Shiver

I love original stories and books, and this book was seemingly a little too close to Twilight. Like Twilight, it is also a trilogy. It was a romantic story, with Grace and Sam as the protagonists. While Twilight has Bella and Edward. This story was about werewolves, while Twilight is about vampires. It seems like the author was trying to ride on Stephanie Meyer's coat tail here. While it's a great book for young adults, I suppose (teenage girls, especially), I found it very difficult to stay interested. While the plot was very intricate and the characters well developed, Grace and Sam's relationship seemed so romanticized that it was completely unbelievable. In my 30 years on this planet, I've yet to meet a guy like Sam, nor would I want to really. He was borderline obsessed with Grace. I like to read about characters with real problems. I guess I'm mostly partial to nonfiction or realistic fiction. I usually don't like happy endings either, because that's not how life usually turns out, but this ending was great. I was glad to see that Sam was able to come back to Grace. I think that the author has offers some good things to the readers in this book, like the way they value their education, or the way they portray sex as something special rather than something one just rushes into. The author also stresses the importance of good friends and family to offer support in times of need. I just feel like it sets teen girls up for an expectation of a relationship that doesn't exist.

Shiver

There was a quote in our in Chapter 4 of our text from Sharon Creech "I love the way that each book--any book--is its own journey. You open the book, and off you go. You don't know who you're going to meet along the way, nor where you will go, and when you finish a book, you feel as if you've been on a journey. " I thought about this quote after finishing Shiver. I had already read the entire Twilight series and loved the romance and the dark, mysterious and protective nature of Edward. Twilight made me remember my first love and all the anticipation and new feelings that went with it. When I read Shiver, I experienced these same emotions. Although it was a quick read, I really missed the main characters when I finished. For a short time, I was in their world and felt a part of it. It was the same experience when my husband and I watched the Buffy, the Vampire Slayer series. We felt like we were part of the cast. I could see my young self in Grace. I remembered back to my first love and all the magical moments and all the firsts. I can easily see young tween and teen girls enjoying this book. However, I still can't imagine my 15 year old son even being interested in it. He already thinks the whole Twilight series is "gay." I am curious to see where the sequel, Linger, will take us. I think the idea of having a boyfriend who has something extra, i.e werewolf, vampire, or superpowers, appeals to any female. The kind of rescuer theme. But I liked how in Shiver, not only did Sam get to save Grace but Grace in turn, got to save Sam. Female tweens and teens and their mothers love romance but I think it is important that the female protagonist is a strong, independent and capable role model.

Paper Towns

While it took me just a ½ day to read “Shiver” on Thursday, I then decided to jump into “Paper Towns” on Friday. I wish I had read this before “Shiver” because my attention span to this book required 3 days of reading to finish it; not to say it wasn’t a good book but just not as fast-paced as “Shiver”. I will admit the characters were very stereotypical of the high school kids I remember growing up with, yes, back in the “80’s. Really, kids back then are not that much different than they are today. The author really didn’t have to go into details with the description of the characters, although he did more so with Margo with the way he described her look but left a mystery as to who she really was. From the author’s descriptions alone though, one cannot really put a face to the character but the personality traits of each character given, I just imagined the faces of the people I went to school with or from one of those high school movies I watched and gave the face to the characters in the book. That was very clever of the author in that he did not have to go into as much detail as the other books I have read; we had to think on our own and visualize what the characters looked like. Sure, you have Quentin the timid, Margo the rebel, Radar/Marcus the brain of the gang, Ben who is the perverted nerd gone wild but really has a good heart and shallow Lacey, who later is open-minded to let Ben in her life, and Jase the typical I’m better than thou jock, Chuck the jerky big jock, and Becca the “B” and so forth. It was a vivid bunch of characters, so typical of high school students today. Being around teenagers, all the time myself, I could see bits of these book characters in the teens I know, even down to their disgusting colloquial language and their humor. The games Arctic Fury and Resurrection were big in the book. Although, somewhat crude at times, the humor of the Ben the Libido kid with his constant peeing and infatuation with penises, his “big” balls and his honey bunnies only goes to show that yes these are the thoughts and the language from teens today but then you had his sensitive side with the comical prom shoe shopping discussion with “Q”; hilarious. Although the language and conversations were over the top sometimes, I enjoyed the humor of the conversations between these young teen boys. The plot is somewhat drawn out and I pretty well imagined how it would end; although I like the comparisons they did throughout the book with poetry and life. You felt sorry for Margo who was such a troubled teen that nobody ever really knew or understood who Margo was and she too didn’t really find herself until she left or did she? She said, “Your will go to the Paper Towns and you will never come back.” It was the story of her trying to find herself, a scared, confused teen and yes a bit selfish at times, not taking into consideration her family and friends who did love her even though she thought they didn’t care. You felt though as if her family had finally given up on her, especially when they changed the locks but I think they just knew Margo and realized there was no changing her and she had to finds things out on her own. She also says, “Nothing ever happens like you imagine it will” and that is so true and sometimes you just have to face up to the facts that it’s not a perfect world and people aren’t always who you think they are. I liked Quentin’s quote when he said,”The town was paper but the memories were not”. Sometimes, we need to go on this perpetual journey to find ourselves and find out who we really are. Not that we have to do something drastic and go that far but find out what things mean but we never really get all the answers and that keeps us motivated to persevering and going on with life. The book leaves you hanging by do we ever find out who Margo really is and does she ever really find herself. The kiss was a nice touch but we end the book just feeling that they won’t see each other again; too many broken strings.

Shiver me timbers

Shiver is a great YA book that deserves the attention it is getting by movie producers. If you liked the Twilight series then the Shiver series will be for you. Maggie Stiefvater really took Stephanie Meyers' character ideas and ran with it to call her own. It is the perfect next book to read by tween girls who cannot get over the Meyers vampire and werewolves book empire. One must admit there is an uncanny similarity between Sam and Jacob and Grace and Bella. The book was very well written though the plot is a little to close to that of Twilight. The characters used in Shiver were easy to imagine and could easily be related to by tween girls everywhere and the struggles of high school. When the movie comes out it will be hard to keep this book on the shelf and I am going to suggest we purchase more copies for the library system. I am going to donate my copy. The next book in the series Linger, I think, will hopefully pull away from the Twilightish plot line that the media has bombarded us with. Will a YA boy like this book? No, because it is a romance from the beginning even with Sam telling his side of the story. I enjoyed reading this book because it was a quick read that only takes maybe two evenings to read and that adds to its ability to keep YA readers entertained. I will be suggesting this series to many of the YA girls who are looking for this kind "paranormal romance" especially with the new Twilight movie opening this weekend. This genre will exploded with readers as it did with the last Twilight movie.

Claudette Colvin

Before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white person; a 15 year girl by the name of Claudette Colvin did it first. It had to take a lot of courage for Claudette to do such a thing and at first she was considered a hero. But not long after standing up for her rights and the rights of others she was shunned by her classmates along with the leaders of the African American community. This non-fiction book is very interesting. You met a girl that no one knew existed until Phillip Hoose stumbled across her name while doing research for another project and decided to track her down and write her story. Claudette's story is about courage and standing up for what is right. And it just makes you stop and think how cruel a dominate race can be to minority race.

Going Bovine

I liked this book. At first it was kind of slow going but as I got into it, I realized it wasn't so bad. At first I thought Cameron was just a self center teenager but as I continued to read I realized that he wasn't; he just used that I don't care additude so that no one could see how he really felt. To me Cameron was a misplaced teenager that gets Mad Cow disease. He takes a journey to save the world and to find Mr X but ends up discovering the importants of friends and life itself. There is a lot of adventure in this book that will have you laughing at times and crying at others. Even though I was a little heartbroken as to how the book ends. It was a good read and I would recommend anyone to give this book a try. Thanks for putting it on the list.

Shiver

This book was awesome!! Stiefvater developed the plot and the characters beautifully. The plot kept building and building, and I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen - I didn't want to put it down - so I finished it in a day. The plot was easy to follow and I liked that Stiefvater narrated the story from both Grace and Sam's points of view. Adding the temperature at the beginning of each chapter was a nice touch - it helped to build the suspense. As I was reading, I felt as though I was a part of the story. I even got teary-eyed when Sam turned into a wolf, never to be human again. Even though I knew from the story that "the end" would come for Sam, I was pulling for Grace and Sam, that it wouldn't happen. And how fitting that Sam saved Grace to have Grace save him six years later. Very cool. And the romance was wonderful. They had loved each other for so long and Grace found a way for them to be together in the end. I love it!!! And I liked that Grace was somewhat wolf, although in denial, and Sam brought that side of her out, and finally she felt comfortable with it. No wonder she had such a strong desire to be with the wolves since her near-death experience with them. This story reiterates the saying, "True love conquers all." Also that no matter what obstacles lie ahead of you, if you truly love each other and it is meant to be, it will be.

Shiver

This book did not disappoint! I really liked how Maggie Stiefvater took the "it" topic and transformed it into an original story with beautifully developed characters. I am a HUGE fan of the "paranormal romance" series like Twilight, Sookie Stackhouse, Vampire Academy and the Black Dagger Brotherhood, so I had high expectations. It's not fair to compare Shiver to any of these because the audience in mind is completely different. The others are plot and romance driven for the adult readers (yes even Twilight which is classified YA) with a fast pace. Shiver was more of a "slow burn" in that she took time to build the plot and chapters to build the characters. By the end we knew how Grace and Sam would act before she wrote it because we knew their personalities without a doubt. I love how the narrator would switch between the two to give us a fuller understanding. I appreciate a book and the characters in it much more when they are written from multiple points of view.

I also like how this book was not action driven; we knew the problem going into the book almost immediately and could feel it building and anticipate the change to come. It was a fluid piece of work without any outside distractions. I loved this book as an adult and I'm eager to hear what a young adult has to say about it.

Shiver

WOW!! What a great book to read! Like most girls/women, I'm a huge fan of love stories! The plot of this story just keeps you interested and wondering, what would happen next! Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. Sam and Grace are what most people call the "Perfect Couple." Sam's character is so sincere and honest. I think his character reflected the way he was brought up, since he was bitten at such an early age and Beck raised him as his own child. Grace's character showed how determined and strong willed she really is. Teens could easily relate to Sam and Grace. Each character has obstacles in their life that they have to overcome. One issue that Sam and Grace dealt with is their parents. Grace longed to be seen by her parents and Sam's parents tried to end his life at such an early age. I think it's ironic how at the beginning of the story Sam saved Grace's life and then at the end of the story Grace saved Sam's life. Throughout this book the unity between Sam and Grace is shown. There is even a unity between Sam and Beck in the story. Ultimately, Beck and Sam resolve their little spat and Beck calls Sam to where Grace is, so Grace can try to save Sam's life. Beck then turns into a wolf forever.
I loved how the author of this book switched between Sam's story and then Grace's story. The book just flowed so easily because of the division! Plus, the reader is getting both perspectives! Also, having the temperature at the top of each chapter sets the setting for the book. The reader can almost feel the temperature drop, which sets the mood of the story too! This is a great book for teens and even adults! I can't wait to read the next book in this series!

Rebecca Wilson

Shiver-----Absolutely Loved it!

Wow, I absolutely loved this book. I started it this afternoon and had to finish it in the same day, which I finished about 10:00. I couldn't put the book down except to fix supper and check on the kids. My daughter had already read it and said she liked it better than the Twilight series and as much as I love the vampire/Dracula stories I admit the writing in this book about the werewolves was superb and more intriguing to me than most books I have read. The characters simply came to life on the pages and you could really empathize with them. I loved the romance in it and how it lured you into the plot and how you kept hoping that Sam wouldn't change. Being fast-paced helped me keep my attention on finishing the book in the same day, which is not usually the case for me. The characters had a lot of similarity to Bella and Edward and similar storyline but I felt that there was much more depth in the story and felt more realistic, even though there are no such things as werewolves but there are wolves. I loved how the author incorporated poetry in the story that Sam liked to share with Grace and that really showed his sensitive side. The characters would be appealing to both teenage boys and girls. You have Sam, who is not perfect and has had to overcome a lot in his life and you have Grace, who longs to have her parents notice her more and teens can relate to that; just normal everyday people, except Sam is a wolf part of the time. I loved how the author switched back and forth with Grace telling her story and then Sam telling his; it's good to have both point of views and their perspectives. Just having the temperature at the beginning of the chapter would get me on edge as to whether or not he was going to change; I loved the suspense! You have amongst the other characters, friendships developing and problem solving at every turn that the characters must make. You have the strong female protagonist who hopes and will stop at nothing to help Sam. Sam is longing, regardless of anything to be human after building the friendship he has with Grace and as he learns of true love. We see how Sam saved Grace early on and then Grace saves him and he builds that trust with her and then Grace is the hero once again in the end. The characters are modern and are relative to our teens problems today and throw in a little fantasy of real werewolves as if you could almost believe it could be true. It's a journey that teens could follow and relate to some of the issues they deal with at home and at school themselves. I loved the simple line that Sam said in chapter 42, "A life is measured by moments like these." It makes one think to never take things for granted and to enjoy the moment. I really loved this book and can't wait to read the next of the series!!

Shiver

I loved this book. The characters of Sam and Grace drew me in from the start. I really liked the way the author switched perspectives while telling this story. I tried not to, but found myself comparing this story with the Twilight series. I found that Grace and Bella are similar in with their family situations. They both have sense of understanding the risks involved with their relationships with their non-human boyfriends. Sam is a lot like Edward in the way that neither chose their life for them-self. Beck chose Sam's life after his cruel parents and Carlisle chose Edwards life to save him from dying. Also, both Sam and Edward relationships with the opposite sex were treasured and things moved slowly. Both stories had a race against time. I got very upset with Sam's character when he left the SUV after Grace had hit ice. I knew he just couldn't leave her alone; he was to drawn to her. I must say I loved the last page of the novel when Grace discovered that he was alive. The plot moved quickly and that's a major key in YA literature. This story is a definite great book on the YALSA reluctant reader list. Since I was a reluctant reader in HS this story would have probably pulled me back into reading.
I am looking forward to the sequal of Linger, and I got impatience. I found the first chapter on Amazon and read it! JULY 20th is not coming fast enough for me.

Shiver

OMG! I loved this book! Everyone said that I would, since I'm a huge fan of love stories. But this one wasn't the mushy gushy type of love story. It kept you on pins and needles the whole time...like Sam said...his life was like a roller coaster. And isn't Sam the best boyfriend ever! His character was so sweet to Grace. I think mostly because was an intellectual type person and he knew he did not have very long before he was going to be changed into a wolf forever. I felt sorry for Sam as things started to get colder and colder for him. I felt bad that he was sortive dragged into being a werewolf. And then there were his parents who tried to kill him. I also liked Grace's character in this book. As I kept getting closer to the end, I was feeling sorry for her. I even shedded a tear for her because I really didn't think she was going to have Sam back as a human. When I read that last page I jumped up from the couch and shouted, "He's alive!" I was so afraid that the book would end with him dying, but I'm glad the author waited till the very last page to keep me on my toes. I thought the book was very easy to read. I like the idea of putting the temperature on each chapter. The temperature is what played a huge role in this book. I also found it interesting that Olivia wanted to actually be a werewolf and live that kind of life. I thought that was nice twist at the end as well. I so can't wait till the sequel comes out!

Shiver

I kind of had a hard time starting this book, and really wanted to not like it, because I have been such a "Twilight" fan.  That may sound weird, but I don't read many other vampire or werewolf books.  I have to say I did end up liking it a lot.  I found Grace to be an interesting character, but I found the first chapter uncomfortable and disturbing, I guess because it was so realistic, as far as the implied violence.  I did not understand her obsession with the wolves until I got into the story, and understood how the wolves' bites affected people, and how they apparently affected her.  After that, her obsession at the start of the story made much more sense to me, I understood her.  Sam is such a tortured soul, I liked him, his fight to be a human, even though he is an animal part of the year.  He does not enjoy this way of life that has been forced upon him, and it becomes even more painful when we find out how he became a werewolf, that Beck chose him to be what he is, and thus set in motion the horrific events that followed with his biological parents.  Sam's pain and anguish is very palpable, I felt the most for him in the story, even when it was Grace's turn, I still felt for him.  Grace is such a contrast to her parents, and their relationship is a curious one, they are more like the kids, and her the parent, which is very much like Bella and her mother, in Twilight, though Grace's relationship with her parents is more distant, and less loving, it seems.  She really wants them to pay attention to her, and to love her, but they don't seem to get it, and Sam does, he loves her, and she loves him and the attention he gives her.  She handles everything with a great deal of maturity, and I found her to be a strong, independent female protagonist.  The characters were described in such detail in this book, and were developed very artistically, I thought.  The switching back and forth between Grace and Sam was a nice way to see both sides, and doing it in first person, that made it very personal.  The connection between Sam and Grace, due to the wolf attack, made sense, their attraction is almost instinctual, and it worked.  I think the plot was developed nicely, there was plenty of suspense, and I enjoyed the way the author led us through the storyline.  I should have seen the wreck coming, everything was going well, and something always happens when things are going well.   I think that teens will enjoy this book, and that it was well written.  I am definitely looking forward to the sequel!

Shiver gave me shivers!

Wow! What can I say! I absolutely loved this book. When I went online to find this book, whether it was at the library or bookstore, it was always checked-out or on hold. That told me automatically that this was an awesome book. I had some preconcieved ideas about this book before I read it. The Twilight series went through my mind when I started it. It seemed to be a little similar to the infamous series, which I loved. My neice, Courtney, is my teenager that I asked to read this book with me. She was all excited because she had bought Shiver at the bookfair but hadn't read it yet. I talked to her about what we were going to do and what was expected of her. We decided to discuss the book on Facebook.
The characters in this book were created superbly. I loved the way Steifvater wrote each chapter in the perspective of Grace or Sam. It helped me to understand what each of them were thinking. The temperature stated at the beginning of each chapter kept me guessing of what was to come. As Steifvater described Grace and her family, I could see them come to life in my head. Mom, an artsy human, that flitted around, always seeming to let Grace be the typical "mom" role in the house. She reminds me of a "free spirit" that doesn't want to be tied down with the responsibility of a teenager. Dad is so career oriented that he spends little time with Grace. Grace, the typical teenage girl protaginist is the responsible one of the house and seems to run the house as well. Steifvater does a good job describing Grace. I loved the way that she seemed connected to the wolves and how Steifvater made me feel like I was there watching Grace watch the wolves from her backyard. One thing that I didn't get from the story that I was hoping to get was a mental picture of the wolves. Steifvater described the change over from human to wolf and how the skin stretched and the bones popped, but I still couldn't "see " what these wolves looked like in animal form. Using my background knowledge of werewolves, I could infer what they might look like, but it seems like she could have given a better description. Sam was an intriguing character. His description wasn't as clear as Graces'. His life is more of a mystery. I cringed at the picture Steifvater painted when his parents had him in the bathtub trying to releive him of his curse. This was such a sad part to read. I can just imagine the scars that Sam has to live with, physcially and mentally.
The plot of this book had me guessing. Like I said earlier, it helped to have each chapter labeled with which character is speaking. I liked it having shorter chapters which made it easier to read. Steifvater did a great job with the plot of Shiver. It was fast paced enough for teenagers to stay interested but slow enough for them to understand it.
I cannot wait until Linger comes out. This is going to be the next huge series success.

Everything Matters

As others from class have mentioned, this book was extremely depressing to me and, honestly, I had a great deal of trouble making myself read it. With respect to plot, I understand that all families are troubled to some extent. I know that my own was and is. But I found the continual horrificness (yes, I made that up) a bit over the top. Instead of reading with interest to see what would happen next, I found the plot cumbersome and a burden. It was one sad episode after another. When I think of this book as compared to Going Bovine, I am startled by the fact that they are both about impending, unavoidable demise and each end as such. But at least with Bovine, there were a lot of laughs along the way.

Admittedly, I was repulsed by the first few pages of the book. I'm not sure why the author felt compelled to include fetal memories at all. But since he did, why on earth must there be included the sexual encounter between the parents? If it's supposed to represent the fact that all of us eventually come to terms with the "facts of life," then it's a pretty poor stretch.

I also found the retro approach to the past several decades interesting, but I was annoyed that there was a cable box in the 70s based on Junior's age. Cable boxes didn't come along until the 80's, so that was off-putting for me.

While the switch in narrators gave better insight into the characters, I also found myself having to do a lot of page flipping to recall who the narrator was at times. And although I felt like I understood the characters better, I also found that there really weren't any of them who I could let myself care about because there were just so few redeeming moments in the story or redeeming qualities in the characters.

Everything Matters!

Like the rest of my classmates have mentioned, I found this book to be a difficult read. After reading the blurb on the book jacket, my expectations were clarified.

I am not opposed to books that have a difficult ending and don't involve the words "and they lived happily ever after." But the twists and turns the book's plot takes essentially negate all chances for hope in the story. Junior finds the cure for his father's cancer but then he dies in a car crash. His brother overcomes his drug addiction but suffers serious brain damage as a result. His girlfriend agrees to join him on the ship leaving the planet, but is killed in the bombing of a building. Most of the action in the novel is really trying to hit home the point that just when life starts to look up, you get hit by a Mack truck. I can see the appeal this would have to teens, who feel as if everything is the end of the world, whether its a fight with a best friend over shoes or a zit before the prom.

Because this is an adult novel that young adults have found and enjoy, we learn a lot more about Junior's parents in this story. I think this is important for young adults to read and understand. Adults do bad things, just like children do. Adults are not perfect and make mistakes; they are fallible creatures who react in ways that we as children can't always understand. Through the mysterious voice, Junior learns more about the people around him then he might normally learn on his own. The second person narrative is also helpful for us as the reader to get more of an understanding of all the characters in the book, so we can better understand Junior's world and how he lives in it. Teens are self-absorbed people so this is a nice subtle nod for them to look outside their bubble and see the world around them.

In trying to save the world, Junior damaged the people around him in one way or another. In his second chance, he lived his life. In the end, he had a happier world because of it, even though the world ends. His actions in both chances remind of a cancer patient, or anyone with a serious illness. They begin by fighting, trying to overcome impossible odds and survive. Some do, some don't. Those who survive always remember and treasure their life more than they ever did before. Those who cannot beat it, are perhaps the most courageous of all, who keep a brave face and a positive outlook even though their own life has been stamped with an expiration date. Ultimately that is what I would like to take away from the book - Live each day to the fullest, because it might be your last.

Everything Matters

After reading this, I'm still not sure whether I liked it or not. It still bothers me, and seems pointless, that Junior learns about the end of the world on the exact day he was born. To me, this is odd only because I have no memories of myself or anything until I was about three or four, but again, it is a book.

I think having Junior know when the end of the world is going to be is interesting because a lot of shows on the History channel, Discovery channel, etc discuss this because the Mayan people said the world would end December 21, 2012. I think that the idea of Junior knowing this shows readers what it is like to deal with this sort of pressure because he can relate to nobody on this level.

One aspect that I enjoyed, that I think is not as prevalent in other books, were how visible Junior's parents were. In most young adult books, the parents are in the background or are "bad." I thought it was interesting to see and learn about how Junior's dad sacrificed all that he did. Most parents in young adult fiction are not given much of a back story. Even when Junior's mom because an alcoholic, she is still made relevant in the book. From experience, I think that most authors would have had Junior saying/doing bad things because of the mother and would have all his problems blamed on her because she would be considered a "bad" parent. This book made it obvious that someone still cares enough to write about the characters parents because they are apart of every child/teens life. Parents help children grow, and that should always be known to children because most kids really look up to their parents and are a product of them.

Again, I cannot decide if I like this book because it was so depressing. I can read sad books, but this was hard to read. I read this while sitting outside in the sun, so I cannot imagine reading this in the dead of winter when it's cold, gray, and snowing.

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

Why are we only taught about Rosa Parks and her stand against segregation on the bus when there was a 15-year old, Claudette, who had already made a stand as well as Mary Louise Smith? I know, I know.....these two ladies weren't the poster-child for the bus boycott, but still. These two should be studied along with Rosa Parks.

This book is critical literacy, visual literacy, and global literacy. Hoose did an excellent job of telling this story, particularly when deciding to alternate between Claudette's recollections and then he filling in information. Incorporating the black and white photographs was a nice touch. The still photos brought depth to what I was reading. I certainly empathize with Claudette and what she and her people went through. I cannot imagine living in the world she lived in and fought against. And how sad that her own people turned their backs on her not once, but twice?! She helped her people in so many ways, only to be shunned. Even the white people who helped the black people were turned on by their own people. Juliette Morgan, a white librarian, had written a letter to the Montgomery newspaper commending the way the black people had conducted the boycott with dignity. Unfortunately, people of the white community were not so pleased with her letter, and they tormented her. They tormented her so much that she committed suicide.

My emotions were a roller coaster while reading this book: glad, sad, angry, happy, couldn't believe what I was reading. I am so glad that Hoose was persistent and found Claudette so he could tell her story. It's so incredible. This is a story that I will never forget. I plan to make sure that the History/Social Studies teachers at my school know about Claudette Colvin. I am also going to urge them to talk about her when it is time for their civil rights unit. Claudette should not be forgotten.

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

Wow! What a read. I could feel the degradation, anger, humiliation and helplessness of the African Americans in Montgomery and throughout the south. And for the first time, I realized the importance of the bus as transportation for the majority of African Americans and the complete degradation they suffered daily when riding it. I liked how the author narrated and then traded off with Claudette's own words. Claudette became a real person to me and not just one described only according to an author. To think of the stand that she made when only 16 years old. How powerful for today's youth. You always hear about Rosa Parks, our children are taught about Rosa Parks, but I had no idea that there were 2 teenagers before Parks that paved the way for Parks' protest. How wonderful that a talented writer decided to research Claudette and tell her story which in turn tells the story of a terrible time in our history. A time that still has repercussions today. As evidenced by the insane whitewashed social studies curriculum Texas just approved and the return to neighborhoods schools being pushed down in Raleigh. It is sad that Claudette suffered for her actions both within and outside her own community. Even today, teenagers are making stands and suffering the consequences. (i.e. the female that tried to get into the Citadel; the female who sued her school for not being able to bring her girlfriend to the prom). I am just thankful that she was allowed to redeem herself with her wonderful testimony in the class action lawsuit. By showing a real person, Hoose has allowed us to actually feel what it was like to be a teenager in the segregated south. How often we stereotype people and events without really knowing the truth about either. I always think of that saying, "you will never know another, until you walk in their shoes" or something like that. This book helped me to walk in Claudette's shoes.

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

I remember learning about Rosa Parks in school and she often comes up in my class discussions when we read stories about prominent African American people who have made an impact on human rights or the Civil Rights Movement. However, I've never heard of Claudette until I read this book. I was totally unaware that there was someone who stood up for what she believed in and for what was right, even before Rosa did. It's a shame that she was shunned by the community, her friends, and mostly everyone for doing what was right for everyone. I think this story will be an inspiration to young people because it shows them that they can stand up for what they believe in and make a difference in the world. Claudette paved the way for Rosa. If she wouldn't have taken that first step, the world might not be the same. She changed American history, which is quite a feat for a 15 year old girl. I believe that she would've had more credibility and more accolades if she hadn't gotten pregnant as a teenager. Unfortunately, in the 1950s and 60s, people weren't as forgiving of teen pregnancy. She sacrificed so much so that everyone could be treated equally. It would've been much easier to just sit back and let things remain the same as always, but like she said, she's felt this way since she was little (ever since she was old enough to understand all the injustices toward African American people). Many young people today feel like no one will listen to them. They also don't want to be singled out and be any different than anyone else. That's why what Claudette did was so brave. She had so much to lose, and did lose almost all of it. She was not able to work, she was an unwed teenage mother, she lost her right to an education, and she didn't even get any credit for what she did. However, she was willing to give it all up for what she believed in. She stood up for herself and what she thought was right, and we are all benefiting from what she did. I would hope that young people today could read a story like this and be brave enough to make changes themselves for the good of the world.

Shiver

The characters in this book were very well developed and Maggie Stiefvater made sure that the reader could vividly imagine each character. Characters were built carefully through their thoughts shared in the book, actions they took, and by how other characters reacted to them. I think a good example of character development is Isabel, “Isabel… you have to know why I’m afraid to talk to you. I know you haven’t done anything to me personally. But I know people you’ve destroyed. Just… tell me why I should trust you.” from page 256. The book has the characters I think of high school played out perfectly. The bully, popular, and strange outcasts are all woven into the book and need the help of each other. I was missing so many pieces to the story that were finally answered. I thought the suspense was great and kept me questioning to the point that I just knew the author was not going to share the info with me. The book also lends itself perfectly to the sequel which I hope provides more answers.
I also think because the characters were so strongly imagined in my head that I would not want to see the movie version. I know what each of the characters look like and their mannerisms and I do not want to have to see someone else’s ideas about them.

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

This was a wonderfully written non-fiction story. The way that the author weaved the photographs with captions along with true accounts from Claudette made the book interesting. I loved the way Hoose wrote the chapters about important things in Claudette's life and then included the interviews in Claudette's words. The chapters he included made the plot of the story flow well. The history of Claudette's brave step toward justice through the over ruling of the Jim Crow Laws were captured in chapter progression. He did a wonderful job portraying Claudette and the other people in her life. The way he described Claudette showed me her determination and intellegence as a young child through her teenage years. She was able to overcome many obstacles and Hoose helped me to see what a courageous person she was. I think it also helped to include pictures of the people in her life to help the reader visualize them. It is always nice to be able to put a name with a face. I am sure this book will be very informative for students. In all my years of teaching and going to school, I never heard of Claudette Colvin and the steps she took to ensure justice for everyone.

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
By Phillip Hoose

This was a well written non-fiction story of a remarkable young teenager that I did not know much about the character, except she was one of the four in the trial that helped rid segregation on the buses in Montgomery for human rights. How come history for such a long time decided to overlook such an important person’s role in the change of the society we live in? We know everything about Rosa Parks but had it not been for Claudette’s brave actions would the story had been much different and would we all know Rosa Parks as well as we do today? In reading the book I jotted down words to describe her character including smart, inquisitive, wonderer, tomboy, integrity, self-respect, self-confidence, brave, courageous and a girl nick-named Coot. This book dealt with ethnic and culture diversity and you couldn’t help but empathize with Claudette and all the many hardships she went through and for many years never given the credit she deserved except to be known as a feisty and immature angry teenager, who just wasn’t the right catalyst boycott leader as the respected Rosa Parks, nine months later when she took action on the bus. I liked how the book changed from the narrator telling her story to Claudette and other characters from the story speaking up from what they recalled during that time period and how they felt. Also, just to mention other important people in history who were brutally hurt or killed and share their story was just heart drenching. Even the part about the character, Juliette Morgan the white librarian publishing a statement she said in an article about the blacks and she was threatened and bothered, abandoned by friends till she finally took her own life. It was interesting to learn that the character Jim Crow was just taken from a song and used in the minstrel shows, yet it evolved into the term to represent the whole system of laws and customs segregating whites and blacks. I loved her quotes that came straight from the heart, like “The biggest mystery of all was how the white man came to dominate us.” She admired Harriet Tubman and that character was mentioned a few times throughout the book. She had the courage the adults didn’t have to take a stand at the young age of 15; same age as my own daughter. I can imagine her crying out, “It’s my constitutional right!” and thinking this is what they taught us in school yet it doesn’t apply to some people, why? For her to take a stand like that, knowing she could’ve been killed and yet even her own people thought her action was more of a hindrance and made it harder on everyone had to really hurt Claudette even more. You had the embarrassed parents that realized it took a teenager to take a stand. She had attitude with the way she then quit straightening her “African” hair because she was proud of it and fed up with just about everyone from both sides. You look at how this teen was dragged off the bus, handcuffed and thrown in jail all the while shouting, ”It’s my constitutional right” and then look at Rosa Park. She simply asked, “Why do you push us around? “And they answer “I don’t know but the law is the law and you are under arrest.” And then they even help to carry her bags as they give her a ride in the police car, not hand-cuffed. The character, Fred Gray later said that, “I don’t mean to take anything away from Mrs. Parks, but Claudette gave all of us the moral courage to do what we did.” Was just being a teen not given the respect she deserved as she stood for her rights and then when she became pregnant she was totally shunned? Yes, Rosa was “safe” and level headed but why didn’t Claudette receive the honor Rosa did when they stood for the same thing and Claudette was there to take a stand first and then they even spell her name wrong? What a moving story and the plot throughout the book! I read the book straight without putting it down because I wanted to know the whole story and the pictures were worth a thousand words and just as touching as her story. Full of amazing characters whose stories need to be told. I couldn’t have read this book at a better time. I was at Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort where as the wedding party we stayed and attended a relatives’ wedding and as I went to the Pool complex I sat in the huge hot tub with a diverse group of people from all over the country and it made me ponder about this would have never happened back in the ‘50’s where we all shared the same facilities at this fancy resort. I sat directly across from a beautiful 15 year old girl, who I thought looked just like Janet Jackson in the face, and couldn’t help but think about Claudette and how she helped to make this all happen when we look at each other as being equal as it should be. Great characters and a great plot; a must to be read and teens will love it!

Claudette Colvin

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I no idea that there was someone before Rosa Parks that made history with issue of segregation. I actually began to feel very mad and angry while reading the book. I hate that we had a time in our history that such things existed between two races. I can't believe that was only 50-60 years ago! I feel like we've come a long way against segregation, but I still think we still have a ways to go! The book was very easy to read. The story was told through a timeline and was easy to follow. I like how the author jumped between Claudette's voice and his own voice. One of my favorite genres is historical fiction/non-fiction. This book would be great if it was turned into a movie. At least some type of documentary to show to students in school. I wonder how many other people that have been forgotten about that may have took a stand against prejudice. Claudette was a very strong and courageous person.

Claudette Colvin

I first want to say thank you to Mrs. Lyons for making us read this book. I found the book very easy to read and a story that keeps your interest. It is a great story that I never knew of. I had learned about Rosa Parks and the bus boycott, but I had never heard of Claudette Colvin. I really wished I had learned specifically what it was like in Montgomery during my schooling. But I have to wonder, if I knew it in HS would it effect me the same as it did now? Her story is a story that needs to be taught in school and remembered by adults. I enjoyed the way the author switched between her perspective and the general telling of the history. I did not realize it was several interviews with her until I read the notes section at the end of the book. I loved the way Claudette's character comes across as strong willed. Even though her life wasn't always easy, she never quit fighting for what she believed it. That message is so important for people to hear. I found it interesting that it took 2 teenagers standing up for what they believed as right before Rosa Parks did the same thing. It made think about being in that situation, would I be able to stand up for what I know as right, or would I be like the other teens and move? Again, this was a great book and I will never forget her story.

Claudette Colvin

This book was a very easy read! I had never heard of Claudette Colvin before, but found her to be a very interesting and a powerful person. The author of this story, Phillip Hoose, brought Claudette to life throughout this book. Claudette's personality, boldness, and determination was an inspiration to everyone who reads this story. I really enjoyed reading Claudette's excerpts throughout the book. Just hearing her story made me feel the pain she went through. Throughout the book, I was constantly saying "How could people treat others this way?"
I knew very little about the history of segregation or the boycotts that happened until reading this book. Once I started reading about Claudette, I couldn't put it down. I learned so much about her, the history of segregation, and other famous African Americans, and never once did I get bored! The format of this book was very nicely designed. The book keep flowing which made this book great for young adults. From reading this book, many young adults would probably like to continue reading about this kind of history.
This is a wonderful non-fiction book! I will certainly recommend this book to the teachers at my school!

Rebecca Wilson

Claudette Colvin

This book took almost no time to read, but was such a powerful story!  I had never heard of this girl, like most who have commented on it, but found her story moving.  The author did a great job of bringing Colvin's personality across, her quiet strength and determination, and how she dealt with her situation.  Having excerpts from the interviews helped bring her voice into the story, and made me feel for her, her pain and her joy.  I think the book moved along well and told the story in a timely manner.  The one think I wanted was more pictures of Colvin, at the age when she was arrested, and after.  I know she was a private person, and that she felt "jilted" by the movement that she was such a big part of, but I wanted to see more of her life, and know more about what she did after it was all in the past.  I didn't really know much about the boycott itself, besides that it happened, and the results, I didn't know how it all started, or why that city was the one where it took place.  I didn't know that much about Rosa Parks, either, her story was very interesting.  I think this book could definitely entice a reader to take the reading further, to read more books about this time in history, and find out more about the people and events that took place.  This was a nice dose of history, in an easy to read and digestible, for teens, format.  I think they would enjoy it, and not see it as boring historical mumbo jumbo.  I think it could work for middle school as well, at least for 8th grade.

Everything Matters: A Novel

All the gloom and doom in this book made for a most depressing read. However, I did like some of the things Currie mentioned like some of the TV shows and songs throughout the years. The whole premise of the story was a bit hokey, to me anyway. What would be the purpose of knowing the world was going to end at a certain time when barely born into this world? I guess it made for a decent story, though. The whole thing with the drugs and alcohol through the entire book was a bit overboard.
I did like Junior's dad. At first, I thought he was one of those dads who is there, just to work, pay bills, and put food on the table. I also decided he was always angry at the wife, kids, job, everybody and everything. I was waiting for him to beat up the mom and the two boys. After the first narrative of his (pg. 38), I changed my opinion. He was simply a survivor of a war, a promising career in baseball that he gave up, a wife, two kids, a mortgage, and a finicky vehicle. He really did care for his family. I was pulling for him to beat the cancer.
This book is different from the others we read, because the parents are very much present. Even later, when the mom gets so deep into the alcohol that she is basically ineffective, the two boys did not dismiss her. I realized that both boys idolized their dad, not only was he larger than life physically ( at 6'5"), but he helped them to grow and mature in his own quiet way.
The mom was a product of the times: many wives depended on the husbands during the 1970s. She didn't work, they had the one vehicle, and the dad had to be called at work to come home and help her deal with any crises that came up. It would be a little later that women would decide they could manage on their own just as well if not better, thank you very much.
One of the things in the book I did like was about how everybody is here and everybody and everything they do is important in this wide and mostly wacky world. The actions of people affect society, other people, the environment (which was brought out through Ruby toward the end), and future generations in many ways big and small.
I didn't like the book as a pleasure read but I do believe there are some lessons that could be pulled from it pages. I think it would be more for adults than YA, mainly because of the storyline as well as the trip down memory lane through the past 40 years. Young people think so little of death and the end of days, that I don't know if they would get much out of this book. Some would stop and think while others passed right over it.

Claudette Colvin

This seems to be a great YA non-Fiction title to me. It is very vivid and easy to read but addresses the importance of the actions of Colvin very well. The author makes the young Colvin come to life by describing her and her surroundings to the tee. By adding the actual commentary from the elderly Colvin adds to the experience as if one was with her. I think this title would be a great addition to the a middle school library. It may be a little to easy for high school students. The use of pictures and the little informational boxes, I think, would help keep the attention of younger adults.

Claudette Colvin

I was transfixed by the premise of this story. How had we not heard about a teenager who began the movement of the Montgomery Bus Boycott a year before Rosa Parks? I liked how the author moved between first person and narrator to give the audience a full sense of Claudette as a character. It's hard to realize this tough-as-nails strong female character is a real person. We felt drawn to her struggle and her fight against discrimination from not only the white community but her own black community.

The only time I felt the character needed more definition was when she became pregnant. I was confused as to how someone who was strong enough to defend her civil liberties was weak in the presence of a man. It wasn't until after I read the author's notes on how long it took for Claudette to consent, that I understood the privacy of that chapter in her life.

The plot of the story moved along at a quick pace. The book was a quick read, but kept the reader attached throughout the story. It had an even tempo of quiet development and hard hitting drama. I also liked the sidebars and primary sources used throughout the book to introduce background knowledge.

Overall I thought this book was incredible and one I will use in my own classroom when we study civil rights leaders. I feel like I have neglected an important piece of history, and am glad I have discovered it.

Everything Matters

This was by far the most depressing book I have ever read. Although I read it in one sitting, I had to go outside in the sun to keep myself from throwing the book across the room.

The plot was one draining emotional roller coaster. I did not enjoy having the rug pulled out from under me every single time something slightly heart-warming happened. So often in this book I was reminded of the pessimist’s creed: no good deed goes unpunished. The sheer amount of drug abuse, alcoholism, and cigarette smoking made me shake my head; this story is a sad testimony to the hereditary effects of addiction.

Granted, there are some positive aspects about this novel. As Junior eventually understands, yes, everything he does *does* matter. The love of family and sympathy towards other human beings is prominent. Most of all, Junior is given a second chance, an opportunity none of us will ever be given.

The second person narration was extremely interesting; I have not seen this approach in very many books. While I cared for Junior as a child, as he began to grow and stray, I found myself losing empathy towards him. Yet every time the omnipotent narrator popped up, I was back in Junior’s shoes, contemplating the good and bad in his/our life.

When I began this book, I was wondering if the whole book was going to be in second person point of view, but thankfully Currie gave us insight into all the other character’s mind. I enjoyed the point of view switches as it allowed me to see events from a different perspective, just as we should all take a moment to reflect on incidents from other people’s POV in real life. This perspective really makes it obvious how much people are able to conceal and deny in their own hearts; at the end of Rodney’s chapter during his stay in rehab, I found myself nodding along with his insistence that his mother was perfectly fine. Like Rodney, I pegged Uncle Rodney as a lying, villainous fool. Imagine the shock when John and later Junior reveals that yes, Debbie was an alcoholic. When we look at other people, we often can not see the hidden pains underneath the surface. How well do you know your neighbors? Your children? Do you know what’s happening around you? Is there anyway you could help, providing that you have the sympathy to try?

In the end, Junior redeemed himself in my eyes; he did the best he could with all the resources he controlled, at the risk of his health, to provide for his family, and later in his second life, to help the world. Junior had his faults, certainly, but the important thing is that he learned from them, in spite of the end of the world approaching, he made a difference. None of the characters are perfect; no human being is perfect. We need to be accepting, forgiving, and move onto larger problems rather than dwell on petty arguments.

As an aside, I thought it was clever that the main character went by Junior. Junior: second, not the first therefore not in control. Yet we do have control, in some ways, to shape our own destiny. Is destiny what you make of the world? Your perspective and attitude influences your actions greatly.

Claudette Colvin

Hoose really pulled me in with the first page. Wow I almost cried and I wanted to slap someone myself. I thought that the problems and struggles of Claudette were very vivid and unimaginable to me. I was able to think about things that I had never thought of through this book. It made me think about her struggles not only with the white population, but also with the black as well. Never did I think about blacks being against the movement. Of course it makes perfect sense, but it just never crossed my mind.
I liked the switch from Claudette to narrator and the information in the side boxes. At first I thought it was too much going on, but it really made the story move quickly. It also allowed the author to give the sides stories without being awkward. Some of the characters were explained and were more understandable once the side boxes were read.
Claudette felt like such a strong character to me because the brave things she did were not pre meditated. “I hadn’t planned it out, but my decision was built on a lifetime of nasty experiences.” Pg. 30. The sit in, along with the hair style stand, and the pregnancy just made me think of what a strong personality she must have had. An outcast with all people and still she stood up to help others. She did seem to be a little bitter as I read, but I would be too. With such life experiences I think she made a wonderful topic for a book and I am thankful she was not forgotten.

Charles and Emma

This was an interesting story that I think helps give more perspective on Charles Darwin the person and the struggles he experienced as he developed his Theory of Evolution.

The relationship between Charles and Emma is so important to the story but also to the life of Charles himself. Having the support and love of his wife was important to his work. While he struggled so much with the theories he begin to develop and the affect of sharing it with the world, it is easy to see how much having Emma meant to him. I love the quote from Francis Darwin on the facing page of Chapter 1, "In her presence he found his happiness, and through her, his life." If only we could all say that about the significant other in our lives! Having Emma in his corner gave Charles enough strength to share his theories with the world. And while he experienced tremendous backlash from his studies, he always knew he had Emma as a backbone, stead and sure.

The plot of the story moves along well as we experience the life that Charles and Emma had together. It's peppered with quotes from letters and other writings that help us hear these "characters" in their own words. Its one of the most wonderful things about the age of letter-writing - the sheer volume of accounts that can really give a better grasp on how a person thought and felt. And there is no better way than through their own words. I love when books include snippets from real life. I feel like it makes the person more real and not a distant entity that is so far removed from our own lives.

The books talks a lot about how to help science and religion co-exist peacefully. It's an important message for us all to realize. They try to hammer this point home over and over again, which can get a little redundant. While I think repetition has its place in children's books, I think its a bit of an overkill for a YA book. Teenagers prefer something subtler because they don't want to be thought of as children. We need to understand there is commonality in all of us and even seemingly disparate people like Charles and Emma can lead a wonderful life together.

Charles and Emma

I really enjoyed this book. I like reading books about historical figures and I liked how it opened up. I like how it read as both a story and a biography. Also, I thought the opening was funny with how Charles wrote a pro & con list about marriage; he wasn't even seeing anyone yet! I feel like the plot was split between Charles and his evolution series process/adventures and then Emma and Charles relationship development/family. I think that bringing these two together made it more interesting and would allow for a wider audience. I could see some readers liking one part of the plot and other readers like the other. I think girls would enjoy the parts that dealt with Emma and Charles a lot because it is more about family and dealing with love.

I enjoyed how Heiligman developed Emma and Charles as both real people and characters. I felt I could relate to both of them because of the ideas, sympathies, and beliefs they both had. I can relate to Charles because, at times, he seemed a bit introverted. I also am like this because I need my alone time. I liked how he talked about how he needed to be with someone who would accept that he had other hobbies and that whomever he married needed to understand that. I believe Emma was good at understanding and accepting what type of man Charles was. I think it is hard to know that your significant other may put you second at times when they need to focus on some other matter. I also liked how Charles and Emma's love for each other and Annie allowed them to heal seperately and together following her death. I think that after her death, Emma may have held too much grief inside and Charles may have worked himself too hard to put it out of his mind, but all in all, I thought it was important that teens see how death needs to be dealt with people you love and alone as well because that is how you will get closure. In chapter 7, Charles deals with his theories, but on page 52 he wonders what Emma would think and how she would feel with his " flirting with materialism." I think this shows readers how Charles was a real person who also wanted his significant other to accept him. So many teens worry about if someone they like will agree with their ideas and if they do not, they will often change to that person's beliefs because they want to be liked. Charles "juxtaposition of his heart and mind" shows readers how everyone, even someone who wrote the Origin of Species battles with his feelings.

One question that I did have was when I was looking at the pictures, it looks like William and George are wearing dresses. Was this common? Or am I seeing things?

Paper Towns

This was an interesting read that really speaks to the growing up process - how the end of high school is a culmination of events really define us as teenagers. The actions and adventures of the plot are what we wish our last moments in high school were like. There is such a build-up that the end can often feel like a letdown - but Quentin, Radar, Ben and Lacey found adventure. More importantly, I think they found themselves.

Like the rest of my classmates mentioned, I loved Ben, Radar and Quentin. These characters are quirky and flawed and remind me so much of myself and my friends in high school. I really related to these boys who could talk a big talk when it came to "experience" but were unafraid to knight friends with a beer can sword, obsessively check Omnictionary, or be in the school band. They were really heartening characters, who through their adventures in search of Margo, learned something important about themselves.

In reading the book, I found it so interesting how several of the adults in the novel - the detective, Quentin's parents - give subtle hints to the fact that Margo may not want to be found. Unfortunately, Quentin and his friends don't listen. I think this important for adults to understand about their children - coming to the realization on our own has more meaning than being told to believe it is so. Quentin and the others have to realize that Margo was nothing like they thought she was, and that it's okay. Quentin is finally able to see her as a person, a person like everyone else who has faults and flaws and makes mistakes. Through this understanding, he is better able to accept Ben for who he is. As Radar puts it, "You keep expecting people not to be themselves. I mean, I could hate you for being massively unpunctual and for never being interested in anything other than Margo Roth Spiegelman, and for, like, never asking me about how it's going with my girlfriend - but I don't give a shit, man, because you're you. My parents have a shit ton of black Santas, but that's okay. They're them. I'm too obsessed with a reference Web site to answer my phone sometimes when my friends call, or my girlfriend. That's okay, too. That's me. You like me anyway. And I like you. You're funny, and you're smart, and you may show up late, but you always show up eventually."

Most of the rest of my classmates have spoken to the fact they disliked Margo as a character and felt she was only crucial in terms of advancing the plot. While I agree that Margo does things that don't make you instantly warm to her, I feel like I understand her motives for acting the way she does. Margo and everyone around her has built up an image of Margo Roth Spiegelman. But none of these things is the real her. As Cary Grant once said, "No one can be Cary Grant, not even Cary Grant." I feel like this sentiment is true in relation to Margo. She is like an untouchable celebrity, unbelievable and unimaginable to even her friends. That is not an easy life to live or an image that is easy to follow. What is a person to do when she has been built up to the status of a God? You can either self-destruct under the pressure, like a lot of celebrities do, or you escape. And Margo chose to escape, to start over and try to be a more authentic Margo Roth Spiegelman. While I don't necessarily condone all her methods, sometimes we have to make an unexpected break if we have any hopes of starting over.

While Quentin, Ben, Radar and Lacey felt some disappointment at the end of the journey to find Margo, I feel like they haven't begun to see the truth. Its all about the journey, not the destination. Its what you learn along the way that makes it all worthwhile. And that's what I feel the book points out - accept others as they are and maybe you'll learn how to better accept yourself.

Paper Towns

I really liked this book, except for Margo. She seemed confused and crazy. Why would you leave clues for someone to find you, then get mad when they did? She complained a lot, but did nothing about it except runaway. I think it is important for teens to realize that you cannot run away from your problems because they will always come back to haunt you. I also thought the pranks Margo did with the aid of Q was somewhat funny, but revenge is never really acceptable. Yes, it stinks that your old friend is cheating with your boyfriend, but that happens. I wish Green would have shown a positive way for Margo to deal with this, but then, I guess there would have been no real story. I'm not so sure still if Margo was just a teen acting out because of "teen problems" or if she was distressed/disturbed in some way. I think that Q liked her because he thought she was all these things she was not or, it's like that saying that says you always want what you can't have.

My favorite part of the story was the third part when Q goes to find Margo using the clues she left. I love the roadtrip they go on because it sort of had a On the Road by Jack Kerouac feel. I think the plot has great aspects of showing friendship, especially between the group during their roadtrip to find Margo. Another aspect of the plot that is relateable for teens is Q's feelings for Margo. They are very over the top, and he has had a crush on her for a long time. He cares for her so much, he does not see how she is a bit "off" in the head.

Again, I hope this book shows teens that running away is not a good thing to do. I wish Margo would have stayed in Orlando to figure out her problems. I just remember in high school being forced to watch a movie about teenage runaways and how they usually turn to prostitution. Running away is not a glamorous thing! It also reminds me of all those "MISSING" ads on the wall at Walmart.

Going Bovine

So, I guess my original one did not post I just noticed...well, here is what I remember:

The plot for Going Bovine is extremely out there. Even though there are some unbelievable aspects to the story, underneath it all, there are some really good points in the book. Cameron has to deal with death and all of his problems with his parents. Through all the ups and downs of Cameron's adventure, he is able to accept himself and his parents. This is a true coming of age plot. For example, Cameron losing his virginity. Also, using Don Quixote is a good opener for students if they want to read that book. I also like how death is portrayed as not being as scary as we presume it to be. A lot of teens may have not dealt with death at that point in their lives, but it is not to say it won't happen at some point.

The author does a good job with Cameron as the main character because he is easily relateable. He is a typical teen who struggles with his identity, his parents, and school. You cannot name one teenager that has not dealt with those problems at some point in time. I like his language and sarcasm because I was a lot like that at seventeen and still am. I think he tries to be tough, but underneath he is really struggling with being sick and not knowing who he is. I think a lot of people, whether it be adult, teen, or child, try to hide behind a tough exterior when in actuality, we all just want to be loved and accepted. I also like how Cameron is his own worse enemy (the Wizard). I think we all battle our own demons, but a lot of times that is apart of us.

Paper Towns

This book was one of those where I kept turning pages just to see what would happen. I did like the characters, though. The lone exception would be Margo. Even at the beginning of the book, she was raising my eyebrows. I was starting to think maybe she is spoiled and a little crazy. Then, by the end of the book, I thought she was more crazy as well as self-centered than anything else. Here she was complaining about her bad life. but I was thinking why don't she try to improve things. She could start with her attitude towards her parents, friends, the town. All teenagers go through relationships and breakups. Margo should have sucked it up and dealt with it. I believe that is called growing up and becoming a responsible adult. No, she runs away! She didn't even want to give living with Q and his parents a try . I realize teenagers run away for a variety of reasons, some less than what Margo experienced. It was my impression that she wanted to be alone, no family, no boyfriend, nobody but her. She didn't need anybody! I thought Q was crazy for I guess you could call it "mooning" over Margo and skipping his graduation to drive 1100 miles to find somebody who obviously did not want to be found. If Margo thought enough of Q and wanted him to know what she planned to do, then she would have told him or left a note. It seems that the strong feelings were more on his part than hers. Q, Ben, and Radar are very likable characters who made me want to moan or cheer depending on what situations they got themselves into throughout the book. Friendship is very strong in this book just like in Going Bovine. Also, music is again throughout the book as in Going Bovine, which is okay because it is a big part of the lives of teenagers whether or not they play in a band. Overall, I liked this book and I think young people could identify with Margo and the life she lived. Hopefully, the teen would try to get some help improving the situation instead of taking off into the unknown.

Charles and Emma

I started this book and got bored very quickly. I thought I was going to have to start skimming until I came across something interesting. I stayed with it and after the children were born the book did get a little more interesting. I did not like where Charles talked about his work and his books, particularly the religious stuff. I could see this book raising a few eyebrows here in the Bible Belt because of the parts about God, the Bible, creation, and some of the other things Charles studied and talked about. His experiments with his children were interesting and the deaths of three of the children were sad because they were so young. Such was the time, I guess. Medicine had not progressed enough to treat and even cure many of the ailments that were fatal during the early part of the 1800's. The illness that Charles endured most of his adult life was never made clear, but then, it probably wasn't known exactly what was wrong with him. He even said the doctors could not figure out what the problem was. I was wondering if a higher power was trying to tell Charles to change his beliefs. I had to admire Emma. She maintained her ideas about faith throughout all of the tragic situations she and her family experienced. She remained strong during all those years, which were some of the qualities Charles liked about her before they married and continued well into their later years. Reading this book expanded my knowledge of Charles Darwin. I have always heard that he was against God and the Bible, and he believed humans were descendants of apes. Now I realize that perspective has been skewed a little all of these years. I can not remember reading a biography on him or much of anything else, so this book was new information for me. My understanding of the person who was Charles Darwin is more open now. Some of the ideas about his work I can see how he came to his conclusions, but other parts I could not understand why he wanted to be so stubborn. I believe the author did a good job in bringing out the characters with their thoughts and emotions. Boys might would want to read it for the science part, but I think girls would dominate because it is basically a love story with real people.

Paper Towns

I have to say, I absolutely loved Q, Ben, Radar and Lacey. This book does a delightful job of combining humor with more serious matters. While Paper Towns shares some similarities to Going Bovine, I found the language and sexuality much more subdued, which was appropriate for the context of the book. Like Cameron, Q’s narration gives us laughs, but I found the humor in Paper Towns much more universal and less over-the-top. The friendship between the characters is endearing, realistic, and relatable; I love that Q was able to grow and understand his friends better in spite of their differences. This novel will appeal equally to males and females, and both genders need to realize that they have to be tolerant of other people’s flaws because no one is perfect, not even themselves.

Q’s quest for Margo kept me turning the pages, but I only cared for the Margo character because it was the focus of the adventure. There were occasional times when I felt sympathy towards her, but any good will towards her was destroyed as the gang finally caught up to her.

I do feel that a lot of teens can relate to this story. In middle and high school, the first “love” is dramatic in that oh-my-god-I’ll-love-them-forever-and-ever way, but as Q comes to realize, that love sometimes does not endure. Margo also provided insight on the feelings of being trapped that causes a lot of YAs to act out. This is a serious concern, as one in seven kids between the ages of 10 and 18 will run away, according to national statistics. Perhaps novels like Paper Towns will allow these would-be runaways an escape, and more importantly, show them the effects of their actions.

The facts about copyrighted maps and the “paper towns” were really interesting, and a good way to get people interested in history and geography! I know I searched for Agloe, NYon Google maps, but of course nothing came up. The next time I see a print map, I’ll be sure to take a peek.

Charles and Emma

It took a while for me to become engrossed in the book, but once I got into it, I was, indeed, engrossed. I ended up reading a great deal of the book aloud to my husband. When I would stop reading to him and read silently, he would say,"Read some more." We loved the book because of Deborah Heiligman's fantastic job of developing Charles and Emma as people and characters. It was a story that spoke to us because we have so much in common with them.

I loved the descriptions of Charles "mooning about" in his garden. Heiligman did such a wonderful job of showing him to be a sweet, gentle man with a sense of humor. And I loved that she showed us his love for his dogs and his attempts at training worms. Emma's affection and concern for him was so touching. I particularly loved the image of her reading his books after his death. Heiligman's characterization of Emma as a well-read, curious woman in her own right and Charles's love for her and obvious respect for her intelligence are such wonderful things to read about a Victorian-era romance.

The plot itself held my interest as Heiligman wove the personal lives of the Darwins into the professional life of Charles Darwin. Admittedly, I have always been interested in Darwin's work, but I knew very little of his personal life and I had no idea that he and FitzRoy had such a huge falling-out. The personal stories of Charles's relationships with his children made him so much more human to me. And the story of William and his gloves resting on the top of his head during Charles's funeral was perfect.

My heart was with Emma as she worried about Charles's soul. I think the descriptions of her worries were handled well and made her a sympathetic character without making her a pathetic character.

I married a scientist who is so very similar in so many ways to the character that was Charles in this book. Darwin is definitely one of The Greats in our house. I made a comparison while reading the book between my husband and Charles and my husband said (and he was serious),"I'm not worthy of that." But their personalities and habits are so similar that it was almost eerie. When Emma would read Charles's work and not always understand exactly what he meant, I saw myself as I've read my husband's work and known that it was so far over my head I was basically a lost cause. I am always honored beyond belief when he asks me to read something and I know that Emma must have felt the same way. Like Charles and Emma, our religious views differ. And like Charles and Emma, we respect the other's views without always having to agree. Unlike Emma, I do not worry about my husband's soul. I suppose my understanding of Christianity is a bit different from Emma's, but I am amazed at how forward-thinking and liberal she was for her time (and for ours, actually).

I never knew, nor did my Darwin Fanatic husband, that Darwin was so squeamish about blood. This type of detail humanized the man who has become for so many of us an icon to be revered while others have practically demonized him. This book made him accessible as a human being.

Because I was so taken by this book, I found myself digging around online for more about Darwin's personal life, his children (particularly Charles Waring as I had wondered if he had Down Syndrome when I read the book), and Darwin's descendants who are alive today. I would like to think that maybe kids who read the book would have their curiosity piqued as well.

Paper Towns

John Green did an excellent job creating characters and storyline in Paper Towns. The characters were certainly believable and elicited an emotional response from me as a reader. I was amused by Quentin and his friends, but my strongest response was to Margo. Green did an excellent job letting me know just enough about her. Frankly, I knew enough about her to dislike her. I thought that she was self-centered, selfish, and a bit of a user. So I didn't like her and found myself irritated with her in the same way I found myself irritated with Chris McCandless in Into the Wild. I will admit that I probably would have found both of them to be much more sympathetic characters if I had read the books as a teenager. I found Romeo terribly romantic when I read Romeo and Juliet in high school and I found him to be a rather whiny brat when I revisited the play as an adult. But in all cases, the characters were real enough to me to make me care about them. Caring isn't the same as liking. The characters are believable and real enough to create a response and that is what good writing is all about.

Green's method of revealing his characters through their speech and actions is so appealing because it is how we get to know the people who populate our lives. It was good to see the story through Quentin's eyes and to have him as the narrator because I found myself angry with Margo for hurting him and for using him. But I was proud of Q for realizing that his life would, indeed, never be hers. He was a character with whom I could strongly identify. One weakness in Green's characterization of Q was glaring, though. Quentin has been accepted to Duke University, but on p.114, Q narrate about Walt Whitman,"I'd never read him, but he looked like a good poet." Because he mentions reading The Great Gatsby, seems to know a bit of Shakespeare, etc., and he's headed for an extremely academically competitive university, I find it nearly impossible to believe that he hadn't read or studied Walt Whitman in high school.

The plot was interesting and kept my attention with its series of adventures, from Q's and Margo's finding the body as kids, to their evening adventure, to the ultimate adventure of Q's graduation day roadtrip with his friends. The road trip was the key to the story in that we saw who Q's friends really were. I loved the humor in the boys being stuck with nothing under their graduation robes. It was Green's humor that was my favorite part of the book.

Going Bovine and Hitting the Wall

I really enjoyed the first part of this book! The characters were so vivid and real and the story was fun. Unfortunately, I hit the wall about 3/4 of the way through it. I got very tired of the Cam and Gonzo and their misadventures. The plot was good but I think it was dragged out just a little to long. I really don't know it YA readers will connect with this book. With all of the references to pop culture and attitudes of the characters I think it causes the book to be a little cheesey. (Or at least I could hear a high schooler calling it that.) I think the author tries a little too hard to relate to young adults and thus created a very long plotline that would lose the teens interest.

going bovine

I had a little trouble at first getting into the story. Cameron quickly stereotyped just about everyone, including himself and then got rid of his parents (got them out of the picture) by noting their shortcomings. But then he pulled me in. Was this a true fantasy fiction story? Was this a story completely in his mind occurring as he lay in the hospital bed dying? It didn't matter. I was on adventure with Cameron. Cameron, the self-imposed loner, made friends, cared for his friends, fell in love as opposed to just getting laid, reconciled with his sister, and remembered back to times when he actually liked his parents and the things they did with him. I loved the anxiety ridden dwarf Gonzo and the stoic Balder imprisoned in a yard gnome. Cameron gets to actually live before he dies. "To live is to love, and to love is to live." As I was reading this book, I got word that my son's best friend's older brother's cancer came back. I was near the end of this book and as I finished I started to cry. How does a teenager live with a fatal disease? I remember in high school there was a rumor going around that some preacher had predicted the end of the world, to conveniently occur during my senior year. I knew it was just some crazy psycho religious extremist but I still started to think about all the things I had not done yet. Cameron got to do them. The pace of Cameron's adventure, the people encountered on his journey, the nod to homosexuality, the crazy CESSNAB cult, Mrs. Morae, the Bhudda Burger, Eubie, snow globes, etc. all intertwine like those weird dreams we all have where random people from different parts of your life appear and you have no idea why. I could visualize each character in this book except at times, Balder. I was still trying to picture what a live yard gnome would look like. I was a little taken back at first with the language and the drugs but then realized that this is nothing new, it's just as we age, most of us move towards the mainstream and what is acceptable behavior. We hope our own children are making the right choices but sometimes they don't or won't. Cameron got the chance to makes some right and wrong choices and to experience the outcome of those choices. We actually had to take a class in high school called "Death and Dying." I wonder if I would have remembered something about it if we had read and discussed a book like going bovine. I doubt the nuns would have even considered anything so modern!

Going Bovine

After reading this story, I can say with certainty, I'm glad it's over. While I did understand the intent of the author's messages in this story, I feel that the "madness" of the disease lasted about 100 pages too long. I felt almost as though I was in an "Alice in Wonderland" type story with all this random imagery (garden gnomes, punk rock angels, fire giants, feathers, video-game obsessed dwarfs, etc.), that can't be linked together. I found myself constantly trying to make sense and search for symbolism of various objects and characters. Often times, I couldn't make sense of any of it. I guess that's what the author was trying to portray with the onset of this disease. I also watched the book trailer and the author was dressed up on a cow costume wandering the streets of New York City, rambling on about "creating even as [she] pees". Needless to say, she was a little out there, so I can understand the orgin of the plot.

All in all, I believe the main character, Cameron, was trying to search for the meaning of his existance. He was also on a quest to find out exactly who he was before he died. He hadn't had time to experience most of the finest things life had to offer, and he was trying to live it out in his dreams before he died. Another major theme I found in this book was happiness. The author explored what it means to be happy and why we have to experience the bad times in order to appreciate the happy ones. Cameron used drugs to escape any feeling at all in the beginning, and to avoid feeling depressed or happy. Toward the end, the things that he thought would make him happy really did not. He did, however, find happiness, but it wasn't what he'd expected.

Going Bovine

This was definitely a different book.  In general, I liked it, because I like weird, but I have never really read anything quite like it.  It definitely meets several of the qualities mentioned on page 18 in the text, in fact, I think it hits every single one.  Cameron seems to be a cynical, normal, teen-age boy, struggling with school and with getting along with his family.  He seems to be a bit hard hearted and has his walls up.  I like his sarcasm, because I am a very sarcastic person myself, and a lot of what he was thinking made me laugh.  But as the story progresses, and we get to know him better, he is not as cynical as he tries to make himself out to be.  If he were really that cynical, would he have believed the whole Dulcie, Dr X, cure thing?  He hopes beyond hope, and that hope gets him through the things he has to deal with, and that hope may be what causes him to totally ignore the medical fact that his disease can cause hallucinations.  The other characters, I think, are extensions of himself, especially Gonzo and Balder.  They are other parts of his personality, Gonzo, for all his hypochondria, keeps Cameron on track, and Balder is invulnerable, which I think Cameron would like to be.  All of the characters Cameron comes in contact with are believable, even the fantastic ones, such as a talking yard gnome. 
     Even as crazy as the plot was, I kind of knew that it wasn't going to be real-I've read and watched enough sci-fi to recognize the signs-Don Quixote on his "imaginary" quest, similar to Cameron's adventures, chasing something that may not exist, the cure to his disease.  This is similar to a TV show that was on a few years ago, "Life on Mars" where a police detective was shot, and his consciousness kept switching back and forth between the 1970's, where he didn't belong, was also a detective, but remembered who he really is, and the present day, where he is in a coma.  The first time Cameron mentioned seeing Glory, and then that his doctor's name was Dr Xavier (DR X!),  I thought that it may all be in his head.  And when he turns out to be his own enemy, the Wizard, I have seen that done before, too.  Not to say that it wasn't effective, actually it was used in "Star Wars" which is what "Star Fighter" is supposed to be referring to.  There were so many hints, angels in snowglobes, how Dulcie doesn't like snowglobes, her callouses, and page 31 seemed to be the basis for several of Cameron's delusions, if the reader is paying attention.  The question now is, did the author want us to catch on quickly, or not?  Either way, what a ride it was, and I did hope that it wasn't in his head, that Dr X could cure him, and that it would all be ok, but, I think it turned out ok after all, at least it seemed to for Cameron.  Death turned out to be not as fearsome as he thought.

Going Bovine

OMG! What a great read. Love it, love it, loved it. I now officially have a YA novel that I can recommend to someone to read. I was soooooo into the story. Bray has such great writing skills; her descriptions were so vivid that I felt as if I were there. I wish the ending would have been different, but oh well, it's still good.

The imaginative and exciting plot changing from reality (the hospital) to Cameron's dreams (the mission) will pique the reader's interest and the fast pace will keep the reader engaged. Bray did a great job in developing the characters, and what is better than pairing two misfits together to save themselves and the universe? This story has several areas that teens can relate to: a pot-smoking loner whose immediate family are strangers to one another; a dwarf whose mother is so protective that the mother has created a hypochondriac son; the snobby sister and her clique of popular friends and athletes; parents who are so involved in their work that family is an afterthought; and a guardian angel to help sort things out. It was nice to see the family rally when Cameron got sick. I just hate that he and they never got the opportunity to share their feelings face-to-face. The connections were made in Cameron's dreams, but not in reality.

This story also had partying, sex, Mardi Gras, Disney World, and Daytona Beach as backgrounds in which teenagers may have been involved - this allows the reader to make an even more personal connection with the story. These could certainly reflect experiences of the reader.

When looking at the Exeter criteria that would help readers develop, I think Going Bovine hits all of them.

Going Bovine

WOW! I think that sums up my impression of this book. I was never sure what was going to happen next. I sometimes wasn't sure what was real and what was his dreams. And I will admit, I'm not sure if I understand the ending. The plot moved quickly which would keep the interest of the readers and which is a key point in YA literature. However I lost interest in the book because the craziness was too much for me.

I liked the way Bray developed the characters in the high school. It brought me back to the divisions of my high school, the jocks, the preppy girls, the nerds, the stoners, the gamers, and the holy rollers. Bray's small details with the characters really helped you paint a picture of what they looked like during the book. For example, when Cameron sees Jenna at the party house in Daytona he notices that her hair was down and curly and not in a pony tail. I also related to Gonzo's character of being the hypochondriac. Don't we all know someone who always has the lastest epidemic.

Going Bovine

When I finally finished the book I felt like I had been on a roller coaster! The whole time I was reading it I tried to relate everything in his dream to something from his real life. Like Dulcie was Glory his nurse, since they both wore pink. And the hospital bracelet was his E-ticket. I really wasn't sure if he was going to die in the end, and I was hoping he wasn't going to, but I guess that's why the bracelet meter kept getting less and less. I have been trying to start on my "scrapbook", but I'm really unsure of where to begin! There is so much imagery in this book. I saw where someone posted that they would to see this in a movie. I think that would be great!

Going Bovine

While this book may not have fell into my top ten as a reader, I can see its importance in the YA genre. Bray is spot on with her characterization and development not only of the central character Cameron, but the supporting characters as well. Cam is a self described social outcast, young and relevant to the audience, quirky, sarcastic and unreliable. His persona is one that most teenagers can relate to on some level. As his journey continues he becomes a leader, no longer invisible (literally. he is wanted for a $15,000 cash reward), and actually bags the hot chick. At this point in the book, I wanted to throw it down for sticking to the nerd becomes popular schtick, but Bray must have read my mind because he instantly realized it was Dulcie he wanted. Dulcie's character was the most intriguing to me: an angel that breaks all the rules. Just when you think Bray's book is meant to entice the male audience, she brings in a strong female character like her. Bray also does a great job developing Gonzo's character. Who knew the reason behind his paranoia and anger!? WOW! And while Balter's gnome character was a tad strange to me, Bray developed his Norse culture and legend into a central point in the plot. I think overall, Bray sticks to the YA rule of developing a character (or characters) that are relate able, and find themselves amongst the plot.

To say that Going Bovine's plot is imaginative is an understatement. It supersedes time, dimension and space all to keep the audience locked in a psychedelic trip alongside the protagonist. Cameron switches back and forth between reality (the crazy quest he is on) to dreams (him still in the hospital), only to find out the opposite is true. This take on a teen going on a journey is captivating to the YA audience by being both unique and surprising. While it kept me confused at times, I can see how this book won the Printz award.

Charles and Emma

Even after over 150 years, Darwin’s On the Origin of Species and the theory of evolution remains controversial today. I can honestly see this book being banned in smaller communities and schools just based on the subject; those who do not agree with the theory will attempt to ban this book from a library without even reading the content. Thankfully, there are so many ways a librarian can justify this book, namely that Charles and Emma strives to bridge the gap between religious and scientific communities. It’s very interesting that this book was included in Battle of the Books!

Overall, I thought this was an excellent book that gives the reader a glimpse into Charles Darwin’s world and process. I had never even thought about Charles Darwin’s life and knew very little about him other than his infamous trip to the Galapagos Islands. This book makes Darwin a real person to me, not just some mad scientist figure long-lost in history. I enjoyed reading about his family and how he balanced his career with so many children.

For me, the story moved along fairly quickly with only a few dry places. I felt that the author was a bit repetitive when it came to Emma’s character. She was religious, but not super religious. We get it! This book is a great humanizer tool; those that might have thought Darwin was evil based purely on his ideas will realize that the man cared very much about what his society thought of him, and that there was a very real struggle in his decision to publish his book.

The message of tolerance is one that needs to be practiced. It is important that YAs (and adults!) realize that you can get along with someone whose ideas and view of life is different from your own. It takes patience, tolerance, communication, and love, but differences do not need to be the severing blow to a relationship. Emma and Charles’ strength was remarkable, and if we could mimic that strength, the world might be just a little more peaceful.