The Help

The Help

Kathryn Stockett

  Taking place in Jackson, Mississippi in the early 60s this book is about the many black women that helped the whites and barely got paid, sometimes got beaten, but also met some of the most wonderful people. It is told from the perspective of three different women. Two black, Aibleen and Minny. One white, Skeeter. It is simply a remarkable story about how hard times were between the two groups back then. 

For more information: http://www.kathrynstockett.com/

There is also a movie coming out for the trailer go here:http://www.facebook.com/thehelpmovie

SHEEP

Sheep

Valerie Hobbs

  Jack is a young Border Collie who gets taken away from his home and heads on a journey of his life trying to get back to his home and find a place where he can do what he was born to do. Herd the sheep. 

  This book is remarkable! I read it in just a couple of hours. It is told by the dog, and it just grabs you in and helps you think of how important man's best friend can be. All ages should read this book!

THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games Series

Suzanne Collins

Scholastic

Book #1 -2008, Book #2- 2009, Book #3-2010

             For this series I'm going to do all three books at once. Why? Well, these books blend together so well that it's only fair to do them in one post. 

           In the words of Chad Rogers (who got me hooked), "Chad Rogers Far future when US no longer exists. US is now divided into 13 districts governed by a tyrannical capital. the hunger games are when a boy and a girl from each district are required to fight against each other to the death (but don't worry its not that graphic). without trying, the main character starts a rebellion... you'll have to read them to find out more!"  Here's what happens without giving away the story. The main character in the story is a girl named, Katniss Everdeen.  The "tyrannical capital" says that a boy and girl from each district must fight to the death. Why? Well, the capital wants to prove they are still in control! 

            How did I feel about these books? I loved them!  Why? Because I love books that are very tense and keeps you constantly reading. I read all three books in less than a week! Yes, they are that good. I also love to read about how someone overcomes a tyranny! 

         Why won't I tell all? Well, these books are that good that you just have to read them. They are full of sadness, happiness, anger, and love. I highly recommend these books!

Because of Winn Dixie

Because of Winn Dixie

Kate Dicamillo

Candlewick Press

2000

                    Kate Dicamillo was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has written several books for children. These include: Great Joy, as series of Mercy Watson, The Miraculous Journey, of Edward Tulane, The Tale of Despereaux, and The Tiger Rising.

                This book is about a little girl named, India Opal, who finds a dog in a grocery store. She gives him the name Winn-Dixie, after the grocery store. Throughout the book Winn-Dixie does things so India Opal makes more friends. You find out in the story that Winn-Dixie is afraid of thunderstorms and near the end he disappears. While India Opal and her father, the preacher, go to look for him the others (who are at this party India Opal planned) find him hiding under the bed.

             I really enjoyed this book because for me it gave an even greater meaning to the word "friend." I think at times we forget how someone can help us meet new people. I believe this is a very good book to help children to understand how wonderful friends are. This book is perfect for ages 10-12. I think it brings meaning and life to a friendship and this age group need that in my opinion. With this you could teach children that having an animal as a friend is okay.

The Outsiders

The Outsiders

S.E. Hinton

Penguin Group

1967

                     S.E. Hinton was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. When she first started writing she wasn't satisfied with the literature that was being written for children, and thus decided to write The Outsiders which helped her to become a famous author. It is said that she is the voice for youth of the modern day.

                     The Outsiders is about two special class groups known as the "greasers" and the "socs." Ponyboy is the main character in this story-- he tells about his whole life as a "greaser." About the middle of the book Johnnycake and Ponyboy get into some trouble with the "socs"-- Johnnycake ends up killing one of them by accident. They go into hiding in an old church in a little town called WinnDrixville. The church catches on fire while there are young kids inside. Johnny and Ponyboy go to save them and get wounded in all the mess. Towards the end Ponyboy begins to fail classes because of all the events that happened (with Johnny & Dally's deaths). Ponyboy's English teacher asks him to write a themed paper and then you notice at the end of the book his paper is the whole book.

                 One of my favorite things in this book is the poem that Ponyboy recites by Robert Frost.

"Nature's first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

He early leaf's a flower;

But only so an hour.

The leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down today.

Nothing gold can stay."

              I would highly recommend this book to anyone who may have trouble finding their "identity." This book is very good for 8th and 9th grades. It helps them to find out who they truly are.  This book really helps that it's not about who your friends are, but rather what your own heart makes of you. Again, thank to Mrs. Matthews for being the first to introduce me to this book.

Kick-off

Kick-Off

Donna King

Scholastic

2007

                  Donna King is the alter ego of Jenny Oldfield. She has written many children's fiction books that are popular world wide.

                 Kick-off is about a girl from Tampa Bay, Florida who moves to England with her family-- they moved because her dad is in the military and was transferred there. Tyra loved to play soccer, and when she went to this new school some didn't think she could play, but soon she became the star of her team and they played on the field for Manchester United. I really like Tyra because even though others irritated her she never truly lost her head, and kept on working to achieve her dream.

            I really enjoyed reading this book because I think it shows how we should truly treat others. I think this is a good book for ages 11--14 because it helps teach the idea of how we should truly be kind to one another.

Pieces of Paris

Pieces of Paris
G.G. Vandagriff

Shadow Mountain

2010

               G.G. Vandgriff has written several books, but this is the first on I have read... to see what she says about herself please go to http://www.ggvandagriff.com/GGVanNew/Biography.html.

                What can I possibly say about this book? What attracted me to it? Well, the cover for starters... I have a dream to one day travel to Paris, but I also really enjoy Music! So, the cover just brought me in. While reading the book I found myself not only drawn to learn more, but definitely attached to what would happen in the end! This story is mostly about a woman who suffers from PTSD, and how she overcomes her past with the help of her husband and renewing her relationship with God. For me this story helped me realize that no matter what is in your past you can always overcome it and start anew. PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is more than just a real thing... it can truly control one's life if they let it. See, the trials that a family is called upon to face in a world that seemed like it could be peaceful. Find out what happens as a young woman, Annalisse, learns from the past to improve her marriage. And Finally, see how her husband, Dennis, figures out not only how to help his family, but save his job. 

                 I absolutely enjoyed this book! It kept me to the end! And I definitely recommend for anyone either suffering from their past or trying to find a way to cope with a death. I know PTSD and many other disorders are real, but there is nothing that hits God's children that they cannot handle with His help! He will help us get through all things!