Every time I hear the people say, we all shine here, you'll shine too, it makes me think of the clown in IT saying, "we all float here..."
I find the people at the camp very creepy mostly and I don't trust the Bright.
Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1514990/reading-progress-update-i-ve-listened-420-out-of-1340-minutes
Review:
This book tells the true story of segregation in the Navy during World War II. African Americans who joined the Navy to serve their country were not allowed to serve on ships. People thought they weren't smart or brave enough. But only the black men were given the job of loading ammunition onto the ships. This was a dangerous job and the men weren't even give the proper training. The officers bet on their crews to see who could load the fastest. Inevitably, an explosion occurred and many men were inured or killed. When the African American sailors decided they would not load ammunition unless conditions changed, they were charged with mutiny and told they could be shot.
This book is part of my son's 8th grade English curriculum, so I decided to read the book along with him. I wasn't even aware of this story and I'm glad that I had the chance to read it.
The author does a good job of describing the events that led up to the explosion and the actions of the sailors and the Navy afterwards. It is a bit dry at times, but it's a nonfiction story, so what do you expect. My son found it boring, but then again, he is not a fan of history or even reading (except for graphic novels or spy type stories).
This is a great book for schools to use in English or History classes.
Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1513125/port-chicago-50
Review:
The story continues at an awards ceremony for the heroes from The Copper Gauntlet (book 2). The ceremony is hit by tragedy and the students are in danger when they return to the Magisterium (magic school). There is a spy at the school, and time is running out to discover who it is. The students discover that magic is only as good (or bad) as the person who wields it.
I don't want to give anything away. This remarkable series continues to surprise and enthrall me. The characters, the setting, the story are all fantastic. There are many similarities to stories like Harry Potter, but enough differences to really set it apart. I had an idea who the spy was, but I wasn't sure until the end.
I highly recommend this series to readers in grades 4 and up who enjoy fantasy and magic.
Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1512868/book-3-in-the-series-continues-to-mesmerize-me
Review:
"Pretty isn't everything, but sometimes ugly is."
- Val
Val & Nick are getting bullied at school and both have difficult home lives. Val creates a notebook with a "hate list." They add to it all the names of kids who bully them, and all the others in their lives that make them miserable. Val and Nick are both angry, but Val doesn't realize how angry and disturbed Nick is, until it's too late. How is she supposed to move past this and "get on with her life" like all the adults want her to?
This book revolves around the school shooting, the events that preceded it, and the events that followed. We see how Val fell in love with Nick, how devastated she was after the shooting, and how difficult her life was after.
Warning, this book may have you tearing up at times. It is a difficult read, especially considering the world we live in today. Brown did an amazing job portraying teenagers, the way they think, and the way they feel. So many overpowering emotions. So much Hate. Such a heartbreaking situation.
As difficult as this book was, it drew me in. I listened on audio and put it on every chance I got.
Recommended to:
High school students, their parents, and anyone who wants to read a touching YA book.
Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1512150/emotionally-exhausting
Review:
In the year 2170, clones are created to do specific jobs and basically treated like slaves. They are created bald, with skin colors, like purple, orange, and silver and referred to by number. These measures serve to dehumanize them and make it easy for people to spot a clone. In addition to clones, there are cyborgs; a person becomes a cyborg if they have artificial or bionic parts (due to replacements from accidents or illness). Cyborgs are considered three fifths of a person.
The book opens with Leanna attending virtual school and experiencing the Underground Railroad with Harriet Tubman. The reader quickly sees the comparison between slaves and the clones & cyborgs. At the start of the book, Leanna sees the clones and cyborgs as less than people also; 99% of society does. But, Leanna is about to discover some secrets that will rock her world.
This is a compelling story and Leanna goes through a significant transformation. Students should read this book when they learn about slavery in U.S. history. It could lead to thought-provoking discussions about slavery, cloning, and society.
I do have to admit that the "secrets" Leanna discovers are pretty obvious from page one, but that doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the story. At the end of the book, the authors compare fact to fiction. At 165 pages, the book is a quick, enjoyable read that also teaches some history. This is book one of a trilogy, which I will end up reading I'm sure.
Recommended to:
Students in grades 5 and up.
Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1511133/what-does-it-mean-to-be-human
