Omololu, C.J. Dirty Little Secrets
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2010 212p 16.99
978-0-8027-8660-9 ms/hs VG-BN
Lucy’s secret is that her mother is a hoarder and the inside of their house looks and smells like a dump. The plot revolves around how Lucy keeps this from her friends and the rest of the world. Two more years until she graduates from high school and can leave the dirty secret. Lucy’s secret is that her mother is a hoarder and the inside of their house looks and smells like a dump. Because no repairmen will enter the house, there is no longer any heat or hot water. Lucy has been able to keep this secret from her neighbors, friends and the rest of the world as well, but it has taken a toll on her self-esteem and on her social life. Her older brother and sister have escaped the problem by moving out. Luckily, Lucy has a best friend whose house she stays at often and is starting to develop a romantic relationship as well. However, one day, when Lucy arrives home, she finds that her mother has died from an asthma attack because she couldn’t reach or find her inhaler in all the mess. Lucy doesn’t want anyone to know her mother has died, because that means that people will see the house and the way they lived, that her personal life will become sensationalized, and that she and her “dirty secret” will be exposed. The story takes place over a few days and the reader will keep the pages turning to find out how Lucy resolves her problem. The issue of hoarding is a topic that is currently a part of reality t.v. and the author has written an understanding novel about how this issue affects the children of hoarders. This book would be a very good title for middle and high school libraries; there are not many YA titles about this issue at this time. The issue of hoarding is a topic that is currently a part of reality t.v. and the author has written an understanding novel about how this issue affects the children of hoarders. This book would be a very good title for middle and high school libraries; there are not many YA titles about this issue at this time. Weinraub(2), Tina
Showing posts with label family problems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family problems. Show all posts
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Lynch, Janet Nichols. Messed Up.
Lynch, Janet Nichols. Messed Up.
Holiday House 2009 256p 17.95 978-0-8234-2185-5 ms/hs
During the year 15 year old Mexican American, R. D., has to repeat 8th grade, his grandmother leaves him in the sole support of her boyfriend. When he dies, R. D. has to find the skills necessary to navigate his world on his own. When 15 year old Mexican American R. D.’s grandmother leaves to be with her new boyfriend, he stays with her old boyfriend Earl. His mother is in prison for drug dealing and his father, who was only 13 at his conception has been out of R. D.’s life since he was a baby. R. D is repeating 8th grade, gets suspended frequently, but is basically a good kid. When Earl dies suddenly, R. D. is left to live on his own and tries to keep it a secret so he won’t be sent to a foster home. He stays in the house and attempts to garner the skills necessary such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and bill paying. He also attempts to keep Earl’s auto repair business going. R. D. is in a special class at school, endeavors to avoid Latino gang violence, and is trying to evade the advances of a tough girl who wants to be his girl at any cost. His realization that he does have the ability to succeed changes his perception on life. The characters are well developed and ring true; Lynch has a good grasp of what conditions can be for some teens. The situations that R. D. finds himself in are often at the same time humorous and sad. This title is well-written and will hold the interest of high school males (as well as some females). This would be an excellent selection for high school libraries looking for books that are of high interest to male readers. Recommended for Tristate Books of Note. Tina Weinraub
Holiday House 2009 256p 17.95 978-0-8234-2185-5 ms/hs
During the year 15 year old Mexican American, R. D., has to repeat 8th grade, his grandmother leaves him in the sole support of her boyfriend. When he dies, R. D. has to find the skills necessary to navigate his world on his own. When 15 year old Mexican American R. D.’s grandmother leaves to be with her new boyfriend, he stays with her old boyfriend Earl. His mother is in prison for drug dealing and his father, who was only 13 at his conception has been out of R. D.’s life since he was a baby. R. D is repeating 8th grade, gets suspended frequently, but is basically a good kid. When Earl dies suddenly, R. D. is left to live on his own and tries to keep it a secret so he won’t be sent to a foster home. He stays in the house and attempts to garner the skills necessary such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and bill paying. He also attempts to keep Earl’s auto repair business going. R. D. is in a special class at school, endeavors to avoid Latino gang violence, and is trying to evade the advances of a tough girl who wants to be his girl at any cost. His realization that he does have the ability to succeed changes his perception on life. The characters are well developed and ring true; Lynch has a good grasp of what conditions can be for some teens. The situations that R. D. finds himself in are often at the same time humorous and sad. This title is well-written and will hold the interest of high school males (as well as some females). This would be an excellent selection for high school libraries looking for books that are of high interest to male readers. Recommended for Tristate Books of Note. Tina Weinraub
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Elkeles, Simone Perfect Chemistry
Walker & Co 2009 360p 9.99 9780802798220 hs
Alex Fuentes is a gang member. Brittany Ellis is a blonde cheerleader from a wealthy family. Two teenagers from different worlds are about to collide and crossover boundaries into an unknown destiny of love and discovery. What transpires is a perfect chemistry that will have everyone questioning their values, feelings and reevaluating of their lives. A must read! Brittany appears to be the perfect golden girl head cheerleader, blonde wind blown hair, blue eyes, good grades and dating the captain of the football team. What no one knows is that Brittany leads a secret life full of family problems and is dealing with the care of a beloved sister that suffers from cerebral palsy.
Alejandro “Alex” fuentes is a gang member, owns a motorcycle, and acts like he is the man to be feared on campus. The truth; Alex fears for his two younger brothers and is hoping to be able to keep them from joining the gang. He is going to make sure they have a future even if it means he will have to sacrifice himself.
Then comes the day when school starts and in chemistry class the perfect girl has to sit next to the “mean” gang member. Mrs. Peterson the chemistry teacher is a teacher to be reckoned with and what she says goes. The project should have been simple but life is not simple and love is fickle. When Brittany and Alex sit next to each other and must interact with each other sparks always fly. But are these sparks the beginning of something else. The crossover is not easy and leaving the gang is not like getting out of a club. The choices these two teens face is full of questions, uncertainties, strange friendships, violence and even death.
Teens will love this book!!! MD
Walker & Co 2009 360p 9.99 9780802798220 hs
Alex Fuentes is a gang member. Brittany Ellis is a blonde cheerleader from a wealthy family. Two teenagers from different worlds are about to collide and crossover boundaries into an unknown destiny of love and discovery. What transpires is a perfect chemistry that will have everyone questioning their values, feelings and reevaluating of their lives. A must read! Brittany appears to be the perfect golden girl head cheerleader, blonde wind blown hair, blue eyes, good grades and dating the captain of the football team. What no one knows is that Brittany leads a secret life full of family problems and is dealing with the care of a beloved sister that suffers from cerebral palsy.
Alejandro “Alex” fuentes is a gang member, owns a motorcycle, and acts like he is the man to be feared on campus. The truth; Alex fears for his two younger brothers and is hoping to be able to keep them from joining the gang. He is going to make sure they have a future even if it means he will have to sacrifice himself.
Then comes the day when school starts and in chemistry class the perfect girl has to sit next to the “mean” gang member. Mrs. Peterson the chemistry teacher is a teacher to be reckoned with and what she says goes. The project should have been simple but life is not simple and love is fickle. When Brittany and Alex sit next to each other and must interact with each other sparks always fly. But are these sparks the beginning of something else. The crossover is not easy and leaving the gang is not like getting out of a club. The choices these two teens face is full of questions, uncertainties, strange friendships, violence and even death.
Teens will love this book!!! MD
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