Mine for Keeps

Mine for Keeps by Jean Little

Sally has cerebral palsy.  Her parents just didn’t have suitable resources and therapies for Sally at home(this book was written in the sixties- keep that in mind), so she has been living at a special school for handicapped children.  Now that she’s learned to be more independent her greatest wish is coming true, she’s going home to live with her family.  Even though she knows she should be excited, Sally is scared.  She’s going from a place where everyone is different to a school where her motor control issues will definitely make her stand out from her classmates.  The transition to regular school is not easy for Sally and friendships are slow in coming, but when Sally gets a little dog all of her own, her struggles just don’t seem so overwhelming anymore.  And slowly (with the help of her Westie Susie) Sally makes friends and even finds the strength to reach out others who need her help.

I first read this Jean Little book when I was in elementary school and was thrilled to find that despite its age, it’s still a sweet story with useful and informative writing about life with a disability (Little herself has been partially blind since birth and has taught children with disabilities making these issues very personal.)  I was particularly impressed with the explanations about modifications to Sally’s environment to make her life easier, the wonderful explanation Sally gives her sister to show that everyone with cerebral palsy is affected differently and the parents’ explanation of why Sally was sent away to live.

Sally’s dog Susie doesn’t make an appearance until about halfway through, but from that point forward, Mine for Keeps is all dogs, all the time, as Sally and her friends put together a dog training school in an effort to inspire an unhappy boy who has been ill.

My only small hesitation with this book is that there’s one small scene where Sally is very upset because she’s worried she won’t be able to do something and her mother comes and tells a story about when Sally was little and wouldn’t go in the water and they teased her by calling her Scarey and eventually her father made her go in even though she was scared.  And then she liked the water and it was okay. I think some parents will object to this family’s tactics.  It’s really just such a small scene in an otherwise excellent book that I hope many can get past that.

Find it if You Can Follow-Up: Spring Begins in March is the sequel to this and follows little sister Meg’s struggles in school, as well as Meg’s relationship with her own little dog. My library didn’t have it, but if yours does, I trust Jean Little enough to say check it out as well!

Sex, Nudity, Dating – None.
Profanity – “darn,” “stupid,”
Death, Violence and Gore – Mindy refers to a boy in Sally’s class as a “darling little boy,” but brother Kent says if the boy knew he was being talked about that way he strangle Mindy with his bare hands.  4 year old Meg threatens “I’ll shoot you.  I’ll kill you with my bare hands.”  Two boys fight with kicking, knocking down and hitting.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – Dogs growl and they tell a story about a dog that bit someone and was going to have to be killed but was saved through training.  Sal’s brother and sister talk about what they would do if the school burned down.  Sal’s disability may seem scary or confusing to some.  Illness plays a large part in this book.  A boy has been very ill with rheumatic fever and suffers some permanent effects.  There’s also a measles outbreak.

Posted in Middle Grades, Primary Grades | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Hot Dog

Hot Dog by Molly Coxe

When I first started teaching first grade, a few things quickly became clear. 1) Many children come to first grade reading having memorized Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Thank you moms, dads and kindergarten teachers everywhere) and 2) The very first thing that they could actually read all by themselves was Hot Dog. I had two copies of it and both were falling apart.  I swear they were largely made up of packing tape by the end because they were so beloved I would do anything to hold them together.  I cannot tell you the number of small people who sat by my side painstakingly pointing to each word in this book sounding out, checking the pictures, listening for rhymes until they’d made it through each and every page; their smiles growing wide and proud as they realized that they’d actually read a book all by themselves.  For that magical power, being the key that unlocked learning for so many little ones I’ve loved, Hot Dog holds a very special place in my heart.

Also, this is the ultimate book for the dog days of summer as the poor dachshund seeks relief from heat.  I feel for you dachshund, I really do.

NB: Hot Dog is mysteriously easier than most books labeled STEP INTO READING: 1.  Don’t assume everything at that level is the same.  Also, the copy I got from the library was about 4 pages longer than the one I used to own, containing some pages I’ve never seen.  They make the book a teensy bit harder, but not much.

Sex, Nudity, Dating – Mom is dressed in a bikini top and matching shorts, so her stomach is bare.  Girl is in a bikini as well, but top extends down lower than mom’s.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – Cat claws at dog when dog tries to come in the barn.  Dog gets a bit squished by a pig.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – None.

Posted in Little Ones, Primary Grades | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

August: Dog Days of Summer

If these are the dog days of summer (you know, the hottest, most oppressive days of the year) then clearly we need some books about dogs to carry us through.  How’s that for literal interpretation.  I’m not talking just any books about dogs though.  I’m only featuring books about dogs that aren’t really depressing.  You know why?  Because when a student comes up to me and says “I like books about dogs.” You can pretty much bet that they don’t mean I like books where the dog gets beaten a lot or dies in the end. And yet when I scan the shelves, what leaps out at me is Old Yeller or a recent book that everyone raves about The Underneath.  I’m not denying these are good books.  They just might not be the best books for a kid who likes dogs.  So we’re aiming for content canines around here.

Start out with Pantaloon and I’ll be back shortly with more furry friends for you.

 

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Sloppy Firsts

Sloppy Firsts: A Jessica Darling Novel by Megan McCafferty

When Jessica’s best friend Hope moves away, she’s not sure how she’s going to fill the void. Her remaining girlfriends don’t always share her feelings and certainly don’t share her intelligence, in fact she’s dubbed them “The Clueless Crew.” Jess even feels like an outsider in her own family where her mother and sister share a special bond and she suspects her father wishes she were a boy. There’s new girl, Hy, who promises to make things interesting, especially because not everything she says quite adds up. And then there’s Marcus Flutie. A known drug user, Marcus had been friends with Hope’s brother. But Hope’s brother is dead and Jess feels like a traitor talking to anyone who was a part of his world. It’s just that she can’t help it. Marcus is kind of fascinating. And there’s definitely chemistry. And if you think you’re going to get any type of resolution in this book, you’re wrong, because it’s one of the most cliff-hangery (just made that word up) books I’ve read. If you’re at all liking it about three-quarters of the way through, find a way to get the next one in the series so you can just keep reading!

So. Before we get to the nitty-gritty, allow me to say that thank heavens I’d already read this book, because it stopped making sense when I had to pause every three words and record something as potentially offensive. This is book is not for anyone who doesn’t want their children reading about sex, drugs, alcohol, death or profanity. It is chock full of all of the above. To itemize it properly would require a very detailed and long post. You’re going to have to live with the Reader’s Digest version lest I retype the book word for word and get sued by McCafferty for copyright infringement.

With content like this, why would anyone let their kids read this book? Well, it’s reasonable question. The fact is, that for lots of teens, this looks a lot more like their world than the idealized innocence some hold out hope for. They have sexually active friends and feel a mix of desire and pressure and confusion about becoming sexually active themselves. They know people who drink or do drugs and make choices about whether or not they are going to use themselves. They pretend to be people that they are not – going along to get along. They worry that they are failures, or disappointments to their parents and friends. Sloppy Firsts deals with so many of these issues.  Jessica is a good main character.  A world of bad choices swirls around her and while she doesn’t always make the best choices, she’s usually more reflective about things than her friends.

Great for: Adults who want to read YA.  Also as a glimpse inside high school.  If you’re okay with the content, it’s really a great book.

Body Image – If you’re writing a no holds barred look at teenagers, you’re going to have to deal with anorexia and bulimia. Jess is certainly aware of these tendencies in other girls but has no interest herself.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – This book covers sex.  From kissing to the whole shebang and everything in between.  We know who does what with whom as well as when and where. The writing can be graphic, including “fucking the shit” out of someone, getting “sucked off”, as well as mentions of erections, the clitoris and penis).  The topic of how experienced various characters are is a common one and includes people misrepresenting their sexual history.  Breasts are fair game from size to implants, to a radio show that tells girls to flash their “titties”.  The sexual nature of girls clothes is discussed, including the terms “hooker” and “hobag” to talk about how girls look.  There’s a discussion of female grooming habits for the bikini region.  Sexual daydreams and masturbation are brought up, both male and female (including details of a rather public masturbation) as well as orgasm.   There’s more than one instance of statutory rape, including when a 15 year old loses her virginity in Cancun to a 21 year old while her friend is in the room having sexual relations with another guy. While some of her friends condone this, others point out that it is statutory rape even if she was willing.  For all the sexuality and sexual content in this book, there is some teen reflection about actions.  Protection during sex is certainly mentioned and at one point when a guy is propositioning Jess, we’re privvy to what’s running through her head, including a list of all the things a guy should know about her if this was someone she was going to sleep with).  Sexuality is questioned as a slur, but also a character comes out.
Profanity – “ass”, “pissy/pissed”, “damn/damned”, “sucks” “Omigod”, “hobag”, The bird is flipped. “goddamned”, “bitch”, “mother effer”, “screw”, “Jesus Christ,” “fucking,” “hell,” “Whiggaz” (in case you need a translator for this it is a contraction of White and N*ggars) it’s not used as a swear but yeah. It is. “shit”, “pussy”, “fag,”
Death, Violence and Gore – Hope’s brother died of a drug overdose. Jessica had a brother who died of SIDS as a baby. She reflects on this quite a bit. A boy is injured when he throws bullets into a bonfire to try to make fireworks. Tip – It doesn’t work and the bullets um, shoot you. There’s a catfight including hair pulling, fingernail face scratching and pierced earring pulling.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking Sloppy Firsts is very clear on the point that even kids from good families can get mixed up with drugs. Even smart kids. This scares a lot of people I think who would rather lay drug troubles at the feet of the poor,the uneducated or the bad parents. Drugs mentioned include: heroin, crack, marijuana, acid, E, shrooms and Special K (which even I’ve never heard of). Hope’s brother did drugs (see above). There’s is under and of age drinking of beer, wine and hard alcohol.  A character needs clean urine from someone else because they would fail a drug test. Jess’s mom takes Valium to help her cope with grief.
Frightening or Intense Things – Brief mention of how teens sometimes do feel suicidal, not due to depression but due to living through being a teen. Jess fantasizes about getting injured so she doesn’t have to run anymore and then sort of deliberately lets herself get hurt. Jess worries about her own mental health and sort of jokingly says she’s schizophrenic, which is certainly no joking matter.

Posted in Mature Teen | Tagged | 2 Comments

13 Little Blue Envelopes

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

Ginny was always close to her Aunt Peg. So when Peg took off for Europe without telling anyone and then died of cancer, Ginny was heartbroken. Then she received a mysterious package containing little blue envelopes, clues and rules to follow and before she knows it, she’s off on a whirlwind tour of Europe, hoping to learn more about her aunt and maybe herself. It’s a fabulous premise. Evidently, teens and tweens love it. I trust Ms. Yingling, and she says so.

I was heartily disappointed. First off, I had an incredible time suspending disbelief. We’re supposed to buy into the idea that Ginny’s parents let their 17 year old daughter go to Europe, with no money, no phone (and no permission to call home) on a quest devised by a woman with both a history of flaky behavior and a brain tumor. I have no children, but I can still tell you there is no way in heck I would let this happen. Furthermore, I was bothered by how poorly the cities were portrayed. It made me wonder if Johnson had ever been to Europe. London=Harrods. Paris=Cafes. Rome=Gypsies and Dangerous Men. Amsterdam=Canals. Copenhagen=Amsterdam. These are exciting, history rich, beautiful cities. They deserved their due. Besides, when I read a travel book, I’m doing it at least in part for the vicarious living. If you won’t even spot me an Eiffel Tour when in Paris, I’m going to be bitter. Also, Ginny should have been bitter. Fly halfway around the world and you don’t even get to see the high points? I’d be pretty cranky. Finally, I sort of loathed the boy she took up with. Ah well. Still, it’s a great premise, reasonably clean and its intended audience likes it.

There is a sequel, which Ms. Yingling thinks will be well-liked by fans of the first.

Sex, Nudity, Dating – A girl who is only mentioned in passing in the book got pregnant and had an abortion.  There is kissing, a reference to lizard tongue, making out, and some unwanted advances.  Quite a big deal is made about Ginny being a virgin, and no worries, she stays that way.  There is skinny dipping.  Also, Ginny learns that a character is gay.
Profanity – “retarded” again, which I hate.  “shut up”, “hell,” “asshole,”
Death, Violence and Gore – Ginny’s aunt has died.  A boy has dangerous hobbies like lighting his pants on fire.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – There’s quite a bit of underage drinking (sometimes until the point of vomiting) and there’s smoking as well.
Frightening or Intense Things – Ginny mentions that she knows a girl who dated a guy who was sent to a mental hospital.

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My Most Excellent Year


My Most Excellent Year: A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins, and Fenway Park by Steve Kluger

I love, love this book. Now, I’ll admit to some serious bias as I adore the Red Sox, Boston and musical theater, but I really do love it.  I’ve read complaints that teens don’t really talk like that, or people aren’t that witty in real life, blah, blah, etc.  Of course they aren’t.  We need something to strive for!  Do you think everyone was really quite interesting in Oscar Wilde’s time or that he just wrote them that way?  I refuse to settle for mediocrity simply because it’s the norm.

My Most Excellent Year is written in different formats, ranging from a diary assignment for school to Instant Messages, to e-mails.  While the main voices in the book are that of T.C., his best friend Augie and the girl he adores, Alejandra, we do get some e-mails from parents mixed in.  It is a story of hope, friendship, first loves and perseverance.  And it is delightful.  Just read it.  I can’t do it justice in the review.

Extra pluses (from my point of view): This book is pretty political. If you’re not into equality you may want to stay away.  Also with two main characters who are not white and a deaf character, points for diversity.

Great for: Fans of Glee!  Anyone who is fan of Kurt will appreciate the same diva tendencies in Augie.  Plus, there’s all the singing and dancing.  Also great for fans of the Red Sox.  It’s come to my attention that with all this World Series winning we’ve been doing last decade that it is possible that there are fans who are not as steeped in the culture and history of the team, but for those of us who live and breathe Sox, this book is a delight.

Sex, Nudity, Dating – Nothing very sexual happens in this book aside from two fairly chaste first kisses.  Other than that: T.C. has two gay aunts. In a comparison of the Kennedys, T.C. says that JFK played with Marilyn Monroe’s underwear.    T.C. writes about whether or not a girl his father went out with has real boobs.  Augie laments all the nudity occurring in the showers at school. A reference to erections.  Fairly frequent discussion of the relative cuteness of various backsides.  T.C. jokes that his father is dating a Playboy model. T.C writes in his diary that Ale is sexy.
Profanity– “ass,” “screw,” “damn,” “pissed,” “fag” used as a deliberate slur against gays. “fucking,” “crap,” “hell,” The boys make up their own swear “gink,” and use it throughout.  “bullshit,” “heck,” “dick,” “piss off,” “shit,” “goddamn,” “bitch,”
Death, Violence and Gore – T.C.’s mother died when he was six.  Wei complains about lyrics in a song that mention a woman not caring how frequently a man strikes her. In an off-hand hyperbolic way Augie says he’ll just go shoot himself.  After a bad falling out with a boy Augie says “no wonder Romeo and Juliet killed themselves”.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – A vague reference to a character in a Shakespeare play ending up in AA.  When they met, Ted’s mother bought his father a beer.  Ale says a tuba player should probably be on sedatives.
Frightening or Intense Things – Alejandra read a book about the Japanese internment camps during World War II and found it very upsetting.

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We’ll Always Have Summer

We’ll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

Jumping even further into the future with this one, Han brings us to Belly’s freshman year of college.

Reading this gave me an almost claustrophobic feeling, because I pretty much knew what was going to happen and then spent the whole book both waiting for it and dreading it. Basically there’s just no pretty way to resolve a love triangle. Especially when family is involved. I mean sure, a writer can find a way through it and tie a neat little bow on it and teenagers can sigh over how dramatic and important true love is, but real love is much uglier. I’m a grown up, so I know these things. You can explain in a book that people will be hurt, but that’s nothing compared to the true devastation that would be caused by a real-life version of these events.  That said, I’m pretty sure that for most teens the sighing and “meant to be togethering” will win out over my cranky old lady pragmatism.

Also, a big thumbs down to my least favorite writing technique ever, the several years later epilogue.  Oh, suck it up and write us through the nasty bits. If you can’t do it, you might want to ask yourself why.

Sex, Nudity, Dating – Dearest Belly is still a virgin, but others are most certainly sexually active.  There is a discussion about losing your virginity, if it will hurt, etc.  There’s kissing and some feeling up.
Profanity– “hell,” “Oh my God,” “jerk,” “ass,” “shit,” “damn,”  I wouldn’t be too surprised if I missed some though because this list seems short compared to the first two books.  On the other hand, if you were comfortable with the first two books, you probably won’t be too upset by the profanity in this one.
Death, Violence and Gore – Someone gets slapped.  Someone gets a deep cut while surfing.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – Hello.  We are no longer dabbling folks.  People smoke weed.  There is abundant underage drinking including but not limited to, beer pong, body shots, double shots and wine.  Belly speculates that a creepy landlord probably has a meth lab in his basement.
Frightening or Intense Things – None.

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It’s Not Summer Without You

It’s Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

Picking up a year after The Summer I Turned Pretty, at first we know almost nothing about what has gone on during the past school year.  But Han slowly fills in the gaps, about what happened with Susannah, about where the year took Conrad and Belly, how Belly’s prom turned out, but most importantly about how people are trying to manage their lives in the midst of grief.

Belly knows that everything will be different now and is trying hard to adjust to the idea of a summer at home, rather than at the beach house where she’s spent every summer since she’s been born.  But when one of Susannah’s boys turns up looking for his missing brother, Belly feels the old summer ties pulling her in to help.

It’s Not Summer Without You is about the inevitable love triangle that develops between Belly and the brothers as they deal with their grief and pain.  And Belly learns that for her, it’s not enough to know someone cares, she needs proof.

Much less light-hearted than its predecessor, it’s still a really good follow-up which I think readers of the series will enjoy.

I rated this teen despite an f-bomb, because I’m pretty sure there’s just the one, and there is very limited sexual material.

Sex, Nudity, Dating – There is kissing.  Some characters admit that they’ve had sex (Belly is a virgin however).  At Conrad’s college there are STD pamphlets and condoms available in the dorm.  Conrad’s roommate sends him freaky porn videos.  A character has cheated on his wife.
Profanity– “crap,” “hell,” “asshole,” “bullshit,” “shit,” “shitty,” “shittier,” “dick,” “piss off,” “screw,” “goddamn,””retarded” is used again in a negative sense but this time the character using the word is immediately chastised for saying it.  “fuck”
Death, Violence and Gore – The character we expect to pass away does in fact, pass away.  Belly’s mother slaps her.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – Plenty of underage drinking of beer, wine, and tequila.  Drinking games are played.  A few characters smoke.
Frightening or Intense Things – None.

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The Summer I Turned Pretty

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

You know it’s a beach read when the title even has summer in it!  This is a summer read that you won’t want to miss.

For her whole life, Belly has spent the summer at the beach.  But this year, she’s turning 16 and she’s desperate to be seen as something other than a pesky little sister.  Two of the boys at the beach house aren’t actually her brothers, they’re the sons of her mom’s best friend, but since they’ve all grown up together they’ve always treated her like a kid sister.  Belly’s ready to be seen as a girl, and when a cute boy at an bonfire pays her the right kind of attention she’s thrilled.  She just can’t help wishing she inspired those feelings in someone else.  Filled with summery moments, like playing Marco Polo in the pool, wishing you could go skinny dipping, going to the boardwalk, watching old movies, having special routines and beach tunes, this will make you yearn for summer.  And possibly youth, but that’s your business.

The only thing I found tricky about this was that it flips back and forth between the present and past summers.  Chapters about the past are labeled with Belly’s age, so stay alert.  Also, she often tells you about something in the present and then it will later be explained in the past segments.  It was fine once I got used to it, but at first I was feeling like I’d missed something and kept flipping back to reread.

Great for: What to pack to take to the beach house, shore house or lake house, whatever your (or your teen’s) summer haven may be.

Age Recommendation: Grades 7+

Sex, Nudity, Dating – Belly’s mother says it’s okay for her to settle down (you know, once she’s grown up) as long as she’s had a few “lovers” first.    Taylor tells Stephen to “go back to jacking off.”  Much relaying of sexual experience comes in the traditional baseball format, so we know that Conrad went to second with a girl and Stephen got to third. I refuse to translate for anyone unfamiliar.  There is kissing a few places in the book.  Also there’s a brief discussion about if two girls kissed.
Profanity– “pain in my ass,” “screw you,” “dipwad,” “asshole,” “shit,” “butthead,” use of the middle finger. “retarded” which I really hate as an insult, “dick,” “gay” used as an insult, but another character immediately says that it is unacceptable to say that. “go to hell”
Death, Violence and Gore – A parent of one of the characters has cancer, this is a major story line.  When they were younger the boys told Belly that there was a child killer on the loose.  Belly’s brother threatens to kill her in that way that older brothers do.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking –    The moms drink margaritas and smoke cigarettes.  Mr. Fisher drinks Maker’s Mark.  Belly gets asked by her mother if Conrad is using drugs.  The mothers smoke pot (one as treatment for cancer, the other for camaraderie).   When Belly wants to go to a party, the boys say they think the guy throwing it deals crystal meth.  Belly does not drink but the boys do, sometimes to the point of being drunk.
Frightening or Intense Things – None.

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Flavor of the Week

Flavor Of The Week by Tucker Shaw

How could I resist picking up a book that is both a cooking love story and a retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac?  Food and updated culture – let me at it.  And oh, sweet heavens, it has recipes.  I do love me a good recipe.

Sadly, like a failed souffle, this fell a bit flat for me.  The characters could have used some more development other than cute vegetarian, dumb hot guy, ditzy friend and sensitive chef. Also, I always forget that I don’t really like the story of Cyrano de Bergerac, I always find the deception of the girl pretty hard to forgive.

BUT, it was a super fast read, and other than a stray middle finger, it’s clean enough to hand to tweens.  And the story wasn’t bad, just a little vanilla after everything I’ve been reading.

I STILL THINK THIS IS GREAT FOR: Providing an overweight male hero.  I think this is almost harder to come by than an overweight female hero and best of all, he doesn’t have to change his appearance to get the girl.  I’ve read so many stories where all the overweight character has to do is lose weight to be loved.  That’s ridiculous.  Look around us.  People of all shapes, sizes, skin tones and preferences are loved.  There are people who will love you for who you are and how you look regardless of your size.  Hooray for that!

Also great for: Giving your teen (or yourself) something to do other than read and bum around.  I am dying to try out some of these recipes and I bet they’d be a great antidote to the I’m boreds you’ll inevitably hear at some point this summer.

Sex, Nudity, Dating – There is some tame kissing, a single butt grab and cooking with aphrodisiacs.
Profanity– “sucks”,  use of “the finger,” “pissed,” “freakin'” “dick,” although not as the body part, just as a jerk equivalent.
Death, Violence and Gore – In true teen melodrama form, Cyril loves the girl so much he’d throw himself off a cliff for her, or starve for her.  After a betrayal a girl feels like slapping one boy and punching another in the stomach.  She does neither.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – A character has a mother who has been to rehab.  Jamie talks about getting guys to buy her beer.  The biology teacher shares that you can’t make LSD from bleach and Windex, but you can get high from sniffing formaldehyde.
Frightening or Intense Things – None.

 

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