"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow, nothing but wow. This story takes place in a dark future where the United States no longer exist. Many people are starving, and each year the "districts" must send two "tributes" (one girl and one boy, between the age of 12 and 18) to the capital to fight to the death. 24 children enter the arena, only one can come out.


I tend to shy away from the killing everyone, violent, depressing stories. However, this book spent a lot of time on the best seller list and, as a writer, I felt the need to see what the fuss was all about. It didn't take but a few pages to find out. Collins creates a main character the reader can't help liking and pulling for surrounded by other characters that feel real.


From the prospective of a writer, the story is amazing. Collins chose first person, present tense for this story. It is very difficult for me to write anything in present tense, but the story grabs you from the very beginning. After you love Katniss, the author throws her in to fight for her life.


I loved watching the love story develop and wonder where it will go in book two. The fighting wasn't my favorite, but the children truly have no choice other than to die. The reader feels the wrongness in the way the districts are treated by the capital and hopes Katniss can somehow right the wrong. Yet, we have to realize not all wrongs can be righted by one person. Due to the strict government, in this story there doesn't appear to be much hope of the district ever gaining freedom. But there are two more books.


Another aspect of writing Collins demonstrates beautifully is not giving the reader too much information. Although the story takes place in a fictional setting, the reader gains information through what is happening instead of having a block of information dumped.


This book was wonderful. While I am not ready for my son to read it yet, I would recommend it to older children and adults. But give yourself some time, it is nearly impossible to put down.


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Catching Up

I have gotten behind and not been able to catch for weeks. I can finally see the light and the storm clouds. The house is about clean, I've read all of the books by my bed, my son is busy with his school work, and I am trying to start a new writing project.

For any parents interested, I found the coolest website last week. Sea World has teachers guides online. There are some awesome lessons. http://www.seaworld.org/just-for-teachers/guides/index.htm

These are the books I read last week:

The Wish by Gail Carson Levine

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Levine always adds a little magic to her books and that is part of what makes them fun. I liked this book. The characters were real and likeable. The hardest part of middle school is fitting in. The only issue I had with the story is the ending not being very satisfying. I felt as thought the main character didn't really learn much from her experience. She still wanted to use magic to change her life instead of dealing with her problems herself. Of course, she is young. This is a book I would recommend to a friend, but probably not read over and over.


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Coraline by Neil Gaiman

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
I liked "The Graveyard Book" better than this one. However, that is just my opinion. The book is well written with great characters and an interesting plot. It was too scary for me. I love the idea of a little girl wanting an adventure. Kids get bored. But that other mother made me uncomfortable. The button eyes and whatnot were a little too much for me. I wouldn't want my child to read this yet.


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Jinx by Meg Cabot

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I loved this book. The main character is lovable and in a mess. She takes responsibility for her actions and learns from her mistakes. I would enjoy a sequel. The minor characters are interesting too. I liked the treatment of magic and the rivalry between the cousins. As always, I am a sucker for a love story. I'd read this book again and recommend it to my friends.


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What have you been reading? Any great websites or articles?

The Price of Love is Grief

Those aren't my words. I'm copying something one of my family members quoted. Just as you are trying to settle into your rut, some earthquake comes along and cuts a whole new path. I only thought life was returning to normal.

I try to keep my blog upbeat, but this has been a really tough couple of weeks. On Saturday, my Grandaddy went to be with God and my father (his only son). It is so hard to lose someone you care about. He was a wonderful man. We visited with him three or four times a week. The boys are heartbroken. Now, we have to find a new "normal."

Since I have finally moved (although the old house isn't sold and the boxes aren't unpacked) and I have this funeral behind me, I no longer have any excuses for not blogging, reading, and writing. I am trying to ease back into everything. The funeral was yesterday and I spent today reclaiming my house. If you turn you head for just a second, chaos will take right over.

My oldest son is at camp this week from 9:00 to 4:00(except for yesterday), so I don't have to worry about home schooling him right now. I have to check, but I think he has camp next week too. He is having a great time learning about the solar system, but he can't tell me what yet. I have to wait for the play on Friday. I am looking forward to it. We have swim team and martial arts in the evenings, so he keeps us busy. The younger one is only two. We haven't put him in stuff yet.

I am looking toward a productive full week (I hope). I have three books on my bed stand, a new classroom to organize, a pile of laundry that grows each time I look at it, and a story with a first line sitting on my computer. In a few days I will let you know how all of it goes.

Thanks for reading. Leave a comment and let me know what books you are reading, what you are writing, what fun summer activities you have planned, and what has turned your plans on their head.

Returning to Life as Normal

We have moved. The old house still isn't on the market and the new house is still boxed up, but we are moved. So life is beginning to return to normal, at least as normal as things ever are around here.

I have been able to start reading again. I LOVED Being Nikki by Meg Cabot. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson was good, but heavy. Then, I read The Noah Confessions by Barbra Hall. I haven't decided how I feel about it yet. Maybe I didn't get it or maybe the main character's attitude toward the south elicited an unconscious negative response. Now, I have moved to Coraline by Neil Gaiman.

As far as homeschooling goes, my son is on a field trip with a home school group and my mother in NY, NY. He is getting to see sites I only dream of. One day I'd like to take the whole family and visit Broadway, The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Grand Central Station, The Natural History Museum and some of the other places he is now.

I have several ideas for my writing, but nothing is hopping onto the paper yet. I want to write a sequel to my chapter book, but hate to start when the first one hasn't been accepted yet. I need to get something done soon. My critique group meets Tuesday.

The rest of my day is full of laundry, dishes, meals, and unpacking. Now who packed these boxes? I grab one full of books and put them on the shelf. There is a box of sweaters and one of dishes. Then, I find a box with two dirty shirts, a couple of magazines, the missing telephone, a shoe (note, one not two), and bag of skittles. I can only guess what happened there.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday weekend. What books have you found recently? Are you writing? If you home school, what are your summer plans?

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson isn't a "fun" read, but it is a well written book examining a hard issue. Anderson is known for her talent tackling the tough issues.


Lia captures the reader's heart from the first chapter. Anderson also starts her story with a bang. Lia's best friend is dead and Lia thinks it is her fault. We struggle through Lia's pain right there with her. Each chapter brings us farther into her mind and exposes a little more of the complexity of her life.


Teenagers are faced with societal norms they have no way of living up to. Those standards paired with the normal changes that go on in a teen's/preteen's body cause confusion and often self-doubt. Many girls turn to eating disorders as a way to stay in control of their lives and feel better about themselves. Anderson tries to follow Lia through this pain and help other girls see that there is a way out.


I enjoyed this book. It was a little difficult to stay with the present tense, but the first person was perfect. Anderson researched eating disorders, and it is obvious in the story. This is a good book for people in search of hope, but as with Speak, it is anything but a light read.


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The Move is Over

Hooray! We have just completed, more or less, the longest across town move in history. Perhaps I should call The Guinness Book of World Records and see if we can get in. Our furniture and "stuff" is now in our new house, somewhere. I suppose after another week or so it won't take an hour to find my clothes, and I hope the book my son is supposed to be reading for school turns up soon. I wonder if it was misplaced intentionally.

But, more importantly, it is time to return to life. Back to reading, writing, submitting, home schooling, blogging, and maybe even sleeping if I am lucky.

The only book I took the time to read during our move was Meg Cabot's Being Nikki. It was incredible. I highly recommend anyone who hasn't read it yet running out to the store and getting Airhead and Being Nikki. In Airhead, Em's(normal, smart high school student) brain is transplanted into Nikki's(supermodel, high school dropout) body, and Em is forced to live Nikki's life. As more and more complications arise from work to school to boys, this novel deepens and takes on issues beyond the imagination. Cabot explores the evils of huge corporations while capturing readers hearts through Em. Teenagers (and sometimes adults) dream of living some else's life. We never realize the issues other people face. The only complaint I have about this book is the next one won't be out for a whole year!

I have also picked back up with my submissions. Right now, I have several chapter books out and I am starting on a YA. I haven't heard yet, but I will let you know when I do.

As far home schooling, my son is almost finished for the year. I picked up a copy of the Summer Bridge workbook so he won't slip back while we take a break. As soon as I find the missing history book, we are going to finish up this year. It is time to turn in the end-of-year paper work and get ready for next year.

I have made a few necklaces amidst the wreckage of our move. I used them for mother's day gifts. I have learned so much since I started. Just this week I learned about wire protectors and crimp covers.

So, has anyone else had a productive week? What are you reading? What have you been writing? Let me know.

Moving is Bad for Your Nails

And you legs, feet, arms, back, and sanity. It even causes writer's block especially when you can't find a pen. We are in the new house now, and I have my Internet back, but the old house is still not empty. This weekend, we are taking a break. The kids are about to kill me.

I hope everyone is healthy and well. The swine flu outbreak is causing much concern. If you want the facts from the CDC, check them out here:




On a happier note, the second book in Meg Cabot's Airhead series is coming out very soon. I'll be heading to the book store in a few days :)