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MsWrobel

MsWrobel

I'm an adventurous school librarian near Buffalo, NY, who reads constantly, whether it's the newspaper, magazines (music, health/fitness, library), web sites, blogs, toilet paper packages, cereal boxes, and even books (fiction *and* nonfiction). I'll help you find something fan-tab-u-lous to read!
  • NY, USA
  • member since September 6 2007

Reviews

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Displaying 41-50 of 64 reviews
  • Kendra
    • Rated 5 stars

    “This YA novel is very real. I loved it! It's captivating without being too cautionary -- teens will buy into the plot and like the authentic dialogue. Personally, I kept reading Kendra's story because it's so different from my own, but I also felt like we could have been friends had we grown up together. Kendra's fears and hopes are just like many teens'. I also liked how the author slowly introduces Kendra to the "real" Nashawn. This 2nd novel from Coe Booth has just the right amount of "nastiness" (to quote a Kendra word) plus extra plot elements for readers who want to think about how family affects us growing up or how we struggle to make choices that are right for us. ”

    MsWrobel wrote this review Monday, February 16 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Runaways: Dead End Kids Premiere HC (Runaways)
    • Rated 4 stars

    “I'm glad there are more Runaways, but I miss the ones done by Brian Vaughn! I feel like the new dialogue and plot are different - not as unique - than the original Runaways... Like you can tell some of the characters are doing things the originals wouldn't! However, the art matches perfectly. Molly, Xavin and Karolina are still my favorites. In these issues (25-30) it was cool to see how the Runaways interacted with the 1907 characters Lillie and Klara (without giving away who stayed or left!). Plus it was nice to see Gert for a hot minute! One thing made these issues confusing to follow the plot: scene changes just seemed to happen, without enough lead-in... leaving me occasionally confused. But I would definitely read this again, which would probably help me understand it better! ”

    MsWrobel wrote this review Thursday, February 12 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Stuck in the Middle: 17 Comics from an Unpleasant Age
    • Rated 5 stars

    “This book is hilarious! Whether you're in the middle of the awfulness or middle school, or just reliving your youth through the lens of time, this book is spot-on. I recommend its commentary to anyone who felt like a weirdo in middle school - especially those who were more artsy and creative! It's also a good graphic novel to read if you are looking for some new favorite artists because each chapter/story is by someone different. Most of the authors are not yet middle aged, but just old enough to have some perspective on their youth.”

    MsWrobel wrote this review Friday, January 16 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Georgie
    • Rated 5 stars

    “I liked this story because it is a quick read and a fairly easy reading level. The author was able to pull this off because the main character Georgie is also the narrator for much of the story. Georgie, who is a teen but does not talk and hasn't read since he was little, struggles with his behavior in psychiatric hospitals. Moved to a new, last-chance hospital, he begins to make progress. He meets fellow student Shannon and teacher Tommo, both of whom have more patience with him than past acquaintances. I liked how the author, Malachy Doyle, gradually reveals what happened to Georgie. I know that I can definitely relate to Georgie's struggle with his temper - I think many people try daily to realize who they are really hurting when they react like Georgie does, even if they haven't been through what Georgie has. I recommend this book to reluctant readers who might find books at a higher reading level difficult because it will hold their interest as Georgie tries to leave his old self in the new glass - real glass - mirror at his new residence.”

    MsWrobel wrote this review Wednesday, December 31 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Before I Die
    • Rated 4 stars

    “This is a really sad book - I was literally a crying mess at several points. But, it is very good because it doesn't shamelessly exploit Tessa's illness. The story is realistically draining and, at least for me, I could only read it when I was in the mood for a sad book. So, I had to read other books at the same time. Downham's writing style shows, rather than tells, the reader how Tessa's cancer is progressing. The way the author contrasts Tessa's impending death with Adam's ability to plan for the future helps make the story real and believable. Furthermore, the author adds just enough medical terminology to show how the characters have to deal with hospitals and doctors, but not so much that it detracts from the story. I definitely recommend this book for readers who like realistic stories, but not for readers who have cancer or parents of children who may have just died because it is very real and just does not offer Tessa any hope, although it does give the people around her some solace. I would, however, suggest it to cancer survivors of many years and parents past the grieving stage.”

    MsWrobel wrote this review Wednesday, December 31 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Rash
    • Rated 4 stars

    “This book is awesome - first Pete Hautman book I've read, I believe. I would recommend it to readers interested in AI (artificial intelligence) and computers but also readers interested in sports (running & football play-by-plays, specifically)... although you'd think by reading the inside flap that it's all very sci-fi and futuristic. It is, but not in a narrowly focused way. This book is a classic high-school story with a straight-forward, satisfying ending. I like that when you first begin reading, you can clearly pick up on the "message" the author's sharing with Bo's interactions with his grandpa, but it's not a didactic message at all... readers slowly see how Bo learns what his grandpa already knows and it is very believable (a bit scary, in fact). ”

    MsWrobel wrote this review Monday, December 22 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Thirteen Reasons Why
    • Rated 3 stars

    “This is a good book, but of course sad and depressing. Without spoiling the storyline, I'm glad that Clay's reason for being on the tapes was what it was, although I just did not like Hannah throughout the whole book. I kept wanting her to get help, or realize that she was great without everyone's approval, or SOMETHING! I mean, she was so freakin' creative in coming up with the tape idea, including masterminding their distribution, that she could have gone on to do amazingly wonderful things in life (but of course, then there would be no book... unless there's a sequel with some crazy twist). I would like to also hear from the points of view of the others on the tapes... like, another book, but from their perspective. I know this book is popular, and I did like reading it (realistic fiction is my fav) but I feel like there are so many things in the plot and writing style that I want to change! I think my favorite part was what happened after Jenny ran into the stop sign - not because I liked the awfulness of it, but because it's such a unique plot element for the author to come up with that outcome and how it was connected to everything else in the book. Overall, it's a good book, but I think I will like this author's next book better (once his writing improves) because he seems to have so much potential for intriguing stories!”

    MsWrobel wrote this review Tuesday, October 27 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Lightning Thief
    • Rated 3 stars

    “I liked this book because it was "just real enough" ... I have to admit I'm not a big fantasy fan, although I am trying. :) So, this fantasy novel was light-hearted, funny and "real" enough to hold my interest! I definitely want to read Book 2, "The Sea of Monsters" because I want to find out what happens to Percy, Grover, & Annabeth. These characters, and the others (like Percy's mom), went about their daily lives in New York City, Camp Half-Blood and other places even though they had "fantastic" elements, (like Grover's hooves). If you are looking to try a well-known fantasy series that's not super-heavy on plot, then this is the book for you. And if you are into mythology at all, then this is also a good choice. But don't worry if you aren't - all the mythology references are put into context, creating the perfect opportunity to grow your as-of-yet unknown interest in mythology!”

    MsWrobel wrote this review Tuesday, December 16 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • After

    After

    by Francine Prose
    • Rated 3 stars

    “This is a good book for reluctant readers... just enough plot and detail to keep readers interested, but not too much that they would want to give up reading. Tom ("Tomster" to his dad) narrates a scary story where students in a town neighboring one that experienced a recent school shooting have more and more restrictions put on them (some even disappear). My favorite (and most shocking) part is when Tom goes looking for information on Stalin at his school's library, and finds nothing but open space where the Stalin book used to be -- the librarian was forced to remove the book! I recommend reading this book during Banned Books Week in the fall - the discussions it will raise are very much related. ”

    MsWrobel wrote this review Saturday, December 6 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Kiki Strike
    • Rated 5 stars

    “This is my new favorite book! It took me about 6 chapters to finally understand where it was going, and I'm still reading it, but I love it. It's about radical ex-Girl Scouts who DO RESEARCH! And they all have funny names! AND, they go on urban explorations. What could be better?!

    Here's what: Of the 8 items listed at the end of Chapter 5 as essentials for an adventure, I currently and consistently carry 5, in some form or another. The other 3 are readily available, currently and consistently, in my apartment.

    And here's what's even better: There is a sequel!”

    MsWrobel wrote this review Tuesday, November 25 2008. ( reply | permalink )
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