Out of my mind- 10/5 stars.

Okay.

I'll admit it.

{I totes judge books by their covers. In a largeeeee way}

This book was no exception. I had heard buzz about how it was required reading for some college coursework in special education, that it was a great "memoir-esque" read, and it was super powerful.

It was. 

Miss Melody has autism, and is non-verbal. She can't speak words to verbalize what she's thinking, feeling, etc. So many people mistake this for a lower IQ, which is certainly not the case in the least with Miss M. She has the most creative thoughts, and she's a super smart gal.

But no one can hear her super-thoughts, because she can't communicate traditionally.

This book is saddled with "those teachers".... {who I want to kick in the face, because they make really great teachers look bad}, some awesome educators that truly understand that a disability is nothing other than the different ways our brain work...and it's invigoratingly written. I absolutely love first person...and it reveals so much about the characters.

In addition to the heart-wrenching feelings that Melody has towards her parents and teachers...are the peer relationships. Some are positive. Some are negative. Some are downright tear-inducing.

I'm planning on not only use this during my guided reading group (in 5th grade), but also push it to whomever will allow me to push it on them. It's a fantastic novel, and I would encourage anyone to read it.

Where can I buy it? http://www.amazon.com/Out-My-Mind-Sharon-Draper/dp/1416971718

Author: Sharon Draper

You'd like this book if.... you're a living, breathing, human, who can read book on a 4th grade (ish) reading level.

Somebody Up There Hates you-- 5/5 stars!

I received Somebody Up There Hates You (by Hollis Seamon) as a goodreads.com first reads giveaway, as an ARC and uncorrected proof. I received it in the mail on Thursday, August 8th, and tore open the package.

 

All I knew about this novel was that it's a Young Adult novel, and has a catchy title and a very neat cover--nothing else about the book.

 

Now, I picked the book up today (8/10), with no intention of EVER reading it in {basically} one sitting, but...

I did.

3 hours after I sat down, I was done.

 

Not without gallons of tears streaming down my face, wanting to read it again, and shout from the rooftops, "This is one of the best books I have read in 2013!!"

 

The book begins when we are introduced to Richard, a 17 year old cancer patient in the care of hospice. The witty repartee that commences is downright hilarious, and sometimes you have to remember that this character is just a child who is being robbed of the rest of their life. The author makes many jokes about the hospice environment, people coming in and out and crowding around folks, harpists playing, all the things Richard WON'T have to deal with {cholesterol, getting a real job}, the smells of the ward, etc. There are parts of the story where you'll literally be doubled over laughing.

 

And then there's the incredibly gut-wrenching part of the story when you realize that this quippy, absolutely adorable child...is in fact--dying. I don't want to give away the plot line, but there's budding sexuality, and lots of interesting familial characters that you'll meet along the way {like uncle Phil....who doesn't have one of them in their family?}.

 

But heed the warning: Grab the tissues once about page 200 starts. You'll be heaving into them by the end of the book.

 

Overall, I absolutely loved every part of this book from cover to cover. Hollis, you did an incredible job! One of my favorite YA reads of 2013!

 

Stars: 5/5

Where can I buy it? : http://www.amazon.com/Somebody-Up-There-Hates-You/dp/1616202602/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376163403&sr=8-1&keywords=Somebody+up+there+hates+you

 

But it isn't released until 9/3/2013! So hold up {or pre-order because it's really THAT good}

Author: Hollis Seamon

You'd like this book if you....: Enjoy young adult literature, have ever known someone who has been through hospice, or if you just enjoy a great read.

All Our Pretty Songs by Sarah McCarry

 

Okay.

 

I'm going to be totally blunt and honest.

 

I received this ARC from a goodreads.com giveaway.

{The ONLY reason I put in for it was that I loved the cover, and the title of the book}.

 

Now, with that said, I had VERY high hopes.

While some of the story is a bit scattered {something I believe the author did on purpose, as to leave room for interpretation in the second book}, it was a beautifully written, well-versed book---a great read for any adolescent. It's a very coming-of-age novel, with main characters the narrator (who is anonymous, something that again-I believe the author did on purpose as to make this more about the story than about the character who is going through the motions IN the story), her best friend Aurora, and the narrators love interest, Jack, a mysterious musician.

 

Because of the style of book this is (being from the young adult genre), you expect a sort of style when reading a text from an adolescent perspective, and in my honest opinion, Sarah NAILED it.

 

I am SUPER excited to read book #2!

Stars: 4.999999/5 {it was nearly perfect IMO}

You'd like this book if you like: Any sort of young adult literature. There is so much to love about this book: first loves, friendship, losing people close to you, drug use, musicianship, etc.

How long did it take to finish this novel: about 1.5 days of serious beach reading.

 

Where can I buy it? http://www.amazon.com/All-Pretty-Songs-Sarah-McCarry/dp/125002708X

 

 

Hello friends!

Just trying to stir up some awesome YA literature, and share what I've read with the world! :-) I'm excited to make the trek into blogging and reviewing books that catch my interest, and that I absolutely adore!