On Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl

This is another review on a YA reading challenge in Read Philippines.

 

Photo from Paroxymal

"She was elusive. She was today. She was tomorrow. She was the faintest scent of a cactus flower, the flitting shadow of an elf owl. We did not know what to make of her. In our minds we tried to pin her to a cork board like a butterfly, but the pin merely went through and away she flew"

Synopsis: 
One Friday night, in answer to a hurried call from Kevin, Leo rushed to the football stadium where the school's football team was playing. The band was performing at half-time. Usually the band was not notable, but this night Stargirl was with them on the field. She was the center of everyone’s attention and remained so even after the band left the field. She stayed on the field as the players tried to resume the game. When a policeman came after her, she punted the ball and ran out of the stadium. Somehow, Stargirl’s actions and spirit ignited the fans’ spirit. 

On Paulo Coelho's Manuscript Found in Accra

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Thanks to a dear friend of mine that I was able to get hold and read this one-of-kind piece of Paulo Coelho. I have been curious about Paulo Coelho ever since a friend of mine from a youth community kept on talking about his best selling book "The Alchemist". 

SYNOPSIS:


The city of Accra awaits the invasion of the crusaders who have surrounded the gates. There, within the city walls, men and women of every age have gathered to hear the words of a mysterious man known only as the Copt. He has summoned the townspeople to address their fears with truth, hope and comfort. They begin with questions about defeat and struggle; they contemplate the virtues of loyalty and solitude; and they ultimately turn to questions of beauty, love, wisdom, and what the future holds. "What is success?" poses the Copt. "It is being able to go to bed each night with your soul at peace." * * * Now, centuries later, the manuscript containing the Copt's extraordinary insights on courage, solitude, loyalty and loss has been unearthed from a cave in Cairo. A Manuscript Found in Accra is a revelatory exploration of our most enduring and transcendental values, and a testimony to everyday wisdom.
-from Waterstone---

Kiera Cass' The Selection

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“Never judge a book by its cover”

This was the first thought that came out in my mind after reading the first two books of Kiera Cass’ The Selection Trilogy. To be honest, I am not the type of Bookworm who would buy a book covered with girl wearing superb gowns in purely red and blue colors. I don’t even know who Kiera Cass was until National Bookstore announced that she is coming and will be having a book signing in the Manila and Cebu. Curious, I researched her works and got kind of interested with the plot of The Selection. Of course, there were some negative reviews. I didn’t even understand why the character should be named America Singer in the first place. Weird.

Thinking that it would be cool to have a book signed by an author, I convinced my brother to line up there and have her signed the newly bought books. I wasn’t expecting him to do so but he did agree. He was more willing to line up there than go with me to an orphanage where we(a Catholic singles community) went to feed malnourished and sick kids. 

Anyways, enough with all the sidelines already because I’m going to review Kiera Cass’ The Selection and The Elite.

The Selection trilogy is a dystopian young adult story set 300 years in the future that evolves on America Singer, the main protagonist of the story. 

John Green's The Fault in our Stars

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I've been hearing a lot about this John Green piece for a while and I've seen this book in bookstores where I usually hang around but never got to get one for myself.

It wasn't until I stumbled upon Read Philippines that I got interested into reading The Fault in our Stars. The overview kind of intrigued me into reading. Also, it's actually a July Challenge in RP where members are to post their thoughts and reviews on the book and there will be one lucky winner.  

Here is the short summary:

"The story follows the main character, Hazel Grace Lancaster, as she battles cancer. Not only is Hazel trying to live the normal life of a 16-year-old girl, but she is also struggling with what it will be like for her parents after she dies. While Hazel attends a church support group for cancer survivors, she meets a boy that is one year older than her, Augustus Waters. While Augustus had a type of cancer that causes him to lose his leg and wear a prosthetic, it also has a survival rate that is much higher than Hazel's death sentence."

 -"excerpt from Bookrags"