Author: Haywood Smith
Title: The Red Hat Club
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Rating: 5
Summary: A group of 50 plus women, friends since high school, who is on the path of revenge when one of their husbands cheats on her.
Author: Ron Clark
Title: The Essential 55
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Rating: 5
Summary: This is a great book for future and current teachers. It is also a must read as well. Clark is a teacher, and he created rules that his students must use. It is a helpful tool and can be used outside the classroom.
Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett
Title: A Little Princess
LSU
Rating: 5
Summary: It has been a while since I read this book. It is one that keeps you optimistic even when thinga are down. For the most part, Sara is a happy and imaginitive even after her father "passes" away and the headmistress is cruel to her.
Author: William Shakespeare
Title: Twelfth Night
LSU
Rating: 5
Summary: What can I say?! This great play, and I enjoyed reading about Viola and the others antics.
Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder
Title: Little House on the Prairie
LSU
Rating: 5
Summary: Another chapter in the lives of the Ingalls’ life. Laura is older, and her family moves to Kansas. There are more struggles as they must now live on this land in order to own it.
Author: Amulya Malladi
Title: The Mango Season
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Rating: 5
Summary: This beautifully written story us about Priya going returning to India after 7 years in the US. She plans to tell her family about her taboo love, her fiance, Nick. She also faces the fact that she feels different about her old life and values in India.
Author: Judy Blume
Title: BFF
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Rating: 4
Summary: This a two part book. The first I had already read early. The second part I read for this review is Here’s to you, Rachel Robinson. This is the sequel to Just as Long as We are Together. This time it is Rachel’s story and how she is dealing with her troublesome older brother.
Author: Chaim Potok
Title: The Promise
LSU
Rating: 4
Summary: This is the continuation of Potok’s The Chosen. I enjoyed reading this book, and finding out what Danny Saunders is doing after he left his future role as tzaddik.
Summary: Two friends, Vix and Caitlin, met when they were young kids, and the friendship has continued, but it is not the same now that they are adults. The book was all right, but I felt it was not one of Blume’s best works.
Summary: An interesting book about a 17-year-old girl, her 16-year-old niece, and how her life changes when her perfect world is turned upside down.
Author: Linda Gerber
Title: The Finnish Line
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Rating: 4
Summary: I have read other books in the S.A.S.S. series, and this is the first time the female character is not annoying. Maureen Clark travels to Finland to attend the Scholar Athlete Program as a ski jumper. She is somewhat hidden under the shadow of her father, Kip Clark, who won an Olympic medal in the sport. I liked the fact she wanted to earn the respect of others without using her father's celebrity stature.
Author: Willa Cather
Title: My Antonia
LSU
Rating: 5
Summary: A beautifully written story about Antonia, a Bohemian immigrant, and her family during 19th Century America. The story is told by Jim, a friend and old neighbor who grew up with her, who tells about her struggles from a young girl to a maried woman in America.
Author: Michael Shaara
Title: The Killer Angels
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Rating: 4
Summary: An interesting historical novel on the Battle of Gettysburg. Shaara gives the reader an inside look on both sides of the war, the Yankees and the Confederates. The imagery is superb too.
Author: Mark Haddon
Title: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
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Rating: 5
Summary: An excellent book to read. If you love math, then you will enjoy this book even more than I did. The protaganist has Asperger syndrome, and loves to figure out math problems and many other things as well. He finds his neighbor’s dog dead in her yard, and is on a quest to search for the killer.
Author: Shobhan Bantwal
Title: The Dowry Bride
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Rating: 3
Summary: The author provides an interesting glimpse onto the subject of dowry brides by writing a novel. Megha finds out her evil mother-in-law, Amma, and husband, Suresh, are plotting to kill her because her father has not yet given the dowry as he was supposed to a year later. The only reason Megha married her husband was the fact the dowry was cheap. Her in-laws accepted her because she is beautiful and her genes will help to improve their family’s genes. She runs away and finds Kiran, her cousin-in-law, and asks for help. He helps her by allowing her allowing her to stay with him. Problem...he loves her. Can he keep her hidden from the vengeful Amma?
Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder
Title: Little House in the Big Woods
LSU
Rating: 5
Summary: I love reading about Laura and her family, and I never grow tired of them. I am fascinated to read how life was like during this time period. This one has Laura and her family in the woods. My favorite part of the story has her entire family throwing a party. She learns to make sugar maple candy.
Author: Elizabeth Gaskell
Title: Ruth
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Rating: 5
Summary: Set during the Victorian era, this novel is full of controversy and scandel. It is great! Ruth is a young woman who is tricked by an upper-class man into sleeping with him, When others found out what she had done (forget he did anything), she runs away to escape the humilition and embarrasment. A little person finds and takes her in to live with him and his sister. Low and behold, Ruth finds out she is expecting. This is a story of her trials and tribulations during a time when it was considered shameful and shunned to have a child out of wedlock and the idea she had been with a man before marriage.
Author: Jacqueline Sheehan
Title: Lost and Found
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Rating: 5
Summary: Rocky’s husband dies, and she is at a complete loss. She takes a leave of absence as a psychologist at a uniersity, and decides to reinvent her life on an island nearby. She gets a job as a animal control warden, and her new boss is the only one who knows about her past. One day she captures a wounded Black Lab, and the mystery begins as to who would do such as thing to this dog.
I chose this book because the Black Lab on the cover.I have one myself, but I throughly enjoyed this book. The imagery is great as well as the storytelling. The characters are well written and hae such life to them. I do have to warn you that it is a tear-jerker.
Summary: This book is a complilation of stories written by Bombeck. It was published after her death. I like to think of it as the best of the best. It also includes tribute from other people, along with a beautiful one written by her husband.
Author: Lara Rios
Title: Becoming Americana
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Rating: 3
Summary: I like to think of this as the sequel to Becoming Latina in 10 Easy Steps. This time it is Lupe’s story on what she done after Marcela changed her life around. This book is entertaining, but I like the other one better.
Author: Lara Rios
Title: Becoming Latina in 10 Easy Steps
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Rating: 5
Summary: Marcela Alvarez finds out by accident that she is not pure Latina. Her mom had relations with a Caucasion. Her cousins don’t consider Marcela to be one of them. To take care of this situation, her and her best friend come up with a list of ten ways to make her a full-fledge latina. Never mind everything on the list is a stereotypes. I found this book interesting because I can relate to the Marcela. I am latina, but at times I feel I am not because I don't eat or do certain things. Then I remember that it is who I am, not what I do that makes me latina.
Author: Deborah Rodriguez
Title: Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil
LSU
Rating: 5
Summary: This is a true story of a hairdresser who travels to Afghanistan, and opens a beauty school. She wants the women there to have a chance to earn money, but also learn the proper and hygenic techniques to the beauty business. not only does she struggle with her life and those around her in Afghanistan, but her personal life in the US.
Author: Laura Fitzgerald
Title: Veil of Roses
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Rating: 5
Summary: This is such a nice story to read. Tamila is an Iranian, whose parents arranges a trip to America for her with a three month visa. The plan is for her to find an Iranian husband with an American citizenship. This was done to her older sister before. Tamila’s parents do not want her to live in Iran anymore where she will be oppressed. While she is in the US, she takes English classes and befriends people from all walks of life. Problems arises when she meets a American man who happens to be Caucasion.
Author: Coert Voorhees
Title: The Brothers Torres
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Rating: 3
Summary: Let me just say straight off that I have never read so many swear words in one book. Or even drinking! This is a young adult book, but I felt I this book should be for adults. There are a few stereotypes in this book as well. There are so many stories that weaved together it is hard to know when to start.
Frankie is a 15-year-old who is the result of a biracial marriage. His mother is Hispanic and his father is Caucasion. He has a brother, Steve, who is constantly telling Frankie he won't be a man until he has a date for Homecoming. Frankie is bombarded everywhere of he won’t be man if he does not do certain things, but he is not llike the others. He likes this girl, Rebecca, but he is shy to ask her out. His opportunity comes after he beaten by his brother's rival, Dalton. Dalton also happens to be the one taking Rebecca to Homecoming. His brother is one of the star socer players who has a full-time scholarship, but he may lose it if he comtinues going down the wrong path by hanging out with gang members. Frankie is in a struggle with the aspects in his life, and he is trying to figure out what to do.
Author: Rachel Vail
Title: Lucky
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Rating: 4
Summary: I like to think of this book as combination of annoying with a hint of a good story. Phoebe’s is well off until her mom looses her job as what sounds like a stockbroker. The problem is Phoebe is graduating from 8th grade, and she, along with her friends, are throwing an extravaganza of a party. But when the money is not there pay for her perfect dress, much less the party, difficult situations arise.
Here is a girl who is used to getting everything she wants, but not anymore. Here is the story of a spoiled brat. Phoebe’s father lets her know this fact. Her father is the only character that is down to earth, but he did allow the raising of his spoiled brat of a daughter. He lets her know the world does not revolve around her party, but she should think of the family. The story has many good parts, but there are times you want to tell the protanganist and her friends off.
Author: Erma Bombeck
Title: All I Know About Animal Behavior I learned in Loehmann’s Dressing Room
LSU
Rating: 5
Summary: I loving reading books written by Erma Bombeck. She began each chapter with an animal fact, and proceeds with what humans do. These are her observations of not only her family, but others get no mercy from her.
Author: Francine Pascal
Title: Love & Betrayal & Hold the Mayo
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Rating: 4
Summary: If you ever read The Sweet Valley High or the Sweet Valley Twins, then you know who Francine Pascal is and how she writes. Victoria Martin has been convinced by her best friend, Steffi, to work at a summer camp as a camper-waitress. Things are great until she falls for Steffi’s boyfriend. She tries to avoid him, but has a difficult time with this plan.
Author: Judy Blume
Title: Just as Long as We're Together
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Rating: 4
Summary: Any book Judy Blume writes is good. This one is no exception. Stephanie is in the 7th grade, and she faces changes in life. She gains another best friend, but the old one feels left out even when of them are always together. Boys are added in the mixture as well. Stephanie finds out on Thanksgiving Day the real reason her father lives and works in California. Her parents are separated but neither told their two children this detail.
Author: Gennifer Choldenko
Title: Al Capone Does My Shirts
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Rating: 5
Summary: A beautifully written book about a family living on Alcatraz Island in 1935. Moose Flanagan’s family moves from Santa Monica to Alcatraz because his father found a job as a prison guard/electrician. His sister, Natalie, though not mention, has some form of autism. He tells the reader about living with his sister and his new environment during the Great Depression. It is rare and refreshing to find a book with the male as the protaganist.
Summary: I think giving it a 2 is generous of me. Angie just graduated from high school and will be attending college. She is annoying since she only thinks of what her boyfriend thinks of her and other things. This is her first boyfriend, and with it gained her popularity. She now looks at girls with disgust who are not as lucky as she is. Though this book was horrible, I wanted to find out how it ended.
Summary: Estrella received a scholarship to attend a private school. In the process of this new move, she dumped her old friends for new ones. To make matters worse for her, Estrella's mom and aunt are planning an extravagant (in her mind) tacky quinceanera. It is interesting to read about this culture clash between two groups she is part of, and is trying to figure out where she belongs.
Summary: This story is set in India. Koly has an arranged marriege in her early teens to a boy her same age. The only problem is her new husband has tuberculous, and her in-laws used the excuse of marriage for her dowery. They hope to use the dowery as a way to travel to the Ghanges River to cure their son, but he dies the day after bathing in this healing water. Koly is a widow, and her life completely changes after this sudden change in her life.
Author: Nancy Thayer
Title: The Hot Flash Club Chills Out
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Rating: 5
Summary: The Hot Flash Club are back, but this time the ladies get to relax on Nantucket Island. It is here where they find out more about themselves, such as letting go of certain things or about love.
Summary: Devi tries to commit suicide, but is unsuccessful when her mother saves. Everything she does is unsuccessful compared to her "prefect" sister. So what Devi do now, she stops talking and starts to cook. Her family is waiting for her to talk, but at the same time, each is trying to figure what is happening to their own marriages and life.
Author: Potok, Chaim
Title: The Chosen
LSU
Rating: 5
Summary: The setting is Brooklyn, New York during World War II. Two 15-year-old Jewish boys become best friends after an accident in result of a baseball game. Though both are Jewish, they are different in many ways. Danny Saunders is Hasidic and grew up in a silent environment, while Reuven Malter grew up in a home where his father listened to his words. Danny's father is a tzaddik and it is a position that is passed down from father to son. Words are exchanged when both are studying the Talmud. Danny, on the other hand, has plans on becoming a psychologist, not a tzaddik. He is struggling with trying to figure how to let his father, and the only way this can be done is when his father is speaking to Reuven