Holes by Louis Sachar / Newberry Medal Award

"Holes" by Louis Sachar is a great book about boys detained at a work camp. Each boy is "serving time" for a different discipline problem. The boys must dig holes in the hot, hot sun. This camp is in Texas. It's called Camp Green Lake. The grownups, I think, are the ones who should dig the holes. They have no idea how to discipline these young people. This book is so on target because society still doesn't know how to deal with the misbehavior of children or teens. In other words, Camp Green Lake is hell on earth for these boys.


I loved the names of the boys. There are Armpit, X-Ray, Magnet, Squid, Zigzag and Stanley. My favorite guy is Zero. Zero and his mother had been homeless. Then, his mother abandoned him. He becomes close friends with Stanley especially when Stanley begins to teach him to read and write words. Zero isn't stupid. Zero believes there are fifty-two letters in the alphabet not twenty-six. Why? Because of the capital and the small letters counted together come to fifty-two. That gives you an idea of how Zero thinks about the world around him.

Well, I have to bring up the ugly, yucky, lizards. There are plenty of lizards out at the holes. These lizards have red eyes, black teeth and a white tongue. Oh, these creepy critters are awful. The lizards are one of the unwanted adventures the boys experience along with hearing the painful life story of Kate Barlow. She ruined her life when Sam kissed her. It didn't matter if she kissed Sam. The problem was he kissed her. There is also the fact that the boys are digging to find something very important under all that dirt. Those shovels aren't just to dig out the hard core of their hearts and heads. Those shovels are suppose to dig up "treasure."

This book made me think a lot about the right and wrong way to build character in children and myself. The Warden, Mr. Pendanski and Mr. Sir don't always prove good role models. At times, Stanley, Zero and the others had more sense than the grownups.

I also thought about friendship. Friendship involves sacrifice. Sacrifice isn't easy nor is it awarded all the time. The gift gained is a closer bond of trust as friends. Well, I'm dusty with dirt. I'm going to take a shower and pray for rain.

By the way, the boys are different in a very visible way. Louis Sachar plays down the importance of what we look like by not revealing the differences until the middle of the book. By then, the differences didn't matter to me. I just knew I liked these boys. I wanted the years and years of drought to end. I wanted Camp Green Lake to be investigated and shut down. I wanted all the boys to experience a better life.http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/2008/11/2009-young-adult-book

First Crossing by Donald R. Gallo

"First Crossing" by Donald R. Gallo is a book about teens who have lived in other countries than America. These teens come to America because their parents are wanting to live a better life for the sake of their children. Some teens have been adopted by Americans. Growing up in America makes them curious about their other homeland. These immigrants are heroes and heroines no matter what country or culture they leave. Coming to a new and strange part of the world is like a baby learning to walk again. It's frightening, exciting and confusing. Some teens become the parent while the parent becomes like a child. Children have to become translators of the English language in very important situations. Donald R. Gallo collected ten short stories by different authors. At the end of each story is a bio of the author. The bios of the authors are just as interesting as the stories. I enjoyed "First Crossing" very much. One reason I liked this book is because it gave me a little knowledge about so many different countries: Venezuela, China, Mexico, Romania, Haiti and other countries. It was fun reading about Chinese New Year in January or February. I also discovered in one country a kind word about a meal is a compliment, but in another country that same compliment may be taken as an insult. While Americans think calling someone old is insulting in another country saying a person is old and fat is a compliment. Being slender is not complimentary. I also liked learning how difficult it is to learn a new language while trying with all your might not to talk in your family's original language. Whatever these teens do whether striving to learn English, become friends or looking for their biological families while loving their adopted families, life is tough and is very stressful. Just eating is an ordeal at times. One parent or grandparent kept the bought fish in the bathtub filled with water to keep the fish alive. To her, it was unthinkable to buy and eat a "dead" fish. I think books like this one give us a better understanding of different parts of the world and the people who grow up in different cultures. Donald R. Gallo helped me to understand the importance of respecting other people because they are different. Being different is not bad. Being different makes the world more fun, exciting and stimulates our hearts and minds. I liked reading about China, Russia

Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes

"Bronx Masquerade" is one of my favorite YA books. This is because I had the chance to feel what teens are truly feeling. Often, teens hide their emotions for fear of being laughed at by peers, being disciplined by parents or just because there not sure they aren't the first person in the whole wide world who has felt the same way or wanted to act the same way. "Bronx Masquerade" is about students in a New York school have a very creative teacher. This book is mostly about Mr. Ward's Friday's class, "Open Mike Friday." On Fridays the boys and girls have a chance to speak to the class. They share what they have written during the week. Tyrone is the voice that acts as interpreter. Every so often he will speak out in a chapter telling more about a student, about himself or sharing what he doesn't make sense to him yet. All of the teens come from a wide range of experiences. So, each poem is unique as a person's handprints. This made me think about how wrong it is to try and compare teens. Their feelings seem to be as wide as the ocean. Even though this is true I could identify easily with each poem. My favorite part of "Bronx Masquerade" are the poems. Each poem is passionate. Each person is special who got up from seat and read their words. I would gladly read this book again and again.

the first part last by Angela Johnson

Awards Winner of the 2004 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Literature for Young Adults Angela Johnson has truly written an award winning book. Bobby and Nia are two teens in New York. They become sexually active with one another. Nia becomes pregnant with a baby. There present, past and future plans become tumbled like clothes in a dryer. All of a sudden their lives are headed in a totally different direction than what they would have chosen for themselves. Their parents become involved and shocked. Social workers become involved. Nothing seems clear. Life has become a blur. I recommend this book to all teenagers and parents and grandparents. It's a rich book on so many different levels. What happens to Bobby and Nia? What choices do they make? I won't tell. I will say you will remember Feather, Nia, Bobby, Heaven, Ohio and you must have kleenexes available. Angela Johnson knows how to move the heart.

The Dream Bearer by Walter

"The Dream Bearer" by Walter Dean Myers is a story about David, his family and friends. David has a brother, named Ty. David's best friend's name is Loren. Another interesting character is Mr. Moses. Mr. Moses is an old man without a home. He has a grocery cart, wears two sets of coats and is sickly. He spends lots of time sitting on the porch bench. Mr. Moses claims to be a little over three hundred years old. He is a Dream Bearer. Not being familiar with the title "Dream Bearer" I decided to think of Mr. Moses as a wise old man. I also enjoyed reading about Sessi Mutu. Sessi is from Africa. Her family want to become American citizens. Sessi is very proud of being an African. To keep a strong memory of her homeland she begins to construct an African house on her family's rooftop. This book gave me the chance to think of Africa in different way. Africans are very hospitable. When Mr. Moses becomes sick, Sessi's mother doesn't think of herself. She thinks of Mr. Moses' well being. She quickly cooks a soup. Then, takes it over to the park to him. Also, Sessi's mother serves tea and cookies to neighbors in order to celebrate a happy occasion. Watching Sessi grow up between two cultures, American and African is fascinating. There is more in this book. Ty is an interesting character. He leads a life apart from his family. Reuben, David and Ty's father is a sad character. He comes across as cynical and angry. All of the characters are multilayered and fun to psychoanalyze. Even the angry characters have moments when they wear their hearts on their sleeves.

Jazmin's Notebook by Nikki Grimes

This book is very special. I love to read the diaries and notebooks of people. "Jazmin's Notebook" is really interesting. She doesn't just write about jumping Double Dutch, braiding a friend's hair or going window shopping. Jazmin writes about what really bothers her and what she wishes were different in her life. Jazmin lives in New York with her sister, CeCe. I liked reading about the bond between the two sisters. CeCe becomes a mother to Jazmin although there is only a five year difference in their ages. It just proves that age, sometimes, has nothing to do with maturity. I also loved "Jazmin's Notebook" by Nikki Grimes because Jazmin writes poetry. At the beginning of each chapter is a poem written by Nikki. These poems are really good too. Jazmin doesn't know how to hide her emotions. She's truthful with herself. This helps the pain to seep out of her like air out of a balloon. Afterward, she feels weightless. I won't tell why Jazmin's parents aren't in her life. I'll let Jazmin tell that important part of the story. Nikki Grimes won the Coretta Scott King Award for this book. I am so glad she received the reward. This book is great.

Guardian by Julius Lester

"Guardian" by Julius Lester is a powerful book. Julius Lester is a Newberry Honoree and Coretta Scott King Award winner. After reading this book I am not surprised he is an award winning author. "Guardian" is an emotional, unforgettable and painful story about life in a Southern town named Davis in 1946. Because the story is full of racial tension I would recommend this book for older teens; However, librarians might differ with me. I loved this book because it is about a small town. Another part of me hated reading about this small town which was typical of so many southern towns during this time. A small town where we are shown the brutal face of racism during this period. To back up his story Julius Lester piles on the facts including a chart of statistical information. Then, there is always the other side of the coin. We have come so far from the days when so much behavior was questioned, just not allowed and/or just called plain out criminal. I especially enjoyed reading about the friendship between Ansel and Willie. These two boys are so different. One difference, besides race, is that Willie's father is mentally unstable. Just imagine how this must seem very stressful and perplexing to a child. Before the summer is over both boys will have changed and matured. It is unfortunate that both boys will learn "Trees remember." The cover of the book is awesome giving a bit of an idea what the boys will see in Ansel's fourteenth summer.

Toning The Sweep by Angela Johnson

I loved the characters in "Toning The Sweep" by Angela Johnson. There is Emmie, the main character. She is visiting her Grandma Ola in the California desert. She and her mom have come all the way from Alabama. Oddly, Ola's daughter, Diane, does not get along with her mother. When both of these women are in the same room, there is tension due to past emotional pain. Emmie finds no problem with Ola. She love her and likes identifying with her by wearing her hats and scarfs. She also slowly drives Ola's car out of the drive with the hood down feeling the desert wind around her. Another way for just a moment to pretend she is her Grandmother. Soon, Emmie begins to take pictures with a camera than a camcorder. She listens and watches Ola and the aunts talk about mundane or important happenings in their lives. Emmie has a good time. She also learns a lot about life like all pain can not be cured with a bandaide. Some pain hurts so badly people take pills. She also thinks about her grandfather. Her grandfather is no longer living. This causes her to think and and talk to her friend, David, about ancestors, rituals, etc. There is so much in this small book. I loved it.

Down The Rabbit Hole by Peter Abrahams

I love the title "Down The Rabbit Hole" by Peter Abrahams. It proved the perfect title because throughout the mystery students and some of the people in the town are practicing a play. The play is "Alice in Wonderland." Ingrid is one of the stars in the play along with Chloe, a girl who just makes Ingrid's stomach turn with nausea. Thank goodness Ingrid can play soccer to get her mind away from all the problems that seem to shoot out of nowhere after she meets up with Cracked-Up Katie. Also, Ingrid's love for Sherlock Holmes comes in handy too. It's not long before murder happens in Echo Falls. I loved the way the mystery tied in with old black and white movies. Barbara Stanwyck's name comes up more than once during the course of the story. I wanted to head out to Blockbuster and get some of the old films I hadn't seen or watch others again. I also loved learning more about this person named Cracked-Up Katie. Learning about her proved to me every person has a story to tell. I think some person once said we're walking novels, all of us. Ingrid is in the eighth grade. Boy, she's curious and not afraid to try and figure out what's going on around her. There is a huge estate named Prescott Hall. This place just added to the atmosphere. As Ingrid winds her way throughout town, going in empty houses, finding a dog to keep named Nigel, a huge cat, and meeting odd people the solution begins to unwind like old tapes thrown away in a bag. Near the end the story creeped me out. Of course, I'm easy to get spooked. By the way, Stephen King recommends "Down The Rabbit Hole" by Peter Abrahams. I loved this YA mystery too. I look forward to going back to Echo Falls or somewhere else with Peter Abrahams again in another book.

Vogelein Clockwork Faerie

Vogelein is a Young Adult Graphic novel. As a matter of fact, Vogelein-Clockwork Faerie is one of Booklist's top ten Graphic Novels for 2003. It's the first Graphic novel I've ever read. I was quite impressed. Vogelein is a faerie created by a kind man named Heinrich. He lives in Germany. Since her creation, Vogelein has traveled far and wide making many new friends and one particularly angry enemy. He hates "fir" meaning man. Vogelein is very sad. Fortunately, her friends give her ways to cope with the permanent state of her life like "if it won't kill you, it will only make you stronger." The book is well put together with great illustrations, beautiful poems written by Yeats, Waltman and even Martin Luther King. There is a glossary and so much helpful material in this book making your journey with Vogelein more fun. You won't forget Vogelein. As a matter of fact, I hope to meet up with her again in other books by the authors.

Vogelein Old Ghosts by Jane Irwin

Vogelein Old Ghosts by Jane Irwin is the second book in the Vogelein series. Although Vogelein is a fairy dependent on guardians for her life and care, she is strong and kind. Long after her guardians have passed from her life for one reason or another Vogelein continues to remember each one. In this one "old ghosts" cause Vogelein day and nightly insomnia. Who of us hasn't wondered whether we have done all we could for a dear friend, a friend who always thought of our well being first before their welfare. This is a wonderful Young Adult Graphic comic. There are so many important issues in the book. To me, learning about the life of the Romana really gave the book depth. This group of people, along with other groups of people, have grappled with many stereotypes. Usually, stereotypes grow where there is a lack of basic facts. I think we use stereotypes to cover our lack of knowledge. Jane Irwin really has written a good book. Vogelein has become my friend.

Lost by Chris Kreie

Wow! Chris Kreie made me feel like I was really on a camping trip up in Minnesota. This is a powerful story of survival. Eric and Cris are allowed by Eric's dad to take their canoes onto the lake. Little do they know that their trip is going to be long, rough and tough. There are so many obstacles along the way. I don't want to tell what kind of obstacles. That way you will feel the same surprise and shock as I did while reading this Graphic novel. This book is great for summer reading or for anytime. I thought about young people reading it. I feel they would turn the pages faster than I turned the pages. It shows young boys not giving up when all the outdoor elements seem to be against them. I liked the way "Lost" portrayed a strong father figure too. One who is putting love in action. The illustrations are wonderful. Marcus Smith did a great job. The colors are bright making the pictures more exciting. The artist showed extreme expressions on the faces of the characters. Well, I'm going to rest. I've had a real adventure.