Title: Girl, StolenAuthor: April Henry
Why'd I pick it? Another book about a teenage girl who is blind, kinda my theme for this month
Characters:
Main: Cheyenne Wilder, Griffin
Kidnappers: Roy, TJ, Jimbo
Story:
Cheyenne has been blind fro 3 years and has now been struck with pneumonia. While sleeping in the car her step-mom stops in to fill her prescription. Meanwhile Griffin seeing an easy oppertunity and unable to resist hops in the car with the keys in the ignition without notice Cheyenne lying down under a blanket in the back seat. Now finding out about her changes all his plans. But the fact that she would have no way to ID him is an upside. He decides to bring her back to his father's "chop-shop" and dump her somewhere during the night. When an amber alert is released from her father who happens to be the President of Nike, Griffin's family gets some ideas. They decide to keep her for ransom for a million dollars. Griffin just about the same age as Cheyenne begins to bond with her and protect her from his dad and some creepy friends. But all Cheyenne is thinking about, is if she will be able to escape with her life.
Reaction/Review:
I really liked this book for so many reasons. It was told in alternating chapters between Cheyenne's and Griffin's point of view. I also recognized some key components of being blind in her point of view similar to my last book "Blindsided". Every month or so I have these themes of books I like, and this month reading in the point of view of someone who cannot see is incredibly interesting not to mention "eye-opening". Cheyenne is a tough girl and can fight for herself and Griffin maybe have some bad influences but has a good heart. We get to read about the bond that forms between them even if it is between kidnapper and victim. Great book and adventure keeping me reading on.
- 5 STARS -
Title: The Replacement
Author: Brenna Yovanoff
Why'd I pick it? Very creepy cover, and interesting summary
Characters:
Main: Mackie Doyle, Emma Doyle (sister)
Friends: Roswell, Drew,Danny , Alice, Tate, Jenna
Story:
Title: Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters
Author: Natalie StandifordWhy'd I pick it? Really just the first book I saw on the shelf, and I was in too much a rush to look through the others.
Characters: Sullivan Family:
Adults "Almighty Lou" Arden Louisa Norris Sullivan Weems Maguire Hightower Beckendorf (Grandmother) Ginger (Mom) Daddy-O (Dad) Miss Maura (Housekeeper)
Children: St. John (21) Sully (~19) Norrie (17) Jane (16) Sassy (15) Takey (6)
Norrie's Characters: Claire (Friend) Brooks (Date) "Robbie" Robinson Pepper (25) (Boyfriend)
Jane's Characters: Bridget (Friend) Bibi D'Alessandro (Bully)
Sassy's Characters: Lula (Friend) Cassandra (Tudoring)
Story:
The Sullivan family is not wealthy on their own but their name comes with lots of baggage. Almighty Lou is the grandmother to all the sullivan children but take special prospect on the three girls, Norrie, Jane and Sassy. On Christmas Day, Almighty announces that she feels disrespected and will cut off the entire family from her money leaving them bankrupt. She requests that only a written apology from the person who hurt her will change her mind. The girls each start their own apology to Almighty going through stories of love, betrayal, and sisterhood.
Reaction/Review
The story is cut into the parts each narrated by a different girl and her story. Norrie the oldest tells her story of finding love in the wrong place and choosing her heart, even if it may upset her family. Jane is the rebellious child who creates a blog spilling all her familiy's secrets, but most her grandmothers. The last story told by Sassy was mysterious and surprising with her own secrets and guilt. Overall every story brought its own excitement and joy, overlapping in different views and personality. I was very anxious to recieve the news from almighty who was the one culprit what the verdict would turn out.
- 4 STARS -
Author: Priscilla Cummings
Why'd I pick it? Very interesting appeal, and description.
Characters:
Main Natalie O'Reilly
Friends Meredith, Bree, Serena, Eve, Sheldon, JJ, Arnab, Jake
Teachers Miss. Karen, Miss Audra, Professor Brodsky
Story:
Natalie's vision has become worse and smaller since she was 8 years old. When her vision is close to decreasing she enrolls into a school for the blind. Natalie at first is reluctant to learn braille or use her cane. She does not want to admit that one day she would be 100% blind. With the help from friends and understanding teachers she learns respect and the skills for living in the world without sight.
Reaction/Review
I thought this was beautifully written story. The author dedicates the book to the actual blind teens she developed this story from. Mostly this book made me realize all the hurdles blind people have to deal with in daily life, from money to just walking to the mall and the risk of being attacked by some unseen creep. Not only that but this author put us in Natalie's shoes when struggling to learn an entire new language of braille. She includes the braille alphabet and some tips of learning. I enjoy books that leave you with a message and something to take from the story. I am now pursuing to learn a bit braille myself and understand the lives of anyone without sight in this world.
- 5 STARS -
