Kelly, Nikki. Jonah. (Styclar Saga, Book 3)

Kelly, Nikki.  Jonah. (Styclar Saga, Book 3)    Macmillan/Feiwel & Friends    2017  342p  $17.99  ISBN 978-1-250-05154-7      hs    Fantasy  VG

Though the volume stands on its own, here is some background for those who are just now picking up Jonah, the concluding volume of the Styclar Saga series.  Jonah is a vampire who rescued Lailah from the Purebloods and in the process lost his heart to the vibrant young woman.  He is ready to sacrifice everything, including his life, for Lailah. His choice is complicated by the fact that if he makes the ultimate sacrifice, his friend and rival, the angel Gabriel, will spend eternity with his soulmate, Lailah.  Lailah is struggling with the fallout from her previous actions; she struggles to make the choices that will mitigate the loss, pain, and heartbreak she has brought to others.  A showdown involving the Purebloods is inevitable.

Readers drawn to this series cite the elaborate world-building and dynamic love triangle as outstanding.  Most fans will be satisfied with the ending, which forces Lailah to reconcile her two halves, angel and demon, and embrace what it means to be human. 

Summary: In the conclusion of the Styclar Saga, Jonah the Vampire must decide if he will give up his existence so that Lailah will survive.  If he does, will Lailah spend eternity with his friend and rival the angel Gabriel?                    

Vampires-Fiction, Angels-Fiction                                  --Hilary Welliver

Kelly, Shannon. Reality TV.

Kelly, Shannon.  Reality TV.  Gale/Lucent  2013  120p  $33.95     ISBN 978-1-4205-0905-2  series: Hot Topics  jr/sr     Nonfiction  VG-BN

Absolutely relevant, this book provides clear, balanced, and thoughtful examination of the controversy surrounding reality television through carefully crafted narrative, primary and secondary source quotations, informative sidebars, and study questions enhanced by full-color photographs, maps, and charts.  Readers in the target age range will appreciate the fact that the television shows mentioned are current and recognizable and the text is careful not to come down too strongly for or against reality television.  The various issues brought up in debates on the topic are covered and often addressed with quotations or examples from relevant figures in the industry.  There is a typo on page 39 that reads "social contract" rather than "social contact."

Summary: This book provides clear, balanced, and thoughtful examination of the controversy surrounding reality television through crafted narrative, primary and secondary source quotations, informative sidebars, and study questions enhanced by full-color photographs.      

Reality television                                          --Bethany Geleskie

Kelly, Lynne. Chained.

Kelly, Lynne.     Chained.    Farrar Strauss see Macmillan Children's Publishing Group    248p  $16.99      978-0-374-31237-4           ms/hs       E-BN  Realistic fiction

Ten-year-old Hastin is forced to leave his family in his desert village in India to work as an elephant trainer for one year, to repay a debt incurred by his little sister’s illness.  Hastin is happy to help his family and considers the task an adventure.

When Hastin arrives at his destination he is charged with the job of capturing the elephant.  At first he is excited, but he soon realizes how sad and difficult this is for the trapped baby elephant.  He also discovers the elephant’s primitive habitat and the cruelty and abusive behavior that the circus owner shows, to both him and to Nandita the elephant.  But he resolves to suffer and repay the debt anyway, because it will only cost one year of suffering.

Befriended by wise old Ne Min the circus cook, Hastin learns to care for the elephant properly and dodge the rage of the circus owner.  But then Hastin is told by the circus owner that his service will be extended to more than one year and that he may never return to his home in India at all.  Hastin protects Nandita from the abuse as well as he can and worries about his family in India while he plans an escape for himself and Nandita.
    

This book is engaging and suspenseful, with excellent characterizations and a well-paced plot.  Lynne Kelly is successful in drawing the reader into the story so that the reader identifies closely with Hastin’s feelings towards the other characters, feelings of anger, fear, sadness, and occasionally happiness.  This truly moving novel will surely resonate with and appeal to young and reluctant readers.  It is an extremely well-written book, and is recommended as an essential book for middle- and high-school libraries.

     

Elephants – Fiction, Circus life – Fiction, Realistic fiction

n  Virginia McGarvey

Kelly, Tara Harmonic Feedback

Kelly, Tara Harmonic Feedback
Henry Holt/macmillan children's pub group 2010 280p 16.99
978-0-8050-9010-9 hs Realistic Fiction E-BN
When Drea and her mother move in with her grandmother, she finds that she can have real friends, in spite of her Asperger’s , and that having a boyfriend for the first time does not guarantee happiness. I was pleasantly surprised by the well-rounded characterizations Kelly created for this absorbing debut novel.

Drea is the new kid in town. Despite “a touch of Asperger’s” and ADHD, she finds herself welcomed by Naomi and Justin, who seem to genuinely like Drea. The three form a band that holds jam sessions after school. Justin becomes Drea’s first boyfriend. Naomi’s drug issues escalate to a crisis, and her friends must be deal with the aftermath of Naomi’s death.

Teens will identify with how Drea copes with being different and self-conscious. Common ground is established as everyone feels they are not part of the group at some point. It is easy for the reader to forget Drea’s Asperger’s/ADHD, since -- aside from being frank/blunt/rude -- she acts/thinks like a mainstream teenager. The focus is on friendship, acceptance, and coming-of-age. Naomi’s death is not sugar-coated.

Many references are made to a variety of contemporary (indie) bands (there’s a list of all the characters’ playlist on the Harmonic Feedback website). Teens may identify with the groups now, but it will eventually date this novel. Descriptions of Drea’s synesthetic reactions to music and color border on lyrical. However, despite the title, music is peripheral to the theme of accepting yourself for who you are.

Absorbing debut novel featuring well-rounded, believable characters. Welliver, Hilary