Silver Sparrow

A few weeks ago I did a search online for good books to read during the summer time. On a few different lists Silver Sparrow was there. So I figured it must a be real nice summer read. And it was written in 2011 and for some reason it has been very appealing to me to read book just barley published (who knows why). This book is on the wrong lists. It is more of a fall/winter book. It is not light and airy and fun, it is serious and deep and really sad.

It is about two sisters growing up in the 70s and 80s in the south. Dana knows they are sisters, Chaurisse has no clue. How does this happen? James, their father married both their mothers! Is that legal? No. But doable apparently. Dana's mom was his second wife, they knew that James had a first family and they were the secret family. Dana grew up feeling second best always to Chaurisse. Dana has to make sure they don't end up at the same jobs, high schools, parties, and eventually colleges. This of coarse would make a giant impression on a young girl's mind about relationships. They knew it was wrong, but "at least she had a daddy, most black girls didn't even have that." I don't know how that makes it okay, but for them it did. In their senior year at high school the girls become friends (because Dana seeks Chaurisse out) and that is when it all comes tumbling down.

There is no happy beginning or end in this story. It is far to real for that. It is a story about sisters and the real bond that exists between them, and the destroying power of secrets. It is about making choices and living with the consequences no matter how great they are. What got to me was often the dad and his wives would say "this is between me and your daddy, he hasn't done you wrong" and that point of view is so wrong, so very wrong.

I might be painting this is an awful terrible book, it isn't. I am glad I read it (even though it did hit it's quota for swear words in the LAST CHAPTER). It showed me a time of life that I know very little about and what what going on in some of the homes. It reminded me the importance of choices, family and honesty. I am glad I picked this book to read, I just wish I had done so in the winter time when the weather would fit the mood of the book.

Quote: : "People say, that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger. But they are wrong. What doesn't kill you, doesn't kill you. That's all you get. Sometimes, you just have to hope that's enough."

Grade: B-

Dream When You're Feeling Blue

What a beautiful story. I had read one of Elizabeth's books a while back (one I was too shocked to share...not good at all.) But a friend said she was amazing so I figured I had just gotten a lemon the first time around.

This is for sure a love story. Be ready for that. But the kind of love story might surprise you.

This book follows three sisters during the end of WWII. Louise had sent off her fiance, Kitty her boyfriend and Tish sent off whatever boy she met at the dance that weekend. They correspond with their men and try to be something uplifting to them. Over time their relationships change with the boys they love and their relationship with each other grows deeper. I also love stories with wonderful dads-and the father of the girls in this novel is a great dad with wonderful words of advice. It is a wonderful story about falling in love and taking care of family and complete sacrifice.

I really don't want to share too much, it is a story worth reading...even though there is this one page. It isn't dirty (I mean was anything dirty about that era?) but it isn't necessary for the story and I don't know why she put it in. The three sisters are talking about the wedding night in a very innocent way by using terms like "wang wang doodle." But just in case skip page 61.

I am glad that I read this story...I don't know much about this time in life, and it was nice to read from the perspective of the women who stayed home and what they dealt with. What a time of great music, great manners, beautiful clothes, and classy men and women. If I was in a crying mood I probably would have cried at the end.

Favorite Quote: "But Kitty, over there is where those boys want and need to be. If it doesn't start out that way, it ends up being that way. Men in combat love one another, and although they hate war, they love it, too. I experienced it myself. A soldier needs to believe with all his heart in his commander and his mission, and he needs for us to believe in him. How do we show him that we do? Not by mourning the fact that he's there but by celebrating the life we are privileged to lead on account of his sacrifice."

Grade: B

The Witches

You read it right...I just finished a children's chapter book! And it ROCKED! Think about it...do you remember a book from when you were a kid that you loved or even just enjoyed. Read it now and you will love every page of it. I loved this so much that I decided to read The Indian in the Cupboard too (although my sweet daughter has hidden it somewhere).



The Witches is a book about a very wise grandma that educates her son about the reality of witches in the world. But even though her grandson is educated he still finds himself in the worst possible position a little boy can be found in...A ROOM FULL OF WITCHES WITH THE DOORS LOCKED. eek I know. If you have read it, do so it is great. Read it to your kids too! If you have read it then re-read it. As it turns out it is just as great 20 years later.



Quote: "The third one was little Birgit Svenson," my grandmother said. "She lived just across the road from us. One day she started growing feathers all over her body. Within a month, she had turned into a large white chicken. Her parents kept her for years in a pen in the garden. She even laid eggs."



Grade: B