Adventures of Blue Avenger--Norma Howe

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in October 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

Title: Adventures of Blue Avenger

Author: Norma Howe

1999

genre: Humor; Fiction

Subjects: free will/determinism; choices; heroes; family

Summary: 16 year old David Schumacher decides to change his name to Blue Avenger on his birthday. When he becomes Blue, he transforms into a hero and is able to do good deeds and save his friends. 

Critique: Very well written, it looks at serious subjects, grief, free will/determinism, and makes them funny without mocking them. 

Recommendation: Yes

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Nothing to see here...

These are not the droids you're looking for....

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(Just testing some code.)
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Hate You--Graham McNamee

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in October 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

Title: Hate You

Author: Graham McNamee

1999

Genre: realistic fiction

Subjects: self-esteem; acceptance; family relationships

Summary: Alice is strangled by her abusive father at a very young age and her voice is affected unalterably. Though she will never be able to sing beautifully, she writes songs. Through a friendship with a girl who has a voice of an angel but is overweight and lacks self-esteem, Alice begins to accept herself and her fate. 

Critique: Well written and cleverly done. Also, a quick read but well worth it.

Recommendation: Yes.

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YA Authors You Need to Read: Scott Westerfeld

This article first appeared on the examiner on December 22, 2010.

Scott Westerfeld was born on May 5, 1963 in Dallas, Texas. Like many authors he has held a variety of jobs. He has worked as a factory worker making lead soldiers, a substitute teacher, a textbook editor, a software designer and a ghost writer. Luckily his writing experience didn’t stop as a ghost, and he published many YA novels under his own name. He is married to the Australian author Justine Larbalestier and splits his time between Sydney, Australia and New York, avoiding the cold snowy winters. 

One of Westerfeld’s most popular series is the Uglies series. Originally meant to be a trilogy, the series was received so well Westerfeld wrote a fourth companion novel. The first book is also called “Uglies” and introduces the reader to an alternate world in which everyone is forced to have an operation at 16 years old. The operation is not for health reasons or to protect the public, but is purely cosmetic, remaking each teen into a beautiful person. There are some teens that want to keep their faces and that sets up the conflict in the series. For a review from the East Greenbush YA Librarian Chrissie Morrison, click here.

Other Books

Stand alone books:

• “Evolutions Darling”
• “So Yesterday”
• “The Risen Empire” (originally published as two books, “The Risen Empire” and “The Killing of Worlds”)

Uglies Series:

• “Pretties” (Morrison’s review)
• “Specials” (Morrison’s review)
• “Extras” (Morrison’s review)
• “Bogus to Bubbly: An Insider’s Guide to the World of Uglies”

Midnighters series:

• “The Secret Hour”
• “Touching Darkness”
• “Blue Noon”

Peeps series

• “Peeps” (Morrison’s review)
• “The Last Days” (Morrison’s review)

Leviathan series

• “Leviathan”
• “Behemoth”
• “Goliath” (October 2011)

You can find more information about Westerfeld on hisblog/website, follow him on twitter, and like his fan facebook page.

You can find these books at your local capital district library.

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YA Authors You Need to Read: Garth Nix

This article first appeared on the examiner on December 1, 2010. 

Garth Nix has worn a number of hats related to the book industry. He’s worked as a “literary agent, marketing consultant, book editor, book publicist, book sales representative, bookseller” and as a full time author since 2001. According to his biography on his website he was born in Melbourne Australia in 1963. He currently lives with his wife and two children near Sydney.

“Mister Monday” is the first book in the Keys to the Kingdom series and introduces Arthur Penhaligon. Arthur is starting seventh grade in a new school. Unbeknownst to him the entire seventh grade is forced to participate in a cross-country run on every Monday, and naturally he's starting school on Monday. Even though he's a severe asthmatic Arthur doesn't have a note from his doctor because he didn't know he needed to bring one... he tries to do the run anyway and winds up passing out. While he's struggling to breathe he witnesses a strange interaction between men who just appeared out of thin air. A man being wheeled in a bathtub carriage gives Arthur a key (the minute hand to a huge clock) in the hopes that Arthur will die and he can take the key back having fulfilled his part of a Will demanding he give the key to a mortal. But Arthur doesn't die and is instead revived by the Key. Thus enters Mister Monday, the lesser Key to the House, and the strangeness begins...

Other Books for Teens:

The Abhorsen Trilogy:

• “Sabriel”
• “Lirael”
• “Abhorsen”
  The Keys to the Kingdom Series:
• “Grim Tuesday” (Goddess Librarian review)
• “Drowned Wednesday” (Goddess Librarian review)
• “Sir Thursday” (Goddess Librarian review)
• “Lady Friday” (Goddess Librarian review)
• “Superior Saturday” (Goddess Librarian review)
• “Lord Sunday” (Goddess Librarian review)
  The Seventh Tower series:
• “The Fall”
• “Castle”
• “Aenir”
• “Above the Veil”
• “Into Battle”
• “The Violet Keystone”

You can find more information about Garth Nix on hiswebsite, and his facebook fan page (he has reached the 5000 friend limit for his personal facebook and cannot accept any more friends).

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My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours--Kristina Springer

Title: My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours
Author: Kristina Springer
Publisher: Farrar Strauss Giroux, 2010
Pages: 180p
Source: Library

Tori and Sienna have been best friends for a long time but when Sienna's father does really well in the stock market and they leave for summer vacation, their relationship changes. The summer begins well enough but pretty soon Sienna has stopped e-mailing Tori and she feels left behind. She begins seventh grade not knowing whether or not she even still has a best friend. When she sees Sienna in school she's even more unsure--Sienna looks completely different, tan and with beautiful long blonde hair, and going on and on about her new boyfriend Antonio. Tori is sure that Sienna is making up Antonio so she makes up her own pretend boyfriend to compete with him. Funny hijinks ensue.

This book is definitely on the younger side of YA, but it's a nice quick funny read. The girls HAVE to be in 7th grade because who else but a 7th grader would make up a boyfriend? Kristina Springer's depiction of 7th grade girls is SPOT ON. They are all boy crazy but without any real experience. In addition to the funny antics, there are some real lessons about friendship and being true to oneself. It's a good book to choose to lead into a discussion about identity and changing yourself to fit in. At first glance it's just a fun lighthearted book, but it's a good book discussion group selection because it prompts conversation about deeper issues. I don't think a boy would be caught anywhere near this book, but middle school girls will probably clamor for it.
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Monster--Walter Dean Myers

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in November 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

Title: Monster

Myers, Walter Dean

1999

genre: Fiction

subjects: Crime, jail, trials, self-perception

Summary: 16 year old Steve Harmon is on trial for felony murder. He's so disturbed by the events of his life that he decides to write it all down like it's a movie. We see the trial through his "screenplay" as he attempts to regain control of his life. 

Critique: Creative in format, Myers's book shows us how easy it is to blur reality and fantasy. Steve sees his life like a movie while he's in jail because it's easier for him to handle it that way. But if he had seen it as reality from the get-go maybe he would never have gotten into the mess. The reader is treated like a jury member, although we have insight to Steve that the jury does not. I did not know how the trial would end until it did. Even knowing the outcome, and with insight into Steve's mind, there is still doubt as to the extent of his involvement. Although a judge and jury determined his guilt or innocence, Steve faces a tougher judge, one who sees him as a monster: himself. 

Recommendation: Yes. 

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Seth Baumgartner's Love Manifesto--Eric Luper

Title: Seth Baumgartner's Love Manifesto
Author: Eric Luper
Publisher: Harper Collins, 2010.

Seth Baumgartner is taking his lunch break at Applebees with his long-time girlfriend when she drops a bomb--she's breaking up with him because she's just too "comfortable" with him. While reeling from that devastating blow he sees his father walk into the restaurant--with another woman! The cherry on top of his craptacular cone comes when he returns to work late and loses his job. The fourth one of the year. Seth is just not having a good day. Seth responds by creating a podcast--the Love Manifesto--questioning why people fall in love in the first place and if it ever stands a chance.

This *could* be a really sad book with a whiny protagonist. Instead, it's a funny, well-written, engaging story that will appeal to both boys and girls. There are tons of local Capital District references. Eric Luper mentions street names and community names, and refers to the time the mudslide happened on Delaware Ave (I remember that!!). It was a treat being able to recognize so many of the locations Seth frequented. Seth is a funny guy with a good cast of supporting characters. Even though Seth makes mistakes along the way, his journey is entertaining and enlightening and readers want him to succeed.

The book is about "love" but there are many other issues as well: friendship, family, identity. The cover is awesome and allows boys to pick it up without feeling self-conscious. There's so much written about the lack of good books for boys and the "boy reading problem." If only there were more books like this one! Cool cover, funny protagonist, sports (golf), music, technology, and yet the main character is in touch with his feelings. Put this one on your Christmas list for that hard to buy for boy in your life.

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Real Live Boyfriends ARC winner

Using random.org the winner is comment #3, Ariel. Please e-mail me your snail mail address and I'll send it to you.

I really enjoyed everyone's answers! I'm sorry you couldn't all win!

Just a reminder--this is an ARC, an Advanced Reader's Copy, which means you can't sell it anywhere. You can pass it on to your friends, donate it to a school when you're done, or keep it under your pillow forever, but you can't make any money off of it.

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The Subtle Knife--Philip Pullman

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in August 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

Title: The Subtle Knife

Author: Philip Pullman

1997

Genre: Fantasy

Subjects: journeys; other worlds; religion; friendship

Summary: Lyra and Will find themselves in a strange world where the only people they can trust are each other. They both have important tasks to achieve the same goal but don't know it. Sequel to The Golden Compass, second in series of three. 

Critique: More complex than the first book, The Subtle Knife must be read word for word. The different plots fit together nicely and we get a sense of the overall story. Major cliffhanger, wait until the 3rd one is available before reading this!

Recommendation: Yes!

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Giveaway: Real Live Boyfriends by E. Lockhart

You all read me gush about E. Lockhart's latest Real Live Boyfriends right (the ARC I won that's not out until December 28!)? At first I thought I'd give it away, and then I thought NO! It's mine! LOVES! MINE. And then I lent it to a friend and then I realized that I couldn't keep the goodness just for myself.

So, I'm passing it on to you!

Rules:
1. Live in the US. If you don't, please don't comment. I use random.org to pick a number so if there are non-qualifying comments it gets messed up...
2. Leave me a comment telling me the most embarrassing thing you've done in the name of love. 

For additional entries (for each additional entry, you need to leave a separate comment):
1. Follow this blog and leave me a comment telling me you're a follower.
2. Like my facebook page and leave me a comment about it.
3. Follow me on twitter and leave me a comment.
4. Retweet my giveaway tweet and leave me a comment.


You have until Friday, December 10, 2010 to enter. A winner will be chosen using random.org on December 11. If the winner doesn't contact me me by December 14, I'll pick a new winner. So make sure you check back here on the 11th. 

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I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.

The Golden Compass--Philip Pullman

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in August 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

Title: The Golden Compass

Author: Philip Pullman

1995

Genre: Fantasy

Subjects: religion; souls; male/female dynamics; family

Summary: Lyra Belacqua leads a crusade to save her friend and other helpless children from gruesome scientific experiments. Along the way she learns important lessons on who she is and the struggle between good and evil. First of three books.

Critique: Exciting and thought-provoking, this book will appeal to young adults and adults alike. It focuses on religion without it being so obvious that it turns the reader off. Interesting thesis--people with tangible souls--and treatment of the original sin/good-evil discussion. Great for a book discussion group for any age!

Recommendation: Yes!

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Top Ten Tuesday: Literary BFFs

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and The Bookish. This is my first time participating!

This week's topic is: Top Ten characters I'd like to be best friends with:

1. Jo from Little Women. I got this from Jessi at TB&TB. I can't believe I had forgotten about her! I had to include her after seeing her on Jessi's list. I remember loving Jo as a kid.

2. Nita & Kit from the Young Wizards series by Diane Duane. I just reviewed the most recent one here. Nita & Kit are both teens who discover they are wizards when they come across a library book in So You Want to be a Wizard. I loved this book as a kid and I've kept up with the series ever since (25 years later!!)

3. Will Stanton from the Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper. He was my first literary crush. All you Harry Potter fans? Read the Dark is Rising series and then talk to me.

4. Sabriel from the Abhorsen trilogy by Garth Nix. She can control the dead. What's not to like?

5. Ruby Oliver from E. Lockhart's books. Read my latest review here. Ruby is funny and cool and even if she thinks she's a bit neurotic she'd keep life interesting being her friend!

6. Luciano and Arianna from the Stravaganza series. I apparently like magical, fantastical, adventurous couples for friends!

7. Colie from Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen. I'd probably be BFF with all of Sarah Dessen's characters, but Keeping the Moon was the first book I read of hers so it's always held a special place in my heart. It really spoke to me. Even though I was in my 20s at the time, I remember feeling very much like Colie did.

8. Lyra Bellaqua from His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman. She's a spunky girl with a fierce sense of loyalty. Plus, I introduced Philip Pullman to egg drop soup at a Chinese Restaurant (true story).

9. Evanjalin from Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta. Because she is a "strong female hero" in every sense of the word. She kicks ass, sacrifices everything for what's right, and is not afraid to make the hard decisions.

10. Curious George. He knows where the fun is and makes some on his own if he can't find any. And he's a monkey. Who doesn't want to be BFFs with a monkey?

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