Seven Blind Mice

Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young is a terrific folk tale about seven blind mice.  When something new comes each mouse goes out to see what it is and they all come back with different ideas.  The final mouse looks at the entire thing and figures out what it is teaching a great lesson.

I purchased the picture book as well as the audio version of this book.  The audio version is beautiful and the background music is magical and really adds to the story.  I used it in my music classroom because the music was so fantastic.

I recommend this story to kids 3-7.  It's a fantastic read-a-loud.

The Things You Kiss Goodbye

The Things You Kiss Goodbye by Leslie Connor follows Bettina who is growing up in a very strict household.  Her greek father is very controlling about where she goes so when her new boyfriend introduces himself to her father she's thrilled to be allowed to spend time with him.  However, after a summer of him being the sweet and dutiful boyfriend changes.  He starts being more and more cruel, tugging her hair and knocking her books out of her hands.  One day after her boyfriend hurts her she runs into an auto shop and develops a friendship with a man called Cowboy.

This is one of those books that is just uncomfortable and hard to read.  Almost all the men in Bettina's life were just horrible.  From her controlling father who treated her like an inconvenience to her horrible boyfriend and then the only person in her life who treats her well is the 26 year old man that she has a complicated relationship with.  Everything does magically work out at the end for the better but it's a long way getting there.  It's a difficult read but it is still enjoyable.

Appropriateness:  This book is chock full of adult content.  Bettina is sexually active with her boyfriend and is pressured the first time and there are abusive and inappropriate relationships as a focal point of the book.. There is quite a bit of drinking.  I would recommend this book to readers 13+ and use it as a way to discuss healthy dating relationships with your child.

In The End

After the End stars Juneau who has grown up in a small colony that survived after the third world war and has been training to be the spiritual leader for their community.  When she returns from a hunting trip she finds her entire community gone and sets off on a journey to find them.  However she soon finds out that the world is much different than she's been told.

This dystopian novel really worked for me.  There were quite a few believability hurdles that I had to get over but it still worked.  The romance was swoonworthy and the magic/scifi twist turned out at the end.  I sped through the book unable to put it down.

Appropriateness:  There's no adult content in this book.  I recommend it to fans of dystopian romance fans 13+

On Top of Spaghetti

 

This version of On Top of Spaghetti by Amanda L Jenkins is a hilarious version of the song that sings well provided you can get past the huge fart joke that ends the story.  It's a book that'll make you laugh and shake your head.  I recommend it for readers 5-7.

Story of a Girl

Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr follows Deanna whose life was ruined after she was caught having sex with a much older boy in the backseat of a car by her father at thirteen who hasn't looked her in the eye since.  The boy went around school bragging about it and her reputation has never recovered. 

I really enjoyed reading this book.  Reading about Deanna as she worked to realize what had actually happened in the past.  That the boy she'd had sex with was using her (the word rape is never used but it's a great example of statutory rape) and had preyed on her desire for love.  Deanna's family is in shambles, her brother is a teenage father living in the basement with his child and her father is emotionally abusive to everyone in the house.  Deanna grows throughout the book and is better off than she started, however things do not end perfectly.  I was interested throughout the story and felt the ending resolved well.

Appropriateness:  There is alcohol and drugs and sex in this book (the sex is described distantly and never erotic) although it's never viewed as a positive thing.  This would be a great book to read with your young teen to discuss statutory rape.  Deanna has a horrific life, yet goes on day by day and works to make things better for herself.  I recommend this book to readers 12+ 

Alienated

Alienated by Melissa Landers follows Cara and Aelyx two teenagers involved in an exchange program that's a first of it's kind.  Cara is shocked when she finds out that she's been chosen to be one of three hosts for L'eihr exchange students who are the first exchange students on earth.  Aelyx and Cara slowly learn about each other while dealing with protesters and hate from those who are not happy with Aelyx's presence on earth.

This is a nice romance with a slow build up. The fish out of water and xenophobia slant were interesting but a little heavy handed at times.  It seemed to take a long time for the meat in the story to start but I remained interested throughout.  I really liked Cara but found myself wondering how she could be so nice to Aelyx who is a snobby jerk for most of the book.  This book is far more romance than sci-fi.

Appropriateness:  There is no adult content in this book.  There are some allusions to erections (Aelyx mentions having to think of the periodic table to calm down) and one scene where it's implied that the two are making out without shirts on.  There's also quite a bit of sex discussions (who won't and how does it happen and talk of reproduction).  I would recommend this book for readers 13+ 

The Twelve Days of a Muppet Christmas

The Twelve Days of a Muppet Christmas is a super fun version of the Twelve Days of Christmas done Muppet Style with all your Muppet Friends.  My students thought it was hysterical and laughed and sang along.

I recommend this book for kids 4-8