"Chicken Boy" by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Chicken Boy by Frances O’Roark Dowell is a YA fiction story about Tobin, a 7th grader who became neglected after his mother died.  He has a good relationship with his grandmother who blames his father for her daughter’s death.  He is pretty much withdrawn but finally makes a friend, Henry, who gets him interested in chickens.  Raising chickens and having a friend helps him feel better about himself and his school work improves.  He is put into a nice foster home when his grandmother calls social services to report the neglect on the part of the dad. 

I learned some things about chickens by reading this book but I wasn’t all that impressed with it.  I usually like family stories but there wasn’t enough character development to make me really feel like I knew this family.  It seemed like there were loose ends and although he forgave his grandmother, other things seemed left unresolved.  The book seemed to just stop. 

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

"Street Lawyer" by John Grisham

I liked Street Lawyer by John Grisham because I work for attorneys so found the main character to be interesting and quite realistic. I was pulling for him throughout the book and admired him for giving up his cushy job at the big law firm to help out the homeless and down and out people. It made me rethink my priorities some and realize how bad off some people are. This is the first Grisham book I ever read and liked it very much.  I highly recommend this.
(Karen's review)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

Teaser Tuesday: romance, inspirational, YA

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Gerard's:

"When you say it is nothing, I know it is something. But maybe something you do not want your husband to know."
Anna stifled a giggle as he lightly nipped her jaw."

From p. 134 of The Endearment by Lavyrle Spencer
(Yes, I got Gerard to read this book!)

Karen's:

Instead of looking for the best, we assume the worst. And we're not in the least surprised when the worst finds us.

From Having a MARY Heart in a MARTHA World by Joanna Weaver

Our plan was that once we got our flocks settled, maybe we'd try to add on, if we could convince Henry's mom to let them get more hens. Me, I had to check with my dad to see if I could get some chickens in the first place.

From p. 59 of Chicken Boy by Frances O'Roark Dowell

"Cat Diaries--Secret Writings of the MEOW Society" by Betsy Byars/Betsy Duffey

The cats have a meeting and different ones read from their diary in Cat Diaries--Secret Writings of the MEOW Society by Betsy Byars and Betsy Duffey.  This is a short, quick-read children's book that gives insight into how cats think and the history of some cats in a clever format.  The black and white drawings are cute. 

I recommend reading one or two stories at a time so it does not become boring reading about one cat after another, and another, and another.  The M.E.O.W. is a cat society which stands for "Memories Expressed in Our Writing." 

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

Book Club: “The Secret Life Of CeeCee Wilkes” Chapters 21-35

I was happy to see CeeCee finally realize that Tim was just using her and is a liar and a creep.  I am surprised that Tim still is sending her money for Cory—assuming it is Tim.  She does seem to really love Cory and I understand her being so protective of her.  Jack seems like a nice guy and is very good with Cory, except when he sang that funny song about the raccoon which made her afraid of yet something else on her girl scout camping trip.  I thought that was funny!  I loved the fun Cory-Dory bag he brought over when he first got to meet Cory.  These were pretty happy times chapters.  

I had very protective parents too and sometimes, I feel as though my reluctance to travel and to even drive on Interstates is because my dad never liked them and always said he would never, ever go on a plane.  I grew up in a pretty sheltered environment so I do believe a lot of Cory's fears stem from Eve.  Still, I can't blame Eve for be so protective of her and hope Cory will understand that one day.    

Jack and CeeCee got married, he teaches drama at the university and CeeCee got her degree in Psychology and is a counselor.  They bought their own home and now have a child of their own.  Sadly, CeeCee (now Eve) lied about Cory being hers so didn’t want Jack going with her to her doctor appointments because she was afraid someone would say something about this being her first pregnancy.  At least she left out being honest in her wedding vows but I think it was extremely selfish of her to marry someone without letting him know what he’s getting into with all her secrets.    

I still think it is very wrong of her to deny Cory her biological father and not even tell her about him, especially when Cory started asking questions about her father. 

Now on to reading more.  See what others are saying about this at Book Beginnings and Book Shelves.