The Starfisher

Title: The Starfisher

Author: Lawrence Yep

Genre: Fiction- Historical Fiction

# of Pages: 150

Books Read: 4/50

Wow! What an amazing book- I'm so glad I decided to take the time to read this one! I wasn't so sure at first; it didn't look especially interesting from the cover and summary on the back, but this was an eye-opening and thought-provoking read.

Tonight my power went out just as I was about to cook dinner, so instead I made a sandwich and got out some books from my closet. Laying next to the window, I read this fairly short book all tonight. 

Joan Lee is a 16 year old girl struggling to fit in when her family moves to a new town. Set in 1927, her parents are Chinese immigrants who run a laundry business in a small town in West Virginia. Joan and her siblings were all born in America, so they have the struggle of balancing their identity honoring both their Chinese heritage and their American one. 

The author tells a vivid and serious story as the Lee family faces hate and prejudice in their new town. Some thugs yell derogatory comments to them in the train station, and later vandalize their house. Joan has trouble making friends at her new school, in fact her only friend is a fellow outsider. Bernice is an outsider for a very different reason. Her family were theater performers, and most of the townspeople look down on her for it. Joan learns an important lesson about friendship from Bernice.

One of the funniest scenes in the book is when Joan and her little sister Emily have tea with Miss Lucy, their landlady. They've never had tea as dark as Miss Lucy's, and they're used to drinking their tea plain, so they're not sure what to do when Miss Lucy offers them sugar and milk. Emily boldly asks for 6 spoonfuls of sugar in hers, and so does Joan! 

This story is an important opportunity to place myself in someone else's shoes. I don't know exactly what it's like to be an immigrant, or a child of one. I also don't know what it's like to go to the grocery store and only be able to afford bread and lettuce, like Joan does in one early scene. I can however, appreciate the message of strength, friendship, and hope this story offers. I hope I get the chance to share this one with my students someday soon! 

Boston Jane

Title: Boston Jane

Author: Jennifer L. Holm

Genre: Fiction- Historical Fiction

# of Pages: 

Books Read: 3/50

Mom says I'm cheating by starting my 50 books before summer, but I say I'm just keeping motivated with a head start! I've just spent the weekend visiting family in Ely, Minnesota ("The coolest small town in America"), which is always prime time for reading and relaxing!

Boston Jane is the eleven-year-old only daughter of a widowed doctor living in Philadelphia in the 1800's. She's a tomboy who loves spitting and throwing manure piles with her friend Jebediah. She eats cherry pie every day, and her stained aprons show it! She also loves helping her father in his practice. He's taught her how to sew a small, neat stitch, and shares his progressive ideas as he encourages his daughter to be an independent thinker. 

All of this changes when her father's new apprentice arrives. William is the most handsome young man Jane has ever met, and she is completely smitten. Encouraged by William and challenged by the snooty girl down the street, Jane enrolls in Miss Hepplewhite's School for Young Ladies. In school, Jane learns that a lady must be quiet, polite, and clean. She begins to change her tomboy ways, and soon she is quoting her schoolbook like it's the Bible. At this point in the book I can't help but wonder, "Why is her father allowing his daughter to continue this?" Also, what happened to her friend Jebediah? He all but disappears from the story at this point. 

When Jane is 13, William finishes his apprenticeship and leaves to go West to "make his fortune." Jane starts writing him letters, hoping to find that he'll return her loving affection. This part of the book reminds us how difficult communication was in those days. Letters would take months to get to the recipient, and often could be lost entirely. I want to see Jane interested in her father's practice again. With the spunk of her childhood and her brains and hard work as seen in finishing school, I think Jane would make a great female doctor! (But of course, women didn't do much other than become wives in those days) When she is 15, she receives the letter she has been waiting for! William asks her to come West and become his wife. 

The rest of the book takes place on the long trip by ship, and Jane's surprising experiences when she arrives in Oregon. I especially appreciate the book's portrayal of the interactions between the settlers and Native Americans. Jane is used to having servants cook for her, draw her bath, and other daily chores. At first, she expects the "savages" to fill this role, thinking they are the servants. She is surprised to be told no, that the Indians are friends, and please don't call them savages. I was pleased by the ending of the book. Jane learns that being a lady doesn't mean one can't have an opinion, but that a true lady is kind, resourceful, and cares for those she loves. 

I just discovered there are two more Boston Jane books! Jennifer L. Holm also is the author of the Newberry honor book, Our Only May Amelia. 

Stormbreaker

Title: Stormbreaker

Author: Anthony Horowitz

Genre: Fiction-Adventure

# of Pages: 

Books Read: 2/50

I know I'll want to read a variety of genres this summer, and I wouldn't even say adventure/mystery is even my favorite (though action movies certainly are at the top of my movie preference list!), but this teenager-turned-spy plot isn't too bad! Set in London, England, Alex Rider finds himself forced to help save the world from an evil villain with an unknown plot. 

I can see boys absolutely loving this series. Alex Rider gets to have a 007-like experience, complete with gadgets, a mysterious boss, and a crazy enemy. Herod Stayle even has a huge jellyfish as a pet. 

39 Clues: The Maze of Bones (#1)

Title: The Maze of Bones

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Fiction-Adventure

# of Pages: 220

Books Read: 1/50

I've been intrigued by this series ever since it was first published. I'm intrigued by the cards and codes a reader can play along with online. I didn't try it out myself (yet), but I think it's really cool! Another aspect of this series that I love is that each book is written by a different author. There are some amazing writers out there, and they are all collaborating to create this adventure series. 

This book is the beginning, so the characters and story are introduced. Amy is your typical bookworm older sister, and younger brother Dan is decidedly quirky and curious. They're off on a National Treasure style race for clues following the death of their wealthy grandmother. They're orphans, and they have a bunch of creepy family members as their enemies trying to beat them to the prize. Reminds me a little too much of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events, but I'm still loving the book! Like the movie, National Treasure, there are tons of references to real people and events in history. This book centers around Benjamin Franklin, and I found myself learning tons of cool facts. I'm curious to see where else in the world this series takes its characters, and what other historic figures get a shout out! 

Summer Reading Challenge!

During the school year, I have the privilege of reading students' Reading Response journals each week. It's so exciting to see them excited about reading, and I often think, "Ooh, that sounds like a great book!" 

This summer, I've set the personal goal of reading at least 50 books and blogging my experience! Come along with me as I catch up on the latest and greatest in children's literature, as well as catching up on those must-read classics.