Saturday, January 19, 2013

The Big Crunch by Pete Hautman

I've read many reviews for The Big Crunch by Pete Hautman. It has been included on several "Best of 2012" lists, including starred reviews, but I have to be honest in saying, I wasn't that impressed. I suppose it deserves kudos for not being an over-the-top teen romance. There are no explicit teen love scenes; there is no love at first sight moment. We simply follow Jen and Wes through their typical days, watch them become friends, feel their loneliness when Jen's family moves away. We also worry a bit about Wes as he saves and plots to drive to Jen's new home with a surprise visit. When they have their more tender moments when you think something more just might happen, it doesn't. Of course, that's how real life is. Only in movies and books do we see the love at first sight, highly romantic, sexually charged stories that we may think are real.

If you want to read about a young love as it unfolds naturally, as you and your friends may actually experience finding a boyfriend or girlfriend, becoming best friends, dating and sharing hopes and dreams with each other, than this is the book for you.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Monday, January 7, 2013

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ranson Riggs

Odd. Weird. Strange. Eccentric. Dark. Peculiar. Not only are the children peculiar in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs but so is the entire story. Yet, the story didn't start out so odd but it sure did become strange for me the more I read. By that point, I needed to finish it although I will admit that I began skipping pages just to get to the end.

Jacob Portman is a sixteen year old whose life is less than exciting. He's missing his grandfather Portman who passed away leaving behind fantastical stories and the vintage photographs of the people in his stories. Jacob feels a need to unravel the truth behind his grandfather's stories and that's where this novel becomes eccentric and dark.

Author Riggs' premise is unique - to develop a story around actual cherished, found vintage photographs of peculiar situations and people. Those photos are interspersed throughout the book and are integral to the story. I was in constant wonder how Riggs selected and developed the story assuming he began with the photographs. But why? Was he so intrigued by them that he felt they could enthrall readers? The cover is haunting but in this day of digital photography, not unimaginable.

This has been a New York Times bestseller and included on numerous "Best Books" lists. I selected it for the BHS MCtr collection based on those accolades and stellar book reviews. Now it's your turn to step into this story with the peculiar children and peculiar story line. I'll be waiting in the media center to hear what you thought.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm