Crazy for Young Adult Books discussion

If you'd like, join Trisha, Esther, Krista and me when we read this book.

Thanks for making this :) This one sounds so interesting.

No problem, Krista.

starting this one tomorrow! can't wait!

oooh this one is in verse!! Looks like there are 3 parts

I plan to come back for each part!

Sounds good to me :) I'll probably start tomorrow as well. I'm trying to finish .

I picked up my copy yesterday so I'll start today too.

Krista wrote: "Sounds good to me :) I'll probably start tomorrow as well. I'm trying to finish ."

oooh that's a good one! I hope you love it!

through Part 1

this one is definitely middle grade but so far it's really good

Calli(view spoiler)[ that must be so hard for her. and she's such a good sport - really trying to make new friends and wear interesting things and.....she's just so upbeat even though she's had such a rough life (hide spoiler)]

Jinsong(view spoiler)[ but seriously, middle school is a tough tough time. the kids are BRUTAL (I currently have a 7th grader) and I can't even imagine his struggle. he wants to be cool and liked and popular but....he's drawn to Calli too. He finds her interesting - which warms my heart (hide spoiler)]

Beatriz(view spoiler)[ ahhh...the accepted bully. Because she's funny and it's okay when she isn't making fun of you....but like Jinsong said - no one wants to be her friend either (hide spoiler)]

Finished Part 1

At first I was a bit confused and had to pay careful attention to whose POV each page is until I realized that the fonts are different for each one. LOL

Calli (view spoiler)[definitely is a good sport and she wants so much to be accepted, as we ALL do, especially at her age. That's a time when kids are really learning about who they are, who they want to be, learning to have (or not) confidence, and it breaks my heart that people can be so terribly mean to someone for something she can't change. (hide spoiler)]

Jinsong (view spoiler)[really does like her and I think more than for a friend, or at least that's where it could head. I like that he told her she is pretty. I also understand how he feels because, again, he wants to be liked and accepted and "cool" and popular, but at the same time he does seem to be a pretty good guy. He just needs to learn how to stand up for himself and what he believes in and for whomever he likes. (hide spoiler)]

Beatrize (view spoiler)[you put it well...the "accepted" bully, which truly makes me ill. People like her can do so much damage to others! I wonder what her home life is like. (hide spoiler)]

As usual, I had no idea what this was about and I didn't realize it was in verse, which I love. It makes for quick reading, plus the topic is something I've never seen in books before. Have you?

Done with Part 2 Winter

OMG This is absolutely heartbreaking!

Calli (view spoiler)[hasn't deserved anything she's gotten! I feel so bad for her. I can't imagine having uncontrollable ticks and the varied kind that she has. The only thing I can begin to compare it to is having had twitches like on my eye or leg. (hide spoiler)]

Jinsong (view spoiler)[ He began to stand up for Calli when he told Beatriz off. I'm glad he did that. I wish he'd tell Duncan and Nyle off big time because they are JERKS!!! I can't believe the awful "poem" they put in her locker. So cruel! (hide spoiler)]

Calli's mom (view spoiler)[is so oblivious to her own daughter's pain. It is really upsetting! I wish women like her didn't exist...NEEDING to always have a man to "fulfill" them...always have to be in a relationship! Ugh...one of my pet peeves about some women. (hide spoiler)]

Finished

I thought this book was done really well.

Calli (view spoiler)[is learning to accept herself and share with others about her disorder, which I think is a good thing. I'm sorry that she had to move again, but with the positive ending I think maybe this will not continue. At least I hope not because I like her new school and think she can make friends there. (hide spoiler)]

Jinsong (view spoiler)[I'm glad he finally stood up for her and for himself and let everyone know he likes Calli. He finally is a good friend to her. I am glad he's staying in touch with her too. (hide spoiler)]

Beatrize (view spoiler)[I think gave an indication that she is going to change her bullying ways. (hide spoiler)]

Wow this must be a quick read! I wasn't able to read much of anything yesterday. I'm hopeful for today though. It's supposed to rain so I will probably read all evening.

It's in verse and really quick reading! Knock it out in a couple hours.

Good to know! Maybe I can read the first part of it tonight then.

Definitely that's doable!

Part 1

I'm really enjoying this book so far. Partly because I feel like this really reflects some of the students that I teach. (6th grade) I also like that it feels like a quick read, which I really need right now haha (testing week)

Calli(view spoiler)[That all has to be so hard for her. Moving so much that you can't make friends and you can't make friends easily because of something she can't control. Plus, not being allowed to tell you teachers or the school at all? Is the mom trying to hide it because she is ashamed of it? (hide spoiler)]

Jinsong(view spoiler)[I'm glad that he recognizes that what the other kids are doing is wrong! I feel like so many kids today don't get that their words can he hurtful. I agree with your thought but i also think Jinsong worried that he will get made fun of for helping her or standing up for her. So he just doesn't talk
even when he knows what they are doing is wrong. (hide spoiler)]

Beatrize (view spoiler)[Yep you said it right. (hide spoiler)]

Part 2

Calli (view spoiler)[ I agree, breaks my heart. I want so much more happiness for everyone. it breaks my heart she doesn't have a tribe that will let her in (hide spoiler)]

Jinsong(view spoiler)[ I don't blame her for not taking his flowers. He should have stood up to his friends - their valentine's joke was awful. (hide spoiler)]

Calli's mom (view spoiler)[ Jeez, how completely disconnected is she? Calli's life would be so completely different if her mom wasn't absent like this.
also, I hate that she told her not to tell everyone. Calliope needs the help of doctors and counselors and teachers to help protect her as she goes from place to place. (hide spoiler)]

Part 2

Calli (view spoiler)[She's so sad and I just want Jinsong to be her friend openly. I want him tell his friends off or at least talk to Calli. (hide spoiler)]

Mom(view spoiler)[Anyone else find it odd but the boyfriend hasn't really interacted with Calli? They've been dating for months now and nothing...mom needs to get it all together! (hide spoiler)]

Finished

Calli(view spoiler)[I enjoyed this character and understanding a disorder that I haven't encountered much. I'm glad that Calli finally told her mom how she feelings and I hope this continues in the future. I"m sad she had to move but I think I knew it was coming at some point. I hope everything works out for her mom even though I'm not sure she fully listened to Calli. (hide spoiler)]

Jinsong(view spoiler)[I'm glad he was finally a good friend to Calli as well. Also, I'm glad he seems to be making better friend choices and that Calli and Jinsong are talking still. (hide spoiler)]

I enjoyed this book and am considering getting a copy for my classroom sometime.

Krista wrote: "Part 2

Mom[spoilers removed]"

Oh my gosh, that's totally true!(view spoiler)[I hadn't noticed that. sketch!! (hide spoiler)]

I'm so glad we all liked this one so much. :)

I agree!