Book Reviews
As book publishers, we are also book readers; always have been and always will be. DJ's mantra is "So many books, so little time." DJ's always reading at least three or four books at a time, depending on her mood and what she's interested in reading at any given moment.
Book Reviews Rating System
DJ never goes anywhere in the car without a bag of current reading materials. It is a serious addiction, but a healthy one, she thinks. So, it makes perfect sense for her to share what she's read with all of you.
DJ reads a wide variety of books, so they're identified by the following: C (Children), JFic (pre- and early teen), YA (Young Adult), A (Adult)
DJ's ratings follow our own rating system which is as follows:
- 1 star ★ = This book was not for me.
- 2 stars ★★ = OK, but not one of my favorites.
- 3 stars ★★★ = A good book.
- 4 stars ★★★★ = A great book that's worth reading!
- 5 stars ★★★★★ = An excellent book! A must-read!
Paperboy by Vince Vawter. Living in a small town, you get to know the people who keep the town together and running smoothly day to day. One of my favorite people in my town is our librarian, Holly. I stop in regularly to find a book or two that I want to read, beyond the books in my own extensive library. Holly and I spend some time chatting, often about our shared passion for books. She recently recommended a book so highly that I knew I had to read it. And I'm glad I did because it was a wonderful book, unique in its subject, told from the perspective of a boy who stutters.
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli is the 2nd book I've read by Spinelli. Like the first book I read, Stargirl, Maniac Magee is a unique individual, not like anyone else. The most wonderful unique quality is Magee's ability to see everyone as equals. He lives in a town that is separated by color with blacks on the East side and whites on the West side. But Magee doesn't see the differences and finds friends on both sides of town.
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli - At some time in our lives, I think we all may have met a Stargirl. Or maybe it was you. Perhaps not to the extremes that Spinelli's Stargirl went, but certainly parts of her we've all met before. She is that being who I believe is in all of us. That part that early on in life gets rejected. Only because it doesn't conform to the rules that are thrust upon us at an early age. Particularly in high school, where Stargirl enters the story, told by Leo who is confused in his attraction to her and torn between wanting what all high school kids want - to be accepted for who they are, even if they aren't quite sure who that is yet.