Casey Scieszka

Calling it at page 99.

This book isn't terrible, but it's not doing anything for me. Casey Scieszka is clearly very pleased with herself -- and okay, she has reason to be -- but I don't feel any desire to play audience to this mammoth ego self-stroke-fest.

I like the drawings, but not as much as I dislike the privilege (privilegeprivilegeprivilege) and the narrow world-view of our narrator, or the idea that these kids are qualified to teach anyone anything.

Not sure who this one is intended show more for... besides Casey Scieszka.

Edit: After seeing the author and illustrator of this book speak in public, I am knocking this down to one star. Yuck. show less

I loved the premise and the idea of exploring the life of someone who has lived 200 years and is tired of it. The reading experience was good (I loved the writing) but I’m ultimately distracted on how the theme was handled and on how it ends.

An illustrated travelogue about a newly graduated couple's adventures in Asia and Africa, as they live together for the first time. I loved hearing about the different places where they lived and visited, and the cultural differences they encountered. The narration is upbeat, and the lively charcoal illustrations suit it. At times it felt like the brief, diplomatic letters you might send home for family and friends to read. But you do get to hear about real challenges they face as a new show more couple and as foreigners. Overall a good, enjoyable read--especially if you're a travel fiend, like me. (I do wish it had been edited a little better--I found too many errors.) show less

Casey and Steven were college students at opposite ends of the country, one in California and one in Maine. Yet, they happened to meet in Morocco during a study abroad trip. And they decided to keep in touch...and then they decided to move to China and teach English and then head out across the world together. Crazy where the world and life takes you huh? While traveling they fall in love with each other even more, find out about life and the world, and maybe make a few friends along the way show more (even if they don't speak the local language.) Most importantly...they have fun.

Casey and Steven have an amazing story. And yes you hear that all the time, but how often do you find two young people that know what they want to do, go out and do it, and make the world a better place? (OK maybe a few times, but still...) Casey and Steven let us in on their journey with Casey writing journal entries/travel monologues and Steven adding charcoal sketches to accompany the words and share with us pictures of themselves, sights they saw, or just the people they met. It's one of those books that you pick up and you start reading and then keep going to see what happens and find out where they headed too next. Casey and Steven make us feel like we're there with them, meeting the people that they are. Even better they inspire the reader with the right way to not only travel, but to look at the world around them with new eyes.

I highly recommend this book and it deserves to be the first book every graduate gets, whether from high school or college, so that they may too take a look at the world in a new way. show less