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.

Looking for a funny read?

Rennsion, Louise. Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging. New York: Harper Collins Publisher, 2000.

     Georgia Nicolson’s hilarious diary entries tell the story of her misadventures as a teen in Britain.  Not only does she have to deal with a bedwetting little sister, embarrassing parents, and a cat hell-bent on messing up dogs, Georgia has to figure out how to get Robbie, the Sexgod, to notice her instead of his thong-wearing girlfriend.  The book comes complete with “Georgia’s Glossary” to help translate British Slang.  Funny and fast, find out what snogging means! Also look for the movie, Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging. Georgia’s story continues in 9 other books. For ages 12 and up.