The Rock and the River (YA) (4.5/5)

The Rock and the River (YA) (4.5/5)

This book details the civil rights movement and the Black Panthers. Sam and Stick are two brothers whose father is involved with Dr. Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement. Stick, the older brother, becomes involved with the Black Panthers. This book shows the horror that African Americans faced during this time period and how desperate people were to make a difference. Good boy book especially.

Skin Deep (YA) (5/5)

Skin Deep (YA) (5/5)

Andrea Anderson is a HS student who doesn't really fit in. She is hired to walk a neighbor's dog while the neighbor is in the hospital. She meets Zena, a Saint Bernard, and feels a connection. When the neighbor gets out of the hospital, Andrea and she form a close friendship. Andrea begins to connect more with people including Ashley, a popular classmate, and Dennis, her mom's boyfriend. Good realistic fiction, especially for HS girls.

The Help (5/5)

The Help (5/5)

I can see why this book has gotten rave reviews. It is powerful, even though sometimes it is difficult to read. Why do people hate other people based on the color of their skin? That question can still be asked today. In this book, the high society white ladies of Jackson, Mississippi treat their help like lesser beings. One lady, Miss Skeeter, decides to write a collection of the stories from the colored help. This is risky for all involved. But man does it create a reaction when it is published. Readers will root for Miss Skeeter, Aibleen and Minny to get out of this unscathed. A great read. Good writing style. I would highly recommend it.

Soldier's Secret (YA) (5/5)

Soldier's Secret

This book tells the true story of Deborah Sampson, a woman who disguises herself as a man in order to fight in the Revoluntionary War. Deborah is a true heroine and this book is a good, quick read. I found it interesting to learn how a woman was able to disguise herself and how some men who discovered her identity reacted. MS and HS boys and girls would like this book.

Wide eyed Maggie

Maggie looks wide eyed in this picture. She had been sleeping on the kitty condo and probably didn't appreciate me taking her picture.

Purple Heart (YA) (5/5)

Purple Heart (YA) (5/5)

Matt is in Iraq fighting the war. He gets injured and can't really remember the circumstances of when he was injured. He heads back to his unit and gets back in the thick of battle again. This book shows the effects, physical and mental, of war on people. Some swearing, some violence but a powerful book for HS boys and girls. Good read.

Little Audrey (YA) (4.5/5)

Little Audrey (4.5/5) (YA)

This is a memoir of sorts about growing up in a coal mine town. Audrey is the oldest of 4 girls, 5 if you count her sister who died a few months ago. Dad has a drinking issue; Mom is still dealing with her daughter's death. Sounds dreary but there is humor in this book. I especially liked Audrey's friend Virgil and his monkey obsession. A good, quick read.