Title: Walk on Earth a Stranger
Author: Rae Carson
Pages: 432
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
ISBN: 9780062242914
Publication Date: September 22, 2015*
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17564519-walk-on-earth-a-stranger
In a nutshell: After Leah Westfall's parents are brutally murdered, she decides to run from their murderer and follow her friend to California and try her luck in the Gold Rush, but Leah won't need luck to find gold in California. She can sense when gold is near; it sings to her from inside the earth, and this magical talent could mean a rich life for her, but it's also a dangerous secret she must keep. Disguised as a boy, Leah sets off in pursuit of a fresh start, but there's danger at every turn.
I'd recommend it to grades: 8 and up
I'd recommend it to: historical fiction lovers, students who grew up on Little House books, and those who like survival stories
What I liked most about this book: This
is my first Rae Carson book, and boy, did I love it. As a child of the
90s, I grew up on the Oregon Trail (well, not literally...I grew up on
the pixelated version on our ancient computers at school.), so this
survivor story immediately struck a chord in me. Add to that a dash of
magic, and I was sold. To top it all off, the cast of characters is
robust; there are some you love and some you hate and some you love to
hate. Leah, the heroine, rivals Katniss, Tris, and other YA heroines for
her strength, compassion, and sheer nerve. I immediately liked her.
Overall, this one is a cross-country race to the finish, and I loved
every mile of it. P.S.: That cover might be the most beautiful cover I've seen all year. Shiny! (Oh, I miss you, Firefly.)
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): Leah's reaction to her parents' murders is achingly gripping and suspenseful. She's completely broken up over it but realizes she has to be strong in order to move on and survive. It's the perfect jumping-off point for the journey, which apparently will be a trilogy. Yay!
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars
*I read a digital ARC of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss.
Title: Salt to the Sea
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Pages: 400
Publisher: Philomel Books
ISBN: 9780399160301
Publication Date: February 2, 2016*
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25614492-salt-to-the-sea
In a nutshell: Sepetys returns to the setting of World War II in her new book that's told from the perspective of
four young adults from various countries, including Lithuanian nurse Joana, runaway Prussian soldier Florian, Polish refugee Emilia, and Nazi sailor Alfred, each of whom has a secret to hide. It highlights yet
another historical event I was unaware of - the tragic maritime disaster
of the Wilhelm Gustloff, a German ship carrying wounded
soldiers and civilian refugees that was attacked and sunk by a Russian
submarine in the Baltic Sea, claiming what was probably over 10,000
lives.
I'd recommend it to grades: 9 and up
I'd recommend it to: historical fiction readers, fans of The Book Thief or Titanic, and anyone who likes a good survival story
What I liked most about this book: After
reading this third book by Ruta Sepetys, I'm officially adding her to
my list of favorite historical fiction authors. I could wax poetic for
days about her gorgeous writing and genius way of revealing the plot
without telling it outright, but I'll keep this short and sweet. I
adored Between Shades of Gray, and I didn't immediately realize
that this was a companion novel of sorts. Yet again Sepetys manages to tell a horrific tale in a way that
is hauntingly beautiful and hopeful. It's full of bravery, romance,
pain, love, and sacrifice, and I loved every page of it.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): I promised not to go on and on about the beautiful language, but I'll just leave this sentence here: "War had bled color from everything, leaving nothing but a storm of gray."
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars
*I read an ARC from the publisher thanks to an awesome co-worker who got it at ALA this year. Thanks, Janis!!! :)
Title: Blackbird
Author: Anna Carey
Pages: 256
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 9780062299734
Publication Date: September 16, 2014 (I received an ARC of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss.)
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20483089-blackbird
In a nutshell: What would you do if you woke up on a subway track with a train coming? What if you had no clue who you are or how you got there, and what if the only thing you knew was that someone is trying to kill you? Such is the premise for this insanely creative second-person thriller by the author of the Eve trilogy.
I'd recommend it to grades: 10 and up (for language and romantic situations)
I'd recommend it to: adrenaline junkies and mystery fans
What I liked most about this book: I couldn't put this one down, guys. I read it in one sitting. That second-person puts you right in the thick of the action, and it's a twisted race from start to finish. For a girl who has no clue who she is, the nameless protagonist is impressively self sufficient and basically kicks major butt, making the most of a dire situation. Nothing is as it seems in this thriller, and you can't trust anyone! I don't know how I'll wait for book two in this duology.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): It's next to impossible for me to tell you nearly anything about this one without spoiling something, so you're just going to have to take my word that it's awesome and read it. :)
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars
Title: Shadow on the Mountain
Author: Margi Preus
Pages: 304
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
ISBN: 9781419704246
Publication Date: September 1, 2012
AR Levels: Book Level - 5.0; Interest Level - 6th and up; Points: 8.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13591179-shadow-on-the-mountain
In a nutshell: Espen (code name Odin) begins his life as a spy in Norway by smuggling illegal newspapers at the age of 14. Follow Espen's ascent to full-fledged teenaged spy over the course of 1940 to 1945 as Norway becomes more and more overpowered by Germany. It's an inspiring tale of bravery and friendship that will chill and thrill you.
I'd recommend it for grades: 5 to 8 (There's only one part that's kind of violent.)
I'd recommend it to: James Bond and Sound of Music fans, spy novel lovers, WWII historical fiction fans
What I liked most about this book: It's
another of those historical fiction books that's about WWII but focuses
on a part of the war that doesn't get as much attention. I
enjoyed it, but something about the speed of the novel was off. Parts
felt rushed, and other parts felt long, and I wasn't thrilled with how
it ended so abruptly. However, I love how evident it was that this has
been heavily researched. The end matter in this book rocks; it includes a
timeline of the German occupation in Norway, pictures of the real man
Espen's character is based on, some spy-related activities, and other
cool stuff.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): When they're in their early teens, Espen and his friends build a weapons storage facility that's camouflaged in the mountain. It's a poignant moment when you think about how much life changes in the middle of a war. Most teenage boys build forts in the woods; these boys had to build a place to hide weapons to protect themselves from Nazi soldiers. Chilling.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 3 stars
Title: The Fifth Wave
Author: Rick Yancey
Pages: 457
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
ISBN: 9780399162411
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16101128-the-5th-wave
In a nutshell: After surviving four waves of a deadly alien invasion that has wiped out the majority of the world's population through lack of power, tidal waves, and a plague, Cassie is determined to stay alive and rescue her kid brother Sammy, but waiting for the fifth wave is like waiting for the other shoe to drop, and Cassie can trust no one...can she?
I'd recommend this for grades: 10 and up (strong language and lots of death and violence obviously)
I'd recommend it to: science fiction fans (especially Doctor Who and X-Files fans), Hunger Games and I Am Number Four fans, and conspiracy theorists ;)
What I liked most about this book: This book has everything you could want in a great young adult novel: aliens, love, sarcastic humor, cute boys, a strong female lead, thrilling mystery, plot twists, government secrets, angst, interesting/loveable/hateable characters, and most of all excellent writing! This one exceeded my already high expectations based on all the hype it's getting! Read it!
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): When Cassie's describing what she's got packed in her survival kit, she pokes fun at herself about including a toothbrush and toothpaste. She's determined that if she's going to be murdered by aliens, she's at least going to go out with clean teeth. Haha! Cassie's snarky comments are part of my favorite thing about her character and this book. She's like Katniss but sassier.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars!!! I can hardly wait for the next one!
Title: The Colossus Rises
Author: Peter Lerangis
Pages: 348
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 9780062070401
Publication Date: February 5, 2013
AR Levels: Book Level - 4.1; Interest Level - 4th-8th grade; Points - 9.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16061340-the-colossus-rises
In a nutshell: Jack McKinley is just a regular kid until one day he passes out at school and wakes up on a mysterious island where a scientist tells him that he and three other kids are members of the The Select, descendants of the royal family of a mythical lost city, and besides that they have a genetic anomaly that gives them superpowers after they undergo treatments. That's the good news. The bad news is that this anomaly will kill them if left untreated and if they cannot retrieve seven powerful artifacts that reside in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Basically it's equal parts Percy Jackson, X-Men, Indiana Jones, and LOST!
I'd recommend it for grades: 4 to 8 (or above)
I'd recommend it to: Rick Riordan fans and adrenaline junkies
What I liked most about this book: After reading this, I feel like I now have a perfect answer to the "What should I read after the Percy Jackson series?" question. The dialogue and characters (and even the cover art) are very similar, yet this series is unique enough to hold its own and prevent me from stamping it as a rip-off. It's every bit as fast-paced and funny as the Percy books, and it also has a few unexpected twists. Overall, I still enjoy Riordan's books better, but this is a solid read-alike. If Percy Jackson is Batman, this series is Robin, but who doesn't love Robin? ;) It definitely left me wanting more, and I'm excited it's going to be a series.*
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): The opening chapter describes how Jack is attacked by a homemade alarm clock he rigged up from household items, including a dinosaur toy that smacks him in the face. It reminded me of the opening scene of Back to the Future with Doc's crazy inventions, which I realize dates me, but it's a very funny scene in the book, and it sets the strange yet somewhat silly tone for the rest of the story.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars
*This is the first of a seven-book series. I'm assuming each book will focus on one of the Seven Wonders. Book two, Lost in Babylon, hits shelves on October 29, 2013.
Yes. You read that correctly. I liked Out of the Easy so much I rushed out to get Between Shades of Gray, and let me tell you, it was even better. It's probably the best book I've read so far this year, but I digress. Here's my review of this incredible book by one of my new favorite authors!
Title: Between Shades of Gray
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Pages: 344
Publisher: Philomel Books
ISBN: 9780399254123
Publication Date: March 22, 2011
AR Levels: Book Level: 3.6; Interest Level: 6th-12th; Points: 9.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7824322-between-shades-of-gray
In a nutshell: Fifteen-year-old Lina is on her way to a promising career as a talented artist when Stalin's soldiers arrest her and her family and force them to leave their Lithuanian home in the middle of the night in 1941. They journey thousands of miles packed into filthy rail cars to arrive at a Siberian work camp, where they are worked to the bone and treated like animals. Can Lina and her family find hope in the grays of the arctic wilderness?
I'd recommend it for grades: 8 and up (heavy subject matter)
I'd recommend it to: historical fiction fans, WWII buffs, readers who liked Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank or Night by Elie Weisel, and anyone who enjoys a powerful yet heartbreaking story of survival
What I liked most about this book: It's
chillingly enlightening and beautifully written even if the subject
matter makes you sick. I was completely unaware of these displaced and
abused people who suffered so much at exactly the same time as the
Holocaust but in the wastelands of Siberia. It hurts to read this book,
but I couldn't put it down. Also, the mother in this book is one of the strongest and bravest women I've encountered in a book in a while. I'm amazed at how completely opposite she is from Josie's despicable and uncaring mother in Out of the Easy. It's an interesting contrast.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): I teared up a few times while reading this book, but there's a scene that's set in the rail car that really moved me. In the midst of chaos and fear and filth, Mrs. Rimas, the Lithuanian librarian, begins to tell stories to the children waiting in uncertainty to put them at ease. I couldn't help but wonder if I were in that dire situation if I'd be able to selflessly put aside my own fear in order to do what I've devoted my own life to - improving the lives of children. This sweet, brave librarian swallowed her sheer terror to try to calm those frightened children. I hope I never have to be put in that situation, but if I were, I hope I'd be that brave too. This book is full of courageous moments like that one. It's inspiring.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): I'd give this one 6 stars if I could, but I'll give it 5 and play fair.
Title: Being Henry David
Author: Cal Armistead
Pages: 320
Publisher: Albert Whitman Teen
ISBN: 9780807506158
Publication Date: March 1, 2013
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16042447-being-henry-david
In a nutshell: When a boy wakes up in Penn Station in New York City with the clothes on his back, $10 in his pocket, a copy of Henry David Thoreau's Walden and no memory of who he is, he names himself "Henry David" or "Hank" for short and sets out to find out where he came from, but there a darkness in him that's telling him he may not like what he finds out when his memories begin to return. This thriller takes you through the underbelly of life on the street in New York and then to the idyllic woods of Walden Pond in Massachusetts, where "Hank" hopes the words of Walden and its setting might give him clues as to who he is and why he is on the run.
I'd recommend it for grades: 10 and up
I'd recommend it to: adrenaline junkies, thriller lovers, and fans of mysteries
What I liked most about this book: It grabs you from the first sentence and never lets you go. I read it in two sittings only because I had things to do. I was a bit skeptical because I thought this book was in danger of being a complete bore since it was based around Thoreau's Walden (which I hated), but I was wrong! It's a fast-paced thriller that also has a deep psychological and self-introspective narrative too. Best of both worlds!
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): This book features a motorcycle-riding, tattoo-sporting research librarian who acts as a Good Samaritan toward "Hank." There are all sorts of awesome in that character, and he's very believable.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 3 stars
Title: Code Name Verity
Author: Elizabeth Wein
Pages: 452
Publisher: Egmont Press
ISBN: 9781405258210
Publication Date: February 6, 2012
AR Levels: Interest Level: 9th-12th grades; Book Level: 6.5; Points: 15.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11925514-code-name-verity
In a nutshell: I almost can't write a summary without giving too much away, but I'll say this. This novel is about friendship - friendship so strong it will move you to your core. It's the story of two girls who answered the call to serve their country during WWII in Britain (one as a spy and one as a pilot), who stumbled into a life-changing friendship along the way, and who are torn apart by their commitment to their cause and each other. You should just take my word for it and read this one.
I'd recommend it for grades: 9 to 12+ for the torture scenes and for the language at times
I'd recommend it to: students who can't get enough of WWII books or who like suspenseful mysteries that are deeply character-driven
What I liked most about this book: The characters. The two female leads are phenomenal yet authentic. You laugh, cry, and cringe right along with these girls. Don't think this is just for girls either. Guys, you'll love this too. There's torture and fighter pilots and double agents and more! I wish I could tell you more, but I don't want to give anything away!
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): As with any good spy novel, there's hardly anything I can tell you that's not spoiler-y, but I can say that the format of this book adds so much to its success. Reading the notes of the captured female protagonist puts you right in the horror of being a prisoner of war while still leaving plenty up to the imagination.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 brightly shining stars
I had intended to post this one earlier this morning, as it's the 7th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina making landfall in South Louisiana, but I found myself without power for an extended period of time due to Hurricane (now Tropical Storm) Isaac. I'm typing this review while on an air mattress in a relative's guest room, and I can't help but think back to August 29, 2005 and the days, weeks, and months that followed. A conversation with one my students earlier this week reminded me that although many of my middle schoolers don't remember vividly what happened 7 years ago, they do remember how their lives changed because of it. I thought it would be appropriate to review Paul Volponi's Hurricane Song, which is the fictional account of a teenager who was in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina struck. It is vivid, poignant, and even a little haunting.
Title: Hurricane Song
Author: Paul Volponi
Pages: 144
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
ISBN: 9780670061600
Publication Date: June 12, 2008
AR Levels: Interest Level--4th to 8th; Reading Level--5.4; Points--4.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2302929.Hurricane_Song
In a nutshell: Sixteen-year old Miles just moved across the country to live with his jazz musician father in New Orleans. Their relationship had been almost nonexistent, but with his mom getting remarried and new kids moving in the house, he knew he needed to give his dad a second chance. After only a few months, their new relationship is tested by one of the worst natural disasters New Orleans has ever seen--Hurricane Katrina. Getting out of town proves to be very difficult with heavy traffic and a broken down car, so they end up at the Superdome, one of the city's most iconic venues that turns out to be a scene of devastation, destruction, and despair. Can their relationship survive the storm, but more importantly, can they survive the storm?
I'd recommend it for grades: 8th - 12th+. There is some language and mature content; plus some of the events of the story may be disturbing.
I'd recommend it to: Anyone who wants to see what the center of the storm was like for the poorest of the poor and anyone who enjoys reading about dealing with obstacles and adversity.
What I liked most about this book: This book doesn't sugarcoat what happened in the aftermath of the storm, but it also doesn't read like a documentary account. Hurricane Song challenges you to think not only about the characters in the story, but also about the bigger issues that were the cause of many misfortunes during this tragic event.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): I loved that the lyrics to "When the Saints Go Marching In" were placed throughout the book.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): I'll say 4 stars. It isn't perfect and seems rushed at times, but what is there packs an emotional wallop.
