DECEMBER 27, 2007
Listening For Lions by Gloria Whelan
Living in Africa as the daughter of orphaned missionary parents is the only life 13 year-old Rachel has ever known. Her father opened a clinic for the people of the area and along with her mother cares for anyone asking for care. The influenza epidemic in British East Africa in 1918 claims the lives of both her father and her mother in a very short time. Now an orphan herself, she goes to her wealthy British neighbors to borrow their phone to let the mission board know what has become of her parents, and find out her fate. The neighbors tell Rachel they have phoned, when, in reality, they have devised a plan to manipulate Rachel into pretending to be their daughter, Valerie, another victim of the influenza epidemic, in order to deceive Valerie’s ailing grandfather in England so they can amass his fortune. Rachel, now called Valerie, realizes too late she has been tricked but does not know how to get out of her terrible predicament. Grandfather is suspicious as the Valerie that arrives does not seem like the granddaughter he has received letters from who is spoiled and unappreciative. Also, this Valerie, unlike his granddaughter, loves nature as he does. Grandfather decides to play along to see what is going on. Valerie’s good relationship with grandfather heightens her sense of guilt about deceiving the ailing man with her assumed identity. When Mr. and Mrs. Pritchard, her unscrupulous neighbors from Africa, show up in England, Valerie is caught in quite a predicament. Find out what happens to Rachel, a.k.a. Valerie, when you read this novel. Will she be sent to an orphanage, or worse, prison, when she is found out? Will her deception cause the old man’s death?
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DECEMBER 27, 2007
Dramarama by E. Lockhart
This highly entertaining story about a girl who goes off to theater camp for the summer is completely worth the time to read. Sadye (the protagonist) and her best friend Demi (a flamboyant personality) are accepted at Wildewood, a summer theater program for aspiring actors and actresses, where they learn more about themselves, their talents, and their relationships. As different conflicts arise throughout the novel (a bad role in a play and a stringent director among many,) it becomes clear that this summer will be unforgettable. Lockhart is a humorous writer and very entertaining to read.
Blog by Rebecca, Wright Memorial Library Teen Volunteer, Age 16
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DECEMBER 27, 2007
Devilish by Maureen Johnson
Jane Jarvis’s life as a student at St. Teresa’s Preparatory School for Girls in Providence, Rhode Island, is ordinary. The wacky and intelligent Jane seems out of place at a prestigious Catholic school, but she and Ally, her best friend, always have each other. However, one day Ally suffers a horrifying embarrassment in front of the whole school and comes back the next day a changed person. But beneath the cute new haircut, fashionable clothes, and self-confident mien that she now sports, has something more important changed as well?
With the help of a new friend, Jane realizes that the worst has occurred – Ally has made a pact with the devil. Jane must save her best friend before she loses her soul forever. As she learns more about the satanic secrets of Providence, she realizes just what she’s gotten herself into…but is it too late?
This book’s colorful characters, as well as its humorous and suspenseful narration, make it a unique story of friendship, popularity, and romance.
Blog by Miriam, Wright Memorial Library Teen Volunteer, Age 16
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DECEMBER 12, 2007
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Set in Paris during the early 1930's, The Invention of Hugo Cabret centers around the silent film era and is reminiscent of it artistically. Not strictly speaking simply a novel or a picture book or a graphic novel, it is somehow an effective combination of many genres. Singly, none could advance the plot as well as they do cooperatively.
Hugo is an orphaned clockmaker's son who lives in the bowels of a Paris train station. The frequently inebriated uncle with whom he stays is responsible for maintenance of the building's clocks. He teaches Hugo how to keep the various timepieces in good working order, thus unwittingly giving the boy a livelihood when the uncle mysteriously disappears. Besides the clocks, Hugo works painstakingly to repair an automaton that once belonged to his father - convinced that is has a message for him from his deceased parent. To this end he steals small parts from the stall of a toymaker which soon gets him involved with the owner and his granddaughter. When the revived automaton begins to reveal its secrets all become involved in revelation of many more surprising "twists" leading to a very satisfactory conclusion. For a unique reading / viewing adventure this book is highly recommended for grades 6 - 9.
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DECEMBER 11, 2007
The Trap by John Smelcer
Set in the far northern part of Alaska and narrated in alternating chapters by an old Indian, Albert Least-Weasel, and his grandson, Johnny Least-Weasel; this is a beautifully written survival story. Albert is out working his trapline when an uncharacteristicly careless misstep ensnares him in one of his own traps. As the temperature drops during the mostly dark days following the mishap, Albert uses his woodman's skills to stave off increasingly dangerous frost as well as predatory wolves. In the meantime, Johnny, while fighting against his own trap of a deadend existence in his small town, agonizes over whether or not to ride out to investigate his grandfather's continued absence. Despite his uncle's advice not to do so, he sets out in search of the old man. From then on the reader is mesmirized by the race against time which ensues. Using richly detailed descriptive writing, John Smelcer has written a tale that will be of interest to teens and adults alike.
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