Dragonwings by Laurence Yep

Accompanying the review of the Newberry Medal-winning book, we would also review a book that graced with the Newberry Honor in 1976, Dragonwings by Laurence Yep. It’s a story of a boy named Moon Shadow who, at eight years old, sailed from the Middle Kingdom (China) to the Land of Golden Mountain (United States) to meet the father he'd never seen but heard about from his mother. Settled in San Fransisco, Moon Shadow befriended with fellow Tang people (Chinese men) called The Company whom his father worked for, and got to know there were friendly Chinamen as well as wicked Chinamen among them. Later he and his father moved out of Chinatown, and lived with very nice demonesses (white people), Miss Whitlaw and her niece Robin, who welcomed them to their town. His father, Windrider, was very interested in flying after reading an article about the famous Wright brothers to the extent he built small-scale glider models. Though airplane was a modern invention, part of his motivation was the traditional belief in his own previous dragon existence. This belief of dragon reincarnation in his former life had greatly influenced Moon Shadow ever since he told him. As the time went by, Robin and Moon Shadow became companions, and Miss Whitlaw learned the truth about dragons that she believed to be terrible before while teaching Moon Shadow how to read and write. With the help of his new acquaintances friends, Moon Shadow learned that despite the stereotype and prejudice he believed towards the demons (the Americans), most were actually friendly and not willing to beat him up every chance they got. In the end, a seemingly impossible dream was accomplished, and feuding friends overcame their differences for the chance to see "Dragonwings" flied. Overall, this is a fine and touching historical fantasy fiction. The author was objective in plotting the story and setting the conflicts among the characters. Even though the Chinese were constantly set upon by the white majority, yet there were good Chinese and bad Chinese just as there were good Whites and bad Whites. And although the novel was originally published in 1975, the existing problems of racial prejudice, hate, drug abuse, violence, self-worth, trust, and friendship that are vital to students growing up everywhere today, were all addressed very well in this book. Just to note, despite of the fact that this book has won one of the most prestigious awards in children's literature, some might think there is too much profanity in this book for children, such as the mention of prostitution, opium addiction, murder, physical abuse, or maybe Nick Carter detective novels.

reviewed by Begy

The Man of My Dreams by Curtis Sittenfeld [SOLD]

Do you feel like having a relaxing day in the weekend? :) If yes, grab this book, ladies!

Hannah Gavener is an interesting character. She is sent away to live with her aunt when she is fourteen years old because of her father's escalating fury and madness. She spends the rest of her life trying to understand if people ever really live happily ever after.

She questions her sister Allison's relationship with Sam and wonders why she loves this guy. Her cousin Fig is the party girl who dates a different person from week to week. Hannah floats from relationship to relationship and usually ends up picking guys she knows she'll never really be happy with.

Nice book for girls and even more mature women who would like to reviews part of their life! Call us to have this book NOW! :)

(some of the reviews are taken from www. amazon. com)

One Child By Torey Hayden [BOOKED]

At age six, Sheila had already endured a lifetime of horrors. Her mother abandoned her on a highway at age four; her alcoholic father neglected and traumatized her. Thus, it was scarcely a shock to anyone when the coarse, hate-filled child attacked a three-year-old boy, nearly burning him to death.

At such a tender age, Sheila's fate seemed inevitable - a lifetime in a psychiatric ward. Yet while the state awaited placement, they decided to put her in Hayden's special needs classroom.

Initially skeptical of a child with such a background, Hayden nonetheless did her best. Quickly, she glimpsed an intensely intelligent child, who longed for love and acceptance.

This wasn't to say it was an easy job. Nor was there any fairy-tale ending. Often, Sheila went into uncontrollable rages, damaging property, once even throttling pet gerbils when she perceived she had been wronged. Yet after glimpsing the inner Sheila, Torey Hayden refused to give up on her.

Then one day, several months after Sheila arrived in Hayden's classroom, the teacher received a call -- the psychiatric hospital was ready for Sheila. Despite having made a breakthrough with the child, would Sheila's life really be taken away before she had a chance to start it?

As always, Hayden's stories about the children with whom she has worked are deeply moving and memorable. By no means does she attempt to portray herself as a miracle worker; she freely admits her mistakes along with her triumphs as she merely dedicates her life to helping turn young lives around.

Readers interested in learning more about Sheila may be interested in the sequel, The Tiger's Child, which picks up when the girl is 13 and recently reunited with Hayden.

Back When We Were Grownups By Anne Tyler

Rebecca Davitch is a 53 year old woman, who finds herself, in life, at a place she never expected. She simply thinks she is the wrong person. What happened to her life? One minute she was an aspiring history major in college, and the next she was a middle aged woman, who widowed early in her marriage, has raised, on her own, 4 daughters, 3 of them from her husband's previous marriage. Taking over the Davitch family business of hosting parties in their large, but always in need of repair, home, also became part of her exsistence. She has been and seems will always be, the glue that holds this growing family together. Always there to smooth out the wrinkles and motivate the troops.

But what of Rebecca's wants and needs? Who will ever see to them? Is her college boyfriend, who she left for her husband, the answer to her quest for the real Rebecca, or is her life just as it should be?

Anne Tyler's "Back When We Were Grownups" is a wonderful take on midlife and family life. Rebecca's thoughts and feelings seem so real, almost anyone who's been there can identify with this woman. You may have even thought some of the same thoughts as Rebecca. The family and friends who surround her could be any family, anywhere, including all the everday challenges that life presents. The story is humorous, touching and at times poignant. It reminded me a bit of Doris Day's song, "Que Sera, Sera" It is a tale of finding peace with who you are, and it is one that although starts out a little slow, will have you falling in love with the characters and wishing there was more by the end.

The Same Sweet Girls By Cassandra King

In Same Sweet Girls, Cassandra King excels at development of characters and great storytelling. The girls of this book still rumble around in my head and I expect they will stay there always. Innumerable sequels could follow this novel because the book ends with the reader wanting to know much more about these characters. But these characters initially belonged to Cassandra King who so graciously shared them with us and whether she shares them with us again is rightly her choice.

Six college friends who are now approaching age 50 have met twice annually since their college graduation. This is a story of strong, lasting female friendships. The six girls are each unique yet they have the commonality of being held together by the ties of friendship. Yes, the book is southern fiction about southern ladies, but anyone who has experienced a strong friendship can identify with these girls and appreciate their story. King is an exceptional storyteller that brings the reader to laughter and tears.

But in the end, regardless of wanting more of the girls, I'm extremely glad I read Same Sweet Girls. It's one of two books I've read that I'll probably never forget the story or the characters. The other one? Gone With the Wind. Very highly recommend this book.

The Island of Heavenly Daze By Lori Copeland & Angela Elwell Hunt

The island of Heavenly Daze is just like a dozen others off the coast of Maine. It is decorated with graceful Victorian mansions, carpeted with gray cobblestones and bright wild flowers, and populated by sturdy, hard-working folks--most of whom are unaware that the island of Heavenly Daze is not just like the other islands of coastal Maine. The small town that crowns its peak consists of seven buildings, each inhabited, according to divine decree, by an angel who has been commanded to guard and help anyone who crosses the threshold.

Unexpected hijinks and heart-warming results occur when mortals and immortals cross paths--and unaware visitors to the picturesque establishments of Heavenly Daze discover that they have been entertained by angels.

The Island of Heavenly Daze is an endearing book that places the reader on a small island off the coast of Maine. The characters are introduced in a way that leaves you wanting more. The Heavenly part of the island, and unknown to its inhabitants, are the seven men that live along side them who are angels sent from God to help them find their way.

This book is the first of three and focuses on the beloved Reverend of the local church who has lost his way, and needs a bit of a nudge from one of our angels. After ten years with this small community he fears they want to replace him with some one younger. His baldness becomes a major issue and he decides he needs a toupee. The antics begin and the laughs are frequent. There is also a serious side to our community and story as an aunt and long lost niece need help finding their way back to each other.

Fall on Your Knees by Ann Marie MacDonald

What makes a book 'original'?
Every plot conceivable has been done to death.
Every character imaginable has graced the pages of some novel or other.
Every emotion possible has been wrung out of the reader.
So why even write any more books? If it's all been done, why do it again?

A true pleasure of reading is finding that one novel in a thousand that manages to break free from the rest, that manages to startle and amuse within a familiar frameswork, that makes the old seem fresh. Fall on Your Knees is such a book.

Fall on Your Knees follows the tribulations of the Pipers, an unusual family living in Cape Breton in the early twentieth centure. The patriarch is James, a former piano tuner, who married Materia, a thirteen-year-old Lebanese girl who is promptly disowned from her family. Resulting from this rather unhappy coupling: Kathleen, a girl with the voice of an angel; the devout and well-meaning Mercedes; the wild and possibly insane Frances; and the crippled yet miraculous Lily.

At its essence, this is a 'family drama', a novel that traces one family's life throughout its tumultuous history. There is absolutely nothing original about this theme. Ann-Marie MacDonald has accomplished something equally as fine and wonderful as Irving has often done; she has broken the bounds of the novel, making it read as if this was the first time anyone ever conceived of the idea.
As MacDonald drives the narrative, through the battlefields of World War One, into the great depression, and then veering into the worlds of New York and Harlem, she consistently delights the reader with fresh sub-plots and characters. As well, MacDonald refuses to judge her characters. She leads us through the despicable acts of James and Frances, the self-pitying laments of Mercedes, the class hatred and eventual rebirth of Kathleen, all without a moment's disdain or loathing. The characters are all deeply flawed, but MacDonald refuses to sentimentalize or soften them. For better or for worse, they are who they are.

Fall on Your Knees has moments of remarkable vision, and easily holds its own against any of the more established novelists of today. It is a treasure of a novel, and MacDonald will have a difficult time if she ever wants to top it.

Bella Tuscany by Frances Mayes

If you are looking for an escape to an Italian dreamland, you will like this book.
Who has not dreamt of escaping to a colorful villa in Europe, preferably Provence (France), Tuscany in Italy or some obscure hillside in Central Europe? Frances Mays did just that! She describes the delicious details of this idyllic existence in this precious and charming book.Her sensitive, seductive descriptions are irresisible reading.

The reader is introduced to the sights, sounds, and smells of this magnificent dreamy region of the world. The book is interspersed with Italian phrases, increasing the allure of her exotic choice for a second home, Tuscany, Italy. All the senses of the reader are aroused into full alert by the aroma of freshly baked bread, the smell of newly turned earth awaiting seeds for the vegetable garden, and the enticement of early morning capuccino ...One can just hear the Italian accent in the greeting, "Buon giorno, una bella giornata" ("Good morning, a beautiful day")!

Along with the author, the reader participates in selecting flowers for a garden path and making a trip to the wine region for "sfuso" (house wine) ... bought from local vintners from their own local brew. We take side trips to Venice, and a gondola ride down the main canal, reminiscing of the past. We take a trip to the famous Capella Palatina, a former residence of kings. It has Arabic and Byzantine architechtural influences from many hundreds of years historical importance ... We go to Sicily and taste the local seafood at a restaurant recommended by the hotel clerk, who assures us, this the restaurant the locals choose for the "best seafood". Indeed, there is no disappointment, the appetizer is "futta di mare", a variety of fried fish and a spicy eggplant dish made with cinnamon and pine nuts. We are served stuffed squid and veal, rolled around with a layer of herbs and cheese. The day concludes with a visit to the market, where lamb, fish, shrimp, candied fruits and various cooking utensils as well as a large variety of food is sold.

This book is richly detailed with the experience of creating a new life in a foreign country. The reader along with the author is learning many things ... building a garden with hearty plants that survive all year round, planting the proper vegetables by the right season, remodeling a home, and partaking of customs and religious feast days of the region. It has wonderful descriptions of side trips to local and distant places of historical interest and of physical beauty ...

However, this book is clearly an artistic achievement similar to a painting on canvas. This author possesses the power of selecting the right words to create nostalgia and longing in the reader ... to experience *her* Tuscany.

Her descriptions of Italy whether it be its food, places or people are so sensual and compelling that you put down the book only to long for that next visit to Italy.

If you are looking for an escape to an Italian dreamland, you will like this book.

The Loop by Nicholas Evans