A Devil and Her Love Song by Miyoshi Tomori

This is a really promising series. This is the first volume, this book is the story of Maria, the new girl who was expelled from a Catholic school because she hit a teacher. I didn't actually find out why she hit her teacher; Maria doesn't seem to be a very violent person in the book.

She also faces  some vicious bullying by her new classmates, Maria decides to give herself one last chance to be for herself by trying out Yusuke's approach of putting a lovely twist on everything. She even starts a romance with Yusuke's best friend Shin. This is book 1 of 13, so I imagine it will get more interesting as I continue reading the series. Below there is a youtube video where you can read number 1 of the series.

The most interesting thing about the book or Maria, is that to me, she decided to change and focus more on herself instead of  trying to be like the popular girls. She wants to be able to love her self , and that she needs help.

My only complaint is that the dialogue seems to be a little simple at times. But overall I will definitely recommend the book, because it focuses on a very big issue in our school system, which is Bullying.

Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin': A History of American Musical Instrument Makers by Susan VanHecke

 Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin': A History of American Musical Instrument Makers by Susan VanHecke is a great way to become acquainted with the story of some of the biggest musical instrument makers that have ever existed. The book includes the stories of Zildjian Cymbals, Steinway & Sons pianos, C.G. Conn's brass instruments, Martin guitars, Ludwig drums, Hammond organs, Fender guitars, and the very interesting company that is Moog who developed the theremin.
Not only does this book describe the development of instruments that have become fixtures in music from around the world, but it also gives the reader an understanding of the progression that took place in music as a result of these new developments. As a drummer I was very excited to read this book and very satisfied with the information that it offered. I learned that the Zildjian cymbal company were essentially the pioneers for the hundreds of different types of cymbals that are offered today. They were the inventors of the hi-hat which is a pair of cymbals placed on a stand that can open and close against each other when the player presses or releases a pedal at the bottom of the stand. The hi-hat is now a staple in every modern drum set.
In this book you also learn that the famous Fender guitar company was started after its founder Clarence Fender opened the Fender Radio Service only to begin experimenting with the then new innovation that was the electric guitar in a shed behind the radio store. It was very interesting to learn that many of the biggest and most well known instrument makers in the world seemed to come to the profession just by chance.
This is a great reader for anyone whether they are musicians or not. The history that is described in this book is very interesting. For instance the Steinway & Sons piano company was forced to cease production during World War II and began manufacturing airplanes. Another interesting fact about this period in time is that while the Steinways in American were assisting the Allies their family in Germany (also piano makers) were forced to assist the Nazis.
The historical value that the information in this book holds is not only very significant but it is also extremely fun to read about! I would recommend this book to young readers and adults a like.

My Sister Lives on the Mantlepiece by Annabel Pitcher

   

  Imagine your family being torn apart while you were so young and life just isn't the same anymore. 10 year old Jamie is a very unique character who acts and talks his age, but he had some mature moments. Jamie is very in tune with his family and even when he does not understand what is going on, he still connects back to the reader.

     My sister lives on the Mantlepiece is geared toward young teens. Young Jamie was five years old when his twin sister was killed in a terrorist blast. The death of Rose had a huge effect on his family which slowly tears them apart. Mom and dad are blaming themselves for the death of their daughter. The two of them are unable to handle things so mom abandons the family for a new guy from her support group and dad takes the kids and moves hoping things will be better in a new home. In the new home dad is torn, he wants mom to return but she doesn't want to and he's still mourning about Rose which leads him to drinking. Rose lives in a urn that sits on the mantelpiece, the urn sat on a mantelpiece at the old home too.

     Jamie doesn't cry or isn't saddened by his sisters' death because he does not remember, he was only 5 when she passed away. His mother and therapist tell him that her death hasn't hit him yet, and he doesn't think that it will. Jasmine who is Jamie's older sister and the twin of Rose does her best to take her of her brother. She steps up and does this because her dad is now a drunk and her mom abandoned them. Although she is a good sister, she is somewhat rebellious.

     Dad talks to and holds the urn often and it seems that he pays no attention to Jamie and Jasmine.When Jamie attends a new school, he becomes friends with a Muslim girl named Sunya. He wonders if he can even be friends with her because his dad does not like Muslims. They are the ones that murdered Rose near their old home. Eventually Jasmine has problems with eating and Jaime struggles with trying to help her out. Although Jasmine lost her sister, she doesn't want her brother to be hurt so she is by his side as much as possible.

     I enjoyed reading this book because it tackled on different subjects. Racism, alcohol abuse, bullying and broken familes were pointed out in the novel. This book was a simple, quick and enjoyable read that I would recommend to children and adults, there was some sad parts but yet it was still funny.

Tom Thumb: The Remarkable True Story of A Man in Miniature By George Sullivan

 Did you ever felt that you were born to be “star”? How would you feel that your dreams might have faded of because of your physical features? Will you work harder to live this dream? George Sullivan details the life and adventures of General Charles Sherwood Stratton, better known as “Tom Thumb”

This detail biographic novel details from when Tom Thumb, 1938, was born to the start of his me with P.T. Barnum to the stroke that cause his early death. When Tom Thumb was born he was as normal as any baby could be, in fact, he was consider one the largest newborns at that time. At six months old, he stop growing, both height and weight. At this time, science was not as advanced as today; there were no x ray to really explain the cause of Dwarfism in Tom Thumb.  At age four, Tom Thumb height was 2 inches and   weight fifteen pounds.  

At this time, P.T. Barnum had just recently opened his new museum, which he called “Barnum American Museum”. The museum consisted of live action shows and curiosities. In his museum, he exhibit all types of people (mostly people who had a physical deformation) . P.T. Barnum heard of Tom Thumb’s miniaturize and quickly wanted to add him to the museum. To Barnum fortune, Both Tom Thumb and his parent agree to let him be a part of Barnum’s museum/circus. At the age of Five, Tom Thumb had his first appearance and performance at the museum. By the age of six, he was obtaining more fame than the other performers that were part of the exhibition/ circus performance. Even though P.T Barnum exploited him, he refused to leave the museum because he was obtaining what he has always dreamed of.

George Sullivan really did an amazing work with this biography. Not only did he detail the life of one the greatest circus performers, but he also included a historical context of P.T. Barnum.  This Historical context helps the reader understand how people with physical deformations were treated and respected in the 19^th century.
 I think the book would be more beneficial for a younger audience because its an easy read and it also provides a great historical of one the famous miniature performers of the 19th century.

a + e 4ever by Ilike Merey

Asher Machnik is a quiet transfer student with a Aphenphosmphobia, a fear of being touched.  Unfortunately, his effeminate appearance makes him the target of bullying by a few of his fellow students.  Coming to his defense is Eu (short for Eulalie), a tall, intimidating "dyke" who is perpetually pissed at the world.  The two quickly find friendship through their common passion for drawing and for certain music.  They each become the best friend that the other desperately needs.

This story is one of friendship, longing, and self-exploration.  The teens are labeled one way by society but discover how they don't need to fit under any pre-existing labels.  However, while Ash is exploring his sexuality and trying to overcome his fear of contact, Eu develops a desperate crush, wishing that Ash could find piece with her, someone who understands him, instead strangers at the bar.

While not for everyone, this story is beautiful.  A few scenes/topics that the novel tackles can be tough to swallow for some and the story is an emotional roller coaster that will stick in your mind for a while.  Some parts are a bit wacky and weird, but it fits and there are some themes reminiscent of Japanese manga.

I did not expect to relate so strongly to the characters, who have rather strong personalities, but I really felt everything they were going through while reading.  Eu is surprisingly realistic and her feelings are so relatable for nearly any girl. Anyone who has felt like an outcast, struggled to fit into a predefined social group, or has been unsure of their sexual identity should feel some relation to this story.  As I said before, however, this book may not be for everyone.  Some background knowledge of queer culture would make reading this a bit easier, as terms are thrown about pretty casually without elaboration and much of the sexual content in this book is homosexual.

The art style of the novel is effective for the feelings it conveys and the emotions it intends to provoke.  The drawings range from extremely cartoon-ish (students gobbling food with razor teeth) to extremely detailed and emotional.  The sex scenes are tastefully done, focusing more on the expressions of the characters than what is going on below.  Manga readers may be a little hesitant at first, used to a cleaner, prettier style and fewer blocks of text, but you get used to the art quickly and it really suits the story.  It feels like a teen's sketchbook, and what's more appropriate than that?

This story can be very sad, depressing, and even frustrating at times, but only because of how you feel for the characters.  At the end of the journey, you won't regret reading.  It leaves with a lot to think about, but not a bad taste in your mouth. 

Overall, if the book synopsis for this graphic novel sounds like something you'd like, read and you will enjoy.

Paper Valentine, by Brenna Yovanoff

     Hannah and Lillian are very close, they have been best friends for years and they still spend tons of time together everyday. The only real problem in their relationship is that Lillian died six months ago.
     
    In her book, Paper Valentine, Brenna Yovanoff introduces us to a town called Ludlow. This town is experiencing an intense summer heat wave, a resulting agitated population, a score of dying birds, and last but not least a serial killer targeting young girls who leaves their corpses on display surrounded by cheap toys and a paper heart.
   
    Hannah's best friend Lillian thinks very strongly that Hannah should investigate the murders due to a strange ouija board experience they had together a while back where a murder victim told them that her killer left her with a paper heart. When a paper heart was found with every new recent victim, Hannah couldn't help but conclude that the killer was the same. Lillian emphatically encouraged Hannah to pursue the case, but Hannah was still trying to cope with Lillian's death from her eating disorder. It's hard to deal with the death of a friend, especially when the cold skeletal ghost of that friend haunts your bedroom every night.
     
    Yovanoff takes the reader on a stroll through Ludlow, a dark town with death looming everywhere. Hannah struggles with her detachment to the horrors of her town, she has a lot to deal with as it is. Her best friend dies, her remaining friends feel that Hannah has changed too much after Lillian's death, and there are an increasing amount of dead girls haunting Hannah everyday. At least she has a boy to get to know, Finny, who is conveniently there when most of the ghost girls decide to say hello. Maybe he isn't what he seems either. The more Hannah learns, the more complicated things seem to get for her in Ludlow.
   
    This book allows readers to fall into the mystery right with Hannah (and Lillian who always seems to be there). Many real world topics are dealt with, such as grief, eating disorders, trust,  and child and parent relationships. There are also the exciting paranormal themes of ghosts and messages from beyond the grave that are intricately woven into an already thrilling murder mystery that cuts to the core of the residents of Ludlow.
   
     Paper Valentine is an excellent book for 7th graders and above, students with the sensibility to understand the more adult themes of death and psychological disorders. This book definitely has a consistent darkness to it, and maybe readers who are younger than 13 years old or so should wait to read it. This book provides amazing topics of conversation for English classes, such as the clues to the murders laid out in the book, as well as the general topics mentioned earlier.
 

Blizzard of Glass: The Halifax Explosion of 1917 by Sally M. Walker

During World War I, with all the drama going on overseas, a major tragedy shocked people across the Atlantic. In 1917 in Halifax Harbour in Nova Scotia Canada, the Mont Blanc and the Imo were set to deliver supplies to war-torn Europe. They never made it out of the harbor. The two boats colided and the ensuing explosion caused a tsunami that wiped out most of the towns of Halifax and Richmond, Nova Scotia.

The Explosion

The Aftermath

 The book was met with mostly positive reviews. It's a bit slow at the start, but it builds momentum quickly and takes the reader into the front lines of one of the most tragic chapters of Canadian history. Even though the explosion and aftermath only lasted 5 horifying minutes, every single detail is well explained. It feels like someone is telling you first hand what they experienced. 

I think this is a chapter of history that isn't talked about much in American history classes. I've never heard of it before reading this book. If I were to compare this tragedy to anything, it would be The Titanic. Both these tragedies happened in the north-Atlantic and influenced change in the boating industry. I could see this book and this tragedy being taught in a history class right along side the Titanic. This tragedy deserves just as much attention as the other.

If I were to critique this book, I would say that it is rather slow to start. It is very obviously directed at a younger audience (say 12 years old). The book reads very much like a textbook at times, but makes up for it with great information and an interesting story. I do not believe that this book is suited for an English class, but it could fit into a history class rather nicely.

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

I love love this book!Me and Earl and the Dying Girl took me by surprise with its ability to make me laugh, cry and even get me mad.

 Greg Gaines a seventeen year old made it to his senior year of high school maintaining a unique group of friends but his only real friend is Earl until Rachel happens to appear. Greg and Rachel were friends when they were younger but haven't spoken in years, due to Greg’s attitude, but after Rachel is diagnosed with leukemia Greg's mother insists he hang out with her. And somewhere along the way Greg and Earl are roped into making a film for dying Rachel.

The book is, disrespectful, funny, relentlessly honest and at times almost hard to take. This isn't the typical romantic love story about a person with cancer.

The writing style in this book is to very easy, and easy to follow. I read this book in one sitting; it is so addicting that I was not able to put it down. The author offers an intense story but also, a funny story.

Greg Gaines although is a not a good character, because of his attitude is somehow easy to relate too, specially during the high school years. He is weird, as he calls himself, inconsiderate and unfeeling, but at the same time very funny. One thing that I didn’t like about him was how sometimes he treated people I didn't always like his choices. Earl is an extremely practical and well made character and very honest. Then there's Rachel, the dying girl. I found myself liking her but sometimes not too much. I truly believe her character, but I appreciated the fact although she was sick the author never illustrated her for the readers to love her simply because she has an illness.

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is very different, and at times a strange story that explores, awkwardness and how some young teens face life when it comes to growing up. This book is not for everybody. The story, has some strong content, that might not sit well in a school setting, I found the book very entertaining and engaging.

Sigil Out Of Time by: Mike Carey

 

What would you do if you discovered that you had superpowers in another world and could jump through time? What if you found out that you were the only one who could end a war and save the world and the people you loved?

Sixteen year old Sam, loses her mother, and is on a journey of finding herself in Mike Carey’s colorful book Sigil Out of Time. She is growing up in present day South Carolina, and she is leading a typical life. Sam struggles with bullies, and adjusting to life without her mother by her side. She struggles in school, and often has reoccuring nightmares; nightmares that would soon lead her to her destiny.

Sam's fight against the evil teenage girls at her school is endless. They girls repeatedly taunt her, and at one point even thrown paint on her. In addition, Sam is struggling in her history class because when she tries to take the test, she falls into a trance. She day dreams about an old pirate ship with the symbol that matches her birthmark. Sam is curious about the matching mark and what all of this could possibly mean. However, she would have never guessed whats about to happen next.

Sam, through one of her trances, finds herself on a prirate ship in the year of 1695. In Sam's new world, there has been a war going on since the beginning of time, and its unknown who is winning. The war has been drug out, and does not appear to be coming to an end any time soon. The warriors in the battle jump from year to year time traveling trying to achieve victory. It's during this jumping around that Sam finds herself on the boat. To add to her stress and responsiblity, she finds that she in on the same ship with the man who is responsible for her mother's death!

 

Sam is destined to be a great warrior as the birthmark on her chest is a symbol that becomes representative for her future greatness.  In the story, she must find the strength and the courage to finally help end the war and beat the evil happening around her.

 

Sam finds through her dreams that she can jump through time; a trait which her mother also possessed a long with the great warriors. Sam learns to own and control her powers that seem to exhume out of the mark she has on her body. Sam’s story is one of perseverance and inner courage.

 

Sigil: Out Of Time is the first book in a series of comics by Mike Carey. Although I do not have too much experience reading comics, I see Sam a different type of female hero. Carey has created her character in a unique and more modern way. Sam looks like a sixteen year old girl, and does not appear to be too over-sexed like so many woman heroines do like Wonder Woman for example. Her character then becomes more relatable to readers.

Sam is a young adolescent girl who is essentially trying to figure out who she is and is trying to find a place in this world. The book is an easy and enjoyable read; the illustrations are beautifully drawn and really grab the reader’s attention.

 

Sigil Out Of Time was inspired by another comic called El Cazador, and continues to lead with a strong female. Carey describes some of his choices and influences in an interview pasted below with Newarama (click here). For those of us who don't read comics as frequently, I found a video interview with Fantasic Forum and Mike Carey, and Carey talks about his careful choices in chosing illustrators for his works. He also, talks about some of his other sucessful comics like Lucifer and X-Men, and speaks about the comic industry today (click here to see the video).

 

Sigil Out Of Time is a great comic for teens. The main character  is a strong female lead that can be a great influence for young girls reading the comic. Also, it seems like most comics are aimed toward a male audience, so I find it interesting to make a comic that can speak to both men and women readers. I wondered if comics were suitable choices for teens in school, and then I found this artcle (click here) that talked about intriguing and inspiring students to read by using comics. The article explains that more boys are interested in reading comic books, and by having students that are invested in what they are reading, their desire to learn, read, and understand literature is heightened. I also, found a YouTube video making the same agurment for having comic books in the classroom. (click here).

 

After reading Sigil Out Of Time, I have had a change of heart about comic books. I appreciate the pictures as much as I would any written text in another novel. I found myself very interested in this book, and see it being fit for a variety of age groups. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is new to the comic world, but don't take my word for it! Here's another mini synopsis and review of Carey's masterpiece (click here).

 

 

Jane Austen: A Life Revealed by Catherine Reef

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The first thing Catherine Reef offers readers about the mysterious Jane Austen is a detailed family tree of grandparents, parents, siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews.  It is a very handy chart to flip back to as Reef goes on to explain the history of the Austen family.

Early on in this book, Catherine Reef points out that most of what is known about Jane Austen is speculation.  Most, if not all, of Jane’s personal journals were destroyed by family members after her death at the age of 41.  Reef offers various points of view on Jane Austen’s demeanor (“Her sweetness of temper never failed” versus the coldness and cutting remarks she often made about human nature) and her appearance (dark eyes  versus hazel).  Because her journals were destroyed, Reef points out that much of what is known about Jane Austen is what her family wanted us to know.

Reef does do a nice job in articulating what life was likein general during Jane Austen’s life.  She offers examinations of aristocratic society, boarding schools, and more.  Understanding her environment makes it a little easier to understand why Jane Austen wrote about the subjects she did: she wrote what she knew. 

Reef also offers an excerpt from Jane Austen’s last, unfinished novel.  That was interesting as I had never

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read anything about that novel before.  Reef has also incorporated pictures collected from past novel illustrations, movies, sketches, and more.  Those pictures definitely broke up the monotony of this book.

While this seemed like a very researched and well thought out biography, something I didn’t like about this book is that it reads like a textbook.  If it could not keep my attention, I cannot see it keeping a teenager’s attention.  Similarly, if a student doesn’t really like Jane Austen from the onset, I can’t see him or her being interested in finishing this book.  This blog does point out, and I agree, that this would definitely be a good first biography for a young adult interested in Jane Austen as a person.

Overall, this is probably my least favorite book out of all of the books I read for Book Wind.  The amount of conjecture and mystery might intrigue some people, but it almost made me feel that there was no point in reading an entire book full of guesswork and maybes.  It might be a good book to recommend for a student who is really interested in Jane Austen’s books, but I can’t see it being used in the general curriculum.