August, 2012

"The Infects" by Sean Beaudoin         

Nero, along with other juvenile delinquents, are stuck in the wilderness and their counselors have turned into zombies.  I found this book extremely hard to get into.  The dialogue was just awful.  Perhaps teenagers will like this book, but I don't know, I certainly didn't enjoy it. 

"The 5 O'Clock Follies" by Theasa Tuohy         

Theasa has decided to journey overseas in order to cover the Vietnam war.  She is thrust into an environment with male correspondents, few who take her seriously.  I found this book hard to get into.  The author seemed to ramble on and on, continually repeating how hard it was for a woman reporter.  At times, it seemed like she was writing more about her relationships with men than her adventure as a war correspondent. 

"The Intruders" by Olive Peart         

While exploring a cave six teenagers from New York are transported into the future.  They have fallen into a conflict between two groups of people, the Trumen and the Abnorms.  They quickly take sides and settle into village life.         

I thought this book was poorly developed.  There was very little character development, the teenagers barely had personalities, the future world was lacking world building, and overall the plot was stale.  The book ended abruptly at a very odd place, which makes me think the author is vying for a sequel.  Overall, this book was just a bust.

"Postcards From a War" by Vanita Oelschlager         

This is a picture book for children whose parents have joined the military.  It shows the importance of their work and gives the message that it is OK to be curious, sad, etc.  I think this book conveys a very important message.  It is well written, engaging and wonderfully illustrated.  My only criticism is that sometimes the font color was difficult to read against the backgrounds.  Overall, a home run.

"Margaret and the Moth Tree" by Trogen and Trogen         

Margaret, a poor abandoned orphan is shuffled from one family member to another, until she ends up in an orphanage ran by Miss Switch.  A vain, vile woman, Miss Switch divides the orphans into her favorites and the others.  After trying to get help, Miss Switch orders the other orphans to give Margaret the silent treatment.  Seeking solace, she discovers a group of playful moths.         

This book reminded me a lot of Matilda.  Not because of the storyline but because of the author's writing style.  I thought it was a cute book, one that I could see interpreted as a movie.  I would have liked a bit more content, but then again I'm an adult, not a child.  Overall, this was a great book, one highly recommended.

"Brambleman" by Jonathan Grant         

After a huge fight with his wife, Charlie Sherman has had enough.  He walks out on her with nothing but the clothes on his back.  He comes across a stinky stranger, who convinces him to edit a book about the expulsion of blacks from Forsyth Georgia in 1912.  Things get stranger and stranger, with a contract that begins to ooze blood, a widowed woman who has the power to curse others, death threats, and much more.         

I thought the book was well written, but the story rambled on and on.  I felt that it could have used quite a bit of editing.  After a while I became quite bored with the story.  I'm a bit surprised I stuck with it towards the end. 

"Made in China" by Vanita Oelschlager         

This is a cutesy picture book about adoption.  It chronicles the story of a little girl from china who was adopted by a white family.  She sees the stickers on goods that say "Made In China" and wonder if she is just a good or commodity herself.  I thought the story was interesting, and will be well received.  The illustrations were well done and the pace of the story seemed just right.

"Amelia Earhart--Case Closed!" by Mike and Marjie Markowski         

This book discusses the career and disappearance of Amelia Earhart.  I found it a bit hard to read.  The author jumped all over the place and seemed to ramble on quite a bit.  I found the book hard to follow and a bit dull.  Overall, I  think the book needs some serious editing and organization.

"Killing the Poor Master" by Holly Metz           

During the Great Depression, Harry Barck, the poor master, was charged with granting aid to needy individuals in Hoboken, New Jersey.  Rather than distribute aid to those who truly needed it, he made the poor jump through hoops, fill out endless paperwork, continually insulted them, and then denied their aid.  Joe Scutellaro, came to his office begging for aid when Barck suggested his wife prostitute herself.  Agitated, Scutellaro punched him, causing Barck to fall across his desk and onto a paper spike.  The poor master fell dead and Scutellaro was arrested.  The story follows the trial along with other protests asking for poor relief.

     Overall, I found this to be a highly engaging and interesting book.  It was easy to read and follow.  Although the book easily could have become boring, the author kept introducing new details and facts throughout.  She also did a wonderful job bringing the harsh reality of the depression to life.