Sam and CY students & staff are reading…

Review by Tessa

Who would like this book? Video Gamers who hate to read would love this book; it’s thin and is like…ninja!

Why? Agent Six of Hearts was made by The Lab, owned by ChaoSonic, during Project Falcon. Little does he know that his entire life is a test, and along the way he will meet his two long lost brothers, who are part of the test. He and his brothers weren’t born, but made from falcon embryos. Six has to stop ChaoSonic’s plot to make the perfect soldier, but it turns out that HE was the whole project, since his brothers failed their tests. I didn’t like this story much, since it was too political and stuff for me (I love fantasy, not real life).

The details: 311 pp. 2008  Review by Tessa

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Who would like this book? Fans of science fiction and fantasy everywhere.

Why? This year is the 50^th Anniversary of the publication of A Wrinkle in Time, a classic that won the Newbery Award in 1962. Being about time and time travel is fitting because the book was way ahead of its time. Meg Murray is a young woman plagued by faults – stubbornness, a quick temper, and an inferiority complex. She also happens to be a math genius and the big sister of the brilliant young Charles Wallace and the normal, well-adjusted twins, Sandy and Dennys. Their mother, a scientist, cooks dinner in her lab. Their father has been missing after pursuing a secret mission for the government. Charles Wallace, Meg, their neighbor Calvin (whose perspective on Meg is quite different from how she sees herself) are summoned to rescue their father, but because he is on a dark planet on the other side of a universe, they must travel through a tesseract, a wrinkle in time. Three eccentric old women, who are actually supernatural beings, help them get to the planet but cannot help them once they arrive. The three children must rely on themselves as they face impossible dangers. Everything about this book works so well – the characters, the plot, the ideas. It’s a moving and powerful classic.

 The details: 245 pp. 1962  Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? People who are interested in community-building, gardening, cultural understanding or just want a moving story with many voices.

Why? Seedfolks is a story told by 13 distinct voices, each from a different ethnic group. They all live in a Cleveland apartment building in a poor part of town. The vacant lot across from the building has been used as a dump until one day Kim, a young Vietnamese girl, distraught over the death of her father, plants some lima beans as a way to remember him. When Ana, an elderly Romanian woman watches Kim digging, she thinks that she is up to no good. When she investigates and discovers the beans, she decides to help Kim by watering them. Kim and Ana each tell their stories, and the garden has begun. Eleven more stories follow, relating the growth and significance of the garden in the lives of each of these residents. The result is an inspiring and moving story that had me laughing, crying, and wanting to grab a package of seeds. This book is a gift for all ages that calls to be shared and read aloud.

The details: 69 pp. 1997  Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? Readers who want the real, gruesome truth behind the story of Hansel and Gretel and have pondered the question, “Are there no good grown-ups anymore?”

Why? The narrator of A Tale Dark and Grimm understands the awesomeness of blood and gore, beheadings and dismemberment. Don’t worry, though, because the narrator gives fair warning to small children to leave the room and be spared the gruesome events, which of course makes everyone want to plow forward and not miss a single drop of terror. The story starts with the explanation of how Hansel and Gretel’s father, the prince who became a king, fell in love with a tragic princess who loved gold. One unfortunate incident leads to another one, and soon the story is rolling from beheadings to roasting, dismemberment to hunting, and from the devil to a dragon. The narrator’s voice makes each of these tragic events terribly amusing, and the teasing about what will happen next makes it impossible to put down. I ended up loving Gretel most of all. This read is a fun, bloody romp through the dark forest. Remember your lentils so that you can find your way back out!

The details: 256 pp. 2010  Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? Anyone with an interest in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, especially the Montgomery Bus Boycott and Rosa Parks, definitely needs to read this book. It would also be great for anyone looking for the life story of a courageous teenager who stood up for her beliefs.

Why? Do you think that one person – one teenager – can’t make a difference? Read this book and think again. Claudette Colvin grew up in the segregated South in the 1950s. Raised by her great aunt and uncle in a poor area of Montgomery, Alabama, she was intelligent and proud. She hated the unjust treatment that the people of her color suffered, and she could not figure out why the adults put up with it. The bus system of Montgomery was especially unfair; when she was 15 (in 1955), she had reached her limit. She refused to give up her seat to a white woman and was arrested and taken to jail. Nine months later, Rosa Parks did the same action and sparked the bus boycott that eventually ended segregation on the buses. Claudette also played a crucial role in this ending: the landmark court case, Browder v. Gayle, that made segregation illegal got much of its punch from the courageous testimony of Claudette and three other women. Before this book, her role in these events had been unrecognized. Phillip Hoose waited a long time for Claudette to be ready to share her story. She finally did, and he masterfully combined her moving narrative with historical background presented through text, photos, and documents. This book won the 2009 National Book Award and was a 2010 Newbery Honor Book, underlining its value and significance. It’s a powerful 150 pages!

The details: 150 pp. 2009   Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? Fans of dark science fiction with multiple, interlacing plot lines will love this book.

Why? Advanced technology meets medieval mentality in this thrilling story. Finn, 17, is a prisoner in the mysterious and rough world of Incarceron. Though this prison is a closed system and all its residents have been born there, Finn has vague memories of a life “Outside.” He also has a tiny tattoo that seems to have some significance. When a woman that he has captured recognizes the tattoo and reveals a crystal key, Finn becomes obsessed with the need to discover his origins. Meanwhile, beautiful and headstrong Claudia, daughter of the Warden of Incarceron is unhappily betrothed to Caspar, the spoiled heir of the Realm, a world that is trapped in the 18^th century. Claudia was originally destined to marry Giles, who was killed in an accident when he was young. She believes that he is still alive and is obsessed with finding him. The stories of Finn and Claudia are riveting, and the plot takes many surprising twists as their stories come together. Incarceron is a fully successful combination of good characters, engrossing world-building, and a fast-paced storyline. Even the nature of Incarceron itself is a captivating mystery.

The details: 442 pp. 2007   Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? Fans of both historical fiction (Cuba in 1961) and of a first-person narrative by a girl struggling with many problems.

Why? Written from the point of view of 14-year-old Lucia, The Red Umbrella presents a moving story set during the Cuban revolution that is based on the experiences of the author’s parents. Each chapter starts with a headline from 1961 that gives the historical background to the events taking place in Lucia’s life. She and her little brother Frank have lived a comfortable life in Cuba in a happy, prosperous, and loving family. When Castro comes to power, they cannot imagine the changes that will overturn their lives. Her parents do not agree with the revolution and are especially fearful of its power to influence Lucia and Frank. To protect them, her parents make a drastic decision. Lucia’s voice is captivating and believable as she tries to maintain her normal teenage interests (friends, clothes, makeup, romance) in the face of political and family upheavals. Both for its historical perspective and as a coming-of-age story, this book stands out as a winner. The presentation of the revolution is one-sided, but the complexity of its affect on the people comes out in the struggles and decisions of the various characters.

The details: 284 pp. 2010   Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? People grades 4 through 8 who like fantastical, fast-moving plots, this one revolving around a girl who can fly and that mix lots of different elements.

Why? The Girl Who Could Fly is a curious mixture of old-timey farming life, science fiction creations, boarding school bullying, and characters with special talents. Piper McCloud, born to a farming couple in their later years, loves her Ma and Pa and seeks to please them, except in one area: she loves to fly and cannot follow their efforts to ground her. Through an entertaining series of events, Piper’s secret pastime is discovered and brings much unwanted attention to their unassuming family. Into this media circus strides Dr. Letita Hellion, sophisticated and smartly dressed. She swoops in with her formidable entourage to whisk Piper away to a secret “school” far below the surface of the earth where exceptional children learn to “fit in.” The school is called I.N.S.A.N.E.: Institute of Normalcy, Stability, and NonExceptionality (OBOBers – this acronym is sure to be a question!). Will Piper be sucked in by Dr. Hellion’s subtle manipulations? How will Piper be true to herself in the midst of a school dedicated to the opposite? Suspend your disbelief and jump on the wild, crazy ride of this book!

The details: 329 pp. 2008   Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? Readers grades 6 and up looking for a riveting 1st person narration by an underdog soccer player who has to navigate around a football-playing brother who is a terrible bully, clueless parents, and his new home in a problem-plagued subdivision in Florida.

Why? Paul’s family has just moved to a ritzy subdivision near Tangerine, Florida, and he is not happy when his mom points out his vision problem to the guidance counselor at his new middle school, getting him an IEP. Paul’s vision, with the help of strong glasses, is fine, but the origin of his eye problem hangs like a shadow over his life. This shadow is in the background most of the time because Paul’s life is full of a ton of other problems. He has an older brother who is an obnoxious bully but whose skill as a kicker in football makes him their father’s favorite. Paul excels as a soccer goalie but gets scant attention for it. As Paul struggles to find his place in his new school, their upscale subdivision is plagued by muck fires, smoke, lightning storms, termites, and a sinkhole. The latter turns out to be an opportunity for Paul, but of course this opportunity leads to more problems. Paul’s voice as the narrator works very well in this book, unifying the various plotlines and themes and giving meaning to the relentless challenges of his life. Without Paul’s voice, the story would implode on its disasters. His perspective and transformation elevate the story, making it more than the sum of its parts.

The details: 312 pp. 2006  Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? People grades 5 through 8 who like first-person narrative thrillers. If you liked Stolen Children from last year’s OBOB books, chances are good that you’ll like Three Days.

Why? Jackie, 11 years old, has been enjoying being in Italy with her father during his business trip. It’s her first experience in Italy and she doesn’t know the language, so she depends on her father for everything. As they drive back to their hotel after a delicious dinner in Rome, tragedy strikes. Her father collapses and dies after slowing the car to a safe stop by the road. Alone in the darkness of a country road in a strange country and stricken with grief, Jackie tries to stay logical about what to do. When two men stop to help her, she is relieved and climbs into their car. Will they get help for her dad and help her get home to her mother, or do they have another agenda? Through Jackie’s eyes, the reader finds out what happens to her as well as what she thinks and feels as it happens. Her narration about the characters and their complex emotions and intentions makes this book a riveting thriller.

The details: 151 pp. 2001  Review by Samrarian

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