A Guy, a Girl, and a Teen Book Blog: February 2015

Saturday, February 28, 2015

March: Book Two by John Lewis

Title: March: Book Two
Author: John Lewis (with Andrew Aydin) & illustrated by Nate Powell
Pages: 160
Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
ISBN: 9781603094009
Publication Date: January 27, 2015
AR Levels: TBA
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22487952-march

In a nutshell: Picking up where book one left off, book two follows John Lewis' work as a Freedom Rider and as an organizer of the March on Washington during the Civil Rights Movement.

I'd recommend it to grades: 9 and up

I'd recommend it to: teachers for Black History Month reading lists, fans of biographies, and budding activists

What I liked most about this book: This second installment of the graphic memoir trilogy took the series to a whole new level. The way Lewis' presence at Obama's inauguration is weaved into his memories of his work with SNCC on the Freedom Rides and the March on Washington is pure genius. Some of the single panel artwork nearly broke my heart it was so gripping, particularly a darkly sinister one of a group of Klansmen. I was so moved by this book, and it taught me more about the Civil Rights Movement than anything else ever has. Lewis' insight into the behind-the-scenes workings of the movement is fascinating. This is the perfect format for this true story, and I can't wait for book three.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): There's another single panel that made me tear up. During a protest, a police officer asks a small African-American girl what it is that she wants, and she simply and innocently replies, "f'eedom." It's a quiet yet powerful moment that perfectly sums up the book's themes and tone.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Gone Crazy in Alabama by Rita Williams-Garcia

Title: Gone Crazy in Alabama
Author: Rita Williams-Garcia
Pages: 304
Publisher: Amistad
ISBN: 9780062215901
Publication Date: April 21, 2015*
AR Levels: TBA
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22836574-gone-crazy-in-alabama

In a nutshell: In this final installment of the trilogy, the Gaither sisters travel south to visit their daddy's family in Alabama, and, as per usual, hijinks ensue. Join Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern one last time as they learn all about milking cows, stir up a decades-long feud between sisters, discover family secrets, and more.

I'd recommend it to grades: 5th to 8th

I'd recommend it to: teachers looking for a great Black History Month read-aloud, those who like comedy and family drama, and anyone with a sister

What I liked most about this book: I have loved this sassy trio of sisters from the first pages of One Crazy Summer, and this third book did not disappoint. Set in the South in the summer of 1969, it tackles historically significant topics such as the Apollo 11 moon landing, the Ku Klux Klan, the relationship between African Americans and Native Americans, and more...all with equal doses of gravity and comedy. This heartfelt and laugh-out-loud funny finale is sure to satisfy fans of the first two books and find new fans as well. I'm surely going to miss the Gaither sisters. Surely am! ;)

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): The Southern-isms in this one are dead on. My favorite one is how Delphine describes how Southern goodbyes go on forever and ever with plenty of hugs. So true.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars, yes ma'am

*I read a digital ARC of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss.

Friday, February 6, 2015

How I Discovered Poetry by Marilyn Nelson

Title: How I Discovered Poetry
Author: Marilyn Nelson
Pages: 112
Publisher: Dial
ISBN: 9780803733046
Publication Date: January 14, 2014
AR Levels: Book Level - 5.2, Interest Level - 4th to 8th grades, Points: 1.0
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18079805-how-i-discovered-poetry

In a nutshell: Join young Marilyn Nelson's journey from air base to air base as she and her African-American family experience the blessings of home, family, friendship, and art and the struggles of being a family on the move in a country that wasn't always welcoming. This memoir told in verse recently won the Coretta Scott King Author Honor.

I'd recommend it to grades: 4th to 8th

I'd recommend it to: fans of historical fiction, poetry, and biography and teachers and students looking for an excellent Black History Month read

What I liked most about this book: As an African-American woman who grew up in the 1950's on various Air Force bases across the country, Marilyn Nelson has a unique perspective on what it was like to be an African American during that hostile era. This memoir written entirely in verse is told in a child's voice that is equally full of wonder, innocence, wisdom, and fear. Kids, teens, and adults alike will connect with this heartfelt book of poetry. It's a great read for Black History Month.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): Early on in the book, Marilyn attends church and mishears a sermon on the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, thinking that Lot and his wife have a pet "flea" instead of how they had to "flee." Her imagination then runs away with ideas of giant pet fleas big enough to ride. It sets the tone for a character who's funny and charming and sure to steal your heart as poetry helps her find her voice.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars

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About Us

Chris Belser is a former middle school counselor and middle school English teacher who is currently working on his PhD in Counselor Education in Orlando, FL. When he's not saving the world, taking a well-deserved nap, or speaking at a conference (let's be honest--that's probably where he is), he enjoys sprawling out with a good book, playing a mean keyboard, or watching whatever LSU sporting event is in season. Like his compadre Stefanie, he enjoys all things quirky and nerdy. This is his first foray into the world of blogging.

Stefanie Kellum is a youth services librarian in central North Carolina, and her favorite part of her job is connecting teens and tweens with books they'll love. She's a self-confessed nerd (of the Jane Austen, Harry Potter, and Supernatural variety), rescue dog mom, LSU fanatic, and curly-haired Southern Belle. She longs to be a world traveler, but so far her passport has only been stamped in Mexico and Canada...and Narnia.

Chris and Stefanie met at LSU (Geaux Tigers!). They both have weaknesses for puns, sarcasm, and well-written teen books, and they're both nerdfighters. DFTBA.

20 Questions for Chris

1. What male book character did you idolize when you were younger?
That's easy: Tom Sawyer. Like Tom, I grew up playing out in the woods and making up stories about what went on out there. And on top of that, I was always good at tricking people into doing things for me just like how Tom got his fence painted.
2. If you could transport yourself into any book, which one would it be and why?
Harry Potter has a pretty cool world. I guess I'll just have to settle on a trip to Orlando. (Note: In 2014, Chris moved to Orlando.)
3. What was your favorite sports moment that you witnessed as an LSU college student?
Hmm. That's a toss-up between the 2007 Football National Championship in New Orleans and the 2009 Baseball National Championship in Omaha. (I was with my dad for both.)
4. What's your favorite Jane Austen book? (Heh, heh, heh...now the world will know!)
Okay, I'll admit that I've read them ALL, but Sense and Sensibility was my favorite. . . Maybe because Kate Winslet was in the movie.
5. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Peanut butter
6. You're given the opportunity to meet one of the Green brothers. Do you choose Hank or John?
John. I'm sure when I meet him he'll be vlogging to his brother anyway.
7. What's the last book you read that was so good you read it in one sitting?
The Hunger Games
8. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Toooootsie Pop?
Too many; just give me a Tootsie Roll.
9. Would you rather be pranked by Dwight Schrute or Jim Halpert?
Dwight. Jim's pranks are too epic.
10. Multiple choice: If you ever met Justin Bieber would you a. jam with him, b. ask him if you can be his back-up dancer, c. poke him constantly in the arm, or d. ask him how he gets such perfect hair?
E. None of the above
11. Which Harry Potter book is your favorite and why?
HP and the Half-Blood Prince; there's some serious Snape action in this one.
12. It's common knowledge that Severus Snape is by far your favorite character in Potter world. Tell us why, por favor.
He's a very complex and deep character. And the fact that people fear him doesn't hurt either.
13. Okay, just one more Potter question: if you went to Hogwarts, what house would you be in and why?
Well, I would want to be in Gryffindor, but the hat would probably put me in Slytherin.
14. If you could have lunch with any fictional character, whom would you choose and why?
Cyrano de Bergerac for two reasons: 1) his quick wit; 2)French food
15. You and I are both avid travelers. Where's your favorite place you've visited and why?
San Francisco. I mean, in one city you've got the ocean, a bay, a famous prison, a famous bridge, fun hills, cable cars, Chinatown, cool fog, and lots of culture.
16. What made you decide to be a school counselor?
That one can't be explained in a short answer, so I'll just say that I enjoy getting to talk to students one-on-one or in small groups to help them solve problems.
17. Cats or dogs?
Cats
18. Who's your favorite Glee character and why?
Joe (aka Hippie Jesus); I honestly think people with dreadlocks make better music.
19. Name one classic children's/YA book that you've never read.
Slaughterhouse Five; I've just never gotten around to it.
20. Team Edward or Team Buffy-Slays-Edward?
Team Buffy. To quote a superior vampire series, The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: "Vampires, after all, don't sparkle."

20 Questions for Stefanie

1. Who's your favorite character in The Hunger Games series?
Oh, definitely Peeta. He's loyal, he's caring, he can throw around large sacks of flour, and he's quite the awesome make-up artist. Plus, he's determined to not let the crappy circumstances in the world change who he is, and I think that's something we should all aspire to do.

2. If you could have lunch with any fictional character, what would you order to eat?
I'd meet Hermione Granger (my literary twin) for a Butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks.

3. Which celebrity do you have a scrapbook of from your childhood?
You are such a punk for making me answer this because now I have to tell the whole world that I had a Jonathan Taylor Thomas scrapbook. And I also wrote a JTT fan fiction story in which we fell madly in love and got married and then he died from cancer. Yeah. I was a kind of weird kid. :)

4. If you could make a pitch to an author to be a character in his/her next book, which author would you choose?
I think I would probably fit best in a Maureen Johnson book because of my adorkableness.

5. Would you rather be divorced from Mr. Darcy or married to Mr. Willoughby?
Well, divorcing Mr. Darcy would be a cardinal sin no matter the circumstances, so I'll suppose I'll have to marry the dastardly yet dashing Mr. Willoughby and keep a very close watch on his wandering eye.

6. Which pizza topping best describes your personality?
I'd be a pineapple - bright and sweet and longing to be somewhere tropical. ;)

7. Coke or Pepsi?
Um, Coke! What kind of question is that?!

8. If you had to rename your dog, what name would you choose?
To fill in everyone, I have a beagle/basset hound mix named Darcy for Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, my favorite book of all time, but I did almost name him Jack or Sawyer after LOST. Love that show!

9. Which reality show would you like to be on?
Even though I have what I think is a snazzy wardrobe, I really want to go on What Not to Wear and get Stacy and Clinton to make me over!

10. Have you ever been told you look like a celebrity? If so, who?
Again, you are such a punk! I've been told I look like Bette Midler...but also Shirley Temple, Debra Messing, and Keri Russell. I don't really see any of those except for the hair.

11. What is the strangest place you've ever visited?
In the teeny tiny town of Holly Springs, Mississippi, there is a strange and wonderful place known as Graceland Too where Paul McLeod has transformed his entire house into an Elvis museum. I can't really describe it for you other than to say it's full to the brim with memorabilia, it's open 24 hours a day every day of the year, and it's slightly terrifying. You should just go and judge for yourself. I'm a lifetime member now because I'm crazy enough to have been (and survived) four times.

12. Name a book that you've been meaning to read but haven't gotten around to it yet.
The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I wish I had a dollar for every time someone tells me at the library that I should read those.

13. What made you want to be a librarian?
This is hard to summarize too, but I basically wanted to help people, work with kids and teens and tweens, and promote literacy and reading...thus, librarian.

14. Multiple choice: If you were stranded on a deserted island in the middle of the Pacific, which would you rather have? A. Michael Phelps' swimming ability B. Katniss Everdeen's survival instincts C. Captain Jack Sparrow's joie de vivre D. Wilson the volleyball as a companion
E. Katniss Everdeen's survival instincts and actual Captain Jack Sparrow for comic relief and eye candy

15. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?
A part of me always wants to move back to Manhattan (I spent a summer in the Upper West Side, and I fell in love with it.), but I think I'd also be happy in Ireland somewhere too. I'm not gonna lie though, North Carolina is pretty amazing!

16. If you had to trade your sister, which literary character would you want as your sibling and why?
Haha! Sorry, Staci. I would probably trade her for Elizabeth Bennet because she's kind, lovingly honest, bookish, and loyal, but then again, my real sister is all that too.

17. Glass half empty or glass half full?
That depends on what's in the glass...ooh, philosophical.

18. Describe your worst haircut. (hehehe)
Three strikes, and you're out, Belser. Before I realized I could just let the curls do their thing, I tried to straighten my hair, and I had these really awful poofy bangs that sat right on top of my head. The kids at school called me "Marshmallow Head." No lie. I to this day have hidden all photos of me from about third to eighth grade.

19. Would you rather win on The Price Is Right or Wheel of Fortune?
Wheel of Fortune because there's actually a bit of skill involved there so it would be more of an accomplishment and because Bob Barker is no longer on The Price Is Right.

20. In a movie about your life, who would play you?
I would hope they'd cast Emma Stone. I love her. Think Emma Stone in The Help, and that's pretty much me to a T. I also wouldn't say no to Zoey Deschanel. I heart her!

The Fine Print

A few short disclaimers...

The reviews written here reflect our personal professional opinions and not the opinions of any particular organization. While we value our own opinions and hope that you do, there's always a chance you'll disagree with us. Our motto: when in doubt, check it out for yourself (library pun!).

If you see anything with the label for boys or for girls, this doesn't mean that one gender shouldn't read it or that there are "girl books" and "boy books." This label simply reflects what we've heard from teens that they like to read.

We strive to keep this blog rated PG in an effort to make it a family-friendly resource. We reserve the right to delete any comments we deem inappropriate, offensive, or obscene. Keep it clean, people! :)

This is also a spoiler-free zone. Thou shalt not give away the ending or any surprises in books, or we shall delete thy comment. You have been warned.

Unless otherwise noted, all book cover images are borrowed from Goodreads. They own those images, not us, so please give them all the glory if you borrow the images too.

Speaking of Goodreads, we've decided to include a link to each title's Goodreads page because from there you can get links to all the major bookstores should you wish to purchase a particular title. In that way, we're not showing any partiality to any one bookstore. That said, we are HUGE supporters of not only libraries (duh!) but small, independent bookstores. Please support them any chance you get. Also, Goodreads is good stuff. You should get a free account here, and all your reading organizational needs will be met. :)

Finally, plagiarism is evil. If you quote our reviews elsewhere, please give us credit where credit is due. Gracias.

Thanks and enjoy our blog!

-Stefanie and Chris