"Dreamland" by Sarah Dessen

When it comes to uber-popular authors like Sarah Dessen, I don't always get around to reading their work as quickly as I would like.  I'm a slow reader, and I don't like to take books out of the hands of eager teens if I can avoid it.  So, it was serendipity that I was able to get this title as an eBook from the DC Public library -- for reading on my new iPad, supplied by my employer.  I saw Ms. Dessen at the National Book Festival last year and enjoyed listening to her.  She is a funny, energetic and upbeat presenter, whose overall persona belies her age.  She seemed like a bouncy post-college girl with her short skirt, high heels and big earrings (she is actually in her 40s).  Obviously, her ability to stay in touch with that younger self is a big part of what makes her books so successful.  Students say that her work "speaks to them" and it is easy to see why.  The descriptions are clear -- I could picture every setting, every person, in my mind.  Details like "tinkling silver bracelets" bring important undertones to the story.  The characterizations in "Dreamland" are so realistic that I found myself comparing the characters to people I know, analyzing how the relationships in the book reflect mine, particularly where mothers and daughters are concerned.  Sarah Dessen's bubbly personality may make it easier for her to reach the younger set with her writing, but it's still a mystery as to where she draws such dark tales from.  Dubbed "Jodi Piccoult Jr." for her troubled themes, "Dreamland" was a book that got me in ways I didn't expect.  It starts out as typical teen novel -- there is family upset and resulting stress.  But then it turns.  I just had this knot in my stomach as Caitlin, the teenage girl at the center of the story, makes dramatic changes to her life.  Like many teens, she idealizes situations which I, as an adult, know won't end well, but Ms. Dessen is neither arch nor judgmental.  She stays true to who Caitlin is, and where she is, and lets the story happen.  This, as I have written about so often in the past few months, is good writing.  The author isn't superimposing, she simply draws a strong set of characters and events, then lets the book go to where it needs to go.  Without giving too much away, this is a tale with physical abuse, and Ms. Dessen got every detail right.  I wonder, having read the book, whether/how she did the research to make this story so authentic.  In the end, it isn't the "moral lessons" that come out, as they do in those achingly preachy teen tomes, but a sense of struggle and survival, of working to find oneself  -- something that is lost by so many teens -- that comes through.  It's upbeat without being overly clean and the complexity that is life remains.  I did laugh at the lack of cellphones and computers (the book has a 2000 copyright).  Amazing to think of how relationships have changed these days because of technology, although I expect Ms. Dessen would have could have found a way to tell this story regardless of time period.  While a distressing read in some ways, it was far better than I expected for an author sometimes dismissed by critics as "chick-lit."  I look forward to reading the next book of hers that I can actually get my hands on.

"Sirena" by Donna Jo Napoli

This one has been on the "to read" list forever.  While I knew that it had been a popular title a few years back, and knew that it was Greek myth book (hit those Rick Riordan fans!) I had little idea how stunningly good this book was.  More lyric than I would expect for a popular middle school book (with more frankness on sexuality than I would have expected), the concept of "rich" doesn't even begin to describe this book of literary excellence.  And no, one doesn't usually associate popular books with books that English teachers like, but this one somehow manages to make the marriage work -- most probably because the lead character's voice is so compelling.  Sirena is a mermaid.  She is young, wistful, and a little foolish.  She is a dreamer who doesn't just want love, she craves it.  Using elements from Homer's Odyssey and tales of the Trojan War, Sirena comes across that which she desires.  The question becomes, what happens when your dreams are fulfilled?  This is a love story, a predictably sad one.  It is most definitely not Disney.  But it is a story told with grace and gentleness and beauty.  There are five "parts" to the book.  Each has the cover image preceding, but as the story progresses, each image is zoomed in.  The final part has a close-up on Sirena's face, showing a plethora of emotions.  For a simple tale, it was an amazingly complex read which had me running for "Greek Myths" by Olivia Coolidge.  Those who have read the Percy Jackson books (comical, in comparison) will have more familiarity with the cast of characters, but still may not know the human at the center of this story.  It definitely was a keeper -- a book I thought a lot about after I finished it and one that most definitely had me "turning the page."  Fewer students have picked it up off the shelf lately -- time for a revival, I say.

"Glimmer" by Phoebe Kitanidis

This book started as a "4" and dropped to a "2" as I read it. In terms of a "what if" the concept was top-notch.  "What if" you woke up with no memory of who you are?  "What if" the town you are in is ... very strange?  The problem was in execution.  Kitchen sink plotlines (too much randomness thrown in) and inconsistencies in characterization and storyline made this not so much a page-turner for me, but a having-to-push-through-to-finish it story.

***Spoiler Alert***  "She" and "He" wake up to find themselves naked in bed.  They have no personal memories but they are not blank slates -- they understand the world around them, just not their place in it.  The chapters alternate between the two teens as they try to piece together what has happened.  This was the first problem for me -- their voices are not overly distinctive.  As usual, I was unable to read the book through in a few sittings and had to go chapter by chapter during some brief free moments.  I was constantly having to turn back to the chapter headings to remind myself who was speaking.  The biggest difference, over time, is that the boy swears a lot.  Beyond setting him up as a stereotypical male teen and making this book unacceptable for lower level readers, I really didn't see the point.   The other issue is that the chapters tell the story sequentially, with "him" picking up directly after "her" ... until the last third or so of the book, when it suddenly switches to concurrent action -- "she" and "he" relating their views of the same time period.  While I understand the need for this change as the tale progresses, I feel that changing story structure to advance plot is generally distracting and not indicative of good writing.  The number one rule in fantasy is that you can create anything you want, but you must remain consistent in what you create.

Within the first few chapters, there is a huge hint as to what is going on when a man bursts in the room and utters the word "wards" -- giving away a big chunk of the plot.  I wonder if the author felt compelled to hint at things rather than let them unfold, as it felt like heavy-handed foreshadowing.  As the two wander about town, they look in mirrors and reflections to figure out who they are.  Here is another complaint -- and a frequent one from me.  The girl describes herself as "looking younger than her age -- a blond cheerleader type, like a pissed off Disney princess."  The cover looks like a 25 year-old party girl from New York city with a substance abuse problem.  To all publishers out there:  For the love of all that is holy, can you please reconcile cover art with at least some of the story details?

There is a sense of "incompleteness" with this story.  The big jock is a jerk.  Or he is abusive.  Or he isn't.  Or he's just a dupe.  How are we supposed to feel about him?  It's never clear.  "She" meets her dad, but then hides in a closet and runs away.  Was there an interaction between them?  Unclear.  Magic is accepted in this world, with occultists who can be hired, but no one has ever thought that maybe there is some magic at work in this strange little town.  "She" is abused by step-dad, an oft-worn plot, okay; but then she remembers being abused by someone else.  It's a lot of abuse.  Are we dealing with issues much?

In the end, I had too many beefs.  There were so many themes thrown in -- ghosts, Native Americans, magic, labyrinths, eternal life, identity vs stereotype, alcoholism, depression, mommy issues, family abuse, etc etc.  It just felt like "stuff" being piled on rather than necessary elements of the story being incorporated or woven into the telling.  I also didn't warm up to the protagonists.  The two teens go through more emotions in an hour than most of my students do in a week.  I get teen angst, but this just made them seem bipolar and unlikable.  There is a premise here that you become a different person (in the girl's case, 180 degrees different) if your memory is erased.  The concept is critical to the climax, but there was little to explain or support this idea, and I just didn't buy it.  And the author got the labyrinth part wrong, IMHO.  The idea that one can break a curse by walking around the outside of a labyrinth rather than actually traveling it is bizarre -- labyrinth myths are based on the concept that one "travels" the path; failing, learning and discovering along the way (see Ursula K. LeGuin's Farthest Shore trilogy).  After the two characters had made their journey to find themselves, the idea that they could solve the puzzle by walking a circle (albeit under water) felt like a cheat.

All issues are nicely resolved in a big bow at the end, with a (nearly) happily ever after.  The girl's convenient skills as a lifeguard help with the final crisis and all is well.  It's not quite Prince Charming waking up Snow White, but it comes close.

So, clearly, I didn't care for it, which is sad because I was sure I would when I started it.  For better him/her tales, try "The Wanderer" by Sharon Creech or "So Hard to Say" by Alex Sanchez.

"Close to Famous" by Joan Bauer

It's been interesting these last few months.  I've read a lot of books that land solidly in the middle school ethos, with characters ranging from age 10 to age 13.  Some have been very good, but many have hit my sore spot by being overly preachy.  If there is one thing that young adult novels don't need is another one of those "hit you over the head with the lesson/moral/point" stories.  As loaded as this book is with messages, it somehow avoids any kind of didactic tone.  Perhaps it is an example of a tale well-told.  When the story is compelling and well-woven; the characters engaging, interesting and real, the lessons feel like part of the tale instead of something awkwardly piled on top because it's a "book for children."  As has been evidenced by so many novels of late, a good book is a good book for all.  And this is a good book.  The young protagonist, Foster, is a child who struggles but sees the good.  She is a strong spirit who rises above those who would see her put down (yes, that is a small reference to the cooking theme of the book).  She has dreams and is fierce about pursuing them.  Begun as a car chase in the night, this entertaining story about a girl who is a maestro in the kitchen gently touches on the darker elements of the adult world around her.  Maybe that's why there are so many stories written about kids of this age.  It is a magical time when kids still believe that any battle can be won with perseverance, determination and heart.  Filled with colorful, unique, and unexpected characters, this is a story with lots of delightful twists and oodles of heart -- charm, but not saccharine.  It is a genuine story, and one I really enjoyed reading.  One very minor quibble ... the book made me hungry.  Ms. Bauer, please include recipes at the end!

Oddly, I thought a lot about race when reading this book.  After the sad blog comments about skin color in the casting of the Hunger Games movie, I started thinking about how we perceive characters based on color.  Foster's mother is obviously mixed race and Foster is most certainly a bit of a mix herself (not fully or accurately portrayed by the cover of the book).  Several characters are likely African American -- but beyond a quick description Foster gives of her mother's heritage and a description of herself in a bathroom mirror, specific skin color is not mentioned.  Does it matter?  It shouldn't.  But it is interesting how "picturing a character" is important when reading a book.  Did I picture some characters as white and others black?  Yes.  Does it have any effect on the plot?  No.  Was I "right" about skin color?  Probably not.  What does all that mean?  I don't know.  But it's worth mentioning the preconceptions we bring with us into literature.  And it's worth thinking about how that impacts the world we choose to see outside of books.

Anyway.  Until next time.  Eat a cupcake.  And read this book.

"The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen

***Spoiler Alert***

Popular author Wendelin Van Draanen has tackled an oft-written story -- the high school athlete who loses a limb in a motor vehicle accident.  Jessica is a compelling character and the beginning definitely pulls you in ... but ... the book didn't hold my attention throughout as it became somewhat "pat" IMHO.  I like happy endings and it's always nice to have an inspiring tale, but I couldn't help but be reminded of the random CW teen show.  There are boys, and a mean girl, a strict teacher, etc etc.  Van Draanen avoids being overly pedantic, as many of these novels are, and goes into detail on the amputation and prosthetics in a way I've never seen.  The medical portion of the book is really interesting but it feels like many aspects of Jessica's recovery are glossed over.  She gets out of the hospital in eleven days.  Perhaps this is possible, it just seems very fast.  Similarly, Jessica gets very depressed -- which is normal -- but literally bounces out of it in a day after her friend calls her on it (psychiatric counseling is not mandatory for this type of injury???)  Jessica's best friend, Fiona, is a saint, and her dog, Sherlock, is adorable.  In the end, tremendous obstacles are overcome and the girls get their guys.  It's not a bad book.  It has some neat philosophy tucked in there (the section headings are in reverse order of an actual race -- for good reason).  See Rosa's comments for the "meat" of the tale.  It's just an uncomplicated book, one that ends up as a "feel good" read.  There are worse things.  My biggest complaint is something odd -- one of the characters, although not described as an African American, is given a "black" name and dialog that is somewhat stereotypical.  It surprised me in this day and age and was a distraction in a book where most of the characters seemed grounded in a kind of reality.  See my review, above, with comments on race and perception in books.

"A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness, Inspired by Siobhan Dowd

Whew! Amazing book. Beautiful, lyrical, and deeply moving. My favorite TAB book of the year. Siobhan Dowd died of breast cancer at 47 but made a significant impact in her short life, being hailed as a "literary legacy" by some. Her five novels and social activism struck home with many, and Patrick Ness has created a breathtaking book, based on her concept and notes, as an homage. There is really nothing about the book that isn't fabulous. The story is deeply woven, the characters complex, the artwork stunning and the arc of the book paradoxically what you expect and what you don't. Sucked in from the very beginning, it was a page turner I was loathe to put down. Had it not been for my semi-insane life, I would have ripped through it in one sitting. As it was, the ending had me grabbing for tissue after tissue. At its core is an examination of love and loss, of humanity and struggle, and the question: which is more scary -- a monsters of our minds or the toll that cancer can take? Powerful and well-wrought, this one is a classic, as far as I'm concerned.

"Hurricane Dancers" by Margarita Engle

It must be verse novel month. Award-winner Margarita Engle has done it again with this lovely verse novel about the first pirate ship crash in the Caribbean. Filled with the voices of a plethora of characters, it seems to center on Quebrado, a young boy, "broken," who is a slave on the pirate ship. There is the arrogant captain, his equally noxious captive (the Governor of Venezuela), native peoples on the island of Cuba and a love match that cannot be denied. With the exception of Quebrado, most of the characters are based in fact. It is set in the early 1500s. A liberal set of notes at the end give context to the history and the culture.

The book moves quickly, as most verse novels do, and the poetry is rich and pretty, reflecting both the emotional tone and the setting. It is well-told and engaging. As a reader, I yearned to "fly" with Quebrado. Minor quibbles include a couple of poems that seemed incomplete ... I read them over several times and couldn't discern meaning. The other concern is how caricatured the villains of the piece were. It's possible that Ojeda and Talavera were simply horrific human beings (history certainly supports this) but when you are reading internal monologue, it's hard to imagine anyone thinking in such a two-dimensional way. We will never know. In any case, it is an excellent book bringing light to a different time and place, and it is worth getting swept away.

"The Strange Case of Origami Yoda" by Tom Angleberger

Adorable. Fun. Smart. Unexpected. Refreshing. Great. Inspiring. Awesome.

What a terrific little book. A fast read, this tells the story of a middle school loser with a finger puppet and the geeks and nerds around him who seek guidance from said finger puppet. The presentation is terrific. Set up as "case files" on the mystery of origami Yoda, each chapter comes from a different student perspective. The stories are typed in an old-style font, with seeming "handwritten" comments at the end of each section. The background looks a lot like the crumpled paper found in every kids' backpack and the doodles throughout give a nice sense of context.

Do they believe? Well, yes and no. Will you? Read and find out.

"Under the Mesquite" by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

I've been so blessed with verse novels. It wasn't a format that I ever thought I would like -- but then I read Virginia Euwer Wolff and Sonya Sones, and I was drawn in. This book, winner of the Pura Belpre Writing Medal and a Morris Honor for 2012, echoes my favorite verse novel writer, Karen Hesse. Like good haiku, the economy of language portrays a richness that can never be found in prose. In this story, spanning both years and nations, we see the coming-of-age of Lupita, a young girl who revels in her Mexican heritage but is American in her dreams of independence. The oldest of eight, she struggles through high school as her mother's cancer decimates a warm, loving woman who is also her best friend. The roses in their Texas garden symbolize her mother's beauty, but the stubborn mesquite that towers over the flowers show Lupita's determination to hold life together despite overwhelming odds. Words flow across pages like the "mighty Rio Grande" with such strength and color that you can't help but turn the page and see what happens next, even as you ache to soak up the stunning images portrayed by these seemingly simple phrases. It is a book to be fully savored -- find time to read it without interruption (difficult in my life). It is also a book you could read and re-read, finding new insights each time. Brava, Ms. McCall.

"Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos

I had heard Jack Gantos read from this book at the National Book Festival last fall, but hadn’t gotten around to it before it won the Newbery Award. When I asked colleagues about it, the universal response was “ehh.” My response is not so much “ehh” as a plain old “didn’t like it.” Some of my issues were based on expectations. I’ve read the Joey Pigza books and liked them a lot. I was expecting another laugh-out-loud fiction book. Instead, I got a thinly-veiled memoir with few ha-has. For me, there was an occasional smirk, but no laughs. The lack of humor, however, was not my biggest complaint. As mentioned, the book is categorized as fiction but reads like memoir. The story isn’t really progressive, rather, it is a series of snapshots of a summer when Jack was grounded. As a result, there are many threads left hanging and not a lot of growth or closure. The “voice” of the book often feels like an adult reflecting back, rather than an 11 year-old actually experiencing it, which drags down the narrative even further. I should have read this book in a matter of days, but it took me weeks because I didn’t feel any pressing need to “turn the page and see what happens next.” The various endings are highly contrived, and don’t fit with an otherwise realistic feel for the book. ***Spoiler Alert*** -- Jack’s father abandons his plans for a fallout shelter (but we are never clear as to why), a random murder plot is thrown in demoting one character to the level of a mustachioed villain, a beloved character “goes to sleep” at the end (is tomorrow another day or is she dying?) and there is a preposterous plan to fly a crop-duster plane from Pennsylvania to Florida (with how many stops??). Even Fantasy and Science Fiction books can have believability if they are consistent in the worlds they create. As a reader, this world had too many random elements I couldn’t reconcile. There was also the issue of connecting to the characters. Jack has an almost flat emotional affect. He reacts the same way to almost every event. Many of the other characters felt two-dimensional to me – there is a tomboy, a pretty girl, sniping parents and a cranky old man. Jack’s mother talks about how sniping is a sign of love, but I didn’t buy it. The parent relationship felt more George and Martha than Tony and Ziva (yes, I’m mixing classic literature with a pop culture reference). The one character I fully enjoyed was not the protagonist, but his odd-ball neighbor, Miss Volker. In many ways, the book feels like an homage to this woman. She is colorful, interesting and irascible. The scenes where she is dictating history-filled obituaries to Jack are the best parts of the story, IMHO. Given that this is a Newbery, teachers are likely to flock to it. It’s the kind of story teachers love and kids, well … We will see if others find gems within its pages that eluded me.

"Where Things Come Back" by John Corey Whaley

John Corey Whaley has done something extraordinary with this book -- he was awarded both the Printz Medal and Morris Award for his efforts. No one has ever won both. The Printz Medal, for outstanding YA Literature, was the launching pad for authors like John Green, Meg Rosoff and Gene Luen Yang. The Morris Award is for best first novel. A rather auspicious honor, Mr. Whaley, Bravo. And now -- is the book worthy? Well, yes. This is the strongest literary novel I have read in a while, and from that standpoint, it is kind of brilliant. Reading it, however, took a little effort and concentration. Whaley weaves different characters into his tale, each chapter careening from one to another, often without a strong indication that "we are switching narrators now." He also adds in a mixed timeline (without telling the reader that he's doing it) and at least one character who goes from first to third person narrative from time to time; sometimes to narrate something imaginary, other times to describe something real that has significant emotional impact. Even the storyline defies description, as it goes places, time and time again, that you don't expect. While this is refreshing, I kept trying to figure out what the theme was, where he was taking it ... and I couldn't. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It just meant I had to pay attention. Really pay attention. And re-read a few things. The book is a mature work -- Cullen Witter, the 17 year-old focus of many chapters, uses the term "a**-hat" fairly frequently and treats his burgeoning sexual encounters with the same dry snarkiness that infuses most of his world view. We begin with Cullen's seemingly random discussion of a dead body in a morgue in Little Rock, then shoot across the globe to meet Benton Sage, a young evangelical who is challenged by his missionary work in Ethiopia. Next up is Cabot Searcy, a college kid who is touched by Benton's quest and takes up his own mission to understand the apocrypha of Enoch and the mission of the angel Gabriel (and yes, it is interesting that "Searcy" sounds just a little bit like "search). Is it a book about Christianity? I'd have to say "no." Is it about the meaning of life? Well, maybe, if the meaning of life is "42." Is it about searching? Yes -- but the answers, if there are any, don't seem to be plentiful. Obviously, there is the old butterfly theme of how we interact with each other and how one thing impacts another -- but Whaley clearly sees that as randomness rather than wanting to give it all a purpose. It is a book that had me staying up late to read "just one more chapter." It is story with so many "huh" moments it had me reflecting back to Libba Bray's "Going Bovine." And it is a novel that will keep me thinking ... for a good long while. Mr. Whaley is joining impressive ranks with these awards. If this book is any indication, he will fit right in.

"The Glorious Adventures of the Sunshine Queen" by Geraldine McCaughrean

At some point, I'm going to have to figure out why I keep reading Geraldine McCaughrean's books when I don't particularly like them. I think, in part, they are all very different and I don't recognize them as being by the same author until after I start them, then at some point, I stop and say "What???" and look up the author. To its credit, I liked this one more than "White Darkness" but considerably less than "Pepper Roux." The thing is, I should have liked it. The delightful adventures of a misbegotten theatre troupe at the turn of the century? What's not to love? Well, let's start with "turn of the century" -- I'm really not sure when the book takes place, and I read it -- thoroughly. It is during the life of Queen Victoria, when trains are replacing steamboats and electric generators are used by the well-off. So, I'd put it late 1800's? Anyway, three young children and their school teacher have their lives upended by a tragedy, followed by a plague, followed by a flood, followed by ... well, you get the idea. Each chapter seems to want to top the previous one in building up improbable adventure after improbable adventure. I am more than happy to lend some "willing suspension of disbelief" as the next person, but there comes a point of total incredulity. There is also such a whirlwind of action that I really had a hard time connecting with the large cast of characters. Hint: If you have so many characters in your tale as to require a "list of players" at the beginning, then you have too many characters or you aren't drawing them strongly enough for readers to connect (both, I'd have to say). That, and the vocabulary was challenging enough to have me grabbing for a dictionary ... repeatedly. Despite the constant tumult, I didn't find myself wanting to see what would happen next, and it took me three times longer to read this than it should have. I don't think it is a "bad" book per say, but it definitely wasn't my cup of tea. Having read three Geraldine McCaughrean books thus far, I may be a little more picky about picking up her next one. For those willing to take on a rollicking, fantastical tale, be my guest.

"The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had" by Kristin Levine

This book joins a host of newer historical novels about a period in U.S. History that had previously been overlooked in YA fiction. Mix in "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Lawson with Geraldine McCaughrean's "Glorious Adventures of the Sunshine Queen" and you get a growing group of books that fill in a lot of gaps on turn-of-the-century America. Set in 1917 Alabama this book chronicles a year in the life of Dit Sims, a middle child among ten who just wants his dad to remember who he is. When the new postmaster arrives in town, the uneasy peace between blacks and whites begins to fade as Dit befriends the man's daughter, a smart and pretty black girl from Boston, named Emma. The first half of the novel is "slice of life" stuff, fairly didactic in tone, much like many of the "historical novels for young readers" that have graced library shelves for decades. The budding friendship between Dit and Emma is both adorable and predictable. Quite expectantly, the story takes a serious turn about half-way. The ending wraps things up well, if not particularly realistically, and -- borrowing a page from an episode of "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" -- a creature is given freedom in a grand symbolic gesture. I very much liked the characters of Dit and Emma. They are not only real, but I liked watching Dit try to gain new perspective on his world as Emma challenges him to move beyond his "that's just the way things are" mentality. All of the characters have dimensions to them -- even the bad guy, whose mother reminisces about her son without making apology. Two warnings: there is plentiful use of the "n" word in various forms and this is not a good book for vegetarians. Animals are not treated well here, with the rural mentality of "animals = meat" being fairly predominant. I liked this book, but I didn't love it. It was a little too "driven" for my tastes ... clearly this was all planned out from the beginning with no sense of letting the story flow where it may. I couldn't help feel that the author "made" the ending work they way she wanted it to, which gave the story a somewhat forced feel (although it was nice that it didn't go as dark as it could have...). On the other hand, I liked this book far more than "Sunshine Queen" which I have yet to get through. Much like "Hattie Big Sky" the afterward mentions that this tale was a result of real-life stories coming from a grandparent. The author will be speaking to our bookclub in a few months and I am once again conflicted on how to recommend it. With 12 year-old protagonists, I doubt older students will be interested in it; but much of the behind-the-scenes content requires a more mature reader. Like Christopher Paul Curtis's "Elijah of Buxton" I feel this book might be overlooked because it does not fit any specific audience very well, and will require readers to "give it a chance." Hopefully, most of the bookclub will read it -- we will see what they have to say.

"Wonder Woman: Love and Murder" by Jodi Picoult, et al

I've been a Wonder Woman (and Batman) fan forever but haven't really read the series regularly since I was fifteen (?) Imagine my surprise in seeing the latest Wonder Woman ... written by Jodi Picoult!?!? I simply had to read it. First of all, Wonder Woman has gotten a lot, um, bulkier since my day. In many of the frames she looks seriously like a weight-lifter in need of a steroid intervention. Even her bosoms, always generous in the past, seem so large that they might knock over objects in her way. The suit has changed as well, now being so hi-cut that one is grateful for bikini waxes -- although a bit of butt-cheek is clearly visible when our hero is viewed from the rear (pun intended). None of these modifications were improvements, IMHO, but the storyline was ... interesting. The combo of Jodi Picoult and Wonder Woman was not as odd as one might think. The award-winning Ms. Picoult layers her women in all the complexity that we carry and clearly likes a strong feminine ideal. She brings to Wonder Woman that struggle -- how to be a woman with desires yet be a person with more responsibility (aka duty) than she cares for. In Jodi's own words (there is a nice introduction) this is a Wonder Woman who feels, and questions, and wants. Adding in the obligatory mother-angst of a Picoult novel (the author claims she gets along with her mom very well...yeah, right...) and you get a super-hero that thinks as much as they fight (and sometimes does both at the same time). Personally, I liked it. Kind of like the Highlander TV show, where they have philosophical musings about the meaning of life for a good half-hour before they chop someone's head off, this is a story for the long-haul. How does Wonder Woman continue being Wonder Woman when the "woman" inside her is conflicted? With a good dose of dry, ironic humor, I found this an easy read and a nice addition to the Wonder Woman lore. With a killer cliff-hangar (pun sort-of intended) there is lots of fodder for the next book. Who will write that one? Dan Brown? Judy Blume? James Patterson? (he writes everything under the sun anyway) In any case, it was a nice return after a long absence.

"The Wise Man's Fear" by Patrick Rothfuss

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It is rare that I have an entire week to curl up with a cup of cocoa and a book "just for me." The holidays provided such a treat in this delightful sequel to "The Name of the Wind." Another fan of the books dismissed this as an "expected second novel." I would disagree. Of course, you have the events one would assume in this bildungsroman (isn't it nice to use a big word now and then?) Without giving much away, I can tell you that Kvothe leaves the comfort of the University for the wide world, having adventures that help him grow from boy to man; but the tone was more personal and engaging for me. Since I now knew the context, I was able to just dive right in. The novel has the same rich storytelling that made the first book so gripping. There are stories within stories (within stories), all with a remarkably Irish feel (Mr. Rothfuss lives in Wisconsin) that draw me in as a reader and let me see a world so real I feel like I am inside it. There is also darkness and violence. Rothfuss doesn't gloss over the hard stuff but he doesn't revel in it, either, relating one battle in a dry, matter-of-fact tone almost more chilling than something told with brimming emotion. Despite its nearly 1,000 pages of teeny text, I was sad to see it end. I suspect the third book (not even hinted at for title or publishing date) will be even harder to read, as the portents are not good for all of this to end happily. On the other hand, this is a tale extremely well-told, and that makes it downright delectable.

"Bats at the Library" by Brian Lies

In a follow-up to "Bats at the Beach," Brian Lies creates another rich picture book about the adventures of those (somewhat less than) adorable and very curious bats. Told in rhymed couplets, the vocabulary is complex enough that the book could be enjoyed by some older readers. It definitely has enough levels to be read again and again -- a major plus when purchasing a picture book. The drawing is detailed and three dimensional. Feeling like collage at some points (it isn't) the images seem like you could reach into them. With a love of all things library, the bats explore every inch and corner of this unusual playground. When they fall into the stories themselves, readers will recognize iconic literary characters re-imagined as bats. This is a great series of books to get younger ones interested in bats. Getting past the rat-like similarities, they are fascinating creatures. And the book is, in a word, delightful.

"Warp Speed" by Lisa Yee

The thing is -- I should have loved this book. A companion novel to "Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time," this is the story of Marley Sandelski's 7th grade year. Marley is an A/V geek who translates everything in his life into Star Trek terms. His best friend Ramen loves Star Wars and their new friend Max loves Batman. This ~was~ my life. I was a Star Trek geek and my friends loved Star Wars and Batman, etc. so when Marley makes a reference to TOS ep 51, I **totally** know what he means. And yet. The book, a very middle school, very typical pre-teen book, just didn't grab me. The characters go through the average trials and tribulations, but the writing just seemed kind of surface -- skimming things instead of looking with any depth. For a fairly tame storyline, there is vicious violence in a couple of places and it is just put out there then things move on. The 61 chapters in 310 pages means a lot of breezing through moments rather than living them. I also wasn't wild about the author's voice, which comes off a little more obvious than intended given the first person narrative. While Marley feels authentic, this seems a lot more like a story told by an adult about a kid than a story told by a kid. There are light touches of moralism here and there ("it's okay to be a geek but it doesn't hurt to clean yourself up" and "you need to stand up to bullies") which give things a stilted "too perfect" feel. Marley's parents are interesting but other adults are stereotypes, particularly the school principal, who is one step to the right of a cartoon villain. When Yee goes for it, the descriptions are great (i.e. "The tragic tree") but the initial setup was murky. Took me a long time to realize this was Los Angeles? I think perhaps there was a sense that the reader could jump in if they had read "Stanford Wong" but since I hadn't, I was fairly lost. The negativism aside, I do think kids would enjoy this book (assuming they can suss out the difference between Kirk and Picard) but to me, it felt more like adult reminiscence than real life.

"The Night Bookmobile" by Audrey Niffenegger

What begins as a gentle, sweet homage to readers becomes a dark and bizarre graphic novel that works as a far-out, trippy tale of "too much love." Audrey Niffenegger, author of "The Time Traveler's Wife" tells a pseudo-biographical tale of her life -- wandering the streets of Chicago after a fight with her boyfriend. She comes across a Winnebago filled with books. The books, she realizes, are a rather "unusual" collection. She reawakens her love of reading and becomes somewhat obsessive about devouring books. Nine years later, she encounters the library again, and again, this creates a new path in her life. After a third visit, she ... well, I won't give it away, but it was a moment of "WTF?" as I read it. After that, there is a bit of meandering about paths and seeking bliss and I'm not sure what. A twisted tale, to say the least. The afterwards are worth reading as they give this strange book some context. Read if you dare.

"Naked Heat" by Richard Castle

Yes, the second book is just as deliciously good as the first, although slightly hotter. Once again, we meet the alter-egos from ABC's "Castle" TV series in a hard-boiled detective novel with enough twists and turns to make your head spin. Things are not easy for NYC Detective Nikki Heat as she attempts to wade through the usual suspects to determine who killed a famous gossip columnist in a particularly gruesome fashion. Line up a coyote, a limo driver, a concierge, a rock star, a baseball player, a "working girl", an actor or two and a bunch of lawyers and handlers and you have more suspects than you can shake a stick at. Like the first book, this one adheres closely to the TV show and maintains the fiction regarding authorship (although I still believe it was penned by Cannell). I did find it a little harder to keep track of the storyline in this book than in the first, but that may have been a result of having to read it in small chunks rather than curling up on the couch over the weekend (which is really the best way to read these). The third title and the Derek Storm graphic novel are on the way, so I look forward to savoring them soon.

"The Accidental Genuis of Weasel High" by Rick Detorie

In the same vein as the Wimpy Kid books or Sherman Alexie's "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" this novel chronicles Rick Detorie's 9th grade year in prose and cartoons. His English teacher has given the class an assignment -- keep a journal. They can write anything they want, but they need to write. The student with the most interesting journal gets an "A." Guess who won? What follows is Mr. Detorie's take on his first year of high school. Like so many books for teens, we discover that 14 is a difficult age, but the plethora of observances made by the young Rick lightens the tone by being both touching and laugh-out-loud funny. Failed attempts at getting girlfriends, an evil older sister, wanting a camcorder he can't afford and making connections at his first job are just some of the great stories you'll find here. The style is engaging and the writing very very real. Rick reminds me of kids I know, and like. He's just a regular teen trying to figure it all out, and he makes some fascinating discoveries along the way. A fast read with broad appeal, this one is a definite keeper.

"Ten Miles Past Normal" by Frances Dowell

Albeit the typical teen drama (9th grade girl tries to adapt to the social mores of high school with impressive failure) this nice little novel manages to be fun and sweet. The lead character, Janie, has a clean, real voice and is clearly living with some frustration but doesn't come off as whiny. The characters around her are fleshed-out and layered. Everyone from parents to friends have different sides, which helps to weave a story that is sometimes unexpected. The plot elements of an English report and joining a club are secondary to Janie's internal quest to find a role for herself as friends drift apart and her farm background separates her socially from her suburbanite peers. Nothing is overly stressed. The cute guy who might not be what he appears is dealt with in under two chapters, the latest adventure of mom becomes a quick anecdote. In many ways, this book reminded me of Stephanie Tolan's "Surviving the Applewhites," another book that is an enjoyable read with few major events to drive the plot. It also has the gentle style of Dana Reinhardt's "A Brief Chapter of My Impossible Life." As you might expect, Janie craves to be a "normal" teen, but has a difficult time determining what that is, exactly, and ends up creating her own definition of what is important. It's a solid book that should have broad appeal. Once again, my only complaint is cover art, which gives away a major plot point that should have been revealed in the story rather than on the cover. It's an engaging photo, though, and likely to get some kids to pick it up who might not otherwise.

"The False Princess" by Eilis O'Neal

Once again, I was deceived by a cover and a preconception that I knew what this book was about. Expecting something fluffy, like Gail Carson Levine's "Ella Enchanted" or the unending Princess books by Meg Cabot, I instead found a rich fantasy novel more in the style of Kristin Cashore's "Graceling." It is a novel more dense than it appears. In the book, Princess Nalia discovers a truth she doesn't expect then travels through a series of trials, and lives, to figure out who she is and where she belongs. There is, of course, the big bad, but very little true evil. No character is simple -- each brings subtle layers of humanity to this complex tale. There is magic, but the story also has a fairly specific medieval setting. Despite the imaginary nations there is, at one point, a specific year listed (1176?) Even with the extremely minor mistake of referring to the King and Queen as "highness" (it should have been "Majesty") this could be a historical novel if you took out the fantastical elements. It was a rich read and a tremendously satisfying (if not slightly predictable) ending. Much to my delight, it does seem to be a stand-alone. Not that I don't love a good series, but it seems everything these days is in multiple parts. It was nice to commit to a single book and not worry about having the time to read all the books that follow. No question, this type of novel, which allows you to escape into another world and travel along with the adventures, is my most favorite.

"Airborne" by Kenneth Oppel

I recently saw Kenneth Oppel speak. I had just finished “Half-Brother” but was eager to read “Airborn,” his big-hit award winner, which was a fantasy. After reading a good deal of historical and realistic fiction, it was long past time to enjoy my favorite genre. I could not have been more pleased. This rollicking adventure set in a steam-punk style alternative Earth is hugely engaging due to “Matt Cruse” – his 15 year-old protagonist, a ship’s boy so real, with dreams so large, that you can’t help but feel a connection. Matt is a cabin boy on the Aurora, one of thousands of airships which cross the world in place of airplanes. We meet him in his favorite spot – the crow’s nest of his mighty vessel, staring into the dark of a wide sky. The adventures build quickly and may seem eventually seem improbable, but Matt’s pure heart and his newfound attraction for the plucky Miss Kate deVries make this a fun tale. It’s sentimental without the sap, solid literary writing that is accessible. There are shipwrecks and pirates and the discovery of … well, something quite special. There’s even a loss I didn’t expect, but one that makes Matt’s quest for a better life all that more poignant. Nothing is black and white here, more sepia-toned with shades upon shades. The book is long, but the pacing good. I had no problems careening through to see “what would happen next.” In all, it was one of the most satisfying books I have read in a while. Perfect to curl up on the couch with over a cold, rainy weekend. People often talk about books being like food – this one was like a seven course meal. It truly took me out of myself and into a rich world of the author’s design.

"The Rock and the River" by Kekla Magoon

There was something in the timing of this book. I had just attended the dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial and had been thinking a lot about how it must have felt to grow up as a child of the famous preacher (two of his children spoke at the ceremony). Not three days later, I picked up this book to read for an upcoming conference. It is the story of Sam and his brother, Steven ("Stick") who are the sons of a famous (but fictional) civil rights leader in Chicago. It is 1968 and while their father preaches nonviolence, both boys struggle with questions about the right path to follow, particularly as the Black Panther Party grows in strength and numbers in their inner city neighborhood. Unlike "Patterson Heights" the cover art is accurate. Sam is 13 and the image on the book looks like a 13 year-old. For the most part, Sam acts 13, struggling to find the right words to say to a cute girl he likes and idolizing his older brother. Unfortunately, this first novel for the young author Kekla Magoon is a tad inconsistent in "voice." When bad things happen, and they did in this period of history, Sam pops out of being a kid to being a mouthpiece for Magoon's literary skills. Take this passage, "On the left wall, surrounding the windows, hung a huge curtain of African-print cloth. Deep blue swirled among lighter shades, like ocean draped in sky. The room had a voice of its own, a scream of outrage, a whisper of truth, and in the corner, a murmuring cry." It's beautiful, even prophetic, but it isn't consistent with the thoughts of your average 13 year old. There are many ways this could have been addressed -- Sam could have been made older, or the narrative could have been third person instead of first person, giving the opportunity for a meta-voice behind the story. Ms. Magoon could have split the narrative between Sam and his older brother, a popular trend these days, to give a variety of perspectives. As it is, the novel didn't really work for me. I didn't feel the book was bad but it was distracting. Every time the narrative began to wax poetic I felt a disconnect from the character. The end result is that this book came off more as one of those 1970 message novels than a compelling story. "The Rock and the River" is a parable -- one that gets repeated in some form three times in the book. On one hand, it's like we are being beaten over the head "This is the MORAL," but on the other hand, the full parable is never explained (nor could I find it on Google) so it was frustrating on multiple levels. My general "ehh" feeling on the book is a rarity. It has won numerous awards and is considered a notable title. So give it a shot, particularly if you don't get stuck on little minutiae like me.

"Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19 Year-Old GI"

This is not an anti-war book. It is not a pro-war book. It is not a policy essay nor a social commentary. It is the story of a young man who loses his innocence -- and loses it in a far more profound way than most. Ryan Smithson was a high school student who joined the military after watching the twin towers fall. At 19 he was sent to Iraq. This is a nonfiction account of his 12 months there. Told in short vignettes, the story is dry and to the point. He doesn't load in sentimentality or opinion, just tells tale after tale of the boring days, the hard days, the scary days. There are laughs along the way, and a lot of detail on what a soldier might do other than "capture cities." Ryan is an equipment operator who helps to pave roads, fix bridges, shore up barriers. In his words, there is nothing glamorous about the work, nothing that will get him and his fellow brothers-in-arms on the news, but their efforts are vital to the day-to-day operations in the war zone. The matter-of-fact style of the book actually makes it more powerful. It's clear from the beginning that Ryan's stoic narrative is about his need to distance himself emotionally from the events surrounding him. When he finally does have to face the struggles he experienced, I cried with him. Specialist Smithson did not write this book to make a statement, he wrote it as catharsis. It is powerful, well-crafted and may be a good insight into how the soldiers on the ground are coping with the war that will not end. Ryan is not making a political statement, he is making a personal one. The choice to serve was personal, the experiences were indelible, and he should be thanked for working so hard not only to share this part of his life, but to help the reader truly understand. Stunningly good and worth the read. Bravo, sir.

"Patterson Heights" by Felicia Pride

Avery Washington is a good kid. Living in Baltimore's inner city, he is part of a gifted program at school, goes to church on Sundays, idolizes his older brother, Rashid, and has two parents who have scraped and saved to start a college fund for the boys. Avery's life changes in an instant, when his brother is killed by a senseless act. It is a story oft-told about young black men in the city, and we rarely get an inside look into the realities of what life is like in the months following such an event. Echoing both "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson and "The Year Without Michael" by Susan Beth Pfeffer, the grief here is palpable. Avery goes silent. Unable to speak through his sadness, his thoughts and insights border on the poetic. His strong family falls apart and he finds himself living like a shadow in a small apartment with a mother and father who are as distant as strangers. While he doesn't realize it initially, he is lucky. People come into his life who end up being different kinds of supports at this difficult time. The writing is strong and the character compelling. You truly want Avery to find his way back from the gloom. However ... this is a very different world, complete with a different vocabulary. In many books of this kind, the author tries to give the reader context to understand what they are reading. In Walter Dean Myer's "145th Street," for example, the language is true to the setting, but he creates narrators or contexts that allow the reader to enter into that world. That is not the case here. In many ways, it feels like this book, part of the "Kimani Tru" series, is written solely for inner city kids. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I mean, last month I read about a teenage girl who discovers, in Nigeria, that she is part of the "Leopard People." It was a completely alien civilization, but the author provided enough context for me to get it. Here was a story about good old America, and yet, I felt that some of the language and sociology being portrayed was shutting me out, that I was unwelcome as a reader because I didn't fit the demographics the series shoots for. This, of course, is my take. It would be interesting to see if my students feel the same. My only other beef is with the cover art, which makes Avery look like some hot 20 something, instead of the slightly geeky 15 year-old he actually is. Never a fan of misleading folks with cover art. Despite the complaints, the story is compelling and the emotion real. It's worth a read, even if you don't get all the references.

"Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty" by G. Neri, illustrated by Randy DuBurke

This fast-reading graphic novel tells the story of "Yummy" an eleven year-old boy shot to death in Chicago's ghetto after committing numerous crimes, including murder. The story is told from the perspective of the fictional character, Roger, a neighborhood boy trying to resolve the unsolvable ... was Yummy a victim or a predator? The book has garnered numerous awards and is a nice, succinct retelling of a short life, but it doesn't stray much from the source material, namely the news reports that swirled around the 'hood in those final days. It is almost factual in the dispassionate presentation, although the black and white ink drawings manage to convey some of the emotions pouring out of the community. The drawings are both good -- they use close-ups with detailed hatching for emphasis; and bad -- both Yummy and his grandmother are drawn inconsistently, giving me double-takes from time to time as to who the character was. One thing that nagged at me was why our narrator, Roger, would have a brother in the same gang as Yummy when his home life seemed quite stable. I couldn't help but feel it was an artificial device used to make a point. Other than that, the subject matter was terrific, the story-telling clean, but the overall effect for me was "okay."

"Half Brother" by Kenneth Oppel

It's 1973 and Ben Tomlin is not a happy camper. His parents just made him leave the bustle of Toronto to live in a farmhouse in Victoria, and now his mother comes home with a new baby brother. He has to make new friends, figure out how to get a girl to like him and his parents seem to forget his 13th birthday. The twist is -- the new baby brother isn't human, he's a chimp. Ben's parents are researchers and they are attempting to teach his brother, "Zan" sign language. A fictional tale that draws heavily on an actual experiment ("The Chimp That Learned Sign Language" http://www.npr.org/2008/05/28/90516132/the-chimp-that-learned-sign-language) this is a story that is engaging and warm. Ben is a normal kid, going through typical teen trauma -- the bully kid, the girl he likes who may or may not like him, a father who can't connect. But Ben is more than that, he is a young boy bonding with a "younger brother" who is unique. Early on, I saw the inevitable issues arise. Somewhat more intense than your average Lassie story, this one goes down the path you might expect, and breaks your heart along the way. Through the last third of the book, it was kleenex central. You can't help but come to love Ben and Zan, and realize that there really is no place for them to "be" as a family. Minor complaints about a lack of editing (Ben's reactions to stress become repetitive and make him occasionally feel a little whiney) and no author's note (given that this is a barely fictionalized account of a real event, details on the actual experiment should have been provided) are not enough to ruin an otherwise excellent tale that should have broad appeal. Despite the historical setting, the characters come off as contemporary and real, young people that most teens could relate to. The book also provides an excellent discussion point -- was this experiment ethical? Are any animal experiments of this type worth it?

"Hate List" by Jennifer Brown

The really good authors excel at "what if?" What if a teenage girl, used to being bullied, turned to a boyfriend for solace, and the two of them created a list of all the people they wished would "go away?" What if the boyfriend shows up at school one day and began killing all of those on the "hate list?" What if the girl lived? Then what? Much like the Walter Dean Myers book "Monster," this novel explores a horrific act from the viewpoint of someone at the center of the storm. Valerie is a girl in crisis. She doesn't know who she is and desperately needs to understand whether she is hero or villain. The solid writing doesn't answer these questions directly, but lets the tale spin out as it should, leaving the reader to interpret and, perhaps, judge. Told in brutal detail, if this were a movie it would be filmed nearly entirely in close-up. Broken into four parts, the story swings from one time period to another in the initial part, mirroring Valerie's state of mind as she attempts to comprehend events that seem almost surreal. As she gains clarity, the timeline locks into the present. Newspaper clippings reflect a societal viewpoint, while teardrops of varying degrees of darkness open each chapter. The book ends as it should, with only one small sentence jumping out at me as being overly optimistic. It is an excellent novel, and one that will be talked about ... but it was terrifically hard to read. Much like "Lovely Bones" this is not a title I would have selected for myself, but one I read in anticipation of attending a book discussion. Emotionally, it left me totally wrecked. Maybe, as an educator, it was too painful to think about. Maybe, as a person who could see where Valerie was coming from, it was too close to home. There are bright spots in the fog of Valerie's life, but not many. Needless to say, I will be choosing to follow up with something that doesn't leave me with bad dreams. This is a great read, it's just not particularly fun. Brava to Ms. Brown, a young woman who created a stunning debut novel.

"Marcelo in the Real World" by Francisco X. Stork

"Be in the world but not of the world." A biblical quote with tremendous meaning and weight in regard to this book, Mr. Stork has provided us with another story of Asperger's Syndrome. Like "Mockingbird" and "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" this tale gives the reader a very up-close look into the mind of someone who sees the world through a different lens. Unlike those other novels, this one has a lighter tone, and is more about day-to-day living than any specific tragedy (although there is a mystery of sorts). Marcelo is a 17 year-old who takes us into his reflections in a roundabout way, often using a third person narrative to describe his life. His "special interest" is religion, and religious themes play a nice counterpoint to the ideas and concepts addressed as Marcelo attempts to navigate a new path. Marcelo is very real and very compelling. It didn't take long to care about a young man who honestly wants to do the right thing. In the end, it was a book I stayed up late at night to finish because I simply had to see how things would turn out for him. The novel was another winner of the Schneider Family Award, given to books which detail those living with the disability experience. Marcelo would want me to say that a) he is not disabled and b) he does not have Asperger's, he has an undiagnosed condition that most closely resembles Asperger's. Marcelo is nothing if not specific. The book is a lovely story of discovering the wider world and of gaining insight along the way. It is easy to see why it has been given honors and awards. Take this journey with Marcelo.

"Folly" by Marthe Jocelyn

This tale of Victorian England tells the story through multiple voices and years. With echoes of Oliver Twist, we hear from Mary, a simple country girl done wrong; James Nelligan, a fostered waif; Eliza, a a jealous scullery maid; and Oliver, a history teacher with a past. Not nearly as dark or lengthy as your average Dickensonian tome, it still manages to portray the time in realistic terms that show the often insurmountable challenges faced by those on the lower echelon of society. It has sad parts, but it isn't depressing. Mary's voice, in particular, is written in a plaintive, ironic, simple way using vernacular of the period. The "big secret" of the story is one I guessed early on, and while the ending may not be Disney, it isn't bleak. I could wax on, but that would be a disservice to a nice little novel that made for an enjoyable read. Short and to the point, my sense is that it would have wide appeal if you could actually get kids to read historical fiction. While the book is not romance, there is a storyline involving pre-marital sex. It is plainly stated but but not over the top. This element may make the book a better read for somewhat older students.

"The Devil's Paintbox" by Victoria McKernan

An excellent historical fiction novel, this tells the tale of Aiden Lynch, a young boy whose life is destroyed by the chaos of the Civil War who joins a wagon train west. Along with his sister, they experience eye-opening adventures and heartbreak along the Oregon Trail. As usual, the cover art is deceiving. As the book begins, Aiden is "almost 16." The young man on the cover looks more like a person in his late 20s. At times, the writing seems a tad heavy-handed and events forced a bit, but then you remember that in this place, in this time, life was larger and childhood was much more brief. Without doubt, this is not "Little House on the Prairie." In the end, I was won over by an authenticity in the details. The third person narrative and clear research by the author makes it feel like real history, even if all of these things may not have necessarily happened to one person. It is not a happy tale, although bits of light do pierce the darkness. Much like an Irishman, the reader must accept that with every good thing that happens, tragedy is likely to follow. You do begin to feel for Aiden, who doesn't recognize his own will of iron, but wonder if true happiness will ever touch his life. As usual, I do have one small complaint -- in this case, the title. "The Devil's Paintbox" refers to smallpox, and while it does weave in and out of the story, I'm not sure I would title the book in this way. It makes it seem as if this is a story about smallpox. It's really not. Admittedly, "The Devil's Paintbox" is a far more interesting title than "Aiden's Journey" or something more on point, but it's not particularly accurate. The book is a coming-of-age story, a travelogue, but not a story about a disease. It's not even a drama, strictly speaking, as there are multiple climaxes and no specific denouement. The tale meanders more than it directs, with distinct peaks at the middle of the book, another about two thirds of the way in, and one at the end. One event doesn't lead to another, they simply open the storyline to a "new chapter" as it were. In this way, the book feels real, it simply is a slice of life rather than a moral all neatly wrapped up. I liked the book, and feel that it could raise interest in this part of American history for the readers (a nice bibliography is offered at the end). I also like the strong male protagonist, feeling that it gives the book a wide appeal. With historical fiction not moving much these days, it is worth marketing.

“Miles from Ordinary” by Carol Lynch Williams

This slim novel won the Schneider Family award last year for best book about the disability experience. As usual, I had meant to read it, but it took a while to work my way through the list. The action of the book takes place in a single day and very much in the mind of our protagonist, Lacey. The activities of her life lead to a constant stream of flash-backs as she works through the challenges of being a child with a mentally ill mother. Her internal self-talk is a steady back-and-forth between the normal wishes of a young teen, and the challenging, almost impossible demands of being a child looking after an adult. Even when Lacey is around others, she is alone, feeling isolated in a prison of her mother’s delusions. It is well-written but a painful read. I could identify with Lacey’s isolation, the craving for normalcy (a better title would have been “Miles from Normal” but that probably didn’t scan as well) and the panicky feeling of being overwhelmed at her own inability to make things right. Lacey is fourteen. This is the fourth book I’ve read in the last month with a 14 year-old protagonist. Must be something about being fourteen. Lacey has to act in ways far superior to her chronological age, but at the same time, she is a scared young girl who cannot fully appreciate the circumstances surrounding her life. Despite its short length, the dizzying emotional swings and floating time focus make this a book for more mature readers. Lacey’s mother is supposedly a severe depressive, but she comes off more like a schizophrenic. The achingly slow climax, building throughout most of the book, is truly frightening and disturbing. The wish for a peaceful resolution is left to the reader’s imagination as the denouement is left fairly open. It is not an easy book to read. It is not a happy book. But it is a powerful one, and deserves the accolades it has received.

“Akata Witch” by Nnedi Okorafor

I seem to be in this place where I’m judging books by their cover. Definitely not a good call for a librarian. First, I mistake “Okay for Now” as a contemporary middle school humor novel (when it is actually a high school historical fiction coming-of-age book) and with this novel, I assumed some sort of Asian mythology. Had I looked more carefully at the cover or known the origin of the word “Akata” I would have known better. This fast-reading story is about a 14 year-old named Sunny who is an albino Nigerian girl born in the U.S. and now returned to her home country. Sunny feels a little lost – in part because of her looks, and in part because of a vision she has which presages very dark things to come. We quickly discover that Sunny is not like other people, and her differences have little to do with her skin pigmentation. One of the “Leopard Folk,” she discovers a hidden heritage and magical abilities she could only imagine in the opening pages of the book. It’s a fun tale of young teens on one of those epic journeys to stop the “big bad” and it is enlightening in terms of seeing a country I knew little about in very different ways. Despite the inevitable Harry Potter comparisons (isn’t that the case with everything these days?) it is not derivative. Any complaints I have are minor. There are some editing issues – Sunny apparently returned to Nigeria at age 9 but has been best friends with Orlu since they were five. It’s minor, but issues like these are distracting to me and should have been caught before publication. The other complaint isn’t really a complaint, but an oddness. The real story is about Sunny’s journey to self-actualization rather than the "let's get the bad guy" focus. The dramatic climax, including the epic battle, is only a few pages long. It’s almost as if this part of the tale is secondary to the character growth and relationships that occur. I don’t mind, it’s just not typical. While I enjoyed the story, I couldn’t help wondering when they were going to get to the inevitable conflict. It will be interesting to see how teen readers react to this style, as it is so different from your standard YA novel of this type. Overall, I enjoyed the book a good deal. I hope others will, too.

Two Books

Two books, one review. I read them back-to-back and was surprised at both their symmetry and similarities. Both have 14 year-old male protagonists who have talents they haven't begun to explore. Both boys begin their summers by travelling away from the city to pastoral climes. Both books succeed at discovering very real voices in the first person narratives of these young men, and the subtle humor in their observations of the world. Both are bildungsroman, my favorite $1 word, describing a coming of age novel. Both have a unique concept that ties the story together in a strong, literary way. And both are written by award-winning writers whose work I had read before. "Okay for Now" comes from Gary D. Schmidt, who has a stack of notable awards for "Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy" and "The Wednesday Wars." Kathryn Erskine had won the National Book Award with "Mockingbird" last year before she penned "The Absolute Value of Mike."

"The Absolute Value of Mike" uses Mathematical concepts to tell the tale of Mike, a boy with a distant father (possibly with Aspergers) who has to spend the summer with a kooky bunch of friends and relatives in rural Pennsylvania as a town comes together to do the impossible. The Mathematical phrases, and their descriptions, plot Mike's progress as he moves from parallel relationships to intersecting ones. Told with a light, gentle touch, this book is a fast read that makes for a good middle school text. Students who liked "Surviving the Applewhites" and "Operation Yes" will find similarities in the upbeat journey of improbable events. There is even a little of the weirdness you find in "Going Bovine" although this story is pretty much on the wholesome side. At the very least, it will have you looking at homeless people an entirely different way.

"Okay for Now" is much more complex, and more appropriate for high school. Denser with even more layers, the theme here is the work of James Audubon, and the art lessons Doug receives, which show him that balance, tension and depth are life lessons as well as art concepts. The book was hard for me to get into, not because it was bad, but because the cover set me up with different expectations. As a librarian, I should know better than to judge a book by its cover. I thought it was a contemporary humor novel and found a historical book with as much pathos as quiet grins. It took me a couple chapters to adjust. Once I did, however, I could hardly put the book down. Set in 1968, this story picks up the character of Doug from "The Wednesday Wars" and makes him the protagonist (Holling Hoodhood, the lead character in "The Wednesday Wars" makes a brief appearance near the beginning of the book). Doug's family makes a sudden move to upstate NY and, like a fish out of water, the young man tries to navigate a completely different world than the Long Island home he is accustomed to. There is a slow, lyrical quality to the work of Gary Schmidt, but I liked this far more than "Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy." While that historical novel had a compelling tale and was written as if it were a series of artistic frescoes, the characters weren't overly compelling. Here, they jump off the page. I felt as if Doug was sitting next to me telling me his story rather than just reading it. Also, unlike "Lizzie Bright" a tale that was moving towards darkness, this is a journey of a teenager moving into the light. Upbeat despite some overwhelmingly sad layers, it shows how even then, it took a village to raise a child and that the human spirit can succeed where human beings fail. The characters here are not simple. Bad guys surprise you at times, with the one exception I took being a change in a major character near the end. Despite the book's theme of redemption, I felt that the reform of this particular character was too sudden and it felt unrealistic. The rest of the book, however, felt more like autobiography than fiction. Looking at Mr. Schmidt's biography, it is clear that he may have drawn on his own life experiences, which made this book, IMHO, the best that he has written.

Bravo to Mike and Doug, two guys who made sitting down to read a deeply cool experience. Enjoy.