Kazumi Reads

Plot Summary:
In a letter to his youngest sister, Emmy, Matt recounts the horror that was their childhood. Life wasn't always that terrible, but it was their mother that was the source of their terror. Nikki, their mother, was a walking time bomb; some days she could be kind and thoughtful, but, on the bad days, she was a force to be reckoned with. No one really knows why Nikki is the way she is, but she was used to getting her way and that's probably why she gets so angry. Matt, now fourteen years old, is starting to realize that living with their mother is no longer an option. Matt and Callie (his other sister) spend most of their nights waiting for Nikki to turn their home into a war zone; thus, making  them the only protection that Emmy has. Although hope is a stranger to these frightened children, they meet Murdoch who could be the one to tame their mother and protect them. The only problem with this situation is that Nikki is utterly unpredictable and that leaves Matt with no other choice but to contact his father. Referred to as the "nurse man," Matt and Callie's father was driven away by Nikki and the only link they have with their father is the monthly child support check. However, their father also sends in support for Emmy,who is not his biological child, so that must mean he really cares about them. When Matt contacts his father, he begs him to let him, Callie, and Emmy to live with him, but Matt learns that there is no way a court would never give him custody, especially since Emmy isn't his biological daughter. Just when things couldn't get any worse, Nikki makes up an awful accusation about Murdoch that forces Matt to devise a plan to get away from their mother, which will bring three strangers together to fight for the safety of these three desperate children. 

Critical Evaluation:
I cannot express how difficult it was to read this book. As a reader, it is frightening to know that there are actually adults who behave just like Nikki. It can be argued that Nikki has her own set of problems (some readers will say she exhibits Bipolar Disorder), but the fact that remains is that she is a danger to her children. Matt and his siblings are classic examples of psychological abuse where they literally live in fear of their mother where survivor mode is the norm. What's worse is that they have relations that know exactly what their mother is like and do absolutely nothing. For Matt, who has no choice to be the one to help his sisters, is not only used to his mother's antics, but knows exactly what to expect when his mother gets angry. For Callie, she has to back her brother up because there is no way she could stand up to her mother and all they really have is one another. As for Emmy, who is the youngest, she has a completely different perspective on all of this because she knows she had siblings who will protect her, which brings me back to a statement that Callie made: Emmy know she is safe. When Emmy prays for Murdoch, she does it with joy because she knows that it will anger her mother, but her siblings will be there for her. In this instance, her defiance, and confidence, is not only refreshing, but it's dangerous because Emmy doesn't realize is that her siblings will pay for her actions. Honestly, it was really, really hard for me to not throw the book across the room because Nikki has no business raising children when she, herself, is an overgrown spoiled brat. However, her children are the exact opposite of her, which gives readers hope that they will find a way out of their situation because they know the power of love and devotion. For Nikki, from what we have read, didn't have the greatest childhood either, which leads us to suspect that she has no idea how to raise children. On the other hand, Nikki only thinks about Nikki and constantly needs to be in control of everything because there is something, inside her, that is missing or lacking. The adults in this books, aside from Murdoch, are just as clueless as the kids, but it their saving grace was Murdoch who took a giant risk to help these kids. By enlisting the help of Matt's father, and Aunt Bobbie, these timid adults finally build the courage they need to save Matt, Callie, and Emmy. Although the ending is bittersweet, readers will learn that hope is always there even in the most dire of circumstances.       

Information about the Author:
According to her website:

Nancy Werlin has done a variety of things such as a technical editor for software and internet. She was born and raised in Peabody, Massachusetts, and earned her BA in English from Yale University. She lives near Boston, Massachusetts, and has written eight young adult novels and several of them have won awards and honors. Here is a statement from one of Werlin's fans:

“An Edgar-award-winning author who writes psychological thrillers with the same depth and punch as Ruth Rendell and Minette Walters with the kind of noirish feel that permeates many of my favorite crime novels. A writer who has a keen understanding of how kids react and feel — who goes for the gut and never flinches on true emotions, who creates characters so true they make you cry and feel a little something yourself.

“Chances are, many of you haven't heard of this author. Or if you have, it's because her name has come up in a completely different context. That's because Nancy Werlin writes novels geared for young adults, and so if you were — like me — not as inclined towards YA as to adult crime fiction, then you would have passed her by. And that would be a shame, because she's simply one of the best crime novelists going right now. Period.” —Sarah Weinman (12/06/2006)

Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction, Teen Suspense

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to The Rules of Survival:

• Stolen by Lucy Christopher
• Because I am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas

Awards & Recognition:

• National Book Award Finalist (2006)

From Amazon.com:

“Guaranteed to leave readers breathlessly turning the pages.”—Booklist, starred review

“Werlin tackles [this topic] with grace and insight.”—School Library Journal, starred review

“A heartbreaking tale of abuse and love . . . . Beautifully framed.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“The plot moves swiftly and unrelentlessly….”—VOYA highlight 

Plot Summary:
Rabi loves baseball, but the problem is that he is a better strategist than a player. In fact, Rabi does this super human trick where he can use statistics to determine the outcome of a game that not only amazes his fellow players, but rubs his coach the wrong way. The real problem with the team isn't Rabi's lack of batting ability, but Coach Cocoran's inability to put together a logical batting order and general managing all together. What should have been an easy victory ended up being a disaster. Along with a poor batting average, Rabi struggles with the fact that he is the only mixed kid on the team, which his teammates make evident when they bully him by calling him "red dot." Well, after this last game, and escaping the clutches of Sammy and company, Rabi decided that he needed help with his swing so he, Miguel, and Joe went off to practice in a park near Milrow Meatpacking Plant. What was supposed to be a quiet afternoon, ended in chaos when plant workers stormed out of the meat packing facility including Miguel's aunt and uncle. What was said to be as a building maintenance, it was much bigger and worse than that, especially when Coach Cocoran tried to eat Rabi's brains. Furthermore, amidst all of the chaos, Miguel's aunt and uncle were take away by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) since they witnessed the incident that occurred at the meat packing plant.  Although the boys have only seen two zombies, more and more emerge from the plant and when they tried to tell "responsible adults" more poor decisions were made forcing them to run from the authorizes. Is it possible that the zombie apocalypse is real? If so, Rabi, Miguel, and Joe must save their town from imminent destruction, but the problem is how can they get anyone to believe them that zombies actually exist?

Critical Evaluation:
After reading Paolo Bacigalupi's award-winning noel, Shipbreaker, I am so glad to see another side of his writing in Zombie Baseball Beatdown. This story is a lot of fun because not only is there action and zombies, there are a whole set of very real issues that most teen readers will not be familiar with. For example, our dynamic trio are a bunch of misfits who have a lot in common despite their difference. For example, Rabi is part Indian and Caucasian, which makes him stick out like a sore thumb in his quiet little town. Miguel, whose parents (undocumented workers) were deported because they had the courage to speak out about the awful conditions of the meatpacking plant. Lastly, there is Joe whose father is an alcoholic and a single father. Although the boys don't see their friendship based on their family lives, they stick together because they help one another in may ways that solidify this relationship. In fact, it is very apparent when Miguel's aunt and uncle are taken away by ICE  both Rabi and Joe tell him that he can stay with their families because Miguel "didn't ask to be an orphan). Actually, Miguel's family situation is a whole different plot of the story because Sammy's father (Rabi's arch-nemesis) is responsible for their deportation because they were going to bring down the whole meat packing facility, which means Sammy and his family would lose all their money; Sammy's family is the most affluent family in town so rather than doing what is right by the people, Sammy's father reported Miguel's family to ICE so they are no longer a threat to the company. Another thing that I love about this story is that is reminds me of the many wonderful stories by Roald Dahl where the grown-ups are beyond ridiculous and not at all responsible for their own actions.There is a lot going on in this little 292 page book that some readers might find their heads spinning; however, Bacigalupi is able to tie all of this together to create a very serious story, but with a fun twist that make this book difficult to put down.

Information about the Author:
According to his website:

Paolo Bacigalupi’s writing has appeared in WIRED Magazine, High Country News, Salon.com, OnEarth Magazine, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, and Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine. His short fiction been anthologized in various “Year’s Best” collections of short science fiction and fantasy, nominated for three Nebula Awards, four Hugo Awards, and won the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award for best science fiction short story of the year. His short story collection PUMP SIX AND OTHER STORIES was a 2008 Locus Award winner for Best Collection and also named a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly

His debut novel THE WINDUP GIRL was named by TIME Magazine as one of the ten best novels of 2009, and also won the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, Compton Crook, and John W. Campbell Memorial Awards. Internationally, it has won the Seiun Award (Japan), The Ignotus Award (Spain), The Kurd-Laßwitz-Preis (Germany), and the Prix Planète-SF des Blogueurs (France).

His debut young adult novel, SHIP BREAKER, was a Micheal L. Printz Award Winner, and a National Book Award Finalist.

His most recent novel, THE DROWNED CITIES was a 2012 Kirkus Reviews Best of YA Book, A 2012 VOYA Perfect Ten Book, and 2012 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist.
He currently lives in Western Colorado with his wife and son, where he is working on a new novel.

Genre:
Tween Fiction, Tween Humor, Tween Comedy


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 4-7


Books Similar to Zombie Baseball Beatdown:

• Doll Bones by Holly Black
• The Grimm Conclusion by Adam Gidwitz

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com

"Printz-winning Bacigalupi writing a middle-grade zombie novel? Yes, it really happened, and yes, it's pretty darn good....Simultaneously smart, funny, and icky, this book asks a tough question: Is it worth looking the other way in order to save yourself?"—Booklist

"A high-energy, high-humor look at the zombie apocalypse....a signal alert to young teens to think about what they eat....sure to be appreciated by middle school zombie cognoscenti."—Kirkus Reviews

"Defies the expectations of the comedy-horror genre, turning this zombie novel into an effective bit of social commentary while staying true to the story's grisly and goofy roots....Casual readers will have a blast, and those who look deeper will learn something, too."—Publishers Weekly

"It's a testament to the author's skill that [the characters] express values of courage, friendship, and integrity as naturally as they toss off hilarious observations....[A] fast-paced home run."—School Library Journal

"[Introduces] reluctant readers to activism through literature.... a dark comedy with a bit of heart."—The Bulletin

"Batting comes in handy beating down zombies....Will appeal to reluctant readers."—Library Media Connection

Plot Summary:
Just when everything was quiet and peaceful at Mica High, the student body got a surprise they weren't expecting: Stargirl Carraway. For Leo, everything is always the status quo; everyone looked alike and everyone had their place. When Stargirl showed up in her outrageous outfit, and ukelele, he didn't know what to think, nor did he know what to say. Well, at first, everyone thought that Stargirl was a gimmick and probably a plant by the administration to shake things up a bit. However, when everyone figured out Stargirl was 100% original, and real, things started to change much to the chagrin of Hillary Kimble (the most popular girl in school). In fact, the more the students observed Stargirl, she stirred something inside all of them, which led to a concept they were not so familiar with: individuality. When Kevin kept pestering Leo to interview Stargirl for the school television show (The Hot Seat), he started to become protective of Stargirl simply because he thought the idea was cruel. When Leo found out that he and Stargirl share a common thread, he started asking questions and that is when he started to notice her sweet freckles and sandy blonde hair. Although Stargirl was homeschooled all her life, why did she do the things she did like singing happy birthday to complete strangers, showing up to funerals to pay her respects, and many other random things? Furthermore, what if Leo started developing feelings for someone he just can't figure out? More importantly, what would people think of him if they knew that his heart was captured by an uncontrollable force that is so new and unknown?

Critical Evaluation:
I cannot express how much this book reflected my own life at high school. In fact, I was definitely one of the Stargirl-types and I loved every moment. Although I didn't have a conflicted romance like Leo and Stargirl, I can definitely imagine the heartache they both felt. For Leo, he blew it big time because he was so afraid to do something that would require him to "step outside of the box" and be an individual. If there is one lesson to learn from this story is to never be afraid of who we are and accept others for who they are (and not what they look, talk like, etc). High school is probably the biggest wake up call teens will ever get because they not only have to deal with the pressure of succeeding, they have to stand up for their beliefs and deal with people who don't share the same opinions as we do. Not to mention, they will learn why "fads" and called "fads" and why we should never equate the two of them with people. Ultimately, this book is about respect, kindness, and understanding and that can be a very hard lesson to learn if one is afraid or unwilling to try. For Stargirl, she handled everyone like a champ despite the criticism and bullying. In fact, readers will definitely relate to Stargirl, especially when we meet Hillary Kimble. Sadly, there will, and always, be a Hillary Kimble at every school, but the best way to manage people like her is to not take anything they say seriously and not allow them to bully. Jerry Spinelli has the magic touch when it comes to these topics because readers can really see the heart of the issue and the consequences.  Going back to Leo blowing it (I was really upset that he did), Stargirl made an important decision to stay true to who she is and, although Leo couldn't accept her for who she is, she still smiled and thought of him. Stargirl is the epitome of good and readers will get a further glimpse into this pure soul in the sequel: Love, Stargirl.

Information about the Author:
According to Scholastic.com:

When I was growing up, the first thing I wanted to be was a cowboy. That lasted till I was about ten. Then I wanted to be a baseball player. Preferably shortstop for the New York Yankees.

I played Little League in junior high and high school. I only hit two home runs in my career, but I had no equal when it came to standing at shortstop and chattering to my pitcher: “C'mon, baby, hum the pea.” Unfortunately, when I stood at the plate, so many peas were hummed past me for strikes that I decided to let somebody else become shortstop for the Yankees.

It was about that time that our high school football team won a heart-stopping game against one of the best teams in the country. While the rest of the town was tooting horns and celebrating, I went home and wrote a poem about the game. A few days later the poem was published in the local newspaper, and suddenly I had something new to become: a writer.
Little did I know that twenty-five years would pass before a book of mine would be published.
Not that I wasn't trying. In the years after college I wrote four novels, but nobody wanted them. They were adult novels. So was number five, or so I thought. However, because it was about a thirteen-year-old boy, adult book publishers didn't even want to see it. But children's publishers did — and that's how, by accident, I became an author of books for kids.
Life is full of happy accidents.

Sometimes I'm asked if I do research for my stories. The answer is yes and no. No, in the sense that I seldom plow through books at the library to gather material. Yes, in the sense that the first fifteen years of my life turned out to be one big research project. I thought I was simply growing up in Norristown, Pennsylvania; looking back now I can see that I was also gathering material that would one day find its way into my books.

John Ribble's blazing fastball. Dovey Wilmouth, so beautiful a fleet of boys pedaled past her house ten times a day. Mrs. Seeton's whistle calling her kids in to dinner. The day my black snake disappeared. The creek, the tracks, the dump, the red hills. My days did not pass through, but stayed, filling the shelves of my memory. They became the library where today I do my research.

I also get material from my own kids. Along the way I married another children's writer, Eileen Spinelli, and from our six kids have come a number of stories. Jeffrey and Molly, who are always fighting, have been especially helpful.

Ideas also come from everyday life. And from the newspapers. One day, for example, I read a story about a girl who competed on her high school wrestling team. A year later bookstores carried a new book with my name on it: There's a Girl in My Hammerlock.

So there you are. I never became a cowboy or baseball player, and now I'm beginning to wonder if I ever really became a writer. I find that I hesitate to put that label on myself, to define myself by what I do for a living. After all, I also pick berries and touch ponies and skim flat stones over water and marvel at the stars and breathe deeply and grin from ear to ear and save the best part for last. I've always done these things. Which is to say, I never had to become anything. Or anyone. I always, already, was.

Call me a berry-picking, pony-touching star-marveler.

Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction, Teen Romance

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 8 & up

Books Similar to Stargirl:

• This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
• Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

 Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com:

“A magical and heartbreaking tale.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred

An ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults

A Publishers Weekly Choice of the Year’s Best Books