February, 2013

"The Invisible Girls" by Sarah Thebarge        

Decimated by breast cancer, Sarah has decided to start her life over, in Portland Oregon.  While riding the bus, she encounters a young mother and her daughters.  Hadhi, a Somali refugee, and her five young girls are barely keeping her family afloat.  She speaks very little English, is confused by seemingly simple things, i.e. how to use the stove.  Sarah steps up and begins helping the family, showing them basic American survival skills.         

Overall, I thought this book was both heartbreaking and uplifting.  It was hard to read about the decimation of her young body and the toll that cancer took on her emotional and physical state.  Despite her struggles, she essentially adopted a refugee family, giving everything she had to help them survive.  Overall, I thought the book was well written and well paced. 

"This Is How I Save My Life" by Amy B. Scher         

Suffering from Lyme Disease, Amy decides to travel to India to undergo a controversial procedure, embryonic stem cell treatment.  I found the first two thirds of the book to be fascinating.  I couldn't read enough about how the stem cells were working, the changes that were going on in her body and of the cultural differences she encountered in India.  I appreciated that she didn't get into the debate about the morality of embryonic stem cells, but merely told her story and her experiences.  I am not a spiritual person and found myself growing bored during the last third of the book.   I think some will really enjoy that part of the book, it just wasn't for me.  Overall, this book was well written, engaging and at times funny.  Highly recommended.

"Queen of the Air" by Dean N. Jensen        

Lillian Leitzel is widely regarded as the Queen of the Air, the most popular circus aerialist throughout the world.  Born into a circus family, the story chronicles the life of her mother, Nellie and the life of Alfredo Cordono, Leitzel's third husband.         

I found this story extremely tragic.  Leitzel's life, despite the glamour and fame, just seemed a bit sad.  She worked hard to please her audiences, and in the end, was killed performing.  I thought at times the writing seemed a bit detached.  I didn't feel like I really knew the characters by the end of the book.  Overall, this was a good story

"Fast Trapped" by Tracy Rozzlynn        

This is a sequel to Fast-Tracked, a dystopian novel which has rigidly defined class groups.   After agreeing to marry Avery, a wealthy and influential teenager, Zandria learns more and more disturbing things about his character and past.  After securing herself a political internship, she seeks to learn as much as possible as quickly as she can.  Walking a fine line, she must find a way to protect herself without becoming what she hates.         

I thought this was a well written and engaging book.  The character development was phenomenal and information was revealed with great timing.  I enjoy reading about this universe and look forward to the next book in the series.  Overall, highly recommended.

"Whistling Past the Graveyard" by Susan Crandall        

Set in the early 1960's, this novel follows the adventures of nine year old Starla.  After running away from home, she takes a ride from a black woman, Eula.  Quickly she realizes that Eula has taken the white baby that she is traveling with and things begin to unravel.  When Eula's husband tries to murder Starla, Eula rises to her protection, killing him with a skillet.  Starla quickly convinces Eula to take her to Tennessee, where she hopes to be reunited with her mother, someone she believes is a famous singer.         

I had a hard time putting this book down.  Starla's innocence and curiosity about the world kept me guessing what would happen next.  I thought the book did a good job of portraying the race relations and tensions of the time.  Overall, highly recommended.

"Replacement Child" by Judy L. Mandel        

Judy was born as a replacement for the daughter who died in a tragic plane accident.  I was unable to finish this book.  It had no chronological order whatsoever, which was very disorienting.  Also, while I was interested in her childhood, her adulthood bored me to tears.  It seems more appropriate for a psychology exercise than a novel. 

"The Camp" by Greg Hair        

Stationed in a concentration camp, Karl is determined to make a name for himself.  Proud of his horrific treatment of Jews, he is quickly noticed by his superiors.  When a Jew is brought in who looks like Karl, everything changes.  His world is turned upside down by the revelation that he was born to a Jewish woman and was adopted at birth.         

I don't want to give anything away, but I thought this book was a bit far fetched.  Some of the characters changed completely overnight.  I would have liked to have seen more character development and more struggle.  The book was well paced and did a good job of moving from the present to the past.  With all of the great holocaust survivor literature out there, this isn't a book I find myself recommending or rereading. 

"In the Shadow of the Lamp" by Suzanne Dunlap        

Molly is dismissed from her parlor maid position after another employee sets her up.  Wandering the streets of London, Molly hears that Florence Nightingale is looking for nurses to travel into war to help British soldiers.  After being turned down for the position, Molly smuggles herself onto their boat.  Surprised by her determination, Florence decides to take her on.           

This was a very interesting book.  I found myself reading far into the night.  It is well written, the characters are engaging and the plot is well paced.  I look forward to reading the authors other books.

"The Rules for Disappearing" by Ashley Elston         

Meg and her family are part of the Witness Protection Program.  On their sixth placement, the family is worn down and exhausted.  Determined to lay low, Meg's plan is shattered when she meets charismatic Ethan Landry.  With her father refusing to answer her questions, Meg finds herself more and more frustrated with the entire situation.  Until she begins regaining her memory.         

Overall, I thought this was a good book.  Its characters were interesting and the plot moved at a good pace.  I would have liked to know more about Meg's sister, specifically why she was so withdrawn and childlike.  Otherwise, I thought the book was well done.  Overall, highly recommended

"Frozen Solid" by James Tabor        

Microbiologist and expert diver Hallie is sent to the South Pole to continue her friends research.  Immediately she uncovers that her friend’s death was no accident, she was tortured and murdered.  Unsure who trust, she tries to uncover more information.         

I thought this was a well written and engaging book.  I loved reading about the South Pole, it is a setting rarely written about.  The characters were interesting, their emotions well developed and overall they were unique and believable.  Overall, I highly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.

"Third Son" by Julie Wu         

The third son and least favorite child, Saburo is eager to escape home and school for the outdoors.  As the air raid sirens blow, he runs into Yoshiko, a lovely girl full of life and freedom.  Their brief encounter changes his life, he spends time looking for her and trying to reconnect.  After winning her heart, Saburo takes an American examination and against all odds he passes.  Leaving behind his wife and newborn son, he travels to America, determined to make a new and better life for his family.         

I thought this book was exceedingly well written.  Learning about Taiwan was interesting, and seeing Saburo's reactions to life in America was just fascinating.  I felt his determination to make a new life and his yearning for his wife and son.  Overall, highly recommended.

"My Teacher is an Alien" by  Bruce Coville        

Everyone was looking forward to the beginning of sixth grade, after all they were going to have the best teacher in the school.  But when Mr. Smith shows up, his strict rules and behavior make everyone realize that their perfect year has been ruined.  Susan, spying on Mr. Smith, watches him peel off his face, uncovering that he is an alien.          

I remember fondly reading this series as a child, and when I saw a used copy for sale at the library I jumped on it.  Needless to say, I found the book just as interesting and endearing now as I did then.  I can't wait to pass it on to my nieces and nephews to read!

"Broken" by Susan Jane Bigelow         

An unlikely group of heroes comes together to save a baby.  Michael sees future possibilities, each one leading to his death.  Broken used to be able to fly, but once she lost that ability she has devolved into an homeless alcoholic.  Monica's entire family is destroyed, her life is in ruins and she finds herself falling in with Michael and Broken.          

This was a fascinating book.  It has a comic book flair to it with the superhuman powers and abilities.  The author has created a fascinating world.  I did grow tired of the baby diaper jokes, it seemed that the author just couldn't leave that alone.  But otherwise, I thought this was a very enjoyable read.  Highly recommended.

"Fever" by Mary Beth Keane         

Mary Mallon, a hard working Irish immigrant, found work in the kitchens of the wealthy and famous.  However, everywhere she went, people contracted typhoid fever.  A healthy woman, Mary didn't understand how she could be spreading the disease.  The Department of Health arrested her and sent her to live on a consumption island.  The only healthy, patient on the island, Mary fought her captures.  After three years, an attorney won her freedom and she found herself signing an affidavit that she would never cook again.  Slowly, she found herself cooking for friends and neighbors, until she took a job at a bakery and then a maternity hospital.

This was a fascinating book.  It was well written and engaging.  I felt bad for Mary, who was unable to understand that she was a healthier carrier of typhoid.  I also felt bad for the unwitting victims she passed the disease onto.  This is an interesting slice of history, one that really shows the realities of immigration and hard work in a time where disease was misunderstood.  Overall, highly recommended.

"The Girls of Atomic City" by Denise Kiernan         

Oak Ridge Tennessee was created as part of the Manhattan Project during World War II.  Many young women from small towns across the U.S. were recruited to work in its factories to enrich uranium for the atomic bomb.  Unaware of what they were working on, these women were sworn to secrecy and unable to discuss details with their families or each other.          

I thought this book was a bit hard to read.  The author skipped around a lot.  I realize the book is supposed to be compartmentalized, but Just when I was getting interested in a specific girl or a specific story, the author would move on to another.   Overall, this was just not a cohesive story.

"Tom's River" by Dan Fagin         

The small town of Tom's River was a children's cancer cluster due to industrial pollution.  Its residents delved deep into his history in order to file suit against the corporation polluting the air and water.           

Overall, I thought this book was a bit dry.  Other than a few chapters, the author didn't really capture the people behind the tragedy.  I thought some of the history was interesting, but it could have been edited down so that the people affected by the pollution were more prominent.  This wasn't a bad book, it will be useful to students, researchers, etc.  I just don't see myself rereading it.

"A Mormon Massacre" by Joseph Rinaldo       

 Jeremiah has a big grudge against the Mormons.  In order to uncover the abuse within the church he is trained by the Mormon Victim's Action Committee and goes undercover into the LDS community.         

I'm not sure how to respond to this book.  The book tried to connect the Meadow Massacre to the present, blaming the sins of the father on the son.  I realize the author is trying to be shocking, but the characters came across as a bit crazy and hate mongers.  The dialog was weak and character development was shallow.  The entire book reads like a conspiracy theory gone wrong.  The author didn't do much research about the LDS church, even I know that male and female missionaries are never paired together.   Overall, not a good read.

"Garden of Stone" by Sophie Littlefield        

In the modern day, Lucy Takeda is being quested about the death of a man she knew from her past.  Her daughter is working to uncover the truth, did her mom kill him?  Alternating between the past and present, the author tells the story of Lucy and her mother Miyako as they are rounded up with other Japanese Americans and taken to an internment camp.  A gorgeous woman, Miyako will do anything to protect her daughter.         

I thought this was powerful and moving book.  It was well written, engaging and I had trouble putting it down.  The author has definitely done her research into internment camps and the Japanese American experience during WWII.  The characters felt very real and multidimensional.  Overall, highly recommended.

"A Shimmer of Angels" by Lisa M. Basso        

Rayna has spent three years off her life in the mental hospital, because she sees angels everywhere.  After being cured, she is placed back with her family.  After starting public school, she begins seeing wings again.  Soon after two of her classmates die.         

 have a hard time rating this book.  I thought the characters were overly emotional, overly dramatic, which took away from the story for me.  It seemed as if Ray spent most of her time running away, which wasn't that great for story development, plot and pacing.  However, I think teenage girls will absolutely love this book.  I think they will enjoy the high emotion and the overly dramatic conflicts.

"The Midwife's Revolt" by Jodi Daynard        

After her husband dies during the American Revolution, Lizzie Boylston is left to run their farm alone.  A practiced midwife, she befriends the women in town and is often called on for all types of sickness and disease.  A close friend of Abigail Adams, the wife of John Adams, the book weaves fiction with history.         

The author definitely did her homework about birthing babies and the herbs and medicine of the time.  I thought this was a good book.  It was slow at times and even seemed to drag in places.  Despite this, it was well written and the characters were engaging. 

"Shadow Girl" by Patricia Morrison        

11 year old Jules is often left alone to fend for herself.  Her father, an alcoholic, is distant, uninvolved and often disappears for days at a time..  When she admits to a friendly store clerk that her dad has disappeared, she ends up in a cold and unfeeling foster home.         

I thought this was a haunting book.  It was a sad look into the life of a foster child and the anxiety and worries they feel.  At times the book switched tenses, from first to third to past.  This was a bit distracting.  I think some careful editing is needed to keep people reading through.  Overall, not bad.

"Something to Prove" by Robert Skead (author) Floyd Cooper (illustrator)        

This is a children's book depicting a baseball game between Satchel Paige, an amazing black pitcher, and Joe DiMaggio.  I thought the illustrations were beautiful.  They were gritty and realistic.  I'm not entirely sure what the author's message was.  It seemed that he was trying to comment on blacks in baseball, but his focus was on Joe DiMaggio.

"Ariel Bradley, Spy for General Washington" by Vanita Oelschlager        

9 year old Ariel Bradley, pretending to be a country bumpkin, stole into enemy camps making note of troops, weapons and their set-up.  I thought the book was written a bit clumsily.  The author spent a lot of time describing his mother's cobbler and relatively few pages regarding his adventures.  Overall, I thought this was a bust.  It didn't contain enough information to be an adventure story and did not hold my attention.

"Still Points North" by Leigh Newman         

When Leigh's parents’ divorce, she is torn between two worlds, Baltimore and Alaska.  Summers are spent in the wilderness of Alaska, fishing and hiking.  The school year is spent in Baltimore, where she struggles to fit in with her peers.         

I was very interested in the book when the author was talking about her childhood and her wildly different experiences.  The author jumped around a lot in time, which I found extremely distracting.  Sadly, I grew bored when she began talking about her adult life.  The book quickly devolved into a therapy exercise rather than a readable story.  I think this book had a lot of potential, but fell short.