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librarybonanza
Age: Preschool-1st grade
Frame-worthy artwork accompany slightly lackluster, conversational text. However, this is a great jumping off point for discussion of the wild outdoors and will satisfy the nature lovers out there.
Frame-worthy artwork accompany slightly lackluster, conversational text. However, this is a great jumping off point for discussion of the wild outdoors and will satisfy the nature lovers out there.
Age: Teen
"In a few words, Divergent is one long initiation trial. Beatrice Prior is a member of a society that has been maintaining its peaceful existence by separating its citizens into 5 distinct factions. These factions are formed on the basis of virtues they cultivate in their members - Candor values honesty the most, Abnegation - selflessness, Dauntless - bravery, Amity - peacefulness and Erudite - intelligence. At 16 all citizens take a test that is supposed to help them decide if they want to stay with the faction into which they were born or transfer to another faction forever. Beatrice's test results are inconclusive and puzzling. Ultimately she decides to abandon her own faction (Abnegation) and her family and enter another (Dauntless)" (Review from Tatiana).
An easy and fast read, suspenseful enough to keep your attention until the end. I liked that Tris' selfishness was tied to her bravery. Although I don't particularly like selfish characters, it was believable and a bold move for Roth. However, the writing is just okay and the atmosphere is vague. I had a hard time accepting the division of personalities. How are these people brainwashed into sticking to one faction? If children are exposed to other factions in school, what happened to their curiosity? Why aren't more rebelling? If kids can switch sides, wouldn't that make them divergent? Without more background depth, the story was fun but not memorable.
"It promotes all the good things - bravery and self-sufficiency, friendships, honesty, determination. It is all about girl empowerment. But as the same time it isn't particularly thought-provoking or chilling. It never truly touched my heart. It is a write-by-numbers dystopia" (Tatiana)
"In a few words, Divergent is one long initiation trial. Beatrice Prior is a member of a society that has been maintaining its peaceful existence by separating its citizens into 5 distinct factions. These factions are formed on the basis of virtues they cultivate in their members - Candor values honesty the most, Abnegation - selflessness, Dauntless - bravery, Amity - peacefulness and Erudite - intelligence. At 16 all citizens take a test that is supposed to help them decide if they want to stay with the faction into which they were born or transfer to another faction forever. Beatrice's test results are inconclusive and puzzling. Ultimately she decides to abandon her own faction (Abnegation) and her family and enter another (Dauntless)" (Review from Tatiana).
An easy and fast read, suspenseful enough to keep your attention until the end. I liked that Tris' selfishness was tied to her bravery. Although I don't particularly like selfish characters, it was believable and a bold move for Roth. However, the writing is just okay and the atmosphere is vague. I had a hard time accepting the division of personalities. How are these people brainwashed into sticking to one faction? If children are exposed to other factions in school, what happened to their curiosity? Why aren't more rebelling? If kids can switch sides, wouldn't that make them divergent? Without more background depth, the story was fun but not memorable.
"It promotes all the good things - bravery and self-sufficiency, friendships, honesty, determination. It is all about girl empowerment. But as the same time it isn't particularly thought-provoking or chilling. It never truly touched my heart. It is a write-by-numbers dystopia" (Tatiana)
Age: High School-College
A short and incredibly powerful look at four storylines, separate but revolving around two former boyfriends that are determined to break the Guinness World Records for longest kiss. Looooooooooove Levithan's character work and his inclusion of a Greek Chorus gave incredible meaning and depth to what some perceive as "young puppy love."
"While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teen boys dealing with languishing long-term relationships, coming out, navigating gender identity, and falling deeper into the digital rabbit hole of gay hookup sites—all while the kissing former couple tries to figure out their own feelings for each other" (Goodreads synopsis).
A short and incredibly powerful look at four storylines, separate but revolving around two former boyfriends that are determined to break the Guinness World Records for longest kiss. Looooooooooove Levithan's character work and his inclusion of a Greek Chorus gave incredible meaning and depth to what some perceive as "young puppy love."
"While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teen boys dealing with languishing long-term relationships, coming out, navigating gender identity, and falling deeper into the digital rabbit hole of gay hookup sites—all while the kissing former couple tries to figure out their own feelings for each other" (Goodreads synopsis).
Age: Middle School & advanced readers
History: World War II
Music: Harmonica, Piano, Flute
Multiple storylines: check. Inclusion of music: double check. Continuity of one object across multiple story lines: checkity check check. All my favorite things, all in one book.
As the story revolves around a distinctly unique harmonica, I would highly recommend this as an audiobook due to its periodic inclusion of harmonica riffs and actual songs. Plus, there are multiple narrators throughout (based on each story) and some excellent German accents. Without much gore or violence and with no romance, this would make a perfect car trip audiobook for grades 4+.
History: World War II
Music: Harmonica, Piano, Flute
Multiple storylines: check. Inclusion of music: double check. Continuity of one object across multiple story lines: checkity check check. All my favorite things, all in one book.
As the story revolves around a distinctly unique harmonica, I would highly recommend this as an audiobook due to its periodic inclusion of harmonica riffs and actual songs. Plus, there are multiple narrators throughout (based on each story) and some excellent German accents. Without much gore or violence and with no romance, this would make a perfect car trip audiobook for grades 4+.
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I re-read the series and it only took me half a year.
I remember reading that epilogue when I was in high school and hating it but now I think it's delightful. Maybe co-reading Harry Potter and Crime and Punishment for AP Lit really wasn't the best pairing for a schmaltzy ending.
I remember reading that epilogue when I was in high school and hating it but now I think it's delightful. Maybe co-reading Harry Potter and Crime and Punishment for AP Lit really wasn't the best pairing for a schmaltzy ending.
Age: 2nd-5th grade
Perhaps I should just stop listening to the younger aged audiobooks because I hated Grandpa Melvin. He whined incessantly (and the narrator exaggerated this) and I had no idea why Ellie admired him. So, that mainly did it for me. Sadness.
Perhaps I should just stop listening to the younger aged audiobooks because I hated Grandpa Melvin. He whined incessantly (and the narrator exaggerated this) and I had no idea why Ellie admired him. So, that mainly did it for me. Sadness.
Age: Preschool
Nature: Exploring the outside world on the way to the playground
Perfect laptime book that invites children to explore each page through maze-like art and verbal encouragement. Large illustrations may also inspire children and reader's alike to create their own artwork.
Nature: Exploring the outside world on the way to the playground
Perfect laptime book that invites children to explore each page through maze-like art and verbal encouragement. Large illustrations may also inspire children and reader's alike to create their own artwork.
