The Defender

The Defender is a 1952 Newbery Honor book. It is obviously written for children, but enjoyable nevertheless. Alex brought to light my favorite part of this book, the proverbs offered by Turgen. These snippets of ancient Lamut wisdom were enlightening. The following are a few examples of such sayings: "Words that speak evil, though they have no teeth, can tear the heart. A good man greets each new day as if it were a holiday. The sun shines differently every day. Everywhere there is life and everywhere there are warm human hearts."

Appearance: 3.5/5 - The cover doesn't exactly draw your gaze, but it does offer a good representation of what you will be reading about, and you always like to see an award label.

Readability: 5/5 -It has very short chapters and vocab designed for children. The story line is easy to follow and can easily be read in a couple of hours.

My points: 7/10 - Although the story was nice, this isn't really a book I would consider a "must-read". Overall I had a hard time really getting into the story because it lacked the depth necessary to really draw me in.

Total: 15.5/20

The Defender by Nicholas Kalashnikoff

The Defender is an easy-breezy read about an old man of outstanding character set in the Siberian mountains. The story revolves around the life of a 50+ year old Turgen, one of the last of the Lamut tribe in that area. Living a lonely life and higher up the mountain than most, Turgen discovers a respect and love for the wild mountain rams. Things get more complicated for Turgen when the companionship he has been longing brings unexpected controversy to the town and cruel judgments. Turgen's unwavering faith in the Great Spirit that guides him in his dreams leads him to a fuller life than he ever expected.
This was a heart warming little tale or the ups and downs of life. About having faith and believing. About compassion and hospitality. About ignorance and judgment.
I enjoyed this book because I can relate to Turgen and his love and respect for the rams and how he earns their trust. I also enjoy the redemption factors and the lessons learned through the story line between Turgen and the townspeople. Oh, and there is usually a thought or a sentence that really sticks with me throughout a book; well in The Defender, each chapter starts with a proverb or a profound though from Turgen.. So I liked that as well!

Appearance: 3/5 -There isn't a huge appeal to this cover, but it does represent the story well.

Readability: 5/5 -I read this on a Saturday morning. There is a tribal theme that adds some extra flavor. Short chaptersThere are also pictures which is always a plus!

My Points: 10/10- Consistent flow. Interesting theme. Developed characters. Plot and resolution. Loving animals. What more can one ask for?!

Total: 18/20

Night

I join Zack, who echoes what The New York Times expresses: "A slim volume of terrifying power." It is amazing how well Elie is able to recount his time in these camps after his silence was over. I would have probably repressed a lot but the world needs people like Wiesel to make sure the stories are heard.
There were a few parts of the book that really struck me.
- The hanging of the sad-eyed angel is one scene that draws you in, right there in the middle of the lines questioning with every one else "Where is God?"
- There was a part of the book that breaks from the recollection of events to share that he met someone he worked with later on in life, I think this is a glimmer of hope for all of the readers in the midst of devastating circumstances.
- On page 86 Elie is talking about his father whom he had just waken up after a long march: "He stared all round him in a circle as though he had suddenly decided to draw up an inventory of his universe, to find out exactly where he was, in what place, and why. Then he smiled." I just feel that every person can relate to that moment of reckoning but it was such an inspiration to know that this man was still able to smile.

Appearance: 5/5 - The cover captivated me. 'You get what you see'

Readability: 4/5 - The book is an easy read but not to be read like most books. The content is much more mature so taking time to digest is beneficial.

My Points: 8/10 - While I loved the cover and it is a very easy read it took me forever to get through this short book. Maybe it's just because of the downright depressing material, I just had a hard time committing to it for long periods of time. I do not regret a moment of it though. It is so great to have the opportunity to spend some time and get to know someone's story and see how much you can gain from it.

Total Points: 17/20

Night by Elie Wiesel

Night is an autobiography by Elie Wiesel, a survivor of the Holocaust during WWII. Wiesel recounts his experiences as a Jewish boy of about 13 as his family is first restricted to a ghetto in his hometown, then transported by train to Auschwitz where he is separated from all of his family except for his father, who becomes his only reason for life over the next couple of years. In this short book Wiesel expounds upon the torture he experienced on physical, emotional and spiritual levels during his time in Auschwitz and Buchenwald.

It is important to note that, after being rescued by the allied armies, Wiesel took a vow of silence on the subject of his experiences for 10 years. The trauma that he experienced, then, can be seen in the detail with which is describes his experiences. The reader has no trouble believing that Wiesel relives those horrors every night in his dreams.

What stands out most to me is the dehumanization that occurs in the concentration camps. The prisoners quickly lose their sense of self, and become incredibly indifferent to their own life or the lives of those around them. Death is such commonplace that it eventually fails to frighten those that it oppresses. The prisoners lose their desire for life, and the only things that sustain them are the most basic instincts of survival. At the end, boys attack their own fathers for a morsel of bread showing that humanity in these communities was all but lost.

This book can, in no way, be described as a pleasant book to read and no one could be so cold as to read this book and not be affected by its content.
Appearance: 4/5

Readability: 5/5 Night could easily be read in one sitting

My Points: 9/10 I would definitely recommend this book. I would like to have heard more about what happened after the war, but I assume that may be the content of some of Wiesel's other writings.

Total: 18/20

Goodbye, Mr. Chips

What a genuinely classic book! Alex stated the general premise: An old teacher recounts his years as a teacher and the experiences those years brought. Hilton, the author, finds a way to build in the reader fond feelings towards Chips without ever really delving deep into the character himself. Through the various encounters remembered in the book, though, you seem to become intimately familiar with good ole' Mr. Chips and grow quite attached to him.

Being a teacher, I took particular interest in how Chips' approached his classroom throughout different phases in his life. It caused me to take a few introspective looks at myself to determine what types of methods I use for "controlling" my classroom, as well as how my relationships with students and colleagues are built and maintained.

I would, without a doubt, recommend this book - especially to teachers!

Appearance: 4.5/5 It was the appearance that first drew me to this book!

Readability: 4.5/5 The book is broken up into small chapters, each one being another story of Chips'. I do see what the author is trying to portray with the "umphs" in Chips' speech, but it really got old after a while

My Points: 9/10 Again, I would gladly recommend this one! Its a classic!

Total Points: 18/20

Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Goodbye, Mr. Chips; written by James Hilton (1934). "The world-famous tale of a gentle, unassuming man with a noble mind and great heart."

In this 115 page book (with pictures!) you get to know a school teacher that goes by Mr. Chips. Enjoying the last leg of his journey in life, he recalls various memories from his years of teaching and living. Through his tales, you begin to have a lot of respect and love for good ol' Mr. Chips! His behavior and attitude are consistent and are attractive in a mentoring way.

"Oh, just on of Chip's ideas, I expect. The old boy still has 'em."

Chips, in his room again, was not displeased by the comment. Yes, he still had 'em--those ideas of dignity and generosity that were becoming increasingly rare in a frantic world.

Page 87.

Appearance: 4/5--Looked and smelled old and worn :)

Readability: 4.5/5--There were some repetitive things, but the different stories were interesting

My Points: 9/10--The "umphs" in his speaking are good and bad, sometimes annoying but representative of him. I love Mr. Chips though; good story.

Overall Rating: 17.5/20

Hello and Welcome

Meet the authors!

My brother, Zack, and I have recently developed a system of book giving and receiving which may seem complicated but has the potential to be awesome! We'll use the first book as the example:

Step One- Zack buys me a book that he thinks I'll like at a used book store and gives it to me.
Step Two- I read the book. If I like it, I send the book to him so that he can enjoy it. Then, once he is finished, he returns the book which signifies it is now my turn to purchase a book for him.
Step Two- Alternate- If I read the book and do not enjoy it, I go ahead and get a book for him and send it with the original book that failed to meet my expectations so he may have the chance to read it as well since our tastes may be different.

It is a pretty simple system. Now, the blog is for our benefit (and yours!) We can share why we liked our disliked the book we received (and you now know a book you may want to try!)

Happy reading!
~Alex