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Review by Samrarian

Who would like this book? Thoughtful readers, grades 5 and up, looking for a well-crafted story about friendship, family, and belonging.

The goods on this book: Georges, a 7th grader in Brooklyn, New York, has a lot to handle. His architect father has lost his job and their family has had to move from their house (and his amazing bedroom) to an apartment. His father is pursuing a new career idea while his mom works double shifts at the hospital. At school, Georges dodges bullies and is ignored by his long-time friend. In his new apartment building, he replies to an ad for a spy club and meets Safer, a home-schooled kid obsessed with spying on a man who lives upstairs from Georges. As Georges navigates this new friendship and his family’s new situation, the reader gets to know him well. Rebecca Stead is so good at developing characters that are complex and building plots that twist in very unexpected ways. Both of these traits are in fine form in Liar and Spy, making this quiet book very worthwhile to read and possibly read again.

The details: 180 pages; 2012      Review by Samrarian

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Review by Samrarian

Who would like this book? People interested in the transgender experience and music would appreciate this book. Its content makes it best for 8th grade and up.

The goods on this book: Gabe narrates his own story about transitioning to being the guy that he knows he is even though he was born as a girl and is known to all but his family and best friend as “Liz.” Gabe is counting the days to graduation from high school, when he feels that he can move and establish himself in his new identity. Meanwhile, his friendship with his hip grandfather-type neighbor nourishes his love of music and gains him a gig at spinning discs at the local radio station on Friday nights. Gabe calls his show “Beautiful Music for Ugly Children” and is able to be “Gabe” during this show, gaining a fan club called the Ugly Children Brigade that do his bidding. The narrative pushes toward an inevitable crisis climax that works because of the careful character development that has come before. Gabe’s story is significant to read, and Cronn-Mills includes a helpful explanation of vocabulary related to the transgender experience as an afterword.

The details: 271 pages; 2012       Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? Readers 12 and up who like the idea of a competition between girls for the heart of the prince in a kingdom set in a dystopian future would love this book.

The goods on this book: America Singer has grown up to be an independent thinker even though she has been raised in a caste-driven kingdom which is the future remains of a destroyed United States. In this kingdom, people are trapped in the caste of their birth and their lives are determined by the definition of each caste. America and her family, as “fives,” have struggles but are not as destitute as sixes through the eights. Her star-crossed love for Aspen, a “six,” is doomed because of his lower caste, and he encourages her to enter the contest for “the Selection” in which girls become contestants for the heart of Prince Maxon. Of course, America enters against her will and wins a place among the first group vying to become the future queen. America finds that her honesty and stubborn, independent spirit set her apart from the other girls. If the reader is able to set aside many unanswered questions about the kingdom and the wider world to be able to focus on the drama of the girls competing for the attentions of the prince, then this book is very fun. Though the book fails to build a future world, it succeeds in creating the tension of a love triangle and the drama of romantic competition. For those who like this book, you might be happy to find an even more satisfying one with a similar theme in Shannon Hale’s The Princess Academy.

The details: 327 pages; 2012    Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? All fans of Percy Jackson won’t want to miss this exciting book!

The goods on this book: This new Percy Jackson series does not start with Percy, but that’s okay because the three characters that keep the action going are great! Jason wakes up on a bus headed to a wilderness school for unruly kids, and he seems to be in a relationship with Piper. The problem for Jason is that he can’t remember anything, and the problem for Piper is that she’s not sure about Jason’s feelings. Leo rounds out the threesome on the ill-fated bus trip. They soon discover that their demigod status means that they are in for a dangerous quest with serious consequences for mankind as well as the gods. Their quest, received at Camp Half-Blood amid all the usual teen in-fighting, catapults them into non-stop action. Each of the characters brings unique problems and potential into the plot, and it’s great to experience them meeting and overcoming challenges. I especially like Leo and his heartbreaking backstory and formidable talents with dragon-building. When you start this book, be prepared to not want to put it down and to want the next volume immediately!

The details: 557 pages; 2010      Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book: Anyone who has read and enjoyed The False Prince would appreciate this awesome book two.

The goods on this book: Not surprisingly, as the kingdom of Carthya mourns the passing of the king and the queen, the newly crowned king, Jaron, must fight off an assassination attempt. With threats mounting from his regents within the kingdom and from neighboring enemies from outside the kingdom, Jaron concocts a crazy scheme to save his kingdom. The book follows this scheme which takes him to the outer border of the kingdom into the heart of the pirates’ lair. His life is continually in danger, and he excels at thrusting himself in front of the point of a sword, a knife, or any available weapon. Though at times he seems immortal, he also lands in some very tight spots that require help from unexpected places. The plot is non-stop action, with plenty of political intrigue and a hint of romance. Be prepared to be left with questions that lead directly to the third book in the trilogy, The Shadow Throne.

The details: 331 pages; 2013              Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? This book would appeal mainly to girls, grades 8 and up, who like fantasy-reality mash-ups and especially those who like Grimm’s Fairy Tales.

The goods on this book: Mira, 16, has been raised by her loving godmothers but is now exasperated that they will not tell her about her parents  (who died when she was young) nor will they let her visit the town of her birth, Beau Rivage. With few provisions and even less of a plan, Mira runs away to the town to seek some answers. Destiny seems to take over in Beay Rivage, and Mira falls in with a group of mysterious characters. The strange dynamics of their lives leads Mira to gradually realize that the powers of Grimm’s Fairy tales are very much alive, and she begins to see why her godmothers were so overprotective. Now alone with her eagerness for romance, Mira is in constant danger. I kept wanting to scream at her, “No! Stop!” Though some of the situations were too convoluted and disjointed, readers who like suspense, romance, and the dark side of fairy tales will love this book. Be prepared for some mature content.

The details: 2012; 331 pages      Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book?  Readers, 12 and up, looking for a first person narration by a misfit girl with a funny, insightful perspective.

The goods on this book: Elise has always been an outsider and a target for bullies and jokes. She is amazingly smart and organized, though, and begins the book by channeling her formidable talents into the study of being popular. It is obvious that this  project is doomed to failure. Elise hits an all-time low. Just as she is in her deepest depression, a late night walk to nowhere brings her across a warehouse in which an underground dance is happening. Events in the nocturnal, secret visits to the warehouse open up possibilities for Elise: friends, a boy-interest, and a talent for being a DJ. Her story seamlessly weaves these experiences with her family and school life, pulling the plot to a believable climax (well, it stretches the imagination in a few places) that is resolved in a richly satisfying way. This book is worth reading because of Elise’s fresh voice and the story of how she finds out what an awesome, cool person she really is. I lost some sleep while reading this book because I couldn’t put it down.

The details: 276 pages; 2013    Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? People, 13 and up, looking for a first person narration dealing with a teen’s suicide and the reasons for it would appreciate this book.

The goods on this book: Clay Jensen is a quiet, shy high school student and has been disturbed by the suicide of his friend, Hannah. He becomes distraught and obsessed when he unwraps a package of cassette tapes of Hannah recording the story that led to her decision to take her own life. As Clay listens to the tapes, he navigates through their town so that he can listen to each part of Hannah’s story in close physical proximity to where it took place. The book alternates between the text of Hannah’s voice from the tapes and Clay’s reaction as he  listens to these tapes. Clay had a crush on Hannah and shared an evening with her shortly before she died, so the experience of the tapes is very hard for this sensitive guy. My heart really went out to him even more than Hannah. The strong message of this book, to see other people for who they truly are and to care for one another, comes through to the reader as it comes through to Clay. Though this book might not be the best for understanding suicide, it is important in showing how a steady stream of difficulties and hurts can push a person such as Hannah over the edge. It is tragic that she has nobody to turn to.

The details: 288 pages; 2007    Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? Readers, grades 5 and up, who like action, intrigue, and characters who face danger at every turn will love this book, especially if they like the idea that the characters are clans of cats.

The goods on this book: This first book in the Warriors series started an Erin Hunter empire eleven years ago, and with good reason. Into the Wild is just as riveting to read today as it was when it first came out in 2003. The book opens with Rusty, a “kittypet,” restlessly eyeing the woods beyond the boundaries of his owners’ house. When he follows the call to explore the woods, Rusty gets a surprise attack from Graypaw, a Thunderclan apprentice. The leader of Thunderclan, observing secretly, is impressed with Rusty’s reactions and invites Rusty to join the clan. Thus, Rusty becomes Firepaw, and the real adventure begins. Four clans have lived in the woods for generations, following strict laws passed to them from their ancestors. Recently, though, Shadowclan has forced Windclan off their land and is threatening both Thunderclan and Riverclan. As Firepaw learns the ways of the clans, he is plunged into danger and treachery and must prove himself in many ways. The characters of Firepaw and the other cats are well drawn, and their difficult lives lead them to need each other and to try to know who to trust and who to shun. As they prepare for battles, they also maneuver for power within the clan and beyond. Be warned that the authors do not sugarcoat the cats’ battle injuries or the results of their war. Also be warned that once you start this book, it’s really hard to put it down!
This book is a 2015 Battle of the Books selection.

The details: 272 pages; 2003 Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? Mostly girls (maybe some guys who love motorcycles), 13 and up, who like coming-of-age books with family problems, romance, heartbreak, and humor.

The goods on this book: Jude “Juju” Hernandez has just finished her senior year of high school, but her personal plans are on hold because of her overwhelming concern for her father, who has early onset Alzheimer’s. In his younger years, before his marriage and four daughters, he had ridden his Harley Davidson all around Chile, and Juju believes that if they can bring his old motorcyle back to life, he will get better. When she sets out to find a mechanic to lead them in this summer project, her only option is Emilio Vargas, a cute guy with a surprising ability to get along with Juju’s dad, even when he becomes agitated. There is a problem, though. Years earlier, Emilio’s cousin broke off an engagement with one of Juju’s three older sisters (“the holy trinity), and they had forced Juju to join them in a sacred oath to never have anything to do with a Vargas. Juju must navigate the opinions and probable wrath of her older sisters while guiding the motorcycle project with her dad, trying to sidestep Emilio’s charms. How can she pull off the impossible? If you’re looking for a book that is on the mature side yet not heavy, try this sweet-spirited book that balances heartbreak with heartwarmth. It might even make you want to ride a motorcycle. I guess my only complaint is that I wanted Juju to be fixing her own motorcycle, but then it would be a different book.
This book is an ALA Best Book for 2014 nominee.

The details: 357 pages; 2014 Review by Samrarian

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