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.
OCTOBER 26, 2010
RIP: Eva Ibbotson
I was sad to see that a great author, Eva Ibbotson, died today at 85 years old. She is the author of two favorite books of mine, Island of the Aunts and The Star of Kazan. I also know quite a few readers, including my daughter Kennedy, who name Journey to the River Sea as a favorite. We have many more of her books, as well as some books to listen to on CD.

Island of the Aunts has one of my favorite openings of any book: "Kidnapping children is not a good idea. All the same, sometimes it has to be done." This is a like Roald-Dahl-but-nicer story that has a great message, interesting characters, is suspenseful AND, best of all, has a kraken in it.

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Categories: FYIJoa RecommendsFantasy

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OCTOBER 21, 2010
Clapping Games good for you
I just read an article about how those clapping games (like Miss Mary Mack) that kids do at recess held build good hand-writing and other skills. I always like when I learn that something that's just fun....is also good for you!

See www.funclapping.com for rhymes you might know, and new ones. Or check out this one on you tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz0dSnaTs2g.

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Categories: Stuff to DoJoa Recommends

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OCTOBER 14, 2010
The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science
I just returned a new science experiment book that has a lot of great hands-on ideas from blubber gloves to rockets to making a hovercraft out of a recycled CD. I think people of all ages that like to learn about tricks you can do using science would really enjoy this book. You can find this book as well as other science experiment books in Juvenile Nonfiction under the number J 507.8.

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Categories: Joa RecommendsTeaching Tie-insStuff to Do

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OCTOBER 5, 2010
TEEN READ: Girl in the Arena
I'd recommend the newer book, Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines, to people who like the Hunger Games, Graceling, Tamora Pierce, the Uglies series, Maximum Ride, and other action books featuring strong heroines.

With a few futuristic touches, this dystopian novel has a pretty contemporary feel, with the exception of the inclusion of a reality-tv-like Gladiator subculture, where gladiators fight (often to the death) for mass entertainment. The Gladiator lifestyle is simultaneously revered and scorned by the overall society.

Lyn is the daughter of seven gladiators. As is common in Glad culture, Lyn's mother remarries a new Gladiator each time she is widowed. The book opens as her current and favorite father, Tommy, prepares to go into the arena. When the winning gladiator claims Lyn's dowry bracelet (worn by Tommy for good luck), the Gladiator Sports Association (GSA) tries to force her to marry the victor.

Lyn is a fiesty and likable character who is determined not to let the powerful GSA control her life. She is equally determined to protect her younger brother, Thad, whose special needs make him especially vulnerable. If you can get past the author's confusing use of dashes, instead of quotation marks to denote dialogue, this is a pretty exciting and suspenseful read.

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Categories: Survival/AdventureFantasyJoa Recommends

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OCTOBER 5, 2010
TEEN: Thumbs down on Burned

There are very few negative reviews on this blog because I rarely keep reading a book that I don't like, after I feel I have given it a fair shot. Recently, though, I read Burned by Ellen Hopkins, a teen novel written in verse. Since I had to write questions for the Iowa Battle of the Books competition, I had to finish reading it.

I was surprised that I found so little to appreciate with this title, because I have heard such great things about the author, and especially her most famous book, Crank. I expected an edgy, angsty, instense read. Instead, I felt offended by the narrow and cliched portrayal of the Mormon community and especially of an abusive household and domestic violence victims. I felt like the author's messages about nuclear waste disposal (while an important issue) was out of place and overtly didactic. I also thought the romance and sexuality felt pretty false. With the exception of Pattyn, the main character, the characters felt two dimensional.

I'd say pass on this one.

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Category: Realistic Reads

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