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.
NOVEMBER 15, 2007
Eragon (Inheritance series) news

The #3 book by Christopher Paolini to follow Eragon and Eldest is reported to be on schedule for a Fall 2008 release. Many readers are looking forward to this fantasy novel.

Paolini began plotting the Inhertiance series as a 15 year old homeschooled student, orginally envisioning it as a trilogy. However, he recently announced that what he thought would be the final book in the trilogy, will actually need to be told over two more books, resulting in a projected series length of four books.

Eragon was made into a movie in 2006, and is now available on DVD to check out from the public library.

 

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Categories: FYIFantasyMovie Tie-ins

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NOVEMBER 6, 2007
Parvana's Journey by Deborah Ellis

I am just finishing up reading Parvana's Journey by Deborah Ellis, about a girl trying to survive in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. At the beginning of the story Parvana's father has just died and she is on her own, masquerading as a boy so she could work and travel freely (which wasn't allowed for girls under Taliban rule.) I was drawn to this book, after reading the adult novel, The Kite Runner, which high school students at MHS chose for our book club.

This is a powerful, short book....that really pulls you into the plot as you wonder how Parvana  will make it on her own (as she searches for her mother and sisters). You will be rooting for her as she struggles to survive with Leila, Asif, and Hassan, a baby she finds and "adopts" into their makeshift family of children.

Those who enjoy the television show "Kid Nation" may be interested to read this story representing children left on their own to survive. Author Deborah Ellis based her fictional story on accounts she heard from real children in refugee camps in Afghanistan, where for many children survival is not a "reality show" but simply reality.

This book is a sequel to The Breadwinner, which tells of Parvana's life before she was separated from her family.

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Categories: Historical ReadsJoa RecommendsTeaching Tie-ins

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