Teen Book Diva

A Change of Name & Address

2007-04-27T15:36:00.000-04:00

Hey, everyone! I'm moving to a new blog address - getting it up and running right now. The new blog wil still contain lots of book review (hopefully a lot more than I've been writing lately, as my class is almost over!), but it will also contain more "2.0" Library and Lit goodies. Check it out here (and remember it's still a work in progress...)

http://highschoollibrary20.blogspot.com/

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

2007-04-23T14:52:00.000-04:00

American Born Chinese was on my list to read before it won the Printz Award, thanks to Michael Cart's presentation at this year's ISLMA conference. He raved about it, so, even though it didn't sound like something I'd pick up on my own, I wanted to read it. It took forever for our library copy to get here, however. Then some students wanted it, and I loaned to to a teacher who was just getting into graphic novels...and so on. Finally, on Friday, a snagged it for myself and took it home to read over the weekend.

It's actually three stories that seem to have no connection. One is the story of Jin Wang, and American born Chinese, who wants nothing more than to fit in. The second is the story of Danny and his cousin Chinkee, who is a glaringly offensive portrayal of the stereotyped image of a Chinese immigrant - pidgin grammar, silk pajamas, etc. Last is the story of the Monkey King and his desire to obtain a higher consciousness and thus no longer be a monkey.

At first I was nervous the story lines wouldn't tie together and I'd be left trying to puzzle out their meanings. I had nothing to worry about, however. Gene Luen Yang does an excellent job of bringing the stories together to illustrate what it feels like to be and outsider in two cultures.

What I'm Reading: The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti

On My Bookshelf: Queen of the Slayers; Buffy Season 8; Beastly by Alex Flinn

Pride of Baghdad by Brian K. Vaughan

2007-04-23T14:31:00.000-04:00

Pride of Baghdad was incredible on two levels: first as a graphic novel, second as an illustration of the situation in Iraq. The story is based on real events: a pride of four lions escapes from the Baghdad Zoo when the city is bombed by the Americans. Told from the lions' point of view, we see the planes flying over the zoo, experience their confusion at the explosions, and their sense of excitement and trepidation when the realize they've been freed. Teens who don't know very much about the war will still enjoy Pride of Baghdad for the story & the illustrations, while those who possess more knowledge of the war will pick up on the subtle analogies between the zoo animals and the situation in the Middle East.

What I'm reading: American Born Chinese by gene Luen Yang

On My Bookshelf: The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti; Queen of the Slayers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson

2007-04-12T14:17:00.000-04:00

CSI fans will like Ferguson's forensic mystery, the story of a girl whose father is the local coroner. Cameryn knows she wants to study forensics, so she talks her dad into maker her his assistant - a great way to get some real experience. The job gets interesting in a hurry when a high profile murder is committed in their little town - a town that hasn't seen a murder in Cameryn's lifetime. Cameryn's new job puts her right in the middle of the investigation, much to the chagrin of the medical examiner and her grandmother.

There are enough twists & turns in The Christopher Killer to make it a good mystery, and the forensic details may appeal to those who aren't fans of typical mysteries. Less gory than CSI (maybe - depends on how good your imagination is) but definately more detailed than the average mystery, The Christopher Killer is the first in a new series that is recieving acclaim from authors & forensics experts both.

I couldn't put this one down until I was done, and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, Angel of Death, which is already out. The mystery kept me guessing for most of the book, and I enjoyed the exploration of Cameryn's relationship with her family. The family dynamics are what will make me, and other readers, rush to pick up the next book.

What I'm Reading: The Audacity of Hope by Barrack Obama

On My Bookshelf: Beastly by Alex Flinn

Good Girls by Laura Ruby

2007-01-25T14:22:00.000-05:00

Sadly enough, Laura Ruby's Good Girls is the only new YA book I've read in well over a month. I love books for younger children, too, but I really miss my YA books! I feel like I'm almost there - almost comfortable with the class - so I can actually start reading some things for older kids again. I can't wait to get my hands on America Born Chinese, the new Printz winner - our library's copy is in processing.

The good news is that Good Girls is a good choice to be the only YA book I've read lately. I started it a few months ago but put it aside; the opening did not seem particularly distinctive, and I couldn't remember why I was anticipating this one. However, I went back to it and I'm glad I did.

Audrey, a "good girl" who gets good grades, has been hooking up with her class's playboy, Luke. The hooking up has been all physical, and Audrey's pretty confused. Luke acts like he likes her when they're together, and she loves the way he makes her feel, but he barely acknowledges her at school. Knowing she should end things, Audrey hooks up with Luke one last time. But the last time might be one time too many.

There are some pretty detailed descriptions included in this book, but with good reason. Although describing it this way won't spark the interest of many teens, Audrey really is exploring her sexuality and figuring out how to take control of it, because, so far, it seems to be taking control of her. Teens will totally understand how Audrey feels, physically and emotionally, when she & Luke hook up.

There are some other descriptions that are pretty detailed as well. After finding out her daughter is sexually active, Audrey's mother makes an appointment for Audrey with a gynecologist. It's Audrey's first exam, and she describes it all quite clearly. As far as I know, this is the only such description out there in a YA novel, and it's about time girls had something to help take the mystery out of this sometimes scary experience.

I thought about Good Girls a lot after I finished it, and not just because I didn't have time to move on to another book. Audrey & her experience stuck with me. I loved that Audrey got burned by her sexual experiences, but she didn't let that scare her away. I loved the character development of Audrey, Luke and her friends - Luke is very two dimensional at the beginning of the book, just like his relationship with Audrey. That changes as Audrey changes.

Good Girls isn't a horror story about a good girl gone bad, but it does show how easy it is to end up in trouble when you're a teen - even when you are a good girl.

What I'm reading: Black and White Airmen: Their True History by John Fleischman (for a review)

On My Bookshelf: The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin (I've been reading in on my lunch break, but I'm not getting anywhere fast!)

Children's Literature Criticism

2007-01-25T14:14:00.000-05:00

I've been doing a lot of prep work for the class I'm teaching this semester, and that means reading a lot of picture books & criticism, neither of which I feel particularly inclined to write about. However, I would like to put in a plug for an older but great collection of essays on children's literature: Celebrating Children's Books by Betsy Hearne & Marilyn Kaye. It is no longer in print, but if you can get your hands on a copy, I recommend you do.

Sold by Patricia McCormick

2006-12-14T14:19:00.000-05:00

Sold is on many librarian's shortlists for the Printz Award for this year, and with good reason. This powerful novel is the story of a young girl from Nepal, unknowingly sold into prostitution by her step-father. Taken hundreds of miles from her home, forced to work in a brothel, and cheated of her earnings by the madam, Lakshmi's life is bleak, and she has little hope of escape. Her earnings will never be enough to pay her debt to the madam, and the chances of her contracting a disease and being tossed into the streets is very real.

Sold, Lakshmi's story, is told in short vignettes, providing brief glimpses of the poverty of Lakshmi's mountain village, the love of her mother, and the bleak reality of life in the brothel. This style often leaves me wanting more of the story - more details, more development - but I think it is best for Lakshmi's story, since details would be almost too much to bear.

According to Patricia McCormick's notes, over 12,000 Nepali girls are sold into prostitution each year. While Lakshmi's story is fiction, it is based in the reality of many young girls.

SPOILER: Don't read past this point if you don't want to know about the end of the book!

The main flaw in the book, that I can see, is that Lakshmi is saved by Americans - Westerners. This sort of "Americans to the rescue!" ideal is troubling, since it may lead readers to see all Indian and Nepali people as uncaring and even evil, ignoring the plight of these young women, and Americans as the rescuers who always do the right thing. This might be misleading to a teen who is not familiar with these cultures, and whose multicultural reading is limited. It would have been gratifying to see Lakshmi's escape made possible by a member of her own culture.

What I'm Reading: This is All: The Pillow Book of Cordelia Kenn by Aidan Chambers

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

2006-11-30T23:35:00.000-05:00

John Green does it again. In his follow-up to the Printz winner Looking for Alaska, Green creates another cast of characters we'd love to know better.

Colin Singleton is a prodigy. Not a genius, just a prodigy. And now that he's eighteen and graduated from high school, his prodigy status has expired - and Colin's certain he'll never make it to genius.

When Colin's girlfriend - Kathrine XIX (the 19th in an amazing line of Katherines he has dated) dumps him, Colin's best friend Hassan convinces him to take a road trip. In Gutshot Tennessee, Colin and Hassan discover the grave of an Austrian archduke and the Theory of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which Colin thinks will prevent future heartbreak by all women named Katherine.

Is Colin a dumpee, or is he really a dumper at heart? Will he ever make "genius" - will he ever really matter? And what's with all the Katherines, anyway?

Not all teens will appreciate John Green's hilarious novel - some might find Colin just as annoying as his classmates do. Other's will see themselves in Colin's social ineptitude and his unluckiness in love. As with Looking for Alaska, Green has created a truly clever cast of characters and a truly clever book. Instead of Pudge's last words, this time he gives us Colin's anagrams, and, of course, his Theory of Underlying Katherine Predictability - complete with footnotes and a mathematical explanation of the formula (written by a real mathematician - see Appendix A).

What I'm Reading: Far From Normal by Kate Klise

On My Bookshelf: Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer

My Lost and Found Life by Melodie Bowsher

2006-11-30T23:17:00.000-05:00

Ashley Mitchell is a character many teens will love to hate. Rich, popular, beautiful and snobby, Ashley is just the type of girl we like to see get what she deserves. And in My Lost and Found Life, it seems like she does.
Ashley's mom has always made sure Ashley had everything she wanted. Being a single mom might be tough, but Ashley doesn't have to think about her mom's life -she's too busy thinking of herself. So when her mom tells her things will have to change - their expensive lifestyle has to stop - Ashley doesn't want to hear it.
But the next morning Ashley's mother is gone. It seems the expensive lifestyle they've been living is thanks to her mom's theft - her mother has been stealing money from work for years. Now she's taken off with a million dollars, and left Ashley alone.
Living in a trailer behind a gas station, working in a coffee shop and struggling to make ends meet, Ashley's former life seems pretty far away. But the toughest part for Ashley isn't her living conditions or her money problems. It's wondering what happened to her mother. Ashley just can't believe her mom left her behind, and Ashley can't forgive herself for the terrible things she said to her mother the last time they spoke.
Ashley's growth as a character is admirable; her self-centered personality transforms into a self-confidence that serves her well as she has to make her own way in the world. Bowsher's writing is occasionally stilted, and she tends to "tell" things rather than "show" them, but she turns Ashley from a unlikable snob into an strong young woman. Despite the rough spots, Ashley's story is definitely enough to keep you reading.

What I'm Reading: Kathy Reich's Deadly Decisions
On My Bookshelf: An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Getting Buffed

2006-10-16T14:11:00.000-04:00

I'm using an upcoming unit in our SciFi/Fantasy class on Buffy the Vampire Slayer as an excuse to read up on Buffy criticism. Here's a sampling of what I've read so far:

Seven Seasons of Buffy: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Discuss Their Favorite Television Show
This was a great introduction to Buffy criticism. A collection of essays written by scifi/fan authors who are Buffy fans, it includes some fun essays (Is That Your Final Answer...? by Roxanne Longstreet Conrad) as well as some readable discussions of important issues (Where's the Religion in Willow's Wicca?). This one assumes familiarity with all seven seasons of the show.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: A Critical Reading of the Series by Anne Billson
A general critical look at the show overall, this work includes brief summaries of each season at the beginnings of each chapter. The first chapter is a great look at the history of female heroes in TV (or lack thereof) and Buffy's role as a trailblazer for strong female characters. Chapter Two gives some great background info on the show (how it came to be), and the remaining chapters look at issues like "Love and Other Catastrophes" and "Revenge of the Nerds." Again, probably best to be familiar with all seven seasons, although the summaries will help if your memory needs to be jogged.

What Would Buffy Do? The Vampire Slayer as Spiritual Guide by Jana Riess
Although it sounds as if it could be a bit preachy, this was a completely readable look at all the spiritual aspects of Buffy - and when I say all, I mean it wasn't just from a Christian perspective. I loved the comparison of Buffy to a lama (she is a chosen one who inherits the wisdom of all those who have come before her) as well as the exploration of the themes of sef-sacrifice, friendship, self-reliance, spiritual mentors & humor's role in spirituality. This is not a stuffy tome that will be a turn-off to non-religious fans, but a great exploration of several of the weightier themes addressed in the show.
Appendixes contain summaries of each season as well as character profiles, but to really appreciate the book, you should watch the shows themselves. There are also a few spoilers for the Buffy spin-off Angel in this one, especially in the chapter on redemption, which examines Angel's character closely.

What I'm Reading: More Buffy books!
On My Book Shelf: Buffy, and Finding Serenity, a collection of critical essays on Joss Whedon's series Firefly

Waking Sleeping Beauty: Feminist Voices in Children's Novels by Roberta Seelinger Trites

2006-10-16T11:07:00.000-04:00

A little bit of theory and criticism to get me thinking. Trites is one of the professors in Illinois State University's English Dept, part of their masters/PhD program in young adult and/or children's lit. I'm thinking of applying next year, so I'm doing a little recon.

In Waking Sleeping Beauty, Trites examines several children's/YA novels through the lens of feminine criticism. She begins by discussing feminist criticism, and points out that it doesn't just look at female characters or "girl" books, but at all books where feminist issues of subjectivity, voice, etc. are important. A book can be a feminist novel even if it has a male protagonist.
As literary criticism, most of the chapters are quite readable. I found Trites' explanation of "subjectivity" as a literary term a bit foggy; a more clear explanation would have been helpful since it is an important concept referred to repeatedly throughout the book.
I thoroughly enjoyed the early chapters, examining voice and subjectivity in classics like Little Women (one of my favorites), Cassie Binegar and The Hero and the Crown. However, as I got further into the book, I found myself wondering where the recent title were. The book was published in 1997, but the majority of the YA texts examined were published in the 1970s and 1980s. While the concepts Trites examines are universal and can certainly be applied to books from any era, I missed a discussion that included text that were more contemporary. However, in all, Waking Sleeping Beauty is an excellent introduction to the feminist study of children's literature.

What I'm Reading: Stacks of Buffy books
On my bookshelf: More Buffy books & Finding Serenity

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

2006-10-03T20:55:00.000-04:00

When Chicago was granted the right to host the 1893 World's Fair, it wasn't just the biggest event in the history of the city (yes, maybe even bigger than the incident with Mrs. O'Leary's cow), it was one of the biggest events of the 19th century. The honor of a city and a nation was at stake; if Chicago and the United States couldn't outshine the Exposition Universelle, the Paris World's Fair of 1889, then they would never live it down. Paris's Fair had been a marvel of light and technology, and it's finest achievement was a lingering monument to the event: a 75 story tower, then the tallest structure in the world, designed and built by the French engineer Gustave Eiffel.
Fortunately for the pride of the city and the country, Chicago architect Daniel H. Burnham was hired to design the fair. Facing and fighting impossible deadlines, financial difficulties, interference by the fair committee, the death of his partner, workers' strikes, an economic panic, fires, tornadoes and fueding women, Burnham persevered, living in a "shanty" in Jackson Park for over a year so he could supervise the project firsthand.
The fair was a triumph for Burnham and for Chicago, and Eiffel's tower was trumped by George W. Ferris's creation of the world's first amusement park ride. But underneath the soft light of the fair's White City was a current of darkness that would not be brought into the light until the White City was falling to ruin.
Dr. H. H. Holmes, doctor, pharmacist, hotel owner and America's first serial killer, used the chaos and crowds of the Word's Fair to find his victims and to cover their disappearances. An accomplished con man as well as a killer, Holmes created a castle of terror in his hotel before leaving the city after the close of the fair.
Daniel Burnham and H. H. Holmes: two educated and talented men of the late 19th century, together in a city bustling with preparations for an event that would awe the world. Two stories woven together in Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair that Changed America. A true crime novel, a historical text and an all-around great story rolled into one, Devil in the White City has appeal for a wide range of readers: those who like mysteries, those who like history, those fascinated with serial killers, those interested in Chicago history, and those who just plain like a well told story.

What I'm Reading: Waking Sleeping Beauty: Feminist Voices in Children's Novels by Roberta S. Trites and Seven Seasons of Buffy: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Discuss Their Favorite Television Show

On My Bookshelf: More Buffy books, and still wanting to get to Chabon's Summerland (especially during the playoffs!)

Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman

2006-09-18T16:13:00.000-04:00

Julie is enthusiastic about Jane Austen, but her friend Ashleigh is enthusiastic about everything. When Ashleigh finally reads Pride and Prejudice, Miss Austen's novels become her latest obsession. Embarking on a quest to find her own Mr. Darcy, Ashleigh drags Julie to a dance at a local boys' boarding school, where, in a plot that would make Miss Austen proud, Ashleigh unknowingly claims Julie's crush as her own true love and assigns Julie's affections to Ned, a Mr Bixby for sure.
While Julie's reluctance to tell Ashleigh the truth is annoying, and Ashleigh's refusal to listen to Julie is downright frustrating, Enthusiasm is fun enough to keep teens interested and to spark their interest in the incomparable novels (or at least the films) of Miss Austen herself.

What I'm Reading: Love, Ruby Lavender
On My Bookshelf: The Devil in the White City by Erik Larsen; The Book of Fate by Brad Melzer; Summerland by Michael Chabon

Anyone But You by Lara M. Zeises

2006-09-08T16:57:00.000-04:00

An interestingly "blended" family: Seattle and her dad moved in with Layla & her two sons six years ago. When Seattle's dad left, Layla decided to raise Sea herself, and Layla, Seattle, Critter & Jesse have been a family every since. Sea and Critter aren't just like brother & sister - they're best friends. That is, until a girl, a guy, and Seattle's dad all enter the picture.
Lara Zeises tells the story from alternating points of view, so the reader understands Seattle's dislike of Critter's new love interest while also understanding Critter's attraction. The family situation sets up an interesting new dynamic to the boy-and-girl-as-best-friends story, but the re-appearance of Seattle's father in the midst of these brief weeks of discord is pretty predictable, and his role seems unnecessary- like he appears just because he's expected. We don't really know why he picked this week, this day to re-appear in Seattle's life - unless it's just to make this week more confusing for her.
Still, Seattle & Critter's confusion about their feeling (for others and for each other) is real & believable, and I was left wondering about their future - as siblings, as friends, and possibly as a couple.

What I'm Reading: Enthusiasm by Polly Schulman
On My Bookshelf: Summerland by Michael Chabon

Nothing But the Truth (and a few white lies) by Justina Chen Headley

2006-09-08T15:59:00.000-04:00

Patty Ho is trying to figure out what it means to be Patty Ho. Half white, half Asian, she's uncomfortable with both, since her white father left them and her Taiwanese mom is stricter-than-strict - and (thanks to her dad) very suspicious of white guys. This means Patty can't date, and when a Chinese fortune teller tells Patty's mom that Patty will marry a white guy, her mom decides the best place for Patty this summer is math camp at Stanford - where she's sure to meet a nice Asian boy.
And she's right. Patty doesn't want to be at math camp, but she's surprised by the people she meets there. Although unnaturally fond of math, most of the other kids at camp are fun, and when Patty meets Stu, a nice Asian boy who's going to be a doctor, math camp might turn out to be just what her mother ordered...
At first I thought this book tried too hard, and I didn't really like Patty. But I kept reading, and while I still think the author sometimes strains to be witty, I really liked the "hapa" Patty becomes. I loved the fact that this book makes being smart and going to math camp look cool, and I loved it that Patty didn't just start to figure out who she is, but that she's worth standing up for.

What I'm reading: Anyone But You by Lara M. Zeises
On My Bookshelf: Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman

A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life by Dana Reinhardt

2006-09-05T11:28:00.000-04:00

In many ways, the story of A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life is predictable. An adopted child's biological mother wishes to see her; the daughter isn't ready. She finally agrees. They bond. The mother reveals she is terminally ill, and the daughter finds the mother only to lose her again. But she is changed forever by the experience.
What makes A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life worth reading is Simone, the main character, and her distinct, fresh voice. Her adopted parents are present and caring, and her relationship with her younger brother is a positive one. She is not haunted by her adoption and is not interested in meeting her mother. Still, when her parents begin to press her, Simone finally agrees to meet with Rivka, and she discovers a piece of her heritage that she has, perhaps unknowingly, been missing. Rivka, the daughter of a Jewish Orthodox rabbi, is very much a practicing Jew. Simone, like her adoptive parents, identifies herself as an atheist (she even belongs to an atheist student group). But Rivka's quiet faith has appeal for Simone, and much of her limited time with Rivka is spent exploring not just her family's history, but what it means to be Jewish - and what it means to have faith in something larger than yourself.

Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

2006-08-25T22:01:00.000-04:00

I began reading Melissa de la Cruz's earlier book, Fresh Off the Boat, last year and quite honestly couldn't finish it because I felt the writing was so poor. When I first saw Blue Bloods, I was really excited - I love vampire books, and the idea that the blue bloods of New York society might actually be vampires, descended from the Mayflower's passengers, sounded really promising. It sounded a little reminiscent of Scott Westerfeld's Peeps, which I loved. However, when I saw who wrote it , I was prepared to be diappointed. In fact, I thought about not reading it at all.
But I did, and I'm glad I did. The writing was still bad, but the story was good enough that I had to finish it. It was disappointing - I can't help but wonder what the story could have been in the hands of a better writer. Some things, like the vampires' life cycles, aren't explained very well, and most disturbing to me was de la Cruz's tampering with history. In her version, Captain Myles Standish became governor of Plymouth in 1622 for 31 consecutive one-year terms. William Bradford was actually Plymouth's governor beginning in 1621, and remained governor for over 30 years. De la Cruz also has Standish leading party of male Mayflower vampires to look for their fellow creatures at Roanoke in December 1620; the colony of Roanoke had been found abandoned as early as 1590. The Pilgrim settlers would have known of it's demise and had no need to undertake such an expedition 30 years later.
Adjusting history to fit a story is one thing, but not including a note explaining the alterations is much worse, in my opinion. De la Cruz, in her very. very brief note on the text, mentions the "true story" of Roanoke's disappearance in 1590, but does not point out that she altered the date or explain why she did so. She doesn't take responsibility for her misrepresentation of history, and young readers may take her altered version as fact.
Still, the story itself is actually good and is an interesting take on the typical vampire legends. De la Cruz's blue blooded vampires were cast out of Heaven, forced to live as immortals on earth, reincarnation every 100 years and carrying centuries of memories with them. New York high society is run by vampires, and the blood of the student body of the exclusive Duquesne School runs very blue. Schuyler, Bliss and several others are about to to discover their heritage; a new generation of vampires is coming of age (again), but their immortality is threatened by a predator from their past.
This one will definitely appeal to teens, and most won't share my complaints, I'm sure. However, there are definietly better vampire books out there - steer the kids toward Twilight by Stephenier Meyer or The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause instead.

What I'm Reading: A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life
On My Bookshelf: Spacer and Rat; Nothing But the Truth

Hazing Meri Sugarman by A. Apostolina

2006-08-25T21:50:00.000-04:00

Cindy Bixby just wants some friends. She dreams of being popular, but she knows that's a lot to ask for - she'll settle for friends. But leaving for college changes things, and Cindy actually gets into Alpha Beta Delta, one of the most exclusive sororities on campus. Suddenly, she's not just popular - she's a member of the most powerful organization at RU, and the sorority's president, Meri Sugarman, has taken a special interest in her. After Meri makes her over, Cindy's turning heads all over town - but when she turns the head of Meri's ex, she's in big trouble. Meri won't take second place to anyone, and Meri is one enemy Cindy will wish she didn't have.
For a slightly more mature audience (older characters, some sex, drugs & drinking), Hazing Meri Sugarman is an off-the-wall look at life in a sorority. This one is so over-the-top that I stayed up past midnight to finish it - I had to see how Cindy could possibly get the best of Meri!

What I'm Reading: Blue Bloods
On My Bookshelf: A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life; Spacer and Rat

On the Head of a Pin by Mary Beth Miller

2006-08-25T21:41:00.000-04:00

I was a little reluctant to read this one because it sounded like such a dark book. Five teens gathered in a cabin after a party - three drunk boys downstairs, one boy and one girl upstairs. And one gun. The time is terrible - the gun goes off, and the girl is dead.
On the Head of a Pin is the story of the aftermath. The shooting is covered up, the unconscious boyfriend drugged and forced to forget what he knows. When the crime is discovered, it will destroy the lives of each of the boys in very different ways.
I was right - this one is dark, and haunting. Michael, the confused and lost boyfriend, is the most touching character, and one who stayed with me even after finishing the book. The writing isn't as strong as it should be - Miller stumbles in a few scenes - but Michael's character is true and helps carry the book through the rough patches.
I booktalked this one to freshmen this morning and got great responses from several freshmen boys.

What I'm Reading: Hazing Meri Sugarman
On My Bookshelf: Blue Bloods, etc.

Honus & Me by Dan Gutman

2006-08-25T21:26:00.000-04:00

As a huge baseball fan, I couldn't pass up the Baseball Card Adventure series when I came upon it at the bookstore last week. It's the story of Joe Stoshack, a boy who loves baseball but isn't very good at playing it. While cleaning out a neighbor's attic, he finds a baseball card - a T-206 Honus Wagner, the most valuable baseball card in the world. But Joe soon find the card is special for more than it's monetary value; he can use the card to travel through time. After Honus Wagner shows up in Joe's bedroom, Joe travels back in time with Honus where he gets to watch the 1909 World Series and get some tips from the man many feel was the greatest ball player of all time.
This is a great book for young boys who are sports fans; I have a cousin who would probably love it. The writing isn't fabulous, but the story is so much fun I read it anyway, and I plan to read the others in the series. I can't wait to hear about Joe's adventures with Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Shoeless Joe and Satchel Page.

What I'm Reading: On the Head of a Pin by Mary Beth Miller
On My Bookshelf: Hazing Meri Sugarman; Blue Bloods; A Brief Chapter in the Impossible Life

Wicked

2006-08-21T21:34:00.000-04:00

Gregory Maguire’s twisted novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West is set to become a modern classic thanks to the musical based on the story. Building on the one dimensional characters made famous by L. Frank Baum’s original novel and the classic movie The Wizard of Oz, Maguire develops the Land of Oz into a place of political intrigue and complicated alliances. Characters like Glinda the Good Witch, Dorothy, the Wizard and, of course, the Wicked Witch of the West are seen as complete characters with vital roles to play in the history of Oz.
Wicked is the story of Elphaba, a mysterious changeling child born with green skin and a natural aversion to water. An outcast even within her own family, Elphie begins to find her place as a young woman at Shiz University. Her friendships with Animals, Munchkins and her roommate Glinda are cut short by tragedy, however, and Elphie leaves the university and her circle of friends to go underground. Increasingly concerned with correcting the wrongs she sees in Ozian society, Elphaba is caught up in events that will eventually steal her passion and leave her a shell of her former self.
Flipping the familiar story on it’s head, Wicked presents a completely unfamiliar Oz, an Oz where Animals can be exterminated, political alliances forged by magic and trickery, and where the ultimate villain, the Wicked Witch of the West, can be a sympathetic heroine with a fine sense of honor and a true love of justice.

Maguire, Gregory. Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the
West. New York: HarperCollins, 1995.

What I'm Reading: Honus & Me by Dan Gutman; The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the 21st Century by Thomas L. Friedman
On My Bookshelf: An assortment of children's books, including Summerland by Michael Chabon; Victory by Susan Cooper; Hoot by Carl Hiaasen & The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place by E.L. Konigsburg.

Dracula

2006-08-08T22:02:00.000-04:00

I read most of Dracula in college for an awesome class in Gothic literature, but it was near the end of the semester and I wasn't able to finish it. Since it's been several years, I decided to go ahead and reread this one as part of my League project, especially since Mina Harker is such an important character in the League books. In the movie, Allan Quartermain (Sean Connery) is the "leader" of the group, but in the GNs, it is Mina who takes the lead.
This alone is fascinating, after reading Dracula. The (male) heroes of Dracula - Van Helsing, Mina's husband Jonathan, Dr Seward, Lord Godalming and Quincey Morris - are incredibly intent on protecting Mina from danger, even after she has become Dracula's victim. Although she proves early on in the hunt that she is smart and brave, and perhaps better than any of them at deduction and planning, she is shut out of the hunt because she is a woman.
In The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, however, Mina is not just the leader; she is a strong, liberated woman who is divorced from her (weaker) husband. Alan Moore takes a character who is forced into a particular role due to the gender constraints of her time and liberates her for the 20th century.
So many other things about Dracula have already been said - the prototypical vampire novel that established vampire legend. Dracula also included the veiled eroticism that so often underlies vampire stories (although Dracula is not a "sexy" vampire). Dracula's attacks on Mina and Lucy Westenra are more like seductions, and Jonathan Harker's reaction to his wife's succumbing to the vampire is reminiscent of a man whose wife has been raped or seduced by another man. It's also worth note that Dracula seems to prefer female victims - the three vampires who try to seduce Harker while he is in Dracula's castle, Mina, and Lucy are all young, attractive women.
As a horror story, I think Dracula has lost much of its punch when compared to the works of Stephen King et all. But it is a mesmerizing story, beautifully crafted through letters, journal entries, newspaper articles and other documents (interesting that two of the greatest horror novels of the 19th century - Frankenstein and Dracula - are both told through letters, journals, interviews, etc. instead of through a traditional narrative. Is this testimony format and attempt to make them seem more real?). This is one of those books that everyone should read for the cultural literacy factor if nothing else- the movie versions of Dracula are so far from the original story (although Bram Stoker's Dracula, the one with Gary Oldman released in 1992, is fairly close to the original story), and Dracula is such a popular cultural figure, that I think everyone should experience the original story.
For another great book about Dracula, check out The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova.

Stoker, Bram. Dracula. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 2004.

What I'm Reading: The Night My Sister Went Missing by Carol Plum-Ucci (Advanced Reading Copy)
On My Bookshelf: Wicked; In Cold Blood

The Wright 3

2006-08-08T21:49:00.000-04:00

Check out my comments on Chasing Vermeer for my general thoughts on these stories. The Wright 3 is a sequel to Chasing Vermeer, and I think I liked it even better. This story is also an "art" mystery, although in this case the work of art in question is the Robie House, a home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright located in Hyde Part, the neighborhood where the characters live. The book contains some great info on FLW and his work (it inspired me to go track down a couple of books on his work & the Prairie style of architecture) as well as the codes, puzzles and mysteries employed in the first book. I'm looking forward to more books from Blue Balliett.

Balliett, Blue. The Wright 3. New York: Scholastic, 2006.

What I'm Reading: Dracula
On My Bookshelf: Still the same!

Mockingbird

2006-08-08T21:40:00.000-04:00

I love To Kill a Mockingbird, and I was facinated to learn that, until now, there has never been a full-length biography written about the author, Harper Lee. Just released in May, Charles Shields's work is a facinating look at the life of the author of one of the classics of the 20th century.
For more, read my review in The Hub.

Shields, Charles. Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee. New York: Henry Hold & Co, 2006.

What I'm Reading: Dracula (to continue the League project)
On My Bookshelf: The Night My Sister Went Missing by Carol Plum-Ucci (an ARC for review); Wicked by Gregory Maguire (we're going to see the musical next month) and In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (Harper Lee was his research assistant).

King Solomon's Mines

2006-08-08T21:17:00.000-04:00

I'm finally getting started on my League of Extraordinary Gentlemen project, and it seemed logical to start with the character I knew the least about.
H. Rider Haggard's Allan Quartermain books were incredibly popular in the late Victorian era. At this height of British imperialism, Quartermain's character - an adventurous elephant hunter - would have been an exotic but familiar figure to most Englishmen. Haggard first wrote his books for boys (as he states in his introduction), but they were popular with a large audience of both sexes.
King Solomon's Mines is the most famous Quartermain story, the tale of an adventure into the African wilds in search of King Solomon's goldmines. As I read the book, I found myself thinking how predictable it was, comparing it often in my mind to movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark or The Mummy. What made the book so interesting is that it is the prototype for this sort of adventure story - adventure seekers like Indiana Jones have their roots in Allan Quartermain and his adventures. When Haggard wrote the Quartermain books, this sort of adventure was new and innovative. He was so successful that hundreds of other stories like his have been written - so many that the tenants of the story have become common knowledge to most readers:
1. A group sets off on a dangerous adventure that promises the possibility of treasure, although the group usually has other (non-monetary) motivations as well.
2. The group reaches the destination after a series of adventures only to face a seemingly overwhelming threat.
3. Through luck, cunning and some surprise occurrences, the group overcomes the threat, usually resulting in some humanitarian results (righting past wrongs, helping the helpless, etc.)
4. As a reward, the group receives help finding their treasure, but to take possession, they must face more obstacles
5. The heroes overcome obstacles and take possession of their treasure, but usually this is at some cost - either loss of life, or partial loss of treasure
6. The heroes return home, where few know of their adventures and life continues as usual.
Such is the story of Allan Quartermain. Despite the predictability of the story (which was forgivable, under the circumstances), I found myself drawn in by the story and anxious to finish the adventure. I can certainly see this one holding some appeal for reluctant readers - especially the boys Haggard wrote it for - but the language is, of course, a little dated & a bit flowery. However, I don't think the language is so off-putting that it makes the book unappealing. Rather, it is reminiscent of classics like Treasure Island - the story overcomes the language and draws in the reader.

The Peabody Sisters

2006-08-08T21:10:00.000-04:00

This is another great American authors book that I reviewed for The Hub. I've been wanting to read this one for a long time, but I've had trouble getting my hands on it - the library's copy was always checked out. It's out in paperback now, so I just bought my own copy.
http://www.thehubweekly.com/community/index.php?id=468

Green Knowe

2006-07-14T10:29:00.000-04:00

The Green Knowe series by Lucy Boston is another bit of classic children's literature. I read the first two books in the series about seven years ago when I was working on my Master's thesis. I was examining the symbolism of patchwork quilts in literature for children and young adults, and came across a reference to the second book, Treasure at Green Knowe, in which a quilt plays a part. I read the first to books so as to discuss them in my thesis, and I was enchanted.
They are both the story of Tolly, a lonely boy who begins to spend his vacations with his great-grandmother Oldknow at her home, Green Knowe. An ancient estate, Green Knowe is filled with stories, and Grandma Oldknow begins to share them with Tolly. Or are they just stories? For strange things happen at Green Knowe, and in a place so ancient, the past never seems too far away.
The beauty of these books is the blurred line between reality and imagination. Are the things Tolly sees and experiences real - and does Grandma see them too? - or is she just pretending with Tolly, encouraging his imagination? Boston never really says, so the reader can decide himself.
I've yet to read the remainder of the series. I had to stop after the first two when I was working on my thesis (too many other things to read, and all that writing!). I've been vowing for years to get back to them, but now I'm stalled again waiting for the third and fifth books through interlibrary loan. I may decide just to purchase the whole series - it really is that charming - and it has been re-issued in a beautiful new edition.
Lucy Boston actually based her stories on some of her own life - Green Knowe, the real star of the series, was inspired by her own home, a historic manor she restored throughout her life. She loved it so much she used it in most of her stories, even those not in the Green Knowe series. For great summaries of the Green Knowe books as well as some essays and additional info on Lucy Boston, check out this site.

The Green Knowe Series
The Children of Green Knowe
The Treasure of Green Knowe (published in England as The Chimneys of Green Knowe)
The River at Green Knowe
A Stranger at Green Knowe
An Enemy at Green Knowe
The Stones of Green Knowe

What I'm Reading: 1846 (I think)
On My Bookshelf: The Peabody Sisters; E. Nesbit

The Trouble With Tom: The Strange Afterlife and Times of Thomas Paine

2006-07-14T10:26:00.000-04:00

Another piece for The Hub, this time on a hilarious book by Paul Collins about what happended to Thomas Paine after he died.
http://www.thehubweekly.com/community/index.php?id=456

Duty, Honor, Country: A History of West Point

2006-07-13T14:07:00.000-04:00

A little diversion here - in the line of my historical reading, I suppose, but perhaps a bit out of order. Or perhaps not, depending how you look at it. West Point was founded in 1802, so it's founding fits in my current time period, I suppose...
Anyway, I've been diverting quite a bit from my reading plans, as you may have/will notice. I've agreed to write a series of articles/reviews on American authors for The Hub - the Mark Twain piece was the first. Others will include Anne Bradstreet, Thomas Paine, and Nathaniel Hawthorne & the Peabody Sisters (one was his wife). So, some history, but not in my prescribed order. The James Madison bio has been set aside - again! - as I work on these articles & read some children's books in between for a break.
West Point has nothing to do with American authors (except that Edgar Allan Poe was briefly a cadet there); this one was pure pleasure reading. I'm not sure why it appealed to me, but I've been intrigued by West Point & other military academies since reading John Jakes's North and South in high school. I was really into Civil War history at that time (the colonial period interests me more now), and the idea that so many great men of the War Between the States were at West Point at the same time amazed me. (Coming soon on my list to read is a book about this exactly: 1846 by John C. Waugh.)
Stephen Ambroses's history of West Point didn't disappoint; I sat down and read the entire thing in one evening, even devouring chapters between innings of the All-Star Game. The story of the US Military Academy's history is also the story of the US, the US Military, and the history of education in this country. I thought the chapters about the early years were most interesting, and I learned much about higher education in the early 19th century. At the time of West Point's founding, all other colleges in the country were still providing a classical education rooted heavily in the study of Latin and Greek and capped by moral philosophy - a curriculum designed to educate ministers as well as a few lawyers. West Point, from it's very inception, was something very different. An engineering school with a goal toward training military officers, the courses at West Point were unlike those taught anywhere else. West Point instructors were covering ground so new they were often forced to write their own textbooks. In the first half of the 19th century, West Point become one of the premier educational institutions for young men in the US, as evidenced by the success of it's graduates.
The second half of the 19th century was less kind to West Point; in an effort to preserve past glory days the curriculum and instruction stagnated. That is, until a new superintendent arrived with a host of new ideas - Douglas MacArthur stepped in and turned West Point on it's head during his brief time in charge. These years were the first in a time of reform for West Point, resulting in an integration of modern military technology and a complete overhaul of the curriculum.
The book was originally written in 1966, but an afterword was added in the 1990s that brings much of the history up-to-date. Unfortunately, Ambrose did not write the afterword, and the last few decades of happenings sorely miss his interesting and accessible writing style. While I was enthralled through the entire book, I found myself skimming the afterword, despite it's discussion of the advent of elective courses at West Point (a huge break from tradition) and the admittance of women as cadets. Still, the "boring" afterword was a small issue when the rest of the book was so well done.

Ambrose, Stephen. Duty, Honor, Country: A History of West Point. Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1966.

What I'm reading: The Trouble With Tom by Douglas Phillips and the Green Knowe series
On my bookshelf: 1846; The Peabody Sisters, Hawthorne in Concord, and stacks of Edward Eager & E. Nesbit books

Chasing Vermeer

2006-07-10T10:50:00.000-04:00

After finally finishing the Mark Twain bio, I took a bit of a break with Chasing Vermeer. A "thinking" children's book, Chasing Vermeer reminds me of E.L. Konigsberg's From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
Through a series of coincidences and strange happenings, Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay, students at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, become involved in the search for a stolen Vermeer painting. The art thief has stolen the painting to force art historians to reconsider their indentification of Vermeer's works - thief believes several paintings commonly attributed to Vermeer are actually imitations. Petra and Calder's search for the painting becomes not just a mystery but a puzzle as more and more strange connections between those invovled become apparent. What is significant and what is mere coincidence? Who can be trusted? And can Petra and Calder find the painting before it is lost forever?
Blue Balliett, a former teacher at the University of Chicago Lab Schools, has created a fabulously fun story using codes, maps, pictures and puzzles that will draw in readers young and old. Petra and Calder are incredibly fun, quirky characters - the sort of students any teacher would love to have (lucky Ms Hussey!). Besides deciphering coded letters and solving the mystery, readers
can also attempt to solve the reader's challenge, a series of clues hidden in Brett Helquist's wonderful illustrations. For more puzzles and hints - and for the answer to the reader's challenge, check out the book's website- www.scholastic.com/chasingvermeer.
If you like this one, be sure to check out From the Mixed Up Files of..., and the new sequel to Chasing Vermeer, The Wright 3, a mystery about Frank Lloyd Wright.

Balliet, Blue. Chasing Vermeer. New York: Scholastic Press, 2004.
Konigsberg, E.L. From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. New York: Atheneum, 1967.

What I'm Reading: I haven't decided yet!

Mark Twain: A Life by Ron Powers

2006-07-10T10:28:00.000-04:00

I've spent the last week making my way through Ron Powers' new biography of Mark Twain. It's a great read - it just took me a while. To read about it, check out my review in The Hub Weekly.

I'll be doing a series of reviews on American authors this summer, and I'll post links as they're published.

NOTE: Since this post was originally written, The Hub has ceased to publishe & reviews are no longer posted online. Following is the review originally published in The Hub:

Mark Twain’s works are perhaps the most recognizable of any American author., and Twain’s life has been mined repeatedly by biographers for explanations and inspirations for his American stories.
So why another Mark Twain biography? Ron Powers has now produced two, in fact. Nearly all readers are aware that Twain’s stories of Tom & Huck were inspired by his own childhood in Hannibal Missouri, and Power‘s first work, Dangerous Water: A Biography of the Boy Who Become Mark Twain, went right to the source of Twain’s stories in the childhood of Sammy Clemens. His recent work, Mark Twain: A Life, examines Twain’s entire life, exploring the man that so exemplifies 19th century America.
Much of Sam Clemens’s early life - his childhood on the banks of the Mississippi and his years as a riverboat pilot - are familiar to most, but Powers examines these years with fresh eyes, carefully connecting the early events of Twain’s life to the literature they inspired. The pace of life in the small town of Hannibal was set by the Great River, just as the flow of the river sets the pace in the adventures of Tom Sawyer and, more importantly, Huck Finn. Growing up in antebellum Missouri , surrounded by the soft cadences of the voices of the black slaves, and listening to the stories of a slave known as Uncle Dan, Sammy Clemens heard what became the “first trumpet note[s] of the first great jazz composition in American literature” - the voice of Huckleberry Finn’s Jim (12).
A prankster with acerbic wit and developing a “pen warmed up in hell,” (53), Clemens began his writing career as a journalist, traveling throughout 19th century America and unconsciously gathering information for his later books, storing away not just names and events but the voices, stories and characters that would bring his books to life for generations of Americans. His journalistic writing built a name for Mark Twain as a humorist, and, in the following years, Twain would capitalize on this following on the lecture circuit, as an author, and finally among the drawing rooms of the upper echelon of the East Coast literary elite. Powers does an excellent job of chronicling Twain’s transition from rough riverboat pilot and western journalist to a successful East Coast author. One to instinctually push the bounds of propriety with his humor and his words, often called vulgar and crass by reviewers and readers, Twain depended on his proper Eastern connections, including his wife Olivia Langdon, to gentrify his work, making it palatable to readers with a more refined sense of propriety. Their success is debatable; while Twain enjoyed a large amount of success as an author during his lifetime, his work was still considered controversial, as was demonstrated by the banning of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in many town upon it’s publication. Still, it is the resulting combination of honesty and artistry that is the strength of Twain’s works.
The strength of Power’s biography lies in his true exploration of Sammy Clemens the boy, Sam Clemens the man, and Mark Twain the author - three very different personas that combined to create one of the great characters of the 19th century. Twain’s life was a reflection of the era - slavery, war, western adventures, foreign travel and a gilded age combined to produce a man much like the country he so ably and humorously described in his work: brash and brave, ambitious and isolated, reflective yet uproariously humorous. Mark Twain’s greatness lies in his embrasure of what was - and is - American. Unlike other Romantics and Realists, Twain had no desire to imitate the great literature of Europe and felt no obligation to pay lip service to the works of the past. Instead, he forged a new literature for a new land.
Ron Powers, as Twain’s biographer, manages to forge something new as well. In a voice often as lyrical and humorous as Twain’s own, Powers produces a contemplative portrait of the entire man known as Mark Twain. Mark Twain: A Life presents the chronicler of America in lights both bright and dark and provides a multi-dimensional portrait of one of the greats of American literature.

Powers, Ron. Mark Twain: A Life. New York: Free Press, 2006.

The Gods in Winter

2006-06-23T10:32:00.000-04:00

I came across this title by reading Colleen Mondor's blog Chasing Ray - she writes a great little reflection on it and plans to include in in a sci-fi fantasy column she's writing for this fall. Mondor is a writer and reviewer for Book Slut, an online literature magazine, and for Booklist & Eclectica. She writes a lot about children's & YA lit, and I enjoy reading her reviews & reflections. So, since we seem to have similar tastes, this summer I decided to pick up some of the books she's mentioned in her blog. The Gods of Winter is the first of them that I've read.
As she says in her blog entry, The Gods in Winter is a particularly British book, one of those classic children's stories that combines mystery, adventure and fantasy. The Bramble family has relocated to a rather peculiar estate in the Midlands that has been converted into a research facility. A new addition to the Bramble family is on the way, so Mrs. Bramble decides to hire a bit of house help. Mrs. Korngold is a perfect fit - she's good with the baby and the children, a great cook and takes good care of the house. She's a bit odd, though. The children begin to notice that strange things happen in Mrs. Korngold's presence, and it soon becomes obvious that Mrs. Korngold is more than just your average housekeeper.
Young readers may not at first recognize the story is a retelling of the myth of Demeter and Persephone, but those who know their Greek myths may have the pleasure of unraveling the tale as it goes along. It doesn't matter if you figure it out or not, The Gods in Winter is, like The Penderwicks, another retro style story for children - although this time it's retro because this is a republication of a book that has been out of print for several years. Inspired by the lovely afterword to this edition written by fantasy author Tamora Pierce, I've tried to do a bit of digging and discover the history of the book, but I've had little success. Apparently it was first published in 1978, although the setting of the book seems to be much earlier, perhaps in the 1950s. Miles wrote a few other books, including Nobody's Child, published in 1975 and now also out of print. The Gods in Winter is now available through Front Street Books and, like The Penderwicks, I think it's a great summer read for kids. There are, unfortunately, many typos in this edition, but I doubt many young people will notice while caught up in the story of the Bramble family.

Miles, Patricia. The Gods in Winter. Asheville, NC: Front Street Books, 2005.

What I'm Reading: James Madison: A Biography by Ketcham
On My Bookshelf: Mark Twain: A Life by Ron Powers

12 Sharp

2006-06-23T10:24:00.000-04:00

The hottest release of the summer, 12 Sharp is the latest installment in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series.
See my review published in The Hub Weekly.

Evanovich, Janet. 12 Sharp. New York: St. Martin's, 2006.

What I'm Reading : The Gods in Winter by Patricia Miles
On My Bookshelf: James Madison: A Biography by Ketcham & Mark Twain: A Life by Ron Powers

The Penderwicks

2006-06-21T20:11:00.000-04:00

I'm a lover of children's literature - good, old fashioned children's literature that brings to mind long hot summers & endless hours of riding bikes, building forts and imaging adventures. It seems that this sort of childhood has fallen out of fashion in this era of video games and scheduled playdates. Children's books have changed along with childhood; much of their innocent charm has faded under the glaring eye of our technological society. But there are always the classics, which I re-read faithfully and hope to share with my own children someday - L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables books, Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising series and L. M. Boston's Green Knowe stories, among others.
I can now add to these Jeanne Birdsall's new book The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits and a Very Interesting Boy. Winner of this year's National Book Award, Birdsall's "retro" story of four sisters and their summer adventures is a charming tale. The Penderwicks, forced to search out a new vacation cottage after their place on Cap Cod is sold by the land lord, find themselves in a picture perfect cottage on the estate of Arundel, a mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens. Add in a friendly cook & gardener, a lonely boy, a mean land lady and a troublesome dog and you have the makings of a wonderful family story.
In an interview with School Library Journal, Birdsall admits she didn't realize just how radical her retro story was when she began writing it. A first time author, Birdsall used classic children's authors like E. Nesbit and Edward Eager as inspiration for her simple story. "I wrote the kind of book I read and that I’ve always read, " says Birdsall. After reading early drafts, Birdsall's agent warned her she wasn't writing the type of books children read these days - Birdsall's book wasn't edgy enough. Birdsall finished the book anyway, only to have HarperCollins accept the book, but with conditions. As her agent predicted, they wanted it edgier.
Two years and several hated revisions later, Birdsall went with her gut and went back to her original story. Knopf accepted the manuscript a few months later with a minimum of changes. The Penderwicks remained true to Birdsall's original vision.
While there is certainly a need for children's literature that recognizes and addresses the myriad problems children of today face, there's also a need for literature as escape. Not all children today are forced to face abuse, abandonment or even divorce - and even those that are can sometimes benefit from simple stories with charm and grace. The Penderwick girls are not perfect and neither are their lives - their mother is dead and each girl bears her own responsibilities and faces her own faults. But the overriding message is one of family and loyalty that has much to say to the youth of today.

Birdsall, Jeanne. The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits and a Very Interesting Boy. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005.

What I'm Reading: Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich
On My Bookshelf: The Gods in Winter by Patricia Miles

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tales of the Slayers

2006-06-21T15:11:00.000-04:00

Any fans of the series will enjoy reading these histories of the Slayers who came before Buffy. In four collections of short stories, readers can meet Slayers from Ancient Greece, Munich in the 1920s, and even the slayer that died just before Buffy. Some stories incorporate historical characters like the Countess Bathoy (the one who bathed in the blood of virgins) or give new twists to historical events (who knew that the mystery of Roanoke Island could be explained by vampires?). Most of the stories lack the comedy of many of the early Buffy seasons, often describing the last stand of many of the Slayers and their Watchers. Volume 4 chronicles the Cruciamentum of eight earlier Slayers - the test each Slayer faces at age 18 when she is stripped of her powers by the Watchers' Council and forced to face a demon using only her wits. Still, despite the often dark tones, the stories are a fun & fascinating look into the Buffy universe.

Various Authors. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tales of the Slayers Volume 1. New York: Simon Spotlight Entertainment, 2001.

---. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tales of the Slayers Volume 2. New York: Simon Spotlight Entertainment, 2003.

---. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tales of the Slayers Volume 3. New York: Simon Spotlight Entertainment, 2003.

---. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tales of the Slayers Volume 4. New York: Simon Spotlight Entertainment, 2004.

A Hunger Like Fire

2006-06-21T14:51:00.000-04:00

A companion novel to White Wolf's Vampire roll playing game, Greg Stolze's novel creates characters using the guidelines and traits players use when playing the game. White Wolf's vampires are most definitely a hierarchy, and when Bruce Miner awakes after what he thinks is a particularly rough night of drinking, he finds himself near the bottom of the vampire pecking order. Made and abandoned by his sire, Bruce's does not at first understand that the weeping sores that cover his body mark him as a Nosferatu, a family of vampires that is physically deformed by the change. Unable to initially control his rage and thirst for blood, Bruce attacks his wife and daughter and flees from authorities. He does not begin to understand what he has become until he is taken in by a group of independent vampires, vampires who try to live outside the influence of the vampire Prince of Chicago. But Bruce's attack on his family and his escape from the police have endangered the Masquerade and put Chicago's vampires at risk for discovery. Without a sire for protection, Bruce must depend on his new friends to protect him from those vampires who would have him destroyed for his actions.
Persephone Moore was made a vampire by the Prince himself in direct violation vampire law forbidding the creation of new Kindred. Persephone's role among the vampires of Chicago is much like that of a bastard noble - she has the ear of her powerful sire, but her questionable conception makes her less than accepted by many Council Members, who wonder what really prompted the Prince to change Persephone. Desperate to be viewed as more that the Prince's pet, Persephone allows herself to become a pawn in others' political games before she can begin to find her own power and make her own place in vampire society.
An interesting companion to the Vampire game, A Hunger Like Fire is the first in a series of novels exploring the politics and private lives of the vampires of Chicago. Teens who play the game will definitely want to read the series, and most will not be disappointed. Fans of vampire novels will also be interested. All characters are adults and some violence is included in the books, but most does not venture beyond the sort one would expect from a vampire novel. Stephenie Meyer's New Moon, combined with watching Season Five of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on DVD put me in the mood for vampire novels, and while this one was worth finishing, I doubt I'll read any more in the series.

Stolze, Greg. A Hunger Like Fire. Stone Mountain, GA: White Wolf, 2004.

New Moon

2006-06-13T12:14:00.000-04:00

Those of you who have read Stephenie Meyer's Twilight will be very, very envious that I've gotten my hands on this advanced reading copy of New Moon, the sequel. And you should be, because it's just as enthralling as Twilight.
In Twilight, Bella Swan falls in love with Edward, a vampire with a conscience. As New Moon opens, Bella and Edward are as much in love as ever, yet Edward still refuses to "turn" Bella, to make her a vampire like him. But a mortal in love with a vampire is always in danger, and Edward must make a decision to to stay with the one he loves or leave her to keep her safe.

I don't want to say too much about the plot of this one because I don't want to give ANYTHING away. I will say, however, that this book got to me the same way Twilight did. I read it all in one sitting, and when it was over, I couldn't bring myself to read anything else for some time. I was too caught up in Bella and Edward's story - I wanted to savor it as long as I could. Sending this ARC along to the next reader will be very, very tough, because I know I"ll want to read it again before the book is released in September. And I can't bear to think that the next one won't be out until 2007...
Twilight topped my list of best books for 2005, and is actually in my top five favorite books of all time. New Moon is a worthy successor.
To help tide you over until New Moon is released, check out Stephenie Meyer's web site for outtakes from Twilight and the first chapter told from Edward's point of view. She also has a playlist for Twilight and a bunch of other goodies.

Meyer, Stephenie. New Moon. New York: Megan Tinley, 2006.

What I'm Reading: The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice
On My Book Shelf: The Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice & some Buffy books - it's a vampire extravaganza!

The Silver Bough

2006-06-13T11:48:00.000-04:00

Another winner from Lisa Tuttle. This one doesn't focus on a particular myth, as The Mysteries did, but it does invoke the legends of Avalon, the island of Apples, the mysterious island where King Arthur is said to have gone to wait to rise again.
Appleton, a pennisula off the coast of Scotland, used to be known for it's luscious apples and cider. The annual festival was a huge event where the Apple Queen and a dark stranger shared a special apple to ensure the continuation of Appleton's good fortune. But that good fortune ended 50 years ago when the Apple Queen fled the town before sharing the apple with her mysterious stranger, and now Appleton is a shell of it's former self. The orchards are gone, plowed under, and no apples grow in Appleton.
Three American women have come to Appleton, each seeking something. The Kathleen, local librarian seeks a life in a quaint, quiet town, Nell seeks solitude and escape from her sorrow, and Ashley searches for answers about her grandmother's past - why she, the last Apple Queen fled Appleton for a new life across the sea. When a mysterious son of the town returns unexpectedly and a deep sea earthquake cuts Appleton off from the rest of the world, all three women find themselves caught up events that will change the course of Appleton's future, for in a small walled orchard, a magical Golden Apple grows again.
I ordered this one because one of the characters is a librarian - a sure sell for me. Then I read The Mysteries while waiting for this one to be delivered, & loved it. I loved The Silver Bough even more, though. The librarian character & the wonderful library are great bonuses, but this is an enchanting story. Appleton is such a magical place that I don't think anyone could read the novel without wanting to visit. A wonderful combination of fantasy, romance and mystery, this one kept me interested from beginning to end.
As for teens, I think some will enjoy Tuttle's books - the same who like O.R. Melling's Chronicles of Faerie and other fairy/mythology stories. However, I'd buy the works of Melling & Holly Black for those teens before Tuttle's - while hers are appropriate for teens, they are aimed at adults. Both The Silver Bough & The Mysteries contain young characters, though (college aged), so many teens will find these appealing.

Tuttle, Lisa. The Silver Bough. New York: Spectra, 2006.

What I'm Reading: New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
On My Book Shelf: The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice

The Summer King

2006-06-13T11:27:00.000-04:00

The Summer king follows the theme of The Mysteries - using Celtic myths & folk beliefs in a modern story. This time, it's the story of the Summer King and his floating island.
Laurel, a young Canadian, is returning to Ireland for the first time since her twin's death there the year before. Still suffering the loss of her sister, Laurel is determined to investigate the mysterious entries in her sister's journal in the days before she mysteriously fell to her death while hiking. Laurel does not believe in fairy, but Honor did, and Honor's journal entries hint at something mysterious and otherworldly on the ledge where she died.
It isn't long before Laurel meets the Roly-Poly Man, who may have been present when Honor died. His story seems far fetched, but his need for Laurel's help seems real - she must complete the quest Honor began and save the world of Fairy if she wishes to free her sister from her magical sleep. Helped by her angry ex-boyfriend, several mythical creatures and a pirate from Ireland's past, Laurel races against time to find the Summer King and free him before Faerie and the mortal world come to an end.
The second in Melling's Chronicles of Faerie, The Summer King is fast paced fantasy/mystery/romance full of wonderful characters and myths. While there are guest appearances from a few characters from The Hunter's Moon (first in the series), the books are quite independent and can be read separately. The Hunter's Moon was one of my favorites of last year, and The Summer King will definitely make the list for 2006. This one will have great teen appeal - besides those who liked the first in the series, this will also appeal to fans of Holly Black's Tithe and Valiant as well as fans of Charles' de Lint.

Melling, O. R. The Summer King. New York: Amulet Books, 2006.

What I'm Reading: The Silver Bough by Lisa Tuttle
On My Bookshelf: New Moon by Stephenie Meyer (okay, so it's not on the shelf yet, but it's in the mail - on it's way!)

The Mysteries

2006-06-13T11:07:00.000-04:00

I love stories that draw on Celtic mythology for inspiration, bringing the present world together with the world of fairy. In The Mysteries, Lisa Tuttle is inspired by a Celtic story of a kidnapping, a lost love, and the fairy world.
Ian Kennedy is a private detective that specializes in finding missing people. He's not optimistic about his new case - a young woman who has been missing for over two years - but her mother is determined and he needs the money. But the case of Peregrine Lensky is different from most cases Ian has solved - this one is reminiscent of his first, most mysterious case.
There are several clues to Peri's disappearance, but they all add up to something otherworldly. Who is Midar, the seductive man Peri met the evening she disappeared? What role did Peri's boyfriend play in her disappearance - can the fantastical tale he tells really be true? Ian finds he can't rely on reason to find Peri Lensky; he must delve deep into the folklore of Scotland and the world underground if he's to locate the girl and bring her home.
Inspired by the story of Midar & Etain, Tuttle skillfully incorporates modern mystery & romance with the misty world of mythology and fairy to create a fascinating detective tale.

Tuttle, Lisa. The Mysteries.

What I'm Reading: The Summer King by O. R. Melling
On My Book Shelf: The Silver Bough by Lisa Tuttle

The Tale of Holly How

2006-06-13T10:56:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note on this one, since I've already discussed the series in my entry on the first book, The Tale of Hilltop Farm. This is a fun sequel, including many of the characters (animal & human) from the first story. The Tale of Holly How revolves around the murder of a local shepherd who is selling Beatrix Potter some sheep. While at first his death seems like an accident, Beatrix discovers a clue that make her - and the magistrate - wonder. An examination by the local doctor confirms that Ben Hornby's death was not an accident (of course, the sheep could have told them this, and who did it, but the sheep are now missing). Add to this mystery and kidnapped badger & her young, an unhappy orphan at the local manor, and a runaway guinea pig and you have a recipe for another great story.

Albert, Susan Wittig. The Tale of Holly How. New York: Berkely Hardcover, 2005.

What I'm Reading Now: The Mysteries by Lisa Tuttle

On My Bookshelf: The Silver Bough by Lisa Tuttle, The Summer King by O.R. Melling

The Trouble with Magic

2006-06-01T09:17:00.000-04:00

I love witchy little supernatural mysteries, so I'm excited about the first book in Madelyn Alt's "Bewitching Mystery" series. Maggie O'Neill, suddenly dismissed from her boring collections job for being tardy one too many times, finds herself quickly employed by the owner of Enchantments, an upscale local antiques store. Felicity Dow, the store's classy owner, informs an incredulous Maggie right up front that she is a practicing witch. The idea makes Maggie a little nervous, but Felicity seems wonderful & Maggie needs a job. Maggie's reservations surface again on her first day of work, however, when Felicity's estranged sister is found dead and Felicity is questioned as a suspect in the murder. It doesn't take Maggie long to become convinced of Felicity's innocence, however, and Maggie's determined to do what she must to clear her new friend's name.
Harder to accept is Felicity's belief in the supernatural, and the mounting evidence that Maggie might have some uncanny abilities herself. Convinced Maggie is an empath, someone who senses the emotions and motivations of others, Felicity invites Maggie to attend a meeting of N.I.G.H.T.S., a local ghost-hunting group. Maggie's not sure about being an empath - she's thought for years she just has an overactive imagination - but she has to admit she's intrigued by Felicity's friends and what she's learning about Wicca. But before she can further explore her own interests, Maggie must help clear Felicity's name and discover the real murderer.
I really enjoyed this book, although, upon examining it objectively, it falls a bit short in several categories. As a mystery, it was fairly predictable - I was a bit annoyed with Maggie for not figuring things out sooner, since she seems like a pretty intelligent woman. Because Maggie has just met Felicity & just been introduced to the idea of witchcraft as a religion, the book does not incorporate a lot of information about Wicca or Wiccan beliefs (although what it does say seems to be accurate). I assume that will come in later books, as Maggie learns more herself. As for the supernatural aspect, it, too, is only touched on, with hints of more to come.
I would have loved more rituals, more spirituality, more ghosties & ghoulies - but I feel like I've just had a glimpse of what's to come in Maggie's future, and I can't wait to see the rest of the picture. I'll definitely be reading more about her.
As for teens, there may be some interest from those who are intrigued by Wicca or the supernatural, but this is really a book aimed at an older audience - not because of content (it's pretty much PG), but just because the characters are older & Maggie's problems are those of a twenty-something approaching thirty with nothing much to show for it. Teens who are looking for Wiccan fiction would do better to check out Isobel Bird's Circle of Three series or Laurie Faria Stolarz's Blue is for Nightmares books. These are fun, accurate portrayals of Wiccan/pagan practices with teen protagonists.
As for the adults who are looking for more of these type of books, I intend to check out some of author Madelyn Alt's "friends" - The Witchy Chicks Blog is a group blog kept by Alt & several other authors of paranormal fiction - much of which (not surprisingly) has witchy overtones. I'll let you know what I think after I read some of her pals!

Alt, Madelyn. The Trouble With Magic. New York: Berkley Prime Crime, 2006. ISBN 0425207463. 261 pages.
Bird, Isobel. So Mote It Be (Circle of Three #1). New York: Avon, 2001. ISBN: 0064472914. 240 pages. $4.99.
Stolarz, Laurie Faria. Blue is for Nightmares. St. Paul: Llewellyn, 2003. ISBN: 0738703915. 283 pages. $8.95.

What I'm Reading: The Tale of Holly How by Susan Wittig Albert (#2 in the Beatrix Potter Cottage Tales series)
On My Bookshelf: The Mysteries by Lisa Tuttle, Thyme of Death by Susan Witting Albert

The Tale of Hilltop Farm

2006-05-30T11:15:00.000-04:00

As I've mentioned, I love mysteries, and I love children's books, so I've been wanting to read Susan Wittig Albert's Cottage Tales for a while. I finally bought the first one this weekend and read the whole thing yesterday morning.
If you aren't familiar with this series, Beatrix Potter is one of the main characters (thus the children's lit connection). Other characters include her pets, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle the hedge-hog, Josey & Mopsy the rabbits & Tom Thumb the mouse, and the local cats & dogs. The setting is Near Sawrey, England, where, in this first in the series, Miss Potter has just purchased Hilltop Farm. Upon arriving in Near Sawrey to inspect her new purchase, Miss Potter find the local lady she was to stay with has died rather suddenly, and the villagers are speculating about the cause of death. Add to this a missing parish registry, a stolen envelope of money and some very disgruntled tenants and Miss Potter is quickly disabused of her visions of tranquil village life.
A wonderfully fun cozy mystery, this will have very little appeal to teens, but great appeal to fans of mysteries or of Beatrix Potter. Like so many of the other popular series with "real" detectives, this is a great combination of historical fact - Potter really did buy Hilltop Farm in 1905 and eventually moved there - and fun fancy. I'm making a trip to the local library for the next volume in the series tonight!

What I'm Reading: The Trouble With Magic by Madelyn Alt
On My Bookshelf: The Tale of Holly How by Susan Wittig Albert (or it will be after I get to the library...)

Summer Reading

2006-05-30T10:06:00.000-04:00

I guess this is sort of a disclaimer message. After a scorching hot Memorial Day weekend full of yard work and cookouts, I'm mentally on summer vacation. I still have three weeks of work yet, but, mentally, I'm done. So, this is my summer reading disclaimer.
I read a lot in the summer, especially during summers like this one, when we don't have any vacation plans. My vacation is rather short, though, by school standards. I'm back to work August 1, so it's only about six weeks.
During the summer, I tend to read a wider variety of books. In other words, I'm not as focused on YA titles. I still read a lot of YA, but I also catch up on the adult fiction & nonfiction and children's titles that I've been wanting to read.
I also have a couple of summer reading "projects." These projects continue from summer to summer, probably indefinitely. The first is to read a biography of every president and, when available, every first lady. I've been working on this for about three years and I've only made it as far as Thomas Jefferson. This isn't as bad as it sounds - I'm fascinated by Jefferson, so I've read about five different books on him. I also (finally!) found a bio on Martha Washington, published last summer, which I read right away. I also read a bio of Ben Franklin - not a president, but an important historical & political figure who seemed to deserve a place on my list, and on Lewis & Clark (ties with Jefferson, historical significance, etc.). I'll probably read the new one on Alexander Hamilton this summer for the same reasons. I have to admit, I'm pretty fascinated by the colonial period, so I may get hung up here for a while. I'm even contemplating another bio on Washington, since I wasn't fond of the one I read, and I still need to read one on Abigail Adams. Speaking of which, here are the ones I've read so far in my "project" - which, now that I think about it, seems to have become more about American history than just about presidents. But, the presidents will remain my main goal:

Brands, H. W. The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin. New York : Anchor Books, 2002.
Randall, Willard Sterne. George Washington: A Life. New York : Henry Holt & Co., 1997.
Brady, Patricia. Martha Washington: An American Life. New York : Viking, 2005.
McCullough, David. John Adams. New York : Simon & Schuster, 2001.
Randall, Willard Sterne. Thomas Jefferson: A Life. New York : H. Holt, 1993.
Halliday, E. M. Understanding Thomas Jefferson. New York : HarperCollins Publishers, 2001.
McLaughlin, Jack. Jefferson and Monticello: The Biography of a Builder. New York : H. Holt, c1988.
Leepson, Marc. Saving Monticello: The Levy Family's Epic Quest to Rescue the House That Jefferson Built. New York : Free Press, 2001.
Lanier, Shannon & Jane Feldman. Jefferson's Children: The Story of One American Family. New York : Random House, c2000.
Ambrose, Stephen. Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson and the Opening of the American West. New York : Simon & Schuster, c1996.

So that's one project, and one type of book that I'll be reading this summer. I've got my bio on Madison all ready to go, if I decide I'm ready to move on. Of course, there's also a great looking new book out on the Pilgrims by Nathaniel Philbrick that's on my list...

My second project is to read all the Newbery and Caldecott Medal books. I want to work my way through the medal winners, then the honor books. I won't list the ones I've read, but it will suffice to say that I have a ways to go. I also usually try to catch up on some of the other popular children's books from the last year.

My third project this summer (I know, where will I find the time? But I have the rest of my life to complete the other two - this one I'm shooting for this summer) concerns the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. I have the two graphic novels, and have just ordered the companions written by Jess Nevin. My goal is to read all the major works associated with the League's characters:

King Solomon's Mines by Rider Haggard (Allan Quartermain)
Dracula by Bram Stoker (Mina Harker)
The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells (Hawley Griffin)
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne (Captain Nemo)
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Lewis Stevenson (Jekyll/Hyde)

I also intend to toss in the "supplementary" Complete Sherlock Holmes, since I've never read all of Holmes & I'm a mystery fan.

For a complete League of Extraordinary Gentlemen list, check out this one on Amazon.com. I'll work my way through what I can, but my main goal is the major works.

The other thing I read a lot of during the summer is mystery novels. I've just picked up a couple of new ones, so you'll be seeing some posts about those in the next few days.

What I'm Reading: The Trouble With Magic by Madelyn Alt

On My Bookshelf: Stacks of summer reading...

It's a bird! It's a plane!

2006-05-25T11:55:00.000-04:00

Let me start this off by saying that I'm definitely not knowledgeable about super heroes, and most particularly about Superman. I don't even know where to begin to start with him, and I don't think I want to make a project of it - it would be a big project. So, I've just been reading the Superman GNs that we have (which is only a few).
The one I started with is not really a Superman story. It's not about the character of Superman, anyway. It's a Bird by Steven T. Seagle & Teddy Kristiansen is the story of one man's quest to connect with the Man of Steel. The narrator writes comic books, but is not a Superman fan. When he's asked to write Superman - the most coveted assignment in the industry - his first instinct is to say no. His editor persists, though, until he agrees to consider it. He spends the next several days trying to make sense of his own life, dealing with his father's sudden disappearance, his break-up with his girlfriend, and his fear of a hereditary disease that is wasting his family members. Through all this, he tries to find a way to connect with Superman, wondering how someone human who is simply a scared man can relate to Superman.
I picked this one up because it was recommended at a workshop as a great look at the creative process, something that could be used in the classroom. It's true that it explores creativity, but I'm not sure kids will relate to it that well. The narrator's issues are mostly adult issues, and I think kids might find him a whiney wimp. I liked the story, but I didn't particularly care for the artwork in this one.
Superman: Infinite City has more traditional comic art work and an interesting if rather forgettable story line. Intrigued by an unusual weapon confiscated from a criminal, Clark Kent and Lois Lane investigate the manufacturer. What at first seems to be a run down cafe in Infinite City turns out to be a portal into a place in between dimensions - which Lois promptly stumbles through, of course. She is whisked off by the inhabitants to quarantine, so by the time Clark follows, she has disappeared. Clark is welcomed to this nexus of realities by the Warden, a man with powers that seem to be similar to Superman's. Trying to keep his identity (actually, both of them) a secret, Clark provides a false name, but quickly becomes involved in a conflict, attempting to back up the Warden. Superman's powers seem a bit impaired by the unfamiliar conditions, but his uniqueness is noted and he is taken to see the Mayor of Infinite City. The adventure that follows - Superman attempting to find and rescue Lois and save Infinite City & Earth from destruction, contains little that is unexpected. The artwork for this one, however, is pretty interesting - I love Lois's hair.
The best of the three, in my humble-and-not-so-knowledgeable opinion, is Birthright: The Origin of the Man of Steel, written by Mark Waid. It's the story of how Clark Kent came to be Superman, the story of Clark's search for his identity and the creation of the first super hero. The story starts at the beginning, when Kal-El is sent to Earth from a doomed planet by his loving parents, then jumps ahead to Clark as a young man on a journalism assignment in Africa. Well-traveled, Clark has witnessed violence, crime and injustice around the world, but the events that occur on this assignment are enough to convince him he must use his powers to make a difference. And so Superman is born. This one is a great place to start.

Seagel, Steven. Teddy Kristiansen, artist. It's a Bird. New York: Vertigo, 2004.

Kennedy, Mike. Carlos Meglia, artist. Superman: Infinite City. New York: DC Comics, 2005.

Waid, Mark. Leinil Francis Yu, penciller. Gerry Alanguilan, inker. Dave McCaig, colorist. Birthright: The Origin of the Man of Steel. New York: DC Comics, 2004.

What I'm Reading: Nothing, at this point. I just can't seem to get into anything! I think I'm putting aside Rose of No Man's Land by Michelle Tea (good but too depressing for me right now), but I don't know what I'm replacing it with.
On My Bookshelf: Well, the same as before, with the addition of Scott Westerfeld's Uglies and Peter Moore's Caught in the Act.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

2006-05-22T14:13:00.000-04:00

"I know this is going to sound strange, but will you be my girlfriend for five minutes?

I answer by putting my hand around his neck and pulling his face down to mine."

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan are both well known in the world of teen literature. Cohn's novel Gingerbread and its sequel, Shrimp, are on several of the "Best" lists compiled by ALA and educators, and Levithan has won awards and accolades for his books Boy Meets Boy; The Realm Possibility and Are We There Yet? So, when these two friends joined together to write Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, expectations from their fans were high.
Cohn and Levithan don't disappoint. Written from alternating points of view (Cohn writes Norah while Levithan writes Nick), Nick and Norah is the story of an accidental meeting that turns into a date, a night spent together, and, maybe, a real relationship. Trying to escape his ex, Nick asks Norah, a stranger, to pose as his girlfriend. Hoping to score a ride home for her drunk friend, Norah agrees. What starts out as something of a business transaction becomes something more when both notice the chemistry between them. Soon they find themselves on a date (arranged by his friends, unbeknownst to Nick), taking in a burlesque show and a secret performance by their favorite band. But both are packing baggage from their exes, and jumping into a new relationship - or even a one-night stand - might be more than either is ready for.
Nick and Norah will have appeal for teens, but it's a mature book that will also find an audience among college students and other twenty-somethings. Full of quick music and pop culture references, set in some of the trendiest clubs in NYC, Nick & Norah is a great night out on the town.

Cohn, Rachel and David Levithan. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. New York: Alfred K. Knopf, 2006.

What I'm Reading: Rose of No Man's Land by Michelle Tea
On My Bookshelf: Chicks With Sticks; Johnny Hazzard, Maya Running

Carnet De Voyage

2006-05-17T22:11:00.000-04:00

The guy at the local comic shop recommended this one to me when he discovered I liked Craig Thompson's Blankets. Carnet de Voyage is Thompson's travel diary - comic style - of his two month European trip in 2004.
I like Thompson's style - it's b&w but very expressive. I particularly like his drawings of women; they seem more expressive than his men. This is often a beautiful book, containing Thompson's images of the many sights and people he sees. And it is often a funny book - Thompson's drawings of his - err- stomach troubles are quite fun (to look at- not to have). The two almost don't seem to go together. But Thompson is honest about his trip; he burns out on sight-seeing, gets tired of signing books at promotions and giving away free portraits when he draws in the streets. He's kind of whiney - how many of us would give anything to have our publishers pay for an extended trip to Europe, even if it did involve public promotions & book signings (heck, how many of us would be thrilled to have a book to sign right here in the good old USA?). Still, I bet almost every one of us would also feel like Thompson - alone and homesick when the shine wore off the travel.
This isn't one that will be of great interest to teens, but it's definitely a different twist on the typical travel account.

Thompson, Craig. Carnet de Voyage. Marietta, GA: Top Shelf Productions, 2004.

What I'm Reading: Nick & Norah

On My Bookshelf: Johnny Hazard, Blood Red Horse, and so many more - not sure what's next...

King Dork

2006-05-17T20:03:00.000-04:00

I've been anxiously awaiting this one after reading much about it. Several members of YALSA-BK are already putting it on their best of 2006 list, which is always a good sign.
It took me several days to get through the book, but not because I wasn't enjoying it (busy, busy, busy!). It is long - 300+ pages, including the bandography & glossary - but Tom Henderson is a great character. He really is a dork - a kid who is awkward, picked on, geeky. He doesn't have any great redeeming talent, and his slights aren't only in his own head - the other kids really think he's a dork. But Tom's smart, even if he doesn't show it much in school, and - like many dorks, I would guess - is pretty cool if you get to know him.
It's the beginning of Tom's sophomore year, and everything is about to change. The year starts out as usual - he's "in a band" with his alphabetical friend Sam Hellerman (for these two "in a band" is more about band names & album covers than actual music), his mom is still in some kind of prolonged mourning for his dead father; his hippie step-dad is just as clueless as ever, and he doesn't expect to learn anything new in school. But this year will be different. This is a year of "mysteries involving dead people, naked people, fake people, ESP, blood, guitars, monks, witchcraft, the Bible, girls, the Crusades, a devil head and rock and roll."
It all starts when he finds his dad's copy of The Catcher in the Rye. Tom's not a member of the Catcher cult - he's definitely not a wanna be Holden Caufield - but the book was his dad's, and that alone makes it interesting.
But wait - maybe it started before that, with the party - and Fiona?
Or maybe Sam Hellerman had it planned all along...
Author Frank Portman. aka Dr Frank, is the frontman for the pop-punk band the Mr T Experience (MTX), and the music and literary references are part of what makes King Dork fun. If you can't follow Tom Henderson's music & literary references, Portman has helped out by posting the King Dork Discography & the Supplementary Reading List on his web site. Check it out for the full King Dork experience.

This is a great romp that takes twists and turns when you least expect it, and where you end up is surely not where you thought you'd be. But Tom is a great tour guide.

Portman, Frank. King Dork. New York: Delecorte Press, 2006.

What I'm Reading: Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
On My Bookshelf: Not sure yet...to many to choose from

Marly's Ghost

2006-05-03T09:33:00.000-04:00

A romantic treat for Valentine's Day (or any other day of the year, if you're a romantic at heart), David Levithan's Marly's Ghost is a "remix" of A Christmas Carol with a Valentine's setting. Ben's girlfriend Marly is dead, and he's being quite a "Scrooge" about Valentine's Day this year. Heartbroken at his loss, Ben has isolated himself from his friends and has become bitter about love. He wants only to be left alone to remember Marly and their time together. But his tight grip on the past is preventing Marly from moving on. Her visit to him (weighted down by her charm bracelet filled with tokens of their love) is the first in a series of spiritual visits that will convince Ben that he can risk loving again.
While the Victorian language of Marly's ghost seems a bit much (I think normal teen-talk would have been more fitting, but that's just me), this remix is loads of fun. Kids who aren't familiar with the original tale & its Victorian setting might think some of the language, etc a bit strange, but that won't interfere with their enjoyment of the story. While Levithan has kept many of the original trappings of the story, there are some fun changes, such as Tiny and Tim, a young gay couple flush with new love, who are on the receiving end of Ben's Valentine's Day humbug - and first in line to receive his newfound Valentine's Day cheer.

Levithan, David. Marly's Ghost. New York: Dial Books, 2006.

What I'm Reading: Charmed Thirds by Megan McCafferty
On My Bookshelf: King Dork by Frank Portman

2006-04-30T10:21:00.000-04:00

What with all the controversy in the news this week, I had to read Sloppy Firsts (again) and How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and got a Life for myself. If you haven't heard about it, the short version of the story is that Kaavya Viswanathan, Harvard sophomore and the author of Opal Mehta, has been accused of plagiarizing Megan McCafferty's novels Sloppy Firsts & Second Helpings. For details, see the original article in the Harvard Crimson and this clip from Viswanathan's Wednesday morning appearance on the Today Show: Teen author denies intentional copying.
Both books are considered "crossover" books; although Jessica Darling, McCafferty's heroine, is only a sophomore at the beginning of Sloppy Firsts, the language & themes make it a good book for an audience of 15 - 25 year olds. By the time she hits Charmed Thirds, the recently released third Jessica Darling novel, Jessica's in college.
Jessica is one of those cynical, intelligent teens with a type A personality who doesn't fit in anywhere because she's years beyond her classmates in so many ways. The one person she connected with, her best friend Hope, has moved away, and Jessica is lost without her. Things get complicated when Jess gets involved with Marcus Flutie a delinquent drug user whom Hope blames for her brother's death. Suddenly Jessica is keeping secrets from the one person she could always talk to.
Opal Mehta is a completely different story, athought Opal is also a type-A, super smart teen. Indian American, Opal and her parents have spent the last seventeen years following HOWGIH - How Opal Will Get Into Harvard - their plan for reaching Ivy League success. Strait A's, multiple science awards & several months worth of welding classes later, on paper Opal is the most qualified applicant Harvard could ask for. But at her early admissions interview, the Dean of Admissions throws Opal a question she isn't ready for - what does she do for fun? When Opal can't answer, the Dean tells her Harvard wants well rounded students with "life experience," and encourages Opal to get a life & apply again regular admission. So begins HOWGAL - How Opal Will Get A Life - the Mehtas' most comprehensive strategic play yet.
There are some immediate similarities between the books - both characters are from New Jersey, both are super-smart, both lack a large group of friends. In McCafferty's second book, Jessica Darling is trying to get into Columbia, while Opal's entire life centers around getting accepted to Harvard. But less apparent similarities were noticed by one reader, who sent a letter to the Harvard Crimson advising them to compare Opal Mehta to McCafferty's works. Reportedly, somewhere between 29-40 passages of Opal Mehta were nearly identical to passages from McCafferty's first two books.
The similarities are definitely there - not even Viswanathan or her publisher denies it. But Viswanathan claims the plagiarism was unintentional, that she read McCafferty's books repeatedly while in high school (though not while she was writing Opal Mehta) and must have "internalized" McCafferty's language and unintentionally copied it when writing her own book.
This explanation has of course stirred up much discussion in the book world. If what Viswanathan is claiming is true, shouldn't authors be plagiarizing others left and right? Or is this a genuine mistake made by someone with a near photographic memory who, upon finding a voice for her character, didn't realize the voice had come from someone else?
Here's my opinion. I'm not sure if Viswanathan did it on purpose or not. But I think she probably identified strongly with Jessica Darling's quick intelligence and intense loneliness. She probably did internalize much of McCafferty's character, including her voice, because they had much in common. The plagiarized passages are striking, but even more striking to me were the similarities between Jessica & Opal's worlds - it's like Jess Darling & Opal live in the same town. Their dream guy/bad boy love interest are nearly identical, the cliques at their school are nearly identical - etc, etc. It makes me wonder if Viswanathan forgot that Jessica Darling didn't belong to her, but to Megan McCafferty. After all, how many of us who are readers have identified so strongly with a character and become so caught up in a book that we forget that millions of others share that same world through the pages - it seems like it belongs only to us.
None of this excuses Viswanathan's actions, even if she didn't do it on purpose. But I do feel sorry for her. She was only 17 when she was offered a 2 book deal with a $500,000 advance from Little, Brown. Much has been made of Viswanathan finishing her novel while she was taking her Harvard exams last spring - a great story, but the reality is that the girl must have been under an immense amount of pressure. I'm sure this probably contributed to the plagiarism, intentional or unintentional.
Viswanathan's publisher has announced it is recalling all unsold copies of Opal Mehta. Viswanathan is going to rewrite the questionable passages and include an acknowledgment to McCafferty in the new edition (something that probably won't make McCafferty feel much better at this point). There's been some discussion about who will buy the book after it's re-release, but I think we should have learned from the whole James Frey debacle that negative press doesn't always hurt - many will buy the book because the read about the whole thing in the paper.
What's really sad (aside from the fact that this will follow Viswanathan forever) is that Opal Mehta is a great story. Opal herself is a fun character, but the best part of the book is Opal's parents. They are wonderfully over the top in their determination to see their daughter get into Harvard, and Opal's close relationship with them is refreshing in a YA lit world of absent parents.
The good side, however, is that this is also providing some exposure for McCafferty's novels - although I'm sure she would have rather it happened in another way. Still, her newest Jess Darling novel, Charmed Thirds, was released earlier this month, and more people than ever before are going to recognize McCafferty's name. And there is a sort of dubious honor in having your work plagiarized - it means someone admired it that much. McCafferty's books are great - they're laugh-out-loud funny, true to life and full of insight.

My advice? Definitely read the originals. Pass on Opal out of principle.

McCafferty, Megan. Sloppy Firsts. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2001.
--. Second Helpings. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2003.
--. Charmed Thirds. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2006.

Viswanathan, Kaavya. How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild and Got a Life. New York: Little, Brown & Company, 2006.

On My Bookshelf: Marly's Ghost by David Levithan; Second Helpings & Charmed Thirds by Megan McCafferty, King Dork by Frank Portman.

2006-04-25T14:11:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I've been anxiously awaiting Sarah Dessen's new book, Just Listen. It's finally out, and I finally got time to read it. And, of course, I read it all in one sitting.
In the commercial for Kopf's Department store, Annabel looks like the girl with the perfect life - cheerleader, homecoming queen, the whole deal. The truth is, new school year is going to be rough for Annabel. She's been ditched by her vicious best friend. Rumors about what happened at the part last spring still abound, and no one wants anything to do with Annabel. She's sick of modeling, but she's afraid to tell her mother she wants to quit. The year looks bleak, until she meets Owen. On the fringes himself, Owen has a bit of a rep as a bad boy, but Annabel discovers under the rough exterior Owen is just trying to make his way, deal with his family & his anger, and listen to his music. Music is Owen's passion, and he slowly draws Annabel out of her protective shell by sharing what he loves most with her. Owen's support might give Annabel the strength she needs to share her real feelings with her mother, but it takes the strength of someone else - a former friend - to inspire Annabel to tell the truth about what really happened last spring.
A little bit reminiscent of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Just Listen probably isn't' Dessen's best book, but it's definitely good. I love Owen - if I were 16, he'd be just my type. Dessen's blog and the playlist she has posted to accompany Just Listen add additional layers to the book and give kids a change to get inside the author's mind.

2006-04-25T12:39:00.000-04:00

If you're looking for a sassy, confident & fun female detective, I've got your girl. Lulu Dark, girl sleuth, solves the case in Lulu Dark Can See Through Walls by Bennett Madison. While hanging out at a Halo City club with her friends, Lulu's favorite purse - a hideous Kate Spade knock-off - is stolen. Lulu wants it back, since not only is it her favorite purse, but it contains the phone number of Alfie Romeo, the totally hot lead singer of Many Handsomes.
First, Lulu thinks her arch-nemesis Rachel has taken her purse to get back at her for some not-so-nice remarks Lulu made about her mother. But soon it becomes evident that the theft of Lulu's purse is part of something much bigger - and more mysterious. What happened to Lulu's classmate Berlin Silver after she left the club that night? And who is the mysterious Sally Hansen? And what's up with Lulu's friend Charlie - surely he's not in love with her?
This is one of those mysteries that has hints at the end, and you kind of know what's coming, but you just can't wrap your head around it and put it all together. Once you've met Lulu Dark, you'll want to hang out with her some more - watch for her second adventure, Lulu Dark and the Summer of the Fox, coming in May!

Madison, Bennett. Lulu Dark Can See Through Walls. New York: Sleuth/Razorbill, 2005. ISBN 1595140107 $9.99

2006-04-18T15:15:00.000-04:00

"Sometimes love can be stranger than fiction."

Having founded a few book clubs myself, I was intrigued enough by A Novel Idea by Aimee Friedman that I picked it up at Barnes & Noble for the library. It's a fun read - a great summer beach read - about a girl, Norah, who starts a book club at a fun local book store to add to her list of extra curriculuar activities for college applications. She's a reader, and a bit of a book snob (or at least perceived as so), but she has a secret weakness for trashy romance novels.
Of course, the book club isnt' going to read any such thing; Norah sells them on The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time instead. The club's ecclectic, including a diva, a science nerd, Norah's best friend, a book store employee, and James, whom Norah is interested in right away. Norah's not quite sure how to snag him until her latest trashy romance provides some inspiration - a plan that should be impossible for James to resist.
Since book clubs are popular with teens, this book should be as well. The writing isn't great, and I was a little frustrated with Norah's plan - and I think many teens will be, too. It's pretty sit-commy. Still, this one is a clean romance choice for those who are looking for summer mind candy.

Friedman, Aimme. A Novle Idea. New York: Simon Pulse, 2006. ISBN 9781416907855 $5.99.

2006-04-18T13:56:00.000-04:00

Yes, I feel like I'm back from the dead. Neck problems have made reading & typing my un-favorite activites for the last few weeks, so I haven't even finished talking about the other two "pink" books I read a couple of weeks ago. And my aching neck is actually doing well enough that I read a few new ones, so now I have lots to talk about.
First up: Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart. Much fun for anyone who ever really wanted to be, well, a fly on the wall. That's Gretchen Yee's wish - she wants to be a fly on the wall in the boy's locker room in hopes of unlocking the mysterious secrets of men. Then next morning she wakes up an - poof! - what do you know? She's a fly on the wall of the boys locker room. And she's about to learn more about boys than she ever wanted to know.
Gretchen's always been something of a misfit, and she doesn't have many friends. Attending Manhattan High School for the Arts, you'd think her artistic talent would be appreciated, but, unfortunately for Gretchen, her art teachers don't have much respect for the comic book style art that Gretchen loves. And she feels so normal, in a school of distinct individuals, that she knows she doesn't fit in. Her only friend, Katya, seems to be avoiding her, and they guy she has a crush on, Titus, doesn't know she's alive. And guys are so confusing that Gretchen is sure things won't get any better unless she gets some inside info. Which is what leads to The Wish.
Stuck in the boys' locker room, Gretchen learns a lot - although not exactly what she had in mind. Five days in the boys' locker room is enough to educate any girl - and change her for good.
This is a hilariously fun read - I particularly like Gretchen's grading scale for boy's butts, developed after much study. But aside from the humor, it's also a great book about an awkward girl realizing that boys are people, too, and that they can feel just as insecure as she does.

Lockhart, E. Fly on the Wall. New York: Delecorte Press, 2006. ISBN: 0385732813. $15.95.

2006-04-02T11:56:00.000-04:00

So far, this weekend has been all about procrastinating and recuperating. Usually, I "get stuff done" on Saturday so I can totally relax on Sunday, but this has been such a hectic two weeks that I decided to go on strike yesterday. I should have cleaned, done some shopping, and read Life of Pi for book club & the 75 or so submissions I agreed to read for the school's literary journal. Instead, I read four "pink" books, watched the White Sox, napped, and stayed up until nearly 4am watching the second season of Buffy.
So, today I will write, and read some of the stuff I'm supposed to, and I've already done dishes - and I'll probably watch some more Buffy.
I started out with My Not-So-Terrible-Time at the Hippie Hotel by Rosemary Graham. I'd planned to read Thou shalt Not Dump the Skater Dude and Other Commandments I Have Broken, but I discovered the two are companion novels & decided to read the first one first (first one published, that is - I'm a little uptight about this kind of thing). Turns out it doesn't matter; Hippie Hotel actually takes place right in the middle of Skater Dude, but neither ruins the other story. Let me explain.
Hippie Hotel is Tracy's story; her parents are divorced & her dad drags her on vacation for a Family Time program at a crazy hotel. Tracy's having trouble dealing with her parents' divorce, and she has some problems in the romance department herself - like she has no confidence around boys. But David, a local, seems interested in her, and flirtatious Kelsey and Beka (also at the hotel with their divorced parents) help Tracy find enough confidence to give David a chance.
Skater Dude is Kelsey's story. Just before leaving for Cape Cod & the Hippie Hotel, she dumped CJ, her famous skateboarding boyfriend. Tired of playing second fiddle to a skateboard, Kelsey enjoys a couple of weeks of summer fun & meets some new friends before returning home to discover that CJ, who can't handle the fact that a girl actually dumped him, has totally trashed her reputation. Ousted from her old crowd, Kelsey must figure out who she is not that she's not CJ Logan's girl.
Neither of these books break much new ground, but they're both fun reads that cover some important teen issues - divorce, self-confidence, the price of popularity and judging people when you don't have the whole story. Definitely worth a place on any teen's summer reading list.

Oh, and if you want CJ's side of the story, check out his blog at http://cjloganland.blogspot.com/.

Graham, Rosemary. My Not-So-Terrible Time at the Hippie Hotel. New York: Viking, 2003. ISBN 0670036110 $16.99
--- Thou Shalt Not Dump the Skater Dude and Other Commandments I Have Broken. New York: Viking, 2005. 0670060178

2006-03-31T13:42:00.000-05:00

"Rosalind had two mommies. Now, thanks to a tragic accident involving foodstuffs, she has none. And Sean, the sperm donor responsible for half her DNA (and nothing else) is taking custody."

Donorboy by Brendan Halpin is told entirely through emails, IMs, transcripts, notes, journals & other communications, giving the reader the opportunity to hear this tough but funny story from both points of view. Rosalind resents living with "Donorboy" Sean, her biological father, since she didn't even know who he was before her mothers died. Sean, an instant parent, is overwhelmed by love and fear for - and of - his daughter.
Rosalind is having a tough time dealing with her grief, which she angrily (and profanely) pours out into a grief journal "prescribed" by her otherwise seemingly incompetent counselor. Sean, unable to communicate with Ros in person, begins a series of emails to her, explaining how he came to be her donor and why he wants to be her father. Sean and Ros seem miles apart, but they share a sense of humor that comes through in their communications, and Sean's agonized determination to be a good parent begins to get through to Ros when she discovers "Donorboy" does have a few likeable traits.
Rosalind is a great kid with a good head on her shoulders as she begins to find her way through her grief. Although her mothers were lesbians, this is not a homosexual issues book; Rosalind worries about being a lesbian herself, but her grief consumes most of her energy. Sean is the one with the real appeal for me, though. He's honest and funny and determined and scared and frustrated and confused - and it all comes pouring out in his heartfelt emails to his daughter. This one was enjoyable from beginning to end with some great laugh-out-loud funny lines.

Halpin, Brendan. Donorboy. New York: Villard, 2004. ISBN 1-400062772 $12.95.

What I'm Reading: My Not-So-Terrible Time at the Hippie Hotel by Rosemary Graham (because I just discovered Thou Shalt Not Dump the Skater Dude is a companion novel to it)
On My Bookshelf: Thou Shalt Not Dump the Skater Dude and Other Commandments I Have Broken by Rosemary Graham; Claiming Georgia Tate (which I'm putting off because it sounds depressing) Maximum Ride by James Patterson (which I'm putting off because I'm not in the mood)

2006-03-29T12:37:00.000-05:00

Did all that reading I did on our snow day burn me out? I know it's been over a week, but the answer is no. I've actually read a couple of things (although not many - busy!) but didn't have time to post until now.
I'm actually a little embarassed to admit I've never read any of the Bone comics by Jeff Smith. However, our class has remedied my omission, and I read Out from Boneville last week. It was fun; a great read for all ages. We have Out from Boneville in the new color edition, which I highly recommend (as does the author). We also have the entire series (nine issues) in one, in black and white. It's a hefty book that might scare some kids off with it's size, but it's a convenient way to get the whole story. For those of you who don't know, Bone: Out from Boneville is the story of Fone Bone & his cousins Phoney and Smiley. Phoney Bone has been banished from Boneville, and Fone & Smiley have accompanied him into the wild. They become separated when they're caught up in a swarm of locusts, and Fone finds himself alone in a mysterious valley that is home to several strange creatures. Fone becomes friends with the girl Thorn and her grandmother, and is eventually re-united with his cousins - but this is only the beginning of their adventures. Why are the Rat Creatures after Phoney Bone? Why won't anyone believe Fone about the dragon? And will they ever make it back to Boneville?
My other read was One Piece Volume 1: Romance Dawn by Eiichiro Oda. It's pirate manga! How cool is that?! It's not bad, either. Luffy wants to be a pirate more than anything. The bravery of a pirate captain using Luffy's town as a port only inspires Luffy further, but Captain Shanks refuses to let the boy join his crew. Luffy's dealings with the pirates leave him with some pretty impressive powers, however, and when Luffy grows up, he begins to put those powers to use - as a pirate! But first Luffy must gather a pirate crew, and it doesn't take long before his search uncovers some pretty impressive pirate types and leads to the defeat of the evil Captain Axe-Hand Morgan and his snivelling son!

Smith, Jeff. Bone: Out from Boneville. New York: Scholastic, 2005. ISBN 0-439-70640-8. $9.99

Oda, Eiichiro. One Piece Volume 1: Romance Dawn. San Francisco: Viz, LLC, 1997. ISBN 1569319014. $7.95

What I'm Reading: Donorboy by Brendan Halpin
On My Bookshelf: Maximum Ride by James Patterson, Claiming Georgia Tate by Gigi Amateau; Rush Hour: Sin, Vol. 1 edited by Michael Cart; I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

2006-03-22T14:33:00.000-05:00

Okay, this is the last one! After finishing this one Steve & I watched movies. I took home Sarah Dessen's That Summer because it's the only book by her that I hadn't read and I'm anxiously awaiting her new novel, Just Listen, which is out early in April. I read her blog regulalry, and she updates it all the time, so I feel like I know a lot about her. I love her books, as do our students. If you are looking for good stories that are tender, romantic and real, Sarah Dessen is a great place to start. I recommend these books all the time, and I've never heard of a teen girl not liking them. BIG NOTE TO PARENTS BUYING BOOKS FOR KIDS OR TEENS LOOKING FOR GOOD READS: SARAH DESSEN IS YOUR GIRL!
That Summer is the story of Haven, who's having a rough summer, in fact. Her father left her mother and is now marrying the Other Woman. Haven's sister Ashley is also getting married, to the rather boring but dependable Lewis - the last guy in the world Haven can imagine her rebellious, outspoken, formerly boy-crazy sister marrying. As Haven's summer gets tougher, she remembers the last good summer they had as a family, before her father left - the summer her sister was dating Sumner. Sumner now abruptly re-appears in Haven's life, and he seems to be the only one who understands what she's going through, until Haven discovers that summer, the perfect summer she remembers, wasn't actually so perfect, and maybe accepting the present is better than dreaming about the past.
This was Dessen's first book and, while it isn't her best (my opinion!), it's still wonderful. My favorite by Dessen is, I think, This Lullaby (Hate Spinnerbait!) (read it and you'll get the reference :)). I also think Dreamland is fantastic, but it's much darker than Dessen's other books. It's about an abusive teen relationship and should be required reading for all teen girls. I've read that Someone Like You is the one Dessen receives the most emails about; since it's about a girl whose best friend becomes pregnant, that doesn't surprise me (teen girls are fascinated by books about pregnancy - no sex need be included. Dessen's books have little sexual content, except for Dreamland & maybe a little in This Lullaby). Oh, and I can't forget her most recent one, The Truth About Forever...what can I say, they're all good! Another good sell for Dessen's books is the movie How to Deal starring Mandy Moore, which is a combination of two of Dessen's novels, Someone Like You and the one I just read, That Summer! I haven't seen the movie yet, but it's sitting at home waiting for me, as soon as I have time...

Dessen, Sarah. This Summer. New York: Speak, 1998. ISBN 0142401722 $7.99.

What I'm Reading: Bone: Out from Boneville
On My Bookshelf: A whole bunch of stuff for class - haven't read most of the titles for next week

2006-03-22T14:19:00.000-05:00

I didn't actually re-read this one yesterday, but I have to mention it. I'd re-read it if I had time. It's another supplementary title for class that I read a while ago & earns a mention here because it rocks. It's Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood by Benjamin Alire Saenz, a story set in the barrio of Los Cruces, New Mexico during the Vietnam War (this isn't the Hollywood of palm trees & movie stars we're talking about!). Juliana & Sammy and their friends have few chances to get out of Hollywood, and the ones that there are - being drafted or joining the arm & getting sent to Vietnam - aren't what you would call great opportunities. This is a realistic picture of the lives of a group of teens that belong to a little explored or studied group - we've heard about the contributions of African Americans during Vietnam, but not a lot about Latinos. The story ring true because it's told by someone who lived it. It's harsh, it's dark, but it's real. Kids don't seem to be drawn to it on their own, but it would be a great books to discuss in a class. Unfortunately, some sexual content and language (I don't speak Spanish, but I'm told much of the Spanish is, well, inappropriate for a high school classroom!) will make it's use in a classroom unlikely. I reviewed this one for The Hub Weekly last year (local entertainment paper) and recommended it as a young adult book that will have a lot of appeal for adults.

Saenz, Benjamin Alire. Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood. El Paso, TX: Cinco Puntos Press, 2005. ISBN 0938317814 $19.95

2006-03-22T14:06:00.000-05:00

Next I moved on to Black Juice by Margo Lanagan, the collection of short stories that won a Printz honor this year (the book on the award list I hadn't heard of). It's also required for class this week. Although I was anxious to remedy my ignorance of this title, I have to admit that I failed.
I actually think this is probably a pretty good collection of short stories. Judging by the discussion about it in my class, many enjoyed it, and think it would be great to use in a high school classroom. This is probably true, and, as a professional, I really should force myself to finish it. But I'm not a short story fan (forced to read them in school & hated them!), but I forced myself to read the first three stories, then let myself put it down. There are too many books out there that I want to read to force myself to read one I just don't like!
Anyway, in all fairness, I need to say again that this is a promising collection as short stories go. The stories are strange and unusual (sometimes downright weird, as in the case of "Red Nose Day") and will probably catch and hold the attention of some teens, particularly if they are offered these in a classroom (I mean, consider the alternatives...). They are fantasy-like stories, although I'm not sure I'd actually call them fantasy. That was part of my problem with them, actually - I couldn't figure out when or where things were happening - is this another culture? Another time? Another reality? Another PLANET? Because the setting seemed to change with each story, I quickly became frustrated. Some kids might feel the same way, others might not mind it at all. Made me crazy, though.

Lanagan, Margo. Black Juice. New York: HarperCollins, 2005. ISBN 0060743905 $15.99.

2006-03-21T20:48:00.000-05:00

So, then I left comics behind and moved on to another format (this week's class readings are about changing formats). Sonya Sones writes novels in verse. If you've read my comments on Tanya Lee's Stone's new book, you know my feelings about novels in verse. Not my favorite format. But this is quite possibly my favorite novel in verse.
Sophie is searching for the right boy, but when she finds him, he certainly isn't who she expected. Does she have the courage to share her feelings for him with others and risk being ridiculed by the whole school?
I think this is a sweet story about love a courage and would love it even more if it was an actual novel, so I could get to know Sophie and Robin better. Still, the poems are fun and their words and style share more about Sophie then one would expect. A great choice for those who love novels in verse, those who have never read a novel in verse, and those, like me, who have mixed feelings about novels in verse.
For another great novel in verse, try Sones's newer book, One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies.

Sones, Sonya. What My Mother Doesn't Know. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2001. ISBN 0689841140. $17.00.

2006-03-21T20:33:00.000-05:00

Next, I re-read Blankets by Craig Thompson, also for class. I read it a couple of years ago & loved it and decided it was worth a re-read. This is a "literary" comic (at least that's how I think of it), one I'd recommend to those who are skeptical of the value of comic books. Or, I guess I really should call it a graphic novel - it's over 500 pages long. Unfortunately, the length tends to put kids off, since they're programmed to avoid long books. They forget how quickly comics read - or they just don't want to carry it around.
Anyway, Blankets is a coming of age, sweetly romantic, semi-autobiographical graphic novel about a teen boy who falls in love for the first time, recalls his childhood in rural Wisconsin, and begins to question the Christian faith that is such an important part of his parents' life. It contains some nudity, but nothing is graphic or vulgar. It's a believable part of the story, not gratuitous. This story really touches me and is so believable. Craig's relationship with Raina is right on for teen love & longing, and his memories of sharing a bed with his brother ring true (I especially love their pee fight); I think Thompson does an excellent job, in words and pictures, of capturing the doubts, fears and confusions of the teen years , the intensity of first love and the bitter disappointment of it's end. If you never read another comic, read this one just to see what all the fuss is about.

Thompson, Craig. Blankets. Marietta, GA: Top Shelf Publications, 2003. ISBN 1891830430. $29.95.

2006-03-21T20:22:00.000-05:00

It's been a few days, but I made up for lost time today. A nasty blizzard caused schools to close, so I got to enjoy one of the benefits of working in a school - an unexpected, unplanned day off. I spent the day reading & catching up on laundry. Exciting, huh?
I started off the morning with Fruits Basket Volume 1, required reading for my class. We've had the Fruits Basket series (it's manga) for a while, but it's one I haven't read. I usually try to read the first volume in each series, just to get an idea of what they're about (and so I sound like I know what I'm talking about with the kids). Truthfully, manga isn't really my thing. Usually, I read the first volume in a series & have no desire to read any further. As you may have gathered, I really like comics, but all the manga I've read seems rather shallow - sort of like series books for teens. Fruits Baskets is the best of the ones I've read so far, however. It's about an orphan who has no where to live. She's taken in by a young man she goes to school with, but discovers he and his "cousins" are a bit unusual. Each is an animal of the Chinese zodiac, and when hugged by a member of the opposite sex, they temporarily lose their human form and turn into animals. Strange, but rather fun. The characters in this one are actually interesting. I might read a few more volumes.
Oh, I also read the first volume of Chrono-Crusade late last week for a book talk. A nun and a bound demon fight demons together. Another good series for anyone who is into manga. I liked Fruits Basket better, but Chrono-Crusade was pretty good.

Takaya, Natsuki. Fruits Basket Vol. 1. Tokyo Pop, Los Angeles, 1998. ISBN 1591826039.

2006-03-16T14:09:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately, this one was not as good as I'd hoped. The idea of a "witch for hire" who fights monsters sounding pretty exciting (at least to me!), but I felt like I was dumped into the middle of the story and was missing out on an awful lot.
Thessaly, last of the powerful Thessalian witches, has spend the last two years fighting monsters then moving on when her neighbors begin to become suspicious. When Fletch, a lovable "ghost" comprised of all the people Thessaly has ever killed, arrives, Thessaly discovers he has, out of loving concern for her, made her part of a monster-killing contract without her knowledge, hoping to add some fun and adventure to her life. Thessaly is understandably furious, but has little time to be angry when she discovers Fletch's latest contract has transferred the wrath of a Tharmic-Null to her, his beloved; it's the one thing Thessaly can't kill.
Thessaly made her first appearance in Neil Gaiman's The Sandman and she's certainly deserving of her own book. However, this one doesn't do her justice. The artwork is great, but the story lacks development.

Willingham, Bill and Shawn McManus. Thessaly: Witch For Hire. New York: DC Comics, 2005.

2006-03-15T20:53:00.000-05:00

This was a fun little book - just what I needed after the darkness of Winter's Bone. The cover alone is enough to make you smile, and the story is even better.
DJ (aka Dairy Queen) spends most of her spare time working on the family farm in Red Bend, Wisconsin. Her father's hip injury makes it impossible for him to do much, her mother is working two jobs, and her two older brothers are playing college football - and want nothing to do with the farm. She had to quit basketball to keep up with the work, which doesn't make her too happy - but she does it anyway, because she's a Schwenk and that's what Schwenks do. But she's even less happy when a new farm hand shows up. Brian Nelson is the quarterback for the Hawley football team, Red Bend's archrivals. And he's a lazy whiner.
But DJ and Brian hit it off, and DJ finds herself training Brian for the new football season. It's a situation she never imagined, but it gives birth to an even more unlikely dream - one DJ will have to fight to make come true.
Read this one when it comes out.

Murdock, Catherine Gilbert. Dairy Queen. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2006. ISBN 0618683070 $16.00

What I'm Reading: Fruits Basket #1 & Thessaly: Witch for Hire
On My Bookshelf: Black Juice by Margo Lanagan

2006-03-15T20:19:00.000-05:00

I was asked to review Winter's Bone for VOYA. Quite honestly, I've been putting it off. The story sounded interesting - a young girl, raised in poverty in the Ozarks, goes in search of her bail-jumping father to prevent her family from losing their home. Still, it sounded depressing, and it's written as an adult book (even though it has a young protagonist), so I figured it might be a tough read.
And it was, but not quite in the way I thought. Ree is an interesting character, although her motivations are not completely clear. Her love and respect for her family are evident, and her strength and determination are her defining characteristics, but I was unsure where these admirable traits came from. Her life is rough; her father cooks crystal meth and has jumped bail and left his family to fend for itself; her mother is mentally ill and unable to care for Ree's two younger brothers. Ree wants to escape by joining the Army, but the liklihood of that happening looks slim. Her father used their home to guarentee his bond, and no one has seen him since. Ree goes searching, determined to bring him in. Anyone who might know anything is relucant to talk - but not reluctant to use violence to keep their silence.
I read the book in one evening when I thought it would take two or three. The book is dark and rather depressing; Ree's chances of getting out aren't good, and you know from the beginning the liklihood of a happy ending is slim. Still, I kept reading because Ree drew me in, and her story was so true - until the end. Woodnell tried to tack on a happily-ever-after ending to a story that didn't want a fairy tale ending. While rest of the story felt gritty and true, it ended on a false note. Still, Ree's story is one worth reading, although it's appeal to teens may be limited.

Woodrell, Daniel. Winter's Bone. New York: Little Brown & Co. 2006.
Published August 2006

What I'm Reading: Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (published May 2006)
On My Bookshelf: Fruits Basket #1 by Natsuki Takaya; Black Juice by Margo Lanagan; Thessaly: Witch for Hire by Bill Willingham & Shawn McManus

2006-03-13T15:15:00.000-05:00

Some great comics from Oni Press. Great for the punk in your life, but not for the young or the conservative minded.

Wood, Brian & Steve Rolston. Pounded. Portland, OR: Oni Press, 2002.

2006-03-13T14:34:00.000-05:00

The only book I've ever read by Rita Williams-Garcia is No Laughter Here, and I read that one because it was one of the first (if not only) books for teens to address the issue of female genital mutilation. It was a great novel, but I read it due to the subject matter, not the author's reputation (which is excellent). So, it was nice to have another Williams-Garcia novel assigned for class.
In Every Time a Rainbow Dies, Thulani, living with his brother & sister-in-law after his mother's death, has no idea where he's headed. He spends most of his time with the birds he keeps on the roof of their building; they're his closest friends. But when Thulani witnesses a rape from the safety of his rooftop retreat, he's plunged back into the real world and forced to take an interest. Scaring off the rapists and helping the girl home forms a bond between Thulani and the girl - at least he thinks so. He cares about Ysa, but Ysa is motivated and driven; she knows what she wants and is determined to succeed. Thulani is still uncertain about his own future, until the death of a neighbor and his brother's dreams for his family force Thulani to care about what happens to him.
Like so many other novels we're reading for this class, this is one I would not have picked up on my own. But I did enjoy it. The hints of Jamaican-American culture add interest and Thulani's changing relationship with his brother and, especially, his sister-in-law are wonderful to watch. I'm unsure how Williams-Garcia wants the reader to see Thulani, but I was at times sympathetic to him and at times frustrated with him. I could understand his brother & sister-in-law's frustrations with him, but I was also enraged on Thulani's behalf at how his brother sometimes treated him. Perhaps this is what Williams-Garcia wanted; it certainly give Thulani's character more depth.

Williams-Garcia, Rita. Every Time a Rainbow Dies. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2001. ISBN 0688162452 $15.95

What I'm Reading: Re-reading Boy Meats Boy by David Levithan
On My Bookshelf: that book I have to review for VOYA (still can't remember the name)

2006-03-10T15:16:00.000-05:00

"You're a very sexy audience. I love the way you laugh. I bet you can dance on the ceiling and eat pretzels off the floor with one hand tied behind you. Admit it- you're an adrenaline junkie, undulating hysteria about to explode, waiting to be discovered. You're not cynical, are you? Please tell me you're not. But if you are, I guess it's okay. I've had my moments, too. But it's hard to be cynical when you're telling a love story. And that's what I'm about to do."

Written as a live performance piece, Orphea Proud is Orphea's story of love and loss. Realizing she has fallen in love with her best friend Lissa, Orphea is confused and scared by her feelings for another girl. But Lissa feels the same, and it looks as if their friendship might morph into something more - until Orphea's guardian brother finds them kissing. Rupert is furious, throwing Orphea across the room and Lissa out of the house. Upset and driving too fast for the snowy conditions, Lissa is killed in an accident on her way home.
Orphea is more alone than ever, and relations with her brother and his wife go from bad to worse. Finally, fed up with her, they abandon her to her mother's aunts at the family home in Virginia. Here, Orphea finds unconditional love and inspiration for her poetry. Coming to terms with her sexuality and her feelings for Lissa, Orphea finally becomes strong enough to share her love and loss through her performance.
Orphea's story is a good one, although I'm not sure it works as a performance piece. It's a little bit like Paul Fleischmann's work, only not as successful. Fleishmann usually pulls off his unusual formats flawlessly, and Orphea isn't flawless. It's really too long to work as a performance piece. The story is good, though - interesting enough that Orphea's occasional directions to the audience about the club's owners, the artist painting behind her, or ordering food & drink seem intrusive. The structure of the story is a bit contrived, and almost takes away from the story itself.
As a book for gay teens, this work breaks little new ground. The race of the girls (both are African American) is really it's only distinguishing trait; other books, such as Geography Club by Bret Hartinger, Keeping You a Secret by Julie Ann Peters and Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan deal with teen homosexuality in more innovative and interesting ways.

Wyeth, Sharon Dennis. Orphea Proud. New York: Delacorte Press, 2004. ISBN 0385324979 $15.95.

What I'm Reading: Every Time a Rainbow Dies by Rita Williams-Garcia
On My Book Shelf: The Body Eclectic: An Anthology of Poems by Patrice Vecchione; Dairy Queen and a book I'm supposed to be reviewing for VOYA but can't remember the name.

2006-03-09T10:53:00.000-05:00

Okay, I know I should be reading books for my class, but I borrowed this ARC (ARC = advanced reading copy; publishers send these out before a book is published to people who write reviews) through yaarc (a blog for librarians & others to share advanced reading copies, if you aren't familiar with it, check it out) and I need to pass it on - I've already had it too long. Today I have to finish skimming Looking for Alaska for our book club, which meets this afternoon, then I'm moving on to the second week of books for class (see blow for a list).
So, back to Kiki Strike. This is a weird book. Good. But weird. And fun. It's sort of like Alex Rider for girls - adventure & action, but with a good plot. It starts with a big hole appearing in the park across fro Ananka Fishbein's apartment. Intrigued, especially after she sees a diminutive figure climbing out of it, she investigates and discovers a room, and an entrance to a tunnel. Nearly discovered, Ananka is forced away before she can investigate, but she takes with her a book that describes the Shadow City, a secret city deep beneath the buildings and streets of New York.
Shortly after, a mysterious new girl appears in Ananka's classes. There's a connection between Kiki Strike and the Shadow City, and Kiki draws Ananka into her plans to explore the deserted world beneath their feet. Pulling together a group of talented and dangerous twelve-year-olds, Kiki forms the Irregulars and the adventures begin. But is Kiki really who she claims to be? What is her real reason for exploring the Shadow City?
I did figure out much of the mystery before it was revealed, and the lists at the end of each chapter ("How to Tell A Lie;" How to Foil a Kidnapping;"and "How to Know if Someone's Eavesdropping," for example) got a bit tiresome to me, but young people might enjoy them. The story is told from an older Ananka's point of view as she chronicles her first adventure with Kiki Strike. The premise is fun (a great if improbable adventure novel for girls) and the style leave an opening for a sequel.

For more info on Kiki Strike and Ananka and their adventures, you can read Ananka's Diary online.

Miller, Kirsten. Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City. New York: Bloomsbury, 2006. $16.95 ISBN 1-58234-960-6
Released June 2006.

What I'm Reading (besides Looking for Alaska): Orphea Proud by Sharon Dennis Wyeth
On my Bookshelf: The Body Eclectic: An Anthology of Poems by Patrice Vecchione; Every Time a Rainbow Dies by Rita Williams-Garcia
Possible Re-reads for Class: Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan; Sandpiper by Ellen Wittlinger; Far from Xanadu by Julie Ann Peters; Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood by Benjamin Alire Saenz and First Part Last by Angela Johnson.
And: Another ARC, Dairy Queen

2006-03-03T19:40:00.000-05:00

I have mixed feelings about Our Secret, Siri Aang by Cristina Kessler. It isn't something I would usually read, nor is it something I'm likely to buy for our library. Our students don't seem to be much interested in this sort of "multi-cultural" literature. And "multi-cultural" was the buzz word in education when I was in college; so much multiculturalism was shoved at us that most of us became quite tired of it. I do enjoy reading about other cultures, but stories such as this one, set in Africa among the Maasai, don't usually spark my interest.
However, it's on the required reading list for my class, so, good student that I am, I read it. The book is the story of Namelok, a Maasai girl whose family has been forced to relocate for better living conditions. "Better" is questionable, however, since their new home is much closer to civilization, and the difficulties that accompany modern life. Namelok's father is a traditionalist, and he is scornful of the new ways that are infiltrating Maasai life.
With her father so unhappy and things tense at home, Namelok finds comfort in her time alone. While gathering wood, she comes upon a black rhino giving birth. Having witnessed the birth and gained the mother rhino's trust, the rhinos become Namelok's second family. Her time with the rhinos and meeting the local school teacher prompt Namelok to begin questioning the old ways and wondering if there might be a life for her outside the traditional Maasai ways. But the new ways that threaten the Maasai also threaten the wildlife of the bush, and Namelok may not be able to keep the rhinos or her Maasai family safe from harm.
The first two thirds of the book were slow for me, although those who are interested in such stories will probably find them interesting and well written. I did become interested in the book when I picked it up, but found it very easy to lay it down and not pick it up (that would be why it took me almost a week to read it). The last third of the book, after tragedy strikes Namelok and she is forced into the bush on her own, was much more interesting, and I read that part of the book in one day.
So, this one is worth a read, and if you are looking for fiction on Africa or an very accurate portrayal of Maasai life & customs, this is a great book. However, I still believe my students would not read this one on their own; if I purchased it for our library, it would languish on the shelves until it made its way onto a reading list for a class.
Aside from the story and the question of its popularity with teens, I also have concerns about the issue of female genital mutilation (FGM) which is discussed but not explained in the book. Namelok is forced to prepare for her emuratare or female circumcision, a very important coming-of-age ritual among the Maasai. While FGM is disappearing in much of Africa, it is believed that 100% of Maasai girls are still circumcised. Many younger women and girls question the practice, but pressure from Maasai society is so great that they submit (or allow their daughters to submit) to the surgery anyway.
While the emuratare ceremony is mentioned quite frequently in Our Secret, the details of the operation are not covered, and FGM as a practice is not directly discussed. It is true that Namelok, raised as a traditional Maasai, would perhaps not be aware of all the issues surrounding FGM in a global context, and therefore a discussion of the practice as an act against women has little place in the actual story. However, I believe the issue should be thoroughly discussed and explained in an afterword or special note by the author so that young Western readers are introduced to and informed about the controversial practice. Perhaps Kessler glosses over the topic out of respect for the Maasai and their tenacious culture, but I believe she does a disservice to Namelok and to her readers by not providing accurate information about a controversial cultural practice. Kessler presents many of the Maasai reasons for continuing the practice, but her omission of the entire truth behind the ritual makes this an unbalanced and therefore inaccurate representation of an important social practice.
For more information about the practice of female circumcision among the Maasai, go to: http://www.irinnews.org/webspecials/FGM/45986.asp

Kessler, Cristina. Our Secret, Siri Aang. Philomel Books: New York, 2004. ISBN 0399239855 $16.99.

What I'm Reading: Haven't decided yet. Maybe some of those comics...
On my bookshelf: Kiki Strikes (an advanced reader's copy), Under the Persimmon Tree & Born Confused (for class)

2006-03-02T12:24:00.000-05:00

Reading has been rather slow this week thanks to life happening, but I did want to quickly mention The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler. I discovered Mackler when her first book (Love and Other Four Letter Words) was published and loved her. Round Things is even better. I read it at soon as it came out and, after I returned it to the library, didn't see it on the shelf again for ages. Mackler's newest, Vegan Virgin Valentine, is great, too. (And it's already a couple of years old - we need a new one!)
Anyway, I reread Round Things this weekend for the YA lit class. It had been a few years, and it's a great book, so I felt it was worth the time. One of the things I remembered from the first reading was how MAD this book made me - and it did the same thing again! Virginia's parents are so casually cruel to her that it's infuriating - which of course makes it all the more satisfying when she comes into her own in such a gloriously purple way.
I'm not going to go into great detail about this one, but it's so great that I had to mention it. If you haven't read Mackler, especially this one, go out and get it now!

What I'm Reading: Our Secret, Siri Aang by Cristina Kessler
On my bookshelf: I'm going to read those comics. I really, really, really am! Got to finish some reading for class first, though.
Also: I'd like to reread Born Confused by Tenuja Desai Hidier for class, if I have time. Like Round Things, it's worth the time.
Upcoming reads for class: Orphea Proud by Sharon Dennis and The Body Eclectic by Patrice Vecchione

2006-02-24T12:45:00.000-05:00

I'm taking an online young adult literature course during the month of March, from the University of Wisconsin. I'm pretty excited - I haven't taken any lit courses since I graduated from library school in 2000, and all the books being covered in the course have been written from 2000 - the present. There are several on the reading list that I've already read, but enough that I haven't read to make the class worthwhile. And there are no assignments, no papers & no tests - just online discussion.
So, what does this mean for my reading life during the next month, and thus the blog? Well, there are four required books for each week and four supplementary books. Overachiever that I am, my goal is to read them all, but, in truth, I'll read what I can manage, starting with the stuff I haven't already read and the stuff I haven't read in a while. Here's the complete reading list.
I'm starting with Real Time by Pnina Moed Kass. We've had this one in the library for a while, and I've wanted to read it, but - you know. Anyway, it hasn't circulated well, although the one student who did check it out came back and wanted more like it. Not having read it, that was a hard request for me to fill, but now I see what she meant. I thought she just wanted something else (fiction) on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, but now I know what she wanted.
She wanted 24. That's what this reminds me of. It really is "real time," minute to minute, with some high action, tension, and great emotion. It's told from so many different points of view that at first I didn't like it. I thought it was going to be like so many novels in verse - I'd be frustrated at the end because I like the story but don't get into it enought to satisfy me. But the more I read, the more I got to know the characters. Even though it's in little segments and narratively jumping all over the place, you connect with the characters. It's the story of a German teen, Tommi, who travels to Israel to find out about his grandfather, a Nazi officer who disappeared during WWII. He's met at the airport by Vera, a Russian teen who has lived at the kibbutz for three years. She's spent that time recovering from the suicide of her boyfriend, and now she is in love with Daniel, a soldier whose family lives on the kibbutz. Baruch, a Holocaust survivor and head gardener of the kibbutz, is nervous about supervising Tommi during his visit, afraid working with this German teen will bring back too many memories.
But all these worries and concerns become irrelevant when Sameh and Omar become involved. Fighting for their country, doing what they think is right for their families, these two Palestinian youths' actions will reach out and touch Tommi, Vera, Daniel & Baruch and leave them terrified and confused, but all the stronger for their terrible experience.

Kass, Pnina Moed. Real Time. New York: Clarion, 2004. ISBN 0618442030. $15.00

What I'm Reading: The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things (another required book for the class - I've read it before, but it's been ages)
On my bookshelf: Under the Persimmon Tree by Suzanne Fisher Staples and Born Confused by Tenuja Desai Hidier (another repeat performance).

Wonder Woman!

2006-02-24T11:53:00.000-05:00

I've gotten on a comic kick lately, but I seem to be buying a lot of comics and not actually reading them. My slightly obsessive personality is to blame; I want the whole story, the whole history of the character, and I want to read it all in order. And with some comics, where do you start? Take Wonder Woman, for example. As a kid, I wore my Wonder Woman Under-Roos proudly, watched the Lynda Carter TV show and the Saturday morning Superfriends. But I'm a child of the 70s, I guess - I didn't read the comics. So, with a new found interest in comics, thanks to buying for the library, Wonder Woman seemed like a good place to start my personal collection.
So, enter that obsessive thing. Wonder Woman was created in 1941. She's one of DC's longest-lasting super heros, right up there with Superman and Batman. So where do I, who likes to start at the beginning, actually begin?
I began with buying Wonder Woman: The Ultimate Guide to the Amazon Princess by Scott Beatty, thinking I'd get some history & background before delving into the actual comics. I started reading it, and found myself very confused. I've looked at books from this Ultimate Guide series before and been impressed, but the books aren't necessarily chronological, and I found my mind desperately trying to organize information that I did not have the knowledge to organize (it's the librarian in me). I realized I started with the wrong book.
Enter Wonder Woman: The Complete History by Les Daniels. Definitely the right book, for me, at least. This is not in comic format; it's actually a history of the creation and evolution of Wonder Woman: who created her and why (which is incredibly intersting), her early popularity, how the story evolved, the whole Crisis on Infinite Earths thing (which, I discovered is what was making the Ultimate Guide so confusing - it was all post-Crisis, and everything I knew about Wonder Woman was pre-Crisis). The Complete History also contains excerpts from comics and tons of photos and illustrations.
So, for an obsessive fan like me, or a new fan with an interest in comic history, The Complete History series is the way to go. Superman and Batman also have their own volumes, so you can become an expert on three of the biggest super heroes ever. Then go to the Ultimate Guides for more info.
As for the comics themselves? I bought the GN Wonder Woman: Paradise Lost on the recommendation of the owner of the local comic book store. After all, I figured he should know, right? He says the Greg Rucka stuff is the best, and, although Rucka doesn't do this one, it's apparently the start of his run.
And left to my own devices, I'd feel forced to start at the beginning and make my way through 60+ years of the Amazon princess...

Beatty, Scott. Wonder Woman: The Ultimate Guide to the Amazon Princess. New York: DK Publishing, 2003. ISBN 078949616X. $24.99.
Daniels, Les. Wonder Woman: The Complete History. New York: Chronicle Books, 2000. ISBN 0811842339. $18.95.
DeMatteis, J. M. Wonder Woman: Paradise Lost. New York: DC Universe, 2002. ISBN 156389792X. $14.95.

What I'm Reading: Real Time by Pnina Moed Kass
On My Bookshelf: The Earth, My Butt...by Carolyn Mackler; comics, of course.

2006-02-20T17:41:00.000-05:00

Rule #1: You may bring only what fits in your backpack. Don't try to fake it out with a purse or a carry-on.

Rule #2: You may not bring guidebooks, phrasebooks, or any kind of foreign language aid. And no journals.

Rule #3: You cannot bring extra money or credit/debit cards, traveler's checks, etc. I'll take care of all of that.

Rule #4: No electronic crutches. This means no laptop, no cell phone, no music, and no cameral. You can't call home or communicate with people in the US by Internet or telephone. Postcards and letters are acceptable and encouraged.

Gabby doesn't think she's a very exciting person - her aunt Peg was exciting, and being with her made Gabby more interesting. But Aunt Peg is gone. She's managed to to leave Gabby one last adventure, though. And so Gabby finds herself on a plane to Europe with only one bag and no cash. No cell phone. And no idea what's going to happen when she gets to London.

If only we all had an Aunt Peg! Gabby's off on the adventure of her life, however reluctantly. I think every girl needs a journey of self-exploration like the one Aunt Peg has planned for Gabby. 13 blue envelopes are her only guide; beyond that, she must use her own wits. Usually shy and practical, Gabby must crawl outside her shell if she's to complete the tasks Aunt Peg has set for her.

I love travel stories, and this is a great one. It might be a little hard to believe that Gabby's parents would let her take of on this crazy adventure, but once you get past that, travelling with Gabby is loads of fun. From London to Rome to Paris, Amsterdam, Denmark, Greece - the terrain Gabby covers is amazing, as are the things she discovers about herself on the way.

Johnson, Maureen. 13 Little Blue Envelopes. New York: HarperCollins, 2005. ISBN 0060541415. $15.00

What I'm reading: Wonder Woman: The Ultimate Guide to the Amazon Princess
On my bookshelf: Who knows?

2006-02-20T16:34:00.000-05:00

"She knows not what the curse may be,
And so she weaveth steadily,
And little other care has she,
The Lady of Shalott."

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Elaine isn't fond of the Middle Ages, King Arthur, and all that - her parents are professors, and it's thanks to their research on the Middle Ages that they've moved. Her parents are taking a sabbatical, and they've moved close to Washington D.C. so her father can be close to his research. So, Elaine must start her junior year at Avalon High, where she know no one. But it doesn't take her long to meet someone - A. William Wagner, the most popular guy at her new school. She and Will connect right away, even though he's already dating Jenny.

But things aren't what they seem at Avalon High. Elaine has stumbled into an ages old drama being played out between good and evil. Elaine's part in the drama is uncertain, but she may hold the key to the battle.

Meg Cabot has intertwined the classic story of King Arthur into her new novel, adding a fantastical layer to her teen love story. Elaine is a typical Cabot heroine, with spunk, smarts, and attitude, but she's a heroine with a new set of problems. Sure, she wants a guy she seemingly can't have - typical - but what's worse, he seems to be fated to die, betrayed by those he loves and trusts most. Elainee seems fated just to watch events unfold, but that's not Elaine's style.

Cabot, Meg. Avalon High. New York: HarperCollins, 2005. ISBN 0060755867. $16.99.

What I'm Reading: 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

On My Bookshelf: Wonder Woman: The Ultimate Guide to the Amazon Princess

2006-02-17T10:27:00.000-05:00

"Brainstorm," I say.
Everyone stops what they are doing to look at me.
"You must create your own fun," I say as I pull the glitter pencils out of my hair and tape them onto my shirt.
Sid removes his headphones and pulls his head back to make the announcement.
"Pencil Day!"
Perla laughs. Kenji digs into his bag and starts looking for pencils
Halfway through the day, everyone has covered themselves with pens or pencils.
Halfway through the day, the tape no longer has the strength to keep the pencils in their place, and they start to drop off my shirt. They are jumping ship. The pencils are bailing.
They might just have the right idea.

Libby is the idea girl. She's the original thinker. She is the Queen of Cool, and everyone follows her lead. But lately, nothing about her seems very original - everything seems boring and pointless. Verging on "meltdown," Libby signs up for an internship at the LA Zoo. She's immediately sorry, but it's too late to back out. Her friends think she's crazy, and Libby's inclined to agree when she's teamed up with Tina, a dwarf, and Sheldon, who never talks - at least, not so you can hear him. They're total dorks - and they don't even know it. Or maybe they just don't care. Because Libby's beginning to realize that everything isn't boring, if you become a doer instead of a talker.

I loved, loved, loved Cecil Castellucci's Boy Proof, and I read her blog regularly & like her quirky way of thinking. Queen of Cool isn't quite as great as Boy Proof, but it's still a good read. Libby and her friends seem like cardboard characters, but that's the point. They are. When Libby begins to change, we begin to see her flesh out, gain depth - but not enough to fully engage the reader. Libby's growing - but why? What is she thinking? She doesn't fully explore any of her new ideas or the things she does. We see her change by her actions, but we're left uncertain of her motives.
However, the characters of Tina and Sheldon are bright spots, and Perla, Kenji and Libby's other friends are fun to hate. Teens will love the Queen of Cool.

Castellucci, Cecil. The Queen of Cool. Candlewick: Cambridge, 2006. ISBN 0763627208. $15.99

What I'm reading: Avalon High by Meg Cabot
On my bookshelf: Ready or Not by Cabot; Thou Shalt Not Dump the Skater Dude... by Graham; and some comics - Blue Monday, Sidekicks, Pounded & more.

2006-02-17T09:41:00.000-05:00

Elle Girl Magazine is sponsoring Dare to Read, their own book club. The site includes book reviews, info on authors, prizes, and the chance for teens to write their own reviews.

Two great titles included in the reviews: Tanya Lee Stone's A Bad Boy Can Be Good For a Girl, and Laurie Halse Anderson's Prom.

2006-02-16T13:55:00.000-05:00

" The parasite makes sure that I'm like the always-hungry snail, except hungry for sex. I'm constantly aroused, aware of every female in the room, every cell screaming for me to go out and shag someone!
None of which makes me wildly different from most other nineteen-year- old guys, I suppose. Except for one small fact: If I act on my urges, my unlucky lovers become monsters, like Sarah did. And this is not much fun to watch."

Cal hasn't been real lucky in love. Arriving in New York as a freshman in college, he meets Morgan at a bar and spends the night with her. After his night with Morgan, strange things begin to happen - his senses are sharpened, he's super-strong, and he craves meat. Rare meat. All the time.
Cal's night with Morgan has infected him with a parasite that changes most people into vampires - parasite positives, or peeps. The good news is that Cal is a carrier. He carries the parasite, but he doesn't have all the nasty symptoms of being a peep - craving blood, bonding with rats, hating sunlight. He just has the superhuman strength and the supersensitive hearing. The bad news? Any exchange of bodily fluids will pass the disease on to his partner. No sex. No kissing. Ever. His girlfriend, two other girls he dated a few times, and the girl he kissed on New Year's Eve have all gone crazy. They're all peeps. And it's all Cal's fault.
Working for an underground organization that tracks peeps, Cal must begin to search for Morgan, his progenitor. His memories of the night are murky, and his attempts to locate her aren't successful until he meets Lace, a journalism student who lives in Morgan's building. Cal's incredibly attracted to her, so letting her hang around doesn't seem too smart - until he begins to uncover some facts about Morgan that make Lace the only person he can trust.
Peeps is nothing like any vampire book you've ever read. It's creepy, yes. And there's biting. And blood. And even garlic. But the resemblance stops there. It's funny. And dramatic. And you'll know more about parasites than you ever wanted to know by the time you're done.

For another librarian's summary of Peeps, see Dewey's summary in Unshelved.

Westerfeld, Scott. Peeps. Razorbill: New York, 2005. ISBN 159514031x; $16.99.

What I'm reading: Queen of Cool by Cecil Castellucci (supplanted Meg because I was forced to start reading it while I was waiting for my husband in the bookstore)
On my bookshelf: Avalon High & Ready or Not (Really. I promise.); Thou Shalt Not Dump the Skater Dude and Other Commandments I Have Broken by Rosemary Graham; some graphic novels & comics

2006-02-11T20:38:00.000-05:00

"It's that same problem I had when I was five: 'There is something wrong with me because I seem to see things other people don't see. Am I crazy, or am I a genius?"

--John Lennon

I've often said that if I ever write a book, it will be a biography written for a young adult audience - of high school age. Bios for them just aren't out there; they are either written for adults, and are 450+ pages long, or they're simple, childish looking series biographies aimed at middle-schoolers. That is one of the things that's so great about John Lennon: All I Want is the Truth by Elizabeth Partridge - and one of the reasons it won a Printz Honor medal. It is "a photographic biography," with lots of pictures - perfect for a teen audience. It's about 230 pages long - perfect for a teen audience. It has an index and notes that can be used for research purposes - perfect for a teen audience. And it's about John Lennon - what could be more perfect for a teen audience?
But even better, Partridge's bio is entirely readable and extremely interesting. It covers Lennon's life from birth to tragic death, and doesn't shrink away from his prejudices and eccentric, sometimes violent, behavior. According to her source notes, Partridge relied heavily on the writings of John himself when writing the bio, going back to his words whenever she was reaching to uncover the man behind the legend. Also relying on quotes from those who knew John best, such as the aunt who raised him, both his wives, and the other Beatles, Partridge describes John's struggles as a youth, his knowledge that he saw the world differently than most, and his rages against the constraints of society. His anger and his rebellious character come through, as does the incredible impact rock & roll had on his young life.
Beatlemania is covered in fairly short order, the book focusing more on the years before and after. John's relationship with Yoko is given good coverage, as are his troubled years following the breakup of the Beatles.
While the short length of the book prevents detailed coverage of most issues and events, Partridge does a great job of packing in what people most want to know, and the many photos add another layer to the story. This is a great biography for the average teen who wants some background on Lennon for research or for the budding Beatles fan who wants to learn more about the band's most controversial member.

Partridge, Elizabeth. John Lennon: All I Want is the Truth. Viking, New York: 2005. ISBN 0-670-05954-4; $24.99

What I'm Reading: Peeps by Scott Westerfeld (yes, really this time)
On my bookshelf: Avalon High and Ready or Not by Meg Cabot

2006-02-10T11:20:00.000-05:00

" I began to play. How can I explain what happened next? It wasn't magic. It wasn't a hallucination. I didn't see anything or hear anyone speak or feel anyone else's hands on the sticks. All I know is, it wasn't me that played those drums on that November afternoon. It was Murph. There was simply no other explanation. I couldn't play like that - I didn't know how...I was possessed by the spirit of Liam Murphy."

Rewind by Jan Page is a fun time-travel story with a musical theme. Set in the "estates" or housing projects of Britain, it's the story of Liam Condie, a rather apathetic teen who's only interests are his band and his friends. The band isn't very good, until Liam discovers his parents were also in a band as teens, and Liam is inspired by the "ghost" of his dad's best friend, the drummer, who was killed in a car accident. Murph's death resulted in the break up of the band and the beginning of the downward spiral that has landed his dad on the dole and his mother stuck in a miserable marriage.
Covering one of his parents' songs, it seems like Liam's band, Salamander, might actually have a chance at winning a local battle of the bands. But an accident onstage hits the rewind button, giving Liam the chance to save Murph's life and change the course of his parents' lives - but what will it do to his own?
Reminiscent of Back to the Future, Rewind is pretty predictable, but the characters and details are good enough to keep you reading, even if you're sure how things are going to end up.

What I'm Reading: Peeps by Scott Westerfeld
On my Bookshelf: Avalon High and Ready or Not by Meg Cabot

2006-02-08T19:06:00.000-05:00

"The way it looks is not the way it is."

The way it looks is impossible, unimaginable, inexcusable. Keir Sarafian is a good guy. Good guys can't be rapists, right? But that's what Gigi Boudakian, his lifelong love, is calling him. But she's wrong; she just doesn't understand.

Keir's not perfect, but he sees himself as a good guy - despite all the evidence to the contrary. When Keir seriously injures an opponent on the football field, he knows it wasn't his fault. It was a good clean hit. Besides, he shouldn't have even been on the field - he's a kicker, not a cornerback. And it all turned out okay - the guy said it was okay; he forgave Keir, and Keir got a scholarship out of it. And the vandalism? The hazing? It was all in good fun. Besides, he didn't remember doing half that stuff. The guy missed the funny parts when he was video taping; he only caught the bad parts. And Keir had nothing to do with those. He's not even sure that's him on the tape.
Keir Sarafian, narrator of Chris Lynch's Inexcusable, gives me the creeps. He rationalizes things so well that he's almost convincing ; he hides behind his good guy image so he doesn't have to take responsibility for anything. I see a little bit if Keir in the teens I deal with each day when they don't take responsibility for their actions, make excuses for their behavior, or place the blame on others. Being irresponsible often comes with being a teen, but the sense of entitlement I see on a daily basis can be alarming. Even more alarming, there are far too few parents who step up and make their children take responsibility. Like Keir's father, they believe their children are beyond reproach, and, like Keir, they believe the blame must lie elsewhere, with teachers, school administrators or other teens.
Getting down off my soapbox, Inexcusable is a powerful book with a disturbing, unreliable and fascinating narrator. It got to me, and I hope it will get to teens - I hope they will see Keir for what he is, and I hope Keir will help them see more of themselves.

What I'm reading: Rewind by Jan Page (while watching the Grammys)
On my bookshelf: Peeps by Scott Westerfeld, Meg Cabot

2006-02-07T21:48:00.000-05:00

Tanya Lee Stone, author of A Bad Boy Can Be Good For a Girl, did an author chat on YA Author Cafe this evening, so I made a trip to the store to pick up a copy of the book. I read the whole thing while lurking on the chat (it's a novel-in-verse, so it's a quick read). I love the title, since I learned a lot from the bad boys I dated in high school, and I had high hopes for the book. I enjoyed it, but it really left me wanting more. Told from the point of view of three different girls taken in by the Bad Boy, the story concept is great. However, I always feel like novels in verse just skim the top of things, when I want to delve deeper. I wanted a novel about Josie, Nicolette, Aviva and Bad Boy. I wanted more description (although some of the sex scenes are a little descriptive), more... I don't know, just more. But I did love the Judy Blume/Forever references.
Speaking of sex, Stone has a great article in VOYA this month on teen sexuality and YA lit: Now and Forever: The Power of Sex in Young Adult Literature. She talks about some of the new imprints, like S&S's Pulse and Penguin's Razorbill, that are pushing the edge, and about how important it is that we don't shy away from this topic in literature for teens. Just how important is it? Check out Benoit Denizet-Lewis's piece in New York Magazine, Friends, Friends With Benefits, and the Benefits of the Local Mall.
For another interview with Tanya Lee Stone, check out this one she did for Not Your Mother's Book Club.

2006-02-06T20:51:00.000-05:00

"When you are Light, day and night have less meaning. The night is not needed for rest - it's merely an annoying darkness for several hours. But a chain of days and nights is the way in which the Quick measure their journeys. This is the story of my journey back through the Quick. I would climb into flesh again for a chain of six days."

Dead narrators have become quite popular since The Lovely Bones, but Helen, the ghost who narrates A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb, is one of the most intriguing narrators, dead or alive, I have encountered in some time. Helen has cleaved to a series of hosts for 130 years, a lonely observer in the world, watching from the edge of life, until a set of eyes meets hers. She is seen, and she is no longer alone.
James, like her, is Light - a spirit, but one who has discovered a body empty of its own spirit. He has reentered the world of the Quick in the body of Billy, a teen who has forced his own spirit out of his body with a near fatal overdose. James and Helen's attraction is immediate and intense, and Helen agrees to reenter the mortal world when they find Jenny, a girl whose rigid Christian parents have driven her creative spirit away. Helen enters Jenny's body, and James and Helen begin a Romeo and Juliet romance of passionate love and longing. But their bodies, and their time together, are only borrowed. In their human bodies, Helen and James begin to unravel their own secrets, and discover the secrets of the teens whose bodies they inhabit. A spiritual love story for older teens and adults, A Certain Slant of Light is subtle, mysterious and beautiful.

For a great in-depth review of A Certain Slant of Light, see Elizabeth Hand's review in the Washington Post.

What I'm reading: Inexcusable by Chris Lynch

On my bookshelf: ; Peeps by Scott Westerfeld (yeah, I snuck that one in there due to Sunday's edition of Unshelved); Rewind by Jan Page; Avalon High and Ready or Not by Meg Cabot (stay tuned for a Meg marathon)

2006-02-06T11:28:00.000-05:00

Jack Grammar would never try to fondle your butt while dancing.
Jack Grammar is a gentleman, owns his own tux, and has superb taste in corsages.
Jack Grammar is looking for a prom date.
Could it be you?
E-mail MyNewPromDate@yahooo.com

Jack Grammar really wants to go to prom, but, when he finally works up the courage to ask his long-time crush, is turned down flat. With only a week left until the big night, Jack's two best friends take matters into their own hands, posting a personal add in the school's paper to find shy Jack a date.
Jack is angry, embarrassed - then astounded. The responses pour in, and soon Jack is working his way through The List - 24 applicants chosen by his friends whom he must meet in the next seven days before choosing his date. 25, if you count the wild card granted by his friends - one girl of Jack's choosing that isn't on the list.
Jack is the kind of guy you wish you'd dated in high school - smart, sincere, funny and honest. Shy, of course - which might be why you never noticed him. But Jack is center stage the week before Prom; everyone is talking about The List - who's on, who's off, and who's going to make the final cut. A fun, clean read with some laugh-out-loud lines ('"I don't understand your breasts," I said. This was not the kind of sentence I thought I would ever say in my life.'), 24 Girls in 7 Days by Alex Bradley is a must read for the Valentine season.

What I'm Reading: A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb
On My Nightstand: Inexcusable by Chris Lynch; Rewind by Jan Page (in honor of the Grammy Awards this week), Avalon High by Meg Cabot (just returned by a student - if I want to read it, I need to do it fast!)

2006-02-04T19:16:00.000-05:00

We will be discussing Libba Bray's novel A Great and Terrible Beauty at our book club meeting on Tuesday. I read it some time ago, soon after it came out, and the details are a bit unclear. I didn't want to reread it for our discussion, so I decided to read the sequel, Rebel Angels, instead.
Bray's novels are Victorian fantasies, the story of Gemma Doyle. Raised in India, Gemma is sent to England to boarding school after witnessing her mother's murder. At Spence, she finds a mysterious diary; hears legends of the Order, a group of powerful women with magical ability; and discovers her own ability to transport herself and her friends to the Realms, the magical home of the Order and the source of the magic. But all is not right in the Realms, and Gemma and her friends must discover the identity of the journal's author and the truth behind a tragedy that occurred at Spence years before.
By the end of the first novel, Gemma has solved the mystery, but she has also set the magic free for all those in the Realms to use, and she must bind it so it cannot be misused. To do so, she must find the Temple and begin rebuilding the Order.
Victorian propriety, secret societies and magic weave together to form very intricate tales, and rereading the first novel before reading the second would have been a good idea. Rebel Angels contains a brief summary of A Great and Terrible Beauty, but it contains few details, and I would probably have appreciated it more if I remembered more of the first. When the third book is released, I should take the time to reread the first two. However, I'm reluctant to take the time to do this - Rebel Angels is a long novel, nearly 550 pages, and it is slow at times. The action takes place over only a few days, when the girls are home from school on Christmas holiday, but some scenes seem unnecessary, and some foreshadowing is rather heavy handed. I found myself involved in the book when I picked it up, but not compelled to pick it up often. Some plot lines seemed unnecessary, unless, of course, their relevance is revealed in the final volume. I'm anxious to know what happens to Gemma next - although Rebel Angels included a few hints, and I would recommend these books, despite their flaws. The unique premise of the story is what prompted me to choose it as a title for our book club, and I'm looking forward to Tuesday's discussion.

Currently Reading: 24 Girls in 7 Days by Alex Bradley (I'm slipping it to the top of the pile so I can return it to the library on Monday for inclusion in a Valentine's Day book display)
On my nightstand: (still) A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb

2006-02-01T11:52:00.000-05:00

Printz Award

Winner: Looking for Alaska by John Green
Honor Books: Black Juice by Margo Lanagan
I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
John Lennon by Elizabeth Partridge
A Wreath for Emmett Till by Marilyn Nelson

I know the awards were announced over a week ago, but I actually wrote a post earlier that was lost when our server re-booted itself, and this is the first chance I've had to rewrite. So, here goes with my thought on the Printz winners for 2006.
This year's winner, Looking for Alaska, was actually one of my picks, so I was very excited about this one. As always, there has been much discussion of the winners on the YALSA-BK list serve (the Young Adult Library Services Association, or YALSA, awards the Printz each year), but most seem to agree that Alaska is a deserving winner. Its literary merit is unquestionable, and that is the basis for the award. Some members have issues with the "we are invincible" message they feel Alaska sends, and, of course, many had other favorites that were not mentioned.
Looking for Alaska is the story of "Pudge," who is new to his Alabama boarding school. He falls in with a rather reckless but fun crowd, including his roommate and the beautiful, fascinating, unobtainable Alaska. Author John Green incorporated some of his own experiences at boarding school in the book, and Pudge, like Green, is a collector of last words - he shares the final words of many famous people throughout the story.
For a great photo essay and account of John Green's "John and the Awesome, Wonderful, Super Happy, Very Good Printz Award Day," see his blog .
As for the other winners, I cannot say a lot - yet - because I haven't read them - yet. I was glad to see such a variety: I Am the Messenger is a novel, Black Juice is a collection of short stories, John Lennon is a biography, and A Wreath for Emmett Till is a collection of poems in honor of a teen who was lynched in the south in the 1950s. John Lennon is at home on my "to read" shelf and I am the Messenger has now move much closer to the top of my "to read" list. I was/am completely unfamiliar with Black Juice (I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit this, but it seems to happen with one title each year, and I'm not the only librarian who hasn't heard of this one, judging by the responses on YALSA-BK). As for Emmett Till, I'm familiar with it but decided not to purchase it because I feel there will be little to no interest among my students. However, I might reconsider that decision now and add it to our collection.

What I'm Reading: Rebel Angels by Libba Bray (sequel to A Great and Terrible Beauty)
On my nightstand: A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb; Inexcusable by Chris Lynch

2006-01-25T11:32:00.000-05:00

This seems to be the week for fantasy-series-I-should-have-already-read. I finished Pierce's The Immortals, and last night I read the first Artemis Fowl book. Let's see - what are my reasons for not reading this one before now? It's one that I've had in both libraries I've worked in, yet never read. And I love fairies, and books set in Ireland. However, I knew this wasn't your traditional fairy tale, or your usual fantasy novel with fairies. More in line with Terry Pratchett, I thought (and I was close). And while I like that kind of thing, I have to be in just the right mood...
Anyway, I read it and I liked it. Not enough to rush out and read the others right away, but enough that I'll probably read them eventually - when the mood is right again. I do enjoy books like this that take something from traditional tales - fairies, leprechauns, gnomes, etc. - and give them a totally new twist (the LEPCon stuff is great - who knew?). And Artemis is such a fun character. It seems to me that it's always risky creating a main character who is a villain; often it's hard for readers to sympathize. I think, though, that Colfer injects Artemis with just enough vulnerability to give him some appeal, and, of course, Captain Holly Short balances Artemis's villainy well.
I was prompted to (finally) read the first Artemis book when I read Fowl Experience, an article written by the author for Inis, the magazine for Children's Books of Ireland. He shares, with great humor, how he got an agent and published the first Artemis book - and was able to finally begin making a living as a writer.

2006-01-23T13:42:00.000-05:00

I got on a role this weekend, thanks to some excellent books. I finally read O. R. Melling's The Hunter's Moon, which was excellent. It's the story of two cousins, one American, one Irish, who take off on a journey about Ireland to search for the world of Faerie. They find more than they bargain for when they sleep under a faerie mound and one is kidnapped by the King of Faerie.
For those of you not familiar with her, O. R. Melling is an Irish author whose series, The Chronicles of Faerie, are being published in the U.S. She has re-written the first three books in preparation for this release, so if you're already familiar with the Chronicles, you may still want to take a look at these new versions. The Hunter's Moon, the first in the series, is the only one so far released; the second, The Summer King, will be released in May. They are stories of the connection between our world and the world of Faerie, set in Ireland, where the veil between the two sometimes seems to be very thin. The covers are gorgeous; any fan of fantasy will be tempted by them and will be just as satisfied with what's inside.
Since Melling's novel put me in the mood for fantasy, I indulged myself by reading another of Tamora Pierce's series. I must admit, I've come to be a fan of hers late. Over the years, several students have recommended her books to me, but I never bought them at my previous position because there seemed to be so many, with so many different series, that I never took the time to sort them out and figure out what to buy. However, last winter, at my new job, we took a group of students to Barnes & Noble shopping for books, and they bought the Lioness Quartet and the Protector of the Small series. Since they were now in my library, I decided to take a look. I started with Alanna (the Lioness) and was hooked immediately; I couldn't put them down! We didn't have the Immortals series yet (next in order; all these series take place in the kingdom of Tortall and characters from each series appear in the next, so it's fun to read them in order - like bumping into old friends - although you don't have to), so I read Protector. Then, I stopped reading, although I bought the rest of her books for the library. I decided to save the others and savor them, instead of devouring all of them at once.
So, this weekend I took home the entire Immortals series and read the first three, mostly in one sitting ( I was terribly lazy yesterday!). I started the fourth during lunch today, and I know I won't go to bed tonight until it is done. The Immortals series is just as wonderful as the other two, and I'm considering re-reading the Protector series again just so I can run into Daine & Numair again. I haven't decided if I'm going to forge ahead with the two Daughter of the Lioness books, or save those for another time.

2006-01-19T21:30:00.000-05:00

I've been a fan of Meg Cabot's since her first book, The Princess Diaries, came out. And while I lost interest in Mia's adventures somewhere around #3, I've read all of Meg's 1-800-WHERE-ARE-YOU series (written as Jenny Carroll) and loved them, and I read Teen Idol as soon as it came out. I check out Meg's blog because she makes me laugh. And the Mediator series is one of my all time favorites - if you haven't read this one, go out and get it RIGHT NOW!
I have to admit I've been a little wary of Meg's proclivity for sequels/series, and after reading her diary post today (she's having trouble coming up with ideas for a sequel to Avalon High because the story really ends there - why does there have to be a sequel?) I'm even more alarmed. Still, I'm hoping to get my hands on the library's copy of Avalon High, Meg's new book for teens, as soon as the student who practically stole it off the new book cart brings it back, and I nabbed Size 12 Is Not Fat before anyone else could. It's vintage Cabot, but with a twist: this is the first book in her new mystery series. It's aimed at an adult audience, but I know it will be totally popular with (and totally appropriate for) my high school students.
Anyway, the story goes like this: washed up, size 12 former teen pop star sensation Heather Wells has found a job as an assistant director at one of the dorms - I mean residence halls - at New York University. While living with her ex-fiance's brother, she's waiting out her 6 month probationary period so the college will start paying for her degree. But while she's waiting, tragedy strikes when one of the co-eds dies in a bizarre elevator surfing accident. Heather's not convinced this shy, quiet girl was the type to jump off a moving elevator, and when another girl meets a similar end, she's even more convinced something's not right. But the police aren't listening to her, and even Cooper, her very-hot PI landlord, thinks she might be concocting this story for the attention. But Heather's sure she's right, and she's willing to risk her own life to prove it.
Heather is definitely a Meg-heroine, willing to voice those thoughts many of us have but are afraid to say for fear of sounding, well, shallow. I figured the mystery out before the end, but it wasn't so obvious that the book wasn't worth it. In fact, I rather enjoyed this fast, fluffy read (great mind candy!) and I"m looking forward to Heather's next adventure.

2006-01-18T21:31:00.000-05:00

Okay, I finished the Julie/Julia book, which is a good sign. Means I'm moving out of the rut. And I even enjoyed it. Sometimes, it's not that the books I'm reading/trying to read are bad, just that they aren't the right books for that time. Reading is very much a mood thing for me; I have to have the right books to fit my mood if I'm going to really be satisfied. This is why I have to take at least 10 books with me on any vacation (and I usually buy more), even if I know I'll only actually read one or two.
Anyway, back to Julie/Julia. This is definitely not one that will be of much interest to my students, but it will be of interest to many of my friends - in fact, it was recommended to me by a friend. Since Julie and I are "of an age," I can relate to many of her issues - she's stuck in a job she hates, needs to spice up her marriage, is facing trouble having children (doesn't know if she wants children) - anyway, they're all relevant issues for thirtyish women. And while I don't hate my job, I can certainly relate to her desire to do something with her life.
And her answer (or, her husband's answer, which he lives to regret), is the Julie/Julia project. Julie Powell cooks all the recipes in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking in one year -and blogs the whole experience. It's a transforming experience for her. She's irreverant and downright profane at times, and an alarming amount of alcohol is consumed with all those French dishes, but sharing the experience with Julie and her husband is quite a trip.

2006-01-18T11:08:00.000-05:00

Since I've been in a reading rut lately, perhaps this isn't the best time to start a reading blog. Or, perhaps it's the best time - maybe it's what I need to get me reading again. I go through these phases occasionally, when I can't seem to get interested in anything, unless it's a TV show (which is evil - more on TV later, I'm sure).
I don't usually read two books at once, nor do I often start a book and not finish it. However, last week I gave up on Warrior Women: An Archaeologist's Search for History's Hidden Heroines by Jeannine Davis-Kimball for the second time. And right now I'm reading Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Kitchen by Julie Powell AND Size 12 Isn't Fat by Meg Cabot. Anyway, all this is a bad sign for my reading life. I probably need to just pull off one of the many, many young adult books stacked on my shelf and start reading. It's the inevitable and foolproof cure for this reading malaise, but occasionally I feel the need to read something for grown-ups.
However, since YA books are really where it's at for me, I really want to dwell on them. Amazon just came out with their Top 10 Editor's Picks for Teens, which is a pretty nice list. The reliablity of Amazon as a resource for reviews is largely questioned in the library world, but I can't argue too much with their top 10, especially since their number one pick, Twilight by Stephanie Meyer, is my #1 for 2005 as well. I think it should win the Printz Award, but I have a feeling it won't.
Speaking of the Printz, ALA's awards will be announced Monday morning. I have a whole list of "Possible Printz Contenders," mostly gathered from discussions on YALSA-BK (a list serve for those who want to discuss YA lit). I've read several, but there are so many I haven't gotten to yet. As I said, Twilight is my first pick for the Printz, but I don't think it will win - vampires don't get any respect. I think it might be Ball Don't Lie by Matt de la Pena, which I didn't love as I was reading it, but which stuck with me for a long time - the sign of a good book, I suppose. There's also a lot of talk about A Room on Lorelei Street by Mary Pearson (which was good, but didn't live up to the hype for me), and Looking for Alaska, which I loved and would be a great Printz winner, but I wonder if they'll give it to John Green for his debut book. Oh, and I also loved Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar. Funny books for teens are tough to find, and this is one of the best.