Anya's Ghost

Brosgol, Vera. Anya's Ghost.  New York: First Second, 2011. Sprinkled throughout with dark humor, Anya's Ghost depicts the life of a Russian girl trying to fit in into an American private school.  Part coming of age, part Gothic, this graphic novel succeeds with a realistic portrayal of a teenage girl complete with body image and boy problems.  After falling and getting stuck in a well, Anya befriends a seemingly friendly ghost named Emily who attempts to help Anya with her troubles. I enjoyed this book and it made me think of Yang's American Born Chinese, another graphic novel that depicts a child of immigrants trying to assimilate. Although I must say Anya's Ghost held my interest better than American Born Chinese did.  Brosgol's timing and drawings heightened the suspense as well as had spot-on facial expressions.  A good choice for reluctant teen readers and fans of intelligent graphic novels.  Ages 12 and up.

~"This is a YA magical realist tale with adult appeal, featuring imperfect characters who can still use their smarts and decide to take the right course. And while it's all about empowerment, the story is also wonderfully creepy and entertaining." Library Journal

Local Bragging rights! Love my library!

Multnomah County Library earns another five-star rating

Published: Friday, November 04, 2011, 12:28 PM     Updated: Friday, November 04, 2011, 12:29 PM

By Nikole Hannah-Jones, The Oregonian The Oregonian
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Oregonian FileThe North Portland Library is one of 19 branches of the Multnomah County Library, which recently earned a five-star rating.

Multnomah County Library has again received the highest possible rating in the Library Journal's 2011 Index of Public Library Service. The five-star rating is given to the top U.S. libraries each year.

Multnomah County has earned five stars in three out of the four years Library Journal has published its ratings.

"Multnomah County Library is consistently rated as one of the best and busiest libraries in the nation," said Director of Libraries Vailey Oehlke in a news release. "We offer resources that are relevant and responsive to our patrons’ needs, and the high demand for library services locally reflects that. We are honored to receive this recognition from Library Journal and are grateful to this community for making it possible."

Multnomah County Library received the state's only five-star rating. The Port Orford, Eugene and Garden Home public libraries received three-star ratings. The Seattle Public Library also received a five-star rating.

Multnomah County Library is second in circulation only to New York Public Library, according to the most recent statistical report of the Public Library Data Service.

The library received other national recognition for its services recently. Earlier this year, the library accepted an award for its work with immigrant communities and was one of only 10 U.S. libraries selected for a science and literacy initiative to engage families in under-served communities. In 2010, Multnomah County Library was honored with the National Medal for Museum and Library Service.

Oregon's largest public library serves nearly one-fifth of the state's population and 35,000 people visit the library online or in person each day.

Young Adults: Can they read about real life? Or should we protect them?

I came across this article by one of my all-time favorite authors and creators, Sherman Alexie.  He wrote the Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (A National Book Award winner) which I highly recommend and may review later :) Alexie discussed whether teens should be exposed to real life, gritty happenings in literature and his answer was yes.  He said,

"And now I write books for teenagers because I vividly remember what it felt like to be a teen facing everyday and epic dangers. I don’t write to protect them. It’s far too late for that. I write to give them weapons–in the form of words and ideas-that will help them fight their monsters. I write in blood because I remember what it felt like to bleed."

To see the full article follow this link to the Wall Street Journal: http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/06/09/why-the-best-kids-books-are-written-in-blood/

Chime: Fantasy, Mystery, Romance

Billingsley, Franny. Chime. New York: Dial Books, 2011. I picked this up after I signed up for the Mock Michael L. Printz Award Workshop this winter.  The Printz Award is the annual award for excellence in Young Adult Books sponsored by the YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association). At first the cover threw me off but once I started reading, I was hooked.  Chime centers on 17 year old Briony Larkin, who believes she's a witch and as such deserves to be hanged.  Briony is convinced that she was responsible for the death of her Stepmother and hurting her twin sister, Rose. With the arrival of Eldric, a charming and handsome boy, Briony begins to question her lack of loveability as the mystery of what happened to her family in the past unravels. 
     Set in the backwaters of Swampsea, England, Billingsley novel is lush, mysterious, and dark complete with mythical creatures. The language is both lyrical and sensory as well as properly antiquated for the turn of the century time-frame. Briony is a character you soon won't forget: strong and at the same time vulnerable. Fans of Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching series would enjoy this although Chime has more of darkness and gothic feel to it. Highly recommend with one note: the first few chapters may move slow as one gets use to the language and the mystery involved but keep reading and soon you won't put it down! This is definitely a strong contender for the Printz Award. Ages 12 and up.

~"...a deceivingly delicious dark tale of eccentric characters and gripping suspense." VOYA

~"Exquisite to the final word." Booklist

Boy2Girl: Genderbending Fun

Sam or Samantha?  Boy2Girl places a tough American orphan of sorts into his British cousin's world.  In order to fit in with his cousin's "gang", Sam agrees to the dare of dressing as a girl on his first day of school.  The gang thinks Sam will bugger off but he ends up liking his new gender identity and quickly is a hit with the other kids at school. Blacker's funny book is reminiscent of Angus, Thongs... (see previous review) but is refreshing with it's alternating voice chapters and paragraphs by both girl and boy characters. Both boys and girls will appreciate this British import and the gender discussions that it will generate. Ages 12 and up.

~"An easy, amusing read..." Voice of Youth Advocates

Feedback from Author

Hi all, I haven't been posting as of late but plan on writing about all the great YA books I've read over the summer soon.  In the meantime, check out this great feedback I got from Jackson Pearce.  I emailed her soon after I reviewed Sisters Red and she replied:

Hi Wendy!

I think it's awesome that you and your daughter read it together. So many parents don't read with their kids into their teens…I'm sure it means so much to your daughter. I'm glad you liked it, and thanks for the review!

Jackson Pearce

http://www.jacksonpearce.com/

SWEETLY (Little, Brown)

SISTERS RED (Little, Brown)

AS YOU WISH (HarperCollins)

Incarceron: a dystopia where history and the future collide

Fisher, Catherine. Incarceron. New York: Dial Books, 2010. 

     A cross between steampunk* and an epic fantasy, Incarceron tells the dual story of Finn, a prisoner who survives Incarceron by living with a band of thieves and Claudia, the Warden’s daughter, who is determined to free him.  Claudia lives on the Outside, a Victorian-like world where technology was banned at the time of the founding of Incarceron years ago.  The prison was created originally as a place to reform the world’s criminals and the poor but ending up as a place no one can leave. Claudia’s supposed utopian world and Finn’s collide in this action-packed and complex novel.  Although some aspects of the novel may seem far-fetched to some, Fisher aptly gets the reader invested with her staggering historical and technological detail.  Although it's laced with complex detail, it is far from a difficult read...I'd say it reads fast: an exciting read with many twists.  If you liked the Hunger Games, you will enjoy Incarceron.  A sequel, Sapphique, has been released and a movie is in pre-production starring Taylor Lautner as Finn.  (I admit I’m disappointed in his selection.  I’m curious as how they will make him look scraggly and thin.)
     Incarceron won Publishers Weekly’s Best Children’s Book of the Year in 2010 as well as School Library Journal’s Best book of the Year 2010.  Booklist said, “This gripping futuristic fantasy has breathless pacing, an intelligent story line, and superb detail in rendering both of the stagnating environments. Fisher's characters are emotionally resonant, flawed, determined, and plagued by metaphysical questions. With some well-timed shocking twists and a killer ending, this is a must-have.” Ages 12 and up.

Here is the video trailer for the book:






* Steampunk, is a subgenre of science fiction, that uses a Victorian setting where steam power and advanced technologies like computers coexist and often features themes, such as secret societies, found in mystery novels.

What is the Real World?

            Stork, Francisco X. Marcelo in the Real World. New York : Arthur A. Levine Books, 2009. Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork is the story of a 17 year old boy with an Asperger’s-like condition making his way from a sheltered environment into the “real world”.  Marcelo’s father insists that he take a summer job in his law firm instead of staying on at his therapeutic pony riding school in order to experience mainstream life.  Marcelo is reluctant but does his best.  Being in the real world forces Marcelo to step out of his comfort zone-especially when it comes to interacting with other people.  He ends up having to face several ethical dilemma’s including his father’s questionable personal injury case, office politics and a situation with his new friend and potential girlfriend, Jasmine, being pursued by another lawyer’s seedy son.   Marcelo soon realizes that the world is not so black and white as he once thought and takes what he learns to plan a rewarding future for himself.

            The critical response to Marcelo was very favorable.  Publisher’s Weekly stated it had “artfully crafted characters” and “Stork introduces ethical dilemmas, the possibility of love, and other “real world” conflicts, all the while preserving the integrity of his characterizations and intensifying the novel’s psychological and emotional stakes.  Not to be missed.” 

The New York Times Sunday Book Review said, “…in the hands of Francisco X. Stork, 17-year-old Marcelo Sandoval is the bravest, most original hero I’ve met in years”  and "the reader’s conflict-rooting for Marcelo to succeed yet unsure what success actually means for him-energizes “Marcelo in the Real World,” a brisk, brilliant, unsentimental novel…” 

Besides garnering favorable reviews, Marcelo in the Real World won many awards and recognition. A few notable ones are: 

Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2009

 2009 Amazon Top Ten Books for Teens

       School Library Journal Best Books for 2009

                                         YALSA Best Book for Young Adults, 2010

I agree with the reviewers that Marcelo in the Real World is an excellent book.  It was very readable and had compelling characters and story.  Besides being an easy and enjoyable book to read, the perspective of an Asperger’s teen and the morality issues that were raised make it an important subject. I enjoyed reading it as an adult and will pass it onto my teenage daughters.  I wouldn’t have many concerns for readers ages 13 and up.  There was some minor language and women as sex objects but both were handled aptly by the author.

Social Justice through Photography Project at Multnomah County Library

Teens, check out this photography event at MCL.  Learn photography and promote social justice! Free.  Starts this Friday (July 15th, 2011).
http://www.multcolib.org/events/photovoice.html

The Great Perhaps

Green, John. Looking for Alaska. NewYork: Dutton Children's Books, 2005.
     
      This tells the tale of 16 year old Miles Halter, who at first struggles to fit in a boarding school until he meets his roommate, the Colonel, and his close friend, Alaska. Miles is instantly attracted to Alaska, a sexy, smart, bold girl and the three have many prank-filled adventures to ease the boredom and high pressure of boarding school. Tragedy looms with clues from the chapter headings such as 40 days before, 10 days after and the kids have to deal with loss and what it all means.  This debut novel felt very real and emotional through Mile's funny and poignant narration; the characterizations were excellent; and overall, teen life was spot on.  Although handled sensitively by the author, there are multiple references to sex, smoking, and drinking, and this makes it more suitable for grades 9 and up.  Highly recommended.


~winner of the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award for Young Adult
~"The anticipated favorable comparisons to Holden Caufield are richly deserved in this highly recommended addition to young adult literature."  School Library Journal

Sisters Red, a modern fairy tale with bite

Pearce, Jackson. Sisters Red. New York: Little, Brown, 2010.

Fenris versus Little Red Riding Hood?  Sisters Red tells the story of orphan teens, Rosie and Scarlett March, fighting the Fenris, deceivingly beautiful men who morph into werewolves at the sight of beautiful girls and devour them.  These kick-ass March girls are the anti-Bella.  Scarlett, who was permanently scared when a Fenris killed her grandma, is bent on eliminating all of the werewolves in her lifetime.  Rosie, the more sensitive of the closely-knit sisters, wields a knife with skill.  With the help of their woodsman friend, Silas, these girls fight evil, emotional and physical scars withstanding.  Working as a team, the girls wrap themselves in red cloaks to attract the Fenris before ambushing them.  The story is further complicated when the number of Fenris’ swell and Rosie, Silas, and Scarlett must determine who the next “Potential” Fenris will be. One bite and the boy’s soul is lost forever.  Will they beat the seemingly impossible odds and defeat the multiplying werewolves? Part romance, part modern gothic fairy tale, Jackson Pearce’s action-packed Sisters Red is also a satisfying character-book, complete with tough heroines.  Twilight fans will find this novel far better than Bella and Edward’s story. For ages 13 and up.

~ "This well-written, high-action adventure grabs readers and never lets go....A satisfying read with a fantastic cover." -- School Library Journal (starred review).
       ~ "If you love your romance hot, your bad guys downright dirty, and your heroines real enough to bleed, this is your book!" -Becca Fitzpatrick, New York Times bestselling author of Hush, Hush.

Also, look for Sisters Red companion book, Sweetly, based on Hansel and Gretel, to be released this August. I will review it once I read it! Cool covers, huh?

The Geography Club, a slice of high school

Hartinger, Bret. Geography Club. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2003.
     Russel Middlebrook believes he is the only gay kid in his school, but soon finds out otherwise. Several GLBTQ kids band together to form a club and choose the name Geography Club thinking no one would want to join. In the meantime, Russel starts a tentative relationship with the star athlete, Kevin, and joins the baseball team. The high school rumor mill intercedes as Russel dates a girl as a favor to a friend. Russel’s life is further complicated when he must choose between his new popularity and sticking up for another boy who is being targeted because other kids think he is gay.
Funny, hopeful, great characters and depiction of high school life. Geography Club felt like a big brother to Totally Joe. (I will post on Totally Joe soon). For ages 12 and up.



Geography Club garnered good reviews:
~"A compelling look at the high school scene and the serious consequences of being 'different.' The plot never falters. Dialogue flows smoothly and is always completely believable....Characterization is excellent...This author has something to say here, and his message is potent and effective in its delivery. Many teens, both gay and straight, should find this novel intriguing."
-- School Library Journal
    
     Also, check out the author's website: http://www.brenthartinger.com/.  Hartinger, a NW author, is active in helping gay youth and all-around funny guy. For those of you who aren't familiar with the acronym GBTLQ, it stands for Gay, Bi, Transgender, Lesbian, and Questioning.

Librarians help the homeless and the Biblioburro

Okay, this is not directly related to YA books but I thought you all would appreciate a "cool" librarian that provides books to Portland's homeless.  Making a difference is what it's all about.  Link to the article below the picture.



http://www.oregonlive.com/living/index.ssf/2011/07/bicycle-powered_book_cart_give.html


Also perhaps even more inspiring is the Biblioburro, where a teacher travels by burro to bring books to rural children in Columbia.  See the NY Times article at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/20/world/americas/20burro.html.  Be sure and scroll through the slide show.

Somber sure, but a book you won't forget

Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief.  New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 2006.
     Death himself narrates this compelling character book set in war-torn Nazi Germany.  The story focuses on a plucky German girl, Liesel, but the author fleshes out many memorable characters such as her best friend Rudy, who defies the Hitler Youth movement, and Max, an artist and Jewish refugee.  Tragic but at the same time hard to put down, I highly recommend this book as an alternative to standard Nazi fare.  The Book Thief won numerous awards including the Michael L. Printz Award in 2007 and was on the New York Times Bestseller list for 190 weeks. If you like this book, which I’m sure you will , try Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2008.  For ages 14 and up.

Graphic Novels are so underated!

O’Malley, Brian Lee. Scott Pilgrim: Precious Little Life. Portland, OR: Oni Press, 2004.

     Meet Scott Pilgrim, a sweet 23 year old slacker who plays in a band, loves video games, and has an Asian-Canadian girlfriend named Knives Chau. Scott’s tranquil, let’s see what the day brings life takes an interesting turn when he meet Ramona Flowers, a rollerblading delivery girl. Scott’s world enters the kung-fu realm when he must battle Ramona’s seven evil ex-boyfriends to win a date with her.  Funny, fast-paced, and silly. First in a series of graphic novels, and check out the movie starring Michael Cera- released in August, 2010. For ages 13 and up.

Reger, Rob. Emily the Strange, Lost, Dark, and Boring. Milwaukie, OR: Dark horse Comics, 2006.

     Meet Emily Strange, a brooding 13 year old with a penchant for dark spells, extreme science experiments, and film-making. This witty yet gloomy goth-punk girl battles against boredom in this collection of comics.  Comics include: “The Boring Issue”, The Lost Issue”, and the “Dark Issue”. For ages 12 and up.

Shanower, Eric. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. New York: Marvel Publishing Inc., 2009.

     Author/cartoonist Eric Shanower with the help of artist Skottie Young faithfully adapts L. Frank Baum’s Oz stories into a graphic novel format. Forget the movie! Although who doesn’t love the movie version?  But this version brings to life the real story behind Dorothy, the Land of Oz, the Wicked Witch and more.  Did you know that Dorothy’s shoes were silver, not red in Baum’s original book?  Besides details like these, Young’s illustrations are top-notch and unique. More books to come…For ages 12 and up.

Life in the City of Angels Gangster style: Nonfiction at its best

Su, Lac. I love yous are for white people: a memoir. New York: Harper Perennial, 2009.

     Su recounts his families’ harrowing escape from a difficult life in Vietnam into another in Los Angeles.   Crushing poverty, a difficult relationship with his father and searching for an identity as an immigrant in America lead the teenager into the gang-life. Will he get past his troubles and find himself? For ages 14 and up.