Everyday by David Levithan

Wow! I literally just finished the books and thought I would write. Not sure how I feel. A little sadness, a little contemplative. That's such a crazy idea, to wake up everyday in someone else's body, wish for it to end, to stop traveling and be somewhere for once. But, for A this is not the reality. I love my ground. I love that no matter what happens I have my family, it's hard to imagine a life without all of that. A life that has never known that. There are people who approach those aspects in their lives but always waking tomorrow still in that same life. What if everyday you fell asleep and woke up in someone else's shoes? I'm not sure who that would make me. Well worth the read. Bravo Mr. Levithan, bravo.

Voluminous Vampire Viscera . Department Nineteen by Will Hill

It's been a while since I've read any vampire books. Zombies are more of my thing. Saw this book at the book store and thought the cover art was awesome, I mean, just look at it (another book I judged by the cover, and it worked, of course the back of the book and the jacket description helped). It helps to have read Bram Stoker's Dracula, or at least the graphic novel version before heading off into Department Nineteen because there are many a tie ins to the original book. (Seeing as I have accomplished both these tasks, I feel I am qualified to proceed.) Think of it as a sequel that comes 100 year later. I was honestly thoroughly entertained by the exploding vampires and guts, and it didn't hurt that you get some hang time with old Victor (aka Frankenstein) as well (gotta love old Victor) This is a great start to a promising new series and looking forward to getting my hands on book two. BTW these vampires don't glitter and make glitter babies with the main character, there is a little vampire crush in the main characters life but she's the rip your heart out type, literally. Will girls like it? Not sure, I'm not a girl, but it worked for this guy and considering my history....might sink your teeth into this one. Muuuhahahah. (too cheesy?)

The dark rose, and then fell. The Dark Is Rising Sequence

Finally finished The Dark Is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper. It was an entertaining series and it has some great moments throughout. Even though you know how it will end from the very beginning (good always wins doesn't it?) following the kids in their discoveries, battles, and adventures is still fun. When I got to the end of the fifth book I was definitely sad to see them go. I realized I had come to like the characters and, like a week at camp, was sad to go our separate ways. Yep they will miss me too. I don't think this series will keep the interest of the most difficult of young readers but has a lot in there for those of us that are YA at heart. There's always next summer, another camp, and another group of characters somewhere else.

So many books, so little time.

Man, it's been a long time. I've been reading but with a new baby in the house the blogging took a back seat. What great books have I read recently? Still convinced after reading the 3rd book in The Enemy series that it's the best series to get middle school boys reading. John Green has done it again with The Fault In Our Stars. That book made me laugh and cry and laugh and cry at the same time. John Green is a beast. I read Rotters by Daniel Krause and thought it was entertaining and worth a read. Cinder by Marrisa Meyer was great and deserves to get Caster Rated approved. Can't wait until the second book comes out. Gotta love my zombie books by mentioning Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry for your testosterone fix. I have to mention that Divergent by Veronica Roth was awesome and I have Insurgent in line to be read. Hopefully I'll get a chance to review some of the really great book I have read over the last year soon. Stay tuned.

Freaks and Revelations

Jason is a 13 year old kid who ends up homeless after his mom finds out he's gay and refuses to allow him to live in her house. The story is based on a true story about two boys from different worlds who's lives collided in a very real and tragic way. The worst part is how real this story feels.

Parents can do really messed up stuff. Even though its been 6 months since I read this book, it's stuck in my head. That's when I know I have to tell other people about it. Being in a profession like teaching, the thing that is hardest about reading a book like this is that you have actually met people that could treat their kids like the mom in this book did. I have also met many a kid who could treat another human being with the disrespect that we see in this book. I have also met kids that embraced others in spite of their differences. This book has both of these types of people and it is their raw interactions with eachother that will stick with you long after the book is gone. This is another story that won't make you feel good, but it will make you think.

Ender's Game rated E for Everyone.

Ender Wiggin is just 5 when he leaves home, but Ender is a kid like none other, or so they believe. Some see him as the only hope for humanity (yeah I know, I work with kids and I would seriously be depressed if a 5 year old was the hope for all humanity even if he is a freakin' genius). Ender (like most 5 year olds) doesn't want to play the game but to everyone else it's Ender's Game.


It's so hard to talk about books like this because everything I say is just going to ruin the story. This is a great book and pretty heartbreaking at times. The small things are important because this is a story about a kid forced to do adult things because adults are unfit or unable to do them for themselves. Every event brings depth to the character of Ender. I got upset a number of times as I watched this kid struggle to battle all that is good and evil about himself (hefty stuff for an elementary school kid)while having adults pile on the problems to see if he will break. Great story telling, but then again all the awards this book has won have already said this. This book was recommended (indirectly of course)by John Green. Being a huge John Green fan (Looking For Alaska, Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, Will Grayson Will Grayson), all it took for me was for him to say this was one of his favorite books and I put it on my to-read list. This book is another one for anyone's to-read list. Ender is a character you will find yourself rooting for and at times wondering why you still are. Ender's Game will challenge us to remember that after all, its never just a game.

I Am the Messenger. No, really, I am.

19 year old Ed Kennedy cracks me up. He's not going anywhere and doesn't think much about it until the cards start showing up in the mail. He even manages to stop a bank robbery without even really meaning to. He does it while proving a point that his friends cab is a piece of crap car. The cards start out with addresses and problems to solve but each ride takes him further away from the Ed he has become.

This book was the perfect blend of funny, emotional, and thought provoking. I can't say that everyone will love it, but I have to put it in my top books because it made me laugh and think and those are two things I can't ever get enough of. How many of us are floating through life making little difference to ourselves let alone others. This is the kind of book that will cause you to ask yourself, what difference do I make. And when its all said and done, at least you'll be thinking about what it all means. Just remember, I'm just the messenger.

Nothing leaves me feeling...messed up.

Wow. I haven't written a review in a while but this book deserves a response. I had no idea what to expect. When a 7th grade student stands up and walks out of class shouting about the meaninglessness of life, the shock of it all leaves the other students stunned. Each day after, he sits in a tree in front of his house shouting out to passers by about the futility of all they do. Things go crazy when the other students try to show him just how wrong he is.

This book left me as stunned as it leaves most readers. I like the book a lot. I don't like it because it made me laugh, or cry, or feel happy or anything remotely so. I liked it because it made me feel. It made me think and feel and twist my face and squint my eyes as I helplessly watched this whole thing play out. I wanted it to stop but it wouldn't and so neither could I. The best art won't leave you even after you leave it behind. This book needs to be on the read list for all YA readers. It is a book that is definitely not about nothing and will most likely leave you feeling something.