First of all, it's good to be back. I took an inexcusably long break from writing, pretty much for the entire 3.5 years I was attending grad school. Here's the good news: I am now an Information Scientist (a.k.a. librarian), and over the last year I've been reading like a fiend. Nothing like reading 100 books in one year to get you re-inspired to start writing again. In fact, I was so proud of this personal accomplishment that I am dedicating my first blog post [of 2013] to the complete list.
Most people's responses when I bragged that I read 100 books this year were something along the lines of: "Yeah, but all you read are kid books." First of all, did YOU read that many books this year? Second of all, yeah 20 or so of the books listed are picture books, and most of the novels listed are categorically "YA (Young Adult)," but they're still books. And I learned just as much, if not more, from Mo Willem's
Leonardo, The Terrible Monster than
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.
So here they are, loosely in the order I read them. Some have reviews I copied and pasted from what I wrote on Goodreads. I am distinguishing picture books, audio books, and graphic novels with parenthetical statements for those who are interested in format. Books I'd highly recommend are preceded by 2 stars (**).
(
NOTE: After closer examination, my tally was technically
99 and 1/3 books, as I still have yet to read the remaining 2/3 of T
he Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.)
**1)
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Took 2 days to read. Everyone, especially if you have any relation to education (teacher, administrator, student, parent, counselor, librarian, etc.), should read this. You'll fall in love with August and have an eye-opening look to how, not just classmates, but their parents (atrocious!), try to act like he's not good enough to be part of the school just because he has a facial deformity.
**2) Out of my Mind by Sharon Draper
I really
liked this book. Definitely made me think a lot about how kids with
disabilities are treated, especially in an "inclusion" school setting. I
loved seeing the world from Melody's perspective. I can't think of an
alternate ending, but I wish her class would have been chastised more
for leaving her behind on the big day.
3) The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
This book held my attention for about 100 pages around 400-500. Other than that, don't get the hype.
4) The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
The sequel was better than the first, however the American version of the first movie ruined the entire mystery of the second book, so I predicted everything WAY sooner than I should have.
5) [1/3 of] The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
**6) The Giver (re-read)
This
book changed my life when I read it in 5th grade. I recently read it
again as an adult, worried that I wouldn't feel the same attachment. It
was still there. Fantastic, thought-provoking read.
**7) The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
8) Divergent by Veronica Roth
I liked
this and futuristic Chicago as the setting, but I wanted to like it more
than I did. I'll definitely still read the rest of the trilogy.
9) Feed by M.T. Anderson
I wanted to and expected to
like this book more than I did. I liked the concept behind it, but I
didn't find it a super compelling read. With that said, I think there
are some extremely thought-provoking sentences, paragraphs and ideas
throughout.
Also, I felt very connected to Violet's desire to meet
at least someone (in this case a boyfriend, who she [sort of] finds in
Titus) to know and understand her. I can identify and empathize with the
pain of discovering someone has blatantly chosen not to read pages and
pages of thoughts that one chooses to share. It made me think about all
the times in college when I would send novella-length e-mails home to a
group of people that I thought might care, trying to make connections.
What if most of those just ended up in the virtual trashcan?
Throughout
the book, I felt the same feeling I felt in the middle of watching
Wall-E in a dark theater full of people staring at a giant screen... in a
downspiral of depression.
It reminds me of a Wilco lyric: "...our stories fit into phones..."
Although
I actively participate in all these social networking "feeds," I always
feel somewhat guilty and am worried for the future of kids who only
know of human interaction involving some form of a screen. It's scary.
And this was written almost a decade ago before every social networking site had what they now call "[news] feed." Crazy.
Maybe this deserves an extra star for making me think so much, despite not loving how it was written...
10) The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan
11) The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
I really
liked the beginning and ending of this book but thought the middle was
kind of slow. However, Calpurnia reminded me so much of myself as a
little girl, that I'm leaning towards rating it higher than 3 stars.
**12) The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
13) Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli
14) The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
15) Holes by Louis Sachar
I didn't
think I was going to like this as much as I did in the end. Mostly due
to Sachar's mastery of eccentric characters, and I also think it poses a
good first experience for kids who are just learning to "fill in the
holes" in the more complicatedly interwoven stories they're reading.
16) Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf: A Year Told Through Stuff by Jennifer L. Holm
I was
expecting to like this more and wish it was more reader-interactive, but
it served as a good example when talking to 8th graders about the
journal-as-genre to show how a journal doesn't have to be just pages of
written text.
17) The Wright 3 by Blue Balliett
18) The Calder Game by Blue Balliett
**19) A Thousand Splendid Suns (audio) by Khaled Hosseini
Captivating
story of interwoven lives in Afghanistan spanning several decades. My
heart sped up as the story got closer and closer to 2001. Although this
is a work of fiction, I liked feeling as though I was getting a better
understanding of how senseless war is on the other side of the world. I
listened to this as an audiobook on my commutes to/from work, and I
often didn't want to get out of my car.
20) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night by Mark Haddon
21) You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah! by Fiona Rosenbloom
I
started off reading this on a Sunday morning and finished it two hours
later. The language cracked me up and I found myself wishing I had
written this book during my own bat-mitzvah season 16 years ago. The
chapter titles alone made me giggle. There's not a whole lot to the
story beyond a typical best-friend breakup over a boy, but it's a
lighthearted easy read, and I really enjoyed the characters, the humor
and the Jewish references.
22) The Maze of Bones (The 39 Clues #1) by Rick Riordan
I
was expecting to like this book and the concept of this series a lot
more than I did, but it left me not really interested in reading beyond
book 1. Also, the website is not easily-navigable and you can't
participate unless you have the trading cards, which will rarely be
included in the library's copies of the books.
Also, I think the
fact that each book is written by a different author is kind of jarring
and doesn't bode well for the consistency of Amy and Dan's adventures...
especially with the number of characters involved.
Despite not being
blown away by it, after I did a presentation about the series in my
School Media Center class, lots of seasoned YA librarians said their
students love the series, and that it's especially well-received by
reluctant readers. Hence the 3 stars.
23) Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin
A
compelling, interesting and super fast read. I learned a good amount of
Stalin's regime and the relentless fears of the Russian people by
viewing the communist happenings through the eyes of young Sasha.
The illustrations help convey a time of fear and darkness as well.
Was surprised it ended where it did but ultimately thankful.
**24) Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
I
started reading this en route to MN not knowing that half the story
takes place there. I also had no idea that the last page would reveal
that the book is dedicated to Maurice Sendak, who just passed away
yesterday. Librarians, sign language, the feeling of first discovering
New York City and an unraveling story of self-discovery. Loved it.
Possibly even more than The Invention of Hugo Cabret.
**25) Lulu and the Brontosaurus by Judith Viorst
I picked
this out based on the cover illustration, which I know you're not
supposed to do, but it's worth mentioning because they carry on
throughout the story.
Cute, easy read. Definite option for story
hour- lots of potential for emotion and voices and Viorst provides 3
different endings, which could be fun to do with kids as well.
**26) Lulu Walks the Dogs by Judith Viorst
Love
Judith Viorst and loved Lulu and the Brontosaurus, so I was pretty
excited to see there was a new Lulu book. And this one is about her
being a dog walker. Everything about it made me smile :)
27) I am a Pole (And So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert
28) Rules (audio) by Cynthia Lord
29) The Pillars of the Earth (audio) by Ken Follett
**30) The Glass Castle (audio) by Jeannette Walls
This was my first audiobook experience, as I needed something to look forward to on my long commutes.
It's really hard to imagine that the story is real.
I loved it.
31) Will Grayson Will Grayson (audio) by John Green and David Levithan
I liked this story, and I
loved being familiar with the setting of Chicago, Evanston and even one
of my favorite music venues: The Hideout!
I gave it an extra star
because listening to it (aside from the grating repetitiveness of the
narrators reading the screen names in internet chats one too many times)
on Playaway during my commute as opposed to reading it, made it really
come to life. I loved the voices the two narrators gave to the
characters, especially Tiny Cooper's, and hearing the renditions of the
songs in his musical made me laugh out loud in the car.
The
story has a lot of great messages and lessons about being a teenager
(whether gay or straight), love, life and the true meaning of
friendship: showing you care about and appreciate people.
And get this--when the audio ended, I turned on the radio, and guess what was playing! TINY DANCER!
Burning Question: Did Lady Gaga write "Born This Way" for Tiny Cooper??
32) Tell No One (audio) by Harlan Coben
33) The Boss Baby (picture book) by Marla Frazee
Same
illustrator as the Clementine series with really humorous illustrations.
Recommended by Kathy, who said she likes to give it as a gift to new
parents.
34) The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
35) Blankets (graphic novel) by Craig Thompson
36) Queen of the World! (Babymouse, #1) (graphic novel) by Jennifer L. Holm
**37) The Fault in our Stars by John Green
Let's just say there are
few books that have caused me to actually shed tears. As readers who
get a glimpse into the love- and my oh my isn't it the love we all long
for and deserve- between Hazel & Augustus and the importance each of
us has to someone else in this crazy world.
Halfway through I was
enjoying it but wasn't sure I was buying into all 5-star hype. By the
end, though, I was filled with so many overwhelming feelings--not just
sadness, but also heart-bursting love for the world and the people in
it--it's hard not to praise the work fully.
38) Bruiser by Neal Shusterman
39) Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
**40) The Help by Kathryn Stockett (The movie is *terrible* and totally cheapens the book.)
41) Swallow Me Whole (graphic novel) by Nate Powell
I admit it--I chose this
book solely based on its cover. However, I had a hard time following the
story. I thought all the themes the description touched upon made it
sound like something I'd enjoy, but I didn't follow what was happening
at times. In addition, I didn't find any of the drawings nearly as
captivating as the cover art (everything else is in black and white),
and a lot of the text bubbles were hard to read... I'm sure this was on
purpose, but it only left me kind of bored and frustrated.
**42) Smile (graphic novel) by Raina Telgemeier
A great
message for girls about inner beauty. Lots of laugh out loud moments
that hearkened back to my love of the '90s (Bart Simpson shirts, The
Little Mermaid, Teen Spirit deodorant). Also conjured up relatable
memories of all my own teeth issues, most memorably when I had minor gum
surgery and everyone addressed me as "chipmunk" in my freshman
yearbook.
43) American Born Chinese (graphic novel) by Gene Luen Yang
I was supposed to read this book for my YA Lit class last year, but CPL never got a copy for me in time. Definitely a quick and fun read. I
really enjoyed the 3 interchanging story lines but when they finally
become interwoven in an ah-ha moment near the end, it ends I abruptly
and left me thinking, "wait- but then what?"
44) Ghostopolis (graphic novel) by Doug TenNepal
45) Tommysaurus Rex (graphic novel) by Doug TenNepal
**46) My Monster Burrufu by Alberto Corral
**47) 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
I was nervous to read this book. Two and a half years ago (although it
seems like hardly any time has passed) I lost a close relative to
suicide. I still don't understand the circumstances, and every time I
think about him and the taboo subject, my stomach twists and I want to
rewind time and recognize the signs. What could I have done to show I
cared more? What could I have said to convince him otherwise (even
though I didn't know that was ever remotely a possibility until it was
too late)? It kills me, still, that I saw him 36 hours before it
happened. I still haven't been able to write about it. All that's in my
journal on a blank page is: "My mom called and in a panicked voice said,
'Are you sitting down?' All I could think was, 'Oh no. Her cancer came
back.' But when I sat down on the closed toilet and hesitantly said,
'Yeah,' my heart racing and breaking, I was shocked when what she
actually said was, 'J is dead...He killed himself.'"
I really
enjoyed the format of the book and the double narrative. It evoked a lot
of different feelings as I read it. Hannah's voice (at least how my
brain made her sound) even pervaded my dreams last night. Every time I
fell back to sleep, my dreams were narrated in her voice. Haunting.
I
was going to rate this book 4 stars, but after reading the last two
pages and reading the author interview about how this book has
[positively] affected his teen reader audience, I'm knocking it up to a 5
out of 5 because that kind of power behind a piece of writing deserves
the best praise.
I think this is an important book for teenagers
to read. As the author, Jay Asher, says in an interview at the back of
the book in reply to the question, "Were you ever worried that this book
would be hard for people to get through because of the serious issues
it deals with?"
"...Some people, primarily adults, would rather there
be no books dealing with controversial subjects, even if those books
help start a dialogue between teens and adults. Thankfully, I've heard
from a lot of parents and teachers and librarians who are using this
book for that very reason."
48) Stitches (graphic novel) by David Small
I liked
this graphic novel and thought it was interesting that it's also labeled
as a "memoir." I think the "where are they now?" type blurbs with
accompanying photographs in the back of the book helped me appreciate
the story even more because it helped the reader understand the context
of the storyline that much more.
**49) Rupunzel's Revenge (graphic novel) by Shannon and Nathan Hale
50) Meanwhile (graphic novel) by Jason Shiga
I didn't
follow all 3,856 story possibilities, however I enjoyed following a few
of Jimmy's adventures. Reminded me of the Choose Your Own Adventure
book series I used to adore as a kid. Fun to see something like that in a
visual, colorful map-type format!
51) Zebrafish (graphic novel) by Peter H. Reynolds
52) Auschwitz (graphic novel) by Pascal Croci
It's
hard to say that you "liked" a book of this sort. Croci doesn't hold
back with his often violent depictions/illustrations of the terror at
Auschwitz. It's gut-twisting to look at, and I found myself, at times,
only focusing on the text bubbles and only glossing over the
illustrations. The interview at the end [with Croci], which includes
excerpts of letters from survivors interviewed for the fictional
depiction, was interesting and eye-opening.
53) Green (picture book) by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
54) Zombies in the Library by Michael Dahl
**55) The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors by Chris Barton
Loved
how the use of neon colors were used more and more throughout the book
as the brothers got closer and closer to fully utilizing their
discovery.
I liked the illustrations and the story (which is pretty
interesting!) was laid out simply for young readers. Definitely a unique
text for young readers looking for a non-fiction book to read.
**56) Inside Out & Back Again by Tanhha Lai
I loved this book. Two of
the reasons can be found in the author's note at the end. 1) "I extend
this idea to all: How much do we know about those around us?" and 2) "I
also hope after you finish this book that you sit close to someone you
love and implore that person to tell and tell and tell their story."
This
book is written in short, eye-opening poems and spans the year of 1975.
The story is told from the perspective of Há, a Vietnamese girl who
flees Vietnam with her family, near the end of the war, and ends up in
Alabama. The fact that it's written in poetry works really well because a
lot of the details are based off the authors own memories, so it flows
really well in the way that short bursts of detailed memories often do.
It's hard not to empathize with Há's desire to go back to war-torn
Vietnam, when none of the kids are nice to her, their evangelical
neighbors practically force them to get baptized, English is impossible
to learn, and she has no idea whether or not her father is still alive.
Having just traveled to Vietnam this summer, I particularly felt a
strong tie to this book because of how it felt to be an American there
only 40 years later.
Highly recommended. For all ages really.
**57) Bridge to Terebithia (re-read) by Katherine Paterson
I haven't read this book
since I was probably 11 years old, almost 20 years ago, but I remember
the story made a great impact on me and how I've continually valued
friendships over the years. Now that I'm working in a school library,
grade 3-5, I decided I should re-read it as an adult, in addition to the
fact that I forgot to adjust my Netflix queue and got the movie in the
mail a week ago. I kept wishing I misremembered the tragedy that's
weighed on my mind as the single memory from the book, but it still
happened and my feelings didn't waver. The book subtly addresses
religion and what happens (or doesn't) in the afterlife based on one's
beliefs. Judging by the time of my life that I first read this, I
understand now another one of the reasons why I felt so strongly about
this story.
**58) Halloween (picture book) by Jerry Seinfeld
Got to play Seinfeld narrating his own book, while showing classes the illustrations in the book. It was hilarious.
59) Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech
60) A Giraffe and a Half by Shel Silverstein
**61) Animal Heroes: True Rescue Stories by Sandra Markle
I read this book in
preparation for this Thursday night's non-fiction book club at the
school where I'm student teaching. I am a total sucker for animal
stories, especially ones where they save people. There are 10 stories
about pets saving their owners and wild animals saving people in their
natural environments. The first story is about a guide dog who lead his
blind owner out of the World Trade Center on 9/11. That alone hit close
to home, so I was hooked and read the rest of the stories pretty
quickly. There are text boxes with easy-to-read facts about natural
disasters (e.g. hurricanes) and health issues (e.g. hypothermia) that
add important information for kids to fully understand the extent to
which the animals helped the humans.
**62) Wallace's Lists (picture book) by Barbara Bottner
Cute book about deviating from life's lists, something people even a lot older than Wallace could learn how to do.
**63) Leonardo, the Terrible Monster (picture book) by Mo Willems
Loved
the visual design, both text and illustrations. Leonardo is adorable
(although he'd probably hate, at least in the beginning), if I described
him that way. Quick, simple read with a great message.
64) When Sophie Gets Angry -- Really, Really Angry (picture book) by Molly Bang
65) Teammates (picture book) by Tiki Barber and Robert Burleigh
This
book didn't really grab my attention, but I also don't really care about
football that much. I do think it's neat that the authors are real-life
football stars and friends, which I didn't realize until I tried
searching for this picture book on Goodreads.
66) Strange and Wonderful Tale of Robert McDoodle: The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Dog (picture book) by Steven Baur
Cute concept.
67) Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen (picture book) by Cari Best
This book was cute, but I didn't love it. I liked the ending.
68) Oh yeah! (picture book) by Tom Birdseye
Two boys
who "one-up" each other about how scared they're NOT going to get
sleeping in a tent outside. Liked illustrations more than the book as a
whole.
69) A Frog Thing (picture book) by Eric Drachman
Easy reader picture book with a positive message about being happy with who you are.
70) The Perfect Nest (picture book) by Catherine Friend
71) When Randolph Turned Rotten (picture book)by Charise Mericle Harper
72) The Incredible Book-Eating Boy (picture book) by Oliver Jeffers
I loved
the collage-like illustrations in this book, as well as the storyline.
The bite taken out of the back corner also gives it that extra humorous,
visceral touch. Want to add this to my own growing personal library and
check out the other books by Jeffers.
73) Michael's Golden Rules by Deloris (picture book) and Roslyn Jordan
I didn't
love this book, despite the intro being written by the great Michael
Jordan. But, again, sports books really don't hold my attention, so it
could be the perfect book for a young boy (or girl) struggling at Little
League, etc.
**74) Hippo-not-amus (picture book) by Tony and Jan Payne
Another
great, humorous and colorful picture book about learning to love who you
are, even if you have to try being other species to reach that level of
appreciation.
75) Pete's a Pizza (picture book) by William Steig
76) Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale (picture book) by Mo Willems
77) Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity (picture book) by Mo Willems
I can
relate to having a favorite stuffed animal and knowing when a similar
one is not yours (or when your mom promises she won't was it but does
anyway). I really liked the illustrations, set atop real black &
white photographs. My one question, though, is that one of the
photographs is of the real Arc'd'Triumph in Paris, but the story takes
place in Brooklyn, so you'd think a picture of the arch, would be the
one in Washington Square Park in Manhattan... details, details.
**78) Library Lion (picture book) by Michelle Knudsen
Animals in the library? Yes, please!
79) I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato (picture book) by Lauren Child
As
someone who was quite the picky eater growing up, I loved reading this
book about how Charlie gets his sister Lola to eat various foods she
refuses to eat by giving them imaginative names and backstories (e.g.
referring to tomatoes as MOONSQUIRTERS)! I also really liked the use of
moving text and the cute illustrations.
**80) Little Rabbit and the Meanest Mother on Earth (picture book) by Kate Klise
Now that I'm an adult, I want to give this book to my mom.
**81) Ish by (picture book) by Peter H. Reynolds
**82) The Dot (picture book) by Peter H. Reynolds
83) The Adventures of a Nose (picture book) by Viviane Schwartz
Loved the illustrations, showing that the nose subtly completes a face no matter where it goes.
84) I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed (picture book) by Lauren Child
85) Just a Dream (picture book) by Chris Van Allsburg
Scary
that this was published in 1990. Like Wall-E, it makes me nervous that
this is where our world is quickly headed if people don't start caring
about the Earth and its resources. Good lessons with dreamy
illustrations.
**86) Scaredy Squirrel (picture book) by Mélanie Watt
Like, Wallace's Lists, this book has another great lesson about breaking routine and exploring the unknown.
**87) Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
I loved
that is based off the author's grandmother's own immigration story. The
integration of Spanish is great. I actually wish there was more. I liked
how the chapter titles are types of fruit (written in both languages)
instead of numbers and how each fruit related to the story. Esperanza
changes from her rich rancher mentality to a more humble and
understanding person after experience life as a new U.S. immigrant.
88) The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder by Mark Cassino and Jon Nelson
I thought this book was boring and the visuals too repetitive.
89) GUYKU: A Year of Haiku for Boys by Bob Raczka
**90) Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse by Marilyn Singer
This
book totally tricked me! I knew the concept was poetry from "mirroring"
perspectives, but I didn't catch on that the side-by-side poems were the
exact same text reversed until a few pages in! When I finally caught
on, I thought, "Wow! This sure shows how much punctuation can changed
the meaning of a sentence!" Each page is a different fairy tale and the
two poems are from 2 different character's perspectives. Interesting and
clever concept with colorful, engaging illustrations.
91) Baloney (Henry P.) (picture book) by Jon Scieszca
92) There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein by Susan Sussman
"That
afternoon we practiced Christmas carols. I just mouthed the words. I
didn't know if Jews were supposed to sing the words "little Lord Jesus"
and "'ron yon Virgin." I did sing "Jingle Bells" and "White Christmas."
They seemed safe." I feel like Sussman translated my kid thoughts about
celebrating Hanukkah when it seemed like all the focus was on Christmas
into a children's book. Also, I love the title of this book.
**93) Thoreau at Walden (graphic novel) by John Porcellino
I first learned about Henry
David Thoreau and his beliefs in Gary Anderson's American Studies
English class when I was a junior in high school. I immediately became
obsessed with him and his ideologies. I just discovered this graphic
novel version of some of his collected thoughts and spent the last 15
minutes reading it. I really enjoyed the introduction as a memory jog. I
think the graphic novel portion does a good job of accomplishing the
book's stated goal, which is to get the reader interested enough
[meaning the books is fairly short and doesn't touch on ALL his
thoughts, etc.] to seek out further information and writings by Thoreau.
In the back of the book there are "panel discussions" which provide
additional and interesting information anecdotes about some of the
quotes included within the graphic novel.
**94) Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan
It's hard to say whether I
would have rated this book so highly had I not experienced 9/11
first-hand. But because I did and because I feel like Levithan had some
kind of psychic ability to transcribe my inner-most thoughts regarding
the range of feelings during that time (as well as passages that sounded
they were ripped straight out of my 2001 journal), I had to give it a
full 5 stars. I found myself wanting to underline practically every
other paragraph, but it was a library book. I think I'm going to have to
buy a copy now. I'm not sure if the everyday reader (meaning anyone not
in NYC on that day) would feel as connected to the story, but I could
be wrong, given that he does a fantastic job of describing what it felt
like from 3 different points of view, of 3 teenagers whose paths cross
because of the circumstances.
95) Ruth and the Green Book (picture book) by Calvin Alexander Ramsey
96) Redwoods (picture book) by Jason Chin
97) Houdini: The Handcuff King (graphic novel) by Jason Lutes
98) The Inside Outside Book of Libraries
**99) Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick
I
knew about a movie titled The Killing Fields for years, but never knew
that the movie was about one of the world's worst genocidal atrocities.
This past summer I spent some time in both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh,
Cambodia during a month-long backpacking trip through Southeast Asia. We
went to the Killing Fields at the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, and I
walked around in a stunned silence as I listened to the audioguide in my
ear describe what I was looking at: The Killing Tree, where the Khmer
Rouge slammed babies head-first against its trunk before throwing them
in a ditch, enormous ditches that marked mass graves of almost 9,000
people at that one site, how bone fragments and shreds of cloth still
surface after the rainy season and a Buddhist stupa (memorial) filled
with human skulls, many of which have marks of being assaulted by an ax.
Never in my life have I felt like more of an ignorant American. How
did I never learn about such recent history (1975-1979...people are
just NOW being brought to trial for their involvement) in school?? The
whole experience was so incomprehensible, this is actually my first
attempt to put any of it into words.
So when I heard about this
new YA novel, based on the true survival story of Arn Chorn-Pond, a few
months after I got home, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy in
hopes of better understanding what I saw and learned about at Choeung
Ek.
It's hard not to give this book 5 stars, even though it was
really hard to read. I wanted to cry or throw up after reading
practically every page, and it's the first book I've read where I
actually found myself questioning whether the material is "appropriate"
for a young adult audience. Then I frequently reminded myself that this
is, for the most part, Arn's story. This is what he really lived through
in his attempt to survive the Khmer Rouge through his musical ingenious
and pure luck. And everyone, young and old, should read his story so we
can better understand what human beings are capable of, what they can
survive and how we need to prevent history like this from ever repeating
itself.
**100) It's A Book by Lane Smith
Perfect.
Books I'm currently reading in 2013:
Impulse by Ellen Hopkins (finished)
Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
Gossamer by Lois Lowry
The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
What were your favorites of 2012?
And what are you excited to read in 2013?
