Rebel in Blue Jean - Beverly Stowe McClure

Publisher: Twilight times Books

Pages: 160
Genre: Realistic fiction
Source: Won a copy in a Blog Hop from Author


My Thoughts:
Rebel Ferguson’s life has changed drastically. Her mother has left Rebel and her father for a drummer in a band. Rebel’s two best friends, Will and Sully have decided to do everything in their power to cheer her up. As her father tries to deal with the situation, taking credit for part of the break up, Rebel feels her life is spinning out of control. First there is the strange behavior of Will and Sully, especially when it concerns college boy Rick. Next there is the mandatory visit with her mother and new boyfriend Bo.

Rebel is determined to make her mother pay for choosing Bo over her and her father. She begins to call her mother Liz. This is a book that you must read. It rang so true. I have seen my middle school students go through these frustrating stages just like Rebel as they deal with a divorce in their family. I can only imagine if they were older and had to deal with the “boy” issues Rebel is dealing with. I sat with the book and read it from cover to cover. I have so enjoyed it. I am so glad I had the opportunity to read and review this book and I’m looking forward to reading a lot more by this author.

About the Author
Beverly Stowe McClure is the author of two other novels for teens: Listen to the Ghost and Secrets I Have Kept. A native Texan, she lives in the country with her husband and two cats. She is a former teacher and was selected 1988 Conservation Teacher of the year in her district.

The Unwanteds - Lisa McMann

Publisher:  Aladdin

Pages:  390

Source:  Purchased

Genre:  Middle Grade Fantasy

Product Description

Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their deaths

Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted. Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret--behind the mirage of the "death farm" there is instead a place called Artime.

In Artime, each child is taught to cultivate their creative abilities and learn how to use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it's a wondrous transformation.

But it's a rare, unique occurence for twins to be separated between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron's bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.

My Thoughts:

First let me get it out of my system and just say that I have loved every Lisa McMann book I have read.  This one is no different.  The idea of a society  where when you turn 13 you are divided into one of three groups of citizens:  the  Necessaries, Wanteds, or the Unwanteds appalled me.  In Quill the Wanteds get to go to the University and have the best training.  The Necessaries get to do the physical labor and other things that don’t require a lot of  brains.  If you are an Unwanted you are shipped off to be killed.  Unwanteds are the creative people.  I realized that I could very easily be considered one of the Unwanteds.  I thought it was strange that the people of Quill are against anything creative.  You can’t really control creativity.  That is why they are considered the Unwanteds.  Alex Stowe is an Unwanted while his twin brother Aaron is a Wanted.  Alex is sent to what he is sure is to be his death while Aaron is sent to University and goes through training to forget his brother.  I kept wondering what kind of parents would allow their kids to be shipped off to be killed.  Alex arrives only to find that things aren’t what everyone thinks.  He is actually taken to the land of Artime.  This place was created by an old magician.  The two lands are in contrast to each other.  Quill where Aaron lives is very dull and boring while Artime is colorful and allows them all forms of creativity.  I really loved all of the different fantasy animals or creatures.  Alex’s  training also involves learning how to use his creativity along with magic to protect the place.  Alex and Aaron still share a connection like many twins.  This becomes a danger when they both start having dreams about each other. 

This is a perfect fantasy for my middle school students.  I can’t wait to return to school and put it on my shelves.  I love the fact that Lisa McMann can write such different books that will appeal to the same age students.  I think my students will be engrossed in how this story plays out.  One think that thought about as I began this book and we came to the Purge was the book “Unwind” by Neal Shusterman.  It just seemed so strange that parents would willing send their kids off to be taken apart and their body parts sold.  That is where these two books were similar.  As a parent I just couldn’t understand the parents.  This is a book that stays with you for a long time.

Two by Alice J. Wisler

Rain Song 

Publisher:  Bethany House

Pages:  304

Source:  I received a copy for review

Genre:  Adult, Realistic Fiction

From Goodreads:

Nicole Michelin avoids airplanes, motorcycles, and most of all, Japan, where her parents once were missionaries. Something happened in Japan...something that sent Nicole and her father back to America alone...something of which Nicole knows only bits and pieces. But she is content with life in little Mount Olive, North Carolina, with her quirky relatives, tank of lively fish, and plenty of homemade pineapple chutney. Through her online column for the Pretty Fishy Web site, she meets Harrison Michaels, who, much to her dismay, lives in Japan. She attempts to avoid him, but his e-mails tug at her heart. Then Harrison reveals that he knew her as a child in Japan. In fact, he knows more about her childhood than she does.

My Thoughts:

Nicole Michelin has had a lot of heartache.  She was born in Japan.  Her parents were medical missionaries.  At the age of two, she lost her mother in a fire and she and her father moved back to the United States. Like many children, Nicole has fears related to things she doesn’t fully understand.  Her father refuses to talk about the past so she is left without answers and too afraid to seek them out.  Then she meets Harrison Michaels through a website.  He knew her as a child in Japan .  He knows there are many in Japan that can answer some of those questions.  This means Nicole will have to takes some steps of faith and courage.  This is accomplished through the love, encouragement, and wisdom of her grandmother.  There are other side stories that add to the warmth and depth of this story.  This was a wonderful book.  One that lets the reader know that we have to let go of fears and lean on our faith.  This is an author to watch out for.

How Sweet It is 

Publisher:  Bethany House

Pages:  320

Source:  I received a copy for review

Genre:  Christian, Romance

From Goodreads:

Deena Livingston leaves behind a broken romance and her chef job in Atlanta to spend time at her grandfather's cabin in the mountains of North Carolina. But her grandfather has an odd request: he wants Deena to teach cooking classes to the ragtag group of middle-schoolers who attend the local afterschool program, The Center. Reluctantly, Deena agrees, but how is she supposed to convince these kids that cooking at home is better than eating at McDonalds? And after all she went through in Atlanta, why is she attracted to Zack, the social worker at The Center? Can a Dr. Seuss-quoting plumber, a curly-haired basketball player, and a group of middle-schoolers change Deena's outlook on life?

My Thoughts:

Oh this one touched close to home.  Deena Livingston and her boyfriend are involved in an accident.  He doesn’t bother to come see her, he just sends her flowers.  When I read this I thought about my cousin.  The night she became engaged she and her fiancé were involved in an accident.  After emerging from a coma she had to learn to talk all over again, as well as learn to walk.  She actually overheard her fiancé tell a friend outside of her door at the hospital that there was no way he would marry her.  When the friend asked why, he replied that he would not marry a retard.”  He had caused the accident.  She was so hurt yet determined to move on with God’s help.  Deena is just as determined.  She moves to a cabin in the mountains of North Carolina.  Her grandfather left it to her with the stipulation she will teach cooking classes to a group of middle schoolers.  You could see the hand of God in all of this as she begins to heal not only on the outside, but on the inside.  It is through learning to know these children and the scars they hide within themselves that she begins to heal.  I know as a teacher I often have kids dealing with some pretty terrible things.  Sometimes those things resonate with me and I find myself thinking about how much I have felt some of the same things and have harbored hurt or hatred even.  It is through helping others we often help ourselves. 

I enjoyed this book more than her first one.  I look forward to reading more by her.