Book Review – I am the Messenger

Recently, I’ve been really REALLY into reading young adult authors.  So I went ahead and gave this Markus Zusak guy a try.  I got this book at a used book store for $4, and to be honest the plot sounded mildly interesting.  If anything, I would be able to put it on BookMooch and give it away if it ended up being a flop.

We start in a bank, where among others, Ed Kennedy is being held at gunpoint.  Later it is learned that Kennedy is a 19 year old cab driver who is not living up to his potential.  In an unlikely event, Kennedy saves the day at the bank, and is declared a local hero.  It’s at that point and time that he begins to mysteriously receive “aces” in the mail.  Each ace holds clues to places and people that Kennedy must experience and whose lives he must affect in some way.  These events each hold an alluring and vivid story.  Eventually, the information on the aces weaves its way right back into events in Kennedy’s own life, to ultimately reveal “The Messenger.”

Without a doubt, this book was worth the $4 and more.  Not only was it interesting and well written, but Zusak is phenomenally talented with capturing imagery and emotion.  The only slight disappointment in this entire novel was, for me, the ending.  While the ending does adhere to the plot, I still felt that some areas of the story were left unexplained.

Maybe it is my ties to my school district that create my empathy for the “Ed Kennedys” of the world.  I see a lot of students that very much remind me of this character, and end up in similar situations when they graduate.  I like to believe that, just like Ed Kennedy, their unrecognized potential will eventually be self realized.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who was looking for a quick and uplifting read!

Book Discussion

Since September, I have been questioning my students about what they are reading. Currently, here are the top five authors my students have told me they are reading:

5. John Green

The author of Looking for Alaska and An Abundance of Katherines. His stories about real life issues and situations appear to relate well to young adults. Both books are on my current reading wishlist. He was also recommended for young adults by many of my colleagues.

4. Tucker Max

The author of I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell. This is a favorite of many of my male students. Now, I have read much about this book and feel that it would be wholly inappropriate to discuss its content in my classroom. However, my students have said that anyone with a sense of humor would really enjoy this book. It is also on my current wishlist, as well as my husband’s. I would like to add that MANY of the books that our young men are reading might be deemed “inappropriate” for school discussion. This does NOT mean that we should, as educators, be discouraging them from reading. ANYTHING that young men are reading should be looked upon as a positive and encouraged.

3. Nicholas Sparks

The capturing romance of this author continues as a favorite today. He has been popular since MY young adult days, when he first wrote The Notebook. His stories provide a tasteful and realistic view into romance. Many of his novels also have a slight flavor of mystery and sadness, which seemingly appeals to the young reader. I have spotted students reading The Wedding, Nights in Rodanthe, True Believer, and The Choice in the past three months. Over the years, I have read many of his novels. Currently, I am looking into reading True Believer, and At First Sight.

2. Ellen Hopkins

Author of Crank, Glass, Burned, Impulse and Identical. I am fascinated by these books! They are written in a poetic verse style, which seems to capture my students and make them feel personally connected to each story. As with many young adult authors, the very real and dark issues that this author tackles appeal to my students. The Crank/Glass books are my next planned purchase and read.

1. Stephenie Meyer

Author of the Twilight series, and The Host. These are clearly the Harry Potter of a new generation. My students can’t put these books down! I can understand why. The books are extremely captivating and provide a fantastical romance story for the ages. I personally loved the story of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen and could not stop reading. I would highly recommend these stories to any teacher who wants to find a safe and intellectual way to connect with their students. I am hoping to read The Host quite soon as well.

So this is what my students are reading right now. I hope to investigate this at least twice a year and share my students’ favorites with my readers. What are you or your students reading?

Book Review – The Tarnished Eye

So I originally picked up this book solely because of the author, Judith Guest. She wrote Ordinary People, which happens to be one of my favorite books of all time. Unfortunately, this book falls short of the greatness of its predecessor. Don’t get me wrong, it was entertaining. I really, really enjoyed the beginning of the book. The first 10 to 12 chapters alternate between the main character, Sheriff Hugh DeWitt, and various members of the Norbois family right before they are all brutally murdered. After that, the book focuses on Sheriff DeWitt and his investigation and discovery of why they were murdered. For me, the book was a bit predictable. The killer was decently predictable if you like murder mysteries. I also think that the book would have benefited from a chapter that is told from the perspective of the killer near the end of the novel. Ten more pages in that context could have REALLY improved this book.

Overall, the book kept me interested throughout. I read it quickly and easily. I just felt that it didn’t live up to the standard that I expect from Judith Guest. The ending wasn’t closed up enough for my liking. Out of five stars, I still give it three and a half. I would recommend this to anyone that likes an easy murder mystery read!

Time Management

So once again today, I found myself running around at school, working diligently to get everything done that was necessary before the close of the school day today. I even made time to go and vote because I believe it is an important part of our rights as American citizens. Now that I’m in my home and ready to have a few minutes to myself, I find it difficult to pick up my book.

One of the largest problems facing young adult readers today is time. So many of my students have told me that “they would read much more if they had the time.” One of the things I enjoy most about the summer is how many books I get to read in my three months of sunshine and relaxation. Secondary students and college kids have extremely busy lives, and many of them have trouble finding time for reading. I agree with this in part because this time in your life should be about life experiences and taking opportunities to get out in the world and do great things. That being said, I do believe that literacy is the key to success. Everything is somewhat easier if you are able to read well, even areas such as music, business, and mathematics. In fact, I would say that my best abstract thinkers in my math classes tend to be avid readers.

So where to teenagers find the time? In high school, reading was a thing of my past. I only read for pleasure in the summertime. When I was in college, I would read for pleasure when I was taking a break from studying. It kept my brain going but allowed me a mental break from the difficult nature of college text. I also used reading as a reward when I had achieved something I was proud of. Others viewed a good book to be something that was kept for a gloomy day when being inside was necessary.

So if you are between 15-25, what’s your opinion? When do you read? How do you find the time in a world with so many great opportunities and hectic schedules?

-KB Smith

Welcome!!!!

I just wanted to put out a post to say welcome to the blog! I am just getting started and first would like to know if anyone out there has any good books that they are reading that they would recommend to a young adult. Thanks for stopping by!

-KB Smith