Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

Hi guys! Okay, I have been majorly slacking. I actually finished this book literally two weeks ago, and I have never blogged about it. I have been in a mild reading slump which doesn't help the situation. So the eighteenth book is Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith. This novel really does send a women empowering feeling, which I kind of like. However, the novel wasn't that exciting. I didn't rush home to finish it, I would watch TV, do my homework, go on the internet, stare at the wall, and THEN I would pick this book up. The novel takes place in the 1940's when Pearl Harbor takes place. It's about a girl, Ida Mae, who absolutely loves flying airplanes. When her older brother is shipped off, she feels like she should be doing something more than collecting grease and silk stockings. One day, her younger brother brings her a news clipping advertising  the WASP or the Women Airforce Service Pilots. She is interviewed only thing is she fakes her true identity by claiming she is white. She is able to get away with this because her skin is lighter. The story takes the reader on Ida Mae's journey in trying to find her true self, and having the ability to achieve the respect women pilots were searching for during this time. 

About the Author:
Sherri L. Smith

• Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
• Flygirl started as a thesis project for her masters
• Lover of books

Awards/Nominations:

• Won the TAYSHAS High School Reading List Award in 2010

What to Expect in this Book: 

• Pearl Harbor
• Airplanes
• Women Airforce Service Pilots
• Issues because of race

Rating:

• Four out of five stars
• I ended up giving Flygirl a four out of five even though it really didn't jump out to me. I think the reason this got the fourth star was because I enjoyed how the book was centered in the 1940's during the war. That era just really interests me. 

Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger

Hi everyone! As summer is nearing, I have been busier than ever! The seventeenth book is Last Days of Summer by Steven Kluger. There are several reasons why I highly enjoyed this book. First, it's set in the time period of Hitler and the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Anything written during this time period is just really intriguing to me. Second, the novel is written in the form of letters mainly between a young boy and a famous baseball player who develop a friendship as time goes on. After awhile the letters extend to the baseball player's girlfriend as well as his best friend. Third, this is one of the first books that I have read that has kept me chuckling throughout the novel. The writing style is so just so pleasant...if that makes sense. Fourth, the ending. So unsuspecting. I recommend this to everyone who needs a suggestion for a book to read. 

About the Author:
Steve Kluger

• Novelist
• Playwright
• He enjoys dedicating his time to several different organizations:
• Lambda Legal
• GLSEN
• Models of Pride
• Also an uncle to his nieces and nephews

Awards/Nominations:

• Won the ALA Alex Award in 1999

What to Expect in this Book:

• Letters
• Baseball
• Baseball players
• War
• Friendship
• Amazing ending

Rating:

• Five out of five stars.
• It's a novel that will leave an impression. In my opinion, this novel deserves five out five because of its sentimentality throughout the whole book. This novel is so different from all the other books that are out now. Last Days of Summer is definitely worth your time.