May, 2013

"Is This Tomorrow" by Caroline Leavitt         

When Lewis best friend Jimmy goes missing, the entire neighborhood is up in arms.  Suspicion immediately falls on Lewis mother Ava, a divorced Jewish woman.  Finding herself ostracized, Ava tries to keep her family together.  Fast forward 10 years, and Jimmy's body is found.  Lewis is estranged from his mother and has not heard from Jimmy's sister in years.         

Overall, this was a well written, engaging book.  The characters showed depth and personality.  The book did leave me with an incredible feeling of sorrow.  Overall, not a happy uplifting read, but t is a book that makes you ponder relationships, family and friendships.

"Swans and Klons" by Nora Olsen         

This novel takes place in a dystopic future where children are created from a per-determined set of genes and only females exist.  When Rubric and her girlfriend Salmon Jo discover that the Klons are no different from themselves, they embark on a dangerous crusade to free them.         

I thought this was a decent book and somewhat interesting world.  I personally hate it when authors create nonsensical words.  This happened throughout the book, which I found to be highly annoying.  Otherwise, the plot moved quickly and the characters seemed genuine.  Not a bad read, this is something I see teenage girls falling in love with.

"Girl in a Cage" by Volen and Harris         

When Marjorie's father is crowned King of Scotland, the English King, Edward Longshanks, embarks on a crusade to wipe out the "rebels."  Captured, Longshanks has Marjorie placed in a wooden cage, and hung in the center of town.  Pelted with rotten vegetables, exposed to the cold, wind and rain, Marjorie is determined to remain a princess.         

Based on historical events, I found this to be a fascinating book.  It was well written, engaging, and the characters seemed alive.  I think that pre-teens will be fascinated by this story, and perhaps find an interest in history.  Overall, highly recommended.

"How I Became a Teenage Survivalist" by Julie Casey         

When a solar superstorm shorts out the electrical grid, Bracken and his family must learn to survive.  Better situated than most, they live on a farm, where they grow their own food and have their own resources.  The nearby town bands together, helping each other and sharing their knowledge.         

I thought this book moved a bit slowly.  The characters seemed to be way too positive and happy considering the situation.  Their reactions seemed a bit surreal, rather than worried, panicked, etc.  Overall, I thought it was an interesting concept, but not something I would reread or recommend.

"This Is How I Find Her" by Sara Polsky         

After her mother attempts suicide, Sophie moves in with her aunt, uncle and cousin.  Having dealt with her mother's bipolar for many years, Sophie seems a bit defeated and downhearted about the situation.         

I thought it was odd that the 16 year old main character was given detailed information and options about her mother’s treatment by the doctors.  In reality, a minor would not be given or allowed to have that responsibility.  I imagine that a social worker would have been brought in, or that her mother would have been made a ward of the state.   Despite this huge criticism, I did enjoy the book.  The characters were gritty and realistic.  I really felt Sophie's pain and anguish as she tried to decide how to handle the situation.  Overall, a good book, but not one I would re-read.

"The Darwin Elevator" by Jason Hough         

After an alien plague has decimated the planet, Darwin Australia has become a beacon of health.  An alien space elevator emits a pulse/aura, suppressing the disease.  A few are immune to the disease and are able to scavenge outside of Darwin's borders.         

I thought this was a very interesting world.  It was a unique concept and well executed.  I loved the dichotomy between those left on earth and the orbitals.  I did think that the characters were a bit stereotypical, I found that it was hard to really like them.  Overall, a good read, I look forward to reading the sequel.

"Framing Innocence:  A Mother's Photographs, a Prosecutor's Zeal, and a Small Town Response" by Lynn Powell         

Avid amateur photographer Cynthia Stewart began taking pictures of her daughter since birth.  After dropping off rolls of film at her local photo-mart, she was questioned by police, subject to a zealous prosecution and nearly lost her child.          

I felt really bad for Cynthia Stewart. This definitely seemed like a prosecution gone wrong.  The book itself seemed a bit slow.  At times I found myself growing bored with the story.  Overall, not a bad read, but not something I see myself picking up again.