The Coffee Break Spotlight this month goes to none other than Padma Venkatraman, author of Climbing the Stairs, A Time to Dance and Island’s End. I had the pleasure of meeting her and listening to her speak at the James River Writer’s Conference in Richmond, VA this past October. She gave the welcome address and spoke on many panels,…
Mockingjay Author: Suzanne Collins © 2010 Publisher: Scholastic Press Genre: YA literature & fiction Sub-genre: Self-esteem & reliance, self-respect; Action-adventure & sci-fi Reviewer: Sara Book received by: Purchased by husband Synopsis: The revolution that President Snow eluded to in his threats to Katniss has come to life. District 13 is thriving and ready…
Allegiant Author: Veronica Roth © 2013 Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books Genre: YA Literature & Fiction Subgenre: Action & Adventure (Science Fiction), Social & Family Issues (Values & Virtues), Science Fiction (Dystopian) Reviewer: Sara Book received by: Purchased at retail store Synopsis: Tris and Four return in this third and final installment of…
Between Shades of Gray Author: Ruta Sepetys © 2011 Publisher: SPEAK (Penguin) Genre: YA Historical Fiction Subgenre: Holocaust, Military, Europe Reviewer: Sara Book received by: Recommended and loaned to me by another busy mom! (But I will be buying my own copy!) Synopsis (Amazon blurb): “Fifteen-year-old Lina is a Lithuanian girl living an ordinary life–until Soviet…
The Book Thief Author: Markus Zusak © 2005 Publisher: Picador Genre: YA Lit Subgenre: Historical fiction, Holocaust, Family & Social issues Reviewer: Sara Book received by: From mother. Synopsis: (Amazon blurb): It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still. Liesel…
Catching Fire Author: Suzanne Collins Publisher: Scholastic Press © 2009 Genre: Young Adult Literature Subgenre: Social & Family Issues, Science Fiction, Survival Stories Reviewer: Sara Book received by: Purchased for household Synopsis from Amazon: “Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it…
Insurgent Author: Veronica Roth © 2015 Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books Genre: YA Literature & Fiction Subgenre: Sci-fi & Fantasty, Dystopian, Values & Virtues Reviewer: Sara Synopsis: The five factions of dystopican Chicago have plunged into war, led by the ruthless and power-hungry leader of Erudite. Abnegation is largely in ruins, Dauntless is divided, and…
Rain pelted Mac’s head, her shoulders. The stone building would offer some shelter from the storm, despite a crumbling roof and missing door. “Do you think anybody lives here?” Bea peered around the boulder. “No. It’s too run down.” Mac picked her way to the hut, avoiding muddy ground that might capture a footprint. She ducked inside, Bea close…
The Hunger Games Author: Suzanne Collins (© 2008) Publisher: Scholastic Press Genre: YA Literature & Fiction Subgenre: Social & Family Issues, Self-Esteem & Respect, YA Action & Adventure, Science Fiction Reviewer: Sara Synopsis: Panem, a country that rose from the ashes of what was once North America, is made up of twelve districts…
VCE Chemistry teacher in Melbourne, Australia
a 100-word story every day
The website of Christopher Iacono
Fiction Writing
The Mom Who Runs: 