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andee_zomerman's reviews
758 reviews
The Memory Book by Lara Avery
4.0
Yes, yes, yes...I LOOK 47 and ACT 47, but really I believe I'm 17. So I gave the book 4 stars. Even if my grown up mind knew it was predictable, my 17 year old heart gave in to the story.
VOYA gave it a 2016 Perfect 10. Talking about all award winners, a wise friend told me, "Knowing why it's a winner isn't apparent until you reach the last page." This is applicable here.
Sammie has a terminal disease and is losing her memory, so she records everything on her laptop as a means of reading back to remember. We walk through her senior year into the season of what would have been her freshman year in college, all the while watching her memory slip away. Her friends and family all have their own ways of dealing with Sammie as she deteriorates. Personally, I could relate to the parents. I don't even want to think about something like this happening to my own children.
***Spoiler***The boys in the story: I liked them. Although I never dated a "Stuart" I definitely had "Cooper" friends. I thought Cooper was extremely believable. Stuart - not as much. He had me until the end. The maturity shown in one of the last conflicts was admirable, but not so believable for me. This was what prevented me from giving the book 5 stars.
VOYA gave it a 2016 Perfect 10. Talking about all award winners, a wise friend told me, "Knowing why it's a winner isn't apparent until you reach the last page." This is applicable here.
Sammie has a terminal disease and is losing her memory, so she records everything on her laptop as a means of reading back to remember. We walk through her senior year into the season of what would have been her freshman year in college, all the while watching her memory slip away. Her friends and family all have their own ways of dealing with Sammie as she deteriorates. Personally, I could relate to the parents. I don't even want to think about something like this happening to my own children.
***Spoiler***The boys in the story: I liked them. Although I never dated a "Stuart" I definitely had "Cooper" friends. I thought Cooper was extremely believable. Stuart - not as much. He had me until the end. The maturity shown in one of the last conflicts was admirable, but not so believable for me. This was what prevented me from giving the book 5 stars.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
5.0
I finished this book two weeks ago, but I've hesitated writing a review because I just can't come up with the words to do the book justice.
I will say this: It's an important book. It's one of the best books I've read. It may be the best YA book I've read. I wish I could meet Angie Thomas. I wish I could be a teen again knowing what I know now. I want every high-schooler to read this book. I want every adult to read this book.
My mourning has further deepened for every black body shot dead for no other reason than being black.
I will say this: It's an important book. It's one of the best books I've read. It may be the best YA book I've read. I wish I could meet Angie Thomas. I wish I could be a teen again knowing what I know now. I want every high-schooler to read this book. I want every adult to read this book.
My mourning has further deepened for every black body shot dead for no other reason than being black.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
4.0
I had to read a fiction story (The Hate U Give) to give me courage to read the non-fiction. I hate that black bodies being killed by cops is an issue. I hate that the 13th amendment didn't prove everyone is equal is some minds. I'm embarrassed by my white, upper class privilege. But I can't sit back and do nothing.
It's why I have to read books like this letter Coates wrote to his son. I need the information to arm myself with knowledge to fight back the "all lives matter" crowd. I hope one day Coates' son will write a story about how awful things were "back then" with a perspective that there is equity in the future.
It's why I have to read books like this letter Coates wrote to his son. I need the information to arm myself with knowledge to fight back the "all lives matter" crowd. I hope one day Coates' son will write a story about how awful things were "back then" with a perspective that there is equity in the future.
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
4.0
It was intense. It was beautifully written. It was important. Most of all, it reminded me of some students who are forced to grow up way too fast because of immature, incompetent parents. I never felt pity for Leonie or Michael. I wanted them gone. Alas, there are real-life parents who should not be raising their kids. This is a brutal reminder.
As far as the supernatural, I thought it was well done. I do believe there are people who see what I can't. I'd love to hear from this family again when Kayla is a teen.
As far as the supernatural, I thought it was well done. I do believe there are people who see what I can't. I'd love to hear from this family again when Kayla is a teen.
Stick by Andrew Smith
3.0
Full disclosure: I only bumped this book up on my reading list because it was challenged by a parent in our school district and caused all kinds of fuss.
That being said, the book made me blush. I was uncomfortable. But then again, I was supposed to be. I've never had the brain of a 13/14 year old boy (Thank God!). It was harsh. The abuse was sad and real. The road trip just as harrowing. And yet...there was hope. And "hope" is what made me realize, this book has merit. Sadly, there ARE kids going through similar situations. If this book proves "hope" to just one of them, it will have done it's job.
Me? I need see a Disney movie or something before I read another similar story.
That being said, the book made me blush. I was uncomfortable. But then again, I was supposed to be. I've never had the brain of a 13/14 year old boy (Thank God!). It was harsh. The abuse was sad and real. The road trip just as harrowing. And yet...there was hope. And "hope" is what made me realize, this book has merit. Sadly, there ARE kids going through similar situations. If this book proves "hope" to just one of them, it will have done it's job.
Me? I need see a Disney movie or something before I read another similar story.
Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson
5.0
I didn't grow up poor, I didn't grow up Black, and though I live here now, I didn't grow up in Portland. Yet, for the pages in this book, I transported myself into an imaginary world in which I did. And while I have all of the privilege in the world, for a second I was in the life of someone who doesn't.
I wish I could keep this book in our elementary library. Alas, because of some profanity and the YA classification, it's for middle school readers and up. However, I will still recommend this book to some of our kids, because they are living the life of Jade.
It's a story that is part of me now, and a story I need to remember when I care for the 700 young cherubs in my school.
I wish I could keep this book in our elementary library. Alas, because of some profanity and the YA classification, it's for middle school readers and up. However, I will still recommend this book to some of our kids, because they are living the life of Jade.
It's a story that is part of me now, and a story I need to remember when I care for the 700 young cherubs in my school.
Dear Martin by Nic Stone
5.0
I once said "The Hate U Give" is the most important book to read this year. "Dear Martin" is tied for me.
These books exploring race are so real and so dirty deep and so necessary. I will NEVER have to face what a Black American faces. Ever. Justyce confronted by a cop as he's trying to help his drunk ex get in the car so he can take her home. Cop holds a gun to Justyce's head. Justyce lives, but the rest of the story is how a Black teen redeems himself and his reputation when he shouldn't have to. Oh - and he's a top notch scholar. But grades don't matter if your skin is dark.
What is wrong with our country? In letters to MLK, Justyce tries to figure it out.
These books exploring race are so real and so dirty deep and so necessary. I will NEVER have to face what a Black American faces. Ever. Justyce confronted by a cop as he's trying to help his drunk ex get in the car so he can take her home. Cop holds a gun to Justyce's head. Justyce lives, but the rest of the story is how a Black teen redeems himself and his reputation when he shouldn't have to. Oh - and he's a top notch scholar. But grades don't matter if your skin is dark.
What is wrong with our country? In letters to MLK, Justyce tries to figure it out.
Puddin' by Julie Murphy
3.0
Ok - I did not even realize this until coming to Goodreads to review: I had no idea Puddin' was the second book in a series. You do not need to read the first to get the second, but I do want to back and read the first.
The second book covers the stories of different characters. One, described as overwieght, is strong and admirable. The other, a stereotype we've all known. A consequence brings them together and they become friends. I love how Murphy teaches about feelings and respect through the eyes of these girls.
A high school read. I wish I had books like this when I was 16.
The second book covers the stories of different characters. One, described as overwieght, is strong and admirable. The other, a stereotype we've all known. A consequence brings them together and they become friends. I love how Murphy teaches about feelings and respect through the eyes of these girls.
A high school read. I wish I had books like this when I was 16.
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
5.0
I've read many a story lately about black boys shot dead by police officers - they're ALL important and we need to hear/read as many of these as we can. Ghost Boys was just right for middle grade readers.
It's a tough subject. It's not fair that Black parents need to fear for their boys' lives at every moment. Ghost Boys deals with death in a way that will let 4th-8th graders feel, without the graphics that an older child or adult may need as a kick in the gut.
Jerome is our protagonist and he is joined by the ghost of Emmett Till. Rhodes weaves in the historical fiction teaching history to unsuspecting readers. This will be the perfect first read for our middle school's first #ProjectLIT meeting.
"Winter. Spring. Summer.
Every time I see a black kid I yell, 'Be safe.' They never hear me."
It's a tough subject. It's not fair that Black parents need to fear for their boys' lives at every moment. Ghost Boys deals with death in a way that will let 4th-8th graders feel, without the graphics that an older child or adult may need as a kick in the gut.
Jerome is our protagonist and he is joined by the ghost of Emmett Till. Rhodes weaves in the historical fiction teaching history to unsuspecting readers. This will be the perfect first read for our middle school's first #ProjectLIT meeting.
"Winter. Spring. Summer.
Every time I see a black kid I yell, 'Be safe.' They never hear me."
The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future by Ryder Carroll
5.0
It's weird that I would give a book on journaling 5 stars. Maybe I'm surprised it helped me so much. My 16 year old daughter has been talking about bullet journaling for a long time, so I thought the book was worth a read. Little did I know this method would be exactly what I was looking for.
Now if you've seen some and their "bujo"ing, it's very elaborate, artistic, and ornate. That is NOT me. I just need things written down, a place to find the things days or weeks later, and a system to keep less minutiae in my brain. I've been naysaying the analog system for quite a while. After all, our family has an up to date Google calendar; color coded and everything! But too many tasks were slipping through the cracks. I feel more in control with my bujo.
I loved the self help tips included. I was not expecting this, but really found it to be a nice surprise. Nothing earth shattering. Just good reminders to take care of myself.
Now if you've seen some and their "bujo"ing, it's very elaborate, artistic, and ornate. That is NOT me. I just need things written down, a place to find the things days or weeks later, and a system to keep less minutiae in my brain. I've been naysaying the analog system for quite a while. After all, our family has an up to date Google calendar; color coded and everything! But too many tasks were slipping through the cracks. I feel more in control with my bujo.
I loved the self help tips included. I was not expecting this, but really found it to be a nice surprise. Nothing earth shattering. Just good reminders to take care of myself.