Buck Up Little Buckaroo!

By Mary Ellen Edmunds

Sometimes you just feel lonely…
“Being lonely at times seems to be part of life,” writes Mary Ellen Edmunds, “and even the friendliest and most outgoing of people experience those feelings. Being lonely isn’t necessarily bad for you, but staying lonely is.” With that idea in mind, Mary Ellen applies her trademark good cheer and careful thinking to the topic of loneliness, helping us understand that loneliness is painful but not terminal, that we don’t have to be lonely, and that loneliness doesn’t need to rule our lives.

This caught my attention from the first time I saw it; the title made me laugh so I looked to see what it was about. When I found out it was a book about being lonely and how to deal with it and what it is exactly I was excited. It sounded like just the book for me, who like so many others have faced long periods of loneliness. I'm so glad I found this book. After reading the thoughtful remarks of Ms. Edmunds I sincerely want to write her a letter of appreciation for taking the time to write this book. It helped me understand a lot of things about what causes loneliness and why it can be good at times. The suggestions are wonderful, and I know I'll turn to them time and again when I get in the doldrums. I think my favorite part was the chapter on solitude. How profound! I won't say any more because I want people to read this for themselves and find the joy I did in figuring out my own unique way to deal with being alone.

Crispin: The Cross of Lead

By Avi

“Asta’s son” is all he’s ever been called. The lack of name is appropriate, bcause he and his mother are but poor peasants in fourteenth-century medieval England. But this thirteen-year-old boy who thought he had little to lose soon finds himself with even less—no home, family or possessions. Accused of a crime he did not commit, he has been declared a “wolf’s head.” That means he may be killed on sight, by anyone. If he wishes to remain alive, he must flee his tiny village. All the boy takes with him is a newly revealed name—Crispin—and his mother’s cross of lead.
His journey through the English countryside is puzzling, amazing and terrifying. Especially difficult is his encounter with the juggler named Bear. A huge, and possibly even mad, man, Bear forces the boy to become his servant. Bear, however, is a strange master, for he encourages Crispin to think for himself.
Though Bear promises to protect Crispin, it becomes clear that the boy is being relentlessly pursued. Why are his enemies so deterined to kill him? Crispin is gradually drawn right into his enemies’ fortress, where—in a riveting climax—he must become a different person if he is to save Bear’s life and his own.

Before this book, I had never read anything by Avi, of which I have been told is a shame. I am inclined to agree after my first sampling. Avi is something of a writer that I like; he is thourough, has a high but easy-to-read style, has a message to present, and memorable characters and vivid scenes. I enjoyed Crispin, as a historical fiction, and also a tale about a boy who simply wants to be free. Being a book placed in the middle ages, there is always some reference going on towards the church and priests, and prayer, and it's lovely. It seems like a lot of people don't want to touch the subject of any religion except to put it down. I enjoyed Avi's view on it; it's only as good or as bad as the men who teach/preach (speaking of the church of England). If you haven't read Avi, I think Crispin is an excellent place to start, and I was excited to find that Avi has written other adventures with Crispin but this book can stand alone; you need not read the others if you don't want to.

Peter Pan

By J.M. Barrie

Considered a masterpiece since its first appearance on stage in 1904, Peter Pan is J.M. Barrie’s most famous work and the greatest of all children’s stories. While it is a wonderful fantasy for the young, Peter Pan, particularly in the novel form Barrie published in 1911, says something important to all of us. Here “the boy who wouldn’t grow up” and his adventures with Wendy and the lost boys in the Neverland evoke a deep emotional response as they give form to our feelings about parents, boys and girls, the unknown, freedom, and responsibility. Humorous, satiric, filled with suspenseful cliff-hangers and bittersweet truths, Peter Pan works an indisputable magic on readers of all ages, making it a true classic of imaginative literature.


This book has been on my 'to read' list for years, and finally I got to it, and was a little disappointed. I never really liked the disney movie much, but as a kid loved Sandy Duncan as Peter Pan and watched it all the time. Sadly, I have never seen the actual play in person, and liked the live-action version with Jeremy Sumpter well enough. Peter Pan has always been touchy with me, but I did laugh every time in this book when Peter declares, "Ah, the cleverness of me!" He's quite the arrogant little bloke. I suppose I was thinking it wouldn't be quite so wordy, being a children's sort of play, but it was quite wordy at times and I looked forward to the dialogue. It was fun to read and brought me some pleasure in reading, but I want to look for the play version to read now and see what differences in feeling there are. Peter Pan will always be a classic adventure, and it's worth a gander, even if you've seen every adaptation there is under the sun!

Midnight for Charlie Bone

By Jenny Nimmo

What’s happening to Charlie Bone? Chalie doesn’t want to believe it when he discovers that he can hear the thoughts of people in photographs. But his horrible aunts are delighted—it means he is one of the chosen and must attend the Bloor’s Academy for gifted children. Once there, Charlie realizes that some of his classmates have equally mysterious powers, and soon Charlie is involved in uncovering the mysterious past of one of them.

This is a Harry Potter-esque book, I think pointed toward a younger audience than Harry. But like Ms. Rowling's phenominal series, this is about Charlie Bone (of course) who finds out one day that he is one of the 'endowed' and must go to a special school called Bloor's Academy. With his best friend Benjamin, Charlie is thrown into a mystery surrounding a student that may be attending his new school and has promised to find out what ever happened to a little girl that was traded for a case that is now in Charlie's posession and which his ill-intending aunts want very badly. This book was a cutesy sort of story, and while you are supposed to be horrified at someone trading a child for a strange black case, it seems rather unbelievable. Especially when all the adults tell Charlie he has to figure things out; what adult flipantly tells an eleven year old kid to do something that important? It's a fun story, and kids will like it, but young adults and adults probably will find it a bit too juvenile for personal enjoyment.

Tennis Shoes and the Seven Churches

By Chris Heimerdinger

Join fifteen-year-old Harry Hawkins as he takes the baton from his noble father, jim, and embarks upon a perilous quest to grant what may be his sister’s last wish and reunite her with the love of her life. In the process he discovers secrets about the mysterious caverns of Frost Cave that his father never dreamed of—secrets that plunge him into a world he never expected. A world in rebellion against the oppressors of Rome and against the pure and undefiled doctrines of Christ and His newborn Church—the dangerous and reeling world of Jerusalem and the New Testament in the first century A.D.

So, the tennis shoe series continues...and this one is awesome. I love Harry, he is a great character that you can relate to, and having Meagan there just adds spice and makes Harry learn patience. I think the funnest thing about this series is the way that Chris Heimerdinger brings the scriptures to life and makes them applicable. I know it makes me see things in a new perspective when I read now, not to mention it's just plain fun to read about time travel, ancient cultures, a throw in some romance and loads of adventure. This series is touching and has a great spiritual lift, along with laughs and tears, and good times. Though this is written in the standpoint of Latter Day Saint culture, it can be read by anyone; especially this book and it's adventures taking place in New Testament times. Great series, can't wait to read the last book (which is why I'm reading through them again as a refresher!)

Abandon

By Meg Cabot

Pierce knows what it’s like to die, because she’s done it before.
Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can’t help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she’s never alone…because someone is always watching her. Escaper from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.
But now she’s moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid. Only she can’t. Because even here, he finds her. That’s how desperately he wants her back. She knows he’s no guardian angel, and his dark world isn’t exactly heaven, yet she can’t stay away…especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most. But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in te one place she most fears: the Underworld.

I was pretty excited to read this one, having read Meg Cabot's Avalon High and was plesantly surprised (and if you saw the Disney movie, please read the book soooo much better). And when I heard that she was writing a series based on the myth of Hades and Persephone, I was stoked. I love mythology and Meg is a good author. But, I'm sad to report that this is another paranormal romance. Some of you may shout for joy, but I'm kinda sick of them to be honest. Now, don't get me wrong, this book is way well-written and I absoultely love the character that paralells Hades. It was just a little werid and dark for me with all the death stuff and the Underworld. I was wishing there was some lightheartedness inserted somewhere, but it was pretty much all doom and gloom and darkness. I wanted less drama. Maybe I should quit reading teen fiction....hm. I'll give it some thought. :)

Warning though: This book does deal heavily with death and has a huge scene with a teacher/student affair and some mild language along with violence and suicide. Wow. I think that covered it. There is some sensuality as well. Take a gander if you like the paranormal romances...in my opinion this is one of the best ones I've read (even though I'm not really into them).

Maximum Ride: School's Out--Forever

By James Patterson

Max is sure that a microchip has been inserted under her skin—leading freakish forces of evil to ambush them at any moment. She and the others are supposed to save the world. But from what? And When? And How? Max will stop at nothing to find answers. One thing she does know: it’s got something to do with an astonishing ability they have that no others can claim. They can fly.
Max’s heart-stopping quest to protect her “family” and investigate the mind-blowing mystery of her ultimate destiny continues in the scariest, strangest, and funniest James Patterson thriller yet.
The angel experiment was just a test drive. Now, brace yourself for the maximum ride!

This is the second book in the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson. I read the first book, The Angel Experiment a few years ago and just decided for the heck of it to pick up the next one. It was a series that was fun to read, but didn't really seem to have any value other than entertaining you for a few hours. This second book is much like the first. It's a page-turner and something is always happening to the flock, a bunch of mutant kids with avian (bird) DNA fused into their human DNA. They are being chased by the people who created them, and they want them back. And Max, the heroine of the story, is supposed to save the world. They're trying to find out from who and what is going to happen. Along with trying to find their parents...and oh, surviving would be nice. Filled with action and adventure, it's a non-stop trip, though sometimes a bit too unreal. I don't remember this from the first book, but this book sure does take the Lord's name in vain a lot. Rubbed me the wrong way. Just fair warning. Other than that, you've got battles with wolf-bird hybrids and a few scenes of bloodiness, but that's it for parental guidance from me. Check it out if you like that sort of thing.