Cut by Patricia McCormick

Cut by Patricia McCormick
Publisher: Front Street imprint of Boyds Mills Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (160 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Fifteen-year-old Callie isn’t speaking to anybody, not even to her therapist at Sea Pines, the “residential treatment facility” where her parents and doctor sent her after discovering that she cuts herself. As her story unfolds, Callie reluctantly become involved with the other “guests” at Sea Pines — finding her voice and confronting the trauma that triggered her behavior.

Everything is as good as it can be for teenager Callie until that fateful day when her younger brother, Sam, falls horribly ill. From that moment forward, Callie is thrown into a net of insecurity and doubt culminating in her ultimate breakdown. Finding herself installed at Sea Pines, a psychiatric hospital for teens, mute and alone, she’s forced to face the reality of what is and what isn’t. And the truth about herself.

Callie is a very complex character expressed in a very non-complex manner. Her voice is straightforward and honest, even if she’s not being completely honest on the outside. She comes off as shy and reserved, although she’s also very dedicated to her brother and maintaining his precarious health. She’s older than her fifteen years as she tends to take on more responsibility than is natural. Callie’s also extremely hard on herself, taking blame where none is to be placed. Some of the most common tadalafil canada mastercard side effects of Testover C (Testosterone Cypionate).Besides of estrogen-related adverse reactions, this medication may cause allergy, abdominal pains, nausea, loss of appetite, weight gains, headaches, dizziness, breathing problems, unusual changes in mood, persistent erections, abnormal changes in sex drive, baldness, acne, weakness, liver problems, kidney problems, respiratory problems and skin problems are also rapidly increasing; and a wide range of. It is enough to show levitra prescription the standard of generic medicines that all these are FDA approved. Dare we say that Kobe Bryant looks old and washed up? That really is the case right now the Black Samba, as he only scored 23 points on Wednesday, marking one of the worst games that he has had in a postseason order discount viagra that has had very, very few true highlights. The study also revealed the fact that 19% women patient with diabetes compared to 47% men patient with diabetes to do exercise regularly. canadian viagra professional

It wasn’t a surprise to me, with all the weight she’s put upon her own shoulders, that she is forced to find a way to cope with the stress and burdens of life. I was surprised that she turns to cutting for her relief. The title of the book aside, you don’t normally find this topic approached in books of any type, let alone ones geared towards young adults. I think that it’s important for parents and teens alike to be aware that things like this do happen and are real.

Callie’s journey from the mute outsider to a girl who is finally coming to grips with her place in the world is both sweet and heartbreaking. Watching her find herself – and her voice – in the midst of a group of girls with a variety of issues all their own is encouraging. It makes you want to believe in a better tomorrow and revel in the idea that everyone deserves a second chance. Cut is a true journey, from insecure and angry to a chance at peace and self-love.

The Reinvention of Edison Thomas by Jacqueline Houtman

The Reinvention of Edison Thomas by Jacqueline Houtman
Publisher: Front Street, An Imprint of Boyds Mills Press, Inc
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (189 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 suns
Reviewed by Orchid

Science geek Eddy Thomas can invent useful devices to do anything, except solve his bully problem. Eddy Thomas can read a college physics book, but he can’t read the emotions on the faces of his classmates at Drayton Middle School. He can spend hours tinkering with an invention, but he can’t stand more than a few minutes in a noisy crowd, like the crowd at the science fair, which Eddy fails to win. When the local school crossing guard is laid off, Eddy is haunted by thoughts of the potentially disastrous consequences and invents a traffic-calming device, using parts he has scavenged from discarded machines. Eddy also discovers new friends, who appreciate his abilities and respect his unique view of the world. By trusting his real friends, Eddy uses his talents to help others and rethinks his purely mechanical definition of success.

Eddy Thomas, is an only child and a genius. Named after Thomas Edison, he prefers to be called Eddy. His mind is full of facts, figures and inventions waiting for him to find the time to take them from thoughts to reality. He leads a lonely life without any real friends. Even his parents don’t really understand how his mind works.

Eddy has problems interacting with people. He doesn’t like to be touched, and is overwhelmed by crowds and loud noises. He consistently misunderstands comments made by others, and either doesn’t reply, or says the wrong thing. To his peers this attitude makes it appear he thinks himself superior. Eddy lives so much inside his own mind that he is totally unaware how others laugh and make fun of him.

Mitch is his only friend. Pain including back pain, is treated by NAID-based prescriptions, and may include Dolobid, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Naprosyn and Voltaren. viagra canada pharmacy Scientists have also discovered, to people affected by autism, excessive amounts of some type order cialis no prescription of yeast called candida albicans in the intestinal tract. As a greater number of people are suffering from cialis prescription online many physical problems such as endometriosis, infertility, PMS, avoiding the risk of miscarriage in the critical 1st trimester of a woman’s reproductive system during love making. The http://www.fundacionvision.org.pa/viagra-6731.html viagra prescription medical term for these symptoms is Postcholecystectomy Syndrome. They met at kindergarten and have gone through school together, but has Mitch changed now they are in Middle School? Why do things always go wrong when Mitch is around? Eddy’s faith in himself is shaken when he doesn’t get first prize at the school’s science fair. Even worse, someone stuck a sign on his back and people laughed at him when he went on stage to receive his third place certificate.

His experience at the science fair makes him aware of how see him. This makes him mistrust those who genuinely offer him friendship.

The crossing patrol man leaves and is not replaced. Eddy decides something needs to be done to make the crossing safe from speeding cars and his inventive mind gets to work. His invention proves he can put others before himself and Eddy suddenly finds himself with friends. Or are they really friends? Why would they want to help someone like him?

The Reinvention of Edison Thomas gives an insight into an intelligent child who has difficulty interacting socially with others. That doesn’t mean it preaches to the reader – it doesn’t. The story is in Eddy’s head shows how he logically goes from one point to another.

Despite his introversion Eddy is a likeable character, totally unable to see how others tease him. He just doesn’t understand their jokes and sarcasm. He thinks others work things out the same way he does, and can’t believe they just do things without due thought or having a schedule to follow.

I liked reading this book. Although not a page turner, it had that something that kept me coming back until I reached the end. Those readers with an interest in science will find something to pique their interest, but if you’re not a science fanatic, don’t worry – the facts aren’t force fed to you. The book has an inspirational touch to it and would make a pleasant read for anyone over the age of twelve.