Godless by Pete Hautman
SUMMARY: Fed up with his parents' boring old religion, agnostic-going-on-atheist Jason Bock invents a new god--the town's water tower. He recruits an unlikely group of worshippers: his snail-farming best friend, Shin, cute-as-a-button Magda Price, and the violent and unpredictable Henry Stagg. As their religion grows, it takes on a life of its own. While Jason struggles to keep the faith pure, Shin obsesses over writing their bible, and the explosive Henry schemes to make the new faith even more exciting--and dangerous. When the Chutengodians hold their first ceremony high atop the dome of the water tower, things quickly go from merely dangerous to terrifying and deadly. Jason soon realizes that inventing a religion is a lot easier than controlling it, but control it he must, before his creation destroys both his friends and himself.
OPINION: I like conventional religions. I am part of one myself. But that doesn't stop me from wondering why we believe what we do. I mean, how did it all start? Did Jesus know that people would still be talking about him 2000 years later? Did Buddha intend to have devotees all over the world? Did Mohammed think that his teachings would be handed down in a holy book? What about newer religions, or older ones that celebrities make popular? In Godless, Jason and a few friends worship "The Ten-Legged One," write its holy book, and even have special cermonies on top of the tower. But that doesn't mean their parents, friends, or the local police force are also believers. Many people struggle with issues of faith, but this book takes questions about religion to a whole new level.
RELATED INFORMATION: Recently, a man fed up with the Intelligent Design debate demanded that his satirical religion, Flying Spaghetti Monsterism, be taught in Kansas schools alongside the theory of evoluion. Visit his personal website, or check out the Wikipedia article about his religion!
11.28.2005
11.20.2005
Book Review: Uglies
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
SUMMARY: Tally is about to turn 16, and she can't wait. Not for her license--for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your 16th birthday brings an operation that turns into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world--and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever. (adapted from the back cover)
OPINION: This book is 425 pages long, but I couldn't stop reading it! The idea of a dystopian future based on appearances is really creepy. If you think we are brainwashed to aspire toward unreal body images now, then you will be absolutely stunned by the practices in this book and the society it creates. Don't think it's like a sermon, though. There is plenty of action and adventure (and lots of plot twists) to keep your interest. Think it would be nice to be gorgeous? Think again...
NOTES: This is the first book in a trilogy. The second book, Pretties, is out now, but the final volume, Specials, hasn't even been announced yet. : ( If you like Scott Westerfeld's writing, look for So Yesterday, Peeps, and the Midnighters trilogy at the library! Also, check out Scott Westerfeld's website and blog.
SUMMARY: Tally is about to turn 16, and she can't wait. Not for her license--for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your 16th birthday brings an operation that turns into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world--and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever. (adapted from the back cover)
OPINION: This book is 425 pages long, but I couldn't stop reading it! The idea of a dystopian future based on appearances is really creepy. If you think we are brainwashed to aspire toward unreal body images now, then you will be absolutely stunned by the practices in this book and the society it creates. Don't think it's like a sermon, though. There is plenty of action and adventure (and lots of plot twists) to keep your interest. Think it would be nice to be gorgeous? Think again...
NOTES: This is the first book in a trilogy. The second book, Pretties, is out now, but the final volume, Specials, hasn't even been announced yet. : ( If you like Scott Westerfeld's writing, look for So Yesterday, Peeps, and the Midnighters trilogy at the library! Also, check out Scott Westerfeld's website and blog.
11.19.2005
Winter Teen Schedule
Hey Everyone!
The TAB is thinking about events for the months of January, February, and March. Here are some ideas for winter teen events:
The TAB is thinking about events for the months of January, February, and March. Here are some ideas for winter teen events:
- Monopoly Tournament
- Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament
- Anti-Valentine's Day Party
- Karaoke and Donkey Konga Night
- DDR Party
- Dr. Seuss program for younger kids
Do you have any more ideas? Respond to this post, email Gretchen, or talk to Gretchen in the children's room!
11.18.2005
A Few Photos
Here are a few photos from 70s night that were on my camera. The rest will be up when our guest, Nancy Trimbur, gets her film developed. Thanks to Nancy for taking a whole roll of film at 70s night!!
Platform shoes!
Can you dig it?
Platform shoes!
Punk lives.
Can you dig it?
11.16.2005
Book Review: Invisible
Invisible by Pete Hautman
SUMMARY: Lots of people think Doug Hanson is a freak--he gets beat up after school and the girl of his dreams calls him a worm. Doug's only refuge is building elaborate model trains in his basement and hanging out with his best friend, Andy Morrow. Andy is nothing like Doug: He's a popular football star who could date any girl in school. Despite their differences, Doug and Andy talk about everything--except what happened at the Tuttle place a few years back. As Doug retreats deeper and deeper into his own world, long-buried secrets come to light--and the more he tries to keep them invisible, the looser his grip on reality becomes. (excerpted from the inside flap)
OPINION: This book is only 149 pages long. You can easily read it in under 2 hours, and you won't be able to put it down. From the beginning, you know Dougie is messed up. But you have no idea exactly how much until the very last page. Don't think you know what will happen in this book because the plot twists just keep coming. This book may be a contender for the Printz award this year, so read it now before the rush!
SUMMARY: Lots of people think Doug Hanson is a freak--he gets beat up after school and the girl of his dreams calls him a worm. Doug's only refuge is building elaborate model trains in his basement and hanging out with his best friend, Andy Morrow. Andy is nothing like Doug: He's a popular football star who could date any girl in school. Despite their differences, Doug and Andy talk about everything--except what happened at the Tuttle place a few years back. As Doug retreats deeper and deeper into his own world, long-buried secrets come to light--and the more he tries to keep them invisible, the looser his grip on reality becomes. (excerpted from the inside flap)
OPINION: This book is only 149 pages long. You can easily read it in under 2 hours, and you won't be able to put it down. From the beginning, you know Dougie is messed up. But you have no idea exactly how much until the very last page. Don't think you know what will happen in this book because the plot twists just keep coming. This book may be a contender for the Printz award this year, so read it now before the rush!
11.12.2005
Arthurian Reads
In case you didn't pick up the list last night, here are some books that draw on the legend of King Arthur. Look for them next time you visit the library!
HISTORICAL
- Sword of the Rightful King: A Novel of King Arthur by Jane Yolen
- The Dragon's Boy: A Novel of Young King Arthur by Jane Yolen
- A String in the Harp by Nancy Bond
- The Once and Future King by T. H. White
- The Book of Merlyn by T. H. White
- Ard Righ: The Sword on the Stone by Ray Cattie
- I Am Mordred: A Tale from Camelot by Nancy Springer
- I Am Morgan Le Fay: A Tale from Camelot by Nancy Springer
- The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
SERIES
- The Seeing Stone, At the Crossing-Places, and King of the Middle March by Kevin Crossley-Holland
- The Winter Prince, A Coalition of Lions, and The Sunbird by Elizabeth E. Wein
- The Lost Years of Merlin, The Seven Songs of Merlin, The Fires of Merlin, The Mirror of Merlin, and The Wings of Merlin by T. A. Barron
MODERN
- The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Richard Yancey
- The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
11.11.2005
You Have Chosen Wisely!
Tonight, 27 teens came to Camelot Night, which was really great! We watched short movie clips from the movie musical Camelot, the action flick Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and the comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail. We also talked about the legend of King Arthur, staged swordfights, designed Chex Mix castles, gave prizes for costumes, took pictures with Kara's posable knight, ate theme food, and had a holy grail contest. Cool thing: Giselle came back to visit us, which was totally fabulous!! Thanks to the TAB for all of their hard work and planning for this event, and for hanging in there when we had to cancel and reschedule it! Also, the library's Friday night staff deserves big thanks for helping me clean up.
11.09.2005
Camelot Night
Don't forget that Camelot Night is this Friday from 6:30 to 8:30! This event was planned for last August, but had to be cancelled and rescheduled because of the air conditioning issue. So now we are ready to go! The TAB has been working hard on this event, and it should be a lot of fun.
Remember to wear your costume! Any medieval-themed outfit will do. Think royalty, knights, peasants, Arthurian legends, or Catholic church. You could even come as a Monty Python-esque witch, coconut, or shrubbery!!
Remember to wear your costume! Any medieval-themed outfit will do. Think royalty, knights, peasants, Arthurian legends, or Catholic church. You could even come as a Monty Python-esque witch, coconut, or shrubbery!!
11.04.2005
70s Flashback!
If you need to get in the mood for 70s night, try to catch some of the What's Happening? marathon on the TV Land cable channel this weekend. It starts at 6 a.m. tomorrow and goes until 6 a.m. Monday! Outta sight!!
10.28.2005
Book Review: From Charlie's Point of View
From Charlie's Point of View by Richard Scrimger
SUMMARY: Charlie Fairmile’s dad has been accused of bank robbery. Charlie knows his dad isn’t guilty, but the police are convinced he’s the Stocking Bandit. So Charlie has to find the real criminal—and fast. With the help of his best friends and his guardian angel, Charlie sets out to solve the mystery. Who knew that would mean crawling through a bug-infested crypt? Well, what you can’t see can’t hurt you, right? But can a blind teenager unravel a crime even the police can't solve? (from the inside flap)
OPINION: This is another book from the fabulous Sleuth imprint that has brought you other great teen mystery titles like Fake ID by Walter Sorrells and Double Helix by Nancy Werlin. You might think that a book about a blind teen detective would devolve into trite drivel about living with a handicap. And it very easily could. But not this one! Charlie's guide through the neighborhood and at school is Bernadette, a smart-mouthed tough girl whose only soft spot is for Charlie. Charlie himself is self-assured and creative in trying to solve the mystery of the Stocking Bandit. The book is full of humor and bizarre situations, even a bit of supernatural help at crucial moments. And the end is truely surprising.
BEST QUOTE: "Lewis can't help thinking of al the horror movies where the two stars and their friend do something dangerous, and the friend gets it. Happens every time. And, he thinks, that one--the third friend--is me. The more he thinks of it, the more convinced he becomes. This is not The Three Musketeers after all--it's a teen horror flick. Charlie is tall and handsome, real star material. And he's blind, for crying out loud. They'll never kill him. Bernadette isn't a beauty...but she's smart and determined and Charlie's best friend. She's safe, too. No, thinks Lewis, I'm the third friend. Zombie bait."
SUMMARY: Charlie Fairmile’s dad has been accused of bank robbery. Charlie knows his dad isn’t guilty, but the police are convinced he’s the Stocking Bandit. So Charlie has to find the real criminal—and fast. With the help of his best friends and his guardian angel, Charlie sets out to solve the mystery. Who knew that would mean crawling through a bug-infested crypt? Well, what you can’t see can’t hurt you, right? But can a blind teenager unravel a crime even the police can't solve? (from the inside flap)
OPINION: This is another book from the fabulous Sleuth imprint that has brought you other great teen mystery titles like Fake ID by Walter Sorrells and Double Helix by Nancy Werlin. You might think that a book about a blind teen detective would devolve into trite drivel about living with a handicap. And it very easily could. But not this one! Charlie's guide through the neighborhood and at school is Bernadette, a smart-mouthed tough girl whose only soft spot is for Charlie. Charlie himself is self-assured and creative in trying to solve the mystery of the Stocking Bandit. The book is full of humor and bizarre situations, even a bit of supernatural help at crucial moments. And the end is truely surprising.
BEST QUOTE: "Lewis can't help thinking of al the horror movies where the two stars and their friend do something dangerous, and the friend gets it. Happens every time. And, he thinks, that one--the third friend--is me. The more he thinks of it, the more convinced he becomes. This is not The Three Musketeers after all--it's a teen horror flick. Charlie is tall and handsome, real star material. And he's blind, for crying out loud. They'll never kill him. Bernadette isn't a beauty...but she's smart and determined and Charlie's best friend. She's safe, too. No, thinks Lewis, I'm the third friend. Zombie bait."
10.26.2005
Book Review: Feed
Feed by M. T. Anderson
SUMMARY: Imagine a society dominated by the feed--a next-generation Internet/television hybrid that is directly hardwired into the brain. Teen narrator Titus never questions his world, in which parents select their babies' attributes in the conceptionarium, corporations dominate the information stream, and kids learn to employ the feed more efficiently in School. But everything changes when he and his pals travel to the moon for spring break. There Titus meets home-schooled Violet, who thinks for herself, searches out news and asserts that "Everything we've grown up with the stories on the feed, the games, all of that it's all streamlining our personalities so we're easier to sell to." Titus's greatest strength lies in his denial of and uncomfortable awakening to the truth. This satire offers a thought-provoking and scathing indictment that may prod readers to examine the more sinister possibilities of corporate- and media-dominated culture. (adapted from the Publishers Weekly review)
OPINION: This book is dystopian fiction at its best! If you like books like The Bar Code Tattoo and 1984, or movies like I, Robot or Minority Report, this book is for you. The idea of having advertising bombarding your brain every minute is really creepy. Actually, what really made me shiver was role of School. When the government was no longer able to fund public schools, the corporations took over education to teach feed users to become better consumers. Scary! Think about how much advertising is already a part of your school life. Anyway, this book is very well written (better than The Bar Code Tattoo...sorry) and worth the time it takes to get into the mind of a future generation.
SUMMARY: Imagine a society dominated by the feed--a next-generation Internet/television hybrid that is directly hardwired into the brain. Teen narrator Titus never questions his world, in which parents select their babies' attributes in the conceptionarium, corporations dominate the information stream, and kids learn to employ the feed more efficiently in School. But everything changes when he and his pals travel to the moon for spring break. There Titus meets home-schooled Violet, who thinks for herself, searches out news and asserts that "Everything we've grown up with the stories on the feed, the games, all of that it's all streamlining our personalities so we're easier to sell to." Titus's greatest strength lies in his denial of and uncomfortable awakening to the truth. This satire offers a thought-provoking and scathing indictment that may prod readers to examine the more sinister possibilities of corporate- and media-dominated culture. (adapted from the Publishers Weekly review)
OPINION: This book is dystopian fiction at its best! If you like books like The Bar Code Tattoo and 1984, or movies like I, Robot or Minority Report, this book is for you. The idea of having advertising bombarding your brain every minute is really creepy. Actually, what really made me shiver was role of School. When the government was no longer able to fund public schools, the corporations took over education to teach feed users to become better consumers. Scary! Think about how much advertising is already a part of your school life. Anyway, this book is very well written (better than The Bar Code Tattoo...sorry) and worth the time it takes to get into the mind of a future generation.
10.25.2005
TAB Hurricane Relief Project
The TAB decided to share their "wealth" from the library yard sale by participating in a hurricane relief project sponsored by Teen Ink magazine. At our meeting on October 22, we made up five boxes of fun stuff for teens using dollar store items and our personal donations. We put in items like markers, playing cards, journals, books (of course), gel pens, and even a few bouncy balls. Then we mailed them to Teen Ink for their mass donation on November 1. Thanks TAB for your generosity!!! And remember, you can pick up your own copy of Teen Ink every month at the library and read lots of amazing teen writing.
10.21.2005
Urban Legend Night
Tonight, 10 teens came out for Urban Legend Night to celebrate Teen Read Week. Random fact of the night: it is possible for an inner layer of a jawbreaker to melt and cause it to burst and burn you! Don't leave your jawbreaker in the sun or put it in the microwave!! See what you could have learned if you had come to UL Night???
If you're sorry you missed it...
Look for some books:
If you're sorry you missed it...
Look for some books:
- The 500 Best Urban Legends Ever! by Yorick Brown
- Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid: The Book of Scary Urban Legends collected by Jan Harold Brunvand
- Encyclopedia of Urban Legends by Jan Harold Brunvand
- The Chicken-Fried Rat: Tales Too Gross to Be True by Cylin Busby
- The Big Book of Urban Legends (graphic novel) by Robert Loren Fleming
- The Exploding Toilet: Modern Urban Legends by David Holt
- Hollywood Urban Legends by Richard Roeper
- Mysterious Urban Myths by John Townsend
- Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_legends
- Snopes Urban Legends Reference Pages: http://www.snopes.com
- Truth or Fiction: http://www.truthorfiction.com/
- Mythbusters TV Show: http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/mythbusters.html
Anyway, we wrote our own urban legends, which I posted below. Caitlin and Jeff won TRW backpacks for having the most convincing urban legend. We did an urban legend quiz, on which Marissa only missed two answers. She won a backpack, too. Also, Maria posted a bizarre quote below which is actually from an urban legend mad-lib that we did. Now we all know lots of useless trivia, but I bet none of us will ever believe email forwards again!!!
Urban Legend #1 by Caitlin and Jeff
Perpetrator: cop who doesn't play by the rules
Victim: single mother
Object: credit card
Location: highway
On August 14, 1987, a cop pulled over a woman for speeding on the highway. The victim was a Ms. Shirley Parker from West Banks, Oregon, a single mother of three. The cop took her wallet, claiming to be searching for her license and registration, and "accidentally" confiscated her Visa card instead of her license. The woman called her credit card company as soon as she found out, and they revealed that her account was accessed by an Officer Roger Steele. Apparently, he had done the same thing to at least five other women on the highway in such diverse states as California, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, and Kansas. If you live anywhere in the west, e-mail this to five friends. Officer Steele may be been caught, but there are others out there willing to take money from victims like you!!! Do your part. Keep the west informed.
Victim: single mother
Object: credit card
Location: highway
On August 14, 1987, a cop pulled over a woman for speeding on the highway. The victim was a Ms. Shirley Parker from West Banks, Oregon, a single mother of three. The cop took her wallet, claiming to be searching for her license and registration, and "accidentally" confiscated her Visa card instead of her license. The woman called her credit card company as soon as she found out, and they revealed that her account was accessed by an Officer Roger Steele. Apparently, he had done the same thing to at least five other women on the highway in such diverse states as California, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, and Kansas. If you live anywhere in the west, e-mail this to five friends. Officer Steele may be been caught, but there are others out there willing to take money from victims like you!!! Do your part. Keep the west informed.
Urban Legend #2 by Kaitlyn and Erjola
Perpetrator: home handyman
Victim: little old lady
Object: lollipop
Location: office building
Attention please!
Beware of a lunatic lollipop home handyman. Once we had a case where a little old lady's lollipop was stoled by a handyman while she was in an office building. Before this happens to your grandma, send us ten dollars and your little old grandma will be safe. You can count on us! This happened to my grandma. Stop it before it happens to YOURS!
Sincerely,
The Lollipop Protecting Management
Fill out this form and email it back to us:
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Checking Account Number:
Amount of Payment:
Victim: little old lady
Object: lollipop
Location: office building
Attention please!
Beware of a lunatic lollipop home handyman. Once we had a case where a little old lady's lollipop was stoled by a handyman while she was in an office building. Before this happens to your grandma, send us ten dollars and your little old grandma will be safe. You can count on us! This happened to my grandma. Stop it before it happens to YOURS!
Sincerely,
The Lollipop Protecting Management
Fill out this form and email it back to us:
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Checking Account Number:
Amount of Payment:
Urban Legend #3 by Katie and Lisa
Perpetrator: postal worker
Victim: nerdy computer whiz
Object: car
Location: fast food restaurant
Warning! Warning! Beware of a fast food restaurant haunted by a nerdy computer whiz kid! A postal worker got hungry on her way home from work. But on her way to the restaurant, she hit a dog. The dog surprisingly survived and ran away, revealing a boy passed out in the middle of the street. The postal worker got scared, thinking that she killed him, but he really had just passed out after seeing the dog getting hit. She then loaded him in the trunk of her car and drove off. She was still so hungry that she made a quick turn into the drive thru. Instead, she drove into a window, killing herself and the nerdy boy. I gues you could say she's not hungry any more. Now, as legend has it, the nerdy kid haunts the fast food restaurant because he was headed there before he died.
Victim: nerdy computer whiz
Object: car
Location: fast food restaurant
Warning! Warning! Beware of a fast food restaurant haunted by a nerdy computer whiz kid! A postal worker got hungry on her way home from work. But on her way to the restaurant, she hit a dog. The dog surprisingly survived and ran away, revealing a boy passed out in the middle of the street. The postal worker got scared, thinking that she killed him, but he really had just passed out after seeing the dog getting hit. She then loaded him in the trunk of her car and drove off. She was still so hungry that she made a quick turn into the drive thru. Instead, she drove into a window, killing herself and the nerdy boy. I gues you could say she's not hungry any more. Now, as legend has it, the nerdy kid haunts the fast food restaurant because he was headed there before he died.
Urban Legend #4 by Marissa and Chardia
Perpetrator: telemarketer
Victim: pregnant teen
Object: stove
Location: grocery store
On February 18th, a pregnant teen was shopping for chocolate bars to fill her craving. Before she got to the checkout line, her water broke. Her mom was at home with the stove on and said she would meet the girl at the hospital ASAP. The girl later found out that the kind man who had helped her into the ambulance was the telemarketer who called her five times the night before. When she got home with her new baby, she was again called by the same telemarketer.
Victim: pregnant teen
Object: stove
Location: grocery store
On February 18th, a pregnant teen was shopping for chocolate bars to fill her craving. Before she got to the checkout line, her water broke. Her mom was at home with the stove on and said she would meet the girl at the hospital ASAP. The girl later found out that the kind man who had helped her into the ambulance was the telemarketer who called her five times the night before. When she got home with her new baby, she was again called by the same telemarketer.
Urban Legend #5 by Maria and Adriana
Perpetrator: pizza delivery guy
Victim: innocent girl
Object: camera
Location: hospital
There was a handsome Pizza Hut delivery guy who fell in love with a sick girl at the hospital. She had cancer of the kidney. Whenever he got a call to make a delivery, we would go to see the innocent girl in the hospital. He kept taking pictures of her, but he told her they were only to remember her by. Then a nurse spotted him taking pictures and realized he was stalking the innocent girl. She called the cops and they placed him in custody. He was fined $10,000 and sentenced to an asylum for life and stripped of his job. Caution! A Pizza Hut delivery guy may be after you! Please try to restrain from ordering from or going to a Pizza Hut!!
Victim: innocent girl
Object: camera
Location: hospital
There was a handsome Pizza Hut delivery guy who fell in love with a sick girl at the hospital. She had cancer of the kidney. Whenever he got a call to make a delivery, we would go to see the innocent girl in the hospital. He kept taking pictures of her, but he told her they were only to remember her by. Then a nurse spotted him taking pictures and realized he was stalking the innocent girl. She called the cops and they placed him in custody. He was fined $10,000 and sentenced to an asylum for life and stripped of his job. Caution! A Pizza Hut delivery guy may be after you! Please try to restrain from ordering from or going to a Pizza Hut!!
10.20.2005
Somewhat New Nonfiction
OK, so it's not exactly new. But it is new to the teen nonfiction area. I'm talking about some nonfiction books that are for teens that were moved from J to Teen this week! The teen nonfiction shelf is actually ALMOST FULL. We need to knock down a wall!
Here is a list:
- If High School Is a Game, Here's How to Break the Rules by Cherie Carter-Scott
- Born Beautiful: The African American Teenager's Complete Beauty Guide by Alfred Fornay
- Hole in My Life by Jack Gantos
- It's Your World--If You Don't Like It, Change It: Activism for Teenagers by Mikki Halpin
- My Sisters' Voices: Teenage Girls of Color Speak Out edited by Iris Jacob
- Teen Ink: Love and Relationships edited by Stephanie H. Meyer and John Meyer
- Teen Ink 2: More Voices, More Visions edited by Stephanie H. Meyer and John Meyer
- Yell-Oh Girls! Emerging Voices Explore Culture, Identity, and Growing Up Asian American edited by Vickie Nam
- Guys Write for Guys Read edited by Jon Scieszka
- Taste Berries for Teens: Inspiriational Short Stories and Encouragement on Life, Love, Friendship and Tough Issues edited by Bettie B. Youngs and Jennifer Leigh Youngs
10.19.2005
Book Review: Doormat
Doormat by Kelly McWilliams
SUMMARY: Fourteen-year-old Jaime is used to her best friend, Melissa, being the center of attention. Melissa wants to be a model—she’s beautiful, popular, and talented. There’s just one small problem—Melissa thinks she’s pregnant, and she wants Jaime’s help. But there’s not much Jaime can do. Melissa refuses to tell her parents; Jaime refuses to be the same old reliable doormat. She’s got a lead in the school play and a new friendship with Zach. Jaime is changing, too. And she’s sick of being stepped on! (from the inside flap)
OPINION: This story is told in a series of short first-person vignettes, each with an eye-catching, vertically arranged title. It is very short--I read the book in an hour. The story moves quickly and is fairly believable. One thing I love about the book: both girls are in the school play, which is "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds" by Paul Zindel, one of my favorite YA authors ever. What makes this book striking is that it was written by a 15-year-old! Really. She goes to high school in Arizona. It's a better book than I could write, so I can't really criticise her!
SUMMARY: Fourteen-year-old Jaime is used to her best friend, Melissa, being the center of attention. Melissa wants to be a model—she’s beautiful, popular, and talented. There’s just one small problem—Melissa thinks she’s pregnant, and she wants Jaime’s help. But there’s not much Jaime can do. Melissa refuses to tell her parents; Jaime refuses to be the same old reliable doormat. She’s got a lead in the school play and a new friendship with Zach. Jaime is changing, too. And she’s sick of being stepped on! (from the inside flap)
OPINION: This story is told in a series of short first-person vignettes, each with an eye-catching, vertically arranged title. It is very short--I read the book in an hour. The story moves quickly and is fairly believable. One thing I love about the book: both girls are in the school play, which is "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds" by Paul Zindel, one of my favorite YA authors ever. What makes this book striking is that it was written by a 15-year-old! Really. She goes to high school in Arizona. It's a better book than I could write, so I can't really criticise her!
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