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Mary S

Mary S

has 41 followers and is following 52 people

Library Media Specialist at New Hope-Solebury High School in New Hope, PA
  • New Hope, PA, USA
  • member since December 19, 2007

Reviews

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Displaying 1-10 of 112 reviews
  • Boy21

    Boy21

    by Matthew Quick
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Finley lives with his father and disabled grandfather in a rough part of the city full of violence and mobs. A man of few words, he finds escape from the world through his passion for playing basketball on the high school team and spending time alone with his girlfriend. When Russ moves into town to live with his grandparents after his parents are murdered, Finley’s life begins to take a turn. He’s not quite sure what to make of this fellow basketball player who goes by the name Boy21 and claims to be from outer-space. This a wonderfully touching novel which has a strong message of hope and of friendship.”

    Mary S wrote this review Wednesday, January 4, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Soon after Darren and Eric become friends in high school, Darren learns that Eric has a secret “thing”. He can’t sleep. OR, as Darren would rather think of it, he doesn’t HAVE to sleep. This would imply that Eric has a superpower, and if Eric has a secret superpower, well that means just about anything is possible! As the two boys join forces to write a screenplay for a sci fi series, they also perform experiments to explore Eric’s sleepless abilities. Although this novel itself is a work of science fiction, it feels more like an insightful and witty coming-of-age novel. Use caution when recommending this Alex Award winner as it is interlaced with profanity and sexual escapades.
    ”

    Mary S wrote this review Wednesday, April 27, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • Breaking Night

    Breaking Night

    by Liz Murray
    • Rated 5 stars

    “In the vein of The Glass Castle, this author recounts her extraordinary journey from being a daughter of criminal drug addicts to a successful student of Harvard. The grittiness of Liz’s childhood is often too painful and grotesque to imagine. Her parents ritually injected cocaine in the kitchen as she curiously watched from her stroller and, when the deed was done, innocently declared with arms outstretched, “aaallll done!” She and her sister went days without a meal as her parents used the precious welfare checks for coke rather than food. This incredible story isn’t only about the horrid conditions that this woman overcame to be a success, but also how she came to find forgiveness.
    It is remarkable how even at the tender age of five, Liz finds herself in the role of nurturer and protector for her parents, realizing that they are not capable of being providers themselves. An intriguing read which is very deserving of the Alex Award. ”

    Mary S wrote this review Wednesday, April 27, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • Last night I sang to the monster
    • Rated 4 stars

    “In alternating voices, we learn about the true story of the Swedish feminist activist Fredrika Bremer who, on her travels to Cuba in 1851, journals about the injustices of women. In addition to the viewpoint of Fredricka, we hear from Elena, the Cuban daughter of Fredricka’s host and Cecilia, the young African girl who is assigned to Fredricka as her translator. Each young woman has her own personal story to tell about longings for freedom and these stories are beautifully captured through the author’s free-poetic verse. This is a memorable novel about the social conditions of Cuba, the women’s rights movement, and the power of friendship. ”

    Mary S wrote this review Wednesday, April 27, 2011. ( reply | view 1 replies | permalink )
  • Rot & Ruin
    • Rated 4 stars

    “In alternating voices, we learn about the true story of the Swedish feminist activist Fredrika Bremer who, on her travels to Cuba in 1851, journals about the injustices of women. In addition to the viewpoint of Fredricka, we hear from Elena, the Cuban daughter of Fredricka’s host and Cecilia, the young African girl who is assigned to Fredricka as her translator. Each young woman has her own personal story to tell about longings for freedom and these stories are beautifully captured through the author’s free-poetic verse. This is a memorable novel about the social conditions of Cuba, the women’s rights movement, and the power of friendship. ”

    Mary S wrote this review Wednesday, April 27, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Firefly Letters
    • Rated 4 stars

    “In alternating voices, we learn about the true story of the Swedish feminist activist Fredrika Bremer who, on her travels to Cuba in 1851, journals about the injustices of women. In addition to the viewpoint of Fredricka, we hear from Elena, the Cuban daughter of Fredricka’s host and Cecilia, the young African girl who is assigned to Fredricka as her translator. Each young woman has her own personal story to tell about longings for freedom and these stories are beautifully captured through the author’s free-poetic verse. This is a memorable novel about the social conditions of Cuba, the women’s rights movement, and the power of friendship. ”

    Mary S wrote this review Wednesday, April 27, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • Revolver
    • Rated 4 stars

    “From the start of this gut-wrenching novel, we know just a few things about 18-year-old Zach: he has an alcoholic father, a clinically depressed mother and a violent, drug-addicted brother. When Zach woke up in a rehabilitation center for his alcohol addiction, he can’t remember (or chooses not to remember) how exactly he came to be there. Zach’s first-person narrative is poetic and compelling. He imagines that God writes words on people’s hearts to determine the type of person they will be and on Zach’s heart is written “sad”. He also imagines conversations with people which he is not brave enough to have in reality. This is a heart-wrenching novel with mature material and language. The realistic characters, Zach’s artistically brilliant personality, and his poignant, hopeful journey make this a truly unforgettable story.”

    Mary S wrote this review Wednesday, April 27, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • Half Brother
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Thirteen-year-old Ben has a lot to deal with in his first year as a teenager: a new home, a new school, romantic feelings for a girl, and a new brother who just so happens to be a baby chimpanzee. Ben’s father, a behavioral scientist, has brought the chimpanzee, Zan, into their home to be brought up as a family member and to be taught sign language. What begins as a nuisance experiment to Ben slowly turns into a strong loving relationship. Ben grows up quickly as he stands up to his father and others in order to save Zan from being brutally abused. This compelling tale about animal experimentation in the 1970’s is also a touching coming-of-age story about family relationships and young love.”

    Mary S wrote this review Wednesday, April 27, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • The House of Tomorrow
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Sebastian is a quirky, socially awkward teenager who resides in a geodesic dome with his eccentric grandmother, Nana. Jared is a punk-rock-loving, sardonic sixteen-year-old who recently had a heart transplant and causes his mother constant anxiety. These two misfits connect when Jared and his mother take a tour of the dome and Nana promptly suffers from a stroke. From there, Sebastian is brought into the dysfunctional home of Jared, his overly-anxious mother, and his mysteriously seductive sister. Among many things, Sebastian is introduced to grilled cheese & grape soda, young lust and the independent philosophy of punk rock. Though there is strong language, the off-beat humor, intriguing characters and tender message of this novel make it a true delight and very worthy of the Alex Award.”

    Mary S wrote this review Wednesday, April 27, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • Simply from Scratch
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Zell is a young widow who, a year after her husband tragically dies, still cannot seem to move forward from her grief. Nine-year-old Ingrid lives next-door with her father and is stuck on finding her mother, whom she believes to be the popular TV chef, Polly Pinch. The two form an unlikely friendship and join forces to enter the “Desserts that Warm the Soul” baking contest: an apropos title since this book, indeed, has the ingredients to warm the souls of all. Funny and touching, this debut novel will especially appeal to high school girls.”

    Mary S wrote this review Tuesday, March 29, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
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Displaying 1-10 of 112 reviews

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