Banned Book Week: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian

By: Sherman Alexie

Published: September 12th 2007 by Little, Brown Young Readers

Source: Library

4 Stars- I really liked this book. Go pick it up

Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he thought he was destined to live.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Alexie's YA debut, released in hardcover to instant success, receiving seven starred reviews, hitting numerous bestseller lists, and winning the 2007 National Book Award for Young People's Literature.

Mundie Moms has asked us to post about or review one of our favorite banned/challenged books. I choose The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian. I chose this book, because it represents exactly why I am against book bans. This is an amazing, award winning book, and it's being pulled off shelves, because a parent didn't like the content of the book.

I get it! Some of the language is offensive, and can be viewed as racist. The main argument is because a parent doesn't want his child to know what "teenage boys do". That doesn't mean every parent feels the same way. It's natural, it's normal; banning it doesn't make it go away.

Had those few parts been left out, I don't think we would have had an honest of character, as we do with Junior. This is his diary; he shares it all, the good, the bad, and the embarrassing.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian is basically a diary of Arnold Spirit (Junior's) decision to leave his life on the reservation behind, in order to excel. Rez life isn't glamorous, you're poor, your school books are the same books your parents, grandparents used- life on the reservation is a cycle, you born there, you go to school there, you are stuck there to raise your family. For Junior, life on the reservation was worse; he was born with a disability.

Junior decides he wants to go to school at the local public school; he refuses to be stuck in the cycle. When he turns his back on the reservation, his home life only gets worse. The local public school isn't that welcoming either, and their mascot is an Indian. He is an outsider, but he doesn't let that stop him. He will go to extraordinary measures to find his place.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian is a tragically beautiful read. Junior has his ups and downs, but it's all told in a humorous way. One minute you will be crying and then in the next breath be laughing. It truly is an emotional roller coaster.

Book Review- Firelight

By Sophie Jordan

Published by HarperTeen

To Be Released on September 7th, 2010 TOMORROW

Source- The Publisher

5 Stars- This is a Must Have

A hidden truth.

Mortal enemies.

Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide. (taken from HarperTeen)

The back of the ARC describes Firelight perfectly, "Mythical powers and irresistible passion ignite" to make Firelight one book that I was so enraptured with, I read it in one sitting. I've always been intrigued with the mythology of dragons, but I haven't read a book that made me really fall in love with them until I read Firelight. Sophie's characters and her world building hooked from page one and left me wishing her sequel was already out.

Firelight introduces a whole new character in the paranormal world- a Draki. Draki's are descendants of dragons who can shift between both dragon and human forms. While the pride closely guards their secret and where they live, they can easily blend in with humans and no one would know it.

Jacinda's rare gift of fire breathing makes her a unique Draki who's excepted to be with Cassian, the brooding, hot, Draki Prince whom she was once close to. Now that she's closely watched by her pride, and doesn't have a say in her future, she yearns for freedom. Wanting to get away, Jacinda goes against the pride's rule and flies during the day. This not only puts her in warms way when Draki hunters spot her, but she endangers the whole pride. She also wouldn't have met the Draki hunter Will, who finds Jacinda's Draki just as fascinating as Jacinda finds him. What's even more surprising, is that Will protects her from the other hunters.

Jacinda's already lost her father. In order to protect Jacinda and not lose her to the Draki world as well, Jacinda's mom flees from the pride with Jacinda and her sister 13 yr Tamra. Living amongst human's isn't easy for a Draki and living with a mom and sister who can't under Jacinda's Draki needs is even harder. Jacinda struggles with her new life, finds herself at a new school and face to face with the hot Draki hunter Will.

Sophie's talent for writing romance makes for some amazingly hot chemistry between Jacinda, Cassian and Will. Will and Jacinda have an undeniable attraction that left the pages of Firelight smoldering. It's not only one of danger as she's a Draki and he's a Hunter, but there's something more to it. I was really drawn to it. That isn't to say there's no attraction with Cassian, but Jacinda fights it. She doesn't want to be with someone who she thinks rule over her. She yearns for her freedom and wants to be loved for who she is, and not what she can do. Personally, I think there's more to Cassian than how Jacinda portrays him. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of them together in the sequel.

With it's hot chemistry, a captivating world, and an amazing dragon mythology, Firelight is one book I'll be reading over again. If you're looking for a fresh paranormal book to read, I highly recommend picking up Firelight when it releases TOMORROW.

Don't forget to visit these great sites to learn more about Sophie Jordan and Firelight:

Sophiejordan.net

HarperTeen

Twitter

Mundane Monday #47

Happy Mundane Monday!!!

http://www.fanpop.com/spots/mortal-instruments/links/9590133

His eyes widened. "Clary?"

"Who else would it be?"

He didn't smile. "You don't look like you."

"It's the dress." She smoothed her hands down the material self-consciously. "I don't normally wear things this...pretty."

"You always look beautiful," he said, and she remembered the first time he'd called her beautiful, in the greenhouse at the Institute. He hadn't said it like it was a compliment, but just as if it were an accepted fact, like the fact that she had red hair and liked to draw. "But you look-distant. Like I couldn't touch you."

She came over then and sat down next to him on the wide top step. The stone was cold through the material of her dress. She held her hand out to him; it was shaking slightly, just enough to be invisible. "Touch me," she said. "If you want to."

He took her hand and laid it against his cheek for a moment.

- City of Glass, pages 526-527, Jace & Clary

And The Winner Is.........

The winner of our Crescendo ARC giveaway is:

#266- Jessica Cochrane

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Thank you to everyone who entered! . We have a couple more giveaways going on, and we will a chance to win a *SIGNED* copy of Crescendo later this month.

Have a safe & wonderful Labor Day holiday today!

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren and was inspired by Alea of Pop CultureJunkie! With this post, we share the books we've received this past week for review, borrowed from friends or the library, received as a gift and/or bought. We've posted our what we've received for Mundie Kids here http://mundiekids.blogspot.com/

For Review:

* The Haunted by Jessica Verday, received and published by Simon and Schuster, released on August 31st, 2010

* Freefall by Mindi Scott, published and received by Simon and Schuster, to be released on October 5th, 2010

* The House of Dead Maids by Clare B Dunkle, published by Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, received by Blue Slip Media, releases September 14th, 2010

* Queen in Exile by Donna Hatch, published and received by Walnut Springs Press, released March 23rd, 2010

* Freefall by Anna Levine, published by HarperTeen, received from Anna Levine (for Teen Book Scene blog tour), released September 16th, 2008

* Nevermore by Kelly Creagh, published and received by Simon and Schuster, released on August 31st, 2010

* Losing Faith by Denise Jaden, published by Simon Pulse, received from Simon and Schuster, to be released on September 7th, 2010

* Over The Moon by Diane Daniels, published by Tate Publishing, received from the author, released on July 27th, 2010

Bought:

* Mockingjay By Suzanne Collins

* Leven Thumps Books 1-5 By Obert Skye

Swag:

* Firelight post cards, bookmarks and stickers

* SIGNED Princess for Hire bookmarks

Thank you to Simon and Schuster, Anna Levine, Diane Daniels, Walnut Spring Press, Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, Sophie Jordan and Lindsey Leavitt for this weeks wonderful reads & giveaway goodies.

What goodies did you receive this week?

Book Review- The Haunted

By Jessica Verday

Published by Simon Pulse

Released on August 31st, 2010

Source- From Simon and Schuster

4 stars- I really liked it.

After months spend reclaiming her sanity and trying to forget about the boy she fell in love with-the boy who must not exist, cannot exist, because she knows that he is dead-Abbey returns to Sleepy Hollow, ready to leave the ghosts of her past behind. She throws herself into her schoolwork, her perfume making, and her friendship with Ben, her cute and funny lab partner, who just might be her ticket to getting over Caspian once and for all.

But Abbey can never get over Caspian, and Caspian has no choice but to return to her side, for Caspian is a Shade, and Abbey is his destiny. They are tied not only to each other, but also to the town of Sleepy Hollow, and to the famous legend that binds their fates-a legend whose dark truths they are only beginning to guess.... (taken from the ARC's back cover)

For the past couple of months, Abbey has done everything she can to reclaim her sanity and get over Caspian. Not even living with her Aunt Marjorie on her farm can prepare Abbey for what she feels when she returns home. Abbey is constantly haunted by disturbing dreams and to tries to fool herself into thinking she's normal, she throws herself back into making perfumes, receives tutoring from Ben to help her make up for the schooling she's missed and tries to move on from the grief she still feels over Kristen's death and the hollowness she feels from Caspian's absence.

It took me just a little bit to get into the book, but once I did, I really liked it. Abbey grows a bit more as a character. She tries to move on and convince herself she's fine, she's normal, Caspian had to have been a figment of her imagination. She doesn't feel complete with out him. Abbey continues with her dreams of opening up her own perfume shop and staying in the town she feels a connection to, Sleepy Hollow. When she sees Caspian for the first time in a couple months, her resolve to pretend he didn't exist falls apart. I liked seeing a lot more of Abbey and Caspian together. They are both broken and hurt and they both work to win over each other's hearts and make each other realize that they accept one another for how they are. They resolve to accept their fates and whatever their future holds for them. They both try to make the other feel like they belong in their world, but there's something more sinister going on that may keep Abbey and Caspian from each other.

I really liked getting to know Caspian's character a lot more. He knows how to be quite the romantic. Caspian had me laughing out a loud a few times, as becomes a lot more animated when he's in some same scenes with Ben and Abbey. Though Ben can't seem him, he doesn't hide he's jealous over him. Ben can do things Caspian can't, like touch Abbey. As Abbey and Caspian open up more to each other, they realize that they complete each other in ways no one else can. I liked that, that aspect of their relationship is apart of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. That's not giving anything way, but I like that Jessica reveals more about the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. There's more to the Legend than Abby and Caspian thought.

Jessica wraps up The Haunted with some twists and ends with a cliff hanger. She answered some of my questions I had after reading The Hollow, but with the introduction of some new characters, I'm left questioning what their motives are. With the revelation into who killed Kristen and what role Abbey and Caspian play in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, I'm left with wanting more.

You can find out more about Jessica and her series here http://www.jessicaverday.com/html/01_home.html

Shadow Hills Blog Tour

Shadow Hills

By Anastasia Hopcus

Published by EgmontUSA

Currently available to purchase at your local favorite book store.

We are thrilled to be apart of Anastasia's blog tour for Shadow Hills. Not only are we fans of Shadow Hills, but she's become a wonderful friend of ours.

Phe is a pretty strong female character and someone who doesn't back down to a challenge. Who is your favorite heroine and why?

There are a lot of strong women characters I like in movies and books and TV, but I think, all in all, my favorite heroine would be Lorelai Gilmore of Gilmore Girls. She was strong and independent. She raised her daughter all by herself and did a wonderful job. She worked her way up from being a maid at a hotel to owning her own inn. And she was funny and likeable and someone I would love to have as a friend.

What was the most fascinating place you visited while doing your research?

The cemeteries in Massachusetts were fascinating. I had never seen tombstones that old or with the kind of carvings that some of the oldest ones had. I guess my favorite was the Granary Burying Ground, a very old cemetery right in the heart of Boston.

If you were headed for a week's vacation, what book would you be taking with you to read?

It's hard to choose, as I've built up a stack of books I want to read, but I think I would take Beautiful Darkness. I've been waiting to read it since I got an ARC of it at the BEA. And it's perfect for a vacation because it's long and is something I'll want to read straight through with as few interruptions as possible.

If you could add a favorite literary, tv or movie character into Shadow Hills, who would it be and what paranormal power would you give them?

I think I'd choose Seth Cohen from The OC. I think he would fit right in with Phe and her friends and, like Brody, he'd have a big crush on Adriana---though Graham might get a little jealous because Seth would also be good friends with Toy. In line with his character on The OC, Seth's paranormal ability would be the power to turn people into cartoon characters. (Highly useful if a bad guy is after them, but then suddenly becomes just a drawing on a page!)

What is one thing you need to have when you're writing?

Quiet. If I had to, I could live without a computer--- though it would take a lot longer, I could type or even write my books by hand. And if there were no internet, I could head to the library and do my research in books. But I've never been able to write if there was noise around me. I'm too easily distracted.

To see which site Anastasia will visit next, visit her site here http://www.anastasiahopcus.com/

You can follow Anastasia on Twitter http://twitter.com/anastasiahopcus

Her blog http://anastasiahopcus.blogspot.com/

We have 4 signed bookmarks we received from Anastasia's book-signing last weekend, that we'd like to giveaway. Simply fill out the form below to be entered to win. 4 winners will be randomly selected on Friday September 10th. *This is OPEN INTERNATIONALLY*

Book Review & Author Guest Post- Romeo & Juliet & Vampires

Adopted from William Shakespeare

By Claudia Gabel

Published by Harper Teen

Released August 31st, 2010

Source- The Publisher

4 stars- I really enjoyed this book

"You are deluded Romeo. Vampires do not have the capability to love. They are heartless."

The Capulets and the Montagues have some deep and essential difference. Blood differences. Of course, the Capulets can escape their vampire fate, and the Montagues can try not to kill their undead enemies. But at the end of the day, their blood feud is unstoppable. So it's really quite a problem when Juliet, a vampire-to-be, and Romeo, the human who should be hunting her, fall desperately in love. What they don't realize is how deadly their love will turn out to be-or what it will mean for their afterlives... (taken from back of book)

I know what you're thinking, another classic with a vampire twist!? Let me just say, do not judge this book by your skepticism. If I had done that, I would have missed out on a brilliantly written classic, with a deadly twist. Claudia Gable did a wonderful job at keeping this classic true to it's form and adding a wonderful twist, or two of her own.

The Capulets are powerful vampires, while the Montagues are the vampire hunters. Juliet hails from the powerful vampire family and Romeo comes from a family of vampire hunters. With a new Prince on the throne, both families are forced into a truce, and are ordered to stop killing each other. I love Juliet's character, as despite being from a vampire family she is repulsed at the thought of killing a human. She's about to turn 16 and when that happens, she'll become a vampire. In order to fully turn, she has to kill someone. If she doesn't make her first kill by midnight on her 16th birthday, she can die. To seek revenge in her cousins death, her parents have told her who she must kill, and it's Romeo. There's one minor problem. Romeo and Juliet might have run off to secretly get married.

I really enjoyed reading Romeo & Juliet & Vampires. Claudia adds a great historical and paranormal spin to a classic I always struggled with reading. Her writing style gives Romeo & Juliet's tragic love story a fresh twist, making it an engaging, and quick read. There's love, war and a little bit of humor provided by Romeo, Benvolio and Mercutio. With out giving anything away, the ending was great and not at all what I expected. I definitely recommend picking this book up.

***********************************

Recently we asked Romeo & Juliet & Vampires author, Claudia Gabel, "What inspired you to add vampires and you own twists to Romeo & Juliet's story?"

When I saw Pride and Prejudice and Zombies at my local bookstore, I thought to myself, “That is absolute genius!” I knew my grad school friends were most likely upset that anyone would dare to mess with Jane Austen’s literary masterpiece, but I saw this monster-remix as an amazing opportunity to appeal to people who were perhaps a bit too intimidated to pick up the original.

Suddenly I found myself thinking about high school and reading the classics for the first time. I encountered Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet when I was a sophomore, and found it particularly daunting. I wanted to love the play, but I struggled so much with the language and structure that I wound up buying the SparkNotes in secret. (Sorry, Mom, but I wasn’t the only one!)

Enter Eureka Moment, stage right. Why not write a “mash-up” of the most renowned (and challenging to read) love story of all? Given how many teens are exposed to Romeo & Juliet in English class, I thought it made perfect sense. Adding vampires to the Bard’s story seemed like a no-brainer, too—no paranormal creature is more popular with teens these days.

As for why I chose to make the Capulets a family of vampires, in many teen paranormal novels, the heroine is on the periphery of the supernatural, rather than in the thick of it. I figured that Juliet should be the vampire because I thought it would be a nice change of pace to have the female protagonist in that role. I also wanted Juliet to go through a metamorphosis, so I created some new vampire lore in the book. Children of vampires actually start out as humans and then slowly transform into hungry blood-suckers the day they turn 16. There’s an initiation rite, too, and severe consequences if that act isn’t carried out. It makes for a very interesting predicament in Romeo and Juliet’s relationship!

With all that said, now that Romeo & Juliet & Vampires is on the shelves, my hope is that sophomores across the land will read it alongside Shakespeare’s play instead of reaching for the SparkNotes.

~Claudia Gabel

You can read an excerpt and find out more information on Romeo & Juliet & Vampires at HarperTeen's site here http://tinyurl.com/25su5e2

Thank you to Claudia for answering our question. Thank you to HarperTeen!

Thoughtful Thursday- Stand Up 2 Cancer

Cancer has directly effected me via family and friends in various forms. I have a lot of respect for people who are on the front lines in the fight against a disease that in some cases rears it's ugly one morning, changing lives forever. I have even more respect to those who have it and fight it with everything they have!

The odds are 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will get some form of cancer, in our life time! That number is horrendous! WE can help in the fight against cancer and change these odds! Stand Up 2 Cancer is trying to raise money for cancer research. On September 10th, 2010 @ 8pm est YOU can help them meet their goal!

Want to get involved? Want to learn more? Than be sure to visit their site here

http://www.standup2cancer.org/

Here's more ways you can help (taken from Stand Up 2 Caner's site):

* STOP smoking

* NEVER start smoking

* MANAGE your stress

* GET a Mammogram

* GET your colonoscopy

* GET a prostate exam

* GET your skin examined

* JOIN an advocacy group

* CUT back on red meat

* EXERCISE

* AVOID highly refined sugar

* AVOID transfat

* WRITE to Congress

* ADD Anti-Cancer food to your diet

* Take a friend to treatment

Don't forget to tune in Sept. 10th. 100% of your donations go to fighting Cancer!