Leavitt, Martine. My Book of Life by Angel.

Leavitt, Martine.  My Book of Life by Angel.             Farrar Strauss see Macmillan Children's Publishing Group 246p                $17.99  978-0-374-35123-6          2012      jr/sr                  E-BN    Realistic fiction                    

Angel thought living at home after her mother passed away was intolerable until she ran away with her boyfriend Call, who turned out to be a pimp!  Then she knew what it meant to regret leaving her safe home.  Now without the possibility of ever going home again, Angel must make the best of a terrible situation.  At first she takes drugs that Call calls “candy”.  It makes meeting with the men easier to bear.  But then she realizes that this not the life she wants, and she begins to move away from the “candy”.  She is only 16 years old but she feels like an old, old woman, and every part of her body hurts.  Then Call brings home Melli, an 11-year-old! That is when she decides to take control of her life as well as Melli’s.  Angel’s life take on an urgency to save Melli at all costs, even if it means her own life is lost.

 
This is a story told in poetry, building in intensity as it moves toward the climax.  It is shocking and yet compelling.  You will not be able to put it down until the end.  It is a must-read for all ages.                  

Runaways-Fiction, Prostitution-Fiction                                                                                     --Magna Diaz

 

Moore, Carley. The Stalker Chronicles.

Moore, Carley.    The Stalker Chronicles.  Macmillan/Farrar Strauss     230p $16.99 978-0-374-37180-7       ms/hs       Good            Conflict   

We meet Cammie as a sophomore in high school, with flashbacks to elementary and middle school to set the premise of the novel that Cammie has always found direct verbal communication difficult. Instead, she secretly listens in on conversations of her family (her parents sound as if they will divorce) and clandestinely observes people who she would like to be friends with, and this behavior earns her the reputation of being a stalker.  She has only one true friend, Rosie, who tries to offer advice on how to better relate to people.  When a new boy moves to town, Cammie is compelled to go through his garbage, go into the boy’s bathroom to investigate, and through other means secretly learn about his past, which is shrouded in mystery.   Whether Cammie is just socially awkward or has a more serious mental disability is never fully explored.  This is a light read for middle-school and high-school students that will leave some questioning the total cluelessness of Cammie’s parents and whether Cammie’s transformation into a more popular person could really happen in such a short time.           

Stalking, Friendship-Fiction                          --Lois McNicol

Silvey, Anita. The Plant Hunters.

Silvey, Anita.  The Plant Hunters.    Macmillan/Farrar Strauss    88p  $19.99 978-0-374-30908-4       elem/ms           VG           

Plant collection is not the innocuous occupation that many of us consider it to be, and this book illustrates this with a variety of botanical adventures ranging from ancient Egypt to present day India, emphasizing the 19th and 20th centuries.     

Primary sources provide the basis for this well-documented collection of tales of adventurers and scientific exploration that revolve around the acquisition of unique and valuable plants.  These adventures happen all over the world, and the reader learns not just about the plant collector and the plants, but also about the regions of the world they explore, as well as all of the tedium and organization involved in the process of exploration.  

The illustrations in the book are also primary sources for the most part, and include historical photographs, lithographs, and prints, such as the photograph of Ernest H. Wilson with "reformed headhunters and armed policemen" (page 29), and "Kangchenjunga from Singtam", a lithograph from the 1850s (page 38).  The book concludes with a timeline, an author's note, notes, a bibliography and an index.             --Lynn Fisher

Karo, Aaron. Lexapros and Cons.

Karo, Aaron.      Lexapros and Cons.      Macmillan/Farrar Strauss      230p $16.99 978-0-374-34396-5       hs          VG      Realistic Fiction

     

Chuck suffers from OCD, and in his senior year of high school he finally finds a way to deal with it, but not before his life starts spinning out of control.      I started out determined not to like this book, which begins with ample use of the “F” word and the main character keeping track of the number of times he masterbates.  It seemed so ... crude.  But Aaron Karo knows how to tell a story, and keep the reader laughing and interested throughout. 

Chuck is a 17-year-old high-school senior with OCD.  He counts the number of times he masterbates, washes his hands numerous times each day, and tries to keep a low profile.  One day his parents convince him to start seeing a psychiatrist, and  at first Chuck resists, while recognizing that his life is not fulfilling and he hates high school.  When a new girl enters his math class, and his friend Steve needs help in dealing with a bully, Chuck’s life takes a turn for the worse, and he decides that something needs to be done about his OCD.

This book is full of chuckles, but more importantly, it draws the reader into really caring about Chuck and the other characters.  His relationships with his sister, his parents, Steve, the shrink, and Amy, the new girl, are all drawn expertly, and the plot moves along at a perfect pace.

Kudos to Aaron Karo for winning me over!  Caution: very strong language!

                                                            --Carol Kennedy

Karo, Aaron. Lexapros and Cons.

Karo, Aaron.      Lexapros and Cons.      Macmillan/Farrar Strauss      230p $16.99 978-0-374-34396-5       hs          VG      Realistic Fiction

Chuck Taylor, a 12th-grade AP student, has OCD. He faces many problems getting through high school activities and making and keeping friends. A compassionate yet bawdy look at the life of an obsessive-compulsive personality.  

Chuck Taylor only wears Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers, the color of Cons depending upon his mood.  Chuck is neither a nerd, geek nor athlete, and that causes him to feel unconnected to school. The only thing he is looking forward to is Senior Weekend.  This year it is a muddy campout, which is the exact opposite of the environment that germaphobic Chuck wants.  Chuck’s other compulsions involve his masturbation tally sheet and his obsession with turning his locker combination 14 times before being able to attend class.  Chuck reluctantly attends therapy sessions for his OCD at the insistence of his parents and tries behavior therapy and drug (Lexapro) treatment.  The book degenerates into a typical high-school novel of boy wants girl, gets girl, loses girl and heroically saves her at the end of the book.  When Chuck’s best-guy friend of many years is consistently bullied, Chuck turns a blind eye until Senior Weekend, when Chuck comes to his friend’s rescue.  The frequent use of the “f” word in variant forms and the bawdiness used to tell of Chuck’s obsessions may limit the purchase of this book for some libraries. But others will enjoy the ribald humor of an adolescent mind.                                                                                          --Lois McNicol

Brody, Jessica. 52 Reasons to Hate My Father.

Brody, Jessica.   52 Reasons to Hate My Father.  Macmillan/Farrar Strauss 340p      $16.99      978-0-374-32303-5   jr/sr  VG-BN   Realistic Fiction

What teenager doesn’t rant and rave that parents are too strict or from another world?  Lexi’s father holds the purse strings to a twenty five million dollar trust fund.  He doesn’t feel that Lexi is mature enough to handle the money because she spends all of her time shopping and carousing the nightlife, and she has recently crashed her new Mercedes while drunk. His solution for solving Lexi’s immaturity and lack of appreciation for money provides youngsters with humorous read.

Her father assigns fifty-two menial jobs that Lexi must successfully complete for a week.  Then to make matters worse, he hires Luke Carver as an intern and assigns him the job of making sure Lexi gets to the jobs on time and completes them.  The jobs provide Lexi with insight into tasks she has never done before.  They include cleaning house with a vacuum cleaner, mucking out horse stalls, washing dishes in a Chinese restaurant, digging graves, milking cows, working as a crossing guard, gutting fish at a seafood market, delivering flowers, and telemarketing, to name a few.  It is at a Don Juan Tacos that Lexi finally realizes that this could be fun and mean something, that there are friends to be made, and that the arrogant intern Luke might not be so bad after all.

In this story, readers learn that love is unconditional and one must give it to receive it.  Lexi’s fifty-two reasons for hating her father become meaningless as she realizes she only needs one reason to love.

Family life-Fiction, Money-Fiction, Romance, Consequences-Fiction                                                                   --Linda McNeil

Fugitives: Escape from Furnace

Smith, Alexander Gordon Fugitives: Escape from Furnace      

 Macmillan/Farrar Strauss      2010  277p  $15.99   978-0-374-32484-1     hs   VG-BN       Science fiction  

In book 4, Alex Sawyer has finally been able to escape from Furnace with Simon and Zee. The terror they suffered is enough to get them moving very quickly to get as far away as they can. Then they discover that the menace is going into the city killing the innocent, and Alex must decide whether he just wants to run away from it all or turn around and try to defend the innocent. 

Unfortunately, Alex is now a monster. He was operated on, torn apart and sewn back together in a monstrous body that no longer resembles the Alex that came in the door.  He is full of black nectar that wants to control his body, soul and mind.  But Alex is too strong and will not let go of his humanity. Simon was able to escape before he was fully turned into a monster himself.  His arm is monstrously big, full of the nectar, but the rest of him is normal.  Zee was able to escape before he was turned at all.  Together, they will try to get the real culprit, Alfred Furnace, who has unleashed a terrifying menace through the city, ending the life of any human being who gets in the way.

This terrifying horror tale is truly scary, but you find yourself reading to the end, wondering how Alex will survive this new horror.  Will he be able to stop Alfred Furnace?  What other horrors are waiting for Alex, Simon, Zee and now Lucy?
           

VG-BN       Magna Diaz  Horror stories, Monster stories, Prisons, Fugitives

 

When the Sea is Rising Red

Hellisen, Cat     When the Sea is Rising Red     

Macmillan/Farrar Strauss      2012 296p   $16.99      978-0-374-36475-5       hs     VG-BN     Fantasy    

This is a striking debut novel.  Cat Hellisen is already being compared to fantasy powerhouses Jacqueline Carey and Neil Gaiman.  The rich detail Hellisen provides the patriarchy of Pelimburg -- rife with magic, supernatural creatures, and class strife -- reveals masterful world-building.

Felicita lives the life of Pelimburg’s magical elite.  But when her best friend, Ilven, commits suicide to escape an arranged marriage, Felicita fakes her own death to avoid a similar arranged marriage and runs away to the slums.  Living in the slums, working for a living, Felicita finds two love interests:  charming Dash and vampire Jannik. 

Ilven’s death calls wild magic out of the sea.  Felicita’s new companions plan to use this magic to destroy Pelimburg’s caste system … and Felicita’s family with it.  Felicita must decide where her loyalties lie.

Hellisen manages to maintain a folkloric ambience throughout the tale.  Fantasy fans will find this a refreshingly imaginative and haunting story. The novel is not for young teens, as there are mildly descriptive sexual situations and mild profanity. The ending is open enough to allow for a sequel.

VG-BN Hilary Welliver   Magic, Vampires, Social classes, Fantasy

 

A Wrinkle in Time (50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition)

L’Engle, Madeleine      A Wrinkle in Time       

 Farrar Strauss see Macmillan Children's Pub Group     1962/2012   262p      $24.99      978-0-374-38616-0       ms/hs  Science fiction  

The 50th-Anniversary edition of A Wrinkle in Time proves once again that true classics are both timeless and limitless.  The story of Meg, Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin venturing out into an unknown universe to rescue Mr. Murry from the clutches of the evil, disembodied brain of IT will still resonate  with its newest generation of readers.   This fascinating story of travel through time and space through the use of a tesseract is enhanced by the strength and beauty of its characters.  It seamlessly meshes science fiction, fantasy, faith, and the power of love to produce a compelling narrative that speaks to all readers.  This special edition contains the added bonuses of an introduction by Katherine Paterson, an afterword that offers insight and biographical information about the author by Charlotte Jones Voiiklis, granddaughter of L’Engle, an annotated chapter from the original manuscript, photographs and memorabilia, and L’Engle’s Newbery Award acceptance speech.  
E-BN  Susan Ogintz      Science Fiction

 

White, Ruth. A Month of Sundays.

White, Ruth.  A Month of Sundays.   Farrar Strauss see Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, 2011.  168p  $16.99 ISBN 978-0-374-39912-2     elm/ms (Grades 4-7)     VG-BN Realistic Fiction

     When her mom decides to look for work in Florida, April Garnet Rose is left with the family of her father’s sister.  Her father left before she was born, and she has never met these relatives, but she finds real love and acceptance with them.  Her aunt is searching for Jesus and tries a different church each Sunday.  At one church April meets Silver Shepherd.  They are attracted to each other.  As their friendship grows, we learn that Aunt June has cancer and is really looking for a faith cure.  As the story ends, April’s father returns from his current wanderings and meets his daughter for the first time.  When mom comes from Florida to pick up April, her parents find they have a great deal of misunderstanding to straighten out.  The story ends with hopeful hints.  This is a gentle story.
     It is well written and the story flows smoothly.  The characters ring true.  The turmoil of different feelings experienced by April are well written.  It is tender and sweet.  Early teen girls will love it.                  

Joan Theal

 

Schroder, Monika. My Brother’s Shadow.

Schroder, Monika.   My Brother’s Shadow.  Farrar Strauss see Macmillan Children's Publishing Group,   2011. 217p. $17.99  ISbn 978-0-374-35122-9  ms/hs VG-BN Historical Fiction

      In the fall of 1918, young Moritz is working as a printer and living with his mother, a political activist, his sister, and grandmother, while his older brother is away at the front.  This gripping story of a young German man’s experiences during the last year of World War I focuses on his developing political sense as he watches his politically active mother and sister get arrested for their beliefs and his brother turn into a Jew-hating reactionary as a result of having served in the Kaiser’s army.  The character of Moritz reflects the dichotomy of the society around him, which is changing as the regime falls apart and activists fight for democratic reforms.  The characters are drawn sympathetically and sensitively, particularly that of his older brother, who becomes an embittered, broken, and dangerous man as a result of his experiences as a soldier.  The historical aspect of the story is fascinating, although a chronology and further explanation of the time and place would have been welcome.  There is a brief historical note at the end, but it should have been more detailed, as most American youngsters do not know much about this period.                      

Carol Kennedy

 

Rutkoski, Marie. The Jewel of the Kalderash.

Rutkoski, Marie.  The Jewel of the Kalderash.   Farrar Strauss see Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, 2011.   320p.      $16.99  ISBN 978-0-374-33678-3      ms/hs VG-BNS      Fantasy    

     In the conclusion to the Kronos Chronicles, Petra rescues her father, who has become a Gray Man, and must face down Prince Rodolfo, who is close to ruling Europe.  Rutkoski offers a satisfying conclusion to the Kronos Chronicles, and deftly ties up loose ends, while creating one last (exciting, dramatic, fast-paced) adventure in the alternate Renaissance timeline. 
     Petra Kronos is determined to rescue her father, now turned into one of the monstrous Gray Men, but she will have to do it without Neel (who is dealing with issues of his own in Romany).  Petra, Astrophil (a steampunk spider who still gets all the best lines), and Tomik embark on their quest.  The trio are soon swept up in political plots and intrigue with the return of John Dee and Bohemian Prince Rodolfo who is close to becoming Emperor and ruling half of Europe.
     Although the conclusion is predictable, readers will be turning pages as quickly as they can to reach the apocalyptic  ending.  Petra’s inevitable sacrifice will leave readers wishing that she were able to find another solution. The final battle allows Petra and Neel, whose adventures follow parallel tracks, to meet and come to an understanding before the series concludes.
Subjects: 1. Magic - Fiction. 2. Kings, queens, rulers, etc. - Fiction. 3. Romanies - Fiction. 4. Fantasy. 

Hilary Welliver