In My Mailbox

We're down to the last days of our Color Online Summer Book Drive. Thanks to all of you who blogged, donated and those who wanted to give but couldn't. We appreciate your support. In My mailbox is hosted each week by Kristi at The Story Siren and Marcia hosts Mailbox Monday. With all the mail I won't be borrowing too much from my local library, but I will be reading books from our library and those titles I'll list for my Library Loot, a meme hosted by Eva at A Striped Armchair. From our library:

Mare's War by Tanita S. Davis. I've have been waiting for this. Was thrilled when it came in. I'm about half way through and loving it. The story alternates between Mare, the eccentric, cool grandmother who served in the Women's Army Corp during War World II and her granddaughters, Tali and Octavia. The exchanges between these generations are funny and so relatable. My grandmother would have been Mare's age and like Mare, Ernie had big, Auburn hair. My grandmother was a hot mess. I couldn't have chosen a better time to read this. Thanks, Tanita.

The Color Of Earth by Kim Dong Hwa
Synopsis
Ehwa grows up helping her widowed mother run the local tavern, watching as their customers – both neighbors and strangers – look down on her mother for her single lifestyle. Their social status isolates Ehwa and her mother from the rest of the people in their quiet country village. But as she gets older and sees her mother fall in love again, Ehwa slowly begins to open up to the possibility of love in her life.
I'm looking forward to this graphic novel. The cover art is stunning. I am really enjoy the graphic novel format.
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Synopsis
Clay Jenkins returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers 13 cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Bakerhis classmate and crushwho committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, hell find out how he made the list. Through Hannah and Clays dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

In the Mail:
Pemba's Song by Marilyn Nelson
Synopsis
Pemba knows she's not crazy. But who is that looking out at her through her mirror's eye? And why is the apparition calling her "friend"? Her real friends are back home in Brooklyn, not in the old colonial house in Colchester, Connecticut, where none of this would have happened if Daddy were still alive. But now all Pemba has is Mom and that strange old man, Abraham. Maybe he's the crazy one.
I had the good fortune to hear Ms. Nelson read her poetry at an authors series hosted every year at a local college. If her fiction is like her poetry, this will be one fine read. She is talented and a very considerate person.

White Bread Competition by Jo Ann Hernandez
Publisher's Comments
When Luz, a ninth-grade Latina student in San Antonio, wins a spelling competition, her success triggers a variety of emotions among family, friends, and the broader community.
I connected with Jo Ann through Twitter. She is a powerhouse. Dynamic, community-minded and a committed advocated for writers of color. I'm looking forward to reading this award winner.

Shortie Like Mine by Ni-Ni Simone According to Edi at Crazy Quilt, Ms. Simone is hip, urban and weaves teen drama that is entertaining without being crass. Our first copy walked before it could collect any dust. I'm hoping I get to read this one. We received another Simone title in the mail, too. I tell you about after I finish this one.
Sixteen year-old, Seven McKnight may be the thickest one in her clique, but she is fierce, fly and fabulous. She has the biggest crush on the school's star basketball player, Josiah Whitaker, who is fine as wine. The only problem is he is with her girl, Deeyah. When Deeyah plays Josiah and his worst enemy against each other, it leaves Seven thinking it is time to make her move. ~L. Romich