Inspiring.

Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller
by Sarah Miller

Miss Spitfire does not refer to Helen Keller but rather her teacher, Annie Sullivan. The book tells the story of Annie Sullivan's arrival at the Keller household and imagines the first month of her teaching Helen. Her pupil is not just difficult to teach, she just plain ol' difficult. With no language at her disposal, Helen has never been taught the basic things such as brushing her hair or using a napkin. The story depicts a Helen who has everyone in her household fearful of a six year old. She's a tyrant! Enters Miss Sullivan, a feisty Irish women of twenty. She's never taught before, has newly regained her vision, had a sad and abusive childhood with few pleasant memories. She's frightened about teaching a deaf and blind child. She must make this a success for she cannot return to home (she has none) and cannot return to the Perkins Institute for the Blind. She must make a success with Helen. But it is more than the success of teaching Helen that Annie longs for, it is also her affection. Despite the trials and abuse Helen puts her teacher through, Annie Sullivan remains determined in her methodology. She masterfully disciplines with a reverent affection for her student.


I think I enjoyed this remarkable story more because I have small children who when are unable to communicate with words do similar things as Helen. They lash out physically. Helen Keller was just learning to communicate with words when she lost her hearing and vision. It trapped her. Her family were unable to help her, in part, because they so grieved what had already happened. They wanted to protect her from further pain but in the end they were only leaving her abandoned inside her mind....unable to communicate with those around her. I can relate to their emotions. But, I also enjoy the story for the feisty characters. Another note, I enjoyed the author's note. It gave the story more meaning to know (if you didn't know already) that Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller remained faithful teacher~pupil friends for the remainder of Ms. Sullivan's life. They were always together. Their story truly is a miracle!

JAWS!

Shark Girl
by Kelly Bingham

Told through sparse poems, letters, and conversations Bingham eloquently reveals the tragedy and mending processes for Jane Arrowood, a fifteen year old girl recovering from a shark attack that resulted in one arm being amputated.

Jane's attack is videoed by a onlooking beach goer, published incessantly, resulting in an outpouring of condolences...letters, flowers, teddy bears but also stares, whispers and interview requests. She can't heal in privacy. Family and friends are uncomfortable with the new Jane. Jane is uncomfortable with herself. No longer able to draw, cook, tie her shoes, button her pants, she feels helpless and utterly dependant on her mother and brother. But this is a story of healing and slowly Jane learns how to adapt to her new life.

This inspirational story, written in a style similar to Sonya Sones, is honest, powerful, and engaging. Once you pick it up, you'll be drawn into Jane's survival.

CREEPY

The Adoration fo Jenna Fox
by Mary E. Pearson

Okay, this is a perfect example of not judging a book by it's cover! I never imagined the depth of this story. The cover made me think of E.L. Konisburg's Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place or City of Beasts by Isable Allende. WRONG! The Adoration of Jenna Fox is a biomedical creepy thriller. Well...maybe thriller isn't exactly the right word...how about thought-provoking and spine-tingling story...at least it was for me.

In a future America, biomedical life-saving advances are possible but illegal and antibiotics no longer ward off illness and infection. The governemnt has established an ethics board to set guidelines on medical advances and life-saving treatments. This is the world Jenna Fox re-enters after over a year-long coma. She remembers very little of her life prior to her accident. Fortunately her parents have annual compilations of Jenna's life on disc. As her memory slowly returns, Jenna naturally begins to ask questions. How is it she surivived? What happened to her friends? Why has her family abruptly moved to California? Why can't she access anything about her accident on the Net? What is her mother hiding in a closet? Why does her grandmother dislike her? As Jenna pieces together answers, her very existance comes to question.

This book truly makes one think about the ethics of scientific advances. Without giving away to much of the plot, ask yourself if 90% of your body is dead, would you still want to live? This is the moral dilemma of Jenna Fox.

POOF!

Gone
by Michael Grant

One day, with no warning, every person 15 and older disappears. It happens in a blink of an eye. Not only are adults gone but so too is any means of communication...phones, television, internet. There is no way to know what happened. As the children learn to adjust to their new world, they also learn that a few of them are developing strange, unhumanly powers. But it not just the children, animals are mutating as well. As they look for help, they discover a strange force field encasing the town. There is no way out! Someone has to lead and it's the schoolyard bullies who step up to the job setting the stage for a stunning battle of good v. evil.

While a hefty read, you'll be drawn into the predicament of these kids. Just when you might think the book is dragging, a bit of gory action happens or the plot takes an interesting twist. Gone is immediately compared to Lord of the Flies and the cover makes one believe a movie is already in the making...which kind of takes away from imagining the characters yourself. Overall, I would rate this one a 3 1/2 star (out of five)...or maybe a 4 star as the end left me intrigued as to what would happen next...and guess what, the sequel Hunger is due out in May.

Gripping Read!

The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins

If you've enjoyed the Maximum Ride series, The Giver, or the Ender Wiggin series, then READ this book. The first in a trilogy this book is a crowd-pleaser...think gladiator meets survivor. Full of action and suspenceful plot twist, the book weaves in a potential romance between the two main characters Katniss and Peeta. Both teens have been randomly selected from their district to participate in the capitol's annual televised 'fight to the death' hunger games. One out of twelve districts, Katniss and Peeta have little chance of winning. Their home district is one of the poorest and given little attention from wealthy sponsors. These games do not end until only one participate remains alive. Gory, clever, heart-wrenching...this is an addictive read and you'll be hungry for the next installment when the last page is done!

Must read!

Impossible 

by Nancy Werlin

Brilliant! Reviews of this book say, "impossible to put down" and they are right!  It didn't take long before I was wrapped into the plight of Lucy.  At age seventeen, Lucy discovers the women of her family are cursed.  Forced to attempt three seemingly impossible tasks or fall into madness upon their child's birth.  Fortunately, Lucy is the first girl in generations to have some help. She has her loving and fiercely protective foster parents and Zach, the boy next door whose always 'been there'.  The whole story is built upon the song, "Scarborough Fair".  It's the song that weaves together fantasy and reality in the story, making it seems so plausible.  But it is the impossible tasks Lucy must attempt, that make the book suspenseful.  Let's not forget true love, too!  Yes, this books has it all.  So when you've finished with the Twilight series, pick up Impossible, before a movie comes out.