Eve: A Novel of the First Woman

Elissa Elliott

Keep in mind (I kept telling myself), this is a work of FICTION.  Only after reminding myself several times of this fact could I get beyond all the semi-modern conveniences (tools, a loom, a mud-brick house) available to Eve and her family in the home they inhabited after being evicted from the Garden of Eden. Then the other people showed up.  What?!  Weren’t Adam and Eve the first people?  Who were these folks and where did they come from??? Once I let go of my preconceived ideas, I thoroughly enjoyed this fascinating and well-researched story.  The characters were so familiar—the spoiled, self-indulgent teenage daughter, the angst-ridden teenage son, the couple so long together that they’d nearly forgotten how much they loved one another—that it could have taken place in modern times. Very interesting book.  The author, Elissa Elliott, will discuss this book on KTOE radio, 1420 AM, at 4:10 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17th.

Green Eggs and Ham

by Dr. Seuss

I am writing my review on this book in honor of Dr. Seuess's birthday. This beloved children's classic tells the story of Sam-I-Am as he tries many different ways to get someone to eat green eggs and ham. My 1st grade son read this book to me today as part of his class's Dr. Seuss's birthday celebration.

Three Cups of Tea

By Sarah Thompson

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Journey to Change the World... One Child at a Time by Greg Mortenson, David Oliver Relin, Sarah Thomson (Adapted by)

Here is one paragraph that sums up the book:

"Once, long ago. he'd decided to climb the second highest mountain in the world in his sister's honor. Now, looking into the eyes of an Afgan warlord, he dedicated himself to climbing an even higher mountain--to keep bringing education, and hope, and chances of a better life to the children of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Christa (Greg's sister) would've been proud."

From:

Publishers Weekly

In 1993, while climbing one of the world's most difficult peaks, Mortenson became lost and ill, and eventually found aid in the tiny Pakistani village of Korphe. He vowed to repay his generous hosts by building a school; his efforts have grown into the Central Asia Institute, which has since provided education for 25,000 children. Retold for middle readers, the story remains inspirational and compelling. Solid pacing and the authors' skill at giving very personal identities to people of a different country, religion and culture help Mortenson deliver his message without sounding preachy; he encourages readers to put aside prejudice and politics, and to remember that the majority of people are good. An interview with Mortenson's 12-year-old daughter, who has traveled with her father to Pakistan, offers another accessible window onto this far-away and underlines Mortenson's sacrifice and courage. Illustrated throughout with b&w photos, it also contains two eight-page insets of color photos.

Daylight Runner

By Oisen McGrann

One of my Young Adult Book Clubs is reading steampunk fantasy fiction for our theme this month.  I think Daylight Runner falls into that category. 

According to wikipedia Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction and speculative fiction, frequently featuring elements of fantasy that came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s.  The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century—but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as fictional technological inventions like those found in H. G. Wells and Jules Verne. 

It is action packed with a prickly main character.  It was the idea of the city that kept me reading not sympathy or interest in the character.  

School Library Journal

Sol Wheat lives in an apocalyptic future in which global warming has brought on an ice age that few people survived. His domed city of Ash Harbor is powered by "The Machine" and each citizen's life is arranged to keep it functioning. When Sol's father-who works outside to clear the dome of snow and ice-disappears after being accused of murdering a fellow "daylighter," the 16-year-old asks too many questions and finds himself on the run, wanted both by the police and the crime lord to whom his father is in debt. McGann has written a compelling tale reminiscent of Lois Lowry's The Giver (Houghton, 1993). Sol, like Jonas, strives to make his fellow citizens aware of the corruption and hypocrisy in their society and to challenge them to change for the better. Daylight Runner will appeal to science-fiction fans, although the length may deter reluctant readers or those looking for a fast-paced story. The author provides glimpses into Sol's past, and his character, though well developed and fully three-dimensional, is simply not likable enough to resonate with readers. When the plot drags in the middle third of the book, Sol's plight may not be compelling enough to ensure that most readers will continue to the end.-

Shipwreck (Series)

by Gordon Korman

The Shipwreck Series by Gordan Korman (Shipwreck, Survival and The Search)  

Based on a recommendation from a friend, I started listening to this series on a whim.  From the first few minutes I was hooked.  I could not get enough of this story and listened and wondered what would happen next.  This is a story that is similar to the tv show Lost but for kids.  6 "naughty" kids get sent on a boat journey by their parents to "chart their new course" to learn teamwork and to get their lives back on course.  In the beginning the kids are just learning how to work on a boat, before long the boat has some challenges (helped by some of the kids) and it sinks.  The kids are stranded on the ocean and before long end up on an island having to fend for themselves with the stress/worry of other people on the island that are not helpful.  The story takes some bumps and learn many things about themselves and others.  I highly recommend the story to all grown-ups who enjoy Lost and for all their children who wish they understood the television show. 

Alice I Have Been

By Melanie Benjamin

Recently, I have found myself choosing more and more historical fiction pieces to read, and this case is no different.  This book is based largely on the life of Alice Liddell Hargreaves, the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, through old photographs and letters.  Alice Liddell (b.1852) was the middle daughter of Dean Henry Liddell of Christ Church, Oxford, which is one of the largest colleges in the University of Oxford.  As explained in more detail in the novel, Charles Dodgson (aka. Lewis Carroll) was a mathematics professor at Christ Church, who befriended the three oldest Liddell daughters: Lorina, Alice, and Edith. 

The novel travels through Alice Liddell’s lives, loves, and tragedies in a way that makes the reader feel as though they are living through them with her.  It also indicates how Lewis Carroll’s books, though loved by many, were both an obstacle and a burden for his muse.  I found this book beautifully written, historically intriguing, and extremely quick to get through.