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A winner of the 2015 Alex Award, the award for adult books that appeal to young adults, this story is a totally unique survival tale. Mark Watney is left on Mars when his crew, thinking him dead, leaves during a dust storm evacuation. But he's not dead. He's very much alive, and due to his "pain in the ass" disposition, he's determined to stay that way. As I was describing this story to someone, he said, "Oh, it's like a sci-fi Hatchet. Yes, exactly. This book was lent to me by a couple 6th grad A winner of the 2015 Alex Award, the award for adult books that appeal to young adults, this story is a totally unique survival tale. Mark Watney is left on Mars when his crew, thinking him dead, leaves during a dust storm evacuation. But he's not dead. He's very much alive, and due to his "pain in the ass" disposition, he's determined to stay that way. As I was describing this story to someone, he said, "Oh, it's like a sci-fi Hatchet. Yes, exactly. This book was lent to me by a couple 6th grade boys. I was a little shocked at the language since they're the ones who wanted me to read it, but I totally get why they loved it (they're gifted readers and love science). I probably wouldn't recommend it to 6th graders, but it's perfect for teen boys. I didn't love all the science and engineering, but plenty of boys would (not that girls wouldn't like it - there are a few good female characters, too)! Quite a yarn! I'll definitely go see the movie starring Matt Damon coming up in November!
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audio-book, character-development, character-who-writes, coming-of-age, death, fantasy-science-fiction, feminism, friendship, suicide, teenage-sex, women, young-adult-book
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I am obviously in the minority, at least in my friends' community, in giving this book only 3 stars, but it was just too weird for me. While I appreciated the wise and witty discussions about feminism and the visions of a futuristic world, the drinking of the petrified bat, the commune, and the oven-painting was over the top for me.
MIDDLE GRADE
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2015-book, audio-book, bullying, civil-rights, fairy-tale, family, friendship, great-read-aloud, historical-fiction, holocaust, hope, human-rights, identity, intermediate-kids-book, journey, kindness, leaving-a-legacy, loss, love, mock-newbery-2016, mood-tone, multicultural, multiple-stories, music, setting, social-injustice, social-studies-connections, strong-children, theme, war
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"Your fate is not yet sealed. Even in the darkest night, a star will shine, a bell will chime, a path will be revealed." I listened to the audio production of this masterful novel, which begins and ends with a fairy tale. In between are three stories that are interwoven in a beautiful and amazing way, all connected by a harmonica (reminds me a little of the 1999 film, "The Red Violin"). I would highly recommend the audio - various narrators tell the story, and it includes the actual music from t "Your fate is not yet sealed. Even in the darkest night, a star will shine, a bell will chime, a path will be revealed." I listened to the audio production of this masterful novel, which begins and ends with a fairy tale. In between are three stories that are interwoven in a beautiful and amazing way, all connected by a harmonica (reminds me a little of the 1999 film, "The Red Violin"). I would highly recommend the audio - various narrators tell the story, and it includes the actual music from the book. I'll read the print version, too, though, to fully appreciate the lyrical language used to tell these tales. I LOVE the way the stories come together in the end, and I love the messages of hope and love. Brilliant! This is one to watch as a Newbery favorite.
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