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Search tags: YA-Literature-
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review 2021-12-08 21:40
A Charlie Brown Christmas - Charles Schulz
I watch this cartoon on tv at Christmas time every year since I was a child, so when I saw the book for it I jumped at a chance to reminisce through these pages.
It was a delight and made me smile! The illustrations are exactly what you would hope for, and the story is the same!
Oh how I wish my children were small again so I could read this to them. The magic of the Peanuts crew is something I cherish. You know, I still read the comics online every single morning!!
Probably the best classic Christmas book for kids! (I might be bias though!)
Source: www.fredasvoice.com/2021/12/a-charlie-brown-christmas-51.html
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review 2021-01-12 03:18
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain
I read this when I was much younger. Too young too understand the book, even the language. I'm reading it now to see how I feel about it all these years later.
Right away the language put me off. Hard to read the n word, let alone fathom it being used so much. I understand it was part of that time, but in todays time it's ignorant.
This book isn't about the language though. It's the teachings. A white boy and black man. They're friends, despite what else is happening in that time. They watch out for each other. They have each others backs. Their bond is undeniable.
The sad truth is in the 1800's this was life. People were racist. They had hate filled hearts. Frankly, we are no different today. If ever we needed a lesson on racism, that happened in 2020. 
This book shouldn't be #14 on the banned list. This and every other 'banned' book SHOULD be read. If we don't read them, however foul they may be to digest at times, how will we ever learn? We, for sure, are not going to learn from each other. History is doomed to keep repeating itself.
Every body loved Tom Sawyer. This one is better though. Read it.
 
 
Source: www.fredasvoice.com/2021/01/adventures-of-huckleberry-finn-by-mark.html
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review 2020-12-02 21:59
The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton
The Man Who Was Thursday - G.K. Chesterton
The description calls this book a thriller.
I didn't get thriller from the story. Then again, I am not sure I even GOT the story.
It seemed like a giant metaphor. The guys were named after the days of the week. Sunday was basically the men of all men though. Thursday, our protagonist. also known as Syme, was an odd fellow. I think it was him that kept my interest and seeing what would happen to him next. He seemed to find trouble at every turn.
I didn't fully get the story but it was still enjoyable. Strange as that may seem. Won't be looking for more from this author any time soon though. I prefer more modern writing.
 
Source: www.fredasvoice.com/2020/12/the-man-who-was-thursday-by-gk.html
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review 2020-08-29 15:08
The Terrifying Tales by Edgar Allen Poe
Terrifying Tales: Tell Tale Heart; The Cask of the Amontillado; The Masque of the Red Death; The Fall of the House of Usher; The Purloined Letter; The Pit and the Pendulum - Edgar Allan Poe

Let me break down each tale, by telling you which ones I loved and which I did not.
I loved The Tell-Tale Heart. This is a story of how your own conscience can betray you and give you up. I also really enjoyed The Murders In The Rue Morgue. It was an interesting whodunnit with an unexpected outcome.
I did not like The Cask of Amontillado. It was just confusing and I don't get it at all.
I also did not like The Masque of the Red Death. I tell you this, the story made me never want to go to a ball and engage in revelry. Thankfully, I don't see any balls in my future. The rest of the stories were decent. And all-in-all I am glad I read some Poe. Another great classic writer that I can add to my read list!

 

 

 

Source: www.fredasvoice.com/2020/08/the-terrifying-tales-by-edgar-allen-poe.html
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review 2020-08-19 17:25
The Moon Is Down
The Moon Is Down - John Steinbeck

Soldiers loyally following their Leader act on the advice of a small coal mining town’s traitor to take it over for the benefit of their ongoing war.  The Moon Is Down by John Steinbeck is wartime novella about a how occupying soldiers learn that peaceful townspeople do not like being told what to do.

 

Taken by surprise, a small coastal town is overrun by an invading army with little resistance. The town is important because it is a port that serves a large coal mine. Colonel Lanser, the head of the invading battalion, along with his staff establishes their HQ in the house of Orden, the democratically elected and popular Mayor.  As the reality of occupation sinks in and the weather turns bleak, with the snows beginning earlier than usual, the townspeople are getting angry and confused. Lanser, a veteran of many wars, tries to operate under a veil of civility and law, but knows that amongst those whose freedom has been taken away by force there are no peaceful people. A miner quits and when kills an officer who orders him back to work in the mine. After a summary trial, the man is executed by a firing squad, but the incident catalyzes the people of the town to begin resisting. Transportation and communication lines are taken out, mine machinery breaks down often, and whenever soldiers get comfortable, they are killed including a young lieutenant infatuated with the widow of the miner who stabs him to death before escaping to the hills.  The cold weather and the constant fear destroy the occupying force’s morale, many of whom wish the war to end so that they can return home. Members of the resistance escape to England and ask the English for explosives so that the townspeople can intensify their efforts. English planes parachute-drop small packages containing dynamite sticks and chocolates all around the town. In a state of panic, Lanser takes the Mayor and his friend Dr. Winter, the town doctor and historian, hostage and lets it be known that any guerilla action will lead to their execution. Mayor Orden knows his people will not stop active resistance and accept his imminent death.  Knowing that the townspeople will use the dynamite any moment, Orden and Winter discuss Socrates in front of a stunned Lanser until the first explosion.  Orden calmly walks out the door before Lanser can verbally order his execution.

 

Published in the spring of 1942, Steinbeck wrote this obvious propogandist novella to inspire the Allied war effort and through clandestine publishing in occupied Europe to inspire resistance fighters against their German occupiers as well as collaborators.  While the town and country are unnamed, it was not hard to tell it was Norway given the clues Steinbeck sprinkled throughout the text.

 

The Moon Is Down is also a wonder example of John Steinbeck’s writing that is a quick read for anyone deciding if they want to read his more famous works to learn his style. While written for more political than literary purposes that does not diminish the impact of the narrative nor does Steinbeck not put in his best work.

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