The Savage by David Almond

The Savage by David Almond

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Good, short read. About a boy who creates an alter ego to deal with the grief of losing his father. But somehow, truth and fiction sort of merge together. Blue, who is the main character in this story, is trying to deal with the loss of his father, while also dealing with a bully. He creates a character named "The Savage" whom he has do things that he wishes that he could do. By reading his story to his mother and little sister, it gives them an out to focus on. It makes them laugh during the times that they are really sad. This should be a great book for reluctant readers because it not that long and it does have illustrations.



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Curse of the Blue Tattoo

Title: Curse of the Blue Tattoo; Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady
Author: L.A. Meyer
Copyright: 2004
Genre: Adventure
ISBN: 0152051155

This book is written in the voice of Jacky Faber, an orphan who has just arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, having just been found out to be a girl on the ship which she was sailing called the Dolphin. She is deposited into the Lawson Peabody School for Girls. At the school, she is supposed to be learning how to become a fine lady, but as we know with Jacky, she is soon up to her old tricks. If she’s not singing or dancing, she’s making a fool out of herself trying to become a lady and not get into fisticuffs with Miss Clarissa, the school bitch. She still is very fond of Jaimy Fletcher, but the sea, continents, and other forces seem to be keeping them apart. Written very informally, it the cockney voice of Jacky, she will become your best friend simply by saying hello.

I enjoyed this book because it made me feel as if I were a kid again. Jacky makes you feel like you are in a whirlwind. Also, it feels like you are riding on a rollercoaster that you never want to get off of. Each page leaves you wanting more. I can’t wait to get started on the next book.

Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy by L.A. Meyer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I thought that his was a hilariously, harrowing tale of a young girl who decides to become a "salty, sea sailor." This book would be a joy for both boys and girls alike. It touches on many touchy subjects in a humorous way. I enjoyed that Mary "Jacky" Faber thought that she was dying when getting her first visit form mother nature. If you have a chance to read this book, you will be so happy that you did.



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Catching Fire

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


How many times have you read a book were the sequel was not as good as the first? Well, this one is not one of them. In fact, I think that this one was just as good as "The Hunger Games", if not better. If you haven't read these yet, you are missing out on a real treat.



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Cruisers by Walter Dean Myers

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I thought this book was good, but not great. It was about the civil war and how 8th graders at a gifted school reacted to a group of students acting as if they were southern slave owners. I think it would be a good book to share with students in regards to learning about the civil war and what children actually think about it.



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The Jacket by Andrew Clements

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Really good book that focuses on racial prejudice through the eyes of a twelve year old. A really fast read.



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The First Part Last by Angela Johnson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I thought this book was excellent. Very well written. It only took me a couple of hours to read. I'm glad I finally did.



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