Lizard People

Lizard People by Charlie Price is a great book about mental illness. You are able to step inside the mind of someone who is suffering with this disease and also see the impact it has on a family. This books also has a couple mysteries intertwined keeping it action packed and interesting.

Ben Mander is a great character who I was able to relate to even though I had not experienced most things he had. This book is a quick read and one worth checking out.

It is always better the second time around!

I decided to reread The Uglies, The Pretties, and The Specials this week. I enjoyed these books even more the second time around. The main character is easy to ... even if the situation isn't. I love the idea of this society of "pretty heads" and those who run away to "the smoke" and "the new smoke".

I always wonder which type of person I would be... a special, a pretty head, or a smokey.

A book I really love....

Is Spud by South African author John Howard van de Ruit. This book is extremely funny. It is the story of a teen boy in school dealing with typical teen boy issues. Spud is called spud for a reason... and for this reason, you can't help but feel a little sorry for him. He runs around with his dorm mates (a serious cast of characters) called the "crazy eights".

This books also details the political and social issues of South Africa. I wouldn't pass this book up, even if it doesn't look like your usual cup of tea!

In Honor Of Banned Books Week....

I decided to read Chris Crutcher's new book Deadline. This book is yet to be banned, but Chris Crutcher is a constantly challenged writer. The book doesn't disappoint in dealing with hard issues (ones which often got him challenged). However, this book is different, and sad. Ben Wolf is a relatively normal teenager. One day he goes in for a physical and finds out he has one year to live.

He makes the decision that he wants his last year to be jam packed and as normal as possible... so he decides not to tell anyone about his terminal illness and the fact that he refused treatment (which had little chance of working).

This book will leave you laughing one minute and choking up the next. This is another great success for Chris Crutcher. I suggest you read it.

How Do YOU Feel About Being Told What To Read?!

I am pretty sure none of us like being told that we can't read something. In fact that makes me want to read it even more! In honor of Banned Books Week, pick up a book that has been challenged or banned. I know I will be reading lots of juicy books! Not sure what books have been banned, check out ALA's list of 100 most challenged books here: http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/100mostfrequently.htm

or ALA's list of most frequently challenged books of 2006 here: http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/challengedbanned/challengedbanned.htm#mfcb