Sloppy Firsts

When I went in the high school library a few days ago, the librarian recommend Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty. I had told her that I liked to read books in a series and girly fiction. I think that in Sloppy Firsts she made me an excellent recommendation.

First of all, I would like to say that this is definitely a high school book. There is no way I would purchase this for a middle school library or place it in the Juvenile section of a public library. Discussion of drinking, drug use, and sex abound. In the context of the moral lesson or overall message of the book, I would think that most parents of high schools would want their daughters to read things from Jessica Darling's point of view. They would be mortified is the book was written from some of her friend's point of view. I think that the only reason that most teens would not like this book would be because it was published almost 10 years ago and the technology might feel a little off. One of the main characters has a beeper.

Sloppy Firsts  is a journal written from the Jessica "Notso" Darling's point of view. Her best friend, ironically named Hope, has moved away and Jessica doesn't really enjoy the company of her other friends, whom she affectionately calls the Clueless Crew. Jessica struggles with fitting into the typical high school and understanding the culture. Her "friends" think she just has a bad attitude because Hope moved away, but a closer examination would help them find the truth. I enjoyed reading Sloppy Firsts, but I don't like where it ended, with Jessica nearly friendless, except for the one day visit from Hope. I've started reading Second Helpings so that I can change this image of Jessica in my mind.

Spring Reading

I've been busy lately, but I have managed to find some time to read. Recently, I've finished 3 books, all of which I enjoyed.

First, I went down the classic literature road and select a Bronte sister book that I have never read, Agnes Grey. Agnes Grey was written by the lesser known of the sisters, Anne. Agnes is a bit of nag, and had high expectations of her pupils from the beginning, but like in most Bronte sister literature, the people that employ the governess are a little cruel. There is always one shinning star of high morality; there is always a governess falling in love with the high moral character, who usually happens to be poor.  I enjoyed reading Agnes Grey because it was brief in comparison to other similar literature and because the copy that I read had great footnotes that related the actual novel to the life of all three Bronte sisters. I would add this book to a high school library collection, because it is probably on (or near) most AP reading lists and addresses many themes that students might be required to write about on the AP Literature Exam.

Secondly , I just finished reading a book called Wentworth Hall.  I selected the book because the cover promised me that if I thought there were lots of scandals going on at the Abby, I would find this book scandals too. This tale was set in the same period as Downton Abby and I am an avid watcher. Though the story was entertaining, I will admit that even I could pick out the anachronisms here. I was entertained and found it easy to relate to, but I would not really promote this as historical fiction. It may have been set in one of the great houses of England around 1900, but I'm not sure that the relationships or actions of the characters accurately depict how the upper crust of England would have behaved at this point in time. The author, Abby Grahame, is simply trying to  capitalize on a pop culture trend and write a book that might entertain a Downton Abby watcher for a few hours (I read it on a plane trip from Buffalo to Tampa). If I were to purchase the book, I would select it for a middle or high school library and recommend it to my more avid readers.

Finally, I just finished reading the 3 book in the Bloodlines series. Bloodlines is a spin-off of the Vampire Academy series. I have been given a lot of vampire books to read in my time, probably because I named my cat after Edward Cullen. However, I usually don't read beyond the first book in most vampire series. I usually find them too predictable. This is not the case with the Vampire Academy Series or the Bloodlines spin off. The third book is called Indigo Spell, and like all the others is written by Richelle Mead. I liked Indigo Spell, because Richelle Mead really takes her readers into the thought processes of her main character, Sydney. Sydney is an Alchemist, charged with keeping the vampire world hidden from the average human. In this particular installment of the series, she is trying to overcome years of being conditioned to do what is expected of her. I think that there might be a valuable lesson to learn for most teen girls here. I also think that Mead walks very close to the edge, but never crosses, the sexual tension line that we have come to expect from vampire books. Thus, I would recommend both of these series to middle and high school librarians. I wait impatiently for each new installment.

The Gold-Laced Coat

I was given a copy of The Gold-Laced Coat by Helen Fuller Orton for Christmas by my neighbors. The wrote on the inside "This book was required reading when we were in the third grade (1959)! Local history and all!" I deeply enjoy the company of my neighbors, so I was deeply excited to read this book.

The Gold-Laced Coat is set the Niagara Frontier while the French were running the fur trade from what we now call Old Fort Niagara. If you ever visit Niagara Falls, I would recommend visiting the fort, about 15 miles away too, especially if you have read this book. The story begins with Phillipe, a young French boy, arriving to stay with his father, a soldier, at Fort Niagara.

The plot of the story moves forward and provides us with explanations of how the Indians traded with the French, how the people of the frontier traveled through the region, relationships between the French, Indians, and the English. The story moves forward through history from there (I don't want to give too much away to those who are not history buffs).

I enjoyed this reading because of the people who gave it to me and because it was a great and accurate piece of historical fiction. I'm not sure that I would give it to a third grader to read; I thought the level might be a bit higher. However, I intend to pass it along to my mother who visited me in Niagara Falls this summer and went to the fort with me.

Loser/ Queen

Before I really get started, I should probably say that Jodi Lynn Anderson is probably one of my favorite young adult authors. Last spring, I read her Peaches series, and though I had a few reservations then, I have come to believe that it was a great series because there were lessons to be learned from the experiences of the three main characters. I feel the same way about Loser/ Queen.

In Loser/Queen Cammy is a major misfit. She does not have any real friends besides the exchange student from Denmark, Gerdi. Things start changing for Gerdi when she starts to text with the mysterious "White Rabbit." The White Rabbit makes her cool, unique, popular, a stand-out, a friend to the friendless, liked, desirable to boys and all the other things that teenager wants to be.

When the White Rabbit starts to ask Cammy to do things that are inappropriate or could really hurt someone, things start to go wrong.

I loved Loser/Queen not only because there are lessons to be learned from Cammy's mistakes, but because Anderson's writing is welcoming and age appropriate, just like it was in the Peaches series and Tiger Lilly.  Loser/Queen makes me appreciate how wide a subject area that Anderson is equipped to write within, From a southern trifecta of lonely teens in Peaches to a fantasy from a new point of view in Tiger Lilly to a misfit on the way to new understandings in Loser/ Queen.

Prom and Prejudice

I've recently finished reading Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg. I selected this story because I have a new affinity for a good retelling and the Jane Austen classic has and always will be one of my favorites. After reading a retelling of Jane, which I have previous blogged about, I had very high expectations for this retelling. I'm sorry to say that Prom and Prejudice fell a little short of my high expectations. The reason for this is most likely because this is more a of a middle school book and I checked it out from a high school library.

Of course, the plot is great. Darcey attends a private high school, Pemberly and Elizabeth is attends Longborn on a piano scholarship. Of course, the two do not like each other on their first meeting. Of course, Jane, Elizabeth's roommate is extremely nice but has fallen on harder times because her father was laid off. Of course, Jane's sister Lydia is completely ridiculous. Of course, Wickham is Mr. Wickham. Of course, instead of the search for a husband, this is the story of a search for a prom date.

I think I would have liked Prom and Prejudice much better if I hadn't read the retelling of Jane Eyre first and if I had checked it out from a middle school library.

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.