Sarah's Key

Sarah's Key

By: Tatiana DeRosnay

This story is about the holocaust, BUT it takes place in France! I had never heard of this trouble there. Apparently, after Hitler took over France, he had the French people gather up their Jewish people, sort them out, keep them, then sent them off to Auschwitz. This little girl (10) hid her brother in a hidden cupboard, locked up, expecting to return in a few hours. It was a place that those children played. As it turned out, the girl did not come back in a few hours...so the book ensues.

It is an interesting story. I was not happy how the story ended, I would like to discuss it!

It was interesting to find out about these facts that really happened, but the subject matter is not easy, or happy.

I am hoping my next book is happy, funny, easy, uplifting, intriguing!

Lady's Maid

Lady's Maid

by: Margaret Forster

This book was recommended to me by Bonnie Card. Sorry, Bonnie, it was NOT a good book. It did have some interesting parts, information, but after 546 pages, it was a downer!

It is about Elizabeth Barrett Browning and her maid, her courship with her husband, their life together, but mainly about Elizabeth and her maid. It is mostly true - the author says.

It was just shocking to me that the Lady is pretty much treated like a two year old, helped to get dressed, undressed, hair fixed, etc. The maid, for her services, gets paid 16 somethings a year. There was a true caste system in the way they all lived. I found the book sad for those living it, happy for me that I do NOT have to live that way! If you are feeling a little too giddy with yourself, and need to be brought down a tad, read this book about a hard, sad life, a passive-aggressive employer, sickness, death.

Now, I have got to ask Bonnie why she liked it!

Peace Like a River

Peace Like a River
by: Leif Enger

Beautiful writing. I am not sure why it is called Peace Like a River. It is not a fast paced book. It is from the perspective of an 11 year of boy. His mother ran away years ago, his father is an interesting man. He loves his father, brother, sister. Very loving and strong family. It is set in 1962 in Minnesota.

It is about family, love, faith, right, wrong, choices. I would recommend it. I thought the writer really got into each character's voice.

The Next Thing on my List

The Next Thing on my List

by: Jill Smolinski

This book was light, fluffy, a bit dorky, not the highest reading level. I got it from the library, so I just read it! It was fast and easy. Sometimes those are nice books to read.

It is about a girl who means another girl, sadly, the one girl dies and the other girls finds her "List of Things to do Before I am 25". She decides to complete the list for her. The fiction ensues.

It made me wonder what would be on my list....

This is How it Happened

This is How it Happened

by: Jo Barrett

I quite enjoyed this book. Funny. It is present tense, then flashbacks, then present.

It is about a bad break-up, how it happened, why.

It WILL make you want to find the perfect, yummy brownie recipe and eat them.

The Rug Merchant

The Rug Merchant

by: Meg Mullins

I enjoyed this book because it was about a totally different world than I know. The man is from Iran, his wife still lives there. He is saving money to bring her and his ailing mother over to America. He lives in New York City. His wife is back in Iran taking care of HIS sick mother and sending him rugs so he can sell them in New York.

Very interesting. Some sexual content, so beware....just read those parts with one eye open...they aren't THAT bad....hmm, maybe they are.

I enjoyed all the relationships with all the different types of people.

Ask Again Later

Ask Again Later

by: Jill A. Davis

Interesting in that it is an odd book. Odd "chapters - meaning no chapters really, just segments, thoughts. So the pace is different.

It is about her relationship with her parents, good and bad, making better, dealing with crisis. I would recommend it, but be ready to enjoy a different way of writing.

This is a question for Julie . . .

When do you read? Have you stopped watching TV at night? Do you sleep less? How are you reading all these books. And when is it quiet enough in your house for you to enjoy a book????? Aren't you tired at the end of the day? I am impressed with your repertoire.

Sensational Sasaffras Springs

THIS IS KYLIE!

This sensational book was my school's booktalk book

The book is about a kid who is 10 or 12. At first he reads this book about a person who explores the world looking for special things. The boy thinks there is nothing special about Sasaffras Springs, so his dad challenges him that if he can find 7 wonders of Sasaffras Springs by the end of the week then the boy will get a train ticket to visit his aunt in another state.

It is a great adventure for the boy.

I really liked this book. I reccomend this book to everybody! It would be good for Candice to read aloud to her class too.