When Caitlin was in 7th grade, she was a assigned a pen pal. She chose to write to someone from Zimbabwe because that country sounded exotic and fascinating. As a top student, Martin was one of the lucky boys to receive letters from America, and he received Caitlin's letter. Little did they realize how this one letter would dramatically change the direction of both of their lives. While Caitlin comes from a wealthy, suburban home, Martin comes from an impoverished family who struggled to pay for his schooling, clothing, and food. While other students lost touch with their pen pals, Caitlin and Martin continued to write to each other year after year. As Martin's home life gets so desperate that he can't even afford school, he reluctantly shares his struggles with Caitlin in hopes of getting enough money, less than $50.00, that would let him attend school. When Caitlin becomes aware of her friend's struggles, she vows to help. Both Caitlin, Martin, their families and friends lives are transformed by this amazing friendship. I am not a huge fan of nonfiction, but I read this book in one setting. I was entranced as I watched Caitlin and Martin become friends, even though their worlds could not be more different. Things we take for granted like having a picture of yourself, owning your own pair of shoes, and having the right to a free education were luxuries in Martin's world. I also loved watching Caitlin's family adopt Martin and one of his friends to help them get the education and support that they needed. This book demonstrates how one small act of kindness can change the world forever. Caitlin giving up some of her babysitting money allows Martin to go to school and helps feed his family. I could go on and on about how much I learned from this story and loved this story, but instead, I will just encourage you to read it yourself. Prepare to be transformed!
I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Change Two Lives by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda with Liz Welch
When Caitlin was in 7th grade, she was a assigned a pen pal. She chose to write to someone from Zimbabwe because that country sounded exotic and fascinating. As a top student, Martin was one of the lucky boys to receive letters from America, and he received Caitlin's letter. Little did they realize how this one letter would dramatically change the direction of both of their lives. While Caitlin comes from a wealthy, suburban home, Martin comes from an impoverished family who struggled to pay for his schooling, clothing, and food. While other students lost touch with their pen pals, Caitlin and Martin continued to write to each other year after year. As Martin's home life gets so desperate that he can't even afford school, he reluctantly shares his struggles with Caitlin in hopes of getting enough money, less than $50.00, that would let him attend school. When Caitlin becomes aware of her friend's struggles, she vows to help. Both Caitlin, Martin, their families and friends lives are transformed by this amazing friendship. I am not a huge fan of nonfiction, but I read this book in one setting. I was entranced as I watched Caitlin and Martin become friends, even though their worlds could not be more different. Things we take for granted like having a picture of yourself, owning your own pair of shoes, and having the right to a free education were luxuries in Martin's world. I also loved watching Caitlin's family adopt Martin and one of his friends to help them get the education and support that they needed. This book demonstrates how one small act of kindness can change the world forever. Caitlin giving up some of her babysitting money allows Martin to go to school and helps feed his family. I could go on and on about how much I learned from this story and loved this story, but instead, I will just encourage you to read it yourself. Prepare to be transformed!
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Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley Webster's dictionary defines agoraphobia as an "abnormal fear of being helpless in an embarrassing or unescapable situation that is characterized especially by the avoidance of open or public places." Solomon's agoraphobia is so severe that he hasn't stepped outside his house in three years, and he is mostly fine about this. However, Liz, a girl from his previous school, is not. Liz dreams of being a psychologist. She thinks that she can "cure" him and that writing about her success will win her a desperately-need college scholarship. As Liz and her charming boyfriend Clark befriend Solomon, their friendship starts to transform Solomon, but when Solomon is not the only one transformed by their relationship, everything may backfire for all of them. There is an honesty to the characters and relationships in the book that will draw you in and make you cheer for all three main characters. Solomon is self-depricating, Liz is passionate, and Clark is charming. Just like us, they make mistakes, and it is the lies, insecruities, and fears they all hold on to that threaten their happiness. What elevates this novel is that is more about human nature than a single mental health condition. Like Solomon, the reader will be transformed whether they want to or not! Highly recommended! The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner High school can be one of the nine rings of hell, especially when your dad is a snake-wielding pentecostal preacher whose misdeeds haved landed him in prison. Since Dill's testimony helped send his father to jail, life outside school isn't any better. The things that make Dill's life tolerable are the music he secretly creates and his best friends, Lydia and Travis. Although this trio has different interests, they are true friends that fight to protect and push each other. With his graduation looming, Dill is terrified of the future. He is afrarid of being stuck in his small town, he is afraid of sharing his music, and he is afraid of losing Lydia, who has secretly liked for years. During this pivotal year, Dill will find out just how strong he is as life move's forward in all of its great and terribleness. This moving story of the power of friendship to heal and transform you will leave your heart overflowing. Zentner's writing is lyrical, and his characters are honest and unique people you wish you could hang out with in the "real world." This is a stunningly beautiful debut novel. Highly recommended! The Girl I Used to Be by April Henry When Ariel Benson was three years old, her mother was murdered, her father disappeared, and the killer dropped her off at a local Walmart. Everyone believed her dad was responsible, but after fourteen years, his remains are discovered. Ariel, who now goes by the name Olivia, is compelled to move back homem and try to figure out who murdered her parents. Whoever did it is still out there, and she will have to move fast to figure out who is the murderer before he or she comes for her to finish the job. April Henry is the master of fast-paced mysteries, and this is her best work yet. You won't be able to set this book down as you struggle with Olivia to uncover the secrets of her past. Highly recommended! The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon Natasha and her family are facing deportation gack to Jamaica. Natasha is spending her last day in the US desperately searching for some official who is wiling to stop this disaster, so she can stay in the country she has called home for the past 10 years. On the same day, Daniel is heading to a Yale interview for a future his parents want more than he does when he spies the radiant Natasha. Instantly smitten, Daniel devises a way to spend the day with the girl he is sure could be his true love. It doesn't matter that they come from different cultures and like different subjects; Daniel knows they could be perfect for each other. However, wiith Natasha's uncertain future, what chance does true love have? I really didn't think Yoon could top Everything, Everything, but she did. Watching Natasha and Daniel fall in love will charm and delight you, and Yoon's prose is pure poetry. Interspersed in the novel are windows into the lives of the side characters in the story, whose actions affect the fate of the young lovers, and each of these is a perfect star in the universe of this story. This is a book that will make your heart grow three times bigger. Highly recommended! |
AuthorMs. Smith has been the librarian at Washington HS in Sioux Falls, SD, since 2005. She enjoys reading, watching K-Dramas, Harry Potter and hanging out with her family. Archives
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