Kazumi Reads

Plot Summary:
For the last two weeks, Scarlet has been looking for her grandmother who disappeared, leaving no note or explanation. Unfortunately, Scarlet's leads have run out and the police have closed the missing person's case because there was no evidence of foul play. In other words, the police have told Scarlet that her grandmother just left town and there us nothing they could do. For Scarlet, she know her grandmother would never do such a thing because she loved her home, her farm, and she loved her. While delivering a load of groceries to the local pub, Scarlet meets a fighter who is not only new to town, but there is something about his eyes and his tattoo that she can't quite figure out. Granted, this fighter (named Wolf) is as good as he says, but when she discovers that he is a part of a violent "wolf" pack she doesn't know if she can trust him. However, he is the only who can help her find her grandmother and she reluctantly goes with him to look for her in Paris. Meanwhile, Cinder has broken out of prison, only to gain an unwanted sidekick named Captain Thorne (thief and deserter). Although Cinder has no desire to form a relationship with this handsome, smooth-talking, criminal, she needs his stolen spaceship to track down her past and ultimately help her find out who she is. With Cinder on the loose, Emperor Kai is still reeling from all that has happened in the last few days and is trying desperately to let go of his feelings for Cinder. However, with Levana threatening him with violence, he must make Cinder disappear or a lot of people will die. In this sequel, there is a lot of action and excitement that will not only bring all of the characters together, but help them form an alliance that will prepare them for the imminent battle with the Lunar Kingdom. The ending will readers begging for more. 

Critical Evaluation:
Wow! All I can say is "WOW!" It's not an unknown fact that sequels aren't as strong as the first story, but this one is even better than the first! Not only do we meet Scarlet, Wolf, and Thorne, readers will start putting all of the puzzle pieces together and will yearn for more. I really didn't know what to expect from this story and I am very happy with the non-stop twists and turns. For the lack of a better term, this series is episodic so readers are anticipating other stories that will ultimately lead back to finding Princess Selene. In this episode/story/installment, Scarlet represents "Little Red Riding Hood" who not only packs a punch (like Cinder), but it willing to risk everything to find her grandmother, which leads to another interesting discovery that she is part Lunar. What I loved even more is that Kai, who refused to believe that Lunars lived amongst them, admitted their existence to only learn that he has been surrounded by one for years and is in love with one. Although the point of views switch, readers don't get lost because everything comes back full circle, which is why some books (i.e., Allegiant) falter; granted, all of these stories are told from an outside perspective, readers have a better sense of what's going on instead if trying to figure out who is speaking. The relationship between Scarlet and Wolf (in my opinion) is incredibly enticing. Not only will readers (male and female) be drawn to their personalities, but their developing romance is inevitable; they really do need each other because Wolf needs Scarlet to protect and Scarlet helps Wolf keep the monster (inside him) in control. I will say that I am liking this romance a little more than Kai's and Cinder's, but that has yet to develop so I am looking forward to that.  I am really, really, really pleased with story and will be moving onto Cress ASAP!

Information about the Author:
According to her website:

One of my first spoken words was “story” (right along with “bath” and “cookie”), my favorite toy as an infant was a soft, squishable book, and I’ve wanted to be a writer since I first realized such a job existed.

When I was fourteen my best friend introduced me to anime and fanfiction—over the years I would complete over forty Sailor Moon fanfics under the penname Alicia Blade. Those so inclined can still find my first stories at fanfiction.net. Writing fanfic turned out to be awesome fun and brought me in contact with an amazing group of fanfiction readers and writers. As Alicia Blade, I also had a novelette, “The Phantom of Linkshire Manor,” published in the gothic romance anthology Bound in Skin (CatsCurious Press, 2007).

When I was sixteen I worked at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Tacoma, Washington, affectionately termed “The Spag.” (Random factoid: This is also the restaurant where my parents met some 25 years before.) I attended Pacific Lutheran University where I sorted mail that came to the dorm, carted tables and chairs around campus, and took writing classes, eventually earning a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and Children’s Literature. Knowing I wanted a career in books, I would also go on to receive a Master’s degree in Publishing from Pace University (which you can learn more about here). After graduation, I worked as an editor in Seattle for a while before becoming a freelance typesetter and proofreader.
Then, day of days, someone thought it would be a good idea to give me a book deal, so I became a full-time writer. CINDER is my first novel, though I have an adorable collection of unfinished ones lying around too.

I now live with my husband and our three cats (Calexandria Josephine, Stormus Enormous, and Blackland Rockwell III), who go in and out, in and out, about eight hundred times a day. My favorite non-bookish things include Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, re-watching episodes of Firefly, and playing all manners of dress-up.

Genre:
Teen Sci Fi, Teen Fantasy, Teen Romance

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Scarlet:

• Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
• City of Bones by Cassandra Claire

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com

* "A great choice for all ages, with strong appeal for both girls and boys, these novels will be read and enjoyed—repeatedly." —VOYA, starred review

* "It’s another Marissa Meyer roller coaster ride, part science fiction/fantasy, part political machination with a hint of romance. Readers will be pushed into a horrific alternate universe where violence, especially mind manipulation and control, create ethical and life-threatening situations for both teens. With at least one more Lunar Chronicle to come, the suspense continues. And which fairy tale will Meyer morph next?" —Booklist, starred review *

"Returning fans of Meyer’s Cinder will gladly sink their teeth into this ambitious, wholly satisfying sequel." —Publishers Weekly, starred review "The author has stepped up the intrigue and plot from the first novel, and readers will be eagerly awaiting the next." —School Library Journal

"Further development of this futuristic world plus plenty of action, surprises, and a fast pace will keep readers invested in their journey." —The Horn Book

 "The sci-fi elements are stronger than the fairy-tale allusions this time out, but the story remains just as absorbing. . . . Readers will be thrilled to discover that this steampunky fairy-tale/sci-fi mashup promises two more installments." —BCCB

Plot Summary:
When Mia and her family decided to make the best of their "Snow Day," they all jumped into the car to visit friends and family. What was so supposed to be a family adventure filled with laughter and joy, Mia and her  family are involved in an accident that leaves her comatose. Although Mia is barely alive, her spirit hovers over her body and all of the people in her life. Before the accident, life seemed to be going good; Mia was waiting on a response from Julliard (a prestigious school for musicians) and her boyfriend's band was taking off. Although Mia seemed okay on the outside, she was struggling with the distance between her and her best friend and she wasn't sure if her relationship with Adam was going to make it. Despite these fears, Mia was having the typical growing pains that all teens have when they are about to go off on their own. However, the accident not only ripped Mia of her body, but it took away their very people who mattered the most to her. As she floats between this plane and the other, Mia looks back on her life and remembers all of wonderful details about her life, her parents, her little brother, and her grandparents. Knowing that she will never be able to be with her mother and father prevents her from returning to her body (even as she watches her grandparents and extended family) Mia realizes that she is in control of her situation. Mia is trying desperately to make a choice, but she doesn't know how and that is terrifying because she wants to be with Adam and her brother. More importantly, Mia can't imagine her life without her parents, she also can't live without Adam. This is a tragic story of a girl who has to make a very difficult choice of staying with people who still love her and letting go of those who gave her life and unending happiness.   

Critical Evaluation:
I probably shouldn't be reading, and listening, to two very similar stories at the same time (not sitting well with my emotions). This story is so beautifully written it's like a song that takes listeners on a journey to an unknown destination; readers can feel the pain, the loss, the regret, the hopelessness, but the amazing amount of empathy and revelation. One can only imagine what Mia could be going through and to have to make a choice that would leave her without her parents and brother. No one should ever have to suffer from this dilemma and it's totally unfair that Mia has to make the decision. I realize, as an adult, that life isn't fair, but COME ON! This is just cruel! I have yet to meet someone who has survived a near-death experience, but a part of me wonders what's it like to see your life from the outside. For Mia. she sees herself and yet she decides to witness her position from the sidelines. In many ways, Mia seems to be testing not just her family, but Adam and Kim as well. Mia has always had this lingering feeling that she never belonged given the fact that her parents were punk rockers and she's a classical musician. With Adam, the only thing they really have in common, is music, but on the opposite sides of the spectrum. As for her relationship with Kim, which started off the wrong way, their differences are what brought them together. The sad thing is that Mia misses the point that opposites really do attract and, rather than celebrating those difference, she saw it as a obstacle between her, her parents, her boyfriend, and her best friend. I think the hardest part of this story is that if we, as readers, decide to put ourselves in Mia's position not only will be just as devastated as she is, but will we be unable to dig up the courage to make the choice that she does.If you pair the ending of the book with Yo-Yo Ma's Andante con moto e molto rubato, everything will come crashing together and the tears will flow. Brilliant move from a brilliant writer.

Information about the Author:
According to her website:

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away, I was a journalist who specialized in reporting on young people and social-justice issues. Which is a fancy way of saying I reported on all the ways that young people get treated like crap—and overcome! I started out working for Seventeen magazine, writing the kinds of articles that people (i.e. adults) never believe that Seventeen ran (on everything from child soldiers in Sierra Leone to migrant teen farm workers in the U.S.). Later on, I became a freelance journalist, writing for magazines like Details, Jane, Glamour, The Nation, Elle, Budget Travel, and Cosmopolitan.

In 2002, I went traveling for a year around the world with my husband, Nick. I spent time hanging out with some pretty interesting people, a third sex (we’d probably call them transvestites here) in Tonga, Tolkien-obsessed, role-playing punks in Kazakhstan (bonus points to those of you who can find Kazakhstan on a map), working class hip-hop stars in Tanzania. The result of that year was my first book, a travel memoir called You Can’t Get There From Here: A Year On the Fringes of a Shrinking World. You can read about my trip and see pictures of it here.

What do you do when you get back home after traveling the globe for a whole year? First, you get disproportionately excited by the little comforts in life: Not having to look at a map to get everywhere? Yay! Being able to drink coffee without getting dressed and schlepping to a café first? Bliss! Then, if you’re 32 years old and have been with your husband for evah, you have a kid. Which we did. Presto, Willa!

So, there I was. With a baby. And all of a sudden I couldn’t do the kind of gallivanty reporting I’d done before. Well, you know how they say in life when one door closes another opens? In my case, the door came clear off the frame. Because I discovered that I could take the most amazing journeys of my life without ever having to leave my desk. It was all in my head. In stories I could make up. And the people I wanted to take these fantastical journeys with, they all happened to be between the ages of 12 and 20. I don’t know why. These are just the people who beckon me. And I go where I’m told.

My first young-adult novel, Sisters in Sanity, was based on another one of those social justice articles I wrote when for Seventeen and you can click here to read the article. Sisters was published in 2007. My next book, If I Stay, was published in April of  2009 by Dutton. It is also being published in 30 countries around the world, which is surreal. The sequel/companion book to If I Stay, Where She Went, comes out in April 2011. I  am currently working on a new YA novel, that is, when my kids (plural, after Willa we adopted Denbele from Ethiopia) allow me to. And after that book is finished, I’ll write another, and another….

Genre:
Teen Issues, Teen Contemporary Fiction


Reading Level/Interest:Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to If I Stay:

• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
• Deadline by Chris Crutcher 

Awards & Recognition:

• Starred Review from Publisher's Weekly
• Starred Review from School Library Journal
• Starred Review from Booklist

Plot Summary:
Cinder knows what it's like to be an outcast thanks to the daily reminders from her stepmother, Adri, and stepsister, Pearl. The reason why Cinder is an outcast is not just because of her poor status, but she's a cyborg. Although she may not posses the fancy clothing and comforts like her adopted family, Cinder is good with her hands and can repair any mechanical object out there. In fact, she is so well known for her skills, Prince Kai brings his old android to her for repairs under the guise that his royal mechanics didn't have the abilities to fix it. Granted, Cinder can tell is someone is lying, she agrees to the Prince's demands because how can she refuse? Meanwhile, as everyone get ready for the Ball, Cinder is hoping her stepmother would allow her to attend as long as she completes her "chores." What should have been a simple fix, turned deadly when her stepsister, Peony, whom she loves and adores, follows her to the junkyard and contracts Letumosis (Earth's deadliest plague since the Bubonic Plague). In an effort to rid herself of Cinder, Adri volunteers Cinder for plague research and she is whisked away against her will. When Cinder meets Dr. Dimitri Erland, she notices that there is something very different about this man. What should have been her destruction, Cinder learns something so shocking and unbelievable, it changes everything she has known about her family and herself. Amidst this discovery, the Emperor has died from Letumosis, and the Lunar Queen, Levana, has decided to move in swiftly to forge an alliance that Prince Kai is against, but, if something isn't done, Earth may no longer be at peace with the Lunar Kingdom.As for Cinder, she finds herself caught between her feelings and her reality, which have not only caught the attention of Levana, but may find herself in serious danger.

Critical Evaluation:
I absolutely loved how fast-paced, and creative, this story is! Not only is it an ingenious ides to take a classic fairy-tale and turn it into a Sci-Fi, it gives readers another perspective on the meaning of the tale. Cinderella, as we all know, had been enslaved by her stepmother and the only was she could be rescued is through the help of her fairy godmother, a beautiful dress, glass slippers, and a handsome prince. Granted, everyone has heard a million different versions of this story, this take on the "damsel in distress" is quite the opposite because this damsel must rescue her Prince and their people. Cinder may be slave, like Cinderella, but, after her involuntary testing, her fate is in her own hands because no one expected her to survive, which kind of threw a wrench in everything. Another nice spin on the tale is that Peony, who not only adores her, but is relying on her to save her; Cinder may have carried a variety of responsibilities before, but saving Peony's life forces Cinder to do things she may have never wanted to do before (i.e., agree to continue the plague testing in order to find a cure and searching for the lost Princess). Although Cinder finds an ally in Dr. Erland, there is something about him she can't quite figure out (he has an uncanny ability of lying) and Prince Kai has actually taken an interest in her, but pushes him away because she fears that he might reject her because she is a cyborg. Despite the impending doom on mankind, I just love that this story still identifies the fact that Cinder is a teenager who is trying so hard to find her place in this world while dealing with issues like love and acceptance. Clearly, Cinder has a lot on her shoulders and, unfortunately, she is going to have to figure it out on her own with a little help from Iko (the family droid), Prince Kai, and Dr. Erland. This is a high-energy, fast-paced race to save the world from a tyrant and to help a cyborg regain her memories and finally find her place in this universe.     

Information about the Author:
According to her website:

One of my first spoken words was “story” (right along with “bath” and “cookie”), my favorite toy as an infant was a soft, squishable book, and I’ve wanted to be a writer since I first realized such a job existed.

When I was fourteen my best friend introduced me to anime and fanfiction—over the years I would complete over forty Sailor Moon fanfics under the penname Alicia Blade. Those so inclined can still find my first stories at fanfiction.net. Writing fanfic turned out to be awesome fun and brought me in contact with an amazing group of fanfiction readers and writers. As Alicia Blade, I also had a novelette, “The Phantom of Linkshire Manor,” published in the gothic romance anthology Bound in Skin (CatsCurious Press, 2007).

When I was sixteen I worked at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Tacoma, Washington, affectionately termed “The Spag.” (Random factoid: This is also the restaurant where my parents met some 25 years before.) I attended Pacific Lutheran University where I sorted mail that came to the dorm, carted tables and chairs around campus, and took writing classes, eventually earning a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and Children’s Literature. Knowing I wanted a career in books, I would also go on to receive a Master’s degree in Publishing from Pace University (which you can learn more about here). After graduation, I worked as an editor in Seattle for a while before becoming a freelance typesetter and proofreader.

Then, day of days, someone thought it would be a good idea to give me a book deal, so I became a full-time writer. CINDER is my first novel, though I have an adorable collection of unfinished ones lying around too.

I now live with my husband and our three cats (Calexandria Josephine, Stormus Enormous, and Blackland Rockwell III), who go in and out, in and out, about eight hundred times a day. My favorite non-bookish things include Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, re-watching episodes of Firefly, and playing all manners of dress-up.

Genre:
Teen Sci Fi, Teen Fantasy, Teen Romance

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 8 & up

Books Similar to Cinder:

• Beastly by Alex Flinn
• Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com:

Plot Summary:
When Bruno came home, he finds Maria packing his things. Not knowing why the maid is going through his personal belongings, his mother said that they are leaving Berlin because his father has been promoted and they must move. Bruno is not happy about leaving because all of his friends and grandparents are in Berlin. Unfortunately, Bruno cannot change his father's mind and, when they arrive at the new house, it is far from what he is used to. In fact, this place is nicknamed "Out-With" because the last person who occupied this house was "out with" everything else. While unpacking this things, Bruno notices (outside his windows) a large open area with small buildings, huts, and people. When Bruno shows Gretel, his incorrigible sister, they noticed that there are children in there as well. However, Gretel refuses to play with them because they are dirty and they are wearing nothing but striped pajamas. Since Bruno is unable to find a playmate, he finds ways to entertain himself, which tend to get him in to trouble. Despite a few scrapes and scratches, Bruno decides to explore the grounds and the fence, which is strictly forbidden. When he arrives, he sees a boy named Shmuel who just happens the be the same age as Bruno. Although they don't understand why there is a fence between them, both of them have decided to be friends. As time goes by, Bruno and Shmuel get to know one another and Bruno has accepted the fact that he won't be going back to Berlin, which is okay because he has Shmuel. However, when Bruno's mother decides it's time to go back, Bruno must say goodbye, but not without one more adventure, which leads to tragedy.   

Critical Evaluation:
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a moving story of two young boys who are untouched by the evils of the world. Although Bruno is much more sheltered than Schmuel, Schmuel looks beyond the fact that his father is the camp Commandant and accepts Bruno for who he is. I think what Schmuel has a hard time understanding is Bruno's kindness because he hasn't seen that in a long time and the fact that a German would want to befriend a Jew. The most prevalent theme in this story is that ignorance doesn't always mean bliss. Bruno demands that people explain to him why he is on side of the fence and Schmuel is on the other side, but no one will. Bruno is literally untouched by the hate that walks in and out of his house daily that he couldn't fathom what was really going on in the camp. Is it possible that if someone actually told him why the Jews are behind fences, would it have changed the outcome? Maybe not because Bruno can't stand the soldiers, nor can he stand "The Fury."  Boyne does an amazing job conveying to readers how precious innocence is because Bruno can't even pronounce "Auschwitz" and "The Fuhrer" properly no matter how many times he is corrected. As for Schmuel, who is the opposite of Bruno, has seen the hate and it is slowly starting to show, especially when he tells Bruno he could never like his father because he is a soldier. Although the ending is totally unexpected, the culprits for this tragedy lies solely on the shoulders of the adults who refuse to love one another despite their differences. Although this story is unbelievably heart-wrenching, it's also a tale of friendship that will last for all time.

Information about the Author:
According to his website:

I was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1971, and studied English Literature at Trinity College, Dublin, and creative writing at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, where I was awarded the Curtis Brown prize.

My early writing consisted mostly of short stories and the first one I published, The Entertainments Jar, was shortlisted for the Hennessy Literary Award in Ireland. Many of my stories have appeared in magazines and anthologies.

I’ve published 8 novels for adults and four for younger readers, including The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas which was a New York Times no.1 Bestseller and was made into a Miramax feature film. It has sold more than 6 million copies worldwide.

My novels are published in 47 languages.

Genre:
Tween Historical Fiction, Tween War Stories

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 7 & up

Books Similar to The Boy in the Striped Pajamas:

• The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
• Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
  

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com

"Certain to be one of the publishing sensations of 2006." -The Observer (U.K.)

"A memorable and moving story." -The Oxford Times (U.K.)

"A small wonder of a book." -The Guardian (U.K.)

"A book so simple, so seemingly effortless, that it's almost perfect." -The Irish Independent"An extraordinary book." -The Irish Examiner

Plot Summary:
It's 1933, and Adolf Hitler has been appointed chancellor of the Third Reich. For Helmuth Guddat, he isn't sure how he feels about this man because he has made many promises to help Germany recover from the devastation of World War 1. Mutti (his mother) feels optimistic about it, but his Oma and Opa (his grandparents) feel differently, which leaves him conflicted. As time progresses, Helmuth starts to notice the subtle changes and it worries him. First of all, Mutti has started dating a man named Hugo, a Nazi. Secondly, Hugo replaces his mother's old radio with a government radio that is non-stop propaganda. Although these changes may seem minor, the economy is taking off and everyone has something to eat so things are getting better. Sadly, Helmuth witnesses the power and the horror of the Nazi party when the party started targeting Jewish businesses and the Jewish people. For Helmuth, he wants nothing to do with Nazis, but, when he is forced to join the Hitler Youth, he quickly learns that he has to keep his opinions to himself and tell his teacher, and leaders, what they want to hear. What was supposed to be an era of peace and prosperity, Hitler has declared war on Europe. For Helmuth, he has no idea what's going on other than what the government is telling him, which angers him. What makes him even angrier, is that Gerhard, his brother, has been drafted and he knows his brother can't stand the Nazis and is only doing it for his country. When Gerhard returns from boot camp with a short wave radio he bought of the Black Market, he asks Helmuth to not turn it on since there is a law banning citizens from listening to foreign program; it's against the law to listen to foreign news, but Helmuth is tired of the Nazis so he breaks his promise to Gerhard. Not only are the Nazis censoring news, and fabricating reports, the prosperity they once had is no longer where they are being forced to pay for war they didn't want. For Helmuth, the only way he is going to bring down the Nazis is to speak the truth, which is not only dangerous, but punishable by death.

Critical Evaluation:
Based on the true story of Helmuth Hubener, Susan Campbell Bartoletti crafts a beautiful tale about a life that was cut short for all of the wrong reasons. In this narrative, readers can already tell what kind of young man Helmuth was and that everything he did was for the greater good. Honestly, I have heard of the Hitler Youth, but I was totally unaware of this young man's courage and sacrifice. Adolph Hitler was a monster and the Nazi party carried out his atrocities without questioning him. Hitler managed to master the craft of indoctrination where he literally duped an entire nation with promises of peace and prosperity only to carry out his personal agenda and vendetta against the Jews. For Helmuth, his faith and his love for his brother is what gave him the courage to speak out against the Nazis because he and his fellow countrymen had a right to know what their government has been plotting and the ramifications of their decisions. I am humbled and amazed by the courage of Helmuth Hubener because he did the one thing that his elders could not do. What I appreciate the most about this story is that Bartoletti gave a voice to Helmuth's fear, hatred, and sadness before his execution. No on really knows what was going through his head before his death, but the author gave him the last word, which was awesome. Moreover, Bartoletti drives home the very notion that Helmuth's advantage is the fact that no one would suspect a minor to make all those pamphlets, but, in the end, his execution was a wake-up call for everyone: don't underestimate the will and the intelligence of a teenager who has something to say. Although Helmuth died so young, his sacrifice will outshine the darkness that plagues the German people (aka. Hitler). This is a very compelling tale that readers will have a difficult time putting down and inspire them to do further research. The author's note is amazing, which readers will want to read and there are pictures of Helmuth, his brothers, and best friends. 

Information about the Author:
 According to her website:

Although I have always loved to read, I had no idea I was going to be a writer when I grew up. In school, I liked art class best. In college, I filled my schedule with literature classes. I took a creative writing class where I wrote short stories and poetry for the first time. I interned as a journalist at a local newspaper. These experiences fueled a desire to write my own stories.

 But within days of graduation, I was offered a job teaching eighth-grade English, and I accepted. I never thought I’d stay, but I did. For the next eighteen years, I taught eighth grade.

When I left the classroom, I returned to school as a full-time doctoral student on a full fellowship. I earned a Ph.D. in English from Binghamton University (State University, New York), where I won the Excellence in Research award for my doctoral dissertation. I also hold an M.A. in English from the University of Scranton (Pennsylvania) and a B.A. in English/Secondary Education from Marywood University (Scranton, Pennsylvania). I live with my husband near Scranton, Pennsylvania. We have two grown children, three grandchildren, two dogs (Shih Tzus), and a seventeen-year-old cat.

I am often asked where I found the time to write, while teaching full-time and raising a family. My answer is this: We make the time to do the things we really want to do. Weekdays, I wrote in the early morning hours, from 4-7 am, while my children were sleeping, and longer on weekends.

Genre:
Tween War Stories, Tween Historical Fiction

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 7 & up

Books Similar to The Boy Who Dared:

• Daniel Half Human: and the Good Nazi by David Chotjewitz
• The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas: a Fable by John Boyne

Awards & Recognition:From Amazon.com:

• Starred Review from Booklist
• Positive Review from School Library Journal
• Positive Review from Publisher's Weekly
  

Plot Summary:
After returning from the war in Afghanistan, Travis is not happy about returning home. Not only does the civilian life terrify him, but he is haunted by the fact that his best friend, Charlie, was killed and he feels responsible. However, what should have been a time of recuperation and relaxation ended up being another battle he wasn't ready for. First of all, his brother, Ryan, not only took stole his girlfriend, Paige, he also has his car and his friends. In many ways, Ryan seems to take whatever Travis has because their father (a former NFL player) practically forced Travis to become a football play so he follow in his footsteps. However, all that attention turned to loathing because Travis had had enough and his father never forgave him. In fact, he joined the Marine Corps because he didn't want to go to college and he didn't want to be home either. Although his deployment was about him, he didn't realize the strain it put on their parents' marriage, which is why their are splitting up. His homecoming wasn't his idea (his commanding officer told him to take extra time to "get it together" after Charlie's death), this extra time off forces Travis to re-live the terrible memories and there are times where he actually sees Charlie wherever he goes. Travis didn't expect his return to be easy, he didn't count on Harper and her right hook. Travis' spirit may be broken, but, with a little patience, and a lot of love, he could actually find the right kind of "normal" he may need to heal and move on.

Critical Evaluation:
Trish Doller packs so much into this tiny book that I could not put this book down. This story is an amazing portrayal of the very issues that are plaguing young soldiers, especially when it comes to PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and loss. I think what breaks my heart is that when these soldiers return home, they are expected to re-integrate into civilian life without a hitch, but that is rarely the truth. Travis' mom does what she can to make his homecoming special, but Travis is plagued with so much guilt and shame that it only adds insult to injury. I think what this story points out is that these men and women don't feel like heroes after what they have been through and would prefer to be treated like everyone else. As for the reintegration aspect, it sounds a lot easier than it is because some return so broken that their nightmares become reality. For Travis, his PTSD, which we don't learn about to later in the story, is literally tearing him apart. He doesn't want to talk about his tour and that puts a huge strain on the relationships he previously had. Not to mention, his family is falling apart and his own betrayed him for pathetic reasons so no wonder his condition is exacerbated. However, Harper, the girl whose reputation he destroys, provides him with the distraction and the opportunity to let of the past and move on with the future. Although this is an unconventional love story, this is a story of many service men and women who not only put their lives on the line to protect our freedom, but caught be tween two worlds where "normal" takes on a whole new meaning.


Information about the Author:
According to her website:

I've been a writer as long as I've been able to write, but I didn't make a conscious decision to "be" a writer until fairly recently. For that you should probably be thankful.

I was born in Germany, grew up in Ohio, went to college at Ohio State University, got married to someone really excellent, bounced from Maine to Michigan and back to Ohio for awhile. Now I live in Florida with my two mostly grown kids, two dogs, and a pirate. For real.

I've worked as a morning radio personality, a newspaper reporter, and spent all my summers in college working at an amusement park. There I gained valuable life skills, including counting money really fast, directing traffic, jumping off a moving train, and making cheese-on-a-stick. Also, I can still welcome you to Frontier Town. Ask me sometime.​

Genre:
Teen War Stories, Teen Contemporary Fiction, Teen Romance

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Something Like Normal:

•  Falling Angels by Walter Dead Myers
• The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson
  

Awards & Recognition:

• Positive review from Kirkus
• Positive review from Publisher's Weekly
• Positive review from School Library Journal
• Positive review from Voice of Youth Advocates

Plot Summary:

Plot Summary:
The year is 2073 and Erik has finally made it to the island of Blessed to begin his investigation of the island; no one really knows the history of the island, other than rumors and stories. Erik has been hired to find out the truth, including the mysterious orchid knows as the the "Dracula Orchid," which is rumored to have immense healing powers and actually prolong life. When Merle and Tor introduced themselves to Erik, he has this nagging feeling that he has met Merle before, but how could when this is the first time he has been to blessed and the fact that he is unable to trace the connection using a program called OneDegree (based on the concept of Six Degrees of Separation). Although Erik is unable to use the devices and technological tools he needs to communicate, and research, he is grateful for the hospitality and company. After situating himself in a house the residents have provided him, Erik learns that Blessed is unlike any place he has ever been, including the unusual seasons where some days are covered in complete darkness or light and that everyone seems to be concerned about his research and well-being. From Erik's point of view, Blessed is a place of tranquility and beauty that is hard to not fall in love with, especially Merle. However, Erik notices that there are no children on the island and that Tor is starting to make him uneasy. Despite the fact that Tor is the Ward of Blessed, he seems to be everywhere and that concerns Erik. More importantly, the more time that Erik spends on Blessed, time starts to slip away then his luck changes when he makes it the other side of the island where inexplicable horror lies and the memories of previous lives come flooding back.  

Critical Evaluation:
Marcus Sedgwick is a literary genius. There is a reason why this book won the Printz award and that's because of the amazing storytelling. Midwinter Blood contains one plot where seven subplots take readers on an amazing journey starting from the future that works it way through the past. If one is not a believer in reincarnation, they will be one at the end of this story. To be honest, Sedgwick has literally thrown every literary genre into a tiny book that is exciting, frightening, captivating, and heart-breaking. This story revolves around two souls that are given the names of Erik and Merle. Although their physical entities and relationships differ in each story, the one constant is that they are always together. One theme that flows throughout the story is the various facets of love and loss. In every story, love is the culprit for a lot of the events that happened and it's comforting and disturbing at the same time. The story that touched me the most is the story of David and the family that saved him. Sedgwick has an amazing ability to portray the human condition, which is what makes the reader crave for more. Another dominant theme is sacrifice in the name of love. All of these stories have some sort of sacrifice whether it be body and soul. In David's story, he and Erik sacrifice so much to protect and honor the daughters they love and it's absolutely heart-wrenching because children need their parents and parents need their children. I can go on and on about this subject, but this book would be a great title for an inter-generational book club because teens and adults can discuss amongst one another the value of love, life, and sacrifice.

Information about the Author:
According to his website:

Marcus Sedgwick was born and raised in East Kent in the South-east of England. He now divides his time between a small village near Cambridge, England, and a remote house in the French Alps.

Alongside a 16 year career in publishing he established himself as a widely-admired writer of YA fiction; he is the winner of many prizes, most notably the Michael L. Printz Award for 2014, for his novel Midwinterblood.

His books have been shortlisted for over thirty other awards, including the Carnegie Medal (five times), the Edgar Allan Poe Award (twice) and the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize (four times). In 2011 Revolver was awarded a Printz Honor.

Marcus was Writer in Residence at Bath Spa University for three years, and teaches creative writing at the Arvon Foundation and Ty Newydd. He is currently working on film and other graphic novels with his brother, Julian, as well as a graphic novel with Thomas Taylor. He has judged numerous books awards, including the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize and the Costa Book Awards.

His first title for adults was published in March 2014 in the UK:-
A Love Like Blood. 

US publication will follow in early 2014.

Genre:
Teen Fantasy, Teen Romance, Teen Mysteries, Teen Horror


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Midwinter Blood:

• More Than This by Patrick Ness
• Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
• Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

Awards & Recognition:

• 2014 Printz Winner

From Amazon.com:

Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, December 17th 2012 issue:
"...a story that’s simultaneously romantic, tragic, horrifying, and transcendental is more than enough to hold readers’ attention, no matter their age." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

Starred Review, Booklist, December 1st 2012 issue:
"Part love story, part mystery, part horror, this is as much about the twisting hand of fate as it is about the mutability of folk tales. Its strange spell will capture you." - Booklist, starred review

Starred Review, Kirkus, December 1st 2012 issue:
"The Time Traveler’s Wife meets Lost in this chilling exploration of love and memory . . . Haunting, sophisticated and ultimately exquisite. " -- Kirkus, starred review

Starred Review, BCCB, February 2013 issue:
"Sedgwick’s prose is unadorned yet melancholic. . ." -- BCCB, starred review

Starred Review, The Horn Book, March/April 2013 issue:
"Sedgwick’s prose is taut, careful, and chilling." -- The Horn Book, starred review

"Reminiscent of David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas . . . stark, suspenseful writing." -- School Library Journal