MsWrobel

• Rated 3 stars

“This book is obviously geared toward early-childhood educators, but much of its content can be transferred to the K-12 environment. There is a lot of confidence-boosting directed toward early-childhood educators in this text, which could bog down readers from the elementary and secondary levels; just skip over those parts if it's not needed!

This book's strengths lie in its call for compassion to direct all teaching, as well as its emphasis on personal reflection to better one's teaching. The main point - to encourage thinking about things that make one personally uncomfortable (how one thinks unconsciously about race, sexual orientation, religion, class, and other biases) as it applies to the classroom - is much needed, in both early childhood and K-12 education.

Even for those who may have already "confronted discomfort" personally, this book can be helpful insofar as helping others confront discomfort; many of Jacobson's personal stories reflect the oft-mentioned concept that if one is a silent witness to discrimination, then one is also a participant.

Particularly, Jacobson's chapter-two explanation of what bias really is can solidify for oneself and one's students why each has a certain bias - the first step in overcoming is understanding! This book is recommended for early-childhood educators as well as other teachers who are concerned about unconscious discrimination in their students and classrooms.”

MsWrobel wrote this review Saturday, July 4 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“This is a hilarious realistic novel, written in first person, for boys about age 12-16. Author Brent Crawford writes the 14-year-old boy perspective nearly perfect! Main character Carter is a high school freshman, just trying to get by, and getting himself into endless shenanigans that his 14-year-old, easily distracted brain just can't prevent.

Carter doesn't have the self-confidence to see just how awesome and fun he (and his life) is (football, swimming, drama, & what seems like party after party). But he is a reasonable, middle-of-the-road average guy -- and tackles his problems as best as he can. This is not a "sports" book or a "drama" book - it's the story of a kid who just happens to participate in those activities.

The only two parts I had a slightly tough time believing were the horrible truck-driving predicament and the final self-realization scene where Carter sums up his life in platitudes (it needed to be there but was just a bit over the top for Carter, though I doubt teen readers will notice -- much). Overall, though, this is a laugh-your-ass-off story; middle-school and early high school guys will LOVE THIS BOOK! I can't wait for the sequel -- according to the author's web site it's on its way.”

MsWrobel wrote this review Sunday, June 28 2009. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“It's a good thing that my biggest complain about "Twenty Boy Summer" is that the title isn't hyphenated (as in the descriptive "Twenty-Boy Summer"). This is a "can't put it down" summer beach read for high school girls with enough twists to make it worth one's while to pick up.

I could see a mature 8th-grader reading this book, however, there are a few parts that would make it inappropriate to use for a whole-class book:
-Anna's innocently, sarcastic description of what the party might be includes a drug reference that isn't believable, meaning, I don't believe her character would be worldly enough to come up with it on her own
-the first of two sex "scenes" is descriptive enough to turn off some younger readers... and yet, the reaction of Sam (Anna's love interest) is not quite realistic. By that I mean it would have been nice if the author address *his* thoughts afterward, not just Anna's. (Although thankfully, the condom issue is addressed and naturally becomes part of the plot! Yay!)

Despite these picky drawbacks, much of the book will appeal to teen girls (although some parts maybe not so much to their parents - but then, they're not the ones reading it):
-some general "parents are clueless"-type comments
-the competitive race to lose one's virginity (and how faking it can lead to pressure on friends and friendships)
-the author's acknowledgment of how bands now become popular (downloading tracks) and seamless integration of this into the story line
-the author's perfect description of the "calm" that come when you no longer freak out after a life-changing event (death, break-up, etc.)

There's even a few references that upstate New York girls will get (a brief one for Buffalo, and one for the confusion or assumption when telling people you're from "New York" - conveniently leaving out the "State" part -- and allowing the listener to assume you meant "City"). Overall, this is an excellent fun read for teen girls 14-18 who like realistic fiction and friendship stories! ”

MsWrobel wrote this review Thursday, June 25 2009. ( reply | permalink )

0 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“This hilarious and sad book is an example of resilience that left me wanting to know more about the author's life and the people who shaped it. (If only there had been more information, I'd give it 5 starts ... maybe there'll be a sequel??) The book is a full, but quick read of 273 pages but I want to know how author Mishna Wolff got from the swim race across the lake (the memoir's final shenanigan) to where she is now: a published author with a healthy sense of her family's past, living all the way across the country. Mishna's tales of life with her sister, father and neighborhood kids was compelling to read - I'm guessing that I'm about the same age as her, and I kept wondering what year a certain event happened in and what I was actually doing at that same time! My favorite chapter detailed the summer Mishna learned to cap and roast (to make fun of someone with a sassy comeback) at what she called "Government Subsidized Charity Club," also known as free summer "day care" where Mishna and her sister were the only whites among the rest of the kids. And by "day care" I mean, "throw your kids in a room and hope they don't kill each other while the counselors chill out and wait for the day to go by." Now, if you've never witnessed a bit of capping and roasting, it is a magnificent sight to behold. Mishna's white-girl tale of learning to do so, and with confidence, made me swell with pride even though I was just reading it in her book! I recommend this tale for anyone who likes to read unique, true-life stories or is interested in sociology and struggling to grow up without privileges that many take for granted.”

MsWrobel wrote this review Thursday, June 25 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“I have to admit that after reading the first of three sections of this book, I had to skim the rest. (The library I borrowed it from was begging for its return!) The reason I didn't finish on time is just because it was a very academic, "heavy" book, *not* because it wasn't interesting, engaging and informative! I recommend this book for any teacher (not just of city kids) or concerned citizen who wants to learn a little more than "the basics" about racism and the obstacles city kids with a low socioeconomic status face (no matter what color the student is). The first section, which I actually read, was full of theory -- thus explaining why it was difficult to read more than one chapter in a sitting. Based on my skimming of the second and third sections, they seemed like a much "easier" read. I particularly liked the history of urban music and how knowledge of hiphop and its elements (graffiti art, MCing, DJing, and b-boy/b-girling) can help an educator in the classroom.”

MsWrobel wrote this review Thursday, June 25 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“This is a hilariously weird realistic fiction novel that would appeal to 5th-9th grade boys, especially those who like word play or are writers themselves. Girls would like it too, but the main character is male and his foibles would appeal to sensitive, thoughtful guys from about 10-14. Seth, an Australian boy, has an off-the-beaten-path personality due to his hippie upbringing. His odd younger brother and parents' unique parenting style round out this book, complemented by Seth's object of lust, Miranda, and her crabby father.

If you're looking for a quick novel that will make you laugh out loud with its funny wordplay, then this story is for you. Even before getting to the chapters, which each begin with a funny "Fact" to entice readers, the opening-page "Warning to Americans" will have readers LOLing ASAP. The uniquely Australian words are not so hard to figure out as to turn off American readers.

My favorite part is how Seth relies on advice from a girls' magazine, Dolly, as his "rules to live by" because I, too, am a fan of popular-magazine advice! I also enjoyed Seth's parents because they treated their kids like real people -- letting them explore what they're interested in -- while also acting like real parents should, listening to their kids and giving practical advice, only stepping in when necessary. Kudos to Australian author Doug MacLeod!”

MsWrobel wrote this review Saturday, June 20 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“This is an easy, quick read that is sad, touching, and a source of inspiration for people who struggle to be who they are meant to be. Thomas Beatie's true story covers many themes: recovering from child abuse, equality for all, gay/lesbian/transgender rights, and discrimination from within groups of people who have traditionally been discriminated against. The most interesting part of Thomas' (and Nancy's and Susan's) story is that the human body is remarkably open to many changes - psychologically, through nutrition/exercise, and via chemicals (hormones). If you are looking for a true story and are nonjudgmental and accepting of people's hopes and dreams (or wish to become more so), then you will love this book.”

MsWrobel wrote this review Sunday, June 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“This is definitely an "academic" book - not light reading nor is it for reading when you're not totally alert (unless you are trying to fall asleep). The chapters are fairly short enough to read up to 3 at a time without feeling like you have "foggy head." That aside, I loved it! It was fun to read because of how the author, Barbara A. Chernow, talked about the research process and research theory, plus how she explained what she did use the Internet for (getting closer to real-live, non-Internet sources). I do wish she'd have distinguished more between Internet sources (i.e. web sites) and sources that one uses the Internet to find but that aren't web sites (i.e. database articles). There were a few places where I had indignant thoughts in my head that reiled up the feisty librarian in me, but these were minor and quite picky examples (and the problem may just have been the wording, not the actual point she was making). Overall, it was interesting to read this book, keeping in mind that Chernow's audience is probably graduate/doctoral students or advanced, special-interest researchers completing a research task for which they will eventually get paid or advance their professional career in some way. However, a few examples could be turned into speaking/promotional points for general librarians as they teach any level student. Finally, I found helpful Chernow's lists of tips at the end of each chapter.”

MsWrobel wrote this review Sunday, June 7 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“This graphic novel was a fun & quick read. This book has ghosts, humor, sadness, forgiveness... and the art is a cool, unique style. Kids and teens will identify with Finney's "woe is me" outlook on life, and the humorous & sarcastic bits (some of which younger kids might overlook) will also be appealing. I can't wait for #2, and neither can my students - one of my "regulars" eagerly asked if the library had the next in the series when the first was returned! I would recommend this book to older elementary students all the way to adults - the short chapters will encourage struggling readers as well as more advanced readers with little time available for reading. It's not visually "gruesome" at all but just scary enough to be believable.”

MsWrobel wrote this review Monday, May 25 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“I'm glad I read this book -- I don't think I would have if it hadn't been recommended and lent to me -- because it was lengthy enough to last me a couple weeks. I'm guessing this is the first "adult" book I've read in about a year (true!). I liked how the story unfolded with a chapter told through the characters, like Alfred, the Herberta, or Laura, etc. It did take me about halfway through to figure out how the quotes from young Alfred's buffalo soldiers book fit in with the plot but I enjoyed the small challenge. And, I was rooting for Alfred throughout the story! While a lot was "wrapped up" by the end of the book, itcould also have continued on for quite a while, as the quick wrap-up could be drawn out in the detailed way of the rest of the novel. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in family stories or U.S. history.”

MsWrobel wrote this review Sunday, May 24 2009. ( reply | permalink )