Kazumi Reads

Plot Summary:
The Allies have lost the war and Hitler and Hirohito rules Europe and Asia. When Yael and her mother stepped off that horrid train car, Yael was selected by the Angel of Death to undergo horrible experiments for the Aryan empire. Fast forward to the present, Yael is no longer the scared little girl but a fighter who can not only change her face in the blink of the night, but she is the final hope for the Resistance to bring Hitler down once and for all. The million dollar question is: how will she able to carry out her mission as Hitler is untouchable? The answer: assuming Adele Wolfe's identity and compete in the Axis Motorcycle Tournament where she will ride across the continent to travel to the castle of the Emperor and meet Hitler. The only problem with this plan is not only does Yael have to assume Adele's identity, she has to outwit Adele's twin brother, Felix, and rival, Luka. What Yael doesn't realize is that there is quite a bit of information that are not in Henrikah's files and Yael must improvise or get caught. For Yael, failure is not an option and she will do whatever is necessary to complete her mission. 

Critical Evaluation:
WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW! This is such an amazing story that I couldn't put it down! What makes this story unforgettable is that it tackles the question: what if Europe and the US lost WWII. As awful as it sounds, the hope for this world rests on the shoulders of a young woman who suffered so much at the hands of the Nazis. Along with his extreme hatred for the Jews, Hitler was obsessed with the perfection of the Aryan race, which resulted in unethical human experimentation. I thought it was brilliant of the author to use skin shifting as the result of the experimenting because it became an asset that only Yael could possess. In other words, Graudin turned the evil that was Hitler into something strong and brave--Yael. Along with Yael, Luka and Felix have a tremendous effect on her as they reveal intimate details about Adele, which not only reveals Adele's character, but it also forces Yael to re-evaluate who she is and what she wants. The ending will send readers over the edge and craving for the next installment.

Information about the Author:
According to the author's website:

I was born and raised by the sea in Charleston, South Carolina. I grew up on a steady diet of fairytales, salt-marshes, music and brothers who would reenact Redwall battles with me in the backyard. I went to an artsy sort of high school that allowed cello recitals in the hallways and impromptu poetry slams in the cafeteria. It was there I decided that writing was what I wanted to do more than anything.

So I wrote. I went to the College of Charleston and graduated in 2009 with a degree in Creative Writing. I met the love of my life and got married at 21. We started traveling the world together and never really stopped. We’ve taught English in South Korea, farmed in New Zealand, hiked through Peru, spied on lions in Kenya. Country number 20 is next on the docket.  

I still live close to the sea, with my husband and my wolf-dog. We try to grow gardens, but haven’t had much success. Sometimes I get bored and color my hair or pierce my nose. One day I’ll be brave enough to commit to a tattoo.

Genre:
 Teen Dystopian Thrillers, Teen Historical Fiction

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Wolf by Wolf:

• The Diviners by Libba Bray
• Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
• Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Septys

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com

An Amazon Best Book of the Year

"Wild and gorgeous, vivid and consuming. I loved it! I can't wait for the sequel."―Laini Taylor, New York Times bestselling author of the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy

"A haunting portrayal of one girl's courage in the face of a vicious world. I was racing along with Yael until the book's heart-pounding conclusion. A triumph."―Megan Shepherd, author of The Madman's Daughter

"Ryan Graudin opens one of the darkest chapters in history and spins a what if into an incredible tale of survival, identity, and purpose. This is the kind of book you can't put down, and the kind that follows you long after you have. It is, quite simply, a masterpiece."―Victoria Schwab, author of The Archived series 

"The rush of an action movie combined with a flawlessly executed history, this is the book I've been waiting for. I loved WOLF BY WOLF, and I'm not speaking to my friends till they've read and loved it too."
―Jackson Pearce, author of Sisters Red and Tsarina

Plot Summary:
In the midst of WWI, Mary Shelley is on the run from the Spanish Influenza Epidemic while her father has been imprisoned for treason for helping young men dodge the draft. After making her way to San Diego, Mary must start all over knowing that her father, or Stephen (her best friend and first love), may never come back home. Named after the great author, Mary Shelley, Mary, just like her mother, has a fascination with inventions, science, and electricity, which most people find a strange except for Stephen. When Stephen's family moved to San Diego, Stephen and Mary would write letters to one another and, when Aunt Eva moved to San Diego, Mary was thrilled because she finally had a way to see Stephen. However, when Mary arrived, she saw that Julius (Stephen's troubled brother) has transformed the family's honest photography business into a business of deception and thievery. What's worse is that Mary has no idea that Stephen enlisted in the Army and will be shipping off to the very war she, and her father, despise. After the incident in the parlor that left a permanent rift between the brothers, Mary must to Stephen's home to pick package from Stephen. Sadly, the home that she admired so much was crawling with grieving families who are waiting to see their dearly departed loved ones. With the passing of Uncle Wilfred, Aunt Eva has become obsessed with Julius' work and doesn't allow Mary to say one bad thing about him. However, Mary's world is shattered when tragedy strikes and the only way she is going to cope with it is to find some sense of normalcy. The only catch is: what is normal when you can see, and speak, to the dead.         

Critical Evaluation:
It was very, very hard to not give the whole plot away in my summary because there is so much going on, but in an awesome and mysterious way. Mary Shelly is misfit who, like Dr. Frankenstein, has a fascination for everything scientific. What makes Mary Shelly a great main character is that she is an exceptionally bright young lady who, beneath the oddities she explores, is just like any other teenage girl. When I first read this story, I was dreading the romance, but this is definitely not a love story, but a story about love. Mary, who is struggling with the loss of her father, amidst a senseless war, is trying her best to make sense of the mess that she is living in. Her guardian, Aunt Eva, who is only ten years older than Mary, is also struggling with issues where her obsession, and fear of the flu, are driving her to the point of insanity. What I appreciate the most about this book is that the women in this story are undeniably strong and are true survivors. It was such a breath of fresh air to witness a young girl stand up for her beliefs and was willing to risk hell and high water to find the truth. Although I was put off by her attempt to electrocute herself (after finding out about Stephen and her father), the Winters had a reason behind this action because it was her momentary "death" that has allowed her to step in between the realm of the living and the dead. More importantly, has she not done this crazy thing, who knows what would have happened if she didn't. In the Shadow of the Blackbirds is a memorizing tale of a courageous girl who is deperately trying to fight for the ones she loves. Furthermore, it's a hunting portrayal of our own world that could easily repeat itself and let's hope that it will never happen again.

Information about the Author:
According to her website: 

Cat Winters was born and raised in Southern California, near Disneyland, which may explain her love of haunted mansions, bygone eras, and fantasylands. She received degrees in drama and English from the University of California, Irvine, and formerly worked in publishing.

Her critically acclaimed debut novel, In the Shadow of Blackbirds, was named a 2014 Morris Award Finalist, a 2014 Best Fiction for Young Adults pick, a 2013 Bram Stoker Award Nominee, and a School Library Journal Best Book of 2013. Her upcoming books include The Cure for Dreaming (Amulet Books/Fall 2014) and The Uninvited (William Morrow/Publication date TBA), and she's a contributor to the 2015 YA horror anthology Slasher Girls & Monster Boys.

Cat lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two kids.

Genre:
Teen Historical Fiction, Teen Horror

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to In the Shadow of the Blackbirds:

• The Diviners by Libba Bray
• Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
  

Awards & Recognition:

• 2014 William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist
• School Library Journal Best Books of 2013
• YALSA's 2014 Best Fiction for Young Adults
• 2013 Bram Stoker Award Nominee for Superior Achievement in Young Adult Fiction
• Booklist's 2013 Top Ten Horror Fiction for Youth
• Booklist's 2013 Top Ten First Novels for Youth
• Nominated for the ACL of Northern California's 2013 Distinguished Book List
• Starred reviews, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, School Library Journal
• Highlighted review, VOYA Magazine

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:
In order to escape the streets, Perry has signed up to fight the war in Vietnam. Although he has aspirations of making something of himself, he knows staying home won't get him anywhere. After landing in Vietnam, Perry meets a cast of characters who have their own reasons, and issues, as to why they volunteered. For instance, Pee Wee. For the lack of a better description, Pee Wee is nuts. Like Perry, Pee Wee is from the Projects who hung out with the wrong crowd. In fact, Pee Wee inadvertently signed up for the Army because his buddy wanted to join, but was turned down because he was "rowdy." Jenkins, another newbie, is scared out of his mind and didn't take to Pee Wee's antics when it came to fighting. After orientation, Perry and company were called into the field and the fear that Perry had been trying to keep at bay was slowly taking over. For Pee Wee, this should have been a moment of elation, but Perry knew better that Pee Wee was all talk because he could also see the fear in Pee Wee's eyes. When they landed in Chu Lai, Perry, Pee Wee, and Jenkins were assigned to Alpha unit where they meet Johnson (a rather large and intimidating Southerner), Lobel (a movie buff), and Brunner (a suck-up). Although the reality of war has yet to set in, an accident occurs that conveys to these young men that war is very real and very scary. Although these young men have very little in common, the quickly learn to put their differences aside when they are sent to the front line. In fact, all Perry can think of is getting out Vietnam and relocating to Hawaii where he would enroll in the University of Hawaii. Unfortunately, that dream will have to wait because all he can think about is staying alive. The more action Perry and his fellow soldiers see, they more they realize that war is nothing like the movies they watch. In fact, they start wondering why Alpha group (an all-Black unit) is always the one sent in first. In this horrifying account of war, a group of men are forced to grow up and fight a war that eventually loses its meaning and the loss of life is catastrophic. To this day, the Vietnam War is one of the darkest moments in American history. 

Critical Evaluation:
Walter Dean Myers is one of those author's who knows how to get in the reader's head and force them to adsorb every word that is on the page. Most people don't know this about me, but I am a huge war movie fan and this story is written so well that I can visualize every detail. I cannot begin to imagine what these soldiers saw and it is absolutely heart-breaking. Perry wanted nothing more then to escape the streets and they only way he could do is to enlist. As a young, Black male, Perry's options were limited and it's almost the only way (at the time) he could progress, and get an education, is to join the Army. Granted, he is not the only one to join the service under these circumstances, it is still really hard to believe that these brave young men, who put their lives on the line, would come home to the same ignorance, hatred, and utter disrespect that they have grown up with. For example, with WWII, Black came home to Jim Crow Laws and Japanese Americans came home with no homes and deep resentment. These minority units (Tuskegee and 442nd) were the most highly decorated units, yet, all the could do was work as janitors and mechanics. As Vietnam escalated, the American people became angry. Some may not know this fact, but the reason why soldiers were given the awful label of "baby killers" is because Vietnam was the first war to have real live footage aired to the American people, the American Press was aloud onto air bases, and some reporters were implanted. Unfortunately, since most of the news was skewed (i.e., ratings and editing) , it shouldn't be surprising that people would overreact they way they did and that is why books like Fallen Angels are absolutely essential in providing real insight into the mind of a soldier. Since Perry volunteered for the service, readers needed to understand that the Draft was used for this war and a lot of young men, who weren't meant for war, were killed on the field. To this day, Vietnam veterans continue to suffer from the effects of the war and some don't even want to talk about their experience because of the horror they witnessed. I was in tears when I finished this story, but, despite the ordeal these young men went through, I am thankful for their sacrifice and service.     

Information about the Author:
According to his website:

I was born on a Thursday, the 12th of August, 1937, in Martinsburg, West Virginia. My name at birth was Walter Milton Myers. For some strange reason I was given to a man named Herbert Dean who lived in Harlem. I consider it strange because I don't know why I was given away.

I was raised in Harlem by Herbert and his wife, Florence. Herbert was African American. Florence was German and Native American and wonderful and loved me very much.
As a child my life centered around the neighborhood and the church. The neighborhood protected me and the church guided me. I resisted as much as I could.

I was smart (all kids are smart) but didn't do that well in school.

I dropped out of high school (although now Stuyvesant High claims me as a graduate) and joined the army on my 17th birthday.

Basketball has always been a passion of mine. Sometimes at night I lie in bed thinking about games I've played. Sometimes I think about what would have happened if I had gone into the NBA (I was never good enough) or college ball.

Anyway.... I wrote well in high school and a teacher (bless her!) recognized this and also knew I was going to drop out. She advised me to keep on writing no matter what happened to me.
"It's what you do," she said.

I didn't know exactly what that meant but, years later, working on a construction job in New York, I remembered her words. I began writing at night and eventually began writing about the most difficult period of my own life, the teen years. That's what I do.

Genre:
Teen Military Fiction, Teen Historical Fiction, Teen Lit for Guys


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Fallen Angels:

• Search and Destroy by Dean Hughes
• Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com:

"A coming of age tale for young adults set in the trenches of the Vietnam War in the late 1960s, Fallen Angels is the story of Perry, a Harlem teenager who volunteers for the service when his dream of attending college falls through. Sent to the front lines, Perry and his platoon come face-to-face with the Vietcong and the real horror of warfare. But violence and death aren't the only hardships. As Perry struggles to find virtue in himself and his comrades, he questions why black troops are given the most dangerous assignments, and why the U.S. is there at all. Fallen Angels won the 1989 Coretta Scott King Award." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

. . . as thought provoking as it is entertaining, touching and, on occasion, humorous. -- The New York Times Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. 

Plot Summary:
Taro lives in a small village near Shimahara Bay in the Kanto Province of Japan and he dreams that one day he will become a samurai.When he was younger, he rescued his best friend, Hiro, from a shark attack and his parents took Hiro in. Even at a young age, Taro has all of the qualities of a good warrior, strong and true. Although he spends most of his time hunting in the forest, life for Taro is pretty quiet. However, his father had fallen very ill and he knows the inevitable is bound to happen. One night, Taro and his mother, heard a noise in their home to find that Taro's father has been assassinated by ninja. Not knowing what's going on, or what to do, Taro foolishly tries to take revenge and fight until he is stopped by another ninja named Shusaku. What Taro doesn't realize is that Shusaku is more than a ninja--he is a Kyuuketsuki--a vampire. Furthermore, this ninja vampire's weapon bears the same symbol as Taro's bow (three hollylock leaves in a circle). In order to flee the assassins, Shusaku makes a hasty decision and Taro is changed forever. According to the ninja traitor/assassin, someone paid Shusaku good money to kill Taro, but Taro has no idea why anyone would want to kill him. What he doesn't realize is that this order comes from Lord Oda Nobunaga, the Shogun's most powerful daimiyo besides Lord Ieyasu Tokugawa. When Taro reaches Shusaku's clan, the secrets behind his existence are slowly revealed and his dream of becoming a samurai is shattered.However, Taro embarks on an adventure that will not only make him a ninja, but the most powerful being in the land.

Critical Evaluation:
Blood Ninja is the epitome of an epic tale where readers will not only love the richness of the back story, but he or she invest their time, energy, and hope in all of the characters. Nick Lake has definitely done his research, which not educates the readers, but allows those who are familiar with Japanese history to get excited. I grew up on samurai flicks where all of this is totally familiar, not to mention, my favorite anime series (Ruroni Kenshin) takes place in the same time period. Lake not only weaves true events into this tale, but the idea of ninja as vampires is pretty ingenious. The idea of ninja has always been shrouded by mystery and, for those who have done their research, know that these beings are incredibly powerful, but their secrets very well hiddne. Granted, I don't any Ninja, personally, I could easily see how the traits of a vampire are very similar to these warriors. Along with the historical background, the characters in this story are so beautifully STRONG! I have to give credit where its due because none of the females, in this story, are just as formidable as the male. Hana, Heiko, Yukiko, the Abess, the Ame, and, even Lady Tokugawa (lasting for as long as she did) are given the opportunity to show their strengths, which, for me, is such a huge breath of fresh air. Moreover, since this book is definitely meant for the reluctant male reader, Lake provides them with a story where the stereotypical gender roles have no place in this world, especially when vampires are for hire. Blood Ninja is action packed adventure where one boy's life takes a rather interesting turn that will either make or break him.                   

Information about the Author:
According to Simon and Schuster, Nick Lake was born on August 21 and is the current Children's Book Editor for Harper UK. He attended high school in Luxemburg and went to college in Oxford, England where he earned his degree in Phonetics. Here are a list of unique questions that he has answered in regards to his life, work, and dreams:

Q. How would you describe your life in only 8 words?

A. I would use the word "busy" eight times.

Q. How would you describe perfect happiness?

A. A fire, a good chair and a new Stephen King book. Or the moment the soundchecks finish and the band take to the stage. Or sunset on the mountains, with weary feet, and the lights of a pub ahead. Or the sound of a breakbeat. Or a very sweet tea, anywhere in the middle east, at any time of day.

Q. What’s your greatest fear?

A. Not being good.

Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?

A. The main square in Esfehan, Iran, with the aforementioned glass of tea.

Q. With whom in history do you most identify?

A. Er... someone who was a writer and an editor? I don't know. I don't think I identify with anyone.

Q. Which living person do you most admire?

A. Haruki Murakami. Stephen King. Anyone who works for Medecins sans Frontieres or Amnesty International.

Q. What are your most overused words or phrases?

A. "Apparently".

Q. If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?

A. The abillity to play a musical instrument well. Also, the ability to speak all languages fluently.

Q. What is your greatest achievement?

A. Meeting my wife.

Q. If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?

A. I wouldn't mind being Simon Cowell. I could make the X-factor go away. Not to mention R&B flavoured pop music.

Q. What trait is most noticeable about you?

A. I have no idea. My hair? It's usually quite big, because I keep forgetting to have it cut. I look like the freakish son of Tom Hanks and David Hasselhoff.

Q. Who is your favorite fictional hero?

A. Sally Lockhart.

Q. Who is your favorite fictional villain?

A. Steerpike. (Also hero.)

Q. If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?

A. I'd like to meet Shakespeare and I'd ask him how to write better.

Genre:
Teen Thrillers, Teen Historical Fiction, Teen Fantasy


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Books Similar to Blood Ninja:

• Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson
• I am Number 4 by Pitticus Lore

Awards & Recognition: 

Review Quotes:

“The night has a new hero.”—Darren Shan, author of the Cirque Du Freak series

“A fast-paced, gripping book about ninjas. It’s all I ask for, really.”—Conn Iggulden, coauthor of The Dangerous Book for Boys

“An elegantly thrilling and action-packed tale of honor, duty, and desetiny.”—Derek Land, author of Skulduggery Pleasant

“Deftly blends sixteenth-century Japanese samurai history with vampire mythology to concoct a gory and fast-paced adventure that will grab readers...the cliff-hanger ending will leave readers clamoring for a sequel.”—Booklist

“Lake uses the story's familiar elements skillfully, combining them into an imaginative and original whole. And, really, with vampire ninjas, how can you lose?”—Publishers Weekly

“Those who enjoy Far Eastern-tinged quest stories—with a dash of vampires and ninjas for flavor—will find much to enjoy here.”—VOYA
 
From Amazon.com

Plot Summary:
After his parents moved him across the country, Ben has to get used to a new school, make new friends, and become a big brother to the newest addition to the Tomlin--  a baby chimp. Ben is not at all excited about his parents latest research project, which is teach language to this chimp. The moment his mom brought the baby home, he wanted absolutely nothing to with him because he had bigger problems to worry about--getting into an elite prep school, making new friends, and dating the cutest girl he has ever met. As time goes by, Ben's reluctance to be with the chimp wanes and when he names the baby, Zan (after Tarzan), all of his hesitation and heart melts. Ben has become to center of Zan's world and the closer they get, the more the Chimp progresses. In fact, the experiment goes so well that he and his family end up in People Magazine and the become the town celebrities. Life couldn't get any better for Ben because he befriends the children of the University Dean and his social profile is solid and he is good friends with the TA that is hired to help with Zan's education. However, things take a turn for the worse when the University, and critics, start questioning the validity of the experiment that leads to a treacherous journey for both Zan and Ben.


Critical Evaluation:
 Half Brother is an incredibly compelling story about a relationship between an animal and human. At the time of this story, the works of Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey were blossoming as well as the issue of animal testing in the 1970's. Moreover, this story is also about the pursuit of scientific knowledge and what its limitations are. Amidst this historic significance, is a story about a teenager who is just trying to find his place in the world. Despite being uprooted from his home, Ben has to start all over again and that is not easy. Another issue is having is living up to his father's expectations, which lands him in a school that is way above his abilities. The thing is that Ben is a normal teen who wants to live a normal life and have a normal family. Unfortunately, Ben is the child of two brilliant scientists who are embarking on a scientific feat, which is teach language to a primate. Although chimps are able to grasp the American Sign Language (thanks to the work of Allen and Beatrix Gardner), the Tomlin's want to take this concept farther which requires them to integrate this baby into human life. I can completely understand Ben's hesitance because it's not normal to integrate a wild animal into human family. Not only is it confusing for the baby, it's difficult for the family especially when the animal tendencies come out (i.e., Zan biting off another TA's finger and fits). Although the goal of this experiment is noble (to bridge the gap between humans and primates) it is also cruel (Zan's learning chair). Ben cannot help fall in love with Zan because Zan is a part of him, which makes it hard when the University threatens to close down the project. Moreover, the more he learns about the controversy of animal testing, Ben panics and does something so incredibly dumb, but admirable, readers cannot help but cheer him on. This is a beautiful story between to beings who have nothing but unconditional love and trust between each other.

Information about the Author:
In his website:

I was born in Port Alberni, a mill town on Vancouver Island, British Columbia but spent the bulk of my childhood in Victoria, B.C. and on the opposite coast, in Halifax, Nova Scotia...At around twelve I decided I wanted to be a writer (this came after deciding I wanted to be a scientist, and then an architect). I started out writing sci-fi epics (my Star Wars phase) then went on to swords and sorcery tales (my Dungeons and Dragons phase) and then, during the summer holiday when I was fourteen, started on a humorous story about a boy addicted to video games (written, of course, during my video game phase). It turned out to be quite a long story, really a short novel, and I rewrote it the next summer. We had a family friend who knew Roald Dahl - one of my favourite authors - and this friend offered to show Dahl my story. I was paralysed with excitement. I never heard back from Roald Dahl directly, but he read my story, and liked it enough to pass on to his own literary agent. I got a letter from them, saying they wanted to take me on, and try to sell my story. And they did.

Oppel wrote his first novel, Colin's Fantastic Video Adventure, in 1985, and received his BA from the University of Toronto. While in school he wrote his second novel, The Live-Forever Machine, and when he graduated he got married and went to Oxford, England where his wife was getting her doctoral in Shakespearean studies. He has three children and currently live in Canada. Half Brother has won the Canadian Children's Library Association Award as well as the Young Adult Book Award.


Genre:
Teen Historical Fiction

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 8 &up

Books Similar to Half Brother:

• Music of Dolphins by Karen Hesse
• Million Shades of Grey by Cynthia Kadohata

 Awards & Recognition:

• Canadian Children's Library Association Winner
• Canadian Young Adult Award Winner
• Starred Review School Library Journal (9/1/2010)
  

Plot Summary:
Rose sees, and lives, in black. After losing her best friend, she believes she will never fit in or make friends. Not only has her world turned upside down, she lives in a neighborhood where the Soviets and the Americans are incredibly suspicious of one another. According to Rose, the Cold War hasn't ended in the Bronx, especially when one can notice who is a KGB agent and who is CIA. However, one night, Yrena, her Soviet neighbor knocks on her window and invites herself in. Little does Rose know, that in just one night Yrena would become her best friends for life despite their political differences. In fact, they are both accomplished dancers who have two very different point of views about their talent. As Rose, Yrena, Maurice, Calisto, Caitlin, and Caleb come together to show their Russian friend what Americans do they learn that she will be returning to the Soviet Union in a matter of days.

Critical Evaluation:
Rose Sees Red is a touching tale of two young women who became the best of friends in one night. Castellucci provides readers with an intelligent story that not only breaks down the silliness of political ideology, but provides us with an amazing example of what being human is all about. In this story, six teenagers put aside their political affiliations and enjoy each other by sharing their passions, opinions, and cultures. This story is set in a tumultuous time where neighbors could not even trust one another because they feared the consequences from the government. Readers will definitely feel the power of love and kinship between these characters as they roam the New York City showing Yrena the wonders it holds. Moreover, readers will walk away with an important lesson about people and that no matter who we are, where we come from, or what/who we believe in, we all shed the same blood and and want to live freely and in in peace.

Information about the Author:
Cecil Castellucci has one heck of an impressive CV. Not only does she write young adult novels, she writes graphic novels, children's short stories, librettos for famous operas, a scholar, a fellow, a performer, an actor, a playwright, and the occasional singer. In other words, she is a "Jill of Many Trades." According to her website, Cecil: " was the recent recipient of a Macdowell Fellowship where she completed a new novel The Year of the Beasts due out in 2012." Along with her writing achievements, she also spends a lot of time sharing, and practicing, her craft as well adventuring out into other art forms:

"[Cecil] has participated in the Lincoln Center Directors Lab West and the Banff Centre for the Arts “Writing with Style” program and had both writing and directing assistantships at the Taper. Cecil was a founding member of the Alpha 60 film club. Alpha 60 was a club dedicated to discovering narrative voice and encouraging creative endeavors in film. Other activities included field producer on MTV’s Big Urban Myth Show and Director of Recreating Radio at the Museum of Television and Radio (now known as the Paley Center). In 2006 she wrote and directed her first feature film “Happy Is Not Hard To Be.”  It debuted in Los Angeles at the Alternative Screen series at the Egyptian Theatre" (para. 8).

Among all these activities, she runs a literary series in Los Angeles at Skylight Books called "The Lit Thing."

Genre:
Teen Historical Fiction


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Books Similar to Rose Sees Red:

• Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn
  

Awards & Recognition:

• Positive reviews from VOYA, School Library Journal, Kirkus, Booklist, and Publisher's Weekly

Plot Summary:
Ned Begay has not always be known as Ned. In fact, his name, in Navajo, has always been Kii Yazhi until he was shipped off to the mission to be educated by the White Man. Not only did he learn English, he was told it was wrong to be Navajo and was given the name of Ned Begay, his hair cut, and clothes taken away. Although he felt empty and naked, he made a promise to himself that he would never forget his native language even if the White Man tried to beat it out of him. Not only did Ned excel in school, he actually went off  high school by working hard and keeping his mouth shut. He loved to read and he loved to speak Navajo with his friends, away from his teachers, and everything was going quite well until Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. At the age of sixteen, Ned joined the US Marines and is assigned a top secret assignment--he became one of the first Navajo Code Talkers who would not only decipher American messages during battle, but send messages in the line of duty in Navajo. All his life he thought the Navajo would continued to be ignored; however, with the country at war, the Navajo are the nation's most treasured asset.

Critical Evaluation:
Told as a memoir, Ben Negay is telling his grandchildren about his time as a US Marine Code Talker. Although Ben may be addressing his own grandchildren, readers will believe that he is actually speaking to anyone who wants to hear about his story. Not only is this story personal, it incredibly moving where readers are enveloped in the story. Moreover, when Ben talks about his time in the Pacific, the battle scenes are so well written that all we can imagine what it is like fighting of bullets and bombs while running in the boiling jungle. Another amazing aspect of this story is the relationships that Ben establishes, especially with those who are assigned as his security force; soldiers were actually give orders to protect the Navajo code talkers not only from the enemy but from friendly fire (one code talker was shot by a friendly because he looked Japanese). One detail that readers will also experience is how difficult waiting is during war time. Ben makes it very clear that this is the hardest thing he had ever have to go through and, teenagers being teenagers, patience is not one of their virtues.

Information about the Author:
For Joseph Bruchac, he knows the value of "Home Sweet Home." In fact, he currently lives in the same house his grandparents raised him in the Adirondack mountain foothills town of Greenfield Center, New York. Although he may not be a full-blooded Native American, the part that became his passion. According to his website, Bruchac has an amazing educational background and a wealth of experience in this field as well: "[Bruchac] holds a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. in Literature and Creative Writing from Syracuse and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the Union Institute of Ohio. His work as a educator includes eight years of directing a college program for Skidmore College inside a maximum security prison. With his wife, Carol, he is the founder and Co-Director of the Greenfield Review Literary Center and The Greenfield Review Press" (para. 2). Bruchac has written so much that, currently, he has managed to edit a great number of poetry anthologies, authored more than seventy adult and children's books,received recognition from well known endowments and fellowships. For example, "[h]is honors include a Rockefeller Humanities fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Writing Fellowship for Poetry, the Cherokee Nation Prose Award, the Knickerbocker Award, the Hope S. Dean Award for Notable Achievement in Children's Literature and both the 1998 Writer of the Year Award and the 1998 Storyteller of the Year Award from the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. In 1999, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas" (para.3). Not only is he well-known for his remarkable Native American stories, he is a critically acclaimed storyteller who goes around the country telling his stories.

Genre:
Teen Historical Fiction


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Books Similar to Code Talker:

• Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Meyers
• B is For Buster by Iain Lawerence

Awards & Recognition: 

• ALA Notable Children's Books: 2006
• Arizona: Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominees: 2008
• Best Fiction for Young Adults: 2006
• Georgia: Georgia Peach Award Nominees: 2007
• Illinois: Rebecca Caudill Award Nominees: 2008
• Kentucky: Bluegrass Award Nominees: 2007
• Maryland: Black-eyed Susan Award Nominees: 2007
• Minnesota: Maud Hart Lovelace Award Nominees: 2008
• Oklahoma: Sequoyah Award Nominees: 2008
• Virginia: Readers' Choice Award Nominees: 2008
• West Virginia: Children's Book Award Nominees: 2008