Uglies

No, not a family photo album, although a picture of my boys on the cover might have sold some copies this time of year...

Uglies  

by Scott Westerfeld

I liked this one a lot... moved quick, believable dialogue, action and suspense... didn't realize it was a series so I have to read another book to find out what happens, but the story stands alone well. 10 - 13, girls especially, but "e" for everyone.

I am the Messenger

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

I almost didn't finish this one, or get very far into it -- after a funny, catchy opening it was turning into the story of a slacker and his life of beer and sex... but then it turned into a great story: a little melodrama, some violence, a potty-mouth mom, and positive messages... the ending was a little weak, but maybe just from an adult's POV. 9th grade (?).

Bone by Jeff Smith

a graphic novel, or comic book if you prefer.... heard a lot about these, but picked up one in the center of the story arc. Looks cool though, will find the others....

the Outsiders

Happy 40th! Remember, it's just a number, you're only as old as you feel... unless you look thrashed and well-used, then you need to start working on some things or look into surgery....

Anyway, picked this up off the Banned Book display -- guess it's been 30 years since reading it, 20 since the movie (?) ...will it be relevant/interesting to kids these days? OG or too tame?

Not bad, can see why it's been popular for decades: good looking protagonists, rebellion, fighting, with some tender sibling familial love... and I'm sure a big part of its appeal is that not only was it written by a 16 year old, it reads like it was written by a 16 year old. Kids can appreciate it because it expressess their confusion and emotion in the way they would write it, as they probably do write it.

Sounder

not as much time to read lately, between football practice and math & science on the CSET...

Sounder by William H. Armstrong

Newbery Medal 1970

...but read Sounder for the first time, and both loved it and was... troubled? No, not troubled, but it worked its way inside me, even as I was reading, and it made me want so much more -- what does it mean? what is it telling me? what should I, or do I, feel? what happened next, or before? what else has this author written...? It was just one of those books that I could instantly appreciate as quality writing, as art, and as important. I didn't want it to end, yet also I did, so that I could go back and read it again.

Did you ever read Sounder -- what is it all about?

Ever had a book have this effect on you?