VVMBookBlog

Shelby is 13, has three sisters and a mom who happens to be Japanese-American, and who has led an “interesting” life–Shelby and her sisters all have different fathers.  They have all been taught by their mother that what’s important in life is how they look.  That causes Shelby some concern because she doesn’t feel as pretty as her sisters.  What value does she have if she isn’t pretty?

Everything and everyone gets tested when Shelby’s mother is in a bad car accident and ends up in the hospital for a long period of time recovering from disfiguring facial wounds among other physical damage .  Since none of the sisters are old enough to be responsible on their own, they all have to go live with their own fathers, and some of the fathers aren’t so great.  The months spent with their fathers teach them all, including the fathers, what a strong bond the sisters have with each other and the relative importance of “outside beauty” in their lives.

This story really presents a different type of “family” and I’m not sure a similar family in real life would get along as well as these sisters do.  Perhaps I’m being too judgmental and difficult situations bring children together.  What do you think?

It’s 1968 and time again for 13-year-old Karlene to compete in the county spelling bee.  This time she’s helped by her new Latin teacher, Mrs. Harrison, who not only helps her with spelling, but gives Karlene a vision of what her future could be.  Karlene’s mother works hard to support their family, but her father is an alcoholic who can’t manage to stay sober for long.  But when she babysits for Mrs. Harrison’s children, she sees how a home can be a source of comfort, culture and fun.  And she’s given encouragement to compete her way to the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

Karlene’s experience with language and words ranges from the complex vocabulary she’s learning for the spelling bee and from her Latin teacher, and the rough, common language of her home.  She rarely holds back from saying what she thinks in a very direct way.  Her dreams for her future life with Billy Ray and her feelings for him are also very direct for a girl of 13.  I’m struggling with how to say this with sounding overly cautious, but many things she said and the way she said them, were on the edge of shocking for a book that is supposed to be for readers in grades 5-8.  I’m not sure if this first-time author intended that, or if it’s part of being a first-time author.  I still liked the story enough, however, to present it in this blog.  I like a character who stands up and takes control of his/her life!  And…the references to 1960’s culture–song lyrics and stories–were a fun blast from my own past!

Poor Joey Pigza is headed for another ride on the roller coaster of his life.  Dad has won the lottery and has come back into their–Joey and his mom’s–life ready to erase all evidence of their past, including Joey’s name!  Carter Pigza is now Charles Heinz, a name he took from the catsup bottle, and Joey is now Freddy.  But who is Freddy down deep inside and what was wrong with Joey?  And what’s wrong with Joey’s mother that she can’t see through his father to the irresponsible person he really is?

I’ve always liked the Joey Pigza books because Joey, in spite of the strange adults around him, always takes hold and becomes the hero of his own life.  Plus these books are funny and fun to read.  Even with the funny scenes and dialogue, these are tough times for Joey and his hopes for the future.

This book will fit into the genre of “sports books” but it isn’t your usual sports book.

Molly has just relocated to Boston to live with her Aunt Barbara and family after Molly’s mother died of cancer while they were living in London.  Before her mother died, she told Molly that she had known Boston Celtics super-star Josh Cameron back then they were in college, and that Josh Cameron was Molly’s father!  But when she waits for him after a game one day to tell him, do you think he believes her story?

Mike Lupica by profession is a sports columnist for various newspapers and appears on ESPN.  His knowledge of sports usually can be seen in his books in the realistic sports action that takes place.  In this book, we come to appreciate the importance of brand name companies sponsoring professional sports figures, and the importance of maintaining a certain image that will keep the sponsors happy.  So how do you think a sponsor would feel about a player all of a sudden finding out that he’s the father of a 12-year-old girl?

Read this book for another perspective on sports and sports heroes!