Kinnelon Library Teen Blog

"Will Grayson, Will Grayson" by John Green & David Levithan

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:19:44 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

Huge thanks to the generous people at Penguin Books for Young Readers. I cannot imagine a better advanced copy to receive than "Will Grayson, Will Grayson," a joint effort by John Green and David Levithan. Yes, you read those authors' names correctly. Squee!

Basically -- as the title may indicate -- we have two Will Graysons, both high school students in the greater Chicago area. The Wills' stories play out in alternating chapters, each narrated by a Will. Our first Will is, for lack of a better way to phrase this, a small moon to the blazing sun that is his best friend, Tiny Cooper. Will is sardonic, quiet, and repressed, a low-key, background kind of guy who devours music but shies away from the trauma of real life. Will believes that getting involved means getting hurt, so he mostly doesn't get involved. His best friend, Tiny, is this huge (literally), incandescent creature bubbling over with life and spirit. Tiny's emotions are always right on the surface, so he cries and shouts with joy and is, always, unfailingly hopeful.

Tiny's also gay and writing a candy colored musical of his life. Before you worry that Tiny is some queen stereotype, remember that David Levithan is writing here, too, and he would never commit such a crime. In fact, one of the things I loved about this book is how multidimensional Tiny is. He's a sweet, thoughtful boyfriend, a callous best friend, a glorious egomaniac, a no-confidence loser ... well, you get the picture. He's got believable shading. Without giving anything away, at the end of the novel, Tiny delivers a stirring speech about always having to work so hard to be appreciated; when I read that, all the facets of Tiny's personality clicked into place and I loved him.

The other Will Grayson (who, awesomely, refers to the first Will Grayson as o.w.g.) is a slight, depressed, closeted kid. He mostly despises his few friends, especially goth girl Maura, with whom he has a love/hate relationship (one probably not helped by the fact that Maura is seriously crushing on him, which makes her angry toward Will and herself). This Will Grayson's one lifeline is his online boyfriend, Isaac, who is warm, attentive, and accepting. When Will bravely ventures into the city to meet Isaac in person, he encounters his counterpart Will Grayson, Tiny, and a cool, droll girl named Jane, who may or may not become the first Will Grayson's love interest. From there, shenanigans ensue. :-)

Nah, I will spoil no plot here. Instead, I'll just provide a list detailing why I really, really enjoyed reading "Will Grayson, Will Grayson":

(1) Granted, while some of the characters are standard here, you'll still come to adore them. The first Will Grayson is a typical John Green clever, maybe cute, loner/nerd/secretly incredible guy, while the aloof, super cool Jane strongly reminded me of the title character in "Looking for Alaska" as well as Margo in "Paper Towns." That's okay. These characters are written in such a smart, endearing way that you'll forgive them for not being wholly original creations. Besides, the epically wonderful Tiny, not to mention the beautifully complex other Will Grayson, are fantastically drawn characters.

(2) There are parental figures here who are loving, understanding folks when given half a chance by their kids. YES! I'm so tired of teen novels with conveniently absent parents. If teen novels are supposed to reflect teen life, then, like real kids, we readers need to see some real parents, too.

(3) I should not have been surprised -- David Levithan is the author of the fabulous, genre-busting "Boy Meets Boy" -- but I was nevertheless all warm and fuzzy to find a novel with gay characters who are happy and accepted by their peers. When the second Will Grayson comes out at school, it is so blase and ordinary, that I just about burst out in applause. While there is always a place for "issue" novels with GLBTQ characters, I think there's even more of a need for ones where a different sexual orientation or identity doesn't equal some horrible, wrenching fate.

(4) I get that John Green is a big idea guy. Remember all the discussion of Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself" in "Paper Towns?" In that case, I found the characters' exploration of Whitman's themes to be tedious discussions that halted the narrative's momentum. Here, the philosophical implications of the Schrodinger's Cat thought experiment for love and life are seamlessly melded into the story. Well done!

"Will Grayson, Will Grayson" is a lovely combination of humor, sarcasm, warmth, and sweetness. It's definitely a high school age novel -- an entire scene takes place in a Chicago sex shop -- with all the appropriate language and topics for that age group. I found myself smiling, sighing with delight, and getting choked up at so many points in this novel, which I'd guess is as sure a sign as any that it's a winner. Look for "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" in April of 2010.

"Guardian of the Dead" by Karen Healey

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:15:11 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

I got an advanced copy of "Guardian of the Dead" in the mail from the good people at Little, Brown Books. Thank you! Aside from being taken by the rad cover, which features a spooky mask, I'm not sure I ever would have picked up this Maori mythology-laden story set in New Zealand. I'm so glad I did, because I think "Guardian of the Dead" is a winner on every level -- it's a smart, fast-paced, wholly unique action / fantasy / romance hybrid. It is, literally, like no teen book I've read before.

I don't want to give too much of the plot away -- there are plot points to spoil, I tell you! -- so, I'll attempt only a broad outline. Ellie Spencer, a no-nonsense girl with an asexual best friend, is our heroine here. She's a teen attending boarding school in the southern part of New Zealand while her parents are on a world tour. Ellie is a plain, large girl. I don't mean obese or even fat; she's just big, both tall and solid. I loved how author Karen Healey described Ellie's embarrassment at taking up so much space in the world. Even better, I loved how Ellie's size eventually made her into a powerful force.

Ellie is smitten with secretive redhead Mark, a classmate in her Classics course. Mark starts randomly appearing everywhere in Ellie's life and, afterward, works some sort of mojo on her that causes confusion and forgetfulness. Meanwhile, Ellie is reluctantly helping best pal Kevin with a play at the local college (she's got a martial arts background and will assist with blocking the action scenes). Ellie immediately dislikes the lead actress, the cold, regal Reka, and not just because Reka easily charms the once uncharmable Kevin with, you guessed it, some sort of mojo. Reka seems to appear and disappear at will, kind of like the elusive Mark, and despite her exotic beauty, she's definitely weird -- she sickens at the smell of cooked meat! When Ellie encounters Reka and Mark in a misty woods one evening, everything she knows, including the believability of ancient myths, changes.

There's also a powerful mask that gives Ellie godlike powers; loads of Maori legends about birth, love, and death; an awesome secondary character in the spunky play director Iris; otherworldly allies and foes; a climactic battle; and an interesting, hopeful romance. I never would have thought these elements would mesh so well, but author Healey makes it all flow together beautifully. The legends, the teen attraction, the temptation to use forbidden power, the strange setting ... it fits. I especially loved that Ellie isn't one of those spunky, sarcastic, too smart for the room girls who seem to live in every teen novel lately. She's brave, smart, and tough but also self-conscious, angry, and occasionally irrational.

I'm probably not doing this wonderful book justice, but, truly, it's one of the best I've read in a long time. Parts of this book reminded me of Neil Gaiman at his "American Gods" finest, which is high praise indeed! If nothing else, read it to learn more about New Zealand and the rich stories and history of the Maori people. There's some mild language here, so I'd say the audience is upper middle school. "Guardian of the Dead" comes out in April. Look for it then!

"Hush, Hush" by Becca Fitzpatrick

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:38:12 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

Becca Fitzpatrick's "Hush, Hush" is a teen / angel high school romance. Heh. I genuinely never thought I'd describe a book with that sentence, but there you go.

First off, kudos on the cover art, which is utterly captivating. I can definitely see why "Hush, Hush" hit the bestseller list its first week out. This might just be the best teen cover I've seen all year. Believe me when I say I see a lot of teen novels!

Nora Grey's new biology partner, Patch, is dark, brooding, mysterious, and possibly dangerous. When Patch starts appearing just about everywhere Nora is -- a phys ed baseball game, the local amusement park -- she finds herself both threatened and intrigued by his presence. At the same time, weird things start happening around Nora. One night, she hits a ski-masked figure only to have the car's damage miraculously disappear. Similarly, a hooded figure ransacks her room yet, when the police arrive, everything is immaculate. Nora wonders whether Patch is to blame for the eerie occurrences ... and, once she spots the deep v-shaped scars on his back, whether he's even human at all.

What works here? The premise of powerful, doomed angels is a killer one, and it's only enhanced by the spooky, misty Maine coast setting. Throw starcrossed love into the mix, and you really can't lose. The characters have surprising depth, too, especially Nora's force-of-nature best friend, Vee, who regularly and (mostly) unintentionally betrays Nora's best interests to improve their social lives. Such a real teen girl. I also liked Patch, the ultimate good/bad boy, who was sweet and awful and sexy and kind, often all at the same time.

I do have several small pieces of criticism. The first third of the novel, in which Nora constantly reevaulates what she knows about Patch, what she really saw the nights of the accident and break-in, etc., gets repetitive pretty quickly. I realize authors of paranormal novels have to carefully present and then shatter plausible disbelief, but Nora's internal probing became tedious. I also felt cheated upon learning that the true villains in the novel have, at best, cameo roles. It seems unfair to the audience.

But my biggest gripe was the ick factor in the depiction of some of Nora and Patch's encounters. Specifically, I take issue with a girl repeatedly saying no to a guy's advances -- even physically distancing herself -- only to have the guy keep pushing on. Even worse, there were times when Nora conveyed that she was glad Patch ignored her protests. Now, granted, this never crossed the line into abuse, but I fear the "you don't really mean no" message might be confusing and potentially dangerous for teen readers. And I'm getting off my soap box now. :-p

"Hush, Hush" is brooding, dark, and atmospheric with strong mythology and a potent love story at its center. It will be devoured by teen readers, especially fans of the paranormal. I'd say its themes lend it toward a high school audience, but see what you think. And if you can overlook some of the troubling messages conveyed by Patch and Nora's relationship, I think you'll adore this novel and eagerly anticipate the sequel. As for me, "Hush, Hush" was good but not great.

"Shiver" by Maggie Stiefvater

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:25:45 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

In the simplest terms, Maggie Stiefvater's latest novel, "Shiver," is a werewolf / human teen love story set in chilly Minnesota. Although it's been steadily compared to Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" (as an example, check out this link), other than the starcrossed lovers angle -- which, hello, dates back to at least Romeo & Juliet! -- I don't see "Shiver" as a Twilight clone. "Shiver" stands on its own as a memorable novel with great atmosphere, well-drawn main characters, and a pulsating sense of romance.

High school senior Grace, one of those smart, independent girls who are staples of teen fiction, spends much of each winter gazing out her back door toward Boundary Woods, where a wolf pack roams. One wolf in particular, with piercing yellow eyes, has always captivated Grace, especially after she was attacked by the wolves six years earlier. During an illegal wolf hunt, Grace's wolf is shot, causing him to revert to his human form. I'd say it was love at first sight when Grace looks upon the kind, intelligent Sam, but, in all honesty, she loved him as a wolf, too.

There's an interesting hook in this book, which is that temperature dictates the werewolves' form; in warm summer months, they are human, and as the weather turns colder, they revert to animal form. As such, the biting Minnesota chill is a palpable enemy, seeking to encroach upon Sam and Grace's happiness and steal his humanity. We can feel the threat inherent in a blast of icy air or a dark, frigid night. There's also the looming danger of permanent loss. We learn that all the wolves -- including Sam -- will reach a point where they cannot transform back into their human bodies. Much to Grace's dismay, during one of these long, cold midwestern winters, Sam will become a wolf forever.

In the meantime, Grace basically brings Sam home to live with her family. She keeps him warm, he reads her poetry, and they spend just about every moment together. Of course, Grace's parents fail to notice that a teen boy is sleeping in their daughter's room and cooking breakfast with her each morning. Hrm. Okay. I am mildly annoyed at the invisible / preoccupied parents plot device in teen novels as a whole (I'll admit, this is the one aspect of "Shiver" that reminded me of "Twilight"!), and this book was no exception. Grace can be independent and mature and have parents who are engaged in her life.

With that one bit of minor criticism aside, I can absolutely recommend "Shiver" to older middle and high school students. There is a very discreet love scene, but nothing graphic or trashy. My strong suspicion is that this very romantic and earnest -- but not sappy -- novel will be more appreciated by girls, but who knows. Sam narrates alternating chapters, so there is a strong male voice throughout. I think "Shiver" is a great novel for fans of the paranormal, romance lovers, and even readers just looking for something unusual yet still meaningful. "Shiver" is the first in a series, so if you like it, keep an eye out for "Linger" in August 2010. Happy reading!

"Candor" by Pam Bachorz

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:43:55 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

"Candor," Pam Bachorz's debut novel for teens, reminded me a bit of Lois Lowry's classic dystopian novel, "The Giver." Both books involve closed, scientifically advanced societies with staggering levels of conformity and social control. The biggest difference? I can actually imagine Bachorz's Candor, Florida, where teens are controlled through subliminal messages, existing right now, in America in 2009. I know, creepy!

Perfect -- literally, in this case -- high school junior Oscar Banks leads us through the story of Candor, and he's a compelling character. Oscar's dad created Candor after the drowning death of his older brother. Mr. Banks envisioned a utopian community where everyone was kind, respectful, hardworking, clean, and prompt. To ensure all these wonderful characteristics among the populace, all of Candor is bathed in music that contains subliminal messages.

Candor is a haven for families with troubled teens; just a few weeks after arriving, even the most rebellious kid loses his piercings, starts donning khakis and polos, and becomes polite, compliant, and utterly dull. See, that's the problem with Candor -- everyone is exactly the same, which is to say, perfect. No one has personality, humor, or a sense of adventure, all of which are far too dangerous not to be stamped out by the messages.

No one, that is, except Oscar Banks. Oscar long ago figured out what his dad was up to in Candor, and he devised a way around it. Oscar programs his own messages into his personal music, which he plays at nearly every possible moment to counteract Candor's official messages. For a hefty fee (payable in money, goods, or sex), Oscar will also save newly arrived teens before they're completely brainwashed, providing them with his own message-blocking CDs and safe passage out of Candor. For obvious reasons -- there's a horrible place called the Listening Room where minds and memories can be erased -- Oscar has to carefully hide his secret persona from his dad and peers. To the rest of Candor, Oscar is the charming, handsome, smart, perfect hero; by himself, he's cunning, shallow, occasionally weak, and a risk taker. In this way, Oscar represents many "real world" teens who often feel they have to act differently to fit in at different moments in their lives.

When Oscar meets Nia, a free-spirited artist newly arrived in Candor, he sets out to prevent her from being ruined (er, perfected) by the town's messages. But Oscar falls so hard for Nia that he doesn't want her to leave town. Instead, Oscar provides her with some of his CDs, specially designed for Nia, which he believes will be strong enough to prevent her assimilation. Nia soon falls for Oscar, too, although even Oscar, in his darkest moments, must wonder whether her feelings are real or just an after effect of Oscar's messages. Bachorz very subtly -- and very effectively -- raises the issue of Oscar's own selfishness and need for control, allowing the reader to judge for herself just how much Oscar resembles his dad. I was surprised at how complex a character Oscar turns out to be. Similarly, Mr. Banks is never shown as purely evil; he's more a hurt, self-deluded man stubbornly convinced he knows what's best.

"Candor" is an engaging, disturbing tale of difference and forced conformity. Today's teens should find much to relate to here. I'd say that some of the language and situations gear this book toward older middle school and high school students, but you all know yourselves best. I found "Candor" to be smart and troubling, and I'm sure it will raise lots of discussion among its readers. Enjoy!

"Have a Little Faith" by Mitch Albom

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:04:08 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

Mitch Albom is the Detroit-based sports reporter famous for his two hugely bestselling books, "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" and "Tuesdays with Morrie." Since both these titles are staples of high school reading lists everywhere, I figure some teens will check out Albom's latest non-fiction work, "Have a Little Faith."

True to its title, in this book Albom explores questions of faith. When Albom's lifelong NJ-based rabbi, affectionately dubbed "The Reb," asks him to write his eulogy when the time comes, Albom is floored. The Reb was a towering figure of Albom's youth and a fixture in his rare temple visits back in NJ, but, beyond that, the two had no relationship. Albom agrees, and over the course of the next six years, he makes regular visits to the Reb when he's in the NY area. Although initially designed to provide material for the eulogy, the visits quickly become larger discussions of life, religion, family, love, marriage, forgiveness, and, of course, God.

In recounting lessons learned from the Reb -- a feisty, goodhearted man who often breaks into song -- Albom also relates the story of Pastor Henry Covington. Henry, a recovered drug addict, former dealer, and convicted felon, is the leader of the I Am My Brother's Keeper Church in downtown Detroit. He oversees a small congregation in his gritty neighborhood, providing food and shelter to the homeless and compassion to worshipers who have been badly battered by life. Henry's church has little money, few congregants, and a gaping hole in the roof, but he still manages to do God's work and help people transform their lives. As with the Reb, Albom begins visiting Henry for a specific purpose -- here, to consider making a donation from his homeless foundation -- only to develop a much deeper relationship.

"Have a Little Faith" is another "small but mighty" book from this well-liked author. It's written in a folksy, conversational manner, meaning teens should gobble up the short chapters and gently imparted lessons. Although there's nothing earth shattering here, the book invites readers to examine their own faith and ponder the questions Albom poses to the Reb and Pastor Henry. It's also a nice character study of these two figures, as Albom does a lovely job in presenting the complexities of the Reb and Henry. Both come across as lively, real men whose very real heartbreaks and fears cannot shake their respective faith. As such, the book serves as a touching tribute to the Reb and a nice reminder for all of us about the role of faith in our lives.

PS - I listened to the audio book of "Have a Little Faith," which is narrated by a very capable Mitch Albom himself. Well done!

"Columbine" by Dave Cullen

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:01:15 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

Although most teens likely have no firsthand memory of the April 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, CO, they've undoubtedly heard of the tragedy. 13 people were killed and dozens more injured when a pair of seniors, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, stormed their school with guns and bombs before ultimately killing themselves. In gripping detail, author / journalist Dave Cullen's phenomenal book "Columbine" recounts the events of that awful day and the years of botched investigation that followed it. Just as powerfully, drawing on a decade of research and their own harrowing personal journals, he provides stunning insight into the killers' mindsets in the years leading up to the attack. Along the way, Cullen explodes many of the myths that reigned in the popular press, including that the boys were bullied outcasts, the county sheriff's office had no warning, and the slain evangelical proudly affirmed her faith before being shot.

I approached "Columbine" fearing it would be a dry, perhaps stale book documenting a horrific day of violence. I could not have been more wrong. It reads like a fictional thriller, with a frenetic pace and page after page of shocking -- and sometimes truly disturbing -- revelations. It's impossible not to be gripped while reading passages from Eric Harris' cold, angry journal, but Cullen expertly places his and Klebold's writings into a larger context. What emerges is a complex portrait of a psychopathic personality leading a depressive friend into unspeakable violence, all in a calculated, painstakingly planned manner. This is chilling stuff.

The poorly executed rescue, during which teacher Dave Sanders bled to death awaiting help, and the years of cover-ups by the sheriff's office add greater depth to the story, as we see exactly what went wrong and why it was never revealed. Cullen also had access to several of the survivors and some family members of the victims, so the investigative aspect of the book is always balanced by the human side, reminding us who paid the heaviest price for these killers' actions. Cullen's depiction of Danny Rohrbough's father, whose pain and anger eventually found an outlet in extremist politics, is especially searing.

I strongly recommend "Columbine" to parents, educators, librarians -- anyone who works with teenagers. I also think teens themselves will find this an extraordinary, incredibly moving book with a lasting impact.

"Love is the Higher Law" by David Levithan

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:37:33 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

David Levithan's new novel, "Love is the Higher Law," is one of the few pieces of September 11th-related YA fiction that I can recall. It's an occasionally talky yet emotionally resonant novel that features Levithan's usual mix of multiple narrators, lyrical language, and meditations on the power of music.

Our narrators here are three New York City teenagers. We have sweet, giving high school student Claire, her music-loving pal and classmate Peter, and snarky college guy Jasper, whom Peter is set to date for the first time on September 11th. The kids' responses on the day of the attack, that awful mixture of horror, confusion, dislocation, and longing for normalcy, are superbly depicted. Anyone who lived through that day, particularly in the immediate NYC area, will absolutely relate to the whirlwind of emotions experienced by the teens. Levithan is particularly adept at using small details -- Claire steadily lighting memorial candles at Union Park in a driving rainstorm or Jasper desperately picking up scattered papers from the World Trade Center site -- to convey the almost overwhelming sense of sadness and powerlessness that followed the attack.

For the most part, the three narrators are an effective device, nicely presenting the wrenching recovery from different perspectives. The boys' voices, especially when describing their terrible first date, are spot-on. We see so clearly the mixed signals, hurt feelings, unspoken words, and, above all, the longing that the characters both miss in the moment itself.

Both Peter and Jasper are so flawed yet cautiously hopeful -- so real -- that I found myself irritated by Claire's distance from the readers. She seemed too perfect and selfless, too much of an idealized type rather than a human being. At one point, Claire remarks that if she hadn't met Peter and Jasper, she fears she'd be living her whole life inside her head. And that's the problem -- too much of Claire's passages are devoted to big ideas and reflections that lack any emotional connection. For me, Claire's thoughts started to feel like weighty abstractions or philosophy lessons, which often undercut the novel's impact.

Still, there are such moments of poetry here, so many lines of text that scream out to be savored and reread, that the intermittent failings of one character can be overlooked. Besides, Levithan's ability to evoke music as a force of nature and present its ability to heal a community or allow one boy to lose himself for awhile is stunning, as always. All the best music-related parts of "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist," are matched here by the sheer joy and power of a Travis or U2 concert.

I'm somewhat concerned about the audience for this book -- how much do today's teens remember about an event from 8 years ago? -- but maybe fans of Levithan's other novels will give this one a try. There is ample strong language here, but nothing beyond the ways in which real teenagers talk every day of their lives. Overall, while there's much here for adults to like, I'm hoping there are teen readers out there as well. "Love is the Higher Law" is a somewhat sad, beautiful, and largely optimistic novel about one of the most important moments of our lives. It's definitely worth reading.

"Leviathan" by Scott Westerfeld

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:27:29 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

I picked up an advanced copy of Scott Westerfeld's "Leviathan" at Book Expo back in June and only recently read it. I've never tried a "steampunk" novel before but I figured a Westerfeld book would be a good choice to serve as my introduction. Luckily, I was right!

So what's "steampunk," you ask? Fair question. Wikipedia will gladly give you the full story, but for our purposes here, it's sufficient to imagine the steam era (late 19th / early 20th century) with futuristic sci fi technology. It's a cool mash-up of genres, and being a sci fi geek at heart, I had to give it a try.

"Leviathan" takes place at the dawn of World War I with the assassination of Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his non-royal wife, Sophie. In our parallel version of history (by the way, Westerfeld rocks a thorough explanation at book's end setting the record straight), the Archduke's murder leaves behind one son, Alek, who is spirited away in the night by a small yet loyal group of his father's men. Because there's a chance Alek can inherit the empire, despite his mom's commoner status, he becomes an instant target for the Germans, Austrians, Serbs, and all sorts of other folks who want to plunge the world into chaos.

One other point -- and it's a neat one! -- involves the German and Austro-Hungarians' technology. They're known as "Clankers" because they've developed and rely heavily upon awesomely advanced machines. We're not just talking about planes and zeppelins but also enormous, mobile contraptions called stormwalkers, which reminded me of the AT-AT Walkers in "Star Wars."

Ok, so Alek and the gang are escaping via stormwalker to a safe house (er, safe castle) hidden away in the Swiss Alps. Meanwhile, in alternating chapters, we follow British girl Deryn's story. Disguising herself as Dylan, the brave and street smart Deryn has become a midshipman in her majesty's royal navy. Of course, the navy in this case involves giant, hydrogen-excreting creatures that sail across the sky. See, the Brits are Darwinists (named after Charles Darwin, the father of the theory of evolution). The Darwinists have learned how to separate out "threads of life" (what we know as DNA) and fabricate all manner of exotic beasties, from hydrogen-sniffing dogs to bats that can release metal spikes as weapons. Deryn is deployed to the great airship Leviathan -- a massive flying whale! -- which is the Darwinists' crowning achievement.

So even from this slight description, you might be able to see what's coming, right? Yup, at some point Alek's Clanker world and Deryn's Darwinist world are going to collide, with all sorts of unexpected results. What works here? First off, the authenticity of the characters. Deryn reminded me of a Jacky Faber type, a tough, good-hearted, adventurous girl living a boy's life and having a grand time doing so. Alek is more reserved, cultured, and stoic, a teen weighed down by the twin burdens of his parents' deaths and his own importance to the emperor. I totally believed each of these characters, and I loved watching their initial, mutual suspicion become a true friendship.

Westerfeld's descriptions of machines and interlocking ecosystems are also wonderfully evocative ... and, admittedly, kind of gross, too! What's most important is that we readers can vividly see these otherworldy beings and metal monsters in our own minds. In fact, there were times I felt I could just about smell the hydrogen myself!

"Leviathan" is a great action story, but one populated with characters who feel, talk, and act real. The mixture of technological marvels, world history, fantasy, and loads of adventure is unlike anything I've read before. I also loved how Westerfeld discussed the political maneuverings behind the outbreak of war and the often unwarranted, wholly fear-based wariness that different cultures can have for each other. My only complaint? I had no idea this novel was the first in a series! It's going to be tough waiting another year for the second installment.

"Leviathan" will be out in October, and I'd absolutely recommend it to all readers in middle school and higher. It's completely clean, language-wise, and I think there's a little something here for you regardless of your preferred genre. I hope you'll give it a try when it comes out. Happy reading!

"All Together Dead" by Charlaine Harris

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:59:26 GMT

SUMMER READING REVIEW!

FROM A KINNELON LIBRARY TEEN REVIEWER:

Author Charlaine Harris never fails to produce another spectacular addition to the "Southern Vampire Mysteries" series. "All Together Dead" is jam-packed with action, romance, and humor. Overall, it was an extremely enjoyable read.

"Vampire Kisses: Royal Blood" by Ellen Schreiber

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:50:43 GMT

SUMMER READING REVIEW!

FROM KINNELON LIBRARY TEEN REVIEWERS:

Review #1:

I liked "Royal Blood" because the protagonist and I were complete opposites (well, except for the vampires!). Also, it included my two favorite genres, fantasy and romance.

Review #2:

I hated this book! The story was as boring as Dullsville itself. There was no interesting action, and the romance was minimal. It was predictable and, in my opinion, a waste of paper.

"Companions of the Night" by Vivian Vande Velde

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:19:04 GMT

SUMMER READING REVIEW!

FROM A KINNELON LIBRARY TEEN REVIEWER:

"Companions of the Night" was a very good love story that was full of action. I wish there was a sequel to show more of the development of the relationship between Michael and Kerry. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

"Cuba 15" by Nancy Osa

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:10:26 GMT

SUMMER READING REVIEW!

FROM A KINNELON LIBRARY TEEN REVIEWER:

I disliked "Cuba 15." I thought it would be about a girl's 15th birthday party. Instead, it just described her family.

"The Man Who Was Poe" by Avi

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:11:38 GMT

SUMMER READING REVIEW!

FROM A KINNELON LIBRARY TEEN REVIEWER:

I really liked "The Man Who Was Poe" because it was a mystery book. It had one problem and solution after another.

"Three Cups of Tea: Young Readers Edition" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:50:25 GMT

SUMMER READING REVIEW!

FROM A KINNELON LIBRARY TEEN REVIEWER:

I enjoyed "Three Cups of Tea." It is fun to read about how one person can change the world in such a great way.

"House of Dance" by Beth Kephart

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:08:05 GMT

SUMMER READING REVIEW!

FROM A KINNELON LIBRARY TEEN REVIEWER:

I liked "House of Dance" because I like dancing and the book was humorous. On the other hand, I didn't like the book because at the end, the author didn't tell me or the readers how the party went and if everyone did or didn't enjoy the party. Other than that, "House of Dance" is one of my favorite books to read.

"Four to Score" by Janet Evanovich

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:49:55 GMT

SUMMER READING REVIEW!

FROM A KINNELON LIBRARY TEEN REVIEWER:

I liked "Four to Score." It was another hilarious addition to an already fantastic series. Stephanie Plum manages to blow up another car and still reel in the bad guys.

"Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw" by Jeff Kinney

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:44:51 GMT

SUMMER READING REVIEW!

FROM A KINNELON LIBRARY TEEN REVIEWER:

I liked "The Last Straw" because I can relate to it and it's written in a format (pictures!) that all kids can understand.

"A Year Down Yonder" by Richard Peck

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:39:08 GMT

SUMMER READING REVIEW!

FROM A KINNELON LIBRARY TEEN REVIEWER:

"A Year Down Yonder" was an okay book. I feel this way because it had no key point to it. There was nothing that was so dramatic or changing. It was all the same rhythm, with no change at all during the course of it.

"The Awakening" by Kelley Armstrong

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:07:52 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

I'm back to reviewing books after taking some time off for our summer reading program. Even better, I'm back with a great book, Kelley Armstrong's "The Awakening," the second book in the "Darkest Powers" series. If you missed the first book, "The Summoning," you'll definitely want to start there, because "The Awakening" assumes you already know everything that happened to Chloe Saunders, our budding teen necromancer, once she was sent to Lyle House, the mysterious group home for "troubled" teens with supernatural powers.

"The Awakening" starts off the very morning after Chloe's ill-fated escape from Lyle House. She's been recaptured by the Edison Group and seemingly betrayed by her Aunt Lauren, while pals Simon and Derek are still on the lam. What follows is mostly an extended chase sequence, in which Chloe and bitchy, spoiled housemate Tori outsmart the bad guys, meet up with the boys, and go on the run to find Simon's dad, a fairly powerful wizard in his own right.

What works here? Interestingly, while reading "The Awakening," I got caught up in the breathless pace and near-constant action and tension. Looking back, I realized just about nothing of substance had occurred! I mean that as a compliment to author Kelley Armstrong, because, almost by definition, the middle book in a trilogy must act as a bridge, setting the stage for the big climax in book three; here, Armstrong hides that intrinsic plot stagnation behind strong writing, cool twists and betrayals, surprisingly complex character development, and a drumbeat pace.

Yes, we do get some crumbs of information about the Edison Group and a bit of back story on demi-demons, but, for the most part, this is a standard chase story that lays the groundwork for a final showdown. Granted, the folks doing the chasing range from witches to werewolves, with a smattering of street toughs thrown in between to spice things up. I don't care. I loved nearly every second of this book; loved how we learned more about Chloe and the smart, brooding, protective Derek; loved how their relationship evolved; loved how the kids were believably smart and creative in staying one step ahead of their pursuers; loved the spooky reanimated corpses (hello, BATS!); loved the paranormal elements (hello, talking ghosts!); loved the creepy, weirdly paternalistic Dr. Lyle ... in other words, I loved it! :-)

Aside from some of the scary, otherwordly stuff, there's nothing offensively harsh here. I'd say "The Awakening" is a great late middle school choice, particularly for those readers who, like me, feel the vampire genre has played itself out. I think you'll get a kick out of this one. Enjoy!

Ice Cream Social 2009

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:44:06 GMT

Check out these photos from the Ice Cream Social at Kinnelon Library on June 30, 2009. Thanks to the Ice Cream Station in Pompton Lakes, NJ for the tasty ice cream and to opening band Zone Zero and headliners Triphobia for the great music. Enjoy!

"The Maze Runner" by James Dashner

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:19:24 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

After a slow start, James Dashner's upcoming novel "The Maze Runner" takes off as a twisty thriller packed with action and suspense. Let me set the story up first, since it is a bit high concept. Our teen hero Thomas suddenly wakes up in the Box alone, scared, and with no precise memories of his past life. Turns out the Box is a one-way elevator that regularly delivers one boy to the Glade, a protected area surrounded by towering walls, a complicated maze that shifts every night, and fearsome creatures known as Grievers. Although the Box brings memory-scrubbed boys ("greenies") and supplies from some unknown entity, it cannot be used for a return trip. The boys -- some of whom have spent years in the Glade -- have devised a well-ordered society complete with occupations governed by Keepers, council meetings, and strict rules to maintain order. Maze Runners (as their name indicates!) spend the daylight hours feverishly dashing through the Maze, mentally recording everything they see, so they can complete detailed maps each evening. When the Maze shifts overnight, they repeat the process the next morning, racing back at night to the Map House to draw new maps and compare the results. With no other visible means of escape, the Maze seems to be their only hope.

There are other complications. The Grievers are a hideous combination of oozing slug and mechanical nightmare, which I bet boys, in particular, will think are awesome. Although they typically emerge in the Maze only at night, a Griever's needle-like sting causes a boy to undergo a process called the Changing, in which memories of their former lives can be recovered. The toll, however, can be devastating, ranging from psychosis to death. Also, as an added bonus, sometimes the Grievers just shred you up into little pieces. Ack!

Shortly after Thomas enters the Glade, while he's still confused, bitter, and afraid, the Box brings forth its first-ever girl. Before entering a coma-like state, she delivers a warning that everything is about to change, and it sure does. The sun grays out, the walls fail to close at night, and Grievers start attacking the Glade with regularity. It looks like the Creators of the Glade and Maze want to bring their twisted game to a final climax ... one way or the other!

Before this happens, from the moment Thomas impulsively jumps through the still-closing walls to save two boys -- which means spending a night in the Maze with the Grievers -- the book jets off at a furious pace, which just about makes up for the slow first third. I appreciate how difficult it is to lay out a complicated mythology, to set up rules for your story's universe, but I found myself annoyed by the other boys' callous initial treatment of Thomas. Their continued refusal to reveal any substantive information about the Glade, Maze, or Grievers was frustrating as a reader. I also cringed every time Thomas repeatedly described the failings of his memory, which, again, brought the story to a screeching halt.

I worry that the draggy beginning might turn off male readers, particularly reluctant ones, which is a shame because the remaining two-thirds are as good as any teen lit out there today. Once the story finds its rhythm, we're treated to an entertaining mix of adventure, mystery, and sci fi with larger themes regarding the price of order, the consequences of punishment, and the morality of seemingly bad deeds. Plus, there are hidden codes, telepathic links, mysterious clues ("WICKED is good"), great bursts of ingenuity, and compelling examples of bravery, cowardice, and sacrifice. Although the obvious comparison here is to "Lord of the Flies," the final stand, in which a small band of boys decides to challenge the Creators directly despite being grossly outmatched, reminded me of the doomed heroism of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

In the end, we get a glimpse of the warped world outside the Glade and then a set of whiz-bang climaxes that set up another book. I, for one, am really looking forward to following Thomas through the next dystopian adventure, and I'm sure most readers will feel the same way. Despite the awkward start, I'd definitely recommend "The Maze Runner" to readers in grades 7 and up, especially boys. Although the characters use substitute curses ("klunk" being my favorite), some of the violence and darker themes might be a bit heavy for younger middle schoolers. Look for "The Maze Runner" in October!

"Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:47:53 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

It was well worth fighting the crowds at Book Expo to get "Catching Fire" ... I even snagged an autographed copy! Thank you Scholastic.

The short version of this review -- I loved it! It's different than "The Hunger Games," but the same rapid pace, emotional complexity, unexpected plot twists, and steamroller intensity are on full display here. Initially, I thought there would be no way Collins could match "The Hunger Games," if for no other reason then that book's concept was utterly unique and compelling. Fear not! Without revealing any of the juicy plot points, District 12 victors and pretend-but-maybe-real lovers Katniss and Peeta are once again thrown into a sadistic ritual by the chilling President Snow and the unseen powers in the Capitol. And, I promise, you will basically devour every page in a frantic rush to find out what happens next!

I vowed there would be no spoilers here, and I'll do my best to adhere to that promise. I can say that the book starts out back in District 12, where Katniss, Peeta, and drunken mentor Haymitch are now living in an upscale victors' village. It's a big change from the unrelenting poverty Katniss had known before the Hunger Games, but it comes with a heavy price. Rumor has it that Katniss' poison berry suicide ploy during the Games and her wearing of the mockingjay pin have helped stoke a simmering revolt in some of the districts. President Snow peronally visits District 12 to warn Katniss that the Capitol basically owns her now. I liked how the overarching threat here of a brutally repressive government is so dark yet believable.

Katniss is also having some issues reconnecting with old best friend and former hunting companion Gale. For me, Gale still hasn't evolved as a complete character, making any potential love triangle problematic at this point. I'm not sure this is even Collins' fault; it may be that we've simply spent too much time with Peeta. Throughout "The Hunger Games, we witnessed firsthand his quiet bravery and devotion to Katniss. With Gale, we don't have that connection, making mere descriptions of his feelings for and bond with Katniss feel hollow by comparison.

Ok, so I'll stop right there, because to go any further may spoil the fun for you. I'll let you experience for yourself the fantastic blend of action, suspense, betrayal, sacrifice, pain, and triumph, since so much of it came as a complete surprise to me. Know that we also get lots of new characters, which at first may seem overwhelming. But we slowly grow to know, care for, or loathe Finnick, Joanna, Nuts, Volts, and Mags. These characters have such depth that we feel something for each of them, which is extraordinary.

The middle book in a trilogy can be difficult to execute, since it typically involves laying the foundation for the big climax in book three. "Catching Fire" is pretty close to perfect. It truly exceeded my expectations, as it's different but no less engaging than "The Hunger Games." It deserves every last bit of praise that it is sure to receive upon its official release on September 1st. I can't wait for the final installment. How long until September 2010?!

"The Summer I Turned Pretty" by Jenny Han

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:52:22 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

"Shug" author Jenny Han's newest book is "The Summer I Turned Pretty." I have to be honest, I was pretty disappointed in this one, and I loved "Shug." Maybe my expectations were just too high, or any summer-themed novel for girls pales in comparison to Sarah Dessen's fabulous "Along for the Ride," which I just read and reviewed. I wish I knew why, but I never felt much of a connection to either the characters or the story here.

Belly, her obnoxious older brother Steven, and her mom spend each summer at the expansive beach house of mom's best friend, Susannah, and her two sons, the complicated, aloof Conrad and the outgoing, friendly Jeremiah. The story primarily involves Belly's 16th summer (the one where she, you know, turns pretty - heh), and how her relationship with the guys changes as the months pass. Belly's always had a fierce crush on Conrad, who is a few years older than her and has never seemed to notice her much. She and Jeremiah, who are closer in age, have always been best friends, laughing and swimming together, but even he excludes Belly from lots of "guys-only" fun. Now that Belly's got the goods, looks-wise, both Conrad and Jeremiah are no longer seeing her as Steven's pesky little sister, complicating Belly's life in ways both good and bad. It takes her ages to realize that maybe dreamy Conrad might actually have a thing for her and that's why he's acting like such a total jerk, which, I suspect, most readers will clue in on pretty quickly.

Scenes from other summers of Belly's life are interspersed throughout the novel, which is a lovely way to help us understand the current relationship dynamics. There's a great flashback to a night when Conrad takes a young Belly out to the boardwalk; Belly is crushed and then rather brave and honorable upon realizing she's only there to break the ice with a cute arcade worker. And I liked how Belly found her own summer boyfriend, smart guy Cam, and used him to figure out what she's really looking for and how far she'll go when she finds it. That felt honest and authentic to me, the uncertainty of that relationship's boundaries, especially when Belly couldn't stop herself from using Cam to make Conrad jealous.

What I didn't like as much were the inconsistencies and empty characterizations. I never felt as if we got to know Steven at all, and then he completely disappeared from the story. Okay. But I also felt the same way about the brothers, almost as if they were a list of traits and disjointed actions rather than living, breathing people. For example, the brothers start acting crazy protective of Belly when she meets Cam at a keg party, dogging her everywhere she turns, only to ignore it completely when she goes with him to a drive-in movie (!) the very next night. And where were the boys' friends? Conrad and Jeremiah are repeatedly presented as two popular, athletic, handsome, all-American guys. They don't have any true friends from home or from the beach community itself? Really? In an era of instant communication -- text, IM, email, cell -- no one stays in touch over the summer? For me, that sense of isolation from the "real world" was a problem, as was the continual distance I felt from both brothers.

There's a whole subplot here about Susannah and her personal struggles, but since we only see brief glimpses of her before she runs out on errands with Belly's mom, I never felt invested in her story. [Total side note, but this is how I know I'm getting old -- I kept wondering who pays for all this free time at the beach. Jeremiah's lifeguarding job must bring in the big bucks!]

Overall, "The Summer I Turned Pretty" is good, but not great. There are better summer novels out there, but there's nothing offensively wrong with this one. I was put off by the false moments and the fact that the characters always remained at arms' length from me. Other readers might be more willing to overlook these flaws, which is fine. We're all different! If you read this one, I'd say it's aimed directly at girls heading into high school. There's some strong language peppered throughout and several drinking scenes as well, swinging it toward an older age group. While I was disappointed, I hope you'll enjoy this one more than I did!

"The Homeschool Liberation League" by Lucy Frank

maryellen.liddy@kinnelonlibrary.org — Tue, 05 May 2009 16:34:16 GMT

TEEN LIBRARIAN'S REVIEW:

I know, it's getting old, but once again I have to give props to the Penguin Young Readers Group for their package of teen ARCs (advanced readers copies). Lucy Frank's "The Homeschool Liberation League" is a book I probably never would have picked up on my own, but I was intrigued by a homeschool-themed middle grade novel and figured, what the heck, it's free. I'm so glad I gave it a try, because this book is so much different -- and so much better! -- than what the generic "chick lit" cover might indicate.

Kaity has just completed a summer at wilderness camp, and it's changed her whole outlook on returning to Martin Van Buren Middle School for eighth grade. She loved learning about nature, wildlife, and foraging for food. She also loved the person she became at camp (she's even renamed herself "Katya"). Katya is a smart, independent, interesting girl, in contrast to the catty, troublemaking prankster Kaity often was during the school year. Katya feels like middle school, besides stifling her inquisitive mind, also forces her to play a certain role, and, quite frankly, she can't bear to do that to herself again.

Katya bails on the first day of school and prepares two massive research binders on homeschooling for her parents. Mom and Dad are working class folks, and, while they understand much of what Katya's complaining about, they're, for lack of a better term, "school people." Besides, they don't even believe they're capable of teaching their daughter. Katya eventually gets a trial homeschooling run, which mainly involves downloaded worksheets, a part-time job in her mom's salon, and a little bit of what she loves -- engaging with and studying nature. As you might expect, there are many missteps along the way.

Much of the novel involves Katya, with an assist from her parents, trying to find her place in the world. Her folks aren't stupid, but they're not intellectual or academic people, and they worry -- legitimately so -- about Katya's education at home. Katya, meanwhile, is a bit frantic in trying to convince everyone that she can do all this schooling alone. "Unschooling" is, in fact, her dream. Unfortunately, to hide what's really going on, Katya tells some whopper lies to Francesca, the most popular girl at school, including one about the non-existent Homeschool Liberation League. As it turns out, though, even the seemingly perfect Francesca knows all about having to play a role to survive at school, and the Homeschool Liberation League, with an assist from cute violin master Milo, soon becomes a reality.

So there are a few things I loved about this book, which I'll just list for you:

(1) It's so rare to find a girl-oriented, light novel that takes place in a rural setting and focuses on the utter coolness of learning and education. The naturalist theme is wonderful and just so different, and the message here is a timely one.
(2) The romance with the homeschooled Milo, himself a smart, quirky, conflicted guy, is charming and innocent enough for the age group but realistic enough to capture our interest; and
(3) There's an important idea here about the ways in which school -- teachers, peers, routines, and politics -- forces some people to behave in artificial ways that absolutely kill their spirits. Even better, this book reassures those kids who feel as frustrated by school as Katya.

"The Homeschool Liberation League" is an appealing, good-natured novel that will be adored by middle school girls. It's also pretty clean -- I think I remember one fleeting bit of profanity -- so it's perfect for fifth graders and up. Katya's self-introspection, grudging slide into bad behavior, and recognition of her flaws reminded me of Ant in Gennifer Choldenko's delightful "Notes From a Liar and Her Dog," so fans of that book might want to check this one out, too.

This smart, likable novel comes out in early July. I hope you'll look for it then!