JANE EYRE: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL

Author:  Amy Corzine, Charlotte Bronte

Genre:  YA Graphic Novel, Standalone

Published:  2009

Personal Rating:  3.5/5 (good)  

Format:  Book

Yearly Count:  59  

After the deaths of her parents, Jane Eyre is taken in by her Aunt and Uncle.  Her life changes again after the death of her Uncle, but she is a determined child and forges ahead.  Jane's story of love and loss continues through her childhood and into her adulthood.

This book was a very peculiar choice for me.  First, I listened to the audio version of Jane Eyre approximately 10 years ago when I was attempting to broaden my horizons by reading/listening to classics.  At the time, I thought it was just okay.  No surprise there.  In general, I'm not a fan of classics.  Second, I'm not a re-reader, so I was surprised that I even entertained the idea of picking this one up in the first place.  Technically, I didn't reread it (listened the first time), but I do not like to read or listen to something that I already know what's going to happen.  Third, I've been searching for more graphic novels that would appeal to me when I saw it on Stacy's blog post (link below).  I was curious as to how the audio version would compare to the graphic novel, and I was pleasantly surprised.  I didn't even mind (well, not very much anyway) reading about what I already knew.  So, all in all, I had a good experience with Jane Eyre:  The Graphic Novel.

*Recommended By:  Stacy from Stacy's Books.     

SPIRIT WHISPERERS

Author: Chick Moorman

Genre: Non-Fiction, Standalone

Published: 2001

Personal Rating: 5/5 (absolutely outstanding)

Yearly Count: 71

Subtitled: Teachers Who Nourish a Child's Spirit

Educators are encouraged to become "spirit whisperers." Spirit whisperers are people that gently, but purposefully help students blossom into responsible adults through the most minute to major situations. Through their specific guiding and teaching, students learn to make their own decisions and accept their consequences.

I love this book (reread). It has a wealth of wise advice and reasons to back it - every educator should be required to read it. Not everybody will "buy into it," but it would be very difficult to not take something positive from it.