ReviewThe Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan

Sam knows that he and his friend Lloyd made a colossal mistake when they accepted the ride home. They have ended up in a dark mansion in the middle of nowhere with man who means to harm them. But Sam doesn't know how to get them out. They were trapped, then separated. Now they are alone. Will either of them get out alive? This gripping and hypnotic thriller will have you reading late into the night. (Publisher's summary from Goodreads)

The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that made me extremely uncomfortable at times, due to the horrific nature of what happens after 11 year-olds Sam and Lloyd mistakenly enter a car after school. Both boys think that the car belongs to the other boy’s father, and end up captive in an isolated mansion.  What makes this book a must read is Kalhan’s  gripping plot, and realistic characters.

There is nothing more terrifying than the kidnapping of a child and through Kalhan’s vivid and detailed writing the reader is abducted right along with Sam and Lloyd. Rarely is the suspense of a situation maintained throughout an entire story, but once the reality of the boy’s circumstances are fully revealed the tension, panic and terror is so horrific that it is impossible to stop reading. I greatly admired how Kalhan knew just what details to show for maximum effect and which ones leave to the reader’s imagination.

While in and of its self the plot more than effectively makes The Long Weekend a phenomenal read, Kalhan’s strong characterization took the story to a whole other level. Sam is a reluctant hero. He is unsure of himself, but finds an inner strength he had no idea existed and manages to temporarily escape his captor, but finds the courage to put himself back in harm’s way to rescue Lloyd. His quick thinking and careful planning made the story intense and riveting.  Lloyd, on the other hand, becomes a very realistic victim. Through him, the reader is able to experience the impact the abductor has had. Lloyd is reduced from the cool, popular, and athletic boy he is at the beginning of the story, to a fearful almost catatonic shell completely dependent on Sam for his survival. Finally, Kalhan’s portrayal of the boy’s kidnapper is brilliantly understated. The reader experiences his rage at Sam and the monstrous ingratiation of Lloyd. He is the specter in the boy’s nightmare and remains nameless, but whose presence looms ominously throughout the story.

The Long Weekend is not for the faint of heart. Its impact is frighteningly real and will stay with you long after have shelved the book. 

 Source: Received copy for review from author

Review/Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohen and David Levithan

“I’ve left some clues for you.

If you want them, turn the page.

If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.(Publisher's summary from Powell's Books)

There is something so deliciously improbable about Rachel Cohen and David Levithan’s new book Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares that I found it totally irresistible and an utterly charming book. From the very first chapter I was caught up in the sheer whimsy of two of the most unlikely characters to ever to cross paths, and like Dash and Lily I was willing to read, “for the pure thrill of unreluctant desire.”

What makes this book so yummy is how seamlessly all the elements of fiction worked together. First, the setting added tons to the overall effect of both the plot and the characters. Dash and Lily are both native New Yorkers and that was completely obvious in their personalities and their different actions and reactions. But Cohen and Levithan didn’t stop with just New York as the setting, they added New York during the Christmas holiday, which took on significant importance by adding insights and backgrounds necessary in getting to know more about Dash and Lily as individuals.

Another element that made Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares a delight was the use of alternating points of view. One of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much came from how easily I stepped into each character’s head. I absolutely adored Dash, who is cynical and snarly, and definitely not a fan of Christmas, but his love of the English language and wit made him a guy I could really relate to almost like he was my alter ego. Lily, on the other hand, loves Christmas, and unlike Dash is naïve and has led a fairly sheltered life, but she is smart, intense, and compassionate to a fault. Both these characters’ voices ring true throughout the entire book and I loved every moment I spent in their company.

In addition to loving both Dash and Lily, Cohen and Levithan created several other characters that played largely into the enjoyment of the book. Lily’s huge family, helped out in many of the dares. Her gay brother was the one who suggested the journal in the first place and offers up some sage advice about taking risks. Lily’s aunt and grandpa were also interesting characters and helped round out Lily’s personality. While Dash, unlike Lily, is not surrounded by a loving and over-protective family, he is not without friends. His best friend Boomer was a hoot, a true comic side-kick, who in the end offers up a very philosophical view about love not being a simple yes-or no question and helps Dash sort out feelings.

The combination of all these elements makes for one of the most pleasant romantic adventures I have had as a reader. As Dash and Lily interact via the pages of a red moleskin journal, I had the time of my life. Each dares takes on a life of its own. In fact, there is something almost magical about the dares and how each of the characters responds. The romance that develops within the pages of the journal was almost magical too. The story is certainly about the enormity of possibilities, yearnings, and love, and the realities of life. Dash and Lily not only find out about each other and themselves, but about how messy life and love can be, and how taking risks is worth the mess.

This is a fantastic book. A perfect December read. More than that it is smart, funny, and I dare you not to fall in love with it too!

Review/The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

Some schools have honor codes. Others have handbooks. Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds. When Alex is date raped during her junior year, she has two options: stay silent and hope someone helps her, or enlist the Mockingbirds--a secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of their fellow peers.

While Daisy Whitney’s debut novel The Mockingbirds, deserves applauds for dealing with the difficult issue of date rape, and I felt that much of the discussion surrounding this issue was dealt with great sensitivity, there were aspects of the book that I did have trouble accepting.

At first, Alex’s voice left me cold. Yes, Alex is a victim, and never dealing with such a horrifying experience myself, I tried to step into Alex’s shoes and wonder exactly how my personality would change, if in fact, I awoke naked in a guy’s bed without any knowledge of how I got there or what took place. Certainly, a very scary situation. Alex’s first concern, however, was getting back to her dorm without being seen fearful that the rumors about her  would spread around campus.

I also got that Alex’s memory of the incident is impaired by the fact that she was drunk, and as she tries to piece together everything that happened, as many victims of abuse often do, she blames herself. Consequently, instead of going to the police she chooses to ignore it until her friends convince her to go to the Mockingbirds, a student run organization that investigates, tries, and punishes other students’ wrongful acts.

As the story unfolds, Alex did grow on me. I began to accept the way she chose to deal with the situation even though I did not agree with it. I also found that Whitney’s message about rape: “no” means “no” and an absence of a “yes” does not equal a “yes” was unequivocally clear.  On the flip side, I fear that Whitney inadvertently is sending the message that talking with adults is not helpful since the whole reason for the Mockingbirds is that Themis Academy turns a blind eye to problems that will show the school in a bad light.  It also may give the wrong impression that vigilante justice is a viable, even acceptable option.

The Mockingbirds, however, is a very engaging and compelling read. Once I began the book, I read nonstop.  I loved that Alex was able to let Martin in and trust that not all guys are jerks like Carter. I also envied Alex’s ability to lose herself in her music, and I was happy that Whitney did not take this part of Alex’s personality and allow the rape to taint it. Whitney takes a difficult issue and shines a spotlight on it, so the reader can examine it from several distinct angles. We see the effect date rape has on the victim, the need to extract justice as a way to heal, and how teenage drinking leads to a lot more than a hangover. The Mockingbirds  is powerful enough to open the door to discussion about all these issues and more. 

Review/Freefall by Mindi Scott

How do you come back from the point of no return?

Seth McCoy was the last person to see his best friend, Isaac, alive, and the first to find him dead. It was just another night, just another party, just another time when Isaac drank too much and passed out on the lawn. Only this time, Isaac didn't wake up.

Convinced that his own actions led to his friend's death, Seth is torn between turning his life around . . . or losing himself completely.

Then he meets Rosetta: so beautiful and so different from everything and everyone he's ever known. But Rosetta has secrets of her own, and Seth soon realizes he isn't the only one who needs saving . . .

Mindi Scott’s debut novel Freefall is the third book I have read for the Contemps Challenge and so far is my favorite. The novel is a shining example of how a realistic storyline with real-life characters, can pull readers in and keep them engaged without the use of paranormal suspense, and fast-pace action.

One aspect of Freefall that made it a favorite read is how true to life the story is. Scott tackles several very real teen issues and does it in such a way that the reader can’t help but see through the characters thoughts and actions just how terribly lives are affected when alcohol, drugs and sex becomes a way of life. This is not to say that Freefall is preachy or a vehicle of a moralistic soapbox. Instead, Scott masterfully brings her characters and her readers to some painful revelations.

Seth is a very dynamic and well-rounded character. He is guilt ridden over the loss of his best friend who dies before the action of the story begins. Seth feels responsible for Issac’s death since he was the last to see him alive and the first to find him dead. Seth uses drugs and alcohol to escape not only his guilt, but his stage fright. Despite his grief, Seth begins to recognize just how out of control his life has become and begins to try to fix it. The challenge is to stop drinking and finish school, which he embraces reluctantly at first. But, Seth’s a lot stronger than even he realizes and as the plot moves forward Scott skillfully reveals Seth’s strength and growth in an authentic and believable way.

The romance between Rosetta and Seth was one of the most real and well-written parts of the book. It developed slowly over the course of the action allowing the reader to understand the motivations behind both these characters’ attraction for one another. Seth reminded me of Ponyboy from the Outsiders, and since Rosetta lived in the rich part of town, and Seth came from the mobile home park, there are some parallels that can be drawn between Ponyboy and Cherry’s relationship and Seth and Rosetta’s.

Freefall is a very complex novel about overcoming grief, learning how to communicate, and taking a hard look at the details in life that so often can paralyze our ability to move forward. It is heartbreaking, real, and so well written that it is hard to believe that this is Scott’s first novel. Bottom line: I loved this book!

Review and Guest Post of Heart With Joy by Steve Cushman

Fifteen-year-old Julian Hale’s life is turned upside down when his mother suddenly moves from North Carolina to Venice, Florida. Julian is forced to stay with his father until the end of the school year. Heart with Joy is a literary coming of age novel that explores how sometimes the things you need most in life have been there, right beside you, all along. (Publisher's summary from Powell's Books)

For me Heart with Joy is one of those rare finds that totally surprised me. I had no idea what to expect when I began reading and ended up finding a gem of a story with characters that were endearing and very, very real.

Told in first person narrative Julian’s voice is clear and honest, and I immediately felt a strong attachment to this young man. He is very mature for his age, which becomes obvious through his interactions with his father and with Mrs. Peters, his elderly next-door neighbor. Instead of acting out as you might expect a fifteen year old to do when his mother up and leaves, he steps in and takes over her roles as cook and housekeeper for his dad. Cooking, something he did frequently with his mother is at first a way to keep his mother close, but Julian begins to understand that it is something that fills his heart with joy. As his relationship with his dad grows stronger, Julian also learns that life is not always what it seems. A lot of his growth is nurtured by the relationship with Mrs. Peters. An adamant bird watcher and retired teacher, Mrs. Peters and Julian become true friends and it through this relationship that Julian blossoms.

Heart with Joy is a subtle almost understated story of one boy’s realization that life doesn’t always turn out the way we expect. Julian learns instead that each individual deals with the highs and lows life throws at us making adjustments and even compromises as we go. Cushman’s prose is quietly profound and thoroughly engaging, and I loved every minute I spent with his beautiful and extremely well drawn characters. I highly recommend that you experience this brilliant coming-of-age story for yourself.

Source: Received copy from author for review


I am very pleased to have a guest post from Steve Cushman, author of Heart With Joy on Eating YA Books today. Steve will be talking about his writing process. 

How I Write by Steve Cushman

 

     The three most common questions I get asked whenever I do readings for my latest novel, Heart With Joy, are how do you write, how did you get published, and how can I get published.  I'll try to

answer the first of those questions here in this blog post. 

 

     I usually write in the mornings, mostly because I work a 40-hour a week job and I find if I don't get my writing done before work I probably won't get it done at all.  I get up around 5 and write for an hour, maybe an hour and a half, before the demands of the day, like being a parent and breadwinner, take over.  Another thing I like about writing early in the morning is that it's so quiet and there are no distractions.  Also, if I write early in the morning I believe that my subconscious continues to work on the story throughout the rest of the day even if I don't go back to it until the next day.   

  

     As far as the physical details of writing, for the past 15 years, I've written on a computer.  I have tried a few times to write with the old pen and paper, but my handwriting is so bad that if I try to write anything of length I simply end up not being able to read what I've written.  With that said, I generally don't edit on the computer screen but print out rough drafts and then edit off that paper copy.  I've heard of some writers using $125 Mont blanc pens, but mine are simple black Bics bought wherever they are on sale.  They seem to do the job for me.

 

     You might think what do pens, papers, and computers have to do with writing and storytelling.  I've often thought the same thing because those are simply tools that we use to get our stories, words, and ideas down.  But these are the questions young writers, including myself years ago, ask because oftentimes they think there is something mysterious and magical about the writing process.  I'll let you in on a little secret: it's not magic.  Writing is simply sitting your butt in a chair and working on your story.

 

     I don't mean to make it sound like writing is unpleasant because some days it is wonderful--you are writing along and your characters are saying all the right things and your descriptions feel right and the conflict is building, but some days it is not.  Some days you have to sit there and work through the story, over and over.  And to me that is what writing is: working and re-working.  Going over the same material again and again until you get it right.  There have been times that I have read a story 25 times and on the 26th time came up with the right word choice, piece of dialogue, etc..

 

    So to re-cap, I believe that working and working some more on a story or novel is the way to write.  I get an idea from something I see or hear, then take off from there and over time it evolves.  When I sat down 6 years ago to write my new novel,  Heart With Joy, it was essentially about a father and son and how they cope with each other once the lady of the house leaves.  Over time many more elements came in--cooking and bird watching and the sacrifices parents make for their children and the importance of following your heart.  But all of that was not there at the beginning and it never would have been if I hadn't sat at that desk and worked and worked until I got it right.

 

I want to thank Steve for joining us and encourage everyone to read Heart with Joy!

Review/ The Duff by Kody Keplinger

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her Duffy, she throws her Coke in his face. 

But things aren't so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley. 

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

I really wanted to love The Duff, and there were elements of the story that I did love, but unfortunately, there were other elements that I did not.

First, let me talk about what I did love. Bianca was a terrific character. Her cynical nature came through loud and clear. She was way more mature than many teens her age are, and I think her parents and her friends all contributed to this maturity. I loved her independence, her ability to separate herself from her friends activities yet still be a part of their world simply because they were friends. Keplinger’s writing was another aspect that made this a fun and enjoyable read, and why not? She is a teen herself; so consequently, much of the dialogue rang true for me. I didn’t feel like I was reading about characters trying to be teens, but hearing from voices that were indeed dealing with real teen issues: divorce, sexuality, and self esteem.

What I did not love was how Bianca used sex as an escape. If it had not been for Keplinger’s writing, I probably would have abandoned the book after Bianca’s second sexual encounter with Wesley. I had a hard time understanding how Bianca could honestly allow herself to become sexually active with the very guy who labels her “The Duff.” I kept reading because I kept hoping that the end message would clarify things enough for me to accept the constant sexual encounters Bianca and Wesley had. Keplinger does eventually provide a somewhat acceptable resolution to the conflicting emotions Bianca has, but it was not enough for me to feel cleansed of the inaccuracies of Wesley and Bianca’s sex. Instead, I felt it was way to pat to be realistic.

While I was hoping for a book that discussed self-image, self-esteem, and promoted a healthy body image, I felt that The Duff failed to convey any of this in a meaningful way. The strongest message I got from the book was that a smart, snarky, young woman loses her self-confidence because a guy calls her a Duff. I really hated that a great character like Bianca becomes embittered by one negative comment and uses sex as a way to forget everything that is not right in her life. Instead, I wished Bianca would have shared these things with her close friends, who were always supportive and caring.

I think that Keplinger has a great deal of talent and will certainly read more from this young writer. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book for the majority of YA readers.

 

Review/Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford

Meet Will Carter, but feel free to call him Carter.  (Yes, he knows it’s a lazy nickname, but he didn’t have much say in the matter.)

Here are five things you should know about him:

1. He has a stuttering problem, particularly around boobs and belly buttons.

2. He battles Attention Deficit Disorder every minute of every day unless he gets distracted.

3. He’s a virgin, mostly because he’s no good at talking to girls (see number 1).

4. He’s about to start high school.

5. He’s totally not ready.

Join Carter for his freshman year, where he’ll search for sex, love, and acceptance anywhere he can find it.  In the process, he’ll almost kill a trombone player, face off against his greatest nemesis, get caught up in a messy love triangle, suffer a lot of blood loss, narrowly escape death, run from the cops (not once, but twice), meet his match in the form of a curvy drill teamer, and surprise everyone, including himself.

As part of Read-a-Series in September, hosted by Rhina Reads I wanted to read a series by Brent Crawford whose third book in the series is due to be released next summer and is part of the Contemps Challenge. The first book, Carter Finally Gets It, introduces Will Carter, aka. Carter, as he makes the transition from middle school to high school. 

Carter is a very believable and relatable character mainly because he is such a typically adolescent guy. He is definitely flawed but has a vulnerability that is hard to resist. Part of this stems from his lack of confidence, and part of it, his need to fit in and figure out what it means to be an adult and male.

This is a true coming of age story filled with hilarious yet realistic situations occurring every year in the halls of every high schools in the country. Carter wants a girl friend, but at the beginning of the book, this desire is primarily because without one he won’t be able to have sex. When he finally does meet a girl and manages to get to second base, he ends up blowing the relationship with locker room bravado. I found myself both laughing and cringing at Carter’s attempts to figure it all out, and as the title suggests Carter’s mistakes, and the consequences there of, begin to produce growth. In the end, Carter gets out of his own way and the path he takes is quite satisfying for the reader.

While I did enjoy all the humorous escapades of the adolescent males in this story, what I was most impressed with is how Crawford was able to integrate Carter’s philosophical side without losing track of his voice. One example of this occurs after Carter tries to impart some of his sister’s advice on girls to his best friend EJ. The results are painfully funny and Carter sums up the process of growing up with a new found understanding ...

I think some people have got to get hurt. We hurt ourselves, and we hurt others. Some deserve it, while others are just waiting in line to play Ms. Pac-Man. From weight training, I know that when you stress a muscle you’re actually tearing it down, and when it repairs itself, it’s scarred tissue that looks bigger and makes you stronger, so if it’s true that our scars shape who we are and ho we lie life ...EJ and the short girl just learned a big lesson tonight, and they’ll be stronger because of the pain and confusion.

Another example comes at the end when Carter finally understands a truth about himself...

Life has made, and will make, me do a lot of stuff I don’t want to do football, swimming, studying, parties, work, etc. So I think when you tap into something that you really want to do, you have to fight for it, even if the fight is with yourself.

I am very grateful I stumbled upon this series, and I am looking forward to reading Crawford’s second book in the series Carter’s Big Break next. I am also anxious to get this into the hands of my eighth grade boys and get their reactions to the book. I feel I have found a realistic look into teen angst from a guys perspective. Something I need to do more often.

Review Girl Stolen by April Henry

Sixteen year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of a car while her step-mom fills her prescription at the pharmacy. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, their car is being stolen--with her inside! Griffin hadn’t meant to kidnap Cheyenne, all he needed to do was steal a car for the others. But once Griffin's dad finds out that Cheyenne’s father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes—now there’s a reason to keep her. What Griffin doesn’t know is that Cheyenne is not only sick with pneumonia, she is blind. How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare, and if she does, at what price? (Publisher's summary from Powell's Books)

While I love fantasy and especially the plethora of paranormal stories available in YA books, I am always up for a well-executed realistic fiction read too. Girl Stolen by April Henry is just such a read. Cheyenne’s story is terrifying, suspenseful, and scarily real primarily because of Henry’s brilliant characterization.

From the first moment Cheyenne realizes that someone has stolen her step-mom’s SUV, I began feeling the fear. Cheyenne is blind, which makes her an extremely vulnerable victim. Being inside her head, I was constantly amazed at her ability to use her blindness to her advantage. Even sighted I doubt I could have stayed rational given the initial situation Cheyenne faced. When you add to this the hopelessness of how kidnappings often goes badly for the victim, Cheyenne’s bravery and fight was inspiring.  

The most surprising aspect of this story; however, was how sympathetic I felt towards Griffin, Cheyenne’s abductor. Griffin’s character is revealed to the reader and to Cheyenne through his interactions with her and his father. It becomes apparent that Griffin is a scarred young man both physically (he was burned in a meth lab explosion at a fairly young age), and internally (he believes his mother abandoned him, he is dyslexic, and a drop-out).  Griffin’s life with his father, who is a duplicitous malfeasant, made it impossible not to see him as a victim too, and I could not help worry what would happen to him even as I feared for Cheyenne’s safety.

Henry knows how to build and maintain suspense. Trust me when I say that once you begin Girl Stolen you will be unable to put it down until you reach the end, which comes quickly and is not without some well placed twists and terrifying moments for both Cheyenne and Griffin.

If you are looking for an engrossing realistic fiction story, I highly recommend Girl Stolen, which is scheduled for release September 28, 2010. I know I will be buying a copy for my classroom and nominating it for placement on the 2011-2012 Book Battle list.

Source: ARC copy provided by We Love YA Tours

Accepting the Comtemps Challenge

There is a new challenge in the blogosphere, and I for one am more than a little excited about it. 

The Comtemps Challenge is hosted by a group of YA authors with contemporary novels releasing over the course of the next year. Their website states, "We are passionate about realistic fiction because these are the books that remind us we're not alone in this real world. Our mission is simple - to spotlight contemporary fiction for young adults through blog posts, author events, and (over)sharing from our teen years" 

By accepting the challenge I am promising to read 18 to 21 upcoming contemporary novel starting now and ending August 15, 2011.

Here are the books:

1. Losing Faith by Denise Jaden
2. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
3. Girl Stolen by April Henry 9/5
4. Freefall by Mindi Scott
5. The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney
6. Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler
7. Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers 2/5
8. Trapped by Michael Northrop
9. Rival by Sarah Bennet Wealer
10. Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt
11. Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard
12. Family by Micol Ostow
13. Back When You Were Easier to Love by Emily Wing Smith
14. Pearl by Jo Knowles
15. Saving June by Hannah Harrington
16. The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder
17. Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker
18. Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott
19. The third book in the Carter series by Brent Crawford
20. Sharks & Boys by Kristen Tracy
21. Want to Go Private? by Sarah Darer Littman

Thanks to Michelle and Leslie's Book Picks for turning me onto this great challenge.

So are you up to the challenge too?

Review/ Adios Nirvana by Conrad Wesselhoerft

Everybody’s wondering how can I arrange the daisies and dandelions of my life into a better bouquet?
The answer is, you can’t.
Life is random.
Life is absurd.
Life is deadly
The bouquet arranges itself.
And it doesn’t always bloom or smell good.

Adios Nirvana is a stunning and powerful story that completely took me by surprise. Everything about this book: the writing, the plot, and the characters was so incredible that there is no way I could ever relay the impact it had on me as a reader.

One of the most striking features in Adios Nirvana is Conrad Wesselhoerft’s writing.  The story is about loss, death, and grief, which in of its self is far from unique. What makes this different is Wesselhoerft’s artistic yet accessible style from a young adult’s point of view. The story reads a lot like an interior monologue that Jonathan has with himself...

My frozen fingers slip. Their panicky hands lunge for me.
But I’m too far gone.
I’m falling...falling. There’s ecstasy and freedom here. Somehow I flip onto my back, wing my arms, Jesus-like, and wait for my quilty azalea bed to cradle me. And my Mexican casserole to warm me.
I fall, fall, fall into the snowy night thinking of my brother.
Thinking of Telemachus.

Through the narration, we see and feel that Jonathon is broken, and his pure, poetic voice, raw with emotions begs to be heard. Wesselhoerft adds elements to the story such as music (I learned about the Seattle Grunge scene and guitars), poetry (Jonathon has an unusual relationship with Walt Whitman, and Charles Bukoswki), and a male aura that when combined creates a quintessential mood and tone. I love the infusion of Jonathan’s poems and those of Walt Whitman, Charles Bukowski, and Shakespeare as Jonathon wrestle with his demons.

Another aspect of this story that amazed me was Wesselhoerft’s ability to interweave the plot with his character’s. From the first chapter the reader is aware that Jonathan is standing on a precipice ready to let go. Life without his twin brother, Telly, is impossible ...

Telly was sunlight, blonde and blue. I am darkness, shades and sepia...

He was the front man, I’m the shadow man.

He still writes poetry (about his brother) but has given up on school and sleeping. He wanders through life wanting to be forgotten. His self-destructive behavior, however, does not go unnoticed. His “Thicks” (friends), principal, and English teacher all have a hand in trying to pull him from the edge. The result is a four-month plan that requires Jonathon to attend school everyday, write a dying war veteran’s memoirs, and play a song at his high school’s graduation ceremony. As Jonathan attempts to fulfill these requirements, he begins to move out of the shadows and away from the edge, and each character serves as a catalyst along the way and are all wonderfully real and endearing.

However, the character who provides the biggest spark is David. Through his interaction with David’s war story, Jonathan begins to realize that someone besides himself understands the pain of surviving. The events leading up to this realization are beautifully orchestrated and profoundly metaphoric.

Adios Nirvana left me breathless. I cannot say enough about this book.  I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy from The Traveling Arc Tours since this book has not yet been released. I will, however, be purchasing my own copy in October. I cannot wait to put this in the hands of my students because it is a story that speaks their language perfectly.

Review/ Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

When Kimberly Chang and her mother emigrate from Hong Kong to Brooklyn squalor, she quickly begins a secret double life: exceptional schoolgirl during the day, Chinatown sweatshop worker in the evenings. Disguising the more difficult truths of her life-like the staggering degree of her poverty, the weight of her family's future resting on her shoulders, or her secret love for a factory boy who shares none of her talent or ambition-Kimberly learns to constantly translate not just her language but herself back and forth between the worlds she straddles. (Publisher's comments from Powell's Books)

As part of 2010 EW Summer Challenge I wanted to read several books that were considered adult reads, but because of the protagonist’s age could also be considered crossover YA books. Jean Kwok debut novel Girl in Translation beautifully fits into this category.

Although fiction, Girl in Translation reads like a memoir. Kimberly’s voice drew me into her story from the moment I read the prologue. Her descriptions of the events of her everyday existence made it impossible for me to put the book down, or not become emotionally entangled in the story.  I became enchanted by Kimberly’s devotion to her mother and the strength it took for her to live in an apartment where mice and rats ran over her as she slept, cockroaches roamed the floors and walls, and the only heat came from a gas stove. I was furious at Kimberly’s aunt, who because she could, forced her mother and Kim to live a sub-human existence doing piece work in a sweatshop. Most of all I rooted for Kimberly as she struggled to overcome the disadvantage she had in school because of her limited understanding of the English language, and celebrated when Kimberly’s hard work helped her receive a full scholarship to a prestigious private school.

The reason I think this is an excellent YA crossover book is because it follows Kimberly throughout her high school years and authentically portrays how difficult life is for immigrant students. Kimberly’s mother does not speak English and many of the cultural aspects so foreign to American teens prevent Kim from having a normal adolescence. She cannot bring friends home, because of the way they live, she cannot date or hang out with friends because she must work everyday after school to eek out a less than living wage, and she has to study harder and longer in order to keep up her grades. Throughout the story, Kimberly never feels sorry for herself. Instead, the adversity she faces only makes her persevere more. Kimberly is a wonderful character and her story is so compelling, young adults who read it cannot help but come away with a greater understanding of how fortunate they are. I know I will certainly be more aware of the English Language Learners at my school because of this book.

Another aspect of this beautiful novel that will appeal to young adults is the romance that develops between Kimberly and Matt, a boy she meets working at the factory. Like Kim, Matt helps his mother at the factory so that they can earn more money. Their friendship develops over time and eventually turns into love. However, unlike Kimberly, Matt does not see education as his way out of the sweatshops. Instead, he works several jobs in lieu of going to school, and while I loved Matt’s character, I also feared that Kimberly’s attraction to him would sabotage her future. 

While Girl in Translation is not a fast-pace story, Kwok’s simple but elegant prose is so impressive that I read the book in one siting. The ending, although not a total surprise, was extremely satisfying. The strong themes of love, sacrifice, and perseverance in the face of adversity are seamlessly woven into the novel. This is a story that will stay with me for a long time, and I for one am anxious to read more from this talented new writer.

Review/ the Summer of My Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells

Title: The Summer of My Skinny Dipping
Author: Amanda Howells
Release date: June 1st 2010 by Sourcebooks Fire
isbn1402238622   
Arc copy provided by Publisher


After getting dumped by her boyfriend, sixteen-year-old Mia Gordon is looking forward to spending a relaxing summer in the Hamptons with her glamorous cousins. But Corine, has better things to do—like ditch Mia at a party.

That’s when Mia meets boy-next-door Simon Ross. After devising a secret signaling system, Mia and Simon meet up nightly to swim in the cool, dark ocean and lie on the beach, talking and looking at the stars, Neither feels like they belong in the exclusive resort community.

Mia isn’t looking for love that summer, but she finds it. She finds a funny, artistic boy who lives boldly. She finds someone who understands her. And she finds herself (Publisher’s summary from back cover).

When I first read the publisher’s summary, I thought The Summer of Skinning Dipping was going to be a typical girl meets boy romance novel, and honestly, I am not a huge fan of that particular plot setup.  However, what I found was a much more complicated story about relationships and a few other surprises as well.

The first surprise is how much I really liked this story. Howell’s writing is descriptive and authentic.  She definitely has a strong sense of how to create characters you either love or really dislike. Mia’s is extremely likable. She has a strong sense of self and even though she lacks self-confidence in some areas, her evaluations about herself and those around her are usually spot on. After being dumped by her high school boyfriend the one thing she wants, besides being at the beach all summer, is to hang with her cousin Corine.  Unfortunately, the Corine Mia remembers from their childhood has grown up into a very self-centered snob.  Mia ends up being the country bumpkin, which exacerbates Mia’s feelings of inadequacies. The only problem I had with Mia was I really wanted her to go off on her cousins, and her mother long before she did. When she did finally speak her mind, she was a lot nicer than I would have been.

Another surprise was Simon and how Mia’s relationship with him played out.  I loved how he just showed up uninvited to Mia’s cousin’s party and how after Mia is ditched, Simon begins to discuss The Great Gatsby and call Mia, Daisy. As the story unfolds Mia and Simon begin spending nights together on the beach, and a strong friendship builds. Simon is a risk taker and helps Mia to stop being such a cautious person. Through their interactions Mia learns how great it feels to be more spontaneous.  In the end Mia realizes just how much Simon has come to mean to her, and without meaning to she falls in love with him.

The best surprise in this story was Howells’ insights into the precarious nature of relationships, and she uses these insights to create a much more complicated story than boy meets girl. Mia’s relationship with her mother for example is very strained. Her mother always seems to dote on Mia’s younger sister, who has her mother’s beauty while Mia is average looking. It doesn’t seem to matter to her mother that Mia is smart and has goals to become a marine biologist someday.  Another interesting relationship is Mia’s adoration of her aunt. Mia’s perception of Corine’s mother is very different than Corine’s. As the summer progresses Mia begins to see that not everything is as it seems even with people you think you know.  There is also the strained relationship between Simon and his father. Simon does not want to be like his father who is all about appearances and making money.  His father is tyrannical to the point of abuse, but Simon’s strength lies in his clear understanding of himself despite what others think.

The ending also reveals a huge surprise, which of course I will not reveal, but I will say that Howell crafted the ending in such a way that I didn’t see it coming.  Many of the relationship issues are revealed and some are resolved.  Howell did not rush to wrap everything up, which I found extremely satisfying.

The Summer of My Skinny Dipping is the perfect beach read.  Mia is a well-drawn character with a beautiful clear voice. She is very easy to relate and connect to, and the romance is one that drew me in.  I believe that the various relationships between the characters helped make this about more than a summer romance novel. So, if you are like me and want more than a romance novel to occupy your time this summer, then The Summer of My Skinny Dipping will definitely fit the bill.

Review Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork

In Marcelo in the Real World, Francisco X. Stork introduces a different type of protagonist that forces the reader to redefine the incessant need to label people who are different from the norm. Marcelo, may not be able to read facial expressions with the accuracy most of us take for granted, or navigate city streets with ease, and his conversations might be stiff and self-conscious, but his story is one that will have you rooting for him to succeed.

The main conflict in the story is that Marcelo’s father, a successful Mexican-American Harvard lawyer, wants Marcelo to venture out of his protected environment and enter what his father sees as the “real world.” He makes a deal with Marcelo that requires him to work for the summer at his father’s law firm instead of at Paterson, Macelo’s private school for disabled children, taking care  the therapy ponies that Marcelo loves so much. If Marcelo’s summer job is successfully completed then in the fall Marcelo will be allowed to return to Paterson instead of attending a “normal” high school. This sets into motion Marcelo’s foray into a world of competition and deceit, and his success is threatened when he finds the picture of a young girl whose face is disfigured from a windshield manufactured by his father’s biggest client. Unable to forget this girl, Marcelo’s is forced to make a decision with painful consequences.

Marcelo is one of most extraordinary characters I have ever met. Despite the challenges he faces he understands himself in a way that I myself envy. He knows he is different and is able to explain his difference ...”I view myself as different in the way I think, talk, and act, but not as someone who is abnormal or ill.”  He has a “pervasive interest in God” and music and these special interests are a huge part of who he is.He has a child-like innocence when dealing with others, but he is also very attuned to what constitutes right and wrong. In the "real world" it becomes obvious that those special qualities might get lost. Throughout the story, I found myself greatly concerned and hoping that Marcelo does not lose himself as he develops the "street smarts" his father feels is necessary for Marcelo to survive.

As the story progresses and Marcelo interacts with various other characters in the book. He begins to form a relationship with Jasmine, the mailroom clerk who has been given the task of teaching Marcelo his job at the firm. Jasmine is a well-drawn character. She is patient with Marcelo, but she is also very straightforward, and genuine. She is quick to ask Marcelo what’s wrong with him. The intercourse that takes place as Marcelo explains to Jasmine about his differences, and special interests is definitely one of my favorite scenes. As the summer progresses a bond between Jasmine and Marcelo is formed.  With Jasmine’s help, Marcelo is able to figure out the right thing to do not only about the ethical problem he faces with his father’s law firm, but with his future.

Another character Marcelo interacts with is Wendell, the son of his father’s partner, who is also working at the firm for the summer. Wendell is a self-serving, rich snot whose arrogance is almost comical and clearly understood each time he interacts with Marcelo. Where Wendell is conniving and deceitful, Marcelo is genuine and forthright, and it was very satisfying to see how Marcelo eventually bests Wendell.  Both Jamsine and Wendell provide a great deal of insight into Marcelo’s character and allows the reader to see Marcelo’s growth in the story.

I was enthralled with Marcelo in the Real World. Stork truly understood his characters and while this is not a fast-paced book, it was never a boring read. I loved the layers the plot offered and how important each character was to the story. If you have not read Marcelo in the Real World,  I strongly recommend that you do as it is a wonderful book with a wow factor worthy of five cherries.

Review/ The Knife That Killed Me by Anthony McGowan

Paul Vanderman could be at any normal high school where bullies, girls, and annoying teachers are just part of life. But “normal” doesn’t apply when it comes to the school’s biggest bully, Roth a twisted and threatening thug with an evil agenda. When Paul ends up delivering a message from Roth to the leader of a gang at a nearby school, it fuels a rivalry with immediate consequences. Paul attempts to distance himself from the feud, but somehow Roth keeps finding reasons for him to stick around. Then one day Roth hands him a knife. And even though Paul is scared, he has never felt so powerful. (Publisher's summary from book flap)

I first posted about The Knife That Killed Me on one of my Waiting on Wednesday posts. I had picked up Jack Tumor, Anthony McGowan’s funny but poignant book about a boy with a talking tumor and mentioned in my WoW post that if The Knife That Killed Me was anything like Jack Tumor then I really wanted to read it. Surprisingly, McGowan left a comment on my post to tell me that his new book was definitely not humorous but in fact a “dark, dark, thriller with an unpredictable twist.”  Boy was McGowan right!

The Knife That Killed Me is a compelling read. McGowan hooked me in the very first page, by describing an ancient knife with magical runes made from a meteorite and forged in Persia. The cursed knife’s history spans generations and as I read I was sucked into the narration, which then makes a 180 degree turn when the narrator’s voice turns and admits the knife that killed him wasn’t a special knife at all, but a kitchen knife from Woolworth. With this turn, McGowan begins to build Paul’s voice, which is strong and real. The tension in the story is palpable and builds continually through out.  Paul describes vividly each incident in a series of events that leads to the startling climax and conclusion of this dark tale, and his commentary is grippingly honest about how being bullied feels...

“I could feel my self blushing. That might seem weird to you, but one of the main things about getting picked on is it makes you ashamed. I felt a pressure building up inside me, made out of the shame mixed up with anger and fear. Some of the other kids in the class noticed what was happening. Some of them looked at me and then looked away, feeling bad, feeling pity. Some joined in with the sniggering, glad it wasn’t them.”

Rotha, the bully, in the story is one of the most evil characters I have run across in a novel. He is not a bully you can ignore and he will just go away. He is brutal, yet clever at manipulating those around him through shrewd intimidation. Paul falls victim to Rotha’s manipulation describing  the experiences as a “soft intimate” encounter that gave him a “warm glow…a kind of happiness warmth and peace” at not being the victim of  Rotha’s brutality. Instead, Rotha pulls Paul into a devious plot to engage a rival gang in a fight that leaves in its wake the innocent murder of one of Paul’s friends. While I definitely see Rotha as the villain in this story, Paul’s choices cannot be overlooked, and although in the end I did feel compassion for Paul and even understood on some level why he acted as he did, I also was aghast. My strong reaction is a testament to McGowan’s skill as a writer. This is definitely not a story for the faint of heart, but I think it is a story that needs to be read and would hope the experience would make teens think twice before allowing a bully to terrorize them or to indulge in bullying others.

 Book purchased from Amazon.

Review/ Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison

THE TRANSFORMATION

Beth has always been “The Beast”—that’s what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glasses. Beth’s only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scott. That is, until she’s selected to be her choir’s soprano soloist, and receives the makeover that will change her life forever.

THE LOVE AFFAIR

When Beth’s choir travels to Switzerland, she meets Derek: pale, brooding, totally dreamy. Derek’s untethered passion—for music, and for Beth—leaves her breathless. Because in Derek’s eyes? She’s not The Beast, she’s The Beauty.

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE

When Beth comes home, Scott, her best friend in the world, makes a confession that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scott or follow the dangerous, intense new feelings she has for Derek?

THE HEARTBREAK

The closer Beth gets to Derek, the further away he seems. Then Beth discovers that Derek’s been hiding a dark secret from her …one that could shatter everything. (From Goodreads)

Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison is an emotional rollercoaster that quite literally ended (at least for me) with a lump in my throat and the threat of tears. For the most part, I was completely taken over by the story and the characters. Morrison immediately draws you into Beth’s ugly life starting with her father’s rejection at birth and the absolutely, horrible pranks played on her at school. All because her face is scared, she wears thick glasses and has uncontrollable fizzy hair.  Beth is unfortunately defined, like so many teenagers are by her looks, and it is impossible not be empathetic. However, Beth does have beautiful moments: when she sings. Morrison uses Beth’s talent first metaphorically to help her escape the ugliness of her life and then literally to physically transform her. This literal transformation occurs after Beth receives the lead solo and her choir is chosen to compete in Switzerland against other choirs. One of the choir’s sponsors gives Beth a makeover taking her from the ugly duckling to a swan in a very short period of time.  While I did not have a difficult time accepting this transformation (I tend to be able to suspend disbelief quite easily), I do have a problem about the message that young adults could construe from Beth’s makeover. After all, we aren’t all beautiful people, and true talent should be judged on its own merit not by the physical wrappings it comes in.

Despite this message Sing Me to Sleep is still a book I really enjoyed. The title was very meaningful and I thought Morrison’s writing was engaging. I especially liked how Beth’s mind was always making up lyrics to explain her feelings and continually tries to find a hopeful chorus to add to her song:

Change.
Why do they surprise me?
Can everyone see
Inside
That I’m still the same girl?
Now who will she be?
Can she be beautiful?
Will she be blinded too?
Why am I anxious
To leave my old shell behind?
Can it be possible
Will all the people love me?

I also liked Beth’s best friend Scott, who always saw Beth as the beautiful person she was inside. I kept wishing that Beth would see past their long time friendship and realize what a great boy friend Scott would make. However, the story definitely would have been much different without Derek, who falls in love with Beth’s voice before he even meets her. It was exciting to see their romance unfold while they were in Switzerland, but once they return it got tedious. I really wanted Derek to stop being mysterious and I hated how Beth moped and brooded over him. I was elated however, that she didn’t succumb to Derek’s demands to quite her choir and join his. I would have been extremely disappointed in Beth as a character and instead found myself overlooking some of the other flaws she developed after falling in love.

I have to admit that I was more than a little overwhelmed with the emotional intensity at the end. Morrison’s pacing was perfect and it left me drained. Overall, I really did like this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a story that can quite literally move you to tears.

Standing Against the Wind by Traci L. Jones

Patrice Williams was happy living in Georgia with her grandmother, then her mother lured her to Chicago and ended up in jail. Living in the projects, Patrice is an easy target for everyone. Not only won't she stand up for herself, she cares about her grades--unlike her classmates. But that draws the attention of Monty Freeman, another eighth grader who asks Patrice to tutor his little brother. When Monty becomes her guardian angel, Patrice begins to think something stronger than friendship might be growing between them. Still, nothing will stop her from applying for a scholarship at prestigious Dogwood Academy--except her mother.

Standing Against the Wind by Traci L. Jones is about one girl’s struggle to overcome several external obstacles in order to achieve a better life for herself. At 14 years-old Patrice is living a life that others have forced upon her. Her mother is in jail, her aunt, who she lives with, is working two jobs, which leaves Patrice to cook and clean, take care of her cousins everyday, and her older sister is irresponsible. Patrice, is smart and works very hard to ensure she gets good grades. She is also very shy Even though I liked Patrice as a character, I often wondered whether or not a 14 year-old dealing with all the things she was dealing with could really be that perfect. Yet, I kept rooting for her throughout the story hoping that things would turn out right in the end.

I also liked Monty, a boy who lived in Patrice’s building in Chicago. Monty unlike the crew he hangs with does not tease Patrice. In fact, her asks her to tutor his younger brother. It is through the interaction that occurs during the tutoring session that Monty and Patrice become friends, and Monty also begins doing his own homework and improves dramatically in school. With Monty’s help Patrice is able to overcome some of her shyness and their relationships grows over the course of the story.

While I did enjoy this story, I think that Jones’ choice of third person limited point of view was odd. Had she chosen first person instead I think I would have been more inclined to feel a stronger connection with Patrice than I had. I also felt that the story was just a little too pat, even though Jones did throw in a couple of tense moments. One was when Monty’s friends cornered Patrice in the stairwell, and another when Monty managed to get money for Patrice to travel to her mother’s prison. Both incidents were tense for different reasons and added to the overall conflicts Patrice faced.

Overall, I would recommend this story for my middle school students. Standing Against the Wind sends a clear message that a person with dreams can achieve them if he/she perseveres and works hard.

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

Humor is one of my favorite elements in a book, and when I find myself laughing out loud as I read I am delighted. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is certainly a laugh out loud story funny, but it is the poignant tale of one boy’s struggle to climb higher than his ancestors without losing his identity in the process that makes this book a must read.

Arnold Spirit Jr.(Junior) came into the world with water on the brain and was not expected to live. Growing up on the Wellpinit Reservation in Spokane Washington was difficult. Constantly bullied and called a retard by everyone but his best friend Rowdy, he makes a decision one day to leave the poor reservation school to attend an all-white school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Regarded by everyone on the “Rez” as a traitor including Rowdy, Junior manages to survive a great deal of loss by finding an inner strength and proves himself to be a true warrior.

How do you do justice to a book that totally grabs and surprises you at ever turn of the page. That is exactly what happened as I read about Junior. Life on the reservation was so hard, and Alexie uses humor to relate all of the struggles Junior faces. He was often beat up, his parents were poorer than poor, his father was an alcoholic, his sister, had given up on any dreams she once had, but Junior wanted more. A budding cartoonist he draws “because I want to talk to the world. And I want the world to pay attention to me.” The book is peppered throughout by Ellen Forney’s cartoons. Each cartoon in the book strongly expresses Junior’s understanding of the events in his life and how those events not only impact his understanding of himself, but how racism impacts his entire culture. The cartoons and Alexie’s witty prose adds depth to Junior’s character.

 

Although I loved everything about this book, the main reasons it worked so well for me was Alexie’s characterization. Junior's voice is so clear and real. He is a fighter. He has hope. It is this hope that sends Junior on his quest for a better life realizing, sadly, that there is no hope staying on the reservation. This revelation comes after a conversation with a reservation teacher ...

"You've been fighting since you were born," he said. "You fought off that brain surgery. You fought off those seizures. You fought off all the drunks and drug addicts. You kept your hope. And now, you have to take your hope and go somewhere where other people have hope."

“I was starting to understand. He was a math teacher. I had to add my hope to somebody else's hope. I had to multiply hope by hope.”

Junior’s decision to go to the white school is not without problems. But his biggest problem does not come from acceptance at the school, although he does have problems fitting in at first and faces a certain amount of racism for sure. Likewise, he faces problems from his tribal people, but this isn’t the worst part either. The real problem for Junior is internal. Trying to find justification for wanting a better life than the one he faces if he stays on the reservation. As the title suggests Junior’s decision unfortunately made him feel like a part-time Indian, and yet philosophically he knew that staying also meant the very real possibility that he would end up a very disturbing statistic that he discuss here...

“And you know what the worst part is? The unhappy part? About 90 percent of the deaths (on the reservation) have been because of alcohol ...

I was making an attempt too. Maybe it would kill me, but I knew that staying on the Rez would have killed me too?”

Junior is a very strong character probably because he is based on Sherman Alexie’s life. The humor Alexie uses may soften the harsh realities of life on the reservation, but in no way detracts from the social and cultural commentary on which the book is built. Junior’s description of the poverty, addictions and the hopelessness that face his tribal people are very real, and it is for this reason alone that I would highly recommend this book be a mainstay in classrooms and adult bookshelves.  More than that it is a book about strong family ties, dealing with grief, and belonging to tribe of the human race.