Shannan's Review of "One Thousand White Women"

I just finished another recommended book by Kaitlyn's teacher called "One Thousand White Women" by Jim Fergus. This book is a fictional story about a government project in the 1800s that begins when the Cheyenne Indians request 1000 white women to become their brides in order for the Indians to be able to integrate themselves into the white world. The government agrees and finds women from prisons and mental institutions who will volunteer for this program and in return gain their freedom. It is written in a journal entry format by May Dodd, who has been institutionalized for being promiscuous. She is not insane, only immoral, and so she signs up for the program believing that after the promised two years, she will be free to go back to normal life.

It is an interesting idea for a story. I did like the book, although there were a couple of sex scenes that were a little much. I would give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Shannan's Review of "The Lovely Bones"

So, this is our book for book club this month. I think they picked it mostly because the movie is coming out in a couple of weeks. I didn't really care for this book. The first chapter is disturbing. The main character of the book is raped and murdered in it, although there isn't a ton of details, you do get the picture. And then the rest of the book is told from her perspective in heaven. It deals with her in heaven a little, but mostly is about how she views her friends and family dealing with their lives after what has happened to her.

I didn't feel like the girls really had anything to do with her family, other than just watch them. She didn't really help them cope. And I felt like there were too many story lines that were ended abruptly. I didn't feel closure to a lot of them, I guess is what I am trying to say.

The girl does get a chance to be in a body again on earth, kind of like in the movie ghost, and she uses that chance to get it on with her first crush, instead of be with her family. I didn't really like that either. It was an okay story, but not great. I give it 2/5 stars.

Shannan's Review of "The Help"

This book was written by Kathryn Stockett, and was also recommended to me by Kaitlyn's school teacher. This is set in Mississippi in the 1960s, and is told from the perspective of three women, two who are black, and one white. I really enjoy stories from this era, so I really liked this book. It gives you a perspective of the relationships between blacks and whites, but also the way those relationships begin to change during this decade. I would recommend it and give it 4 stars.

Recommendations

I am trying to come up with a book to do for book club for my month next year. Does anyone have any suggestions? Have you heard of "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"? I am thinking of that one, unless my friend choses it. What have you liked reading in your book clubs? What do you think about "My Name is Asher Lev" or "The Chosen" for book club?

Also, I heard of this new blog written by a girl who rates the books she reads for sexaul content, violence, and profanity. I checked it out and thought it was pretty cool. It is goodcleanreads.blogspot.com, just in case you might be interested!

Shannan's Review of "Elsewhere" by Gabrielle Zevin

This book was actually recommended to Kaitlyn by her 3rd grade teacher. But I figured I should read it first since I didn't know anything about it. And it really isn't quite appropriate for a 9 year old. There are a few swear words, not a ton, but still, I don't really want Kaitlyn reading those quite yet. And a couple of sex references. We haven't talked about that yet with her, so I didn't want it introduced to her by a book.

That being said, I didn't mind this book. The story is about a girl who has died and her journey after her death in Elsewhere, the place where you live after you die. It was an interesting idea about what happens after death, even though I didn't agree with some of the author's ideas. One I did like is that death is not the end of our life, just a part of it.

While this book was okay, I wasn't super into it and never really felt connected with the characters. I would suggest it if you just want a quick light read, but I wouldn't suggest running out and getting it right away. 2.5 stars

Adrienne's review of "The Scarlet Pimpernel"

After Jeff and I saw the play I really wanted to read the original book. It was a pretty easy read and one that I quickly got into. (Sometimes a concern for me with the "classics".) The book starts off at about halfway through the movie, with Marguerite and Percy already married and estranged from each other and you find out why as you read the book. It has a different story line and ending than the movie and the play. It is just the first in a series of books that Baroness Orczy wrote about The Scarlet Pimpernel and think that they might have mixed parts of different books together for the play and movie. I would give it 3.5 stars.

The Blue Sword

Yay, I finished the book this time! For some reason, it took me a while to get through the first part of this book again, even though I enjoyed the story. The ending went much quicker and I really liked it. I agree with Adrienne, that I love the main character of this story, Harry. I also loved reading this book just because I knew it was one of Adrienne's favorites. I would give it 4 stars. But take in mind that it is written by Robin McKinley, and her writing takes a little getting used to. (I am excited to read The Hero and the Crown now!)