STARTED & FINISHED:

Parkinson, Siobhan. (2008). Blue like Friday. New York: Roarking Brook Press/Macmillan.

[Will post my ACL review here when I've written it... Funny, though, because in finding the link and cover shot I discovered that Ms. Parkinson wrote another book that I reviewed last year, and didn't like...

Here's my "official" review:

Hal isn’t a fan of his mother’s new live-in boyfriend, Alec, so he and his friend Olivia concoct a plan to split them up. Unfortunately, things backfire when is appears as though Alec may have been arrested because of the pair’s scheme. Then, when that has been cleared up, Hal’s mom suddenly disappears and Hal is forced to live with Alec alone. Is this a scheme set up by Hal’s mother all in an effort to make Hal and Alec bond? Parkinson’s tale is liberally littered with cheekily funny dialogue, and its straightforward, uncomplicated plot make this a breezy and enjoyable read. The zany situations which Hal and Olivia blow out of proportion ring true as those which young people may actually do. The drawback is the fact that Hal is said to have synesthesia, where he describes situations and things as colors (hence, the title), though this condition isn’t explored at all, with no real explanation given to how this has come about, or what the medical ramifications are of this condition. Still, this is a humorous and madcap tale that is sure to delight. Includes a glossary of Irish colloquialisms and pop culture references.]


STARTED:
Marriott, Zoe. (2008). The swan kingdom. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

[Reviewing for ACL. Am attempting to go beyond the usual and look at the source of inspiration for this one: Hans Christian Andersen's "The Wild Swans". Trying to get a jump on this month because I've got an 800 page behemoth to read for consideration on the Distinguished list for the year once I finish this one.]

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