Models Don’t Eat Chocolate Cookies, by Erin Dionne, is a thought-provoking novel about being a middle school girl. This book, best targeted to younger middle school students, is about an eighth grader named Celeste Harris. It begins with Celeste and her cousin Kirsten trying on matching junior bridesmaid dresses for Kirsten’s sister’s wedding. Celeste is overweight and insecure, and is miserable and jealous that the dress fits Kirsten’s “perfect” body wonderfully but hers needs alterations. This jealousy and anger about her body type is a recurring theme throughout the book.
Celeste is teased mercilessly at school about her weight, particularly by classmate Lively Carson, and just tries to pass by inconspicuously with her best friend Sandra. Much to her horror, Celeste’s aunt enters her in a teen plus-size modeling competition. Celeste consents hesitantly, not wanting to be teased but desiring to make her parents proud. As she goes further into the process, Celeste wonders if it’s really the modeling that she hates or the fact that it’s “plus size” modeling. She embarks on many mishaps, some entertaining and some serious, from clothing falling askew to attempting to lose weight to be to thin to compete to discovering that the impeccable Lively Carson may not be so perfect after all.
Throughout the whole journey, although she has many not-so-fun experiences, Celeste ultimately gains friends, enriched family relationships, and confidence.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
What I read over spring break that I'd think you'd like...
Thanks to having had no real plans this break along with some really rainy weather, I was able to do lots of reading. Here are some of my highlights:
The Things a Brother Knows by Dana Reinhardt is a great book that I might consider recommending for the summer reading list. In a nutshell, Levi's older brother, Boaz, has just returned from Afghanistan. Boaz isn't the same, but no one knows how to reach him, what to say or how to act. So, when Boaz takes off on foot, supposedly to hike the Appalachian Trail, which Levi knows is a lie, Levi decides he will have to follow him, find him and figure out how to bring him home. It's good, guys. I couldn't put it down.
In the Path of Falling Objects by Andrew Smith is a THRILLER! Ok, so, never stop and catch a ride from a seeming ok but actually psychotic killer, even if there is a pretty girl in the next seat, you have $10 in your pocket and have to cross three states on foot. With their older brother off in Vietnam, their mother gone and dirt poor, two boys head out across Texas and New Mexico to do the only thing they can think to do next: meet their father who will soon get out of prison. I ignored my family until I could see how this book would end, and I think you will, too.
Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson is a great "I laughed, I cried" type of book. It's light enough to be fun reading, but it's real enough and has depth. Plus, it's romantic which is always fun. Amy is facing a major family tragedy (guilt guilt guilt). With her twin brother sent away (you'll see where), her mom has decided to start fresh out east. So, Amy's mom is sending Amy on a road trip to her new home. But, since Amy won't drive anymore (you'll see why), an old childhood friend Roger will drive her. Roger has apparently grown up nicely, if you know what I mean, so this makes things all the more complicated. The book is both about their wild journey across the country and their journey to figure things out about themselves.
The Things a Brother Knows by Dana Reinhardt is a great book that I might consider recommending for the summer reading list. In a nutshell, Levi's older brother, Boaz, has just returned from Afghanistan. Boaz isn't the same, but no one knows how to reach him, what to say or how to act. So, when Boaz takes off on foot, supposedly to hike the Appalachian Trail, which Levi knows is a lie, Levi decides he will have to follow him, find him and figure out how to bring him home. It's good, guys. I couldn't put it down.
In the Path of Falling Objects by Andrew Smith is a THRILLER! Ok, so, never stop and catch a ride from a seeming ok but actually psychotic killer, even if there is a pretty girl in the next seat, you have $10 in your pocket and have to cross three states on foot. With their older brother off in Vietnam, their mother gone and dirt poor, two boys head out across Texas and New Mexico to do the only thing they can think to do next: meet their father who will soon get out of prison. I ignored my family until I could see how this book would end, and I think you will, too.
Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson is a great "I laughed, I cried" type of book. It's light enough to be fun reading, but it's real enough and has depth. Plus, it's romantic which is always fun. Amy is facing a major family tragedy (guilt guilt guilt). With her twin brother sent away (you'll see where), her mom has decided to start fresh out east. So, Amy's mom is sending Amy on a road trip to her new home. But, since Amy won't drive anymore (you'll see why), an old childhood friend Roger will drive her. Roger has apparently grown up nicely, if you know what I mean, so this makes things all the more complicated. The book is both about their wild journey across the country and their journey to figure things out about themselves.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Book recommendation!
I just finished Please Ignore Vera Dietz, and it's a MUST READ. It's about a HS girl, Vera Dietz, whose best friend-turned-horrible jerk (who among other things was just accused of arson) just died. To make matters worse, Vera knows the truth about the arson. Does she tell? Along the way, she learns a whole lot of other truths. It's a tough book, but it's an inspiring book Someone please read it and let me know what you think.
Have you gone graphic?
Do you read graphic novels? I've dabbled, but I think that I need to up my graphic novel reading. Does anyone know where I should start?
Monday, March 14, 2011
Welcome NS Readers!
Hello,
We've started a high school book blog...A place to tell eachother what we stayed up reading because we couldn't put it down...a place to warn what not to bother reading...whatever...Whether you love fantasy, realistic fiction, historical fiction, graphic novels, or any genre, here's where you can let loose. Feel free to search our NS Reads Shelfari for more reviews.
We've started a high school book blog...A place to tell eachother what we stayed up reading because we couldn't put it down...a place to warn what not to bother reading...whatever...Whether you love fantasy, realistic fiction, historical fiction, graphic novels, or any genre, here's where you can let loose. Feel free to search our NS Reads Shelfari for more reviews.
Would you like to write about a book you just read?
See Ms. Sandler.
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