Reaching for Sun

Title: Reaching for Sun

 

Author: Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

 

Summary: 7th grader Josie Wyatt lives with her Gran and mother on a farm that has now dwindled down into a garden after the sale of most of their land to a housing company. Josie is different; she has cerebral palsy. She can still walk and can talk too, but she has speech and physical and occupational therapies all requested by her mother who won't let her forget her problems. But Josie's mostly lonely life changes when a boy named Jordan moves in nearby. They become good friends and Josie grows in many ways as she navigates her early teen years.

 

Comments: This is another book that is written in poetry verses. That seems to be pretty popular nowadays, and I must admit that it is really growing on me. With these sort of books I find it hard to learn enough about the characters to be able to relate to each one on a personal level. The only book written in verse that I was really able to relate to was May B. which I definitely recommend.

Josie's character did develop colorfully throughout the story, and by the end she was different, but I don't feel as though I got close enough to her to be proud of her accomplishments or to really know her.

I thought it was so beautiful and encouraging how Josie was portrayed as a girl okay with being different. She managed to live such a vibrant and colorful life and to be a good friend even with her disabilities that she could've easily allowed to get in her way.

The book has a few references to "older girl" stuff, but it would probably still be appropriate for 8-9+ years.

This book is a coming of age novel written in verse that I did enjoy, even if I did not feel able to completely relate to the characters on a personal level.

 

Complaints: I felt left wanting more information on the backgrounds of each character. The story did not feel complete.

 

Rating: 4 stars

Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf

Title: Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf

 

Author: Jennifer L. Holm

 

Summary: Ginny Davis is starting 7th grade with her list of things to accomplish. This book takes us through her 7th grade year in the form of pictures. Her mother gets remarried, her brother gets in a lot of trouble and is punished, and she goes on a lot of adventures.

 

Comments: I loved this book! It was basically a picture book for older kids, which is so fun! I love picture books and it was nice to have one that my older self could relate to right at the moment (I am 7th grade, too, actually! :) ). Anyone could really read it, but late elementary school to 7th grade children would probably relate to it and get the most out of reading it. Ginny is funny and I liked how it was told through things like receipts from stores, notebook files, computer instant messages, and little forms, comics, lists, and tiny tidbits of writing!  

 

Complaints: I loved the book, but it took me about 15 minutes to look through/read and then, I felt like I didn't know Ginny personally. I had read about her and gotten a small glimpse into her life, but I didn't feel as though I knew her as well as a character from nearly any other book I had read. Her character and other characters were not quite developed enough, and while she made for a humorous story, I may have enjoyed it more if there had been just a little more details and if it had been a little longer.

 

Rating: 5 stars! (There is nothing wrong with the book, I just had a few nitpicks) XD

Remember As You Pass Me By

Title: Remember As You Pass Me By

 

Author: L. King Perez

 

Summary: Silvy and Mabelee have been friends since they were young. But, things are different now. Mabelee is black and Silvy is white and they are no longer allowed to play together. Besides, Mabelee is busy with other friends and Silvy is also busy meeting the new girl, Allie Rae. Allie Rae becomes Silvy's friend, but Silvy isn't sure she likes her because she talks bad about the people like Mabelee. Then, they decide to desegregate the schools and everyone around the town is upset. Silvy, in the end, helps Mabelee when she needs it most.

Comments: I liked this book. Silvy was likeable and so was Mabelee. There was some language in it and some more mature sequences, maybe. It was a good premise and a good story and I enjoyed it. I would probably recommend this for an older 10 year old+ who understands the history of that particular time.  

 

Complaints: None.

 

Rating: 5 stars.

The Rising Star of Rusty Nail

Title: The Rising Star of Rusty Nail

 

Author: Lesley M. M. Blume

 

Summary: Franny Hansen, is a resident of Rusty Nail, and also a piano prodigy. She is by far the best piano player in the small town; and she has even surpassed the talents of Rusty Nail's resident piano teacher.

Then, one day, a Russian lady comes to town. Franny and her friend and partner in crime, Sandy are fascinated by the lady, who turns out to be a professional piano player. Franny pushes to have lessons with her, and eventually, gets her way. However, the town is worried about the lady, calling her a "commie" and all sorts of other nonsense.

While the lady does have her secrets, she decides to show everyone that she is not a "commie" but a wonderful pianist who may just help Franny get to be the famous prodigy that can be.

 

Comments: I really enjoyed this book. Franny was a likeable character, and her town enemy, Nancy, was just so easy to hate, as were a lot of the mean characters in the book. While I don't know if everything was totally accurate for the 1950s, I don't think it matters, because it was such a good book with an interesting plot. There is talk of wars and "commies" that younger children may have more trouble understanding, so I would recommend this for 10+.  

 

Rating: 5 stars!  

Happy New Year Julie

Title: Happy New Year Julie

Author: Megan McDonald

Summary: The Christmas season starts out bumpy as she realizes that things are so different this year, it is so different without her whole family together on Christmas. Things get even worse when she realizes that she isn't going to Grandma and Grandpa's house and she isn't even going to see mom on Christmas. Things get worse when older sister Tracy doesn't want to spend Christmas with dad, and dad doesn't even get a real or big tree for the occasion. Julie begins to feel that nothing will ever be the same, but preparing for Chinese New Year with the Lings makes her forget her thoughts. Until, she realizes that everyone in her family is invited to the Happy Panda, - Ivy's grandparents Chinese restaurant - and Tracy and Dad haven't been getting along at all. Things aren't looking up for Julie, until the night of Chinese New Year, when things turn magical.

Rating: 5 stars

Complaints: None.

Comments: Amazing Book! I've read it 9 times! It is pretty short though.

Julie Tells Her Story

Title: Julie Tells Her Story

Author: Megan McDonald

Summary: Julie finds out that she has to do a project called, "The Story of My Life" and she is really excited, until she realizes that she might have to include her parents' recent divorce in her project. Julie suddenly becomes worried, but all thoughts about that are put aside when she gets injured during a basketball game. Her parents and sister start to rally around her, and Julie realizes that her family is still happy, and sometimes, things are better how they are now.

Rating: 5 stars!

Complaints: None.

Comments: Such a good book, I liked the part where Julie got injured, because I thought it was interesting. The way Julie deals with the unfortunate situation in the book (her parents' divorce) is quite inspirational, I think, and relatable too, for girls who are going through similar situations.

Meet Julie

Title: Meet Julie

Author: Megan McDonald

Summary: Julie Albright is so upset when she finds out that her parents are getting a divorce, and she is going to move into a cramped apartment over her mother's shop Gladrags. Moving means spending only weekends with Dad, and hardly getting to see her best friend forever, Ivy Ling. But, things begin to get better when Julie finds out her school has a basketball team - something that her old school didn't. She also meets a new friend T.J. that loves to shoot hoops. But things go downhill again when Julie finds out that the basketball team has a no girls allowed rule. Julie tries to do everything to get Coach Manly to change his mind. Will Julie be able to fight for her rights? Will she ever even feel at home?

Rating: 5 stars

Complaints: None.

Comments: What a good book. I love the 1974 setting and I have the Julie doll, so it is really fun to read! This book will certainly appeal to any girl who loves American Girl or/and historic fiction.

The Lemonade War!

Title: The Lemonade War

Author: Jacqueline Davies

Summary: Two siblings Evan and Jessie Treski go against each other in the biggest Lemonade War ever! They are trying to raise more money then the other, and they are both determined to win. Who will win the greatest war in Lemonade history?

Rating: 4 stars

Complaints: I thought that the book was a bit boring at some parts, and at a couple parts I lost interest, but over all, a really good and interesting book! Also, am I the only one disappointed that neither child was making lemonade from real lemons? What has happened to this world!? XD :P