2 posts tagged “contemporary”
At Miss Oliver’s School for Girls everything stayed the same. That is until the Board fired Marjorie Boyd their beloved headmistress. Unfortunately, she was ill-equipped as a financial manager to run Miss Oliver’s. So, the Board decided to bring in someone else. The next headmaster, Mr. Kindler, tackles the inadequately managed budget and faces the turbulent environment of Miss Oliver’s. Stephen Davenport writes Saving Miss Oliver’s: A Novel of Leadership, Loyalty, and Change in the spirit of intended for anyone who has experienced adolescence, high school, and education.
When Mr. Kindler arrives at Miss Oliver’s, only three options remain for the school. Recruit more girls, Enroll boys, or close Miss Oliver’s for good. Davenport writes from the perspectives of students, teachers, trustees, administrative staff, and parents. Throughout the book, twists and turns, some victories and disappointments occur.
The sense that an educational institution is immune from all outside problems is immediately lifted. As in any environment, Davenport also illustrates the inter-politicking between faculty and administration. Carefully crafted characters, each with their own set of dilemmas move the reader. A private school or not, high school is a difficult time for teenagers.
But, most probably most important about Miss Oliver’s is the reader identifies with the characters quite quickly the urgency of the situation. Davenport’s talent is in his ability to create an emotional bond between the reader and the characters. This book is a genuine read.
reviewed by: Mona Lisa Safai
In the wake of the Fifth Anniversary September 11th, 2001 Nicholas Sparks graces his audience with his latest novel about romance, friendship, loss, loyalty, and explores the depths of how far people will go for love. In Dear John, two lives meet and are forever altered. Their happiness is jeopardized with the invasion of a cruel war, uncontrollable circumstances, and the reality of long term separation.
Young rebellious John Tyree meets sweet, good hearted Savannah Lynn Curtis, his life changes for the better. He knows she is the one for him. He wishes he had not enlisted in the army so quickly after high school. Instead, he wants to settle down with Savannah. Then September 11th happens?
While in Iraq, Savannah sends him a “Dear John” letter. After John returns, he must come to terms with Savannah. While his feelings remain unchanged, circumstances have. After serving his country, coming home, and finding Savannah, John is left with a decision to make. Throughout the novel, Sparks vicariously asks “What does it mean to truly love another?” and “What does true love really mean”?
Sparks writes Dear John passionately, honestly, and with an undertone of sadness. Within the context of September 11th, he carefully constructs a soldier’s tale. He writes apolitically; without dogma. Two lives once intersected then changed by the destruction of war. Sparks intertwines romance, joy, emotion, and loss into a world which we are all uncertain but willing to brave in the hopes that love may reach us someday.
reviewed by: Mona Lisa Safai
