four decently good reads this week

“Out of Nowhere” by Padian – coming to a bookstore near you soon – highly recommended for next year’s high school Battle of the Books (BOB) – senior soccer player who has to deal with his small town’s “issues” – and the “issues” the senior has as well – which, of course, are college related because every senior must have every life step planned prior to graduation – or else life’s a mess – sort of a fiction story that relates well to st. john’s “outcasts united” – again, really enjoyed it

“Scoop” by Nelson – story of a journalist in the south – and his story as it relates to the large stories in the South from the 1940s on – particularly, the story of Civil Rights – that said, there are lighter parts in the book too – as a writer, I definitely enjoyed it – and with the 50th anniversary of the children’s march coming soon, it’s a timely read

“goblin secrets” by Alexander – would be a good middle school BOB next year – if elem doesn’t snatch it up first – it caught my eye b/c it’d won a national award – enjoyable fiction story about a boy that comes of age thanks to goblins and puppets:)

“father’s day” by bissinger – echoes of steinbeck’s travels with charley – story of a father and his son who take a cross country trip – for the father, so that he can maybe figure out his son’s life in a more full fashion – as a friday night lights fan, i LOVED the part about going to odessa – although, it was painfully sad – lots of the book was sad – but the book was very beneficial to me – because in the end, the people around us are all that’s there – and it’s our job to love and understand them as best we can

please remember to avoid fred poems this week – and make sure you get me some literary work by friday for the magazine

mafeld