July 29th 2007
Who would like this book? Teens who like historical fiction and are interested in Africa, medicine, and questions of identity. If you like birds and the natural world, you’ll also appreciate this book.
Why? It’s 1919 in British East Africa, and 13-year-old Rachel Sheridan is helping her parents in the missionary hospital founded and operated by her father. When they die in an influenza epidemic, Rachel falls into the greedy clutches of the Pritchards, their well-to-do manipulative neighbors. Their manipulation of her turns out to have unexpected consequences for all of them. The novel is divided into three books that represent the three distinct passages in Rachel’s life: Rachel Sheridan, Valerie Pritchard, and Rachel Pritchard. What would you do if two adults forced you to impersonate their dead daughter?
The details: 194 p. 2005; YRCA nominee 2008, Junior Division
July 29th 2007
Who would like this book? Harry Potter fans far and wide!
Why? It’s the seventh book! I was, once again, captivated by the creative twists and turns of Rowling’s plot and satisfied by the reconciliation of all the plot’s demands at the end. I was surprised that the reading experience was primarily intellectual for me rather than emotional, but that could be because the conclusion brings so much together that it is mind-bending. Everyone will have their favorite parts, but mine is definitely the Silver Doe. Okay, I lied about my lack of emotion. Just thinking about the Silver Doe has me tearing up. Where’s my hankie? Another aspect of this book that amazes me: the countless, continual clever details. Just when I would start to think that the book could have used some editing (How many challenges does Harry need to face, really?), some little detail pops out that makes me shiver, smile, or roll my eyes. Open the book anywhere and start reading and see if you agree. I just reopened the book to page 292: Ron and Hermione are arguing about food. Yep, it’s a great little exchange, as are the rest of Ron and Hermione’s arguments (and Ron’s attempts at applying the principles in Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches, Ron’s birthday gift to Harry, charmed Hermione and me!). The plot, the clever details, the interaction of the characters, the power of imagination, the stamina — thank you, J.K. Rowling.
The details: 759 p. 2007
July 29th 2007
Who would like this book? Anyone, teens or adults, interested in the Navajo culture, battles of WWII (Pacific), and the use of the Navajo language for the codes in the war will find this book riveting.
Why? Bruchac uses a Navajo grandfather as his narrator very effectively. The grandfather, Ned Begay, begins the story with his experiences growing up in an Indian boarding school where speaking the Navajo language was strictly forbidden. When he joins the Marines at age 16 (fudging with the truth about his age), he is trained as a code talker. In a significant irony, the Navajo language has been made the basis of the secret code for sending messages on the battlefield. Ned relates the details about the battles on Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Guam, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa in a nonsensational, quiet voice that makes them all the more heart-wrenching. His humor and his reliance on traditional Navajo customs allowed me to see how he could endure so much brutality and still maintain his sanity. This book would be a good jump-off point for studying more about the Navajo culture, codes, and/or World War II.
The details: 231 p. 2005
July 29th 2007
Who would like this book? Teens interested in disturbing “What if….?” questions set in the future. What if the government had enough power to force families to have no more than two children? What if you were the third child in a family?
Why? Luke has lived in the protected environment of his family farm for 12 years when a new housing development forces his parents to conceal him in the attic. Being the third child in their family, he is illegal and, if discovered, would be seized by the Population Police, bringing severe punishment to himself and his family. Luke takes to watching the construction of the houses through an attic vent and closely observes the new neighbors as they get settled. When Luke catches sight of another hidden face in a neighboring house, his narrow world opens up to possibilities that are beyond his imagination. I couldn’t put it down, and it’s great to know that there are five more books in the series: Among the Betrayed, Among the Barons, Among the Brave, Among the Enemy, and Among the Free.
The details: 153 p. 1998 (c. 2000)
July 29th 2007
Who would like this book? If you do something wrong that you don’t feel good about, should you keep it a secret or come clean about it? Read this book if that questions resonates with you. It’s also for teen girls who have concerns about difficult family situations, loss of a parent, and problems with friends.
Why? Kit Hathaway is 14 and is paralyzed by fear and indecision because she’s been put on the spot at the end of her speech on shoplifting. The opening chapter of Cages sets up the rest of the book, which is a flashback of the events leading up to the moment in which she must decide whether or not to be honest about a bad decision that she made. The construction of the novel increases the tension, and I couldn’t put it down. Kit’s difficulties with an alcoholic step-father, a detached mother, and a complicated social life come into focus when she starts to volunteer at the local humane society and begins to find her way out of her cage. A fast-paced read, the novel looks at dishonesty/honesty/denial from many perspectives.
The details: 150 p. 1991 (c. 2002)
July 28th 2007
Who would like to read this book? Teens who like political intrigue, espionage, and fantasy. I placed “political intrigue” first because the challenges faced by Aly (the 16-year-old protagonist) center on her need to outfox many enemies through wit, wisdom, and prowess and the reader needs to be prepared to follow the interconnected stories many characters. The story also is an extended exploration of the reasons for and consequences of racial discrimination.
Why? Aly is a strong young female who engaged me immediately by her love of fun and adventure, and her biting sense of humor. Stymied in her desire to become a spy by her father’s disapproval and frustrated by her mother’s prowess as a warrior and frequent absences from home, Aly decides to run away. Her plan fails when she is captured and taken into slavery, a tragedy that opens the way for her to become (in practice) what she could not become at home. The combination of political maneuvering, spying, romance, and humor kept me fascinated, though at times I became cross-eyed with the number of characters. As many of you know better than I do, Tamora Pierce has written many books about this medieval country of Tortall. I started with Trickster’s Choice at the suggestion of a student, and though it stands on its own, it would be best to start at the beginning of Pierce’s Tortall books to get the most out of her characters and plots. If you want to start with the story of Aly’s mother, find Alanna: The First Adventure. The collections that I will be catching up on include The Song of the Lioness Quartet, the Immortals Quartet, and The Protector of the Small tetralogy. The sequel to Trickster’s Choice is Trickster’s Queen (the 2 books in The Daughter of the Lioness series), and Provost’s Dog, a new trilogy that is set in Tortall 200 years before the first book, begins with Terrier.
The details: 422 p. 2003
July 16th 2007
Who would like this book? Teens who are interested in issues of identity, conformity vs. individuality, and harassment in a high school environment.
Why? Stargirl is the classic nonconformist, free spirit. When she shows up at Mica High with her long skirts and ukulele, students don’t know how to handle her. Leo Borlock, the book’s 16-year-old narrator, is fascinated by her pure, primitive approach to life and wants to get closer to her. His desire for fun adventures with her turn out to have unexpected consequences for both of them, and the important question comes into focus: How do you remain true to yourself while navigating a school situation that seems to require conformity? Spinelli explores this question with many entertaining details, such as Stargirl’s rat “Cinnamon,” her stint as a cheerleader, her appearance on Leo’s TV show “Hot Seat,” and the descriptions of the Arizona desert. Stargirl somehow knows the birthday of each student and celebrates by doing a serenade on her ukulele. Anyone have a ukulele?
The details: 186 p. 2000
July 14th 2007
Who would like this book? Teens who like a fast-paced thriller set in contemporary New York involving some unsuspecting teenagers. It’s a good “it could happen to you” book.
Why? Mitty is a 17-year-old slacker whose only motivation comes from his interest in Olivia, a studious and beautiful young woman. When they receive a research assignment on infectious diseases in their advanced biology class, Mitty gets a very slow start and ends up needing to use some books from a century-old collection that his mom had purchased to use in her home decorating business. Mitty not only finds a volume on his chosen topic, smallpox, he finds an envelope marked “smallpox scabs” within its pages. Of course, he opens it and breathes in the dust. As he begins to suspect that he might have endangered himself and others, he plunges into research into smallpox, research that has unintended consequences and that pushes the climax in an unexpected direction. Don’t miss the way Mitty writes. He has a great slacker-style approach to avoiding plagiarism.
The details: 195 p. 2005
July 14th 2007
Who would like this book? Teens and adults who read Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass, His Dark Materials Trilogy Book 1.
Why? The Subtle Knife, His Dark Materials Trilogy Book 2, does not disappoint. It opens with a new character of our world, Will Parry, a 12-year-old who has had a lifetime of being invisible to cover for his unstable mother. A robbery, a murder, and an accidental discovery of a window into another world brings Will into contact with Lyra. Uneasily, they conclude that they must help each other, and they embark on a journey to find Will’s father, the Arctic explorer John Parry who has been missing for 12 years. The other characters – the aeronaut Lee Scoresby, the witch Serafina Pekkala, the power-hungry Mrs. Coulter, and many others – strengthen the plot. A suggestion: have a copy of The Amber Spyglass (Book 3 in the trilogy) ready to go. The Subtle Knife offers no independent closure, and it’s difficult to wait to find out the story’s next twist. This book is now ten years and is still as fresh and relevant as ever.
The details: 352 p. 1997
July 14th 2007
Who would like this book? Early teens who want to explore a story from two distinct perspectives and to get some good laughs and good insights in the process.
Why? In less able hands, a book such as this one could become trite and “cutsey.” Not so with Wendelin Van Draanen. She pulls off this romantic comedy that follows the friendship (or not-friendship, depending on the point of view) between Julianna and Bryce from 2nd grade through the next six years. The narration alternates between them, providing the reader with insight into the same events from distinct points of view. The results are humorous and enlightening. This narrative form contributes greatly to the excellent character development of Bryce and Julianna, as does their interactions with other characters and their reactions to specific events. I don’t want to forget one line of a minor character, Bryce’s grandfather (”Chet” to Julianna, who reminds him of his deceased wife): “Every once in a while you’ll find someone iridescent, and when you do, nothing will ever compare.”
The details: 212 p. 2001