Recommended for ages 13+ due to complicated plot structure
4/5 stars
3/5 on the Happiness Meter
Genre: Mystery
Although I can understand why people do not like Agatha Christie novels (I was once one of them), they really are wonderful books. True, you must invest some time in them (unless you are very good at remembering details/names) but they are worth it. Hickory, Dickory Dock is no exception to this as Hercule Poirot is asked to solve a mystery in a boarding house. Poirot knows something is wrong when his usually efficient and unemotional secretary makes a few spelling mistakes. Upon inquiring on her state of health/mind, Poirot discovers that his secretary, Miss Lemon, is concerned for her sister. The sister works as a sort of house mother for a contrary woman who runs a boarding house. The sister had recently called Miss Lemon and expressed concerns over some recent thefts that happened at her place of work. None of the objects seems to be related and Miss Lemon's sister is utterly puzzled. Poirot agrees to look into the matter and very soon he finds himself in the middle of a murder.
The Suspects:
-From the West Indies, Elizabeth Johnston is determined to study hard and succeed in life. She is the victim of a malicious prank.
-Sally Finch seems to be a perfect student, after all, she is a Fulbright scholar but is she as perfect as she appears?
-Patricia Lane is utterly devoted to the moody Nigel. She would do anything to protect him.
-Valerie Hobhouse is sure to have a few enemies due to her frequent acerbic comments.
-Len Bateson is a medical student with a fiery temper.
-Colin McNabb is a student of psychology and can't resist anyone exhibiting a complex.
-Nigel Chapman is a moody history student who loves getting on people's nerves.
-Celia Austin loves Colin McNabb but she knows she hasn't a chance with him.
-Jean Tomlinson works at a hospital and has access to various types of poison.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
Recommended to 15+ due to high school issues, underage drinking, and discussion about sex
2/5 stars
2/5 on the Happiness Meter
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Boarding School Novel
This book tells the tale of Frankie Landau-Banks, a girl who is tired of being viewed as young and innocent by everyone. And so, without really trying (at least not at first), she reinvents her image. Over the summer of her freshman year and her sophomore year she becomes beautiful, gone are the images of an awkward, gawky girl, replaced by that of a confident woman who knows what she wants...and she wants senior Matthew Livingston. What luck that she finally draws his attention! But when Matthew refuses to take her seriously she takes things into her own hands. She's heard of the mysterious Order of the Basset Hounds, after all, her father was one of them. When Frankie realizes that Matthew is the leader of the Bassets, she quickly figures out how to infiltrate the club without the boys even knowing.
What to say about this book....I suppose it can best be said in an Adbook post I wrote:
...I find the tone of the narrator condescending and irritating. It is as if the author is playing at making sociological assessments and, in my opinion, failing dismally. While the narrator does not outrightly say, "Domestic arts are a waste of time and only 'boy' pursuits matter," her tone says it for her. For example, when Frankie is talking to her roommate Trish about going out to the woods to drink beer with the ever so amazing Matthew (who, frankly, is really a jerk). Just to recap, Frankie feels bad that Trish is not invited and Trish says that that is not really her
scene anyway. She tells Frankie that, while she was at home, she had stopped going to her older brothers' booze parties in favor of watching movies with her parents and making crumbles. Frankie's reaction:
"Frankie found her friend's attitude infuriating. By opting out of what the boys were doing in favor of a typically feminine pursuit, Trish had closed a door...[s]ure, she was still invited. She could open the door again. But another summer spent making crumbles in the kitchen, and the boys would stop asking her to come out. Instead they'd expect warm dessert to be waiting for them on their return" (68)
First of all, I do realize that this is Frankie's opinion and not that of the narrator. Nevertheless, it is rather maddening. Does she really think that A) boys still subscribe to such old-fashioned ideas? That they would really expect their younger sister to be meeting them at the door a la stereotypical 50s housewife with a smile on her face and a crumble in her hands? Really? I don't think I've ever met a boy that would express such expectations. B) The way in which this paragraph is written is...well...infuriating. Frankie clearly thinks that drinking beer is superior to crumble making simply because whatever the boys are doing has to be better than anything girlsare doing. I suppose I should make allowances as Frankie is a fictional character, only a
sophomore in high school, and clearly hasn't been to a party that has lots of alcohol.
The second example is much to long to quote in full but can be found in its entirety on pgs. 84-86. The narrator describes three type of women: those who do not try to understand stereotypical male pursuits, those who participate half-heartedly because they are the girlfriends of these boys and want to seem supportive, and finally those girls who participate whole-heartedly and therefore earn the respect of males. What to say... First of all, I think this is an extreme oversimplification of male/female relationships. There are men who clearly respect females when they don't participate in making cherry-bombs or whatever the author has identified as overwhelmingly male. Second of all, I wish I could exactly pinpoint what about the
author's language makes her descriptions of fiber arts/baking seem so derogatory. Sadly, I cannot and simply must state that I walk away from said descriptions feeling like the author has disparaged that whole group of hobbies.
Apart from this sort of language/depiction of social interactions I
have a few other bones to pick with this book.
-"Like Senior Banks, they [the boys belonging to the Bassets] thought of themselves as Bassets more than they thought of themselves, for example, as tennis players, TV watchers, Caucasians, Protestants, East-Coasters, decent skiers, heterosexuals, and attractive young
men..." (151). Really? Are you telling me that all...what is it? 11 members?...of the Bassets are truly this shallow? I do not claim to be an expert regarding the sociology of teenage boys but I have a hard time believing that out of all of the Bassets, not one boy would value his religion or his sexual orientation over being a Basset.
My ultimate problem with this book is that Frankie does the exact same thing that makes Matthew so very unattractive: she judges people and subcultures without trying to understand them. Matthew refuses to involve himself in Frankie's world. She realizes this is a problem and
yet doesn't mind. Frankie has the same character flaw as she dismisses the geek world and Trish's feminine world. She doesn't even attempt to understand the stereotypical female outlook and still condemns it. Also, I don't feel that Frankie really changes by the end of the novel, or at least changes in a positive way. For example, she still wishes she could be Matthew's girlfriend despite how rotten he's been to her and she doesn't ever make an effort to know Trish better
(although I suppose it can be argued that Trish does not make an effort either). It's rather a nebulous, sad ending.
2/5 stars
2/5 on the Happiness Meter
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Boarding School Novel
This book tells the tale of Frankie Landau-Banks, a girl who is tired of being viewed as young and innocent by everyone. And so, without really trying (at least not at first), she reinvents her image. Over the summer of her freshman year and her sophomore year she becomes beautiful, gone are the images of an awkward, gawky girl, replaced by that of a confident woman who knows what she wants...and she wants senior Matthew Livingston. What luck that she finally draws his attention! But when Matthew refuses to take her seriously she takes things into her own hands. She's heard of the mysterious Order of the Basset Hounds, after all, her father was one of them. When Frankie realizes that Matthew is the leader of the Bassets, she quickly figures out how to infiltrate the club without the boys even knowing.
What to say about this book....I suppose it can best be said in an Adbook post I wrote:
...I find the tone of the narrator condescending and irritating. It is as if the author is playing at making sociological assessments and, in my opinion, failing dismally. While the narrator does not outrightly say, "Domestic arts are a waste of time and only 'boy' pursuits matter," her tone says it for her. For example, when Frankie is talking to her roommate Trish about going out to the woods to drink beer with the ever so amazing Matthew (who, frankly, is really a jerk). Just to recap, Frankie feels bad that Trish is not invited and Trish says that that is not really her
scene anyway. She tells Frankie that, while she was at home, she had stopped going to her older brothers' booze parties in favor of watching movies with her parents and making crumbles. Frankie's reaction:
"Frankie found her friend's attitude infuriating. By opting out of what the boys were doing in favor of a typically feminine pursuit, Trish had closed a door...[s]ure, she was still invited. She could open the door again. But another summer spent making crumbles in the kitchen, and the boys would stop asking her to come out. Instead they'd expect warm dessert to be waiting for them on their return" (68)
First of all, I do realize that this is Frankie's opinion and not that of the narrator. Nevertheless, it is rather maddening. Does she really think that A) boys still subscribe to such old-fashioned ideas? That they would really expect their younger sister to be meeting them at the door a la stereotypical 50s housewife with a smile on her face and a crumble in her hands? Really? I don't think I've ever met a boy that would express such expectations. B) The way in which this paragraph is written is...well...infuriating. Frankie clearly thinks that drinking beer is superior to crumble making simply because whatever the boys are doing has to be better than anything girlsare doing. I suppose I should make allowances as Frankie is a fictional character, only a
sophomore in high school, and clearly hasn't been to a party that has lots of alcohol.
The second example is much to long to quote in full but can be found in its entirety on pgs. 84-86. The narrator describes three type of women: those who do not try to understand stereotypical male pursuits, those who participate half-heartedly because they are the girlfriends of these boys and want to seem supportive, and finally those girls who participate whole-heartedly and therefore earn the respect of males. What to say... First of all, I think this is an extreme oversimplification of male/female relationships. There are men who clearly respect females when they don't participate in making cherry-bombs or whatever the author has identified as overwhelmingly male. Second of all, I wish I could exactly pinpoint what about the
author's language makes her descriptions of fiber arts/baking seem so derogatory. Sadly, I cannot and simply must state that I walk away from said descriptions feeling like the author has disparaged that whole group of hobbies.
Apart from this sort of language/depiction of social interactions I
have a few other bones to pick with this book.
-"Like Senior Banks, they [the boys belonging to the Bassets] thought of themselves as Bassets more than they thought of themselves, for example, as tennis players, TV watchers, Caucasians, Protestants, East-Coasters, decent skiers, heterosexuals, and attractive young
men..." (151). Really? Are you telling me that all...what is it? 11 members?...of the Bassets are truly this shallow? I do not claim to be an expert regarding the sociology of teenage boys but I have a hard time believing that out of all of the Bassets, not one boy would value his religion or his sexual orientation over being a Basset.
My ultimate problem with this book is that Frankie does the exact same thing that makes Matthew so very unattractive: she judges people and subcultures without trying to understand them. Matthew refuses to involve himself in Frankie's world. She realizes this is a problem and
yet doesn't mind. Frankie has the same character flaw as she dismisses the geek world and Trish's feminine world. She doesn't even attempt to understand the stereotypical female outlook and still condemns it. Also, I don't feel that Frankie really changes by the end of the novel, or at least changes in a positive way. For example, she still wishes she could be Matthew's girlfriend despite how rotten he's been to her and she doesn't ever make an effort to know Trish better
(although I suppose it can be argued that Trish does not make an effort either). It's rather a nebulous, sad ending.
Emma series by Kaouri Mori
Recommended to 11-12 + for social situations and general content that might go over the heads of younger readers
4/5 stars
3/5 on the Happiness Meter
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
The Emma graphic novels are a pleasure to read due to their rich backdrops and the abundance of swirly skirts. Kaouri Mori's books tell the tale of reserved, duty-bound Emma, a housemaid/companion for an elderly lady. Emma begins to have feelings for the lady's former pupil, a rich, well-to-do young gentleman. Of course, she knows that they can never be together because of her inferior social status but she quietly harbors her feelings for him all the same as she goes about her daily duties. Things quickly become complicated when the young man starts having feelings for her. Add in some disapproving parents, death, an upset fiance (and family), and a visiting prince and you're in for a good read (several reads really as the eighth book in the series is coming out soon).
4/5 stars
3/5 on the Happiness Meter
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
The Emma graphic novels are a pleasure to read due to their rich backdrops and the abundance of swirly skirts. Kaouri Mori's books tell the tale of reserved, duty-bound Emma, a housemaid/companion for an elderly lady. Emma begins to have feelings for the lady's former pupil, a rich, well-to-do young gentleman. Of course, she knows that they can never be together because of her inferior social status but she quietly harbors her feelings for him all the same as she goes about her daily duties. Things quickly become complicated when the young man starts having feelings for her. Add in some disapproving parents, death, an upset fiance (and family), and a visiting prince and you're in for a good read (several reads really as the eighth book in the series is coming out soon).
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Brief Thoughts on Early Readers
While at the local library, I thought I would sit down and look at some of the early readers atas I don't know much about them. While I did not read them all the way through most of them, I did think some were better than others:
1) Dragon Slayers Academy by Kate McMullan--RL 3.4
The series starts with a young boy who dreams of becoming a hero. A minstrel tells him that he has the makings of a hero and over the course of a winter teaches him useful skills such as reading and writing. One day the young boy sees an advertisement for the Dragon Slayers Academy who will, for seven pennies, take in any boy and turn him into a hero. Enter our young boy complete with his talking pet pig!
It seems to be pretty well-written and some of the details are historically accurate. I think this is a good series, especially for boys. It seems like there are plenty of well-written early readers targeted towards girls but a lack of good books written for boys. The ones intended for boys seem primarily have techo-machinery or toilet humor. Maybe that's unfair...
2) The A-Z Mysteries by Ron Roy--RL 3.4
The first book had good writing, good pacing, and a good mix of characters--2 boys and 1 girl. I am not very clever when it comes to solving mysteries so the solution was surprising to me. The mystery is solved in a logical manner and concludes satisfactorily. I would happily recommend this series to a beginning reader.
3) Geronimo Stilton series by Geronimo Stilton--RL 3
Eh. They struck me as OK. The plots could be interesting enough as Geronimo travels to different countries and mysterious places. The illustrated words could be an attraction to some children but could also serve to be annoying as they might distract from the story. I wonder if the way the words are laid out/drawn out have helped children learn the more complicated words? I could see that.
4) Mermaid S.O.S. series by Gillian Shields and Helen Turner--RL 3?
Another eh book series. It seems like a more complex and better written alternative to the Rainbow Fairy series by Daisy Meadows. This is by no means a bad thing. Mermaid S.O.S. will be sure to make young girls excited about reading. I can fully support that and I would recommend this series to girls that want something princessey.
5) Secrets of Droon series by Tony Abbott--RL 3.1
These seem OK. Two boys and a girl get transported to a fantasy land through a door in one of the boy's basements. The writing was OK. It just didn't wow me. Of course, to be fair, I did not read very far into the book.
6) Ivy & Bean series by Annie Barrows--RL 2.7
I wouldn't recommend these books simply due to how bratty Bean acts during the first few chapters of the book. I skimmed a bit of the middle and the two girls flout authority and don't seem to respect all their elders. Call me old-fashioned but I don't think 2nd/3rd graders need to be exposed to that.
7) The Time Warp Trio by Jon Scieszka--RL 4.1
The first book didn't really impress me. The beginning was off-putting as the reader was immediately thrown into the middle of the action. The premise of the series seems to be three boys who use a book to travel back in time. I think I would be more supportive of this series if the Magic Treehouse series wasn't already out there. However, it's not Jon Scieszka's fault that everyone and their brother seems to read Magic Treehouse books. I think I would recommend this series to fans of Magic Treehouse but I honestly think there are better things to read out there that are near the same reading level.
1) Dragon Slayers Academy by Kate McMullan--RL 3.4
The series starts with a young boy who dreams of becoming a hero. A minstrel tells him that he has the makings of a hero and over the course of a winter teaches him useful skills such as reading and writing. One day the young boy sees an advertisement for the Dragon Slayers Academy who will, for seven pennies, take in any boy and turn him into a hero. Enter our young boy complete with his talking pet pig!
It seems to be pretty well-written and some of the details are historically accurate. I think this is a good series, especially for boys. It seems like there are plenty of well-written early readers targeted towards girls but a lack of good books written for boys. The ones intended for boys seem primarily have techo-machinery or toilet humor. Maybe that's unfair...
2) The A-Z Mysteries by Ron Roy--RL 3.4
The first book had good writing, good pacing, and a good mix of characters--2 boys and 1 girl. I am not very clever when it comes to solving mysteries so the solution was surprising to me. The mystery is solved in a logical manner and concludes satisfactorily. I would happily recommend this series to a beginning reader.
3) Geronimo Stilton series by Geronimo Stilton--RL 3
Eh. They struck me as OK. The plots could be interesting enough as Geronimo travels to different countries and mysterious places. The illustrated words could be an attraction to some children but could also serve to be annoying as they might distract from the story. I wonder if the way the words are laid out/drawn out have helped children learn the more complicated words? I could see that.
4) Mermaid S.O.S. series by Gillian Shields and Helen Turner--RL 3?
Another eh book series. It seems like a more complex and better written alternative to the Rainbow Fairy series by Daisy Meadows. This is by no means a bad thing. Mermaid S.O.S. will be sure to make young girls excited about reading. I can fully support that and I would recommend this series to girls that want something princessey.
5) Secrets of Droon series by Tony Abbott--RL 3.1
These seem OK. Two boys and a girl get transported to a fantasy land through a door in one of the boy's basements. The writing was OK. It just didn't wow me. Of course, to be fair, I did not read very far into the book.
6) Ivy & Bean series by Annie Barrows--RL 2.7
I wouldn't recommend these books simply due to how bratty Bean acts during the first few chapters of the book. I skimmed a bit of the middle and the two girls flout authority and don't seem to respect all their elders. Call me old-fashioned but I don't think 2nd/3rd graders need to be exposed to that.
7) The Time Warp Trio by Jon Scieszka--RL 4.1
The first book didn't really impress me. The beginning was off-putting as the reader was immediately thrown into the middle of the action. The premise of the series seems to be three boys who use a book to travel back in time. I think I would be more supportive of this series if the Magic Treehouse series wasn't already out there. However, it's not Jon Scieszka's fault that everyone and their brother seems to read Magic Treehouse books. I think I would recommend this series to fans of Magic Treehouse but I honestly think there are better things to read out there that are near the same reading level.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Paper Towns
Before I jump into Paper Towns I wanted to note that I am adding a Happiness Meter to my reviews simply because there are just some days where I feel like reading happy, and sometimes fluffy, books.
Paper Towns by John Green
Recommended for 14+ due to sexual jokes, underage drinking, a graphic description of a dead man and raccoon.
4.7/5 Stars
3/5 on the Happiness Meter
Genre: Realistic Fiction
This book is dangerous. I don't recommend starting it unless you have most of the day to read it because you won't want to put it down. I've heard many great things about John Green's books. Afterall, Looking for Alaska has won the Printz Award and an Abundance of Katherines sounds very intriguing. However, I had no idea how great an author he truly was until I picked up Paper Towns. The book tells the story of a geeky boy named Quentin (goes by Q) who hangs around with the band crowd. He can't be in band himself due to his unfortunate lack of talent when it comes to instruments and singing but he is happy enough. He has two close friends, Ben, who is convinced that he is could please a girl if only given a chance, and Radar, who spends most of his free time editing an online encyclopedia (along the same lines of Wikipedia). Q lives next door to Margo Roth Spiegelman, the hippest, boldest girl in school who, when she is not off galavanting around the country, is keeping the social scene under control. Q and Margo used to spend time together as kids but you know how that goes--Margo becomes popular, Q becomes a nerd. End of friendship. But Q is still intrigued by Margo and her vivacity so imagine his surprise (and excitement) when Margo knocks on his window one night, dressed in ninja gear, wanting his help to run some mysterious errands.
By the end of the night, Q feels more connected with Margo and even believes that she will start hanging out with him and his group of friends. However, the next day Margo is missing. This, in and of itself, is not unusual. Hadn't Margo disappeared for a week or so when she was invited to join that circus or when she took off to Mississippi? But as Q starts adding up the clues Margo has left behind he starts to fear the worst. Soon Q's life consists of one goal: find Margo Roth Spiegelman, dead or alive.
I have to admit that despite all the wonderful things I've heard about John Green's books I was a bit reluctant to pick up Paper Towns. I knew that he didn't have a problem using a fair amount of swear words and sexual jokes and frankly, I'm usually too prudish a reader to pick up a book that contains that sort of thing. In this case, however, it was worth it. Sure it has some of that stuff in it but it's put into context. That's what lots of teenagers do: drink underage, swear, make witter sexual banter (if such a thing is possible). As a result, Green's characters are authentic. We've all known a perverted Ben, a knowledge obsessed Radar, an insecure Lacey who, despite all her best efforts, sometimes falls short of the best friend mark. Maybe we're even one of those people! Green not only develops his characters well, the plot surrounding them is plausible. They all do things that they would be expected to do. Green's writing flows smoothly and evenly, even if the pacing becomes a little slow in the middle of the book. If that is not enough to make you pick up the book, the author interweaves Whitman's Song of Myself throughout the book in a deft and satisfying way.
The only reason this book isn't 5/5 stars is the small problem with pacing and my hesitation as to whether or not this is the sort of book I would read over and over. I suppose only time will tell.
JHunt: 2/11 finished
Next Up: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau by E. Lockhart
Currently Reading: Don't Bet on the Prince. ed. by Jack Zipes, two versions of the Nutcracker, and soon, Beedle the Bard.
Paper Towns by John Green
Recommended for 14+ due to sexual jokes, underage drinking, a graphic description of a dead man and raccoon.
4.7/5 Stars
3/5 on the Happiness Meter
Genre: Realistic Fiction
This book is dangerous. I don't recommend starting it unless you have most of the day to read it because you won't want to put it down. I've heard many great things about John Green's books. Afterall, Looking for Alaska has won the Printz Award and an Abundance of Katherines sounds very intriguing. However, I had no idea how great an author he truly was until I picked up Paper Towns. The book tells the story of a geeky boy named Quentin (goes by Q) who hangs around with the band crowd. He can't be in band himself due to his unfortunate lack of talent when it comes to instruments and singing but he is happy enough. He has two close friends, Ben, who is convinced that he is could please a girl if only given a chance, and Radar, who spends most of his free time editing an online encyclopedia (along the same lines of Wikipedia). Q lives next door to Margo Roth Spiegelman, the hippest, boldest girl in school who, when she is not off galavanting around the country, is keeping the social scene under control. Q and Margo used to spend time together as kids but you know how that goes--Margo becomes popular, Q becomes a nerd. End of friendship. But Q is still intrigued by Margo and her vivacity so imagine his surprise (and excitement) when Margo knocks on his window one night, dressed in ninja gear, wanting his help to run some mysterious errands.
By the end of the night, Q feels more connected with Margo and even believes that she will start hanging out with him and his group of friends. However, the next day Margo is missing. This, in and of itself, is not unusual. Hadn't Margo disappeared for a week or so when she was invited to join that circus or when she took off to Mississippi? But as Q starts adding up the clues Margo has left behind he starts to fear the worst. Soon Q's life consists of one goal: find Margo Roth Spiegelman, dead or alive.
I have to admit that despite all the wonderful things I've heard about John Green's books I was a bit reluctant to pick up Paper Towns. I knew that he didn't have a problem using a fair amount of swear words and sexual jokes and frankly, I'm usually too prudish a reader to pick up a book that contains that sort of thing. In this case, however, it was worth it. Sure it has some of that stuff in it but it's put into context. That's what lots of teenagers do: drink underage, swear, make witter sexual banter (if such a thing is possible). As a result, Green's characters are authentic. We've all known a perverted Ben, a knowledge obsessed Radar, an insecure Lacey who, despite all her best efforts, sometimes falls short of the best friend mark. Maybe we're even one of those people! Green not only develops his characters well, the plot surrounding them is plausible. They all do things that they would be expected to do. Green's writing flows smoothly and evenly, even if the pacing becomes a little slow in the middle of the book. If that is not enough to make you pick up the book, the author interweaves Whitman's Song of Myself throughout the book in a deft and satisfying way.
The only reason this book isn't 5/5 stars is the small problem with pacing and my hesitation as to whether or not this is the sort of book I would read over and over. I suppose only time will tell.
JHunt: 2/11 finished
Next Up: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau by E. Lockhart
Currently Reading: Don't Bet on the Prince. ed. by Jack Zipes, two versions of the Nutcracker, and soon, Beedle the Bard.
Monday, December 1, 2008
The Adoration of Jenna Fox
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson
Recommended to 14+ due to discussion about sexual maturation and heavy issues
4/5 stars
2/5 on the Happiness Meter
Genre: Science Fiction/Futuristic
This isn't a book I would normally pick up as it's a Sci-Fi novel, however, I can't deny that it's very well done. The writing is crisp, simple, and beautiful, the plot is compelling, and if the jarring use of language is at first off-putting, the reader quickly grows accustomed to it. The Adoration of Jenna Fox tells the tale of a girl who wakes up after a year in a coma without any memory of who she is. As pieces of her past slowly return to her she questions what sort of person she was and who she is now. The more she remembers, the more she becomes convinced that not all is right. Some of her returning memories are ones she should not have, such as her memory of almost drowning when she was two years old, or her baptism when she was a toddler. She keeps hearing pleading voices in her head which leads her to question if they are real voices are just figments of her imagination. Things quickly don't add up--her grandmother's dislike of her, her parents' whispers, the missing scar on her chin, her shortened height. This book is certainly creepy, particularly as some of the facts presented in Jenna's futuristic world hit a little too close to home. For example, people have been taking too many antibiotics and have helped create monster viruses that ravage people's bodies. A possiblity for the present?
If you read this book expect your ideas to be challenged, your values to be questioned, and your mindset to be, very possibly, broadened.
Nota Bene--This is one nominees on the AdBooks list. One down, eleven to go (or nine since I'm not reading them all):
Paper Towns by John Green <-----This one's next!
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Nation by Tery Pratchett
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Recommended to 14+ due to discussion about sexual maturation and heavy issues
4/5 stars
2/5 on the Happiness Meter
Genre: Science Fiction/Futuristic
This isn't a book I would normally pick up as it's a Sci-Fi novel, however, I can't deny that it's very well done. The writing is crisp, simple, and beautiful, the plot is compelling, and if the jarring use of language is at first off-putting, the reader quickly grows accustomed to it. The Adoration of Jenna Fox tells the tale of a girl who wakes up after a year in a coma without any memory of who she is. As pieces of her past slowly return to her she questions what sort of person she was and who she is now. The more she remembers, the more she becomes convinced that not all is right. Some of her returning memories are ones she should not have, such as her memory of almost drowning when she was two years old, or her baptism when she was a toddler. She keeps hearing pleading voices in her head which leads her to question if they are real voices are just figments of her imagination. Things quickly don't add up--her grandmother's dislike of her, her parents' whispers, the missing scar on her chin, her shortened height. This book is certainly creepy, particularly as some of the facts presented in Jenna's futuristic world hit a little too close to home. For example, people have been taking too many antibiotics and have helped create monster viruses that ravage people's bodies. A possiblity for the present?
If you read this book expect your ideas to be challenged, your values to be questioned, and your mindset to be, very possibly, broadened.
Nota Bene--This is one nominees on the AdBooks list. One down, eleven to go (or nine since I'm not reading them all):
Paper Towns by John Green <-----This one's next!
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Nation by Tery Pratchett
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
Recommended for 13+ due to graphic violence
3/5 Stars
2/5 on the Happiness Meter
Genre: Fantasy/Retelling
This certainly isn't the worst book I've ever read, and it's compelling enough to continue reading it (I'm not yet finished with it), but it's nothing amazing. The ideas are clever: Alice in Wonderland is really Lewis Carroll's re-imagining of what really happened to Alice Liddell. Frank Beddor, supposedly, has tracked down the real story. Alice Liddell (aka Alyss Heart) is the heir to the throne of Wonderland. Forced from her home by her aunt Redd (think Queen of Hearts) she is forced to grow up on earth, not knowing if she will ever reach home. Even if she does return to Wonderland she fears what she will find: both her mother and best friend dead and her bodyguard missing. She soon learns to engage herself fully in her surroundings, trying her best to forget Wonderland, chalking it up to some imaginative fancy she had as a child. Of course, her childhood best friend comes after her and takes her back to Wonderland where the rebels (called Alyssians) expect her to overthrow her vicious and cruel aunt and declare herself queen of Wonderland.
Some of the ideas are quite clever, Frank Beddor even mentions real photographs taken of Alice Liddell as support for his version of the Alyss story. Carroll's characters are re-imagined in unusual ways. For example, the card soldiers are fleshed out to be more intimidating than Carroll's counterparts. The Mad Hatter is not a crazy man who loves throwing tea parties, he is the queen's bodyguard that spends 13 years on earth searching for Alyss. Tweedledee and Tweedledum are really General Doppelganger who can split himself into several people if the need arises (although it took another reader to point out this character reshaping; I didn't make the connection myself). The Cheshire Cat is Redd's right hand man, her nine-lived assassin sent after Alyss and the Mad Hatter. The white rabbit is Alyss' childhood tutor, Bibwit Harte, who loves Alyss (platonically)despite all the mean tricks she played on him when she was a child.
The problem comes with the characterization Frank Beddor employs. He has really cool concepts but doesn't carry out their full potential (true, this is only the first in a trilogy, but still). I couldn't help but think that, for a book as large as The Looking Glass Wars (358 pages), surprisingly little happens. So far, I've reached page 288 and Alyss is just as distant and lackluster as she has always been. Her best friend, Dodge, is more intriguing but he seems simply to live for revenge (we know little else about him). The Hatter has potential but, much like Dodge, he is characterized as the strong, silent type with deeply secret personal sorrows. This, of course, does not take away from the original and ingenious imaginings of Beddor but it does seem to be a story without a soul, even without that spark that makes a good book great.
EDIT: So...the above assessments still remain true after I finished the book. There was more action, more plot, and even some characterization. However, the characters still remained somewhat bland. Alyss matures into someone more likable but only two sequels will tell if that maturation was real.
Recommended for 13+ due to graphic violence
3/5 Stars
2/5 on the Happiness Meter
Genre: Fantasy/Retelling
This certainly isn't the worst book I've ever read, and it's compelling enough to continue reading it (I'm not yet finished with it), but it's nothing amazing. The ideas are clever: Alice in Wonderland is really Lewis Carroll's re-imagining of what really happened to Alice Liddell. Frank Beddor, supposedly, has tracked down the real story. Alice Liddell (aka Alyss Heart) is the heir to the throne of Wonderland. Forced from her home by her aunt Redd (think Queen of Hearts) she is forced to grow up on earth, not knowing if she will ever reach home. Even if she does return to Wonderland she fears what she will find: both her mother and best friend dead and her bodyguard missing. She soon learns to engage herself fully in her surroundings, trying her best to forget Wonderland, chalking it up to some imaginative fancy she had as a child. Of course, her childhood best friend comes after her and takes her back to Wonderland where the rebels (called Alyssians) expect her to overthrow her vicious and cruel aunt and declare herself queen of Wonderland.
Some of the ideas are quite clever, Frank Beddor even mentions real photographs taken of Alice Liddell as support for his version of the Alyss story. Carroll's characters are re-imagined in unusual ways. For example, the card soldiers are fleshed out to be more intimidating than Carroll's counterparts. The Mad Hatter is not a crazy man who loves throwing tea parties, he is the queen's bodyguard that spends 13 years on earth searching for Alyss. Tweedledee and Tweedledum are really General Doppelganger who can split himself into several people if the need arises (although it took another reader to point out this character reshaping; I didn't make the connection myself). The Cheshire Cat is Redd's right hand man, her nine-lived assassin sent after Alyss and the Mad Hatter. The white rabbit is Alyss' childhood tutor, Bibwit Harte, who loves Alyss (platonically)despite all the mean tricks she played on him when she was a child.
The problem comes with the characterization Frank Beddor employs. He has really cool concepts but doesn't carry out their full potential (true, this is only the first in a trilogy, but still). I couldn't help but think that, for a book as large as The Looking Glass Wars (358 pages), surprisingly little happens. So far, I've reached page 288 and Alyss is just as distant and lackluster as she has always been. Her best friend, Dodge, is more intriguing but he seems simply to live for revenge (we know little else about him). The Hatter has potential but, much like Dodge, he is characterized as the strong, silent type with deeply secret personal sorrows. This, of course, does not take away from the original and ingenious imaginings of Beddor but it does seem to be a story without a soul, even without that spark that makes a good book great.
EDIT: So...the above assessments still remain true after I finished the book. There was more action, more plot, and even some characterization. However, the characters still remained somewhat bland. Alyss matures into someone more likable but only two sequels will tell if that maturation was real.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Booky News
Hopefully, this is where you can find out what I'm reading and doing with my life in regards to booky things. That's only if the blog is found to be a non-spammy blog which it currently is quaranteed as being. It makes sense really. I shouldn't have posted so many posts all in a short time of each other. I just feel sorry for the people whose job it is to review spam blogs. That can't be a very fun job.
In other news, booky news, I've decided to become more scholarly! Enough with the wandering days off where I stay in my pajamas all day, sleep past noon, and watch random movies that I have, most likely, already seen. I want to continue expanding my mind (figuratively of course) and maintain my ability to write papers! I'm such a nerd! But you know what? I'm OK with that! I know I'm a snob when it comes to books and I know that I have a long way to go in order to become someone that pleases God and make a decent human being. However, I hope that pursuing my hobbies, no matter how embarassing according to popular world views, can somehow make me into a better person. This is actually something I've struggled with for a while. Balancing people, hobbies, and jobs is not an easy thing.
I've decided to focus on the following things (at least for the next month):
1) Certain readings (more on that later)
2) Friends and Family
3) Maybe signing up for a class to figure out my spiritual gifts and how I can apply them
4) Looking into volunteer organizations
5) Looking for a second job
6) Studying for the GREs
7) Keeping the appartment clean
8) Planning my birthday party with my sister
9) Researching library schools
10) Finishing Isaiah
OK...so that's a bit much and I know that I won't be able to succeed in it all. But I have a cunning plan, as they say in the 80s Scarlet Pimpernel movie (which is fantastic by the way). I shall elaborate:
1) Certain readings:
I have a desire to write academic papers, learn more about the world, read for pleasure, and read more in order to be a better bookseller and potential librarian. I have therefore taken the time to put together a reading timeline so I can accomplish some of these goals. Academically, I am most interested in Pacific Northwest Native American tribes-their history and their rights. I also am interested in Pacific Northwest history (especially Washington history), issues surrounding salmons, dams, and fishing (particularly in the Pacific Northwest), fairy tales and folktales (along with their retellings and translations), and (perhaps more randomly) Henry VIII's wives and Fidel Castro. So, as it is Christmas time soon, I plan to write my first paper comparing different translations of E.T.A. Hoffman's Nutcracker and researching how Hoffman's Nutcracker has been turned into a ballet, how different ballets put on the Nutcracker, how Hoffman's vision has been polluted by said ballets, and how certain ballets have stayed true to the spirit of Hoffman's book. I realize that if I presented this idea to my English professors they would say that I have to narrow my topic down and no doubt they would be right but hey! I'm not in college anymore so I can write a ridiculously long paper full of holes if the mood strikes! Yippee!
A part of me would also like to write a book one day about issues surrounding the Pacific Northwest and, while I was Washington, I picked up quite a few books about that area. Maybe one of those will be next. Possibly A Common Fate: Endangered Salmon and the People of the Pacific Northwest by Joseph Cone or maybe I won't go that route and I'll finally finish Guerilla Prince by Georgie Anne Geyer. The possibilities are endless.
I've also just joined a sort of online YA book group called AdBooks and they are voting for different books (off of a list) and discussing them. I would love to be able to participate. Although, I won't be able to read all the books by January, I hope to maybe read two or three. I plan to start with The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson and continue on to The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. Some others on the list include the sequel to Octavius Nothing (which I don't plan to read as I haven't read the first one), Graceling by Kristin Cashore (which I've heard good things about), The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (I really, really like her books but The Hunger Games sounds pretty disturbing), Little Brother (which I've heard really good reviews of also but I think there is some graphic content in there), Paper Towns by John Green (everything he writes is supposed to be amazing. Looking for Alaska won the Printz award, afterall), Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan (which sounds extremely graphic--think beastiality and rape but it's loosely based on the fairy tale Rose Red and Snow White so I may read it afterall), The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart, The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, Nation by Terry Pratchett (which I probably will read eventually) and Impossible by Nancy Werlin (which sounds AMAZING and I really hope to read).
As for my job at the Children's bookstore, I want to find out more about books that people either ask about or rave about. Enter The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor. I've actually be intrigued by this book for some time and I own it and its sequel so I'm finally reading it. So far it's pretty grim and I doubt I would recommend it to anyone simply because I hesitate to recommend grim books to parents. I don't want them coming in and slamming the book down on the counter and saying, "How dare you give my child this book! He/She's been having nightmares! This is trash!" Perhaps that is cowardly of me but there it is. If we had more teens come in the store looking for fantasy literature I would go all out with my favorite grim books: The Keys to the Kingdom by Garth Nix, 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, The Ruby Key by Holly Lisle, etc. But until then...
In addition to these books, I'm also hoping to listen to Gregor and the Marks of Secret by Suzanne Collins on CD. The narrator, Paul Boehmer, is first-rate! I love his voices so much that I would like to own all the Underlander books on CD (I currently own them all in paper). Indeed, I don't know why I own them at all since I avoid reading them so I can listen to Paul Boehmer's voices.
2) Friends and Family
I hope to finally call everyone that needs calling/writing/visiting, etc.
3) Class on Spiritual Gifts
This is a good idea anyway but an idea has been growing in my mind for a few days about something I want to do and I have to talk to the right person about it, etc. and it may just be a pipe dream. For those of you that don't know (although if you are reading this blog you probably DO know) I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder...or at least I did. I'm not sure something like that ever really goes away but I'm doing miraculously better thanks to God's intervention, my parents' determination, and many, many years of medication and therapy. I really want to help someone (or many someones) who struggle with OCD. I hope to ask my psychiatrist about how I can help out (if I can help out). We'll see. I need to remember to pray about this and would appreciate anyone's prayers about this.
4) Volunteer Organizations
See above. I also want to do more for people. I feel like I'm stuck in a self-made limbo right now and I certainly know that I'm not doing nearly as much as I could for others and for God. Yes, I volunteer but it's only once every two weeks and once every month and a half at church. Not really much of a commitment there.
5) Looking for a second job
I don't want to go into details about this but I do have some options. Possibly working at a local library (I hope!) or working through a temp agency. I LOVE my job at the bookstore but I'm not getting enough hours to work only there. It's way past time to get a second job.
6) Studying for the GREs
BLEH! Double BLEH concerning the quantative math section. However, 4-12 weeks is the recommended study time for GREs and it's time to begin soon if I want to take them in March. I'm planning on making up a schedule sometime soon...
7) Keeping the apartment clean
HAHA! Yeah right! But seriously, this is kind of an issue. I'm very lazy about this sort of thing, particularly when it comes to the bathroom and my own room. Out of sight, out of mind I suppose. I did spend about an hour and a half today and I am not sure when I'll have time to work on the apartment anytime soon as I'm working close to 40 hours this week (YAY!). Still, maybe if I turn on some good music, I'll get something done.
8) Planning my birthday with my sister
I'm a twin, hence the sister element. We're thinking of an over-the-hill themed party as we are both turning 25 and 25+25 = 50. I also really want to have caroling and a white elephant. These clearly have nothing to do with an over-the-hill theme but my sister points out that if these can possibly be combined we will find a way, afterall, we've thrown a pirate party, a Scarlet Pimpernel party, a Scooby-Doo party, been part of a progressive dinner party, and thrown many a Harry Potter party. We'll figure it out.
9) Research library schools
More specifically the top ten ranked schools by U.S. News and World Report regarding Youth and Teen librarianship programs. I am aware of the shortcoming of U.S. News and World Report's rankings but I have to start somewhere and I don't plan on applying to eleven schools (I'm looking at San Jose State as well as the other ten).
10) Finishing Isaiah
I have a hard time getting motivated to read the really long books of the Bible and I'm currently stuck somewhere in the 20s in Isaiah. Of course, once I finish Isaiah, I have to go on to Jeremiah, another long book. Oh well. The Bible is important and the word of God afterall.
End Really Long Post.
In other news, booky news, I've decided to become more scholarly! Enough with the wandering days off where I stay in my pajamas all day, sleep past noon, and watch random movies that I have, most likely, already seen. I want to continue expanding my mind (figuratively of course) and maintain my ability to write papers! I'm such a nerd! But you know what? I'm OK with that! I know I'm a snob when it comes to books and I know that I have a long way to go in order to become someone that pleases God and make a decent human being. However, I hope that pursuing my hobbies, no matter how embarassing according to popular world views, can somehow make me into a better person. This is actually something I've struggled with for a while. Balancing people, hobbies, and jobs is not an easy thing.
I've decided to focus on the following things (at least for the next month):
1) Certain readings (more on that later)
2) Friends and Family
3) Maybe signing up for a class to figure out my spiritual gifts and how I can apply them
4) Looking into volunteer organizations
5) Looking for a second job
6) Studying for the GREs
7) Keeping the appartment clean
8) Planning my birthday party with my sister
9) Researching library schools
10) Finishing Isaiah
OK...so that's a bit much and I know that I won't be able to succeed in it all. But I have a cunning plan, as they say in the 80s Scarlet Pimpernel movie (which is fantastic by the way). I shall elaborate:
1) Certain readings:
I have a desire to write academic papers, learn more about the world, read for pleasure, and read more in order to be a better bookseller and potential librarian. I have therefore taken the time to put together a reading timeline so I can accomplish some of these goals. Academically, I am most interested in Pacific Northwest Native American tribes-their history and their rights. I also am interested in Pacific Northwest history (especially Washington history), issues surrounding salmons, dams, and fishing (particularly in the Pacific Northwest), fairy tales and folktales (along with their retellings and translations), and (perhaps more randomly) Henry VIII's wives and Fidel Castro. So, as it is Christmas time soon, I plan to write my first paper comparing different translations of E.T.A. Hoffman's Nutcracker and researching how Hoffman's Nutcracker has been turned into a ballet, how different ballets put on the Nutcracker, how Hoffman's vision has been polluted by said ballets, and how certain ballets have stayed true to the spirit of Hoffman's book. I realize that if I presented this idea to my English professors they would say that I have to narrow my topic down and no doubt they would be right but hey! I'm not in college anymore so I can write a ridiculously long paper full of holes if the mood strikes! Yippee!
A part of me would also like to write a book one day about issues surrounding the Pacific Northwest and, while I was Washington, I picked up quite a few books about that area. Maybe one of those will be next. Possibly A Common Fate: Endangered Salmon and the People of the Pacific Northwest by Joseph Cone or maybe I won't go that route and I'll finally finish Guerilla Prince by Georgie Anne Geyer. The possibilities are endless.
I've also just joined a sort of online YA book group called AdBooks and they are voting for different books (off of a list) and discussing them. I would love to be able to participate. Although, I won't be able to read all the books by January, I hope to maybe read two or three. I plan to start with The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson and continue on to The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. Some others on the list include the sequel to Octavius Nothing (which I don't plan to read as I haven't read the first one), Graceling by Kristin Cashore (which I've heard good things about), The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (I really, really like her books but The Hunger Games sounds pretty disturbing), Little Brother (which I've heard really good reviews of also but I think there is some graphic content in there), Paper Towns by John Green (everything he writes is supposed to be amazing. Looking for Alaska won the Printz award, afterall), Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan (which sounds extremely graphic--think beastiality and rape but it's loosely based on the fairy tale Rose Red and Snow White so I may read it afterall), The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart, The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, Nation by Terry Pratchett (which I probably will read eventually) and Impossible by Nancy Werlin (which sounds AMAZING and I really hope to read).
As for my job at the Children's bookstore, I want to find out more about books that people either ask about or rave about. Enter The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor. I've actually be intrigued by this book for some time and I own it and its sequel so I'm finally reading it. So far it's pretty grim and I doubt I would recommend it to anyone simply because I hesitate to recommend grim books to parents. I don't want them coming in and slamming the book down on the counter and saying, "How dare you give my child this book! He/She's been having nightmares! This is trash!" Perhaps that is cowardly of me but there it is. If we had more teens come in the store looking for fantasy literature I would go all out with my favorite grim books: The Keys to the Kingdom by Garth Nix, 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, The Ruby Key by Holly Lisle, etc. But until then...
In addition to these books, I'm also hoping to listen to Gregor and the Marks of Secret by Suzanne Collins on CD. The narrator, Paul Boehmer, is first-rate! I love his voices so much that I would like to own all the Underlander books on CD (I currently own them all in paper). Indeed, I don't know why I own them at all since I avoid reading them so I can listen to Paul Boehmer's voices.
2) Friends and Family
I hope to finally call everyone that needs calling/writing/visiting, etc.
3) Class on Spiritual Gifts
This is a good idea anyway but an idea has been growing in my mind for a few days about something I want to do and I have to talk to the right person about it, etc. and it may just be a pipe dream. For those of you that don't know (although if you are reading this blog you probably DO know) I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder...or at least I did. I'm not sure something like that ever really goes away but I'm doing miraculously better thanks to God's intervention, my parents' determination, and many, many years of medication and therapy. I really want to help someone (or many someones) who struggle with OCD. I hope to ask my psychiatrist about how I can help out (if I can help out). We'll see. I need to remember to pray about this and would appreciate anyone's prayers about this.
4) Volunteer Organizations
See above. I also want to do more for people. I feel like I'm stuck in a self-made limbo right now and I certainly know that I'm not doing nearly as much as I could for others and for God. Yes, I volunteer but it's only once every two weeks and once every month and a half at church. Not really much of a commitment there.
5) Looking for a second job
I don't want to go into details about this but I do have some options. Possibly working at a local library (I hope!) or working through a temp agency. I LOVE my job at the bookstore but I'm not getting enough hours to work only there. It's way past time to get a second job.
6) Studying for the GREs
BLEH! Double BLEH concerning the quantative math section. However, 4-12 weeks is the recommended study time for GREs and it's time to begin soon if I want to take them in March. I'm planning on making up a schedule sometime soon...
7) Keeping the apartment clean
HAHA! Yeah right! But seriously, this is kind of an issue. I'm very lazy about this sort of thing, particularly when it comes to the bathroom and my own room. Out of sight, out of mind I suppose. I did spend about an hour and a half today and I am not sure when I'll have time to work on the apartment anytime soon as I'm working close to 40 hours this week (YAY!). Still, maybe if I turn on some good music, I'll get something done.
8) Planning my birthday with my sister
I'm a twin, hence the sister element. We're thinking of an over-the-hill themed party as we are both turning 25 and 25+25 = 50. I also really want to have caroling and a white elephant. These clearly have nothing to do with an over-the-hill theme but my sister points out that if these can possibly be combined we will find a way, afterall, we've thrown a pirate party, a Scarlet Pimpernel party, a Scooby-Doo party, been part of a progressive dinner party, and thrown many a Harry Potter party. We'll figure it out.
9) Research library schools
More specifically the top ten ranked schools by U.S. News and World Report regarding Youth and Teen librarianship programs. I am aware of the shortcoming of U.S. News and World Report's rankings but I have to start somewhere and I don't plan on applying to eleven schools (I'm looking at San Jose State as well as the other ten).
10) Finishing Isaiah
I have a hard time getting motivated to read the really long books of the Bible and I'm currently stuck somewhere in the 20s in Isaiah. Of course, once I finish Isaiah, I have to go on to Jeremiah, another long book. Oh well. The Bible is important and the word of God afterall.
End Really Long Post.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
October Reads
1) Grim Tuesday by Garth Nix
2) Drowned Wednesday by Garth Nix
3) Sir Thursday by Garth Nix
4) The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall
5) Quiet, Please: Dispatches from a Public Librarian by Scott Douglas
6) Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins
7) Lady Friday by Garth Nix
8) Queste by Angie Sage
9) Superior Saturdsy by Garth Nix
2) Drowned Wednesday by Garth Nix
3) Sir Thursday by Garth Nix
4) The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall
5) Quiet, Please: Dispatches from a Public Librarian by Scott Douglas
6) Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins
7) Lady Friday by Garth Nix
8) Queste by Angie Sage
9) Superior Saturdsy by Garth Nix
September Reads
1) Aurelia by Anne Osterlund
2) Samantha's Surprise by Susan S. Adler, Nancy Niles, Robert Grace, and Dan Andreasen
3) Samantha Learns a Lesson by Susan S. Adler, Nancy Niles, Robert Grace, and Dan Andreasen
4) The Remarkable and Very True Story of Lucy and Snowdrop by H.M. Bouwman
5) Her Blue Straw Hat by Carole S. Adler
6) Tunnels by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams
7) Nancy Drew and the Mystery of the Glowing Eye by Carolyn Keene
8) Anahita's Woven Riddle by Meghan Nuttall Sayres
9) The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
10) The Mysterious Case of the Allbright Academy by Diane Stanley
11) Nancy Drew and the Sky Phantom by Carolyn Keene
12) Third Girl by Agatha Christie
13) Mister Monday by Garth Nix
14) Daddy Long-Legs by Jean Webster
15) The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
2) Samantha's Surprise by Susan S. Adler, Nancy Niles, Robert Grace, and Dan Andreasen
3) Samantha Learns a Lesson by Susan S. Adler, Nancy Niles, Robert Grace, and Dan Andreasen
4) The Remarkable and Very True Story of Lucy and Snowdrop by H.M. Bouwman
5) Her Blue Straw Hat by Carole S. Adler
6) Tunnels by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams
7) Nancy Drew and the Mystery of the Glowing Eye by Carolyn Keene
8) Anahita's Woven Riddle by Meghan Nuttall Sayres
9) The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
10) The Mysterious Case of the Allbright Academy by Diane Stanley
11) Nancy Drew and the Sky Phantom by Carolyn Keene
12) Third Girl by Agatha Christie
13) Mister Monday by Garth Nix
14) Daddy Long-Legs by Jean Webster
15) The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
August Reads
1) Charlie Bone and the Hidden King by Jenny Nimmo
2) The Opposite of Invisible by Liz Gallagher
3) Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George
4) Dragon Flight by Jessica Day George
5) Taken at the Flood by Agatha Christie
6) Out of the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst
7) Clementine's Letter by Sarah Pennypacker
8) Charlie Bone and the Beast by Jenny Nimmo
9) Seven Daughters and Seven Sons by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy
10) Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman by Eleanor Updale
11) Charlie Bone and the Shadow by Jenny Nimoo
12) Meet Samantha by Susan S. Adler, Nancy Niles, and Dan Andreasen
2) The Opposite of Invisible by Liz Gallagher
3) Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George
4) Dragon Flight by Jessica Day George
5) Taken at the Flood by Agatha Christie
6) Out of the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst
7) Clementine's Letter by Sarah Pennypacker
8) Charlie Bone and the Beast by Jenny Nimmo
9) Seven Daughters and Seven Sons by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy
10) Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman by Eleanor Updale
11) Charlie Bone and the Shadow by Jenny Nimoo
12) Meet Samantha by Susan S. Adler, Nancy Niles, and Dan Andreasen
July Reads
1) Persuasion by Jane Austen
2) Enola Holmes and the Case of the Bizarre Bouquets by Nancy Springer
3) Travels of Thelonious: The Fog Mound by Susan Schade and Jon Buller
4) Charlie Bone and the Time Twister by Jenny Nimmo
5) The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander Mccall Smith
6) Flora Segunda by Ysabeau S. Wilce
7) Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy by Jenny Nimmo
8) Skullduggery Pleasant: Playing with Fire by Derek Landy
9) Saffy's Angel by Hilary McKay
10) The Ordinary Princess by M.M. Kaye
11) Orange Trees of Versailles by Annie Pietri
12) Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors by Jenny Nimmo
13) The Poison Apples by Lily Archer
2) Enola Holmes and the Case of the Bizarre Bouquets by Nancy Springer
3) Travels of Thelonious: The Fog Mound by Susan Schade and Jon Buller
4) Charlie Bone and the Time Twister by Jenny Nimmo
5) The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander Mccall Smith
6) Flora Segunda by Ysabeau S. Wilce
7) Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy by Jenny Nimmo
8) Skullduggery Pleasant: Playing with Fire by Derek Landy
9) Saffy's Angel by Hilary McKay
10) The Ordinary Princess by M.M. Kaye
11) Orange Trees of Versailles by Annie Pietri
12) Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors by Jenny Nimmo
13) The Poison Apples by Lily Archer
June Reads
1) Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
2) Unsolicited Advice
3) The Liberation of Gabriel King by K.L. Going
4) Beck Beyond the Sea
5) 26 Fairmount Avenue by Tomie dePaola
6) Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo
7) Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris
8) Regarding the Sink by Kate Klise and M. Sarah Klise
9) Rules by Cynthia Lord
10) Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones
11) A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth Bunce
12) The Mysterious Matter of I.M. Fine by Diane Stanley
2) Unsolicited Advice
3) The Liberation of Gabriel King by K.L. Going
4) Beck Beyond the Sea
5) 26 Fairmount Avenue by Tomie dePaola
6) Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo
7) Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris
8) Regarding the Sink by Kate Klise and M. Sarah Klise
9) Rules by Cynthia Lord
10) Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones
11) A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth Bunce
12) The Mysterious Matter of I.M. Fine by Diane Stanley
May Reads
1) Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
2) Prilla and the Butterfly Lie by Kitty Richards and Denise Shimabukuro
3) The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
4) Rani in the Mermaid Lagoon by Lisa Papademetriou and Judith Clarke
5) The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt
6) Tink, North of Neverland by Kiki Thorpe
7) Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
8) The Ruby Key by Holly Lisle
9) The Swan Maiden by Heather Tomlinson
10) Clementine by Sarah Pennypacker
11) The Talented Clementine by Sarah Pennypacker
12) Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown and Scott Nash
13) The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson
14) Oz and Beyond: The Fantasy World of L. Frank Baum by Michael O. Riley
15) Skullduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
16) Dulcie's Taste of Magic by Gail Herman
17) Regarding the Fountain by Kate Klise and M. Sarah Klise
18) Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
19) The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
2) Prilla and the Butterfly Lie by Kitty Richards and Denise Shimabukuro
3) The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
4) Rani in the Mermaid Lagoon by Lisa Papademetriou and Judith Clarke
5) The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt
6) Tink, North of Neverland by Kiki Thorpe
7) Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
8) The Ruby Key by Holly Lisle
9) The Swan Maiden by Heather Tomlinson
10) Clementine by Sarah Pennypacker
11) The Talented Clementine by Sarah Pennypacker
12) Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown and Scott Nash
13) The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson
14) Oz and Beyond: The Fantasy World of L. Frank Baum by Michael O. Riley
15) Skullduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
16) Dulcie's Taste of Magic by Gail Herman
17) Regarding the Fountain by Kate Klise and M. Sarah Klise
18) Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
19) The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
April Reads
1) The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
2) Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons
3) Messenger by Lois Lowry (I'm not sure where this fits chronologically)
4) Apple-y Ever After by Jane Mason and Sarah Stephens
5) Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn
6) Holes by Louis Sachar
7) The Adventures of Sir Launcelot by Gerald Morris
8) the Mystery of Mr. Nice by Bruce Hale
9) The Day of the Djinn Warriors by P.B. Kerr
2) Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons
3) Messenger by Lois Lowry (I'm not sure where this fits chronologically)
4) Apple-y Ever After by Jane Mason and Sarah Stephens
5) Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn
6) Holes by Louis Sachar
7) The Adventures of Sir Launcelot by Gerald Morris
8) the Mystery of Mr. Nice by Bruce Hale
9) The Day of the Djinn Warriors by P.B. Kerr
March Reads
1) Changeling by Delia Sherman
2) The Chameleon Wore Chartreuse by Bruce Hale
3) Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede
4) Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
5) Searching for Dragons by Patricia Wrede
6) The Works of Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
7) The Problem Child by Michael Buckley
2) The Chameleon Wore Chartreuse by Bruce Hale
3) Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede
4) Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
5) Searching for Dragons by Patricia Wrede
6) The Works of Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
7) The Problem Child by Michael Buckley
February Reads
1) The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer
2) The Case of the Left-Handed Lady by Nancy Springer
3) The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place by E.L. Konigsburg
4) Wright 3 by Blue Balliet
5) Going Through the Gate by Janet Anderson
6) The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls
7) Beastly by Alix Flinn
8) Gossamer by Lois Lowry
9) Dragon's Breath by E.D. Baker
10) Once Upon a Curse by E.D. Baker
2) The Case of the Left-Handed Lady by Nancy Springer
3) The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place by E.L. Konigsburg
4) Wright 3 by Blue Balliet
5) Going Through the Gate by Janet Anderson
6) The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls
7) Beastly by Alix Flinn
8) Gossamer by Lois Lowry
9) Dragon's Breath by E.D. Baker
10) Once Upon a Curse by E.D. Baker
January Reads
1) The Blue Djinn of Babylon by P.B. Kerr
2) The Cobra King of Kathmandu by P.B. Kerr
3) The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde
4) The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde
5) Zel by Donna Jo Napoli
6) Rapunzel: the One with All the Hair by Wendy Mass
7) A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson
8) Golden: A Retelling of Rapunzel by Cameron Dokey
9) The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
10) The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison
11) Bright Shadow by Avi
12) The Rose Bride by Nancy Holder
2) The Cobra King of Kathmandu by P.B. Kerr
3) The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde
4) The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde
5) Zel by Donna Jo Napoli
6) Rapunzel: the One with All the Hair by Wendy Mass
7) A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson
8) Golden: A Retelling of Rapunzel by Cameron Dokey
9) The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
10) The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison
11) Bright Shadow by Avi
12) The Rose Bride by Nancy Holder
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