Booktalks for January 9th, 2018

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Looking for something a little different? Try The Crossover by Kwame Alexander. As a mom of twins, I am a sucker for stories about twins. This fiction book about twin brothers Josh and Jordan Bell is written in verse, meaning it is narrated by character Josh Bell in a series of raps/poems. Josh and Jordan are sons of a famous basketball player, Chuck "Da Man" Bell. The twins both play basketball for their school team, and they both excel at the sport. The story is separated into quarters that parallel the structure of a basketball game. A lot happens to the Josh during the "game." This book is about family, brothers, twins, and girlfriends, and how easily life can get thrown out of balance.

-Mrs. Sparks

Kwame Alexander has written a number of books for kids and young adults. Visit his website for more information: http://kwamealexander.com/




Smile by Raina Telgemeier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVE this book. I have read it several times. I have purchased several copies for friends. I insist others simply HAVE to read it. Smile by Raina Telgemeier is an autobiographical graphic novel about the author's own adolescence. The illustrations are colorful and full of fun details. Though this a light-hearted read, there is no shortage of pain and sympathy for Raina as she navigates the world of orthodontia, dental pain, and teenage woes. There is a sequel, Sisters.

-Mrs. Sparks

Raina has written several graphic novels. To learn more, visit her website: http://goraina.com/



Unwind by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"The Bill of Life"

The Second Civil War, also known as "The Heartland War," was a long and bloody conflict fought over a single issue.

To end the war, a set of constitutional amendments known as "The Bill of Life" was passed.

It satisfied both the Pro-life and the Pro-choice armies.

The Bill of Life states that human life may not be touched from the moment of conception until a child reaches the age of thirteen.

However, between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, a parent may choose to retroactively "abort" a child...

...on the condition that the child's life doesn't "technically" end.

The process by which a child is both terminated and yet kept alive is called "unwinding."

Unwinding is now a common and accepted practice in society.

(Neal Shusterman, Unwind)

Neal Shusterman is a prolific author. For more information about him and his works, visit his website: http://www.storyman.com/