skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Book Info:
The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman. Random House Children's Books, 2008.
Summary:
Sally Lockhart has run in to a bit of trouble lately. Her father's ship has been lost at sea, her father dead, and the money she was supposed to inherit is mysteriously missing. Add on to all of that a mysterious warning, "beware the seven blessings," and Sally has a mystery she can't solve all on her own. She seeks out one of her father's former employees, but when he hears the mysterious phrase, he dies of fright. After that Sally learns to be quieter as she delves into the mystery of her father's death and a stolen ruby. With death all around her and mysterious figures seeking her out for what she might know, Sally must keep her wits about her if she hopes to not only solve these mysteries but also to survive.
My Take:
I've never been a big fan of mysteries (though I do enjoy police procedurals and movie mysteries). I don't know if it's just that I got into fantasies really early and never really got around to mysteries, but for whatever reason I was never a big fan. In recent years, I've read a few more mysteries (and am still longing to read some Agatha Christie after that great "Doctor Who" episode), but it's never really something I gravitate so. So this week was an interesting one for me as I tried to figure out which mysteries I might like best. I settled on this one partly because I like Philip Pullman and because I'd watched part of one of the BBC adaptations of the books on PBS (starring another of my favorite things from "Doctor Who," Billie Piper). I wasn't disappointed. I ended up really liking this first book in the series, mostly because Sally was so resilient and brave no matter the danger she faced. Despite being a Victorian girl, she was no shrinking violet or some shrieking, fainting girl who needed a man to save her; she could save herself, but was also willing to ask for help when she needed it. This would be a great introduction to many young readers into the mystery genre.
Reviews:
School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up A rip-roaring good adventure story filled with cutthroat villains, dastardly deeds, sleezy opium dens, filthy London slums, and a delightful 16-year-old heroine. Sally, orphaned when her father dies at sea, becomes ensconsed in mystery and treachery when she learns that a legendary ruby is rightfully hers. With the help of two friends, she sidesteps several attempts on her life, helps rescue a young girl from the clutches of a ruthless blackmailer, and finds the hidden fortune that her father had left her. There are twists and turns at every moment, with new characters constantly entering and old ones exiting (not by their own choice). Descriptions are vivid, colorful, and fully realized. Subtle innuendos enhance character development, and the understated humor keeps readers from taking the story too seriously. There are a few lapses in plotting and several contrivances, but these are minor flaws in a story that pulls together to become a rousing tale of murder and adventure in London in 1872. It's a book for sophisticated readers because of the variety of motivations and schemes as well as the shifts in setting within chapters, and one that's not for the timid because of the many murders. Trev Jones, ``School Library Journal''
Suggestions:
A really great mystery, especially for readers not too keen on or adept at mysteries. It wasn't so difficult that only an expert could figure things out, but it was tricky enough that it takes some thinking to figure out all the twists and turns. This could be very good for a discussion group or book talk, especially if you were trying to interest girls in reading mysteries and for readers looking for an interesting heroine who's strong and smart but not infallible.
Book Info:
Graceling by Kristen Cashore. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009.
Summary:
A spellbinding fantasy about a world where people born with magical powers or "Graces" are easily identified by their different-colored eyes. Katsa, King Randa's niece, is one such Graceling. However, her Grace is unique as it is a killing Grace. Because of her talents, Randa uses her as his enforcer, sending her out to hurt, punish, or kill anyone who does not comply with his orders or wishes. However, Katsa and some of her fellow nobles and friends, including Randa's son, form a secret council which seeks to subvert Randa's plans and cruelties by stealthily fighting against injustice throughout the Seven Kingdoms. When their latest mission has Katsa rescuing the grandfather of Lienid royalty, Katsa encounters a man with a Grace of his own, a Grace for fighting. He's almost a match for Katsa, and she soon discovers that this man is Prince Po of Lienid. After defying her uncle's wishes, Katsa and Po flee Randa's kingdom, intent of finding out who wanted Po's grandfather kidnapped and why. What they find out could change all of the Seven Kingdoms for years to come, and could change both Katsa and Po in ways they could never imagine.
My Take:
I loved this book. Friends had told me how good it was, but I hadn't had a chance to read it (though I had bought its sequel, Fire already). I figured, given all the recommendations, that I should just buy it, and I wasn't disappointed in my purchase. For some reason, given the blurb on the back, I had thought the book was about younger characters, so I was pleasantly surprised that the characters were older and more mature, as it meant they could go on bigger adventures than if they were in their early teens as I had first thought. Katsa was a fun and interesting character, reminding me a lot of some of Tamora Pierce's heroines, and the romance between Katsa and Po was beautiful and intriguing, but not so simple as to be improbable or unbelievable. This is a great book for anyone who enjoys historical/supernatural fantasy with a little romance mixed in, or anyone who enjoys strong heroines who still have faults and problems despite all their strength.
Reviews:
School Library Journal (October 01, 2008 ; 0-15-206396-X )
Gr 8 Up-In this debut fantasy novel, Cashore treats readers to compelling and eminently likable characters and a story that draws them in from the first paragraph. In Katsa's world, the "Graced," those gifted in a particular way, are marked by eyes that are different colors. Katsa's Grace is that she is a gifted fighter, and, as such, she is virtually invincible. She is in the service of her tyrannical uncle, king of one of the seven kingdoms, and she is forced to torture people for infractions against him. She has secretly formed the Council, which acts in the service of justice and fairness for those who have been accused and abused. Readers meet her as she is rescuing the father of the Lienid king, who has been abducted. The reasons for his capture are part of a tightening plot that Katsa unravels and resolves, with the help of Prince Po, the captive's grandson. He has his own particular Grace, and he becomes Katsa's lover and partner in what becomes a mortally dangerous mission. Cashore's style is exemplary: while each detail helps to paint a picture, the description is always in the service of the story, always helping readers to a greater understanding of what is happening and why. This is gorgeous storytelling: exciting, stirring, and accessible. Fantasy and romance readers will be thrilled.-Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
The New York Times - Katie Roiphe
In the course of her dark and eventful tale, Cashore plays with the idea of awkwardness, how at a certain age gifts and talents are burdens, how they make it impossible to feel comfortable in the world. And in this she writes a fairly realistic portrait of teenage life into the baroque courts of her outlandish kingdoms…In many respects Graceling is a study of mysterious angers: it offers a perfect parable of adolescence, as its characters struggle with turbulent emotions they must learn to control. The consequences are more tangible than they usually are in more mundane settings—if Katsa loses control, she breaks someone's jaw by accident—but the principle is the same. The teenage characters in this novel, like some we may know in life, grow into their graces. They realize that their monstrous individuality is not so monstrous after all.
Suggestions:
This book would be great for a book talk, especially if you were trying to encourage teens to read new and interesting fantasy with strong and likable characters. This could also be good for a book discussion group for teens, opening the doorway to other teen supernatural fantasy (other than Twilight).
Book Info:
Impossible by Nancy Werlin.
Summary:
Inspired by the song "Scarborough Fair", this book blends modern life with a capricious Elfin Knight and a curse. Lucy Scarborough is a seventeen year old girl with a very pragmatic way of looking at the world, despite her mother being a mentally ill homeless woman who gave her up for adoption. Despite having very steady and normal parents, Lucy is still troubled by the occasional visits from her mother which have become more and more frequent as Lucy has neared seventeen. There's also Lucy's childhood friend, Zach, who Lucy's been a little in love with since they were children, but as he's older and about to go to college, Lucy allows herself to like another boy her own age, going to prom with him. Something strange happens at prom though, and Lucy's date rapes her, leaving Lucy pregnant. Soon after Lucy discovers a letter from her mother and a diary which warns her of an ancient family curse which states that each girl will become pregnant at the age of seventeen and then go mad after they give birth unless they can complete the three impossible tasks laid out in the song. Unlike the other women before her, Lucy's steady adoptive parents and friend Zach help her work out how to solve the curse and escape from the Knight's clutches.
My Take:
One of the most brilliant and moving books I've read in a long time. I couldn't stop reading this book from the moment I picked it up. So beautiful and haunting that I cried more than once while reading it (and it takes a bit to make me cry when reading). I had originally thought that this book was set in the past and was surprised and delighted to find out it was a modern story with elements of fantasy that were an interesting juxtaposition to the modernity. Lucy was a great character, one I really routed for, and her romance with Zach was sweet and beautiful and moving (and also a bit unexpected just in how quickly it progressed, especially their marriage). The climax was exhilarating and had me yelling at the book when Lucy almost gave up, and the resolution was absolutely brilliant. I can't recommend this book enough.
Reviews:
School Library Journal (September 01, 2008 ; 0-8037-3002-0 )
Gr 9 Up-Werlin combines magic, romance, and a family curse in this 21st-century fairy tale based on the ballad "Scarborough Fair." On the night of her prom, Lucy, 17, is raped by her date and becomes pregnant. She decides to keep the child, and she is supported by her foster parents and Zach, her childhood friend whose love for Lucy changes from platonic to romantic as the story progresses. The teen discovers the curse on the women in her family when she reads her birth mother's diary. Lucy is destined for madness at 18 unless she can perform the three impossible tasks described in the song and break the curse of the Elfin Knight. She is determined to rid herself and her unborn child of the curse, and her family and Zach help her as she works to solve the riddles. This unique story flows smoothly and evenly, and the well-drawn characters and subtle hints of magic early on allow readers to enter willingly into the world of fantasy. As in The Rules of Survival (Dial, 2006), Werlin addresses tough topics. Rape, teen pregnancy, and family madness set the story in motion, but the strength of Lucy's character and the love of her family and friends allow her to deal with such difficult matters and take on the impossible. Teens, especially young women, will enjoy this romantic fairy tale with modern trappings.-Jennifer D. Montgomery, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
Suggestions:
Probably better for a discussion group (though it would also work for a book talk) this book would be best for older teens, more specifically girls given that the story is told from a 17 year old girl's POV.
Book Info:
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. Doherty, Tom Associates, LLC, 2002.
Summary:
Ender Wiggins, a six year old genius, is recruited into Battle School, effectively ending his childhood as he must strive to become the best soldier he can be so that Earth can defeat the alien "buggers." Though Ender is very young and a lot smaller than the other cadets, he soon learns to hold his own despite his age and size, defeating enemies at Battle School as well as greater enemies. With some really great twists and a likable character, this is a book that can appeal to a myriad of audiences, teens or adults.
My Take:
This was a book that had been recommended to me by several friends over the years, but one I hadn't read as I typically don't like sci-fi fiction (though I love sci-fi movies). Once I got into it, I couldn't stop reading. I wanted to know so badly what was going to happen to Ender. Now I can't wait to read the other books in the series. Ender is a fun and interesting character, with problems that make him realistic enough to still be likable despite his genius status. I think my favorite character though was Valentine, Ender's sister, who is torn between the power her older brother offers her as a political commentator and the love she has for her younger brother and how she wants to protect him from her older brother's machinations. Despite this type of sci-fi typically being geared towards guys, I think women could equally enjoy the book if they give it a chance.
Reviews:
Library Journal (March 02, 2009 ; 0-7653-4229-4 )
A space-age Lord of the Flies thrill ride (sans the psychological couch trip), this follows six-year-old Ender Wiggin's odyssey from being the smartest, smallest boy in Battle School to savior of humankind. To prepare for an upcoming war with a devastatingly murderous insectoid race (the "formics," aka "buggers"), select earth children are trained on "the Battle Game." Aptest pupil ever Ender quickly rises to the top of Battle School, which has twice the nasty of any boarding school and all the charms of a snake pit (Battle School dude factors are endless). Many Card novels are spun outward from this tale, including the recent Ender in Exile. Dude factor: While these works can be enjoyed individually, they tend to enhance one another. For example, reading Ender's Shadow, which focuses on the fascinating and tragic character of Bean, is heightened by knowing all about Bean's hyperdevotion to (and competition with) Ender. The chronological details of various books remain in neat order, with some entries complementing others during simultaneous time frames and others serving as prequels or sequels. Also fascinating is the shift between the blunt action of Ender's Game and its two immediate sequels, Speaker for the Dead and Xenocide; these are completely different in style, yet similarly captivating on a philosophical plane. In 2008, Tor published Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, and Children of the Mind in one big gift set, ISBN 978-0-7653-6243-8. Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
Suggestions:
This would be a great book for a discussion group or book talk to help interest teens in science fiction. Though there are things which can be confusing (the aliens, the rules about multiple children, the concept of Battle School, etc.) to readers, the story's compelling enough that most readers will be drawn in if they give the book a chance.
Book Info:
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall. Random House Children's Books, 2007.
Summary:
When the Penderwick family goes on summer vacation, they are surprised to find that their vacation rental is a small cottage on the Arundel estate, a beautiful and lavish house complete with sprawling gardens, a kindly cook, an attic full of old clothes and other treasures, a cute gardener with a pair of rabbits, and the estate owner's son, Jeffrey Tifton. Though his mother is set on Jeffrey going to a military academy after the summer's over, Jeffrey and the Penderwicks have other plans, including run-ins with a dangerous bull, soccer games, and first love.
My Take:
I adored this book! The characters were great and I loved each of the girls for their very individual personalities. The story was really fun, seeming bigger in scope than it actually was because the events, though small for most people, were bigger to the girls. It actually reminded me a little of Little Women: four sisters, a lonely little boy who lives next door and becomes their friend, absent parent (though this time it's the mother rather than the father), etc. I think my favorite parts involved Rosalind and her crush on the 18-year-old gardener, Mr. Penderwick's unwavering love for his daughters, and how Mrs. Tifton, though seeming to be the intractable evil mother figure, eventually learns to listen to Jeffrey's wishes and desires for his life and resolves to spend more time with him and to let him make his own decisions about where he'll go to school and what he'll do with his life.
Reviews:
School Library Journal ( July 01, 2006 ; 0-307-28577-4 )
Gr 4-6-In Jeanne Birdsall's humorous novel (Knopf, 2005), four motherless sisters-Rosalind, 12, Skye, 11, Jane, 10, and Batty, 4-their absentminded professor dad, and the family dog share a summer retreat on the Massachusetts estate of Arundel. Owned by the frosty Mrs. Tifton and her lonely son, Jeffrey, Arundel's pretentious mistress treats the oddly-matched Penderwick sisters and their doting father as social misfits. Feisty Skye and sensitive Jeffrey become best friends, drawing the reluctant Mrs. Tifton and the entire Penderwick clan into a series of hilarious misadventures, including runaway pets, an encounter with a bull, and a first crush. The sisters are determined to help Jeffrey escape being sent to the Pencey Military Academy, "Where boys become men and men become soldiers." Susan Denaker's gentle narration of this 2005 National Book Award winner perfectly captures the subtle humor and charm of each character. Fans of Sydney Taylor's All-of-a-Kind Family or Maud Hart's Betsy-Tacy novels will love this updated version of a comfortable childhood adventure. Just the ticket for an extended family car trip.-Celeste Steward, Alameda County Library, Fremont, CA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Suggestions:
This book would be a great recommendation for late elementary and early junior high kids, and could also be used in book talks, especially if teachers or librarians were looking for a book to act as a gateway between older books like Little Women and other similar books with idyllic themes of growing up and the adventures you can have as a child).
Book Info:
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Penguin Group, 2006.
Summary:
In her first year of high school, Melinda Sordino finds herself ostracized and ignored, completely snubbed by her former friends all because she called the cops during an end-of-summer party. Melinda sequesters herself inside her head, speaking only when absolutely necessary, and trying to navigate through high school as quietly and below-the-radar as she possibly can. However, even within the sanctity of her own mind, there are things Melinda doesn't want to remember, doesn't want to think about. Though her grades suffer drastically all year, the only class she seems to do well in is her art class, a place where she feels safe and where she feels she can express herself without words. But when things start to go from bad to worse for one of Melinda's former friends, Melinda finds that she can't stay silent for much longer.
My Take:
A beautiful and lyrical book that scared the bejeesus out of me. It's wonderfully written, but about such a horrifying topic that it's beauty acts as a brilliant juxtaposition to the horror of what Melinda went through. Despite the topic, I didn't want to put this book down; I wanted to know how Melinda would finally speak out, how her art project would turn out, whether she'd be able to return to some kind of normal life despite everything that had happened to her. I highly recommend this book to anyone, teen or adult. It's beautiful and horrifying but well worth the sadness and terror it reveals.
Reviews:
School Library Journal (October 01, 1999 ; 0-374-37152-0 )
Gr 8 Up-This powerful novel deals with a difficult yet important topic-rape. Melinda is just starting high school. It should be one of the greatest times in her life, but instead of enjoying herself, she is an outcast. She has been marked as the girl who called the police to break up the big end-of-the-summer party, and all the kids are angry at her. Even her closest friends have pulled away. No one knows why she made the call, and even Melinda can't really articulate what happened. As the school year goes on, her grades plummet and she withdraws into herself to the point that she's barely speaking. Her only refuge is her art class, where she learns to find ways to express some of her feelings. As her freshman year comes to an end, Melinda finally comes to terms with what happened to her-she was raped at that party by an upperclassman who is still taunting her at school. When he tries again, she finds her voice, and her classmates realize the truth. The healing process will take time, but Melinda no longer has to deal with it alone. Anderson expresses the emotions and the struggles of teenagers perfectly. Melinda's pain is palpable, and readers will totally empathize with her. This is a compelling book, with sharp, crisp writing that draws readers in, engulfing them in the story.-Dina Sherman, Brooklyn Children's Museum, NY Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
Suggestions:
This book could be very useful in a book talk or a teen discussion group, especially as it might help teens learn that they can talk about things that trouble them, including topics like abuse and rape.
Book Info:
Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: Best Friends and Drama Queens by Meg Cabot. Scholastic, Inc., 2009.
Summary:
When Allie and her friends learn that a new girl is moving to their town from Canada, they are very excited to have someone so interesting and foreign entering their class. However, the new girl, Cheyenne, is not as fun and exciting as they thought she would be, especially when she starts ordering everyone in their fourth grade class around. If they don't do what she says, she deems them "babies" and bullies them relentlessly until they buckle. The only girls to resist Cheyenne are Allie and Rosemary (though everyone's too intimidated by tom-boy Rosemary), and Allie is constantly picked on for not "going" with a boy until their teacher realizes what's going on and puts a stop to Cheyenne's bullying.
My Take:
Though I was a bit rankled by how most of the girls treated Rosemary oddly because she's a tom-boy and not "girlie," I really ended up liking these books. At first I was also annoyed with the very juvenile writing style…but then I remembered finding one of my elementary school diaries at my mom's house a few years ago and realized that my writing style had sounded remarkably like Allie's at that age. All in all, it was a very funny book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Allie and her friends, even though I really just wanted to punch the bullying Cheyenne at times. I especially liked Allie's uncle who helped Allie deal with her problems without being too parenty or over-bearing.
Reviews:
School Library Journal ( July 01, 2009 ; 0-545-03968-1 )
Gr 3-5-Allie Finkle is anxious to return to school after a rather boring winter break. Her spirits perk up when she hears about a new girl from Canada who will be joining their fourth grade class. However, Cheyenne is not what Allie and her best friends expected: she's a bully and thinks all the girls are immature. Cheyenne forms a new clique and institutes a new game which involves chasing boys on the playground and kissing them when caught. She orders all girls to "go with" a boy, even though most of Allie's classmates don't have a clue what they means. In this third book (Scholastic, 2009) in Meg Cabot's series, Allie decides she's not quite ready to be a grown-up and wants to enjoy life as a kid, no matter what Cheyenne tells her. Narrator Tara Sands perfectly voices the naive but charming nine-year-old, expressing Allie's rollercoaster of emotions. She easily transitions from incredulous Allie and strong willed Cheyenne to sweet but authoritative Miss Hunter. The pacing is faultless and the production quality is first-rate. An excellent choice for individual or classroom listening.-Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
Suggestions:
This book would be fun for a book talk with older elementary school or junior high girls, especially ones who might be dealing with bullies and peer-pressure.
