Kazumi Reads

Plot Summary:
It's another school year for Park and all wants is to remain under the radar. However, when Eleanor boarded the bus, his life was about to change. Eleanor, the big girl with crazy red hair, is not only the new kid, but the prime target for any bully, especially Tina and Steve. As Eleanor searched for a seat, no one was willing to give her one. Out of frustration, and possibly pity, Park let her sit to next to him. However, he was far from a gentlemen because, before offering her a seat, he cursed at her and looked away. Life for Eleanor is very similar to the incident on the bus. After moving to a new home, Eleanor has to endure her stepfather (whom she does not get along with) and four younger siblings. Eleanor has never had her own room and all she has to her name are a few items that managed to make the move. Life was miserable and the only way should could control herself is to bury herself in books and music. Park really didn't mean to be cruel to Eleanor. In fact, Park has his own issues such as being bi-racial, having a younger brother who is taller than he is, and his uber macho father who can't seem to let Park's oddities alone. Park has always felt he could never fit in so he put up with the ignorant remarks and the stereotypes. Although he yelled at Eleanor, the first time they met, they have been able to form an understanding through comic books, mixed tapes, and short, quiet conversations, which ultimately to the inevitable: falling in love. However, Eleanor doesn't know how to explain to Park how terrible her home life is and that their relationship has to remain a secret. For Park, it's only a matter of time before he explodes because he wants more than anything to protect Eleanor. Despite all of the problems, Eleanor and Park have discovered what it means to be alive and themselves when they are together. This is story of first love, but like Romeo and Juliet, there is an immense amount of heartache as well. 

Critical Evaluation:
Rainbow Rowell has written a romance that everyone has experienced. Not only is this story directed at teens, adults will fall in love with it as well simply because we were all teenagers once. Eleanor & Park are average teens who have their own share of problems, but, all of those memories and pain disappears when they are together. Park admits to Eleanor that he needs her because she is the only person who understands him. For Eleanor, Park is the escape she needs because he is the only person who sees beyond her size and hair color. However, Park has what Eleanor does not, which is a stable home life. Because of Eleanor's abusive stepfather and abused mother, she cannot have luxuries such as comic books, music, and even a toothbrush. Although this is none of her fault, she cannot be honest with Park because she is ashamed of her situation. Granted, she loves her siblings more than anything, she wants nothing more but to get away from it all and Park gives her that chance by letting her live in his world (even if it's for a moment or two). I fell in love Park,myself, when he ended up beating up Steve for insulting Eleanor; it's not every day your boyfriend risks suspension, a swollen eye, and a broken nose to defend your honor. It was at that point that Eleanor realized that someone as cool as Park could love her and maybe, just maybe, that life would give her a break. Sadly, life is never that simple, especially when the people that were supposed to take of her are abusive,submissive, and dismissive. I wanted nothing than to crawl into this book and hold onto Eleanor and her siblings because all of them deserved so much more and, unfortunately, children do not get to chose their parents. This is the type of book where readers will want curl up on my couch and devour it because everything in this story is real; teens and adults know what it's liked to be love, to be bullied, to feel scared, and to feel that things seem hopeless. However, this story also shows what it's like to be crazy happy. This books has managed to transform me into the 16 year old girl I was knew and it was because of her that I feel that Eleanor and Park will have the happy ending that we all dream of. 

Information about the Author:
According to her website:

Rainbow Rowell writes books.
Sometimes she writes about adults (Attachments and Landline).

Sometimes she writes about teenagers (Eleanor & Park and Fangirl).

But she always writes about people who talk a lot. And people who feel like they’re screwing up. And people who fall in love.

When she’s not writing, Rainbow is reading comic books, planning Disney World trips and arguing about things that don’t really matter in the big scheme of things.

She lives in Nebraska with her husband and two sons.

Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction, Teen Romance

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 10 & up

Books Similar to Eleanor & Park:

• If Your Come Softly by Jaqueline Woodson
• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky
  

Awards & Recognition:
According to Amazon.com:


“Funny, hopeful, foulmouthed, sexy, and tear-jerking, this winning romance will captivate teen and adult readers alike.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Eleanor & Park is a breathless, achingly good read about love and outsiders.”
—Stephanie Perkins, author of Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door

“The pure, fear-laced, yet steadily maturing relationship Eleanor and Park develop is urgent and breathtaking and, of course, heartbreaking, too.”—Booklist (starred review)

“Sweet, gritty, and affecting . . . Rainbow Rowell has written an unforgettable story about two misfits in love. This debut will find its way into your heart and stay there.”
--Courtney Summers, author of This Is Not a Test and Cracked Up to Be

“Rowell keeps things surprising, and the solution maintains the novel’s delicate balance of light and dark.” –Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“In her rare and surprising exploration of young misfit love, Rowell shows us the beauty in the broken.”—Stewart Lewis, author of You Have Seven Messages

Plot Summary:
He just died and he doesn't know where he is. The last thing he remembers is drowning and being pummeled by waves and the cracking of his bones. He remembers the pain, the despair, and the loneliness. When he wakes up, he is in a place that is strangely familiar, but everything is not what it seems. It hurts to breathe and it hurts to open his eyes, but, somehow, he is able to see, hear, and feel. He's dead, but he's not. He is convinced he is in his own personal hell because the home he once lived in London appears before his eyes. With every step, his body shutters and no matter how tired or painful it may be, it gets better little by little. In fact, when the memories come flooding back, the house seems to know and things start to change. First, he remembers what its like to be aware. When he realizes that he is covered in metallic bandages, he scrambles for clothing. Next, he remembers thirst and looks for water. When he his thirst is quenched, he realizes that he is hungry Why would a dead person be thirsty or hungry? As he remembers what its like to feel, he finally remembers his name: Seth. Seth believes he doomed to spend an eternity in a home that filled with many painful memories. However, Seth wants to know why he is here and what he is supposed to do. Among the weeds and dust, there has to be a reason why he is back in this moment in time. As he ventures out into his old neighborhood, more memories appear he tries, desperately, to put everything together to answer the most important question: why is the world covered in dust, soot, and ash?

Critical Evaluation:
I did not expect this story to turn out the way it did. In fact, I was a little confused as to the direction this story was going, but, once all of the answers to the many questions had been revealed, I was seriously hooked. Despite the slow beginning, Patrick Ness has written a story that gives Science Fiction a new meaning and purpose. This story is about a guy who made a mistake, as a child, and has been suffering from the consequences ever since. Not to mention, he is also dealing with his own sexuality, which no one (not even his parents and friends) can help him cope with. After the incident with his younger brother Owen, Seth has been paying the price, which will anger readers: his mother is absolutely awful and his father is emotionally crippled so it's no wonder why Seth cannot confide in his own flesh and blood. In between surviving the wasteland, his memories of the past get stronger and stronger, and, when the unthinkable occurs, Seth starts to question everything. As I said earlier, I did not expect this heart-wrenching story to be set in an alternate reality because when one thinks of Science Fiction, we are anticipating epic space battles and total destruction. However, I am seriously impressed with Ness' ability to write a very real and very human story where the setting and time doesn't overshadow the focus of the story. Once I realized that Seth isn't really in his own personal hell, I couldn't wait to find out why he and his companions were the only ones aware. Although this "realization" is very Matrix-esque, Seth, for once in his life, has the ability to prove that he is not the depressed teenager who believed he lost everything meaningful and precious, but a leader who is not only brave, but powerful at the same time. The action sequences will set pulses racing and the bonds that he forms with Regine and Tomasz will resonate with readers. Seth's character transformation is remarkable and the ending will either anger or satisfy readers immensely.   

Information about the Author:
According to the FAQ section of his website:

Who are you?
I’m Patrick Ness, born at the stroke of midnight on the new millennium, suckled by wolves (well, a wolf and an open-minded Weimaraner), and schooled by Jesuit mermaids. I’m from America, live in England, and am a blending of both (with a firm genetic trunk of Norwegian. It’s why I’m tall and freckly. Skol!). I’ve had lots of jobs but won’t bore you with the usual wacky list, though I did teach creative writing at Oxford University for three years. Which wasn’t even remotely wacky. At all. Currently, I write books, but that’s probably why you’re here.

What have you written?
I’ve written six books which you can read more about on the Books Page. The Chaos Walking trilogy and A Monster Calls for young adults, plus a novel for adults called The Crash of Hennington and a short story collection for adults called Topics About Which I Know Nothing. More to come, more to come.

What else have you written?
Short stories, journalism, radio plays, screenplays. It’s good to flex the writing muscles, and yep, that’s a tip. Check out the Writing Page for more.

What prizes have you won?
Right, it’s horrible of me to even pretend that you’d actually ask that, so I apologise profusely. Nevertheless, people do actually occasionally want to know, so here’s the current list:
The Knife of Never Letting Go won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, the Booktrust Teenage Prize, and the James Tiptree Memorial Prize. It was also shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.

The Ask and the Answer won the Costa Children’s Book of the Year Prize and was also shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and the Booktrust Teenage Prize.

Monsters of Men won the Carnegie Medal and was shortlisted for the Arthur C Clarke Award and the Galaxy National Book Award.

A Monster Calls won the Galaxy National Book Award and is currently (Jan 2012) shortlisted for the RedHouse Book Award.
Again, I’m sorry.
 

Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 10 & up

Books Similar to More Than This:

• Every Day by David Levithan
• Across the Universe by Beth Revis
• Boy 21 by Matthew Quick
  

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com

Ness brilliantly plays with contrasts: life and death, privacy and exposure, guilt and innocence. In characteristic style, the author of the Chaos Walking trilogy delves into the stuff of nightmares for an existential exploration of the human psyche.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Books are often described as ‘mind-blowing,’ but this is one of the few books in which, while reading it, I have exclaimed aloud, ‘Oh. My. God.’ on multiple occasions. I won’t tell you anything else about it. Just read it.
—John Green

It is a gorgeous story with masterful pacing and unforgettable passages.
—The Boston Globe

Plot Summary:
It's 1926 and Evie is among the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, New York. After being sent to live with Uncle Will, after revealing a dirty secret that could easily put her father's business in jeopardy, Evie is quire excited since she never fit in with other guys and gals of Zenith, Ohio. What people don't understand is that Evie has a gift and, when under the influence of Giggle Water, this gift comes to life. Although she refuses to say how she knew the terrible secret, she know in heart that what she was the truth. When she arrived in Manhattan, Evie is smitten and convinced that this is where she is meant to be. However, there are a few things she didn't anticipate was getting mugged and she would be living in a broken down complex near a  museum nickanmed the Museum of Creepy Crawlies. Evie never really understood what her uncle did for a living and, now, she learns that her uncle is a bit of an expert when it comes to legends, folklore, and the occult. After meeting his assistant, Jericho, Evie is doesn't exactly get the warm and fuzzy vibe from her uncle and assistant, but Evie could care less because she is amongst the glitz and the glam and ready to have the time of her life (at least for the next four months). However, what Evie doesn't realize is the dark side of New York embroiled in scandal, mystery, and horrors. While Evie explores the wonders of New York City, a serial killer is loose and there is nothing no can do to stop him. The thing is, this killer is not of this world and the police has no idea where to start. When the first body shows, NYPD enlists the help of Uncle Will and Evie insists on going. Well, much to her dismay, this murder is not only gruesome, but Evie inadvertently channels her power to see something that only lives in nightmares. As for Memphis, not only is he running from his special gift, he wants nothing more than to escape the life of racketeering and find peace. However, when he meets Theta in at the Hotsy Totsy, they learn that there are actually others who have been having the same nightmare, which not only terrifying, but sends a warning that something evil is on its way and Evie knows it's time for her to start using her powers for something good or people may die.  

Critical Evaluation:
This is probably one of the best books I have read in my entire my life. Not only is the story captivating, readers will stay up all day and all night to see what unfolds. Libba Bray is an artist when it comes to storytelling and this is, in my honest opinion, her best work yet. Although the book is rather intimidating in size, I couldn't imagine the story without all of the intricate details since it is the little details that shed light on the Diviners and the evil they are about to encounter. By setting the story in the height of the Roaring 20s is absolutely brilliant. This era is known for it's rebellion and decadence, but also for it's violence and oppression. The whole John Hobbes story arc is perfectly set amongst all of the craziness of the time, especially since it's during and after the height of the Spiritualism movement (i.e., the Fox sisters). Furthermore, Bray's description of Manhattan in 1926 is absolutely alluring because of Evie. Evie experiences tremendous growth throughout the book and I am so excited about the sequel. In the beginning, Evie was bored and discontent with the simple life in Zenith, Ohio. Furthermore, besides her boredom, Evie never felt like she fit because of her powers. In many respects, Evie's powers are what fueled her passion and desire to go to New York simply because New York may give her what she needs to not feel ostracized. Well, New York not only did that, but gave her the opportunity to use her gifts for good and not as the usual parlor trick. Granted, Evie has a tendency to be selfish, inconsiderate, and rude, she learns that with this power comes a great responsibility, especially now, that she outed herself as a Diviner.

There is a whole slew of supporting characters who not only special powers like Evie, but are suffering from their own personal demons that will bring all of them together. Memphis, for example, used to be able to heal people until he used his power to try and save his mother, which resulted in disaster. Furthermore, his younger brother, Isaiah, has the gift of sight, and it's his abilities that are foretelling the future for the Diviners to unite.  Theta, who was abused all her life, found out she has the power to kill and was saved by Henry, who also has the ability to walk into dreams. Sam, who has the ability to disappear when desired, is in search of his mother who mysteriously disappeared and pronounced dead, but, consequently, was not since he received a postcard with his mother's handwriting. Jericho, who is a result of an experiment that left him as the lone survivor, was taken in by Will as an act of mercy and he has been nothing but loyal to Will ever since. Along with all of the young characters, are adult characters such as Addie and Lillian (the sage-like characters) who revel to readers dark events, Uncle Will, Miss Walker, Aunt Octavia, and Blind Bill also know more then they are letting on, which will more than likely reveal themselves in the sequel because after Naughty John, they are about to encounter an evil like no others. Like most stories, it is the youth that will have the fight the events of the past and we can only hope that the Diviners can hone and utilize their abilities to save the world, yet again.

Amongst the chaos of a serial killer, there is definitely a romantic story arc that involve unrequited and forbidden love. For Memphis, a young black man, falls for Theta, a young white woman. Mabel, Evie's best friend, is in love with Jericho, but is falling for Evie. Sam, who robbed Evie in the beginning of the book, has strong feelings for Evie, but Evie is on shaky ground over her feelings for Jericho. There's Uncle Will who is still reeling over lost love and even Naughty John was loved. Despite feeling like outcasts, the Diviners are struggling more than before because they now have so much more to lose, which will either motivate them  to fight or force them to run. As a reader, it is heartbreaking to read about the difficult pasts of the Diviners, but if there is a common thread, they all know what its like to lose someone they loved dearly, but found the will to love again. I am really, really, really excited about the sequel and I will be waiting on pins and needles until then. Now, I must go to an independent book shop and purchase this book because it is worthy of a place on my bookshelf.

Information about the Author:
According to her website:

Libba Bray is the New York Times bestselling author of The Gemma Doyle trilogy (A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, The Sweet Far Thing); the Michael L. Printz Award-winning Going Bovine; Beauty Queens, an L.A. Times Book Prize finalist; and The Diviners series. She is originally from Texas but makes her home in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband, son, and two sociopathic cats.  You can find her at…oh, wait. You already did. Nevermind—you are a genius!

Genre:
Teen Mysteries, Teen Fantasy

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up
 

Books Similar to The Diviners:

• Bright Young Things by Anne Godbersen
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com

(Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

(School Library Journal, starred review)

"The Diviners delivers an addictive and terrifying story of young New Yorkers investigating a rash of occult-based murders. Bray sustains a breathless energy throughout this ambitious series-starter, deftly evoking the exuberance of 1920s city life and the evil lurking beneath it." (Entertainment Weekly)

(The Horn Book)

Plot Summary:
A new epidemic has stricken the world and its victims are the youth. Teens are committing suicide at alarming rates and parents, and lawmakers, are at a loss. However, with the establishment of The Program, teens are being rehabilitated and cured. The problem with this program, for Sloane and James, is that The Program doesn't just cure victims, but erase their memories. After losing her brother, Brady, Sloane is trying to keep it together. With the help of her boyfriend, James, she is doing her best to not show any emotion and that everything is all right. However, when she learns that her best friend, Lacey, has been released from the Program, Sloane is on the verge of a breakdown. Furthermore, Miller, who is also a good friend, and boyfriend to Lacey, is devastated that Lacey does not remember him and that leads to another tragedy that not only sends Sloane on a downward spiral, but James falls further. All this time, James has been Lacey's rock and lifeline. If James falls apart, she and James will not only be picked and sent to The Program, but their memories will be erased and all of the precious memories they have made will be lost forever.


Critical Evaluation:
This is first, and foremost, a story of love set in a time of chaos and tragedy. Although this topic may not be the best setting for most romances, this is definitely one of those stories that will stick with readers until the end. Sloane is an extremely brave young woman who is faced with a dilemma that most adults can barely handle. Not only did she witness her brother's death, she is forced to watch James fall apart in front of her eyes. In many ways, Sloane is completely unaware of her strength and when readers learn actually see that strength they will be amazed by her resolve. Granted, in the beginning, Sloane was completely dependent on James because she made him promise her that everything will be okay, but, alas, that was a promise easily broken. James, the stereotypical hottie, was Sloane's brother's best friend and readers will wonder if the romance between James and Sloane is based on guilt rather than love. Although Sloane and James constantly state otherwise, the power of their love is revealed in the end of the story. The most frustrating aspect of this story is how weak all of the parents, teachers, and mentors are in this story. For example, Sloane's parents, who never got over the loss of Brady, are in no position to be the supportive parents that Sloane deserves. Rather than thinking of their living child, they have left with no tools to cope with Brady's death and that is why Sloane has put all her faith, energy, and strength in James to keep her whole. However, every human being has their breaking point and Miller was the straw that broke the camel's back. Rather than slipping into her misery, Sloane made a conscience choice to be the one who keeps both her and James together the best she can and it be will her, alone, who will save their love. I really wasn't expecting this story to have the twist that it does, but there is a sequel to the story and reader's will have to wait to see what happens to Sloane and if she and James can escape The Program.    

Information about the Author:
According to her blog:

Originally from New York, Suzanne Young moved to Arizona to pursue her dream of not freezing to death. She currently resides in Tempe, where she teaches high school English. When not writing obsessively, Suzanne can be found searching her own tragic memories for inspiration.

Suzanne is the author of several books for teens, including THE PROGRAM, A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL, and A WANT SO WICKED. Friend her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter @suzanne_young. 

Genre:
Teen Romance

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up
 
Books Similar to The Program:

• Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
• Unwind by Neal Schusterman

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com

(Booklist)

(BCCB)

(Kirkus Reviews)

(The Horn Books)

(Publishers Weekly)

Plot Summary:
After escaping the Darkling, Alina and Mal are on the run. Now that she has Morozova's amplifier, she is in more danger than ever. Although she and Mal have finally made it clear that they have feelings for one another, she continues to be haunted by the Darkling's words and the painful memories of when she unleashed her power onto the Grisha and the Darkling at Novokribirsk. When everything seemed to be peaceful, Alina and Mal were captured by Ivan and taken to the Darkling. Alina wasn't sure if he survived that day, but what she didn't realize is that his powers have doubled and revealed his plans to find Alina a second amplifier. According to Grisha law, Grisha can only have one amplifier for life, but the Darkling, hungry for power, believes that some Grisha can have more than one. After setting out on a treacherous journey to find the second amplifier, Alina and Mal meet Sturmhond (a privateer) and his crew. Although Sturmhond is charming and ambitious, there is something about him that both Alina and Mal don't quite understand. Fortunately, this Sturmhond isn't what he seems to be and, thanks to him, and his crew, Alina and Mal once again escape the Darkling only to be taken on another journey that will not only test their relationship, but Alina's abilities to to fight off the memories that haunt her and her desire for more power. Furthermore, Sturmhond begs Alina to not run, but to protect Ravka by staying by his side, which prompts a bargain that will put the Grisha at her command. The question is: can this Sun Summoner lead an Army while controlling the massive amount of power her new found amplifier has given her? Readers will have to find out in this thrilling sequel.    

Critical Evaluation:
WOW! It's a fact that with most trilogies, the second installment tends to suffer, but this is not the case with story. In fact, Bardugo does something that a lot of authors tend to drop the ball with, which is continuing the plot and not just about character development and the introduction of new characters. Alina's growth, as the Sun Summoner, not only proves to readers that she is actually a force to be reckoned with, but she is capable of leading the Grisha into battle. However, she is now being haunted by the Darkling and his words continue to take hold of her. Although she and Mal are together, being with one another has become increasingly difficult because she has decided to work with Nikolai in exchange of commanding the remaining Grisha. This is one of many trials these two will deal with and it's proving much more difficult than they thought. Alina is trying her best to show she cares, but Mal's pride, and station, have made it hard for him to accept her feelings. Granted, Alina hasn't made it easy for him because she has yet to tell Mal that the Darkling is haunting her, their relationship is falling apart right before their eyes. While Mal continues to try and prove himself, Alina is fighting off the advances of Nikolai and Vasily and she has to deal with mess that Apparat has created by making her a saint. Not only is she having to deal with unnecessary drama, it should not be surprising that the Darkling has found a way to slither his way into her mind. Despite all of these challenges, Alina tries desperately to take charge of her responsibilities including her second amplifier, which conveys that she is growing stronger every day, but even more fearful of who she is. Although Alina is in danger because of her new amplifier, she had decided to fight for Ravka instead of running away. The final battle in the end was just spectacular and I loved it! However, what can we expect from Alina now that Darkling sits on the throne and she is underground. Will the search for the firebird continue? We shall all have to wait in agonizing anticipation.

Information about the Author:
According to her website:

Leigh Bardugo was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University. These days, she lives in Hollywood, where she indulges her fondness for glamour, ghouls, and costuming in her other life as makeup artist L.B. Benson. Occasionally, she can be heard singing with her band, Captain Automatic.

She is the author of the New York Times Best Sellers, Shadow & Bone  and Siege and Storm (Holt Children’s/ Macmillan). The final book in the Grisha Trilogy, Ruin and Rising, will be published in 2014. She is represented by Joanna Stampfel-Volpe of New Leaf.

Genre:
Teen Fantasy

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Siege and Storm:

• Graceling by Kate Cashore
• Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Lainy Taylor
  

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com
"An action-packed, heartbreaking ending will leave teens breathless for the final installment." -- School Library Journal

"This action-packed, suspenseful grand tale of war, adventure and love, with a maritime setting, colorful battles, and female warriors, will appeal to a broad readership and is an enticing prelude to the anticipated Book 3." -- VOYA

"Bardugo populates her fully realized world with appealing three dimensional characters and an involving plot that keeps a steady pace. . . The buzz will be big." -- Booklist

"Bardugo builds on strengths she brought to the first volume, including a richly crafted fantasy world with its own twist on magic, a surfeit of handsome leading men, and plenty of teen-appropriate romantic angst." -- The Horn Book

"Scheming and action carry readers at a breathless pace to an end that may surprise them and will definitely leave them panting for the series’ conclusion." -- Kirkus Reviews