Looking for a Great Summer Read? Try As Easy As Falling Off the Face of the Earth by Lynn Rae Perkins

As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth by Lynne Rae Perkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Ry gets off the train during an unscheduled mechanical stop in hopes of getting better cell phone reception he thought he would have more time, but when the train pulls off without him leaving him in the middle of nowhere Montana he realizes he may be in over his head. Thus begins a journey of thousands of miles, and many many unforeseen circumstances.

I will start out by saying this is the perfect book for summer. Ry was supposed to go to archeology camp for the summer, but when the camp is cancelled and Ry gets off the train in the middle of nowhere, he embarks on another more exciting adventure. This story meanders its way from Montana, to Wisconsin, to Indiana, to Florida, and all the way to the Caribbean. Ry's story is one of luck or lack there of and is a humorous adventure tale that attempts to get one boy to the right place at the right time.

This family has to have the worst luck. Ry's parents are on a Caribbean vacation, and Ry's grandfather is supposed to watch the house and the family dogs. When the grandfather hits his head, losing both his memory and the dogs, Ry has no one he can reach to tell of his own predicament. With the help of some lovable yet unusual characters, Ry embarks on a journey to find his parents.

This story has moments that will make you laugh out loud. As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth meanders its way across the country telling the story of a boy whose destiny seems to be determined by luck alone.

Overall, this fun rambling tale would make a great trip or summer read. I just hope the reader's trip isn't as meandering as Ry's. This is a light read that never takes itself too seriously.

Cautions for sensitive readers: None.

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Percy Jackson Is Back! In Rick Riordan's Newest Book Son of Neptune

For those of you who missed Percy when you read The Lost Hero I have great news!  Percy Jackson will be back in the next installment of the series Son of Neptune.  While Son of Neptune won't be out until October 4, 2011, here is a sneak peak to tide you over until you can read the whole thing!

Son of Neptune Sneak Peak

Book Review: Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton [Plus Movie Trailer]

On April 8th the movie Soul Surfer came out in theaters.  It tells the story of fourteen year-old Bethany Hamilton after she was attacked by a shark while surfing.  It is an inspiring story of her struggle to get back to the sport she loves so much.  In 2004, Bethany wrote a book about her experience and her struggle.  The library owns the book Soul Surfer,  and you are welcome to place a hold on this title. (Click Here to Place Hold on Soul Surfer)  Be sure to check out the trailer for the movie below.

Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board by Bethany Hamilton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Soul Surfer is an inspiring story about not giving up. After losing her arm in a shark attack, fourteen year-old Bethany Hamilton returns to her beloved sport of surfing. This novel was written shortly after the accident and primarily focuses on Bethany's faith and her love of surfing. During the attack Bethany stays remarkably calm while her friends get her to shore and later to the hospital. In the book Bethany shares her love of surfing, her love of family, and her strong faith in God.

Soul Surfer has just recently been made into a movie, and I admit that I was curious about the book. The hold list for this title at our library is getting longer by the day as more and more people want to read it. It is a surprisingly quick read. I was able to finish this book in one day. The book is touching and at times heart-wrenching. I kept thinking about what her family was going through as they rushed to the hospital not knowing how Bethany was doing.

My only comment on the book is that there wasn't a lot of meat to the story. Many themes are repeated over and over, especially her faith in God. There weren't a lot of details about her recovery--it seemed kind of brief, and perhaps that is because the book was written so soon after the accident. She was still recovering from the injury. I think this might have been better if she had waited a few years to write it.

Overall this is an inspirational book written by a talented and inspiring teen. I would recommend it to those who are interested in seeing the movie and those who love biographies and inspiring stories.

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Here is the movie trailer: