Dumplin' by Julie Murphy (pgs. 384)

This book is a "You Can't Put It Down" kind of book.  You want to know what is going to happen next all the time.  The author does a fantastic job of making sure that you really connect with the characters.  There is also really good word choice, so much so that you can feel the emotional roller coaster that Willowdean (the main character goes through).  This is for sure a book targeted at middle/high school girls, but it is done in a way different from so many other books.

I would be for sure interested in seeing this if it ever became a movie.  I have no idea who would play the different characters, but I think no matter who was cast, it would be a good film.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me by Mindy Kaling (p 222)

This book was a really nice break from correcting essays.  I always reward myself when I get my first class done by reading a book.

 I liked how Kaling wrote in a way that you could hear her voice while reading what she had wrote.  She was able to tell a series of short stories that gave insight into her life and upbringing, but she did so in a way with humor.  She did have a potty mouth from time to time, but I feel like this made for a more authentic telling.  I think people would have to enjoy the characters that she has portrayed to really enjoy this book.

 I am looking forward to reading the sequal, now that I have finished her first biography.  My family is always looking for gift ideas for me.  I think suggesting her next book is a good idea considering the time of year.

Virus by Diane Hoh (p278)

This is a book that I have read many times.  I bought this book when it first came out in 1996.  It is part of a six book series, but I usually just find myself rereading the first book in the series.  There is something I really enjoy about the characters.  They seem like real high schoolers to me.  There are some authors that don't seem to get what 17 and 18 year olds are really like.  This author seems to get it.

I like how this book keeps you guessing.  Yes, there are times that the author includes foreshadowing to let you know what is going to happen in the future, but there are also times that you get totally blindsided by what happens.

I think the theme of this book is that no matter how old you are or what you think you may or may not know, you have value and are useful in intense situations.  This is shown throughout the book when different high school characters step up and help with a variety of medical disasters.

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