Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

Why: My daughter asked me to read this after she did.

When: start 11/2/13, end 11/3/13

How: I read the hard copy that Jane's Nana sent to her.

Thoughts: This was a great book. And there's a sequel that we'll have to read next. There are seven 5th graders in this class taught by a new teacher, Mr. Terupt, and the point of view of the story moves between the seven students. It worked really well to see the story unfold from each of their perspectives. It was difficult to put the book down for sure. And I still need to ask my daughter what she learned from this book.

Click on the book image to get to the author's website.

Review Haiku:
one snowball of ice
changes everything because
of Mr. Terupt

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Why: I had to read the concluding book of the series (I reviewed the other books here and here). And Outliers wasn't going so well. I needed some brain candy.

When: start 10/25/13, end 10/27/13

How: as an ebook on my ipad (purchased as always from the local independent bookseller)

Thoughts: Well. It was okay. I got a little bored a few times. I was kind of disappointed at what was beyond the fence. It was not the best book of the series. But I'm glad I've read the whole series for sure. The thing about great dystopian stories is when I can so clearly see the possibility of them actually happening. That's why 1984 terrifies me so much. Same with The Hunger Games. Same with The Road. I can imagine how these worlds could come about and I can imagine myself walking within them and it terrifies me. But I just couldn't see it with this series.

Click on the book image to get to the Wikipedia entry on the book.

Review Haiku:
This book travels from
divergence to genetics
I missed life inside.