For Vlad, middle school sucks. Not only does he have to deal with normal problems like bullies, girls and grades, but he also has to worry about blood cravings and fangs that tend to come out at the most inconvenient moments. Vlad lives with Nelly, a nurse, after his mother (a human) and father (a vampire) were killed in a house fire. With the help of Nelly and his best friend Henry (also a human), Vlad does a pretty good job of fitting in, but things change when a strange new teacher comes to his school.
Through a series of coincidences, Vlad begins to uncover secrets about his father’s past. He finds out that there is a thriving vampire society based at a place called Elysia. Further, he learns that the vampire council had been tracking his father before his death and planned to punish him for breaking vampire code and having a romantic relationship with a human. He begins to suspect that the council (aided by his new teacher) killed his parents and that he may be next.
This story is a nice (if not entirely unique) combination of high school drama and fantasy. A weak plot and mediocre characterization may scare off some readers, but vampire lovers will probably stick around until the last bite. Though far from perfect, this short book may pack just the right combination of bloody fantasy and real life issues to draw in some reluctant readers.
DweebMeter: 2.5/5
Random Sidenote: Okay, I know I’m not Miss Sensitivity, but Vlad cries way too much!
The story of a medieval village in England in 1255 comes to life through 23 interweaving monologues. Readers will meet Taggot, the blacksmith’s daughter, who fears she is ugly and will never find a husband. They will learn about crafts from voices like Drogo, the tanner’s apprentice, Edgar, the falconer’s son, and Nelly, the sniggler. From Jacob Ben Salomon, the moneylender’s son, they will experience the harsh treatment Jews suffered in medieval Europe. The author leaves hardly any corner of the village untouched, giving voice to young people of all classes, including Simon, the knight’s son, Giles, the beggar, and Isobel, the lord’s daughter.
After reading (or hearing) these voices from a distant age, readers will come away with a deeper understanding of the hardships of life in a medieval village. Historical notes provide extra information, and an extensive bibliography will help those motivated readers who want to conduct their own research. The author originally wrote the monologues for a group of students to perform, and history teachers will undoubtedly enjoy including this book in their curriculum.
Perhaps one of the most endearing parts of the book are the folksy illustrations by Robert Byrd. His style, which simulates the type of drawing used in the period, is the perfect companion for this text.
By the way, this book won the 2008 Newbery Medal. There’s been some debate over whether or not it deserved to win, but, either way, I think it’s a great book.
When Dink places a gift in another student’s shoe on Sinterklaas Day, a war erupts in Battle School about the students’ rights to express their religious and cultural beliefs. Zeck, a fundamentalist christian recruit, who blew the whistle on the incident becomes even more of an outcast than he was before. Dink tries to convince Zeck that giving gifts to others in the name of Santa is not the same as worshipping Satan, but Zeck’s extreme beliefs run too deep.
Frustrated, but also feeling sorry for Zeck, Dink asks Colonel Graff for help. Colonel Graff tells Dink not to worry, because Ender will work everything out. Ender, a child genius, steps into the story for (pretty much) the first time and helps Zeck see the real reason he’s been acting out: he’s afraid his father is going to hurt his mother in his absence. Ender achieves the impossible: he convinces Zeck to change his beliefs.
This is an interesting tale from one of the most popular science fiction authors of all time. Card uses multiple viewpoint characters to provide different perspectives on the gift-giving holiday. In some sections, the point of view shifts awkwardly from first to third person. The science fiction aspects (like the war against the aliens) serve as a backdrop to the real story about Zeck’s struggle with his faith. Overall, a strange story, but not enough to stand on its own. Maybe after I’ve read Ender’s Game, I’ll give this story another try.
Armed with a six-pack of Mountain Dew and a box of Sharpies, Zane Guesswind takes off on a journey to Zanesville, Ohio to kill himself on his mother’s grave.
At the outset, Zane, a troubled teenager, writes on his bedroom walls in an attempt to make sense of the chaotic world around him. This world begins to come apart when his absentee father dies and his schizophrenic mother commits suicide. The final blow comes when Zane marks out his grandfather’s image from his bedroom wall, an act that he believes results in the old man’s death.
Zane leaves his grandfather’s body in the living room and takes off in his brother’s 1969 Plymouth Barracuda. He uses his Sharpies to mark off each mile on the dashboard, and with each mark he gets closer to his own death.
Things change when he picks up a hitchhiker named Libba. At first, Libba seems like a normal teenage girl, but after a series of hallucinations in which Zane talks to his dead relatives, he begins to realize that nothing about his journey is normal.
This fast-paced novel in verse is part realistic fiction, part paranormal thriller. The author explores issues of mental illness and suicide from a teen perspective. Along the way, readers also get a glimpse of real landmarks and historical figures from Virginia and Ohio history. Overall, this latest work by a well-known poet is worth checking out.
James Rumford’s quaint pen and ink and watercolor drawings bring to life the epic tale of Beowulf. Rumford has managed to condense the narrative into a cohesive whole, retaining some of the original language and poetic feel. On this point, this retelling exceeds other recent efforts like Gareth Hinds’ graphic novel version (though his art was definitely very cool-and gruesome). A note at the end provides a history of the original story. This book is an excellent way to get kids interested in classic literature, though Hinds’ work might appeal even more because of its comic book style and gory action.
Alexa, 13, returns to Bridewell for another summer and quickly finds herself at the center of a harrowing adventure. With the help of two-foot-tall Yipes, a squirrel, a convict and a wolf, Alexa sets out to defeat the evil giant Abaddon, a powerful seraphim able to assert his will even from his prison in the Tenth City.
Although a finely crafted narrative, interesting characters and a few intense situations may keep some readers turning the pages, long sections of backstory and unecessary set-up will likely scare off reluctant readers. Biblical themes permeate this sequel to the Dark Hills Divide, and Carman is sure to explore these themes further as Alexa travels to the mythical Tenth City to restore Elyon to power in the third, and final, book in the series (entitled the Tenth City).
Audiobook Note: Aasne Vigesaa does a great job of bringing the diverse cast of characters to life.
A masterful tale of corrupt politics, profound evil and finding the courage to do what’s right.
Quentin, a rabbit, has never been one to question the government’s authority, but when a military guard beats him and his friend, Zack, for missing curfew, his faith in Stonehaven’s rulers begins to falter. His doubts multiply when he discovers that his childhood tormentor, Wally, is a guard in the Stonehaven military. Usually timid Quentin is forced to act on these doubts when he comes to believe that the government is responsible for the disappearance of his friend Frank’s wife and children.
Meanwhile, across the forest in Foxboro, Harry (a fox) receives an unpleasant visit from his younger brother Isaac, a cruel man who has bought his way into the ruling class. Isaac offers to pay Harry handsomely to travel to a stone fortress (Stonehaven) where wild rumors abound about rabbits who can talk and think just like foxes. Harry hates to appease his brother, but the money is too good. He starts off into the forest on a journey that will lead him, and the other creatures involved, to uncover dark revelations about animalkind and the lines some creatures will cross for gold.
Gruesome action highlights this Orwell-esque tale. The narrative deftly shifts from Quentin to Harry, and sometimes to other characters, heightening the suspense. Readers will identify with Harry and Quentin’s struggle to overcome the bullies in their lives, as well as their larger struggle against evil. A stunning first novel, in the same league as Animal Farm.
Miki is a studious high school senior who believes that truth, beauty and the pursuit of excellence are much more important than boys. This changes when a mysterious new boy arrives at Fukuyama High. The new boy, Hiro, seems determined to be a loner, but his antisocial behavior intrigues Miki. Determined to break through Hiro’s walls, she tries everything she can think of to become a part of his life. Eventually, Hiro agrees to hang out with Miki, but only if she promises not to question his mysterious lifestyle.
A suspensful set-up, beautiful art (softer than most manga) and unique layouts make this a satisfying, fast read. The twist at the end may be hard for some readers to buy, but overall, this book is worth a quick look.
Beheading, dismemberment, feral vampires and suicidal werewolves. Like in the first two books, much of this third book in the Twilight Saga focuses on Bella’s inner turmoil (i.e. her choice between Edward and Jacob), but this time around Meyer does throw in some bone-ripping battle scenes–a major plus for those readers who could do without all the romance. The main action still moves at a snail’s pace. The Victoria and Volturi storylines are secondary to Bella’s struggle between eternally opposing forces: werewolf or vampire, life or death?
For those of you who have read my past not-so-shiny reviews of New Moon and Twilight, you may be asking yourselves: Why do you keep reading this stuff? What can I say? Morbid curiosity, I guess. Everyone keeps talking about how amazing these stories are, so I just want to find out for myself. And who knows? Maybe when I trudge off to Borders to buy Breaking Dawn on August 2nd, I’ll be pleasantly (and gorily) surprised?
In this second book in the Racing to Freedom trilogy, Alison Hart tells the story of Gabriel, 13, a newly freed slave trying to make a name for himself as a jockey. Gabriel has won two races in his hometown, Kentucky, but there’s no fame for an African American jockey in the South. He is excited and scared when his boss sends him to New York to race in the Saratoga Chase. Gabriel expects to get a taste of freedom in Saratoga, but, instead, he learns that the North supplies its own brand of injustice.
This historical novel set in the midst of the Civil War explores racial tensions in both the North and the South. Gabriel is believable as a child of the period. The fast pace and emphasis on athletic competition will draw in some reluctant readers. The plot packs no surprises, but delivers readers to a satisfying, if predictable, conclusion. A lengthy historical note and a bibliography add to the book’s educational value.
For Vlad, middle school sucks. Not only does he have to deal with normal problems like bullies, girls and grades, but he also has to worry about blood cravings and fangs that tend to come out at the most inconvenient moments. Vlad lives with Nelly, a nurse, after his mother (a human) and father (a vampire) were killed in a house fire. With the help of Nelly and his best friend Henry (also a human), Vlad does a pretty good job of fitting in, but things change when a strange new teacher comes to his school.
The story of a medieval village in England in 1255 comes to life through 23 interweaving monologues. Readers will meet Taggot, the blacksmith’s daughter, who fears she is ugly and will never find a husband. They will learn about crafts from voices like Drogo, the tanner’s apprentice, Edgar, the falconer’s son, and Nelly, the sniggler. From Jacob Ben Salomon, the moneylender’s son, they will experience the harsh treatment Jews suffered in medieval Europe. The author leaves hardly any corner of the village untouched, giving voice to young people of all classes, including Simon, the knight’s son, Giles, the beggar, and Isobel, the lord’s daughter.
When Dink places a gift in another student’s shoe on Sinterklaas Day, a war erupts in Battle School about the students’ rights to express their religious and cultural beliefs. Zeck, a fundamentalist christian recruit, who blew the whistle on the incident becomes even more of an outcast than he was before. Dink tries to convince Zeck that giving gifts to others in the name of Santa is not the same as worshipping Satan, but Zeck’s extreme beliefs run too deep.
Armed with a six-pack of Mountain Dew and a box of Sharpies, Zane Guesswind takes off on a journey to Zanesville, Ohio to kill himself on his mother’s grave.
James Rumford’s quaint pen and ink and watercolor drawings bring to life the epic tale of Beowulf. Rumford has managed to condense the narrative into a cohesive whole, retaining some of the original language and poetic feel. On this point, this retelling exceeds other recent efforts like 
Alexa, 13, returns to Bridewell for another summer and quickly finds herself at the center of a harrowing adventure. With the help of two-foot-tall Yipes, a squirrel, a convict and a wolf, Alexa sets out to defeat the evil giant Abaddon, a powerful seraphim able to assert his will even from his prison in the Tenth City.
A masterful tale of corrupt politics, profound evil and finding the courage to do what’s right.
Miki is a studious high school senior who believes that truth, beauty and the pursuit of excellence are much more important than boys. This changes when a mysterious new boy arrives at Fukuyama High. The new boy, Hiro, seems determined to be a loner, but his antisocial behavior intrigues Miki. Determined to break through Hiro’s walls, she tries everything she can think of to become a part of his life. Eventually, Hiro agrees to hang out with Miki, but only if she promises not to question his mysterious lifestyle.
Beheading, dismemberment, feral vampires and suicidal werewolves. Like in the first two books, much of this third book in the 
In this second book in the Racing to Freedom trilogy, Alison Hart tells the story of Gabriel, 13, a newly freed slave trying to make a name for himself as a jockey. Gabriel has won two races in his hometown, Kentucky, but there’s no fame for an African American jockey in the South. He is excited and scared when his boss sends him to New York to race in the Saratoga Chase. Gabriel expects to get a taste of freedom in Saratoga, but, instead, he learns that the North supplies its own brand of injustice.
