Kazumi Reads

Plot Summary:
Cain Hargreaves is a cursed man. Given the name of the the Bible's most notorious son who stole his brother's birth right, and destined to roam the world alone, Cain has beaten, poisoned, and abused by his father because he blames Cain for the death of his wife, Augusta. However, Cain, ironically, poisons his own father and assumes the role of Earl. Known for his obsession with poisons, Cain is not what he seems; in fact, he is quite loving and gentle. With the support and love from his half sister, Mary Weather, and his butler, Riff, Cain knows what it is like to be loved, contrary to what his father believes. Recently, strange things have been taking place in London where people have gone missing whom Cain, and his sister, are acquainted. Moreover, it looks like Cain's "dead" father has come back to seek revenge on him.

Critical Evaluation:
As readers dive into Cain's world, they read about the Hargreave curse and the incredible lengths a father would take to destroy his only son. This manga is not a happy one, but with the cast of odious characters, readers will be sucked into this dark Victorian world filled with Jack the Ripper and other monsters of our dreams. There is all kinds of love (twisted and genuine) demonstrated, which will make reader's questions their personal definitions of love. Although this book is dark, and violent, it is actually a Shojo (meant for girls) because of the love between the characters. The relationship between Riff and Cain is a little confusing; Cain refers to Riff as his in every way (almost like a lover). However, Cain is still in love with his cousin (Suzette), who is reincarnated into a doll named Mikaela, who will kill for love. All in all, this is series, reminiscent to Alice in Wonderland meets Frankenstein tale, readers will dive into a world scarier than any nightmare.

Information about the Author:
Unfortunately, since she is mostly popular in Japan, it is rather difficult to find in depth information about Kaori Yuki. According to her website, the only information she gives is that she was born on December 18th, she's a cartoonist, and her blood type is B (the same as mine). According to a fan site, The Best Of, "[Kaori Yuki] became a professional manga artist in 1987, after placing in one of the many contests held by Hana to Yume. She rarely appears at events and tends to withhold personal information, thus little is known about her. She usually publishes in Bessatsu Hana to Yume"(para. 2). Kaori is also known for her artwork in the hit series, Angel Sanctuary.

Reading/Interest Level:
Teen 13 & up

Manga Similar to Godchild:

• Vampire Knight by  Hino Matsuri
• Millennium Snow by Bisco Hatori
• Vampire Hunter D by Hideyuki Kikuchi

Awards/Recognition:
N/A

Plot Summary:
Katniss Evergreen lives in District Twelve. After losing her father in a coal mining catastrophe (District Twelves' export), Katniss must now care for her mother and younger sister. Katniss, and her best friend Gale, are expert hunters and, despite the fact that hunting outside of the district is illegal and punishable by death, Katniss' clients are the bigwigs. Although she is able to get by with her hunting, sometimes, she must ask the government for a "tesserae" (a meager amount of oil and grain). However, with every Teserae she gets, it increases the amount of slips that will be added to bowl for the annual reaping. This year, Katniss' name has been entered more than 15 times and her chances of being selected are high. However, her worst nightmare comes true when her sister's name is drawn instead of her's. Moreover, Peeta, who showed her kindness in her darkest hour, becomes her teammate and mortal enemy. As Katniss and Peeta head for the Capitol, not only do they participate in the deadliest charade of their life, they have to act like they are excited, and humbled, to be chosen to kill off complete strangers just for the entertainment.

Critical Evaluation:
In this tour de force story, Collins has created a post apocalyptic world where the United States is no longer a democracy, but a totalitarian state where children pay the price for their predecessors mistakes. Although Collin's does not go into a lot of detail as to how the world has changed, it is clear that caste system has been reinstalled. Katniss comes from one of the poorest districts in Panem and is actually the poorest of the poor since she doesn't have a trade that benefits the district. However, her ability to hunt has made her a valuable asset where the more wealthy of District Twelve can eat better by enlisting her services. Although this society has a very strict set of rules, corruption, like Twinkies, is able to survive the destruction, and rebirth, of a new world.  Readers will not only be sucked into the nightmare of this world, but will find themselves involved with this story as they wish nothing but luck for Katniss. Furthermore, the budding relationship between Peeta and Katniss will tug on some heart strings, which makes this story appealing to guys and girls. Collins is not only a brilliant storyteller, the harshness of this world, and it's leaders, paint a terrifying picture that forces readers to imagine what it would be like to live in one of the districts and just how lucky they are to have what they have.


Information about the Author:
Suzanne Collins made her literary debut with Gregor the Overlander, the first installment of the Underland Chronicles. Collins has also worked on various teen and children's television shows, including Little Bear and Oswald, that have been nominated for prestigious awards. According to Collins (as to how she got into writing children's books):

Thinking one day about Alice in Wonderland, she was struck by how pastoral the setting must seem to kids who, like her own, lived in urban surroundings. In New York City, you’re much more likely to fall down a manhole than a rabbit hole and, if you do, you’re not going to find a tea party. What you might find...? Well, that’s the story of Gregor the Overlander, the first book in her five-part fantasy/​war series, The Underland Chronicles" (para. 3)."

The Hunger Games trilogy concludes: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay that follows the story of Katniss Evergreen and her fight to bring down the government and freeing those she loves from total annihilation and restoring peace to Panem.

Genre:
Teen Dystopian Thriller

Reading/Interest Level:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to to The Hunger Games:

• Battle Royale by Koushun Takami
• The Leviathan by Scott Westerfield
• Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

 Awards/Recognition (from BWI TitleTales):

• 2009 ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult
• 2009 Young Reader Medal Nominees
• 2008 NY Times Notable Children's Books
• Booklist Starred Review 2008-09-01
• Bulletin Starred Review 2008-11-01
• Horn Book Starred Review 2009-04-01
• Horn Book Starred  Review 2008-09-01
• Kirkus Starred Review 2008-09-01
• Publishers Weekly starred 2008-11-10
• School Library Journal Starred Review 2008-09-01

Plot Summary:
Life for Shaun is pretty easy. In fact, it has been so easy that when he suddenly "bites the big one" he doesn't feel a thing. Although Shaun's soul is in the hands of our Creator, his body has been taken over by demon. As part of an elaborate plot, this demon, or "Kiriel," has observed and studied every aspect of Shaun's life from his family history, friends, personality, and mannerisms. After a millennium of tormenting souls, not having a physical form, or knowing what it's like to have five senses, Kiriel is just overjoyed and fascinated with his new "slightly used" teenage body. Once Kiriel/Shaun is able to have better control of his body, he makes the goal that most teenage boys make, which is to, for the lack of the better phrase, get laid. Kiriel is just obsessed with feeling good that he believe having sex is the ultimate feeling that makes a person human. However, Kiriel realizes, that sexual feelings don't carry the burden that disappointment, anger, hatred, and jealousy carry.

Critical Evaluation:
A.M. Jenkins has delivered a funny and smart story about a demon who takes a break from being an entity to becoming human. This demon does not know what it's like to be human and after experiencing, and witnessing, the tortured souls that he processes, he has become curious about them. Moreover, he is actually more intrigued by the poor choices humans make, even when they know it is bad (i.e., sin). Jenkins provides readers, especially those who struggle with humanity and religion, with an intelligent dialogue that convey the good, and the bad, of being a human. However, Kiriel didn't fully comprehend Shaun, as a person, and realized that the many people in his life make living worthwhile, especially Lane. The more Kiriel spends time amongst humans, the more he begins to understand the beauty in which "The Creator" had made them; thus, why he paid the price he did for going against the will of God. This books is truly wonderful, funny, and well written.

Information about the Author:
According to A.M. Jenkins' blog, she has literally had every job under the sun from teacher, writer, aerobics instructor, bookstore manager, and ice cream dipper. She has written several YA novels that including Damage, Out of Order, and Repossessed. Although she does not reveal a lot of her life on her blog (other than that she lives in Texas, divorced, has three kids, and a bunch of pets), Jenkins does admit that getting a degree in Liberal Arts can only go so far. According to Harper Collins: "A. M. Jenkins is the award-winning author of Damage, Beating heart: A Ghost Story, and the Printz Honor Book Repossessed, and lives in Benbrook, Texas, with three sons, two cats, and two dogs. Jenkins received the PEN/Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship for night road" (para. 1). 

Genre:
Teen Lit for Guys, Teen Humor


Reading/Interest Level:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Repossessed:

•  Deadline by Chris Crutcher
•  Godless by Pete Hautman

Awards/Recognition:

• Michael L. Printz Honor Book
• New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
• IRA/CBC Young Adults’ Choice 
• ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults
• Golden Spur Award Honor Book (Texas)