I Am Nujood

I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced

by Nujood Ali with Delphine Minoui

Where do I even begin? This was a book I couldn't put down. It was a difficult read, however, but knowing that Nujood managed to come through things ok makes it easier to read.

I don't want to give away any plot details because I WANT YOU TO READ THIS BOOK. You can already guess a lot just from the title. That "divorced" part is key. It's amazing to me that she had the guts and the fortitude to get the help she needed, against all odds, at such a young age. I look at my students who are her age and I cringe thinking of them in her shoes, yet I wonder if they'd be able to do what she did. It's a scenario I pray never plays out.

That's the mind-boggling part, though. She was 10. I know 10-year-olds. That anyone ever should have to suffer what Nujood did is beyond awful, but that one so young did is sickening. She wasn't the only one--in reading about what happens to Nujood, you read about what happens to countless women all over the world.

This is a fantastic read. I would love to use this in a classroom someday. I want more and more people to read Nujood's story, to marvel at her strength, and hopefully make the world a safer place for young girls.
--Mikie

I wanted to hug my girls while reading this book. I wanted to gather up all my students and hold them close and let them know just how special they are, and how lucky that they live in a country where this will never happen to them. 

This book was so eye-opening. It's one thing to know that this happens objectively, and another thing altogether to read a first hand account. Nujood is the author of this book. These are her words, her experiences, and that makes it harder to take. She is a beautifully positive young girl, who doesn't dwell on the horrible dark past that she lived through, but instead uses it to empower herself, and to motivate herself. I

Mikie and I read this book in about a day and a half (on working days, nonetheless). It's the kind of book you can't put down - you have to know what happens next. And it's not just Nujood. The rest of her family has different (and also awful) troubles that they are living through, and there's constantly something to push you onwards. 

Like Mikie, this is a book I think everyone should read (we're saying that a lot...but really. READ THIS ONE.) If you only ever pick up one book off our list, let this be the one.
-Cat

The Outsiders

The Outsiders

by S.E. Hinton

I first read this book in an airport, waiting for a delayed flight home. I was enjoying being in a bookstore with a selection of books that were in English, and I remembered my university roommate and best friend insisting that I should read this book. I picked up The Outsiders, fumbled my way through American money (much harder than I was expecting it to be, considering I grew up using it), and then sat down to read it. I finished it before I even boarded the flight. 

This book is one of my favourites. The writing is simple - the narrator dedicates the first chapter to giving a detailed physical and personal description of each of the characters - but as you continue reading, it just works. Ponyboy Curtis, and yes, that's his real name, thank you very much, is the kind of character that appeals to his audience, no matter who he's addressing (even if you're not a greaser!). The story becomes unexpectedly deep and emotional, and even on this rereading, I found myself crying as I reached the end of the book. 

I could reread this over and over again and still enjoy it, and this is one of the books that is on my "recommend to literally everyone you meet" list. I thought about ending my part of this blog with a "Stay gold, Ponyboy," but to me that line deserves more than to be used as a tag to the novel - it's so much bigger than that. So instead, I'll just say, do yourself a favor and pick up this book if you haven't. It's beautiful.

-Cat

This is a book I had never read until now. It's not a title that I was ever introduced to, and honestly, I have only been vaguely aware of its existence. When I taught in Alaska I was forced to use Scholastic's "READ 180" program with my 8th-grade students. It was a hot mess, let me tell you, but I had several copies of The Outsiders on hand as a result. Most of my students read far below grade level (2nd or 3rd grade was the norm), but one girl asked to borrow The Outsiders. I was thrilled that anyone would want to borrow from the classroom library, so I sent her off with one of the books. She not only finished it, she enjoyed it! That got me thinking I should probably read it at some point.

As a huge fan of the movie Stand By Me, I don't know how I managed to stay in the dark about this one for so freaking long. This is an excellent story that I would have loved when I was younger! That phrase is almost a recurring theme for me this year, isn't it? I'm glad I finally read it. Ponyboy's story is troubled, heartwarming, and bittersweet. I was moved by several scenes in the story. Next time I hand this book to a student, I'll be able to share her enjoyment! Next time I read this (and there will be a next time), I'll be moved again. Until then, I just hope I can "stay gold."
--Mikie

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

by Douglas Adams

Oh my gosh, you guys, it's been so long. We've just (this week) finished Dirk Gently - this book took us (well, me, really) almost a whole month to read. This book was fabulous, but it takes a lot of patience. I genuinely had no idea what was going on for the first three quarters of the book. No joke - my kindle was at 75% by the time I got fully sucked into this book. Once it gets to that point, though, it's SO GOOD. I got to 75% on Tuesday, and finished the book on Thursday, after spending three weeks reading the first bit.

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency is one of the most bizarre books I've ever read - knowing that it's by Douglas Adams, is anyone really surprised? Even when everything started coming together there was no logical progression - I couldn't predict any part of that book. Now that I've finished, and enjoyed it, next up may be the TV show!
-Cat

I haven't read this book in many many suns. I think I enjoyed it just as much on this reading as I did on the first. Douglas Adams weaves a wonderfully weird tale full of interesting characters and extraordinary situations, all wrapped up in his signature writing style. Now that we've read this we can start watching the series on Netflix! Huzzah!
--Mikie

P.S. Next book on our list is The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton!