Harvey, Sarah N., and Robin Stevenson. Blood On the Beach.

Harvey, Sarah N., and Robin Stevenson.  Blood On the Beach.  Orca 2017  259p. $14.95  Paperback  ISBN 978-1-4598-1293-2      ms/hs  Mystery/Suspense VG

Suspense/fear builds quickly and is sustained after one girl goes missing from a  “treatment” camp hosted by three adult counselors on a remote island. The eight teens with a variety of issues are sent to the island in hopes of having them come back as better people. When one girl goes missing and the radio is found sabotaged, the teens realize that the girl could be dead and one of them could be the murderer.  After a series of other sinister events and false leads, the teens realize they need to band together to stay safe and solve the mystery of who is really the psychotic person on the island.  The adults do not seem well-equipped to handle all the issues (assault, drugs, gender identity, psychological issues, and theft) that caused the parents to send their children to this camp in the first place. With inexperienced staff who display questionable conduct, it is a wonder that the camp had any accreditation, but that problem definitely plays into the plot. Sexual attraction, but not graphic, among the teens both gay and straight occurs during the search for the killer. The teens are the most believable part of this story as they learn about each other, support each other, and band together to protect their safety. Because of the easy vocabulary, this book qualifies as a hi/lo book for high-school readers. Recommended where mysteries are popular, especially among those who find using a rehab camp as the setting is relevant.

Summary: In this combination of Survivor and Lord of the Flies, eight troubled teens arrive on an island staffed by three adults. When one girl goes missing and the radio is sabotaged, suspicion falls on many, but only solidarity among the teens will get them off the island. Gr. 7+

Rehab-Fiction, Mystery                                            --Lois McNicol

Harvey, Sarah N. Three Little Words.

Harvey, Sarah N.  Three Little Words.     Orca  218p  $12.95      978-1-4598-0065-6 2012  hs    E-BN        Realistic Fiction    

Sid (short for Siddhartha)has spent virtually his entire life in the loving and supportive foster care of Caleb and Megan, and he considers them to be his mom and dad.  A bit of an introvert, Sid is also very empathic, making him a real asset in a home where foster children come and go.  But his normal life is shattered when a strange man arrives on the island with Sid’s half-brother Wain (short for Gawain). Sid, by choice and obligation, reconnects with his birth family, learning all kinds of things about himself and a variety of “three-word” phrases.   

This is an absolute gem of a book about what defines a family, as well as friendship, love, tolerance, and much more.  There are four relationships that swirl around each other in this story about one artistic, introverted teen’s life -- that with his “parents”, that with his best friend Chloe, that with Fariza (a newly arrived foster child from a very violent home), and finally that with his birth family, and especially Wain.  The story arcs twirl around each other like a DNA helix, showing how all of them work together to allow Sid to cope with such radical change, and making for a very moving read.  The author has chosen three-word chapter titles, each of which captures the emotions and foibles of Sid’s existence from moment to moment, carrying the reader through the book.  My assumption is that they are the premise upon which the title is based.  One could also create a poem using the chapter titles that would probably be representative of all of our lives at one time or another.

There are places in the book where the f-bomb and other such words appear, but they are in context and the book would be less “true” without them.  As a coming-of-age book, this is a winner.              

Family–Fiction, Foster Care–Fiction                   --Lynn Fisher

Harvey, Sarah N. Shattered

Harvey, Sarah N.  Shattered   

 Orca  2011  128p  9.95  978-1-55469-845-5 

 hs/adult    E-BN  Realistic Fiction  

What is it like to have a perfect life? What happens when it shatters? Follow March as she delves within to become the person she is meant to be.      Well written, low level, high interest book about March, a teenage girl who learns that life is more than what is on the surface of people. The author provides just enough of a support system for March, via her parents and new acquaintances, to see March through to her evolved self. The hook within the first chapter of the book grabs the reader, and the narrative keeps the interest.                    Lyn Fisher

 

Harvey, Sarah N. Death Benefits

Harvey, Sarah N. Death Benefits
Orca 2010 212p 12.95
978-1-55469-226-2 hs VG-BN


Royce scarcely knows his grandfather Arthur, a world -renowned cellist, and a world-class grouch. When Royce accepts the job of providing care for his grandfather, he is surprised to discover a genuine liking for Arthur -- who poses Royce with a serious ethical dilemma when he asks Royce to help him to die. Under protest, 16-year-old Royce moves from Nova Scotia to British Columbia with his mother. Once they settle in, Royce contracts mono and is housebound. Stir crazy, lonely, bored, and friendless, Royce accepts his mother’s offer to look after his grandfather, Arthur, for $15/hour. Royce hopes to earn enough money to return to Nova Scotia.

Arthur is a grouch, retired (world famous) cellist. Despite the barrage of verbal abuse Arthur heaps upon Royce, Royce is surprised to find that he likes his grandfather. And even when Arthur provides Royce with keys to his car (and thus an escape to Nova Scotia) Royce stays on.

Arthur’s health briefly rallies, providing a glimpse of his younger, dynamic self, but then takes turn for the worse. Arthur doesn’t want to become incapacitated again and asks for Royce’s help to end his life.

Despite the slow start, teen readers will enjoy the well-developed characters and dialogue. Royce’s moral and ethical dilemma will spark debate. Realistic Fiction Welliver, Hilary

Harvey, Alyxandra. Hearts at Stake (The Drake Chronicles)

Harvey, Alyxandra Hearts at Stake (The Drake Chronicles)
Walker & Co 2010 250p 9.99
978-0-8027-2047-0 hs Supernatural E-BN

Solange is the first female vampire born to a very powerful vampire family. Legend says that the first female born to a very powerful vampire family will rule the clan but Solange for has no intentions of ruling anything but her own life, thank you very much. However, as her sixteenth birthday draws near offers for her hand in marriage pour in.
With so many brothers, Solange barely has a life! Lucy her best friend has knowledge of the family’s dark secret and has been a part of the family all her life and is willing to fight to defend them. And she might be put to the test as Solange and Nicholas face dangers from outside families wanting to become the next rulers of the clans.
At times funny and romantic this tale will have you at the edge of your seat as you meet the villians and the heroes. The bad guys sometimes turn out to be the good guys and the good guys will sometimes betray the everyone to suit their purposes.
An action backed story full of romance, vampires, fights, confrontations and all kinds of delicious twist and turns. This story will leave wanting to know more about this strong family of vampires and their histories. The good-versus-evil plot will take you on a roller coaster ride until the end and leave you waiting for the next episode. Diaz(1), Magna

The Ten Most Beautiful Experiments

Johnson, George. The Ten Most Beautiful Experiments.
Random House/Knopf/Anchor/Three Rivers 2009 192p 13.95 978-1-4000-3423-9 hs/adult

New York Times science writer explores and analyzes ten historic experiments. The scientists included Galileo, Harvey, Newton, Lavoisier, Glavani, Faraday, Joule, Michelson, Pavlov, and Millikan. New York Times science writer explores and analyzes ten historic experiments. The scientists include Galileo, Harvey, Newton, Lavoisier, Glavani, Faraday, Joule, Michelson, Pavlov, and Millikan. Each scientist is examined within the historical context of their time. Every chapter focuses on one scientist and experiment and has a picture of the scientist and a pertinent quote at the beginning. Black and white illustrations are placed appropriately throughout the text. Some of the chapters could inspire heated discussions, especially those of Galvani and Pavlov because they deal with vivisection and animal rights. In a final chapter, Johnson also gives thought to what could have been the eleventh experiment and this too could inspire further dialogue. There are extensive notes and bibliography, and an index; the illustrations are credited as well. This book is extremely well researched and is written in an interesting manner. This title will be enticing to the science minded reader; be sure to tell the science teacher about it, too. It would be a recommendation for Tristate Books of Note, except that it is a paperback edition of a 2008 title. T.Weinraub