy getting ready for the new school year and my new job as an elementary librarian. I am so excited and so nervous. I will start reviewing more books soon, I promise!
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