Kazumi Reads

Plot Summary:
Duncan, a courageous knight, is given the opportunity to become the hero of the land and win the hand of the princess. With the help of Brother Patchwork, Duncan is not only handy with a sword, he is respected and loved by the people. However, he has been haunted by a dream of a woman, sitting alone with a bottle of Snappy Cola. Who this woman is, he's not sure, but when he defeats the Frog King, he finds, in a secret chamber, a bottle of Snappy Cola. Although Duncan should be happy that he will be marrying the princess, he can't shake the empty bottle sets out to find it. When he finds it in the hand of an awful ogre,  he learns that his existence has been a lie. For Gran'pa Greenbacks, his whole life was dedicated to making money and nothing could stop him from cheating people out of their money. When he forces his underpaid and abused worker, Filbert, to come with a "Get Rich Quick" scheme, this one is a sure fire way from him to get his pool full of gold. By creating the Church of the Eternal Smile, Gran'pa invests everything he has and what seemed like a success turned sour when his arch nemesis cheated him out of all that money. Rather than dealing with this like a rational person, he beats Filbert to death and Gran'pa learns the truth about who he is and what he has been missing this entire time. As for Janet, her dreary life has left her looking for adventure and meaning. When she gets an e-mail from the Prince of Nigeria asking her for money to help his family re-build his kingdom, she is glad to help. After being denied a promotion, and overhearing how her boss feels about her, she decides to invest everything in helping her Nigerian prince. The only problem is that every time he asks for help, her bank accounts are cleaned out and that is when she tells him that they must meet in person if he still asks for money. When he doesn't show up for their date, she goes looking for him and learns that her prince is not a prince at all, but a lonely college kid. Although he didn't know how she found him, she admits that she knew all along that this was a fantasy, but it was something to look forward to and hope it could be real. In this story are three different tales about individuals who are caught in a dream and are rudely awakened by reality whether they like it or not.

Critical Evaluation:
In this story of three dreamers is invigorating conversation about hopes, dreams, and consequences. Rather then dealing with this horrid home life, Duncan creates a fantasy where he is brave and people love him. After being beaten up by his mother's abusive boyfriend, Duncan is left in coma to grapple with the issues of his life and dreams. Although he could have stayed in the coma, he felt compelled to apologize to his mother after telling her that she "deserved to be beaten." Granted, his mother hasn't been a very good mother, Duncan's fantasy world has taught him about right and wrong, which leads him to the decision to wake up and start over. For Gran'pa, he had no idea that he was a puppet this whole time after learning about the children's television show and personality chip implanted in his brain. Believe it or not, Gran'pa lived a simple life in the pond near the studio that when he laid eyes on it all he could think about is being a part of it. In many ways, returning to the pond allows him the opportunity to learn about himself and find contentment in the life that was taken from him. Lastly, Janet's story is just as heartbreaking because she literally get taken advantage of just to feel alive. All she has ever wanted is to be seen and loved and, although, Prince Henry is really a college student who has been using her money to start a nonsensical business, Janet feels wanted and needed. When she finally confronts Henry/Steve, she forces him to wear traditional African garb and pretend he kept his promise knowing that this was just a fantasy that she wanted to come true. However, after getting to know Steve, she realizes that the only way to make her dreams come true is to prove to everyone that she has what it takes and she can succeed. In all of these stories, dreams were an escape, but those dreams could only provide a temporary relief. The only way these characters can resolve these issues is to make difficult choices that are scary, but necessary. This book was definitely a poignant story where we can all learn a few things and remember that if we want something bad enough, we can make it happen regardless of the obstacles that are keeping us from what we know is right.

Information about the Author:
According to their websites:

Gene Luen Yang:

I began publishing comic books under the name Humble Comics in 1996. In 1997, I got the Xeric Grant for Gordon Yamamoto and the King of the Geeks. (If you’re interested in creating comics yourself, check out the Xeric Foundation. They’re a great organization!) Since then I’ve written and drawn a number of stories in comics. American Born Chinese, released by First Second Books in 2006, became the first graphic novel to be nominated for a National Book Award and the first to win the American Library Association’s Printz Award. It also won an Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album – New. The Eternal Smile, a collaborative project I did with Derek Kirk Kim in 2009, won an Eisner as well. Dark Horse Comics is currently publishing a comics continuation of Nickelodeon’s popular Avatar: The Last Airbender, with art by Gurihiru and story by Mike DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko, and me.  In September of 2013, First Second Books will release my two-volume graphic novel project Boxers & Saints.
I teach at Hamline University as part of their MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults.

Derek Kirk Kim:

Derek Kirk Kim (born 1974) is an award-winning Korean-American writer, cartoonist, and filmmaker. He is the writer of TUNE and the writer and director of the spin-off webseries, Mythomania. He won both major comics industry awards in 2004, the Eisner and the Harvey, for his debut graphic novel Same Difference and Other Stories, which was originally serialized on his website Lowbright( formerly known as "Small Stories"). He also won the Ignatz Award for promising new talent, in 2003, for the same graphic novel (which was originally published with the help of a 2002 Xeric Award).

Genre:
Teen Graphic Novels

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar The Eternal Smile:

• Orange by Benjomin
• American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
  

 Awards & Recognition:

• Starred Review in Booklist
• Starred Review in Hornbook
• Starred Review in Publisher's Weekly
• Starred Review in School Library Journal

Plot Summary:
 It's the future and books are under fire. In order to restore morale, the Media Betterment Committee (MBC) was formed by the National Government to prevent keep out materials that would corrupt the land. In other words, this committee is authorized to confiscate books, movies, and music they deem unworthy. Iku Kasahara, the newest Library Defense Forces recruit, has dedicated her life to protecting books because a Library Force soldier came to her aide when the MBC tried to arrest her because she refused to give up her favorite book. Not only was a hero, she fell in love with him and wants to be exactly like her idol. However, this could have been a lot easier if it wasn't for Sgt. Dojo who pushes her to the extreme and she finds him irritating, mean, and cruel. Although her roommate and fellow librarian, Shibazaki, says quite the opposite, Iku continues to try hard to prove him wrong. After becoming the first woman in the Library Defense Forces, she now works closely with Dojo and even though the fight constantly, she learns another side of him that confuses her and makes heartbeat pound. What is about Dojo that reminds her of her "Prince?" In this action packed series is a great selection of characters and scenarios that will make readers laugh and sigh at the same time. 

Critical Evaluation:
 I will be honest, I just had to read this series. As a Librarian, I want to see how this profession is conveyed in contemporary times and I love it!! Although I don't want to live in a time where Libraries and the government are warring, I love that the principals these brave individuals are the same exact principals I defend as well. I also love the fact that all Library Defense Force soldiers are librarians as well so one day we could a tough looking guy with guns blazing and then he is working a reference desk.  Not only is this a "novel" idea, it doesn't hurt that most of them are super cute so I would definitely not have any qualms working on one of those libraries. My favorite character has to be Iku because she is not the stereotypical librarian. Unlike her superiors, she is goofy, klutzy, avid leader, honest, direct, reckless, loveable, and vulnerable. Despite the fact that sounds a lot like me, she is the embodiment of this profession because, unlike the Nancy Pearls, librarians need to make people feel at ease and we have to be approachable. Moreover, we have to bend over backwards to make the impossible, possible, and we have to stand up and fight when its necessary. All kidding aside, this series is fun and sweet because even when the world is turned upside down, there is still room for love, happiness, and triumph.

Information about the Author:
Unfortunately, there is not a lot of useful information about Kiiro Yumi, but there is a littl about Hiro Arikawa from Wikipedia:

Hiro Arikawa won the tenth annual Dengeki Novel Prize for new writers for Shio no Machi: Wish on My Precious in 2003, and the book was published the following year. It was praised for its love story between a heroine and hero divided by age and social status, and for its depiction of military structures. Although she is a light novelist, her books from her second work onwards have been published as hardbacks alongside more literary works with Arikawa receiving special treatment in this respect from her publisher, MediaWorks. Shio no Machi was also later published in hardback. Her 2006 light novel Toshokan Sensō (The Library War) was named as Hon no Zasshi's number one for entertainment for the first half of 2006, and came fifth in the Honya Taishō for that year, competing against ordinary novels.

She often writes about the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and her first three novels concerning its three branches are known as the Jieitai Sanbusaku (The SDF Trilogy); she also wrote about the fictional Library Forces in the Toshokan Sensō series. Raintree no Kuni, which first appeared as a book within a book in Toshokan Nairan was later published by Arikawa as a spin-off with another publisher.

Genre:
Teen Romance Manga
 
Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Books Similar to Library Wars:

• Vampire Knight by Hino Matsuri 
• Kitchen Princess by Natsumi Ando
  

Plot Summary:
Before she got on the bus to a track meet, Jessica's life was perfect. Not only could she set a record, she had friends, a wonderful family, and was well respected by her teammates. However, when the bus was hit by a truck that would not only claim the life of the driver and her classmate, her dreams were shattered. When she woke up in the hospital and saw the space where her leg should have been, she thought she was dead. After spending weeks in the hospital, and many days of self-loathing, Jessica returned home to face the truth that she has changed and that competing would be the last thing she would ever be able to do again. Although she has been given the opportunity to resume a normal life with a prosthetic leg, she is unsure and doubtful that she could ever be the same. However, with a little prodding from her best friend, Fiona, Jessica tries to be the girl she used to be. What Jessica did not count on is that there are worse things then losing a limb. When she returned to school, she not only dealt with the glares and stares, she realized what life might be like for someone who was unable to walk. When she went to math class, she was asked if she wanted to sit with Rosa. Rosa sits in a  wheel chair and that made Jessica which made her panic because she did not wanted to be seen as one of "those" people. However, when Rosa passed her note, she realized that there is nothing wrong with Rosa. Rosa cerebral palsy, which is a debilitating condition and, although Jessica is missing a leg, she at least knows what its like to walk. By looking past her condition, Jessica sees that Rosa is an intelligent and hopeful girl who helps her get out of her rut and even helps her pass math. While getting to know Rosa, Jessica starts to realize just how blessed she really is and she gets the biggest surprise from  a certain boy and her dreams of running again are not as impossible as she thinks.

Critical Evaluation:
I will be completely honest...this book is exactly what this generation of teenagers needs. Adolescence, in itself, is hard enough, but when life throws curve balls that adults can't even handle, these situations can be devastating. I can't even begin to imagine the tragedy that Jessica has experienced because she did absolutely nothing to deserve losing a limb and a team mate. I really do hate saying it but this story, like many, are prime examples of horrible things happening to good people. On the other hand, this story is not about loss, but about surviving and conquering. Jessica was definitely in a slump, but she decided and dared to hope that she can do anything she can set her mind to. I was so touched by her support team because, without them, Jessica would have probably never left the house. Her best friend, Fiona, is what I call a class act; she not only helped Jessica deal with her loss, but pushed her to strive for more. Rosa, the biggest blessing in Jessica;s life, is just beyond amazing. If anyone had a right to be angry and depressed by her condition it's Rosa. However, she doesn't blame people, or the world, for having CP. In fact, Rosa has accepted that she will never run, but it doesn't stop her from living vicariously through others by asking questions. I seriously had goosebumps towards the end when Jessica and Rosa were racing because talk about a wish come true: a girl with a prosthetic limb pushes another girl with CP in a ten mile race. I would have given anything to be in this story just so I can see the power of the human spirit uplift and stomp our despair and hopelessness. The romance bit was toughing, as well, because love doesn't know boundaries and people need to realize that if we cut our hair, gain weight, or lose a limb, we are still worthy of being loved. I was so inspired and beyond grateful that I read this book because we tend to take a lot of things for granted in this world until someone shows us to treasure every day and everyone around us. Bravo, Wendelin Van Draaen!

Information about the Author:
According to Random House:

Books have always been a part of Wendelin Van Draanen's life. Her mother taught her to read at an early age, and she has fond memories of story time with her father, when she and her brothers would cuddle up around him and listen to him read stories.

Growing up, Van Draanen was a tomboy who loved to be outside chasing down adventure. She did not decide that she wanted to be an author until she was an adult. When she tried her hand at writing a screenplay about a family tragedy, she found the process quite cathartic and from that experience, turned to writing novels for adults. She soon stumbled upon the joys of writing for children.

Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction, Teen Sports Lit, Teens with Disabilities
 

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to The Running Dream:

• Wonder by R. J. Palacio
•  Jerk, California by Jonathan Frissen
  

Awards & Recognition:

• 2012 Schneider Family Book Award
• Positive review from Booklist
• Positive review from School Library Journal