One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones

1. Bibliography
Sones, Sonya. 2004. ONE OF THOSE HIDEOUS BOOKS WHERE THE MOTHER DIES.  New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division. ISBN 0689858205.

2. Plot Summary
This book is narrated by the protagonist, a fifteen-year-old girl named Ruby Miliken whose mother has just died and she is forced to move across the country to live with her estranged father who is a well-respected movie star. Throughout the book, Ruby describes her experiences of missing her deceased mother and her friends and aunt she left behind, adjusting to the Hollywood lifestyle, and dealing with a father that she hates.

3. Critical Analysis
This book flowed very well in language and tone. What readers may generally sense from reading this book is a feeling that Ruby is having a one-to-one conversation with them. Overall, it contains elements of life and struggle that many may have experienced in life: death of a loved one, drastic change, adjustment to drastic change, infatuation, heartbreak, homesickness, anger, resentment, forgiveness, and acceptance. There is something that Ruby projects in her story that everyone can relate to which makes this verse novel a great read.  What should also be noted about this book is the fact that it is a fast read. That is a major advantage for the young adult readers of today who would much rather utilize the latest technological gadget than read a book. It definitely holds readers' attention while taking them on a journey through Ruby's experiences as she grows and learns from every life situation that she faces.

4. Review Excerpts
Amazon.com Review-"She [Sonya Sones] has the good sense to avoid the platitudes of the tearjerker, focusing not on the melodrama of death but on the grieving process of a feisty teen--sometimes even with humor."
School Library Journal-"Despite several predictable particulars of plot, Ruby's story is gripping, enjoyable, and memorable."

5. Connections
An activity that readers (grades 7 and up) may engage in after reading this book is create a journal or diary written in the same verse format as One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies to communicate their thoughts and experiences in their own language and choice of words.

Other great verse novels written by Sonya Sones include:

• Sones, Sonya. WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN'T KNOW. ISBN 0689855532.
• Sones, Sonya. STOP PRETENDING: WHAT HAPPENED WHEN MY BIG SISTER WENT CRAZY. ISBN 0064462188.
• Sones, Sonya. WHAT MY GIRLFRIEND DOESN'T KNOW. ISBN 0689876033.

Hopscotch Love by Nikki Grimes

1. Bibliography
Grimes, Nikki. 1999. HOPSCOTCH LOVE. by Melodye Rosales. New York, NY: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books. ISBN 0688156673.

2. Plot Summary
This book is a collection of poems about love and their different forms: puppy love, romantic love, neighborly love, and love between family members.

3. Critical Analysis
The poems in this book illustrate love from an African-American point-of-view. In this book, the reader will see many aspects of love like heartbreak ("Hopscotch Love"), infatuation ("Sweet Tooth" and "Why I Hate Jamel"), compassion ("Uncle Willis"), and kindness ("Mr. Lester). The language in this book is very easy and understandable for its targeted audience--preteens (6th grade and up). This book of poems does not seem to possess any intellectual or educational value, but it does harbor much emotional value. Its tone and colorful illustrations make it a good book for those wanting to read it for recreation or to give to someone as a gift.

4. Review Excerpt
School Library Journal- "This small treasury will lift readers' spirits and touch their hearts."

5. Connections
After reading these poems, young readers (grades 6 and up) may be encouraged to write similar poems about their own feelings regarding different types of love.


Other great works written by Nikki Grimes include:

• Grimes, Nikki. BRONX MASQUERADE. ISBN 0756929326.
• Grimes, Nikki. GIRL NAMED MISTER, A. ISBN 0310723132.
• Grimes, Nikki. JAZMIN'S NOTEBOOK. ISBN 0141307021.