Spoiler: Hanging On To Max by Margaret Bechard

To repeat myself I thought this was in general a good book, I loved the message I got from it, but as usual there were a few things I didn't care for. The message I got from this book was 'What is easy isn't always right, and what's right isn't always easy.' Being a parent in general is hard job, nevermind being a teenager yourself and parenting. I can't imagine, but this book show's readers a glimpse of what this bumpy road is like. Now for the part I didn't like. The timing in this book was all over the place. I couldn't tell how time was passing. It bother me, especially at the end, before the reunion. To short of a book as well, in my opinion.

Characters:
♥Sam- I think that Sam is brave. being a single parent isn't easy, especially not during high school . Watching him struggle is difficult, but I think I was disappointed when he gave Max up for adoption. But he wasn't able to give Max everything he deserves.

♥Claire- She's a confusing character for me. I think the fact that she thinks parenthood is so simple makes her more than a bit naive. She has help where many people don't. As well she seems to want to act like a big happy family with Sam, but they're still kids themselves.

♥Brittaney- we don't actually meet this character but she seems to have aharder time than some might believe.

♥Sam's Dad- I think he's too tough on Sam. Sam took responsibility for his action. He tries his best, but maybe it was for the best to let Max go. Not to mention how hard he was on him for taking the SATs, when Sam had every right too!


A Moment to Remember:
♥Pg. 96
"'He's bilingual,' Claire said. 'He talks duck.'
 'Bap!' Max shouted louder, and just for a second, the ducks all shut up."

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Love,
Sidny xoxo

Book Review: Hanging on to Max by Margaret Bechard

Title: Hanging on to Max
Author: Margaret Bechard
Pages: 204
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Year Published: 2002

"Sam's senior year should be a breeze. Parties, football games, pep rallies, and, oh yeah- a baby.
 It's Sam Pettigrew's last year of high school. And he's spending it figuring out how, at age seventeen, he is supposed to care for his baby son, Max.
 Max wasn't part of the plan. he wasn't even part of the backup plan. But he's here now, and Sam is attending an alternative high school with other teen parents like himself. Talk about a wake up call. But Sam is determined to make it work, to show everyone- his dad, his new girlfriend, himself- that he has what it takes  to be a good dad.
 Trading footballs for diaper bags, and college brochures for feeding schedules, Sam gives fatherhood his best shot. Only no one told him it would be this hard. What if his best isn't good enough?"

My Rating: 4/5

I picked this book out because of the interesting subject matter and main character. Not only have I not read a book strictly about teenage parenting but one from a teenage father's perspective? Now that has to be rare. And it was a good book. There were things I liked, as well as things I didn't. The reason this bookd didn't pull a 5 is because of the timing.
I think this book was to short for the important story it was telling and in the story it was difficult to understand how much time was passing.
But I think the main message comes through crystal clear.
THANK YOU MARGARET BECHARD FOR GIVING US INSIGHT TO A HARD PATH!

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny xoxo

Book Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Title: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Pages: 550
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Year Published: 2005

"It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still. 
 By her brother's graveside, Liesel Meminger's life is changed when she pick up a a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Grave Digger's Handbook, left there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel with the help of her accordion-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burngins, the mayor's wife's library, wherever there are books to be found.
 But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jew in theif basement, Liesel's world is both opened up and closed down.
 In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time."

My Rating: 5/5

 This book is a very interesting form of historical novel. not only did the subject matter grab my attention but as I read so did the narrator. to have taken a risk to use Death as you're narrator/speaking voice will either pay off or make you fall on your face. It most certainly paid off for Markus Zusak. He did a tremendous job of playing Death's role. The use of words makes this book come alive (well as alive as Death can get). As well as a great narrator, I was thankful for a different storyline. I have read quite a  few books about the Holocaust, and  while those books are true history as well, this book is the story of someone inside Germany at the time, as a day to day citizen.
Finally, although I wouldn't call myself a history buff, I love historic books and this is up with the best of them.
THANK YOU MARKUS ZUSAK FOR SHOWING THAT WAR IS OFTEN SIMILAR NO MATTER THE SIDE YOU LIVE ON!

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny xoxo

Spoiler: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

As I mentioned above, this book is a historical novel and since a friend gave it to me, I couldn't very well not read it. I'm so glad that I picked it up off my shelf because this book is a life changer.
After learning about WW II, which ever way you did learn about it. I think we all wonder how an entire nation can stand by while tragedy stuck. This book helps explain the  use of words during Hitler's rise to power. That's how Hitler operated, using the power of words. we also see many of the things seem wrong (parade of Jews, lack of freedom, constant fear, etc.) no one wanted to put themselves at risk. The Nazis lifted people at first, making them feel like they were someone special, important and later made them fear for there freedom.

Characters:
♥Liesel_ We see this helpless girl grow into a strong young woman throughout the course of this book. Although she loses so many people, from each person she learns an important lesson. I won't lie, I cried as Liesel lost her parents and so many others in the bombing that flattened her home. But when she found Max, now that was truly unexpected and heartwarming. A fantastic main character who goes from not knowing the tortures of the Jews, to helping them. Gives me hope in the world.

♥Papa(Hans)- a great father, although not her real one, he does a fantastic job of raising Liesel, especially during such difficult times. He teaches her love and the difference between right and wrong. Not to mention the important of keeping your promises. I also thought it was strange that he was so lucky during both world wars, but died in a bombing when he was not in battle. I suppose you can only out run death for so long.

♥Mama(Rosa)- Although she has an unusual way of showing it, you can tell she truly loves Liesel. As though she was her own daughter. This character really grew on me throughout the story.

♥Rudy-A best friend like this is what every girl needs. Reliable, funny, and agreeable. I'd say for years he felt more than just friendship towards Liesel and if it hadn't been for the times, and his unfortunate death, it is likely they would have married.

♥Max- My heart goes out to those who suffered so greatly during Hitler's reign. Max was lucky to live and mainly because of Hans Hubberman (Papa). He also left his mark on Liesel, showing you can't always go with the flow. And that although there is good, humanity can do awful things.

♥Rudy's Father- Hopefully he is there for Liesel and she is there for him in such a devastating time. I imagine in a way, they would grow to need each other.


♥Moments to Remember♥
♥Pg. 52
"                                           ***THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN***
                                                         A BOY WHO HATES YOU
                                                              A boy who loves you.                                                             "

♥Pg. 144
"'Saukerl,' she laughed, and as she held up her hand, she knew completely that he was simultaneously calling her a Saumensch. I think that's as close to love as eleven-year-olds can get."

♥Pg. 219
"Liesel held her face in her hands. Once uncovered again,' she asked the pivotal question. 'Did you tell Mama?'
 'Are you kidding?' He winked at Max and whispered to the girl, 'You're still alive, aren't you?'"

♥Pg. 334
"'Liesel?' He moved slightly to the right. 'I'm afraid,' he said, 'of falling asleep again.'
  Liesel was resolute. 'Then I'll read to you. And slap your face if you start dozing off. I'll close the book and shake you till you wake up.'"

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny xoxo

Book Review: The Right & The Real by Joelle Anthony

Title: The Right & The Real
Author: Joelle Anthony
Pages: 281
Publisher: The Penguin Group
Year Published: 2012

"Seventeen-year-old Jamie should have known from the beginning that something was wrong with the Right& the Real Church, but she was too caught up in her feelings for Josh- a handsome jock and the son of a church elder- to care. She's never had the most stable life, what with a drug-addicted mother and a recovering-alcoholic father, but her relationship with Josh may have driven her life completely off the rails. Her father is now a full-blown member of the church, and for refusing the join, Jamie's been kicked out, onto the streets. She even lost Josh- well, sort of. He can't see her in public, but he will definitely sneak around with her- at his convenience, of course.
 Heartbroken, and with her life in upheaval, Jamie doesn't know who to trust. When she forms an unlikely friendship with an ex-con he might just be her saving grace. But then her father finds himself in serious trouble, and she will have to handle that too. Jamie may be ready to rescue him, but will she be able to forgive?"

My Rating: 3.5/5

This book is a make you wonder kind of book... What if this happened to you? What side would you be on? What would you do? So on, and so on. Mainly it made me think about other things I have read/heard about cults. Some people have no problem with them. And I suppose maybe there are good ones (not that I've heard of but maybe). Wait are there good cults? I guess what I'm getting at is religion is a blessing and a curse. great things have come about because of beliefs, but there have been wars based on it as well.
Let's end that rant there. I think this book was intriguing because of the subject matter, but throughout it seemed to stray from the subject. I also found the main character was fairly generic. Nothing special.
THANK YOU JOELLE ANTHONY FOR SHOWING A CULT STORY!

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny xoxo

Spoiler: The Right & The Real by Joelle Anthony

I feel like this book strayed from what I originally thought I was going to read about. It made a decent recovery, but I felt that I could relate to the characters. The main character's personality was generic and although her aspiration was not generic, I couldn't take her seriously.

Characters:
Jamie- I think she's just kind of naive. Just because you makeout with someone in a closet doesn't mean you're in love with them. She should never let Josh act like she's useless. As well she should have told her friends ASAP, oh well. Live and learn I suppose. I hope Trent is a better guy.
Krista- a great best friend for a future actress. Dramatic, but there no matter what.
Liz- Reminds me of tv ballerina, someone who is serious about their craft.
La Von- My favorite character because he isn't afraid to embrace who he is, past and present. Plus, he's hilarious.
Trent- Funny and flirty. Seems like a decent guy. Plus they met in a coffee shop.
Josh- Scum. Seems to think he's all that and so much more, but if you're with someone you shouldn't always talk about yourself.
The Teacher- Crazy, dictatorish man. Gives me the major creeps.


♥Moments to Remember♥
♥Pg. 137
"'Load me up with organic hot chocolate,' he said, handing me a stainless steel travel mug.
 'Sure. With whipped cream?' I chirped.
 'Hell, yeah, I want whipped cream,' he said. 'Do I look like I'm on a diet?'"

♥Pg. 145
"'Hell,' he said, 'if I came to my own door, I'd call the cops. You don't have to be no bigot to be scared of me.'"

♥Pg. 167
"'I know I did the right thing,' I said. 'It just, it just-' I let out a shuddering sigh, 'It just kind of ... sucks.'
 'It does,' Krista agreed. 'It totally does. But that's why they make chocolate.'"

♥Pg. 258
"La Von pulled out a huge pair of pink rubber gloves. 'Don't give me any shit,' he said, when we laughed. 'Only color they had.'"

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny xoxo