Kessler, Liz. Haunt Me.

Kessler, Liz. Haunt Me. Candlewick Press  2017  371p     $17.99    ISBN 978-0-7636-9162-2    ms/hs  Fantasy  VG-BN         

Joe dies; Erin’s family moves into his home after his family sadly departs.  When Erin finds Joe’s poetry written on his bedroom wall, Joe appears as a ghost and the two fall for each other.  Olly, Joe’s brother, meets Erin and pursues her, much to Joe’s dismay.  The twist?  Olly does not know that Erin has a relationship with his dead brother. This book must be savored for many reasons.  First, the relationship between Joe and Erin raises thought-provoking ideas for the reader about possibilities of life after death.  When Joe returns to his home after his tragic death (the reader does not know how he died until the falling action), he discovers a new family has moved into his home.  Erin, an equally tragic protagonist, accepts his attentions because she needs someone who needs her. She comes from tragedy herself, first, as a bullied young teen, and next, as a suicide survivor. She and Joe fall for one another. For a while, the plot becomes predictable, yet it is never boring! Yes, Erin meets Olly, Joe’s brother, at school and falls for him, all the while professing her love for Joe. Yes, Olly is looking for something unique because before Joe’s death, his larger-than-life personality and his extreme good looks only attracted girls who wanted him superficially. Now a changed man, he wants and needs depth. Erin is different, attractive and secretive, and Olly pursues her. Meanwhile, Erin is riding high with new friends at school, a ghost that she has fallen for, and the ghost’s brother, who is the only one who can provide some answers as to how Joe died. Joe remembers very little, only that he once had a wonderful family and that he wrote poetry under the wallpaper of his bedroom closet.

Love stories abound, but this one has the unusual twist of love between the living and the dead, without the vampire and without time travel or any other gimmick. Joe does not want Erin to see Olly, but she persists. Drama comes to a head near a cliff where Joe often wrote poetry, and the climax and falling action are quite original at this point. Book of note this selection is; it merits the honor because Erin’s character is as needy as Joe’s and Olly’s. Readers will be drawn into the conflicts. Teen readers beware; there is a spoiler alert. Do not read the flyleaf! One will not want to know that Erin does find true love.    

Regardless of the somewhat predictable nature of this book (the bullying, the good-looking brother and the less popular brother, etc.), the book merits a spot in both middle- and high-school libraries. It is about possibilities, love, death, tragedy, emotions and the curative power of conversation. Teen girls, especially, will pore through it and cry.    

Summary: Joe dies tragically; he returns to change some lives.

Ghost stories, Romance-Fiction           --Martha Squaresky

Kessler, Jackie Morse. Breath. (Riders of the Apocalypse.)

Kessler, Jackie Morse.  Breath. (Riders of the Apocalypse.)  Houghton Mifflin/ Graphia  2013  321p  ISBN 978-0-547-97043-1  hs  Paperback  E-BN  Fantasy 

When Xander discovers Death’s plan to end it all, he approaches Death and reminds him of the gift he gave him many years ago.  Without revealing too much and making this review a spoiler, I will reveal that Xander uses the gift to convince Death to reconsider his decision to end his existence and ponder the ramifications that would result from throwing the balance of the cycle of life off.
    

This excitingly suspenseful novel engages the reader in the debacle that Death is experiencing.  He has ruled and led for many years and is just tired of being the dreaded harbinger of doom.  Ironically, the reader will begin to feel sorry for Death.  The fast-paced plot leaves the reader feeling an urgency to stop Death from carrying out his plan and root for Xander to successfully convince Death not to end it all.

Kessler has mastered another success in adding the thrilling book Breath to this exciting series.  Once again, the use of symbolism gives the reader pause and evokes further thought.  It is a fabulous addition to the series but should not be read alone or as the first book, because the reader needs some background knowledge to fully grasp and enjoy this novel.  This is the fourth book in the Riders of the Apocalypse series. Other titles include Hunger, Rage, and Loss. This fast-paced, exciting, and thrilling series will have readers on the edge of their seats and thirsting for the next book.      Breath is a very well written book that will engage young adult readers.  It is rich in symbolism and will appeal to those who embrace a novel requiring further thought or discussion.     

Summary: Death decides to end his existence until Xander, who gave Death a gift years ago, convinces him to reconsider his plan in order to preserve balance in the universe.  In this latest addition to the popular Riders of the Apocalypse series, suspense abounds as in the three previous books.  Death decides he has had enough as leader and creator of the Riders, as he is a well-known deliverer of doom.

Dystopian fiction, Fantasy                                  --Virginia McGarvey

Kessler, David. Your Food Is Fooling You.

Kessler, David.  Your Food Is Fooling You.  Roaring Brook Press see Macmillan   2013      183p  ISBN 978-1-59643-831-6  ms/hs  E-BN  Nonfiction

Your Food Is Fooling You is sure to shock young readers as it reveals the “secret” that is leading to obesity, especially in our youth.  Everyone knows that obesity comes from overeating; however, this book reveals what is being added to our foods – sugar, fat, and salt -- that cause us to want to overeat.  Dr. Kessler has written a very informative book that will appeal to young readers.  He has combined a very worrisome issue with facts that young readers will easily understand and ponder. The enlightening text is sure to have youngsters critically evaluating the foods they consume and determining alternative sources of fuel instead of foods that “hijack” our brains.  The mention of child-friendly products such as “Fruit Loops” adds credibility and interest to the discussion.

Unfortunately, there are some typographical errors that distract from the importance of the material.  For example, page 10 is missing the word “be” in a sentence in the middle of the page. Further editing is recommended.

This book is recommended for any middle- or high-school library.  It will appeal to many young readers and would make an excellent selection for a basic books list for school libraries.

Summary: This book explains how the brain is hijacked by sugar, fat, and salt, leading to the inability to choose wholesome foods and the growing global problem of obesity.  Our food is being injected with substances that make us crave more than we need.  These additives – sugar, fat, and salt -- are responsible for feelings of in-satiation after a meal that should satisfy and causing obesity in humans.

Nutrition, Obesity                                          --Virginia McGarvey

Kessler, Jackie Morse Rage

Kessler, Jackie Morse   Rage  

 Graphia see Houghton Mifflin  2011  213p  8.99  978-0-547-44528-1 

 hs    E-BN  Fantasy      

    Missy is a cutter who cuts too deep, after being publically humiliated at a party. As she faces death she makes a deal that will take her back to life with powers and a magical blade as a weapon that can change events and outcomes.       Missy is trying to cure herself of her cutting addiction to avoid hurting and bringing shame to her family. When she is publically humiliated at a party she cannot resist the urge to cut and accidentally lacerates an artery.  As she faces death, she is chosen to become one of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse, Rage. She accepts this position and comes to realize that as she goes about her daily life, she is faced with opportunities in which she can hurt others that have hurt her and change events leading to changed outcomes. Not only does she have magical powers, she has a blade with powers that she can control or submit to.
    Having a crush on Death, she seeks him whenever possible, for advice, which he deflects back to her to figure out for herself. Through many encounters with others and decisions that she makes, she comes to understand that the key to her addiction of cutting is control.  She learns that she no longer needs to cut to exercise this power, nor rely on a weapon.
    Jackie Morse Kessler has very carefully and cleverly addressed a serious teen issue of self-mutilation. The emotions and events unfold gradually and believably, vividly evoked. Cautious that this book may glamorize cutting, as the result launches the main character into new fantastical life that holds more power for her, I read carefully and came to find that the author has instead used great symbolism through fantasy to provide hope and control for those that are afflicted and understanding to those on the sidelines. The author has brilliantly maintained teen interest and presented this material in a unique manner. This solidly written novel will hold the reader’s attention from beginning to end.
            Rage is the second book in the  series Riders of the Apocalypse. The general theme of the series is self-mutilation. Each book takes a fascinating and unique look at the topics and presents material in a helpful manner.  The series consists of two books at this time.      Fantasy     Virginia McGarvey