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The Graveyard Book / by Neil Gaiman

 

Perhaps the Newbery Medal has found its groove again with 2009 award-winner  The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.  It’s a completely original story that should appeal to a generation that has grown up with books and movies focusing on ghosts, werewolves, ghouls, and magic.   It has the flavor of Coraline (Gaiman’s earlier book that was recently made into a stop-motion film) with its dual realities and the sometimes dangerous characters that hover in between.  Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas and The Corpse Bride also come to mind—and this book certainly will be a candidate for transfer to celluloid.  The Graveyard Book has broad appeal from probably about upper elementary to adult, though the illustrations might contribute to the stigma of “children’s book” (and I’m not sure they add that much to the experience).  Don’t let that deter you, it’s an original read from start to finish that you will enjoy.  Mr. VZ

 

 

There’s a lot of buzz around the book What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell, and rightly so.  It’s a refreshingly sophisticated, yet very readable coming-of-age novel.  There is a wonderful sense of place in postwar NYC and South Florida, and it is very film noir (romantic Hollywood crime dramas from the 1940s).  The plot, the themes, and the characters are so riveting you won’t want to put this book down until you’ve finished.  This complex tale contains not only murder and deceit, but touches on the ethics of war, human morality, and the persecution of the Jews in Europe and the United States.   Boy, the author Judy Blundell really packs it in, but in spite of this, it doesn’t feel heavy-handed.

What I Saw and How I Lied won the 2008 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature (the previous two winners were Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and M.T. Anderson’s The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol. 1, The Pox Party.)  Mr VZ

 

 

 

Wonder When You'll Miss Me by Amanda Davis

 

is about a girl, Faith Duckle who was raped at a homecoming game. After an attempted suicide, she attempts to rebuild her life. She is hired at Clark's restaurant and meets Charlie, the brother of another person at Berrybrook, and his lover in a circus. Faith decides to run away and ends up in the circus where Charlie's lover worked, and ends up as the pooper scooper for the animals--namely the elephants and the horses.

 

I really enjoyed this book. The only problem was the language that was used, but overall, the story was pretty good. I kind of wish that the ending had given more closure, but I suppose it was okay.

Anonymous

 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

 

Were you creeped out by The Lottery by Shirley Jackson? Well, this book is The Lottery times ten. Sort of Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies trilogy meets Lord of the Flies. In a future iteration of North America, the Capitol ruthlessly controls its outlying districts and demands that two tributes from each of the twelve districts, a boy and a girl, be drawn by lottery each year. Then, the 24 tributes fight to the finish in a nationally televised Darwinian contest that makes Survivor or Big Brother look like the Teletubbies. A compelling read from start to finish, it will leave you begging for the sequel. Mr. VZ

 

I enjoyed the following two new titles recently added to the library's YA fiction collection (and also recently had the opportunity to hear these authors speak at a conference event). Both feature characters named Cass or Cassie, perhaps an oblique reference to Cassandra from Greek Mythology. Mr. VZ

 

 

What Happened to Cass McBride? by Gail Giles

The author of Shattering Glass again crafts a cataclysmic tale of high school violence. A troubled youth, whose brother tragically committed suicide, blames Cass for his brother's death, kidnaps her and buries her in a box underground with a deficient air supply and a microphone. The book records their strange conversation, as Cass tries to save herself and work out the details of what really happened.

 

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

An uncompromising glance into the world of teenagers with eating disorders. When her one-time friend Cassie essentially starves herself to death, Lia must exorcise Cassie's ghost from her life and fight the demon that made them both regard food as an enemy. Not for the fainthearted, Wintergirls contains gritty details of what must surely be accurate depictions of teens who find themselves in this kind of crisis.

NB: This title is not due to be published until March, so if you want to get a jump on your friends, check out the library's advance copy now!

 

 

2009 is the tenth year anniversary since the publication of Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak. If you haven't read it, you really ought to (and it is one of the most frequent loans in the library-- we also have the audio version!). It was a 2000 Printz honor book and a bestseller when it came out a decade ago. It's funny, it's sad, it's serious, and about as realistic portrayal of kids in high school that I've read in a bit. The teachers at Merryweather High are nearly as idiosyncratic as the ones portrayed in the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Melinda Sordino is the main character-- she's smart (though not grade-smart), witty, cynical, and she's hurting. Why is the whole school giving her the cold shoulder? Is it because she called the police to break-up an end-of-summer party? Or is there another reason? Read this book. It's as fresh in 2009 as it was in 1999. Mr. VZ Click here for Laurie Halse Anderson's web site

 

 

 

Sometimes it's fun to vary your reading diet with a little nonfiction. Here are several nonfiction titles I recently completed:

 

Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History

by Erik Larson

 

I was motivated to read this bestselling title after Hurricane Ike struck Galveston, TX, this fall. The storm described in this book, which happened in 1900, was much more epic, but in some ways very similar to Ike. It took place during a time when predicting and tracking tropical storms was even more of a guessing game than it is today. Anyway, this book tracks the storm and its devastation of lives and property, and sheds light on the provenance of Gulf storms and the still precarious condition of those inhabitants who choose to live on its low-lying coastal areas.

 

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto

by Michael Pollan

This brief book gives great insight into what food really is. Why is an organic or homegrown tomato better for you? It's not just the taste! The author shows why processed foods should be avoided and the health-conscious grocery shopper should only buy foods that his great-grandmother would have recognized as foods-- so no oreos, twinkies, Cheez-whiz, or pop-tarts! This book literally has a lot of food for thought!

 

The Anglo Files: A Field Guide to the British

by Sarah Lyall

 

This not-so-reverential look at Britain, exposes its eccentricities and foibles in a harsh light. From the idiosyncratic game of cricket to the anachronistic and frequently bizarre House of Lords, the author examines what makes the English English, and it isn't all cream teas and cottage gardens. But if you like England, you'll want to read this.

Mr. VZ

 

 

Unwind  

by Neal Shusterman

This book takes place in a future version of our society where instead of abortion, parents can choose to have their teenagers "unwound." This way human beings have a chance to prove their worth in life and if they fail, their fate is to help others by becoming an unwind. Essentially they become one big organ transplant-- every bit of them continuing to live within another human being. So, technically they don't die and society's ethicists have accepted this. The main characters in this story run from their fate, avoiding their appointments at the "harvest camp" and live underground in unusual circumstances until they are once again caught. There are enough twists and turns in this book to keep you on the edge of your seat. One scene in particular is so chilling and haunting that it will stay with you long after you've put the book down. This would be a great book for discussion, there are so many ethical issues that resonate in our own lives, but it is really just a suspenseful adventure story.

This book reminded me of Margaret Haddix's Shadow Children, Ishiguro's Never Let me Go (in fact, I wonder if the author hadn't read that book before writing his--update 12/08: I met Neal S. and asked him and he said people had told him of it, but he hadn't yet read it ), and a bit of Scott Westerfeld's Pretties/Uglies series. Mr VZ

 

 

 

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

I really enjoyed this tale with its mix of Potterdom and the "Twilight" zone (i.e. Stephenie Meyer). Sure, the plot might be a ripoff of Star Wars, but the characters are well-developed and there are enough battle scenes, demons, vampires, werevolves, and magic to keep you interested until the last page and motivated to pick up City of Ashes, the second in the series. I like it when fantasy intersects with the contemporary world--somehow it makes it more palatable to me--and this book takes place in a modern Manhattan, with lots of "glamours" to keep the Shadowhunters and Downworlders hidden from normal mundies (aka muggles). I don't think this book will disappoint. Check out the author's web site here http://www.cassandraclare.com/  Mr. VZ

 

 

Mister Pip

by Lloyd Jones

This novel is a wonderful testament to the power of literature to change lives. A small tropical island is overtaken by war, and the only constant for young Matilda is school. The regular teacher has fled, so Mr. Watts, somewhat of a local eccentric, takes on duties as the teacher in the one-room schoolhouse, using Dickens's Great Expectations as his sole lesson plan. In her topsy-turvy world, Pip becomes Matilda's constant companion and becomes so real that he affects not only Matilda's life course, but the fate of the village itself. The setting and events are based on contemporary conflict on the South Pacific island of Bougainville. This book will stay with you long after you put it down. It might even motivate you to pick up Dickens. Mr. VZ

In 2008, the American Library Association (ALA) awarded Mister Pip the Alex Award, given to adult books with specific teen appeal.

 

 

The Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith

 I don't know what it is about this series that just warms the heart. It's not so much a detective series, but more a soap opera of characters and customs. Anyway, Precious Ramotswe is probably the most well-known literary detective since Hercule Poirot, and although her jobs usually involve little more than hunting down errant husbands or missing cattle, this glimpse into Botswana is irrestible. Mr. VZ

 

The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring by Richard Preston This is not just a book about any trees, it's a book about the tallest trees in the world-- the Redwoods of the Pacific Coast-- you know the ones from "This Land is Your Land ...from the Redwood forests to the Gulf stream waters..." Those trees. You don't have to go to the Amazon to find rainforests and an extremely fascinating biodiversity. But never mind the science-- this is a story about the daredevil scientists who identify the tallest trees in the world and climb them using death-defying tactics with ropes and pullies that would challenge highwire performers in the Cirque du Soleil. Richard Preston made science exciting and accessible with his enormous success The Hot Zone, and he does it again in The Wild Trees.  I saw some of these giant trees this summer in California and Oregon and they are amazing!  Mr. VZ    Here's a YouTube video that really gives you an idea of how cool it is to climb these monster trees: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIoZ0J7x1Cg&feature=related SPX students will have to watch this at home, since access to YouTube is blocked at school.

Mr. VZ, Redwood National Park, Summer 2008

 

 

BRISINGR!!! by Christopher Paolini

 

If you thought that the endings to the first two books were AWFUL (like me!) Then you will absolutley love this one. This book is filled with suspense, action, love, and everything else you would expect from an amazing writer like Christopher Paolini AND MORE!!! Since I know that a lot of people have not yet had a chance to read this book, I will come back later and finish writing a bit about the plot line because a lot of people will look for spoilers and that just ruins all the fun!

CA

P.S. Want to know more? go to http://www.alagaesia.com/ to find out more about the Inheritance Series and Christopher Paolini!

 

 

 

 

 

The Book Thief

 by Markus Zusak:

"There is a multitude of stories (a mere handful, as I have previously suggested) that I allow to distract me as I work, just as the colors do. I pick them up in the unluckiest, unlikeliest places and I make sure to remember them as I go about my work. The Book Thief is one such story." This quote describes the book perfectly (this is a direct quote from the book, pg 549). The Book Thief is about a girl living in Germany during the Holocaust. It is written from death's perspective as well as the German perspective, unlike most Holocaust novels which are written from a Jewish perspective. The girl, Liesl Meminger, steals her first book, The Grave Digger's Handbook, at her brother's graveside. Soon she begins to realize that stealing, books mostly, brings her joy in a life filled with pain. She learns that "the words" can bring both joy and pain, and they can be a burden to carry. Get your tissues ready if you plan on reading this! It made me cry several times! But it's fantastic. Hill H :)

 

  

 

The Little Prince

by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Ever been transported to another world? Or secretly yearned for a colloquial utopia? Life on Asteroid B-612 might just be what you are looking for. Here in this land filled with roses and space, you will meet a little prince, a spunky yet insightful young fellow who will lead you to further discovery in your life, and maybe even more. All you have to do is listen to his story. Timeless, and classic, I enjoyed this book, and took the Little Prince and his philosophies of life to heart. -T. Muñoz

 

 

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle 

by Barbara Kingsolver

Have you ever thought about where your food comes from? Read this book and you will be ready to join the Slow Food Movement. Kingsolver writes about her year long adventure of living on a small family farm and only eating food that is locally grown and raised. According to Kingsolver, our bodies, our environment, and our economy would be much better off if everyone would eat more locally produced food. Did you know that almost everything we eat is corn-based? Did you know that most of the animals that are raised for consumption never see sunlight? This is a highly readable book that I thoroughly enjoyed. In my next life I will live on a small working farm deep in the Shenandoah Valley. Mrs. T.

 

 

Laika

by Nick Abadzis

This graphic novel recounts the story of Laika, the Russian space dog, shot on a one-way ride into space on Sputnik II. It chronicles the story of the dog from her days as a stray on the streets of Moscow, her training at the space institute, her affectionate relationship with her comrade trainer, and her heroic but unfortunate demise as the first living thing to travel to space. The drawings are wonderfully rendered and the history of the Soviet space race and the era of Khruschev are well-documented and historically accurate. This isn't just a dog story or a cartoon, it's a real gem. Here's the author's web site. Mr. VZ

 

 

 

 

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

The great Native American writer Sherman Alexie turns his talents to the young adult market, and with considerable success. Arnold is something of a misfit on the reservation, and begs his parents to allow him to go to the nearest white school in a town 22 miles from home. The book follows his attempts to fit in at both his new school and with his people at the "rez," the latter who consider him nothing less than a traitor for trying to better himself. Arnold finds his niche as a basketball player and begins to find his footing straddling both the white and red worlds in the midst of almost unending personal tragedy. Arnold's parents agree a bit too readily to his switching schools, and Alexie's suggestion that Arnold might walk home 22 miles on occasion, stretches credibility, but beyond a few missteps, Alexie has created a memorable character and a rare portrayal in YA literature of an authentic representation of native Americans. Mr. VZ

 

 

The Uncommon Reader

by Alan Bennett

This novella is a pleasure to read, especially for a librarian, but is a fun choice for anyone who may be a royalist, anglophile, or a reading enthusiast. What happens when Queen Elizabeth happens upon a bookmobile parked outside of Buckingham Palace? After decades of taking all her information from her handlers, she finally becomes an avid independent reader. When she progresses to Proust, and her passion for reading begins to crowd her other duties and obligations, her royal handlers start to become concerned. This whimsical book will leave you with some food for thought about the place of reading in today's society and may inspire you to, as Liz so aptly puts it, "excersie your reading muscle." Mr. VZ