OCT 2007
Pieces of Georgia by Jen Bryant, 2006
In the middle of middle-school, 13-year-old Georgia is on an at-risk list in the school counselor’s office and is given a red diary to write down anything she would like to ask her mom about but can’t, since her mom died 6 years previously. Written in airy free verse that is very accessible, the reader gets to know Georgia as a quiet, artistic, honest, animal-loving friend and daughter. And you see her blossom through the course of that year of writing. I found Georgia endearing, her observations about her widowed dad and overscheduled best friend realistic and insightful, and her growing self-awareness engrossing.
Some memory-jogging tags: Friendship. Fathers and daughters. Artists, especially Wyett. Grief. School counselors. Middle school. Diaries. Prescription drug abuse. Shyness. Construction workers. Farm animals. Affluence vs near poverty. Rural vs suburban living.
MS Rating: Great. I’d recommend this to anyone, especially the younger half of MS. 2008 Beehive nominee.
Hit the Road by Caroline B Cooney, 2006
Having just turned sixteen and gotten her driver’s license less then two weeks previously, Brit’s grandmother Nannie wants her to drive across several states, on expressways no less, and help kidnap her 60-year-long friend who being housed again her will at a nursing home. Written in third person from Brit’s perspective, the plot moves through the funny and slightly absurd actions of three 80-something women trying to evade police and an abusive son while unable to get in and out of the van by themselves. I found Brit’s comments and observations entertaining: about being a new driver, about her relationship with her cell phone, about the role she is being forced to assume for the sake of her grandmother and her friends. I also liked the side story with Brit’s crush on Cooper.
Some memory-jogging tags: Grandmothers. Kidnapping. Friendship. Automobile travel. Road trip. Old age. Cell phone use. Beginning driver. Dignity and independence
MS Rating: Great. 2008 Beehive nominee.
SEP 2007
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, 2006
When Kendra (13 years) and Seth (11 years) go to stay at their grandparents' estate, they discover that it is a sanctuary for magical creatures and that a battle between good and evil is looming. Seth is always breaking the rules. Kendra tries to follow them, but she is forced to take big risks before the end of her stay if she is going to save the rest of her family. I had a hard time getting into it, and kept having to read other titles before finally finishing it. It has all the right characters, it just didn’t grab my imagination.
Some memory-jogging tags: Brothers and sisters. Magic. Grandparents. Witches. Trolls. Fairies. Good vs evil. Courage. Fantasy. Connecticut.
MS Rating: Optional (may be better for younger reader)
The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima, 2006
After learning about his magical ancestry and his own warrior powers, sixteen-year-old Jack embarks on a training program to fight enemy wizards. Before he knew about the Roses, he was an ordinary kid with a scar by his heart and taking daily “heart” medication. But his powers start to manifest when he starts forgetting to take his medicine. The beginning is really gripping and sets up an interesting premise, but the story doesn’t quite fulfill its promise.
Some memory-jogging tags: Magic. Magic swords. Ohio. Great Britain. Friendship. Dueling. Tournaments. Ancestors. Adventure. Courage. Aunts. Wizards. Warriors. Identity. Secret societies. High school. Fantasy.
MS Rating: OK for fantasy fans
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson, 2005
When 17-year-old Ginny receives a packet of letters from her favorite and eccentric aunt, Peg, she leaves New Jersey to criss-cross Europe on a kind of scavenger hunt. She travels from New York City (4th Noodle where she receives the packet) to London (she meets Richard, her aunt’s “roomie,” and sponsors a struggling performance artist Keith) to Edinburgh (visits with artist Mari Adams) to Rome (visits the statues of the Vestas) to Paris (finds the café painted by her aunt) to Amsterdam (her contact wasn’t there and she falls in with the Knapps instead) to Copenhagen (visits Knud on his houseboat and then joins up with a group of fellow travellers) to Corfu, Greece, (has her backpack and all her belonging, including her letters, stolen while swimming) and back to England (tells Richard that Peg loved him). I really enjoyed the snapshots of different European cities.
Some memory-jogging tags: Voyages and travel. Self-discovery. Self-confidence. Grief. Europe. Aunts. Letters.
MS Rating: OK, especially for older readers (more HS level).
Gideon: The Cutpurse by Linda Buckley-Archer, 2006
Ignored by his father and sent to Derbyshire for the weekend, 12-year-old Peter and his new friend, Kate, are accidentally transported back in time to 1763 England where they are befriended by a reformed cutpurse. First book of a promised trilogy. Peter’s mom works in Hollywood and lives away for most of the time. Peter’s dad is a very important businessman who manages to repeatedly break his promised of spending time with Peter. Kate, on the other hand, is one of several children living in the country, whose father is a scientist researching anti-gravity. The cutpurse, Gideon Seymour, is pursued by his old employer’s new henchman, the Tar Man, while trying to start his new life as an estate manager for the Byng family. I enjoyed reading it. It pulled me along, usually.
Some memory-jogging tags: Time travel. Robbers and outlaws. Great Britain history. George III. Fathers and sons. Courage. Homesickness.
MS Rating: OK, especially for historical fiction or fantasy / time-travel fans. On 2008 Beehive nomination list.
House of Scorpion by Nancy Farmer, 2002
In a future where humans despise clones and a corrupt drug empire is nestled between Mexico and the U.S., Matt slowly becomes aware that he is not like everyone else. He has a very clearly prescribed role as the latest young clone of El Patron, the 142-year-old leader of Opium, and he is fated for an early demise. But with the love and help of his “mom” caregiver and body guard Tam Lin, he flees his fate, only to fall into other difficulties. The story is well written and totally grabbed me, bringing me right alone with Matt as he discovers who he is, what others expect of him, and what he is capable of.
Some memory-jogging tags: Clones and cloning. Coming-of-age. Good vs evil. Drug dealers. Greed. Immortality. Science fiction.
MS Rating: Great
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