2016 Hub Reading Challenge discussion

I just finished Shannon Hale's Book of a 1000 Days. As always, I was swept into her world. She is a fantastic story teller and I love the fact that she usually begins with a little-known fairy tale, as she did here, and redevelops a full plot, rounds out her characters.

If you have read it, what did you think of the ending? Without spoiling it, I expected one ending but didn't see how it could possibly come about. I appreciated how Hale thought about culture and wrapped it up neatly.

Wintergirls by LH Anderson was a disturbing read about a girl who is a cutter and is anorexic. Told from her point of view, it feels very real, almost like Anderson has an insider's view of what it is like to have such a poor self-image, poor self-control, poor family life... or all three together. It was a moving story but I felt very upset by it!

I read cinder for the challenge and thought it was OK, but then I listened to the rest of the series just because and LOVED it. I have recommended it to a number of students this year and they have gobbled it up and come back for the remainder of the series.

Just finished Briar Rose. Usually I love these retold fairy tales, and while I liked this one, it was way more intense with it's updated twist. Some very disturbing scenes in the WWII part of the plot made me question whether or not it is wise to put this in the hands of my sixth graders. Yolen's writing is lovely, as always.

Its title, Charm and Strange, made me wonder throughout the whole novel where it was coming from. The answer is one of the hidden messages in this twisting and turning tale. It is so dark and frightening, though, that I need something light and refreshing. I've read too much depressing work this week!!!