Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Our Score

I’ve previously reviewed Kate DiCamillo, and there’s a reason she consistently wins the highest awards in the nation for her stories. Because of Winn-Dixie is no exception.

Synopsis

Winn-Dixie is a dog, so named under unusual circumstances, and he really doesn’t do much in this tale except act like an average dog, but if it weren’t for Winn-Dixie, much of the story wouldn’t have happened.… Read the rest

Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

Our Score

 

Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven is an engaging contemporary Young Adult novel most suited to high school readers.  It addresses some of the concerns and problems  of overweight teens.

My favorite of the two Jennifer Niven books I’ve read

I’d like to see more contemporary realism like Holding Up the Universe that encourages teens to draw upon their personal power and offers them hope of happiness without being sugary-sweet.… Read the rest

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Our Score

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is a bittersweet teen fiction about a boy struggling to come to terms with his mother’s serious illness.

Synopsis:

Connor, a twelve-year-old-boy, is faced with unbelievable stress – a dying mother, a father who has split from the family, a recurrent nightmare, a domineering grandmother, and bullies at school.… Read the rest