Rodrigo Batata Reis Batata Reis itibaren Texas itibaren Texas

Throughout my previous Pacific War reading, I had encountered bits and pieces of the USS Franklin's story. The carrier, its crew, and the airmen who took the air from its decks were similar to many other fleet craft in the Pacific during World War II. That is, until tragedy struck "Big Ben" and transformed the massive ship into the scene of one of the most riveting stories of the entire war. Joseph Springer does an wonderful job setting up the story of the Franklin, before letting those who were there tell it. With dozens of interviews from surviving veterans aboard the Franklin, the life-and-death struggle for survival amidst the burning ship comes so vividly to mind. Reading the accounts from these scarred survivors transports you back in time to the fateful day when the rogue Japanese pilot took aim on the Franklin, dropping two armor-piercing bombs perfectly through the ships deck, killing hundreds instantly and setting off a series of explosions and fires that would kill hundreds more and nearly take the ship to the bottom of the ocean. What follows is an edge-of-your-seat account of heroism, betrayal, selflessness, and determination. It truly is one of those stories that can bring a tear to the eye and lift the spirit at the same time.

she is such a good writer; the ending petered out a little...

SO CUTE I LOVED IT

The coming of age story of a young Latina woman growing up in a Chicago neighborhood. Each of the 44 short vignettes contains Esperanza's thoughts and feelings of her life on Mango Street. Cisneros writing is simple and poetic.

I wanted to love this book (mostly b/c SJP stars in the movie). The main character was cartoonish and everything about her life was over-the-top and unrealistic. Or maybe I am too much of a slacker to imagine working like that ;->!