A book on cd that I just listened to, and which I was sorry to have end, was "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park. This 2002 Newbery winner is set in 12th century medieval Korea in a potters' village. Tree- ear is a young orphan boy who lives under a bridge with his disabled older friend Crane-man. Tree-ear becomes fascinated with the potter's craft and longs to create celadon ceramics. However, pottery is a trade passed on from father to son and Tree-ear is an orphan. He works long and hard hoping to become an apprentice to the short-tempered Min. (The author has a fascinating knowledge of pottery making which lends itself to the story.) You can visit the author's site at http://www.lindasuepark.com/index.html
I enjoyed " The Higher Power of Lucky" by Susan Patron because it is set in the California desert in a small town (Hard Pan) with a population of 43. Lucky is living with her guardian, her father's ex-wife who is from France. Lucky is afraid Brigitte wants to move back to France and she'll have to go to the orphanage. Lucky is full of spunk. She has a job cleaning up after all the Twelve-step anonymous groups and she learns some interesting life lessons by eavesdropping. It is reminiscent of "Because of Winn Dixie" in many ways and the book grows on you as you read it. I didn't realize there had been some controversy over this book due to the use of a certain word in the first chapter. You can read it and find out for yourself.
"The Bite of the Mango" by Mariatu Kamara is a non-fiction book by a young woman who was involve
d in the Civil War in Sierra Leone. She was only 12 when young rebel warriors, some no older than she, came to her village, killing people and cutting off the hands of many of others. She was one who had her both hands cut off. Stumbling through the countryside, Mariatu miraculously survived. With no parents or living adult to support her and living in a refugee camp, she turned to begging in the streets of Freetown. This book could be depressing, but it isn't. Mariatu never seems to complain about the loss of her hands or the hardships she's had without them. An interesting aside: the News Journal had an article in last week's (November 5) paper about Marie Kargbo who was speaking at the high school about Sierra Leone. She now lives in California but had lived in Brigham City for awhile.
d in the Civil War in Sierra Leone. She was only 12 when young rebel warriors, some no older than she, came to her village, killing people and cutting off the hands of many of others. She was one who had her both hands cut off. Stumbling through the countryside, Mariatu miraculously survived. With no parents or living adult to support her and living in a refugee camp, she turned to begging in the streets of Freetown. This book could be depressing, but it isn't. Mariatu never seems to complain about the loss of her hands or the hardships she's had without them. An interesting aside: the News Journal had an article in last week's (November 5) paper about Marie Kargbo who was speaking at the high school about Sierra Leone. She now lives in California but had lived in Brigham City for awhile. Susan
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