Behind Happy Faces
by Kimberly Hays February 22nd, 2013 | Book Review, Young Adults
This book for young adults gives us a glimpse into the life of the author, Ross Szabo, when during his senior year in high school he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Along with the co-author, Melanie Hall, the story is told with personal honesty. It expresses that even though there is a humiliation sometimes associated with mental disorders, there are treatments available that give us hope. Szabo hit rock bottom before he was given the diagnosis, and it was still a struggle while finding the right treatment to get him on track. He eventually found the treatment that helped
Adventures of the Tornado Kid
by Kimberly Hays October 5th, 2012 | Book Review, Young Adults
In this book, written by Rakesh Malhotra, young adults learn the five core values in life: Love, Compassion, Integrity, Peace, and Responsibility. Malhotra traveled to 40 countries where he observed the universal core values that make society work in all religions, age, or race.
In Adventures of the Tornado Kid, two children are brought together after a destructive tornado. The story surrounds the fact that they are from very different cultures and backgrounds. These children, Alisha and James, form a special bond, and go out to search for the five core values that Malhotra believe are the epitome of a
In Adventures of the Tornado Kid, two children are brought together after a destructive tornado. The story surrounds the fact that they are from very different cultures and backgrounds. These children, Alisha and James, form a special bond, and go out to search for the five core values that Malhotra believe are the epitome of a
The Art of Racing in the Rain: Garth Stein
by Kimberly Hays September 4th, 2012 | Book Review, Topic of the Month, Young Adults
If you are a dog lover, or animal lover in general, you will love this book which is written from the perspective of a dog. Enzo is the beloved dog of Denny Swift, a race car driver who takes Enzo on the track with him when he goes to practice for upcoming races. Enzo loves the feeling of speed, and the lessons Denny teaches him about racing the car while they share their alone time on the track.
Enzo loves to watch television, and he sees a documentary set in Mongolia, where he gets the idea that he will come
Enzo loves to watch television, and he sees a documentary set in Mongolia, where he gets the idea that he will come
Freak the Mighty
by Louise August 31st, 2012 | Book Review, Fiction, Young Adults
I recently watched The Intouchables, a French film (based on a true story) about an unlikely friendship that forms between a quadriplegic millionaire and a street-smart ex-con who becomes his caretaker. The movie reminded me of a novel I read in middle school called Freak the Mighty.
Freak the Mighty, a young adult novel written by Rodman Philbrick, was published in 1993. It's a story about two young boys who also form an unlikely duo. Maxwell is the narrator of the story. He is big and slow, but kind-hearted. However, at a young age, Maxwell witnessed his father, Kenny "Killer" Kane, murder his
Freak the Mighty, a young adult novel written by Rodman Philbrick, was published in 1993. It's a story about two young boys who also form an unlikely duo. Maxwell is the narrator of the story. He is big and slow, but kind-hearted. However, at a young age, Maxwell witnessed his father, Kenny "Killer" Kane, murder his
Ellen Hopkins
by Louise August 16th, 2012 | Authors, Young Adults
Even if you don't recognize her name, you probably do recognize the cover of her books. Ellen Hopkins is the author of the Crank novels, Burned novels, and Impulse novels. Hopkins has published a number of non-fiction children's books, but her young adult novels all focus on teenage struggles such as drug addiction, mental illness, and prostitution. The title of each novel is a single word, which is related to the topic explored in the book, which you will find stylized on the cover of each respective book.
It all started with Crank (2004). Crank is about Kristina, a straight-A student
It all started with Crank (2004). Crank is about Kristina, a straight-A student
