Four Perfect Pebbles

Wow, powerful story. I could not put this book down. I am truly amazed what this family overcomes. I even learned a couple things I did not know, which is good.

The father, Walter, was smart in such ways to trying to keep his family safe and together. The Nazi’s however, seem to be just one step behind every move that is made. The one chance they have to finally make it to America, gets blown up. The hardest part for me to read the death and funeral of Walter, who never makes it to America but kept a German to American English Dictionary as the most important item in his life, a life in which he never gave up hope. Hope of going to America. Hope of survival.

One of the best parts of this book, the author goes further then the liberation of the of the camps and Death Train. It was good to know what happened to the family in the following years. How they survived and stayed positive. There is an afterword, which is good, then since this is the 20th since publishing a second afterword.

The book was written, so many could read it. Adults, young adults, maybe elementary. She tells the story without overwhelming you with violence and many horrific details. Instead it’s a story of hope, and survival, and strength.

5/5

T4

I honestly do not know how to rate this book. When I heard about it my thought process was “hey, I’m deaf and I think, it’s good to see more about deaf in the Holocaust  Especially since the author herself is deaf.”  I read reviews about how bad it was but again thought since the author was deaf she maybe using ASL speak and that’s why people are complaining about the poetry form.

When I finally got this book in I was shocked at how thin and small it was. Still thinking it will redeem itself. I read in 15 minutes. I’m not sure about the poetry stanzas but it looked like she just hit enter in most of it and couple times hit the enter button during the middle of a thought.

The story itself was not bad but was lacking. This girl hides for years and it the details are missing.  She finally learns to sign from one of the people who hides her, with Signing she uses pen and paper to help communicate. I was expecting more since the author was deaf. The book is as if the girl dance around the whole subject. Not many details. It was as if the girl dances around the edges of the whole war and Holocaust. A simple basic, I left my parents, Nazis are killing people because or T4,  priest took me somewhere, then priest took me somewhere else, made a friend, went back home and brought my friend, the war ended. This review is probably longer then the book. Not saying a small book is bad, or a short story can’t be great.

I read in a review it was a children’s book. If this is so then that would make sense on lacking many details. I have not found for sure it it is truly a children’s book. I can see a third grader reading and understanding this book.

The best part to me was the author’s note, where the names came from and where to find out more about deaf and the Holocaust. I don’t want to just throw hate on the book. I don’t  hate it, just could  be better. Maybe I’m missing something.

3/5

The 71/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

I gave it 3 1/2 stars. 

I was excited to finally get this book. It was somewhat a let down. It could have been I had a lot of things going on and have been extremely busy.

It took me awhile to get into the book. Then things started happening and I was into it. Then it drags. Then it picks up again and I wanted to see what happens. I didn’t like they killed the characters I liked but I knew it was coming. One of which was a favorite. The biggest let down ?!? The ending. I realize what the author was trying to say about redemption and forgiveness, but the ending is just a let down. 

The book was not all bad. I loved the twists and turns. Just when you think you have it all figured out plot twist. That I liked. I did have some already figured out but not others. The characters were different and well done. I liked how each character has positive and negative attributes. One old and wise while another is young and crime savey .  It did have an Agatha Christie feel to it. 

All in all it was not a bad book, and maybe if I hadn’t been so busy or a lot thoughts about different things it might have been better. 

One For The Money

Time for an easy read. Thought I would try a Stephanie Plum book.

Review
I really liked this book nice easy read with enough baiting, snarkiness between two people who seem to actually like each other. Nice mystery with a dash of humor. Caught myself laughing several times. No hot steamy ‘romantic’ scenes which was good for me. Don’t mind them if I’m in the mood for romance but you don’t always want that, and this made this book better for me. Hopefully the rest of her books will be just as fun as this one.