Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver
Lauren Oliver is a teen fiction author whose books are super popular amongst my students. Her breakout success, Before I Fall (a good read), was recently turned into a major motion picture. Vanishing Girls shifts in point of view between two sisters, Nick and Dara, whose lives are altered by a major car accident. In the wake of their own personal trauma, the local media is in a frenzy over a missing young girl. The different perspectives and jumps back and forth in time kept me delightfully confused. I was curious enough to want to keep reading, but no so puzzled that I lost interest. All the loose ends are tied up by the novel’s final chapter; and, I have to say, it was definitely a page turner and a book I’d recommend.
The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls
I was super excited to read the first work of fiction by the author of one of my favorite books, The Glass Castle. The Silver Star tells the story of two sisters left alone by their mother who embark on a journey to find their only known relative, their mother’s brother Uncle Tinsley. The girls adjust to life in their mom’s southern hometown differently as they discover their roots and adapt to a new way of life. There’s something about Walls’ writing that I just love. She creates such memorable characters, and her style is melodic, yet sharp-- descriptive, yet concise. I would recommend The Silver Star to anybody who loves Jeannette Walls or really any adult looking for a solid work of fiction.
Somebody Else’s Kids by Torey Hayden
Back to nonfiction, I was lent this book by my friend Sharon. It’s a true account of one teacher’s remarkable school year with four very different, but equally disadvantaged children. I honestly wasn’t sure about reading it, as I find that many books about education are too touchy-feely, aka cheesy, for my taste. Despite this, I sure am glad I read Somebody Else’s Kids. Hayden is a beautiful writer, and I found her to be an honest, relatable narrator. The entire book, I was completely engaged in the lives of Hayden and her four charges. I was praying for an epilogue because I felt so emotionally invested. Luckily, she obliged. I’d recommend this book to anybody who enjoys inspirational (albeit heartbreaking) stories and/or anybody who is, knows, or loves a teacher.
Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon
This book was lent to me by one of my favorite students, Emma. She had finished it up in reading class and absolutely loved it. Many of the other girls in my classes echoed her sentiment, so I figured it was worth a read. And, it so was. Maddy is a girl whose entire life is limited to the inside of her home due to a rare disease that renders her immune system nonexistent. Maddy copes well with her illness and enjoys time spent at home with her mother (her brother and father were killed in a car accident shortly after her birth) and nurse. Well, she copes until a mysterious boy moves in next door, causing her to yearn for a life outside. I feared this love story would be sweet, but sort of cheesy (ala Twilight). But, a major plot twist left me reeling. Everything Everything is smart, unique, and heartfelt. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend to all, even though it’s a young adult title. I’m excited to see the movie (my students tell me it just came out and is worth a watch).
