A Wrinkle In Time (50th Anniversary Edition)

L’Engle, Madeleine      A Wrinkle In Time (50th Anniversary Edition)  Macmillan/Square Fish     2012  236p  $9.99 978-0-374-38616-0   E      ms/hs   Fantasy    

The classic A Wrinkle in Time tells the timeless and exciting story of Meg Murry and her fantastical voyage through a Tesseract, to find her missing father. Accompanied by her brother and a few friends, she travels to Camazotz to face the evil Leader IT.

This timeless treasure from 1962 is still filled with adventure and suspense that continue to entertain and engage readers of all ages.  It is a story that includes aspects of friendship, physics, theology, and the eternal conflict between good and evil while delighting the reader with unearthly characters and fantastical lands.
The 50th Anniversary Edition has been redesigned and begins with "The L’Engle Cast of Characters" chart, which graphically shows the characters in all of Madeline L’Engle’s books, starting with the Murry-O’Keefe’s or the Austins.  This special edition also includes a lively introduction by Katherine Paterson and ends with an afterword written by Madeline L’Engle’s granddaughter, which also contains photographs.  Additionally, the book concludes with "Questions for the Author" and the author’s Newbery Medal of Honor acceptance speech.

E     Virginia McGarvey       Time travel, Fantasy, Adventure

 

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

 

Blizzard of Glass: Halifax Explosion 1917

Walker, Sally M. Blizzard of Glass: Halifax Explosion 1917 

 Macmillan/ Henry Holt   2011  145p  $18.99  VG    978-0-8050-8945-5           ms/hs       Nonfiction 

In 1917, an ammunitions ship loaded with TNT, benzene and picric acid miscommunicates with a larger ship traveling in the opposite direction.  The ensuing collision creates a catastrophic man-made explosion rivaled only by the Hiroshima bomb in intensity.  The scene is set with information on both ships, their captains and the harbor master guiding the boats through a narrow inlet. As the nearly 3000 pounds of explosives ignite into one massive explosion, the shockwave fells people, tearing off their clothing and, in some cases, crushing internal organs and causing death.  Buildings crumble, trapping many.  Following the shockwave, a tsunami of 40-foot waves swamps both sides of the harbor with more devastation and death.  

The book follows five families, listing their whereabouts, their heroism and their heartbreaking searches for loved ones.  There are detailed descriptions of the worldwide aid and assistance provided, as well as the first-aid efforts for the thousands who were in need of medical attention.  Within a day of the explosion, two blizzards hampered rescue efforts.  Recovery efforts and survivor stories make this a book about kindness and hope as well as devastation. Numerous black-and-white photos give visual impact to the narrative.  An extensive bibliography, chapter notes, and an index complete this fine book about a wartime disaster that is not well known in the United States.

VG    Lois McNicol      Halifax (Nova Scotia) Explosion, 1917

 

The Edumacation of Jay Baker

Clark, Jay  The Edumacation of Jay Baker        

 Macmillan/ Henry Holt   2011  273p   $16.99     978-0-8050-9256-1       ms/hs       Realistic fiction

Being a 9th grader is not easy, especially for Jay, who has irritable bowel syndrome and who does not share the same interests as his childhood mates.  There are constant verbal skirmishes between them as the guys call him gay, while Jay’s quick wit always finds a way to wound the beefy sport jocks.  Jay confides his personal troubles to his female childhood friend and possible love interest (until a new girl arrives in school and catches his attention).  As Jay helps the new girl hone her tennis skills, he falls in love with her, and a love triangle ensues.  All the characters have parental issues.  There is a lot of snarky dialogue between characters, with teachers adding their own jabs.  Verbal intimidation and homophobia are the norm for the young characters, and potty humor and sexual innuendo abound.  Those readers that are not offended will be laughing hysterically.  The use of pop culture references litter the text, with some based upon contemporary culture and some stretching back to the TV show Alf.  Each chapter has a title that is related to a song referenced in the playlist at the back of the book.  While it is not for every library, many readers will find this humorous reflection of the angst and problems of maturing a welcome relief from the books that offer a more somber mood.   For grade 8 and higher.

McNicol,Lois   High school stories, Bullying

 

Riding Out The Storm

Deans, Sis  Riding Out The Storm    

 Macmillan/ Henry Holt   2012  165p  $16.99  978-0-8050-9355-1           ms/hs   E-BN    Conflict   

This short novel is a great one ... it takes place during a bus trip from Portland, Maine, to somewhere in New Jersey.  The main character is a 13-year-old boy named Zach who is going with his grandfather to visit his mentally-ill brother Derek, who is institutionalized in a hospital in New Jersey.  His thoughts and feelings about his brother, his family, and life in general permeate the book.  While he is on the bus, he meets a high-school girl with whom he is able to share some of his observations on life and his concern for his brother. 

This story should appeal to both boys and girls in grades 8 through 12.  It is funny, interesting, and heartwarming.  The writing style is appealing and amusing.        

E-BN  Carol Kennedy     Mental illness, Family

 

Citizen Scientists

Burns, Loree Griffin    Citizen Scientists      

 Macmillan/ Henry Holt   2012  80p $12.99  978-0-8050-9517-3        

elm/ms    E-BN        Nonfiction Picture book            

Citizen Scientists offers budding young ecologists a wonderful introduction into Mother Nature’s realms.  In clear and accessible language, the author describes four projects, one for each season, that will entice the readers outdoors in all kinds of weather.  Fall butterflying describes the tagging of monarch butterflies to track their migration from the eastern half of the United States to the mountains of Mexico.  Winter birding discusses the Christmas Bird Count used to identify different species at feeders and in parks.  Spring frogging talks about identifying frogs by their calls, and how a middle-school class discovered malformed frogs on a field trip.   Summer ladybugging examines the tiny insects for species recognition.  Each project begins with a description of young naturalists actively participating in the research, along with background information on each study.  Then it continues with a checklist of practical items necessary for further field study, an image of the animal discussed with important parts labeled, and a quick quiz about each.  Fabulous full-color photographs of the butterflies, birds, frogs, and ladybugs and of the children involved in the research enhance the text.  The book ends with resource pages of field guides, books, and Internet addresses for each study, as well as sources for extra information, answers to the quizzes, a bibliography, a glossary, and an index.  This is a wonderful introduction to nature studies that will fascinate children and adults alike.          

E-BN  Susan Ogintz      Environmental science, Animals in the wild

 

Hades

O’Conner, George        Hades       

 Macmillan/ First Second 2012  76p   $9.99

978-1-59643-434-9       elm/ms  G    Olympians series  Graphic Novel    

In translating the mythological tale of Hades, the author of this graphic novel turns the story into an almost urban tale, using contemporary language and slang.  The story concerns Hades, but it really seems to be more about his wife Persephone and her mother Demeter.  The illustrations are well done. The story is interesting, but there are often places where the text seems disjointed and too simplistic.       The Olympians is a well-illustrated series that provides a contemporary slant on Greek mythological tales of the gods and goddesses.     

G          Lynn Fisher                Greek mythology, Graphic novels

 

The Silence of Our Friends

Long, Mark, et al.      The Silence of Our Friends    

 Macmillan/ First Second 2012 198p   $16.99      978-1-59643-618-3    

 ms/jr Historical fiction   E-BN   Graphic novel    

This graphic novel takes place in Texas in 1968.  A black professor and a white journalist meet at a Civil Rights rally and slowly become friends as the reporter learns firsthand about the injustices done to people because of the color of their skin. 

                                                                 

The lessons of this book are not so much about what is done to a person of color as what is allowed to happen to a person of color.  Even as the white reporter struggles to get the story behind the Civil Rights Movement and tries to understand why it is happening, the professor struggles with the ignorance of cruelty done to his people simply because their skin is black.  The reporter's children and wife also struggle with the ugly truth.  Their white neighbors are outraged that they socialize with the people of color and begin to ostracize the family, which stands its ground and refuses to be intimidated.  The professor continues to fight for justice and to teach about equality and human rights for all people, especially people of color.

This is a truly excellent graphic novel depicting the rawness and ugliness of racial prejudice.  The children learn a valuable lesson as they learn how nice the professor’s family really is, and eventually they do not even notice that they are different.

This is a must-read for all ages.        

E-BN  Magna Diaz        Graphic novels, Civil Rights movement

 

The Humming Room

Potter, Ellen     The Humming Room  

 Macmillan/ Feiwel & Friends   2012  184p $16.99 978-0-312-64438-3  

ms    VG-BN      Mystery/Detective

When tragedy forces Roo Fanshaw to move to a remote island to live with her eccentric uncle, she becomes determined to discover what is behind the humming that comes from a part of the house that she is forbidden to enter.     In the tradition of The Secret Garden, Potter captures the dreaminess and tone of the original novel, as well as its theme of growth and awakening.

Potter’s characters are engaging and slightly dysfunctional.  Roo is still reeling from her parents’ deaths when she must relocate to isolated Cough Rock Island to a residence that once served as a tuberculosis sanitarium for children. Her wealthy but eccentric uncle forbids Roo from entering a part of the house.  Naturally, Roo is intrigued, and despite the best efforts of her uncle’s lackeys, Roo discovers the house’s hidden room -- a garden with a tragic secret.

Although the ending is contrived and a bit abrupt, Potter deftly weaves characters and plot together to create an atmospheric and memorable story.  Although it is a "rewrite" of a children’s classic, The Humming Room stands out due to its own merits.  This is a promising gateway book for middle-school readers.           

VG-BN       Hilary Welliver   Orphans, Gardens, Islands

 

Cinder

Meyer, Marissa    Cinder      

 Macmillan/ Feiwel & Friends   2012  387p  17.99 978-0-312-64189-4 ms/hs   E-BN    Fairy tale 

This is another Cinderella-type fairy tale with a technological twist and a totally unexpected ending.      This futuristic fairy tale takes place in New Beijing, sometime in the future after the occurrence of WWIV with its nuclear devastation. The country is in a state of emergency because there is an epidemic of letumosis killing many, including the Emperor.  It is a world with great technological advancement, yet it also lacks many amenities that we know today. The people depend upon robots and cyborgs to help with many of the daily tasks.

 
Cinder Linh is a 36% cyborg (part robot)who is gifted with mechanical skills. She lives with her stepmother and two stepsisters (Peony and Pearl) in a small apartment.  Since her stepfather was killed when he went off-Earth to adopt her, Adri (her stepmother and legal guardian) insists she earn a living in the marketplace repairing gadgets with the help of Iko, the household robot.  The family dynamics are hostile, with the exception of Peony, who befriends Cinder when she can.

One day Cinder meets Prince Kai at the marketplace.  He needs to have his pet robot repaired.  Before she is able to repair the robot, Peony is taken ill with letumosis ,and Adri volunteers Cinder to be a test subject for the vaccine program.  While she is at the palace she meets with Dr. Erland, who discovers that she is immune to the virus.  In addition, at the palace she has occasion to meet Prince Kai again and become better acquainted.  But with the death of the emperor and the arrival of Queen Levana from the Moon, everyone's daily lives are filled with conflict and intrigue.

 
With the upcoming coronation of Prince Kai, the deceitful Queen Levana wants to unite the two countries by marrying Prince Kai.  Prince Kai wants Cinder to come to the ball, but Cinder’s stepmother forbids her.  As expected, the stepmother goes, all decked out with her daughter Pearl.

The events of the night are full of dramatic events, with unbelievable twists and turns.  This all leads up to an unforgettable ending for the readers.

E-BN   Linda McNeil  Fantasy, Science fiction, Fractured fairy tales

 

Take Your Best Shot

Coy, John   Take Your Best Shot      

Macmillan/ Feiwel & Friends   2012

180p  $6.99 978-1-250-00032-3   VG    ms    Realistic fiction       4 for 4 series   

Life in sixth grade is very different for Jackson from life in elementary school.  Teachers seem to demand more, getting a date to the first school dance is a challenge, and his mother’s upcoming marriage and his dad’s new romantic interest test his emotions.  The four sporting buddies from the previous books in the 4 For 4 series have always hung together, and when Diego decides to play for a traveling basketball team instead of the school team, Jackson doesn’t know what to think.  Another buddy’s father is severely injured while serving in Afghanistan, and Jackson is the only one who can get through to his now reclusive friend.  This is definitely a feel-good novel about accepting challenges, and it offers confirmation that life changes, most often for the better.  The idea of writing a letter to oneself in the future will intrigue readers.  The basketball action is quick and fierce during the games and serves as the focus of the novel, which holds friendship high on the list of priorities in middle school.  Readers will be able to read this book independently from others in the series.  There is a lot going on in this slim volume, some of which might have been more fully explained to give added depth to characters and the situations in which they find themselves.           

VG    Lois McNicol      Friendship, Sports