JULY 27, 2009
Nation by Terry Pratchett
When a tsunami hits the Nation, Mau returns from his manhood ceremony to a deserted island, not yet a man with the required sunset wave tattoo. The Sweet Judy is beached by the same gigantic wave leaving 13-year-old Ermintrude the sole surviver from the ship on what her grandmother would call a savage island. As other survivors find their way to the Nation, Mau and Daphne (as she renames herself) join forces to rebuild a new community. Daphne finds that she has some skills as a doctor, something that would never have been allowed in her Victorian life back home, as well as a knack for making beer. Mau, despite his fears that he is without a soul and perhaps even a demon, proves himself as the new Nation chief. This is an adventure about survival, but also a thought-provoking story that questions customs, culture, history, religion and tradition. Descriptions of Daphne being a mere four-garments away from indecency as she sports her new grass skirt over pantaloons and petticoat, and her gratitude to a non-comprehending Mau about his retrieving milk from a pig (YUCK) to feed a baby, are quite humorous. Very well written and enjoyable to the satisfying end. Teens in grades 8 and up, as well as adults, will enjoy this.
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JULY 10, 2009
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
In this, the last in the Twilight trilogy, Bella finally realizes her wish of becoming a vampire and an ever-after with her beloved Edward. The circumstances are not, of course, as they would have planned. While becoming pregnant during her honeymoon on Esme's Island, something the vampires were not aware could happen, it quickly becomes apparent that the baby is not normal. Forcing a quick return home in an effort to save Bella's life, the baby is soon born and everyone, including her father Charlie and Jacob are introduced to Renesme, or "Nessie". Not long after, Alice "sees" the Volturi coming to kill the immortal child, as is required by their law. Most of the book covers the preparations made for this attack and the possible annihilation of the Cullen family and supporters. As a vampire, Bella discovers her special strength. Will it be enough to save them all? This teen romance will please Twilight followers, but I had some reservations. Like the other books in the series, this one is full of excruiating detail. Bella is nauseatingly negative and is constantly looking for problems. But the biggest problem for me, as with the other books, is that other than chemistry and sex, Bella and Edward don't seem to have anything in common. What exactly are they going to do together for eternity to keep themselves amused? Jacob was a much better match for Bella. But then, this is often a lesson young girls need to learn the hard way.
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JULY 8, 2009
Connecting (Lily Dale Series) by Wendy Corsi Staub
Seventeen year old Calla is able to communicate with the dead. In the spiritualist community of Lily Dale where she lives with her grandmother, a medium, this is not at all unusual. Calla keeps having visions that her mother’s recent death wasn’t accidental and she sets out to find out what really happened with nearly fatal results. The supernatural, mystery, romance, and family are all main themes in this fast paced teen novel. The characters and plot are well developed and although this is not the first book in the Lily Dale Series, it stands alone well.
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JULY 8, 2009
I am Apache by Tanya Landman
An Apache orphan teen watches many of her tribe including her little brother be slaughtered by the Mexicans. She vows revenge and sets out to be a warrior. This unconventional path is not looked upon favorably by all in her tribe, yet she perseveres in her quest. She falls in love with another warrior from her tribe. Just before her lover dies, she becomes pregnant with his child. She then finds out that her father, whom everyone thought was dead, has turned traitor and is helping the Mexicans. Furthermore, she learns that her parents were Mexican, which means that she too is Mexican rather than Apache. In the end, she claims the heritage in which she was raised, rather than the heritage of her birth. The story is biased strongly against the Mexicans and strongly for the Native Americans. The plot is fast paced and action packed and the literary merit is good. Mature themes such as sex, rape, and death make this book most appropriate for older teens.
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