Thursday, November 16, 2017

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

One of the first scenes in the book is of the author, Jeannette, at 3 years old standing at the stove cooking her own hot dogs. It seems preposterous that a 3 year old would decide to pull a chair over to the stove and start making her own dinner, but I guess if you are hungry and you know no one else is going to cook for you, you figure out how to do it on your own... then her tutu catches fire and she has to be rushed to the hospital to be treated for severe burns.

This is the first time of many that Jeannette's parents fail to adequately take care of her and her three siblings, leading to a lifetime of neglect, hunger, and injuries. At first Jeannette views their carefree lifestyle as a series of adventures with her larger-than-life dad who is always dreaming up the next big plan or scheme and her artistic mother. As the children grow older it becomes more apparent that, as her father's drinking increases and their mother's depression worsens, they will have to fend for themselves. The author doesn't flinch from describing living in squalid conditions in homes with ceilings caving in, no indoor plumbing, and no way to keep the house warm in winter. Although this could have been just a story of the author whining about her life, she does try to balance the difficulties with her love for her parents, particularly her father, and her eventual disillusionment and anger. A deeply moving story of two parents who choose to live life in an unconventional way and four siblings who scrape and scrounge to survive it and eventually break free.

Book Club is reading this for the 2017-2018 school year.


Available in both ebook and audiobook format @https://www.sdcl.org/



A Read-A-Like for this book would be Will You Love Me? by Cathy Glass

This story is written from the author's perspective as well, however, it differs in that she is the adult in the story describing the child's life before coming to live with her and then while under Cathy's care. While similar in theme, as the children in both The Glass Castle and Will You Love Me? suffer from neglect, the stories are different in style and situation. The author, Cathy, writes more in the style of a report than a story, yet she doesn't fail to capture the reader's interest and quickly taps into our sense of compassion for her young charges; in this case, little Lucy, who has never truly been cared for by anyone. Although Lucy came on to the radar of England's Social Services at the young age of six months, she feel through the cracks repeatedly. She was in and out of living situations with her mother, who seemed to suffer from depression and a general inability to take care of herself, let alone her daughter; then a stepfather and his rotating girlfriends; and different foster family situations with varying degrees of care. At first we see that lonely little Lucy, terrified of strangers due to early bad experiences of living life on the streets and various crash pads with her mother, is open to affection and care. After years of being shuffled around and feeling like no one cares and no situation is permanent she becomes more angry and sullen. As you read the story, your heart just breaks for Lucy as you realize all of the times her life could have gone differently if someone would have just stepped in.


Available in ebook format @https://www.sdcl.org/

If this story appeals to you, the MMHS Library has several other stories about children Cathy Glass has fostered over her long career as a professional carer (in England foster parents are called carers).


ebook @ SDCL.org



Thursday, November 2, 2017

Last Night I Sang to the Monster by Benjamin Saenz

Absolutely heartbreaking... but full of hope. A story of addiction, loss, and survival.


Available in ebook format @https://www.sdcl.org/

This Is Not A Love Letter by Kim Purcell

ALL THE FEELS (as my students would say)! I sobbed through the last 1/4 of this book and stayed up too late finishing it- it was that engrossing. I will be buying it for my high school library as soon as it comes out because my kids will love it. This is a book about friendships & relationships & all of the things we keep from each other. I can't say more or it will ruin the mystery of the book. This story is an emotional roller coaster ride, lovely & sad & searching & heartfelt.

Monday, August 28, 2017

History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

An absolute tearjerker. Adam Silvera is really good at building complex characters. This story is about relationships; friendships, parents & children, first love, and ultimately about dealing with the breakdown or loss of those relationships. I like the way the story is told in two alternating timelines, the days before, leading up to Theo's death (not a spoiler, you know from the book jacket that he is going to die), and then the days after, starting with a few days after his death.
The style of storytelling really draws you in to the main character, Griffin, as everything is told from the way he sees it, almost like a diary. He is "talking" to Theo  and telling him their story and the events as they unfold afterward. We only know what happens or how other people feel and act through the lens of Griffin's experience.
I also liked the way the story deals with Griffin's OCD. Since we are in his head a lot we can really see the thought processes behind the compulsions. At times I cringed or had to put the book down and walk away for awhile because I couldn't watch Griffin make another mistake or because my heart was breaking too much for him and I needed a break.  I have a tendency to overly empathize with characters :-)

Definitely worth the read. YA novel & LGBT friendly.


Available in ebook format @https://www.sdcl.org/

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

We Never Asked for Wings by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

Such a great book about the struggle of undocumented immigrants, family, and grit. I often hear that grit is the quality missing from teenagers in this generation, but Letty, Alex and several other characters really personify that quality- each in different ways. I loved the way Letty grew as a woman and a mother throughout the story and the way she examined her history and the problems and benefits of living in a multi-generational household.
Interested? Check it out at the MMHS Library :-)

Available in both ebook and audiobook format @https://www.sdcl.org/

Jane Unlimited by Kristin Cashore

I'm not sure how to review this book without giving away too much. I will say that I was already completely drawn in by the story and felt pretty satisfied with it as a light, fun read when it seemed like everything was tied up in a neat little package. Except I knew the book wasn't over yet because I was only 30% done, so what else could possibly happen?? I can't tell you without the book being no fun. I will say that I was immediately drawn to the very likable, quirky main character, Jane. The exploration of all of the characters and their relationships was well written, interesting, and definitely drew me in. As I kept reading the story the timeline became more complex and thought provoking. I actually stood at the kitchen counter reading last night when my tablet died and I had to be near an outlet for it to charge so I could keep reading :-)

UPDATE: I read this book as an Early Reader's Edition. It will be available in the MMHS Library later this school year (2017-2018).


Available in both ebook and audiobook format @https://www.sdcl.org/

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Annexed by Sharon Dogar

A fictionalized Anne Frank story:

A new twist on the story of the Franks and Van Pels, this time told through Peter's viewpoint. While much was documented by Anne in her diary, the author can only speculate about how Peter felt. Sharon Dogar does a brilliant job of bringing Peter's voice to life. His thoughts and feelings seem to fit in well with what we already know from Anne's POV. 
I actually read this with my high school students in our Book Club and am eager to hear what they have to say at our next meeting. I would definitely recommend this book to other high school libraries.

UPDATE: As I hoped, my students really enjoyed this book & many also read Anne Frank's diary (The Diary of a Young Girl) so we were able to discuss & compare the books. Interest in this topic also led to a field trip to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles- a very powerful day. If you have the ability to go there I highly recommend it. 

UPDATE APRIL 2020: This book is also available in ebook format through the GUHSD Destiny catalog. 


To access Destiny go to: 
  • MMHS Library webpage  
  • Click on Library Catalog  
  • Choose Mt. Miguel from the list of schools
  • Click "Log In" from the top right hand corner 
  • Choose the option to "sign in with Google"  that will let you sign in with your school Google account and should just pop up if you are already on your chromebook (signed in as you). 
  • Now search the catalog for the title of the book that you want

Need help? email Ms. Wilson awilson@guhsd.net


Bang by Barry Lyga

This is such an emotionally raw story and I was immediately drawn to Sebastian, the main character. As a four year old child he was the main perpetrator of a horrible accident that left his family broken and devastated. All of his life he has lived with his guilt and sadness. We enter his life as his emotions and actions spin out of control. The relationships and people feel very real and are not at all contrived. This book deals with some heavy subject matter but it isn't sad all of the time. There are moments of lightness and joy to offset, or even highlight, Sebastian's sadness and heartbreak. A very moving story. I am glad I was at home while reading the last few chapters, as there were definitely some tears shed.

UPDATE: I'm thinking of introducing this one for Book Club this year (2017-2018). It is so powerful and there are some good themes and social issues to discuss.

UPDATE APRIL 2020: This book is not yet available in the San Diego County Library's digital catalog- I did make a request for them to purchase it. Check back for updates on that.

The book IS available through Open Ebooks. Here is a link to it in the catalog. Unsure of how to access these books? Here is more info on Open Ebooks.

The MMHS Library also has this book available in audiobook format through our catalog, Destiny. You can listen to it right from your Chromebook.

To access Destiny go to: 

  • MMHS Library webpage  
  • Click on Library Catalog  
  • Choose Mt. Miguel from the list of schools
  • Click "Log In" from the top right hand corner 
  • Choose the option to "sign in with Google"  that will let you sign in with your school Google account and should just pop up if you are already on your chromebook (signed in as you). 
  • Now search the catalog for the title of the book that you want
Need help? email Ms. Wilson awilson@guhsd.net

Monday, August 21, 2017

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

Original short review posted to NetGalley in July 2015:


Available in both ebook and
audiobook format

I just finished More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera. I will definitely be buying this for my high school library this fall. I am such a crybaby that I sobbed through the whole second half of this book due to the heartbreak the main character goes through trying to understand and accept himself. The author does a supreme job of describing the setting and Aaron's life- and an even better job as he details events as Aaron's life starts to spin out of control. I am thinking of using this with my high school book club students. I think there are so many excellent themes waiting to be addressed within.

UPDATE: 2017
We did indeed use this as a Book Club read in 2016 and my students LOVED it! LGBT friendly story. This was his debut novel (he has since published 2 more). A few of my students and I got to meet him and get books signed at YALLWEST in 2016. 
Four of my students with Adam Silvera @YALLWEST 2016. The bird is supposed to represent Hedwig from a Harry Potter panel that Adam participated in earlier that day. 

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

I love Sarah Dessen's books and this one did not disappoint. Dessen writes realistic YA fiction that usually focuses on problems in a family. Many of my students love these books because they can see themselves &/or their families reflected in these stories. Even if what they are going through isn't the same thing, they feel less alone realizing that everyone has something they are dealing with. 

In this particular story the main character, Sydney, a junior in high school, looks like she has everything from the outside; her own gorgeous car, all of the new clothes she could want, a big house , & a lot of free time to do what she wants after school (unlike her highly scheduled friends). But in reality she is incredibly lonely & most afternoons, after dutifully finishing her homework, she watches reality t.v. to fill the hours until dinner time, when she can usually expect to see her parents. But often even those mealtimes are tense, interrupted, cancelled or delayed. Sydney's parents seem like good & involved parents. They just aren't involved with her life. Her family has revolved around her older brother & his struggles with addiction & brushes with the law, periods of rehab & recovery, & his eventual screw up so big that it lands him in prison. 

Tired of everyone knowing about her brother & prejudging her based on his mistakes, Sydney decides not to return to the private school she has attended since kindergarten for her junior year. Instead she decides to attend the local public school where she makes new friends & eventually learns to see herself for herself, not just as a reflection of her brother. She also widens her social circle & thus broadens her experiences. 

I loved this touching story, Sydney's earnestness, & desire to be her own person. The family dynamics are realistic. A family member with problems often swallows up all of the resources, energy & attention, leaving not much left for the rest of the family. My heart hurt for Sydney & how alone & invisible she felt until she became friends with the Chatham family. This quirky, loving family has struggles of their own, of course, but they open their arms & hearts wide to Sydney & give her the love, support, & friendship she has been searching for. 

I was fortunate enough to win an audiobook copy of this book at YALLWEST last spring & finally had the time to listen to it. I enjoyed the reader & once I started the story I carted the CDs into the car to listen to while driving to work & back into the house to finish them. It was that engrossing of a story. I immediately lent the book to my daughter, a long time Sarah Dessen reader.


Available in both ebook and audiobook format @https://www.sdcl.org/

Sunday, August 20, 2017

The Waking Land by Callie Bates


This was a delightful read! A true fantasy with warring kingdoms & old magick. The beginning storyline initially reminded me a bit of Scottish history, with the land of Caeris ruled by a conquering foreign king, stripped of their customs and old forms of government. A "Pretender King" waits in the wings, ensconced in another country waiting for a revolution to allow him to come home and rule in a country he never stepped foot in before. Then there are the elements of magick that remind me of Irish mythology. The characters are lovable, the descriptions rich, and the action well-paced. I found myself staying up too late to read and I powered through the last few chapters this afternoon, unwilling to stop for anything but food :-) One of the things I like best is that the book had a satisfying ending, not some crummy cliff-hanger like many books have that you know will be part of a series. That isn't to say that it isn't obvious that there will be future conflict for book two, just that the author gave us a brief respite, something to feel satisfied about, before throwing us (& the characters) back into battle.
I got this ARC at YALLWEST back in May and I wish I would have read it sooner! The good news is that this is supposed to be a trilogy so I will have two more books in the series to look forward to. I know my die-hard fantasy readers will love this one & I plan to buy it for my high school library.

UPDATE April 2020: Fantasy readers are loving this series. Books 2 & 3 have also been published and the whole trilogy is available at the MMHS Library :-)


Available in both ebook and audiobook format @https://www.sdcl.org/

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

I got this ARC from NetGalley and I am really glad that I got the opportunity to read this book.

This is definitely a YA story and it starts off with a lot of the things you would expect from a YA book, high school life, best friends, crushes on boys, feeling socially awkward... typical high school life. But as the story unfolds you realize that the culture at this high school is a little bit off. So off that the main character, good girl, study hard, keep-her-head-down-and-stay-out-of-trouble Vivian is moved to action. This is a story about girl power. Maybe spelled GRRRL POWER :-) With throw back references to the era of Riot Grrrls and Zines, Vivian decides to fight back against the sexist and misogynist culture at her high school, anonymously. But her actions help break the cycle and the silence, enabling other girls to join in and give voice to all of the things that are wrong that are happening in this school. 
This is a book about feminism and equality. 
I loved how the author tackled this word through one of the characters who voiced her reluctance to use that term. She preferred equality or humanism, both good words, but they don't quite define a movement about women, do they? The word feminism has been high-jacked and turned into a term that describes man haters, feminazis, and other unsavory descriptions. That word has become so socially and politically loaded that many hesitate to use it. Feminism is simply about the balance of power; ensuring social, political, and ideological equality for women. I love that this book is helping the younger generation to take that word back. I especially loved that the author included young women of color to the brave "Moxie" girls movement as this group have been historically marginalized in the feminist movement and it is past time for that to be overtly changed. 
The pacing in the story was good, good enough that it kept me reading all day instead of doing the millions of things I was supposed to do today :-) There was enough of a balance of the home and social lives of the characters to give the story meat and not just be a story about organizing for social change. I also loved how the author let the characters make small statements, things that really were both brave and simple enough for high school girls to manage. It felt authentic. I can't wait to hear if my high schoolers think it feels authentic too. I will be purchasing this for my library. 
Moxie girls fight back! xoxo

UPDATE: My students will be reading this one this year for BOOK CLUB. I will comment more when I hear their reactions.


Available in ebook format @https://www.sdcl.org/