Saturday Evening Update and Review for 90 Miles to Havana

    I read for about 8 hours and I've spent 2 hours with blogging and social media.  I've only completed 2 books so this isn't my fastest work but I'm just glad to be able to spend some time reading this weekend.  Here's my review for the book I finished this afternoon:

90 Miles to Havana

Enrique Flores-Gallis

2010

Pura Belpre Honor Book

Julian is the youngest of three brothers in Cuba in 1961.  His biggest problem seems to be learning to stand up for himself until the Revolution happens and life is turned upside down.  Julian comes from a fairly well-to-do family (his father builds buildings) and things become difficult for them.  Afraid that her children will be taken away from her, Julian's mother decides to send her boys to America where she promises that they will go to a lovely camp until their parents can join them.  The camp, however, is not lovely -- and the boys are in danger of being separated and sent to different orphanages across the country.  Julian has a lot of growing up to do and in a world that is very foreign to him.

     I liked this book fairly well.  I really felt for Julian and his family.  I did feel that several events were implausible, but this didn't destroy to story for me.  I must admit to knowing very little about the Cuban Revolution, so it was nice to read a book set during this time period.

48 Hour Update

   So I finally finished Command Authority  by Tom Clancy.  Not his worst book, but certainly not his best.  I'm now going to start 90 Miles to Havana, which is on our state's Battle of the Books list for next year.
   Here's my breakdown so far.  I'm really trying to spend time on the social media portion of the challenge, something I've not done before:

Friday, June 6
     7:30 - 9:30     Read Command Authority.

Saturday, June 7
     9:08 - 9:19     Blogging/ Social Media
     9:19 - 12:39   Finished Command Authority
    1:03 - 1:42      Blogging/Social Media

Saturday Morning Update

I read for a couple of hours last night before I collapsed in the bed.  I'm going to keep on reading Command Authority and as soon as I finish it I'm going to start 90 Miles to Havana by Enrique Folores-Galbis.  Since this is a children's/young adult book blog, I won't be posting a review of the Clancy book.

MotherReader's 48 Hour Book Challenge

     When I heard the weekend for this year's Challenge, I didn't think I'd be able to do it.  I've had a big event cancelled so even though it's a still crazy weekend, but I think I can carve out at least twelve hours to read during it.
     Because I hadn't planned to do the challenge, I am in the middle of Tom Clancy's book, Command Authority.  It certainly wouldn't be my first choice to read this weekend, but I stink at reading more than one book at a time so I'll finish it before I start on the diverse titles I have on my to-read stack (reading diverse books for children and young adults is this year's theme).
     It's been a rotten week, so I'm looking forward to a weekend of reading and relaxing!

Rotten by Michael Northrop

So I'm not fond of animal books, but I really enjoyed this one.  JD has just come home from a stint "upstate" to find that his mom has adopted a rescue dog, a Rottweiler he names Johnny Rotten, or JR for short.  When JR bites one of JD's friends, the boy's family sees dollar signs and sues JD's mom.  It's up to JD to save his dog from being put down and his mom from losing the house.  It's impossible not to cheer for JD and JR in this book boys (and girls) are sure to love.  Recommended for grades 7 - up.

The Wig in the Window by Kristen Kittscher

           It all started because Sophie and Grace were nosey.  One of their favorite things to do is to spy on people.  Especially at night.  With binoculars and walkie talkies.  They love to spy at night and even though most of their trips end up being boring, it’s the thrill of sneaking out of their houses and creeping through the neighborhood that really appeals to them.  But then one night they find out much more than they ever expected.  While spying on Sophie’s weird guidance counselor (Grace is homeschooled), they see a figure through the window holding a meat cleaver in the air.  They are convinced that Ms. Agford has just chopped up a body and so they anonymously call the police using Sophie’s phone.  It turns out that Sophie is in a world of trouble because Ms. Agford was just chopping up beets. 

            It looks like an innocent mistake, but Sophie and Grace soon realize that although Ms. Agford wasn’t a murderer that night, something is just not right with her.  They have no idea how to convince their parents of this, so they set out to prove it on their own.  Little do they understand just how much danger they will find themselves in.

            This is a great mystery for kids who are ready to have a little more danger, a little more violence, but who aren’t ready for a full-fledged murder mystery.  I would say it’s about perfect for 5^th or 6^th grade.  It’s not any more scary or violent that a typical Trixie Beldon mystery (yes, I know that reference really dates me!).   I highly recommend the trailer – it will sell the book for you.

The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett by Tom Angleberger

Dwight has finally come back to McQuarrie Middle School. Things should be wonderful, but they aren’t.  No sooner does the spring semester start does everyone learn that all of the “fun” teachers (art, band, drama, etc) have been fired so that a new program can be started.  “Fun Time” is designed to help improve test scores, and because the school did poorly last year, the principal will do anything to make sure the school does better this year.

The first thing that Tommy and his friends think of is to ask Origami Yoda what to do.  Origami Yoda says its time to start a rebellion.  But Principal Rabbski is not going to go do without a fight.  Things might get really ugly . . .

Let me just say I love Tom Angleberer for creating this series.  The books are really funny, yet they manage to perfectly capture middle school issues.  Jabba the Puppett exposes the evilness of testing and the pressure it creates for both students and staff.  For years I served as on of the testing coordinators at my school (as well as being the librarian). Each year I found myself comforting sobbing children who had honestly done their best on our End-of-Grade tests and yet not passed.  I hope that by the time I retire, something will be done. 

The only frustrating thing about Jabba the Puppett is that part two won’t be released until spring – I can’t wait to get my hands on it!