The Perks of Being a Wallflower

I just finished reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. I really enjoyed the book for several reasons. First of all, it reminded me of the classic, Catcher in the Rye, because of the stream of consciousness writing. Second, I thought the book was intelligently written with some life-lessons to learn. Though the characters are frequent drug users, they struggle with the same dilemmas as most high schools, trouble fitting ins or finding yourself.

I must say that I had to re-read the last 10 pages about 5 times to "get it." With the first read, I completely missed what happened. With the second read, I couldn't believe what happened. Around the 5th time, it started to sound really obvious and as if I should have figured out the dynamic from the beginning of the novel. I hope that wasn't a spoiler for anyone!

There is a recent movie with Emma Watson out and I really look forward to seeing it, probably from Redbox! Our book club is talking about using this is a book. I feel like reading this would be very thought provoking for many students and maybe help some understand the difference that they have with their peers.

The Queen of Kentucky

 Recently, I read Alecia Whitaker's The Queen of Kentucky.  Raised on a cattle ranch, I deeply enjoyed reading this book because the main character Ricky Jo/ Erica is a farm girl too. This book is about her finding her place at a new school. In the beginning, she is trying to reinvent herself. Part of that reinvention involves changing her name from Ricky Jo to Ericka. Part of that reinvention involves new clothes and trying out for cheerleader.

I felt that this novel had some excellent lessons for teenagers but might be difficult for kids raised in a city to relate to. I identified with the main character, but I have trouble seeing many teens learning what they should from this novel, because they might have trouble understanding some of Erica's life experiences, like working in a tobacco field all summer to earn spending money.

Living in Buffalo, NY, I might not buy this for my high school library. Were I still living in Little Rock, AR, I wouldn't hesitate.

Jane: A modern retelling of Jane Eyre

First of all, I am a sucker for a retelling of a story that I already know and love. Just like I enjoyed reading Tiger Lilly by Jodi Lynn Anderson, I deeply enjoyed reading Jane by April Lindner. The plot line is basically the same as Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Jane is hired to be a nanny by someone in a different social class than here, in this case a rockstar. They fall in love and the secrets in the attic have a very dramatic and heart-breaking effect on their relationship and the reader.

Jane would be appealing to readers who love and enjoyed the classic. It would also bring the classic to a more readable level to today's teenagers. They will be able to understand Jane's attraction to the rockstar Nico Rathburn a little better than Jane's attraction to the surly lord of the manner, Mr. Rochester. Where the Victorian novel only evolved into heavy breathing, the modern retelling ventures further into an adult relationship and might not be appropriate for all classroom libraries or library settings. This address a few mature issues and requires the reader to understand the deeper meanings behind a character's action.

Tiger Lilly

I've just finished reading Tiger Lilly by Jodi Lynn Anderson. I selected the book because I enjoyed reading the Peaches series, but I quickly discovered that this book was nothing like the previous series I had read. Instead of the story being about southern women growing up, this is a retelling of a children's favorite in a more adult way.

In this case, the narrator is Tinker Bell and she has a small obsession with Tiger Lilly, the strong Indian girl from the Peter Pan classic. There are a few differences between this tale and what one might expect from a retelling of Peter Pan. First, the story focuses on Peter and Tiger Lilly's love story. There is more of a focus on what life is like in Neverland for the different groups of people who live there. Tiger Lilly is a Sky Eater, a tribe of people who grow to a certain age and stop growing.

I liked this book for several reasons. I had to keep adjusting what I knew about the story of Peter Pan. Anderson changes a few details. For example, the flying is a myth, mermaids are evil and will drowned you, and Smee is a crazed serial killer.

The book also tackles important issues. For example, Tick Tock, Tiger Lilly's adopted father, believes that each person has parts of man and women inside them. When the tribe, prompted by an Englisher who is visiting the village, turns against him because he is "displeasing" God, issues of acceptance and kindness are addressed.

I would recommend this book to anyone who had previously enjoyed Jodi Lynn Anderson or was a fan of the dystopian fiction a few months ago. I see several different retellings of classics coming about.