The Lost Boy

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Ø Title: The Lost Boy

Ø Author: David Pelzer

Ø Genre: Adult Novel

Ø Rating: 4/5 stars

Ø Why I read this book: It has been on my reading list for years.

Ø About the Book: This is a true story about David who had been abused and neglected by his mother for years. It isn't until later in his childhood that his teachers step in and get him taken away  from his mother. David is then sent on his journey as a foster child, looking for love and acceptance. He is moved from foster home to foster home throughout his life, a lost boy in a sea of people.

Ø Recommendation: I believe David's story is one that can help foster kids realize that their is hope in the world. I believe that it gives people that have never been in the foster system a glimpse of what it would be like to feel like you are not cared for. It's a horribly sad and uplifting story.

The History of Love

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Ø Title: The History of Love

Ø Author: Nicole Krauss

Ø Genre: Adult Novel

Ø Rating: 3/5 stars

Ø Why I read this book: On my employers bookshelf

Ø About the Book: This book is about Alma, a 14 year old girl who is trying to deal with the daily struggles of growing up. She is trying to figure out who she is, deal with a mother who has withdrawn from the world, and a brother who thinks he is the one of the 36 most important people in the world. This book is also about Leo. Leo is an old man just trying to survive another day along with trying to not become invisible. Most importantly, this book is about the many kinds of love.

Ø Recommendation: This book jumped around a lot. I couldn't keep up with who was talking most of the time. There really didn't seem to be a lot of plot, but I guess it was supposed to be mirroring real life. Not a book I will read a second time.

The Book Thief

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Ø Title: The Book Thief

Ø Author: Markus Zusak

Ø Genre: YA/Adult Novel

Ø Rating: 5/5 stars

Ø Why I read this book: On my employers bookshelf

Ø About the Book: This book takes place in Nazi Germany and is narrated by Death himself. Death is tired of his job, but one individual has intrigued him. Through Death we learn of a little girl named Liesel. Liesel is illiterate, but steals a book while on the way to her foster parents' home. Through the efforts of her foster father, known to Liesel as "Papa" and the school system, Liesel learns to read. She steals more books when she has finished that one, but in Nazi Germany, words can be a dangerous thing. 

Ø Recommendation: I came to love the characters in this book, each of them coming to life on the page. You can see Rudy with his lemon-colored hair taunting Liesel after a soccer game. You can feel the tension build in the house as money gets tight. You can even taste Mama's awful Pea Soup. It is a touching, haunting book that you will take with you forever.