Kazumi Reads

The story of Lemony Snicket begins in the Hemlock Tearoom and the Stationary Shop. While waiting for his train, with his parents, he recieved a note from his new chaperone. After recieving her note, Snicket climbed through a window and into into her roadster. After a three minute battle of semantics and a tea cup fill of laudanum, Snicket learned her name: S. Theodora Markson. Just when he thought he was making progress with this formidable woman, things become more complicated because she knows things that no one else would know. Although Snicket believes he is traveling to a location outside the city, he finds himself in a place time has forgotten: Stain'd by the Sea. When one thinks of the sea, he or she would think of a large body of water, sand, birds, and people, but neither are there. In fact, all there is ground up rocks, shells, a forest of seaweed, and a ghost town. After being told to put on a mask to help him breathe under water, he learns that this place used to be a busy place that thrived on its largest and greatest export: ink. Unfortunately, the ink is an endangered resource that requires a drill in the shape of a ink pen to collect ink from the giant squids that leave beneath the surface. As Snicket digests all of this information, he learns that his mission is to assist Theodora recover a stolen item called the Bombinating Beast. Apparently, this creature is a legend in these parts that was conquered by Lady Mallahan, whose family maybe responsible for the theft. The problem is that the statue is not at all extraordinary and nor is it valuable. When Snicket meets Moxie Mallahan, she leads him right to he statue, which had been collecting dust in the attic of the Mallahan light house. The mystery is that the person who hired Theodora and Snicket is Mrs. Sallis, whose family had been friends/foes of the Mallahans. Not sure what to believe, Snicket and Moxie join forces to figure out the truth behind this statue and why that every single adult in this town is complete weirdo especially S. Theodra Markson. Just when things could not get anymore complicated, Snicket volunteers to help Ellington Feint find her father who could also be involved with the disappearance an reappearance of the Bombinating Beast. Oh no Toto, we are definitely no longer in Kansas any more...

Critical Evaluation:
All I can say is the Lemony Snicket has done it again! In this tipsy turvey mystery is a young sleuth who embarks on his first solo mission. Despite the fact he has chaperone she is useless and quite the character. Granted, she is not very good, he lack of knowledge, she is the only adult to express any concern for the young man. In many ways, she reminds me of Aunt Josephene, a character Snicket fans are quite familia with. However, the rest of the adults are clueless and absent, which conveys that they have a hard time seeing the bigger picture. As for the other characters, Moxie is just adorable because she really is the record keeper in this story. Lemony is the classic sleuth who isn't afraid to make a move, but he wouldn't be as successful without his sidekick. As for the second plot twist, Ellington's story is a great segue way into a sequel, which readers will be craving. The humor is spot on an I just love that Snicket takes time to introduce large words to no express his true feelings, but allow readers to build their vocabulary. All in all, this is a fun story that will become an amazing series, but, beware, readers with not be able to put them down!

Information about the Author:
According to his website:

Lemony Snicket was born before you were, and is likely to die before you as well. His family has roots in a part of the country which is now underwater, and his childhood was spent in the relative splendor of the Snicket Villa which has since become a factory, a fortress and a pharmacy and is now, alas, someone else's villa. To the untrained eye, Mr. Snicket's hometown would not appear to be filled with secrets. Untrained eyes have been wrong before.

The aftermath of the scandal was swift, brutal and inaccurately reported in the periodicals of the day. It is true, however, that Mr. Snicket was stripped of several awards by the reigning authorities, including Honorable Mention, the Grey Ribbon and First Runner Up. The High Council reached a convenient if questionable verdict and Mr. Snicket found himself in exile.

Though his formal training was chiefly in rhetorical analysis, he has spent the last several eras researching the travails of the Baudelaire orphans. This project, being published serially by HarperCollins, takes him to the scenes of numerous crimes, often during the offseason. Eternally pursued and insatiably inquisitive, a hermit and a nomad, Mr. Snicket wishes you nothing but the best.

Genre:
Tween Mysteries


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 4 & up

Books Similar to Who Could That Be at This Hour?

• The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
• Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliet
• A House Called Awful End by Phillip Ardagh

Awards & Recognition:

From  Amazon.com:
 "[With] gothic wackiness, linguistic play and literary allusions....Fans of the Series of Unfortunate Events will be in heaven picking out tidbit references to the tridecalogy, but readers who've yet to delve into that well of sadness will have no problem enjoying this weird and witty yarn." (Kirkus Reviews, starred review )

"Full of Snicket's trademark droll humor and maddeningly open-ended, this will have readers clamoring for volume two." (Publishers Weekly, starred review )

 "Full of Snicket's characteristic wit and word play . . . this book belongs in all collections."
(VOYA, starred review )

"Please, it's Lemony Snicket. Enough said." (Booklist )

"A Pink Panther-esque page turner that marks the return of eccentric narrator Lemony Snicket....The black, gray and blue illustrations by celebrated cartoonist Seth only add to the throwback gumshoe vibe of this outrageous, long-overdue, middle-grade follow-up series from a truly beloved narrator." (Los Angeles Times )

"Demands to be read twice: once for the laughs and the second time for the clues....Equal parts wit and absurdity." (The Boston Globe )

"The sort of goodie savored by brainy kids who love wordplay, puzzles and plots that zing from point A to B by way of the whole alphabet." (The Washington Post )

Plot Summary:
This story is about Claire. After being given the assignment of "Birthmother," Claire became a vessel for the good of the community; girls, ages 13-14, are inseminated and are essential parts of the society since the give birth to future generations. After nine months of not knowing what to expect, Claire goes into labor and is forced to have a Cesarian section. When all is done, Claire is wondering if every birth mother has this kind of procedure. According to other girls, this is not the norm. Not knowing what to think, Claire is reassigned to the Hatchery and she is not given any information as to what happened to her baby and why she has a new job. Luckily, her new group mates have been very nice towards her and are bot aware of how she was reassigned and is content. However, while running an errand, she comes across the Nurturing Center and realized that her baby is there. After fighting with her conscience, because she was about lie as to why she was at the Center, she walked in asking if her childhood friend, Sophia, worked there and if she could see her. When Sophia met with Claire, she asked Sophia if she could get a tour of the facility and Sophia granted her request. Not only did Claire learn about the facility, she learned that caring for an infant was a lot of work. When she finally found, Baby 36, Claire remembered that her baby was classified as 36. The moment she saw her son, Claire had fallen in love. In this world, there is no such thing as love, colors, and desire; children weren't fawned over, nor were they given back to their biological parents. In this society, adults had to apply for spouses and children. The leaders of the community selected these matches and children were assigned roles based on their abilities. If babies don't show early signs that convey they are developing properly, their fates were uncertain . For Claire, her baby was doomed from the moment he was extracted from Claire's womb. However, her baby's nurturer, a nice man with children of his own, did his utmost to make sure her baby gets caught and he even gave her baby a name--Abe. Although it's against regulations to assign a child a name without consent, the baby responded to it. As time passed, Claire struggled with her feelings for her baby. Not only is she starting to have thoughts of keeping her baby, she wants to steal him from the Center. Little does she know, someone forgot to put her on her her pill regiment, which suppress any feeling or emotion. After witnessing the effects of these pills, Claire refused to take her medication. Is Claire willing to risk everything to be with her child or will she be obedient to the community. Furthermore, does she have the strength to survive the journey ahead of her.

Critical Evaluation:
In this beautifully crafted sequel, readers are given another point of view of this compelling story. This time, Gabe's mother, Claire, chronicles her story from life in the Community and the journey she takes to find her child. I did not know what to expect in this story and when Lowry started intertwining The Giver and Gathering Blue, my excitement level went through the roof. I could not put this book down because I wanted to know if Claire would find her baby and if we would ever hear from Jonas again. As we get to know Claire, we learn that she is different from everyone in the Community; we all know that she is feeling and that she shouldn't be. In this world, every citizen takes a pill to remain complacent in order to prevent unrest. In other words, the people are being controlled by the government and someone in the government forgot to medicate Claire. Claire now realizes what's going on and says she would rather die then give up her love for her son. As the story develops, we learn how strong Claire really is. Not only does she survive a shipwreck, and climb a dangerous mountain, she tries to put the pieces of her past together in order to find her son. What she doesn't realize is that her son is in the care of Jonas who has vowed to take care of the boy who was marked for death. These two characters go through incredible feats out of love for this child so readers are anticipating that their paths were cross. What's even more exciting, Lowry brings back other beloved characters such as Matty and Kira that weave the history of their village, beautifully. As for the ending, Lowry shows us just how awesome she is because we are left feeling hopeful and happy that everyone finally gets the happily ever after they deserve. Bravo to everyone for a fight well worth fighting and we hope nothing but blessings for their future. I loved loved this book!

Information about the Author:
According to her website:

Because my father was a career military officer - an Army dentist - I lived all over the world. I was born in Hawaii, and moved from there to New York, where I began school. When the war began, Dad had to go overseas, and Mother took us back to the town of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where she had grown up and where my grandparents lived. I finished elementary school there and during the summer following sixth grade we moved to Tokyo, where I went through seventh and eighth grades. I graduated from high school in New York city, but by the time I went to college, Brown University in Rhode Island, my family was living in Washington, D.C.

I married young. I had just turned nineteen - just finished my sophomore year in college - when I married a Naval officer and continued the odyssey that military life requires. California. Connecticut (a daughter born there). Florida (a son). South Carolina. Finally Cambridge, Massachusetts, when my husband left the service and entered Harvard Law School (another daughter; another son) and then to Maine - by now with four children under the age of five in tow.

My children grew up in Maine. So did I. I returned to college at the University of Southern Maine, got my degree, went to graduate school, and finally began to write professionally, the thing I had dreamed of doing since those childhood years when I had endlessly scribbled stories and poems in notebooks.

After my marriage ended in 1977, when I was forty, I met Martin and we spent thirty happy years together, traveling the world but equally happy just sitting on the porch with the New York Times crossword puzzle! Sadly, Martin died in the spring of 2011. Today I am in Cambridge, Massachusetts, living alone and writing in a house dominated by a very shaggy Tibetan Terrier named Alfie and a funny little cat named Lulu. But a very happy part of my time is spent as well in Maine, in a 1768 farmhouse surrounded by meadows and flower gardens, and often with visiting grandchildren.

 Genre:
Tween Science Fiction

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 6 & up

Books Similar to Son:

• The Giver by Lois Lowry
• Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
• Messenger by Lois Lowry

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com

"Written with powerful, moving simplicity, Claire's story stands on its own, but as the final volume in this iconic quartet, it holistically reunites characters, reprises provocative socio-political themes, and offers a transcending message of tolerance and hope. Bravo!"
—Kirkus, starred review

"Lowry is one of those rare writers who can craft stories as meaningful as they are enticing."
—Booklist, starred review

"Son is a tender conclusion to this memorable story, and definitely the best of the books in this sequence since The Giver itself."
—School Library Journal, starred review

"The strength of this novel is its compassionate portrait of a mother's commitment to her lost child."
—Horn Book
"In the completely absorbing opening, Lowry transports readers back to the horrifying world from which Jonas came."
—Publishers Weekly
“A consummate stylist, Lowry handles it all magnificently: the leaps in time, the shifts in perspective, the moments of extreme emotion — fear, joy, sadness — all conveyed in unadorned prose that seizes the heart. Give this book to your child, your grandmother, your senator, your neighbor: It’s a bipartisan tale for our times.”
—The Washington Post
“Lois Lowry's Son [is] a gripping end to the Giver series”
—The Los Angeles Times
“It's the kind of book that will stay with you for days as you wonder about what it says about human nature, society, and the future of society.”
—YPulse.com

"A quiet, sorrowful, deeply moving exploration of the powers of empathy and the obligations of love."
—The New York Times Book Review

Plot Summary:
After making the ultimate sacrifice for the girl he loves, Ethan is not caught between two worlds. Although he is dead, he is in a place where those with unfinished business wait until they are able to cross over. Confused, and scared, Ethan did not expect to see his own mother caught in this place. However, after realizing the situation between his mother, and Macon, Ethan understands why she is there; hence, her ability to send messages through songs. For Ethan, he is not willing to accept his death and wants nothing but to return to Lena. After visiting Aunt Pru, who is also not ready to move on, he learns that there is a way to return to realm of the living and that it will be dangerous. Lila, Ethan's mother, is not happy with this idea and tries to persuade Ethan to stay, but, ultimately, Ethan must return because he was not supposed to die. Contrary to what he believes, Ethan's fate was decided for him and he has an opportunity to change everything. After visiting Obidias Trueblood, he learns that his name and death had been written in the Book of Casters and if he rips out his page, he will return to the mortal world. However, he must find his way to the Far Keep and get the book from Angelius himself. What he doesn't realize is that there is actually something worse than death--but eternal darkness. Ethan has no idea how he is going to get there, but he must if he ever wants to see Lena again. After being instructed on how to get to the Seam, which is the beginning of his journey, Ethan decides to contact Lena and Amma through the local newspaper and asks for help. Lena and Amma know that Ethan needs them, but Link and the others are not quite sure. In fact, Link, whose powers have been growing, has dedicated his life to look out for Lena even if it means that she is unwilling to accept Ethan's death. For Lena, she refuses to give up on Ethan and when she sees that he is asking for help, she is determined to get him everything he need including the Book of Moons. The problem with this request is that Abraham Ravenwood has the Book and they don't know where to look. Not to mention, how will they be able to get it to Ethan. In this thrilling conclusion, Ethan will take on all of the evil that has threatened his world and destroyed Lena's family. For Lena, this is the opportunity to bring back the boy she loves who not only restored the balance in the Caster World, but the same boy who never gave up on her. There is plenty of action and madness so get ready for an ending we may, or may not, be ready for.

Critical Evaluation:
 I can honestly say that I was not anticipating the ending of this series. As I kept reading, all I can think of was: "Wait, I am running out of pages so where is this going?" What I appreciate about these stories is that both Lena and Ethan have grown so much and it gives the readers hope that no matter what life throws at them, they will be able to overcome anything. Clearly, the bond between them can never be broken because they were destined for each other. I guess my greatest fear is what if the drift apart? I will say that I encourage the teen girls I work with to not get bogged down in relationships since they will be going off to college an experiencing new things and meeting new people. But, in this case, I am sure everything will be all right since they both defied death, imminent destruction, and the pains of adolescence. Bottom line: the authors have ended this series on a bittersweet note and we don't exactly get the happily ever after we want. Honestly, if the authors did not give us this ending than the entire series would have been ruined (aka Twilight series). The hardest part for me is not knowing if Lila moved on and the fact that Amma had to fulfill her end of the bargain. If readers don't remember, think back to the meeting with the Bokor. Like all things in life, we all need to have a little faith that everything will turn out for the best. For everyone in Gatlin, they are clueless as to what has been going on, but thanks to the bravery and perseverance of two innocent young people they can go on with their lives. For teens, this series has shown just how precious and valuable they really are whether they have magical abilities are are just plain normal. Everyone plays a specific part in life, which makes them unique, necessary, and irreplaceable. I am sad to see this series end, but am ready to move on just like Ethan and Lena and see what the future holds, especially with the upcoming movie adaptations.

Information about the Author:
According to their website:

Margaret is a veteran of the video-game industry, and after working with Activision (now Activision Blizzard) and Westwood Studios (now Electronic Arts), Margaret became a co-founder of 7 Studios with her husband, Lewis Peterson. She has previously been nominated for Most Innovative Game Design at the Game Developers Conference.

A graduate of Amherst College, where she won the Knox Prize for English Literature, Margaret earned a master’s degree in English from Stanford University and completed coursework for a doctorate in American Studies at Yale University. Margaret was a teaching assistant in Romantic Poetry at Stanford and in Film Studies at Yale. She attended the Creative Writing program of the University of East Anglia, where she was mentored by the Scottish poet George MacBeth.

Margaret loves traveling the world with her daughters, who are épée fencers, and living in Santa Monica, California, with her husband and two bad beagles.

Kami grew up outside of Washington DC, wore lots of black, and spent hours writing poetry in her journals. She has always been fascinated by the paranormal and believes in lots of things “normal” people don’t. She’s very superstitious and would never sleep in a room with the number “13” on the door. When she is not writing, Kami can usually be found watching disaster movies, listening to Soundgarden, or drinking Diet Coke.

Kami has an MA in education, and taught in the Washington DC area until she moved to Los Angeles, where she was a teacher & Reading Specialist. In addition to teaching, Kami was a professional artist and led fantasy book groups for children and teens. She still lives in LA with her husband, son, daughter, and their dogs Spike and Oz (named after characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Genre:
Teen Supernatural Romance
 
Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up
 
Books Similar to Beautiful Redemption:

• Reached by Ally Condie
• Finale by Rebecca Fitzpatrick
  

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com

"The fourth and final installment picks up after the massive cliff-hanger in Beautiful Chaos and doesn't disappoint." (Entertainment Weekly )

"The Beautiful Creatures novels contain a potent mix of the gothic, the mythic, and the magical. Readers can look forward to more of what they love in the final installment, Beautiful Redemption, as they follow Ethan's compelling journey to its bittersweet close. With original characters, complex world building, and crackling prose, this is masterful storytelling." (Deborah Harkness, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Discovery of Witches )

Plot Summary:
What if Wonderland was not what we thought of us. What if it was a realm that depended on games in order to survive. For Alice Liddell, falling down that rabbit hole was not a good idea, now was it her choice. Peter, White, the White Rabbit, found Alice asleep in a garden and kidnapped her. Once in Wonderland, he forced Alice to drink a potion that would require her to stay in Wonderland until the liquid regenerates itself. How will she do this, she must meet a variety of characters. Although it seems simple, Wonderland has quite the cast of characters that we all know and love, except that the Red Queen isn't evil, the Hatter is a mafia boss, the Twins are mercenaries, the White Rabbit is a kidnapper, and the Cat is well--quite the cat. Confused, and just plain frustrated, Alice seeks help from Julius, the Keeper of the Clock Tower, who explains to her that there are places she can go and other locations to avoid. In fact, Wonderland has been at odds with itself for a while so battles can happen at any time. However, as the battle goes on, Alice learns, with the help of the dream demon, Nightmare, that the reason she is wonderland and the objective of this game is for the players to fall in love with her. The question is: is falling in love just a goal or is it real. For Alice, her feelings are all over the place, especially when she learns that the Blood Dupree, the Hatter, resembles the boy she loved back home. The more time she spends in Wonderland, the more she she learns about all of these unique gentlemen. Will Alice ever get home or will she be in Wonderland forever? Time will only tell.

Critical Evaluation:
I am a sucker for Alice in Wonderland. In this re-telling of one of my favorite stories is a pretty clever take on Alice's Wonderland. Despite the antics and the silliness, Alice is trying to figure out why she would be in a place where everyone will fall in love with her. Alice constantly questions herself and believes that the reason why she is in this "dream" is because she wants someone to love her. However, as readers dive into this short series, they will learn that is a lot more than than the eye can see. Honestly, I just love all of these characters because they are all walking contradictions. For example, the White Rabbit, or, Peter White, in the story, is reckless, determined, and not at all timid. Blood Dupree (the Hatter) is actually quite calm and sane (more calculated than anything). The Queen of Hearts isn't a crazy, angry woman, but beautiful, calm, and rather loving. As for Alice, she is much more feisty and not at all curious, which I thought was ironic. I thought this was interesting decision made by the author. Then again, a lot of the spin-offs of this story preserve facts that are necessary for the plot development. In this case, Alice never out right stated she wanted to go to a land where everything is opposite and in disarray. However, the longer she stays, the more she starts to realize that this maybe the dream she actually wanted.

Information about the Author: 

Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of information by Quinrose on their website, but here it is (with the help of Google Translate:

QuinRose～クインロゼ～』では、
女性主人公のファンタジー恋愛アドベンチャーゲームを中心に制作しています。
※関連作品として、男性主人公のゲームも制作しております。

2010年からソニーのパブリッシャーとなり、
現在は家庭用機ゲームを主に開発中です。

In "QuinRose ~ Kuinroze ~",
Has produced mainly female hero fantasy romance adventure game.
※ as related work, we have also produced male hero game.

And publisher of Sony from 2010,
And is currently developing a game machine primarily for home use.

From Amazon.com:

QuinRose is a Japanese game developer that produces dating-sim games for girls, including the bestselling Alice in the Country of Hearts. Many of their other productions are also loosely based on works of fiction. 

Genre:
Teen Fantasy Manga

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 10 & up

Books Similar to Alice in the Country of Hearts

•  Alice in the Country of Clovers by Quinrose
•  Haruka: Beyond the Stream of Time by Tohko Mizuno

Plot Summary:
Born and raised in Columbia, Kentucky, Dakota Meyer had no idea he would follow in his father's footsteps. As a child, he was constantly on the move with his mother, who later left him with his stepfather, Big Mike, who adopted him. Dakota grew up on a 300-acre farm where he learned to cut down Tobacco and actually rode around on his cow, Tinker Bell. In high school, he earned a spot on the football team, and was quite good. Although his dream of playing college ball were dashed after several knee injuries, Meyer changed his fate; after speaking with a Marine recruiter, who said he wouldn't last, he decided to prove this man wrong. What most don't realize is that Dakota grew up with guns and his ability to shoot one was uncanny. After boot camp, in Paris Island, South Carolina, Meyer spent several months in the School of Infantry (SOI) and later finally got his position in the Marine rifle battalion. Despite his amazing ability with his weapon, Meyer had a knack for upsetting his superiors For example, while training in the California Mountain, he ended spending the night on the Deck, in the dead of winter, and getting kicked out of the program, which he was later re-instated after his CO calmed down. Nevertheless, Meyer continued to excel and later earned his position as a rifle man. After being deployed to Iraq, he almost lost his hand to a spider bite, of all things, and spent several months drowning in Kentucky Bourbon until he was told to get it together. When he rejoined his regimen in Hawaii, and with a new rank of Corporal, Meyer was given the opportunity to train and advise Afghani forces. He saw this as his opportunity to see action and gladly accepted the offer. While in Afghanistan, stationed at Combat Outpost Monti, he definitely saw action that not only opened his eyes, but in a way, made him more eager to get into battle. When he was not fighting Taliban insurgents (aka. The Dushmen) he was bonding with his brothers (The Monti 4) and the Afghan troops. He leaned about their customs, had countless conversations about everything, and what to expect from the surrounding villages. Sadly, in the fight for survival, people will do some very backward things just to stay alive. However, Meyer's life changed at the Battle of Ganjigal. After being told that he, and his fellow soldiers, were only in Afghanistan to server as advisers and not fight, Meyer constantly questioned his CO, which resulted in him staying behind to watch the Humvees. In other words, he was told to stay behind (to prove a point that he was to advise), and he was extremely angry and frustrated with this call. However, when the call for weapons support was going unanswered, and his unit was in danger, Meyer makes a decision that could cost him his life and. The rest, they say, is history.

Critical Evaluation:
I usually don't read a whole lot of Adult Non-Fiction, but WOW! When I heard about this extraordinary soldier, and what he did, I wanted to learn about the situation from his perspective. Unlike most nonfiction accounts, which are generally based on research and interviews, there is something about the first-hand account that includes information that no one could know other than then person. Bing West, the man who helped Dakota mEyer write this book, is a Marine Veteran who has been writing military nonfiction for quite some time and I have to hand it to him: he is one heck of a storyteller. Putting aside politics, readers will be engrossed in this story about an every day American boy who chose to join the military to make a difference and do something worthwhile in his life. I think its pointless to argue the fact that having a career is hopeless if you don't go to college. The U.S. Military is an option that young men and woman can pursue, especially if they are looking for structure and discipline. Also, the GI Bill is pretty neat incentive if he or she wants to go to college. For Meyer, his adolescence got the best of him (i.e., skipping school) so rather than whining about it, he became a Marine because he had a set of skills that would help him to become successful. However, what is awesome about this account is that is documents the hard cold truth about war and what these young men and women are willing to do to make sure that our country, and his fellow troops, are safe and secure. I was just blown away by the honesty and candidness about life as a sniper; snipers cannot hesitate nor can they take the time to battle with their conscience and morals. Being sniper is about doing a job without thinking twice and being precise and focused. One thing I did learn is that you never ask a sniper about how many kills he has made. Snipers do not glorify or advertise their kills because a sniper is there to protect his squad and provide coverage. I thought all military men and women were humble, but the most humble of all are the snipers. I will confess that I am an NCIS junkie and that Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, a former Marine sniper, also inspired me to pick up this book. All in all, I know have a new respect for anyone who want to put their life on the line to provide their fellow Americans with security and freedom that many countries are still fighting for. More importantly, this book spark a serious conversation about the way the military conducts its operations and if serious changes need to be made. I am so tempted to speak with Veterans about this whole situation because it really forces one to think the whole idea: in battle, do "we shoot first, then ask questions" or vice versa. Furthermore, have the rules of engagement evolved into a  bureaucratic handbook that can cost hundreds of lives? Bring on the conversations!     

Information about the Author:
According to the book jacket of Into the Fire:

Dakota Meyer was born and raised in Columbia, Kentucky, and enlisted in the Unites States Marine Corps in 2006. A school-trained sniper and highly-skilled infantryman, Corporal Meyer deployed to Iraq in 2007 and to Afghanistan in 2009. In 2011, he was awarded the Confressional Medal of Honor hos his unyielding courage in the battle of Ganjigal. He know competes at charity events in skeet and rifle competitions. He also speaks frequently at schools and Veterans' events to raise awareness of our military and remain dedicated to the causes of our veterans. For the families of fallen troops, he has raised more than one million dollars.

Bing West, a Marine combat veterna, served as an assistant secretart of defense for the Regan administration. He has been on hundreds of patrols in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. A nationally acclaimed war correspondent, he is the author of Village, No True Glory, The Strongest Tribe, and the Wrong war. A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, West has received Marine Corps Heritage Foundation award for military nonfiction, the Veterans of Foreign Affairs News Media Award, and the Marine Corps University Foundations' Russell Leadership Award. He live with his wife, Betsy, in Newport, Rhode Island.

Genre:
Nonfiction

Reading Level/Interest:
Ages 16 & up

Books Similar to Into the Fire:

•  The Outpost by Jake Tapper
•  Fearless by Eric Blehm

Awards & Recognition:

From DakotaMeyer.com & Amazon.com:


We see it all through Meyer's eyes, bullet by bullet, with raw honesty in telling of both the errors that resulted in tragedy and the resolve of American soldiers, U.S.Marines, and Afghan soldiers who'd been abandoned and faced certain death.
Meticulously researched and thrillingly told, with nonstop pace and vivid detail, Into the Fire is the true story of a modern American hero.

"The story of what Dakota did . . . will be told for generations." - President Barack Obama, from remarks given at Meyer's Medal of Honor ceremony

"Sergeant Meyer embodies all that is good about our nation's Corps of Marines. . . . [His] heroic actions . . . will forever be etched in our Corps' rich legacy of courage and valor." - General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps

"[Bing] West's greatest strengths are his exceptional personal courage and his experienced perception of combat." - The Washington Post
"West [is] the grunts' Homer." - Los Angeles Times Book Review

“It’s a story of men at their best and at their worst, of a military at its best and its worst, and of technology at its best, but mostly at its worst. The result leaves you gaping in admiration. . . . [A] crisply written book.”—National Review

“Ably [captures] Mr. Meyer's hard-bitten drawl and heartbreaking sadness . . . written with his imperfect humanity bravely on display.”—The Wall Street Journal

“Into the Fire is a deeply compelling tale of valor and duty.  Dakota Meyer will not identify as a hero, but he will, I think, accept the title warrior.  Dakota's storytelling is precise and, for a Medal of Honor recipient, touchingly humble.  With deft prose he drops us smack in the middle of one of the most heinous small unit firefights of the current wars.  His insights into military tactics and politics in a war zone are sharp and uncompromising and work as a primer on infantry war fighting for the uninitiated.  Dakota was a magnificent marine and he is now an equally magnificent chronicler of warfare and the small group of people who do today's fighting for America.”—Anthony Swofford, author of Jarhead

Plot Summary:
One stormy night, the little town of Misty Close received a surprise visitor: Niklas Goodfellow, a Santa by trade. Although Niklas didn't anticipate this crash landing , even though its not the first time, his reindeer, Twinklestar, has gone missing and his caravan has two broken wheels. Even though the three dozen elves, who sleep in the dresser, have done what they could to try and mend the damaged carriage, Niklas is stranded and has to figure out a way to get back in the air. The following day, Ben and Will come across the strange caravan and don't know what to think. Rather than leaving things alone, Ben is dared by the local smart aleck, Dean, to knock on the buggy door to see who lives in it. Despite the fact that Ben and company "ding-dong-ditched" Niklas, Ben couldn't get the vision of this man in a red suit with a small man in his jacket pocket After staking out the caravan, Ben got the surprise of his life: Nikalas invited the boy into the caravan for hot chocolate and gingerbread. After meeting the angels, Matilda and Emmanuel, and the elves, Ben learns about Niklas' troubles and the fact that a horrendous man named Gerold Geronimous Goblynch, the leader of the Christmas Council, has turned Christmas into a commercial catastrophe. According to Goblynch, all of the Santas are to abide by the following rules: ignore children's wishes (only listen to the adults and demand advance payment), no more sleds  (snowmobiles and reindeer salami), and no more elves. In other words, Christmas has changed from a season of joy, giving, and good will is to a greedy money making scheme. Luckily, when Ben meets Charlotte, and her dog, Mutt, not only has he found another ally to help Niklas save Christmas, but a new friend who will do whatever it takes to save Christmas.

Critical Evaluation:
I honestly could not put this book down because not only was it funny (I love the elves that scream "steaming reindeer poo"), the dynamic between the characters is absolutely charming. For example, the angels and the elves are two completely different creatures that have specific roles who need one another; the angels listen to the dreams and wishes of children and give them to Santa as well as providing the elves with gingerbread and hot chocolate; the Elves make all of the toys with their tiny hammers and give the angels are rather hard time with their tempers and lack of sophisticated language. The relationship between Nicklas and Ben is also very special because Niklas has lost his connection with children after the Santa takeover.Although Ben has one friend, Will, he feels lonely because he isn't quick witted, or much of a small talker, so he prefers to keep to himself. When he meets Charlotte, Ben is riddled with jealousy when Nikals takes an interest in her, but, just like him, she is also lonely as well. However, Charlotte has something that Ben has always wanted ( a dog) and because of Mutt, Charlotte and Ben were able to recover the lost reindeer while dodging mall security. The main message of this book is the fact that if we focus on receiving rather then giving, then true meaning of Christmas will be lost, which will bring an end to Santa himself. Ben and Charlotte gave Niklas the greatest gift they could give: believing in him and helping him bring an end to to Goblynch. In return, Niklas gave both of them a Christmas with snow and wonderful memories. This is a great story for any family to read and it definitely has the potential of becoming a tradition.

Information about the Author:
 Cornelia Funke was born in 1958 in Westphalia, German. According to Scholastic Publishers:

Following a post-graduate course in book illustration at the Hamburg State College of Design, Cornelia Funke worked as a designer and illustrator of children’s books. But disappointment in the way some of the stories were told, combined with her desire to draw fantastic creatures and magical worlds rather than the familiar situations of school and home, inspired her to write her own stories.

Cornelia Funke is a huge fan of J.R.R. Tolkies, J.M. Barrie, and C.S. Lewis; she loves a good fantasy and she clearly has good taste. Before becoming an author, Funke worked as a social worker where her experience, during that time, provided her with ideas for future works:
When I finished the school I wanted to change the world and I though the best way would be to become a social worker. I worked for three years on an adventure playground in Hamburg and I’ll never forget the children I met there. Many of them came from very difficult backgrounds and dysfunctional families, but I respected them so much for their courage and their compassion for one another. I saw them care for their siblings, where their parents didn’t care at all. I saw them laugh although life didn’t give them much to laugh about. They taught me so much that I still owe them.

Genre:
Tween Fantasy

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 4-7


Books Similar to When Santa Fell to Earth:

• Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
• Kringle by Tony Abott

Awards & Recognition:

Positive Reviews from:

• Booklist
• Hornbook
• Kirkus Review
• Publishers Weekly
• School Library Journal
  

Plot Summary:
What was supposed to be a simulation turned into a nightmare where the faction known as Abnegation has been obliterated. Tris and Four barely made it out alive with Tris' brother Caleb and two other Dauntless members, Peter and Marcus. After taking refuge in Amity, Tris is hurting and haunted by the the fact that she killed her best friend, Will, and that her parents are dead. Furthermore, she cannot fathom how this simulation turned out into all out war, leaving death and chaos. In fact, in her possession is a hard drive that contains the simulation and footage, which could reveal what happened and why Abnegation had to be destroyed. What's even worse is that the Erudite, led by Jeannine Matthews, is the reason behind the eradication of Abnegation. However, by taking refuge in Amity, things are about to get complicated since Erudite and Amity are close allies and that the remaining of Dauntless have pledged allegiance to Erudite. Rather than allow Erudite to discover their presence, Tris, Four, Caleb, Marcus, Peter, and Abnegation refugees flee Amity to find sanctuary with the Factionless led by none other than Evelyn Johnson...Four's mother. Although they cannot stay with the Factionless, Four and Tris make their way to Candor to discover the rest of Dauntless who continue to protect the remaining members of Abnegation. Struggling with a wounded shoulder, and a broken heart, Tris is slowly slipping away from Four, which not scares her but convinces her that she needs to sacrifice herself to make amends for the death of Will and her parents. What she doesn't realize is that choice she is about to make may not only kill her, but reveal a secret and a plan that could change her world forever.

Critical Evaluation:
I hate to say this but most sequels tend to be the weakest parts of a trilogy, but Insurgence is not one of those sequels. In this book is the aftermath of an attack that, apparently, was bound to happen. What readers realize is that the leaders of the different factions weren't selected by their peers, but placed in those positions for a reason. For Tris, her parents death has left her pondering about their past because we learned, in the first book, that her own mother wasn't born into Abnegation and, in this book, we learn that her father was not born in Abnegation as well. What we learn is that Jeannine Matthews has a diabolical plan to create a simulation that could bring an end to the Divergents' immunity to simulations. Clearly, Matthews is afraid of something because why slaughter the leaders of a faction who information about the outside world? A lot of questions are coming from the woodwork and Tris and the rest of her companions have to figure out what exactly is going because she has something, or someone else, to fear: Evelyn, Four's mother. As the leader of the Factionless, she has her own agenda to unite the factions, which sounds pretty close to installing a dictatorship. What's even more frustrating, Four is actually starting to trust his mother after learning that she did not abandon him to his abusive father, Marcus; Marcus knows something that he is not telling and Tris is going to do everything in her power to make him tell her. What we didn't expect in the end is that chaos is about to ensnare the people and the question is: will the follow the example that has been set before them. This sequel is riveting and  there are plenty of unexpected moments that will leave readers speechless. I can't wait for the next book!!!

Information about the Author:
According to the book jacket of Divergent:

Veronica Roth graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in creative writing. While she was a student, she often chose to worn on a story that would become Divergent instead of doing her homework. It was indeed a transforming choice. Now a full-time writer, Ms. Roth lives near Chicago. Divergent is her first Novel.

Genre:
Teen Dystopian Thriller


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up
 

Books Similar to Insurgent:

• Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
• Sapphique by Catherine Fisher

Awards & Recognition:

From Amazon.com

“The next big thing.” (Rolling Stone )

“Roth knows how to write. The novel’s love story, intricate plot, and unforgettable setting work in concert to deliver a novel that will rivet fans of the first book.” (Publishers Weekly )

“In this addictive sequel to the acclaimed Divergent,a bleak post-apocalyptic Chicago collapses into all-out civil war. Another spectacular cliffhanger. Anyone who read the first book was dying for this one months ago; they’ll hardly be able to wait for the concluding volume.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“Insurgent explores several critical themes, including the importance of family and the crippling power of grief at its loss. A very good read.” (School Library Journal ) 

Hello, everyone:

I just wanted to apologize for the lack of book reviews! October kicked off one of the busiest times at the Alhambra Civic Center Library, which has kept me away from my blogging duties. Not to mention, a horrible bout of Bronchitis would do anyone in so that is yet another reason why I haven't been able to pick up book, let alone blog. Well, excuses excuses. I am glad to report I am at 95% maximum power (still have a little cough) and I am getting ready to dive into a few books. I don't think I will reach my goal of 100 books this year, but there is always next year. I wanted to wish all of the viewers a Happy Thanksgiving and much happiness this holiday season! Talk soon!

~Deb

 

Blankets for Vets & Project Linus
Thursday, November 8
3PM
Reese Hall

 Celebrate the Thanksgiving season by giving back to those in need. Join us for an afternoon of no sew fleece blanket making where every blanket will be donated to Veterans of the Armed Services and Project Linus, a nonprofit organization that provides sick children with blankets. 

No registration required. 

Plot Summary:
For Charles Nukid, the "new kid" at Scary School, he has no idea that his new school would be filled with monsters. On his first day, not only was he almost eaten by the giant squid that guards Scary School, he literally falls onto the lap of  Ms. T. Rex, a Tyrannosaurs Rex in a blue dress who also has a tendency to eat children when hungry. Unfortunately for Charles, he shows up wearing the "official" uniform, which lands him in detention by Mr. Spider Eyes, the hall monitor, for not wearing the unofficial official school uniform. For Charles, he lives his life by following the rules and when he doesn't it plagues him with never ending guilt (i.e., by not sleeping for a whole month because he didn't go to bed on time). When Ms. T. Rex tells him that she doesn't abide by the rules, even though she is a teacher, he starts to wonder what kind of crazy school is he attending.  However, Mrs. Fang, his 850 year-old vampire teacher, is the nicest teacher any kid could ask for. In fact, she only ate 12 kids last year so that's pretty good for most of the teachers at Scary School. As Charles adapts to his new school, he is about to experience something quite horrifying: Scary School has been nominated for this year's Ghoul Games. The object of the games is that everyone must compete in a game of their choice. For Charles, his favorite game is video games and he is confident he will prevail. Not only is this Charles' first games, it's the first games to allow human children to participate, which means that mortal children will be competing against ghouls, monsters, vampires, and ghosts. What is important about these games is that if Scary School wins, they will not only get a trip to Albania to meet the Monster King, they will finally be recognized as the only school to have both human and monster students. However, Mr. Wolfbark, Principal Headcrusher's former teacher, and huge opponent to monster-human school integration, has news that changes the game: the winner of the games must eat the losers. For the human students at Scary School, this is an event they will never forget. 


Critical Evaluation:
This book really was a lot of fun to read. Not only does it teach a valuable lesson about acceptance, the dead pan comedy outweighs the scariness of Scary School. Charles is a bit of a geek who probably doesn't get out much, but, in many ways, Scary School will force him out of his comfort zone and realize that some rules are meant to be broken. The teachers at Scary School are just hysterical. I just love that if a child (human or monster) puts one pinky toe out of line, they could be severely hurt or eaten. For example, Dr. Dragonbreath's class did not obey him at all and what did he do? He ate the entire class. Although teachers aren't supposed to eat their students, they just can't help themselves because of their monster nature and the students quickly become mindful of their behavior. Furthermore, the idea of integrating human and monster kids is a brilliant idea because both species have a lot to offer one another, especially when they are asked to team up and help one another. I also love the fact that the narrator of the story, and eleven-year-old ghost named Derek, actually befriends Charles and keeps him out of the belly of Dr. Dragonbreath's tummy. Principal Headscrusher is the driving force behind integration because not only was she the only human at the AAAAAHHHHH!!cademy, she knew what it was like to be an outcast because she is human. Her mission will not only teach students about acceptance, but respect the fact that we are all different and no species better than the other. However, her nemesis, and former teacher, happens to be the purist with a grudge against humanity who not only wants to see the demise of Scary School, but the end of integration. Personally, this is a heavy lesson for young people to learn, but Derek Kent shows the ridiculousness of segregation with over the top characterizations and diabolical schemes that makes this way of thinking beyond silly and comedic. All of the human, and monster, students come with a very different set of skills and ideas that will not only allow Scary School to thrive, but, possibly, earn them the Ghoul Games. 

Information about the Author:
According to his website:

Derek is an eleven-year-old ghost who haunts the classrooms and hallways of Scary School, writing down all the spine-tingling often hilarious things that go on there. Despite his ghostly state, Derek still enjoys reading comic books and hopes to one day become a master ninja. If that doesn’t work out, he will continue to share the fun of this very special, very secret school, so all kids can experience the scariest school on earth. Derek the Ghost communicates through the first-time ghost whisperer Derek Taylor Kent, who is a writer and performer in Los Angeles, California.

Genre:
Tween Humor


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 4-6

Books Similar to Scary School:

• Wayside School is Falling Down by Louis Sachar
• My Sister the Vampire by Sienna Mercer

Awards & Recognition:

From Amazon.com:
“For fans of the Wayside and Bailey School series, the Zack Files, [and] Ghostville Elementary.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“[T]his is a laugh-out-loud offering that should find a broad and appreciative audienceamong boys and girls alike.” (Booklist ) 

Plot Summary:
The world has not seen rain, or a flood, in over two hundred years. People live in units called Congregations, which are governed by overseers. Although this is the future, reality has shifted back to the 1800's where congregants are treated as slaves and the overseers are the "masters." Congregants spend their days working in the blazing sun by capturing whatever water they can get from plants, trees, and any other element that might have moisture. If they don't meet the quota of the day are either beaten or starved until they reach their goals. For Ruby, her life as a congregant has been full of heartbreak and challenges. Not only is she the daughter of the the leader, she is also the secret child of Otto--their savior. Although her identity is kept secret, Ruby has a power that is unique. In her blood, the blood of Otto, is a power that has that can regenerate life. All Ruby can do is sit and wait for Otto to return so she can free her friends and family. However, Darwin, the head Overseer, does not make her life easy because of the fact that he is cruel and covets her mother. Day after day, Ruby finds it difficult to control her anger and she doesn't understand why no one stands up to Darwin. However, all of that changes when a new overseer steals her attention and, eventually, her heart. What she doesn't expect is that this boy not only offers a chance to escape, he can give her the courage to stand up for what she believes in. Unfortunately, she has been selected to become the newest Elder, which pits her convictions against the wishes of the congregation. Can Ruby lead the way she wants to or must she continue to wait for Otto. This is the biggest fight of Ruby's life.

Critical Evaluation:
Bachorz has created a story that is not only chilling, but horrifically realistic where the world has turned on its head and shot us back hundreds of years. As a reader, who just finished several books about Abraham Lincoln, I am transported to the time of slavery where injustice has been disguised as something good. Not only do the congregants live in so-called "quarters," they are beaten and abused by their superiors. However, the congregants have their leader, Sula, Ruby's mother, who not only volunteers to take on the beatings of her brethren, but provides for them in any way she can. In essence, Sula is the one the congregants look to for help and hope. As for Ruby, she is literally the life force behind her clan because it is her blood that not only heals her broken mother, but provides the community as well. In many ways, readers will feel and see the injustice, which is reflected in Ruby's frustration with her situation. Although I wasn't expecting the romance aspect, it is a nice touch because it instills hope during time of hopelessness. Honestly, this book has an underlying message that is not only indicative of what could happen, but of what will be if we don't take care of one another and appreciate the things we have, and need, to survive.

Information about the Author:
According to her website:

Pam Bachorz grew up in a small town in the Adirondack foothills, where she participated in every possible performance group and assiduously avoided any threat of athletic activity, unless it involved wearing sequined headpieces and treading water. With a little persuasion she will belt out tunes from "The Music Man" and "The Fantasticks", but she knows better than to play cello in public anymore. Pam attended college in Boston and finally decided she was finished after earning four degrees: a BS in Journalism, a BA in Environmental Science, a Masters in Library Science and an MBA. Her mother is not happy that Pam's degrees are stored under her bed.

Pam draws inspiration from the places she knows best: she wrote CANDOR while living in a Florida planned community, and set DROUGHT in the woods where she spent her summers as a child. She currently lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband and their son. When she's not writing, working or parenting, Pam likes to read books not aimed at her age group, go to museums and theater performances, and watch far too much television. She even goes jogging. Reluctantly.

Genre:
Teen Dystopian Thrillers, Teen Romance

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Drought:

• The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carries Ryan
• Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Awards & Recognition:

Positive reviews from:

• Kirkus Review
• Bulletin of Center of Children's Books
• Publisher's Weekly
• Booklist
• Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
• Hornbook
  

Kick off this scariest season of the year with our annual Teen Halloween Masquerade! We will have plenty of activities for teens to sink their teeth into so be sure to come and experience all of the the awesomeness on:

Thursday, October 25
3 PM
Reese Hall

We encourage everyone to come in costume, but there are a few guidelines to follow. Please contact the Teen Reference Desk for more information about costumes at (626) 300-1549.

Celebrate the 2012 It Came from the Library Teen Read Week by submitting a review about that scariest books you have ever read. Not only are we including horror titles, but titles that are so awesomely bad that you will never be able to get over your reading experience. Also, we are are screening I am Legend starring Will Smith on Thursday, October 18, from 3-5 PM in Reese Hall.

By submitting a book review, not only will you find relief in expressing your fears, you will get a sweet treat for a job well done! Stop by the Teen Reference Desk any day before Saturday, October 20 to get a form and prize. If you have any other questions, contact me at: (626) 300-1549 or e-mail: alhambrateens@gmail.com. 

Plot Summary:
Unable to deal with the death of his twin brother, Konrad, Victor roams the chateau aimlessly, looking for a reason to go on. After destroying the forbidden library where Victor, Konrad, Elizabeth, and Henry roamed in search of a cure for Konrad's illness, Victor stumbles upon an item that does not burn in the fires. What Victor doesn't realize is that this "book" contains a secret that goes all they way back to his great-great-great grandfather Wilhelm Frankenstein. Revitalized, and back to his old tricks, Victor learns that the items in this box contains parts to a spirit machine that will allow him to talk to his brother once again. However, when Elizabeth learns of Victor's latest scheme, she is worried and scared that if Victor goes to far there is no turning back. After building the spirit machine, he must know learn how to make it work. Interestingly enough, with Henry's help, the clues to operating this machine can be found in a portrait of his great-grandfather, which leads to the family chapel that hasn't been used in a long time. With a little muscle, and brains, the group of curious teens find their way into an abandoned office, hidden from those who weren't looking for it. Here is where Victor finds the key to the spirit machine and grants him a few precious moments with his deceased Konrad. Thrilled, and happy, Victor can actually talk to his brother, but Konrad is frightened. The question that he must ask is does purgatory really exist and what is scaring his brother? Are there other spirits in this house? These are the questions he must solve in order to protect his brother , but at what price will Victor pay from passing between the land of the living and the dead? What is the creature that is lurking in the house and beneath the foundation of Chateau Frankenstein?

Critical Evaluation:
All I can really say is...wow. Kenneth Oppel has provided readers with the foundation as to why Victor Frankenstein is obsessed with life and death. Unable to deal with the loss of his brother, Victor is in pieces. He made his brother a promise and he was willing to do everything he can to bring Konrad back. However, what we also see is the power of this character's intellect, will, and never ending curiosity. Although he seems  arrogant and selfish, we see an individual who will not settle for mediocre ideas and traditions. In many ways, Victor Frankenstein is not any different than the average teenager who longs to know the secrets of this world and find meaning in everything we do. Despite the fact that he is coveting his brother's girlfriend, this exposes his greatest flaws: being vulnerable. Konrad, according to Victor, is everything he is not and that does not make him feel worthy of love and happiness. In many respects, the twin motif of a good twin and evil twin are explored and proven that this idea may not be what it really is. Clearly, these two boys have been given equal amounts of attentions and affection for the same of girl, which were reciprocated differently. However, this doesn't make Victor evil because of his willingness to give up his body for Konrad. Generally, evil twins wouldn't make such a sacrifice so it shows the loyalty and the love this teen has for his brother. Moreover, by refusing his brother's offer, Konrad crosses over accepting the fact that it was his time to die and allow his love ones to get on with their lives .  With this decision, Konrad definitely shows how mature he is because he has accepted his death and wants to move on for the sake of his family and eternal soul. Victor, on the other hand, refuses to live his life without Konrad so it conveys that Victor is dependent on his twin not just for moral support, but someone to validate who he is. In other other words, Victor needs Konrad; whereas, Konrad doesn't need Victor. Do we assume that Victor's madness stems from the fear of being alone? Did Dr. Frankenstein create his "monster" because he wanted his flesh blood to live again or was there another motive? Readers will definitely be clamoring for Mary Shelly's "Frankenstein." 

Information about the Author:
According to 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.

I did my BA at the University of Toronto (a double major in cinema studies and English) and wrote my second children's novel The Live-Forever Machine in my final year, for a creative writing course. I married the year after graduation and spent the next three years in Oxford, where my wife was doing doctoral studies in Shakespeare. Since then we've lived in Newfoundland, Dublin -- and Toronto, where we now live with our three children

Genre:
Teen Fantasy, Teen Adventure

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up
 

Books Similar to Such Wicked Intent:

• Abandon by Meg Cabot
• Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

Awards & Recognition:

From Amazon.com:

* "Printz honor-winner Oppel skillfully portrays [Victor] as both a troubled teen and the boy who would become Frankenstein. Addictions and lustful encounters add another layer of sophistication to the gothic melodrama. A standout sequel and engrossing ghost story."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Everything readers love about Oppel is here: his fierce intelligence; baroque but concise prose; developed, unsentimental characters; and ability to keep his eye on the prize—in this case, the stubborn, yet somehow still likable, character of Victor and his slow road to becoming Mary Shelley’s mad scientist."--Booklist

"Oppel’s second book in The Dark Endeavor Chronicles is every bit as thrilling and engaging as the first one.... Oppel’s character development is exceptional, and it is clear that he has done his research. The book draws readers in from the beginning and continues to create suspense as the characters go in and out of the spirit world, where dark creatures lurk. Fans of both Oppel’s first book and Shelley’s original work will not be disappointed."--VOYA

"Kenneth Oppel creates a darkly Gothic world so unique it’s not bound by literary traditions.... Mr. Oppel is an expert storyteller and an outstanding world builder."--NY Journal of Books

"Vividly descriptive language and further development of complex main characters keep the narrative intense and engaging.... The improbable doesn’t seem so impossible thanks to Oppel’s impressive storytelling ability."--The Horn Book

Plot Summary:
What if every biography about Abraham Lincoln was missing a dark part of his life? What if the greatest president of the United States not only freed us from the ideology of slavery, but from becoming a slave race itself? Although we know that Abraham Lincoln was a humble country boy who overcame his obstacles to become president, what if he was a sent by God to free us from the devil himself? Let's face it: Abraham Lincoln was, and still is, the greatest vampire slayer in history. When he lost his mother to "milk" sickness, Abe learned that it was not disease that killed her, but a vampire. Unable to live with the idea that vampires were free to roam the Earth to feed off anyone, he dedicated his life to destroying this evil. However, what we didn't realize is that his teacher, and greatest, ally is a vampire himself. What the history books don't tell us, his friend, Henry Sturges, a vampire and mentor, is the one who taught him that not every vampire is a ruthless monster. In fact, there are vampires who wish to remain in the shadows where peace and coexistence prevail. When Abraham witnesses a slave auction, for the first time, not only does he see the horrors of this institution, he notices that amongst the audience members are vampires. Of all things to witness, and know, Vampires have the ability to purchase their prey without having to come out at night and without worrying about people noticing. The worst part is that humans have actually made a pact with the vampires so everyone can profit. With Henry's help, and that of the infamous Edgar Allan Poe, Lincoln has to make a decision to fight the good fight or live a normal life.  For Abe, he chooses to live a life with his wife and sons, but, in return, he will fight his battle against slavery in office and hang up his ax for good. However, when his rival, Stephen Douglas, changes his position on slavery and promotes slavery in the new, free territories, Lincoln decides to come out of "retirement" and take a stand once and for all. The rest we know is "history," but is it really?  



Critical Evaluation:
In this delightful spin on the life of Abraham Lincoln, Seth Grahame-Smith brings even more awesomeness to the life and legacy of Honest Abe. By intertwining the facts of Lincoln's life with that of his "secret" diaries, readers get to see a different side of a man who did everything he could to conceal his personal life. Although the vampire slayer gig may be fiction, I think it adds depth to the man who suffered and rose above it all. What's even more fascinating is that by casting this man as a strong, nimble, and fierce warrior, readers get have the opportunity to challenge the facts that said Lincoln was a humble, gawky, and freakishly tall man who couldn't find pants that fit. Most will wonder if Lincoln, was in fact, the opposite of his persona. In other words, if Lincoln was presented the opportunity to show the world the fire that was in his eyes when eh spoke, could he have done so much more? I will admit that I have a bit of Lincoln obsession because we don't really know much about this private man other than what historians, biographers, friends, and acquaintances know or have told over the years. In many ways, I really, really want to believe that Lincoln was this all powerful superhero who was denied his full potential because this world wasn't ready for him. After reading this amazing story, readers will be itching to read the Lincoln biographies or do a little research of their own. As a reader, I am not only impressed with the twist on Lincoln's life, but juxtaposing two very similar, yet very different examples of slavery. For Abraham Lincoln, not only did he want to free his fellow human beings from the bondage of slavery, but protect the human race from becoming enslaved by vampires.  Personally, I like the fact that I am not being harvested for my blood to feed a merciless race of otherworldly beings. Furthermore, I love the fact that I live in a country that protects and upholds my inalienable right to live of life  liberty, freedom, and happiness. There is a phrase that says "evil begets evil" and if Lincoln had not put an end to slavery than who knows where would be now.

Information about the Author:
According to his website:

Raised in Weston and Bethel, Connecticut, Seth Grahame-Smith recieved a degree in film from Boston's Emerson College. In 2005, he quit a TV-development job to become a freelance writer- and for a few years that seemed like a very, very bad decision.

Published in 2009, Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies, debuted as #3 on the New York Times Bestseller List. Since then "PPZ" has sold over a million copies and has been translated into more than 20 languages. 

Seth's follow up book, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, debuted at #4, and remained on the on the New York Times Bestseller List for over three months.

Genre:
Fiction

Reading Level/Interest:
Adult

Books Similar to Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter:

• Jane Slayre by Sharon Browning Erwin
• Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith

Awards & Recognition:

From Amazon.com

"Seth Grahame-Smith is an excellent writer whose prose raises Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter a step above others of its genre...[He] does such an excellent job blending the facts of Lincoln's life into the story that it is sometimes hard to determine fact from fiction...Suspenseful, and most readers will want to read it in one sitting." ( Asbury Park Press )

"Evocative...Grahame-Smith [is] a lively, fluent writer with a sharp sense of tone and pace." (TIME )

"Thanks to P&P&Z, a delicious mutant book craze was born. But then opportunists infested the territory...It's nice to see plucky Grahame-Smith retake his turf." (Entertainment Weekly )

"Not just the Lincoln biography we've all been waiting for. It's also the funniest, most action-packed and weirdly well-researched account of the Civil War you'll probably read in a long time. Grahame-Smith could be poised to become the Howard Zinn of vampire-related alterna-history." (Vanity Fair )

"Grahame-Smith does an excellent job of capturing the spirit of this style of story-telling, mixing historically accurate anecdotes with entries from Lincoln's fictional secret journal, weaving the vampire elements into the story in a manner that's quite believable." (Wired