March 25th 2009
Who would like this book? Readers, both boys and girls, age 11 and up, looking for a funny first-person narrative that weaves together Buddhism with middle school.
Why? San Lee, adopted son of dysfunctional parents, is starting his 8th grade year at a new school. San is accustomed to new beginnings because his father, a compulsive liar, has had to continually move his family to escape the consequences of fraud. Now, San’s father is in prison and he and his mother are destitute. San, adaptable and witty, is searching for a new identity, especially if it will help him get to know Woody, the beautiful girl in his Social Studies class. The class’s current topic, Buddhism, turns out to be the perfect vehicle for a charming identity. San proceeds to stay one step ahead of Woody and their other classmates by researching Zen in the local library and starting each day by meditating in front of the school. Of course, it’s all a fraud and we know and HE knows that it will all catch up with him and that it will be bad. The journey to and through that climax is great – funny, witty, and moving. Sonnenblick is great with his first person narration. It’s impossible not to root for San! This book is lots of fun to read, and it’s a great way to learn something about Zen Buddhism.
A YRCA nominee and Battle of the Books selection for 2009-2010.
The details: 264 p. 2007 Review by Samrarian
Battle of the Books selection for 2010
March 23rd 2009
Who would like this book? Readers who are interested in the blending of myth (Orpheus and Eurydice), the underworld, New York City, and the relationship between two 14-year-olds, one living and one dead. It’s also a good book to read if you have ever had a loved one die.
Why? Jack Perdu, at age 14, translates the classics from Latin, has no friends, misses his mother (who died when he was younger), and feels badly for his depressed father. When walking with his nose in a book, he is run over. He emerges from this accident physically okay, but he has acquired the ability to see ghosts. His father sends him to nearby New York City to a special doctor where he pockets a special subway token. As he waits for the train home, he meets Euri, a girl that he can actually talk to comfortably. Euri invites him to a special tour of the secret spots in Grand Central Station, and he can’t resist. This somewhat cumbersome beginning sets in motion a captivating series of events. Through the guidance of Euri, Jack and the readers are led into the underworld of New York City, a thriving metropolis teaming with the dead. Jack and Euri’s realtionship, Jack’s need to find his mother, and the clever details of this night city combine to make this book an engaging and entertaining page turner. It’s also surprisingly moving: one scene at the end of the book made me cry.
The details: 232 p. 2007 Samrarian
March 22nd 2009
Who would like this book? Readers who like Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, fans of other Gordan Korman books, and people who are curious about what might happen when a sheltered, home-schooled hippie kid gets thrust into a middle school with entrenched bullying.
Why? Cap (short for Capricorn) has been raised by his free-thinking grandmother, Rain, on her defunct commune, Garland Farm. She has protected him from any taint of modern life, keeping him in innocence and steeped in her egalitarian philosophy. When Rain breaks her hip and must stay in the hospital for a lengthy convalescence, Cap is sent to live with a guidance counselor and begins attending Claverage (C average) Middle School. Zach Powers, the leading bully of the school, wastes no time in setting Cap up to be the biggest joke of the year by getting him elected as the 8th grade president. Cap, with no history of being bullied, responds to Zach’s malicious pranks in unanticipated ways. The result is vintage Korman: he makes you laugh, makes you cry, and makes you think. Also, Korman effectively shifts the narration from character to character without creating confusion. The narrative structure adds a lot to the book, allowing the reader to see the unfolding events from multiple points of view. It invites readers to consider writing other chapters from other points of view.
The details: 208 p. 2007 Review by Samrarian
YRCA nominee for 2010 and Battle of the Books selection for 2010
March 22nd 2009
Who would like this book? Science fiction fans, especially those who are interested in time travel and ancient Egypt, and readers interested in what kids in France are reading.
Why? Written originally in French by a historian, The Book of Time is filled with rich details of medieval Scotland, France during WWI, and ancient Egypt. The details form the backdrop of Sam’s fast-moving, intense quest to find his father. The book opens with Sam’s ill-fated attempt to get to his judo tournament. Sam ends up at his missing father’s bookstore, which is filled with antique books and the grief of his father who has been depressed since the death of Sam’s mother. As Sam searches through the store for clues to his father’s disappearance, he stumbles into a strange room in the basement and discovers a mysterious stone with a carved sun on its top. When Sam finds a coin nearby and places it in the center of the sun, he is painfully transported through time. His time travels take him to a series of diverse locations and periods, and in each one he searches for clues to his father’s disappearance and also must locate the coin and statue that will ensure that he does not become stuck in time. The connections between his present-day family, especially his cousin Lily, and his search for his father give the time traveling a pressing significance. For me, the story lagged a bit at the beginning but took off once these connections were made. Though the story gives a lot of historical insight into places where Sam “lands,” his quest makes the book a page-turner. I couldn’t put it down and because it ends with a cliff-hanger, I’ll be reaching for Book II in the series. Fortunately, The Seven Coins, is available at the CY Library.
The details: 213 p. 2007 Review by Samrarian
March 22nd 2009
Who would like this book? Girls, grades 5 – 9, with a spirit for adventure and exploration who like to write and want to discover their own way of solving problems and looking at the world.
Why? It’s 1972 and Joan’s family has just moved from Connecticut to the suburbs near San Francisco. She’s not happy about the move and feels isolated and friendless until she explores the woods near her house and stumbles upon the “fort” of Sarah, aka “Fox.” The two girls quickly meld their imaginative spirits into a world of adventure that bridges the gap between their backgrounds. Joan’s mother is working hard to establish their family’s traditional suburban life-style and placating Joan’s abusive, angry father. Fox lives in a run-down house in the woods with her free-spirited father, a science-fiction writer who rides a Harley. The two girls chronicle their imaginative adventures in a story about a magical quest. A special reading of this story at a writing contest opens an exciting opportunity for them that leads to their participation in a writing workshop. This workshop is a catalyst for surprising changes and significant breakthroughs not only for Fox and Newt but for their families as well. The minor characters, especially their writing instructor and Fox’s dad, are entertaining and insightful. Because the readers get to share in the writing exercises that Fox and Newt are assigned, the book would be great for a writing class to read.
The details: 288 p. 2007 Review by Samrarian
A Battle of the Books 2009-2010 selection
March 20th 2009
Review by Monica
Who would like this book? Someone reading the Uglies series; someone who enjoys science fiction or suspense.
Why? Tally has been made into a Special; she is with a clique of Specials who call themselves the Cutters. The 5 of them go to crash an Ugly party to try and find if anyone is smuggling cures for the brain lesions for Pretties. They disguise themselves as Uglies and find a girl and a boy from the New Smoke smuggling the cure. Tally tries to get it from him and she reveals she’s a Special. They end up chasing the girl and get ambushed by New Smokies wearing sneak suits. They capture one of the Cutters and Shay; Tally goes after Shay and finds David with her.
David drops Shay into the river, and Tally goes after her. What happens next?
Read Specials to find out.
The details: 372 p. 2006 Submitted by Monica
March 19th 2009
Review by Paige
Who would like this book? Someone who is interested in monster-type books and also surprises.
Why? Well, this book is a sequel to The Lightning Thief. These books are highly addictive! The Sea Of Monsters is all about saving Percy Jackson’s friend Grover, who is in danger and is trapped by the evil cyclops Polyphemus. The whole book is about the surprising adventures and trials that Percy and his friend Annabeth go through in order to succeed to accomplish the mission. I would definetely reccomend this book to absolutely ANYONE.
The details: 279 p. 2006
March 19th 2009
Review by Audrey
Who would like this book? Girls who love vampires and werewolves.
Why? In New Moon, Edward breaks up with Bella and she goes and hangs out with Jacob, who doesn’t know that he is a werewolf, yet… Then one night, he and Bella get into a big fight because she doesn’t know why Jacob is hanging out with Sam and the “gang.” On the same night, Jacob tells Bella to guess what he is. The next day Bella finally figures out that Jacob and the pack are werewolves. Jacob wants to figure out what Victoria, an evil vampire, is after. Bella tells him that Victoria is after her. Jacob tells the other werewolves that Victoria is after Bella. Will Victoria get Bella? Is Jacob going to kill Victoria and protect Bella? Will Edward ever return? Read and find out!!!!
The details: 563 p. 2006 Submitted by Audrey
March 18th 2009
Review by Zoe
Who would like this book? Daniel Pinkwater Anybody who is realllllly bored or wants to read something reallllly weird.
Why? Ronald Donald Almondotter is looking forward to working for his grandfather at The World Famous Salami Snap Company all summer, until Dr. Charles Pelicanstein, and old friend of Ronald Donald Almondotter’s grandfather, shows up. The three of them wind up journeying to an unknown region of Africa to find special intelligent worms. As I said, you really have to be expecting weirdness when you read this book because in a book of untrustworthy worms, footblobs, and no Los Angeles, it’s nearly impossible for sanity.
The details: 152 p. 1981 Review by Zoe
The Cal Young Library does not have this book. Should Sam buy it?
We do have The Neddiad : How Neddie Took the Train, Went to Hollywood, and Saved Civilization
March 17th 2009
Review by Zoe
Who would like this book? Anybody with a slightly morbid sense of humor.
Why? Jenny’s mom is a famous mystery writer with a reputation for solving real-life mysteries. The thing is, they were very small and she had a lot of help. When she is attending a party at which a murder is committed, she decides to take on the case. It’s up to Jenny to point out that in the fictional stories, she already knows the ending. Jenny has to be her mom’s brain to solve the mystery.
The details: 200p. 1997 Submitted by Zoe