8/7/11 Sunday Salon --Looking Forward ~ Looking Back... This Week In Books

Been very busy this summer enjoying visiting family -- so much fun and a great opportunity to visit some places in Virginia that we haven't been before -- and our newest family addition. But not so busy I haven't had time to read some excellent books.

Here's a picture of our beloved new pup: Charlie

ON THE NIGHTSTAND

	The Cook Camp by Gary Paulsen What an amazing book. Semi-autobiographical, The Cookcamp tells the story of a little boy and a broken family. The setting is WWII, the boy's father is in the army, and as the story opens we find a 5 yo boy being placed on a train to travel hundreds of miles... by himself! A note's pinned on jacket which basically asks strangers for help to keep him along, but it's indicative of the boys terrible home life. The great part about this story is that the boy arrives at a stop in the wilderness to find a grandmother and camp full of workmen who adore him. -------------- My library, for reasons unknown, has placed The Cookcamp in the Juvie section, but personally I think that it is inappropriate for younger students. First because of the infidelity. Second because this isn't your usual Gary Paulsen adventure story. There's certainly fun moments as the boy plays with a chipmunk and learns to spit and 'drive' the big construction equipment, but it's a tale better suited to Adults and Young Adults. Read this! -------------- YA, possibly MG. Mentions of alcoholism and adultery. AR 5.0 / points: 3.0
	Sinnoh Hall of Fame Handbook: your inside guide to the biggest and best of everything Sinnoh! Well, it's happened. My boy has finally been struck with Pokemon fever. And so we can continue to converse I have picked up this wonderful book so I can at least have a clue as to what he and his buddies are rambling on about. As the sub-title says, this is a guide to the 'big moments' in Ash's life. But it doesn't stop there. It also summarizes the memorable exploits of Brock, Dawn, and Team Rocket. Dave loves this book, btw. And I do as well. It's been a life saver... or should that be conversation saver. -------------- Lots of art. Short sections.
	Blood Red Road Why O' Why am I not hearing more buzz about this book. It's a great summer read. A dystopia full of non-stop action, with characters that are easy to like. Blood Red Road is a YA book about a Saba, Lugh, and Emmi. They live in a dry land where they eek out a living in isolation until the day when men come riding in, kill their pa, and take Lugh captive. Not understanding any of it, Saba and Emmi head out to get their brother back. Blood Red Road is the first book in a series. And while it isn't perfect, it's a fabulous first book for Moira Young and I can't wait for the next installment. (This book is more or less complete unto itself. -------------- Dystopia. First Person. Dialect. Adventure. No Graphic Violence. No over-the-top 'adult' material. AR 2.9 / points: 12.0

Pam T
Somewhere in the X-burbs