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? 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
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
October 23rd 2009
Review by Madisyn
Who would like this book? People who like to learn about other country’s religion and how hard it is for women and girls in Afghanistan.
Why? I liked this book because I thought it was fun, and I learned a lot about Afghanistan. This book is about a family who lives in Afghanistan and how the Talib had changed their lives dramatically. This book has a surprising ending. This book is about how hard it is for women and girls to live in Afghanistan. Women and girls can’t go outside without a man or a boy with them. I thought this book was a really interesting book to read.
The details: 170 p. 2001 Submitted by Madisyn
A 2009-2010 Battle of the Book selection
October 15th 2009
Review by Dylan C.
Who would like this book? Anyone who likes adventure and suspense.
Why? I think people who like adventure should read this book because it has a ton of adventure. When Liz is in Elsewhere, she is always doing crazy and strange things. This book is exciting and only sometimes predictable. This book is funny, sad, and exciting!
The details: 272 p. 2005 Submitted by Dylan C.
October 15th 2009
Review by Michael F.
Who would like this book? People who like books with fast paced battle scenes, mythology, and great detail will love The Sea of Monsters.
Why? The Sea of Monsters ( a sequel to The Lighting Thief) is another fast paced adventure where Percy Jackson goes to the Sea of Monsters (Bermuda Triangle) to get the golden fleece to save Thalia’s tree and save Grover from a cyclops who thinks Grover is a female cyclops.
The details: 279 p. 2006 Submitted by Michael F.
October 5th 2009
Review by Michael R.
Who would like this book? People from 12 to very old would like this book.
Why? Mau is the only person left on his island when a tidal wave hits. He was on Boy Island when it hit, so he does not have a soul. The Sweet Judy crashes on the island and the only person left alive is a girl named Ermintrude (Daphne). Mau and Daphne start to learn each others’ languages and are soon able to understand each other fairly well. I think everyone should read this book.
The details: 367 p. 2008 Review by Michael R.
October 5th 2009
Submitted by Michael R.
Who would like this book? People of all ages would like this book because it is very sad but also happy at times.
Why? Lucien, a boy with cancer, figures out that he can go to a different world by going to sleep with the book that his dad gave him as a gift. The people in the other world call what he does Stravagating. In the other world he meets Arianna, a girl born on Bollona who is on Belleza the day after the Marriage with the Sea even though only citizens of Bellezza can be in the city that day. Arianna becomes his friend, and after Lucien becomes an apprentice of the senator they have afternoons together to explore Bellezza. It’s a great book and very surprising and eventful.
The details: 344 p. 2002 Submitted by Michael R.
October 1st 2009
Review by Amanda
Who would like this book? Someone who likes twists and turns, with the climax that you would never expect.
Why? Harriet is trying to be a spy and loves to spy on people, and her friend Beth Ellen comes for a ride. Little does Beth Ellen know that her long lost mother who’s in England is going to pay her an unexpected visit. They are like any other friends that fight but always make up. Little do they know that one long secret will test the strength of their friendship.
The details: 275 p. 1965
September 13th 2009
Review by Jada
Who would like this book? Teenage-age girls from about 10-17 in age.
Why? Jenny Greenley is the type of girl who could stand in a crowd and just blend in, as if she wasn’t even there. Even though she is silent, so to speak she’s deadly. She holds most of the school’s secrets and problems. She’s one of the best secret keepers in the world, so good that she’s the school newspaper’s anonymous advice column writer. She came up with the biggest secret of all: super gorgeous super star Luke Striker was not only coming to their town but attending their school to practice for a part for a movie as a high schooler. She has to keep his secret identity a secret so that no paparazzi or annoying fans bug him, but when the secret leaks out all goes wrong and Jenny is basically responsible for it.
The details: 291 p. 2004 Submitted by Jada