Kya Clark has lost more than most people will ever lose in a lifetime. Her abusive father’s violence left her mother, brothers, and sisters with no other choice than to leave young Kya with a madman. After they all left, her father calmed down and even cared about her, but only to return to his habits of drinkin again, and he left, leaving Kya all alone in the marsh. Kya becomes one with the marsh, learning about it and studying it.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is a novella set during the Great Depression, following the lives of two itinerant ranch workers, George Milton and Lennie Small, as they navigate the challenges of a harsh and unforgiving world. George, a small and intelligent man, takes on the responsibility of caring for Lennie, his physically strong but mentally disabled friend. Together, they dream of owning a piece of land and achieving a better life.
Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver, is a Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel that is inspired by Dickens' David Copperfield, centering around the life of a child as he matures.
Both Laurel, Belly, and Steven, and Jeremiah and Conrad are distraught after the death of Susannah. The relationships between everyone have become strained and unfamiliar. But, when Belly gets a call from Jeremiah that Conrad has disappeared from school, she springs at the chance to help her boys. In this book, we travel through grieving and mourning in so many different ways. The book also talks about relationships changing, and falling in love. The book is incredibly well written. It has you on the edge of your seat. You feel like you are mourning with our main characters.
Summary: Revenge: Eleven Dark Tales by Yoko Ogawa is a collection of interconnected short stories that dive into the complexities of human relationships and the dark aspects of life. The narratives are tied together through recurring characters and subtle connections, creating a lot of psychological suspense and unsettling events. Ogawa's writing explores themes of revenge and obsession. With each story revealing the complexities of the characters' lives and their intertwined fates.
This prequel follows President Snow as a teenager. At the time of the book, the 10th annual Hunger Games is still not widely accepted. The Gamemakers struggle to keep interest in the Hunger Games. To gain a fresh perspective, capital students become mentors in the games. Coriolanus Snow’s tribute, Lucy Gray Baird, an underdog from District 12. The story follows these two protagonists, as their relationship develops, and Lucy Gray tries to stay alive in the games. This book is incredibly well written. It is a great continuation of the series The Hunger Games.
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is a book about two children named Ada and Jamie. Ada is a 10-year-old girl who is living in terrible conditions. They usually didn’t have food or water to drink or any to bathe with. Ada also had clubfoot and her terrible mother hated her because of it. She forced her to stay in one room and go to the restroom in a bucket. Whenever Ada was “bad” she made her climb into and old dirty cabinet. She was abusive to Ada and Jamie.
Mothers Laurel and Sussanah have been best friends since they were young. So, it became a tradition for them to bring their families together every summer to the summer house at Cousins. Laurel’s kids Belly and Steven come together with Sussanah’s kids, Conrad and Jeremiah. As the kids settle into the home, it becomes apparent that something has changed this summer. Belly has grown up into a young woman. Not only are there physical differences but Conrad is acting differently. The book goes through the summer as the kids change, and romantic feelings develop. I loved this book so much.
Summary: In the gripping novel, The Catcher in the Rye, we meet Holden Caulfield, a rebellious teenager expelled from his boarding school. Holden wants to find realness and authenticity in a phony world, but his own self-destructive tendencies and inability to connect with others hinder his progress. Throughout the book, Holden embarks on a journey through New York City, encountering various people and situations that further challenge his beliefs and push him to confront his own demons.
