FEBRUARY 24, 2009
Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916 by Michael Capuzzo
Adapted from the adult book Close to Shore: A True Story of Terror in an Age of Innocence, this an award winning non-fiction book that documents the period in 1916 when people were being attacked in the ocean off the East Coast by some unknown beast. At that time, sharks were only the stories of sailors - sea monsters that did not really exist. Full of cultural history using photographs, period advertisements and newspaper clippings about the people of that time makes those scary and uncertain months interesting in their own right. But the suspense about what could be causing these attacks and where might the next attack take place makes this a page-turner. Some readers may be disappointed to find that it is not one shark attack after another, but rather a chronicle of the summer of 1916 leading to the hysteria caused by the attacks, along with speculation about the shark's path. Suitable for readers in grades 6 and up. This is very interesting stuff.
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FEBRUARY 23, 2009
Porcupine Year by Louise Erdrich
In this young adult sequel to Birchbark House and Game of Silence, the 12 year-old Ojibwe girl, Omakayas, and her family are being forced to travel north and away from their longtime home on the Island of the Golden-Breasted Woodpecker (in present day Minnesota.) Using all the woodland lore available to them, the extended family group moves cautiously through the territory controlled by the fierce Bwaan warriors. Just as they begin to feel confident that they are close to safety, a renegade group attacks them, stealing all their hard-earned supplies and leaving them to face the bitter winter unprepared. As the reader shares the trials met by Omakayas during this important coming-of-age year, true learning takes place. The meanings of sacrificial love, of determination to survive, of unselfishness - all play a part. Frequently using Ojibwe terms (defined in an appended glossary) and describing numerous tribal customs, author Louise Erdrich allows her audience to learn about and love her ancestors' Native American heritage. Suitable for ages 10 - 13, this novel will most appeal to those who have read the first two books in the series.
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FEBRUARY 22, 2009
Madapple by Christina Meldrum
Aslaug knows how to identify the poisonous madapple. She is well versed in the medicinal herbs that grow near her house, and knows many ancient languages, but there’s much Aslaug doesn’t know. She’s never had a friend her age, or gone to school, and she doesn’t know who her father is. There’s even the possibility she never had a father—that she was the result of a virgin birth. Before her mother died, Aslaug lived with her in seclusion in a run-down house in the Maine woods. Life with Maren was in no way idyllic—she was controlling, sometimes abusive, and very ill. And now Aslaug is on trial for murdering three people—including her mother. Christina Meldrum creates a vivid world of isolation and religious zeal. The chapters alternate between Aslaug’s story, starting before she was born, and her court trial as an older teen. This intense, dark novel whirls around religion and science, and takes the reader on an emotional ride to determine the difference between innocence and ignorance.
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FEBRUARY 22, 2009
Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan
This just won a 2009 Printz Honor Award. Based on the fairytale "Snow White and Rose Red", in which two daughters live in a cottage in the woods with their mother and befriend a bear. This story, though, is full of mature themes including incest, abortion, gang rape, suicide, and sodomy, making it appropriate for older teens and adults. The setting and character development are wonderful, and the story embellished with seamless magic and storyline make it a page turner. Not everyone will enjoy it, however. Along with the above mentioned themes, the English medievil dialect may turn some readers off as well as the sometimes confusing point of view changes where every character speaks in first person. Also, the book is very sexual throughout. I hate to deter any readers with all these warnings. It is a beautifully thought out tale that will leave the reader thinking about it for a long time. I highly recommend it and will miss being in that world.
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FEBRUARY 18, 2009
Redwall the Graphic Novel by Brian Jacques, illustrated by Bret Blevins
The Redwall tale is presented in a beautifully illustrated graphic novel by the Redwall author himself, Brian Jacques. Matthias wants to be like Martin the Warrior, the legendary hero of Redwall Abbey. Father Abbot tells the young mouse that the time for warriors has passed. The abbey has no need for warriors. The animals of the abbey have taken a vow not to harm any other living creature. Cluny the Scourge is a villainous rat. He brings his army of rats and weasels to attack Redwall. Matthias must become a great warrior like Martin or Redwall will be lost to the wicked rats. With the help of Constance the badger, Basil Stag Hare, the shrews, the sparrows, and other woodland friends, Matthias is able to retrieve the lost sword of Martin the Warrior, kill the giant snake Asmodeus, save the Abby and rid it forever of the evil Cluny. Friends and foes alike come to life through the dialog, text, and illustrations.
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FEBRUARY 8, 2009
After Tupac & D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson
This is another Newbery Honor Award winner for this author and one of the best books I have read in a long time. Spanning a two year time frame beginning in 1995, just before Tupac is shot the first time and ending after his fatal killing, D Foster enters the life of two best friends, Neeka and the narrator, whose name we never learn. This is a quiet story filled with many tough issues including fostering, homosexuality, jail, shootings, fatherlessness, and dreams. The author is able to incorporate all these into a flawless, concise story. I was left wondering how she did it. Tupac and his life and rap lyrics are the back drop to the 11-year-old girls trying to figure out their Big Purpose in life. As they mature, they understand that Tupac is talking about them and people like them- African Americans living in Queens, New York. They learn about friendship and freedom, and that even if one has to leave to go live with her real mother after years of fostering, that friendship can survive. Highly recommended for readers grades 4-8.
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FEBRUARY 7, 2009
Me, the Missing, and the Dead by Jenny Valentine
This 2009 Morris Award Winner for best debut novel written by a new author writing for teens, is about the search for 15-year-old Lucas Swain's disappeared father of 5 years. Beginning with 75-year-old Violet Park, whose urn was left in the back of a cab years earlier, the mystery begins to unravel as Lucas gains possesion of the urn with help by his grandmother Pansy. Connections with Violet are discovered...her portrait is hanging in Lucas' dentist's office, Violet lived around the corner and was a pianist, and oh yes, she knew his father. Although the entire family struggles with the mysterious disappearance - not knowing if Pete Swain is dead or alive - the journey that includes both the solving of the mystery and the emotional growth for Lucas is what gives this story substance. Written in 1st person, I found the first third of the book extremely slow and the narrative style (there is very little dialogue throughout the book) to be distracting. However, it did finally grab my attention and the ending was satisfying. Best suited for readers ages 15 and up.
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FEBRUARY 4, 2009
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
This book just won the 2009 Newbery Award. The book begins with a triple murder leaving a baby orphaned. He toddles across the street into a graveyard where he is adopted by the ghosts. His parents (Mr. and Mrs. Owens) name him Nobody, or Bod for short. He is given a guardian who can provide him with food, teachers who tell him about the real way historical events occured, and the Freedom of the Graveyard where he learns to Fade and how to stay protected within the gates of the graveyard. Outside the gates, "Jack" still hunts for the baby he wasn't able to kill. In each chapter, Bod learns another lesson, mostly by not following the advise of his elders, but he comes to appreciate and understand their intentions as he unfolds the mystery behind the killings and his larger role in an ancient secret society. Mostly, this is a story of family and community and the love and support they provide as a boy learns how to cope in the world. Written by the same author who wrote Coraline, this book is scary and suspenseful and would be most suited for readers in grades 5 and up.
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FEBRUARY 4, 2009
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
Bruno is a 9 year old boy living in 1942 Nazi Germany. Bruno is a very innocent little boy who is very unaware of all of the changes in his country. He enjoys living in Berlin, playing with his friends and going to school. One day, all of this changes. His father, who is a Nazi soldier, is transferred from Berlin to another city. Bruno and his family move to a place called “Out-With” (Auschwitz). Bruno doesn’t understand why he and his sister, Gretel, are the only children around. It is a very desolate area, and the only thing he can see is a very long fence. When he looks through his window, he sees people walking around in striped pajamas. One day, Bruno takes a walk and comes upon another boy on the other side of the fence. This boy’s name is Schmuel, and he and Bruno become friends. Bruno comes to learn that Schmuel is a Jew and that he lives in ths camp with his father and brothers. Schmuel is often sad, and Bruno doesn’t understand why. He tries to cheer him up by bringing him food and telling stories. After about a year of living in Auschwitz, Bruno learns he is moving back to Berlin. He is happy about seeing his old friends, but will miss Schmuel. On their last visit together, Schmuel brings Bruno a pair of striped pajamas and Bruno crosses under to the other side of the fence.
This is a very powerful story. It made read simply, however, it has a deep subject matter. The reader feels for Bruno in his innocence. This is a story that will touch your heart. It will be interesting to compare this book with the movie, of the same name, that came out last fall of 2008. Recommended for grades 9 and up.
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FEBRUARY 2, 2009
Little Rock Nine (Turning Point Series) by Marshall Poe, illustrated by Ellen Linder
Little Rock Nine tells the story of the integration of Little Rock’s Central High School in 1957 in a graphic novel format. Two fictional teens, Will, the white son of a local attorney, and Thomas, the black son of Will’s family’s domestic help, lead the readers through the early months of integration. As in real life, the times are volatile and tensions run high for both blacks and whites in Arkansas as nine black students attempt to integrate a white high school in Little Rock. Will’s father works to help the black students integrate the school while his grandfather opposes integration. Thomas wants to be one of the black students to integrate Central High but his parents won’t allow him because it is too dangerous. Even Will and Thomas’ friendship causes friction in the community. You will be amazed at and appalled by the actions of Arkansas’ Governor Faubus as he disregards the U.S. Supreme Court during this crisis. This book is appropriate and a must read for all teens who are unfamiliar with this event in American history.
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