Enchantment by Orson Scott Card

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

This book was a good read. The message is very pro-family, if not family-appropriate. I can tell there was a

lot of research put into this book, and the trivia was interesting. The story had lots of twists and surprises, and the characters were well-developed. I would recommend this book highly to anyone over 15. There are also a lot of different elements in this book; Blogger wouldn't me put in all the labels that applied.

Genre: Fantasy

Setting: Present day/ancient Russia

Introduction:

Ivan is a non-practicing Jewish boy in communist Russia. His family wants to go to America, so they pretend to be practicing Jews to get passports there. Before they leave, they stop at the home of their cousin Marek and live there until they can go to America. Ivan finds a mysterious part of the forest where there is a circular clearing of leaves, covering thin air and a sleeping princess on a pedestal, with some guardian rustling beneath them. Ivan flees, and the memory does not go away.
Now an adult in America, as well as a professional athlete, Ivan has a good life; he is engaged to a Jewish girl named Ruth, has a career in running and also archaeology. Ivan decides to go to Russia to write a comprehensive book on Russian legends, leaving his family behind until he can publish his book. While researching, he again finds the woods near his cousin Marek's home and the place from his childhood. Suddenly, Ivan finds himself fighting a giant bear, betrothed to a princess he doesn't want to marry, stranded in a land he knows next to nothing about with not even his clothes, and forced to prepare to battle a witch whom he has only heard of in legends.

Themes: bravery is more than not running away, know the meaning of true love, marriage is sacred

Recommended Age: 15 and up

Full Disclosure:

There are a lot of sex references and some nudity, as well as a sex scene (that describes the sensations rather than the actions, it's not completely graphic) and a near sex scene. There is also language.

Rating: 4 stars

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

Reviewed by: Mom (does age matter?)

I struggled with the decision of whether or not to even read this book when the initial reviews were so negative. Like almost everyone else on the planet, I love To Kill a Mockingbird and admire Atticus Finch as a man of integrity. In the end, I felt I just had to read it, and I am glad I did. The writing was beautiful and the themes complex. I felt raw and hurt with Scout when she witnessed what she thought was a betrayal by Atticus of all they held dear. I really loved the way Harper Lee demonstrated the complexity of the issue to those in the South-- although I can't say that I hold similar views to those expressed by the inhabitants of Maycomb, I did get a better understanding of how and why they held these views. And though it wasn't tied up as neatly in the end as I would like, with my beloved Atticus being beyond reproach, I think that was part of the point. There is also much to discuss here about the struggles of the South for a century and more after the Civil War; the way of life that existed under slavery and then after the Emancipation of the slaves posed so many challenges to African-Americans that made unification and de-segregation an easier-said-than-done situation. (I'm not excusing racism here, only viewing the complexities of a civilization seeking to overcome it).  Those outside of the South found it much simpler and more clear-cut than those living in it. In truth, when solving society's problems, we often need the perspective of BOTH those outside of the situation and those in the midst of it to find a more useful and functional solution.

A major theme in the book was that no one is perfect; if we choose to idolize another human being, we will eventually be let down. Nelson Mandela said, "I'm no saint, unless you think a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying." We all are works in progress, and we all have need for mercy, even Atticus Finch. One of my take-aways was that after Scout was angry, after she felt betrayed and disillusioned and even hatred, she let herself try to understand another person's perspective. It seems that in our time there is much divisiveness, particularly between people of faith and secularists. Especially on social media, there are virtual lynch mobs, ad hominem attacks, righteous indignation, and so much vitriol spewed out upon those whom people do not understand. Our society instead needs more of listening to those with differing viewpoints and seeking to understand their perspective. This does not mean that we have to agree with everything they believe by any means. But as we seek to understand another, we see the good in them; we find the commonalities as well as the differences; instead of being sharply divided, we can agree to disagree and remember that their opinion on whatever subject is only a part of who they are-- and that is a work in progress. We all have need of mercy and grace extended to us, not only by the Savior, but by each other. If you are a believer (or seek to understand one,) you might appreciate this talk given in a recent LDS General Conference. As I listened to it again this morning, it reminded me so much of this book.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the book in the comments. If you disagree with me, I would still love to hear them, and hope that you will be able to be civil and seek to understand my perspective. I think that Harper Lee would expect no less.

Genre: Fiction

Setting: post WWII Alabama

Introduction: Jean Lousie Finch (aka Scout) returns to Maycomb for a visit. She is in her mid-20s and living in NYC. She is disturbed by the changes she finds there, particularly when it comes to racial tension and attitudes. Her perspective on her father (and ours) is challenged and altered.

Themes: racism, family, states rights vs. Federal government, the South, forgiveness, seeking to understanding those who are different, idolizing a person will let you down, grace, 

Recommended Age: 13 and up

Full Disclosure: There is some language. Frequent uses of the N word and several uses of the Lord's name in vain. The book deals with some big issues, so it is less about reading level and more about maturity to handle the issues discussed when determining a child's readiness to read this. Prepare to discuss the book with your child.

Rating: 4 stars

Other Books:  To Kill a Mockingbird

Of Mice and Men by Jon Steinbeck

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

I read this book in ninth grade. It was a good read. The characters are thought-provoking and original.

Genre: fiction

Setting: Soledad California area, pre-Civil War

Introduction:

George and Lennie are two men looking for work. George is a thin, cynical man and Lennie is a mentally handicapped, childlike oaf. Both dream of having their own farm (with soft rabbits that Lennie can pet.) Due to a blunder of Lennie's in which he attempted to feel a woman's dress (because of his love of soft things) the two are thrown out of town for attempted rape. The two bindlestiffs head out to Soledad to find new jobs on a ranch. Though they find the job they are looking for, the boss's son Curly is antagonistic to the newcomers because of his lack of height, posing a threat to Lennie, who could easily hurt Curly by accident if Curly starts to bully him. In addition, Curly's flirtatious wife is very pretty and has soft hair, and Lennie soon incurs Curly's jealousy. George and the two other ranch hands, Slim and Candy, must do all they can to stop Lennie from accidentally hurting anyone so that they can achieve their goals.

Themes: No man is an island, know your own strength, be compassionate

Recommended Age: 14 and up

Full Disclosure: There is lots of profanity in this book, and there is also racism. However, the racism is not glorified. There is also mention of sexual activity but none actually described or taking place in scenes in the book.

Rating: 4 stars

Poirot Loses A Client, or Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie

Reviewed by Kimball, age 15

This book was a good read. There are mystery books where it turns out to be the one you least expect, and then there was this book, where you suspected everybody and didn't know what to think. It was not exactly surprising, but if you're the type who tries to work out the mystery as you read, you will have a good challenge ahead of you.

Genre: Mystery

Setting: England, 1920s

Introduction:

This book is about a woman who writes to a detective named Hercule Poirot, worried that she might be murdered. When Poirot gets the letter too late, he investigates anyway.
It is purported that the woman died naturally after battling liver failure. Previously she had tripped over the dog's ball and almost died, but the witnesses believed that was accidental and not deliberate. The woman was very wealthy and strange changes in the will lead Poirot to believe someone had motives to set up both cases deliberately, and that she changed it to keep her relatives from gaining any advantage from her death. Interviewing all possible suspects, Poirot and his narrative assistant Hastings discover the truth behind what seemed to be two unrelated accidents.

Themes: It's never too late for justice, don't be greedy, don't spoil your kids, don't be prejudiced against foreigners

Recommended Age: 13 and up

Rating: 4 stars

Other Books:  See here

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

Christopher Paolini wrote this book when he was my age. Now, I can claim to have written two (unpublished) manuscripts before turning 15, but Eragon is close to 600 pages (my manuscripts are about 100 pages each) and way better than anything I could write. He's a fantastic fantasy writer. I loved this book.

Genre: Fantasy

Setting: Alagaesia, medieval period

Introduction:

When courier elf Arya is ambushed in the forest, she teleports her precious cargo a safe distance away. It is found by a farmboy named Eragon while he is hunting. At first believing it to be a large precious stone, he is surprised when the "stone" hatches and a dragon emerges. Eragon raises the baby dragon as best he can and forges a telepathic link with it. However, the dragon is growing fast and gets harder to hide, until Saphira (the dragon) carries him off and his house is attacked by mysterious creatures called the Raz'ac and burned, killing his uncle and destroying the farm. With the help of old storyteller and dragon expert Brom, Eragon sets out on a quest to find the creatures and avenge his uncle and gets caught up in a full-scale rebellion against their tyrannical king, who happens to be one of the last Riders and one of the most evil men in Alagaesia.

Themes: Power is within oneself, never underestimate your elders, bear your name well

Recommended Age: 11 and up

Full Disclosure:

This book has some unintuitive pronunciations, be sure to check the guide.

Rating: 4 stars

Other Books:  Eldest, Brisingr, Inheritance

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

This book is a classic that changed America. Mark Twain is a very effective satirist, and in this book he has a variety of caricatures (including the protagonist, Huck!) This book is a sequel to his other book, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, but they do not have to read together.

Genre: Fiction

Time Period: Pre- Civil War

Introduction:

Huck Finn is a boy who lives with a widow and her sister, who have adopted him. The sister, Miss Watson, owns a slave, Jim. Jim and Huck are friends. When Huck's Pap shows up and kidnaps him, Huck escapes and pretends to be dead, when he runs into Jim who fled from the prospect of being sold downriver. Huck promises to help Jim escape and the two friends go off on a marvelous river adventure filled with con men, feuds, murderers, racism, and Huck's friend Tom Sawyer's wacky plan to aid Huck in helping a slave earn his freedom.

Themes: all men are created equal, do what is right not what society says is right, lead an honest life

Recommended Age: 12 and up, younger okay as as read aloud

Full Disclosure:

A common anti-black racial slur is employed frequently as this book was written at a time when such expressions were not considered offensive. This book is NOT racist. That would contradict the book's message (which the author satirically claims is nonexistent).

Rating: 4 stars

Other books: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (previous book), Tom Sawyer Abroad

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Reviewed by: Michal, the mom (does age matter?)

This exquisite book was one that I wanted to immediately re-read once it was finished. It tells the story of its two main characters so beautifully and poignantly. The ending wasn't what I had hoped for, but did feel like the right ending, if that makes any sense. I am glad to have read it.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Time Period: World War II

Introduction:

The book tells the story of two people who seem completely unconnected, but artfully connects them throughout their experiences. One is an orphan boy growing up in Nazi Germany, the other a blind girl in Paris. The author jumps around in time and between the two characters, but it works.

Themes: family, light, overcoming, racism, war, 

Recommended Age: 14 and up

Full Disclosure:

There is occasional swearing and one minor character who makes a few crass (sexual) comments. There is some violence, although not as much as you would expect for a book about war. Some heavy content, thus the older recommendation.

Rating: 5 stars

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl (Autobiography)

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

Genre: Autobiography

Time Period: World War II

Introduction:

Viktor Frankl is a renowned Jewish psychiatrist famous for the concept of logotherapy, that man's drive is not power or reproduction but seeks those things and others in their true purpose to find the meaning of life. He illustrates this concept by first detailing his experience in a Nazi concentration camp and how his tribulation helped him develop his theory and find deeper meaning in life.

Viktor could have left for America and avoided the whole thing. However, he would have had to leave his parents behind. Reading the first of the Ten Commandments, he decided to honor his father and mother by not abandoning them, even though this meant that he and his family would surely be taken by the Nazis for it.

Separated from his wife, children and parents, Viktor lived in a mens' concentration camp, he finds that the inmates go through three stages: upon entry, they are shocked, and gradually become apathetic and develop a survival-of-the-fittest mentality. When they are in their final stage, if they have not given up entirely on surviving, they become worse creatures than their captors, seeking vengeance to vent their bitterness and justifying cruelty because they have suffered worse cruelties.

Themes: our true purpose is to find it, men must not let the injustice inflicted upon them to turn them amoral

Recommended Age: 14 and up

Full Disclosure:

There is some nudity and occasional swearing. The experiences described are extremely sad and horrifying.

Rating: 4 stars

Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (autobiography)

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

Benjamin Carson, M.D. is arguably the most talented and successful surgeon in the world. He has saved countless lives and has changed the perception of black people in the world. His autobiography tells how he worked hard to become who he was and all the obstacles he had to face.

Genre: Autobiography

Time Period: 1959-1986

Plot

When Ben Carson is eight, his mother finds out that his father is cheating on her and so they divorce, leaving Sonya Carson a single mom of two. Ben explains his early life: coping with not having a father, being ostracized for being black, and how his mother, who had a third grade education and couldn't read, took it upon herself to educate him and made him read until he was at the top of his class in school, and how he and his brother Curtis became top students when before they hadn't considered themselves to be smart, blaming the color of their skin. He discusses how religious he is and how God helped him throughout his life to get a good education, control his anger and deal with racism. He talks about his college experience and the tests he had to study for and when he met his wife and how he saw the hand of the Lord in everything. As a medical doctor he performs many revolutionary and successful surgeries which change understanding of neurosurgery, neuroscience and the field of medicine. A famous example is the separation of two twins joined at the head performed by him and his team. The surgery was almost unsuccessful but in the end the twins miraculously survived.

Themes: You are the master of your destiny, race doesn't matter, trust in God

Recommended Age: 12 and up

Full Disclosure:

Anti-black racial slurs. There are also descriptions of surgeries which are not inappropriate but may cause squeamishness.

Rating: 4 stars