The Girls from Ames

The Girls from Ames is by the co-author of the last lecture. Typically, I don't care for nonfiction, unless it's a book about dogs. This is the story of 11 friends, who've been friends since high school and beyond. I related to so many of their stories, and the best part was they were all true. I laughed and cried multiple times. Not only does the book tell their stories, but it also gives lots of research on why woman's friendship is so important.

Marked

I still can't decide how I feel about this book or if I'm going to continue the series. In this vampire series, you are marked at a certain age and are trained to become a vampire. Zoe is not only marked, but is given powers that go beyond others her age and even many adult vampires. Normal teenage drama is mixed in well.

When You Reach Me

When You Reach Me was the Newbery Medal winner this year. I don't ever think I've read a book with a more surprising twist. It became a completely different genre at the end, from realistic fiction to science fiction. Overall, it was enjoyable.

Twenties Girl

This might have been the most difficult book I've ever tried to get into. It's about a girl whose great aunt dies, an aunt she didn't even know. The aunt's necklace has been stolen, and they go on a journey together to retrieve it. I did like it toward the end, but in general this just isn't my thing.

Hollywood Car Was

For some reason I just love Hollywood/New York easy read books. This one did not disappoint. A small town Midwestern girl gets her break on a sitcom in LA. The things they make her do- all the way through plastic surgery- are outrageous. I was a little disappointed that she seemed to lose herself on the way and she was eventually forced out, which turned out better for her in the long run. I just wish she would have stood up for herself and then everything worked out.

The Dead and Gone

This is the next book in the Life as We Knew It series. It was equally engaging as it's sister story. I can't wait to read the third, where the main characters from each book come together!

The Devil's Arithmetic

This is one of the books we read in 6th grade. I read it with the kids, which actually turned out to be really fun. Another teacher had told me how good it was, but I was worried the first few chapters. If I couldn't get into this book, how did I expect my students to? Well, it wasn't long until I was completely hooked and absolutely couldn't put it down. This is definitely one of the best historical fiction novels I've ever read. If you like Number the Stars, you'll love this!

The Big Field

This was about a kid who plays baseball. His father was really good but didn't make it to the pros, and because of this their relationship is tense. One of my students got me to read this. He has read all of this author's books. It wasn't that it was bad- it just isn't my genre. I understand the game of baseball, but this was still difficult for me to read. I really didn't like the ending though. I don't feel like him and his father ever made any real progress.