GUEST BLOGGER! We are all Made of Molecules

Brought to you by GUEST BLOGGER MRS. KILPATRICK

We are all Made of Molecules by Susin Nielson

The first song I picked was for one of my all-time favorite characters, Stewart! He is 13 years old and academically gifted, but doesn’t have the best luck in his social life. He is sweet, funny, and brave. I picked “Stronger,” by Kelly Clarkson, because that’s what Stewart is more than anything: strong. The lesson in the song is all about gaining strength through experience, and standing tall even when it feels impossible. After the death of this mother, Stewart is understandably devastated and heartbroken. At times, he feels like he can’t go forward. With the help of his father, and his beloved cat, he finds the strength. A year later, his father moves in with his girlfriend who also has a teenage daughter. Everything changes, and that’s when we meet Ashley.

The song I picked for Ashley is “Smiling Faces, Sometimes.” Ashley is an interesting character, for sure! She is all about shopping, friendships, gossip, and boys. Ashley feels angry at her mother for allowing Stewart and his father to move into their house. She doesn’t always make the best decisions, she is somewhat clueless, and laugh-out-loud funny at times! I picked this song because “Smiling Faces, Sometimes” really describes what she deals with at school. Her friends are often fake. They will be sweet and bubbly in the hallways, then talk about each other behind closed doors. Ashley is guilty of this, too! Throughout the book, she is forced to handle some new and intense situations head on with her friendships, a new crush, and her family. She and Stewart have a very tense relationship at first, but learn to live together and rely on each other in surprising ways.

The final song for this book is “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers. I picked this song because it represents the message in We Are All Made Of Molecules. Sometimes, change can be hard, and life throws us curveballs. When the people in our lives are not strong, or cannot hold themselves up, we need to let them lean on us. With family, that message is even more important. After experiencing a number of heartbreaking, hilarious, life-changing, and powerful moments, the amazing characters in this book learn how to lean on people, and how to allow others to lean on them. As the song says, “We all need somebody to lean on!”

The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B

The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten

If I could be a superhero, I would choose Storm from X-Men because I would love to be able to influence the weather. Adam, the protagonist in Teresa Toten’s The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B, faces this superhero choice in his young adult OCD support group. Ultimately deciding on Batman in an attempt to connect with the girl who chose Robin, Adam decides that he will do whatever it takes to save this girl he is so drawn to. He makes plans to be her superhero, but throughout this touching book about trying to be normal when everything around you isn’t, Adam discovers that Robyn Plummer might not be the one in need of saving. As I read this book, I found myself laughing out loud on one page to then getting choked up on the next. Teresa Toten really takes her readers on a rollercoaster of emotions as Adam navigates his OCD, new relationships, friendships, living with divorced parents, and finding the strength to ask for help. I found that as I read, there were several songs that kept popping into my head and connected with characters or actions.

The theme song from Rocky is the perfect track for every time the characters climb the stairs to support group. Not only are they making their way up numerous flights which I would argue is as physically exerting as Rocky’s efforts to climb the steps leading to the art museum in Philly, but the climb also symbolizes their struggle with their OCD manifestations. Each time the characters are able to make it up those stairs, Adam feels like they are taking steps (literal and figurative!) toward managing their OCD. Next, each time Robyn and Adam walk through the graveyard and stop at her mother’s grave, I heard The Fray’s “How to Save a Life.” Robyn is working through her mother’s death, as well as the decisions and lies she made/told. Adam is desperately trying to be everything to Robyn and “save” her so this song is really fitting for those interactions.  I especially think the lines about “smiling politely” are fitting because both characters start out as really apprehensive toward one another and striving to seem “normal” to each other. Another song that fits in with Adam’s story is “Come Away with Me” by Norah Jones. I picture this song anytime Adam is in his mother’s house. First, I think all the “come away with me” lines fit in with how Adam’s stepmother feels about Adam being in his mother’s house. She wants him to move in with them because she thinks it will be better for him. Second, as the reader, I want Adam out of there! His mother is trying, and clearly loves Adam, but the environment in that home is not good for him as he works to manage his OCD.

Lost In The Sun

Trent makes me so frustrated throughout this book!  Trent likes to play sports, including hockey.  Unfortunately he was involved in an accident where he hit a friend in the chest with a hockey puck when they were playing for fun.  The friend, Jared, had an unknown heart condition, and the hit killed him.  Trent thinks that he is responsible for killing Jared and has a lot of anger.  This anger is taking over his life and makes Trent very unlikeable.  His teachers are understandably frustrated, but they continue to try and support him even though Trent is extremely rude.  He is supposed to visit his father weekly, but that relationship is strained and Trent makes excuses why he can't or won't go.  He has a wonderful relationship with his mother, but even she is at her wits end with Trent.  He also makes an unlikely friendship with a girl, Fallon Little, who accepts Trent for who he is and is incredibly patient with him even when he is unkind.  Trent is obviously angry with himself, but he takes that anger out on everybody around him including his teachers, his dad, and even Fallon.

This book made me frustrated with Trent and understand why he was doing what he was doing, all at the same time.  Lisa Graff creates wonderfully real, complicated characters in Trent and in Fallon.

If you like realistic fiction that deals with friendship, family issues, and loss, this might be a book for you!

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Jersey Tomatoes are the Best

"You've got to have attitude if you're from New Jersey. At least, that's what Eva says." Henry and Eva , best friends from New Jersey, tell their story in alternating perspectives in Maria Padian's Jersey Tomatoes are the Best. Watch this vlog for more on this book about the power of friendship and being there for your friends when times get tough.

Alabama Moon and The Selection

     How important is friendship?  Can we do without it?    In the video above we get to hear the point of view of the main characters from two different books.  Moon is the main character in the book, Alabama Moon by Watt Key.  Moon and his dad have lived in a cabin in the back woods of Alabama for Moon's whole life.  Moon has been taught to rely on himself and not to trust others.  After his dad dies, Moon follows his dad's instructions to travel from Alabama to Alaska where Moon's dad claims there are more people like them.  Such begins Moon's adventure and a journey to figure out what he himself believes.
     America, from The Selection by Kiera Cass, has always had friendship.  After growing up poor in the colony, she has found that friendship is something she cherishes and it doesn't cost anything.  She finds herself in the castle as part of The Selection process in which Prince Maxon has to choose his future bride.  America has agreed to be in The Selection because it is a way for her family to have more food and money.  She has no interest in Maxon, but wants to stay in the castle as long as possible to benefit her family.  She feels very alone at first, but quickly makes friends and finds her support.
    Both books are page turners, but for different reasons.  Alabama Moon has adventure and danger while The Selection has adventure and romance.  

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie and After Ever After

When I was growing up, I thought my little brothers were the most annoying things in the world.  That's how Steven feels about his little brother Jeffery in Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie. That annoying little brother, however, is diagnosed with leukemia, and suddenly Steven's world changes forever.  Where before Steven's greatest concerns revolved around talking to pretty girls and making it big as a drummer, he now navigates hospital wings and life with a critically sick family member. In Jordan Sonnenblick's sequel, After Ever After, the reader gets a continuation of the story but from Jeffrey's perspective years down the road.  After Ever After shows how the repercussions of cancer and chemotherapy can impact a survivor years later.  

Sonnenblick makes Steven and Jeffery both extremely relatable. Even while they struggled with conflicts exceeding the norm for middle schoolers, they still also struggled with conflicts involving math, girls, and things very much a part of the middle school experience. In After Ever After, Jeffery faces a situation where he is talking about a pretty girl to a friend online, and that girl can read every word of the conversation reflected in a window. 

I also love how the author chose to write the sequel from Jeffery's point of view later in life, instead of from his point of view during Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie. Even though both books deal with cancer and cancer's repurcussions, the books also show how much love Steven and Jeffery have for one another.  I think both brothers would do pretty much anything if it would keep the other happy and healthy. At one point, the most beautiful girl at Steven's school comes to help him with math, and he has to make the very difficult decision to tell her to go home because she has a cold and Jeffery can't be exposed to germs.

Jordan Sonnenblick seamlessly weaves serious with comic, drama with routine.  Once I started reading Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie, I just couldn't put it down and the same happened with After Ever After! 

Since You've Been Gone

     

         
     Morgan Matson's books are always entertaining and fun summer reads.   Since You've Been Gone is another of her books that is perfect for the beach!  

     Emily is planning on spending the summer with her adventurous best friend, Sloane.  Sloane is full of confidence, the life of the party, and the one always looking for adventure while Emily is content to be in her shadow.  One day Emily finds that Sloane is gone.  It seems that she has moved, but did not let Emily know or leave any information as to her whereabouts.  Emily tries to contact her by phone but Sloane doesn't respond.  Then a letter arrives in the mail without a return address.  It is a list of things that Emily should do.  While some are rather mysterious (#7.  55 S. Ave. Ask for Mona), others are things that Emily wouldn't usually do (#9. Dance until dawn).  Emily believes that finishing the list will help her find Sloane.

     Throughout this book, Emily is constantly pushed outside of her comfort zone.  In the process of completing the list, she meets some great friends, finds her own confidence and own sense of adventure.  
     Although I enjoyed and recommend this book, there were some things that I found unlikely.  It is difficult to believe that a best friend could move without leaving any clues pointing to where she was going, or even that she could move without Emily knowing she was going to move.  It seems like since Emily and Sloane talk/text/visit daily, Emily would notice Sloane packing a few things or Sloane would make a slight slip. Moving is a big deal, and it seems to me it would be difficult to hide it completely from your best friend.   Apparently Sloane is able to pull it off and she manages to leave town without Emily having a clue.   There were also a few key things that happen very conveniently, such as Emily (who is very careful) running out of gas, which leads to the class president stopping to help, starting a friendship.  If you can get past these small details, the book is a great read.  

     This story is about figuring out who you are, helping friends be good friends, and taking risks.  It has adventure, friendship, and romance.  It is not a very heavy book, and one that I looked forward to picking up and reading.  It was a ton of fun! 

The Secret Hum of a Daisy

     Friendship issues, great loss, doing the right thing, and a small mystery:  The Secret Hum of a Daisy has all of these things.  Tracy Holczer manages to expertly weave all of these components into an interesting, emotional journey.

The Running Dream

"Running airs out my soul. Makes me feel alive." As a runner, I could immediately identify with Jess, the main character is Wendelin Van Draanen's The Running Dream. Just like Jess, I feel alive when I run - the sound of my sneakers on the pavement, my hair swishing back and forth in a ponytail, my muscles straining, my mind peaceful. But very much unlike Jess, I am fortunate to have both of my legs. Jess, a star high school runner, loses one of her legs from the knee down after a car accident. This story follows Jess through her recovery and her dreams to run again. 

I was a little hesitant to read this book as first, because as a runner, it dealt with a topic I didn't really want to think about.  However, the author did such an amazing job with character development and plot development that I found myself flying through this book!  I though Jess was a little whiny at first (then felt terrible for thinking so considering her recent leg amputation), but she takes ownsership of her new life in such an inspiring way.  She is also surrounded by an amazing group of friends and family, particularly her best friend Fiona. Jess's story reminded me a lot of Adrianne Haslet-Davis, a professional ballroom dancer who lost her foot during the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. Haslet-Davis vowed that she would dance again, despite years of recovery and adjustment to a new prosthetic. Then, in April, Haslet-Davis returned to the finish line of the Boston Marathon in a ball gown and did the foxtrot across the finish line.  Both women are strong and willing to work hard to achieve their goals. Jess's story felt just as real and emotional to me as Haslet-Davis'.

Skink No Surrender

     

     We have all heard the phrase, don't judge a book by its cover.  This statement is true for this book for two reasons.  One, the cover is a bit boring, and doesn't reflect the action and suspense contained in the pages.  Secondly, Skink, a character in the book, is disheveled and looks like he might be confused and out of touch.  However, the reader comes to find that he is actually very smart and manages to stay one step ahead of the antagonist in this exciting book.
     Skink No Surrender was a fun read. Malley seems to constantly find trouble and drama, so her parents have decided to send her to a boarding school in New Hampshire. Unable to accept the idea of moving away from Florida and having to go to a boarding school, Malley runs away with a guy she met on line. Malley has always had a close relationship with her cousin, Richard, and he realizes that he needs to find her. He is sure that she is in danger. He ends up being helped by an unusual man who is an interesting mix of characteristics. This character, Skink, is crazy, risky, intelligent, helpful, but most importantly knows how to do the right thing. Skink leads Richard on an adventure to rescue Malley from her kidnapper while helping Richard to see people for who they really are.  
     This book was surprising because it has more danger than Hiaasen's other books. There are some parts that are pretty exciting and kept me turning pages! As is true with Hiaasen's other books, he incorporates quite a lot of ecology and environmental themes into this story.

Guitar Notes by Mary Amato

     

     There are so few books  written that have musicians as main characters.  I was excited to find Guitar Notes by Mary Amato which includes music throughout the story.  
     Lyla seems to have it all figured out.  Not only is she an amazing cellist, following in her late mother’s footsteps, but she is also focused on academics.  Tripp doesn’t have it figured out.  After recently losing his father, he struggles in school but finds comfort in playing the guitar.  Because Tripp is doing poorly in school, his mom takes away his guitar.  Tripp is distraught until he discovers he can borrow a guitar from school and practice without his mom knowing.  There are few practice rooms, so he can only practice on odd days.  Lyla is assigned the practice room on even days.  When Tripp leaves the room a mess, Lyla writes him a note and so begins a series of notes back and forth which leads to a surprising and unlikely friendship.  This book has a cute plot. I found myself looking forward to reading the notes because of the wit that both characters have and there is a surprise towards the end which kept things moving along. This is a great book for people who enjoy realistic fiction, stories about friendships, and stories that have a theme of music.

Fish in a Tree

Imagine if you had a secret that you couldn’t share with anyone.  Imagine if that secret was that you were entering fifth grade, and didn’t know how to read. Imagine if this secret constantly created awkward situations: like when you picked out a nice yellow card for your teacher who was about to have a baby only to realize when she opened it, that it was actually a sympathy card. This is reality for Ally Nickerson, the protagonist of Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s Fish in a Tree.

Ally struggles in school both academically and socially because she learns differently than other kids.  In fact, the title of this book comes from a famous quote by Albert Einstein which argues that everybody learns and lives differently: "Everybody is a genius. But, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing that it is stupid."  In the story, Ally's teacher Mr. Daniels truly does believe Einstein's words, and works to help Ally and her classmates discover the ways in which they are all geniuses!  I absolutely loved the characters Oliver and Keisha, and really found all the characters very relatable.  This book deals with friendship, fitting in, and having the courage to ask for help.