Friday, January 25, 2008

Some Times You Just Have to Get Away


In Sharon Creech's Chasing Redbird, Zinny discovers one summer an overgrown trail on her family's farm. Since her home life is too full of brothers and sisters, she decides to clear the trail by herself and find out where it leads. This seemingly innocent projects takes all summer and allows Zinny to deal with her aunt's death and several family secrets that untangle along the trail.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Notes from a Midnight Driver, by Jordan Sonnenblick


What a year! Just because I got a little drunk, had one measly car crash, and ran over a garden gnome, I'm stuck performing community service at a nursing home for Solomon Lewis, the meanest, crankiest resident. This summarizes Alex's position at the beginning of the novel. Over the next nine months, Alex and Solomon learn that each has talents to share with the other. Written in a somewhat diary style, we follow Alex's journey to understanding Solomon. Also making an appearance are Steven and Annette from the author's book, Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Girl of the Moment, by Lizabeth Zindel


This breezy story about a summer internship is written by the daughter of Paul Zendel, well-known young adult author. When Lily's summer internship at the Museum of Modern Art falls through, she is desperate for anything that will look good on her college admission application. Then an opportunity to intern for a sixteen-year-old Hollywood starlet comes Lily's way. What she sees as a summer full of glamorous parties, red-carpet events, and designer clothes turns out to be more difficult than she thought. Still this is an once-in-a-lifetime chance and who could pass that up?