Crazy Lady (180 Pages)

I recently came across this book, which I hadn't seen in years.I only have good memories of this book by Jane Leslie Conly. I grew up in a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. We lived on a quiet street- well, usually quiet. However, on frequent weekend nights, we could hear an elderly woman leaning out of her bedroom window screaming. Nothing was wrong with her; she just would scream. We called her the crazy lady, and we were terrified to go near her front door. This book is a quick read and appropriate for both boys and girls. Vernon wanted to take part in his high school sports program, but he had failed English the year before. In order to play, he needed to be tutored and take a test. Well, his next door neighbor was a retired English teacher, and he went to her for help. He was honest with her and said he didn't have any money to pay her. Guess who lived next door to this retired teacher? The crazy lady herself! The teacher told Vernon that she would get him through English without being paid if he would work for Maxine Flooter, (the crazy lady). There was no getting around it. That was the deal. When Vernon goes to Maxine's house, he discovers she has a son, Ronald, who is retarded. As Vernon puts in time, he becomes fond of Ronald, who appears to adore Vernon. One day, Vernon finds out that Ronald can not participate in the Special Olympics, because he doesn't own any sneakers. Vernon gets his friends together and they decide to hold a neighborhood fair to raise money for Vernon. What happens after this is bitter-sweet, and worth discussion. Kids will love this novel.

Lie (207 Pages)

Caroline Bock is a new author to me. I was sent this book as a gift from the author. I read it, and I like it for a number of reasons. Lie is a short book written from 10 different points of view. All of the characters whose point of view is offered are part of each other's life. A group of Long Island high school students have decided to go beaner hopping. This expression is their own and it means they are looking for some Mexicans to taunt. One of the boys is Jimmy, and Skyler is in love with him. Jimmy is a natural leader, but not always leading in a good sense. Skyler is head over heels in love with him. Skyler's mother had recently died, and Jimmy is there to offer her support. As an adult reader, I must say he seemed like a good kid. He absently would not go beyond kissing and some petting. He acknowledged that Skyler was too emotionally broken, and he refused to take advantage of her.One night, all the kids go out beaner hopping. This time, Jimmy says only he and Sean (Skyler's next door neighbor) are going to go. Skyler secretly follows them and observes taunting get out of hand. It turns out that Jimmy is prejudiced against Mexicans. Now the two boys they "taunt" are not Mexicans. They are brothers, and one of them was born in the U.S.A. The other was sent by his mother from El Salvador to live with her son and her brother. There is so much to talk/write about in this book. Stereotyping, the definition of a lie, being true to yourself, standing up for what is right, when and where to go for help when a group is pressuring you to do something that isn't right....and you know if you don't go along- you'll be black balled. This is a lot for such a small book, but it is one that I believe will resonate with both boys and girls.