In the Middle Monday Review of The Odd Job Squad by Karl Fields

 In the Middle Monday is a feature where I review books that while geared towards middle school readers are what I believe represent excellent examples of story.

The best way to get even is to get Odd... Thirteen-year-old Ander Cartwright is an expert on two subjects: fortune cookies and payback. Especially payback. When he’s not struggling with algebra, Ander leads an anonymous revenge club that operates within the walls of Marina Middle School. Got a beef with a classmate? Email Ander’s crew and, if your case if legit, they’ll get even on your behalf. It’s not easy to right wrongs and fly under the radar at the same time. That’s why Ander developed three simple rules designed to help him and his friends stay incognito. But when Ander spots the opportunity to settle a score of his own, he ignores the rules, setting off a chain of events that threatens to blow his cover, and it’ll take all the butt-kicking, detention-dodging skill the guys can muster to keep a lid on their secret.(Publisher's summary from Goodreads)

Middle school and bullies walk hand in hand down the locker filled halls of grades six through eight and Karl Fields takes this unfortunate fact of life and creates for his readers an entertaining yet realistic twist on getting even in his debut novel The Odd Job Squad.

Ander and his best buds Christian, Joe, and Shooter (the only girl in the group) have been trying to set things right for victims of bullying at Marina Middle since sixth grade. Together they decide which cases to take on from the various emails they received and follow a few simple rules: everyone has to agree to take on a case, the payback should match the crime, and it should never be personal. But when Ander gets a chance to payback an old nemesis he forgets the rules and the squad’s anonymity is threatened. What follows is a frantic push to set things right, and in the process, not only does Ander grow and learn about revenge not being sweet, but he also gets a glimpse at why bullies become bullies.

What makes The Odd Job Squad a perfect middle school read is equals amounts of charming relatable characters, interesting and original events, and real issues facing tweens and young adults. I loved Ander, who is a typical middle school guy who struggles with algebra and the fact that he lacks athletic abilities. But what he lacks in these two areas he more than makes up in personality and his strong sense of right and wrong. His intentions to fight for the underdogs is noble and his loyalty to his friends make Ander not only a fantastic narrator, but a character I wanted to succeed. He is a keen observer of human nature using what he labels as people’s preactions. Ander’s voice, as well as the other characters in the book, is authentic and gives credence to the story without compromising or watering it down as many middle school often authors do.

The events that move the story forward were completely original and fun to participate in. Part of the conflict involves a quest to score tickets to a boy band concert, which takes the odd squad on a scavenger hunt around San Francisco and ends up with Ander singing one of the band’s pop hits in Chinese.

But what I really appreciated most about the book was how Fields’ managed to deal with the issue of revenge without leaving the reader believing that getting even is an acceptable way to deal with bullies. The ending leaves the reader contemplating what causes a bully to be mean in the first place? And provides a few answers to reflect upon. I also enjoyed the other theme of friendship and the budding of romance that occurs between Ander and Shooter.

Although I usually prefer young adult novels, The Odd Job Squad is a book that will appeal to not only middle school, but many young adult and adult readers too. It is definitely a book I will be recommending to my students this year and will consider for next year's Area Wide Book Battle.

Source: Received copy for review from author

Review Ruby Red by Kristen Gier

Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era! Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon, the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

I have always wondered what it would be like to travel back in time and experience, first hand, different eras that I now can only read about in books. Perhaps that is why I love books so much for their ability to transport me to another place and time. Ruby Red by German author Kristen Gier weaves an exciting mystery about time travel that not only satisfies my wonderlust, but introduced me to a marvelous young protagonist that I completely fell in love with.

While Ruby Red was originally written in German, Anthea Bell did a marvelous job translating this amazing story into English. I was immediately drawn into the story by the author’s voice. Modern day England was easily recognizable and I even found myself hearing an English accent as I read the dialogue, without the annoyance of reading it in print. This writing style remained consistent throughout the story making it fresh and authentic.

The plot of Ruby Red exceeded my expectations. The story’s mystery begins with a prologue that while a bit sparse on details certainly piqued my interest immediately. Grier expertly uses foreshadowing and created quite a lot of suspense through various characters. The time traveling was explained in degrees through events as they unfolded and never overshadowed the story with technical or scientific terms that might otherwise turn a reader glassy eyed. The pace was perfectly constructed making this a quick read.

Another aspect of Ruby Red that drew me into the story were the characters. I adored Gwyneth. She has lived in the shadow of her cousin Charlotte for years because it was believed that Charlotte was the carrier of a time traveling gene. When Gwyneth ends up being the one who time travels, instead of freaking out she keeps her wits about her and handles it in a very logical way. I also loved the fact that while Gwyneth lacks a certain amount of self confidence, she recognizes this flaw in herself and overcomes it through her inquisitive nature and determination to figure things out. Finally, I loved the casual way Gwyneth dealt with her ability to see ghosts, a trait that she has had since she was quite young. Her conversations with a ghost who haunts her school were fun and added another dimension to her personality.

Besides Gwyneth, Geir created a number of secondary characters that all stood out in their own way. Lesley, Gwyneth’s best friend and confidant was such a blast. She accepted that her friend talked to ghost and never questioned her sanity. Lesley also loved doing research and was a huge help to Gwyneth in digging up facts about people she met during her travels. Lesley encourages Gwyneth and offers invaluable advice.  Gideon, Gwyneth’s male time traveling counterpart, although quite arrogant at first by the end of the story began to show signs of accepting Gwyneth and admitting that perhaps he had been brainwashed by not only his own family, but the Guardians. Finally, I thought Count Saint-Germain made a great villain and while his presences in the story was minimal, I am sure that his part in the mystery will become more prominent in the next two books.

Ruby Red is a perfectly written mystery that left me wanting the next book in the series now especially since we are left knowing that there is a lot more to discover about the motives of the Guardians,  and about Gwyneth. It will appeal to a wide audience, including middle level readers as well as young adult and adults. If you love a great plot, amazing characters, a hint of romance, and of course time travel then I cannot think of a better book to recommend. 

2011 Debut Author Challenge

Last year I joined in on the 2010 Debut Author Challenge late, so I am happy to be among the many signing up for this great challenge early.

In 2010 I read 36 books by debut author and going back over the list I realized that some of my favorite books were written by bright new stars in the YA genre. Here is a list of some of those that I count as favs this year:

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Summer of My Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Shade by Jeri Smith Ready

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Virals by Kathy Reichs

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan

FreeFall by Mindi Scott

Anyway once again The Story Siren is hosting this fabulous challenge so if you are interested in signing up, go and check out the post here and get all the facts and details you need to be a part of this challenge.

Trust me when I say this is a fun challenge and one you will thoroughly enjoy all year long.