The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

From the Jacket:

Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. He relates well to animals but has no understanding of human emotions. He cannot stand to be touched. Although gifted with a superbly logical brain, Christopher is autistic. Everyday interactions and admonishments have little meaning for him. Routine, order and predictability shelter him from the messy, wider world. Then, at fifteen, Christopher’s carefully constructed world falls apart when he finds his neighbor’s dog, Wellington, impaled on a garden fork, and he is initially blamed for the killing.

Christopher decides that he will track down the real killer and turns to his favorite fictional character, the impeccably logical Sherlock Holmes, for inspiration. But the investigation leads him down some unexpected paths and ultimately brings him face to face with the dissolution of his parents’ marriage. As he tries to deal with the crisis within his own family, we are drawn into the workings of Christopher’s mind.

And herein lies the key to the brilliance of Mark Haddon’s choice of narrator: The most wrenching of emotional moments are chronicled by a boy who cannot fathom emotion. The effect is dazzling, making for a novel that is deeply funny, poignant, and fascinating in its portrayal of a person whose curse and blessing is a mind that perceives the world literally.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is one of the freshest debuts in years: a comedy, a heartbreaker, a mystery story, a novel of exceptional literary merit that is great fun to read.

I was browsing my math teacher’s book collection when I found this one. Overall, it was a great read. Nothing hugely negative about the book comes to mind. I’ve read both positive and negative reviews for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time on Amazon. I’m not quite sure what to think about the portrayal of the autistic main character. Some reviewers (quite a few who actually are autistic) claim Chris is just a stereotype and is exaggerated. More reviewers, however, praise the book as “an insight into the autistic mind”. One thing I liked was the math diagrams explaining what Chris was thinking. Sometimes I may not have understood them, but they were a nice addition. I’d give this one four stars.

(Ok… hearts, not stars…)

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Bud Not Buddy

My Literacy group just finished up Bud Not Buddy. To make things short, the book is about Bud (an orphan) trying to find his real father. It was a great story, only it had a very predictable ending. I like this book a lot.

Update – May 9th

I’ve been so busy that I completely forgot about my blog, so here’s my little update. I’ve finished two books: Slipping by Cathleen Davitt Bell and Ghost Boy by Iain Lawrence. They were both pretty good, though I enjoyed Ghost Boy much more than Slipping.

Slipping Summary (from book)

Michael will be the first one to tell you: he barely knew his grandpa Kimmel when he was alive. And he didn’t know the details about the big fight between his dad and his grandpa that made the whole family stop visiting seven years ago. And if you never really knew someone, and nobody ever talks about him, then you probably won’t miss him when he’s gone, right?

But when his grandpa dies, Michael’s gut tells him that the cold, detached way his dad is acting isn’t normal. Just like Michael recognizes that his own bizarre cravings for things like oatmeal and creamed spinach and a nice big cigar aren’t normal either. Michael suspects that his grandpa Kimmel might be reaching out to him—or through him. But figuring out what his grandpa wants is a scary thought, as it will require getting to know a man who was impossible to talk to when he was alive. As Michael begins to slip with his grandpa into the mysterious river that seems to flow between the living and the dead, an even scarier thought occurs: if Michael can’t get out again, will anyone miss him?

Slipping had a good/ok story, but I found it to be way too confusing. The beginning hooked me right in, but then I wanted out. I really did not want to finish the book, but I found time to do it. The lack of good description (especially towards the end) made it even more of a confusion. I’ll give it two and a half stars.

Ghost Boy Summary (from book)

Harold Kline is an albino– an outcast. Folks stare and taunt, calling him Ghost Boy. It’s been that way for all of his 14 years.  So when the circus comes to town, Harold runs off to join it.

Full of colorful performers, the circus seems like the answer to Harold’s loneliness. He’s eager to meet the Cannibal King, a sideshow attraction who’s an albino, too. He’s touched that Princess Minikin and the Fossil Man, two other sideshow curiosities, embrace him like a son. He’s in love with Flip, the pretty and beguiling horse trainer, and awed by the all-knowing Gypsy Magda. Most of all, Harold is proud of training the elephants, and of earning respect and a sense of normalcy. Even at the circus, though, two groups exist – the freaks, and everyone else. Harold straddles both groups. But fitting in comes at a price, and Harold must recognize the truth beneath what seems apparent before he can find a place to call home.

Ghost Boy has a great but weird plot, which I enjoyed. It wasn’t predictable at all, full of emotion, and exciting. Definitely a recommended read for teenagers.

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I’m currently reading a nonfiction book for my English class about my topic (I picked video games). It’s called “The Ultimate History of Video Games”, and it’s turning about to be a great book so far. Video games are another love of mine.

The only thing that bugs me about the book is that there aren’t many pictures.

Pay the Piper – Quick Review

(From the book) A rock ‘n’ roll band to die for….When fourteen year old Callie McCallan scores a backstage pass to interview the lead singer of the famous band Brass Rat, she’s thrilled. Peter Gringras is so cool. When he plays his flute, it’s as if he has some kind of hypnotic power. But there is something strange about him, something Callie can’t quite put her finger on. Then, on Halloween night, Callie’s little brother Nicky disappears, along with all the other children in town. It’s crazy, but Callie thinks she knows where the children have gone-and who took them. To prove it, and to rescue Nicky and the other children, Callie must journey to a mythical world filled with fantastical creatures. A world from which there may be no return….

This was a nice little read. The story felt a little too short, though. I liked how the plot was unique. Apparently this is the first of a series so I’ll be waiting for that second book. (Sorry I haven’t posted for so long! I’ve been so busy.)

Update – April

Braces are such a pain! I got mine Wednesday. They may look “cute” but they are killing me. I keep waking up in the middle of the night because my teeth hurt so much. I have to wear them for two years. It’s a pain trying to eat anything that isn’t pudding, yogurt, or soup.
Hopefully it will get better.

Looks like I have to write a nonfiction book report for reading class on my topic (video games). I’ll be hunting for a good book.

The Miracle Worker – Book Review

Summary from the back of the book:

NO ONE COULD REACH HER

Twelve-year-old Helen Keller lived in a prison of silence and darkness. Born deaf, blind, and mute, with no way to express herself or comprehend those around her, she flew into primal rages against anyone who tried to help her, fighting tooth and nail with a strength born of furious, unknowing desperation.

Then Annie Sullivan came. Half-blind herself, but possessing an almost fanatical determination, she would begin a frightening and incredibly moving struggle to tame the wild girl no one could reach, and bring Helen into the world at last….

As part of my reading class at school I was assigned to read William Gibson’s The Miracle Worker. I finished it yesterday, and I must say, it was another great read. It was written as a screenplay, something I had never experienced reading before. The only thing that I didn’t like about The Miracle Worker was that since it was written as a screenplay, actions of the characters are described pretty dully. Sometimes it was a bit boring to read. The plot was very dramatic, and I enjoyed it. It was nice to see Anne Sullivan build her relationship with Helen. The ending was also very satisfying. Basically, this is a great classic.

I rate this book 5 stars.

The Crossroads – Book Review

When eleven-year-old Zack Jennings moves to Connecticut with his father and new stepmother, they must deal with the ghosts left behind by a terrible accident, as well as another kind of ghost from Zack’s past.

This book was very, very entertaining. Especially toward the end of the book, I nearly leaned forward in my seat from excitement. It was such a page-turner! The only problems I had with this book was that it confused me in the beginning (switching back and forth between characters/keeping track of them), and it was a bit predictable. Otherwise, a great read! Even adults will enjoy this chilling tale.

I give this book 4.5 stars

Book Thief Challenge

I thought of a neat new idea for a challenge and here it is! This is my first one. If there are any other challenges like this one going on please let me know and I will change it!

This challenge is all about getting to know the thief. You may pick how many books to read (since I know a lot of you have many other books to read!):

1-3 books ~ Pickpocket

3-6 books ~ Candy Shoplifter

6-9 books ~Bank Robber

9-12+ books ~ Grand Thief

Guidelines/Rules/Notes

• The book can be of any genre (fiction or nonfiction) but must have some relation to thieves/theft. The book can have the word “Thief” in the title, can be about thieves, can involve a scene where something is stolen, etc. Use your imagination if necessary.
• Since this started later in the year, any thief-related books may be added to your current list.
• Please sign up with Mr. Linky. Make sure the link you added leads to your list/post not just your blog.
• Please feel free to use books you read here for other challenges too!
• It’s not required for you to pre-list your books
• The challenge begins today and ends December 31st, 2009

Mr. Linky – Sign Up! (click the image to sign up)

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Games: A Tale of Two Bullies – Book Review

Mick Sullivan and Boot Quinn are two eighth grade boys that love to fight eachother. In fact, every time they cross paths they break out into a fight. The new principal decides to force the boys to play games in his office every day, so that they might learn to get along.

I liked this book a lot. The story is told from both Mick and Boot’s perspective (by alternating chapters). Both perspectives are distinct and realistic. Carol Gorman does a great job of creating middle-school characters. I’m in seventh grade and I actually can connect to the boys. It’s easy to get attatched to them as well, and I found myself cheering on both of them. Games: A Tale of Two Bullies was also suspensful, and I couldn’t stop reading (I actually stayed up very late yesterday finishing it). The ending was touching as well. If you are a teen, this is a must-read.

I give this book 4 stars.

The Field Guide – Book Review

“Go away, close the book, put it down, do not look”

When the Grace children go to stay at their Great Aunt Lucinda’s worn Victorian house, they discover a field guide to fairies and other creatures and begin to have some unusual experiences. (taken from here)

I read this for the ‘First in a Series Challenge’, and it was a nice, quick read and very entertaining.  There are only 128 pages, filled with illustrations. The book was meant for younger children but I enjoyed it as well. There are five books in all, all of them short, that just make you want to read more of them. So while your at it, pick up The Seeing Stone (the 2nd in the series).

As a note, this book made me think of A Series of Unfortunate Events, from the dark tone, to the three child main characters, to the warning on the back of the book (see top of post).

I give this one 3.5 stars.