Published in 2004. 160 pages.
2005 Scott O'Dell Award.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but neither I nor my fifth grade book group members thought it was "really good." I thought the character development was somewhat weak, but I enjoyed talking about some of the metaphors with the kids and I liked the happy, though ambiguous ending. I love historical fiction - and it was fun having the kids contrast the late 1800s with our day - but they were adamant that our next pick not be another historical fiction.
2009.72
Published in 2006. 200 pages.
2007 Newbery Honor Book.
2007 Schneider Family Book Award.
This year my son is in fifth grade, and I volunteered to be a "book club" leader in his classroom. The first pick for my group was Rules, the story of twelve-year-old Catherine who just wants a normal life, which is near impossible with an autistic brother and a family that revolves around his disability. Four fifth-graders and I were able to meet three times to discuss it. We all enjoyed it.
Somewhere I read a review of Rules that said, "Parts are very funny while others are so real it hurts." I completely agree. Here are a few of my favorite passages:
As she reads, I think how useful a cloak that made me invisible would be right now. If I have one, I'd throw it over my head and run out the door and across the parking lot and the street, all the way through the waterfront park to the wharf, and board the first boat I saw going somewhere, anywhere else. [page 23]
I try to hold my hope down, but it keeps popping up again. [page 31] ... On the drive to the clinic, I try not to let my hopes run loose, but they rush with the water under the bridges. [page 41]
At a friend's house, everything is uncomplicated. No one drops toys in the fish tank, no one cares if the cellar door is open or closed, and no one shrieks unless there's a huge, hairy spider crawling up her arm. ... But the best part of being at a friend's house is I can be just me and put the sister part of me down. [page 89]
Twice a year the staff of the Salt Lake County Library display their current book favorites for patrons to read and enjoy. Library patrons rate the "Reader's Choice" nominees they read, and the votes determine a winner. 
The Shape of Mercy was the Salt Lake County Library's Reader's Choice winner for July-October 2009 - both county-wide and at my branch. County-wide, the second place pick was a tie between Casting Spells and The School of Essential Ingredients, and the third place was The Lover's Knot. At my branch, the second place pick was The Help, and the third place was The School of Essential Ingredients.
The only one of these "Reader's Choice" picks that I've already read is The School of Essential Ingredients, and I reviewed it here. Have you read any of them?
All the winners going back to 1991 are here. Among the winners that I've read and enjoyed are these:
Published in 1999. 228 pages.
Keeping the Moon is the fourth of Sarah Dessen's books that I've read. I enjoyed the quirky characters. I think Just Listen is still my favorite though.
Dessen talks about writing Keeping the Moon - and the impact that the book still has on her - on her website.
2009.52
Subtitled Noel, Jackson, Finn, Hutch - and me, Ruby Oliver.
Published in 2009. 244 pages.
This is the third Ruby Oliver novel, and I loved it just as much as I did the first two, The Boyfriend List and The Boy Book. Ruby is such a fun character. And isn't that cover just adorable?
I'm happy to hear that a fourth Ruby Oliver book, Real Live Boyfriends, will be out in the fall of 2010. In the meantime, I'm checking out what Ruby has to say in her advice column "Ask Ruby."
2009.67
Published in 2009. 391 pages.
This sequel to The Hunger Games was everything I hoped for! Because I'd heard that it ends on a cliffhanger, I had considered waiting to read this until closer to the release of the third book in the trilogy. But I decided that Catching Fire would be perfect for the recent 24-Hour Read-a-Thon - and it was!
2009.68
Published in 2008. 305 pages.
I had a hard time putting this one down, but I sometimes found myself wondering, "So what?" or even, "Who cares?" Ultimately, though, Testimony is a thought-provoking exploration of choices and consequences.
Other book bloggers' reviews of Testimony:
If you have read and reviewed this book, I would love to link your review here. Please leave me a comment or email me your link!
Final Report
Time Read: 13:30
Pages Read: 1434. (That's an average of 106 per hour - which was possible only because of the graphic novels I read.)
Books Finished: 5 - The Treasure Map of Boys, Catching Fire, Fashion Kitty and the Unlikely Hero, Blankets, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules.
Time Blogged: 7:30
Frame of Mind: I made it to the end! I took an hour-long nap midway through - and I think that was a good move. Reading graphic novels after midnight also helped contribute to my success. Now it's time for some sleep!
Here is my end-of-event survey:
1. Which hour was most daunting for you?
About halfway through, I was feeling really sleepy. Instead of pushing on, I decided to take an hour-long nap. That made a big difference in my ability to make it to the end.
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
I read two YA novels and then three graphic novels this time, and I think that that was a good approach.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
This was my fifth time to participate in the Read-a-thon, and I thought it was great!
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
The publicity - by word of mouth or otherwise - was very successful, resulting in a large number of participants.
5. How many books did you read?
Five.
6. What were the names of the books you read?
The Treasure Map of Boys by E. Lockhart. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. Fashion Kitty and the Unlikely Hero by Charise Mericle Harper. Blankets by Craig Thompson. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney.
7. Which book did you enjoy most?
I adore the character Ruby Oliver in The Treasurer Map of Boys, which is the third Ruby Oliver book. Catching Fire, the second in The Hunger Games trilogy, is excellent. And, while not what I expected, Blankets is going to stick with me for a long time.
8. Which did you enjoy least?
Neither the most recent Fashion Kitty episode nor the second of the Diary of Wimpy Kid books were particularly outstanding, although I have enjoyed other books in both series.
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?
Not applicable.
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?
If at all possible, I will participate in the next read-a-thon! This is one of the few things I do that's just for me. I'd like to be a reader again - but if my schedule is too busy, then I'll be a cheerleader (or some other type of helper).
Progress Report
Time Read: 11:30
Pages Read: 966. (My page rate has increased over the past hour since I switched to graphic novels.)
Books Finished: 3 - The Treasure Map of Boys, Catching Fire, and Fashion Kitty and the Unlikely Hero.
Time Blogged: 6:30
Frame of Mind: Starting on two graphic novels (one for children and one for young adults) has kept my brain from feeling too overloaded. I just may make it through to the end.
Total Cans of Diet Coke with Lime Consumed: 5.
Additional Food Consumed: Some Teriyaki Beef Jerky. Another Roll of Necco Wafers.
July 1-December 1
9/9/09 to 10/10/10
January 1-December 31
