CONTEMPORARY FICTION
Bifocal, by Deborah Ellis and Eric Walters [CAN]
Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2007, 273 pages.
Jay, a rising football champ, and Haroon, a "Reach for the Top" challenger, are teenagers at a suburban high school. Racial tensions escalate in the wake of 911, and the boys are forced to question their own values, and grapple with issues of culture, identity, and social responsibility.
The novel is very readable, and makes discussion about racial stereotyping readily accessible. Secondary characters, especially in the storyline which deals with Haroon's situation, are vividly drawn, and the overall tone suggests the complication of contemporary identity politics. Alternating chapters offer first-person narratives from Jay and Haroon's perspectives. Classwork on the novel will easily lead to a variety of extension research activities.
Jellicoe Road, by Melina Marchetta [AUS]
HarperTeen, 2006. 419 pages.
Teenaged tomboy Taylor Markham, abandoned by her mother, is the house captain at an independent school in the Australian countryside. Compelled by the "territory war" with the townspeople and neighbouring cadet camp, Taylor becomes part of an unfolding mystery which will explain her own origins and the brutal heritage of the place which surrounds her.
Taylor is an interesting character, who picques readers' interest. The story, however, is lengthy, and detail allusive at times. Despite engagement in the growing romantic relationship between Taylor, and Jonah, captain of the enemy cadets, less able readers will probably not follow the story to its denouement.
The Penalty, by Mal Peet [UK]
Candlewick Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-0-7636-4339-3 262 pages.
South American sportswriter Paul Faustino finds himself embroiled, against his will, in the voodoo kidnapping of a young soccer star. The journey to rescue El Brujito weaves in and out of the present time, and positions this black magic within the history of slaves on a sugar plantation. Shocking violence brings the action to a climax, and changes the face of the village landscape forever.
This is the second of Peet's Faustino books, and is much more complex than a simple sports story. Readers become involved in the mystery surrounding Brujito's disappearance, and Faustino's cynicism makes him a credible eyewitness. Details about the journey from Africa and plantation life are painfully vivid. The multiple plot structure may confuse some readers, and the novel, overall, is best suited to a mature reader.
FANTASY
The Knife of Never Letting Go, by Patrick Ness [UK]
Candlewick Press, 2008 ISBN: 978-0-7636-3931-0 479 pages
Todd Hewitt is a boy coming of age in a rural society, in which there are only males, all of whom possess the strange knack of hearing one another’s thoughts. After a chance meeting with a silent, alien girl in the swamp outside his home, Todd finds himself on the run from his former neighbours, who seem desperate to kill him so that he cannot recognize the awful truths of their history. Along with the stranger girl and his loyal dog, Todd flees across country on a dangerous journey to find help, and learns the extent of the brutality and darkness dwelling within himself.
This is a thoughtful, creative, but rather difficult book, and although there are many episodes of violence and suspense in the plot, the language and style make the book inaccessible in places, especially at the beginning. Todd is an interesting, developing character, and his story opens up discussions about the nature of civilization and progress. The excitement of the climatic battle at the end of the story is somewhat diminished by the very heavy-handed entrée into a sequel. Language is descriptive, and evocative, and a number of scenes are painful in their brutality.
Little (Grrl) Lost, by Charles De Lint [CAN]
Firebird, 2007 ISBN: 978-0-14-241301-2 271 pages
Mourning the countryside life her parents have taken her from, fourteen-year-old TJ makes an astonishing discovery in her suburban house: a race of tiny creatures are living in the walls. TJ develops a strange kinship with Elizabeth, the rebel teen of this family of littles, and when Elizabeth disappears, TJ sets out to find her, stumbling up an intricate fairy underworld in the process.
Some teenaged girls may identify with TJ’s sense of disconnection and loneliness, and she is a credible character whose day-to-day activities are familiar. However, more fantastic and slightly juvenile elements come to dominate the plot, as during the visit to the goblin market, and several readers may find themselves losing interest in the novel.
Skulluggery Pleasant: Scepter of the Ancients, by Derek Landy [UK]
Harper, 2007 ISBN: 978-0-06-123117-9
Teenaged Stephanie learns that she is the sole heir to her uncle's vast fortune -- and age-old secret battle with supernatural forces. Her ally in this war is an ageless skeleton adventurer, who agrees to help her the learn powerful magic she will need to keep evil at bay.
Lots of adventure, magic, and low-level suspense here. Stephanie is not a stereotypical teenaged female, and there is low-lying humour through the novel. Simple, linear plot, with many "screenplay" elements.
MYSTERY
Rat Life: A Mystery, by Tedd Arnold [US]
Dial, 2007 ISBN: 978-0-8037-3020-5 199 pages
Todd is a teenaged boy growing up in a small Midwestern town during the 1970s. His realization of his potential as a writer forces him to open his eyes, and ask questions about his friends, family and neighbours, especially the taciturn Rat, Todd’s co-worker at the drive-in. Todd’s pursuit of the truth about a local murder brings him to the point of disaster, and brings more than one secret to life.
The theme of Todd’s emergence as a writer/journalist neatly ties together disparate elements. The subplot about the American presence in Vietnam piques readers’ interest at points, and adds dimension to some of the characters. There are moments of suspense and action, such as the climatic flood scene, but Todd may not be a compelling enough character to retain reader interest throughout the novel.
HISTORICAL FICTION
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves, by M.T. Anderson [US]
Candlewick Press, 2008 ISBN: 978-0-7636-2950-2 561 pages
Joining the King’s army at the promise of freedom, teenaged slave Octavian finds himself embroiled in the horrors of the American Revolutionary War, this time fighting against the Yankee “rebels.” Life aboard Lord Dunmore’s floating kingdom tests former loyalties, and leads to new friendships and a growing confusion of identity.
The sequel to Anderson’s best-selling The Pox Party, this novel is fascinating in parts in its intricate imitation of 18th- Century language and style, but due to the somewhat esoteric nature of the content and extreme length of the novel, many readers may find themselves unable to stick with Octavian until his final reunion, with Gitney, the former master who is his Dr. Frankenstein.
Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography, by Chester Brown [CAN]
Drawn & Quarterly Publications, c1999
This is a lengthy, comic-book version of Riel's biography, separated into four "chunks." Brown succeeds in showing many facets of this complex historical figure, and reopens the constitutional controversy of 19th-century Canadian politics. Lots of meat here for consideration of issues such as the building of the CPR, the rights of First People and Metis to self-determination, confederation, religion & society, and cultural martyrdom. Recommended by ERAC for classroom use with students in Grades 10 - 11.
Maus 1: A Survivor's Tale -- My Father Bleeds History, by Art Spiegelman [US] (c1986)
Recommended by ERAC for classroom work with students in Grades 11 - 12.
An ideal complement to Social Studies 11 or History 12, this is the comic biography of Spiegelman's father, a Polish Jew who has survived the Holocaust. The very complex story is told in flashbacks, with Jewish and Nazi characters allegorically represented as mice and cats, respectively.
Nation, by Terry Pratchett [UK]
HarperCollins, 2008. 9780061433023 367 pages.
Pratchett is best known as a writer of fantasy, with a tongue-in-cheek sense of humour, and flair for elaborate detail. Here, in a charming story that blends fantasy with reality, he has created a 19th-century Pacific Island kingdom which has suffered a devastating tsunami. Mau, the sole survivor, must rebuild the nation alone, until he encounters Daphne, the English aristocrat whose ship has washed up on the island's shores. Gradually, survivors from nearby islands come to join the nation, which is threatened by European adventurers.
Not the novel for every teenager, but an interesting look at issues of colonization and society.
Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi [Iran] (c2003)
Satrapi's comic autobiography works well as a counterpoint to discussions of mid-Eastern politics. She tells her own coming of age story, growing up in pre-Islamic revolution Iran. The story operates on many levels, and allows for consideration of issues of gender, religion, ethnicity, bias, etc.
Recommended by ERAC for classroom work with students in Grades 11 - 12.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Searching for the SSBOY Shortlist
Every year, committee members for SSBOY, the Surrey Schools' Book of the Year young readers' award program endorsed by SD #36 (Surrey), dedicate time and energy to reviewing scores of novels for young readers. Our goal is to create a shortlist of ten diverse novels, suited to readers aged 9-12, and which represent a variety of genres. Special recognition goes out to the committee chairs, who have taken responsibility over the years for gathering reading lists.
Sometimes, the novels which fall our way are too limited, for a variety of reasons, to make the shortlist, but still have something to offer a particular breed of young reader. For this reason, I have created some mini-reviews here. Looking forward to the release of the new shortlist in June, 2010!
CONTEMPORARY FICTION
And Then it Happened, Book 1, by Michael and Laura Wade
Books for Boys, 2003 ISBN: 978-09731178-0-6 81 pages
This series of books is extremely popular with 8 -11-year-old boys in our school district, and Michael Wade has made many visits to promote his writing and boys' writing in general. Each book is extremely short, easy-t0-read, and told in humourous episodes. (Each episode reads rather like a conversation held with a boy that age.)
Readers are introduced to the simple pleasures enjoyed by the"Triple Terror" of Gordon, Paulo, and our narrator, three boys with a love of pranks and sense of adventure. There are some truly funny moments, but a complete dearth of detail in setting, character development, or literary-artistic style. However, as an entree for the reluctant reader, sure; some young readers will never get enough of the light-hearted mischief the boys continually get up to. Think Mark Twain, minus the depth of understanding of the tragicomedy of the human condition.
11 Birthdays, by Wendy Mass
Scholastic, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-545-05239-9 267 pages
Amanda wakes up as an eleven-year-old for the first time, over and over again. Working with her ex-best-friend, Leo, Amanda discovers a mysterious family secret, with roots in the town’s distant past.
The story is very easy to follow, and although much action is predictable, some young readers will become involved in Amanda’s struggle to “wake up.” The addition of Leo as a major contributing character will broaden the novel’s appeal to male readers.
The Dragon in the Sock Drawer, by Kate Klimo [US]
Yearling, 2008. ISBN: 9780375855887159 pages
12-year-old cousins Jesse and Daisy stumble upon a "thunder egg" -- what is seemingly a geode, contains a real dragon. The children find themselves the protectors of this amazing creature, who is threatened by a sinister figure known as Saint George.
Very easy to read, but a limited story. A heavy-handed ending provides the entree to a sequel.
Dog Whisperer: Rescue, by Nicolas Edwards [US?]
Penguin Canada, 2007 ISBN: 978-0-312-36768-8 216 pages
Emily is a tween girl who lives a comfortable life with her adopted parents in a seaside town in Maine. Her recurrent nightmare about a storm and shipwreck leads her to rescue Zack, a Labrador retriever who is almost too injured to survive. From the onset, Emily and Zack have a unique connection, which allows them to understand each other with a kind of “ESP.” The book’s conclusion intimates that they will have many further adventures together.
Dog lovers will relate well to the strength of the tie between the girl and her new pet, and there are a few “tear-jerking” moments in the story. However, the author’s anxiety to give space to Emily’s identity issues (she is mixed-race, adopted by a white professional couple) leads to some heavy –handed scenes. Supporting characters are very two-dimensional, and some male readers may see this as a “girls’ book.”
Frozen in Time, by Ali Sparkes
Oxford, 2009. ISBN: 9780192727558 325 pages
While staying with their uncle, a reclusive scientist, Ben and Rachel stumble upon a mysterious chamber, buried in the wilderness garden. Inside, a shock: two children and their dog, living, by frozen since 1956. When Polly and Freddy are thawed into their new life, the children find themselves wrapped up in a mysterious, Cold War-era, plot, with danger chasing them down in the form of sinister agents.
Lots of very British language and detail here, but the plot bounces along, and readers get caught up in the characters' growing bewilderment, fear and sense of helplessness. As a read-aloud, the book opens discussion about many issues of culture and history; as a student read, the length, complexity and detail will challenge most elementary readers.
Pet Trouble: Runaway Retriever, by T.T. Sutherland
Scholastic, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-545-10241-1 164 pages
Parker finds himself the hapless owner of a dog with escape issues, and makes some surprising new friends along the road to responsible pet ownership.
Truly, a book for the limited reader who likes pets. The plot moves along clearly and predictably, and is very easy to follow.
Sand Dollar Summer, by Kimberly K. Jones [US]
Aladdin Mix, 2006. ISBN: 978-1-4169-5834-5 206 pages
Tween girl Lise reluctantly heads toan isolated beach community for the summer with her independent mom and mute younger brother. Spending time learning about family secrets, and about herself, Lise becomes a part of a new world, and risks her life to save a neighbour.
Lise is a credible character, and readers will empathize with her growing frustration with her family and and her life. The story itself is slow-moving, and not particularly engaging, but builds to a dramatic climax.
HISTORICAL FICTION
The Dragonfly Pool, by Eva Ibbotson [UK]
Macmillan Childrens Books, 2008 ISBN: 978-0-330-45635-7 398 pages
Tally is a British girl growing up in pre-WW2 London. Looming war forces her doctor father to make the difficult decision to send her to a boarding school in the countryside. But the school itself, proudly “alternative,” defies every convention, and Tally learns much about life and friendship, in addition to forging a surprising link of loyalty to Karil, the Crown Prince of the continental European country of xxx. As war creeps closer, Tally and her school friends become caught up in international espionage, and must determine what they can do to help Karil and his people, as the Nazis occupy xxx.
Ibbotson is strong here, and beautiful crafted language and images run through the story. Tally is unusual – understated – and her education is a mirror which reflects the growth of the characters around her. The international intrigue plotline, which relies on a number of coincidences, may be too complicated (or esoteric) for some readers, but there is enough action to hook attention. The emphasis on class/status anchors the book in a British literary tradition which is almost defunct now, and the book is perhaps most suited to a sophisticated, even adult, reader.
Eye of the Crow, by Shane Peacock [CAN] (YOUNG ADULT)
Tundra Books, 2007 ISBN: 978-0-88776-919-1 250 pages
A young teenage boy, the product of the marriage of a high-class society woman and a poor Jewish scholar, is coming of age in Victorian London under the name of Sherlock Holmes. The boy’s growing fascination with an horrific local murder leads him into encounters with the police, neighbourhood gang members, and Irene, the angelic daughter of an eminent philanthropist. As Holmes races to save the innocent Arab teen accused of the murder, he must go into hiding to decipher clues, and discover the true identity of the murderer. Events move relentlessly toward a tragic conclusion , and the character of the enigmatic master detective is born.
Peacock makes exceptional use of atmospheric language throughout the story, and the recurrent image of the all-knowing, all-seeing crows lends menace, and colour. Readers of Conan Doyle’s Holmes oeuvre may see the introduction of certain characters as over-deliberate attempts to make connections with the original Holmes stories, but events are credible, and the young Holmes is a dynamic character, whose growing desperation creates sympathy in readers. Less sophisticated readers may not comprehend the social background of classism and racism (Holmes is frequently referred to as a “Jew Boy”), but the book is a strong evocation of time and place. Sequels are promised.
Safe as Houses, by Eric Walters [CAN]
Seal Books, 2007 ISBN: 978-1-4000-2529-9 151 pages
Babysitter Lizzie continues with her normal schoolday routine of escorting her two charges back to their suburban home along the Humber River outside of Toronto, unaware that Hurricane Hazel is sending wind and rain heavy enough to flood the river, and eventually, send the whole house downstream. Lizzie is forced into a terrified heroism, and must try to keep herself and the two children she babysits safe, without any help from adults.
This novel is one of Walters’ shorter, simpler efforts, and the image of the rising river compels attention to the children’s plight. The book would be a great read-aloud to support class study of extreme weather, and Walters provides an endnote dealing with the history of the hurricane, which, in turn, may inspire research extension activities. Plotline is very linear, the central theme of heroism evident throughout, and character conflict very obvious, making the book a good choice for less able readers.
Run, by Linda Aksomitis [NZ]
Peason Education, 2007 ISBN: 978-1-86970-592-3
The daughter of a turn-of-the-century pioneer family is struck down with polio, and finds a relief for her suffering in the imaginative world of The Wizard of Oz.
The detail in this short novel is vivid and easy to picture. Victoria's pain and struggle, especially with the father who seems to have lost hope, are empathetic. However, this is a very solemn story, and not particularly engaging for all young readers.
SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY
100 Cupboards, by N.D. Wilson [US]
Yearling, 2007 ISBN: 978-0-375-83882-8 289 pages
12-year-old Henry has moved to a farmhouse in Kansas to stay with his aunt and cousins. Under the crumbling plaster wall of his attic bedroom lies a surprising secret: dozens of different-sized cupboards, leading to at least one parallel world. Before he knows it, Henry and his girl cousin, Henrietta, are caught up in a war between mysterious, unknown forces of good and evil. Venturing in and out of the cupboards, Henry learns some astonishing truths about himself and his family, and must try desperately to rescue them from peril.
Henry’s story is interesting, and the worlds behind the cupboards are evocatively described; the character of evil sorceress is chillingly awful. The evolving relationships between Henry and the different members of his new family are understated and credible, and readers become involved in Henry’s quest to undo the harm he has unwittingly caused, and save his family. As the novel comes to an end, the promise of a sequel looms....
After the Flood, by L.S. Matthews [UK]
Hodder Children’s Books, 2008 ISBN: 978-0-340-93181-3 236 pages
Jack is a British child living in a futuristic society of extreme weather where technology is primitive, seemingly due to energy shortages. He becomes the caregiver for Van, a mistreated horse, and with the help of Michael, a wheelchair-bound neighbour, saves the community from the devastation of flood.
This book puzzles in many parts, and it is unclear which child readers might find the story compelling enough to stay with. There are a few, finely drawn dramatic moments, but the characters are static, and the author has readers piece together events by integrating text pieces from one character’s notebooks, documentary style. Overall, the book opens with a promise of drama which is not fulfilled
Catmagic, by Holly Webb [UK?]
Scholastic, Inc., 2008 ISBN: 978-0-545-12414-0 130 pages
Lottie, whose busy career Mom has no time for her, is sent to a countryside village to stay with her uncle, the owner of a peculiar pet store. Soon, she stumbles on the family secret: her kin, who know magic and consort with witches, can actually talk with animals.
This is a simple, simple story with a target audience of fantasy-loving girls who also love animals. The characters are very two-dimensional, and the whimsical elements (talking dachshunds, broomstick-wielding beautiful young witches) drag at times. There are some more realistic nuances, such as family estrangements and peer dynamics at school, but the book is very limited. A sequel is promised....
CTRL –Z, by Andrew Norriss
Puffin, 2009 ISBN: 978-0-141-32429-6 162 pages
Alex is a young British boy who receives a crazy birthday present from godfather: a laptop computer that will let him travel back in time and thus “undo” mistakes. At first, the machine allows Alex to help Callum, his disaster–prone best friend, but soon, events are spiralling out of control, and Alex has to learn which kinds of help are responsible kinds of help.
There are many humorous episodes in the novel, which is a quick, simple read, despite some idiomatic British vocabulary. Imaginative students who appreciate the potential of technology may particularly identify with the situations, and it is easy to imagine this as a read-aloud in class: “Journal Response – What would you do first if you had a machine that could fix mistakes?” Overall, the effect is of a family movie based on a zany pretext.
Cyberia, by Chris Lynch
Scholastic, 2008. ISBN: 978-0-545-02793-9 158 pages
Zane is a young boy growing up in a futuristic society where everything – every motion he makes, every breath he takes – is computer-tracked. A sudden innovation in gadgetry gives him the power to communicate with animals, and he finds himself dragged into his pets’ desperate plan to escape control by the evil Dr. Gristle.
Clearly geared at the male reader who is both tech-crazy and curious about animals, this novel is quite engaging, and the reader’s interest is piqued as Zane is presented with a series of credible dilemmas to work through. The conclusion is not very satisfying; this is yet another book with a heavy-handed build-up to a sequel.
The Magic Half, by Annie Barrows [US]
Bloomsbury, 2008 ISBN: 978-1-59990-358-3
Miri is the "leftover" in a family with 2 sets of identical twins. Stumbling upon a magic piece of glass, she finds herself able to transport back to 1935, where she finds a new best friend. Desperate to bring her friend out of a miserable situation, Miri has to find courage in herself.
Although some readers will may be put off by references to fairies and magic, Miri's situation and the rescue mission she gets involved with are rather compelling. Less appealing to boys, the story moves along well, with the conflicts between characters obvious and credible.
The Magic Thief, by Sarah Prineas [US]
HarperTrophy, 2008 ISBN: 978-0-06-137590-3 411 pages
Connwaer, a child thief from the “wrong side of the tracks,” tries to steal from the magician, Nevery, and after a dramatic dose of magic, finds himself refashioned as the magician’s assistant. As he becomes able to give voice to his own magical powers, Conn seeks the prestige of full apprenticeship, and gets dragged into a plot to save his society from evil, magic-stealing forces.
There are a number of humorous moments in the story, which is fast-paced and full of action. Conn’s gradual realization of his own abilities is credible and unforced, and supporting characters interact appropriately. Echoes of another, more famous, prep school for wizards compromise the sections dealing with Conn’s education, and the whole image of the outcast boy growing into special powers is stale. However, the number of complications introduced (a crime boss, an Ice Queens, a decaying walled house) give the book some fresh appeal. A sequel is promised....
Sometimes, the novels which fall our way are too limited, for a variety of reasons, to make the shortlist, but still have something to offer a particular breed of young reader. For this reason, I have created some mini-reviews here. Looking forward to the release of the new shortlist in June, 2010!
CONTEMPORARY FICTION
And Then it Happened, Book 1, by Michael and Laura Wade
Books for Boys, 2003 ISBN: 978-09731178-0-6 81 pages
This series of books is extremely popular with 8 -11-year-old boys in our school district, and Michael Wade has made many visits to promote his writing and boys' writing in general. Each book is extremely short, easy-t0-read, and told in humourous episodes. (Each episode reads rather like a conversation held with a boy that age.)
Readers are introduced to the simple pleasures enjoyed by the"Triple Terror" of Gordon, Paulo, and our narrator, three boys with a love of pranks and sense of adventure. There are some truly funny moments, but a complete dearth of detail in setting, character development, or literary-artistic style. However, as an entree for the reluctant reader, sure; some young readers will never get enough of the light-hearted mischief the boys continually get up to. Think Mark Twain, minus the depth of understanding of the tragicomedy of the human condition.
11 Birthdays, by Wendy Mass
Scholastic, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-545-05239-9 267 pages
Amanda wakes up as an eleven-year-old for the first time, over and over again. Working with her ex-best-friend, Leo, Amanda discovers a mysterious family secret, with roots in the town’s distant past.
The story is very easy to follow, and although much action is predictable, some young readers will become involved in Amanda’s struggle to “wake up.” The addition of Leo as a major contributing character will broaden the novel’s appeal to male readers.
The Dragon in the Sock Drawer, by Kate Klimo [US]
Yearling, 2008. ISBN: 9780375855887159 pages
12-year-old cousins Jesse and Daisy stumble upon a "thunder egg" -- what is seemingly a geode, contains a real dragon. The children find themselves the protectors of this amazing creature, who is threatened by a sinister figure known as Saint George.
Very easy to read, but a limited story. A heavy-handed ending provides the entree to a sequel.
Dog Whisperer: Rescue, by Nicolas Edwards [US?]
Penguin Canada, 2007 ISBN: 978-0-312-36768-8 216 pages
Emily is a tween girl who lives a comfortable life with her adopted parents in a seaside town in Maine. Her recurrent nightmare about a storm and shipwreck leads her to rescue Zack, a Labrador retriever who is almost too injured to survive. From the onset, Emily and Zack have a unique connection, which allows them to understand each other with a kind of “ESP.” The book’s conclusion intimates that they will have many further adventures together.
Dog lovers will relate well to the strength of the tie between the girl and her new pet, and there are a few “tear-jerking” moments in the story. However, the author’s anxiety to give space to Emily’s identity issues (she is mixed-race, adopted by a white professional couple) leads to some heavy –handed scenes. Supporting characters are very two-dimensional, and some male readers may see this as a “girls’ book.”
Frozen in Time, by Ali Sparkes
Oxford, 2009. ISBN: 9780192727558 325 pages
While staying with their uncle, a reclusive scientist, Ben and Rachel stumble upon a mysterious chamber, buried in the wilderness garden. Inside, a shock: two children and their dog, living, by frozen since 1956. When Polly and Freddy are thawed into their new life, the children find themselves wrapped up in a mysterious, Cold War-era, plot, with danger chasing them down in the form of sinister agents.
Lots of very British language and detail here, but the plot bounces along, and readers get caught up in the characters' growing bewilderment, fear and sense of helplessness. As a read-aloud, the book opens discussion about many issues of culture and history; as a student read, the length, complexity and detail will challenge most elementary readers.
Pet Trouble: Runaway Retriever, by T.T. Sutherland
Scholastic, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-545-10241-1 164 pages
Parker finds himself the hapless owner of a dog with escape issues, and makes some surprising new friends along the road to responsible pet ownership.
Truly, a book for the limited reader who likes pets. The plot moves along clearly and predictably, and is very easy to follow.
Sand Dollar Summer, by Kimberly K. Jones [US]
Aladdin Mix, 2006. ISBN: 978-1-4169-5834-5 206 pages
Tween girl Lise reluctantly heads toan isolated beach community for the summer with her independent mom and mute younger brother. Spending time learning about family secrets, and about herself, Lise becomes a part of a new world, and risks her life to save a neighbour.
Lise is a credible character, and readers will empathize with her growing frustration with her family and and her life. The story itself is slow-moving, and not particularly engaging, but builds to a dramatic climax.
HISTORICAL FICTION
The Dragonfly Pool, by Eva Ibbotson [UK]
Macmillan Childrens Books, 2008 ISBN: 978-0-330-45635-7 398 pages
Tally is a British girl growing up in pre-WW2 London. Looming war forces her doctor father to make the difficult decision to send her to a boarding school in the countryside. But the school itself, proudly “alternative,” defies every convention, and Tally learns much about life and friendship, in addition to forging a surprising link of loyalty to Karil, the Crown Prince of the continental European country of xxx. As war creeps closer, Tally and her school friends become caught up in international espionage, and must determine what they can do to help Karil and his people, as the Nazis occupy xxx.
Ibbotson is strong here, and beautiful crafted language and images run through the story. Tally is unusual – understated – and her education is a mirror which reflects the growth of the characters around her. The international intrigue plotline, which relies on a number of coincidences, may be too complicated (or esoteric) for some readers, but there is enough action to hook attention. The emphasis on class/status anchors the book in a British literary tradition which is almost defunct now, and the book is perhaps most suited to a sophisticated, even adult, reader.
Eye of the Crow, by Shane Peacock [CAN] (YOUNG ADULT)
Tundra Books, 2007 ISBN: 978-0-88776-919-1 250 pages
A young teenage boy, the product of the marriage of a high-class society woman and a poor Jewish scholar, is coming of age in Victorian London under the name of Sherlock Holmes. The boy’s growing fascination with an horrific local murder leads him into encounters with the police, neighbourhood gang members, and Irene, the angelic daughter of an eminent philanthropist. As Holmes races to save the innocent Arab teen accused of the murder, he must go into hiding to decipher clues, and discover the true identity of the murderer. Events move relentlessly toward a tragic conclusion , and the character of the enigmatic master detective is born.
Peacock makes exceptional use of atmospheric language throughout the story, and the recurrent image of the all-knowing, all-seeing crows lends menace, and colour. Readers of Conan Doyle’s Holmes oeuvre may see the introduction of certain characters as over-deliberate attempts to make connections with the original Holmes stories, but events are credible, and the young Holmes is a dynamic character, whose growing desperation creates sympathy in readers. Less sophisticated readers may not comprehend the social background of classism and racism (Holmes is frequently referred to as a “Jew Boy”), but the book is a strong evocation of time and place. Sequels are promised.
Safe as Houses, by Eric Walters [CAN]
Seal Books, 2007 ISBN: 978-1-4000-2529-9 151 pages
Babysitter Lizzie continues with her normal schoolday routine of escorting her two charges back to their suburban home along the Humber River outside of Toronto, unaware that Hurricane Hazel is sending wind and rain heavy enough to flood the river, and eventually, send the whole house downstream. Lizzie is forced into a terrified heroism, and must try to keep herself and the two children she babysits safe, without any help from adults.
This novel is one of Walters’ shorter, simpler efforts, and the image of the rising river compels attention to the children’s plight. The book would be a great read-aloud to support class study of extreme weather, and Walters provides an endnote dealing with the history of the hurricane, which, in turn, may inspire research extension activities. Plotline is very linear, the central theme of heroism evident throughout, and character conflict very obvious, making the book a good choice for less able readers.
Run, by Linda Aksomitis [NZ]
Peason Education, 2007 ISBN: 978-1-86970-592-3
The daughter of a turn-of-the-century pioneer family is struck down with polio, and finds a relief for her suffering in the imaginative world of The Wizard of Oz.
The detail in this short novel is vivid and easy to picture. Victoria's pain and struggle, especially with the father who seems to have lost hope, are empathetic. However, this is a very solemn story, and not particularly engaging for all young readers.
SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY
100 Cupboards, by N.D. Wilson [US]
Yearling, 2007 ISBN: 978-0-375-83882-8 289 pages
12-year-old Henry has moved to a farmhouse in Kansas to stay with his aunt and cousins. Under the crumbling plaster wall of his attic bedroom lies a surprising secret: dozens of different-sized cupboards, leading to at least one parallel world. Before he knows it, Henry and his girl cousin, Henrietta, are caught up in a war between mysterious, unknown forces of good and evil. Venturing in and out of the cupboards, Henry learns some astonishing truths about himself and his family, and must try desperately to rescue them from peril.
Henry’s story is interesting, and the worlds behind the cupboards are evocatively described; the character of evil sorceress is chillingly awful. The evolving relationships between Henry and the different members of his new family are understated and credible, and readers become involved in Henry’s quest to undo the harm he has unwittingly caused, and save his family. As the novel comes to an end, the promise of a sequel looms....
After the Flood, by L.S. Matthews [UK]
Hodder Children’s Books, 2008 ISBN: 978-0-340-93181-3 236 pages
Jack is a British child living in a futuristic society of extreme weather where technology is primitive, seemingly due to energy shortages. He becomes the caregiver for Van, a mistreated horse, and with the help of Michael, a wheelchair-bound neighbour, saves the community from the devastation of flood.
This book puzzles in many parts, and it is unclear which child readers might find the story compelling enough to stay with. There are a few, finely drawn dramatic moments, but the characters are static, and the author has readers piece together events by integrating text pieces from one character’s notebooks, documentary style. Overall, the book opens with a promise of drama which is not fulfilled
Catmagic, by Holly Webb [UK?]
Scholastic, Inc., 2008 ISBN: 978-0-545-12414-0 130 pages
Lottie, whose busy career Mom has no time for her, is sent to a countryside village to stay with her uncle, the owner of a peculiar pet store. Soon, she stumbles on the family secret: her kin, who know magic and consort with witches, can actually talk with animals.
This is a simple, simple story with a target audience of fantasy-loving girls who also love animals. The characters are very two-dimensional, and the whimsical elements (talking dachshunds, broomstick-wielding beautiful young witches) drag at times. There are some more realistic nuances, such as family estrangements and peer dynamics at school, but the book is very limited. A sequel is promised....
CTRL –Z, by Andrew Norriss
Puffin, 2009 ISBN: 978-0-141-32429-6 162 pages
Alex is a young British boy who receives a crazy birthday present from godfather: a laptop computer that will let him travel back in time and thus “undo” mistakes. At first, the machine allows Alex to help Callum, his disaster–prone best friend, but soon, events are spiralling out of control, and Alex has to learn which kinds of help are responsible kinds of help.
There are many humorous episodes in the novel, which is a quick, simple read, despite some idiomatic British vocabulary. Imaginative students who appreciate the potential of technology may particularly identify with the situations, and it is easy to imagine this as a read-aloud in class: “Journal Response – What would you do first if you had a machine that could fix mistakes?” Overall, the effect is of a family movie based on a zany pretext.
Cyberia, by Chris Lynch
Scholastic, 2008. ISBN: 978-0-545-02793-9 158 pages
Zane is a young boy growing up in a futuristic society where everything – every motion he makes, every breath he takes – is computer-tracked. A sudden innovation in gadgetry gives him the power to communicate with animals, and he finds himself dragged into his pets’ desperate plan to escape control by the evil Dr. Gristle.
Clearly geared at the male reader who is both tech-crazy and curious about animals, this novel is quite engaging, and the reader’s interest is piqued as Zane is presented with a series of credible dilemmas to work through. The conclusion is not very satisfying; this is yet another book with a heavy-handed build-up to a sequel.
The Magic Half, by Annie Barrows [US]
Bloomsbury, 2008 ISBN: 978-1-59990-358-3
Miri is the "leftover" in a family with 2 sets of identical twins. Stumbling upon a magic piece of glass, she finds herself able to transport back to 1935, where she finds a new best friend. Desperate to bring her friend out of a miserable situation, Miri has to find courage in herself.
Although some readers will may be put off by references to fairies and magic, Miri's situation and the rescue mission she gets involved with are rather compelling. Less appealing to boys, the story moves along well, with the conflicts between characters obvious and credible.
The Magic Thief, by Sarah Prineas [US]
HarperTrophy, 2008 ISBN: 978-0-06-137590-3 411 pages
Connwaer, a child thief from the “wrong side of the tracks,” tries to steal from the magician, Nevery, and after a dramatic dose of magic, finds himself refashioned as the magician’s assistant. As he becomes able to give voice to his own magical powers, Conn seeks the prestige of full apprenticeship, and gets dragged into a plot to save his society from evil, magic-stealing forces.
There are a number of humorous moments in the story, which is fast-paced and full of action. Conn’s gradual realization of his own abilities is credible and unforced, and supporting characters interact appropriately. Echoes of another, more famous, prep school for wizards compromise the sections dealing with Conn’s education, and the whole image of the outcast boy growing into special powers is stale. However, the number of complications introduced (a crime boss, an Ice Queens, a decaying walled house) give the book some fresh appeal. A sequel is promised....
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Award-Winning Books
HISTORICAL FICTION – YOUNG ADULT
The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom, by Margarita Engle [US]
Henry Holt, 2008 ISBN: 987 0 80508674 4 160 pages
The story of Cuba’s painful wars of liberation from Spain is told in a series of poems, spoken by an array of characters. Part 1 sees “La Bruja,” the child witch/healer forced into work for slave catchers, one of whom, “Lt. Death,” reappears as her antagonist through the story. Part 2 is an exchange of descriptions, spoken by Rosa, who has evolved from herbalist to freedom fighter, and her husband, Jose, who joins her fight to heal the rebel slaves and evade capture. In Part 3, husband and wife question the apparent hopelessness of the ongoing struggle. Part 4 tells the bitter story of the reconcentration camps, where country people suffer and starve in Imperial Spain’s desperate attempt to contain the Cuban uprising. Rosa continues to hide, and cure, and train an apprentice, Silvia, a camp escapee. Finally, in Part 5, the invading US troops run the Spanish down, and a new, “free” Cuba is born.
A beautiful evocation of the beauty and horror of this time and place.
What I Saw and How I Lied, by Judy Blundell [US]
Scholastic Press, 2008 ISBN: 978-0-439-90346-2 280 pages
Protagonist Evie (Evelyn ) is a 16-year-old coming of age in Queens, NY, in the years soon after WW2. The family home is crowded with Evie, her gorgeous mother, Beverley, her mother’s husband, Joe, an ex-serviceman, and Joe’s bitter mother, Grandma Glad. A family vacation to Palm Beach, Florida, opens up a new world of glamourous strangers, hotel life, and awakening romance. As hurricane season looms, Joe’s business dealings with a fellow guest, coupled with the family’s developing intimacy with Peter, a mysterious young man from Joe’s past, build to a tragic climax. Evie finds herself at the crucial centre of a painful lesson about life, love, loyalty and death.
Parts of the story are especially vivid and encourage readers to dig into the gathering mystery. Evie, although not a particularly developed character, is an observant narrator, and many of her reactions are strikingly authentic: the desire to wear her mother’s dresses, to be noticed by the man she adores, to deflate the tension between her parents. To an attentive reader, elements of the actual tragedy and its outcome seem predictable, but at the end of the novel, Evie offers readers an interesting twist, if not a satisfying conclusion. A subplot dealing with racial discrimination and anti-Semitism is woven skilfully into the main story, and offers Evie additional opportunities for self-identification and cultural empathy.
CONTEMPORARY FICTION – YOUNG ADULT
Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet, by Joanne Proulx [CAN]
Penguin Canada, 2007 ISBN: 978-0-14-305358-3 356 pages
Protagonist Luke is a 16-year-old boy killing time in a small industrial Midwestern town, hanging with his stoner friends, and listening to music. One day, out of the blue, he foresees the imminent death of a friend, the first evidence of a strange gift of channelling the last moments of the dying. Grappling with the pain and power of his “gift,” and dodging its seizure by opportunists in the media and local fundamentalist Christian church, Luke pushes himself to the brink of despair and isolation from friends and family, until a series of epiphanic moments allows him to break through the barriers he has constructed, and realize a new empathy with those around him.
In telling his story, Luke spares no detail, including descriptions of chronic drug use, frequent swearing, rhapsodies on his favourite music, and vivid depictions of sexual response, making the novel’s content unsuitable for some. Luke presents as a credible teenager dealing – or failing to deal – with an incredible situation, and his helplessness is empathy-building. This is a long novel, with several subplots about friendship, family, and awakening love, but the author ties together all strands in a satisfying and timely conclusion.
Deadline, by Chris Crutcher [US]
Harper Teen, 2007. ISBN: 978-006085091-3 316 pages
18-year-old Ben learns that he has a terminal disease, leaving him one year to live out his dreams to join the football team, date his dream girl, challenge his teachers, and make this his best year ever.
Lots of football detail here, but Ben’s story compels, especially as he learns to question his initial decision to keep his dark secret. The relationship with Dallas, the love interest, is particularly bittersweet, and the book testifies to Ben’s journey to a greater self-knowledge and empathy with others.
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, by E. Lockhart [US]
Hyperion Books for Children, 2008. ISBN: 978-078683818-9 342 pages
Protagonist Frankie is a 15-year-old New Yorker sent to a prestigious New England prep school. Despite being “girlfriended” by Matthew, the most popular senior boy on campus, Frankie soon longs to be taken more seriously, and to join the boys in the fun they have – and the power they wield – as members of a longstanding secret society, the Loyal Order of the Bassett Hounds. Using her brains and her charms, Frankie enters into direct competition with Alphadog, the King Bassett, and turns the school upside down.
The novel is written in an informal style which combines omniscient narration with “documentary evidence” such as copies of emails and notes, and the tongue-in-cheek tone is intrusive at times. Frankie is appealing, and credible, and at its heart, the book is a humourous school story, offering the kinds of pranks and authority challenges, assignment details, quests for popularity, etc., that will be familiar to many teen readers. The recurrent theme of word-play and the use of less-common vocabulary words is laboured at times, and may discourage some readers.
Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah [AUS?]
Scholastic, Inc., 2009 (2005) ISBN: 978-0-439-92233-3 360 pages
Amal, aged 17(?) is an Australian girl whose parents, medical professionals, are immigrants from Palestine and devout Muslims. Amal decides to brave identity politics and the attention of her peers and neighbours by wearing hijab, and learns much about herself and her values in the process.
The story is very long, and includes a number of subplots about friends, neighbours, boys, school rivalries, and the like. At times, Amal seems to be a very stereotyped teen girl, but her story and voice are realistic.
The God of Animals, by Aryn Kyle [US]
Scribner, 2007 ISBN: 978-1-41653325-2 305 pages
Love, death, and horses dominate the coming of age of Alice (12?) on a ranch in Montana’s desert country. Issues of family loyalty, self-knowledge, and empathy play out against a growing sense of inevitable destruction/dissolution, as Alice struggles to see the purpose of her young life. The desert setting is finally drawn, and strongly influences the mood of the text, which features a number of “tableaux” scenes which are particularly evocative. The story, told by Alice in the first person, features good examples of conflict – characters against the environment, characters against other characters, characters against themselves. The text is long, and dense, and the actions of the plot may move too slowly to engage less mature readers.
The Plain Janes, by Cecil Castellucci [CAN]
DC Comics, 2007. ISBN: 978-1-4012-1115-8 Unpaged (graphic)
Jane is a 16?-year-old survivor of an air attack on her city – strong echoes of 9-11 – who has moved with her family to suburbia. Having no vent for her artistic talents and individuality, Jane forms a group of “anti-friends” who orchestrate acts of guerrilla art. The resultant feeling of community solidarity surprises Jane, and together with a new love interest, delivers Jane from her feelings of impotence and emptiness.
The graphic format of the novel is very readable, and quite text-rich. The subplot of Jane’s devotion to the hospitalized fellow survivor whom she has rescued allows opportunities for her to explain her feelings directly to readers. The coincidences which abound in the story do not detract from the main ideas. One gay male character is presented in a manner which is sympathetic, but somewhat stereotyped. It’s “girl power” of a very directed type.
The Pull of the Ocean, by Jean-Claude Mourlevat [FR]
Laurel-Leaf (Random), 2006 ISBN: 978-0-385-73666-4 190 pages
In this modern rewriting of Charles Perrault’s “Tom Thumb,” a midget boy steers his six brothers ever westward to the France’s Atlantic coast, in a short-lived effort at escaping their uncaring, abusive parents.
The story is told in a patchwork of bystander accounts, which gives the novel a documentary tone. The ending is ambiguous, and indeed, the transparent simplicity of the story leads to a variety of interpretations. The limited detail and lack of plot / character development may make this a less-than-engaging work for some readers.
This Side of the Sky, by Marie-Francine Hebert [Can]
Red Deer Press, 2006 ISBN: 0-88995-369-4 124 pages
Mona is a tween girl living in rural Quebec, with a special charge: keep her mentally delayed younger sister out of trouble. Young Angelique imagines herself as a bird, and climbs trees to spy on the neighbours, a habit which leads the girls to witness child abuse. Crisis follows, as their young black friend is falsely accused of the crime, and the children must figure out how to tell the truth.
The novel, translated from French, makes spare and understated use of language, and character and plot development is minimal. Angelique’s winsome way of twisting expressions wears at times, but the action of the story is easy to follow. It is hard to imagine the novel maintaining the interest of all readers.
Zen and the Art of Faking It, by Jordan Sonnenblick [US]
Scholastic, 2007 ISBN: 978-0-439-83707-1 264 pages
San Lee is a Grade 8 newcomer to a Pennsylvania middle school, desperate to carve himself a new identity in the wake of his family’s poverty and disgrace, the result of his jailbird father’s lies and deceptions. Through a series of chance meetings, San finds that his outsider status can bring him recognition – and maybe even a new girlfriend – if he can keep convincing his peers that he is a Zen Master. As the rumours grow, San finds himself taking on a whole new role as mentor, coach, and social activist, and ultimately, he must decide on the point at which he can risk “coming clean.”
San is quite an appealing character, and his sense of humour livens up many interactions. At heart, this is a simple school story about peer acceptance, but there are a few enriching elements. Adult characters, especially, are given some complexity, and many readers will identify with San’s dilemma: if I’m honest, will they still like me?
FANTASY -- YOUNG ADULT
The Alchemyst: the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, by Michael Scott [US?]
Delacorte Press, 2007 ISBN: 978-0-385-73600-8 366 pages
Sophie and Josh Newman are 16-year-old twins growing up in San Francisco, who accidentally stumble into an ages-old magical battle between forces of good and evil. As their own mystical powers unfold, they are drawn into a world of Ancient Powers, demigods, and immortal sorcerers, and must steel themselves to take their places in the battle to save humanity from forces they have only begun to understand.
Constant dramatic action and violence holds readers’ attention to the characters’ journey, and mitigates some of the “New Age” mysticism that dominates the text. Readers interested in mythology will relish the allusions that crop up, and the characters of Flamel and Dee, both historical people, may pique extension activities. Overall, this is a long and detailed story, which reads, at times, like a screenplay.
Sharp Teeth, by Toby Barlow [US]
Harper Perennial, 2008 ISBN: 978-0-06-143024-4 308 pages
Southern California has been over-run by competing gangs of vicious were-dogs, who are spreading terror and carnage as they take over local criminal activity. Only Anthony, a dog-catcher, and Peabody, a policeman, can help find the way to contain the escalating violence, as the complicated, multi-voiced story unwinds toward a bloodbath in the desert.
Lots of horror-movie violence here, and sexual content is extremely suggestive – not the book for every reader. Ugly, sinister characters proliferate: Mr. Venable, the effeminate criminal who holds the key to the secret of the gangs; Sasha, the ruthless and bloodthirsty “bitch” of one of the gangs; and Barron, the self-serving Judas figure who visits destruction on all. The free verse style of the writing is rich, and taut with meaning, but the narrative thrust is clear, and the story dramatic enough to focus attention.
SCIENCE FICTION
The True Meaning of Smekday, by Adam Rex [US]
Disney/Hyperion Books, 2007 ISBN:978-078684901-7 427 pages
In this novel, set in 2013, 13-year –old Philadelphia resident Gratuity Tucci finds herself the unwitting saviour of planet Earth, now captured by alien invaders who have exiled the human population to Arizona. Along with J-Lo, the benign alien she has unwillingly befriended, and her cat, Pig, Gratuity journeys across America in a flying car, trying to locate her abducted mother.
The story is long, detailed, and slightly complex as Gratuity recounts her story in the form of essays for future readers – time and tense changes may confuse some readers. Ongoing social parody and some genuinely funny moments capture interest, and vivid pictures and graphic novel forms are interspersed thoughout. Gratuity is a strong, smart, capable girl character, and should appeal to readers of both genders. An unusual sample of science fiction grounded in realistic elements of setting and character.
The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom, by Margarita Engle [US]
Henry Holt, 2008 ISBN: 987 0 80508674 4 160 pages
The story of Cuba’s painful wars of liberation from Spain is told in a series of poems, spoken by an array of characters. Part 1 sees “La Bruja,” the child witch/healer forced into work for slave catchers, one of whom, “Lt. Death,” reappears as her antagonist through the story. Part 2 is an exchange of descriptions, spoken by Rosa, who has evolved from herbalist to freedom fighter, and her husband, Jose, who joins her fight to heal the rebel slaves and evade capture. In Part 3, husband and wife question the apparent hopelessness of the ongoing struggle. Part 4 tells the bitter story of the reconcentration camps, where country people suffer and starve in Imperial Spain’s desperate attempt to contain the Cuban uprising. Rosa continues to hide, and cure, and train an apprentice, Silvia, a camp escapee. Finally, in Part 5, the invading US troops run the Spanish down, and a new, “free” Cuba is born.
A beautiful evocation of the beauty and horror of this time and place.
What I Saw and How I Lied, by Judy Blundell [US]
Scholastic Press, 2008 ISBN: 978-0-439-90346-2 280 pages
Protagonist Evie (Evelyn ) is a 16-year-old coming of age in Queens, NY, in the years soon after WW2. The family home is crowded with Evie, her gorgeous mother, Beverley, her mother’s husband, Joe, an ex-serviceman, and Joe’s bitter mother, Grandma Glad. A family vacation to Palm Beach, Florida, opens up a new world of glamourous strangers, hotel life, and awakening romance. As hurricane season looms, Joe’s business dealings with a fellow guest, coupled with the family’s developing intimacy with Peter, a mysterious young man from Joe’s past, build to a tragic climax. Evie finds herself at the crucial centre of a painful lesson about life, love, loyalty and death.
Parts of the story are especially vivid and encourage readers to dig into the gathering mystery. Evie, although not a particularly developed character, is an observant narrator, and many of her reactions are strikingly authentic: the desire to wear her mother’s dresses, to be noticed by the man she adores, to deflate the tension between her parents. To an attentive reader, elements of the actual tragedy and its outcome seem predictable, but at the end of the novel, Evie offers readers an interesting twist, if not a satisfying conclusion. A subplot dealing with racial discrimination and anti-Semitism is woven skilfully into the main story, and offers Evie additional opportunities for self-identification and cultural empathy.
CONTEMPORARY FICTION – YOUNG ADULT
Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet, by Joanne Proulx [CAN]
Penguin Canada, 2007 ISBN: 978-0-14-305358-3 356 pages
Protagonist Luke is a 16-year-old boy killing time in a small industrial Midwestern town, hanging with his stoner friends, and listening to music. One day, out of the blue, he foresees the imminent death of a friend, the first evidence of a strange gift of channelling the last moments of the dying. Grappling with the pain and power of his “gift,” and dodging its seizure by opportunists in the media and local fundamentalist Christian church, Luke pushes himself to the brink of despair and isolation from friends and family, until a series of epiphanic moments allows him to break through the barriers he has constructed, and realize a new empathy with those around him.
In telling his story, Luke spares no detail, including descriptions of chronic drug use, frequent swearing, rhapsodies on his favourite music, and vivid depictions of sexual response, making the novel’s content unsuitable for some. Luke presents as a credible teenager dealing – or failing to deal – with an incredible situation, and his helplessness is empathy-building. This is a long novel, with several subplots about friendship, family, and awakening love, but the author ties together all strands in a satisfying and timely conclusion.
Deadline, by Chris Crutcher [US]
Harper Teen, 2007. ISBN: 978-006085091-3 316 pages
18-year-old Ben learns that he has a terminal disease, leaving him one year to live out his dreams to join the football team, date his dream girl, challenge his teachers, and make this his best year ever.
Lots of football detail here, but Ben’s story compels, especially as he learns to question his initial decision to keep his dark secret. The relationship with Dallas, the love interest, is particularly bittersweet, and the book testifies to Ben’s journey to a greater self-knowledge and empathy with others.
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, by E. Lockhart [US]
Hyperion Books for Children, 2008. ISBN: 978-078683818-9 342 pages
Protagonist Frankie is a 15-year-old New Yorker sent to a prestigious New England prep school. Despite being “girlfriended” by Matthew, the most popular senior boy on campus, Frankie soon longs to be taken more seriously, and to join the boys in the fun they have – and the power they wield – as members of a longstanding secret society, the Loyal Order of the Bassett Hounds. Using her brains and her charms, Frankie enters into direct competition with Alphadog, the King Bassett, and turns the school upside down.
The novel is written in an informal style which combines omniscient narration with “documentary evidence” such as copies of emails and notes, and the tongue-in-cheek tone is intrusive at times. Frankie is appealing, and credible, and at its heart, the book is a humourous school story, offering the kinds of pranks and authority challenges, assignment details, quests for popularity, etc., that will be familiar to many teen readers. The recurrent theme of word-play and the use of less-common vocabulary words is laboured at times, and may discourage some readers.
Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah [AUS?]
Scholastic, Inc., 2009 (2005) ISBN: 978-0-439-92233-3 360 pages
Amal, aged 17(?) is an Australian girl whose parents, medical professionals, are immigrants from Palestine and devout Muslims. Amal decides to brave identity politics and the attention of her peers and neighbours by wearing hijab, and learns much about herself and her values in the process.
The story is very long, and includes a number of subplots about friends, neighbours, boys, school rivalries, and the like. At times, Amal seems to be a very stereotyped teen girl, but her story and voice are realistic.
The God of Animals, by Aryn Kyle [US]
Scribner, 2007 ISBN: 978-1-41653325-2 305 pages
Love, death, and horses dominate the coming of age of Alice (12?) on a ranch in Montana’s desert country. Issues of family loyalty, self-knowledge, and empathy play out against a growing sense of inevitable destruction/dissolution, as Alice struggles to see the purpose of her young life. The desert setting is finally drawn, and strongly influences the mood of the text, which features a number of “tableaux” scenes which are particularly evocative. The story, told by Alice in the first person, features good examples of conflict – characters against the environment, characters against other characters, characters against themselves. The text is long, and dense, and the actions of the plot may move too slowly to engage less mature readers.
The Plain Janes, by Cecil Castellucci [CAN]
DC Comics, 2007. ISBN: 978-1-4012-1115-8 Unpaged (graphic)
Jane is a 16?-year-old survivor of an air attack on her city – strong echoes of 9-11 – who has moved with her family to suburbia. Having no vent for her artistic talents and individuality, Jane forms a group of “anti-friends” who orchestrate acts of guerrilla art. The resultant feeling of community solidarity surprises Jane, and together with a new love interest, delivers Jane from her feelings of impotence and emptiness.
The graphic format of the novel is very readable, and quite text-rich. The subplot of Jane’s devotion to the hospitalized fellow survivor whom she has rescued allows opportunities for her to explain her feelings directly to readers. The coincidences which abound in the story do not detract from the main ideas. One gay male character is presented in a manner which is sympathetic, but somewhat stereotyped. It’s “girl power” of a very directed type.
The Pull of the Ocean, by Jean-Claude Mourlevat [FR]
Laurel-Leaf (Random), 2006 ISBN: 978-0-385-73666-4 190 pages
In this modern rewriting of Charles Perrault’s “Tom Thumb,” a midget boy steers his six brothers ever westward to the France’s Atlantic coast, in a short-lived effort at escaping their uncaring, abusive parents.
The story is told in a patchwork of bystander accounts, which gives the novel a documentary tone. The ending is ambiguous, and indeed, the transparent simplicity of the story leads to a variety of interpretations. The limited detail and lack of plot / character development may make this a less-than-engaging work for some readers.
This Side of the Sky, by Marie-Francine Hebert [Can]
Red Deer Press, 2006 ISBN: 0-88995-369-4 124 pages
Mona is a tween girl living in rural Quebec, with a special charge: keep her mentally delayed younger sister out of trouble. Young Angelique imagines herself as a bird, and climbs trees to spy on the neighbours, a habit which leads the girls to witness child abuse. Crisis follows, as their young black friend is falsely accused of the crime, and the children must figure out how to tell the truth.
The novel, translated from French, makes spare and understated use of language, and character and plot development is minimal. Angelique’s winsome way of twisting expressions wears at times, but the action of the story is easy to follow. It is hard to imagine the novel maintaining the interest of all readers.
Zen and the Art of Faking It, by Jordan Sonnenblick [US]
Scholastic, 2007 ISBN: 978-0-439-83707-1 264 pages
San Lee is a Grade 8 newcomer to a Pennsylvania middle school, desperate to carve himself a new identity in the wake of his family’s poverty and disgrace, the result of his jailbird father’s lies and deceptions. Through a series of chance meetings, San finds that his outsider status can bring him recognition – and maybe even a new girlfriend – if he can keep convincing his peers that he is a Zen Master. As the rumours grow, San finds himself taking on a whole new role as mentor, coach, and social activist, and ultimately, he must decide on the point at which he can risk “coming clean.”
San is quite an appealing character, and his sense of humour livens up many interactions. At heart, this is a simple school story about peer acceptance, but there are a few enriching elements. Adult characters, especially, are given some complexity, and many readers will identify with San’s dilemma: if I’m honest, will they still like me?
FANTASY -- YOUNG ADULT
The Alchemyst: the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, by Michael Scott [US?]
Delacorte Press, 2007 ISBN: 978-0-385-73600-8 366 pages
Sophie and Josh Newman are 16-year-old twins growing up in San Francisco, who accidentally stumble into an ages-old magical battle between forces of good and evil. As their own mystical powers unfold, they are drawn into a world of Ancient Powers, demigods, and immortal sorcerers, and must steel themselves to take their places in the battle to save humanity from forces they have only begun to understand.
Constant dramatic action and violence holds readers’ attention to the characters’ journey, and mitigates some of the “New Age” mysticism that dominates the text. Readers interested in mythology will relish the allusions that crop up, and the characters of Flamel and Dee, both historical people, may pique extension activities. Overall, this is a long and detailed story, which reads, at times, like a screenplay.
Sharp Teeth, by Toby Barlow [US]
Harper Perennial, 2008 ISBN: 978-0-06-143024-4 308 pages
Southern California has been over-run by competing gangs of vicious were-dogs, who are spreading terror and carnage as they take over local criminal activity. Only Anthony, a dog-catcher, and Peabody, a policeman, can help find the way to contain the escalating violence, as the complicated, multi-voiced story unwinds toward a bloodbath in the desert.
Lots of horror-movie violence here, and sexual content is extremely suggestive – not the book for every reader. Ugly, sinister characters proliferate: Mr. Venable, the effeminate criminal who holds the key to the secret of the gangs; Sasha, the ruthless and bloodthirsty “bitch” of one of the gangs; and Barron, the self-serving Judas figure who visits destruction on all. The free verse style of the writing is rich, and taut with meaning, but the narrative thrust is clear, and the story dramatic enough to focus attention.
SCIENCE FICTION
The True Meaning of Smekday, by Adam Rex [US]
Disney/Hyperion Books, 2007 ISBN:978-078684901-7 427 pages
In this novel, set in 2013, 13-year –old Philadelphia resident Gratuity Tucci finds herself the unwitting saviour of planet Earth, now captured by alien invaders who have exiled the human population to Arizona. Along with J-Lo, the benign alien she has unwillingly befriended, and her cat, Pig, Gratuity journeys across America in a flying car, trying to locate her abducted mother.
The story is long, detailed, and slightly complex as Gratuity recounts her story in the form of essays for future readers – time and tense changes may confuse some readers. Ongoing social parody and some genuinely funny moments capture interest, and vivid pictures and graphic novel forms are interspersed thoughout. Gratuity is a strong, smart, capable girl character, and should appeal to readers of both genders. An unusual sample of science fiction grounded in realistic elements of setting and character.
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