The Lions of Little Rock: A Book Review

Hi!

The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine

Summary: It’s 1958 in Little Rock, Arkansas, a year after the Little Rock Nine, a group of black students, were enrolled at the local white high school. Twelve year old Marlee is preparing for the new school year and working up the nerve to say a word or two in class. She has little friends, when she meets Liz, the bold and brave new girl. Liz even stood up for herself in front of snobby and self-absorbed Sally! Liz and Marlee quickly become friends, working together on their history project and helping Marlee overcome her fear of speaking. But, one day, Marlee walks into school to find Liz completely and utterly gone. Rumors are circulating that she was a Negro passing for a white, but Marlee could care less. She just wants her and Liz to stay best friends. Fighting against segregation, the girls are determined to keep their friendship alive. However, with amount of danger they put their families in, is it worth the risk?

My Thoughts: I’ve missed my monthly dose of historical fiction :) Besides the rave reviews and the cover, {notice how one bird is white and the other is black?} I picked it up because the story occurred during one of my favorite time periods, the 1950′s. {my other favorite is the 1960′s} This is a subject that I haven’t learned about in school, so it was a new topic for me.  Levine is a fabulous writer, and I can’t wait to read her other book, The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had, about the relationship between blacks and whites in the early 1900′s. She’s clearly knowledgable about the subject, so the information and history aspect didn’t interfere with the story at all. I guess what I’m trying too say is that although there is plenty of history and information to be learned in the book, everything fits within the storyline. It is not history with a story, it’s a story with history. These characters were such a delight to read about! Marlee is one of my favorite characters, and I loved reading about her growth throughout the book. It was so nice to see her with Liz, and their connection was quite evident. I thought it would have been interesting to write the same story, but with Liz’s point of view. Just a thought… Liz was spunky, something I admire. She, however much I love Marlee, is the more memorable of the two girls. Like I said before, their friendship was fully developed, and I felt their pain with what they were going through. I can’t imagine not being able to see my friends because of something as silly as the color of their skin. Near the end, Marlee’s family grew closer, and it made me so happy to see them work together! Marlee’s mother, especially, from a women against integration, to someone against segregation. Yay :) This may be a children’s book, but it deals with some heavy topics. The people against integration did some awful things, all because they disliked blacks. Red, JT’s older brother,  is an incredible jerk! It makes me so sad and angry because they’re were actually people like him. He reminded me of the brother {his name escapes me at the moment} in Wolves, Boys and Other Things That Might Kill Me. I despised him, and I HATED how JT did nothing. He just stood there and watched, while his older brother tried to kill Liz and her family. He didn’t stick up for Marlee when Red made fun of her. Anyhoo, that just goes to show what an outstanding writer Kirsten Levine is. I SO hope that this will win an award. It deserves it!

Pros: A good story, developed characters, and a truly wonderful historical fiction.

Cons: Nothing.

Heads Up: I hate saying some of the words in here, but it is relevant to the story. There is some violence, involving dynamite.

Overall: I give it 5 {*****} stars. I recommend it for ages 11 and up.

Bella :)

loving >> week 18

Hello!

I’m loving…

{via}

masquerade

I’m really late with posting this, but with my Hunger Game love list last week, this was as soon as I could post it. Sitara is one talented stop-montioner! {just pretend that’s a word} Really. Her work is OUTstanding, and I am amazed every.single.time I watch it. Her latest video is called “Masquerade”, and it is a short love story. Using gorgeous dresses and custom dolls, along with a detailed set, it follows Alexander and Eudocia as they fall in love. Even better, Sitara has started to blog again. She was one of the few AG blogs I truly loved, so I am happy to see another blog up and running!

mirror, mirror

Has anyone else found that Hollywood is becoming more and more populated with young, stylish actresses? Lily Collins impressed me with her performance in Abduction, so I was delighted to see her starring in another movie! Snow White is quite popular, also appearing later this spring in Snow White and the Huntsmen, but each movie goes in a totally different direction. Mirror, Mirror came out in theaters today, and unlike the other Snow White flick, this one looks perfect for the entire family. A spring break activity perhaps?

melody valerie’s summer 2012 line “sunrise”

In past years, Melody Valerie’s summer lines have always been my favorites. Whether it was the gorgeous dresses in summer 2009, the stripe-filled 2010 collection or the blue pieces in 2011, I look forward every year for their release. Like the fall, I probably won’t be able to buy anything, {they are on the pricey side and they sell out in a matter of hours} but I love swooning over the pieces. Based on the name,  I expect the collection to be filled with plenty of warm oranges and corals, but MVC could fool me wrong. Could 10 am come any sooner?

these april fool’s day cookies

I don’t do pranks. I don’t pull them, nor do I like being pranked. I always that teeny tiny fear that someone is going to play trick on me on April 1st ;) Anyhoo, this Sunday is the first day of April, {it’s coming so quickly} so it’s appropriate that Sweet Sugarbelle posted these fun pizza cookies. Clearly, they are desserts, and not actual pizza, but I love the idea of using them as a friendly prank on a friend. No harm and embarrassment done. If you need even more ideas for April Fool’s Day, Callye rounded up a few other ideas at the bottom of her post that are sure to grab your attention.

{via}

getting my braces off! 

It has been a long two years, friends. I am SO very happy with my lovely smile :)

I am seeing The Hunger Games again! How’s that for a perfect Friday?

Bella :)

The Ultimate Mac and Cheese

I realized I forgot to add this once I published the post ;) It was just a note on how to make Ritz cracker crumbs. Put a handful in a heavy duty Ziplock baggy, and pound the bag with a rolling pin. Easy-peasy!

B :)

Hello!

For real, guys, this is the last recipe you will ever need for homemade mac and cheese. It is tied with frozen yogurt for my favorite food, which is a big honor, because fro-yo and I are BFF’s :) Crispy and sprinkled with bread crumbs {or Ritz crackers, if you want to be less sophisticated. Not like I do that…} on top, and mixed with a creamy, cheesy sauce and a hint of nutmeg on the inside, this is a classic, comforting meal. This is nowhere near a healthy dinner, {with all that cheese, how could it be?} but every once and while, I think it’s okay to indulge. If you want to add a healthier element, try slicing three to four tomatoes and arranging them on top before putting it into the oven. This specific mac and cheese actually tastes just as good heated up, so there’s no need to worry about the amount of servings. When that craving for comfort food kicks in, I know right were to turn to.

Mac and Cheese Adapted from Ina Garten

ingredients 

• Salt
• Vegetable oil
• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• about 4 cups milk
• 6 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups {12 ounces} Gruyere, grated
• 2 cups {8 ounces} extra sharp Cheddar, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup breadcrumbs/Ritz cracker crumbs *See note above {BTW, it is totally optional}

to make

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF.
2. Drizzle oil into a pot of boiling salted water.
3. Add macaroni to the pot and cook according to the package. Drain.
4. Meanwhile, heat, but don’t boil, milk in a saucepan.
5. In a large pot, melt six tablespoons of butter. Mix in the flour with a whisk. Cook over low heat for about two minutes.
6. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for another minute. The mixture should be thick and smooth.
7. Off the heat, add the cheeses, black pepper, and nutmeg.
8. Now, add the cooked macaroni to the pot.
9. Por mixture into a 3-quart baking dish.
10. Melt the two tablespoons of butter, and combine them with the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle on top of the mixture.
11. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
12. Delicious!

Bella :)

The Hunger Games

Hi!

Ooh, let’s ;)

The Hunger Games {2012}

Stars

• Jennifer Lawrence
• Josh Hutcherson
• Liam Hemsworth
• Willow Shields
• Amanda Stenburg
• Alexander Ludwig
• Elizabeth Banks
• Woody Harrelson
• Stanley Tucci

Summary: I decided to use the same summary as the one I wrote for my book review because the basic plot is the same. In the ruins of what was once known as North America, lies the country of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve districts. Long ago, the districts fought against the Capitol and were defeated. If they were to surrender, they had to agree to send one boy and one girl from each district to participate in the annual, brutal Hunger Games. A fight to death on television, the boys and girls, or the tributes, have to kill one another until only the victor remains. When Katniss {Lawrence}’ younger sister, Prim {Shields}, is chosen as a tribute, Katniss volunteers to take her place. Along with Peeta {Hutcherson}, the son of a baker, Katniss is put against bigger, stronger representatives, who have no doubt been preparing for the games for their entire life. There are poisonous plants, deadly animals, and starvation, but Katniss promised Prim she would try her best to win. Will Katniss survive, or will one of the other tributes get to her first?

My Thoughts: Okay, I think we can assume I am a humongous Hunger Games fan by now, yes? Like I said on Friday, my book club’s choice for March was The Hunger Games and we saw the movie yesterday, and, afterwards, discussed and compared it to the book. Anyhoo, don’t hurt me, but I was a tad underwhelmed. There was so much hype and anticipation, that when I saw the actual movie, not broken up into short clips, that it didn’t deliver as well as I thought it was going to. It was still a solid movie, but with such an outstanding book, it can never live up to that standard. Jennifer Lawrence kicked butt as Katniss, and I totally changed my mind about her! She did an amazing job conveying the rawness and barely there emotions of Katniss, but she did just as well in the more emotional scenes. Josh Hutcherson was a smart choice for Peeta, and I thought he captured Peeta’s sensitive nature. He especially stood out at the reaping when his name was called. I wanted to cry when I saw his face. I was expecting to cry as well when Rue died, but their friendship was so rushed that it didn’t build the relationship that was in the book. It had less significance than it should have. However, Amanda Stenburg is definitely on my radar now. I hope to see her in other movies! Prim was another young character, and it broke my heart to see her screaming for Katniss. I believe we see more of her in future movies. Yay :) Elizabeth Banks seriously rocked as Effie. There’s no other way to put it. She was hilarious, and she reminded me so much of the Effie I imagined. FAB job! Violence wasn’t really an issue, although the story is incredibly gory. Most of the death is implied by the cannons and the few shots with blood. Cinna. Oh, how I missed you. Terrific actor, along with a terrific character, equals a terrific performance. Umm? Did Katniss’ mother feel nothing, like at all? I know this is how she “acts,” but not even a tear or sob? Last thing, promise ;) I am kind of half and half with the ending. It was different, but at the same time, it closed everything up, AND provided the suspense. So, I don’t know. Alrighty, I should probably stop rambling now…

Pros: The casting and performances of the actors.

Cons:The movie is 2 1/2 hours long, but I still felt that the story was rushed, leaving out crucial details. The ending wasn’t stellar either.

Heads Up: Violence, as I said above, is not as a big of an issue. There are a couple of scenes in which the sensitive bunch might want to look away, and there are a few startling moments, but they handled it quite well.

Overall: I give it 4 {****} stars. I recommend it for the people who have read the book {although, even if you haven’t, you would understand} and ages 12 and up.

Bella :)

Fake Me a Match: A Book Review

Hi!

Fake Me a Match by Lauren Barnholdt

Summary: Avery LaDuke wants a new BFF. Her ex-best friend, Sophie Burns, dumped her for the “popular” crowd, and hanging with Rina and Jess just isn’t the same. Now that her mom and Will are getting married, maybe her new sister will be the perfect candidate. Blake is her age, is from New York, and Avery thinks she and her will be the bestest of friends in no time flat! But nothing goes according to plan. Blake becomes friends with Sophie and the rest of the queen bees, and leaves Avery to take care of their dogs and to finish painting their room! While Blake flirts with boys, Avery is chosen to lead this year’s Student Council charity project, a match making service. All money earned would go to a good cause, so she couldn’t say no, right? When she and Blake have a fight, Avery gets an idea. She could match Blake up with her crush, Sam! When the matches don’t work out, and the class advisor knows someone tampered with the results, Avery is stuck. To top everything off, she was matched up with Sam, and Avery actually likes him… and he likes her back. Will she be able to decide between the best friend/sister or the boy?

My Thoughts: I enjoyed reading another one of Lauren Barnholdt’s books, Rules for Secret Keeping, last year, so I put this one on hold at the library once I saw it at the bookstore. It was cute, but  nothing memorable. I liked the idea of a matchmaking service gone wrong, so the story’s intentions were good, but I don’t think it was pulled off as smoothly as it could have. The story did move fast, especially compared to Secret Keeping, but some chapters were choppy. I guess what I’m trying to say is that the writing wasn’t consistent. However, I loved the characters the author created. Avery wasn’t my favorite, personally, but she did have the spunk and personality I look for in main characters. I disliked how she acted around Sam. Once again, we had a clueless girl not notice the obvious clues that a boy like her! How could she not realize Sam’s feelings?! She was also quite flustered around him, which I get, but their conversations got repetitive. I <3 Sam! He was adorable, and although the author described him as arrogant, I didn’t find him that way at all. The last two pages with him and Avery were my favorite out of the entire book! Blake was a bit annoying, but as the story continued, I could see why she acted that way. I came to like her by the very end. The dress scene was hilarious in a bad-sort of way. I was laugh and cringing at the same time! Speaking of which, there were plenty of cringe-worthy moments in the book. I felt so bad for Avery when Ms. Tosh, the class advisor, confronted her! I would not be able to lie as well as Avery did ;) So, cute story, but nothing award-winning.

Pros: Developed and unique characters and an entertaining plot.

Cons: Inconsistent writing style.

Heads Up: Lovey-dovey stuff, all middle-school friendly.

Overall: I give it 3 1/2 to 4 {***1/2 to ****} stars. I recommend it for ages 11 and up.

Like I promised, this is the last romance book for now. Unfortunately, Cinder has to be returned, but I’m sure I will get again :(

Bella :)