"Belle Teal" by Ann M. Martin

Once again, here is another great book from Ann M. Martin (don't worry, I think I have finally re-read the last of her books I'm planning to read for awhile, so I'll stop fan-girl mode now). Belle Teal is the story of girl growing up during a difficult time but she still manages to find the good things in life. Belle Teal is about to start a new school year and she is very excited to finally has Miss Casey as her teacher. But things won't be easy as starting this year, children of all races will be attending school together and this causes a lot of problems for Belle Teal and her friendships, but new and old. In addition, her beloved Gran is getting older and not remembering much causing more hardships as Belle Teal's world begins to change.

Once again, Martin address issues that aren't always discussed in children's books. I can't really think of another book that deals with what is like when a grandparent or other loved one begins to slip away mentally (as someone that has personally gone through this, it's a topic that I think is very important to address). Though this really isn't the primary focus of the book, it is the one detail that has always stuck with me. I do wish that more books talked about it. In addition to the changes going on in Belle Teal's household, I'm glad that this book also touches on the history of the integration that took place in schools. As a kid, that was a topic that I had difficulty wrapping my head around, so it was good to be able to read about from the perspective of someone going through that experience. Once again, this is a must read, both for the historical elements, but for the family moments as well.

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"A Corner of the Universe" by Ann M, Martin

This was probably one of the first books that began to shape me as a reader outside of the world of innocent children's books. Hattie lives a relatively safe life. Her parents own a boarding house and much of her time is spent helping care for the house and it's residents. She only has one friend, but since it is summer, she is mostly on her own. That is, until her uncle Adam comes around. Hattie has never met Adam. He is the much younger brother of her mother and he has been away at a special school since before Hattie was born. But since the school is closing, Adam will be spending time at home until new arrangements can be made. Adam is unlike anyone Hattie has ever met. She doesn't know it, but he is going to make an impact and change her life forever.

I really don't want to spoil anything, but this was one of the first books I ever read that had a not so happy ending. It was a real eye opener and started making me look at books differently. Up until I had read this book for the first time, everything I had read was fairly simple in plot and everything wrapped up nicely at the end. Even when things were tense or scary, all was well by the time the book ended. But that's not quite the case with A Corner of the Universe. Though Hattie's eyes, I began to see that books can address reality and that the written word can play out just as harsh as the real world (this book is that really harsh, just conveying the realization I started to have after reading it). This is one of those books that I think everyone should read. It falls in line with R.J. Palacio's Wonder and Sharon M. Draper's Out of My Mind. Martin addresses many issues and topics that authors often shy away from. Adam's personality in this book is brutally honest. He is one of the most realistic characters I have come across (and the first time I read this book, he was probably the only truly realistic character I had met at that point). This is one of those books that needs to be read when you have some time to reflect upon finishing it. I hope that it is a life changer for other readers, like it was a life changer for me.

Happy Reading!

-Melly

"Here Today" by Ann M. Martin

Here Today is one of my favorites of Ann M. Martin's books. Everything is about to change for Eleanor Roosevelt Dingman, better known as Ellie. Ellie's mother is over the top eccentric and desperately wants to become famous. She has been in plays, constantly goes to lessons and auditions and spends most of the book trying to make a name for herself (besides the name she has given herself, Doris Day Dingman). She is so focused on creating her career, that her children often fall by the wayside. Ellie, her brother, and her sister live in a neighborhood that is often targeted for "bad things." Mailboxes get smashed, property gets vandalized and graffitied, and these aren't even the worst of the offenses. Even at school, things aren't easy for Ellie and her best friend; part way through the school year, several of the girls in their class decide to make Ellie and Holly their targets. There is so much going on in Ellie's life, it is amazing that she is able to hold everything together the way she does.

This really is an amazing book. Every bit of it is so realistic and Martin does a great job of capturing the era it takes place in (1963-64, if you are wondering). Ellie is a very strong character and the kind of person that you want on your side. Despite her age, she really is the one holding her family together and she does so without arguing. This is another example of Martin's characters being put it a difficult position that is really more than someone their age should have to deal with, but one cannot help but respect Ellie because of how she handles the difficulties in her life. It seems that Martin's stand alone books don't get nearly as much attention as her series, but some of her stand alones are so amazing, including this one! It is absolutely a must read!

Happy Reading!

-Melly

"Okay for Now" by Gary D. Schmidt

This is one of those books I read because it was available at the library for checkout on my kindle.  I haven't read Gary D. Schmidt's The Wednesday Wars nor did I realize that this book is set in the same universe until after I had completed Okay for Now.  Thankfully this novel did not come across as a sequel and I didn't feel lost entering this pre-established universe. 

Set in the 1960's, Doug is adjusting to a new town, living with his not so great older brother (their oldest is off fighting in Vietnam) and just trying to find his place in the world  He finds solace in two ways- first in Lil, the daughter of the deli owner that gives Doug a weekend job.  Their friendship starts out rocky and sort of unexpected, but they become very close by the end of he novel.  The second is John James Audubon's bird drawings on display at the library.  Doug begins to learn how to capture these drawings and develop his own artistic talent.  But as he learns that several of the drawings have been sold, he makes it his mission to find the missing drawings and return them to the library.

It took me quite awhile to finish this novel.  I wasn't bored, but I sometimes had difficulty immersing myself.  I was very interested  in this book, but there was just something that kept me from losing myself in the story.  There is certainly an audience for this sort of novel.  Those interested in the era or in a solid coming of age story are likely to enjoy this novel.  It's not often that I encounter a character that I wonder what happened to them after the novel ended, but Doug is one of those characters.  He's sort of like some of my high school classmates.  We were never close, but I still think about them and wonder where life has taken them.  I may not rush to read another of Schmidt's novels, but this books is going to stick in my mind for quite some time.



Happy Reading!
-Melly