Challenge 19: A Book You Were Supposed to Read in School But Didn't

Berlie Doherty, Street Child ( HarperCollins, 2009)

I have to confess that I cheated on this one.  There honestly isn't a single book from school that I was supposed to read, but didn't.  So I took advice from my friends who are parents, and this seemed like a great suggestion for a book that is being read in schools today.

Comments: 

Reading this book made me understand (even more than I did already) why this is a good theme for a reading challenge.  Books aimed at children are GOOD!  I really enjoyed this, and even thought it was clearly written for children there was enough sophistication to the language and storyline to satisfy any reader.  The only thing is that I ended up wanting to know more about Dr Barnardo!  But again, that's what makes it a great book for children, and for adults!

Thanks to all my friends who suggested this book!  Definitely a good suggestion.

Challenge 18: A Book With a Blue Cover

Rosalynn Carter, First Lady From Plains (University of Arkansas Press; 1994)

This has been sitting in my pile of books to read for at least two years, and it has a blue cover!  It seems like destiny!

Comments:

A wonderful, wonderful book that gives a fabulous insight into the life, personality, character and determination of a strong, inspirational, courageous and fascinating woman.  (Can you tell I'm a fan?!)  This made me laugh, when Mrs Carter was describing some of the ways they dealt with things that went unexpectedly wrong; it made me cry, particularly when she described visiting the refugee camps in Cambodia, and my heart absolutely ached for her, when she was talking about the way that Jimmy Carter was treated and the unfairness and injustice he often experienced.  It's clear that she took his defeat in 1980 much harder than he did, and the closing line "I don't like to lose," is poignant.  However, in the years since she wrote her memoir, the Carters have done so much that we now know that she didn't lose, and the Carters won in a far bigger way than anyone could ever have expected.  As well as providing a detailed insight into Mrs Carter, this shows what it's like behind the scenes in the White House.  It really is a treasure and I feel bad that it took me so long to read it.  Thank goodness it had a blue cover!!