kpl_teens

"Sunrise Over Fallujah" by Walter Dean Myers

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:38:23 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

If there's another teen novel about the current Iraq War -- is there? -- I don't know of it. That's why I was so excited when I heard the venerable Walter Dean Myers had written "Sunrise Over Fallujah," since I knew he'd handle the subject with his usual combination of raw power and sensitivity. I was not disappointed.

We're right at the start of the war, in April 2003, when Robin "Birdy" Perry, a new Civil Affairs (CA) Army recruit from Harlem, is in Kuwait with his squad waiting to make the arduous drive into Iraq. Birdy is right out of high school, and he joined the Army out of a sense of duty and a desire to have his life matter. Birdy's letters and emails to mom and his Uncle Richie (from Myers' Vietnam War saga "Fallen Angels") are interspersed with first-person recounting of the initial formation of his CA squad and their collective experiences in Iraq.

Birdy's CA squad is accompanying an Army Infantry unit, the idea being that the infantry guys will make the area safe for the CA group, which will then try to make a human connection with the Iraqi civilians. (You know that whole bit about "winning hearts and minds"? That's the deal here.) While Birdy and his mates are not supposed to encounter any violent resistance, the instability created by the initial American strike and the subsequent insurgency make every encounter a potentially deadly one.

Birdy quickly makes friends with two of his squad mates, the friendly, blues-loving Jonesy and the steely, worldly Marla (ok, he's also kind of crushing on Marla). Their banter during terrifying Humvee rides in hostile areas adds a nice sense of camaraderie and even humor to the story. There's a large cast of characters in the novel, some of which you may at times confuse; I know I did. One of the other important players in the story is the physician's assistant Captain Miller, whom Birdy comes to deeply respect. Miller tries valiantly to retain her sense of compassion and her faith in the fundamental goodness of people despite some truly awful experiences. Birdy, too, ends up seeing and even doing things that he has a hard time believing are right, despite the reassurances of his military superiors. We see firsthand his sense of confusion -- both literal and moral -- as life in Iraq begins more and more frantic and chaotic.

I found "Sunrise Over Fallujah" to be a gripping, troubling coming of age story. The Iraq War is presented here in all its contrasting nobility and ugliness, and we discover just how harrowing its consequences can be on Birdy and the rest of his squad. I realize the subject matter may be a bit heavy for some folks. However, while the issues raised here are challenging, the book itself moves at a fast pace and is fairly straightforward. Birdy is so believably portrayed that you'll be frightened, disgusted, hopeful, and angry right along with him. If you're looking for a serious and timely read as we move into summer, I think "Sunrise Over Fallujah" is an excellent choice. It's an easy enough book to read, but it's one of those that will remain with you afterward. Recognizing the war-related violence depicted here -- even just the weight of the subject matter -- I'd recommend this novel to readers in grades 8 and up.

"The Dead and the Gone" by Susan Beth Pfeffer

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:39:32 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

Luckily, I had snagged an advance copy of "The Dead and the Gone" a few months back. Good thing, because as I mention in the review directly below this one, I loved "Life As We Knew It" and was eager to read the follow-up novel. Yay me!

Full disclosure: I assumed "The Dead and the Gone" was a direct sequel to the first book, so I was all psyched to find out what else had happened to Miranda and her family. I must've missed the fact that it's actually a "companion novel" chronicling the aftermath of the same moon-related disaster on 17 year-old New York City resident Alex Morales and his two younger sisters, the religious Briana and the bratty Julie. Having read the first book, I obviously knew exactly what was in store for the unfortunate residents of NYC, since Miranda told us all about the earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, and all-around wicked climate changes caused by the asteroid strike. This knowledge, for me at least, undermined some of this story's impact. While everything was so unsuspected and thus chilling in the first novel, the second had a bit of a "been there, done that" element to it.

I also found this novel to be a bit wordier than the first one. I enjoyed Miranda's first-person perspective, as she detailed her slowly disappearing way of life in her journal. "The Dead and the Gone" is told in the third person, so while Alex's fears, stubbornness, anger, and occasional stupidity are described to us, again, the filtering lessens some of the impact. I never felt as connected to his character as I did to Miranda.

On the plus side, I thought integrating themes of religion, ethnicity, gender, and privilege into a disaster story was genius. Alex is Puerto Rican, the son of a building superintendent and an operating room technician -- both of whom quickly go missing -- and a scholarship student at the prestigious Catholic school DePaul. In the months following the moon disaster, life in NYC becomes truly awful. Much of Lower Manhattan has been washed away, temperatures plummet as the sun is obscured by volcanic ash, and corpses pile up in the streets or are displayed for viewing at Yankee Stadium (note: Alex's visit to Yankee Stadium is an absolutely gut-wrenching scene and one of the best I've seen in a YA novel in quite some time). Eventually Alex and a school friend, the wealthy troublemaker Kevin, must go "body shopping" (i.e., steal valuables from corpses) to purchase black market food. Even in the midst of all this chaos and horror, Alex realizes that some of his wealthier classmates are able to use their social status and connections to make their lives better. As examples, we learn that the business centers of Midtown Manhattan still have heat, electricity, and security, and special bus convoys shuttle only the children of the wealthy and powerful to the relative safety of the south.

Here, we also have a deeper discussion of why a seemingly benevolent god would inflict so much pain on people. Briana is able to maintain her strong Catholic faith throughout the tragedies that follow the moon disaster, but Alex finds it ever harder to rely on religion to get him through these dark times. Alex also questions his own actions, which are necessary for his family's survival but which frequently run counter to church doctrine. I thought this focus on both religion and social class gave "The Dead and the Gone" a weightier, almost philosophical feel than that of the first novel.

In the end, while I enjoyed the first book more, I think there's lots to like about "The Dead and the Gone." I figure fans will want to look at the moon disaster from a different perspective, and newbies can jump right in here as well. I'd recommend it to middle school readers, again in grade 7 or so and up.

"Life As We Knew It" by Susan Beth Pfeffer

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:20:47 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

Ok, "Life As We Knew It" is an "end of the world" type novel, which I realize is not everyone's cup of tea. Admittedly, it's also a bit of a downer, as you might expect of a chronicle of life after an asteroid knocks the moon out of its orbit, creating devastating volcanoes, tidal waves, earthquakes, and climate events. Still, 16 year-old Miranda, who keeps a diary of the time leading up to and following the disaster in her northern Pennsylvania neighborhood, gives us great insight into a world where even basic survival becomes threatened. I literally could not put this book down. I loved the gradual descent of Miranda's life from worries about boys, figure skating, swimming, and high school to waiting in food lines, foraging for kindling, severely restricting her food intake, and, finally, trying desperately to save her flu-ridden family members from death. Miranda believably transforms from a typical self-centered, sort of bratty teenager into a strong, brave young woman willing to sacrifice herself to save others. It's a compelling, thrilling, highly readable story that left me hanging on just about every word.

I don't want to give too many plot points away, because I think much of the impact of this novel lies in the slow disintegration of Miranda's entire way of life. I will say that Miranda is a fully realized, complex character, and you will absolutely follow her struggle every step of the way. The relationship between Miranda and her mom is full of the kind of sniping, backtalking, and bruised feelings that you'd expect in a real mom-teen relationship. In other words, it's perfect because it's so real. And while the book is a touch depressing -- let's face it, millions of people die after the asteroid hits -- it's also inspiring, as Miranda and her family fight against insane odds to survive in heartbreakingly brutal conditions. In their struggle, there is hope, as Miranda discovers that a life where one is cold, hungry, lonely, and afraid can still be a life worth living. I wholeheartedly recommend this wonderful novel, which is sure to generate lots of discussion among readers. While it's a "clean" book (no swearing, sex, etc.) know that the general themes included here are disturbing. I'm thinking about 7th grade and up for this one, although you folks know yourselves best.

PS - The sequel, "The Dead and the Gone" is due out in June.

"Ghost of Spirit Bear" by Ben Mikaelsen

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:40:14 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

"Ghost of Spirit Bear" is the sequel to "Touching Spirit Bear," which is a staple of many school summer reading lists. In the first book, high school student Cole Matthews is sent to a remote Alaskan island as alternative punishment after brutally beating a weaker classmate. Over the course of that story, Cole, very begrudgingly at first, learns to survive in the wilderness and begin to let go of his anger. His victim, Peter, joins him on the island, and the two gradually become close friends.

The sequel, which will be released in June, continues to follow Cole's journey. While it doesn't have the survivalism and outdoor adventure of the first book, it's still an entertaining and thought-provoking story. Both Cole and Peter are making a rocky transition back to life in Minneapolis. School bullies are still torturing Peter, and Cole can't seem to find a way to fight back without actually fighting. It's a believable struggle, how basically good but damaged kids grapple with incorporating huge life lessons into their everyday existence. It's one thing to embrace meditation and release anger in healthy ways in wilderness solitude; it's an entirely different one to remain calm when a vicious gang is kicking you in the ribs or assaulting your best friend.

After the suicide of a classmate, Cole works with his new principal, Peter, and other students to turn his violent, apathetic school around. I won't reveal Cole's plan, but it relates back to his Alaskan experience. It's the type of small but symbolic change a teenager really could make in his school. I liked that this book shows you what happens after a life-changing moment -- which is where so many books leave the story -- and how incredibly difficult it can be to make yourself and your life not just different but better. Cole is an authentic, flawed character with moments of bravery, heart, and weakness. His successes are all that more meaningful for the reader, because we do so badly want him to change. While there isn't any outdoor adventure here, Cole's fight to overcome violence and improve himself and his world should be enough to grab readers. Knowledge of the first novel makes this one richer, but "Ghost of Spirit Bear" is an engaging, inspiring standalone novel for middle school boys or any readers interested in social activism.

"The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks" by E. Lockhart

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:18:43 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

Lots of you may already know author E. Lockhart from such super popular novels as "The Boy Book" and "The Boyfriend List." I have to confess this is the first book I've read by her. Further confession: I probably wouldn't have picked it up if not for the absolutely rave reviews it received in Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal. Having said that, I'm so glad I took the chance, because "The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks," aside from its somewhat unwieldy title, is a great read with a smart, spunky main character and a decidedly feminist bent. What's not to like about that? :-)

I fear that any plot summary will fail to capture the snarky, dry humor that really sets this book apart. Nevertheless, here goes. We have boarding school student Frankie Landau-Banks about to start her sophomore year at Alabaster. Just one year before, Frankie was one of those plain girls who hid in her sister's shadow and was content with swimming and debate club. Frankie's summer transformation catches the attention of gorgeous senior Matthew Livingston, the resident big man on campus. At first, Frankie is thrilled beyond words to be Matthew's girlfriend. The status makes her feel important and noticed. Frankie also discovers she loves being included in Matthew's crew of friends, particularly as that relates to Alpha, the de facto leader of Matthew's group. As time passes, Frankie begins to feel increasingly less valued than Alpha and the boys. It's almost as if Matthew dismisses her as simply another pretty girl, when, in fact, Frankie is wickedly smart.

One night, Frankie stumbles upon a meeting of the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds, Alabaster's exclusive, male-only secret society. Frankie's dad had been in the Order back in the day, when grand pranks were pulled on campus, so she had heard whispers of their feats. Now the Order is led by Alpha and Matthew, and, as Frankie learns, their schemes are all pretty lame. Still, Frankie wants so badly to be respected for her mind -- and her deviousness -- that she assumes Alpha's identity (online) and begins directing the Order to commit all sorts of fiendishly clever pranks. We're talking everything from dressing up statues in ladies' underwear to an ultra-ironic yet effective rebellion in favor of cafeteria vegetables. The pranks capture the attention of everyone at Alabaster. Frankie is proud of her evil accomplishments, but also annoyed that she cannot claim any credit. You can probably guess that at some point here, Frankie will be exposed as the Order's true mastermind and that revelation will have far-reaching effects on Frankie, Matthew, Alpha, and the rest of the school.

See, I knew it. This plot summary is still lacking. You'll have to trust me that this book is dry, hilarious, and witty. I mean, come on, Frankie honestly uses the word "dulge," as in the proposed opposite of "indulge." How great is that? Frankie is a debater, so she crafts some pretty compelling arguments over the course of the book on, among other things, a girl's place vs. a boy's place. I also loved how Lockhart weaved Frankie's school research on public performance art into the story, since Frankie uses a lot of what she learns to craft the Order's missions. My only quibble is that I felt the ending was just a bit of a letdown, although I get why Lockhart went in that direction.

As I said, this is a smart, insightful book that's a great combination of boarding school tale, coming of age story, social commentary, and female empowerment manifesto. Don't let the title put you off; I think girls in 7th grade and up will love Frankie.

"Coraline Graphic Novel" by Neil Gaiman and P. Craig Russell

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:04:02 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

I know lots of you have read Neil Gaiman's "Coraline," perhaps as part of your school's required summer reading program. Did you know that HarperCollins is releasing a graphic novel version of "Coraline" this summer? Well now you do!

Very quickly, for newbies out there, Coraline has moved to a new flat (British speak for apartment) with her folks. She's terribly bored during her first summer there, and while her unusual neighbors provide a bit of mystery and diversion, Coraline longs for something more. Her parents don't seem to pay enough attention, so Coraline takes to exploring on her own. One day, she opens a locked door and finds not the bricked-up entryway she expected but an entirely new passage into another world. This new world looks very much like Coraline's, but on this side of the hall, her mother has black button eyes and evil intentions. With the help of a talking black cat, Coraline must be brave and clever enough to outwit her "other mother," rescue her real parents, and return back to her own world.

I was so impressed with the focus of the graphic novel adaptation. P. Craig Russell, who adapted the story and illustrated it as well, very capably selects scenes from the book to depict here. His graphic novel maintains the same steadily creepy pace as the original book, building toward the big confrontation between Coraline and her other mother. The illustrations are also stellar. They perfectly capture the spooky yet still gentle tone of the novel. If you've read the book, I think you'll get a huge kick out of seeing Neil Gaiman's imaginative novel come to life before your eyes in everything from the snarky black cat to the disintegrating other father. It's a scary but fun take on a now classic novel, and I recommend it to all our readers in middle school and up.

"Lock and Key" by Sarah Dessen

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:56:47 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

Sarah Dessen has acquired such a loyal group of readers that any review of her latest novel, "Lock and Key," will likely have zero effect on her circulation stats or sales figures. But since I really loved the story, maybe it'll attract some new readers to her!

Ok, so I'm about to heap praise on the book. First, though, one small negative point. I had a minor issue with the fact that several plot elements seem to have been recycled from "Keeping the Moon" (as in, emotionally detached girl gets shipped off to formerly unknown relative's house where she meets kind-hearted, attractive neighbor with angry, abusive father). Just saying.

With that criticism aside, "Lock and Key" is lovely, heartwarming, touching, and wholly believable. In other words, it's a Sarah Dessen novel, and her audience of high school girls will adore it. The basic plot outline here has high school senior Ruby being placed by child services in her estranged older sister's care after mom up and leaves one day. To survive life with a chaotic, unstable, alcoholic mom, Ruby has put up tons of walls around herself, none of which she'll let down easily. She blames her long missing sister, Cora, for abandoning her as a young girl, and she views all her new classmates at private school as one-dimensional, boring rich kids.

Over the course of the year, we see Ruby grow and begin to accept her new family, new friends, and herself. It's all so gradual, with many missteps and bruised feelings along the way, that you will absolutely accept Ruby's personal transformation. As I mentioned above, there's also a super-cute neighbor, Nate, whom Ruby immediately dismisses as a rich brat. Not true! Nate, like Ruby, is a believably complex, hurting, but still hopeful character. In other words, you'll love him, and you'll root for Ruby letting him into her life ... and vice versa. The direction of Ruby and Nate's relationship actually surprised me a bit, although I guess I should've seen that Nate might need some saving as well.

With winning characters, gentle symbolism, an inspiring story arc, and beautiful writing, I have no hesitation recommending "Lock and Key" to girls in grades 8 and up. Younger girls will also likely enjoy the story, but they should be warned that, although handled with subtlety, there are several adult scenes in the novel.

"Hurricane" by Terry Trueman

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:56:51 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

Author Terry Trueman is well known in summer reading circles for "Stuck in Neutral," his gripping tale of a boy in a vegetative state. In "Hurricane," he explores the devastation wrought by 1998's Hurricane Mitch by focusing on one 13 year old boy in one tiny pueblo (or town) in Honduras. When we first encounter Jose, he is helping his older brother Victor tear down an outdoor barbecue. Jose, as a typical young teen, soon abandons the hard work to play soccer in the main road with his friends, while the good-natured Victor completes the task. It's a lovely opening scene, as we readily discover that Jose has a normal life with friends, caring neighbors, loving family, and even a loyal dog. This is important because (a) it helps us immediately identify with Jose, and (b) since the novel is set in Honduras, a country possibly unknown to younger readers, it instantly makes the story seem connected to our own lives.

Flash forward six months, and Category Five storm Hurricane Mitch is bearing down on Jose's pueblo of La Rupa. While the rain is pounding and the winds are battering his small house, Jose, his mom, and three siblings huddle together under tarps. Even as the storm slowly passes, they become increasingly worried by the absence of Jose's dad and two older siblings (including Victor), who were traveling when the storm hit. Jose is also upset because his beloved dog, Berti, has gone missing. Just as the storm seems to have subsided, Jose hears a violent, ear-shattering roar, which turns out to be a mudslide. As the pueblo endures a torrent of mud from a nearby deforested mountainside, most of La Rupa's houses are destroyed. Worse, many residents are instantly killed and what little remains of the town lies completely buried in mud. By sheer luck, Jose's house is spared, and it soon becomes a makeshift shelter for his few surviving neighbors.

In the days that follow, Jose, scared yet determined, has to grow up quickly and assume the responsibilities of his father and older brother. This means rescuing trapped people; unearthing dead neighbors; literally scraping through mud for stores of food; searching for medical care for his desperately ill little brother, Juan; and, finally, making a lonely, dangerous trip along mud-buried roads to locate his missing family members. Throughout his journey, Jose is believably brave and frightened at the same time, as any young boy would be.

In typical Trueman style, the impact of this novel far outweighs its slim size. While it's a quick read, "Hurricane" is the type of story that will linger with you long afterward. I'll add that it's also great to find a novel set outside the United States that is still so accessible for young American teens. Indeed, I'm sure most middle school readers will easily identify with Jose and his struggle to protect his family in the face of devastating conditions. "Hurricane" is a powerful and inspiring story, and I recommend it for all middle school readers.

"Burned" by Ellen Hopkins

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:17:09 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

Ellen Hopkins is the bestselling author of such novels in verse as "Crank" and "Glass." If you're confused by the term "novel in verse," think of it as a story written as a series of poems. Probably my favorite teen verse novel is Virginia Euwer Wolff's brilliant "Make Lemonade," but there are literally tons of other choices, including "Hard Hit" (baseball and grief), "Shark Girl" (a surfer girl's survival after amputation), and "Sold" (a Nepalese girl sold into sexual slavery in India, reviewed here).

"Burned" is the first Ellen Hopkins novel I've read, and I have to admit to being pretty disappointed. While her talent in constructing and crafting the individual poems is breathtaking -- truly, some of these poems are works of art -- the overall story is unconvincing and, I hate to say it, melodramatic.

As the story begins, high school junior Pattyn is living in a fundamentalist Mormon household with her abusive, alcoholic father, a lazy, beaten-down mom, and six younger sisters. Pattyn is burdened with the responsibilities of her church and family, so she's as startled as anyone when she starts dreaming and fantasizing about a hot classmate, Justin. Quicker than you can blink, our girl -- originally portrayed as a free thinker, but one who is shy and bookish -- is swilling tequila in the desert, fooling around with Justin's friend Derek, and getting violent at school. After her half-crazed father learns of Pattyn's antics, he ships her off to rural eastern Nevada to spend a summer with his estranged sister Jeanette.

Now, if you're like me, you might wonder why Pattyn's dad would set her loose with his unconventional, independent sister -- a sister he disowned years before -- just as Pattyn is questioning church doctrine and acting out in increasingly destructive ways. Yeah, doesn't make much sense, right? Hrm. Next thing you know, Pattyn meets another hottie -- college sophomore and cowboy Ethan -- and they soon fall crazy in love, complete with naked swims and passion and the whole deal. Because this story is exactly as cheesy as you might suspect, Pattyn gets pregnant (because a college veterinary student has never heard of the morning-after pill? shame!), returns home to Carson City, and then desperately tries to run off with Ethan, all with disastrous consequences. Be thankful I haven't mentioned Aunt Jeanette's background or the wholly improbable turn her life takes.

I won't give much else away, but if you've seen even one single episode of "General Hospital" or "Days of Our Lives," you'll be able to predict every single plot turn in this ill-conceived story. Too many of the characters are cardboard cutouts, including Pattyn's horrifically evil dad and the super-sweet and caring Ethan, that you may want to cringe. I hate to give a book a bad review, particularly when, as I mentioned, the craft of the poems is extraordinary. Plus, the book reads quickly and Pattyn, at least, is a compelling, complex character. But I think "Burned" is just so messy, ridiculous, and ultimately irresponsible that I cannot recommend it. If you feel otherwise, please let us know.

PS - If you decide to read "Burned," please know that it is most definitely a high school book, with lots of drinking and sexual situations.

"13" by Jason Robert Brown and Dan Elish

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:56:03 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

It looks like "13" which the HarperCollins folks were kind enough to send to me (thanks!), is the novelization of a musical. Wow, a musical about a soon-to-be 13 year old who, mere months before his bar mitzvah, moves from bustling New York City to sleepy Appleton, Indiana? Sounds different, right? I checked out the entry on the wikipedia site, and it seems that the musical will be hitting Chester, CT soon. Cool.

In the meantime, "13" -- the book, that is -- is a sweet, silly, campy story that should be well received by all you middle school folks. We meet Evan Goldman just as he and his mom are driving off to Appleton, following the breakup of his parents' marriage. As you might imagine, Evan is not so keen on leaving all his friends in New York City for some unknown hick town in the midwest.

While he's lucky to make a fast friend in the quirky, bookish Patrice, Evan soon learns that if he wants to be cool in Appleton -- and, just as importantly, if he wants anyone to attend his bar mitzvah out there -- he'd better get in tight with football hero Brett Connelly. Luckily, Brett quickly pulls Evan (inexplicably relabeled "Brain") into the popular crew, and everything seems great. Except ... not so fast. Turns out God-like Brett and most of his pals are thoroughly obnoxious kids, the kind who make fun of classmates, dole out wedgies, and pressure each other into doing stupid things. While Evan is smart enough to see the truth, he can't help but keep his mouth shut. Yes, on the one hand, they're jerks. But they're popular jerks, and Evan needs bar mitzvah guests! Evan figures that if being popular means turning his back on Patrice and selling out his smart, creepy, but probably harmless neighbor Archie, then so be it. At least his bar mitzvah will be well attended.

Although you can probably see where this is going -- raise a hand if you think Evan might end up with no friends at all -- I liked that "13" never takes itself too seriously. It's definitely not one of those hyper realistic, "boy stands up to bullies" books, which is a relief. Sometimes you just want to read something fun. "13" fits that description perfectly, as it's light and breezy with lots of over-the-top scenes. Need examples? Ok. How about when physically disabled Archie decks himself out in a shiny purple suit for the gore flick Bloodmaster, determined to kiss head cheerleader Kendra. Or, my personal favorite, when a lovestruck Brett loses focus during a football game and is saved only when the crowd picks up on his "tongue" (as in kissing!) chant. I thought all this silliness worked very well in keeping the story zipping along and, in all likelihood, in maintaining the interest of its younger target audience. I'd recommend this clean, goofy and ultimately winning story to boys and girls in 5th grade and up. Look for it in July, and happy reading!

"Godless" by Pete Hautman

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:53:58 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

It's rare to find a teen novel that raises serious questions about religion while still managing to wring a few well-earned chuckles from the reader along the way. Well done, Pete Hautman!

"Godless," as the title may indicate, gives us the story of Jason Bock, a 16 year old who is questioning not just his parents' faith but the very idea of religion. After a run-in at the local water tower with the scrawny bully Henry Stagg, Jason has a revelation -- what would happen if he began worshipping the water tower? Could the "Church of the Ten-Legged One" (CTO) catch on as something more than a joke? Even if it doesn't, is there merit to Jason's argument that he doesn't have to be a believer to be serious about his religion?

The CTO thus begins as both a prank, and, on another level, as a means of challenging what Jason perceives as the unthinking faith of others. His snail-loving, bookish best friend, Shin, quickly latches onto the new religion, and soon goes from writing the sacred text to channeling voices and acting in an increasingly disturbed fashion. New CTO converts also include Dan, an authority-loving follower; Magda, a reckless waitress who may or may not have feelings for Jason; and, of all people, Henry Stagg.

I won't reveal any other plot points here, although you folks out there should know that there is indeed plenty of action for a book about profound life questions. Even better, as I mentioned above, there's plenty of humor, too. Jason, who is a huge, sweaty, self-depricating guy, can be hysterical at times, particularly when he is reimagining himself as a stealthy ninja or a tortured prisoner. He usually has a witty quip, or at least a silly joke, at the tip of his tongue, making it easy for the reader to like and identify with him. I enjoyed how the humor added considerable levity to what otherwise might have been a weighty, abstract novel.

There's a minor bit of foul language here, but otherwise "Godless" seems like a good middle school read, especially for boys. If you're looking for a short book that will make you laugh and perhaps ask yourself some hard questions about faith and religion, then "Godless" is for you.

"Looking for Alaska" by John Green

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:46:41 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

I loved author John Green's second novel, "An Abundance of Katherines," which was hilarious and touching and simply a fantastic read. For some reason, although I started it a few times, I never got around to reading his first book, "Looking for Alaska," which won the 2006 Printz Award for outstanding young adult novel. Consider that omission corrected!

Miles Halter is a teenager who's about to embark on his junior year at a new school, Culver Creek boarding school in Alabama. Miles is a skinny, smart, acerbic kid who specializes in quoting the last words of dead folks. Shockingly, Miles doesn't leave a whole lot of friends behind in Florida. At the Creek, he is renamed "Pudge" and immediately becomes tight with an unusual crew of similarly smart and smart alecky teens, including his brilliant, deadpan roommate Chip "The Colonel" Martin; Romanian-born nice girl Lara; all-around pal and sidekick Takumi; and the independent, beautiful, frustrating, and ultimately enigmatic Alaska Young.

I say with no exaggeration that certain sections of this book had me bursting out with laughter, but I'm a sucker for dark, ironic, self-effacing humor, of which Pudge, Takumi, and especially the Colonel are masters. The story, though, becomes quite serious, which I felt was jarring at the time. In retrospect -- and without revealing any critical plot points -- the title does clearly say "looking" for Alaska, which should've been an obvious clue that our girl Alaska might somehow get lost. My bad. I just got so caught up in the sheer delight of Pudge's first semester at the Creek, reveling in his enjoyment of new friendships, crushes, drinking games, pranks, and even eye-opening classes, like Mr. "The Old Man" Hyde's religion class, that I wasn't fully prepared for the book's deeply serious turn.

"Looking for Alaska" delivers the hilarious highs and crushing lows of a pivotal year in Miles' life, one that contains its fair share of laughter, pain, and confusion. That feels about right in the end, since life often comes at you from all sides, with both good and bad, occasionally even at the same time. In the face of this turmoil, it's the bond between Pudge and the Colonel that helps both boys survive. I particularly loved the friendships in this book, and the fact that teen boys are portrayed in all their awful, real glory as immature, silly, loyal, introspective, confused, quirky, brave, and honorable people. Again, just like in life, with all the good and bad.

After following his journey, I think many readers, like Miles, will reflect on the Old Man's final exam question, borrowed from Simon Bolivar's alleged last words and Miles' yearlong quest: "How will you personally ever get out of this labyrinth of suffering?" Not too many young adult novels even have the nerve to ask such a profound question, let alone do so in a book that is also funny, heartfelt, and wickedly intelligent.

Although I'm late to the party here, I'll gladly add my voice to the others who have praised "Looking for Alaska" as a great book for high school readers. Yes, there is plenty of smoking, drinking, cursing, and sex in the story, but none of it feels gratuitous. This is how teens act, and it's entirely appropriate to include these behaviors in a realistic tale of teen life. I hope folks look beyond any potential red flags and see "Looking for Alaska" for what it is -- a wonderful story of growing up. Definitely recommended.

"Kissing the Bee" by Kathe Koja

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:59:52 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

Kathe Koja's "Kissing the Bee" struck me as a typical teen coming of age / love story, albeit one with poetic language, a nice grasp of teen speak, and a generous helping of bee imagery and analogies. That's not to say I didn't enjoy the book -- I actually did, I swear! -- but more that there's nothing here you haven't seen in the bushels of YA novels that deal with love, friendship, and growing up.

Dana is a high school senior who regularly lets her larger than life best friend, Avra, run roughshod over her life. While Avra drinks, smokes, fights with her parents, and generally bounces from one drama to the next, Dana is content to remain safely in the background and cater to Avra's various whims. Dana is by nature a follower, although that doesn't fully explain her behavior. She also has a mad crush on Avra's boyfriend Emil, who is the type of stoic, sensitive, disarmingly genuine, and (of course) hot guy who tends to exist in many teen novels, if not, alas, in real life. Dana connects with Emil in a way that the flighty Avra never will, yet Emil and Avra are the couple. Faced with this reality, Dana is content to torture herself by spending all her free time as the third wheel to Avra and Emil. Ugh.

Although not a spectacular student, Dana excels at science writing. She's even been awarded a scholarship, which is one of many reasons why she won't be joining Avra in her plans to run away on graduation day. Dana's final biology project is a long research paper on bees. The bee information is interesting in itself; even better, author Koja deftly weaves the bee theme throughout the story without having it seem like a flimsy plot device or contrivance.

The story builds to its inevitable conclusion, when Dana finally reaches a point where she must tell Emil how she really feels, with all the messy consequences that decision entails. I very much liked the urgency of these final scenes with Dana, Emil, and Avra, as teen love -- well, any love, I guess -- often has that desperate, raw quality to it. Although the general story arc here is fairly standard, Koja's poetic language, rich descriptions, and the quiet beauty of this tale make "Kissing the Bee" a novel worth reading. I'd recommend this one to girls in, say, 8th grade and higher.

"The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:59:23 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

With the huge disclaimer right up front that I am not a fantasy fan, I found "The Mysterious Benedict Society" to be all sorts of awesome! Given that level of enthusiasm, providing a basic plot outline -- four children who answer a newspaper ad promising "special opportunities" form a secret team that tries to saves the world from a brainwashing campaign -- fails to capture the essence of this sometimes silly, sometimes touching, always fun book.

Our hero (well, if an 11 year old can be a hero, which I answer with an emphatic yes) is Reynie Muldoon, an orphan who's a whiz at solving complicated puzzles. Reynie is also brave and clever in an unassuming way, and, under Mr. Benedict's care, he becomes the leader of the Society, which is basically just a small group of kids with diverse talents and heaps of old-fashioned gumption. The other members of the Society are the bald genius George "Sticky" Washington, so named for his amazing recall of facts; Kate Weatherall, a tough girl with a bucket full of handy tools; and the tiny, petulant Constance Contraire, who sleeps and complains with equal vigor.

The children pose as students at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened (L.I.V.E.) on secluded Nomansan Island, hoping to discover Institute head Ledroptha Curtain's (hee!) exact plans for his nefarious Whisperer device (hint: it involves world domination, of course). While on the island, the kids snoop around in places they have no right to be, meet under cover of darkness each night, communicate with Mr. Benedict and his friends using morse code (with a flashlight!), and narrowly escape danger time and time again. Cool, right?

The great thing about "The Mysterious Benedict Society," aside from all the neat spying and sleuthing by a resourceful band of kids, is the winning combination of humor and emotion that plays out here. The kids bond as true friends, revealing vulnerability, courage, and heart at wholly unexpected yet incredibly touching moments. All this tender feeling is nicely counterbalanced by humorous interludes, offbeat illustrations, wry insights, and often laugh-out-loud descriptions. If the plot becomes a bit convoluted, particularly as Mr. Curtain's schemes are revealed in more depth, it's easy enough to overlook. The story itself is so unfailingly enjoyable, with thrills, secrets, sly jokes, and emotion to spare, that most middle school readers -- even those non-fantasy folks like me! -- should adore it. Look for the sequel, "The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey" in late May. Enjoy!

"Miracle Wimp" by Erik Kraft

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:21:35 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

Erik Kraft's "Miracle Wimp" is composed of a series of short journal entries accompanied by hand drawn, goofy illustrations. In this sense, it reminded me of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books, Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," and Gary Paulsen's "The Amazing Life of Birds." I must say that I love this merging of a traditional text-based novel with comic elements, and I hope it continues. I think it's a great way to get reluctant readers interested in reading ... and it makes the book absolutely fly by!

"Miracle Wimp" is Tom Mayo's personal, often hilarious journal of his sophomore year in high school. Tom, whose last name and geeky nature have earned him the title nickname, seems like a smart, funny, fairly normal kid. He's just not as tough or popular as the group of powerful jocks he labels the "Donkeys." It's these boys who are prone to doling out insults, pranks, gym class beatings, and atomic wedgies on any unsuspecting nerds. Tom mostly steers clear of them, although he has no choice but to mingle with the Donkeys in Mr. Boort's somewhat bizarre Wood Shop class.

This is a very slim novel that most middle and high school boys should enjoy. As I mentioned, it has a fair share of biting humor, and the journal entries themselves are often only a few pages in length. Plus, drawings! As a bonus, Tom has some nice insights into the complexity of high school life, covering everything from an unexpectedly caring teacher; the bullying of a special ed student by other outcasts; the simple joys of driving around town with a friend; the absurdity of flag football; the sheer terror of calling a girl; and the ups and downs of having a first girlfriend. I was a bit jarred by how abruptly the journal ended, although I guess in retrospect Tom's journey is mostly complete by the time he attends the junior prom. Unless there's a sequel in store? I guess we'll all have to wait and see. In the meantime, although I should warn potential readers that there is a small amount of rough language, I can happily recommend this book. Please let us know if you like it!

"The Wednesday Wars" by Gary D. Schmidt

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:23:28 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

Yeah, like every other librarian in the free world, I adored it. End of review. :-)

Okay, in all seriousness, I loved "The Wednesday Wars" to a level that surprised even me. When it first came out and I read the description, I thought, ugh, the character is really named Holling Hoodhood? And it's historical fiction set during the Vietnam War with comedic elements and Shakespeare and the warm hearted nostalgia I associate with that old tv show "The Wonder Years"? Um, no thanks. But! I. Was. Wrong. Truly, I cannot imagine a better book for middle school readers.

Our story follows Holling's 7th grade school year, including his Wednesday afternoons with English teacher Mrs. Baker during which the two read and discuss the works of William Shakespeare. Mrs. Baker at first seems a bit stern and aloof, but we quickly learn that she's actually generous, empathetic, and, in her own way, funny and kind of cool. She challenges Holling to look more deeply into Shakespeare's text and savor the imagery, words, and themes. Mrs. Baker even wholeheartedly supports Holling's stage debut as the fairy Ariel in the town's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Yes, I said fairy. And did I also mention the yellow tights with feathers on the rear end that are sure to make Holling the laughingstock of Camillo Junior High?

Over the school year, we also see Holling's sweet friendship with Meryl Lee develop into something more, despite the fact that their fathers are fierce business rivals. Even better, we discover how deeply Holling cares for his older sister when her misguided plan to run off to California stalls in the Midwest and he must rescue her. That's what's great about "The Wednesday Wars": all the plentiful humor -- about such things as evil rats in the classroom ceiling tiles, chalk dust covered cream puffs, and Doug Swieteck's older brother and the 8th grade penitentiary crowd -- is balanced perfectly by genuine, heartfelt emotion. As distant as Holling's father is, Holling himself is warm, good hearted, and sincere in an authentic way. Holling is not a hero, but he and his friends manage to do the right thing more often than not, all while learning real, often touching lessons in the process. There are so many wonderful moments in Holling's story, when characters stand up for each other and reveal their hearts in small, lovely ways. The goofy humor will hook younger readers, but it's the honesty and quiet beauty of these scenes that will remain long after the book is finished.

As I said, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It's got history, Shakespeare, friendship, baseball and moments that will make you giggle and perhaps give you a small lump in your throat. "The Wednesday Wars" has something for everyone, and I hope all you middle school readers will give it a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

PS - I listened to the audiobook of this story, and I have to give props (again!) to Joel Johnstone, who also narrated "Thirteen Reasons Why."

"Sweethearts" by Sara Zarr

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:46:31 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

Before I say anything else, let me wholeheartedly recommend author Sara Zarr's first book, "Story of a Girl." There's a review in this very blog, so please click here and check it out for yourself. Believe me, "Story of a Girl" deserved all the praise it received, including being selected as a finalist for the National Book Award.

"Sweethearts," Zarr's latest novel, is much different in tone and subject matter, although Zarr's quiet, poetic writing remains constant. This is basically a small story about claiming the person you are and want to be. I know, I thought it would be a love story, based on (duh!) the title, as well as the cover image of a heart-shaped cookie with one bite removed. I guess in a sense it is a love story, but not a typical kiss-kiss, hug-hug one, if that makes sense.

Jenna Vaughn is a senior at a small arts high school in Utah. She has reinvented herself over the years, morphing from fat, unkempt, picked-upon Jennifer Harrison to thin, popular, and beloved Jenna Vaughn. Jenna's lone friend from childhood, Cameron Quick, literally disappeared from her life one day after a troubling incident involving his abusive father. In surviving Cameron's loss -- Jenna was told he died -- she destroys the person she once was. Growth and change are all well and good, but Jenna genuinely has little sense of herself anymore. Almost all Jenna's actions and words, including her decision to become Ethan's girlfriend, reflect how she thinks she is "supposed to" behave in order to be normal and liked. Her own wants and needs, even her true personality, have been buried.

You see where this is going, right? Cameron mysteriously reappears in Jenna's life, with little explanation as to where he's been all these years, and helps her remember who she is. That seems terrific, I agree. Unfortunately, all we know about Cameron is that he's tall, good looking, aloof, unfailingly loyal to Jenna, and possibly damaged in some way. Sadly, this remains basically all we know about Cameron even as the book ends. He plainly loves Jenna, and she him, but not in a traditional way. They don't date or even kiss, but it's as if they've shown each other their souls and now connect on a level that moves beyond high school love. While that's lovely, the relationship is so distant, so elusive, that I found it difficult to become fully invested, emotionally, in their story.

Have any of you folks read Gabrielle Zevin's "Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac"? Do you remember Naomi's damaged, lost boyfriend, James, who always seemed two steps removed from the reader? That is exactly what Cameron is like. Eh.

As I said, the writing here is just beautiful, with lyrical passages and beautiful, quiet moments that never go over the top. It's also a fairly short book with mostly believable teenagers acting in mostly believable ways, which should be good news for our teen readers. I'd say this is a book aimed squarely at the high school audience, although there's nothing offensive or graphically portrayed here, meaning younger readers might enjoy it as well. I do recommend this book. I only wish Cameron's character evolved into something more than a distant, almost mythic hero making essentially a cameo appearance in Jenna's life.

"This is What I Did" by Ann Dee Ellis

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:07:09 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

Am I the only one who judges a book by its cover? I did here, and, to be honest, I wasn't quite sure what to make of "This is What I Did," what with its ugly pea green cover and spare white outline of a young boy in a baseball cap. Flipping through the book, I immediately noticed that instead of chapters, the story is divided into short sections composed primarily of dialogue. Cool, I thought, I'm all for a fast read! What was really interesting was that each section was separated from the others by a stark black graphic image. These included such apparently dissimilar icons as E.T., a DNA double helix, a shovel, a fly, an overturned bicycle, a sleeping bag, an elliptical machine, and, yeah, Peter Pan.

Hrm, what to make of this, I thought. So random! But I'll give author Ann Dee Ellis credit, because all these odd images relate directly back to her story of 8th grade outcast Logan. See, Logan is keeping a huge, shameful secret involving some type of awful incident with his former best friend Zyler and his pretty neighbor Cami. All we know now is that Logan is a bullied loner and the victim of cruel pranks and rumors by a group of his classmates. He's severely disconnected from his folks and younger twin brothers, and his only meaningful contact with his peers revolves around sharing palindromes (words or phrases that are spelled the same front and back) with the eccentric actress Laurel.

The mystery of Logan's secret unfolds as he recounts Scout hazing, the old days with Zyler, school play rehearsals, and psychologist visits. Logan mixes events in the past and present, merging them together in a detached way that keeps the reader constantly guessing about what happened. While this is an effective tactic for a mystery or psychological drama -- everyone loves suspense, right? -- it unfortunately keeps Logan forever beyond the reader's reach. I had the hardest time empathizing with this empty boy. While I understand that Logan's blankness reflects his inability to cope with his past, for far too much of the novel he is almost completely devoid of genuine emotions, wishes, and regrets. As a character, he remains much like that blank outline on the book's cover.

"This is What I Did" is by no means a bad novel, and it is short, serious, and engaging. I just think there are better middle school books on either bullying (going all the way back to Robert Cormier's "The Chocolate War") or the destructive power of secrets (E.L. Konigsburg's "Silent to the Bone" comes immediately to mind). If you give this book a shot, please let us know what you think.

"The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:54:04 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

I can't believe it took me so long to read a book you all have known about for ages! I guess the idea of young Olympic gods in modern times made me think "The Lightning Thief" would be heavy or boring. I was so, so wrong. This is a clever, fun, action-packed book that expertly weaves ancient Greek myths throughout its highly entertaining narrative. It's about the farthest thing from boring I can imagine. My bad!

Perseus ("Percy") Jackson is the son of a candy store worker and a cruel poker-playing stepfather, whom he calls "Smelly Gabe." Percy has attention deficit disorder and dyslexia, so he's had a rough time just completing the 6th grade at Yancy Academy, his upstate boarding school for challenged students. Most of his classmates and teachers overlook Percy, and he, too, sees himself as nothing special. Yes, there was the small matter of accidentally vanquishing his sinister math teacher Mrs. Dodds during a field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but, afterward, all Percy's classmates seem to have forgotten her very existence. Yet again, Percy fades into the background of Yancy life.

Once the school year ends, Percy heads home, accompanied on the NYC bus by his only Yancy friend, Grover Underwood, a scrawny guy with atrophied leg muscles. Grover makes some cryptic statements about being Percy's protector, but none of that makes sense until later, when Percy and his mom are attacked by a minotaur, a part man / part bull creature. Grover is actually one of Pan's satyrs with cloven hooves (!) sent to keep Percy safe. He must get Percy to Half-Blood Hill, a summer camp sanctuary for kids who are half-god and half-mortal. Turns out, Percy's dad was, in fact, an Olympic god, although at first he's not sure which one. Go figure, right? With training at Half-Blood Hill, Percy should discover more about his history and learn how to protect himself from all the bad guys and monsters who are out to get him.

When Percy finds out the gods are viciously fighting over Zeus's stolen lightning bolt, the Oracle instructs him to embark on a westward quest with Grover and his new half-blood friend Annabeth. The group must find and return the bolt to Zeus, lest the world be plunged into all-out war and chaos. Along their journey, Percy, Grover, and Annabeth have tons of adventures, including encounters with all sorts of ancient gods and monsters. What's great is that these old myths are transformed by modern, often humorous twists. For example, god of war Ares is a grizzly biker, Medusa owns a roadside diner with an impressive sculpture garden, and Procrustes, the bandit who stretched folks on an iron bed, now runs a mattress emporium in LA!

I can't recommend this book highly enough to middle school readers, both boys and girls. Not only is "The Lightning Thief" a terrific avenue into the world of Greek myth, it's also a fast-paced, silly, and ultimately heartfelt book in its own right. Two sequels ("The Sea of Monsters" and "The Titan's Curse") will allow you to follow Percy on more adventures, and there's a fourth book, "The Battle of the Labyrinth," due out in May. Enjoy!

"The Interns: Fashionistas" by Chloe Walsh

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:15:20 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

I'll have to say right up front that I'm not a big fan of that subset of YA chick lit that features bitchy teen girls acting like extras from "Sex and the City," all while name dropping the latest clothes, bags, shoes, gadgets, makeup, and jewelry. These books always tend to strike me as superficial and mean spirited, thus overriding whatever candy confection fun there is to be had from watching beautiful people tool around in fabulous clothes.

"Fashionistas" fits squarely into the genre I just derided above, but, to its credit, it occasionally reaches higher, showing glimmers of heart, touches of honesty, and the rare flicker of genuine female friendship. Mostly, however, this book is about as shallow as my bank account.

Our four interns -- spoiled socialite Aynsley; smart and mousy Ava; brassy, diva-like Nadine; and country girl Callie -- are spending the summer working at Couture, a glitzy fashion magazine in NYC. The plot, such as it is, involves tons of drinking, flirting, backstabbing, manipulation, and designer clothes, as Aynsley and Nadine bar hop each night while Ava lives some sort of double life and Callie steals designs to get ahead. Fun!

I guess the author is going for a "Gossip Girl" tone, as there are occasional snarky posts from the Fashionista blog, but, honestly, those feel like an afterthought. This book is incredibly fast-paced, using an MTV quick-cut edits style to (a) maintain the runaway locomotive pace, and (b) distract the reader from the fact that there's not a whole lot of substance behind these cardboard characters and flimsy plot elements. "Fashionistas" is, at best, a guilty pleasure. Still, I wish more had happened; there's barely any romance here, and that should be a chick lit staple! Since the book ends abruptly at the midpoint of a glamorous party (needless to say, I felt cheated), those who are still marginally interested will have to wait for the "Truth or Fashion" sequel to find out if Callie's lies get exposed, Nadine finally sobers up, Aynsley loses her internship, or Ava ... well, if something ever happens with Ava, since she's a mere shadow in this book.

"Fashionistas" comes out May 8th, and, really, I can only suggest it to high school age fans of the genre who have tired of the other series books. Also, although marketed as a teen novel, the girls here are mostly in college and they act accordingly. This one's not for the younger set. Consider yourselves warned.

"The Night Tourist" by Katherine Marsh

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 19:55:58 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

I guess the easiest way to describe "The Night Tourist" is as a ghost story / Manhattan travelogue. You don't hear that one every day, I'm sure!

Ninth-grader Jack Perdu is the only child of a single father, an archeology professor at Yale. Despite his young age, Jack himself is a Classics scholar who is translating Ovid's "Metamorphoses" from Latin into English. Would you be shocked to learn, then, that Jack is an introspective loner with no friends? Yeah, I thought not.

Jack survives a pretty severe car accident with no apparent damage, although, just to be safe, his father puts him on a train to New York City to see a special doctor. The doctor basically photographs Jack and sends him on his way. Okay, then. While in the office, Jack does manage to snag an antique subway token. Good thing, too, because when Jack follows mysterious prep school student Euri into the bowels of Grand Central Terminal, that pilfered token allows him to cross over into the underworld. See, Euri is actually dead, and has been for some time. Turns out Grand Central is a sort of holding point for trapped souls, those who have died in Manhattan but have not yet moved on to the afterlife. Each night, those souls get transported above ground via fountains throughout the city. The souls (ghosts, spirits, whatever you want to call them) get to spend each night flitting about New York, but they must return to Grand Central each dawn.

So why is Jack -- who survived the car accident -- stuck in the underworld, too? Good question, and that's basically the central mystery of this appealing and beautifully written novel. Is Jack dead? Can he locate his deceased mother during his three days in the underworld? Will Euri be able to pass over, or, perhaps, somehow become human again? I promise, all these questions are answered, although the ending admittedly left me a bit befuddled. While it's refreshing when a teen novel doesn't wrap up in a neat bow, the resolution felt like a letdown. Eh, see what you think.

This book reminded me somewhat of Neil Gaiman's "Neverwhere," which takes place exclusively in "London Below," a sort of parallel world beneath London's streets. I liked that it explored the larger issues of life, death, and forgiveness, while also providing lots of action (flights through the city, guard chases, etc.) and plenty of humorous touches (for example, there is a souls orientation in the New York Public Library). Add in liberal doses of the Classics and a lovely sense of wonder in seeing New York from an utterly new perspective, and you have the makings of a complex, enjoyable, yet gentle novel about love and friendship. While I'd recommend this book for middle school age readers and up, I suspect that there are many adults who would like "The Night Tourist" as well. I hope you'll give it a try.

"Football Genius" by Tim Green

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:29:51 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

"Football Genius" is former NFL player-turned-author Tim Green's first book for young people. Since we're a week away from the Super Bowl, and since we New Jerseyites have a dog in this fight, let me take this opportunity to say, GO GIANTS! Now back to our regularly scheduled review.

The story here is pretty simple. Troy is a Georgia sixth grader who never knew his real dad. He's a second-string quarterback for the Tigers, even though he has gobs more talent than Jamie Renfro, the starter. See, Jamie's dad is the coach, and both father and son are complete jerks and bullies. To show Jamie up, Troy steals an official Atlanta Falcons football from Seth Holloway, an NFL veteran who lives in a nearby gated community. Conveniently, Troy's single mom has just landed a job with the Falcons public relations staff, so it's easy enough for her to arrange a meeting with Seth at which Troy is to apologize for his actions and return the ball.

Mom also snags some field passes from Mr. Langan, the kindly owner of the Falcons. So what goes wrong? Well, Troy has this uncanny ability to predict exactly what the next play in a football game will be. He labels it "ESP," but it's more like his brain is acting as a supercomputer, calculating all the possible options based on field position, past plays, the players involved, etc. Troy is incredibly normal in all other aspects of life, but the football genius talent (title alert!) is something else. So when Troy finds himself on the sidelines for the big Falcons / Cowboys game, where he knows without a doubt what play the Cowboys offense will run, he storms up to defensive coordinator and all-around bad guy Coach Krock to try to warn him. Thus follows an extended bit in which Troy lands in tons of trouble, nearly gets his mom fired, and then continually pesters mom, Seth, and the entire Falcons establishment to let him help the struggling team by using his football genius talent for their benefit.

First off, I should state there are plenty of good things to say in this book's favor. Overall, it is a very sweet and wholesome book. It's refreshing to see honesty and morality portrayed in a plain, non-judgmental way. Troy knows stealing, trespassing, and lying are wrong, and he believably struggles with his conscience to do what is right, all without any "fire and brimstone" overtones. The friendship between Troy, the girl kicker / punter Tate, and the big lineman Nathan is nicely portrayed, too, as these kids seem like real, genuine friends who stand up for each other in ways both ordinary and heroic. They seem like the kind of friends any 12 year old would love to have. The kids are also resourceful, devising intelligent, often complicated schemes to get Troy's mom, Seth, and the Falcons to believe in Troy.

On the downside, you'll need to suspend a lot of belief to buy into "Football Genius." I'm willing to buy that a kid can read plays and predict football action better than professionals. But that that same kid would be so pivotal to an NFL team's success is a bigger leap of faith, one which the novel never fully justifies. There are some gaping holes in the plot (um, don't the Falcons ever play away games?) that you'll have to overlook to enjoy this novel. Even beyond all this, some of the characters are stock villains at best. The bad guys -- Krock, Jamie, Coach Renfro -- are so one-note, so unrelentingly evil, that you half expect them to start twirling a mustache or something. It really is that hammy and overdone.

I think there are better sports books out there for young middle schoolers, particularly Mike Lupica's "Travel Team" books (which also feature a sports underdog and a great boy / girl friendship) and John Feinstein's sports / mystery mash-ups "Last Shot," "Vanishing Act," and "Cover Up" (all of which present smart, capable kids entering the professional sports world in much more believable ways). Still, there's nothing especially wrong with "Football Genius," which is an easy-to-read novel just about bursting with pages and pages of on-field football action. It's incredibly clean and inoffensive as well, making it a good choice for young sports lovers, both boys and girls.

"Otherspace" by David Stahler, Jr.

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:36:48 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

Oddly enough, I am about to review the third book in the "Truesight" sci-fi trilogy, having never read the first two novels. Fear not! Although I'm sure knowledge of both "Truesight" and "The Seer" would've enriched my experience, "Otherspace" works pretty well as a stand alone novel. Besides, author David Stahler does a capable job filling in the back story, so we quickly learn (or, for you veterans out there, are reminded) that Jacob was born without vision to a colony of Blinders on the planet Nova Campi. Basically, Blinders were genetically engineered by the shadowy Foundation to be sightless beings. Jacob's colony was repressive -- they even employed a group of Listeners to monitor behavior -- so when he mysteriously gained his sight as a young teen, Jacob had no choice but to flee the group. Along with Jacob's sight came a sort of visionary talent, an ability to see glimpses of the future in confusing, often fractured dreams.

As our novel begins, Jacob has decided to leave his home planet and surrogate family to follow the vision of a young boy who calls him to the remote world of Teiresias. There, Jacob believes he'll find a whole settlement of people just like him, ex-Blinders with remarkable talents. He also hopes to gain control of his visions and, ultimately, discover where his destiny lies.

From here, it's a flat-out space adventure, which, as a general rule, I tend to enjoy. "Otherspace" does not disappoint. Once Jacob boards the space vessel Odessa, we find the conflicted Captain Bennet, who seems torn by Jacob's very presence on the ship, and a disturbing fellow passenger named Folgrin. Ships in this universe travel long distances by entering something called otherspace (hence, the title of the book; nothing gets past me, right?). Otherspace, a sort of hyperspace through wormholes, leaves most passengers in a state of paralysis; for Jacob, it's a time when he becomes wonderfully alive to the streaking stars and the harmonic music of the galaxy. All this is intriguing enough, and that's before we even factor in space pirates; a witch and her bagpipe-playing husband (!); a luxury liner; a planet partially in perpetual darkness; an underground settlement; betrayal and redemption; a budding romance; and a race against time to save Teiresias from the clutches of evil. Good stuff!

I can't think of another way to describe this book other than as a rollicking adventure with a serious vibe. Mostly, it's plain fun, and after a bit of a slow start, it jets along nicely. While it's hard to get a good handle on some of the characters, the swift pacing, incredibly cool space details, and gentle philosophical overtones will keep you interested. This is an obvious recommendation for fans of the first two books, but, beyond that, I think middle school readers -- and boys in particular -- will enjoy "Otherspace." The book comes out at the end of April ... look for it then!

"Suite Scarlett" by Maureen Johnson

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:03:52 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

Hooray for advance reading copies! "Suite Scarlett," Maureen Johnson's ("13 Little Blue Envelopes") latest book, doesn't officially come out until May 1st. I was incredibly lucky to snag an advance reading copy, which is basically an uncorrected version of the book in paperback format, typically given out for promotional or review purposes.

I cannot overstate how much I love all of Maureen's books. In an age of mindless chick lit for girls, Maureen writes novels where the heroines are smart, spunky, and with fierce independent streaks. But the books are also pretty breezy and light as well, and you can generally count on a big old dollop of romance mixed in, too. What more can you ask for? :-D

"Suite Scarlett" lives up to everything I've come to expect from a Maureen Johnson novel. Here's the basic setup: Scarlett Martin is the 15 year-old daughter of a hotel-owning family. Before you get any grand illusions of the Four Seasons, you should know that the Hopewell Hotel is a shabby, art deco hotel in Manhattan that has no staff, no guests, a creaky elevator, clogged toilets, and a barely functioning kitchen. It's summer time, and all of Scarlett's friends are off on adventures while she's stuck working at the Hopewell. Scarlett's parents barely make more than cameo appearances in the book, so the focus is mainly on Scarlett; her older brother, Spencer, who is a budding actor and physical comedian; her older sister, Lola, who dates a rich, dumb guy and works the makeup counter at Bendel's; and her younger sister, cancer survivor and all-around brat Marlene.

Scarlett has resigned herself to a hot, dreary summer when a very wealthy, eccentric guest, Mrs. Amberson, arrives for a lengthy stay at the Hopewell. Mrs. Amberson soon makes Scarlett her assistant, which primarily involves procuring odd teas and running strange errands, all in the name of Mrs. Amberson's unwritten book. At this point, I was so worried "Suite Scarlett" would veer off into "The Devil Wears Prada" territory, with an overbearing, demeaning boss ordering around a young woman. Not to worry. Mrs. Amberson, although a bit childish at times, definitely has Scarlett's best interests in mind.

While all this is going on, Spencer is facing his parents' one-year deadline to find a paying acting job, lest he be forced to enroll in culinary school. Spencer is a natural actor, so when he lands the part of Rosencrantz in a production of "Hamlet," Scarlett is thrilled. Ok, it's "Hamlet" to be staged in a parking garage, and Spencer will be riding a unicycle, but it's a real acting job, right? Even better from Scarlett's perspective, Eric, a handsome, seemingly sweet guy from North Carolina, has been cast as Gildenstern, Spencer's partner in comic relief. Eric will be spending lots of time with Spencer, running lines and practicing physical tricks and stunts, which is just fine by Scarlett. She likes the way Eric treats her as if she's someone special and magical.

That's probably enough of a plot outline. What follows is a sort of madcap, almost screwball comedy involving the staging of the play, the larger-than-life Mrs. Amberson, a misguided scheme to exact revenge upon one of Mrs. Amberson's old rivals, a budding romance between Eric and Scarlett, and some family angst. Yes, that's a lot to take in, but it also makes for great reading, since there's plenty of light comedy and a nice dash of sarcasm along the way. I also loved the interactions between Scarlett and her older siblings, Spencer and Lola. It's so rare to find siblings who are true friends in a young adult novel, particularly when that depiction never enters saccharine or artificial territory. Maureen has created a believable family where the brothers and sisters get on each other's nerves, argue, and yet still help and support each other. They actually like each other. Go figure.

I read this book in basically one sitting (is "devoured" too strong a word, I wonder?), which I believe is the way lots of you will read it as well. I think you'll love Scarlett's smart, resourceful character, and you'll find yourself eagerly cheering on Spencer's cockeyed production of "Hamlet." While this book has some flaws (younger sister Marlene seems like no more than a hollow plot device, and a few elements -- the eccentric actor, absent parents, and romance that ends on an unsettled note -- are recycled from previous novels), these are minor complaints when compared to the sheer enjoyment of reading "Suite Scarlett." I can't wait to recommend this to my young female readers, in say grades six and up. This one's a keeper!

"Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:34:03 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

One quick disclaimer before I launch into my rave review of Jay Asher's "Thirteen Reasons Why": I listened to the audiobook version, which is performed with compelling depth and emotion by Joel Johnstone and Debra Wiseman. While I think the text alone should make a fantastic read, the audiobook brings it up to a whole other level, as we get to hear the sad, increasingly desperate voice of suicide victim Hannah Baker.

Yes, as stated in the preceding sentence, high school student Hannah Baker is dead as the novel begins. Her suicide, shrouded in mystery and rumor -- as her life often was -- has devastated her sort-of-friend and one-time hookup Clay Jensen. As the novel opens, Clay has received a mail package with no return address. Inside, he finds a set of cassette tapes (think 80s-style Walkman) recorded by Hannah in the time before her death. Hannah has directed one side of each tape (13 in total) to a friend, classmate, or enemy who in some way contributed to her emotional destruction. Clay listens to the tapes through his headphones as he retraces Hannah's last steps, visiting the home of a peeping tom, the local coffeehouse and diner, and the site of a climactic party. As each tape passes, Clay is increasingly horrified to discover that the most popular girl in class, the cheerleader, and the guy who is everyone's friend have committed awful -- or at the very least terribly mean-spirited -- acts upon Hannah. At the same time, Clay keeps searching his memory for the instance when he, too, wronged Hannah. Clay is confused, because he genuinely cannot recall feeling anything for Hannah but longing, affection, and, finally, sorrow.

At first, I thought Hannah's voice from beyond the grave, and her insistence that the tapes' recipients retrace her steps, keep her secrets, and pass her package along to the next person, smacked of an ugly vindictiveness. But as Hannah's heartbreaks become clear, as the awful toll of each misery, ill-founded rumor, and broken friendship pile up, I lost any sense of animosity toward her character. Instead, I felt much like Clay, wanting only to reach through those tapes and somehow stop this sad, broken girl from completely destroying herself.

I won't say too much else about the plot, because it's important to follow Hannah's story of betrayal in the order in which she presents it. As I mentioned, it's the impact of all those actions, the sum total upon Hannah's psyche, that makes this book so devastating. I think as soon as you start reading, you'll be hooked. Even knowing in advance that Hannah is dead, this gripping novel is full of suspense. It also works great as a discussion book, as "Thirteen Reasons Why" raises lots of complex issues like the effects of teen gossip, self-destructive sexual behavior, loneliness, and, of course, suicide. Since many of these topics are a bit sensitive for younger readers, I'd say this one is targeted squarely at high school age folks. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Truly, this is one of the best books I've read in the past year, and it deserves every bit of praise I can heap upon it.