Lunch with Lenin and Other Stories by Deborah Ellis
After discovering Deborah Ellis after reading The Breadwinner series, I soon realized that I wanted to read everything that she’s written. I’ve got a ways to go. This prolific author has more than a dozen books under her belt. Lunch with Lenin and Other Stories is one of her newest books published this past fall.
Like the title suggests, Lunch with Lenin, is an anthology of ten short stories connected by how the lives of teens are affected directory or indirectly by drugs. It’s a worldwide problem and as such Ellis takes us from the Philippines, where young Ramon is just trying to take care of his mother and siblings, to Afghanistan, where for Tahmina, harvesting opium is their families only livelihood, to the United States where a babysitter must protect the children from their with out of control alcoholic parents. The stories are engaging and thought provoking but not preachy. Ellis just presents the facts as they are and leaves us to ponder upon the choices that each character has made.
Deborah Ellis has proven yet again that she’s a writer for young readers who can always be relied upon to give us stories where are attention is most needed. Deborah Ellis’ page on the Fitzhenry and Whiteside site. Other books I’ve reviewed by Deborah Ellis: The Breadwinner, Parvana’s Journey, Mud City (a series), and The Heaven Shop.
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Category: Book Reviews, Fiction, Middle Readers
Tags: Afghanistan, drugs, E-H Author, I-L Title, published 2008, review copy, short stories
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Another Utah book blogger here…although I can’t say that I really “got” the nuances to book blogging until this year. Now I’m a bit in love with it, and the entire book blogging world.
Just thought I’d say hi!
on March 31st, 2009 at 10:55 amThis sounds interesting! I have to admit that short story collections do not always work that well for me, but I do read them once in a while. I have to make sure to add this to the list for one such moment!
on March 31st, 2009 at 12:22 pmWow. I’ve never read this author before but I need to read this book! Her others look good too but have managed to slide underneath my radar. It was fun to read your old reviews–I think your style has changed quite a bit in the past year.
on March 31st, 2009 at 7:50 pmIt sounds interesting. I will agree with kailana that short story collections are not much my thing. I think the last one I read was “Prom Nights from Hell”. It ended up being like paranormal prom stories. It was weird. This sounds a bit different from that though.
on March 31st, 2009 at 8:13 pmI love Deborah Ellis just through her Parvana series. I introduced this series to a group of fifth graders this year through a book club. Normally this would not have been a book of their choice but they loved it! She impresses me so much as an author who is out there doing something to change the world!
on March 31st, 2009 at 8:59 pmmjmbecky – Cool! I’m going to email you! You need to join our Utah Book Bloggers group. I’ll send you details. Glad you stopped by.
Kailana – I think short stories work for younger readers who sometimes have a harder time getting through longer books.
Ali – I haven’t read my old reviews in a really long time! Interesting that you think I’ve changed. If anything I’m more laid back and comfortable now. Definitely read this author particularly The Breadwinner series. I really liked them.
amy BTW M – Paranormal prom stories? I don’t think I could do it.
Michelle – That’s what I particularly love about this author, she’s such a humanitarian. Glad the girls loved it!
on April 1st, 2009 at 8:43 amYep, that’s the main difference–your older reviews are just as good, but your personality shines through more in the newer ones.
on April 1st, 2009 at 12:17 pmThis looks great, Natasha. Very interesting. I like that it is not preachy.
on April 12th, 2009 at 11:56 pm