![]() I found this book to be an interesting and engaging read; however, it may be difficult for many readers due to the abuse and neglect the protagonist Ada receives at the hands of her mother. There is a particular scene where Ada is locked in a cabinet that is rather graphic. Ada is born with a club foot, and because of her deformity, her mother will not allow her outside of the house and verbally and physically abuses her. Ada, however, strengthens her foot so she can walk and takes her younger brother to live with another during WWII and the bombing in the city. They are taken in by Susan Smith who cares for them and along the way, Ada learns how to ride a horse and find worth in herself. The characters in the book are well-developed, and Ada is inspiring. I have read some controversy surrounding this book due to the homosexual undertones in the book. I will say, as I read, I did not pick up on this at all. Susan, the woman who ends up caring for Ada and her brother, mentions Becky who passed a way, and it can be inferred that the woman lived with her and she loved her deeply. The relationship between them is never specified, however, so the love could be platonic or romantic; it is never specified or explained. Approximate Grade Level: (4th-7th) Read the summary above for possible cautions regarding content.
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![]() This book was weird and really dramatic, but I think a lot of high school students would likely enjoy it. I, however, found it kind of meh. The storyline centers around The Sinclair family who are affluent and spend their summers in Martha's Vinyard's. The younger Sinclairs plus a friend make up the "Liars" who are cousins and teenagers who spend their summers together lounging, talking about life, and spending time with their family. As the reader we find out that Cadence Sinclair, one of the "liars", was in an accident and has lost her memory. The whole of the story is her trying to piece together what happened to her until the book climaxes in a "shocking twist" ending that was not all that shocking, in my opinion. But, I won't ruin the ending for you here. Approximate Grade Level - Although the reading level could dip into the middle school grades, I would not recommend it for students below high school level. There are some graphically worded sentences, some mental health issues, and references to prescription drugs, sexual intercourse, and alcohol abuse. ![]() This book started slowly for me, but in the end, I enjoyed it. The story centers around Cat, a fifth grade girl, who takes on much of the responsibility of caring for her younger brother Chicken. Chicken has difficulty controlling his impulses and can be overwhelmed, and Cat is the one who soothes him. Although it is not ever explicitly stated in the book, the reader can infer that Chicken is likely autistic. I was not a fan of how far removed the mother seemed to be in caring for her children at times; however, I did enjoy the bond between Cat and Chicken. The siblings are sent to spend the summer with the grandparents they have never met, and while visiting, both Cat and Chicken get to grow and have some fun adventures. The characters in this novel are well-developed and the books is a wholesome read that I think most kids would enjoy. Approximate Grade Level - 4th-7th |
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