“Mockingbird” by Kathryn Erskine

This 2010 National Book winner is a fast read that echoes “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” to such a degree that it is difficult to avoid comparisons. Similar to the Haddon book, “Mockingbird” is a fiction novel narrated in the first person by a young girl with Asperger’s. The loss this time, however, is more profound and the emotional ups and downs within the story left me grabbing for hankies. It is not a dark book. Rather, it is a “laugh/cry” book where the unique observations of the main character make you giggle one minute, then go “ohhh” the next. In the afterward, the author explains that she was profoundly saddened by the VA Tech shootings. That event, and her challenges as the parent of a child with Asperger’s, led to this little gem of a novel. The resolution in the book is somewhat transparent and I knew by chapter 2 how it would end, but I was still swept away by the engaging narrative and delightful characters. This is not a plot-driven story, it is a tale of an internal journey – made even more obvious in the way dialog is represented, in italics rather than quotes. The text that matters the most is what goes on in the young girl’s head as she tries to make sense of that which none of us can make sense of. I deeply loved this book and immediately recommended it to others as soon as I had finished it. Grab it before the next round of awards on January 10^th. I strongly suspect we will see this one get a few more accolades.

“Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay” by Suzanne Collins

Whew. Blew through the second and third books in the “Hunger Games” series as quickly as possible. Became somewhat irate when I had to stop for -- you know -- work, or food or sleep. If nothing else, these books are incredible page turners. After finishing them, however, I had to pause before writing a review as the emotional toll was…um…high. As sequels, they are excellent. “Catching Fire,” in fact, became my favorite in the series. In the first book, you work to understand this world. In the third book, there is inevitable loss and sadness. In the second book we get to really see these characters as people and there is still hope. Many of my students have said that they do not like the concluding book, “Mockingjay.” The storyline and writing do not degrade in any way in this last book. I would say it is the way things end which causes the negative reaction by many of the younger readers. If “Hunger Games” was an arch look at the underlying violence of our world and “Catching Fire” is about a growing revolution, then “Mockingjay” is the very likely outcome. The body count, which has never been particularly light in these books, ramps up considerably, with some of the losses beyond bearing for both characters and readers alike. After a Harry Potter-like climactic end, one craves a happy ending. And the ending is not sad, but it’s not exactly uplifting, either. Unlike Harry Potter, these books have underpinnings in our modern world and Ms. Collins is focused on how our world dehumanizes us. The young people at the heart of the story cannot help but be damaged by the events that occur and expectations of a rosy outcome, while wished for, would not fit these otherwise dark tales. The books are sometimes predictable, which left me shell-shocked (literally) when things took a turn I *didn’t* expect. They are powerful without being epic, well-written without being overly literary, and a true clarion call to look at the elements of our society that shatter our humanity. Everything from the pablum of the media to the dark lashes of destruction from war are targets. Ms. Collins mentions her father’s study of war and peace and her mother’s love of Greek history in her acknowledgements, but in an interview, she talked of the impact of the ongoing middle east wars as evidence that we still have far to go. You only have to look at Iran’s proposal to televise the stoning death of an adultress to realize these books are not to be dismissed as “far-out fantasy.” Given their rampant popularity right now, they are absolute must-reads, but given the subject matter, a “fun book” might make for a good palate cleanser afterwards.

“Impossible” by Nancy Werlin

I’ve been waiting to read this National Book Award Finalist title for years. I heard the author speak about it just before it was published, and I was intrigued. A modern fairy-tale taken from Scarborough Fair. Long before Simon and Garfunkel got hold of it, Scarborough Fair was a medieval poem. One with darker implications. One that told of a love unfulfilled and the spurned lover who took a terrible revenge. Enter Lucy, a contemporary teen who knows nothing of magic and evil, but is inexorably walking a path not of her own making. Grounded in solid reality, the mystical elements of the story are easily acceptable to those who enjoy a good fantasy. A strong romance element would also be hard to swallow if not for the excellent writing and compelling voices of the characters. To be honest, I raced through this novel, frustrated when I had to put it down, because I simply had to know what happened next. Unreal as it may be, I’m a big old softie who really wants everything to work out in the end. In an attempt to avoid spoilers, I will simply say I was very impressed with this book and purchased a gift copy for a relative right after finishing it. A great story to curl up with on a gray winter day. Feel free to be transported … and, to learn the secrets that may help you break an ancient curse.

“Refresh Refresh” by Danica Novgorodoff, Benjamin Percy and James Ponsoldt

“Refresh Refresh” is another distinctly mature graphic novel by the edgy First Second Press. It tells the story of three young men awaiting their fathers’ return from the Iraq & Afghanistan wars. The teen boys live in a town where everyone knows someone in the military, and while that should be comforting, the reality in this book is just the opposite. The bullying between the teens is brutal. Even friends engage in daily slugfests – presumably to blow off steam. Like many graphic novels, I felt like the characters weren’t as fully developed as they should have been and the lack of a moral compass for the young men is typical in these kinds of stories, which have a flat, negative impact on me. That being said, the “elements” of living with a parent serving overseas are clear and well-done. The conflicting emotions, the sense of loss, the feeling of being unmoored ... all ring true. The violence, language and adult scenarios are realistic, I think, for kids who feel abandoned by parents. The “Refresh Refresh” title emphasizes their conflict – no matter what they say and how they act, the truth is that their world lives and dies during those few moments each night when they check their email, hoping more than anything for a brief word or two. The events at the end of the book are hugely unrealistic and left me with a sense of cop-out. The great redeemer in the climax is the artwork, which takes a dramatic turn and feels more compelling than the actual story. High School readers will find empathy here for the realities of military families during war-time, and fans of “Fight Club” will be suitably entertained.

“Redwoods” by Jason Chin

This was a book I kept coming across on recommended lists but dismissed several times because it was obviously a picture book. But I kept seeing it listed, over and over, as a “must buy.” So I bought it. Beautiful and breathtaking, it provides voluminous information on redwood trees – more than I knew, and I know a lot. In the story, a young boy riding the NYC subway discovers a book on redwoods. As he reads it, he is transported. The slow growth of the redwood forest around him is clever, and the awe the child finds in this new world seemed to translate off the page to me, as a reader. Having felt swept up in the otherworldly nature of an actual redwood forest, I sensed the same overwhelming wonder in reading the book as I did standing in Muir Woods. My only two complaints are minor and nit-picky. The boy’s face is not drawn consistently from frame to frame, his expressions tend to give him drastically different features at times; and the fauna described are not listed with nametags, so guessing which is which becomes an issue. As I said, small concerns with an otherwise lovely book. A good pick for the whole family.

“The Luck of the Loch Ness Monster: A Tale of Picky Eating” by A.W. Flaherty, illustrated by Scott Magoon

An absolutely charming little picture book that provides a version of the Loch Ness story you may not have heard of. Young Katerina-Elizabeth takes a cruise to see Grandma (circa early 1900s) and doesn’t like the oatmeal served to her for breakfast each morning. Along the way to Scotland, she makes a friend. The book will engage both children and adults with the subtle humor and detailed drawings reminiscent of the “Madeleine” books. The simple, to-the-point text can easily be understood by the very young and the author adds an interesting epilogue regarding the “science” of picky eaters which will have every reader looking for food coloring and reinforcing rings for three-holed paper. I’d recommend this one as a great holiday pick for the whole family.

“A.D. New Orleans After the Deluge” by Josh Neufeld

For intent and concept, I give this an “A”. For execution, a “C”. “A.D.” is a story of Katrina as told through the eyes of five individuals/couples/families who experienced it. As a concept, it’s smart. We see this huge and horrific event from different perspectives – rich and poor, black and white. Since this was a disaster that highlighted those on the margin, I found it interesting to read about the spectrum of impacts. The weaker elements of the book, however, frustrated me. The color choices in this graphic novel are sometimes poor. For the opening bird’s eye view of the city (clever idea), the roads are indistinguishable from the water. I believe a clear delineation would have made more impact on readers who don’t understand the presence of water around New Orleans. The interwoven stories often start and stop abruptly, meaning that I had to re-read some panels to keep track of where things were heading. My biggest complaint was that the factual information is simply wrong. Misrepresenting the number of lives lost, for instance, is not acceptable five years after the tragedy. The timelines are also somewhat off, as the levy break that caused the flooding happened after the actual storm (compared to the story in the book, which seems to indicate the flood taking place at the height of the storm). Here’s the thing – this book takes the events “as told” by those it affected. It’s pretty much understood that those who live through a traumatic event remember it through the filter of powerful emotions. Which means that the feelings of the event are clear, even intensify over time, but the details … not so much. The strength of the book is the emotional tone. The image of the storm like a mushroom cloud over the Superdome is not so much fact as the “sense” of the event. Especially well-done is the story of the comic book writer who mentally pictures his lost belongings swirling around like waves of depression. The water metaphor alone is layered and powerful. Illustrated by Neufeld (a favorite of Harvey Pekar), the facial expressions are perfect and the backgrounds adequate. Based on a webzine, this book is definitely not for younger teens, as the language is clearly aimed at adults. If you want to get a number of perspectives on this event, read the book. If you are looking for something more meaty, try one of the excellent documentaries on the topic.

“Nation” by Terry Pratchett

From Chapter One: “Light died in the west. Night and tears took the Nation. The star of Water drifted among the clouds like a murderer softly leaving the scene of the crime.”

Mix “Swiss Family Robinson” with the Michael Dorris book “Sees Behind Trees” and you have Terry Pratchett’s award-winning book “Nation.” It *could* be Historical Fiction – it’s not, but that’s fairly immaterial. In a departure for the hard-core fantasy writer of the Discworld series, this book is set in the islands of a mythical Pacific around 1900. A natural disaster lands two young teens from different worlds together as they try to rebuild a community. The point of view between them flows freely from sentence to sentence. Leave it to Pratchett not to adhere to the current style of flipping voice-over from one chapter to the next. The large book (which I whipped through … of course) is the story of the ties that bind – to people, objects and gods. Like all Pratchett books, there are questions about religion, faith and belief, and death is personified. The dry, subtle wit, which takes a few gentle shots at British aristocracy is a hallmark of a gifted writer who is smart and clever and makes you think. Terry Pratchett is, without doubt, one of my most favorite authors. I kept this book for the end of my summer reading because I knew it would be like a delightful dessert – and it was. Terry Pratchett is also suffering from early-onset Alzheimers. Read his announcement at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1986843/posts. It’s like one of his storylines. Once the struggling little shlub finally makes it, the fickle gods strike him down in a stroke of apathetic irony. Except it isn’t a story, it’s real, and it is hugely sad and unfair. Nation is not Pratchett’s last book but it does feel like it in a way. An adorable epilogue not only wraps up things as they should (instead of how I wish it…) but seems to be a letter to his faithful fans to keep on dreaming. It was incredibly touching. For those who love his work or those who have never experienced it, read this novel before the fire goes out.

“Sabriel” by Garth Nix

Finally, I get to read a popular fantasy novel which came out in … 1995. Boy, am I behind! Sabriel is your typical fantasy, but very well written. Given the range of genres I encountered this summer it was great to return to my “home-base” as it were. All the elements are here: A birth of the chosen one laced with omens, a young girl called before her time, a journey into darkness and magic that is overpowering. Add in a handsome enchanted guy and a mysterious cat and you have the de rigueur fantasy novel (complete with map of the enchanted kingdom and an epic final battle). When written poorly, this style can be trite and plodding. Australian author Garth Nix, however, is a wordsmith, and his rich (at times overwhelming) text smoothly glides you to the building crescendo of good facing off against evil. The general tone of the book is not light. The “Abhorsens” are masters of death. I not only liked the book and look forward to (someday) reading the sequels, but felt a certain kinship – as if I were discovering Ursula K. LeGuin’s “Farthest Shore” trilogy all over again. There are many parallels to that series, but this feels more like an homage than a rip-off. This e-book, like many, includes an “extra” essay by the author on his writing process. In any case, if you are purist who likes a solid fantasy, this is definitely your cup of tea.

“Maximum Ride: The Angel Experience” by James Patterson

While this was good, I guess I expected it to be better. With the huge popularity the series has, I was a tad underwhelmed. Part of it was that the tale is hugely derivative. I guess it proves the old adage that there are no new stories, just new ways of telling them. The voice of Max is engaging, sardonic, and surprisingly real. Which is what saves the book, in my opinion. My problem with the book has to do with the similarity it has to the “Dark Angel” TV series, which pre-dated it by almost seven years. Take this description for instance: Named Max, she was a tough teenage girl with long brown hair. She was a mutant, created for unknown reasons by a secret organization that raised children in antiseptic, clinical settings. She knows how to kick butt, and works hard to keep her “family” of mutant kids together after they escape the facility. Secretly, they dream of a place called home, where parents love them and no one chases them down to put them in cages. This could be the description for this book but it is almost the verbatim description of the TV show. There are differences – Max from Dark Angel has feline DNA, in this story, Max has avian DNA. The parallels, however, are striking – right down the father-figure who may or may not be evil and a mysterious prediction that “Max” (in both series) will save the world. With imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, the “borrowing” continues with scenes that reminded me of X-Men and the 1980s TV show, “Beauty and the Beast.” The book itself moves quickly, with short chapters careening through a never-ending chase. The violence is frequent and detailed. I would not recommend this for sensitive readers. One final complaint – most of the chapters are told in first-person narrative from the point-of-view of Max. When she cannot be present, the story switches to third-party narrative, except in two small chapters with a character named “Angel.” The inconsistency is a little jarring. Other than “all that”, the characters are interesting and the cliff-hanger ending does make me want to continue reading. That is a good thing. As the crew goes after the mysterious compound in book two (a major plot-line at the end of season one of Dark Angel) I hope I can see something original emerging.

“The Wanderer” by Sharon Creech

Love Sharon Creech. As an author, she does something amazing. She manages to write simple tales which attract a broad range of readers. The heavily awarded “The Wanderer” is no exception, and many students have told me how much they enjoyed it. Like her other books, the prose is clean and yet lyrical. The themes are familiar – lost kids trying to connect to parents who are either physically or emotionally absent; a physical journey that represents an emotional one; and a serious twist or two. This book focuses on the cross-Atlantic sea journey of young Sophie, the only girl among a handful of male relatives, going on the trip of a lifetime. There are enough details to understand the workings of the boat without bogging down the story, but the best part of it, for me, was the flip-flop of perspectives between Sophie and her cousin Cody. Both are writing journals of their trip and the chapters go from one journal to the other, often detailing the same events. There is deep humor here seeing a pre-teen girl and a disaffected teen boy describe how things are unfolding. There are also gentle lessons. The book is an extremely smooth read that flew by. The pen & ink drawings that begin each chapter help set a tone for the artistic complexity within the plotline. A definite must-read, particularly if you have never enjoyed one of Ms. Creech’s books.

“Coraline” by Neil Gaiman

Well, it’s about time. I’m one of those people who won’t see the movie if I haven’t read the book so I totally missed the Coraline film when it was in theatres. Not to mention, I’ve recommended this book countless times to students and had never read it for myself (yes, librarians do that). Unlike the Bosch book, this one had definite advantages being read as an eBook. Like a DVD, there were “extras,” including an interview with Neil Gaiman and an essay on how/why he wrote the book. This is his favorite book, he says (of course that was before he wrote “The Graveyard Book,” which is my favorite). Long story short, I loved it. I love his bizzaro twists and perverse ways of looking at things. Coraline’s journey into another world/family is absolutely macabre. Gaiman mentioned that adults seem terrified of the book, while kids see it as an adventure. On this point, I agree. The tale was a visceral nightmare and while I could see the bolder child finding fun (not to mention understanding) in Coraline’s story, the button-eyes alone are enough to give me shivers. Gaiman also says it’s the quirkiest thing he has ever written. Here, I don’t know what to say. Between the graphic novels portraying midnight circuses with phantasmagoria to “Wolves in the Walls,” a nice horror-story picture book for little kids (!), he’s a pretty strange fellow. And I like strange. Is this short little book enough to give me nightmares? Maybe, but at least now I’ll be able to rent the DVD.

“Rumors”, “Envy” and “Splendor” by Anna Godbersen

Disclaimer: I don’t generally like romance novels, but the fluffy fun in the first book in this series made me want to keep reading. I thought it was a trilogy – turned out to be four books! They say that sequels generally don’t live up to the original. I tend to agree, but the second book in this series seems to be an exception. These gilded-age romance books akin to a 19th century Gossip Girls continue with the same back and forth point-of-views and detailed setting descriptions that made the first one a decent read. It would be easy to dismiss these characters as self-involved spoiled society types with the nastiness of your average teen series on the CW. They mistake lust for love and fall so instantly in passion (and bed) that one can’t help feel they are more fantasy than substance. And yet. The historical setting helps support the need for clandestine hook-ups due to the constraints of the period. The rich text (Godbersen uses enough high-falutin’ words that I had to look up more than a dozen of them) gives you a real feel of “being there.” Rumors picks up nearly to the day that Luxe ends and maintains a strong and steady pace that makes you want to turn the page (or, in this case, hit the forward button). It’s not short, but I had to read it in a sitting just to see what happened next. Since each chapter takes on the story-line from the point of view of a different character, the anticipation is as torturous as a soap opera. Sadly, the second book took an unhappy turn near the end. I know, I know, it is de rigueur in romance to throw in something tragic, but as mentioned, I’m not a huge fan of that style. This kind of tale, I want a happy ending. More Pretty Woman, less Liaisons Dangereuses. The third book, Envy, continues the darker tone. Even though the fourth book, Splendor, doesn’t lose any of the strong style I did get wearied of it. By book four, I was kind of “let’s get this done.” Familiarity breeds contempt – there was one plot twist too many and I finally got sick of the dress descriptions. At one point, a conversation ended and wasn’t picked up until four chapters later. I kind of had enough. The final book ends as it should, if not as I had wished. With the myriad cast of characters there are many morals to be had, including “just desserts.” The one theme that surprised me was representative of the times. Godbersen is a very thoughtful writer. These books span from 1899 to 1900. Queen Victoria, who typified the model of a graceful, womanly ideal, passed away in January of 1901. The year 1900 wasn’t just the beginning of a new century, it was the end of an age and the birth of “Le Moderne.” The true moral of the book lies with one of our heroines, who has to decide whether true love conquers all or whether she should walk away from the one she loves rather than lose herself in saving him. For those who like a colorful and juicy tale replete with lots of sex set in a semi-mythical past, go for it. The ladies of this series would.

“The Book Is Not Good For You” by Pseudonymous Bosch

Once again, I managed to select a book to read that was in a series – and not the first book. Not sure how I keep doing that. This is actually the third book in the “Secret” series (out of five). Maybe it was the chocolate. This particular book’s mystery is about chocolate, and since I had just hit the Godiva summer sale, it was probably fate. Catching up had its challenges. Added to that is the author’s quirky, staccato style. He (she? it?) addresses the readers with asides and snarky comments, mixes up the chapters and has one chapter where only a few letters are visible (it’s called the “Invisible Chapter”). Clearly aimed at high elementary/low middle school, it was a fun read with lots of laugh-out-loud moments. Despite the amusements, the age of the kids and the short length, I would say that some maturity among the readers is necessary to fully appreciate the irony/sarcasm and follow the twisting tale. It makes “Westing Game”, a perpetual favorite, look virtually linear. In any case, the tweens depicted will appeal. They are rounded, real and likeable. Given that most of the bad guys come off as melodrama villains, big kudos to Mr. Bosch for avoiding any and all stereotypes with the kids. No big. The book was a great summer read. This was, however, the first book where the limits of reading it on my laptop (as opposed to an eReader) were apparent. The amusing images drawn for each chapter were cut off at the bottom and links to the glossary meant a frantic scroll back and forth to try and find the originating page. I ended up skipping the footnotes and saved the glossary and appendix items to read after finishing the story. And yes, they are both fun and informative as well. So, grab some cacao and settle in with Cass, Max-Ernest and Yo-Yoji as they travel to Africa. Or Costa Rica. Or not. It’s a secret.

“Wintergirls” by Laurie Halse Anderson

In the sparse, lyric style typical of her books, Laurie Anderson takes on the issue of anorexia. The result is a stunning page-turner that ranks up there with the best of her writing. Told in first person narrative, this fairly brutal story echoes the emotional tone in the Gail Giles book, “What Happened to Cass McBride?” It begins with death and spirals quickly towards the abyss. Characters are drawn very human and unapologetically. Storylines are wrapped up with realism, not idealism. Ms. Anderson, like Jodi Picoult, does serious research for her books and it shows. The voice in this novel rings so real you find yourself stopping to wonder if this isn’t someone she knows (it’s not). For me, the book hit home a little too well. While I love her books, this one was almost painful to read – I found myself aching to reach through the pages and “make it better.” It’s hard not to connect, the text is so visceral: “The snow drifts into our zombie mouths crawling with grease and curses and tobacco flakes and cavities and boyfriend/girlfriend juice, the stain of lies. For one moment we are not failed tests and broken condoms and cheating on essays; we are crayons and lunch boxes and swinging so high our sneakers punch holes in the clouds.” Needless to say, this is yet another story for high schoolers that might be picked up by middle school students. Just let them know the material is fairly uncensored. It’s not a short read, but try to make time to read it in one sitting. I had to break it into three chunks to get through and the frustration level of having to stop was high. On the other hand, I was so disturbed by the story I had to watch romantic comedies for days afterwards. Be forewarned. But enjoy! For good reason, this one has seen a lot of traffic in the library.

“The Death-Defying Pepper Roux” by Geraldine McCaughrean

I really loved this book, and read it (electronically) straight through from the first to last chapter. It was a “notable” book from this year’s TAB selection. I hadn’t realized, when I chose it, that it came from the same author as the Printz Winner, “The White Darkness.” I’m glad I didn’t remember the connection. “White Darkness” was 50/50 in my mind, while this brief novel sparkled. Pepper Roux is a young man in (late 1800s???) France who is slated to die age the age of 14 – a fate foretold by his aunt, who has a pipeline to the holy saints. He awakes on his 14th birthday full of dread and, because of the inevitability of this dire prediction, embarks on a number of amazing adventures. The book has a quirky, subtle humor infused with plenty of satire, irony and a dash of fantasy. The text is rich and paints an emotive tone. Not unlike the movie “Chocolat” this is a tale from another time and place that isn’t necessarily grounded in reality. But then, there is Colton Harris-Moore. Harris-Moore is the 19 year-old barefoot bandit recently caught in the Caribbean after stealing planes and boats. The reality of his implausible exploits makes this story slightly, ever-so-slightly, more believable. The lead character in the book, Pepper Roux, grows on you like an abandoned puppy and the characters he comes across are both fun and unique. Make no mistake, there are good guys and bad guys and little in-between, but at least one character, Duchesse, has a twist you might not expect. The morals of the tale are as subtle as the inferred jokes and my only sadness is that the middle schoolers the book is aimed at won’t necessarily get it. Steeped in Catholicism with an extremely foreign feel, the story is metaphorical and filled with phrases and high vocabulary that even I didn’t fully understand. My guess is that this is the type of book that will only move for dedicated readers in 9th or 10th grades??? Similar to the Montmorency series, it could catch on if marketed. At the very least, it’s a rare teen book that boys should enjoy. I’m putting it in that category of “quiet greats” like the Patrice Kindl tales. Something secret to enjoy.

“The Short Bus: A Journey Beyond Normal” by Jonathan Mooney

On the surface, Mooney’s “Short Bus” is a travelogue. Diagnosed with ADD in his youth and stigmatized by the trappings of Special Education (most notably, the short bus), he became determined to prove the nay-sayers wrong in their belief that his condition limited his possibilities in life. Graduating from Brown, he began a series of lectures around the country about the negative impact of labeling kids “learning disabled.” He received many letters and emails from those who had heard of him and he decided to refurbish a short bus and go around the country to visit them. This book is (sort-of) a compilation of his travels and those visits.

Lest you should think that this is just about ADD/LD, Jonathan visits people with ADD/ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, those who are gay and transgendered, a blind/deaf girl and a man with Asberger’s. As it turns out, the point is not the label but the feelings people associate with the label. Mr. Mooney makes it clear that he felt like a freak. He desperately seeks out other freaks either for a sense of belonging or to understand the elusive nature of normalcy. This is the real point of the book – Jonathan Mooney’s internal quest. He wants so badly to belong to an ideal of “regular.” From the perspective of someone who is out of their twenties, I found the ending predictable.

Strengths of the book have to do with Mr. Mooney’s stunning prose – his descriptions of settings not only allow the reader to “see” a place physically and emotionally, but it makes you want to go there. Even the drunken orgy of Nevada’s “Burning Man” takes on a fascinating hue here. The book is extremely wide-ranging (as is the travel of the bus, which follows no logical route) and while interesting, there are gaps. There is a rambling, jumbled quality to it that doesn’t make for a page turner. This, combined with a seemingly heavy-handed editor, makes the book feel like it doesn’t have flow. A great read if you want to sit down and digest a chapter here and there (as I did), but not one you can shoot through. Just as well. Jonathan’s observations of the world around him (and they are his version of things) are intriguing and take time to process.

Definitely a good pick for our school book-club, and a bravo to Mr. Mooney for daring to seek answers outside of his comfort zone. A great lesson for all.

"Here Lies the Librarian" by Richard Peck

I've never read the prequel to this book, "A Teacher's Funeral," but had assumptions about it based on the humorous cover and general reviews. So, when I had a free moment I picked it up. And was surprised. Not in a good or bad way, just surprised. At 141 pages, it's a short little thing and the overall look is clearly middle school. The story, of a tomboy who works on cars but discovers another path in life, was definitely middle school focused. I guess what surprised me was the complex storytelling. Vocabulary and historical references (the book is set in 1914) are specific, and far above the heads of most teen readers, I would think (heck, I didn't even understand some of them). The book is humorous, my favorite line being "Well, we read very little, but we don't mind if others does. We're Methodist." I just have no idea who it would appeal to. There are extreme details of cars of the period but little action, so I don't see guy appeal. Lots of discussion of clothing as well, but almost too much? The period was set well in the first chapters, I do feel it was belabored after that. Peck writes like Twain, his vernacular is right on point. But I would think that is likely to distance a contemporary reader who knows nothing of the era. All in all, it was cute and had moments, but it wasn't a page-turner and I see it as a niche book -- one that will just have to find the right person to truly appreciate it.

"Boudica: The Life of Britain’s Legendary Warrior Queen" by Vanessa Collingridge

For a biography called “Boudica: The Life of Britain’s Legendary Warrior Queen”, this book doesn’t have much of actual Boudica in it. Taking me nearly nine months to read (like Zadie Smith’s “White Teeth”) this isn’t so much an exploration of the mysterious woman shrouded in history as it is an epic historical novel that covers: The history of the Roman Empire, the role of coins in solving archeological mysteries, gender reinvisioning in the face of time, the national identity of the British Empire, etc etc etc. It’s just a lot – about some fairly interesting facts and a whole lot of theory and more than a little dash of opinion. I certainly learned a lot, and have been talking about what I learned, but it wasn’t particularly – fun. It’s not a page turner, what with the various meanderings of the author to, well, pretty much anywhere she happens to wander. She starts at the dawn of humankind, and just when you think you are getting somewhere (Yay! 46 AD!) she jumps back to 250 BC to “clarify” something. Around page 150, I was wondering if we would ever get to 60 AD, the beginning of the Boudican revolt, and was thrilled when it finally arrived. Boudica, the heroine (or villain) of the piece, actually only exists from pages 169 to 244 of this 378 page tome. After we get to the meat of her life, Ms. Collingridge skips gamely on for another 140 pages or so to explore what Boudica “means” through the ensuing 2,000 years. There are the inevitable discussions of the Elizabethan Age, the Cromwell years, the Victorian age – right up to Margaret Thatcher, HRH Diana and Condoleeza Rice. Not saying there isn’t a point, just that there are, perhaps, too many. It’s almost as if this had been a serialized set of feminist essays instead of a book. The biography is also veddy, veddy, “British.” In the sense that if you like droll stories of 18^th century poets making up populist works for entertainment, then this is for you. The author also loves to describe the interviews she conducted for the book – in extreme detail. Maybe it’s a British thing. I’m also not a fan of Dickens (three pages to describe the pen a character used at his first job is pretty much when I bailed – God strike me down). Booklist called it “absorbing,” I call it mind-numbing. Not bad if you can take it in small doses, but this one ain’t exactly a beach read. Rumor has it Hollywood is on to this one. I think next time I’ll wait for the movie.

“Firebirds Rising: An Anthology of Original Science Fiction and Fantasy”, Sharyn November, editor

This collection was deeply emotional for me on a personal level, both old and new. On one hand, it brought me back (way back) to the time when I first discovered Science Fiction/Fantasy. Science Fiction began as a short-story medium, and excels in that style. I first discovered Sci-fi in collections of stories bound together in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Each tale would take me to a new world, a new experience. In 10 or so pages I would feel transported. The drive-by method of storytelling is quite effective … it challenges you to take the rather large leap to other realities and to think hard about improbable occurrences that exist in the edges of our world. This anthology, one of three by Firebird publishing, lives up to expectations. Mixing well-known authors like Alan Dean Foster with relative unknown writers like Emma Bull creates a rich tapestry of strong voices that tell a range of tales. The authors come from four different English-speaking nations: the UK, Canada, the US & Australia. Each story is followed by a brief biography of the author (and the obligatory website) as well as their “impetus” for writing the story, a fascinating insight that enriches the text. The sixteen stories go from contemporary New York city to the colonization of new worlds with green skies, from G-Rated innocence to some seriously PG-13 language and themes. Some authors, such as Tamora Pierce, explore new territory (but still maintains her strong female themes) while others, such as Nina Hoffman, add dimension to settings and characters present in other novels. The themes are divergent with a small number of connecting threads – most of the protagonists are teenage females with avian and fire imagery woven through. Without doubt, the story that impressed me the most was Emma Klages’ “In the House of the Seven Librarians” which honestly made me cry. Ms. Klages harkens back to the time when libraries were wooden and musty and a bit magical. The library jokes are plentiful throughout and overall, I felt a tremendous “sturm und drang” in reading it. A joy at the memories, a sadness at a kind of necessary loss as the world marches forward. Which leads me to the ultimate irony – this was the first book I ever read as an “eBook”. To read about the loss of a “real” library on a computer was … well ... odd. As to the eBook experience, I’m not sure how I feel about it. On the plus side, there is the convenience of uploading a book from home (say, during a blizzard when the roads are impassible), and the joy of no overdues (the book simply disappears from your device when the 21 days are up), on the other hand, there was some eye-strain (this tome is over 500 pages and I spend an awful lot of my “other life” staring at computer screens) and a strange sense of distractibility – I couldn’t “sink into” the book as I usually do. It’s all a bit of a mystery as to whether I can find the love in this new medium, but I do believe the written word still has power, regardless of where you read it. Reading this book was an interesting experience – both in content and in presentation. Things change … and I’m always up for a new adventure, even if I don’t always embrace the new experiences it brings.

“The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins

FINALLY, a snowstorm (or two, or three) brings me a chance to read this year’s hottest book (it’s this year’s “Percy Jackson”, which was last year’s “Twilight”, etc). It's easy to see the attraction. A long book (at 374 pages), I sped through it. How could you not? The adventure element is the strongest I have seen in a long time. Much like the television show “24” or the twists and turns of Dan Brown’s “Da Vinci Code”, you simply have to turn the page in order to see what happens next. Set in post-apocalyptic America, an autocratic government has set up an homage to the Roman games. Using the young as symbols of their control, they create a reality TV show each year that pits 24 teens against one another in a death match. If it seems extreme, it is – but Ms. Collins is making a point here, and making it well. She deftly weaves the elements together in a complex pattern, taking a solid swipe at modern-day America and our willingness to leave governmental powers running amok so long as we can find our entertainment at the expense of others. It is both perverse and insidiously substantive. Using teens as the proverbial sacrificial lambs is also perfect – most young adult readers will readily connect with the sense of being thrown into a terrifying arena (the real world) and will easily see themselves and those they know in the varied social types presented. The story is not over-written but the details are excellent … every scene has just enough strokes to make it “pop” with meaning and narrative build. The voice is accessible, but nothing is simple. Katniss, the lead character, is a layered young tomboy with shifting emotions. In true bildungsroman fashion, she doesn’t know much of the world and certainly doesn’t know what to think of it as the wider view is presented to her. Suzanne Collins allows her heroine to take the emotional journey, but doesn’t resolve it, nor pass judgment on it. For this, I eternally thank the author. It is realistic writing like this which makes a clearly sci-fi novel more of an everyman tale. Obviously set-up for a sequel, I greatly look forward to reading “Catching Fire”, although, if it is anything like this book, it will be months before I can find it on a shelf. Well, I just signed up for eBooks … maybe I’ll try it that way. This is a book that stays with you, that you think about after having read it. Needless to say, I want to know what happens next.

“Claudette Colvin: Twice Towards Justice” by Phillip Hoose

In addition to winning the National Book Award, this nonfiction title has picked up pretty much every award out there. The story of the 15 year-old girl who really started the Montgomery Bus boycott, it is an important book to share. We all know Rosa Parks and Brown v. Board of Education, how is it we don’t know of Claudette Colvin and Browder v. Gayle? The answer to the first part is that Claudette may have gone before Mrs. Parks, but she wasn’t the poster-girl the civil rights leaders were looking for. The answer to the second is less clear … Browder v. Gayle was the case that ended the boycott by striking down Plessy v. Ferguson not only in the schools, but in public venues like mass transit. Like Brown v. Board of Education, the Browder decision was ignored by the city heads until they received an express letter from Washington making it clear they were to abide by the ruling. The book is excellent in the historical data that is mined and presented – images of all sorts are attractively arranged on the pages. After the opening section, Mr. Hoose manages to avoid my pet-peeve with such works – opinionated preachiness. I maintain that if the story is compelling enough, you don’t need to inject the author’s viewpoint. The story is compelling and told in a direct, clear manner. Voices of those who were there infuse the events, making the reader feel as if they are part of this history. Mr. Hoose did his research well and is deserved for the praise that has been heaped upon him – but he keeps his perspective. When accepting the National Book Award he brought Ms. Colvin onstage with him. Rosa Parks may have been put forward as the shining beacon for a movement, but Claudette Colvin reminds us that those who speak up and speak out for human rights are not always championed. It’s a good lesson for all – that often, those who do the right thing face hardships.

“Stitches” by David Small

This 2009 award-winner is a striking book. A graphic novel memoir, Mr. Small tells the story of his childhood – a troubling time with an emotionally distant father, an angry mother and an undiagnosed health issue that put his life at risk. The artwork is both simple and complex – pen and ink drawings with a gray overwash sets the tone, while the detailed artwork does an excellent job of conveying emotional depths. Tears turn into curtains, rain, and move laterally to become the stairs in Small’s home. The shock of his situation creates faces within faces – the layered meanings all too clear. Mr. Small has a storied career full of notable work. He has created material for everything from The New Yorker magazine to the 2001 Caldecott Medal book, “So You Want to Be President?” but this book is, perhaps, his most impressive. The honesty with which he portrays his childhood is both touching and enlightening. He ends the book with a very specific note of determination and hope, and follows with a succinct epilogue which gives an adult perspective to it all. Quite good and should be a hit with those more mature graphic novel readers who are ready for something to complement the Harvey Pekar works.

"Going Bovine" by Libba Bray

“A Wrinkle in Time” meets a marijuana-infused “Wizard of Oz” in this brilliant novel, the 2010 Printz winner by Libba Bray. Ms. Bray offers up a very different tale than her “Sweet Far Thing” series, this one focusing on a contemporary disaffected teen, 16 year-old Cameron Smith. Cameron is metaphorically dying in the conformity of his world, unaware that actual death is likely coming for him. When an unexpected diagnosis sends his brain into overdrive, we travel with Cameron on a life-changing journey. An early discussion of Schrodinger’s cat sets up the reader to understand that this journey may be real and/or may be metaphorical … but that doesn’t necessarily matter, does it? Cameron grows through his experiences, and many (many many many) fun allusions are made along the way (check out the names of the residents of the CESSNAB institute, or pages 216-217 regarding book banning …) Saying that this novel is both deep and clever is an understatement. If not for its significant length (nearly 500 pages) and a certain inevitable sadness, I could re-read it over and over and find something new each time. Ms. Bray’s relatable style continues with characters that are full-fledged and interesting. She somehow manages to put in surprises even when you know where things are going, and the story is a page-turner with a tremendously compelling storyline … I saw much of it playing out in my head like a film. This is definitely a worthy winner of the Printz Medal – and has the kind of mature content that leaves it utterly ignored by the Newbery folks. Their loss. I’ve already seen this book circulate a good bit and I’m not surprised. Once word gets out, I suspect it will not see the shelf much. The great irony is that, like the Newbery winner, this one deals with the “possibilities” of Physics. Which leaves me to wonder, are we a society in need of escape? Alternate realities and futures? The chance to change our fates? There certainly is a theme out there, and it does make you wonder. (PS, read the opening acknowledgements ... hysterical.)

"When You Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead

This year’s Newbery, like many of them, has a true sweetness to it. Easily a 6th grade book (the protagonists are sixth graders), it is a fast and fun read which I was able to get through in an afternoon. With similarities to Ellen Raskin’s “Westing Game”, it is, at its core, an homage to Madeleine L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle in Time”. If you were one of those people who read and adored the L’Engle book as a child, you will love Ms. Stead’s riff on the theme. If not, the book may come of as a “huh?”

Miranda is 12 year-old girl living in New York City in 1979. She goes to school near Times Square and has the typical ups and downs with friends, trying to navigate the changing landscape as boys discover that girls are actually a little different (!) I like the fact that unlike many of the books I have read recently, Miranda actually sounds like a 12 year-old. Her narrative voice speeds through thoughts and observes the world around her with a young girl’s confusion and sardonic humor (and much of my “laugh-out-loud” moments came from her takes on adult behavior). Miranda’s favorite book is “A Wrinkle in Time.” She reads it, and re-reads it, and re-re-reads it – carrying it around with her until the little paperback is near to shredded. While this book has a realistic premise, the denouement definitely harkens back to L’Engle and has a satisfying, if not surprising, twist. The writing is clean and straightforward and Miranda’s journey is engaging and delightfully “normal”. The home situation is not depressing (yay!) and much of it felt like the 70s I grew up in (unlike a previous Newbery winner, “Criss Cross”). Let’s hear it for a Newbery winner that should also have high appeal.

“Graceling” by Kristin Cashore

I am a bit perplexed by my reaction to this book. On one hand, I found it incredibly formulaic. A typical fantasy, there is a map of a mythical land in front and the tale of a “unique princess” who likes sword-fighting in the pages following. There are perilous journeys through forests and seas, the slightest hint of magic/mysticism and a good-looking prince who “irritates” the princess. All of which is pretty standard fare. Added to that a very convenient moment that occurs during one climax and the weighty 471 pages (there are lengthy, Dickensonian descriptions – no one “sits down”, they “sit in the chair next to her and lean sideways”) and you would think my reaction would be “eh”.

In fact, I loved it.

Yes, it is typical fantasy fare, but this is pretty much my favorite genre, so it wasn’t onerous. And no, I’m not a fan of romance, but they manage to keep things at a rough and tumble level (literally) for most of the book with very little “How can I ever be apart from you?” whining most of the time (yes, I did roll my eyes once or twice, but only once or twice). I think it is just fantasy done well. The language is formal enough to make you feel the different time/different place thing without being distanced by it (can I just say how much I hate fantasy books with contemporary language???) The adventure was compelling enough to make me want to turn the page – although the tramping about in the forest got a little old. But it got old for me in the Harry Potter books, too, so no big. The biggest draw was the richness of the characters. Yes, it is tremendously refreshing to return to a self-assured, kick-ass heroine like Katsa after struggling through the wimpy pity-party that is Bella, but she wasn’t the only character drawn in multi-dimensions. Every character, from love interest Po to random sailor, is given a physicality and style. It was easy to connect to people who felt real. The names are also cool – Princess Bitterblue being one of the more fun ones. And it is a deeper, darker book than you might expect for a fluffy fantasy. There is death here, and unnamed but easy-to-guess-at abuse. At least one injury took me by surprise. The sexual aspects of the story are covered with a bit more detail than I expected, although they seem to get fuzzy at exactly the right moments. Perhaps that is the great strength of the book – it has that perfect balance point. It’s not “too much” of anything but just the right amount of most things. In several ways, it echoed McCaffrey’s Pern books, and I kept remembering the thrill I had reading those – the rush as each new one came out. It is a sense of anticipation about a series I haven’t had in a long time. I read this book because the companion novel/prequel, “Fire” is showing up on most of the recommended lists coming out this time of year. I can’t wait to read it.

“Gacha Gacha” Vol. 1 by Hiroyuki Tamakoshi

First and foremost, I must say I am not a fan of Manga. For me, the characters all look alike, the pacing is slower than a bad daytime serial, and I find it really hard to follow the through-line with the backwards paneling. Not that the plots are overly deep – most remind me of skimming across the top of a pond on a still, hot day … no levels to be plumbed at all. Lastly, I’m not wild about the seemingly constant sexualization of women, most coming off barely better than your average Barbie. All that being said, take this review with a grain of salt.

So, why review something I don’t like? Because there was a complaint. Not from our community, mind you, but from someone outside the program, who chose to make their concerns known via a so-called “anonymous” word to TPTB. TPTB decided that, gee whiz, as the librarian, I would know what was best. Thank you.

So, I’ve spent several hours of my vacation time reading over this dreck. By dreck, I don’t mean that this is trash to be thrown out, rather, this is trash one reads when one wants to read trash. The first book of the series sets up the general tone – a teenage boy, Kouhei, is attracted to a girl he has grown up with (Kurara), finding it increasingly difficult to ignore her maturing body and his natural responses. So far, so good. The first chapter came off not unlike any one of the several “American Pie” movies. But then, Kouhei discovers Kurara has a secret! Her behavior has become more and more bizarre and increasingly sexual. She is finally forced to confess that she has developed multiple personalities. One of them, “Arisa” is a slut. How very convenient. Kouhei spends the rest of the book trying to protect his friend from herself and from his (almost impossible to control) urges. The thing plays out not unlike a combination of “The Stepford Wives” and teen boy’s wet dream. Any attempt to assign some greater psychological meaning to the story is a stretch – I mean, you could see this as metaphor for the difficult paths trod by boys and girls as they try to understand the nature of themselves and their sexual roles with one another in the teen years, but my sense is that this is really just all done in fun. By volume #2, we discover that Kurara’s personalities are a result of a video game that her mother developed which accidentally created several artificial intelligences in her daughter. So, you have a lusty teenage boy, a hot girl and a video game gone wrong … needless to say, this has been a popular series. Will I keep it? Yes. If I were to throw out every book that offended my feminist sensibilities (“Twilight”, Piers Anthony, Gossip Girls) then the fiction section wouldn’t have much. I guess the question is, does everything we own have to be an award-winning piece of brilliant literature? Nope. And this one definitely balances the scale in that department. If it offends – well, good. Books should offend, and challenge, and show the diversity of who we, as people, are. And yes, some of that humanity is horny little teens. What a shock. How dare we expose some element of the reality of their lives in the books they read. And for the record, I grew up reading anything (and everything) I wanted. And I became a librarian. There are worse things.

"Al Capone Does My Shirts" by Gennifer Choldenko

Here’s the big secret: Librarians don’t read every book in the collection. With 15,000+ tomes, it is simply not possible. For the most part, we buy (and recommend) based on awards, publishers, authors, reviews. In the case of this book, it had won the very prestigious Newbery Honor, and the author’s previous work was also lauded. Using reviews that extolled the humorous nature of the tale, I recommended it to many as a “funny” book. This is a case where I should have read the book! It is a great story, well-written and accessible. It is not a “downer” as so many teen books are, and it does have some serious laughs (for me, one at the very end). But it is not a “funny” book. It’s a very well-done historical fiction book that has characters which ring true and interesting information I didn’t know.

Moose Flanagan is a twelve year-old boy whose family has moved to Alcatraz in 1935. His father, an electrician, needed work and gets a job at the prison. Moose is not happy about leaving his friends and family and has typical struggles making new friends among the families living on the island. What makes Moose stand out (other than his appropriate name) is his sister Natalie, who has autism at a time before such a condition was able to be diagnosed. Virtually every character (minus a few prerequisite bad guys) is fully developed, and the historical information is woven in so seamlessly that it feels deeply contemporary. The shenanigans of the kids and Moose’s desire to just play baseball among his various responsibilities come off as real. The story was fun (if not “funny”) and enjoyable. I blasted through the book in two hours and would happily recommend it to most readers.

My one complaint, if there is one, is that the character of Moose seemed somewhat older than his years. This could be a function of having to grow up and be the “older sibling” before his time, but the dissonance between his 12 year-old behavior and the internal monologue which drives the book did bother me at times. I don’t see this being an issue for teen readers, but the given age of the lead character could turn off older readers who might otherwise like this book.

There is a succinct epilogue provided by the author to clarify the historical elements of the book and it did a nice job of wrapping up this snap-shot like moment in time.

TAB Reviews!

JR writes:

“The Possibilities of Sainthood” by Donna Freitas – I loved it because it is a real girl speaking to you (at least for me). But I could totally relate to her and what she did.

“What World is Left?” by Monique Polak
It’s very sad but very true. It makes you give thanks for what you have.

“Beware, Princess Elizabeth” by Carolyn Meyer
The best thing about this book was the “epic-ness” and suspense.

“Loving Will Shakespeare” by Carolyn Meyer
The best thing about this book was how it portrayed a simple English girl, also the romance that took place in the book.