GoddessLibrarian

The Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers--Lynn Weingarten

2011-12-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

Title: The Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers
Author: Lynn Weingarten
Publisher: HarperTeen, 2011.
Pages: 352 p.
Source: VOYA
Compensation: None

Lucy starts her sophomore year with a plan—to lose hervirginity to her boyfriend Alex. Alex also starts the year with a plan—to breakup with Lucy. Embarrassed and broken hearted Lucy meets up with three strangeclassmates who claim to be able to heal her heart but only if she can get a guyto fall in love with her and break HIS heart within seven days. At first Lucybalks at the plan, but then she gets the brilliant idea that she will use themagic the girls promise her to get Alex to fall in love with her again and holdon to him for good. Things do not quite work out the way she plans in thisparanormal romance.

Although the backdrop of the book is magical, Lucy learnssome real life lessons as well. She starts the week very naïve and insecure,but by the end of the seven days she has realized that love does not mean beingsomeone’s biggest fan and always trying to please him. Lucy becomes a much moreindependent and powerful girl. The story starts slow but picks up speed quicklyand the three girls—the sisterhood—are interesting characters. They are muchmore mature than Lucy and their lack of parental involvement leads to a lot ofdrinking, cursing and late hours. Nothing is out of character and the languagemakes sense for the story, but it makes this a definite teen and not tweenbook.

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Cabinet of Earths--Anne Nesbet

2011-12-06T15:28:00.001-05:00

Title: Cabinet of Earths
Author: Anne Nesbet
Publisher: HarperCollins, 2012.
Pages: 272 p
Source: VOYA
Compensation: None

“It was his own grandmother who fed Henri-Pierre to theCabinet of Earths, long ago when he was only four.” Anne Nesbet’s fantasy novelinstantly hooks readers with this opening line and keeps them engagedthroughout the entire story. Although it opens up with poor Henri’s tale,thirteen-year-old Maya and her five-year-old brother James take center stagewhen they move to Paris and discover the Cabinet of Earths and its sinistersecrets. Henri’s ancestors found a way to merge science and magic and to usethat merger to achieve immortality, but at a terrible cost. Maya has enough onher plate, dealing with her mother’s cancer, homesickness, and jealousy, butthe Cabinet of Earths chooses her as its next keeper. She must decide betweensaving her mother’s life and doing what she knows is right.

Nesbet has written a unique, interesting fantasy with justenough suspense to keep readers turning the page long into the night. Thelanguage is descriptive and lively; the Cabinet of Earths and the mysteriousHenri-Pierre’s house leap off the pages. Fantasy readers of all ages will enjoythis story, especially middle school students.

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Borrowing Abby Grace Episode 2: Girl Steals Guy--Kelly Green

2011-12-03T15:28:00.001-05:00

Title: Borrowing Abby Grace Episode 2: Girl Steals Guy
Author: Kelly Green
Publisher: Backlit
Pages:
Source: Kindle eBook from the author
Compensation: None

Fans of Borrowing Abby Grace are in luck... As of December 2011 Amazon has both of the first episodes in the series on sale for just $0.99. Don't miss your chance to get these books at a bargain price.

We first met Abby Grace when she woke up in the back of a van during a kidnapping attempt and discovered she was a shadow--a soul sent into other bodies to solve a crisis. In this second episode, Abby thinks her mission is pretty cut and dry. Her best friend is inconsolable over her breakup with the star quarterback, so clearly she needs to reunite them. It turns out to not be quite as clear-cut as she thought. Abby's (host's) best friend has a pretty big secret and the fact that she's *not* pining for the quarterback is only a small part of it. Abby also helps her host body with an overly aggressive boyfriend.

Girl Steals Guy is just as enjoyable as The Shadow, although the romance aspects might turn off some boy readers. The more we read of Abby--the real Abby underneath her host body--the more we like her and hope that she is able to find her way back to her true self. Kelly Green's writing is sharp and witty. There's just enough information to help Abby (and the reader) solve the mystery without a bunch of boring backstory. The stories truly are episodes--quick reads that we hungrily devour and eagerly look for the next one.
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Borrowing Abby Grace Episode 1: The Shadow--Kelly Green

2011-12-03T14:47:00.001-05:00

Title: Borrowing Abby Grace Episode 1: The Shadow
Author: Kelly Green
Publisher: Backlit, 2011
Pages:
Source: Kindle eBook from the author
Compensation: none

Borrowing Abby Grace had me hooked from the very first line:
"The first thing I realized when I woke up in the back of the van was that I had no idea at all how I'd arrived in the back of the van."

A young girl wakes up (in the back of the van) not knowing who she is or why she is there. She quickly feels the danger of her situation and jumps out of the back of the moving van. She is brought to her home--that she doesn't remember--and the image she sees in her bedroom mirror does not match the image she sees when she looks down at herself.

This exciting new episodic series is reminiscent of Quantum Leap, but not a blatant copycat. In this first episode we learn that Abby is a shadow: people in trouble "borrow" her soul, her essence, her being, so that she can solve their problems. In The Shadow, Abby must help find "her" missing brother and reunite her dysfunctional family. Once she does, she leaves that body and goes on to the next, always hoping the next will be her own body. She's helped by a mysterious boy Will who is only visible to her and can only tell her certain things. She guesses that she (and Will) are dead and ghosts, but Will never confirms this. Okay, so it's pretty close to Quantum Leap for teenagers (without the time travel), but as a big fan of Quantum Leap I didn't feel offended.

The Shadow is an excellent introduction to the series. Kelly Green has written a suspenseful page-turner (or whatever one calls the quick swiping of digital pages). Each episode is short and packed full of action with a strong snarky, yet vulnerable, female lead character. We're interested in the mystery Abby has to solve, but also in *her* mystery. This series is perfect for reluctant readers, particularly those who may not be interested in picking up a hardcover printed book, but will check out anything with technology. Although the main character is a girl, this isn't an overly girlie series, and boys shouldn't be ashamed to read it.

Readers will be eager to continue Abby's adventures and see if she ever makes the final leap home (I couldn't resist).
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Wanted: Hero by Jaime Buckley

2011-11-09T16:48:00.000-05:00

Title: Wanted: Hero Prelude to a Hero
Author: Jaime Buckley
Publisher: On the Fly Publications, 2011
Pages: 106 p eBook
Source: the author
Compensation: None

Wanted: Hero is just what it says--a prelude to a larger story. It's only 106 pages long (eBook edition) and a very quick read. The prelude sets up the universe in this fantasy series and introduces the major characters.

A destined Hero is sent to Earth as a young child to protect him from the evil dangerous Lord Mahan. When the time is right the Elders are supposed to summon the Hero to battle Lord Mahan and save their civilization from slavery and ruin. There is a conflict between the High Elder and his son Shea, who holds the responsibility of correctly identifying the Hero. The High Elder goes against tradition and has a teleporting troll collect the Hero instead of his son. The troll picks up Wendell, a normal teenage boy interested in girls and girls who happens to be sitting outside of his perfect heroic best friend Evan's house when the troll appears. Wendell is less than thrilled when he is transported to another planet and thrust into the middle of their war. The High Elder is surprised by his lack of willingness to defend his people, until Shea makes a startling observation.

This is definitely a prelude intended to whet one's appetite for the real story. The universe and characters are interesting and people will want to know what happens next in the series. I'd actually like to read more about Shea and his father and hope that their relationship is explored in future stories.

The eBook and paperback versions can both be bought through Amazon.
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First Day on Earth--Cecil Castellucci

2011-10-27T14:30:00.002-04:00

Title: First Day on Earth
Author: Cecil Castellucci
Publisher: Scholastic, 2011
Pages: 150 p
Source: Unsolicited submission from the publisher
Compensation: None

Sometimes random books show up in my mailbox. Sometimes I'm really excited.

This was one of those times.

I've been a fan of Cecil Castellucci's for a while (see Rose Sees Red review), so when I received her latest book without even asking for it, I was pretty psyched. This book is both similar to and different from Castellucci's previous work. The main character feels out of place, like he doesn't quite belong, until he meets another loner and makes a connection, just like Rose and other characters from Castellucci's past books. But First Day on Earth has a bit of a twist--Mal feels so out of place because he was abducted by aliens as a young boy. Ever since then he has wanted to find a way back, thinking that perhaps out there in space he can find the peace he's needed all these years. When he meets another teen, Hooper, at an abductee support group he comes closer to his wish than ever before.

Although this has a science fiction edge, First Day on Earth, is very realistic as well. Even without the abduction Mal's childhood was less than ideal--his father abandoned them when Mal was just a little boy and his mom sank into a deep alcoholic depression. He's been on his own emotionally for years and it's not surprising that he feels more of a connection to an alien experience he can barely remember. Mal finds a kindred spirit in Hooper, another lost soul, and also connects with a girl classmate who seems to have an easy perfect life but has secrets of her own. These connections help Mal realize that maybe life on Earth isn't such a bad thing.

First Day on Earth is very short, some of the chapters are not longer than a sentence, and will appeal to boys as well as girls. Readers who are not fond of science fiction should not overlook this book. It's not a sci-fi book, but rather a realistic fiction book or "problem novel" with a sci-fi twist.

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Wildefire--Karsten Knight

2011-09-23T16:47:00.000-04:00

Title: Wildefire
Author: Karsten Knight
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2011.
Pages: 400 p.
Source: VOYA
Compensation: None

Ashline Wilde is a girl with a past. She’s just transferred to a private school on the other side of the country in an attempt to escape the horrific memory of her volatile sister’s deplorable actions against Ash’s classmate. She thinks her past ends there, but it’s only the beginning—Ash is actually the reincarnation of a Polynesian goddess and she discovers that several of her friends are gods and goddesses as well. She needs to help save the future of the gods, as well as win the crucial tennis match and find the perfect dress to the Big Dance.

Karsten Knight has written a riveting original multicultural fantasy. Most readers are familiar with Greek gods and goddesses, but there’s only one Greek character in this story. The rest of the supernatural beings are Polynesian, Asian, Haitian, Norse, and Egyptian. The multicultural aspect is a unique fresh touch to the storyline. Knight mixes the fantasy elements with realistic fiction quite nicely. Ashline may be a goddess, but she’s still a teenage girl, struggling with hormones, boys and friends. Knight sets the stage with this first book and leaves his readers wanting more. Teens will quickly devour this story and will be relieved to know a sequel is on its way.

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What Happened to Goodbye--Sarah Dessen

2011-07-20T09:00:00.002-04:00

Title: What Happened to Goodbye
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: Viking, 2011
Pages: 402 p
Source: Friend
Compensation: None

I was lucky enough to get a copy of this book from a good friend who reviewed it for the BlogHer book review club. Check out her review.

I love Sarah Dessen (Along for the Ride, Lock and Key, Just Listen). My absolute favorite was the first book I read, Keeping the Moon, but it was before-blog days. Whenever I read a new Dessen book I feel like I'm back with a familiar friend; I can pretty much tell you what the framework will be--a troubled girl will connect with a troubled boy (usually over the summer, but not always) and although there will be bumps along the way, their friendship will blossom into romance and help the both of them. It is a testament to Dessen that she manages to do this while creating fresh characters and putting them in different situations that keep readers coming back for more.

In her latest offering, Dessen tells us of Mclean, a daughter of divorce and upheaval. Mclean, named after a famous basketball coach, once had a good childhood, until her mom decided to cheat on her Dad with the new basketball coach in town. Her parents divorced and her mom married the coach, had twins, and completely changed her life. Unable to forgive her mom, Mclean lobbies the court to allow her to stay with her father--a traveling restaurant manager who takes over failing restaurants and rehabilitates them and then moves on. This nomadic life style allows Mclean to abandon her past and the nosy gossip of her friends and to recreate herself in each new town. She changes her name, her hobbies, her style, her personality and doesn't get close to anyone knowing that it will all be over soon. Until she gets to Lakeview and she finds herself slipping and letting people know the real her, including neighbor Dave, a teen boy with problems of his own.

In addition to the troubled girl meets troubled boy theme, Dessen also likes to throw in the importance of friendship--true friendship--in her books. Girls, teens, humans, need to make meaningful connections with other people. Mclean had "friends" in all the towns she lived in, but she didn't trust any of them to tell her real name or to share her real feelings. It wasn't until she came to Lakeview and met Dave that she found her "3 a.m."--the person she knew she could call at 3 a.m. when she needed help. Connecting with Dave also allowed her to open up to other kids in school, including Deb, a girl who needed friends just as much as Mclean.

Dessen got me again with What Happened to Goodbye. I knew how the problem would be resolved, how the story would end, and yet, I still wanted to keep reading. Dessen continually creates characters that I want to connect with and stories I want to read.

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Spellbound--Cara Lynn Shultz

2011-07-19T14:50:00.000-04:00

Title: Spellbound
Author: Cara Lynn Shultz
Publisher: Harlequin Teen, June 2011
Pages: 352
Source: egalley through Netgalley courtesy of the publisher
Compensation: None

I read this book back in June, but I am clearly on summer vacation because this is the first chance I've had to sit down and try to write a review.

Emma just wants to get through school unnoticed, but she's a new student in an expensive prep school so that's not likely to happen. It's even more unlikely when she catches the eye of the hottest guy in school-Brendan--who doesn't give the time of day to any of the other girls. Emma is instantly attracted to him and thinks Brendan feels the same, until he inexplicably withdraws from her. Weird things happen around her and she starts dreaming about past lives with all signs pointing to Brendan being dangerous for her. She consults with her only real friend at school--a Wiccan--who confirms that Emma and Brendan have a long history together in their past lives and that each life ended tragically for them. Armed with this knowledge Emma needs to decide if she should pursue her "soulmate" or try to ignore her destiny.

Spellbound is a quick entertaining read that will surely appeal to all the paranormal romance readers out there, as well as regular romance readers who like the forbidden love angle. Emma is an interesting character who has a horrible tragic background but still approaches life with a snarky sense of humor. She was fun to read and her instant romance with Brendan made sense. Teen boys will probably not be interested in the story except for the Twilight-loving boys who are becoming more common these days.

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Interview with Rachel Karns

2011-06-20T14:22:00.000-04:00

I have an interview with Rachel Karns, author of Gray, over at the Examiner:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Karns is a mom, a runner, an indie author. Go ahead and read the interview. Then read the rest of the stuff I write over there. My birthday is in 16 days, it'll be an early present for me.

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Gray--Rachel Karns

2011-06-11T14:42:00.000-04:00

Title: Gray
Author: Rachel Karns
Publisher: Self-published through Smashwords.com, April 7, 2011
Pages: 221 p.
Source: The author
Compensation: None

Gray opens up with a brief preface about a broken man on his way to a blind date who gets hit by a car. The main story starts with a nineteen year old girl Maggie celebrating her birthday alone. Maggie's parents are vacationing in Europe and all her friends have moved on to college, leaving Maggie alone to work in her Dad's jewelry store and reflect on her empty life. She becomes obsessed with a John Doe in the newspaper--a man who is in a coma after recently being hit by a car--and feels a connection with this unclaimed man. On her 19th birthday she does something crazy and decides to visit him in the hospital. The only way she can get to him is by claiming to be his fiance. Her presence helps him and what started out as a one time visit turns into a full blown relationship. He wakes up, they fall in love, but there's a problem. He's 32. And she's lied about everything. There's a subplot about Peter's job studying the reintroduction of wolves into Idaho that is interesting and helps highlight the differences between the grown-up Peter and still teenaged Maggie.

Although this sounds like a romance story, it's really not romance. This is a coming-of-age story. Maggie is young and needs to do a lot of growing up. She needs to find herself and her own identity, outside of her parents and "John Doe". I wanted her to be happy and found myself agreeing with her actions and wanting her to be with Peter, her "John Doe", but author Karns does the right thing and gives her characters what they need and not what we want. The surprise twist at the end was actually pretty predictable, but still satisfying.

Gray is a short quick read that will mostly appeal to girls, especially the young confused ones who don't know which direction their lives should take. There's nothing revolutionary or groundbreaking, but it's an enjoyable story. And Maggie likes to run, which *always* makes stories better.

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Ashfall--Mike Mullin

2011-06-08T13:08:00.000-04:00

Title: Ashfall
Author: Mike Mullin
Publisher: Tanglewood, expected pub date October 2011
Pages: 472 eGalley
Source: Netgalley courtesy of the publisher
Compensation: None

I read this back in May, but May was not a good month for me so I am just now reviewing it.

Alex is a normal high school boy living in Cedar Falls Iowa when a super-volcano erupts. Although the volcano is at Yellowstone, it's a SUPER one so it causes lots of problems for people all over the country. Unfortunately for Alex, he is alone in his house when the volcano hits it--literally. A piece of rock flies hundreds of miles and destroys part of his house. His parents and sister are visiting family in Illinois, so Alex is completely alone. He starts out staying with his neighbors while the volcano continues to cause havoc and deafening thunderous booms, but quickly decides he needs to get to Illinois to be with his family. There's no public transportation or working cars because of all the falling ash so all Alex can do is walk. Luckily he finds a pair of his father's skis in the garage which makes the walking slightly quicker. Along the way Alex finds helpful people and murderous people. He spends the bulk of his journey with a young girl named Darla, a MacGuyver-type resourceful farmer who teaches him how to survive off the land.

As with most "post apocalyptic" books (and movies), in Ashfall the worst in human nature often comes out. Most people are just out for themselves and are not above killing and raping to get what they want to survive. But author Mullin does a good job of balancing the dark forces of humanity with some genuinely good people who help Alex and Darla on their mission. He also does a good job of showing how truly connected we are as a nation--the volcano physically affects neighboring states but it also has a severe impact on the nation's economy and the food supply. Money is useless if there's no food to buy.

Alex is a little naive at times but he grows up quickly on his journey. He's a good kid and we want him to reach his family. He and Darla fall in love, but it's done realistically and slowly. They endure horrible events together and it matures them in ways that most teens don't go through. Romance is not the crux of the story however and it will not be enough to turn off boys. The main story is survival and adventure. This is not a boy book or a girl book. It will appeal to both. Boys will like the harsh survival story. Darla is a strong character and girls will like reading how she is just as crucial to their survival as Alex.

The book ends how we expect it to with a little twist and sets Alex and Darla up for further adventures. Readers will be happy to know the sequel, Ashen Winter, will be published in the fall of 2012.

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Angel Dust Blues available as eBook

2011-06-02T14:17:00.000-04:00

In case you're interested:

Todd Strasser (author of many YA books that I read before my blogging days) has released his very first YA book, back from 1979, as an eBook. I wrote a tiny bit about it over at the examiner.

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Slayed--Amanda Marrone

2011-04-30T06:51:00.000-04:00

Title: Slayed
Author: Amanda Marrone
Publisher: Simon Pulse, 2010.
Pages: 240 p
Source: the author
Compensation: None

When I was at the Albany Children's Book Festival, I was lucky enough to meet some amazing YA authors. One of those authors, Amanda Marrone, gave me a free signed book. Just because.

Daphne Van Helsing just wants to be a normal teen girl worrying about school, boys and going to the Prom. But Daphne is far from normal. She's a teen Slayer, charged with dusting vampires and keeping the world safe. She comes from a long line of slayers (Van Helsing!) including her overbearing parents who have kept her on the road since she was born and inducted her into the business at the tender age of 12. Daphne is so childhood-deprived that she keeps a binder full of things she never got to experience. A crude drawing of a house, pictures of "best friends" she invented, magazine cutouts of prom dresses and potential dates. Of the best friends she drew only one was a real person, Maybelle Crusher, former child star of the kids TV show The Disco Unicorns until her parents replaced her with a more attractive, less chubby 5 year old. The last thing Daphne expects when she and her parents arrive at their latest job is to find Maybelle, now known as Kiki, in a local bar. When Kiki's bodyguard is bitten by a vampire and Daphne saves him she is completely unprepared for Kiki's response: she wants to join the business and slay vamps too.

There have been lots of vampire books but this book is refreshingly different in that it focuses on the slayers, not on the vampires. The vampires and demons are peripheral and BAD. Daphne very clearly explains to Kiki that what she's seen on TV and read in books is false. Vampires are not romantic creatures that are just misunderstood and would make great boyfriends. Vampires are bad and need to be slayed. While Marrone doesn't specifically name other books or TV shows, it's clear what Daphne is talking about... there is a subtle reference to Buffy the Vampire Slayer when Kiki asks Daphne if she has any special powers and has been Chosen to slay vamps. She hasn't been chosen, she's been forced by her parents, and she has no special powers besides being aware of their existence.

Vampires and slaying are just the backdrop to the real story about a young girl whose childhood was stolen from her by her oblivious parents and her desperate longing for a normal life. In many ways her story mirrors Kiki's, which is not supernatural at all. Kiki's parents replaced her on a national TV show because she was too chubby without once thinking about how that would make her feel. They don't see HER, much like Daphne's parents are blind to their own daughter.

Slayed is well-written and fun to read. Daphne and Kiki have a good chemistry together. The vampire-slaying story will satisfy paranormal fans. There's a bit of romance between Daphne and the son of her parents' slayer competition that will appeal to girls expecting a brooding misunderstood boy--who is human and not vampire. The ending is wrapped up neatly and nicely, but that's okay because we want Daphne and Kiki to find their happy endings.

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Heist Society--Ally Carter

2011-04-26T14:13:00.000-04:00

Title: Heist Society
Author: Ally Carter
Publisher: Hyperion Teens
Pages: 287 p.
Source: Local library
Compensation: None

I'm a big fan of Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series, so it was just a matter of time before I got around to Heist Society, the first in a new series. Carter has a knack for writing strong, yet vulnerable, girl characters. The Gallagher Girl Cammie is a spy-in-training who can kick ass and still worry about boys. In Heist Society, Katarina is just as daring and talented at deception--but on the other side of the law. Kat is an art thief who comes from a long line of art thieves. She briefly tries to escape the family business by enrolling in boarding school and trying to be "normal." It doesn't take long before she's dragged back into it and planning another heist. It's not really her fault though; her Dad is being fingered for a job he didn't do and in order to save his life, she needs to find the paintings he supposedly stole--and steal them back.

This wouldn't be an Ally Carter book without some romantic tension thrown in as well. Kat's partner in crime is Hale, a dashing rich thief, who can make the calm Kat lose her cool. There's no overt romance, nothing that slows down the action, just the appealing tension a la Moonlighting (I know that show is wicked old, but that's always the first show I think of when I think of romantic tension. Even more so than Who's the Boss? Yes, I do know what decade it is.)

It's hard to write a morally ambiguous character who is both appealing and likable, but Carter pulls it off well. Kat is a thief and she's not proud of it. She tries to escape the life, but it's not just her life, it's her family as well. Kat knows she shouldn't be doing these things, but she does live within a certain set of rules. They don't steal from honest people. They're not muggers or violent criminals. In Kat's latest job she's stealing something that was already stolen (more than once) and is trying to return the art to its rightful owners. Carter doesn't pretend that it's okay to steal, she's not glorifying thievery, she's just written an exciting thrilling suspenseful story with a main character who is not black or white, not good or bad, but a little of both.

The sequel, Uncommon Criminals, will be coming out in June 2011. Teens will be eager to read Kat's further adventures.

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Saving Zasha--Randi Barrow

2011-04-14T09:00:00.000-04:00

Title: Saving Zasha
Author: Randi Barrow
Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2011.
Pages: 229 p
Source: VOYA courtesy of the publisher
Compensation: None

Mikhail is a young Russian boy living in the aftermath ofWorld War II. His soldier father has been missing since the end of the war,food and resources are limited, and there is still a large amount of fear anddistrust. The Russians are so angry at Germany that they have outlawed owning aGerman-breed dog and have executed any they find. When Mikhail discovers adying man in the woods with a German shepherd he understands the dangerous riskof adopting the dog, but decides to do it anyway. He and his family must keepZasha a secret from the government, dog thieves, and even their own neighborsbut that proves hard to do with a young nosy girl asking too many questions.

There are many books about kids dealing with war and itsramifications, but this book is unique in its focus on dogs. An afterwarddescribes the real development of the Black Russian Terrier dog as a responseto the decimated dog population in Russia after the War. Unlike most dog books,Saving Zasha has a happy ending withall loose ends tied up nicely. There is nothing particularly groundbreaking orremarkable about the writing, but it will be popular with dog lovers as well asstudents who need to satisfy historical fiction requirements but do not like toread traditional historical fiction.

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How to be a Zombie--Serena Valentino

2011-04-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

Title: How to be a Zombie
Author: Serena Valentino
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2010
Pages: 144
Source: VOYA, courtesy of the publisher
Compensation: None

Zombies have always been popular with a certain segment ofthe teen population. That popularity has increased recently due to the successof movies like “Zombieland” and the TV show “The Walking Dead.” SerenaValentino capitalizes on this attraction for the undead with a unique, funny,interesting guide for zombies. There have been books telling humans how tosurvive a zombie apocalypse, but this book is geared for the newly risen zombieinstead and serves as the “Essential Guide for Anyone Who Craves Brains.”Valentino counsels the novice zombie on his origins, offers suggestions onfinding fresh brains to eat, and gives advice on the latest fashions for theundead. She also lists the essential zombie books and movies for furtherinformation.

Even non-zombie fans will find Valentino’s book to be afun and worthwhile read. The book is full of useful hilarious information. Inthe chapter “How to Pass as a Human,” Valentino warns that “Humans rarelylurch, moan, or bite each other, so you should cut back on these habits.”Colorful photographs of zombies are interspersed throughout the book adding toits visual appeal. Zombie fans will most likely want to buy their own copy, butlibraries should have one as well.

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Mercy--Rebecca Lim

2011-04-12T14:29:00.000-04:00

Title: Mercy
Author: Rebecca Lim
Publisher: Hyperion, expected date 5/17/2011
Pages: 276, e-galley edition
Source: Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher.
Compensation: None

Written in the first person, Mercy tells the story of a lost angel stuck inhabiting the bodies of humans. Like the TV show Quantum Leap, Mercy solves some sort of problem for her human host before she can move on to another. She retains very little memory from one body to the next. She doesn't know what she is, only that she is different and lost and desperately wanting to go home.

In this particular story, Mercy inhabits a young girl attending a retreat for talented singers. She's staying in a house that used to be home to another young singer--before she was mysteriously abducted nearly a year before. Mercy must use her special divine skills to find the missing girl and catch her abductor, as well as teach herself how to sing and not mess up her host's chance at glory.

Mercy is an interesting story and a quick read, but not without its flaws. The line describing a man with a secret as having it "linger about him like a detectable odour, a familiar on his shoulder gnawing at his flesh" stands out not only for its wonderful description, but also because it is repeated four more times. It is unclear if there is a specific reason the author decided to repeat this phrase. Other than details like that, Mercy is an enjoyable story and will leave readers wanting to know more about its main character and whether or not she ever makes it back home. Hopefully those questions will be answered in the next books in the series.

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Bumped--Megan McCafferty

2011-04-04T14:22:00.001-04:00

Title: Bumped
Author: Megan McCafferty
Publisher: HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, expected release date April 26, 2011
Pages: 244 p.
Source: Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher
Compensation: None

Megan McCafferty's Bumped is a dystopian tale with a twist. There aren't zombies or natural disasters or government-sanctioned killing of children. But there's a lot of teen sex. A mysterious virus has wiped out the reproductive abilities of everyone over the age of 18. If our species is to survive, teenagers have to pick up the slack in the fertility business. This has caused a major rift in society. Half the population thinks teenagers should marry young and have babies young and fulfill "God's plans." The other half have taken baby-making to the flipside extreme and made it a profitable business. Teen girls are matched up with wealthy couples who want babies and are contracted to produce those babies ("deliveries" since the girls are dissuaded from using the word "baby"). The girls are then matched up with the most genetically attractive boys. Within this group there are the amateurs who have sex, get pregnant, and then look for a needy couple and the professionals who are contracted first and get paid lots of money. Getting pregnant is the coolest thing for teen girls to do but they have very little choice. Sex for pleasure is unheard of, protected sex is taboo if not downright outlawed, and girls who aren't interested in having babies are accused of being unpatriotic. At the heart of this story are two twin girls separated at birth. One belongs to the religious family camp and one is a professional surrogate. They are both secretly unhappy with the roles that were forced on them and looking for a way to break out.

McCafferty has written a funny, unique story of the control of teen sex taken to extremes. It's a quick light read on the surface, but so much more meaningful underneath. This is an excellent book discussion group selection. There are those out there that will totally miss the point and claim that McCafferty is glorifying or advocating teen sex. She's not. She's showing how dangerous it can be if we try to control too much and take choice entirely away from teenagers. They need to be a part of the decision making process too. Bumped is not about teen sex. The book barely even talks about the actual "act." It's all about the business and the outcome.

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I went to the 2011 Empire State Book Festival

2011-04-03T13:59:00.000-04:00

I had the chance to go to the Empire State Book Festival yesterday. To sum up my day:

I hugged Laurie Halse Anderson
Talked to Rachel Cohn
Took a picture with Eric Luper
Met Julie Chibbaro
Developed a crush on Ned Vizzini (and added him to my TBR list.)

Pretty good day. If you want the full story with pictures, check out my examiner article.

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Meet the Author: Julie Chibbaro

2011-03-30T08:51:00.000-04:00

If you enjoyed my review of Deadly, you should check out the interview I did with the author over at the examiner.

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Deadly--Julie Chibbaro

2011-03-29T09:00:00.002-04:00

Title: Deadly
Author: Julie Chibbaro
Publisher: Atheneum, 2011
Pages: 293 p
Source: Publisher
Compensation: None

When I was first contacted to review this book I was a little hesitant. I'm not a big fan of historical fiction. There are exceptions, but for the most part I'm a fantasy/science fiction gal. But the author is coming to a local book festival so I thought I'd give it a chance.

I'm so glad I did.

Prudence is a young Jewish girl living in New York City in the early 1900s. She attends a part time finishing school so that she can aspire to be a secretary or a book keeper, more "proper" careers for women than her mother's job as a midwife. She assists her mother with births and longs to do something more with her mind than take dictation and type notes. Her school allows students to take jobs in the afternoons and urges them to seek secretarial positions. Prudence applies for one at the Department of Health and Sanitation and her keen mind and interest in science and medicine make her an attractive addition to their team. She's hired not as a secretary, but as an assistant to a Sanitation Engineer investigating the causes of diseases and why they spread. Prudence winds up leaving her school and working full time for the office hunting the source of recent typhoid outbreaks--Typhoid Mary.

The novel is written in diary format and told from Prudence's point of view. Chibbaro lets the historical setting come through in Prudence's speech and actions without being preachy. While Prudence is aware of the women's lib movement, she has no idea that women can go to medical school and be doctors. She dreams of contributing to society in a big meaningful way--fighting death on the scientific level--and is amazed that her dream can be reality and not just fantasy.

The investigation of Typhoid Mary and how they connect the dots between her and various typhoid outbreaks is fascinating. The story reads like a suspenseful scientific mystery. Prudence plays a large role in discovering the connection between the healthy Irish cook Mary and the typhoid afflicted communities.

There are side plots as well--Prudence's missing father, forbidden office romance, changing friendships, and growing up--but the main story of the investigation is the most engrossing. There's nothing in here not appropriate for middle school students. This is a good choice for those historical fiction reports. An author's note explains which characters were based on real people and which were invented and how the author changed the timeframe to suit the fictional story (what took place over the course of years is condensed to just months). Fans of historical fiction will not be disappointed.

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The Last Little Blue Envelope--Maureen Johnson

2011-03-28T09:00:00.004-04:00

Title: The Last Little Blue Envelope
Author: Maureen Johnson
Publisher: HarperCollins, expected date April 26, 2011
Pages: 213 p (eBook edition)
Source: Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher

As I mentioned in my review of the first book, 13 Little Blue Envelopes, I got lucky that I had somehow overlooked it and didn't have to wait six long years for this one to be published.

If you too have been under a rock and haven't read the first book, go do that now and then come back here. Although I try to keep my reviews as spoiler-free as possible, any discussion of the sequel is going to spoil elements of the first. You have been warned.

We last left Ginny heading back to the states with some extra money in her pocket. Although her backpack had been stolen--along with her little blue envelopes, including the 13th unopened one--she was able to discover her aunt's hidden artwork and auction it off to the highest bidder. She returned home with more than just money though, she also left with a serious crush on Keith, the Londoner with whom she had "kind of something" by the end of her first journey.

The Last Little Blue Envelope opens up with Ginny preparing her college applications and wondering why her once daily communication with Keith has slowed down. She gets the perfect chance to investigate when she receives an e-mail from an English man claiming that he has her backpack and her envelopes. If she wants them back she needs to meet him in England. Ginny agrees and heads back to Europe for more foreign adventures. It's not all fun and games though since the mysterious English man decides to blackmail her for return of the envelopes and Keith seems to be hiding some secrets of his own. But Ginny soon learns that people are not always what they seem.

Johnson has once again written a funny adventure story that will also tug at your heartstrings. She wraps up all the unanswered questions in a clever and satisfying way. When we leave Ginny this time, we know that she'll be okay. Fans of the first book will devour this one.

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13 Little Blue Envelopes--Maureen Johnson

2011-03-27T13:32:00.000-04:00

Title: 13 Little Blue Envelopes
Author: Maureen Johnson
Publisher: HarperCollins, 2005
Pages: 317 p
Source: Local library

I have no idea why I didn't read this book back in 2005. None. I only had one child. I was not yet pregnant with my second. I was still a YA librarian. But, as it turns out, I'm glad I didn't read it back then. Why? Because I didn't have to wait 6 years for the sequel!

17 year old Ginny receives a mysterious letter from her aunt instructing her to pack a backpack, leave her home and prepare to go overseas. The first letter leads her to her aunt's apartment in NYC and a bundle of little blue envelopes--all containing letters to be opened at specific points throughout her journey. It's a little like a scavenger hunt. Ginny has no idea where she's heading or what her ultimate goal is because she follows the rules faithfully and doesn't open the envelopes until she is directed to. The biggest mystery though is how her aunt was able to pull all of this off when she's dead.

Ginny starts off as a quiet shy reserved character forced to step out of her comfort zone and ends up strong and confident. She finds unexpected romance and friendship during her travels and leaves her foreign vacation a much deeper and richer person. By the end of her journey there are still some questions about her aunt's life and death and the direction that Ginny's life will take, but don't worry. The sequel will be released on April 26, 2011.

Johnson has written an emotional and meaningful book about identity, grief, and growing up. She's done all this while maintaining the humor we've come to expect from her.

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The Goddess Test--Aimee Carter

2011-03-06T14:59:00.000-05:00

Title: The Goddess Test
Author: Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen, expected date April 19, 2011
Pages: 304 p
Source: Netgalley courtesy of Harlequin Teen
Compensation: None

I requested this as an eGalley through the wonderful Netgalley website and was lucky enough to be approved. The only downside is that now I have to wait even longer for the sequel to come out since this one isn't supposed to be released until April 19, 2011.

There have been a slew of "paranormal romance" books lately thanks to the success of Twilight. It's hard to find one that hasn't been done before. Vampires and werewolves have been making the rounds for a long LONG time. Luckily though, every once in a while someone comes up with a different story. Aimee Carter has done that with The Goddess Test.

The Goddess Test opens up with a curious prologue that immediately sets the mysterious tone--Henry and Diana are examining a young dead girl and questioning why the girls keep failing and dying. Attention is switched to the main story with 18 year old Kate driving her dying mother to her childhood home. Kate is only interested in prolonging her mother's life and spending as much time with her as she can, but she's reluctantly drawn into high school drama. Things turn ugly when she agrees to go to a party with another high school girl Ava, who winds up dying. A mysterious man--Henry--appears and offers her a chance to revive her friend but only if she will agree to his proposal. Shocked and traumatized, Kate agrees to spend six months of the year with him, like the Greek Persephone myth.

It is nearly impossible to write a good summary of this book without spoiling all of the wonderful twists and turns.

Kate is a strong sympathetic character. She's had a rough life, caring for her ailing mother for most of her teen years. It's made her appreciate other people's lives, even if she's not overly open to friendships. All of Kate's actions are understandable and make sense for her character. The inevitable romance between Henry and Kate begins slowly and builds up deliciously until we are rooting for Henry as much as for Kate. The story is not all romance though, there's mystery and mythology as well. The Goddess Test is very well written and completely engaging. It is most definitely an engrossing page-turner (or the equivalent on an iPad) that is hard to put down. I'm anxiously awaiting the sequel (and hoping I can read that one early too!).
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The Virtual Life of Lexie Diamond--Victoria Foyt

2011-03-03T13:52:00.000-05:00

Title: The Virtual Life of Lexie Diamond
Author: Victoria Foyt
Publisher: HarperTempest
Pages: 310 p.
Source: The publisher
Compensation: None

14 year old Lexie Diamond has a strange worldview. She's sure that she's just a virtual pet trapped in a meaningless existence while the real masters of the universe watch life on Earth and laugh at all the clueless humans. She doesn't have any friends and spends all her time on the internet--the only place where she feels at home. She's mostly okay with this until a horrible tragedy happens and her mother is killed in a car accident. Her estranged father moves in to take care of Lexie, bringing along his new girlfriend, Jane. Lexie is still in shock and denial about her mom's accident, resentful of her father's new relationship, when she sees and hears her mom--through the internet.

Victoria Foyt has written a really interesting novel. Lexie's worldview is so messed up that we wonder if she is a reliable narrator until the very end of the novel (no, I won't tell you if she is or not. You'll have to read for yourself.) Is she really seeing her mom alive on the internet? Are her fears and suspicions of Jane--that she is responsible for her mom's death--accurate? Or is Lexie just a grieving lonely girl looking for someone to blame? Foyt does a good job of keeping us guessing, while keeping Lexie a sympathetic character. In Lexie's quest for the truth she's forced to accept help from unlikely people and make connections in the real world and not just online. She grows as a person.

Science fiction fans and computer geeks will be attracted to the cover of this book, but mystery fans will also like its suspenseful plot. Although the main character is a girl, boys shouldn't have a problem reading this. There's nothing inappropriate for middle school readers.
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Giveaway winner: The Haunting of Charles Dickens--Lewis Buzbee

2011-02-26T14:33:00.000-05:00

Using random.org (see pic below) the winner of The Haunting of Charles Dickens is comment #2, the Dewey Review!

Congratulations! If you don't hear from me, please e-mail me your snail mail address. I hope you enjoy the book and I look forward to reading your review!
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Savannah Grey--Cliff McNish

2011-02-24T15:43:00.000-05:00

Title: Savannah Grey
Author: Cliff McNish
Publisher: Carolrhoda LAB, expected pub date April 2011
Pages: 272 p
Source: The publisher, courtesy of Netgalley
Compensation: None

Savannah Grey is a teenaged girl with a big secret. She's never felt comfortable staying in the same place for very long and chooses to move from foster family to foster family, she doesn't make connections with other people, and she makes weird noises when she sleeps. Unbeknownst to her Savannah is nature's weapon against the ultimate alien evil and the big showdown is quickly approaching. Luckily for her she meets Reece, a guy who seems to have the same secrets, but can she really trust him?

This is the very first eBook I have ever read. I'm glad I chose this title, it was riveting and engrossing and hard to put down. I ignored many Words with Friends games to continue reading it on my iPad.

The story is a quick-paced one; it is very much like an action or horror movie--there's a brief intro to the protagonist and then we are thrust into non stop action. Most of the story is told in first person, but interspersed throughout the novel are chapters describing the history of the evil, the Ocrassa, giving the reader some background knowledge Savannah doesn't have. Savannah's chapters lure us in with the suspenseful action, but these other sections are thoughtfully interesting. While some might argue that Savannah learns too much about her power too easily, it makes sense in the story. She is awakening to that which she has always known; nature has a plan for her and her body forces her mind to accept it. This is a unique girl-power story, part horror, part science fiction, part growing up and accepting one's fate. I highly recommend it to readers looking for something just a bit different from the norm.

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Giveaway: The Haunting of Charles Dickens by Lewis Buzbee

2011-02-02T09:00:00.003-05:00

Title: The Haunting of Charles Dickens
Author: Lewis Buzbee

I read this as an ARC in November, but was sent the finished book as well. I truly enjoyed it and would like to pass it on (the finished book) to another reader. Read my review and then enter the contest.

Rules:

1. Leave me a comment telling me whether or not you think Dickens should be required reading in high school and why.

2. Live in the US.

3. Deadline: Friday, February 25, 2011. Winner chosen by random.org and announced on Saturday, February 26. I've extended the deadline. The last couple of weeks have been really busy and I haven't been able to promote this as much as I would like.

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Scarlett Fever--Maureen Johnson

2011-02-01T10:12:00.000-05:00

Title: Scarlett Fever
Author: Maureen Johnson
Publisher: Point (Scholastic)
Pages: 336 p
Source: library

Scarlett is your typical teenage girl--she lives in a hotel, works for a theatrical agent, and helps her brother figure out the best way to die while trying to fasten a seatbelt on an airplane. Scarlett is actually far from typical. Her family runs a small hotel and barely make ends meet, her older brother is a struggling actor, her older sister is dating a rich guy the family doesn't like, her younger sister is a cancer survivor who lives to make her siblings miserable but comes back from camp "nice". Scarlett is obsessed with a young actor and intrigued by a new classmate she's supposed to spy on for her agent boss. She has a lot of things on her plate, but manages them all with humor.

This is the first Maureen Johnson book I have read and I understand now why she has such a cult following on twitter. Although this is a sequel to Suite Scarlett, I didn't feel lost or confused at all. Johnson does a good job of alluding to previous events with just enough explanation to advance the current story. Scarlett is funny and likable. I loved her family and the close relationship she had with her brother. The characters are realistic and while not perfect, their actions are understandable. The book is thoroughly enjoyable and will prompt new readers to seek out the first one and to hope a next one is published very soon. The book ends rather abruptly like a friend hanging up the phone in the middle of the story. We're left saying "What next??"and hoping we get an answer soon.

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The Haunting of Charles Dickens--Lewis Buzbee

2011-01-27T09:00:00.005-05:00

Title: The Haunting of Charles Dickens
Author: Lewis Buzbee
Publisher: Fiewel & Friends, 2010
Pages: 309
Source: ARC through VOYA

This review was written in November 2010 and published to coincide with the February edition of VOYA.

Yet another reason why I love reviewing for VOYA and am so glad I am doing it again. I would never have picked this book up. I'm more of a fantasy girl (as you can see from the blog) and not so interested in mysteries or period pieces or books like this. I would have missed out on a seriously good book had VOYA not sent this to me to review.

The story opens with a young girl, Meg, lamenting the absence of her older brother. For 6 months she wondered what had happened to him, until finally she can't take it anymore and she decides to go find him. She climbs to the roof and jumps to other roofs and notices an eerie light coming from an abandoned building. While peering in a skylight she can see a séance taking place, but she's not the only one out walking the roofs and spying on the building. The famous author Charles Dickens, who happens to be a family friend, crouches next to Meg and witnesses the séance as well. She tells him of her brother's disappearance and is certain that he is participating in the séance below. Dickens and Meg decide to investigate as a team and search for both brother Orion and inspiration for Dickens' next novel.

Buzbee draws a realistic vivid picture of 19th century London and manages to capture the "feel" of a Dickens book. He has made the fictional Dickens into an interesting and likable character. The importance of the written word, the printed word, and the authors behind them shines through in this novel. In 19th century London the printed word has power and Dickens is treated like a celebrity and recognized as a Great Man. He uses that celebrity to help the plight of children (a trait based in fact as explained in an addendum to the novel called "Children and Charles Dickens"). Although the book starts with a séance, this is not a supernatural read. The haunting in the title refers to Dickens' writer's block and not being able to connect with the people of London to create a new novel. It also refers to Dickens' concern for the children of London and the harsh conditions they lived in.

I am not a big Dickens fan and have only read the novels of his I needed to read in high school. And I LOVED this book. It piqued my curiosity and I wound up researching Dickens (a little). I discovered that sure enough Buzbee had done HIS homework and events he created in his book as inspiration for Dickens appeared in Dickens' novel Our Mutual Friend. In another nod to Dickens, names of secondary characters in the book were taken from Our Mutual Friend as well.

The main story, the disappearance of Orion, is a good one, the writing is engaging and the characters are well-written. Although Dickens fans will get the most enjoyment from this book (recognizing names and places) I highly recommend The Haunting of Charles Dickens to all readers, young and old.

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Five Flavors of Dumb--Antony John

2011-01-26T15:04:00.000-05:00

Title: Five Flavors of Dumb
Author: Antony John
Publisher: Dial Books, November 2010.
Pages: 352 p.
Source: ARC through VOYA

This book marks my return to reviewing for VOYA. I'm writing the review in late October, ~~but it won't be published until the VOYA review comes out sometime after that~~ despite today's publication date (January 26, 2011). I'm sure my VOYA review will have fancier words so if you have access to VOYA you should go ahead and read that too.

Piper enters school and stumbles on a rock band trio--Dumb--playing an impromptu set on the school steps. Not wanting to be rude she stays and watches the performance. Lead singer Josh Cooke is animated, his bass playing brother Will sedated and lead guitarist Tash Hartley is the tough girl. They all do their own thing on stage and even Piper can see that they're not really playing together as a band. When it's over she winds up giving the band some unsolicited advice and they make her a deal--if she can find them a paying gig within the month she can be their new manager and share in the profits. She needs the money since her parents raided her college fund so she agrees. There's only one problem--she's deaf.

Dumb becomes a band of five when Piper recruits her classically trained percussionist friend to help the band learn to play together and the lead singer recruits the "hot girl" of the school to be eye candy and the face of the band. Kallie--the hot girl--thinks she's there to play guitar, even though she doesn't play well enough for live performances. All together they become what Piper refers to as the five flavors of dumb and it's up to her to help them mix up the flavors and become a solid band. With the help of her music-loving brother and a washed-up musician she sets out to do just that.

I loved this book. Piper is realistically written; she's not a perfect person. She's flawed. She's bitter about her baby sister's new implant that allows her to hear when Piper is stuck with old hearing aids and moderately severe hearing loss. She doesn't want to be treated differently because she's deaf, but she's often the one bringing it up to other people and thinking the worst of them. She's so fixated on making money that she misses the true spirit of making music. But she's still a likable character and we want her to succeed. We root for her as she makes one mistake after the next and cheer for her when she finally gets it right.

There's some romance in "Five Flavors of Dumb" but it's not overwhelming or a turnoff for boys. There's also family issues--Piper's relationship with her father is strained-- but mostly this book is about discovering the joy of making music. Even someone who can't hear all the notes can still feel the emotions when the right music is played. The cover might make boys think this is a girl book, but if they can get past it and focus on the music of the story it'll all be worth it.

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Rose Sees Red--Cecil Castelluci

2011-01-20T21:06:00.000-05:00

Title: Rose Sees Red
Author: Cecil Castelluci
Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2010
197 pages

Rose is a dancer at the school of Performing Arts and like most teenage girls she's struggling to find her way. She's never been very good at making friends mostly because she's been under the control of her best friend Daisy for years. But when Rose offends Daisy in the worst possible way--by having her own opinion and making a decision without her--Rose is left alone and friendless. She doesn't know how friendships work because she never really had one with Daisy. She was Daisy's puppet, not really her friend. All of that changes one fateful day when Rose smiles at the neighbor she has seen for years but never talked to. That one smile snowballs into a tentative friendship, solidified during the course of one crazy night in NYC. Unfortunately this is NYC in 1982 during the height of the Cold War and Rose's neighbor is the daughter of a Russian diplomat.

Castellucci's characterization of Rose is spot-on. Rose is a realistic floundering girl. The description of Rose's emptiness and blackness because she doesn't have a true friend and feels like she doesn't belong is heartbreaking and genuine as is the shy hopeful joy she feels when the hole within her chest begins to heal and close with each new connection she makes. It's not just Yrena (the neighbor), but also a few school friends, who see Rose as she can be and help her out of the dark.

I managed to read this in one sitting, during a particularly pleasant nap/quiet time. I couldn't stop reading. Seeing Rose, well, blossom (no pun intended) was beautiful and poignant. I've read many books about teenage girls looking for acceptance and friendship, but Castelluci has really nailed the description of just how dark and depressing it can feel and how all it takes is for someone else to make a little extra effort to completely change things. I also love the title--Rose is stuck in her black friendless world and then sees the color red, a color not only associated with roses but also with communism and Russia. This is definitely a girl book, I don't see many boys (unless they are really thoughtful sensitive types) picking it up, but I heartily recommend it.

(not related--this is my first review typed up on my new iPad!)

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Goddesslibrarian is on the eBook bandwagon

2011-01-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

FYI, I couldn't wait anymore. We bought an iPad so I can ~~facebook twitter goof off~~ read eBooks! I've downloaded Bluefire so I can read library eBooks and I've signed up for NetGalley so I can start requesting galleys. I'm trying to finish up my current library reads before I request anything though.

If you are a publisher who has been just waiting for me to get in the eBook game, I'm in it.

No, I'm not reading Treasure Island.

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Rats Saw God--Rob Thomas

2011-01-13T09:00:00.003-05:00

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in December 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

Title: Rats Saw God

Author: Rob Thomas

1996

Genre: realistic; problem novel

Subjects: high school, adolescence; fitting in; divorce; fathers and sons

Summary: In order to graduate, Steve York must complete a 100-page writing assignment. Although he balks at first, he ultimately comes to a better understanding of himself and his life.

Critique: Thomas has a good understanding of teens and their dialogue. His writing is effective and makes the story more interesting than it first appears to be.

Recommendation: Yes

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Half Brother--Kenneth Oppel

2011-01-12T21:39:00.000-05:00

Title: Half Brother
Author: Kenneth Oppel
Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2010
375 pages

I'm a fan of Kenneth Oppel's fantasy series Airborn, so I was curious to read his new realistic fiction novel. The cover shows a typical stick figure family, Dad, Mom, Son and then an outline of a chimp. When I first picked it up I thought maybe there would be a little Eva-action (Peter Dickinson) with some sci-fi, but this is purely realistic.

Ben Tomlin is celebrating his 13th birthday by leaving all of his friends behind and moving to a new house and new school because his father got a new job at a university. There was nothing wrong with his old job except they wouldn't buy him a chimp but his new job comes with his very own chimp. Ben's dad is a behavioral scientist and wants to teach sign language to the chimp, radical thinking back in 1973. Ben's mom picks up the 8 day old baby chimp and brings him home swaddled like a baby. The plan is that they will raise the chimpanzee as a human, treat him like a son, and see if he will communicate with sign language. They tell Ben to treat the chimp like he's a little brother and not a pet and although he's reluctant at first he very quickly falls in love with "Zan." Unfortunately although Ben's dad teaches Zan to call him "Dad" he doesn't actually behave like one and all too soon Ben must choose between his father's scientific process and the brother-chimp he has grown to love.

Do not read this book without a box of tissues close by. Oppel is superb at pulling on one's tender heartstrings as we too begin to see Zan as more than just a chimp, more than an animal test subject, more than a project. We fall in love with Zan as Ben does and when the inevitable separation comes it hurts us as much as it hurts Ben. Ben is an angry young kid, but he has every reason to be. His father is distant and critical, not showing any affection for Ben or Zan unless they are doing something academically smart. He uproots their lives for this project but then leaves the actual care of Zan to Ben's mom and Ben. He is the image of an absentee-dad for both Ben and Zan and it's no wonder that the project "fails" in his eyes.

As angry as Ben is, he is also naive. But it's not entirely his fault. His parents never consulted him about the project, never asked his opinion or how he would feel about treating Zan as a brother. They just told him to do it. And then when he does and he loves his brother--because that's what brothers do--his father tells him he is too attached and not scientific enough. Ben believes that Zan is his brother and they will always have him in their lives, but Zan is NOT his brother. Zan is just a baby chimp who should be living with other chimps.

Half Brother is a gut-wrenching, heartbreaking story of what defines a family and just how far you go to protect the ones you love. There are side stories of Ben's school troubles and girl troubles, but the crux of the story is the project with Zan. It's definitely worth the crumpled pile of tissues you'll have sitting next to you on the couch.

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Girl Parts--John M. Cusick

2011-01-08T14:11:00.000-05:00

Title: Girl Parts

Author: John M. Cusick

Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2010.

David and Charlie attend the same school but couldn't be more different. David has lots of friends, is rich, and spends his time surfing the 'net on his special 3-monitor computer (each monitor feeds off the other one. If he's looking at a website about cars on the first monitor, the second one will show him websites about engines, and the third will show him websites with scantily clad women. It is the definition of information overload.) He's so virtually connected he feels no real connection to people. He witnesses a girl commit suicide on the internet and never once thinks he should try to stop it or feels bad about it at all.

Charlie doesn't have any friends, is not rich, and spends his time doing puzzles and crosswords and doesn't even have a computer. Charlie is not as callous as David, but he has a hard time talking and relating to people as well. He would rather be alone than try to make small talk. But he's a decent person when it counts.

Both David and Charlie are diagnosed with "dissociative disorder" by the new school counselor. The treatment is called a "Companion." Companions are robots--all girls--supposed to teach the young boys how to get to know another person. David thinks he's hit the jackpot when a beautiful red haired companion arrives in a box in his driveway, but much to his dismay he is given an electric shock any time he tries to touch her before her "intimacy clock" says it's okay. Charlie refuses the treatment.

I gobbled this book up. On the surface it's a funny book about a sex-crazed boy (David) who can't score with his robot and unwittingly pushes her into the arms of another boy (Charlie). But there's so much more to the story--today's obsession with the internet and social media and how teens (and adults) can have hundreds of friends online but not have a single person in real life to confide in and talk to; gender identity and how girls are more than just their "girl parts" and not all boys are sex-crazed. Girl Parts is one of those books that can be read for fun, but is also a really important book to be read. It's a logical book group choice because of all of the different discussion points it raises. Boys might initially be turned off by the title and the girl on the cover, but it's an important book for them to read as well. They may need a little more hand-selling, but once they open it up they won't be disappointed.

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Adventures of Blue Avenger--Norma Howe

2010-12-30T09:00:00.002-05:00

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in October 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

Title: Adventures of Blue Avenger

Author: Norma Howe

1999

genre: Humor; Fiction

Subjects: free will/determinism; choices; heroes; family

Summary: 16 year old David Schumacher decides to change his name to Blue Avenger on his birthday. When he becomes Blue, he transforms into a hero and is able to do good deeds and save his friends.

Critique: Very well written, it looks at serious subjects, grief, free will/determinism, and makes them funny without mocking them.

Recommendation: Yes

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Nothing to see here...

2010-12-29T22:11:00.002-05:00

These are not the droids you're looking for....

EFJ84QJP4BZZ

(Just testing some code.)
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Hate You--Graham McNamee

2010-12-23T09:00:00.001-05:00

From the Vault

Title: Hate You

Author: Graham McNamee

1999

Genre: realistic fiction

Subjects: self-esteem; acceptance; family relationships

Summary: Alice is strangled by her abusive father at a very young age and her voice is affected unalterably. Though she will never be able to sing beautifully, she writes songs. Through a friendship with a girl who has a voice of an angel but is overweight and lacks self-esteem, Alice begins to accept herself and her fate.

Critique: Well written and cleverly done. Also, a quick read but well worth it.

Recommendation: Yes.

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YA Authors You Need to Read: Scott Westerfeld

2010-12-22T16:31:00.000-05:00

This article first appeared on the examiner on December 22, 2010.

Scott Westerfeld was born on May 5, 1963 in Dallas, Texas. Like many authors he has held a variety of jobs. He has worked as a factory worker making lead soldiers, a substitute teacher, a textbook editor, a software designer and a ghost writer. Luckily his writing experience didn’t stop as a ghost, and he published many YA novels under his own name. He is married to the Australian author Justine Larbalestier and splits his time between Sydney, Australia and New York, avoiding the cold snowy winters.

One of Westerfeld’s most popular series is the Uglies series. Originally meant to be a trilogy, the series was received so well Westerfeld wrote a fourth companion novel. The first book is also called “Uglies” and introduces the reader to an alternate world in which everyone is forced to have an operation at 16 years old. The operation is not for health reasons or to protect the public, but is purely cosmetic, remaking each teen into a beautiful person. There are some teens that want to keep their faces and that sets up the conflict in the series. For a review from the East Greenbush YA Librarian Chrissie Morrison, click here.

Other Books

Stand alone books:

“Evolutions Darling”
“So Yesterday”
“The Risen Empire” (originally published as two books, “The Risen Empire” and “The Killing of Worlds”)

Uglies Series:

“Pretties” (Morrison’s review)
“Specials” (Morrison’s review)
“Extras” (Morrison’s review)
“Bogus to Bubbly: An Insider’s Guide to the World of Uglies”

Midnighters series:

“The Secret Hour”
“Touching Darkness”
“Blue Noon”

Peeps series

“Peeps” (Morrison’s review)
“The Last Days” (Morrison’s review)

Leviathan series

“Leviathan”
“Behemoth”
“Goliath” (October 2011)

You can find more information about Westerfeld on hisblog/website, follow him on twitter, and like his fan facebook page.

You can find these books at your local capital district library.

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YA Authors You Need to Read: Garth Nix

2010-12-22T16:29:00.000-05:00

This article first appeared on the examiner on December 1, 2010.

Garth Nix has worn a number of hats related to the book industry. He’s worked as a “literary agent, marketing consultant, book editor, book publicist, book sales representative, bookseller” and as a full time author since 2001. According to his biography on his website he was born in Melbourne Australia in 1963. He currently lives with his wife and two children near Sydney.

“Mister Monday” is the first book in the Keys to the Kingdom series and introduces Arthur Penhaligon. Arthur is starting seventh grade in a new school. Unbeknownst to him the entire seventh grade is forced to participate in a cross-country run on every Monday, and naturally he's starting school on Monday. Even though he's a severe asthmatic Arthur doesn't have a note from his doctor because he didn't know he needed to bring one... he tries to do the run anyway and winds up passing out. While he's struggling to breathe he witnesses a strange interaction between men who just appeared out of thin air. A man being wheeled in a bathtub carriage gives Arthur a key (the minute hand to a huge clock) in the hopes that Arthur will die and he can take the key back having fulfilled his part of a Will demanding he give the key to a mortal. But Arthur doesn't die and is instead revived by the Key. Thus enters Mister Monday, the lesser Key to the House, and the strangeness begins...

Other Books for Teens:

The Abhorsen Trilogy:

“Sabriel”
“Lirael”
“Abhorsen”
The Keys to the Kingdom Series:
“Grim Tuesday” (Goddess Librarian review)
“Drowned Wednesday” (Goddess Librarian review)
“Sir Thursday” (Goddess Librarian review)
“Lady Friday” (Goddess Librarian review)
“Superior Saturday” (Goddess Librarian review)
“Lord Sunday” (Goddess Librarian review)
The Seventh Tower series:
“The Fall”
“Castle”
“Aenir”
“Above the Veil”
“Into Battle”
“The Violet Keystone”

You can find more information about Garth Nix on hiswebsite, and his facebook fan page (he has reached the 5000 friend limit for his personal facebook and cannot accept any more friends).

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My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours--Kristina Springer

2010-12-19T14:43:00.000-05:00

Title: My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours
Author: Kristina Springer
Publisher: Farrar Strauss Giroux, 2010
Pages: 180p
Source: Library

Tori and Sienna have been best friends for a long time but when Sienna's father does really well in the stock market and they leave for summer vacation, their relationship changes. The summer begins well enough but pretty soon Sienna has stopped e-mailing Tori and she feels left behind. She begins seventh grade not knowing whether or not she even still has a best friend. When she sees Sienna in school she's even more unsure--Sienna looks completely different, tan and with beautiful long blonde hair, and going on and on about her new boyfriend Antonio. Tori is sure that Sienna is making up Antonio so she makes up her own pretend boyfriend to compete with him. Funny hijinks ensue.

This book is definitely on the younger side of YA, but it's a nice quick funny read. The girls HAVE to be in 7th grade because who else but a 7th grader would make up a boyfriend? Kristina Springer's depiction of 7th grade girls is SPOT ON. They are all boy crazy but without any real experience. In addition to the funny antics, there are some real lessons about friendship and being true to oneself. It's a good book to choose to lead into a discussion about identity and changing yourself to fit in. At first glance it's just a fun lighthearted book, but it's a good book discussion group selection because it prompts conversation about deeper issues. I don't think a boy would be caught anywhere near this book, but middle school girls will probably clamor for it.
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Monster--Walter Dean Myers

2010-12-16T14:19:00.000-05:00

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in November 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

Title: Monster

Myers, Walter Dean

1999

genre: Fiction

subjects: Crime, jail, trials, self-perception

Summary: 16 year old Steve Harmon is on trial for felony murder. He's so disturbed by the events of his life that he decides to write it all down like it's a movie. We see the trial through his "screenplay" as he attempts to regain control of his life.

Critique: Creative in format, Myers's book shows us how easy it is to blur reality and fantasy. Steve sees his life like a movie while he's in jail because it's easier for him to handle it that way. But if he had seen it as reality from the get-go maybe he would never have gotten into the mess. The reader is treated like a jury member, although we have insight to Steve that the jury does not. I did not know how the trial would end until it did. Even knowing the outcome, and with insight into Steve's mind, there is still doubt as to the extent of his involvement. Although a judge and jury determined his guilt or innocence, Steve faces a tougher judge, one who sees him as a monster: himself.

Recommendation: Yes.

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Seth Baumgartner's Love Manifesto--Eric Luper

2010-12-15T14:07:00.000-05:00

Title: Seth Baumgartner's Love Manifesto
Author: Eric Luper
Publisher: Harper Collins, 2010.

Seth Baumgartner is taking his lunch break at Applebees with his long-time girlfriend when she drops a bomb--she's breaking up with him because she's just too "comfortable" with him. While reeling from that devastating blow he sees his father walk into the restaurant--with another woman! The cherry on top of his craptacular cone comes when he returns to work late and loses his job. The fourth one of the year. Seth is just not having a good day. Seth responds by creating a podcast--the Love Manifesto--questioning why people fall in love in the first place and if it ever stands a chance.

This *could* be a really sad book with a whiny protagonist. Instead, it's a funny, well-written, engaging story that will appeal to both boys and girls. There are tons of local Capital District references. Eric Luper mentions street names and community names, and refers to the time the mudslide happened on Delaware Ave (I remember that!!). It was a treat being able to recognize so many of the locations Seth frequented. Seth is a funny guy with a good cast of supporting characters. Even though Seth makes mistakes along the way, his journey is entertaining and enlightening and readers want him to succeed.

The book is about "love" but there are many other issues as well: friendship, family, identity. The cover is awesome and allows boys to pick it up without feeling self-conscious. There's so much written about the lack of good books for boys and the "boy reading problem." If only there were more books like this one! Cool cover, funny protagonist, sports (golf), music, technology, and yet the main character is in touch with his feelings. Put this one on your Christmas list for that hard to buy for boy in your life.

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Real Live Boyfriends ARC winner

2010-12-11T08:54:00.000-05:00

Using random.org the winner is comment #3, Ariel. Please e-mail me your snail mail address and I'll send it to you.

I really enjoyed everyone's answers! I'm sorry you couldn't all win!

Just a reminder--this is an ARC, an Advanced Reader's Copy, which means you can't sell it anywhere. You can pass it on to your friends, donate it to a school when you're done, or keep it under your pillow forever, but you can't make any money off of it.

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I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.

The Subtle Knife--Philip Pullman

2010-12-09T14:19:00.000-05:00

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in August 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

Title: The Subtle Knife

Author: Philip Pullman

1997

Genre: Fantasy

Subjects: journeys; other worlds; religion; friendship

Summary: Lyra and Will find themselves in a strange world where the only people they can trust are each other. They both have important tasks to achieve the same goal but don't know it. Sequel to The Golden Compass, second in series of three.

Critique: More complex than the first book, The Subtle Knife must be read word for word. The different plots fit together nicely and we get a sense of the overall story. Major cliffhanger, wait until the 3rd one is available before reading this!

Recommendation: Yes!

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Giveaway: Real Live Boyfriends by E. Lockhart

2010-12-03T12:29:00.000-05:00

You all read me gush about E. Lockhart's latest Real Live Boyfriends right (the ARC I won that's not out until December 28!)? At first I thought I'd give it away, and then I thought NO! It's mine! LOVES! MINE. And then I lent it to a friend and then I realized that I couldn't keep the goodness just for myself.

So, I'm passing it on to you!

Rules:
1. Live in the US. If you don't, please don't comment. I use random.org to pick a number so if there are non-qualifying comments it gets messed up...
2. Leave me a comment telling me the most embarrassing thing you've done in the name of love.

For additional entries (for each additional entry, you need to leave a separate comment):
1. Follow this blog and leave me a comment telling me you're a follower.
2. Like my facebook page and leave me a comment about it.
3. Follow me on twitter and leave me a comment.
4. Retweet my giveaway tweet and leave me a comment.

You have until Friday, December 10, 2010 to enter. A winner will be chosen using random.org on December 11. If the winner doesn't contact me me by December 14, I'll pick a new winner. So make sure you check back here on the 11th.

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The Golden Compass--Philip Pullman

2010-12-02T09:00:00.001-05:00

From the Vault

Title: The Golden Compass

Author: Philip Pullman

1995

Genre: Fantasy

Subjects: religion; souls; male/female dynamics; family

Summary: Lyra Belacqua leads a crusade to save her friend and other helpless children from gruesome scientific experiments. Along the way she learns important lessons on who she is and the struggle between good and evil. First of three books.

Critique: Exciting and thought-provoking, this book will appeal to young adults and adults alike. It focuses on religion without it being so obvious that it turns the reader off. Interesting thesis--people with tangible souls--and treatment of the original sin/good-evil discussion. Great for a book discussion group for any age!

Recommendation: Yes!

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Top Ten Tuesday: Literary BFFs

2010-11-30T15:18:00.000-05:00

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and The Bookish. This is my first time participating!

This week's topic is: Top Ten characters I'd like to be best friends with:

1. Jo from Little Women. I got this from Jessi at TB&TB. I can't believe I had forgotten about her! I had to include her after seeing her on Jessi's list. I remember loving Jo as a kid.

2. Nita & Kit from the Young Wizards series by Diane Duane. I just reviewed the most recent one here. Nita & Kit are both teens who discover they are wizards when they come across a library book in So You Want to be a Wizard. I loved this book as a kid and I've kept up with the series ever since (25 years later!!)

3. Will Stanton from the Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper. He was my first literary crush. All you Harry Potter fans? Read the Dark is Rising series and then talk to me.

4. Sabriel from the Abhorsen trilogy by Garth Nix. She can control the dead. What's not to like?

5. Ruby Oliver from E. Lockhart's books. Read my latest review here. Ruby is funny and cool and even if she thinks she's a bit neurotic she'd keep life interesting being her friend!

6. Luciano and Arianna from the Stravaganza series. I apparently like magical, fantastical, adventurous couples for friends!

7. Colie from Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen. I'd probably be BFF with all of Sarah Dessen's characters, but Keeping the Moon was the first book I read of hers so it's always held a special place in my heart. It really spoke to me. Even though I was in my 20s at the time, I remember feeling very much like Colie did.

8. Lyra Bellaqua from His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman. She's a spunky girl with a fierce sense of loyalty. Plus, I introduced Philip Pullman to egg drop soup at a Chinese Restaurant (true story).

9. Evanjalin from Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta. Because she is a "strong female hero" in every sense of the word. She kicks ass, sacrifices everything for what's right, and is not afraid to make the hard decisions.

10. Curious George. He knows where the fun is and makes some on his own if he can't find any. And he's a monkey. Who doesn't want to be BFFs with a monkey?

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A Wizard of Mars--Diane Duane

2010-11-29T22:34:00.000-05:00

Title: A Wizard of Mars
Author: Diane Duane
Publisher: Harcourt, 2010
549 p

The last Wizards book was in 2006--Wizards at War--and I was thrilled to see that Diane Duane decided to write another story. I was also thrilled that I actually wrote a detailed review of the last book because it helped refresh my memory!

A Wizard of Mars takes place shortly after the events in Wizards at War. Go ahead and click on the link up there, I'll wait. This 9th book finds Nita and Kit averting another disaster a little closer to home. They've traveled to many different planets and solar systems as wizards, but no other planet is as mystifying as Mars. There's no sign of life or wizardry on Mars, but the wizards are drawn to it and feel as though they've lost some connection with it. Kit in particular is obsessed with solving the mystery of the red planet, even if it means straining his friendship with Nita. Nita doesn't quite get Kit's obsession and tries to be understanding and at the same time deal with her sister Dairine's obsession with finding the lost Roshaun.

Duane jumps right into the story like we've never left the wizard's world. This is not the book to start the series with! Readers need to know the history and back story of the first eight books to fully appreciate this one the way it's meant to be appreciated. Since I've read all of them (even if I did need a little refresher) it was easy to jump right along with Duane. Nita and Kit feel like old friends to me now. Except that I'm the only one who keeps getting older (I'm pretty sure I was around 10 or 11 when I read the first book, close to the same age as they were.) Nita and Kit are growing up though--and so is their wizardry. The first few books were clear good vs. evil battles. Wizardry was very much black and white. But now that our heroes are a bit older and more experienced they see that life is NOT black and white and good vs. evil is not so clear-cut. This is the first book that the Lone Power does not play a big obvious role, but is instead more subtle with his deceptive influence.

The lost Roshaun is not found and Dairine's story is secondary in this book. Hopefully that means there will be another Wizards book soon.

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Peter Marino Giveaway Winners

2010-11-20T16:22:00.001-05:00

Thank you for all for entering the Peter Marino giveaway! I used random.org to generate 4 random numbers and made sure that 4 different people won.

So the winners are:

Comment 10: Melanie
Comment 18: Jen
Comment 6: John
Comment 17: Annette

Please e-mail me your snail mail info and I'll forward it to Peter Marino.

Edited 11/29/10: One of the winners never got in touch with me, so using random.org I generated a new number. Comment 3: Librarina was chosen. Full disclosure: I know Librarina in real life, but that had no effect on the random number drawing!

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Perks of Being a Wallflower--Stephen Chbosky

2010-11-18T09:00:00.002-05:00

From the Vault

Title: Perks of Being a Wallflower

Author: Stephen Chbosky

1999

Genre: problem novel

Subjects: depression, sexuality, adolescence

Summary: 16 year old Charlie spirals down into a depression during his freshman year of high school. He begins well, and becomes friends with two people who show him more of life than he's ever seen, but until he accepts a traumatic event from his past, he can't break away from depression.

Critique: Set in the early 1990s, Chbosky has realistically portrayed the time as well as universal issues teens of all decades deal with. Dialogue (seen in Charlie's letters) is great. Format is great. With Speak, a must read of this year's books.

Recommendation: Yes

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Real Live Boyfriends--E. Lockhart

2010-11-12T09:00:00.002-05:00

Title: Real Live Boyfriends
Author: E. Lockhart
Publisher: Delacorte Press, 2010
240 p hardcover, 224 p ARC

This book will be published December 28, 2010. But I read an ARC that I WON FROM E. LOCKHART. That's right, peeps. I won an ARC. But fear not, that won't affect my review.

We last left Ruby Oliver in The Treasure Map of Boys when she finally recognized her true feelings for Noel and was rewarded with a real live boyfriend. We pick up in Real Live Boyfriends with Ruby blissfully happy with Noel. But this is Ruby we're talking about, we know blissfully happy doesn't last forever. And sure enough when Noel is visiting his brother he suddenly turns into a pod-robot lobotomy patient. Ruby's one chance at true love is shattered, she's fighting with her mom, her grandmother dies and her dad gets depressed. And yet this is the best Ruby Oliver book to date!

I've gushed about Ruby before as well as about E. Lockhart, so you know I'm not just saying this because I think that maybe, just maybe, she might actually read this review since I won the book from her. Ruby is one of those characters that we just want to root for. She's funny even at her worst moments. She's real. She makes mistakes and then makes more mistakes trying to fix those first mistakes. Through it all she keeps her sense of humor. Sure, she's boy-crazy and she's searching for true love but she keeps her own identity, she stays true to herself, and never turns into one of those empty-headed need a boy to complete me type of girls. She even breaks up with a perfectly reasonable boy because he's not the one she really needs and in the end she's not willing to sacrifice herself and settle for less than true happiness.

If you've read the first three books, Real Live Boyfriends is a MUST- READ. If you haven't read the first three, you've got some time. Get on it now and you'll be all ready for the December release!

I was not compensated for this review other than winning the contest for my snarkiness and receiving the book.
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The Treasure Map of Boys--E. Lockhart

2010-11-11T15:48:00.000-05:00

Title: The Treasure Map of Boys
Author: E. Lockhart
Delacorte Press, 2009
244 p.

This is the 3rd Ruby Oliver book. Ruby's adventure with boys started in The Boyfriend List and continued in The Boy Book. Here's a funny--I had always loved The Boyfriend List after I did the YA Author You Need to Read article about E. Lockhart I couldn't believe I hadn't read the sequels. So I requested them from the library. The Boy Book came and I read it and loved it and the whole time I thought wow, it's like I know what's going to happen, but not in a bad predictable writing way, but just in a, I know you so well Ruby way. I came on here to write my review and searched for E. Lockhart so I could link to the review of The Boyfriend List. And what came up? A review for The Boy Book. Yeah. I READ THE BOOK ALREADY. I have no explanation, other than I have 3 children and I am turning into my mother.

And now, for the review.

Lockhart calls this book a companion novel and not a sequel. She's right in that a reader could pick this up and not be completely lost without reading the first two. But it's so much more enjoyable when you do read the first two and you can think things like I know you so well Ruby. In The Treasure Map of Boys Ruby is navigating her way through the state of Noboyfriend while maintaining flirtations with various boys, including ex-boyfriend current cad Jackson and loyal but mixed-message sending Noel. She does all of this the only way she can--with humor. Ruby is nowhere near perfect and she knows it and that's what makes us like her even more. We want her to end up with the right guy, not just any guy, and we want her to have friends who are true friends. It's a credit to Lockhart's writing that she has created such a charming character.

Fans of the first two will eat this one up, if they haven't already, and I dare say that those who are just coming to the series will seek out the previous books as well.
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Breaking Dawn giveaway winner

2010-11-11T10:43:00.000-05:00

Using random.org to generate a um, random number, I'm happy to say that comment #2, Inspired Kathy, has won Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer.

Thanks for participating in our (my) first giveaway!

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Stravaganza: City of Ships--Mary Hoffman

2010-11-06T15:37:00.000-04:00

Title: Stravaganza: City of Ships
Author: Mary Hoffman
Bloomsbury, 2010.
356 p.

The Stravaganza Series started with City of Masks in 2002. Lucien is a high school boy in England dying of cancer. He finds an old notebook, falls asleep with it, and is magically transported to 16th century Talia, like our Italy, in a parallel world. He is not plagued with cancer in Talia and is able to help the citizens of Bellezza (Venice) with their crisis. City of Masks sets the stage for the rest of the series--in each one a relatively unhappy English student stravagates to the Talian world and must help their city overcome some obstacle. The series continues in City of Stars, City of Flowers and City of Secrets.

In City of Ships the stakes are getting higher in the Talian world. The independent city-states are on the brink of war with the Gate people, as well as the constant threat of the Di Chimici family. Isabel is the newest Stravagante and overcomes her poor self-image and low self-esteem while helping the city Classe defend itself against a naval attack from the Gate people and a land attack from the Di Chimici. The former Stravaganti all lend a hand, both in England and in Talia, to help protect the country they've all come to love.

I love this series. It's great for book discussion groups, for classes. The author includes notes detailing what Italian city she's based her cities on and how she's changed them (Classe is based both on the Italian Ravenna and Classe). Students could research the modern cities and show similarities with their fictional counterparts. They could compare the Di Chimici family to the Medici family of Italian history. This series would be great for one of those interdisciplinary projects--read the book in English class and talk about the real history in History class.

Despite the fact that it's so great for teachers to use with students, it's still a good series for teens to read for fun! There's adventure, suspense, and a little romance in each book. Arianna/Luciano fans will not be disappointed in City of Ships. Although the story is Isabel's to tell, our favorite original couple is not forgotten and plays a pivotal role in the latest novel as well. The romance is not overwhelming but just enough to satisfy the curious and not turn off the uninterested. The book, as well as the whole series, is good for boys and girls, middle through high school. I am eagerly awaiting the next book City of Swords which should come out in 2012.

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Companions of the Night--Vivian Vande Velde

2010-11-04T12:00:00.001-04:00

From the Vault

Title: Companions of the Night

Author: Vivian Vande Velde

1995

Genre: Supernatural

Subjects: vampires; morality

Summary: 16 year old Kerry encounters murder, kidnapping and vampires when she visits a laundry to retrieve her brother's teddy bear. Through it all she learns about morality, lying and betrayal.

Critique: Great story. One complaint--I would have liked to see Kerry reunited with her family at the end. I'd like to know what story she gave them!

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Peter Marino's "Magic and Misery" Giveaway

2010-11-03T13:18:00.000-04:00

Looking to round out your LGBT collection? Just want to win a free book? Today is your lucky day. Peter Marino is supplying FOUR copies of Magic and Misery for a very special giveaway.

Here are the rules:
You must live in the US.
You must enter before Friday, November 19, 2010.

How to enter:
Leave me a comment telling me one idea we can help the LGBT community (especially youth). Just one idea. If you're really having a hard time coming up with something besides wearing purple, you can also just tell me what the LGBT community means to you. If you have no idea what LGBT stands for, well, you need to do some research.

For additional entries (for each additional entry, you need to leave a separate comment):
1. Follow this blog and leave me a comment telling me you're a follower.
2. Like my facebook page and leave me a comment about it.
3. Follow me on twitter and leave me a comment.
4. Retweet my giveaway tweet and leave me a comment.

There are FOUR potential winners, so even if you're not interested in winning, please spread the word to others. Thank you!

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Magic and Misery--Peter Marino

2010-10-31T14:38:00.000-04:00

Title: Magic and Misery
Author: Peter Marino
Pub date: 2009, Holiday House
Pages: 293

High School junior TJ is instantly attracted to a new transfer student who is unlike any of the boys she had ever met at her school. TJ is shy and quiet and suffers from extreme low self-esteem, but when she discovers they share the same birthday she takes a chance and speaks to the new boy, James. They hit it off right away and she thinks she may actually have a chance at a boyfriend, until he announces in class that he's gay. Although still attracted to him, TJ manages to put aside her romantic feelings and the two become best friends. There are some kids at school that are not as accepting and they bully James, calling him "pansy" and otherwise taunting him. Turning the tables on them, James calls himself "Pan" and fights the bullying with his intellect and sense of humor, until it goes too far and escalates into violence. On top of dealing with homophobic bullying, TJ and Pan also have to cope with changes to their relationship when TJ starts dating a quiet thoughtful football player.

Bullying and self-esteem are common issues in Peter Marino's novels and were dealt with in his first novel "Dough Boy" as well. In "Magic and Misery" the bullying is the secondary story, with the primary focus of the book the relationship between TJ and Pan. The dialogue between the two is the strongest part of the book. Their interactions are funny and real and Marino's writing flows in each scene with TJ and Pan. Compared to their relationship, TJ's romance with her boyfriend is less vivid and interesting. Caspar (the boyfriend) comes off as nice, but dull. The private moments between them are not as strong as with Pan. There were a few times when Marino told us what was going on, rather than showing us. Marino's writing greatly improved once the focus was back on TJ and Pan and it was clear how much fun he had writing the dialogue.

There's a side story about TJ's family and her baby brother Paolo. He communicates by screaming and shrieking, and while it's hinted that he had some kind of problem with his ears, it's never explained what's going on. It seems like the only reason it's in the book is to put TJ in awkward moments that Pan has to rescue her from because even the baby is infatuated with him. If that's the case it would have been better to just have a normal baby, because all babies have fussy times and cry at the worst moment possible, rather than play up his strange shrieking but not really go into the cause at all. But this is a minor quibble (and probably only really noticeable to me because I have a baby who likes to be loud).

Overall, the story is good, TJ is a sympathetic character, and Pan is a wonderfully written gay character. The book is just as much his story as it is TJ's. Readers looking for good positive portrayals of homosexual characters will enjoy this novel. There are sexual situations between TJ and her boyfriend that while not explicit, would not be appropriate for middle school students. But Junior High students would have no problems reading it.

Source: I received a copy of this book directly from the author. I was not compensated by him for this review and my opinions are purely my own.

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I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.

Life is Good Award

2010-10-30T14:06:00.000-04:00

How cool is this?

An Abundance of Books just tagged me in the "Life is Good Award." Thank you!

Rules:

1. Thank and link back to the person that gave this award.

2. Answer the 10 survey questions.

3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic.

4. Contact the bloggers you’ve picked to let them know about the award.

Ok, so onto the questions:

1. If you blog anonymously are you happy doing it that way; if you are not anonymous do you wish you had started out anonymously so you could be anonymous now?

Ha. I started out anonymous. Or at least my name did not appear anywhere on the blog. More for paranoia reasons than anything else. But I'm glad that I'm going more public now. I'm not just someone who likes YA books, I was a YA librarian for 7 years, I've written professional reviews for VOYA and been immersed in YA literature for a long time. If I want to be taken seriously as a book blogger I think my readers need to know who I am & what are my qualifications.

2. Describe one incident that shows your inner stubborn side:

You'd probably have to ask my husband.

3. What do you see when you really look at yourself in the mirror?

Myself. It's taken 35 years but I am comfortable in my skin now. I'm where and when I want to be.

4. What is your favourite summer cold drink?

Water.

5. When you take time for yourself, what do you do?

Shower. Hey, I have 3 kids. I also read, blog, twitter...

6. Is there something you still want to accomplish in your life? What is it?

I want to get paid money, real money, to read YA and write about it.

7. When you attended school, were you the class clown, the class overachiever, the shy person, or always ditching?

Probably closer to a shy person. I had friends, but I wasn't very outgoing. I volunteered at the school library and worked at the public library.

8. If you close your eyes and want to visualize a very poignant moment of your life what would you see?

My first child being born. Literally, I happened to be sitting up when he came out so I got a good view.

9. Is it easy for you to share your true self in your blog or are you more comfortable writing posts about other people or events?

It's pretty easy for me. I don't get into personal stuff on my book blog. I save that for the ahem, personal blog.

10. If you had the choice to sit down and read or talk on the phone, which would you do and why?

READ. I only use the phone to order pizza.

Now, to pass this on to 15 FANTASTIC bloggers:
1. Librarina
2. Bookshelves of Doom
3. Makeshift Bookmark
4. Good Books & Good Wine
5. YA Addict
6. Young Adult Books Reviewed
7. Reclusive Bibliophile
8. The Broke and the Bookish
9. Frazzled Book Nommer
10. Galleysmith
11. WORD for Teens
12. Dreaming in Books
13. Tutor Girl Reads
14. The Story Siren
15. The Compulsive Reader

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I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.

Book Blogger Hop 10/29

2010-10-29T12:14:00.000-04:00

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy for Books.

This week's question is:

"What is the one bookish thing you would love to have, no matter the cost?"

I would love to have a constant babysitter so I can spend every minute of my day reading and not have to change diapers, feed children, do dishes & laundry, etc. Aside from that I'd also like an e-book reader. :-)

Thanks to the Book Blogger Hop, I am now following both Crazy for Books and Makeshift Bookmark.

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I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.

Look for Me by Moonlight--Mary Downing Hahn

2010-10-28T13:53:00.000-04:00

From the Vault

Title: Look for Me by Moonlight

Author: Mary Downing Hahn

1995

Genre: horror; supernatural

Subjects: vampires, ghosts, family, mind control

Summary: 16 year old Cynda feels lonely and unwanted when she moves in with her father and his new wife and child. Then a mysterious older man stays at the inn with them and pays special attention to her. "Ill come to you by moonlight" was the secret message hidden in the scrabble board. But was it "I'll" or "Ill"? Cynda wonders and you will too.

Critique: The book slowly builds to its climax, we are swept away with Cynda as Vincent tells her what she wants to hear. Once it's clear what Vincent really wants, the books becomes truly scary as we see how much control he has over Cynda.

Recommendation: Yes.******
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YA Authors You Need to Read: Maryrose Wood

2010-10-27T13:20:00.001-04:00

This article was posted on the examiner.com on October 27, 2010.

This is another article in a series profiling young adult authors you need to read now. When people think of YA literature many of them think of classic authors like Judy Bloom, Norma Fox Mazer, and Chris Crutcher, but there are a whole slew of YA authors for today’s teens (and adult fans of YA lit) that should not be missed.

Maryrose Wood grew up on Long Island and moved to New York City at the tender age of 17. She planned to study acting but dropped out to be in a Broadway play. The play flopped and she spent a few years acting, directing and appearing at comedy clubs before she turned to writing. She published her first YA novel in 2006 and since then she’s written five more books for teens. She’s no stranger to social media and participated in an AOL Instant Messenger chat with teens at the East Greenbush Community Library many years ago, straying from her talk about writing to give the YA Librarian at the time (current Albany YA Fiction Examiner) some potty training advice. Wood appeared at the local Albany Children’s Book Festival and the Hudson City Book Festival this past spring.

Wood’s first YA book was “Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love.” It’s a title that raises eyebrows, but once squeamish readers open up the book they discover a delightfully innocent story of young love. Felicia and her best friends Jess and Kat attend a new-age private school in NYC. They don't have traditional classes or homework and are instead supposed to work on special projects and motivate themselves. They call each other Kittens because of a chance encounter with a special kitten tarot card deck that brings them together as friends. Boys are naturally Dawgs. Felicia is in love with one Dawg in particular but he doesn't seem interested in her. So she comes up with a crazy plan--a science experiment about love--in order to attract his attention. Click here for the Goddess Librarian review.

Other Books for teens

“My Life the Musical”
“Why I Let My Hair Grow Out”
“How I Found the Perfect Dress”
“What I Wore to Save the World”
“The Poison Diaries”

You can find more information about Wood on her blog/website, her facebook page, and twitter.

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I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.

YA Authors You Need to Read: Laurie Halse Anderson

2010-10-25T14:31:00.002-04:00

This article is cross-posted at the Examiner.

This is another article in a series profiling young adult authors you need to read now. When people think of YA literature many of them think of classic authors like Judy Blume, Norma Fox Mazer, and Chris Crutcher, but there are a whole slew of YA authors for today’s teens (and adult fans of YA lit) that should not be missed.

Semi-local (Syracuse area) author Laurie Halse Anderson is the author of numerous books for teens and tweens. Her books have received major accolades—two of them were National Book Award finalists and she herself was honored with the Margaret A. Edwards Award given by YALSA for her “significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature…”. She’s no stranger to controversy, however, and would-be book banners have challenged her books. The latest attempt was the Wesley Scroggins incident. Read about it here.

Anderson’s first YA book and her most often challenged one is “Speak.” It tells the story of a young girl who begins her freshman year in high school alone and friendless because of an incident at a party the summer before. Melinda must learn to accept the truth of that incident and tell others the real truth before she can begin to heal. “Speak” is gripping and realistic as Melinda sinks further and further into depression. It is a hugely important novel that should be shared between mothers and daughters everywhere.

Other Books(for teens)

“Catalyst” (East Greenbush YA Librarian Chrissie Morrison’s review)
“Prom” (Morrison’s review)
“Twisted” (Morrison’s review)
“Wintergirls” (Morrison’s review)
“Fever 1793” (Morrison’s review)
“Chains”
“Forge”

You can find more information about Anderson on her website, like her on facebook, and follow her on twitter.

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I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.

YA Authors You Need to Read: Suzanne Collins

2010-10-23T15:39:00.003-04:00

This article is cross-posted at the Examiner.

Suzanne Collins started out writing for children’s television shows. She’s worked on Clarissa Explains It All and other popular Nickelodeon shows. Collins is well know for “Gregor the Overlander,” the first in a 5 book series called “The Underland Chronicles,” as well as the “Hunger Games” trilogy.

When “The Hunger Games” begins it is easy to think that it takes place in a long ago primitive time when people had to live off the land and were brutal and cruel just to survive. Although Katniss is just a young teen she is the hunter of the family, bringing home rabbits and squirrels to feed her starving mother and younger sister. Food is scarce in her district and the hunting is illegal but mostly overlooked. As Katniss tells her story we learn that it does not take place long ago, but rather is in the future. War has obliterated the United States as we know it and has been replaced by 13 districts called Panem. Like the 13 colonies that created the United States, they rebelled against an oppressive government. Unlike those 13 colonies, they lost. In retaliation the government of Panem destroyed the 13^th district and rule the other isolated 12 districts with an iron fist. “The Hunger Games” brings together the horrific entertainment of our past—the Gladiator games—with the voyeuristic sadism of our present—reality shows—and gives us a future with human nature at its worst. The dystopian story continues in “Catching Fire” and concludes in the recent release “Mockingjay.” For a full review, click here.

Other Books

“Gregor The Overlander”
“Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane”
“Gregor And The Curse Of The Warmbloods”
“Gregor And The Marks Of Secret”
“Gregor And The Code Of Claw”
“The Hunger Games” (Goddess Librarian review)
“Catching Fire” (Goddess Librarian review)
“Mockingjay” (Goddess Librarian review)

You can find more information about Collins at her website.

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I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.

YA Authors You Need to Read: Melina Marchetta

2010-10-23T13:36:00.003-04:00

This article is being cross-posted at the Examiner.

This is another article in a series profiling young adult authors you need to read now. When people think of YA literature many of them think of classic authors like Judy Blume, Norma Fox Mazer, and Chris Crutcher, but there are a whole slew of YA authors for today’s teens (and adult fans of YA lit) that should not be missed.

Melina Marchetta is an Australian author who translates well to an American audience. Her first novel “Looking for Alibrandi” was published in 1992 and released as a feature film in 2000. It was so popular with teens it was dubbed the “most stolen library book.” Her third novel, “Jellicoe Road,” won the ALA’s Printz Award in 2009.

Marchetta’s latest American release is “Finnikin of the Rock.” Young Finnikin dreamt that he needed to sacrifice a pound of flesh to save his kingdom. The son of the Captain of the Guard, Finnikin took the protection of his kingdom very seriously and convinced his two young friends--the king's son Balthazar and his cousin Lucien-- to make a blood oath to protect the kingdom they all loved. Finnikin thinks the matter is settled... and then the five days of the unspeakable happens. The King, Queen, Prince and Princesses are all slaughtered by assassins, the people turn on each other and Finnikin's father is banished from the kingdom. When things can't get any worse, a magical spell is cast dividing the kingdom from the rest of the world, trapping half the population within its borders and excluding the other half. For the full review, click here.

Other Books

“Looking For Alibrandi”
“Saving Francesca”
“Jellicoe Road” (Goddess Librarian review; East Greenbush YA Librarian Chrissie Morrison’s review)
“The Piper’s Son” (Available in Australia now and in the US in March 2011)

You can find more information about Marchetta at her website.

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I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.

Button testing... please ignore

2010-10-22T12:58:00.000-04:00

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I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.

Echoes--Melinda Metz

2010-10-13T22:15:00.000-04:00

Title: "Echoes "
Author: Melinda Metz
Pub date: 2001, 2010 Alloy Entertainment
517 pages.

"Echoes" was originally published in 2001 as the first three books in the Fingerprints series. It looks like the author did some updating in this edition because there are references to the TV show Lost and other pop culture ties that weren't around in 2001.

Rae Voight is a normal high school student with friends and a jock boyfriend. She's relatively happy even though her mom died in a mental hospital when she was very young and she knows her mother really belonged in a prison for doing something horrible. She manages to repress her feelings about her mother and live the perfect high school life, until the day she goes insane. She starts having thoughts that are not her own and has a mental breakdown in the cafeteria at school. She's shipped to a mental hospital for the summer where she meets Yana, a young girl who befriends her, and then returns home to try to pick up the pieces of her life. Her boyfriend and friends are all awkward around her and worst of all the strange thoughts in her head have NOT gone away. She meets a boy, Anthony, in group therapy and together they figure out that she is not crazy.

The book started out a little slow. Rae had clearly never watched or read anything supernatural because she never once thought she was reading minds which was my first guess. Once she and Anthony figure out that she's actually picking up other people's thoughts through her fingertips the story really picks up. She is able to touch things that others--or herself--have touched and read their thoughts at the time they touched it. Rae can sense their emotions as well. It's an incredibly useful gift for someone who is being targeted by a stalker. By the end of the book Rae and Anthony have figured out that someone is watching her and plotting revenge because of her mother's actions.

Once Rae has accepted her gift, the book really moves along and it's hard to put down. It reads like a TV show and it's no surprise that it was optioned as one (though it didn't last long). Metz wrote the Roswell book series that the TV show was based on and has a talent for writing exciting adventurous books for teens with good snappy dialogue. This book will leave you wanting to finish the series and find out what happens to Rae and Anthony and Yana (who I don't trust but that's just a hunch).

I received a free copy of this book from the author. I was not compensated in any way for this review.
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I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.

Our first giveaway!

2010-10-13T10:15:00.003-04:00

And by our, I mean, my, because this is a solo operation but doesn't "our" sound better?

Title: "Breaking Dawn"
Author: Stephenie Meyer

To enter:

1. Leave me a comment saying why you want to win this book.
2. Follow this blog and let me know in the comments.

For additional entries:

1. Like my facebook page and leave me a comment telling me you did so.
2. Follow me on twitter and leave me a comment telling me you did so.
3. Retweet the link on twitter and leave me a comment telling me you did so.
4. Share the link on facebook and leave me a comment telling me you did so.

Just to clarify--in order to maximize your chances of winning you need to leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry.

Because this is my first giveaway, the deadline is one month from now. You have until November 10 to enter.

I received this book as a gift from a friend. I am not being compensated in any way by passing it on to you (unless you click the amazon link and buy something and then I would make a tiny commission from that).

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I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & make a purchase I might make a tiny bit of money.

Thirsty--M.T. Anderson

2010-10-09T16:29:00.001-04:00

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in July 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

"Thirsty"
M.T. Anderson
1997
genre: horror
subjects: vampires; puberty

Summary: Chris must choose between the forces of darkness and the light and fight for his soul as he unwillingly turns into a vampire.

Critique: Suspenseful and funny, "Thirsty" blends teenage angst with vampire bloodlust is a unique and creative way. Definitely a quick read, the book keeps the reader engrossed in the struggle between good and evil.

Recommendation: Yes

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Guest post

2010-10-08T17:00:00.000-04:00

I've written a guest post at Teach YA Lit about why I read and love YA fiction. You should take a look. And then look at the rest of the site too!

While you're looking at things, you can glance over to the left of the words you're reading now and either click the "follow" button if you have a google account, or click the "like" button if you have a facebook, or "follow" me on twitter. If you do all three I'll do a cartwheel (not really, but you'll never know will you?)

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I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & make a purchase I might make a tiny bit of money.

Finnikin of the Rock--Melina Marchetta

2010-10-01T21:17:00.000-04:00

Young Finnikin dreamt that he needed to sacrifice a pound of flesh to save his kingdom. The son of the Captain of the Guard, Finnikin took the protection of his kingdom very seriously and convinced his two young friends--the king's son Balthazar and his cousin Lucien-- to make a blood oath to protect the kingdom they all loved. Finnikin thinks the matter is settled... and then the five days of the unspeakable happens. The king, queen, prince and princesses are all slaughtered by assassins, the people turn on each other and Finnikin's father is banished from the kingdom. When things can't get any worse, a magical spell is cast dividing the kingdom from the rest of the world, trapping half the population within its borders and excluding the other half.

10 years later Finnikin is awoken by the whisper of a name--Balthazar--and begins a dangerous journey hoping to find the young prince still alive. He is led by Evanjalin, a mysterious young woman who claims she can "walk the sleep" of the people trapped inside the castle grounds. Finnikin finds himself hoping that his country and his people can be saved, but can he really trust Evanjalin?

Most people who don't read fantasy books think that it's all about magic or fantastic creatures or things that just can't happen in real life. But good fantasy, nearly all good fantasy, is really just a commentary on things that DO happen in real life. It's easier to accept that these people in a fantasy world would rape and murder each other after a tragic event. We feel outraged reading about it because it goes against the nature of our souls. But these things do happen in our world--genocide, racism, rape and murder. We need to be just as outraged.

Marchetta is a realistic fiction writer who most recently won the Printz Award for the wonderful "Jellicoe Road." "Finnikin of the Rock" is her first fantasy novel and hopefully not her last. The standard elements of fantasy are in this book--the quest, the magic, the battle between good and evil. But Marchetta brings so much more to the genre with "Finnikin of the Rock." The characters are three dimensional and dynamic. The story is good, but the characters kept me reading. There have been quite a few strong heroine books lately (which is GOOD) but I really liked how Evanjalin and Finnikin needed each other to survive and to save their people. As strong and capable as Evanjalin is, she could not do it alone and neither could Finnikin.

There's some romance in the book, but just enough to satisfy girls and not too much to turn off boys. I wouldn't call this a "girl book."

I couldn't put this book down, except when I had to chase my newly walking baby-toddler in the library. Marchetta writes interesting quality books, whether they be realistic or fantasy, and I look forward to her future releases.
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Local Author Spotlight: Lynn Miller Lachmann

2010-09-26T13:31:00.000-04:00

This article first appeared on the examiner on April 28, 2010.

In addition to being a published author, Capital District resident Lynn Miller Lachmann is also an assistant host of a bilingual radio show on WRPI-FM and a seventh grade teacher. She’s written and edited books for both teens and adults. Her short story collection for readers in grades 5 and up, “Once Upon a Cuento”, featured stories by contemporary Latino authors. Lachmann’s latest novel for teens, “Gringolandia”, was listed as one of ALA’s Best Books for Teens in 2010.

“Gringolandia” tells the story of a young boy and his strained relationship with his father, a former journalist wrongly imprisoned for exposing Chile’s military regime. Daniel wants a normal life after relocating to Wisconsin but finds it difficult when his Papa rejoins the family.

Lachmann has spoken at the East Greenbush Community Library and recently appeared at the Empire State Book Festival. Her next speaking engagement will be this Saturday at theHudson Children’s Book Festival. She will be part of a presentation on “Writing YA Fiction About Social Issues” (with Zetta Elliott, Sarah Darer Littman, and Neesha Meminger).

For more young adult fiction related information about the Hudson Children’s Book Festival, click here. For more information about Lachmann see her website.

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I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & make a purchase I might make a tiny bit of money.

Speak--Laurie Halse Anderson

2010-09-26T11:00:00.001-04:00

From the Vault

In honor of the "Speak"controversy, I've found my handwritten review originally written in November of 1999. I haven't edited it at all:

Summary: Melinda begins her freshman year in high school alone and friendless because of an incident at a party the summer before. She must learn to accept the truth of that incident and tell others the real truth before she can begin to heal.

Critique: I shouted the title in my mind as I read and watched Melinda sink further and further into depression. It was gripping and realistic. I felt like I was there, watching a friend slip away and not be able to break through to her. I felt as much relief as Melinda did when she finally does Speak.

Recommendation: yes.

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Local Author Spotlight: Peter Marino

2010-09-26T10:24:00.001-04:00

This article first appeared on the examiner on April 1, 2010.

Local capital district young adult fiction author Peter Marino will be appearing at the Empire State Book Festival coming up next weekend, April 9-10, 2010. Marino teaches at the Adirondack Community College in Queensbury, NY. He won the SUNY Chancellor's Award in 2006 for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activity and has had two young adult fiction books published. His third, "Alice Blunt", will be published sometime this year.
Marino’s first YA novel, "Dough Boy", was published in 2005 and tells the story of 15 year old Tristan. Tristan is an overweight teenage son of divorced parents. He's happy with his parents' divorce, they're much happier separate than together; while he's not exactly happy with his weight, he's not bothered by it. He has a good relationship with his parents and their new partners. He gets along very well with his mother's live-in boyfriend (Frank), who is also overweight, and shares the love of ice cream sundaes with him. Everything is fine in Tristan's life, until Frank's daughter comes to visit and then live with them. Kelly is not only thin and beautiful she's a health freak and completely judgmental about Frank and Tristan's weight. It's not enough for her to express concern over their sizes she also has to make them feel bad about it. Tristan weakens under her constant abuse and bullying until he finally explodes.
"Magic and Misery", Marino’s second YA novel, was published in April 2009. TJ and her gay friend Pan have been best friends forever. But when a new boy notices TJ, her friendship with Pan is seriously affected. The Albany Times Union review called this an “unpredictable and satisfying story.”
For more information see Marino’s website or meet him in person at the Empire State Book Festival.

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Local Author Spotlight: Coleen Murtagh Paratore

2010-09-23T21:26:00.001-04:00

This article first appeared on the examiner on April 26, 2010.

Coleen Murtagh Paratore is a young adult author whose Capital District roots run deep. She was born in (and currently lives in) Troy, NY in 1958. She attended St. Joseph’s Grammar School in South Troy and Catholic Central High School in North Troy. She majored in English at the College of Saint Rose. After a brief stint in Connecticut, Paratore returned home and worked at Russell Sage before pursuing her dream as a writer. She has written 14 books for children and young adults. Her newest book, “Wish I Might: From the Life of Willa Havisham” will be released on May 1, 2010.
Willa Havisham first appeared in the popular “The Wedding Planner’s Daughter” in 2005. Willa is the daughter of a successful wedding planner who dreams of her own happy ending. Her story is continued in “The Cupid Chronicles,” “Willa by Heart,” “Forget Me Not: From the Life of Willa Havisham,” and “Wish I Might: From the Life of Willa Havisham.”
In addition to the Willa Havisham series, tween and teen girls will also be interested in “A Pearl Among Princes” about a young girl living on a remote island where Princes are sent for their “Charmed Arts” training. Gracepearl dreams of a life bigger than the island but that requires attracting the romantic attention of one of the Princes and denying her feelings for a long-time love. Girls who like their romance with a little bit of fantasy and a strong heroine should enjoy this book.
Paratore will be appearing at the Hudson Children’s Book Festival this Saturday, May 1, 2010 (alongside other Local Author Spotlight authors Eric Luper and Peter Marino). For other opportunities to meet this local Capital District author check out the appearancespage of her website.

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Local Author Spotlight: Eric Luper

2010-09-23T21:23:00.001-04:00

This article first appeared on the examiner on January 27, 2010.

Eric Luper is a local young adult fiction author releasing his third book, Seth Baumgartner’s Love Manifesto, this summer. Luper has lived in New Jersey, Long Island, and backpacked through Europe, but has called Albany home since 1999. He attended Rutger’s college as an English/Creative Writing major and topped off his education with chiropractic school.
Luper’s first book, Big Slick, was published in 2007. Big Slick is a gambling story about a sixteen year old in over his head in the world of illegal poker clubs. Andrew steals money from his dad’s dry cleaning business so he can play in a poker game. He is lucky at poker, but not lucky enough to keep on winning.
Luper followed that up with Bug Boy, about a fifteen year old boy during the Great Depression. Jack Walsh gets his first big break working as a bug boy (an apprentice jockey) at the Saratoga Race Track. He does pretty well for himself but not without some suffering.
Seth Baumgartner’s Love Manifesto will be released in June 2010. Seth is having a horrible day—while at Applebee’s his girlfriend dumps him and his father walks in with a woman that isn’t his mom. Just when it can’t get worse, it does, and Seth is fired for the fourth time. He decides to take charge of his life with an anonymous podcast called "The Love Manifesto". Luper manages to make depressing topics into a funny teen novel. An added bonus for local teens, Seth Baumgartner’s Love Manifesto is full of capital region references. For a sneak peak review of this Advanced Reader’s Copy, click here.
Luper’s books are funny, fast-paced and good for boys as well as reluctant readers. All of these books can be purchased from your local bookstore or borrowed from your local library.

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YA Authors You Need to Read: Sara Zarr

2010-09-23T21:19:00.000-04:00

This article first appeared on the examiner on August 11, 2010.

Sara Zarr is the acclaimed author of three novels for young adults: "Story of a Girl" (National Book Award Finalist), "Sweethearts" (Cybil Award Finalist), and "Once Was Lost" (a Kirkus Best Book of 2009). Her short fiction and essays have also appeared in Image, Hunger Mountain, and several anthologies. She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband, and online at her website.

Zarr’s first book “Story of a Girl” is about a young girl caught by her father in a compromising situation—losing her virginity. This could be called the Story of Many Girls. Aside from actually being caught in the act by your father, lots of young vulnerable girls have similar first time situations--ones filled with regret that they never truly get over. This novel is so realistic it's almost painful. Interspersed throughout the book is Deanna's own writing, her own Story of a Girl, a girl desperately trying to forget her past. It's not until she learns how to forgive can she truly forget--a lesson everyone in the family needs to learn. Click here for the full review or see East Greenbush YA Librarian Chrissie Morrison’s reviewhere.

Other Books

“Sweethearts” (Goddess librarian review; YA Librarian Chrissie Morrison’s review )
“Once Was Lost”

You can find more information about Zarr at her website and follow her on twitter.

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I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & make a purchase I might make a tiny bit of money.