"You don't stay for nothing."

I read this book with my summer school kids, and I forgot how much I love it!  I remember reading it in 9th or 10th grade and liking it, but I really enjoyed it this time.  

“There must be something in books, something we can’t imagine, to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there. You don’t stay for nothing.”  One of my favorite quotes from the book.  I truly believe that I would have a hard time leaving all my books behind.

If you like Ray Bradbury, don't forget to read "The Pedestrian" and "There Will Come Soft Rains" - two short stories that exemplify dystopian literature at its best.

RC = check list for point value

Eleanor and Park - Blah

I just couldn't help putting the "blah" after the title of the book.  I would never recommend this book to anyone, and it take a pretty bad book for me to send it to the round file.  My school district chose this book for a summer reading title, and I am still shocked.  I am wondering if it is just me...or...perhaps, someone didn't read it before recommending it?

Here is the cliche - ugly step-daughter (you guessed it...red hair...slightly overweight...bad attitude...blah, blah, blah) goes to a new school and meets the only Asian in the town (small, slightly awkward, into comic books and punk music, blah, blah, blah), and they fall in love.  Once again, you guessed it...her step-dad doesn't like her or the idea of a boyfriend and his mom (token Korean mom) doesn't like her.  Cliche...867-5309...James Dean's car...comic books references...etc.  Then, the use of the f-word...way too many times.  

RC points =  19

You won't find this book in my classroom...