Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Riggs, Ransom. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Philadelphia, PA: Quirk, 2011. Print.

Intended Audience: Ages 12 and older

Genre: Fantasy

Personal Reaction: This book was creepy.  I loved it, don't get me wrong, but it was creepy.  There are photographs littered throughout the novel which you find after reading it, are actual photographs.  It is the story of children known as peculiars and their life in a time loop and how Jacob came to find them.  Jacob watched his grandfather die at the hands of a monster only he could see and later finds he is one of very few people who can.  At the end their time loop is broken and Miss Peregrine (their leader of sorts, who turns into a peregrine) is left inhabiting a peregrine's body.  At the end of the story Jacob and the other peculiars go to search for another time loop and leave Jacob's father to stay in the "real world."  Without divulging the entire story I'm unsure of how else to describe my reaction, so read it yourself.  

Author Facts: Ransom Riggs loves to travel, especially to those places not easily found on maps.  He also enjoys scuba diving and telling stories.  When he was much younger he and his friend created videos starring themselves on an old video camera they found.  

Author Website:http://www.ransomriggs.com/

The Chocolate War

Cormier, R. (1974). The chocolate war: A novel. New York: Pantheon Books.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Intended Audience: Ages 12 and older

Personal Reaction: Jerry is seen as a trouble maker by many of the teachers in his school as well as the mob, the Vigils.  He finds himself beaten up, threatened, picked on by many students because he refuses to sell chocolate bars for the school's fundraiser.  As the story unfolds it is easy to feel strongly for Jerry, hoping he will not give in to social pressure.  

This was a difficult book to get into.  I found it hard to devour, though once I was over halfway through I wanted to know what happened.  The corruption in the school system was hard to believe in some ways, though in others-I know it does happen.  I am happy to have finally read The Chocolate War though don't see myself running out to purchase all of Cormier's books.  

Author Facts: Robert Cormier was born in 1925 in Leominster, Massaschutes.  He had seven siblings and while his family moved often they never left their hometown. In seventh grade he realized his desire to be a writer while attending St Cecilia's Parochial School. 

Author Website: Robert Cormier does not have a website, but there is a wikipedia page for him here.

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Hosseini, Khaled. A Thousand Splendid Suns. New York: Riverhead, 2007. 

Intended Audience: Ages 15 and older

Genre: Historical Fiction

Personal Reaction: I was recommended this novel by a teenager at the library I work at.  To start, I was hesitant, A Thousand Splendid Suns does not fit in the books I would normally read.  Thankfully, I have much respect for my patrons' recommendations and devoured this book.  

A Thousand Splendid Suns follows the lives of Mariam and Laila to women growing up in Afghanistan.  The story tells of their childhoods, the war taking place, the Taliban and the Soviets taking over their homes and the lives they led, marrying the same man and sharing children.  This is a novel filled with hope but only after times of brokenness.  I have heard and read how closely this book follows the lives of many women who have lived in Afghanistan and surrounding countries, making it even more memorable. 


Author facts: Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan in 1965 but moved to the USA in 1980.  In 1993 Hosseini received a degree in medicine years later began to write Kite Runner.  After a visit to Afghanistan he began The Khaled Hosseini Foundation, providing humanitarian assistance to those in Afghanistan. 

Author Website: http://khaledhosseini.com/

Maus

Spiegelman, Art. Maus A Survivor’s Tale: My Father Bleeds History. New York: Pantheon, 1992

Intended Audience: Ages 13 and older

Genre: Historical Fiction

Personal Reaction: Maus was a difficult read. Not because of the topic, though the Holocaust is never an easy topic to read about, but because it was a graphic novel.  One of the first pages it shows Jews being drug from their homes and children "not screaming anymore" when they would not stop crying.  Even though Jews were portrayed as mice and Nazis as cats it was not difficult to see how their horrible the living conditions for survivors, and those who did not make it, was.  

I have always had an interest in books about the Holocaust but I hadn't read many showing the life of a survivor after the war.  Seeing how difficult it was for Vladek to throw anything away made sense, as not having enough would always be a consistent thought in his mind.  As difficult as it was to read, this is one book I would recommend for others to read as well, the graphics are very well done and brings history to life.   

Author Facts: Art Spiegelman began cartooning in high school and decided to go against his parents wishes of becoming a dentist.  He believes that comics are on the rise, as they are often the way the brain works.  With this mentality he gave a lecture titled "What the %@&*! Happened to Comics?" a historical journey through the history of comics.  

Author Website: http://barclayagency.com/spiegelman.html

Persepolis

Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis. New York, NY: Pantheon, 2003. Print.

Intended Audience: Ages 13 and older

Genre: Nonfiction Graphic Novel

Personal Reaction: Persepolis was a beautifully written, though hard to digest, book about the Islamic Revolution and the life of Marjane Satrapi.  As one who grew up in "white bread America" I found myself easily lost in the story of Satrapi's life, realizing how little I know about the Islamic Revolution and the life of those in the Middle East.  

I often found myself sympathizing with Satrapi's unwillingness to conform, to wear tennis shoes, a denim jacket and purchase music, though it was not allowed.  I have a hard time imagining living as she did, and believe I too would have protested against the way the country was run.  After reading the book I long to know more about the Islamic Revolution and the people who have lived through this time. 

Author Facts: Satrapi was born in Rasht, Iran in 1969.  She currently lives in Paris where many new wave comic book artists have settled.  Satrapi wrote Persepolis about her childhood and life through the Islamic Revolution at the insistence of fellow artists. 

Author Website: http://barclayagency.com/satrapi.html

Sunrise Over Fallujah

Myers, Walter Dean. Sunrise Over Fallujah. New York: Scholastic, 2008. Print.

Intended Audience: Ages 14 and older

Genre: Historical Fiction

Personal Reaction: Sunrise Over Fallujah was an extremely difficult, but good, read.  In it the life of Birdie is followed through his time spent serving his country.  The story takes place in Iraq, Fallujah, and Baghdad at the time when Saddam Hussein fell.  The title comes from when Birdie killed the first time, knowing for sure it was his bullet that did the damage.  

Since I vividly remember watching on the news the day Saddam Hussein fell and fearing friends would be drafted if the war became bigger than it was, this story was close to my heart.  I have friends and family who have seen combat, and several who are currently serving in our armed forces who are not currently in combat zones.  It helped me appreciate what our service men and women do to protect our country, and gave understanding to what many must deal with upon returning home.  

Author Facts: Walter Dean Myers lived 76 years, passing from this world in July of 2014.  He wrote more than 100 books in his 45 years writing.  He was born in West Virginia but eventually settled in Jersey City, New Jersey. 

Author Website: http://walterdeanmyers.net/

Goose Girl

Hale, Shannon. The Goose Girl. New York: Bloomsbury, 2003. Print.

Intended Audience: Ages 12 and older

Genre: Fantasy

Personal Reaction: Goose Girl is the story of Ani, the princess of Kildenree a young girl who finds she is able to speak with and understand birds.  She has been betrothed to the prince of Bayern to form an alliance between the countries and leaves her home to marry.  She was accompanied by Talone and a company of soldiers, men and her lady in waiting for the several month journey to her betrothed. On the way Selia, her lady in waiting, and much of the company kill those who supported Ani.  Selia took the place as princess when Ani went missing and when arriving in Bayern Ani finds she is without a throne, or home.  

This story tells of how Ani became a goose girl, making a living taking care of the geese and making friends with those who lived in the Forest prior to working for the King.  She meets a man named Geric who she falls in love with and eventually loses to the palace. This is a wonderful story, filled with unexpected plot twists, one many should enjoy.  I found myself unable to put down this book, as I could not wait to see what Ani would do next and how she would stay safe with Selia wanting her dead. 

Author Facts: At age ten Shannon Hale began writing books and now holds a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.  This novel, Goose Girl was her first to be published.  She is a mean dance instructor for her son. 

Author Website: http://www.squeetus.com/stage/main.html