Mean Old Library Teacher

A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:28:00 +0000

Rosalinda Fitzroy has been asleep for sixty-two years when she is woken by a kiss. Locked away in the chemically induced slumber of a stasis tube in a forgotten subbasement, sixteen-year-old Rose slept straight through the Dark Times that killed millions and utterly changed the world she knew. Now, her parents and her first love are long gone, and Rose-- hailed upon her awakening as the long-lost heir to an interplanetary empire-- is thrust alone into a future in which she is viewed as either a freak or a threat.

Desperate to put the past behind her and adapt to her new world, Rose finds herself drawn to the boy who kissed her awake, hoping that he can help her to start fresh. But when a deadly danger jeopardizes her fragile new existence, Rose must face the ghosts of her past with open eyes-- or be left without any future at all.
--From the publisher blurb.

I never judge a book by its cover, but I do make some estimations about how the story will play out based on the colors and images. It's a rose, with pretty sky blue colored lettering. Yes, the thorns are obvious on the rose bush, but heck, you'd expect adapting to a completely new life after 60 years to be a little thorny. All in all, I expected if not a happy read, at least a pleasant one overall.

It's so much darker than that. Rosalinda learns the truth about herself, her world, her loved ones. There is so much she never knew.

Odd book, that did leave me a little disturbed at the end. But in a good way, a thinking about the story way. Definitely one I'll recommend.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This book is part of the library collection for the school library I work in. I was not solicited to write a review, nor am I receiving any compensation. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

To love or not to love...the Kindle Fire

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:45:00 +0000

For Christmas, this Mean Old Library Teacher received a new Kindle Fire from her darling parents. (I'm sure you want to hear that this was the best gift I received, but let's face it, the shiny new bling on my left hand is definitely the winner of that title!)

Can I just say, I love my Fire. I do. The color is nice, it's nice to be able to bounce back and forth as I'm reading to the Internet (I tend to want to do quick research on something if it comes up in my reading). I like that it's a touch screen.

I love that today I figured out how to side-load apps--ones that are available in the Android Marketplace but not on the Amazon App Store. This TRULY rocks. So, as of now, I'm the proudly able to use my Adobe Digital Editions app (which is handy when the ARCs on NetGalley aren't Kindle-friendly---or the Kindle isn't ARC-friendly.). I've also loaded my Nook App on there, just in case, and a the Alkido reading app, for any other PDF or ePub book I can't get to one of the other ways. Because, it happens.

What I don't like.

1) Battery life. I know all the bells and whistles just take more battery life, but it's really frustrating, with as much reading as I do to have to charge it every 2 to 2-1/2 days because it's DEAD. Let me stress that, it's DEAD.

2) Doesn't come with a USB cord to connect to the computer. This wasn't a big deal...until I decided to sell the old Kindle Keyboard and had to package it's USB cord/AC adapter combo to ship along with it. But today, now that I've figured how to get my ARCs out of the Adobe Digital Editions folder on my computer and into my Kindle...I need it. Otherwise, I'll have to keep borrowing one from a Nook at work.

Honestly...that's it, though. Oh..and the fact that it doesn't like the car charger for the fiance's cell phone. It's persnickety. But then, it would be. ;)

11/22/63, by Stephen King

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:26:00 +0000

I'm what you'd call a "closet" Stephen King fan. I read his work, but you probably wouldn't know it if you know me. My personal favorite will always be "IT," even though the mere thought of Pennywise is sure to induce a nightmare for a few nights. (But I do love a good scare like that.)

In 11/22/63, King addresses an age old question that we all consider at one time or another--"what if?" What if you could go back in time and change a major event, or a minor event. Would you? Would the ends justify the means? Would the means justify the end? If you messed it up the first time, would you try again? Or would you leave it alone?

Jake Epping is a divorced English teacher (who can't love an English teacher?) in small town Maine. In an evening GED class that he teaches on the side, his students are asked to write personal narratives. One, written by the school's custodian, blows him away with its gripping story of the night he survived his family's murders at his father's hand. A few years later, the owner of the local dive diner calls Epping, and changes his perspective on the world when he shares his discovery of a "rabbit hole" to 1958....and it's possibilities.

This, in my mind, is as masterfully written a cultural, political, and historical study as you can get. The details, as expected, are phenomenal and so very accurate. Time travel, even from the best science fiction writers, is tough for me to swallow because it never really rings realistic in my mind. In 11/22/63, I soon found myself forgetting, like Jake Epping, that he wasn't from 1963, instead of 2011. I found myself devouring this book, but also needing to take a break from the sheer amount of everything I was taking in.

Just awesome.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased this ebook of my own volition and was neither asked nor required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Pure Joy

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:38:00 +0000

Yes, I own a Kindle Fire. Yes, I just bought Nooks for the library. But a real live book is truly a thing of joy and beauty.

Brian Selznick Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:09:00 +0000

I just LOOOOOOVE Brian Selznick, and just LOOOOOOOOVE this resource from Scholastic.

Virtual Tour of the American Museum of Natural History

Annnnd the Hugo movie trailer. Can I tell you how happy it makes me that Martin Scorsese directed this one? I love (most) of his work.

And the trailer for Wonderstruck

YA Book Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 18:05:00 +0000

Something to consider...

This probably isn't fair of me. I mean, I am a librarian at a high school, so I'm literally surrounded by YA Books. But, if nothing else, I'll enjoy keeping up with just how much I really do read. It'll be fun.

For more info checkout the challenge post at The Eclectic Bookshelf.

Book Beginnings

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:22:00 +0000

This week, my book at work is Misfit, by Jon Skovron. It was in the stack of returns I pulled out of the book drop this week, so I snagged it. Light reading, a little mythology, and demons....what's not to love?

Jael Thompson looks at her reflection in the bathroom mirror and frowns. She pushes back her curly black hair and stares into her green eyes so hard that the rest of her features blur.

"You know what I heard?" she says.. "That what you see in the mirror isn't what you really look like. That since mirrors flip everything, you're looking at a flipped version of your face. Like, the exact opposite."

I have to admit, the bit about the mirror makes me wonder what Jael means, but honestly, I can't say that even the first page prompted me to keep reading. The book jacket has done more of that for me--wanting to know how the demon fits in to the story. It's still early, and the reading is light. Watch for my review soon.

**Opting to participate in a weekly meme, mostly to help myself be a little more fruitful over here.

Hosted by A Few More Pages

Groundbreaking YA Books into Movies.

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:04:00 +0000

No guys...it's not just Breaking Dawn and The Hunger Games that have made it to the big screen. Several other books have, as well. Check it out!

Top 15 Favorite YA-Books-Turned-Movies

Sites to See, Nov. 8

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:49:00 +0000

The Exploratorium
http://www.exploratorium.edu
As museum websites go—This. Is. The. BEST. I spent hours at home this weekend playing with the different online exhibits available. Billed as the “museum of science, art and human perception,” it is just amazing. Whether you’re an educator (awesome demos for a class), just curious, or a Sheldon Cooper-esque Geek, you’ll love this site.

Could you pass a US Citizenship Test?
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/0104/Could-you-pass-a-US-citizenship-test/Who-signs-bills
With it being election day, this is always an interesting one to share. You have to get 58 of the 96 questions correct. WARNING: This site is SLOW…it’s the design. Just bear with it.

Royal Society Publishing Archive
http://royalsocietypublishing.org/search
Beginning in 1665, this is the world’s oldest scientific publisher. Recently, they opened the archive of 60,000+ historical scientific papers published more than 70 years ago. You’ll discover research findings of Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Benjamin Franklin, to name a few.

The Beloit College Mindset List
http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2015/
While written to describe this year’s college freshman, I think it’s also telling about the students we are graduating this year. Can you imagine….Ferris Bueller could be their father?

New Tech Toys Always Make Me Happy

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:40:00 +0000

Today....I am picking up this....

By Yagan Kiely, CC BY-SA 2.0

Granted, it may not be a 64GB, but it will be my first iPad. I'm beyond excited. I love new gadgets and tech toys and can't wait to see how quickly I will become dependent on it. Speaking from the experience of the first time I turned on Phoebe (my iPhone...the smartest little smart phone in the world)...I'm thinking it'll take about 10 minutes to completely and totally hook me.

I've got a handful of apps I know I'll immediately load, to prepare myself for upcoming tasks and activities. But I'm curious...what are YOU using?

Sites to See, October 28

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:50:00 +0000

Copyright Free & Public Domain Media Sources
http://people.euwec.edu/koroghcm/public_domain.htm
List of media collections with materials students and teachers can use without copyright considerations. This is a very important concept to teach our students.

WeatherTrends360
http://www.weathertrends360.com
Bill Kirk has developed a new way of forecasting the weather, that’s accurate up to a year in advance. (Weather Channel is only 71% accurate up to 10 days in advance).

Rover’s Eye View of Three-Year Trek on Mars
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=114782241
Amazing still image video of the 309 pictures of Rover’s 13 mile trek from Victoria crater to Endeavor crater.

What’s the Most Important Thing You Learned from a Teacher?
http://blogs.plos.org/neurotribes/2011/10/05/whats-the-most-important-lesson-you-learned-from-a-teacher/
We all hear the stories about how inspiring a teacher was in the life of a student who had no inspiration. I think we ALL need to be reminded how much of an impact we have, especially when content is the last thing on our students’ minds.

From Kathy Schrock:
FREE apps for use on Android devices or iPad categorized by Bloom’s Taxonomy.
Bloomin’ Android http://kathyschrock.net/androidblooms/
Bloomin’ iPad http://kathyschrock.net/ipadblooms/
Also, Google Apps (which are FREE) http://kathyschrock.net/googleblooms/

Rotters, by Daniel Kraus

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:27:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:31:00 +0000

This has been on my mind quite a bit recently. Understandably, I'm sure. But there's great stuff here, not just for graduates, but for everyone.

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:20:00 +0000

This is really pretty neat. Check it out!

Sites to See---Website Round-up

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:20:00 +0000

WallWisher
http://www.wallwisher.com
Interactive bulletin board hosted online. Use this for an interactive word wall or to review before a test. Students could respond via sticky note to a question posted for discussion, or you could use this to frame a lesson. To view a WallWisher in action visit mine http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/oct511

105 Classroom Uses for WallWisher
http://seanbanville.com/2010/06/26/wallwisher-105-classroom-ideas/
Jump start your thinking about the possibilities.

Teenage Brain
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/10/teenage-brains/dobbs-text/1
National Geographic October 2011 article about the ins and outs of the teenage brain…and just why they do what they do

Budding Scientist

http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/30148632?access_key=key-qibej5dj1812q1u51yl
A new blog from Scientific American aimed at interesting science for curious children—and their teachers and parents!

Food in Every Country
http://www.foodbycountry.com/
Includes recipes and a cultural history of foods in different countries and groups. The food alone is interesting, but all the other information makes it a valuable tool.

Eyewitness to History
http://eyewitnesstohistory.com/
Primary Source type articles from the ancient world through World War II.

Documentary Heaven
http://documentaryheaven.com/
More than 1600 documentary films from across the Internet. Find something on just about every topic you could think of.

30 Book Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:57:00 +0000

It's long been weighing on my little librarian heart that high school kids, by and large, don't read for pleasure. At least at my campus. They're so burnt out after leaving 8th grade and "The Reading Program That Shall Remain Nameless" (but might just start with an "A") that they've forgotten that reading can be fun, if you don't have to work towards a point goal that could make or break your report card average.

I know I have several teachers that read, quite a bit, on their own. I know many kids who are single-handedly keeping my circulation statistics high.

I also know that "if you feed them, they will come." (I'm a Presbyterian, this is only a notch or two behind the Golden Rule for scriptural truths in my book. *grin*)

So this year, I'm starting the 30-Book Challenge on my campus.

It's EASY. Just read 30 books by May 18th. EEEEEEEAAAAASSSSSYYYYY!

If you make your.....a catered lunch is on me!

Amazing Things

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:52:00 +0000

One of my favorite former debate students--actually, he's part of the reason I coached debate. He's doing amazing things with his life and in a path I don't think he expected to be on when he graduated from Angleton. I absolutely could not be any prouder of him.

We The Readers is starting in DC, but I see this being bigger than even Austin can dream one day.

Exploring

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Wed, 18 May 2011 18:18:00 +0000

Today, I'm exploring. I'm supposed to be pulling together some resources for an impromptu science project, and that's happening, I'm just scattered today.

I've stopped in at CNN Student News. I know my economics teacher uses this as a warm-up every day. It's just a 10-minute covering of headlines in the day's news. The video clips used are all from CNN. There's a daily discussion guide and a newsquiz for each episode. There's also some extra resources (like PDF maps for yesterday's shows) . I think it's just good info, and I appreciate that there's an archive.

Heir to the Everlasting, by Janice Daugharty

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Fri, 13 May 2011 14:53:00 +0000

The Pulitzer-nominated author of EARL IN THE YELLOW SHIRT turns her acclaimed talents to an epic story of three generations of Southern women at Big Eddy, the home place they love. HEIR TO THE EVERLASTING begins at the turn of the last century with the beautiful, determined Pinkie Alexander, strong-willed matron of the Alexander clan. Come Hell or the high water of the south Georgia river which gave Big Eddy its name, Pinkie will ensure the survival of her family on their beloved land--a place where the family cemetery guards the spirit of the past, and where secrets, as well as the dearly departed, are buried.

Follow the lives, loves, mysteries, deadly feuds and steely courage of the Alexander women through a full century of joys and sorrows. HEIR TO THE EVERLASTING showcases the culture, language and daily travails of their time and place with vivid storytelling skills and Janice Daugharty's love for "the working words."

A quintessential Southern home, but not the genteel South. The Alexanders from Big Eddy, are from the rural South. This part of Georgia was very likely never a place that Scarlett (a la Gone with the Wind) ever visited. Because of the deaths and young ages of the "men folk," this is a matriarchal society on the plantation. Pinkie is the declared leader of all things at Big Eddy, including it's trials.

Heir to the Everlasting is the story of a family as they work to maintain their home and existence without being dragged too far into the rest of the world. It's Pinkie's story of being the matriarch. It's May's story of growing up under the tutelage of a strong woman whose primary focus was family and keeping the family home. And it's Sara Ann's story, another granddaughter learning what home and family really entail. It's the story of family, relationships, and triumph in spite of it all.

It's not "easy" reading, but it's meaningful reading. It's rich and delicious in the way that it catches you up and satisfies you. I hated to have it end, and it has stuck with me for days. Truly a classic from an inspiring author.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Bell Bridge Books through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Goddess Test, by Aimee Carter

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Thu, 12 May 2011 20:27:00 +0000

EVERY GIRL who has taken the test has DIED.

Not it's KATE'S TURN.

It’s always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate’s going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won’t live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he’ll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he’s crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she’ll become Henry’s future bride, and a goddess.

If she fails...

I love anything that brings mythology into the modern world. And Carter has accomplished this beautifully. I never doubted that the Greek god Hades was looking for a new queen. It made perfect sense and the mythological world was seamlessly tied into Kate's world.

Appropriately fantastical, just realistic enough. This is a fun and really well done first novel. I'm impressed with how believable it all was, and that I was sad when the story ended--not that the ending wasn't happy, but that, sigh, it was over (until February).

The characters are strong, all of them. These aren't thin developments, you know the characters and their personalities. There's minimal teen angst, which is good. Not every book needs to be angsty, and this book wouldn't be nearly as good if Kate was falling apart.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from HarlequinTEEN through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Girl's Guide to Homelessness, by Brianna Karp

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Wed, 11 May 2011 19:01:00 +0000

“If you saw me walking down the street, you wouldn’t assume I live in a parking lot. I am just like you, except without the convenience of a permanent address.”

Brianna Karp entered the workforce at age ten, supporting her mother and sister through out her teen years in Southern California. Although her young life was scarred by violence and abuse, Karp stayed focused on her dream of a steady job and a home of her own. By age twenty-two her dream became reality. Karp loved her job as an executive assistant and signed the lease on a tiny cottage near the beach.

And then the Great Recession hit. Karp, like millions of others, lost her job. In the six months between the day she was laid off and the day she was forced out onto the street, Karp scrambled for temp work and filed hundreds of job applications, only to find all doors closed. When she inherited a thirty-foot travel trailer after her father’s suicide, Karp parked it in a Walmart parking lot and began to blog about her search for work and a way back.

Karp began her journey as a home less person terrified and ashamed. Fear turned to awe as she con nect ed with other homeless people whose remarkable stories inspired her to be come an activist for the homeless community.

Deeply compassionate and darkly funny, this unforgettable memoir celebrates the courage and creativity of lives society would otherwise stigmatize.

I really can't find the words to describe how much this book amazed me. I've always been one to make assumptions about the lives of homeless people, even though my compassionate and Christian heart kept telling me I didn't know the whole story. We all know that there's a backstory, something we don't understand, but we don't always internalize that knowledge in our dealings with people.

This isn't a "fluff" read. It's not a literal guidebook. It's the reality of going from solvency to living day to day in a WalMart parking lot (because WalMart doesn't charge for overnight stays). Karp has shared a no holds barred telling of her daily life. It's gritty. It's dirty. It's unpleasant. And it made me hurt to read it. But it's a book that so many, not just those who find themselves suddenly homeless, can relate to.

This book isn't about adversity. It isn't about merely surviving in tough economic times. It's about living boldly. It's about thriving because of your circumstances--not letting your circumstances thrive.

I've never read a book and thought that everyone should read it. Until this one.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Harlequin NonFiction through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Restorer, by Amanda Stevens

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Tue, 10 May 2011 17:56:00 +0000

NEVER ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEAD.

NEVER STRAY FROM HALLOWED GROUND.

NEVER GET CLOSE TO THE HAUNTED.

NEVER, EVER TEMPT FATE.

My father’s rules.

I’ve never broken them…until now.

My name is Amelia Gray. I’m a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I’ve always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.

It started with the discovery of a young woman’s brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I’ve been hired to restore. The clues to the killer—and to his other victims— lie in the headstone symbolism that only I can interpret. Devlin needs my help, but his ghosts shadow his every move, feeding off his warmth, sustaining their presence with his energy. To warn him would be to invite them into my life. I’ve vowed to keep my distance, but the pull of his magnetism grows ever stronger even as the symbols lead me closer to the killer and to the gossamer veil that separates this world from the next.

Amelia's father's rules aren't difficult ones. But under these circumstances, it's impossible to have a "normal" life. You can't get too close to anyone, and certainly not anyone being followed by ghosts. And your work as a cemetary restorer and historian can itself put you in some danger.

Amelia is an amazing character. She's interesting, she's intellectual, she's inspiring in a way. She's not creepy or spooky by any means, regardless of her line of work or history. She's just....interesting. There's so many dimensions, that I hope to see explored in the upcoming books in the series.

Again, the story isn't just in Charleston. Charleston and its history and culture are vital to the story. (Why do so many authors fail to do this? It's not enough to just mention a famous location.) There's twists, and turns, and details you have to have caught or the next few pages make no sense.

It's a great start to a series I'm anxiously awaiting the next installment of--November can't get here fast enough!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Harlequin through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Blind Hope: an Unwanted Dog and the Woman She Rescued, by Kim Meeder & Laurie Sacher

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Tue, 10 May 2011 17:05:00 +0000

An unwanted dog. An emotional rescue. Two lives forever changed.

Laurie's dreams had been shattered before she came to work at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch—the ranch of rescued dreams—where broken horses and broken children encounter healing every day. In an attempt to soothe her aching soul, Laurie reached out to save a dog in need. And she soon began to realize that the dog was rescuing her.

An inspiring true story told through the engaging voice of Kim Meeder, Blind Hope reveals poignant life lessons Laurie experienced from her ailing, yet courageous canine friend. Despite the blindness of her dog—and her own heart—Laurie uncovered what she really needed most: authentic love, unconditional trust, and true acceptance, faults and all.

As Laurie and her dog, Mia, both learned to follow the lead of a master they couldn’t see, Laurie discovered the transforming power of God’s grace even for imperfect and selfish people—and she experienced a greater love than she had ever known.

“Love is a bridge that stands firm through difficulties and connects one heart directly to another, not because of how it looks, but because of what it is.” --Kim Meeder, Blind Hope

Abused animals are rescued daily, desperately searching for basic love and care. Rarely do we expect to find that the human rescuer is, in fact, "rescued" by the animal they have saved. It's the same idea as realizing that our "pet" is truly a family member that can never be replaced.

Laurie and Mia are a pair that cannot be separated. After rescuing Mia from a home that had so many problems that an under-nourished dog was the mildest of them, Laurie carefully nurses Mia back to health and life. Only as time went on and Mia was faced with new challenges, did Laurie realize that Mia was teaching her about life and nursing her back to emotional and spiritual health.

Mia is amazing, teaching not only Laurie but others to trust in your unseen Master, for a loving one never steers you wrong. It's a story of a woman in need of rescuing finding her self in God's love as she saves a dog. Acceptance and pure love are at the heart of Laurie and Mia's story.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this galley from Waterbrook Multnomah through the Blogging for Books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Confessions of April Grace: In Front of God and Everybody, by KD McCrite

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Tue, 10 May 2011 16:11:00 +0000

Cover art from the Thomas Nelson website

From the publisher's website:

If God wanted April Grace to be kind to her neighbors, He should have made them nicer!

Growing up in the country is never easy, but it sure is funny—especially if you happen to have a sister obsessed with being glamorous, a grandma just discovering make-up, hippie friends who never shower, and brand new neighbors from the city who test everyone’s patience. From disastrous dye jobs to forced apologies and elderly date tagalongs, you’ll laugh ‘til you cry as you read the Confessions of April Grace!

Here are just a couple of April's thoughts: On her sister, Myra Sue: "How anyone can be that dumb and still be able to eat with a fork is beyond me." On senior citizen lovebirds: "What if they started smooching right at the table in front of God and everybody?"

In spite of all the loony characters in her life, April Grace is able to learn from her parents as they share the love of God—to even the craziest of characters!

Can I just say, I love April Grace? She's no fool. She knows things aren't always as they seem. And she refuses to except nonsense--like the new neighbors who've moved into her dirt road community from glitzy California. She's the girl I would've loved to have been at her age! Resilient and a little mouthy, but with good intentions.

The story is fabulous, and full of setting/scenic detail that Ozark Mountain native KD McCrite knows well. I got lost in this story, easily connecting with April Grace and realizing that I had the same emotional responses to the other characters that she did. (I rarely connect that well with characters, since I don't often "internalize" books.) This is a rare blend of a coming of age story (for April Grace) and facing reality story (for others)--clearly the 2 story lines are intertwined, but it's not April Grace who must face reality.

This is McCrite's first book, and I can't wait to see another.

McCrite, KD. The Confessions of April Grace: In Front of God and Everybody. Thomas Nelson Publishers, May 2011.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Thomas Nelson Publishers through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Promises She Keeps, by Erin Healy

noreply@blogger.com (Mean Old Library Teacher) — Tue, 10 May 2011 16:06:00 +0000

It's her destiny to die young. The man who loves her can't live with that.

Promise, a talented young vocalist with a terminal illness, is counting on fame to keep her memory alive after she dies. Porta is an aging witch and art collector in search of the goddess who will grant her immortality.

When Promise inexplicably survives a series of freak accidents, Porta believes that Promise is the one she seeks. But Chase, an autistic artist who falls in love with Promise and opposes Porta, comes between the women with his mysterious visions and drawings, and plunges everyone into a flesh-and-blood confrontation over the true meaning of eternal life.

Rather a dark story, Healy's The Promises She Keeps is oddly filled with hope and whimsy. The story reveals the lives of three lead characters, with very different backgrounds and stories. At first, I couldn't determine what the three had in common or why they were even in the same novel.

Chase is the example of the basic and simple side of all people--focused and wanting what only makes sense to want. His simpleness is the whimsy in the story (Why shouldn't things be the way he sees them?) Promise is looking for the one thing that her life as it is will never be able to give her. The one thing that her well-meaning and well-off parents can never give her. Promise's story is the hope. And Porta is the painful reality, the one who turns the beautiful into the ugly.

It's not an easy read, and you do have to pay attention to what's going on. It's haunting and painful, yet beautiful. It is, quite simply, lovely.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Thomas Nelson Publishers through the BookSneeze reader/reviewer program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”