Sounds familiar ...

Well, we have hit the time of year where I'll be bombarding this blog with YA literature. As part of our school day, we have 20 minutes of reading time built in where we HAVE to read. I do not complain about this, and this semester I've got a group of kids who stay quiet so I'm not interrupted. I also started teaching a new strategic reading class that has several books in it for reluctant readers. So I can talk to the kids about the books, I need to read them, which has made my selections for this SSR time really easy :)

The first book I picked up for this was Armageddon Summer by Jane Yolen and Bruce Coville. It's a dual narrative from a teenage girl (Marissa) and teenage boy (Jed) (I'm guessing each author took one of the characters). Each of their parents has gone through divorce or a separation and have become involved with an armageddon cult (the book takes place in 2000, so it's similar to all of the Y2K - and has tones of 2012 in it as well). Marissa is a Believer, but Jed isn't. It follows them through the process and questioning of the Believers.

It was an easy read (started it Thursday and finished it Friday), and like I said, has tones of 2012, so it's somewhat timely.

A Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire

This is the third book in the Wicked series. I LOVED Wicked, and while the story in Son of a Witch was intriguing, I thought the ending left something to be desired. I have to admit that I wasn't that thrilled when I saw the third book in the series was going to be about The Cowardly Lion. I hadn't really found him to be a compelling character - especially not enough to do an entire book on him. Now, discussing the Scarecrow's rise to power - that might have been interesting.

Sadly, I was right. This book was kinda dull and boring. It wasn't compelling and barely kept my interest. I flew through it, but I think it was more because I just wanted to be done.

However, that isn't going to stop me from reading the fourth and final book in the series, which comes out this fall. I'm hoping it regains some heat.

Waking Up on the Bayou

Last year, I downloaded the 1,001 Books You Should Read Before You Die. Now, I've read quite a few books in my life (I average between 75 and 100 per year; I'm on the northside of 30, you do the math), but there were a lot on the list that I haven't read. So, I decided that I need to read more of the "classics" (there's a notable lack of Brit Lit on my list; we can blame a certain teacher I had my junior year of high school). Somehow, The Awakening by Kate Chopin had slipped through the list (or it might not have; when you've read as much as I have, I frequently forget what I've read/haven't read).

The story centers around Edna in the late 1800s (what makes it even more surprising that I haven't read this is that it takes place in New Orleans). So, you should know what women were expected to be like. Edna, at 30, decides this is not the way she wants to live and falls in love with another, younger man. Even though she's madly in love with him, she sticks to society's rules and doesn't do anything too rash. But, nothing turns out the way she plans for it to.

In some respects, this is a lot like Their Eyes. You've got a female lead bucking society's rules. However, I enjoyed this one much more. That could be because Chopin was a precursor to Southern Gothic writing, which happens to be my favorite. Basically, I just connected to the story and characters more.

At the end, I started thinking about how far we've come in dealing with depression. It was obvious that Edna had some issues with that (and it was probably related to the fact that she felt that her life wasn't fulfilled - yet another thing we've come a long way in when referring to women's rights), but there was just no treatment for it yet. It wasn't even considered to be a real thing at this point. Still, even though there are many, many people who suffer from this disease, it's still looked down upon. Even though we've made great strides, there's still a long way to go. We, as a society, need to realize that suicide is caused by a sickness - a sickness that needs to be eradicated.

The Return of that Blasted Red Letter

I think it's really common for people to hate having to read The Scarlet Letter in high school. I was not one of those people, but then again, I'm not normal. Of course after having to read one of the most dry, boring, sleep inducing books on the witch trials in freshman history in college, the classic was simple and easy.

But, we don't get to find out what happens to Hester and Pearl. Enter Hester by Paula Reed. Hester has taken Pearl and moved to England. They move in with her childhood friend during the time of Cromwell, so England is a bit messy at this point. Staying true to form, Hester manages to get herself in the middle of everything and even gains favor with Cromwell. However, things get turned around, and life becomes not so neat for her again. Throughout it all, though, Hester stays a strong woman and manages to pass this down to Pearl.

This was a good read. You definitely need to have read The Scarlet Letter (and no cheating with just watching Easy A!). If you haven't, you'll be lost. It's much easier to get through than the Hawthorne classic, but then again, the writing isn't as lyrical. Still, it was interesting (but I'm also a sucker for retellings/reimaginings).

Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan

This is the second book in the Kane Chronicles. I hadn't planned on reading it so soon after reading the first one (I am now trying to switch up genres when I read so I don't get in a rut. Besides, with school starting in two weeks, I'll be reading plenty of YA books during our school's daily SSR time - yes, I get paid to read a book of my choice for 20 minutes a day! It's a bit of heaven I must say.) But, it was on the shelf, and nothing else looked good at the time.

My review is pretty similar to The Red Pyramid. As with the Percy Jackson series, more about Sadie and Carter's past and family history gets revealed. Their ultimate goal/mission is also made clearer, but I'm also guessing that the full plan has  not been disclosed to us yet. There's also a few twists and turns woven into the plot that you didn't necessarily see coming, which is part of the reason Riordan's books are compelling; he makes sure to keep you on your toes.

I'm glad I read this, and I'll be picking up the third one when it comes out next spring.

Time for a Classic

I've tried many times to read Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, but it's not an easy read. The vernacular, while very accurate, makes it a little difficult to understand. I found myself rereading passages several times trying to figure out what some of the words were supposed to be. ("Kivver" was a particularly difficult one - it's cover, by the way.).

The novel follows Janie Crawford who is on a personal journey for independence, love, and self in the 1930s. As a black female, that was unheard of for that time, which is why this novel is important. However, it's not one of my favorites.

This book is more of a character study, which is typically not my cup of tea. This was no different. I know and understand why it was very groundbreaking and needs to be in the "Greats" canon. But, it just isn't for me.

Despite me not liking it, I still think it is something that needs to be read by everyone. It does a good job of showing what life was really like (which makes sense considering Hurston was also an anthropologist) and really is groundbreaking. It's just not one that I'll put on my have to reread list.

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

I have touted and recommended Riordan's Percy Jackson series since I first read it five years ago. I think it is a great series and gives kids a good introduction to the basics of Greek mythology. I read it to my sixth graders, and I had kids who didn't read at all start to read more myths and other series that were similar.

Now that Percy Jackson is finished, Riordan has started two new series. One is the Kane Chronicles and The Red Pyramid is the first in that. Instead of looking at Greek myths, he's moved onto looking at Egyptian mythology, which I think is even more fantastic because this is often overlooked in our education systems. Again, it presents the basics to kids in a non-threatening, action packed method.

The book is told through a "recording" by Carter and Sadie Kane, a brother and sister duo who get swept up into an adventure where Egyptian gods are released into the modern world. They ultimately have to save the world from the god Set, who has a plan to send the world into chaos. As the story unfolds, Carter and Sadie slowly discover their family's history and how important they are in Egyptian history as well as to the safety of the world.

I wouldn't say this is as good as the Percy Jackson series, but it did keep my interest on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It's a quick read, fast paced and interesting. I'd say it's a definite for kids, and their parents might just enjoy it too.