Category: YA/MG/Children’s Books Page 38 of 42

Saturday Miscellany — 10/25/14

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On October 25, 2014

In Books, News/Misc., YA/MG/Children's Books

Odds ‘n ends over the week about books and reading that caught my eye. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:

Opening Lines – The Westing Game

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On July 10, 2014

In Blog Series, Currently Reading, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, News/Misc., Opening Lines, Quotations, YA/MG/Children's Books

We all know we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover (yet, publishing companies spend big bucks on cover design/art). But, the opening sentence(s)/paragraph(s) are fair game. So, when I stumble on a good opening (or remember one and pull it off the shelves), I’ll throw it up here. Dare you not to read the rest of the book.

—–

The sun sets in the west (just about everyone knows that), but Sunset Towers faced east. Strange!

Sunset Towers faced east and had no towers. This glittery, glassy apartment house stood alone on the Lake Michigan shore five stories high. Five empty stories high.

Then one day (it happened to be the Fourth of July), a most uncommon-looking delivery boy rode around town slipping letters under the doors of the chosen tenants-to-be. The letters were signed Barney Northrup.

The delivery boy was sixty-two years old, and there was no such person as Barney Northrup.

from The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Like any good novel (and this is a very good one), so much of the book is revealed in the opening paragraphs — not that we know that at the time, but in retrospect, it’s clear — we get the voice, we get themes, we get clues to the mystery (not that we know what the mystery is). As a kid, I got to that last line and was hooked. How could there not be such a person when the previous sentence said there was? What’s up with the Towers facing the wrong direction? What a strange book.

The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle by Christopher Healy

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On June 25, 2014

In Fiction, YA/MG/Children's Books

The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle (The League of Princes, #2)The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle

by Christopher Healy

Hardcover, 477 pg.
Walden Pond Press, 2013
Read: Jun 17 – 20, 2014

This is not as good as The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, let me get that out of the way. But it’s hard to stay fresh with this time of humor. Still, it wasn’t stale, it was still a fun — sometimes very fun — adventure and a good story for the young — or those that can act young while reading a good book.

After their last adventure, the heroes find out that even in Fairy Tale Kingdoms, you only get 15 minutes of fame. No longer hailed as greats, their loser status has been restored and their lives are pretty much what they were before they banded together. So they all jump at the chance for further excitement, even if it comes in less-than-favorable ways. This time, the band is off to steal

We get all the characters from the first book back (at least the ones that anyone would notice), plus a few new faces — most of which I want to see again. In particuar, the character of Smimf the messenger was a great addition to the cast — he’s the proper mix of ridiculous and impossible. I could’ve used a little more of him — but not too much, I think he’s one of those characters that would grow old pretty quick.

I really enjoy Healy’s way of looking at the world and describing things, I know I posted some quotations last time, so I’ll limit myself to just one taste from this book where he explains the origin of the very nasty Warlord of Dar:

Some peole say Rundark was born out of a mad alchemist’s attempt to distill the essence of pure evil. Others claim he emerged fully grown form an erupting volcano. Although it’s also possible that he was the son of a used-cart salesman from Nebbish Village — they didn’t keep very good records in Dar.

I don’t care what age level you’re writing for, give me paragraphs like that, and I’ll read.

The last thing anyone should think about while reading this is Game of Thrones, but I couldn’t help myself. Someone needs to make a movie of this series, and they cast have to those of Maisie Williams and Rory McCann as Lila and Ruffian (quickly, before Williams grows up even more). If you watch the HBO series, I don’t know how you can read this without seeing the two of them with your mind’s eye as you read this.

I did chuckle at the tip of the cap The Princess Bride — so few in the target audience are going to get it, but for us Moms and Dads out there, it was a nice touch.

Last, but not least: Kudos to illustrator Todd Harris — his drawings are full of life and mirth. They’re the perfect accompaniment for the writing.

A lot of fun, almost as fun as the first book in the series, and well worth your time. I note there’s a third book in this series, and I really look forward to it.

—–

3 Stars

Dusted Off: Team Human by Justine Larbalestier, Sarah Rees Brennan

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On June 16, 2014

In Fiction, YA/MG/Children's Books

Team HumanTeam Human

by Justine Larbalestier, Sarah Rees Brennan

Hardcover, 352 pg.
HarperTeen, 2012
Read: Jul. 19-21, 2012

Much more than a Twilight spoof (although, that’s there) this is a heckuva read. Mel’s a spunky high schooler with a lot on the ball, her friends see her as a fixer, the one who can help them deal with whatever crisis they’re dealing with. It’s a role she relishes, it’s her way of identifying herself. Particularly this time, when she’s trying to stop one friend from falling for a vampire, while another is coping with her dad abandoning the family for a vampire lover. Vampires are pretty low on Mel’s list.

Mel’s a flawed hero, in an endearing way. She’s bullheaded, fierce, dives into things without looking, she makes mistakes, but picks herself up and charges back into the fray with a minimum of self-doubt.

The rest of the cast are almost as well-rounded, were I in high school, I’d love to hang out with them (they’d probably be a bit too wild for me, honestly).

A fun, emotionally-satisfying novel for teens and adults who don’t mind reading below their grade level.

—–

4 Stars

Dusted Off: The Girl in the Steel Corset

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On February 24, 2014

In Fiction, Steampunk, YA/MG/Children's Books

The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles, #1)The Girl in the Steel Corset

by Kady Cross
Hardcover, 473 pg.
Harlequin Teen, 2011
Read: June 26-27, 2012

When I started this, I kept thinking, “this is the steampunk version of Twilight.” A good, fun read, but nothing to get too excited about. But as I read on, I started thinking that less and less. Maybe because it was getting better, maybe because I just got into the story fully. Doesn’t matter.

Midly predictable plot, but entertainingly told. The characters are engaging and frustrating (in a way that serves to underline how much you like them). The steam-tech is fun and well thought out. The whole super-power thing? Very well executed. Super Powers and Steampunk? That’s some peanut butter you can get in my chocolate, anytime.

Fun, fun, read–with a good jump start to the sequel.

—–

3.5 Stars

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

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On January 22, 2014

In Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, YA/MG/Children's Books

WonderWonder

by R. J. Palacio

Hardcover, 313 pg.
Knopf, 2012
Read Jan. 14-15, 2014

August “Auggie” Pullman is a great 10-year old kid, loves Star Wars, academically gifted, has a devoted dog, a nice older sister, very supportive parents, he’s friendly — big-hearted, really. After years of being homeschooled, he’s off to a private school for Middle School (when, btw, did Middle School start in 5th grade?). Oh, sure, one other thing: he has a genetic disorder resulting in severe facial abnormalities.

Kids being kids — this is clearly fraught with peril. It’d be tough for a kid to enter this atmosphere from his background no matter what — but in Auggie’s case, things are magnified. We follow Auggie through that rocky first year through various perspectives — his, his sister’s, his friends’, his sister’s boyfriend’s, and so on. I frequently get tired of this whole multiple perspective schtick, but Wonder is one of those cases where it works. By seeing the same event (occasionally, not every event) trough various eyes, we get a much better — and richer — picture of Auggie’s trials and triumphs.

Yeah, this is written for 4-8 grade reading level, and as such, not the most sophisticated writing or plot. Yeah, this has all the makings of an After-School Special (that’s a term that’s about to lose all meaning, isn’t it?). Yeah, the plot is pretty predictable. Fair enough. But R. J. Palacio pulled it off — it all works — all the kids seem real, the struggles his sister has are believable, the varied emotions (noble and not) are realistic. It’s a song sung well, no matter how old or simple it is.

Wonder‘s fun, occasionally funny, and heartwarming. Read it, and get your kids to read it, too.

—–

5 Stars

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

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On January 7, 2014

In Fiction, YA/MG/Children's Books

Allegiant (Divergent, #3)Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Hardcover, 526 pages
Katherine Tegen Books, 2013
Read: October 23-25, 2013

Given the phenomenon that the Divergent series has become — particularly amongst certain demographic segments — it’d be an almost impossible task to finish this series in a way that would please all readers. From what I can tell, she didn’t. But did she please this reader? On the whole, yeah. Despite an ending that many, many people disliked (I was fine with it, not crazy about it, but fine) Roth got the story wrapped up as she wanted, and ultimately, that’s what’s most important in this setting.

Yes, there was a lot more exposition and back story than you typically get in an end to a series. But Roth had a bunch of questions that Tris and her readers demanded answers for — and Roth answered most — if not all — of them. Which didn’t leave as much time for story as one would hope. It’s not 500 pages of info dump by any means, but there was probably more backstory in this book than there were in the other two. And really, other than the fate of the world, there wasn’t that much plot to take care of, so it sort of balanced out. Roth did bring every hanging plotline to a satisfying resolution, and didn’t introduce all that many to deal with within the pages of Allegiant.

Reading what I’ve written, it seems like this is a dull narrative. Not at all — there was enough action, enough mystery to keep you going. And in the moment, I didn’t have any problems with the amount of exposition, or anything else. It’s only afterwards, thinking about it that I started to have a “yeah, but . . . ” type of reaction. In the moment, it all worked — it all kept me hooked and waiting for what would come next.

Like many, I thought a good deal of the latter quarter was pretty predictable, but just because you can see an ending coming 5 miles away, doesn’t mean that it can’t be pulled off effectively — which is what Roth did.

I’m going to miss this world, and many of the characters, Roth had a thankless task before her here, and she managed to acquit herself pretty well. Looking forward to what she does next.

—–

4 Stars

Dusted Off: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

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On January 7, 2014

In Fiction, YA/MG/Children's Books

Insurgent (Divergent, #2)Insurgent

by Veronica Roth
Hardcover, 525 pg.
Katherine Tegen Books, 2012

A solid follow-up to a great book–not as good as its predecessor, but close enough.

I thought the plot meandered a bit, and several scenes between Tris and Four seemed to just be a repetition from the earlier. But the rest of the book was so good, those minor gripes are completely forgivable.

Am not sure what to do with what we learn in the last 3 pages or so–but I’m pretty sure we’re not expected to know what to do with it, so I’m okay with that.

—–

4 Stars

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

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On December 4, 2013

In Authors, Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, P-U, Rainbow Rowel, YA/MG/Children's Books

Fangirl
Fangirl

by Rainbow Rowell
Hardcover, 438 pg.
St. Martin’s Griffin, 2013

No one can write messed-up characters like Rainbow Rowell can — socially awkward, clever, emotionally scarred, and incredibly likeable. A lot like many people.

Speaking of likeable, it takes no more than a few pages, maybe even a couple of paragraphs before Cath wins the reader over completely. Okay, so she’s a little too into this semi-Harry Potter world, and spends what many would consider an unhealthy amount of time on her fanfic — but she gets great grades, and something resembling a social life, who’s to judge? She’s having a hard time adjusting to college life — her identical twin (Wren — get it?) is taking the opportunity to go out on her own, and Cath’s just not ready for that. For the first time in her life, she’s really not half of a set, and that takes a toll on her esteem, confidence, and — actually — everything. Her high school boyfriend being in another state and mostly incommunicado makes it all worse.

Slowly, Cath starts to find a place in college — makes a friends (most of which are worth having). There’s a lot of ups and downs along the way — there’s plenty of family drama — friction between the sisters, emotional troubles for their dad at home, and a lot of unresolved issues surrounding their mother’s/wife’s abandoning the family years ago. Which doesn’t help out her schoolwork at all — and drives her further into her fanfic.

This is done in such a way that it doesn’t feel like silly teen/young adult dramatics — it feels like a rough patch that a dear friend is going through. The former would be easy for many authors to evoke, and I’d probably end up walking away from the book. But because Rowell can make us feel the latter, we pull for Cath, and keep reading on, getting further invested in her character.

There are bright spots — Cath and others make some progress in dealing with troubles from their past, Cath meets some fans of her fanfic, and — not at all surprisingly — there’s some fun (and awkward) and heartwarming romance kindled.

I know precious little about fanfic, honestly — I’ve read a few authors pouring out the hate for it, and some defending and/or celebrating it. I hardly have enough time to read the original works set in the worlds I like, I certainly have no time for the “unofficial” takes on it. So I really didn’t care about Cath’s passion for her hobby — or for those who had a different take on it. I thought Rowell dealt with it pretty well, on the whole, and was fair enough to both poles while staying fairly realistic.

Not as gut- and heart-wrenching as Eleanor & Park, but told with the same amount of heart (and more laughs). This is one of those books that when you see the end coming, you start to read slower, because you’re just not done with these people yet. If she had the story, I’d have read another few hundred pages just to stick with Cath, Wren, Levi, Reagan and the rest for a little longer — honestly, I’d have done it without the story.

—–

4 1/2 Stars

Rock On by Denise Vega

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On November 21, 2013

In Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, YA/MG/Children's Books

Rock On
Rock On

by Denise Vega
Hardcover, 296 pg.
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2012

I can’t remember what it was that made goodreads suggest this book to me, but I put it on my To Read list over a year and a half ago, and really only picked it up because it was front-faced on a library shelf I walked by last week, and my stack was pretty light. Glad I did pick it up though.

I’ve got a soft-spot for rock band novels — ever since The Buffalo Nickel Blues Band, which I read about 400 times in junior high. The Commitments (one of my all-time favorites), Eddie and the Cruisers, Juliet, Naked and a handful of others I can’t recall at the moment. There’s something about the raw emotion that the music taps into that just grabs you, makes a solid connection between the characters and the reader.

This is more than that (as the subtitle informs). Primarily, we’ve got the story of a high school band on their way to the High School Battle of the Bands. But that’s not the emotional core of the novel, it’s just the framework to hang the rest of the stories on.

Sure, Ori’s a great guitarist — practically too good to believe (but hey, it’s fiction, relax). But when it comes to girls? Fuhgeddaboudit‎. Nervous, anxious, trembling, not-at-all-confident — pick your synonym, and that’s him. As he and his band start gaining a little notoriety in the area, he’s finding himself receiving a bit more female attention (which is both great and mortifying for him). There’s one girl in particular . . . well, read it yourself. It’s a sweet story, well told. Nothing that’ll rock your world, but it’s nice.

But even that’s not the core of the novel — the fractured relationship between Ori and his older brother/former idol Del is where this book lives (or at least wants to). It takes time to get the full story, but Del goes from being the Top Dog in high school to a former jock/college drop-out during his first semester, he moves home and things between the brothers deteriorate quickly. Without this the rest of the book would barely be worth reading (as much as I liked it), watching Ori struggle to find the brother he worshiped in this current version, Del struggle with his current reality, and the brothers struggle to be civil — that’s the ultimate story being told here. And as well-done as it is — the emotions are right (on both sides), it’s utterly believable and relatable — but there’s something missing. I wish I knew what it was, but it’s just not as good as it wants to be.

I don’t want to overlook some of the other supporting characters — Ori’s little sister, his next-door neighbor/friend/band webmistress, and the eventual bass player are well-drawn, and I’ve been glad to spend more time with one/all of them — the bassist in particular.

A nice touch to this is in between some chapters, Vega provides logs from the band’s blog on a local music site — the blog posts themselves, mostly reiterate what we already know, but the comment threads? A lot of fun to read — and nice way to get a different perspective on events than Vega’s characters or the readers have.

A fun, quick read, emotionally satisfying, and almost as good as it tries to be — a pleasant way to while away a couple of hours.

—–

3 Stars

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