Kazumi Reads

Plot Summary:
It's graduation night and Thomas' bags are packed and ready for boot camp. Like his father and his brother, Thomas is fulfilling his duty by joining the United State Army. The problem is that he doesn't want to go because he doesn't want to end up like his brother Jake. When Jake returned from Afghanistan, everyone greeted him with a hero's welcome. However, Jake isn't the courageous hero that everyone thinks he is. In fact, Jake is a ghost who hardly says a word, doesn't take care of himself, and always carries around a mysterious black backpack According to Thomas, Jake will never be the same and his parents refuse to recognize that he is a broken man. Before going to war, Thomas worshiped his brother and was excited to follow in his footsteps. Now, all Thomas can think about is running away and never looking back until Mallory backhands her boyfriend at the party they are at. Thomas and Mallory haven't spoken in two years and when she asks him for a ride home, Thomas reluctantly agrees. What should have been an easy trip turns into a highway pursuit that will kick start a series of events that will take him all over town that will eventually lead him back to why he and Mallory lost touch and uncover the demons that have been haunting Jake. In this riveting story about a teen who just wants some normalcy, he will finally break down the walls that have been separating him from his family and Mallory, which is anything by normal.

Critical Evaluation:
I was unbelievably impressed with this story. I literally blew through this book in one night and I can't express how important this subject matter is given today's political climate. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Combat Stress are, categorically, the most detrimental mental illness' that plague the men and women in the armed forces.One thing readers will learn is that mental illness does not effect just the person experiencing the disease, it effects the family unit as well. For Thomas, he knows his brother is not well and his parents refuse to acknowledge this fact. What's worse is that his own father, a Desert Storm veteran, is the reason why Jake is not receiving the medical treatment he needs. Unlike Jake, many vets prior to 9/11 experienced PTSD, but there was never a campaign to advocate for treatment. Although Jake and Thomas' father believes that Jake will be fine when he "snaps" out of it; in reality, he will continue to deteriorate if he doesn't receive the treatment he so desperately needs. Although Jake's mental illness is the only part of the story, Thomas' fears are very real because a lot of vets are coming home broken and lost. Aside from his family problems, there's Mallory who is also in a bit of a downward spiral as well. In theory, readers will discover that both Mallory and Thomas have one thing in common: they want to run away from their problems because they are afraid. Given the events of the night, it's nice to see that they have gathered up the courage to not only confront their problems, but deal with the consequences that may follow. Bottom line: these teenagers turned into adults overnight and this story leaves readers asking "what happens next?"

Information about the Author:
According to his website:

Bryan Bliss is the author of No Parking at the End Times. He holds master’s degrees in theology and fiction and – shockingly – found a professional job that allows him to use both of those degrees. His political philosophy degree, however, is still underutilized. His nonfiction has been published in Image Journal, along with various other newspapers, magazines, and blogs. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife and two children, both of whom wish he wrote books about dragons. Or wizards.

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

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Meet Me Here:

• The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson
• Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com:

“Bliss keeps the pages turning with vivid, rich characters and weighty moments of self-discovery. With compassionate grace, Bliss plumbs the depths not only of Thomas’ heavy choices but also the impact of war on a personal level…Thoughtful, empathetic, and deeply stirring.” (Booklist (starred review))

“Bliss offers a well-crafted story about the people who come home from war damaged and the family members this affects. …A love story between brothers, the novel provides a touching glimpse of a different kind of courage.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Bliss’s novel address the push teens may feel after high school to do what is expected of them and not what they want…With a 24-hour intense timeframe and thoughtful discussion of PTSD, this title has elements of Cath Crowley’s Graffiti Moon and Trish Doller’s Something Like Normal.” (School Library Journal)

“Told over one night, Thomas’s story is both classic night-before-it-all-changes hijinks-parties, fighting, nostalgia, and unexpected friendships-and part darker, existential concerns connected to the realities of war. …The strong emotional impact will attract serious readers.” (Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA))

“Bliss presents another thoughtful and penetrating family drama. …through meaningful encounters with friends and family, Thomas gains a deeper understanding of sacrifice, the power of brotherhood and community, and just how fine the line between courage and fear can be.” (The Horn Book)

Praise for No Parking at the End Times:“Bliss’s debut explores family, sacrifice, and the power of everyday faith with a deft and sensitive hand.” (The Horn Book)

“Bliss has worked with teenagers, and it shows—his characters are not stereotypical ‘teens’ but human beings who must face and overcome unique problems. A fine debut.” (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

“This quietly powerful story of a young woman’s quest for deliverance in the face of parental failure, religious disillusionment, and self-doubt moved me deeply. I can’t wait to see what Bryan Bliss does next.” (Sara Zarr, author of National Book Award finalist Story of a Girl)

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

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


Information about the Author:
According to her website:

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

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

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

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

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Something Like Normal:

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

Awards & Recognition:

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

Plot Summary:
After coming home from the war, Hayley's father is constantly haunted by the memories and the visions of the war that ravaged his mind, body, and soul. What appears to be Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Hayley's father isn't coping well where he can no longer hold down a job and self-medicates with drugs and alcohol. Hayley, who is seventeen years old, wakes up every day fearing what lies behind her father's bedroom door. After years of moving around, Hayley and her father moved into her grandmother's home, which would require her to finish high school with other teens her age. For Hayley, this attempt at normalcy has not only made things worse for her father, her heart and her mind won't let anyone in because her thoughts are constantly occupied by her father. Rather than trying to fit in, Hailey sleeps through class, refuses to do her homework, and barely socializes with the people she calls friends and then she met Finn. Finn is a a tall, skinny guy with shaggy hair who refuses to take "NO!" for an answer; Finn wants Hayley to write an article for the school newspaper because he knows how smart and eloquent she is. Despite Hayley's bad attitude, she really is a bright young girl who could go places if she applied herself. Well, after making a pretty sweet deal with Finn, Hayley ends up writing that article, which was not only fun but gave her an escape from all of the worrying and stress. Moreover, the more time that she spends with Finn, the more her feelings grown for him. Hayley wants nothing more than to be happy and for her father to be healthy, but will his pain overcome his will to fight?More importantly, will Hayley be able to keep it together or will she fade away just like her father?

Critical Evaluation:
Lauire Halse Anderson has written yet another riveting story about an issue that society has yet to really understand. Unfortunately, unless you live with someone with PTSD, insight to this disease is very limited and Halse Anderson provides readers with a fairly accurate portrayal. Although most people are aware how devastating PTSD can be for person who has it, we tend to forget the people that have to help and live with their loved ones illness. Despite all of the stress and the heartache that she must endure, Hayley is given a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a normal teenager and that opportunity is named Finn.  I have to say this, granted it may not be an important observation, but the way that Finn arranged his date with Hayley was absolutely adorbs! Honestly, I squealed!What's important about this relationship is that Finn is going through his own set of family dysfunction because his sister happens to be a drug addict. When Hayley finally opens to up Finn, and vice versa, these two teens find the common ground they have been longing for. Although Hayley and Finn are the main characters, all of the teens in this story are struggling with their own amidst their parents' issues as well. I can't tell you how many times my heart broke for Hayley and her father because no one should have to suffer from the horrible disease because it destroys everything in its path. Hayley's father may have survived several tours of duty overseas, but the biggest battle he has yet to face is transitioning back into civilian life and taking control of his illness. The ending will blow your mind. A very, very compelling read and difficult to put down. Bravo, Laurie Halse Anderson!

Information about the Author:
According to her website:

Laurie Halse Anderson is the New York Times-bestselling author who writes for kids of all ages. Known for tackling tough subjects with humor and sensitivity, her work has earned numerous national and state awards, as well as international recognition. Two of her books, Speak and Chains, were National Book Award finalists. Laurie was honored with the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award given by YALSA division of the American Library Association for her “significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature…”. Mother of four and wife of one, Laurie lives in Northern New York, where she likes to watch the snow fall as she writes.

Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction, Teen War Stories

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Books Similar to The Impossible Knife of Memory:

• Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick
• Porcupine by Meg Tilly

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com:
"As in Speak, Anderson provides a riveting study of a psychologically scarred teenager . . . absorbing" —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Compelling, powerful, and timely . . . This is challenging material, but in Anderson's skilled hands, readers will find a light shining on the shadowy reality of living with someone who has lived through war" —Booklist, starred review

"The book offers an eloquent portrait of the effects of both war and family legacies, and many readers will find reflections of their own struggle to keep family connections while obtaining their independence.” —BCCB, starred review

"With powerful themes of loyalty and forgiveness, this tightly woven story is a forthright examination of the realities of war and its aftermath on soldiers and their families. One of Anderson’s strongest and most relevant works to date.” —School Library Journal, starred review

"Anderson's novels . . . speak for the still-silent among us, and force all of us to acknowledge the real and painful truths that are too dangerous to ignore." —New York Times

“The Impossible Knife of Memory isn’t always an easy read-Anderson’s gritty, authentic look at PTSD is by turns painful and heartbreaking-but it’s an important one." —Entertainment Weekly

“Andy comes home from the war in Iraq honored for his service, and haunted by it.  The war still goes on inside of him and threatens to make Hayley another causality. Laurie Halse Anderson is one of the best known writers of literature for young adults and children in the world. ” —Scott Simon, NPR Weekend Edition

“Laurie Halse Anderson has been lauded and awarded for her ability to channel the teenage mind (and heart) dealing with tough issues. In The Impossible Knife of Memory, she takes on PTSD through the story of a girl coping with her troubled veteran dad.” —Family Circle

"At turns heartbreaking, at turns funny, the narrative in this book is so spot on I wanted to give Hayley my phone number so she would have a friend in times of crisis.  Seriously—does ANYONE write troubled teen characters with the realism, grace, and soul of Laurie Halse Anderson?" —Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of The Storyteller and Between the Lines

“Laurie Halse Anderson serves the families of veterans with the same honor, dignity, and respect that the veterans, who serve us, deserve. With her trademark hope, humor, and heart-breaking realism, Laurie Halse Anderson has given us a roadmap to heal. She is a treasure.” —Stephen Chobsky, New York Times bestselling author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower