“Thoreau at Walden” by John Porcellino from the writings of Henry David Thoreau

I think I was supposed to be charmed by this graphic novel depicting the story of Thoreau’s two years at Walden Pond. I wasn’t. The book is drawn in a simplistic manner that was highly reminiscent of Charles Schultz. The color scheme is black and white with tan shading. I think the idea was to keep the drawings basic so that the reader could focus on the ideas of Thoreau (the majority of the words are direct quotes). Townspeople are sometimes drawn incompletely, sometimes just as bouncing heads, perhaps to visually enforce Thoreau’s isolation. I postulated that the brown shading was an homage to Thoreau’s connection to the earth (or an attempt at creating a historical feel with sepia-toned images?) and the clean line drawings a symbol of his commitment to living with less. But it didn’t work (IMHO). The first problem is that the cartoonish style will not draw in younger readers because the ideas are still Thoreau’s. Older readers won’t want to read this boiled down version of philosophy, either. I disagree with the premise that Thoreau’s ideas can be explained in a drawing of a tree or a leaf. His ideas appear straightforward, but are also layered and subtle, which is what makes his reflections so interesting. The bottom line is that the images in a graphic novel should add something to the words, in this case I think they take away from the concepts. They infer that all you have to do is sit by the water or write in a cabin by candlelight and you will get it. When Thoreau says “A lake is the landscape’s most beautiful feature … it is earth’s eye looking into which the beholder measures the depths of his own nature.” I wanted to see something besides a brown lake with odd little infinity signs floating across it. If my mind is filling in visual images that are not provided in the graphic novel, then something is clearly missing. I think that the author knew this on some level, as he provided a lengthy introduction (written by D.B. Johnson) and an equally lengthy “Panel Discussion” section at the end. If you have to put this many explanations into a graphic novel then you haven’t figured out the power that a good graphic novel can convey. Marjane Satrapi’s “Persepolis” for instance, only uses black ink drawings, but the images brilliantly create an emotional tone for the words – words and pictures work in a partnership. In this book the words and images seem to create a tension with each other. At times, they become almost comical, with Thoreau looking rotund and having a sagging bottom … further distracting from the text. So, I’m not a fan. Others are welcome to disagree!

“The Luxe” by Anna Godbersen

Gossip girls hit the 19th century in this frothy and fun book that is the first in a three set series. Newcomer Anna Godbersen manages to catch all the loves, lusts and manipulations of New York’s high society with on-the-spot language. As she states in the opening chapter, “They were a society whose chief vocations were to entertain and be entertained, punctuated occasionally by the reinvestment of their vast fortunes in new and ever more lucrative prospects.” The plot unfolds exactly as I expected, given that most of the characters have the depth of Tori Spelling, but the story is a page-turner and the historical “feel” makes it entertaining. At 433 pages it was a remarkably fast read (and includes a 15 page preview of the upcoming sequel, “Rumors”). The chapters are short and are each prefixed with gossipy news items or snippets of letters. This bodice-ripping lite fare celebrates a truly fascinating time in our past. The aptly named “gay nineties” wasn’t just a heyday, it was very much the end of a kind of history. Half a generation before the “modern” times, this would be the last moments for corsets and horse-drawn carriages and gentlemen who left calling cards. The Victorian Age was dying, the Industrial Age was charging ahead like an omnipotent mammoth, and the women in those stuffy receiving rooms were clearly sensing the new winds. They outwardly adhered to the sensibilities of the time but the mentality of 20th century freedoms was making its mark. Amidst the Astors and the Vanderbilts, there were young women who smoked, laughed loudly and did far more than hold hands with their beaus during chaperoned walks along the promenade. This book may heighten the realities of those behind-the-scene behaviors, but it is easy to see flappers emerging from a generation of women who would throw off conventions and live life to the fullest. Glitz may have come in with the 20s, but this was the era of true glamour, of elegance, in a way it would never be again. I liked this book and look forward to the next (although it feels more like a summer beach read…). My one complaint is the cover, which features a woman too old to represent the lead character, and dressed in a way that is belied by the descriptions inside. I realize it may be a subtle hint at the “inner life” of the character, but it’s distracting. This series should be a hit with our chick-lit crowd if they are willing to stretch themselves ~just a little~ to move beyond the prep schools of their current literature.

“Hattie Big Sky” by Kirby Larson

I’m not a fan of historical fiction set in America, but this one got to me. The first young adult novel by Ms. Larson, the idea for this story came from her own family. Surprised to hear that her great-grandmother had been a homesteader in Montana during World War I, she set out to discover how a young woman might have done this on her own. In the course of her research she discovered the struggles faced by many German immigrants during this period and that becomes one of the more compelling plotlines. It was in no way pedantic, but I felt I learned a lot. It is a novel of westward expansion, but the setting, with cars and motorcycles as well as carts and horses, makes for a very fresh take. Hattie Brooks is a delightful lead character and her historically appropriate musings make for an entertaining and satisfying tale. From time to time some of the events seem a tad staged – the evil neighbor is only a mustache away from caricature, and bad things can be anticipated because they happen right when they should. It is Hattie’s voice, however, and her heartfelt letters to a soldier at war and an uncle who took her in which make this story sing. Larson lets the stunning beauty of Montana add to the texture of the prose and woven phrases tend to stick, like “My bounce-around life had taught me that dreams were dangerous things – they look solid in your mind, but you just try to reach for them. It’s like gathering clouds.” The ending was real but was a little open. One could imagine a sequel, or perhaps just an epilogue. Definitely a worthwhile read. Take the journey.

“Elijah of Buxton” by Christopher Paul Curtis

“Watsons Go to Birmingham … 1963” remains one of my favorite books, and Mr. Curtis returns to familiar territory here. Again, he reveals a dark and horrific period in our history with gentleness. His protagonist is “nearly 12 year-old” Elijah Freeman, the first free-born child in the Canadian settlement of Buxton. The year is 1860. By making a young boy his narrator, the sadness of events is tinged with the hope and promise of the future. Elijah grows in this tale because of the realities of his mid-nineteenth century environment, but he also plays with his friends and loves his parents and struggles with his schoolwork. Elijah’s grounded and honest voice brings humor and humanity to this novel. Unfortunately, it is yet another book by Curtis that might be more appreciated by adults than kids, many of whom will have to be steered towards it. Elijah is young out of necessity. It is important that he still sees the magic possibilities of the world. However, his age and the picture of a young boy on the cover will keep many teens from picking it up. Younger readers will also not gravitate towards it, as the book is over 300 pages and not paced in such a way as to hold their attention. A pity, as this is an excellent tale. Written in authentic but understandable dialect, Mr. Curtis once again manages to convey a layered story through seemingly simple prose. Elijah’s journey, both external and internal, make a real impact, but it sneaks up on the reader. The story is mostly fictional, but the settlement is real. Historical notes provided by the author as an epilogue give an uplifting emotional sense despite a challenging ending. Credit is given to the author for not providing us so much with the ending we would wish, but an ending that feels real. For those who have enjoyed his previous books, dig in! For those who haven’t, I would say that it’s time to discover a great new talent.

“Skim” by Mariko & Jillian Tamaki

Kimberly is a 10th grade girl in a Catholic school in Canada. Overweight and slightly depressed, she is nick-named “Skim” by her classmates and seeks solace in the practice of Wicca. The setting is 1993, which allows the story to feel contemporary but be freed from constant interactions via computers and cellphones. The entries in this graphic novel are mostly diary-like, with Kim reflecting her frustration with the cliques and shallowness of those around her, while feeling a little lost by not fitting in. She experiences distance from her best friend and a kiss from someone unexpected, which leaves her even more confused and alone. The artwork is excellent, with black and white pen drawings that have great detail but also show whimsy and infer emotional tone. Fainter images of leaves, birds, footsteps in the snow, etc surround the comic-like strips and unite them, creating an overall tone for each of the three “chapters”. The book’s subject matter is mature. With 16 year-old characters, we see issues of sexuality intermingled with smoking, strong language and suicide. Like many teen novels, the majority of adults are dismissed as clearly not understanding where these young women are at. The dialog is light for the 143 page book, but it is a memorable story in terms of the “completeness” of the characters. I think this is a book high school girls would very much enjoy – if they were the kind to pick up graphic novels. Sadly, they are not, so to get this book read it will have to be marketed.

“The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd

An adult book that appeared on the bestseller lists for many weeks, this one had been on my “to read” list for a long time. It did not disappoint. An absolutely lovely, if not magical tale, this tells the story of Lily Owens, an abused girl with a troubled past. Set in South Carolina during the summer of 1964, Lily escapes her father along with a domestic servant of the household and finds refuge in a unique environment. The house she lands in is governed by the life of bees, as is the structure of the book, each chapter detailing social aspects of a bee’s life which are paralleled by the characters. Touching and sad, but ultimately uplifting, this is clearly one of those new classics. The prose is simple but beautifully penned, lyrical in its descriptions. The “inner life” of Lily and the people around her feel startlingly real and immensely powerful. It is definitely a book I continued to think about after I’d finished it, and one that made me want to turn the page – not because of events but to see the development of the characters. In the end, the emotional power of this story really affected me. There is a religious theme but I cannot imagine it would be offensive to those of differing beliefs. The faith of the women in the book is that of survival – the strength that can be found when you find the power of your own heart. The book is fiction, but it reads so much like truth that the author felt compelled to include a detailed interview at the end to describe her source materials. Brava to Ms. Kidd. May her next endeavor be as gratifying.

“The Nature of Jade” by Deb Caletti

In many ways, Jade is your typical 17 year-old Senior. Facing post-high school plans she isn’t fully committed to and watching her friends drift away (as they do during this time of life) she finds solace in watching the elephants from a nearby zoo online at night. Jade is also not your typical teen. She suffers from anxiety disorders that paralyze her, to a degree, and keep her from taking charge of her life. By following up on her connection with elephants, her path crosses that of a young man who carries his own surprising burden. Ms. Caletti uses the same accessible writing here as in her other books. The characters are very contemporary and very real. No one is overly perfect nor a full-fledged monster. The characters, including the elephants, are all well developed and have several layers. Choosing to read this directly after finishing “The Secret Life of Bees” I was surprised at the parallels. Both lead characters are very lost internally, and both books begin each chapter with information on their animals of choice. I truly enjoyed this book and have a new appreciation for elephants having read it. The only minor stumbling block for me was a slight “tidying up” of a rather messy moral dilemma. I’m not sure young folk who read this will be as troubled as adults by the eventual choices made by the characters, although all sides of the issue are represented. As one character, Tess, says, life is really more about the grays than the black and whites. This story shows Jade’s growing appreciation of that fact, but also leaves the readers to mull it for themselves. I liked that this book made me smile and that an upbeat ending was found without being overly tidy. An excellent read and strong recommendation for teen readers.

“A Long Way Gone: Memoir of a Boy Soldier” by Ishmael Beah

I knew of the controversy surrounding this book before I read it, but would have questioned some of the contents in any case. Billed as a memoir of Ishmael Beah, recruited into the Sierra Leone army in his teens, there have been widespread reports about inaccuracies and falsehoods in this tale. As one critic pointed out, the chance of all of these things happening to one person is doubtful. ***SPOILER ALERT*** Certainly, some parts, as I mentioned, are improbable. The most glaring of which is the section in which Ishmael is one hillside away from meeting up with his family, all of them having spent months wandering tremendous distances after their village is destroyed, only to have the family killed just as he runs to meet them. In fiction, we would not blink an eye at this, understanding the nature of a literary work – as nonfiction it raises some doubts. Another issue, to my mind, is what Mr. Beah does *not* say. Early on, he makes a point of talking about how the rebels work to keep villagers nearby as human shields, but once he is in the army Ishmael only talks about attacking villages with nothing but rebels in them. No mention of civilian casualties is made, nor is there any discussion of soldiers raping women, which is highly suspect given that rapes are commonplaces in these situations. One sentence, a vague one in a book of extreme detail, mentions a blood-covered gym where a school dance was taking place. It is never made clear what Ishmael’s role was in this killing. Mr. Beah does recount with blunt phrasing the deaths of friends and strangers, but near the end he adds the death of one friend only in footnote, noting that the boy sat near a wall with a hole in his head. Was it friendly fire? We may never know. Lastly, for a book about being a soldier, the story focuses far more on the running from war than on the actual soldiering, which takes up less than the last third of the book. The inconsistencies and inaccuracies can be easily explained in many ways: post-traumatic stress, survivor guilt, Mr. Beah’s clear need to be the hero of his own piece and his role as a spokesman for these children, which certainly could lead to the tendency to elaborate or combine stories for affect. This is, as he clearly points out, a story-telling culture. The question in my mind is: does it matter? Some things are very clear. Mr. Beah *was* recruited into the military at a very young age. He was given drugs (a common practice in Sierra Leone) and his entire family was slaughtered in a civil war that killed more than 50,000 people over 10 years. He certainly was witness to, and most likely a participant in, some horrific acts. If we accept that this story does have a truth to it for far too many children around the globe, then it can be considered a worthwhile read for anyone who wants to open their eyes to the daily tragedies that affect many on this planet. I believe that it is not important whether every event in this book happened to Ishmael Beah, but it is critical for teens of this country to understand what it means when they see news reports of ethnic fighting in far-flung nations. Mr. Beah’s story is accessible, if not brutal in parts, and makes a strong statement about the unending nature of war. I strongly recommend it for teen and adult readers, but caution that it is “too much” for younger readers and will be fully understood only by those who can look past the detailed descriptions of massacres to see the overlying points. A painful read at times, make sure to follow it with something to lift your spirits.

”After Tupac & D Foster” by Jacqueline Woodson

Contemporary author Jacqueline Woodson relates “slices of life” in her books in ways that are crystal clear. In reading them, you often feel like you are sitting on a street corner watching the scenes unfold in front of you. Without doubt, this is why I find her books so tremendously engaging. “After Tupac & D Foster” is a stream of consciousness story that feels more like memoir than fiction. Recalling a year of her childhood (the lead character is never named, so I just put Ms. Woodson in the story as the narrator) we see three girls in a Brooklyn neighborhood bonding as sisters. Other than growing up a tad, little happens to them other than the short scenes we see of bonding and sisterhood. The title is symbolic of the book’s theme – Tupac was shot, sent to prison and then shot again; D Foster is one of the three girls who simply “roams” into the lives of the other two, then disappears leaving her own mark. The title could have easily included a third character, “Tash”. The older brother of Neeka, his absence is, in many ways, filled by Tupac and D. Between the ages of 12 and 13, Neeka, D and our unnamed narrator sit on a stoop and try to find a “Big Purpose” to their lives. This is not your typical novel. The characters don’t grow significantly or change dramatically by the end, but their observations are engaging. Instead of the characters going on a journey, I felt like I had done so as the reader – being invited into their world for a short time. I felt richer for it, but am not sure that the middle-school readers this book is aimed at will fully “get it”. Reception thus far has been cooler than that for Ms. Woodson’s top hit, “If You Come Softly”. Like Angela Johnson’s “Heaven”, this book is just a little jewel along the road. Hopefully, some thoughtful readers will come across it and enjoy.

“Dramarama” by E. Lockhart

I should have written this book. It is, essentially, pages from my diary. Because it hit so close to home that I can’t truly say if it was well-written or not, but I sense it was “decent” teen fare without the brilliance of one of her newer books, “The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks”. Once again, the setting is an exclusive school and the characters are fairly literate older teens. This time, the setting is a theatre summer camp and the characters are wanna-be stars. Sarah Paulson, awkward, lonely and bored with her suburban existence, makes a friend with the closeted gay teen, Demi. Demi is a black boy in a white world who has perfected the ability to disappear into the high school world of faded jeans and noncommittal sports shirts. Sarah and Demi both apply and get into a summer arts program akin to Interlochen. Once there, they experience the powerful ups and downs associated with theatre. Sarah, redubbed as “Sadye” falls in love with the rush, struggles with the competition and aches to find a place to belong. She is a newbie in this atmosphere and makes many missteps. The reader is left to wonder whether her opinions, correct but disruptive, should be voiced or not. It is a dilemma faced not only by me and many teens, but by those at HBW, who are encouraged to speak out, even when doing so makes others uncomfortable. I find some private joy in a resolution that encourages being your own person, a theme common in these types of books. To Ms. Lockhart’s credit, she sticks to the reality of the situation, and relationships don’t always develop as you would wish. The nice thing about her books, and her strong-willed protagonists, is that they live with the consequences of their actions. I liked this book and see it as having fairly wide appeal for any kid who lives and breathes the theatre ‘thang. I recommend it for a fast, fun read.

“What They Found: Love On 145th Street” by Walter Dean Myers

Mr. Myers has won countless awards, and it is easy to see why. This collection of 15 short stories, following up on his previous collection about 145th Street, is accessible, warm, simple and touching. Love is explored in all its forms. We see a good deal of loss but a tremendous spirit and heart within each of the characters. The first story, about a family and a beauty shop, sets a framework for lives intertwined. Much like Judith Ortiz Cofer’s “An Island Like You”, these folks live in a community where culture supports them as much as anything else. This is a neighborhood where the insiders know one another and accept the down-and-out as part of their family. Alternating between deeply serious and hysterically funny, the language would make this a good middle-school book, but the situations place it a bit higher. We see familial love, new love, crushes and heartbreak, all wrapped in the quilt that makes up Harlem. I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Myers once. He is quiet, gentle and kind, and these stories not only speak of love between people, but the love he has of his community. It is to his credit that his writing feels fresh and contemporary, speaking to young and old. I recommend this book to any who enjoy short stories, as I do. I feel they are often overlooked, but stories distilled can be very pure and rich, as these are. Enjoy.

“Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy” by Gary D. Schmidt

“…the soft new day shrugged itself awake, tried on amethyst and lavender for a while, and finally decided on a pale yellow.”

Such is the rich text of this short, but dense novel. It paints a deep picture of a real time and place, of a real event in America’s past. The story is one of the many shameful ones in our history, one where the lives of blacks are destroyed by their white neighbors, but the events of the story seem to take a back seat to the internal journey of the lead character, Turner Buckminster and the stunning setting of New England in 1912. The son of a new minister in Phippsburg, Maine, he struggles with his identity as a “minister’s son”. Making friends with Lizzie Griffin, a resident of nearby Malaga Island, puts him and his family at odds with a town determined to oust the black community of the island and pursue financial dreams of creating a tourist spot for vacationers. Many of the characters have unexpected twists and turns, but the motivation for choices is often left unexplored. Events simply happen, with little through-line to connect them. More lasting, for me, were the symbolic descriptions of the landscape and the ever-changing sea. Whales, for instance, become the metaphor for strength and understanding. As an avid kayaker myself, I felt a strong kinship with Turner as he began to find solace in those jewel-toned waters. This looks like a young adult novel (with 13 year-old protagonists) and may not appeal to older readers, but I think that the book will be most appreciated by those who have “lived a little” and can see the subtleties woven throughout this work. It is the best, I think, of Mr. Schmidt’s books, and received both the Newbery and Printz honors. For thoughtful readers, it is definitely a worthwhile read.

“Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert

Again, the summer brought me a significant parallel. Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, “Eat, Pray, Love” and the movie “Julie & Julia” both featured the true stories of just-30 women who needed to make a change in their lives. Both women, featured in print and in film, have been widely criticized as being selfish, self-centered and whiney. I personally didn’t find either of them to be egocentric and understood their need to forge a new path. There is something that happens, I believe, when you hit your 30s. In our youth, we dream of ideal but simplified careers. “I want to be a Veterinarian” or “I want to be a Pilot” are common themes. We may dream of changing the world or of finding “the one”. These dreams are still possible in your 20s, when escape from schooling occurs and the world lies open and waiting. But, by your 30s, reality sets in. No matter what career you are in, it is usually not as glamorous as you expected, and, for many of us, not very fulfilling. The person who made the world light up for you at 22 has changed, as have you, and the idea of sticking in for the long haul looks more scary than comforting. So, what do you do? Many of us settle, giving in to the momentum of car payments, security and the expectations of society. These two women decided to try something different. For one year, Julie Powell cooked her way through Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” and blogged about it. This fulfilled her need to write and challenged her to “Be Brave” as Ms. Child would often extol. Elizabeth Gilbert had a similar impulse, but different needs. A lover of yoga, a Christian and a writer, she was desperate to find inner peace, to truly commune with God. She took a year off from work and spent four months in Italy, four months in India and four months in Indonesia. The idea was to spoil herself in Italy and pursue her life dream of learning Italian. In India, she would spend six weeks in a meditative Ashram then travel the country, and in Indonesia she would commune with a Holy Man and find balance between the pleasure of Italy and the devotion of India.

In many ways, Ms. Gilbert stuck to the plan. She learned Italian, learned to relax and learned to eat with joy in Italy. Her arch sense of humor and on-point observations become instantly clear in this first journey, detailed in diary-like entries that chronicle her inner path as much as her astonishing weight gain. She “hits the wall”, so to speak, in India, where she must finally confront the insecurities and inner demons that constantly nag at her consciousness. Extending her time at the Ashram for the full four months, she repeatedly struggles against the same issues. Over time her restless fighting lands her with no other choice than to “let it go”. And she does. By the time she reaches Indonesia she is able to take many of the unexpected events in stride. Her new-found understanding of her own psyche leads to love, a “crossing over” she began in Italy.

I found the book delightful and engaging. I saw much of myself in this woman and enjoyed the grounded nature at the core of this “flight of fancy”. The spiritual exploration was particularly poignant to me and I admire Gilbert for putting the importance of this experiment ahead of the nay-sayers and those ever-present expectations of society. The more I read, the more I liked it, and I recommend it to any person who is willing to take that step into the unknown. That, as they say, is a true act of faith.

“Th1rteen R3asons Why” by Jay Asher

This could be another depressing book about the painful topic of teen suicide if not for a fairly brilliant literary device. Hannah Baker is dead, and one of her classmates, Clay Jensen, arrives home one day to find a box of audiotapes at his doorstep. When he plays the tapes, he is shocked to hear Hannah’s voice. She says the tapes will explain her suicide, placing blame on the thirteen people who caused her life to spiral out of control. Each “chapter” of the book then covers one side of each tape, the story of a person who did something to hurt her or did something they shouldn’t have which ended up causing pain to others. Despite an overabundance of bad luck for Hannah, it does ring true as far as the teen experience goes. It is not an easy book to read, but the structure makes you want to turn the page. Much like Clay, you want to know “the answer”. And this is key – while many events are spelled out, many injuries (big and small) are detailed, at the end this is a suicide. Clay’s questions, and those of the reader, will remain unanswered. It is not the most brilliantly written book. There are no great literary turns of phrase, and Clay’s memories, intertwined sentence-by-sentence with Hannah’s reflections, can sometimes make for a dizzying read. But it is compelling. Asher doesn’t shy from the realities of teen world – the distance many feel from their parents, the isolation that makes every kid have a monologue of sorts in their own head. He also doesn’t absolve Hannah. Like any suicide, this one prompts sadness, guilt, confusion and anger. Mr. Asher allows his main character to feel all of these emotions, and more, never cleaning up or even resolving the churning feelings that are brought up by this tale. I read the book over two days, but felt tense the entire time … in many ways I was over-identifying with Clay, who experiences this entire event in a single night and is stressed and sickened by what he hears. The book was, however, a favorite in TAB last year. (I **really** need to read these TAB books before the students do!!) It is not a middle school book (due primarily to the story of #12), but hey, if it spoke to those who read it, who am I to say no? A worthwhile book to read, perhaps a more important book to discuss. As Hannah would say – it’s your turn.