Mockingjay

Mockingjay
by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Finished May 18, 2011




From The Publisher


Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she''s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she''s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what''s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss''s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12.



My Thoughts
I wasn't as happy with Mockingjay as I was with The Hunger Games and Catching Fire.  I rated them both five stars but I honestly cannot rate this book that high.

The first two books moved along quickly where as Mockingjay dragged in the fist half for me.  Then when the story picked up it seemed to pick up too quickly and the ending was rushed, emotion was missing, especially ***SPOILER ALERT*** when Finnick died, I think I was more upset then Katniss.  I know she is in the middle of a war, and trying to stay alive but I felt there just wasn't enough time to mourn his loss.

I don't like predictable books and I seemed to know what was going to happen before it happened.

Looking around at other book reviews I seem to be in the minority, others loved Mockingjay and rated it a five.

Still looking forward to the movies though.

Signing off till next time

Catching Fire

Catching Fire
by Suzanne Collins
E-book
Finished April 26, 2011
2nd book in trilogy




From the Publisher

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge

My Thoughts

"The Capitol is angry.  The Capitol wants revenge."

And revenge is exactly what the Capitol dished out.  I did not expect the story to go as it did.  Fabulous, really didn't think that I would be as interested in this book as I was with The Hunger Games.  Suzanne Collins has done a fabulous job so far.

I started the third book immediately, looking forward to the movie version of this series.

Definitely a must read. I've recommended these books a few times. My husband read them first and I was hard pressed to get his full undivided attention until he was finished.

Signing off till next time.

To Find and to Keep

To Find and to Keep
by Serena Yates
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I received this book for free through Goodreads ~ First Reads.

Finished April 5, 2011



From the Publisher


Four years ago Ryan's parents disowned him for being gay. To escape their threats, he ran away to Canada. Now his twin sister Nicole is getting married to his best friend Peter, and Ryan will risk anything to attend. Help arrives in the most unexpected form: Peter's older brother Daniel, the man Ryan had never stopped loving.

My Thoughts

It only took me an hour to read this book. It was a very quick, light read having 85 pages and huge print. The story felt rushed, not giving me enough time to really get to know the characters. Too sugary and the over use of endearments annoyed me.

Signing off till next time.

Sing You Home

Sing You Home
by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Edition:  Library Book
Finished: April 5, 2011




From the Pulisher

Every life has a soundtrack. All you have to do is listen.


Music has set the tone for most of Zoe Baxter's life. There's the melody that reminds her of the summer she spent rubbing baby oil on her stomach in pursuit of the perfect tan. A dance beat that makes her think of using a fake ID to slip into a nightclub. A dirge that marked the years she spent trying to get pregnant.

For better or for worse, music is the language of memory. It is also the language of love.

In the aftermath of a series of personal tragedies, Zoe throws herself into her career as a music therapist. When an unexpected friendship slowly blossoms into love, she makes plans for a new life, but to her shock and inevitable rage, some people-even those she loves and trusts most-don't want that to happen.

Sing You Home is about identity, love, marriage, and parenthood. It's about people wanting to do the right thing for the greater good, even as they work to fulfill their own personal desires and dreams. And it's about what happens when the outside world brutally calls into question the very thing closest to our hearts: family.


My Thoughts

Jodi Picoult never disappoints.

This book brought out so many different emotions. There were many times when I just wanted to slam the book shut and give up, I was so angry. I was beginning to dread reading the chapters from Max's point of view. I didn't want to be subjected to the points of view that were being verbalized. I often wondered exactly where Jodi was taking me and why she would write a book from that point of view. Then I would read the chapters from Zoe and Vanessa's points of view and was reminded of the love they share and felt I really needed to stick with the book to see exactly where it was going to end. I'm glad I did.

Signing off till next time.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Finished March 25, 2011




From the Publisher

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlaying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one girl and one boy between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has also resolved to outwit the creators of the games. To do that she will have to be the last person standing at the end of the deadly ordeal, and that will take every ounce of strength and cunning she has.

Loved this book. It's being added to my favourites and to be reread list.

Signing off till next time.

Still Alice

Still Alice by Lisa Genova
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Borrowed from the Library
Finished: March 15, 2011

From the Publisher

Alice Howland, happily married with three grown children and a house on the Cape, is a celebrated Harvard professor at the height of her career when she notices a forgetfulness creeping into her life. As confusion starts to cloud her thinking and her memory begins to fail her, she receives a devastating diagnosis: early onset Alzheimer''s disease. Fiercely independent, Alice struggles to maintain her lifestyle and live in the moment, even as her sense of self is being stripped away. In turns heartbreaking, inspiring and terrifying, Still Alice captures in remarkable detail what''s it''s like to literally lose your mind...


Reminiscent of A Beautiful Mind, Ordinary People and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Still Alice packs a powerful emotional punch and marks the arrival of a strong new voice in fiction.


My Thoughts

Wonderful story.

Alice just cannot find the word she is looking for during her lecture, it's just on the tip of her tongue but she cannot grasp it. Items are being forgotten. Alice is getting lost in her own neighbourhood, she knows there is something wrong and doctors are her only hope to figure out exactly what is happening to her.

Alice is given the answer she is looking for ~ Alzheimer's Disease.

Still Alice takes us through Alice's mental decline that her disease is inevitably to cause and what this means to her future and how it will effect the members of her family.

I'm a little late reading this novel. I remember when it first debuted, the last thing I wanted to do was read a book about a woman with Alzheimer's Disease and unfortunately for me I missed out for a few years. Just recently Lisa Genova's book Left Neglected was published, I read this book and loved it and felt I should give Still Alice a try. I'm so glad I finally gave this book a chance.

http://www.goodreads.com/videos/show/5927-lisa-genova-still-alice
Signing off till next time.

2011 ~ Book Reviews

I'm trying to keep my Blog as organized as I can.  I've only been blogging for a few months and when I started I figured there would be lots to learn along the way. 

I see how I've been organizing my Books Reviews could be a problem down the road so I thought I'd change things a little.

This is where I'll be keeping track of my books read, listed and reviewed, for 2001 anyways.  I've set a personal goal to read at least 40 books this year.

1. Room  by Emma Donoghue
2. A Dangerous Fortune by Ken Follett
3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
4. Out from Boneville by Jeff Smith
5. The Great Cow Race by Jeff Smith
6. Eyes of the Storm by Jeff Smith
7. Dragonslayer by Jeff Smith
8. Rock Jaw by Jeff Smith
9. Old Man's Cave by Jeff Smith
10. Ghost Circles by Jeff Smith
11. Treasure Hunters by Jeff Smith
12. Crown of Horns by Jeff Smith
13. Rose by Jeff Smith
14. The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsly  Did Not Finish
15. The Passage by Justin Cronin            Got to page 8, not a book for me.
16. Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
17. The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve
18. Still Alice by Lisa Genova
19. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 
20. Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult
21. To Find and to Keep by Serena Yates
22. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins    
23. Mockingjay  by Suzanne Collins     
24. The Midwife of Venice by Roberta Rich
25. Song of the Silk Road by Mingmei, Yip
26. Robopocolypse by Daniel H. Wilson
27. The Other Life by Ellen Meister
28. The Gravesavers by Sheree Fitch
29. Trade Winds by Christina Courtenay
30. The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick  ***Didn't finish ***
31. The Deception of Lyme by Carrie Bebris
32. The 36 Hour Day by Nancy Mace
33. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon   *** re-read***
34. Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
35. Songs of Love and Death by George R. R. Martin
36. Making Rounds with Oscar by David Dosa
37. The Alzheimer's Answer Book by Charles Atkins
38. Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning  ***Re-Read***
39. To Tame a Highland Warrior by Karen Marie Moning ***Re-Read ***
40. 311 Pelican Court by Debbie Macomber
41. The Walking Dead ~ Days Gone Bye by Robert Kirkman
42. The Walking Dead ~ Miles Behind Us
43. The Walking Dead ~ Safety Behind Bars
44. The Walking Dead ~ The Hearts Desire

 Signing off till next time.

The Pilot's Wife

The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Finished: March 10, 2011
Edition: Trade Paper Back
ISBN: 0-316-78990-9


Back of Book
A pilot's wife is taught to be prepared for the late-night knock at the door.  But when Kathryn Lyons receives word that a plane flown by her husband, Jack, has exploded near the coast of Ireland, she confronts the unfathomable - one startling revelation at a time.  Soon drawn into a maelstrom of publicity fueled by rumors that Jack led a secret life, Kathryn sets out to learn who her husband really was, whatever that knowledge might cost.  Her search propels this taut, impassioned novel as it movingly explores the question,  How well can we ever really know another person?

About the Author
Anita Shreve has taught at Amherst college and is the recipient of the PEN/L. L. Winship Award and the New England Book Award for fiction.  She lives in western Massachusetts with her husband and family.

Why I Read This Book
I purchased this book back in 1998 because it was featured on Oprah. It got lost in the shuffle and ended up on my "to be read shelf", well actually one of many.

I promised myself that I would raid my book shelves at least once a month and slowly start to read the books that have been neglected for years.

The Pilot's Wife has graced my shelves for 13 years and I'm most pleased that I finally read it and have found myself a new favourite author.

My Thoughts
Reading this book was a pleasant surprise and not at all what I was expecting. There were many twists and turns, gripping my attention with every turning of the page.

The only downside to this book is that it ended when it did.

Happy Reading, Signing off till next time.

LEFT Neglected

Book:    LEFT neglected

Author:  Lisa Genova

Edition:  E-book

Finished:  March 5, 2011

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Please visit the Still Alice Website to learn more about this author.

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Sarah Nickerson is like any other career-driven supermom in Welmont, the affluent Boston suburb where she leads a hectic but charmed life with her husband Bob, faithful nanny, and three children-Lucy, Charlie, and nine-month-old Linus.

Between recruiting the best and brightest minds as the vice president of human resources at Berkley Consulting; shuttling the kids to soccer, day care, and piano lessons; convincing her son's teacher that he may not, in fact, have ADD; and making it home in time for dinner, it's a wonder this over-scheduled, over-achieving Harvard graduate has time to breathe.

A self-confessed balloon about to burst, Sarah miraculously manages every minute of her life like an air traffic controller. Until one fateful day, while driving to work and trying to make a phone call, she looks away from the road for one second too long. In the blink of an eye, all the rapidly moving parts of her jam-packed life come to a screeching halt.

A traumatic brain injury completely erases the left side of her world, and for once, Sarah relinquishes control to those around her, including her formerly absent mother. Without the ability to even floss her own teeth, she struggles to find answers about her past and her uncertain future.

Now, as she wills herself to regain her independence and heal, Sarah must learn that her real destiny-her new, true life-may in fact lie far from the world of conference calls and spreadsheets. And that a happiness and peace greater than all the success in the world is close within reach, if only she slows down long enough to notice.

MY OPINION

If you are a cell phone user please do not use it while driving.

I purchased this book with the gift card my husband gave me for Christmas.  I did not read Lisa's first novel, Still Alice, but I am definitely interested now.  Also anxious for her third novel Love Anthony expected in 2013.

Left Neglected was an exceptionally, fast paced novel that grabbed my attention right away.

Sarah is a career woman who doesn't have enough time for her three young children, sometimes only getting enough time to read a book before they are put to bed.  Her husband doesn't have much time for family either.  The title definitely describes how little time these parents have for their children as well as describing the condition Sarah is left with after her accident.  An accident that would not have happened if Sarah wasn't  pressed for time because of her career.

Having read this book I clearly have an idea of what it would be like to live with Left Neglected.

The only complaint I have about this book is that the author didn't explain what happened to Sarah's mother.  After all the detail given about Left Neglected, the condition, I felt the author left me hanging here.  Not enough for me to feel that the book deserved less than a 5 rating though.

Would I recommend this book to a friend?  Most definitely and already have.

I rate this book a 5 / 5

Happy Reading

Signing off till next time.

Bone #1 to #9 and Prequel

Title:  Bone Series ~ Book #1 to #9 and Prequel Rose
Author:  Jeff Smith
Finished: February 7, 2011
Edition: Paperback
Genre: Graphic Novel

I read this series as part of the  Take a Chance Challenge,  part #2, loved ones choice.  This challenge is being hosted by Life...With Books.

My son (now an older teen) started bugging me to read Bone when he was 9 or 10.  I've spent a long time procrastinating, always giving an excuse.  When I read part two of the challenge I knew exactly what it was I was going to read.  I figured the challenge is to get you to read something you wouldn't normally read and now I had the chance and it would also finally make my son happy.

I read the first book, finished it in a few hours and felt guilty that I would use something so easy for the challenge, so even though there were actually 10 different books, I'm counting this as just one read.

Bone #1 Out From Boneville

From the Publisher
After being run out of Boneville, the three Bone cousins - Fone Bone, Phoney bone, and Smiley Bone - are separated and lost in a vast, uncharted desert.  One by one, they find their way into a deep, forested valley filled with wonderful and terrifying creatures.
Eventually, the cousins are reunited at a farmstead run by tough Gran'ma Ben and her spirited granddaughter, Thorn.  Little do the Bones know, there are dark forces conspiring against them and their adventures are only just the beginning.


Bone #2 The Great Cow Race

From the Publisher
Fone Bone and his cousins plan to return home after visiting the village of Barrelhaven with Thorn and Gran'ma Ben.  Phoney Bone risks everything on one last get-rich-quick scheme for the town's annual Great Cow Race.  As usual, Phoney's plans go disastrously awry, and Boneville seems farther away than ever.
Meanwhile, ominous signs indicate that a war is brewing, and Fone Bone finds himself helping his friends defend their idyllic valley from a formidable enemy.


Bone #3 Eyes of the Storm

From the Publisher
Life in the valley isn't getting any easier for the Bones and their new found friends.  Lucius, Smiley, and Phoney are attacked by the rat creatures and barely make it back to Lucius's tavern.  then it doesn't take long before Phoney is back to his old tricks.
Back at the farm, Fone Bone and Thorn are troubled by strange dreams, and Gran'ma Ben's reaction is stranger still: She reveals long-kept secrets and unexpected dangers.  In fact, they may have to leave the farm forever.


Bone #4 Dragonslayer

From the Publisher
The forces of evil are growing stronger.  Could our heroes' worst enemy be Phoney Bone himself?


Bone #5 Rock Jaw: Master of the Eastern Border

From the Publisher
Fone and Smiley Bone try to return a rat creature cub to the mountains, where they meet yet another adversary: the sly and mighty mountain lion, Rock Jaw.


Bone #6 Old Man's Cave

From the Publisher
The showdown between the Hooded One and they people of the valley begins.  Thorn and Phoney Bone seem to be at the centre of the maelstrom.  Will they survive the Hooded One's sacrificial ceremony by the light of the blood moon?

Bone #7 Ghost Circles

From the Publisher
The Bones, Gran'ma Ben, Thorn, and their loyal rat creature cub venture on a journey through the mysterious ghost circles to Atheia, the old city of the royal family.  One wrong step could change the valley's fate forever . . . .

Bone #8  Treasure Hunters

From the Publisher
The Bone cousins, Gran'ma Ben, and Thorn reach the city of Atheia, where they prepare to battle The Lord of the Locusts.  Meanwhile, Thorn's visions are becoming more threatening and Phoney Bone is conviced Atheia is rich in gold, and he is determined to find it.

Bone #9  Crown of Horns

From the Publisher
It's full-fledged war as Briar, the rat creatures, and the Pawan army storm the city of Atheia where the Bones, Thorn, and Gran'ma Ben are up in arms to defend the royal city.  When Thorn hears a voice urging her to seek the Crown of Horns, Thorn and Fone Bone embark on another dangerous journey as they race to find the one thing that may save them all.


Bone Prequel:  Rose

From the Publisher

When a terrifying dragon attacks the small towns of the Northern Valley, Princess Rose must defeat the bloodthirsty beast, who is possessed by the evil Lord of the Locusts.  While Rose faces the danger with honor, her elder sister, Princess Briar, follows a more sinister path.


My Thoughts

After approximately 8 years of giving my son one excuse after another, I've finished the Bone Series by Jeff Smith.  I went through the first book very quickly, having to ask my son for the next book within hours.  He stated with a sly smile, "you enjoyed the book did you Mom?  I told you".  I had some trouble at first, my eyes would always go to the wrong speech bubble , so my son had to teach me, follow them from top to bottom. 

The artistry in these books is phenomenal, I haven't read a book with pictures, in years, LOL. I think I still like reading novels better, can't ever imagine me picking up a graphic novel again.  Don't get me wrong the story line was fantastic (to my surprise), I found that I was stay awake at night to finish the book I had started earlier, I guess I would then call it a page turner for sure.  I would also class the story as epic, many times I felt I was reminded of The Lord of the Rings.

Would I recommend this series?  Most definitely and have already.

Signing off till next time
L

The Help

Title: The Help
Author:  Kathryn Stockett
Finished: January 28, 2011
Edition: ebook

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Kathryn Stocket was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi,  The help is her debut novel and according to Kathryn's web site soon to be a major motion picture from Dreamworks.  Kathryn currently lives in Atlanta with her husband and daughter.

SUMMARY

The Help takes place in Jackson, Mississippi, "The South", Kennedy is President and coloured folk just aren't as good as the whites.

This story is about three women:

Miss Skeeter, a white woman, has just graduated from college, and wants to be a writer.   Miss Skeeter is a daring young woman who chooses to question the black people are treated. Miss Skeeter has lived a sheltered life and doesn't quite realize how dangerous it is in the south at this perilous time of "change", but she does know that there is something wrong when the black woman who raised her and loved her and who Miss Skeeter loves back, cannot even use the same bathroom as her.

Aibileen, is a black maid who works for Miss Skeeter's friend Elizabeth Leefolt.  Aibileen's son died in a work related accident while his white boss stood by and did nothing to help him.  Aibileen is tired of the "white ways".  There is something boiling inside her since her son died but she never lets it out.  Aibileen is raising the white child Mae Mobley Leefolt, Mae is the 17th white child Aibileen has raised and knows the clean, pure feelings the child has for her will change once her mother's bigoted seeds are planted in the child's mind.

Minni, is Aibileen's best friend, she took care of Aibileen after her son passed away.  Came every day to ensure that she was still breathing and brought her dinner.  Minni is also a maid who works for Miss Hilly's mother.  Miss Hilly is another friend of Miss Skeeter's.  Minni works hard but just doesn't seem to know her place and has a sassy mouth that gets her into trouble according to Aibileen.  Miss Hilly fires Minni and spreads a lie through town so no one will hire her again.  Thanks to Aibileen, Minni gets a new job working for a white woman who is too new in town, to know about Minni.  Minni soon realizes that her new employer doesn't seem to know the "white rules", and that her new employer has a secret of her own.

Miss Skeeter wants to be a journalist, wants people to read her written work, and has come up with an idea for a project that would shock anyone she knows.  To complete this project Aibileen and Minni must help her, something that just isn't done in Jackson, Mississippi, putting them all at risk.


MY THOUGHTS

I read The Help for the Take a Chance Challenge.
Even though I was in the middle of reading A Dangerous Fortune, I'd joined the Take a Chance Challenge and was quite anxious to know which book I would be reading first.  Last Friday after work I took a trip to the local Chapters, walked down to the very back of the store, that is where the Staff Pick section is.  It didn't take me long to make my decision, it was so quick I cannot even tell you what else was on the shelf in that section.  I saw The Help, liked the look of the cover, picked it up read the back and I knew I had my book.  Headed home to download my new book for my Kobo.

Now reading on my Kobo I don't really have a good sense of when my book is coming to an end. What does she mean you ask?  Well my machine told me I had two more chapters to go, I flipped the page and found the Acknowledgements and was heart broken that I couldn't spend more time with Aibileen, Minni and Skeeter.  I did not want this book to end.  I cannot tell you enough how much I loved The Help.
The Help is definitely a keeper and will be listed as a to be read again.  Oh can I start now. ;)

My Rating:  5/5

Signing off till next time
L

A Dangerous Fortune

Title:        A Dangerous Fortune
Author:    Ken Follett
Finished: January 24, 2011
Edition :  ebook

SUMMARY

A Dangerous Fortune is set in the late 19th century and the story revolves around the Pillaster's, a prominent banking family in England.  The story beginnings at an English school where two young Pillaster boys attend when a tragedy occurs. This tragedy sends the Pillaster boys Hugh and Edward, their friends, acquaintances and family down a spiraling road of love, hate, lust, intrigue, blackmail and drama.


MY THOUGHTS

This book was my introduction to Ken Follett.  I've had Pillars of the Earth on my to be read list for a long time, but never seemed to get around to reading it.  My husband and I watched the mini series over our Christmas vacation and really enjoyed it.  I felt it was too soon to read the book so I looked for another one, A Dangerous Fortune is what I chose.

I had mixed feelings about this book, maybe it was my mood.  On the front cover it states that this book is a page turner. It was a slow paced, drawn out book. 

I rate this book 2.5/5

Signing off till next time.
L

Room

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emma Donoghue was born in Dublin in 1969.  Emma is an award winning writer and is currently living in Canada with her family.  To visit her web site please click  HERE.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It's where he was born and where he and his Ma eat and play and learn. At night, Ma puts him safely to sleep in the wardrobe, in case Old Nick comes.


Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it's the prison where Old Nick has kept her for seven years, since she was nineteen. Through ingenuity and determination, Ma has created a life for herself and her son, but she knows it's not enough for either of them. Jack's curiosity is building alongside Ma's desperation -- and Room can't contain either of them for much longer...

Told entirely in the inventive, often funny voice of Jack, Room is a celebration of the resilient bond between parent and child, and a brilliantly executed novel about a journey from one world to another.

MY THOUGHTS

When this book was first being talked about, prior to it being available for purchase, there was quite a hype and everyone was chomping at the bit for it to be released.  I'm usually one of those people but something was holding me back.  What?, you ask.  I'm not really sure.  Then the reviews started pouring onto the net and I was intrigued.  I purchased the book but had to wait to read it, I had another book on the go and a couple in the to be read pile.

I started the book close to the end of my Christmas vacation and was pleased to have a page turner in my hands.

This story is told through the voice of a young boy named Jack who lives in "Room".  He knows nothing of his hardships because his Ma has spent five years protecting him from the reality of their lives.  After Jack's fifth birthday we start to learn the circumstances surrounding their situation as his mother's need to leave "Room" increases for both their sakes.  Unbeknownst to our young story teller there is a whole world outside of "Room", which has become a comfortable cocoon like environment for him with routine, structure and the protection of four very close walls.  It takes a special person like Ma to keep the horror of her life in "Room" from her young son for 5 years until she realizes that he may be her only hope.

This was an exceptionally well told story.  Many times throughout this book I found myself saying that Jack doesn't need to know so much from his mother, that he was treated more like a friend and confidant, not a five year old boy.  I've tried to imagine myself in her shoes and I suppose I wouldn't have treated my child any differently in the situation that unfolds in this story.

I definitely recommend this book.

Signing off till next time
L.