Summer of the Gypsy Moths

                                                                           
Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker (Author of the Clementine Series)

Published by Balzer + Bray

2012

Ages 8-12

Shelf: Middle Grade 

Opening Line:  "The earth spins at a thousand miles an hour."

Favorite Quotes: 

"I like to imagine the ties between us as strands of spider silk:  practically invisible, maybe, but strong as steel."

"I stayed cool.  Those icebergs, floating silent and steady, ignoring the fierce storms raging around them."

"Being an iceberg takes a lot of effort."

"Your heart is like every other muscle Stella, you have to stretch it out when it cramps up."

Blurb:  It is the start of another summer season on Cape Cod.   At a glance, Stella appears to be your typical eleven-year old, who enjoys reading on the beach.  No one would ever suspect the secret Stella is hiding.  Stella has been living here with her great-aunt Louise, ever since her mom decided to go out and "find herself."   Although Stella fantasizes her mom will soon return to the Cape, she enjoys living with Louise, and really appreciates the routines that Louise has put into place.  The only potential glitch in her plan:  Angel.  Angel is the foster child Louise has taken in.  Stella and Louise are like oil and water, and hardly ever speak to one another.  But when tragedy strikes, Stella and Angel must rely on each other.   Will Stella and Angel discover a common thread between them?

Within its pages:
Connections. Throughout the story, Stella likens herself to an iceberg - standing still and firm in the fierce storms around her.  A fairly accurate metaphor for her life.  Although Stella's situation is obviously extreme, she teaches us about courage, as well as  how to cope with loss, changing expectations, and the tricky and rewarding process of making and keeping connections.

The heart of this novel lies in the friendship that grows between Stella, the planner, and Angel, the free spirit.  There is an unspoken bond that develops between these two young girls that's heart-warming and endearing.  Pennypacker teaches us that sometimes hope lies in the most unexpected places, and that the deep connections we form with others can be life-changing. 

Shelf  it!

Summer of the Gypsy Moths surprised us in the most delicious way! The simplicity and heart in this story was very captivating.  At first, we found the premise a bit disturbing and seemingly unrealistic.  We definitely had mixed feelings in the beginning (You will too).  Despite this, the resilience of the characters, as well as the blossoming friendship, was strong enough that we just couldn't abandon the book.  We were pleasantly surprised by its poignancy, humor, beauty and, most of all, with the way its story gripped our hearts and still hasn’t let go.  The element of suspense kept us on the edge of our seats as well.  Just go "Shelf It" and read it while listening to some Fado music (Angel sings it throughout the book) and find out just what we're talking about!

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling (Book 1)

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Maryrose Wood
Published by: Balzer + Bray
2010
Age: 8-12
Shelf: Middle Grade

Opening Line: 
It was not Miss Penelope Lumley's first journey on a train, but it was the first one she had taken alone.  As you may know, traveling alone is quite a different kettle of fish from traveling with companions.

Favorite Quotes:
"All books are judged by their covers until they are read."

"If you have ever opened a can of worms, boxed yourself into a corner, ended up in hot water or found yourself in a pretty pickle, you already know that life is rarely, if ever, just a bowl of cherries. It is far more likely to be a box of problems, worries, and difficulties. This is normal and should not be seen as cause for alarm."

"Things may happen for a reason, but that doesn't mean we know what the reason is -at least, not yet."

Blurb:
Miss Penelope Lumley has just graduated from the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females.  At 15, she's ready to take on her first job as a governess at Ashton Place.  But when she arrives, she finds three wild children, who are barely dressed and act like wolves, madly howling and growling.  The children were discovered roaming around the Ashton Place property by the head of the house, Lord Frederick.  Soon, Penny applies all the knowledge she received from Agatha Swanburne at the Academy and the children begin to enjoy poetry and the classics.  But there's more lurking behind the staircase walls of Ashton Place.  Not everyone wants to see the children succeed.  

Within its Pages:
The narrator on The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place creates a deliciously Victorian and ominous tone that reminded us of A Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (the first book in his Series of Unfortunate event).  Its lines are full of foreshadowing decorated with humor.  And while you find yourself falling deeper into the mystery of the incorrigible children, you hear the voice of the narrator teaching you the meaning of words like hyperbole and irony (again reminiscent of Snicket's series). 

The illustrations by Jon Klassen (author of I Want My Hat Back and Extra Yarn) are a perfect match with the Victorian tone of the novel:

The author, Maryrose Wood, has included on her website a fantastic discussion guide to be used by teachers and book clubs. Check it out. 

Introducing children to an engaging series like this one, it's a sure way to guarantee multiple book readings.  The ending will leave you wanting more and there's a book for that!
 
Shelf it!
If you love a quirky mystery full of great vocabulary this is a book for you.  The mystery of the incorrigibles and of Penelope's background is still unresolved, and you'll have to come back for the next installments in the series to figure it out.  But with such great characters, humor, and voice, who can complain?

The Fault in Our Stars

                                                                  

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
Published by Dutton Books
2012
Ages: 14+
Shelf:  Young Adult (YA)

Opening Line:  "Late in the winter of my seventeenth year, my mother decided I was depressed, presumably because I rarely left the house, spent quite a lot of time in bed, read the same book over and over, ate infrequently, and devoted quite a bit of my abundant free time to thinking about death."

Favorite Quotes: 
“Almost everyone is obsessed with leaving a mark upon the world. Bequeathing a legacy. Outlasting death. We all want to be remembered."

"I decided that the proper strategy was to stare back.  Boys do not have a monopoly on the Staring Business, after all."

"The world is not a wish granting factory."
 
"I fell in love the way you fall asleep:  slowly, and then all at once."

"Some infinities are bigger than other infinities."

 

Blurb:

Sixteen-year old year old, Hazel Grace Lancaster has been battling cancer since she was twelve, and is indefinitely bound to a portable oxygen tank.  Despite a tumor-shrinking medical miracle, her days are numbered.  Hazel lives under the tangible weight of the unknown, and this affects how she lives and views the world.  As per her parent's wishes, Hazel attends a  cancer support group where she subsequently meets and falls in love with seventeen-year old Augustus Water, a cancer survivor.  Hazel likens herself to a grenade when she constantly imagines the pain she will cause her loved ones when she dies.  Augustus fears oblivion and being anything but extraordinary.  Hazel will learn that "Some infinities are bigger than other infinities," and that sometimes it just has to be "okay."

Within its pages:

The true charm of this novel lies within its two leading characters, Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters, and the evolution of their relationship, and in turn, their character.
The story is narrated by Hazel.  She is smart, witty, has a wonderful sense of humor, super sarcastic, sometimes a bit cynical, and is constantly consumed with thoughts of death and being a grenade.  Agustus is charming, charismatic, confident, funny, and a "glass half full" kind of guy.   The connection between these two is instantaneous.  You will get lost in their world. 

There is no shortage of figurative language in this novel - it is filled with metaphors, personification, and symbolism.  

"I was veritably swimming in a paralyzing and totally cynical depression."
"That's the thing about pain, it demands to be felt."
"'I'm a grenade and at some point I'm going to blow up and I would like to minimize the casualties, okay?
"My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations."
"I believe the universe wants to be noticed. I think the universe is improbably biased toward the consciousness, that it rewards intelligence in part because the universe enjoys its elegance being observed."

You will find yourself marveling and stopping at various points in the novel, not only because the book is that good, but because the lines are that deep, and thought-provoking. 

Shelf It! (Okay?!)
As you read this novel, prepare to embark on a roller coaster ride of emotions.  It is filled with peaks and valleys, but the thrill will always leave you wanting more - so hang on tight!
At times, you find yourself smiling, and laughing out loud.  Other times, you may find yourself feeling angry, saddened, and quite possibly shedding a few tears.  And you will most likely fall in love along the way....In fact, we have a bookie crush on Augustus Waters!
It is all these emotions that keep you so deeply connected with the characters.  Green has done an outstanding job of accurately depicting and capturing the deep love these characters have for one another through their dialogue and actions.  It is thought provoking and compelling. 

Despite the circumstances, Hazel and Augustus teach us that having cancer, doesn't define who you are.  You have to appreciate Hazel's wicked sense of humor and sarcasm. The back and forth banter between Augustus and Hazel is irresistible and endearing.   

Admittedly, this teenage love story filled, with heartbreak and realistic tragedy, is somewhat predictable, but still so intense and gripping! You will question the fairness of life, but the world is not a wish grantig factory, after all.  Additionally, the chosen title of this novel is very compelling and intriguing, and leaves you pondering its meaning. 

Finally, you will never look at the word "okay" in the same way again!