Flashback Friday -best book I read in 2012

As a high school librarian, I read several young adult fiction books each year.  Last year I read through a list of books highly recommended by the experts - teens themselves.

  

I am doing Flashback Friday a little differently this week to share my opinions on these books.

I enjoyed Divergent by Veronica Roth so much that I read the follow-up, Insurgent.  If you liked The Hunger Games trilogy, you will like this dystopian novel set in a futuristic Chicago were people are divided into factions based on an aptitude test everyone takes at the age of 16.  The factions are based on personality/identity such as those who have daring personalities, or those born with a heart to serve.  I am anxiously awaiting the third book in this trilogy.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs takes the reader on a quirky and creative adventure and is a fun read.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green was my favorite read from the list, though no library patron has complained that they didn't like any of these three choices.  In The Fault in Our Stars, teenagers Hazel and August meet in a cancer support group.  Hazel and August are such witty and fun characters.  You may not want to read this one in the waiting room at the dentist office as you are likely to giggle uncontrollably and shed a few tears.  I do have to caution readers that I think teens and adults will love this book, but it is for mature readers, so juniors and seniors are the best audience for this book.

I will warn you that Green does a very good job of portraying the ups and downs of cancer.  While no student has complained about this book, a teacher hated being wrenched around that way. When I stated that cancer works that way, he remarked that he has never been close to anyone with cancer and did not realize this.

Check out the author's website.  He and his brother are pretty funny guys.

http://johngreenbooks.com

Flashback Friday - 2012 -A Year in Review

January 2012

We started the year by welcoming a new dog.  Jules was my mom's beloved dog and was not doing well at my Dad's house.  We decided to give it a go and try make things better for her here.  Dad insisted on a no return policy.  Jules is still here and she does much better now, but we are still struggling with potty training.  Her obstinance in this area means that we confine her to a small area of the house where there are only hard floors, and this means she does not get as much affection as she should.

2012 started the Chinese year of the dragon, and we celebrated with a dragon cake.

February 2012

In February, I found a good read with 1000 Gifts and prepared to start my own joy journal.

Wyatt and Julia both attended school dances with Andy.  For some reason I can't get my hands on Wyatt's pictures right now.

March 2012

I officially started my own joy dare, and March roared in with tornadoes all around us and so much heartache and damage.  

Loss visited friends, and we made too many funeral home visits.

Some of my moments of gratitude included:

5. organization of Wyatt's life book from China

8. courage in action at Julia's talent show when a third grader messed up and could not recover her act.  She left the stage but returned to cheers and encouragement from the crowd and did a fabulous job.

9. a beautiful blanket of snow

32,34,62, 81, 90 great friends - Lynne, Trae,  Flo, Nikki, Curt, Nancy, Kaye, Alice, Terri, Kathy, Beth, Kathleen, Lori, and Allie

36. a reminder that God is always for me even when I am not for myself.

40. beautiful enough day to bring out the flip flops

87. welcomed Piper Joy 

April 2012

Savannah turned 14.

We met a family who traveled with us to China when we went to adopt Julia and enjoyed a great day at the zoo.

I started catching on to the fact that my best pictures of the 4 kids together happen in zoos..things that make you say hmmm.

 more gratitude

111. spring break

113. witnessing the baptism of a child for whom I prayed before her birth

118. hope in the midst of unbelievable sorrow when a teenager is taken from her parents

120. more great friends - Alicia, Jeff, Jonathan, Cheri, Mary Jo, and Rob

168.  Andy - my best friend

178. Simon Mbevy - prayer is meant to be fun

181. If you can accomplish your vision without outside help, it is too small. -Simon Mbevy

May 2012

Zach got his first job.

Savannah received a $500 scholarship for high school which affirmed a much prayed about decision.

We welcomed our new nephew Ira.

196. everything-but-the-kitchen-sink sundaes to celebrate a day off school

202. five giggly girls had a fun afternoon at our house

207. kind strangers at Wal-mart when we ran out to get a bandage for Zach's injured hand

221. Savannah's narrative describing how glad she is to have Zach for a brother.

226. adoption picnic with 45 countries represented

242. Wyatt used his own money to buy me a small package of Lindor Truffles and told me he loves me  so much.

June 2012

Julia turned 8.

We spent Father's Day at a great amusement park.

 We celebrated Gotcha Day X2.

253. dinner date with Wyatt

255. pool time with more great friends - Andrew, Susan, Teresa, and Steve

261. Summer!!

262. a friend like family -Shelley

270. Regan's dance moves

277. enjoying s'mores around the fire pit

281. Isaiah 58:10-11

285. Andy and Zach to Bible and Beach

297. jewelry party to help friends afford adoption

299. VBS for Wyatt and Julia

July 2012

Freedom!

Andy's birthday

Julia finally got to try riding lessons.

We visited the beach.

I loved scrapbooking again- even if only for a page.

Wyatt and Julia enjoyed church camp.

328. ran 4 days in a row

339. my generous dad

347. Hershey's nuggets

349. great message on FB regarding Zach - parents love him

361. Tessa and John engagement

367. hours spent in awesome ocean water

385. great ride to camp with a friend -Stacy

388. time spent with Savannah getting ready for field hockey camp

397. 19 years of marriage to my best friend

August 2012

We loved watching women's gymnastics and especially Gabby Douglas!

We were reminded that Julia seems to be a gymnast.

Everyone returned to school...some earlier than others.

Julia found a blue ribbon on the art she submitted to the state fair.

We found that frozen yogurt soothes heartache and makes a celebration more fun.

421. my birthday
427. wisdom from Simon Mbevy - We need God badly, not just as a spare tire.
428. Kenya is praying for America
436.  He says it about 365 times in the Bible- one for every day of the year.  "Do not be afraid."
440. Zach got his license!
442. "I love my sister.  She is the sweetest girl in the world." - Zach to a classmate

September 2012

Wyatt had a great soccer season and fell in love with the game.

 three amigos

Field hockey and football resumed, so we stayed busy.

I had a great time with Wyatt's class on a field trip.

482. my mother-in-law drove into town to take Julia to an event

485. God provides!

494. great friends and dinner companions - Trish, James, Mary Lynn, and Carlton

499. the smell of new wood in my home

October 2012

Per tradition, I had lots of fun taking fall pictures of the kids.

Love these two!! Awesome kids!

an amusement park adventure

The road from 16 to 17 is full of firsts - first job, driver's license, and first car.

How can he already be 17?  He's becoming an awesome young man!

513.  Wyatt declares the day blessed!

520. the promise that if we pray, God will heal our land.

November 2012

Zach receives his class ring!

John and Tessa marry.

my middles remain close and clean up alright, don't ya think?

Spectacular season for Zach!  Hoping for the ability to continue what he loves in college.

535. the freedom to vote

540. Savannah's moment of truth.  When we adopted Julia, she realized that she wants a God who pursues the forgotten.

541. Bob Russell's blog - always encouraging when I am discouraged

543. 3 pairs of shoes for $55

548. my big family

553. Wii game night with most of the family

563. nobody can steal your joy unless you hand it over - Ann Voskamp

December 2012

football banquet

cheerleading

Christmas music - Why does it all come to a stop on December 26th?

soccer

beauty

568. online shopping

570. Christmas - hope in the form of a Savior who came to identify with us

572. pictures of family and friends shared on Facebook

579. laughing harder than I have in ages with my family

583. lamb over me= righteousness

Clearly, I did not meet the joy dare goal counting 1000 things for which I can be thankful in one year.  However, we have started a new year, and I continue to count.  

Hoping for many blessings for all of us and all of you in 2013!