Writers who take on political stories—stories that focus on conflicts within and between communities—face daunting challenges. How does a writer keep the focus on the story rather than the political issue? How does he or she present background information without…
Category: Family
FAT ANGIE
FAT ANGIE Written by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo Hungry for an intimate, intense third person drama? FAT ANGIE will keep you reading, wondering – and laughing. e.E. Charlton-Trujillo has created for Fat Angie a barely functional family. Some characters are…
Kids at the Rodeo: A Review of Cowboy Up!
When I was growing up in Houston, Texas, one of the high points of my year was going to the rodeo in February. While most of my peers looked forward to the circus, I enjoyed watching the competition among the…
ROGUE
ROGUE by Lyn Miller-Lachmann What do ROGUE, MUTANT, BMX and ASPERGER’S plus MR. INTERNET have in common? This book. ROGUE Written by Lyn Miller-Lachmann. She does not hold back any punches but with each chapter pushes the reader further along…
Once and Future New Orleans
“I wasn’t certain of anything anymore, except that New Orleans was a faithless friend and I wanted to leave her.” Out of the Easy, by Ruta Sepetys “Decisions, they shape our destiny.” Out of the Easy, by Ruta Sepetys “Some choices,…
Unplug & Read Week Special: A Review of Revenge of a Not-So-Pretty Girl
Unplug & Read Week is an annual event to encourage children and teenagers to back away from the “screens”—computers, tablets, smartphones, and television—and do something in the real world. This year’s event runs from April 29 to May 5, 2013.…
In his latest novel PIECES Chris Lynch explores what happens when a teen decides to meet his brother’s organ recipients
Pieces (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) by Chris Lynch, 16.99 Eric’s only sibling and only friend, Duane, suffers an irreversible brain injury in a swimming accident and Eric becomes the final voice in a decision to…
Hiding in Plain Sight: A Review of Odette’s Secrets
This coming Sunday evening, April 7, marks the beginning of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. Jews around the world will place candles in their windows and recite prayers to remember the six million Jews who died between 1933 and 1945…
Me and Momma and Big John
Me and Momma and Big John is an attractive and instructive picture book I found in the Austin Public Library while idly looking for titles to send (by way of retail delivery) to my new nephew. Speaking of infantile,…
Shades of Scaly Gray: Teeth by Hannah Moskowitz
I love books that explore those tough, someone-will-be hurt-no-matter-what-I-do decisions that life throws at us time and again. I especially love when they are books for adolescent readers that pull no punches and make all of the choices hard. Teeth,…