November 15th 2009
Who would lke this book? 6th graders who like the mysteries of Ancient Egypt and the spookiness of creepy museums at night.
Why? It’s 1906 in London and Theo Throckmorton, the 11-year-old daughter of archeologists and curators of the Museum of Legends and Antiquities, has her hands full. Theo is uniquely gifted in that she senses the evil curses inscribed into the ancient artifacts that her parents naively bring to London from the ancient tombs in Egypt. Theo does everything she can to protect her parents and herself, studying ancient texts to learn how to ward off the dark magic. Her parents’ work keeps them constantly busy, an extreme frustration to Theo, and they do not recognize her talents. When her mother arrives from her most recent expedition with a priceless Egyptian artifact, Theo plunges into an intriguing adventure full of mystery, suspense, and captivating details about Ancient Egypt. The power of this particular Egyptian artifact weilds influence over international affairs, so the stakes are high for Theo and the two secret societies that are vying for control over the artifact. I had a great time reading this book, which felt like an Indianna Jones ride to me.
The details: 343 p. 2007 Review by Samrarian
November 11th 2009
Review by Scott
Who would like this book? People who would like this book would be the kind that enjoy short stories and good literature.
Why? In the beginning, there is a poor old man who has not caught any fish for many days. In the middle, he sets out to sea for a few days. He has lots of adventures!
The details: 140 p. 1952 Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1953 Submitted by Scott
Coming soon to the Cal Young Library; it’s on the to-be-ordered list. ~ Sam
November 11th 2009
Who would like this book? Readers, grade 8 and up, interested in Asperger’s Syndrome, music, law firms, or justice, OR are looking for a great story told from a unique point of view.
Why? Marcelo Sandoval, a seventeen-year-old on the high end of the autism spectrum, comes of age in this insightful, moving novel by Francisco S. Stork. Stork’s first person narration provides a clear window into Marcelo’s character; readers share in his thinking process, his unique observations, his intense struggles, and his marvelous range of reactions to people and events in the “real world.” The book starts with Marcelo’s excitement about his perfect summer jub caring for the ponies at his beloved private school. Then, his father, a high-powered attorney, demands that Marcelo work at his law firm for the summer so that he can experience the “real world.” The people that Marcelo meets at the law firm and the disturbing, difficult situations that he encounters form a riveting, moving story that kept me turning pages well into the night and brought me to tears at the end.
(Be aware that Marcelo’s narration does not censor the ugly, sexist comments of Wendell, the son of his father’s law partner.)
312 p. 2009 Review by Samrarian;
My longer review of this book for the Register-Guard is available in the library.
November 8th 2009
Who would like this book? Readers, especially girls, grades 7 and up, who like ghost stories and mysteries with some romance and real-life relationship problems.
Why? Summer days in Ondine, Louisiana are long, hot, and humid. Nothing happens and there is nothing for teenagers to do. Fourteen-year-old Iris and her friend Collette are trying to stir up some excitement by playing around at casting spells in the town’s old cemetery. Iris does not expect to actually hear from a ghost, so when she hears, “Where y’at, Iris?” in a distinctive voice and sees a boy who nobody else hears or sees, she plunges into a chilling quest to find out who he is and what he wants. As Iris, Collette, and Collette’s boyfriend Ben go from the cemetery to the witchboard (like a Ouija board) to the library’s archives to Elijah’s disturbed mother, Elijah’s ghost becomes increasingly aggressive toward Iris. The story takes surprising twists and is full of suspense. I couldn’t put it down, and the ending worked for me. Shadowed Summer is a good ghost story/mystery during any season.
The details: 183 p. 2009 Review by Samrarian
14-year-old Iris
November 8th 2009
Who would like this book? Young women, 8th grade and older, looking for a love story enmeshed in family difficulties.
Why? This sad, moving, and ultimately triumphant story communicates the power of love through the lives of three generations of women. It has the feel of a saga, though it is just over 200 pages and the style of writing is spare. The main narrator is seventeen-year-old Odella, who is trying to come to terms with her troubled mother, Sally. When she was sixteen, Sally was the only survivor of a car accident in Mistik Lake, the family’s summer vacation spot in Manitoba, Canada. Sally cannot overcome her guilt, and she is dissatisfied with the choices that she has made in her life. Her troubles and subsequent actions have bad consequences for Odella and the rest of the family, but Odella gains insight from her beloved great-aunt Gloria, who shares in the narration. The story deepens with emotion and complications when Odella falls in love with Jimmy, the grandson of her parents’ old friends. The dreams, loves, and anguish of the generations intersect in Mistik Lake, the silent, pensive witness to it all. Brooks’ striking imagery and rich characterization makes this book a must-read for young women who are looking for a love story enmeshed in family problems.
The details: 224 p. 2007 Review by Samrarian
2009 YRCA nominee in the Senior Division
November 8th 2009
Who would like this book? Fans of action-packed spy thrillers, grades 5 and up.
Why? I,Q (Book One: Independence Hall) combines the rock-and-roll world of paparazzi and fame with the dark, complex world of conspiracies, terrorism, and spies. Told from the point of view of 15-year-old Q (short for Quest), I,Q is all action that doesn’t stop for reflection or serious character development. The plot setup pulled me right in. Q is agitated over his mother Blaze’s whirlwind romance and quick marriage to fellow rock star Roger Tucker. Roger’s daughter Angela shares Q’s lack of enthusiasm, especially because she is still grieving for her mother, a highly skilled CIA agent who was killed in the line of duty. The new parents have formed a band, Match, which is all the rage. The new family embarks on a yearlong tour in a tricked-out coach that Roger and Blaze insist on driving themselves. It doesn’t take long for them to break down and to be saved by a world-wise old roadie named Boone. The readers are tipped off at the start that something sinister is going to happen by short, italicized chapters by a mysterious spy that alternate with Q’s main experiences. As the two story lines intersect, the spy intrigue takes off and the skills of Angela and Q are put to the test. I hope that the second book in the series, The White House, gives more character development. I, Q is high on action, but unsatisfying when it comes to feeling for and with the characters. Sarah Weeks (author of So B. It) chose it as the 2009 Oregon Book Award for Young Adult Literature.
The details: 302 p. 2008 Submitted by Samrarian
November 5th 2009
Review by Michael
Who would like this book?
Why? The Graveyard Book is about a boy whose family is killed by a man named Jack. The baby got away because he crawled out of his crib and out the front door. The baby (unkown name) crawls to a graveyard and is taken in by the ghosts. The ghosts name the boy Nobody Owens, Bod for short, and he is given freedom of the graveyard. A man named Silas is appointed to be his guardian. Silas is very mysterious and he is not dead and not alive. Bod’s biggest problem is Jack, but for a long time while he is growing up Bod does not even know he has an enemy. Bod enjoys growing up in the graveyard and being able to walk through walls, fade, and dreamwalk. Read this book and you will be amazed at how good it is.
The details: 301 p. 2008 Submitted by Michael
October 29th 2009
Review by Spencer
Who would like this book? People who enjoy a sad story about a little girl growing up in China with unloving parents.
Why? A little girl named Adeline Yen is the child of a women who died a few weeks after Adeline’s birth. She lived with her Grandma, Grandpa, her loving Aunt Baba, her father and all of her siblings. Her father remarries to a 17 year old women who only loves her birth children. Adeline is separated from her aunt and joins many boarding schools. In each school she is one of the smartest children. She is inspired by her grandfather to write a play and submit it to a contest. After a few months of waiting to see if she won, her grandfather died.. and a few months later she won the contest. Her (normally not caring) father is so proud and he allows Adeline to go to medical school (unlike Adeline’s older sister). She grows up to be a doctor and a writer.
The details:205 p. 1999 Submitted by Spencer
October 29th 2009
Review by Madison
Who would like this book? People who like to learn about the past.
Why? I am actually still reading this book. I really like this book. I like this book because it is really interesting. This book is about a 12-year-old boy who takes his great-great-great-grandpa’s watch for money to go see his father. He soon gets trapped in the past when there were slaves. He then has to work as a slave. I really have enjoyed reading this book and haven’t been able to put it down. It’s exiting and fun, but a little bit sad. It’s also a Battle of the Books book, so anyone who is doing Battle of the Books, I definitely recomend this book to you.
The details: 184 p. 1999 Submitted by Madison
October 29th 2009
Review by Madison
Who would like this book? Maybe people who like Graphic Novels.
Why? I did not like this book . I am not a graphic novel fan, so that might be why. This book was very odd, and I didn’t think it was very well organized at all. I got very bored with this book. It was often confusing for me and a little mixed up. I only reccomend this book to graphic novel fans. This book is about a girl who moves from a busy city to a safer city. She joins a group called P.L.A.I.N. They draw art in neighborhoods and the town is kind of debating on whether they like it or not. The school teachers don’t like it. Nobody knows who this group is and who the people are in this group. That is why I didn’t like this book, and I prefer books that are not graphic novels.
The details: 2007 Submitted by Madison