Read this one much too quickly. It'll sit beside my bed so I can re-read it in much smaller bites. Teared up a number of times as I related to her expRead this one much too quickly. It'll sit beside my bed so I can re-read it in much smaller bites. Teared up a number of times as I related to her experiences. Powerful....more
Oy! I am so thankful that my own high school experience was nothing like this! There are certainly lots of benefits to technology but this book highliOy! I am so thankful that my own high school experience was nothing like this! There are certainly lots of benefits to technology but this book highlights the dangers and downsides, the rumors and the lack of careful consideration.
Told in rotating viewpoints, it takes a while to figure out what actually happened with/to Alice. I do wish there had been more heft. The book could have been longer and eliminated more of the cliches. I did like that we did finally hear Alice's voice at the end of it all. That doesn't often happen when the story is being told this way....more
When I first started this book, I was apprehensive. It seemed like a very typical "Christian" young adult novel. It bloomed into something so much betWhen I first started this book, I was apprehensive. It seemed like a very typical "Christian" young adult novel. It bloomed into something so much better. Mary Oliver quotes. Strong connections to A Wrinkle in Time and other L'Engle books. Questioning faith. I'll definitely be seeking out Jennifer Mathieu at the Festival of Faith and Writing. And probably picking up The Truth About Alice before then....more
I know that I am not a very good judge of poetry. I just don't read it enough. I did love the Chicago connections that kept popping up throughout her I know that I am not a very good judge of poetry. I just don't read it enough. I did love the Chicago connections that kept popping up throughout her various poems....more
Lyrical style. Beautiful story although it took a while to get into it and figure out what was going on. Although, the revelations coincided with the Lyrical style. Beautiful story although it took a while to get into it and figure out what was going on. Although, the revelations coincided with the main character's understanding of the situation she was in as well.
I'm not sure why I didn't realize until I finished that I had read another book by this author a couple of years - My Name is Not Easy. I know very little about native Alaskans but I felt like the author did a good job of telling the story, sharing the significance of the names and the customs, and allowing me, someone with no background, to really invest themselves in the text....more
'Twas funny. Would have been even more funny if I was up on all of my classic literature. I love the concept and the books and characters that I was r'Twas funny. Would have been even more funny if I was up on all of my classic literature. I love the concept and the books and characters that I was really familiar with made it worthwhile. Felt like the best sections were the contemporary literature ones - Nancy Drew, the Hunger Games. But, "The Yellow Wallpaper" was spot on! I think it would've been fun to bring these into my AP Literature class a few years ago....more
If I were still teaching Grade 12 World Literature, I might switch out Things Fall Apart for this text. Things do indeed fall apart and the book is reIf I were still teaching Grade 12 World Literature, I might switch out Things Fall Apart for this text. Things do indeed fall apart and the book is referenced within this story. Bit gruesome at times - made my stomach turn. But some incredibly challenging topics to deal with as well.
Another incredible addition to the rich literature coming out of Nigeria. Really looking forward to hearing Obiama speak at the Festival of Faith and Writing....more
Out of the three Ashley Bryan books that I read in preparation for the 2016 Festival of Faith and Writing, I think I liked this one the best. The otheOut of the three Ashley Bryan books that I read in preparation for the 2016 Festival of Faith and Writing, I think I liked this one the best. The other two were compilations of spirituals and poetry, whereas this book was a straightforward narrative of an adaptation of a Rhodesian tale. Again, I loved Bryan's cut-paper collage and the author's note at the end of the book that indicated that the photocopied scissors on the inside covers of the book were scissors belonging to the author's mothers that she had used for sewing and embroidery. What can I say? I'm a sucker for sentimentality....more
I love these three songs and I loved the images that Bryan included with the songs. There's a DIY-look to the layered cut paper but the clarity of detI love these three songs and I loved the images that Bryan included with the songs. There's a DIY-look to the layered cut paper but the clarity of detail is remarkable. I loved looking for the small "hidden" details. As I read the book to my nephew, I found myself ready to sing along to the words of the old spirituals....more
As a teacher, I think this book would drive me crazy. I'm not sure I would want my students to read it...might give them some ideas. ;)
I really enjoy As a teacher, I think this book would drive me crazy. I'm not sure I would want my students to read it...might give them some ideas. ;)
I really enjoy Clements' voice in his writing. He writes in a way that draws in his readers; it's almost a conspiratorial tone. And I love the insight he has into the lives of teachers and the inner-workings of schools....more
Getting started on my Festival of Faith and Writing 2016 booklist with a really cute children's picture book. I have a few people that I'm going to beGetting started on my Festival of Faith and Writing 2016 booklist with a really cute children's picture book. I have a few people that I'm going to be recommending this one too....more
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