Aw, Tash. Map of the Invisible World

Aw, Tash Map of the Invisible World
Spiegel&Grav see Random 2009 317p 25.00
978-0-385-52796-5 hs/adult E
This award winning author’s second novel is set in Indonesia. Intrigue, suspense and interpersonal relationships build the story of sixteen year old Adam who is caught in the political turmoil of postcolonial Indonesia and family upheaval . This award winning author’s second novel is set in Indonesia. Intrigue, suspense and interpersonal relationships build the story of sixteen year old Adam who is caught in the political turmoil of postcolonial Indonesia and revolves upon the upheaval it presents in his life. Adam had been abandoned by his mother as a child. His brother was adopted by another family and his voice is part of the story, too. Adam is being raised by Karl, a man of Dutch descent. When Sukarno, the leader of Indonesia, wants to rid the country of any remnants of its colonial past,Karl is arrested and taken away. Adam tries to find Karl and goes to the city of Jakarta with little to go on. He has some letters and photos. One contact, an American woman, Margaret, who has had a past with Karl, enters the picture. The characters are fully delineated and the plot moves along at a pace that will keep the reader turning pages to find out what will happen next. Lives are changed by politics, betrayal, and love in this title with a surprising ending. Both poignant and thrilling, this book will be of interest to mature readers in high school and above. It could have been a Tristate Book of Note, but it has a 2009 copyright date and now we are reading for the 2010/2011 list. Recommended for high school libraries and above. Weinraub, Tina

Beale, Elaine Another Life Altogether.

Beale, Elaine Another Life Altogether
Spiegel&Grav see Random 2010 402p 26.00
978-0-385-53004-0 hs VG
In this coming of age story, Jessie and her family move to a new town where she thinks she can start her life all over again and leave her problems behind. Little did she know that this would not be the case as she and her family battle mental illness, sexuality conflicts and bullying.
Jessie’s mom has been hospitalized for her bipolar disorder and suicide attempts and Jessie tells her friends she is away on a cruise. When the truth comes out, her classmates tease her. Her ineffectual father decides to move the family to a new countryside town and Jessie thinks this will be a new start for herself, too. She becomes friendly with two girls, who she thinks are popular, but are really bullies. They mock and bully a male student and Jessie doesn’t stand up for him at first, but later realizes she must. When she does, her feelings for her friend’s sister, Amanda, are exposed. Meanwhile, Mom is still fighting her mental illness and Jessie desperately wants to love her mom despite her behavior. Jessie is holding back secrets throughout the book: her mother’s illness and her own conflicted sexuality. It is a truly absorbing story, set in 1970’s Britain, but universal in its concepts of teen angst. Beale’s writing is engrossing and true to life as she explores the feelings and insecurities of a teenage girl. Some parts are written in a humorous vein, but the overall story line is quite serious. The ending? Well, it could be happy or not; it seemed open ended to me. Due to its mature themes, this very good book will do best in a high school library. Due to its mature themes, this very good book will do best in a high school library. Weinraub, Tina