"Out of the Easy" by Ruta Sepetys

Title: Out of the Easy
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Published: February 12, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction

Anyone who asks me for great YA or Historical Fiction reads, I will drop the name Ruta Sepetys immediately! I reviewed her novel Between Shades of Gray last summer! It's still one of my favorites (The movie adaptation called Ashes in the Snow is currently being filmed)!  Ok. Fangirl moment over. Her second novel, Out of the Easy, didn't disappoint.

For Josie Moraine, life in The Big Easy during the 1950s isn't exactly...easy. Known by the locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, she wants more out of life than what the French Quarter can offer. She works tirelessly in her best friend's bookshop and cleans for Willie, the infamous brothel madame, all while thwarting her neglectful, thieving mother and her mother's new beau who brings trouble with him wherever he goes.

As she get older, Josie dreams of attending a prestigious university on the East Coast. However, she can't seem to shake the whispers and the stares that follow her everywhere. When a mysterious murder occurs in the Quarter, Josie finds herself wrapped up in an investigation that will challenge her to rise above her station or succumb to the expectations that the Quarter residents have already laid out for her.

Josie Moraine is a great female protagonist. She's strong, sassy, and resilient. She knows how to make the best out of a bad situation, and I think young ladies will love rooting for her. The rest of the characters are as seedy as they are sympathetic. It seems like everyone in the French Quarter is up to something, but Sepetys will make readers love them anyway.

I'm not an expert on 1950s New Orleans, but the notes of racial tension, classism, and the presence of mobsters fits the time period. I also know that the author conducts extensive research before she writes, so I'm going to leave the rest to Ruta and trust that it's all accurate.

I really enjoyed this book, however, it's not one that I would consider using in my classroom library. The details surrounding the brothel and the prostitutes are something that I consider inappropriate to read within a school building. But older kids and adults, if you're looking for your next historical fiction read, then this is one that you should get your hands on!

Kaylee says:

Hannah Reviews: "The Hidden Girl: A True Story of the Holocaust" by Lola Rein Kaufman and Lois Metzger

Title: The Hidden Girl: A True Story of the Holocaust

Author: Lola Rein Kaufman and Lois Metzger

Published: 2008

Genre: YA Literature, Nonfiction

Hey y'all. I'm bringing Hannah back with a long overdue review that she has so graciously put together for your reading pleasure.

Prepare yourselves. I am about to say something incredibly controversial. I, Hannah, have never been a fan of The Diary of Anne Frank. This is not to say I do not like Anne Frank her self or that I am a heartless human being, I simply do not think that it is the best book to use to teach children about the Holocaust. The first time I read The Diary of Anne Frank I was probably about 12 and I remember thinking how mad I would have been if my Dad had decided to publish my diary. It seems to be mostly about a girl coming of age than about the Holocaust. I think that if I used it in my classroom one day, I would only use parts of the book that are related to the time of history in which she lived. 

At this point you may be wondering why I am talking so much about a book I am not even reviewing. That's a great question. It is because since reading The Diary of Anne Frank I have been trying to find a book that would be more suitable for the classroom. I believe that The Hidden Girl: A True Story of the Holocaust may be the one. This book was written by Lola Rein Kaufman with the help of Lois Metzger. Lola Rein Kaufman was only six years old, the German army invaded her hometown in Poland. Within a very short amount of time, some of her family members die and she goes into hiding on her own. For a while she is able to stay with a family who claims her as their distant relative, but as time goes on some of those in the family get too nervous, and they send her to hide at the farm of someone they know. You would think that she would be able to run and play on a secluded farm, but because of the fear of someone finding out Jews were there, she was forced to live in a hole in their barn floor for nine months. If this were not incredible enough, the hole is six-and-a-half feet by six-and-a-half feet and is barely tall enough for her tiny body to sit up in. Additionally, she shares the hole with two adults and another little girl. In this grave-like compartment she sits until she is told that the Germans have left and she leaves the hole for the first time in nine months.

Not only is this an amazing account of Lola in hiding, it also is about the struggles she faced after the war: a part of the suffering we do not always consider. Throughout the time she spent in hiding, Lola wore a dress on which her mother had embroidered a colorful design. This dress she would save throughout her life would end up in the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. 

This story is enlightening. Before reading this book, I had heard that some people had to hide in very small places during World War II, but this story helped me realize how terrifying the circumstances really were. I would say that, depending on the maturity level of the child this story could be read by a student in 5th-8th grade. The story itself is only 98 pages long, but there are several pages of suggested resources in the back of the book. This book has many Social Studies and History connections, and as a teacher, I have found that there are YouTube videos in which Lola Rein Kaufman addresses her experiences, so the students can put her face with her story. I would highly recommend this book to all students and teachers who would like to learn more about the experiences of children in hiding during the Holocaust.

Hannah says:

Know of any other good Holocaust stories either for the classroom setting or just pleasure reading? Comment below!

"Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" by Jesse Andrews

Title: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Author: Jesse Andrews
Published: March 1, 2012
Genre: YA Fiction

Well, I think it's safe to say that I'm a little late to the game when it comes to reviewing this book. It's been floating out there on my radar since last year, but I finally got my hands on a copy a few months ago and then finally found some time to read it while I was holed up with the flu bug 2 weeks ago. Besides having oodles of free time for once in my life, what finally gave me the push to read this book was stumbling upon the trailer for the movie version while scrolling through YouTube on one of my (frequent) binges. The movie made its debut at the 31st Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2015, where it also took home two awards. I have yet to see the movie, but I would like to give it a shot having finished the novel.

Here's a quick synopsis: Greg Gaines has a unique approach to surviving high school. He prides himself on the fact that he's mastered high school espionage by successfully inserting himself into every group and clique on campus. Greg only has one rule: make sure no one from any other group knows what he's doing. Therefore, Greg is completely invisible, which is just how he wants it. Well, except for Earl. Earl is Greg's "coworker" and only real friend. Together they make films. Bad ones. And neither of the boys show them to anyone.This arrangement works pretty well until Greg's mom tells him that his old classmate from Hebrew school, Rachel Kushner, has been diagnosed with leukemia. And as Greg puts it, "My life had reached its highest point. I had no way of knowing that as soon as Mom walked in, the prime of my life was over. It had lasted eight hours." Greg's mom forces him to spend time with Rachel, and the unlikely trio eventually bond over Greg and Earl's films. But when Rachel stops treatment for her leukemia, Greg and Earl must take on the near impossible task of creating a film for her, which thrusts Greg into the spotlight that he'd work so hard to avoid.

This is not your stereotypical young adult "cancer novel." There's no great life lesson learned, no grand statement about the meaning of life. and none of the characters fall in love right at the last minute. Actually, it took a long time for me to figure out my feelings about this book. I felt almost no emotional reaction when I finished it, which is not something I expected in a book about a girl who dies - This fact is not a spoiler, simply because Greg tells you it's going to happen on page 2. Honestly, I got more emotional watching the movie trailer (probably the reason why I still want to see it). I also couldn't really find the book's message in between the potty language and the raunchy jokes. On top of that, Greg's constant interjections during his narration about how much the book sucks, got really irritating. But I think I finally got the point. Point number 1 is that death sucks. Unfortunately, that's also a part of life. The thing that endeared Greg to me in the book was his response to Rachel's death. He doesn't know how to deal with it, especially when the dead person was his friend. I'm 22, and I still don't cope with death well. I think teens who read the book will be able to relate to what Greg is feeling at that particular moment. Point number 2. Greg works so hard to avoid connecting with anyone. He's so afraid of rejection that he avoids any unnecessary interaction with anyone other then Earl. But what teenager hasn't felt that way? I think we all go through that phase where we just want to please our peers and fit in. However, once Rachel passes away, Greg regrets not getting to know her sooner. Readers should take this away with them when they read the book: take time to get to know people better. Create those bonds, even if you're afraid that one day they'll break because you never know how much time you'll get with those special people who you care about and who care about you. That's just life! 

I'm going to give the book 3/5 coffee beans for a colorful cast of seemingly relatable characters and worthwhile message, but I'm taking points away for the vulgarity (I think there's a swear word on every page) and the sometimes distracting narration. Parents might want to be cautious before letting your kids read this one.

Kaylee says:

Hannah Reviews: "Schooled" by Gordon Korman

Title: Schooled
Author: Gordon Korman
Published: 2008
Genre: Realistic Fiction, YA 

Hannah's back, everyone! This time she's put together a short 'n sweet review of "Schooled" by Gordon Korman for you!

I first came across Schooled by Gordon Korman when I was helping sort through extra books we had lying around at our house. Since my Mom is a teacher who has taught every grade from Kindergarten to eighth, she has quite a few books that seem to come from nowhere. I figured, being a future teacher myself, I would see what it had to offer. 

Although this book was written in 2007, you would have expected it to be written in the 60s or 70s based on the cover art. In fact, it is about a boy in 2007 who has been raised on a commune by his grandmother his entire life. When circumstances conspire that force him to leave the commune for a time, his world is shifted upside down. 14-year old Capricorn Anderson is forced to go to a real live public middle school for the first time ever. Crazy situations ensue, but in the end both Capricorn and the other students at the school learn a lot about each other. 

I rather liked this book, however I did think that only some students might enjoy this book. There is not much background knowledge involved, but I think it makes a little more sense if one knows a little bit about the hippie movement. I would probably recommend it for students from 5th-8th grade. I give it 3 out of 5 beans.

Hannah Says:

Guys, this blog would seriously not exist without Hannah! It's so hard sometimes to come up with content for y'all while trying to stay focused on school and work. So, I absolutely rely on her to help me out every now and then! Thanks, girl! I owe you a coffee (or five)!!!

"Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher

Title: Thirteen Reasons Why
Author: Jay Asher
Published: 2007
Genre: YA Fiction

"Would you want the ability to hear other people's thoughts? Of course you would. Everyone answers yes to that question, until they think it all the way through. For example, what if other people could hear your thoughts? What if they could hear your thoughts...right now?"

Clay Jensen has a chance to experience that very ability when a strange shoe box arrives on his doorstep. Inside are 7 cassette tapes, which when played, reveal the voice of Hannah Baker, Clay's classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's voice explains that there are 13 reasons why she decided to take her life, and Clay is one of them. Now he needs to find out why.

Guided by Hannah's voice and a map that she drew, Clay takes a tour of the different places that played a significant role in the last months of Hannah's life. Each location is accompanied by a piece of Hannah's complicated, interwoven story -- starting with a seemingly harmless high school prank and ending with the infamous party that claimed the life of another classmate. Clay's narration alternates with Hannah's as he pieces together the motive behind her death, and in doing so, uncovers some sinister secrets that his classmates are desperately trying to keep hidden.

I didn't really know what to expect when I picked up this novel. I saw on sites like Amazon and Goodreads that it was highly rated, but my research didn't go much past that point. Then, on my birthday, I found a copy at the local thrift store and decided to pick it up. Initially, my mother wasn't crazy about the idea of reading a novel that dealt with teen suicide. However, curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to try reading it one morning. She finished it later that afternoon! With her endorsement, I jumped right in! Once I started, I couldn't put it down! In the book, Clay had this need to keep listening to the tapes; he couldn't stop. That's how I felt while I was reading. I needed to figure out where the story was going, what twist or turn would be revealed about Hannah's life. It was exhilarating!

I loved the alternating narratives. Hannah would say something on the tapes, to which Clay and the reader would react simultaneously. I think it was that back and forth action that made the book such a fast read. I also felt that the characters were relatable. Many teenagers can empathize with Hannah's feelings of  loneliness, and even betrayal. I'm sure even more can relate to the confusion and helplessness that Clay feels throughout the book. The combination of these things is what made me decide to give the book the rating that I did. The reason why I did not give it a full 5/5 beans, was that I felt that Hannah's decision to send the tapes (even with the intention of revealing the truth) would cause more pain and suffering to others. It was an act of revenge, which is something that I, on principle, refuse to endorse.

The subject matter is tough. No one likes to hear about suicide, especially when it's a young person who takes his or her own life. Other difficult topics come to light throughout the story, but I won't spoil them here for you now. Parents and teachers should be aware if they have children who want to read this book. That being said, use it to start a conversation about suicide and what the signs are in someone who is contemplating taking their life. The more aware you are, the more you can help!

Finally, if you decide to read this book, let it serve as a reminder of how you should treat others. Do you remember the "Sticks and stone may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" comeback from your grade school days? Asher's novel gives testimony that this little phrase may not be true. Words hurt! Especially during those volatile high school years. The things you say to another person may affect them more deeply than they let on. The consequences may extend far beyond hurt feelings! So be kind to people! Smile at them when they pass by you in the hall. Pay them a compliment. Be there to listen to them if they need it, and throw a little love their way! 

"Love your neighbor as yourself." Mark 12:31

Kaylee says:

"Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys

Title: Between Shades of Gray
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Published: March 22, 2011
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction

"Have you ever wondered what a human life is worth? That morning, my brother's was worth a pocket watch."

'Lithuania, June 1941: Fifteen-year-old Lina is preparing for art school and looking forward to summer. In the dark of night there is a knock at the door and life is forever changed. Soviet secret police arrest Lina her mother, and her younger brother, tearing their family apart. The three are hauled from their home and thrown into cattle cars, where they soon discover their destination: Siberia. Separated from her father, Lina embeds clues in her drawings and secretly passes them along, hoping they will reach her father's prison camp. In this dramatic and moving story, Lina desperately fights for her life and the lives of those around her. But will love be enough to keep her alive?'

I have always been a fan of Historical Fiction, especially stories about WWII. Almost everyone knows about the Holocaust and the atrocities that Hitler committed during the war. What made me want to read this particular book is that it deals with a little-known facet of the war. Hitler wasn't the only leader to transplant and murder millions of people. Joseph Stalin, the leader of Russia at the time, also displaced people who were considered to be anti-Soviet from the countries of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. This included doctors, military servicemen, teachers, lawyers, business owners, and their families. Many were forced into work camps located in Siberia, and those who weren't killed outright, succumbed to the crummy conditions.

Sepetys' novel is written from the perspective of Lina, one of the many who were arrested and taken form their homes.  The book chronicles her journey from prison camp to prison camp, detailing the hardships and loss faced by her and her family. The things she faces are horrifying to read about, and when you consider for a moment that they are based on true facts, it's difficult to not feel a tinge of sadness. 

Lina's character is one that I love to read about in YA novels. She's brave, rebellious, loving, but also distrusting of others who aren't in her immediate family. She is the kind of character that YA readers will find themselves rooting for. Throughout the book, her strong-willed nature and animosity towards the Russians who occupied her country get her into trouble. However, Lina comes to find that things aren't always black and white; she learns instead that world is a more complex shade of gray, which is a lesson that I think we all need to be reminded of once in a while.

The strong characters and wonderful storytelling, in combination with a fascinating historical period and a dash of romance, make Between Shades of Gray a compelling read that any YA and Historical Fiction fan should add to his/her reading list.

Kaylee says:

"Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

Title: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Author: Ransom Riggs
Published: June 7th 2011
Genre: Young Adult

"I used to dream about escaping my ordinary life, but my life was never ordinary. I had simply failed to notice how extraordinary it was."

As a little boy, Jacob Portman would listen to his grandfather's stories. He was enthralled by a magical place filled with unusual children and "The Bird" who watched over them, while pouring over his grandfather's photo album that contained creepy yet beautiful photographs of these strangely talented kids and their keeper.

Now as a teenager living in Florida and working at his parents' drug store, Jacob has no time or patience for the old stories. He dismisses the tales as a simple outlet for his grandfather's PTSD from WWII and the photographs as a product of a talented PhotoShop artist.


However, tragedy strikes and Jacob witnesses something that he will never forget, which sends him on a journey to a small European island and into the world of floating girls, invisible boys, and the woman trained to keep them safe. But danger is lurking just around the corner, and Jacob might just be the only person who can help.


Miss Peregrine's is probably the best YA Fantasy novel that I've read since the Children of the Red King series by Jenny Nimmo, which, coincidentally, also features children with extraordinary abilities. The story is wonderfully written; I was taken up in an instant and wasn't put back down till the very last word. 

One compelling feature of this novel is the inclusion of the photographs that Jacob finds in his grandfather's album. They aid the reading experience by allowing you to see exactly what the author wants you to see. Riggs began collecting these strange and sometimes frightening photographs from flea markets and private collectors long before he began writing the manuscript. He then created characters and a story around the photographs, tying them together in an almost believable way. The fact that someone somewhere actually took these pictures is amazing! I've included some of my favorite ones in this post.

Even though the work is considered a fantasy novel, I think YA readers will still be able to relate to the main character, Jacob. He deals with the same trials and tribulations that plague all young people: complicated familial relationships, friends (or the lack thereof), girls, and finding one's purpose in life. 

I've since discovered that this novel is part of a trilogy. I can't wait to get my hands on Hollow City and Library of Souls. This is definitely a book that you'll want to add to your reading list!

Kaylee says:

Hannah Reviews: "Unwind Dystology" a Series by Neal Shusterman

Title: The Unwind Dystology Series
Author: Neil Shusterman
Published: 2007-2012
Genre: Young Adult

I'm so excited to welcome our first guest contributor! Meet my friend Hannah! Rather than me telling you about her, however, I'll let her introduce herself. Check out her review below!

"Hi! My name is Hannah and I am a good friend of Kaylee's. We met at college where I am working towards a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Communication Arts and Literature. (I only have one year left! Yay!) I can always be found reading at least one book. In my free time I enjoy hanging out with my friends, spending time with my family, and watching TV and movies. I hope you enjoy what I have to add and can use some of my recommendations to expand your own libraries!"

In one of my college classes, I was introduced to an excerpt from the first book in Shusterman's series. I had never read any of his books before, and if I had judged them by their cover art, I probably would never have. What got my attention is the deep issues covered and the realism portrayed through parts of his descriptions. 

These books are about a future in which the United States has had its second Civil War over whether or not women could have abortions. Although this seemed over the top at first, I found that the story seemed similar to that of other religious or faith-based wars. As with most treaties, the agreement that ended this war made neither side very happy. It said that a mother could no longer abort a child. After giving birth, she could drop him/her off on a random door step in the dead of night and the family who owned the house would have to care for it. However, a parent could decide to retroactively abort their child when he/she is between the ages of 13 and 18. These children would be taken away from the government and "unwound", meaning they would be painlessly taken apart, and their parts would be a way of supplying organ registries. The books followed a few of these "unwinds" as they escaped from custody and struggled to change the laws while living their lives as outlaws.

I try not to get dragged into too many young adult fiction series because I feel like it is an endless spiral, as it is such a widespread and fast-growing genre. The fact that this one discussed abortion caught my attention because it is not often addressed even in adult literature. Without taking a definite side, Shusterman fully covers the issue and the divide the argument creates. The main characters do at one point come to the conclusion that in an ideal world, all fetuses/unborn children would be wanted.

       

I give this series 3 coffee beans. It had a different plot line in each of the four books as well as characters who developed realistically over time. I am not sure that I would recommend this for anyone under 15 or 16 years old though, because of the heavier, darker subject matter.

Hannah says:

"Chopsticks" by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral

Title: Chopsticks
Author: Jessica Anthony
Published: February 2, 2012
Genre: Young Adult

I've recently discovered the wonder that is the graphic novel; it's a genre that is growing more and more popular among young adult readers. When you hear the phrase "graphic novel" I'm sure many minds jump right to comic books. However, from a teacher standpoint, graphic novels have much to offer in a classroom setting. I won't go into too much detail in this post, but the National Council for Teaching English shares a fantastic article about using comics and graphic novels to build literacy in the classroom. You can read it here.

I found this particular book during my recent library sale hunt, and I couldn't wait to check it out. 

Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral is an edgy, modern-day adaptation of the classic Romeo and Juliet story told in pictures. The plot follows two madly in love teenagers, Glory and Frank. Glory is a piano prodigy who is raised by her single father after her mother passes away. Frank is the boy next door, an aspiring artist raised by his immigrant family. The two are drawn in by the talent that the other possesses, she to his paintings and he to her beautiful music. The two share mix CDs and late-night text messages, much to the chagrin of Glory's father, who considers Frank an obstacle to Glory's rising popularity.

Fame's pressures finally get to Glory, and she suffers from a mental breakdown. Once known as the "Brecht of the Piano", Glory can now play nothing but the children's song "Chopsticks". Frank faces his own struggles throughout the book. He never quite adapts to his new school, and his grades slowly drop as he becomes more consumed by his art and his love for Glory. The story begins with the breaking news of Glory's disappearance from a rest facility for gifted musicians. From there the reader is left to piece together what happened to Glory and Frank, separating what is truth and what is madness.

The first thing that caught my attention about the book was the aesthetics. It really is beautiful! The story is told through a series of pictures, newspaper clippings, scrapbook

pages, and screenshots of text messages. Since there are very few written words, the reader is left to interpret what happens to Glory and Frank. I liked this feature. I felt that it made the story more personal because the ending became what I wanted it to be.

The book did not take a very long time to get through, maybe 45 minutes tops. However, some of the text messages include links to YouTube videos that actually exist! I didn't look every single one up, but if I had, it might have made the experience last longer. There are also the playlists of real songs that Glory and Frank make for each other that I would recommend checking out, as they will put you in the mindset of the characters.

Chopsticks was a standard teen romance. Girl meets boy, girl falls for boy, parents try to keep them apart, etc. It got to be a little predictable, despite the air of mystery that hangs over the entire piece. What made it worth reading was its unique design and layout. I can see myself adding it to my future classroom library because the young ladies would find it attractive, especially when the more comic-like graphic novels are more appealing to boys.

Kaylee says: