The Tao of Pooh (review)

This is just a little review
For something called The Tao of Pooh
Sweet Pooh-bear, and Benjamin Hoff
Will teach you a lot-- please don't scoff! 


So smart, so wise, and simply sweet
This cute book, is ever so neat
It might change you, if you so please
Open your mind--live life with ease

So you see now, is it funny
I love this book more than honey?
Give it a read--it's good for you
And discover a great taoist...

Winnie-the-Pooh!


~Tessa

Review--The Eleventh Plague

   In case the title is not a give-away, The Eleventh Plague, by Jeff Hirsch, is another dystopian, world-gone-bad novel, and this one had me feeling as though I were sitting under a table, in my blanket fort as a 5 year old, playing "big bad world". You know the game, when you hide yourself away, pretending there is a bad world out there, kept away simply by staying on the magic blanket. Sometimes, you would venture out, daring the baddies out there to get you, knowing you could retreat to your safe place, and knowing they wren't real anyway.
   As in the familiar childhood game, all things in The Eleventh Plague end in a glorious "Kumbaya" moment, so sickly sweet it made me want to gag. Ok, so there is violence, death, and loss along the way, but that didn't manage to keep away the saccharin taste that lingered just beneath the surface. The many moments of tension seemed shallow, since I knew all was going to be well in the end, and I was going to be safe on my blanket. It was enough to make me not want to play the game.
   Maybe you'll have better luck.
~Karina

Review--Revolution

   Being a fan of historical fiction, I was intrigued by Jennifer Donnelly's Revolution, which touches on one of the eras I find most fascinating--the French Revolution. But, as with multitudes of other young adult narratives, this one marches forward with only one foot in the past, leaving the other one firmly planted in the 21st century, with all its slang, its technology, and its teenage angst. 

   There is romance, of course, and what is better than romance in Paris, with its dimly lit cobblestone streets, its smoky bars, and its spooky catacombs. Yup, that's right. A lot of time is spent creeping through the musty tunnels of the graveyard of French history, creating a nice bridge between the modern world and the turbulent and bloody times surrounding the events of the French Revolution. 

   I was pleasantly surprised by the level of historical detail and the contrast of worlds displayed as the heroine delves more deeply into events of the past. Revolution was great fun, and I recommend it highly. Keep in mind, though, that it is fairly mature in its subject matter. All in all, a good read!

~Karina

Review--Robopocolypse

    Well, leave it to paying attention to a CNN recommendation to have to be faced with this dismal read. Robopocolypse, by Daniel Wilson, had me wondering, as I slogged my way through it, why some books manage to get published and others do not. Ugh. What a waste of my time this one was. What agent thought this story would be worth pursuing? Again, ugh.
   Seriously, imagine EVERY sci fi movie involving robots you have ever seen--especially the bad ones--and that is this book. As I read it, I had the distinct displeasure of having the story run through my head in a cinematic manner, which didn't improve things, as there was a decent bit of blood and gore, something I am not opposed to, on principle, as long as its graphic presence has more than a gratuitous purpose. Normally, being able to "see" a story play out as though it were a movie is usually a good thing, implying that a narrative is so vivid and powerful that it grips your imagination and draws you in completely. In the case of Robopocolypse, though, it distracted from what could have been a premise that had some legs.... mechanical and reanimated, yes, but at least there would have been something upon which to stand.
   Thanks, CNN, but no thanks.
~Karina

Review--A Mighty Long Way

   This book, by Carlotta Walls LaNier, should be required reading for all students, as classroom studies of the true impact of the struggle for racial equality clearly are inadequate in portraying the true trials and prejudices blacks faced during the Civil Rights period... and surely still face. A Mighty Long Way is Ms. LaNier's first-hand account of one of the most turbulent and significant eras in this country's struggle for civil rights for all.
   As one of the Little Rock Nine, Ms. LaNier documents the emotional and personal side of being one of the famous nine black students to be the first integrated into an all-white school, Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Her portrayal of her dedicated family, the nine brave students, and an anxiety-laced adolescence is heart-wrenching, for the simple reason that Ms. LaNier was nothing more than an ambitious, gifted student, who wanted the best possible education available. She never intended on becoming a symbol of the struggle for racial equality in the very highly-charged Civil Rights era, nor was she comfortable with that role, once it was thrust upon her.
   What comes through most vividly in her gripping account is the terrible emotional toll resulting from the injustices inflicted upon her and the other 8 students.
   Tessa was lucky enough to attend a lecture by Ms. LaNier at Colorado Mountain College, and having read the book, myself, I wish I could have attended, as well. It is pleasing to note that the event was sold out, a testament to slowly improving awareness of the need for equality in this nation and all around the globe, for all minorities.
    I, for one, will treasure the signed book that came home from that evening. It was courageous of the author to write it and speak about it, but infinitely more courageous of her to live it. I highly recommend it to all ages.
~Karina

Review--Sophie's World

    Thanks to my dear friend Jana, this book came into my hands, and what fun it was. If you are a fan of philosophy, and welcome a new take on a mind-bending subject, give "Sophie's World" a try. Jostein Gaarder's fictional handling of the realm of philosophy is adept and well-thought out, which comes as no surprise, since Gaarder spent years teaching high school philosophy. He probably had so many glassy-eyed students staring back at him over the years, uncomprehending the heady subject he placed before them, that he decided to add a twist that would lighten the heavy load.

    In "Sophie's World", the fictional story quickly becomes secondary, leaving the real meaty essence of the history of philosophy exposed. Truth be told, the "story-telling" is second-rate, but captivating enough, as one persists in turning pages, curious as to how the story will unfold. But, as I said, the narrative becomes unimportant, as the beautiful world of philosophy begins to emerge. 

   Easily read by both young people and adults, "Sophie's World" is a fine way to test the philosophical waters; it left me eager to dive in to deeper pools.

~Karina

Review--Between Shades of Gray

   Having written my own book about World War II, I was intrigued by Between Shades of Gray, by Ruta Sepetys. The story was intense and did not disappoint. Similarly to my account of my father's childhood in Sudetenland, this book touched on an aspect of the war that is often neglected: the brutality inflicted upon people (in this case Lithuanians) by the Soviets.
   The story follows the life of a young Lithuanian girl who, along with her family, is sent deep into Siberia to work as a forced laborer. The girl, Lina, is an artist, and she draws the world around her, the better to cope with the terrible situation. Death is everywhere, but so is love and tenderness, all the more precious in the stark winter landscape.
    The characters are well-defined and they evoke an intense emotional response. War is hell; WWII being the lowest level of the scorching fires.
   Between Shades of Gray is at the top of my list of recommendations.
   Read it!
~Karina