What Joa is Reading & Other Stuff

Book reviews...from picture books to adult books, as well as books-to-movie info, and other stuff I think is interesting. Note: Not all books reviewed or recommended are appropriate for all ages.
JULY 27, 2010
Mixed review for science fiction novel

Have you ever read a book that you weren't really sure if you liked, but it kept you interested enough that you had to keep reading? Nomansland by Lesley Hauge was like that for me. This dystopian novel has an interesting premise of a future land populated only by girls and women and who are indoctrinated through strict rules and rites to reject the lifestyles lived by those in the Before.

I know that MHS students read Herland in Advanced American Lit, and am curious how the ideas raised in this novel would compare.

Ultimately, my rating on this book was that it was a quick read for mature readers. The ending seems to leave room for a sequel.

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Category: Fantasy

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JULY 12, 2010
Read Fablehaven
If you are looking for a new fantasy series to read, you might enjoy Fablehaven (also the name of the first book) by Brandon Mull. This series is about a brother and sister who are sent to stay with their grandparents, only to discover that their grandparents are the caretakers of a magical, secret preserve of all kinds of fantastical creatures.

This series has been enjoyed by several library staff members, and has recommendations printed on the book cover by science fiction great, Orson Scott Card, as well as Obert Skye, author of the Leven Thumps series. I'd say that readers who have enjoyed series like Magyck (Septimus Heap books) by Angie Sage, The Magic Thief series by Sarah Prineas, Island of the Aunts by Eva Ibbotson, and Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins, would also really enjoy Fablehaven.

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Categories: Joa RecommendsFantasy

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JULY 7, 2010
Invention of Hugo Cabret movie!
I'm very excited that the excellent book, Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick will be a movie, directed by Martin Scorsese.

This novel is a winner of multiple awards, including this past school year's Iowa Children's Choice award and the Caldecott for the powerful drawings that make this chapter book really unique. For more info on the storyline, see my earlier review on this blog.

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Categories: Movie Tie-insJoa Recommends

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JULY 1, 2010
An unsung hero of civil rights movement
I recently read Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose, a biographical account of  the impact of teenager Colvin on the civil rights movement, and specifically the bus boycott and segregation laws.

This book, which has multiple starred reviews and several awards, is a Miller Battle of the Books title for the upcoming year, but should also be read by any teacher or student who is studying the civil rights era.

Claudette refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white woman in  Montgomery, Alabama several months before the famous act by Rosa Parks spurred people into action that ultimately changed the laws of our country. Frustrated by the unfair treatment she witnessed daily, Claudette took a stand that had very negative consequences for her personally, but really helped the civil rights movement gain momentum.

The book is an easy, engaging read, and gives a very good sense of the step-by-step process that lead to the organized boycotting of the bus lines in Montgomery, and the huge sacrifices made by those involved.

I highly recommend this book to all ages from elementary students through adults as a great example of how young people have had a huge impact on positive social change.


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Categories: Teaching Tie-insJoa RecommendsHistorical Reads

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JULY 1, 2010
Guardians of Ga'hoole

The new movie, Guardians of Ga'hoole is based on the book series by Kathryn Lasky. The first book is The Capture. You can check out this book, and other books in the series from the J Fiction section at the Marshalltown Public LIbrary.

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Category: Movie Tie-ins

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