The Graveyard Book

by Neil Gaiman

I was warned to get past the first four pages before giving up. It did have a rather dark beginning. In my taste, too dark for young-adolescent readers.
Bod, Nobody Owens a young man raised by...ghost, and other haunts in a graveyard. The little subtle sociological references were interesting. Such as a little detail about appropriately addressing someone, depending on the  time period they were from. Illustrating maturity by who Bod interacted with.

I ended the book with a deeper understanding that my taste is not for Fantasy. Yet, I can see how it won a Newbery Award.

Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt

It was hard for me to get into the book. It was an easy read. I liked the first person style. It reminds me to consider the emotions of feelings of another before reacting to their behavior.

I liked the aunt right off. I did no like the response when Chris and another boy held Julie down for Danny to kiss her. Boys being boys, and "it's a man's world." As if women / girls have no rights. My current job may also play a bias into the situation. If I remember right Aunt Cordelia did apologize for her initial reaction.

My favorite part...was when Julie commented that anyone who didn't like Jane Austin was immature.

Over all, I liked the book. It is a reminder that not only life shapes us, but our choices, and how we feel about ourselves.