Book Review: Hanging On To My Dreams

By: Arnold Henry, Saint Lucia’s First NCAA Division I Freshman Basketball Player

arnoldhenry.com

            This book is Arnold Henry’s autobiography of his basketball journey.  He was born and raised in Saint Lucia where he discovered his passion for basketball and then went on to be given a full scholarship to attend a military college in the U.S.  From there, he was chosen to join the University of Vermont NCAA team.  Unfortunately, accomplishing this dream did not turn out as well as Henry had hoped.

            I bought this book because I have met Arnold Henry, not necessarily because I am a big basketball fan.  I was most intrigued by his description of life in Saint Lucia and then his struggles coping with life in the United States.  I was appalled by the amount of racism he encountered, especially from coaches and fellow teammates.  I was saddened by his deep homesickness and loneliness throughout his journey.  It seems that schools that recruit international students should be better equipped to help them through the culture shock they experience. 

            He writes a very compelling story that earnestly captures his desire to improve his game, become part of a team, find love and provide for his family.  The ending leaves many questions unanswered and I hope a sequel will follow this captivating debut. 

Review of Restlessness by Aritha van Herk

This novel has a very interesting premise, which is the relationship between a woman and the man she has hired to kill her.  I loved the setting and found the descriptions of Calgary both hilarious and bang on.  I would categorize this book as literary fiction, which is nice once in a while; however, I would usually choose a story with more action and less internal monologue.  

A favorite quotation is "It's why the east won't take us seriously, because we dress up in cowboy clothes every Friday, like kids who've been given a set of cap guns." p. 79

Book Review - The Sorcerer's Letterbox by Simon Rose

www.simon-rose.com

A mysterious box has been in Jack’s family for hundreds of years.  One morning, Jack discovers a letter on a roll of parchment inside the box begging him for help.  The letter is marked 1483. A stranger arrives and gives Jack a metal wheel which unlocks the box’s power to transport Jack in time to the Tower of London.

This second book from Simon Rose, author of The Alchemist’s Portrait, is well-researched and strongly set in medieval London.  Jack is a brave, quick-witted, and likeable main character.  Short chapters and lots of action make this a great choice for reluctant, middle-grade readers.

Buy The Sorcerer's Letterbox!

Book Review - The Graveyard Hounds by Vi Hughes

From www.tradewindbooks.com

Strange things begin to happen the night Mike and Annie take their dogs to the school park.  First, Annie’s dog loses her bark, then the school playground burns down and next, the local church and graveyard burst into flames.  What is causing these strange occurrences and why does the principal seem to know more than he is saying?

The Graveyard Hounds is a quick-paced mystery story for middle grade readers.  Short chapters, charming illustrations, and lots of action kept me turning pages, even when I should have been cleaning the kitchen and making beds;)

Hughes has created brave, likeable characters and, as a former elementary school principal herself, reminds us why the word “pal” is part of principal! Buy Graveyard Hounds 

Review of The Alchemist's Portrait by Simon Rose

From www.simon-rose.com

When Matthew visits an art museum on a field trip, he is intrigued by an old painting of a Dutch boy.  Then the boy speaks to him.  So begins The Alchemist’s Portrait, an adventure-filled romp through art and history.

Matthew discovers that Peter, the boy from the painting, has been trapped inside his portrait by his evil uncle, Nicolass van der Leyden.  Now Peter needs Matthew’s help to go back in time and recover his uncle’s secret spell book.

I enjoyed this fast-paced fantasy story and especially the clever glimpses of history throughout.  A great book to introduce middle grade students to the past.

Buy The Alchemist's Portrait

Book Review - Changing Heaven

For book two of my Canadian Book Reading Challenge, I decided to read Changing Heaven by Jane Urquhart.  I read The Stone Carvers and The Underpainter a number of years ago and was ready to read more by this lyrical writer. 

            I came into the story blind to anything about it and I’d hate to spoil its charm by giving too much away here.  Basically, this book tells the stories of many characters related in some way or another to Emily Brontë.  The story is told through several narrators, which I personally enjoy. 

            Changing Heaven is beautiful, whimsical and poetic.  It is “a book about the wind, about the weather.”  How sweet is that?  I wish I could write like this!  It is captivatingly Canadian with its dedication to weather and descriptions of landscape.  It is lovely and enchanting. 

            As in The Stone Carvers and The Underpainter, Changing Heaven focuses on art and the artist.  Urquhart writes of painting with depth and understanding.  I can only deduce that her marriage to artist, Tony Urquhart, is cause for much inspiration!               

            I’d love to discuss this book with someone who has read it.  So much beauty and sadness to dissect.

Buy Changing Heaven

Book Review - Aberrant by Jo-Anne Sieppert

From www.smashwords.com

I have finished my first Canadian book as part of the Canadian Book Challenge.  Here is my review, as seen on Goodreads:

Delilah is a high school student with a big problem.  The Painfully Perfects, a group of rich, beautiful and popular students, are slowly and steadily torturing her.  From teasing to laughing, from tripping to duct-taping her hair to a bus seat, the Perfects won’t leave Delilah alone.  Her only reprieve is after school and weekends.

Delilah’s parents are rarely home to notice her unhappiness.  One night, she rows out to a deserted island to get away from it all.  She enjoys the peace and quiet until she hears a voice.  After overcoming her initial surprise, she is pleased to find a friend in the voice, named Jack.  She returns several times to continue talking to Jack, but he never shows himself.

Back at school, the Perfects are increasing their bullying tactics and pull down her pants in front of the entire gym class.  How will Delilah ever face school again?

Aberrant keeps the reader guessing through clever twists and developments.  Just when you think you’ve solved one mystery, another one appears.  It is written for a young adult audience, but is interesting for an adult reader as well.

           

Aberrant uses a lot of dialogue, which helps bring the characters to life, but occasionally slows down the plot.  Delilah is an empathetic character, though her swift mood-changes are a bit dizzying at times. 

This is a creative, entertaining book that kept me turning pages.

Buy Aberrant!