Review of Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Perfect Chemistry

Simone Elkeles

2008

Amazon/ Goodreads

Look at all that dark hair!

Reasons for reading:

I downloaded Perfect Chemistry on my Kindle in a jubilant book-buying spree of quite a few books on my TBR list that I haven’t yet had an opportunity to read.  I thought Perfect Chemistry would be a fun teen romance with some steamy parts.  I loved the dark cover- although I sometimes enjoy sugary books with little-girl-y covers, I liked that this cover seemed more edgy.

Basic plot:

Alex is in the Latino Blood gang outside Chicago.  Brittany is a white girl princess with a terrible home life.  When they are forced to be Chem partners, sexual tension and violence ensues…

Curiosities:

Direct quote from p. 278? (according to my kindle): “‘You only live once.’”  Again, p. 280: “Alex pulls me close and whispers in my ear, ‘You only live once, isn’t that what you said? Dance with me again.’”  When I read this, The Motto starts playing in my head… E’ryday e’ryday… YOLO…”  It made me sad that such a watershed part of the book was so cliché.

Alex is hot.  You will not be disappointed in his sexy bad-boy-ness.  This book was worth reading simply because of that.

Not sure if these are the models or what, but :D

Brittany’s older sister, Shelly, has cerebral palsy, yet her character is developed and plays an important part in the story.  I found it refreshing to read a character with serious disabilities who isn’t treated with pity or swept aside by the story.

I was under the impression that the story was a trilogy.  No.  The story is contained in this one book- the two books that come after it are about each of Alex’s little brothers. This story goes beyond a typical book and includes a weird TWENTY-THREE years later epilogue- this just seemed excessive to me.  It was like the author wanted to reassure the reader that they really, really did live happily ever after. Also, I can’t explain this without spoilers, but it’s almost supernatural- reminds me of what’s going on in Starcrossed.

Final thoughts:

I’m glad I read it, but I wish I had read it when I was younger and I wanted stories to tie up neatly.  I feel like I’ve either read this book or seen the movie because the plot was VERY predictable, but Alex’s hotness and the tenderness Brittany feels for her sister made this book worth reading, and I would recommend it to mature middle (there is actual SEX) / high school readers looking for a romantic story about love overcoming circumstances.  Three stars.

Book trailer:

I'm glad I didn't watch this book trailer until after I read the book... BUT THEN AGAIN, my middle schoolers would love this trailer and would be fighting over the book.  SO if you are under the age of 15, watch the trailer.  Over 15, just read the book.

Review of Illegal by Bettina Restrepo

Released in March 2011, Illegal is the story of a fourteen year old Mexican girl's struggle to hold on to her life, which is crumbling before her eyes.  Her family's orchard is slowly being destroyed by drought and pests, and her town is drying up- everyone is moving on to find a better life.  No people in the town means no customers to sell their fruit to, and Nora's father leaves for the United States to try to make enough money to save their home.

For awhile, things are okay, but when months go by without any word from her father, Nora's family is out of money and out of hope.  She and her mother decide to illegally journey into Texas (made even more dangerous because they are two women traveling alone).  After a frightening border crossing experience, Nora and her mother find themselves in Houston with little English, little money, and no idea where to start looking for her father.

This story chronicles Nora's desperate desire to survive, her perseverance, and her friendly nature.  Although it deals with heartbreaking issues, the rich and well-developed characters bring light and a constant sense of hope into the story.

I give this book 4 stars, and I would recommend it primarily for middle/high school readers.  It is an excellent piece of anti-oppression literature, very eye-opening but also purely enjoyable.  The ending made me cry, but I was left with a sense of encouragement and an appreciation for Nora's indomitable spirit.

Review- The Dreamkeepers by Gloria Ladson-Billings

Published in 1994, 2nd ed, 2009

I read this book for my Literacy class, and I can honestly say that I enjoyed it greatly.  The book is an ethnographic study of eight teachers who were respected in the community for being successful teachers of African American children.  Instead of viewing African American children as problems in schools, Dr. Ladson-Billings wants to highlight teachers who are able to bring their students to rise above the status quo and achieve high proficiency.  Major themes of this book are respect, community, and culturally relevant pedagogy.

I rate this book 5 stars and recommend it to anyone who works with children/teens.  I learned a lot and am newly inspired to be a better teacher.