From: Emily Jones <Emilyj>
Date: Fri, 06 May 2005 11:59:23 -0500

I very much enjoyed LOOKING FOR ALASKA, by John Green (Viking). The narrator's growth and development over the course of this well-written novel was very believable for me. There were times I wanted to scream at the characters for making poor choices or acting foolishly, but that is why I found them so realistic. Funny, troubling, and complex, this story entertained me and stayed with me long after I finished it.

I read a brand new book, THE TRIAL, by Jen Bryant (Knopf), on an airplane last night. This novel-in-verse details the Bruno Hauptmann kidnapping/murder trial that took place in a small town in the 1930s. Not knowing much about the Lindbergh baby saga, I appreciated the author's research and note and the back. She talks about the rise of the mass media during that time, and the fact that this story dominated headlines and really changed the way the news was presented. I recommend this book, especially for use in classrooms and for teaching historical fiction.

Emily Jones Madison, WI
Received on Fri 06 May 2005 11:59:23 AM CDT