Best Overlooked Book Battle 2011 - Winner!

 This year I participated in a very fun event! I got to be a round 2 judge for the Best Overlooked Book Battle 2011, run by the awesome Alyssa @ The Shady Glade! I was paired up with the very cool Jacob's Beloved Books!

In a span of about 2 weeks we had to read these 2 books...

 Angles in Pink: Kathleen's Story by Lurlene McDaniel
It’s the summer after sophomore year and Raina has convinced her best friends since the sixth grade, Kathleen and Holly, to spend their summer as “pink angels” in Parker-Sloan General Hospital’s summer volunteer program. Kathleen is reluctant to do it—she has enough responsibility at home caring for her sick mother. But when she meets Carson, a cute and flirty fellow volunteer, she is happy that she joined the program. Or, at least, she thinks she is. Carson’s “old friend” Stephanie keeps showing up at all the wrong times. And Kathleen’s mother keeps complaining that she needs Kathleen at home. But with friends Raina and Holly by her side and her Pink Angel t-shirt on her back, Kathleen is able to realize that helping others also allows you to help yourself.

Out Of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

Eleven-year-old Melody has a photographic memory. Her head is like a video camera that is always recording. Always. And there's no delete button. She's the smartest kid in her whole school—but no one knows it. Most people—her teachers and doctors included—don't think she's capable of learning, and up until recently her school days consisted of listening to the same preschool-level alphabet lessons again and again and again. If only she could speak up, if only she could tell people what she thinks and knows . . . but she can't, because Melody can't talk. She can't walk. She can't write.

Being stuck inside her head is making Melody go out of her mind—that is, until she discovers something that will allow her to speak for the first time ever. At last Melody has a voice . . . but not everyone around her is ready to hear it.

And the most definite winner is.... (it was an easy choice!)

Out of My Mind! 

While Angels in Pink was fun, romantic, and simple, it was nothing that special, and I know both myself and Rachel felt let down by the ending.  Either way, I still enjoyed the book... But then I picked up Out of My Mind, and it completely blew me away! It totally changes how you perceive physically disabled people. It gives you insight into Melody's head and let's you know her every thought. And her voice is so wise and witty, it's a definite winner!

I will eventually have full reviews of  both books up!

Thanks to everyone who had a hand in this super cool event! And be sure to check out Rachel's Blog to see her thoughts!

Chloe