Fifteen-year-old Frannie is facing her hardest summer ever. Since Frannie’s father died suddenly, it seems death is lurking everywhere. Even the tube of toothpaste warns: If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. Her mom tricks her into a job as a camp counselor, and her best friend falls in love and deserts her. Then Frannie discovers a 1,000 piece puzzle that her artist father made for her. In the process of assembling the puzzle, she begins to put her life back together. While this book is about dealing with grief, Frannie’s character is funny and feisty, and she expresses her grief in unexpected but totally believeable ways. The book is primarily realistic, though Frannie has some fantasy-type experiences as well. Delia Ephron has created a character teens will relate to, and a story with a satisfying conclusion. Grades 7 and up.
The Dopple twins, Sadie and Saskia, are living in an orphanage, when Saskia is adopted by the odd and possibly sinister Muzz Elliott. Suddenly, the twins are separated for the first time in their lives. They embark on a series of scary and exciting adventures on their quest to reunite, encountering cruel and evil adults along the way. This book, the first in a new series by the author of the popular novel “Shadowmancer,” is reminiscent of Lemony Snicket’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events.” The novel uses a mixed format, moving between straight prose, graphic-novel-style pages, and artistic illustrations. While a fast and exciting read, it lacks cohesiveness in story line, character development, and structure. Grades 4-7.
Everyone knows the story of Sleeping Beauty, right? A princess is destined to prick her finger on a spindle by her 16th birthday. She does not die, but she is to sleep for 100 years until true love’s first kiss shall wake her. The reason for the curse? A slighted fairy who is upset that she was not invited to the princess’s christening party. Now, most of you may know Sleeping Beauty’s real name is Aurora, however, in this story, the princess is Talia. She is beautiful and like the old fairy tale, she pricks her finger, and falls asleep.
Fast forward 300 years to the 21st century, and we have Jack O’Neill, a 17 year old boy, whose parents have sent him on a tour of Europe. He is currently in Belgium. Jack is bored by the tour, and so he and his friend, Travis, decide to ditch the tour, and go to the beach. Neither one can speak French very well, and so they get lost going to the beach. They come across some overgrown bushes and plants. Jack takes an interest in this, as he has a strong passion for gardening. As Jack and Travis make their way through, they see a town. Everyone is sleeping! Eventually, they come to a castle. Everyone is asleep in the castle. Jack goes up the stairs and into a chamber. Jack discovers a “hot-looking” chick. He has this desire to kiss her, and he does. He wakes her up. She is not amused. However, when she realizes that Jack has broken the curse, she is grateful. From that point on, Jack has Talia tagging along to the United States, when she runs away from her home of Euphrasia. Talia is introduced to all kinds of things from cell-phones to airplanes to computers. Talia also discovers teenage parties, which are quite a bit different from the ones in the 18th century. Jack also realizes he has a lot more potential than he gives himself credit for.
This is a humorous story, and it is told from alternating points-of-view from Jack and Talia. The reader really gets a feel for the main characters. Well-written, and just a lot of fun. It does have a happily-ever-after ending, but not until after Jack has to pass tests put out by Malvolia, the wicked fairy. There is a neat twist at the end. This could be recommended to older teens due to sensitive topics such as underage drinking and some sexual themes. . Recommended for grades 8-11. A Junior Library Guild selection.
Essie is American born from Jewish immigrant parents and lives in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Her little sister Zelda has been run over and killed by a horse cart outside their flat but Essie can’t accept that she is dead. As Essie avoids her family and friends who tell her Zelda is dead she bonds a friendship with a new girl from work, Harriet. Harriet is different than the other girls at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory where both girls work. Harriet comes from a family of means but is estranged from them. Harriet tells Essie she was widowed, but her story doesn’t add up. Essie learns of Harriet’s deep secrets and must decide whether to keep them or not. Harriett finally comes to term with Zelda’s death as she experiences the horrors of the historical fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory where she and her friends and coworkers are trapped on the factory floor.
The author alternates chapters between a narrative of the current story and flashbacks into Essie’s history in a diary format until the last chapters in the book when the diary has caught up with the narrative. The characterization is good. The dialect gives the feel of the blend of languages from immigrant families.
