T ◆ H ◆ E
, s ALAN
. REVIEW
gen is
amego, KS
lationships
76362333-4
W
Re
atie Copeland
Self-discovery
erminal Earth
Manhattan, KS
K
T
Marcia Woodyard Marcia
ISBN: 0
Terminal Earth Terminal
ISBN: 0-8109-9201-9
er felt as though he/
v
orite character. Egg hides her insecurities orite character.
v
e get, the harder they get. You are going are get. You they e get, the harder
el for any teenager who has e el for any
v
e-teens.
self; and Phase four: How are you feeling? Stories you might be feeling? Stories you you are self; and Phase four: How
er she has the chance. Obsessed with the film er she has the chance.
y
v
teens and preteens alike can find the answers to many questions to many can find the answers alike teens and preteens
, readers are whisked away on a journey of self-realization. Victoria Jur of self-realization. on a journey away whisked are , readers
by Cecil Castelluci by
Dealing with Mom
Laurence Gillot and Veronique Sibiril Gillot and Veronique Laurence
Boy Proof
elationships are always hard. The older w hard. always elationships are
elationships between mothers and teens, it seems to be more targeted to the younger targeted it seems to be more and teens, mothers elationships between
R through so many changes in life as it is (your body, your friends, your relationships) your friends, your body, changes in life as it is (your so many through and now you have to worry about your mom going crazy on you. What is with her on you. mom going crazy about your to worry have you and now anyway? In that they have about their relationship with their mother. The book goes step by step The book goes step by with their mother. about their relationship have that they through four different phases of relationships. Phase one: Mothers: Can’t live with Can’t live Phase one: Mothers: phases of relationships. four different through them, can’t send them back; Phase two: If it’s not one thing, it’s your mother; Phase your not one thing, it’s If it’s them, can’t send them back; Phase two: three: My mother….m three: able to relate to. While Gillot and Sibiril hit on many important issues of dealing with to. While Gillot and Sibiril hit on many able to relate r generation of teens: the pr generation
Dealing with Mom: How to Understand YourDealing with Mom: How to Understand Changing Relationship
by Amulet Books, 2005, 112 pp., $9.95 112 2005, Amulet Books,
Boy Proof Candlewick Press, 2005, 203 pp., $15.99 203 2005, Press, Candlewick
High school can be tough. Between battles with friends, agonizing over what lies beyond agonizing over battles with friends, High school can be tough. Between graduation and crazy parents, any teenager may find himself not knowing where to turn. where find himself not knowing teenager may any parents, and crazy graduation In a 16-year-old girl struggling to find herself amongst the sea of teenagers in a Beverly Hills in a Beverly amongst the sea of teenagers girl struggling to find herself a 16-year-old high school. As a founding member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Club, Jurgen loses Jurgen Club, high school. As a founding member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy herself in films whene herself Jurgen changes her name to “Egg” after her fa Jurgen beneath her shaved head and white cloak—the same cloak worn in head and white cloak—the same cloak worn beneath her shaved Egg is confident in her spot as valedictorian until Max Carter arrives at school. Carter’ until Max Carter arrives Egg is confident in her spot as valedictorian arrival changes everything for Egg—who begins to realize there is more to life than being is more there for Egg—who begins to realize changes everything arrival invisible. This book is the ideal no invisible. she does not fit in.
,
,
wn
, but in-
am B. Cole am B.
P
ennesaw, GA ennesaw,
Gender Issues
to? Can Mike,
K
Manhattan, KS
Julie Davenport
Playboys
ve
ISBN: 0-439-59109-0
ISBN: 0-439-68327-0
en’t
Drug Addiction/Heroin
. As Candy’s secret life of secret . As Candy’s
ve
dinary things that any teenager dinary things that any
YA Book Reviews Clip & File YA
er and humorous manner. Any young Any manner. er and humorous
v
y boys his age that dream of the female species his age that dream y boys
by David Larochelle David by
off heroin. Iggy kidnaps Gina, and Joe must decide off heroin.
story set in a vicious underworld of drugs, poverty, and poverty, of drugs, story set in a vicious underworld
ey
al. For 16 and up. awal. For
ve
oin addiction unveils, Joe is pulled into her violent and fearful oin addiction unveils,
by Kevin Brooks Kevin by
ould have to deal with, such as passing his driving test. One thing that has been on ould have
orld. Despite threats from Iggy, Candy’s pimp, Joe takes Candy to his family’s cot- Candy to his family’s pimp, Joe takes Candy’s Iggy, from orld. Despite threats
man struggling with these issues should find relief in this book. man struggling with these issues should find relief
Steven is a normal sixteen-year-old dealing with or is a normal sixteen-year-old Steven w his mind lately is girls, but unlike man but unlike his mind lately is girls,
stead the pages are filled with male underwear models. After twenty-three dates with After twenty-three models. filled with male underwear stead the pages are twenty-one different girls, Steven has finally come to the conclusion that he has kno Steven girls, different twenty-one all along; he’s gay. all along; he’s This novel deals with a serious subject in a cle This novel
he is curious whether or not he is attracted to them at all. He has hidden magazines he is curious whether or not he is attracted under his bed for the past couple of years. These magazines ar under his bed for the past couple of years.
Absolutely, Positively Not . . . Gay Positively Absolutely, Scholastic, 2005, 224 pp., $16.95 2005, Scholastic,
Candy Scholastic, 2005, 364 pp., $16.95 2005, Scholastic,
Joe Beck’s parents are divorced, and he and his older sister, Gina, live with their father Gina, live and he and his older sister, divorced, are parents Joe Beck’s a medical doctor, in an upscale area outside London. Joe, a gifted and lonely musician, outside London. Joe, in an upscale area a medical doctor, meets Candy, buys her coffee and falls hopelessly in lo buys meets Candy,
prostitution and her prostitution w tage, where she goes cold-turk where tage, between Candy and his sister. Which will he choose? Or will he ha Candy and his sister. between Gina’s boyfriend, help them? boyfriend, Gina’s A riveting and suspenseful lo A riveting prostitution. The plot is well-paced; characters are well-defined. An unnerving account well-defined. are characters The plot is well-paced; prostitution. of heroin addiction and withdr of heroin 33
g33-40TAR_Summer05 33 6/4/05, 10:36 AM T ◆ H ◆ E
fully woven into the text. This one is for the quiet, thoughtful adolescent wishing to e
Deliver Us from Normal Scholastic, 2005, 226 pp., $16.95 Junior high does not begin well for Charles Harrisong. Quiet and thoughtful, Charles is haunted b normal, like the other families in their hometown—Normal, Illinois Holiday House, Inc., 2005, 130 pp., $16.95 Unfortunately, Charles’ outsider status deepens, in part the result of his embarr emotional response to In campaign for class president is disrupted by malicious popular students, Charles’ par- ents flee Normal, bound for a new life on a rickety boat in the Gulf of Me More allegorical than r of a thoughtful young adolescent and his journey toward acceptance of himself and his family and his rejection of shallow definitions of what it is to be normal. Liter r
Don’t Tell the Girls
Nana. Giff has a close bond with Nana, which sparks her curiosity about her other
story is told through the eyes of Giff and the memories she has of her gr
grandmother, Jennie. Grandmother Jennie passed a opportunity to know her. Giff searches for records of her Grandmother Jennie and hopes to understand her life. Giff researches in libraries and even takes a trip to her grandmother’s native land, Ireland, to find the answers for the past. Giff is able to find the truth about her grandmother’s life, even though it is far fr Don’t Tell the Girls history behind the family. The story would be best suited for middle school readers.
eferences to various mystery novels, To
xplore what it means to be normal.
ALAN Don’t Tell the Girls REVIEW
y his family’s lack of social standing and their oddness. His wish is to be
is a story about a family’s connection between generations and the
by Patricia Reilly Giff
, P
ealistic,
The Yearling
atricia Reilly Giff is on a quest to find her family’s history. The
ate Klise by
K
wa
Deliver Us from Normal
y before Patricia was born, so Patricia never had the
during the previous term. When his older sister’
Kill a Mockingbir
Clip & File
, offers a glimpse inside the head
d
, and
Coming of Age/Depression
om what she belie
The Yearling
ISBN: 0-439-52322-2
ISBN: 0-8234-1813-8
.
Kristine E. Tardiff
F.
Todd Goodson
F
Manhattan, KS
Manhattan, KS
amily Memoir
xico.
andmother,
are skill-
assingly
ved.
Y
ary
s
A Book Reviews A Book
47 Little Br Slav after being sent to the fields to work, 47 meets Tall John, whose fa there are neither slaves nor masters in this world. Tall John is a runa is more complicated than that; really Tall John is from another planet, and he has come to lead 47 to saving this planet from the evil Calash. Digesting this story takes time, with its complicated plot and its fast-moving develop- ment. What starts as a po tasy read. This book had interplanetary tr that the battle for good and evil took on an even higher meaning in this no story would fit in the hands of fantasy readers, even adult ones, and each reader would come away from the story with a slightly different idea of the book. One caution: As part of the story comes the use of racial slurs, appropriate to the historical aspect of the book, but the importance of sla cussed.
Do You Know the Monkey Man? into an adventure. At age thirteen, Samantha Wright’s once predictable world in Clearwater, Iowa is being forever altered. Her mother is remarrying, the family is moving, and she w a need to rediscover her past. With the help of a ps detective, Samantha seeks the truth to unanswered questions about the m ing of her sister and the father she barely remembers. The result is a fairly predictable, yet still adventurous plot interwoven with themes of identity, intrapersonal relationships, and a redefinition of family. Although parts of the no school special, younger readers will appreciate the protagonist’s struggles with her par friends, divorce, and the blending of families. An appealing aroma of teenage r permeates much of the book such as when, despite her mother’s wishes, Samantha sneaks aw
Do You Know the Monkey Man? by P
eachtr
onders if she will fit into her new family. A fear of what the future holds awakens her to
Dori Hillestad Butler
ay
by
e number 47 kno
to Minnesota to seek the answers to her questions about the past.
Walter
ee, 2005, 193 pp., $14.95
own & Company, 2005, 240 pp., $16.99
Mosley
ws
no mother or father, only Mama Flore and her kindness. Shortly
w
erful slave narrative becomes an even more powerful fan-
successfully transforms ordinary dilemmas of teenage life
ve
rights, including the use of such language, is dis-
av
Identity/Family/Intrapersonal Relationships
el and slave rights on the same pages, such
v
el and some characters resemble an after-
y
chic, her friend Angela, and an Internet
Slavery/African Americans/Magic
ISBN: 1-56145-340-4
v
orite thought is that
wa
ISBN: 0316110353
y
Curtis Chandler
y,
sterious drown-
Jennifer Judy
but his story
W
Oxford, OH
amego, KS
v
el. This
ebellion
ents, 34
g33-40TAR_Summer05 34 6/4/05, 10:36 AM T ◆ H ◆ E ALAN
der tasy REVIEW
oted to
Fan
v
Quinter, KS Quinter,
Manhattan, KS
Todd Goodson Todd
Virginia Beesley Virginia
F.
ISBN: 0439700868
ISBN: 0-439-35379-3
.
Nonfiction/World War II War Nonfiction/World
wned Wednesday who is wned Wednesday
o
amination of the manipulation of
follow teens smitten by Nazi ideol- teens smitten by follow
x
We
y.
he must confront the powerful pirate Feverfew to Feverfew pirate the powerful he must confront
rs
ve
ould certainly be a valuable addition to units of study de ould certainly be a valuable
w
provides a readable and compelling e a readable provides
005, 400 pp., $15.95 005,
Hitler Youth
Susan Campbell Bartoletti
ook Reviews
Garth Nix
eaders will enjoy Nix’s complex, imaginative universe (the House and the Bor universe imaginative complex, Nix’s will enjoy eaders
Hitler Youth
ogy, teens who went along reluctantly, teens who became part of the resistance move- teens who became part of the resistance along reluctantly, teens who went ogy, ment in Germany, and Jewish teens victimized by the Nazi regime. Along the way, we Along the way, the Nazi regime. teens victimized by and Jewish ment in Germany, arrive at a deeper understanding of the complex forces targeting young people during young targeting forces of the complex at a deeper understanding arrive this period. The book is oversized and filled with black and white photographs that capture the that capture and filled with black and white photographs The book is oversized conflict of the time—both the conflict between nations and the conflict within indi- conflict of the time—both the conflict between viduals. viduals. the Holocaust and/or World War II, providing a view of the effects of the war on of the effects of the war a view II, providing War the Holocaust and/or World Germany’s adolescents as well as the effect German adolescents had on the war. adolescents as well Germany’s
Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow Up in Hitler’s Growing Hitler Youth: by Scholastic, 2005, 176 pp., $19.95 2005, Scholastic,
adolescents in the Third Reich. The stories of 11 young people are traced through the through traced people are young The stories of 11 Reich. adolescents in the Third rise and fall of National Socialism in German
by Scholastic, 2 Scholastic, In this third book of his series, Nix’s unlikely hero Arthur Penhaligon continues his Arthur Penhaligon hero unlikely Nix’s book of his series, In this third adventures in the House. This time he must meet with Dr in the House. adventures suffering from a strange eating disorder—her fierce hunger has forced her to grow to her to grow hunger has forced fierce eating disorder—her a strange suffering from gargantuan dimensions. Unfortunately for Arthur, she eats most of her guests. Arthur she eats most of her guests. Unfortunately for Arthur, dimensions. gargantuan survives the meeting, but disco survives gain the third part of the Will and claim the Third Key from Drowned Wednesday. Drowned from Key part of the Will and claim the Third gain the third R
The Keys of the Kingdom, Book Three: Drowned Wednesday Drowned of the Kingdom, Book Three: The Keys
Seas) and his cast of intriguing characters, including clerks trying to be sailors and including clerks trying to be sailors Seas) and his cast of intriguing characters, talking rats trying to pilot a submarine. Arthur’s common sense, good nature, and good nature, common sense, Arthur’s trying to pilot a submarine. talking rats loyalty make him a suitable protagonist for this charming story him a suitable protagonist make loyalty
A B
w
series,
author-
Fantasy
rd
Ingrid Seitz
wa
John Ritchie
Manhattan, KS
Manhattan, KS
Everworld
ISBN: 0974648175
s
ISBN: 0-439-22161-7
and later caught in the
s,
Clip & File Y
Historical Fiction/Dear America Series
el, however, sets up intriguing possibilities el, however,
ed sister, needlessly lose their lives in the Triangle needlessly lose their lives ed sister,
v
v
.
Angela
by Deborah Hopkinson Deborah by
.
orker
Lynn Sinclair Lynn
by
offers fascinating characters, especially with the enchanting yet dangerous especially with the enchanting yet fascinating characters, offers
, Lynn Sinclair’s first book of a proposed trilogy, is a fantasy romance told romance is a fantasy trilogy, book of a proposed first Sinclair’s , Lynn
differentiate between dreams and reality. Sadly, this question is quickly abandoned Sadly, and reality. dreams between differentiate
lead character Jodi Greer. Like the characters in K.A. Applegate’ the characters Like Jodi Greer. lead character
touching his sleeping body. Is the world all part of Neil’s dream, or is it a real world or is it a real dream, all part of Neil’s Is the world touching his sleeping body.
aist Company fire of 1911. fire aist Company
ttending school is a joy for Angela Denoto but a luxury that her family can no longer afford. Now for Angela Denoto but a luxury that her family can no longer afford. ttending school is a joy
ey to Aten
ey to Aten
ey to Aten
K Brown Barn Books, 2005, 192 pp., $8.95 2005, Barn Books, Brown K
Scholastic, 2004, 182 pp., $10.95 2004, Scholastic, A
by Jodi’s friend Neil find himself in a different world after Neil falls asleep. Jodi joins him world friend Neil find himself in a different Jodi’s by with real consequences? Sinclair offers this as a potential question dealing with ho consequences? Sinclair offers with real we as Jodi and Neil find themselves in trouble with giant spider in trouble as Jodi and Neil find themselves middle of tribal conflicts K
industry. It is a wonderful glimpse of the time period and of those adolescent struggles of hope It is a wonderful industry. and fear, joy and sorrow, and dreams of the future that transcend time. that transcend of the future and dreams and sorrow, joy and fear,
Hear My Sorrow, The Diary of Hear My Sorrow, Denoto, a Shirtwaist W
leaving school is tempered, however, by the pride that she feels in being able to help her family by however, school is tempered, leaving pay the rent and put food on the table the rent pay Aladar, who has the power to control plants. Unfortunately, Jodi’s first-person perspec- first-person Jodi’s Unfortunately, plants. to control who has the power Aladar, nearly inhumane. Aching muscles, needle-pierced fingers, and conflicted feelings to fingers, needle-pierced muscles, Aching nearly inhumane. The book characters. interesting often more of the other, limits the development tive has very little humor and instead thrives on melodramatic romance and entirely pre- and entirely romance on melodramatic little humor and instead thrives has very for fair treatment of workers. Things finally come to a climax when Angela helplessly watches as Things finally come to a climax when Angela helplessly watches of workers. for fair treatment The ending of the no dictable plot twists. 146 young women and girls, including her belo and girls, women 146 young of a glance. the second book in the series worthy that make W Through her journal entries, we are led through the turbulent years of 1909-1911 in New York in New of 1909-1911 the turbulent years led through are we her journal entries, Through City’s Lower East Side where young Jewish and Italian immigrant girls worked in the garment girls worked and Italian immigrant Jewish young East Side where Lower City’s
that she is fourteen years old, she must begin work in a shirtwaist factory. Her disappointment in factory. in a shirtwaist old, she must begin work that she is fourteen years
Angela quickly finds that the harsh conditions she and her peers must experience at work are at work must experience conditions she and her peers Angela quickly finds that the harsh ity convince Angela that she must accept this new organization, called a union, and join the fight organization, ity convince Angela that she must accept this new 35
g33-40TAR_Summer05 35 6/4/05, 10:36 AM T ◆ H ◆ E
Ladies First: Women Athletes Who Made a Difference The Last Univer by Amulet Books, 2005, 214 pp., $16.95 P In pense. This suspense is heightened by the first-person narrator, also the main char of more than a dozen famous female athletes. Among those is Manon Rheaume, the ter. Susan is so unwilling to enter all the dangerous situations in the garden behind her first woman to play professional hockey. As goalie for the Tampa Bay Lighting, she had house that she makes you as the reader want to go there even more. Sleator paints a the toughest position on the team. Rheaume achie convincing picture of what it is like to be a 14-year-old girl in a world of confusing twists and turns. The mysterious maze in the middle of the garden is a metaphor for the labyrinthine mind games Sleator pla ence in this book to interest the intellectually inclined. This is a truly engaging science fiction thriller where all the action takes place in a seemingly innocent garden behind an old house. There are no light sabers or wookies, but this story will take you on a psychological journey as you wonder if the universe really makes any sense at all. I w
William Sleator’s new novel for young adults is a riveting tale of psychological sus-
perseverance, and talent. Tw Shirley Muldowney in auto racing, and more traditional sports, Wilma Rudolph in track and Nadia Comaneci in gymnastics. R true.
eachtree Publishers, 2005, 146 pp., $14.95
eaders will find inspiring stories of women athletes who made their dreams come
ould recommend this book to an
Ken Rappoport
Ladies Fir ALAN elve more chapters include women who broke barriers: Julie Krone in horse racing, REVIEW
st: Women A
se
thletes Who Made a Differ
y
one who is interested in alternate r
ys
with his readers. There is just enough sci-
Life-thr
Clip & File
ence
eatening Illnesses/Generation Gap
v
ed her dream with hard work,
, Ken Rappoport tells the story
ISBN: 1-56145-338-2
ISBN: 0-8109-5858-9
Women Athletes
ealities.
Kenan Metzger
Manhattan, KS
R
Shawnee, KS
uth Prescott
Y
ac-
A Book Reviews A Book
hsbo ea sasre fbdiesoisfrthe author’s children and was origi- This book began as a series of bedtime stories for
able to save the day by bringing down the walls. However, her adventures are appar-
The underlying message that sneaking around leads to great deeds may be disturbing for some adults, yet it taps into the co the world.
nally self-published in Seattle, Washington, where, apparently, it did well enough to be
a complex of walled cities unable, along with her compatriots, to experience the world
to be held back from exploration of the forbidden by rules, guards, culture, and cus-
to destroy the kingdom. She is
ently heroine although the adventures are far from as engaging as those in Narnia or Hogw
The Land of Elyon Book I Looking for Alaska Orchard, 2005, 251 pp., $11.95 Dutton Books, 2005, 256 pp., $15.99
picked up by Orchard Books for national distribution. Projected as the first book in a trilogy, the fantasy tale recounts the adventures of 12-year-old Alexa, who lives within
outside. Alexa, in the spirit of fantasy protagonists everywhere, is too curious and bold
tom. Indeed, she finds her w
Green’s book is a thrilling no
Based on the last w attend his last two years of high school at Culver Creek boarding school in Alabama because “I go to seek a Great Perhaps.” He finds this potential both in his new group of friends and in the discussions of his World Religions class, taught by Dr. Hyde.
days after the event. It is a tribute to Green’s capabilities as a writer that the e
the novel, Green challenges the reader’s perceptions of friendship, lo ships, sex, life, suffering, and death. The book is filled with scenes that are both laugh-
A warning to readers: Green’s novel contains a lot of explicit language, some drug use, and explicit sexual situations. However, each of these situations is handled with depth and maturity and is vital to the development of plot and character.
counting down to a life-changing e
open to multiple possibilities that make it unpredictable until it happens. Throughout
out-loud funny and bury-one’s-head-and-cry tr
to be continued . . . .
by John Green
ords of F
Y
by P
oung fantasy readers will enjoy this story of a small female
ay
v
rancois Rabelais, narrator Miles Halter lea
el that lacks chapter
, of course, with the aid of her animal allies, ultimately
beyond the walls to discover talking animals and a plot
atrick Carman
v
ent in Miles’s life, and later by headings that count
v
ert desire of all children to have a hand in saving
agic.
s,
but is divided by headings that ar
R
elationships/Loyalty/Death
ISBN: 0-439-70093-0
Myrna Dee Marler
ISBN: 0525475060
Manhattan, KS
y
v
alty, relation-
es Florida to
John Ritchie
Laie, HI
Fantasy
v
ent is
arts.
36 e
g33-40TAR_Summer05 36 6/4/05, 10:36 AM T ◆ H ◆ E
al
a- vil ALAN REVIEW
antas
yF
Laie, HI Laie,
Skokie, IL Skokie,
Judith Hayn
Myrna Dee Marler
and have arrived in arrived and have
ISBN: 1-59514-007-7
ISBN: 0-8234-1647-X
however, are the lush illustr are however,
e,
er wicked men’s venalities. men’s er wicked
.
.” It lightly covers King Arthur’s troubles King Arthur’s .” It lightly covers
v
e
by J. B. Stephens J. B. by Futuristic/Adventure
entual demise of the great dream. The prose is The prose dream. entual demise of the great
v
stem devices to the ideal community where survival to the ideal community where stem devices
y
, Book 2)
er and the hand that guided the hand of King Arthur as he fought
Desolation Angels Book 1) (The Big Empty,
e survived e survived
azorBill, 2004, 268 pp., $6.99 azorBill, 2004,
adise City (The Big Empty
ook Reviews
cellent book for young fantasy readers to cut their teeth on. The prose and paintings to cut their teeth on. The prose readers fantasy cellent book for young
etold by Margaret Hodges, Ill. by Trina Schart Hyman Trina Ill. by Hodges, Margaret etold by
enguin R
elentless enemies, set up the round table, lost and regained his sword, and established his sword, lost and regained table, set up the round elentless enemies,
Six teens hav
Novo Mundum after the Midwest has been abandoned following a viral outbreak called outbreak a viral has been abandoned following Mundum after the Midwest Novo
this version seems aimed more at children than young adults, recounting three tales fea- three recounting adults, than young at children seems aimed more this version
r truth and justice. The three stories are “The Sword in the Stone” (already recounted by recounted in the Stone” (already “The Sword stories are The three truth and justice. Disney), “Excalibur,” and “The Lady of the Lak “Excalibur,” Disney), with Guinevere and Lancelot and the e with Guinevere clear and engaging, telling the stories well. Its best featur clear and engaging, telling the stories well. tions and the simulation of illuminated manuscripts from the Middle Ages. This is an the Middle Ages. tions and the simulation of illuminated manuscripts from ex suggest a host of unseen magical forces in the world waiting to be unleashed against e waiting in the world suggest a host of unseen magical forces and even hints at the possibility of Arthur’s eventual return. Thus, it becomes a book Thus, return. eventual hints at the possibility of Arthur’s and even themed around hope and the triumph of good o themed around
Strain 7. This attempt to recreate a Garden of Eden exists at an isolated small liber of Eden exists a Garden 7. This attempt to recreate Strain arts college in the Eastern United States where a commune is controlled by two broth- two by a commune is controlled arts college in the Eastern United States where ers, one a former research scientist at the college and the other an ex-Marine. The hero scientist at the college and the other an ex-Marine. one a former research ers, Exactly why the world needs another retelling of Arthurian legend is unclear. However, of Arthurian legend is unclear. needs another retelling the world why Exactly to uninhabited St. the deserted prairie across journeys pals, is Michael, who with two Louis and brings back security s turing Merlin as kingmak so-called paradise, As with any and brilliant seems to be the focus. of the youthful things are never quite as idyllic as they seem. Michael must decide who is friend or quite as idyllic as they never things are enemy to save the surviving “angels” he trusts the surviving “angels” to save enemy
R Holiday House, 2004, 39 pp., $16.95 2004, House, Holiday
Par P
Merlin and the Making of the King
A B
e
o-
, is
en-
escue
w graphic
Oxford, OH Oxford,
aphic Novel
Jennifer Judy
Gr
Manhattan, KS
entur
Todd Goodson Todd
F.
ISBN: 031615556x
Adv e/Thriller
ISBN: 0-439-70623-8
When the Wind Blows
and teachers interested in interested and teachers
citing novel.
x
e,
and
Clip & File Y
atterson’s adult readers will not be disap- adult readers atterson’s
The Lake House
w. P
as first published in 1991, the first in a series now at in a series now the first published in 1991, as first
w
a nice introduction to the genr a nice introduction
el to action-adventure fans, especially those thirsting for the thriller especially those thirsting fans, el to action-adventure
v
ations.
by Jeff Smith by
Out of Boneville
James Patterson
one Bone. The characters are endearing, and the plot is a blend of comedy and adv are The characters one Bone.
apping the popularity of book-length comics, Scholastic has launched its ne apping the popularity of book-length comics,
ans of Boneville will want to examine the color artwork. Those new to graphic novels to graphic Those new the color artwork. to examine will want ans of Boneville
xploring the possibilities of graphic novels will find the Boneville series safe for class- will find the Boneville novels xploring the possibilities of graphic
oom consumption.
Max, the winged teenager from Patterson’s Patterson’s Max, the winged teenager from back in a book of her own. Guess who else is back? The bad guys from the school wher from Guess who else is back? The bad guys back in a book of her own.
get Max and her flock of winged kids. Max’s journey takes her back to the school to r takes journey Max’s get Max and her flock of winged kids.
Max’s first memories come from, and the Erasers, a band of mutant wolf-like assassins, out to assassins, a band of mutant wolf-like and the Erasers, memories come from, first Max’s
her friend. This novel was typical Patterson, with the heart pumping action and close calls, mixed with mixed with the heart pumping action and close calls, typical Patterson, was This novel a new feeling of teenage anxiety. The point of view switches from flock member to flock switches from The point of view feeling of teenage anxiety. a new member, making this not as much Max’s book as her flock’s book. This change is disorient- book as her flock’s making this not as much Max’s member, ing instead of being insightful, but I found the action and captivating characters made Max’s characters ing instead of being insightful, but I found the action and captivating ride inviting. I recommend this no I recommend
pointed, and he will definitely gain a teen audience with this e
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by Little, Brown, 2005, 432 pp., $16.95 2005, Brown, Little,
Out of Boneville
Scholastic, 2005, 138 pp., $18.95 2005, Scholastic,
novel from the mostly female point of vie from novel
nine volumes. The new Scholastic edition maintains the original content but intr The new nine volumes. duces color illustr The book traces the adventures of the Bone cousins—Phoney Bone, Smiley Bone, and Bone, Smiley Bone, of the Bone cousins—Phoney the adventures The book traces F ture. Social satire is just beneath the surface, but the messages are subtle. but the messages are is just beneath the surface, Social satire ture. F will find in Out of Boneville e r
novel imprint, Graphix, by releasing a hard-cover edition of volume one from Jeff Smith’s one from edition of volume a hard-cover releasing by imprint, Graphix, novel Boneville series. series. Boneville T 37
g33-40TAR_Summer05 37 6/4/05, 10:36 AM T ◆ H ◆ E
F pearance of Woodrow’s mother (Belle Prater). Woodrow has been living with his gr parents and has become close friends with his adventurous cousin, Gyps make a friend in Cassie Caulborne, a new girl in school, who has a “sixth sense”— Cassie can look into the past and Woodrow hopes her talent can aid him in finding his mother. A mysterious phone call on New Year’s sends Woodrow, Gypsy, and Cassie on a quest to Bluefield, a neighboring to three meet Joseph, a thirteen-year-old black boy searching for his father. They become friends, and the four help one another find what they’re searching for. White effectively balances sadness with humor, and comedy with tragedy, creating a charming and memorable portrait of 1950s rural Appalachia, its people, and language. Excellent for Appalachian Studies
F
A freshman in high school, Jane has two friends, Alicia and Phil. Unfortunately, she doesn’t always get along with Alicia, and Phil has a crush on her. When we first meet Jane, she is in the cafeteria wishing she were sitting with the Bitches, a group of three girls considered the coolest girls in school. Jane is wearing a new dress in hopes the bitches will notice her, which they eventually do. After a series of initiations, Jane is inducted into their gr W lar story line addr price on popularity. Elements of magic infiltrate the book, giving it an impossible r ity. However, despite the unrealistic ideas supporting the main theme that popularity can be obtained through theft, Jane is a belie r and the need to fit in.
The Search for Bell Prater Rhymes with Witches
Amulet Books, 2005, 224 pp., $16.95
esonate with a teenage cr
ans of
arrar Straus Giroux, 2005, 170 pp., $16.00
ALAN ritten in response to “Flowers for Algernon,” author Lauren Myracle designs a simi- REVIEW
Belle Prater’
essing the price paid for turning into someone ne
s Boy
oup.
by Lauren Myracle
will welcome this long a
b uhWieAbandoned Childr by Ruth White
ow
d, as will other topics such as underage drinking, sex,
.
wn, in search of Belle. On the bus ride ther
v
able character. Issues of popularity will
w
Clip & File
aited sequel. A year after the disap-
en/Appalachian Cultur
ISBN: 0-374-30853-5
ISBN: 0810958597
w and putting a
Elle Wolterbeek
K
ennesaw, GA
P
y.
am B. Cole
T
P
empe, AZ
opularity
The two
e,
Y
and-
eal-
the
e
A Book Reviews A Book
Scholastic Press, 2005, 240 pp., $16.95 Utilizing an unconventional format, Denenber v while in the attic, too, and in her words, as the author imagines them, Anne is r with additional fictional insight. F Amsterdam, and then to the death camps through vivid, horrific detail. Heartbr oral histories of camp survivors, many who knew the Frank women, complete the history of the family in the moving final section. Pairing this text with Y about the Franks, the end to their ordinary middle class family life, the tense years in the attic, and the final da Holocaust literature, a must read.
Her F
Shadow Life: A Portrait of Anne Frank and The Royal Ballet School Diaries: Ellie’s Chance to Dance
Grossett & Dunlap, 2 Ellie nev
Roy w made new friends at school and in dance class. There was only one person who was a pain in the neck, Rachel. But Rachel finally comes around when she is forced to be Ellie’s partner for a school project and finds that Ellie doesn’t ha
But things got a little easier when she found out she would be auditioning for The
“prima ballerina” after all. This is a good book for middle school adolescents to read. They can really connect with the troubles Ellie has with uprooting from the only home she kno city, and not getting along with e
oung Girl
ollowing meticulous research, the reader moves from Frankfurt, German
oice of Margot Frank, Anne’s older and quieter sister. She apparently kept a diary
ould ever have the chance to dance at the best ballet school in England! Ellie quickly
al Ballet School’s Junior Associate Pr
amily
er thought she would be leaving her friends in Chicago and moving to London.
by
b
provides accurate information to satisfy questions adolescents may have
Alexandra Moss
y Barry Denenber
005, 141 pp., $4.99
ys
in Bergen-Belsen. Denenberg creates a riveting addition to
g
v
eryone there.
ogram. Who would have thought that she
g creates another viewpoint using the
Friendship/Interper
Nonfiction/Historical Fiction
ve
ws
ISBN: 0-448-43535-7
ISBN: 0-439-41678-7
the perfect life of a
, moving to a new
Marcia Woodyard
sonal R
Judith A. Hayn
The Diary of a
W
amego, KS
Skokie, IL
elations
ev
eaking
ealed
y, to y, 38
g33-40TAR_Summer05 38 6/4/05, 10:36 AM T ◆ H ◆ E
.
ent ALAN REVIEW
Fantasy
of cross
est and the
Lenexa, KS Lenexa,
ew
w
becomes the
Jaime Hylton
Elaine A. Cobb
y,
Scarborough, ME Scarborough,
ISBN: 0060010169
op-culture/Mystery
ISBN: 1-59514-000-X
P
efuses to do product place- efuses to do product
en Chinese mythology, fantasy, and fantasy, en Chinese mythology,
ov
, dives from the San Francisco Pier into the San Francisco from , dives
om Lee; now the two are linked in purpose linked are the two om Lee; now
ve T
esterday.”
s Apprentice
The Tiger’
Laur
by ence Yep
, sequel to
enteen-year-old Hunter Braque works as a “cool spotter,” that is, he is paid by that is, spotter,” as a “cool works Hunter Braque enteen-year-old
ook Reviews
azorbill (Penguin Group), 2004, 225 pp., $16.99 2004, Group), azorbill (Penguin
om learns about courage, honor, loyalty, trust, and friendship. These values, blended trust, and friendship. These values, loyalty, honor, om learns about courage,
Tiger’s Blood Tiger’s the mysteries of the uncharted ocean, as Tom Lee and his fantastical cr of the uncharted ocean, as Tom the mysteries
and heart as they protect the egg from the deceptive intrigues of the Dragon Kingdom intrigues of the Dragon the deceptive the egg from protect and heart as they and the villain Vattan. T with Chinese lore and magical escapades, make this novel the perfect recommendation this novel make and magical escapades, with Chinese lore for both beginning and devoted readers of the fantasy genre. of the fantasy readers for both beginning and devoted The award-winning author has seamlessly w The award-winning adventure into this didactic tale of good versus evil. into this didactic tale of good versus adventure
Harper Collins, 2005, 204 pp., $15.99 204 2005, Harper Collins,
species companions rely on magic, wit, and skill to renew their defense of the ancient wit, and skill to renew on magic, species companions rely phoenix egg from power-hungry villains. Tom, a Chinese-American bo Tom, villains. power-hungry phoenix egg from apprentice to Mr. Hu, a shape-shifting lion who is the guardian of the phoenix egg. Mr Hu, a shape-shifting lion who is the guardian to Mr. apprentice Hu sacrifices his own life blood to sa Hu sacrifices his own
Tiger’s Blood Tiger’s
R
by Scott Westerfeld by So Yesterday
Sev
meets Jen when he asks to take a photograph (using his cell phone, of course) of the of course) (using his cell phone, a photograph meets Jen when he asks to take
corporations to notice and report back what he predicts will be the next big trend. will be the next back what he predicts to notice and report corporations Occasionally he attends “cool tastings,” (known as “focus groups” yesterday). Hunter yesterday). as “focus groups” (known tastings,” Occasionally he attends “cool
innovative way she has tied her shoelaces. He invites Jen to a cool tasting, and the she has tied her shoelaces. way innovative stery begins. Readers will enjoy challenging themselves to identify the most curr challenging themselves will enjoy Readers mystery begins. cool products from Hunter’s descriptions of them (he r Hunter’s from cool products ment—naming brands—in his story). ment—naming brands—in This clever novel is full of visual detail and would make an entertaining movie. Don’t an entertaining movie. make is full of visual detail and would novel This clever delay in offering it to students, however, because it is saturated with the ne because it is saturated however, in offering it to students, delay coolest and will not stay current very long. Westerfeld has built obsolescence right into long. Westerfeld very current coolest and will not stay his novel; soon it, too, will be “so y his novel;
,
A B
y,
Talk
ould
.
Lenexa, KS Lenexa,
e of the play,
ennesaw, GA ennesaw,
K
Elaine A. Cobb
Smiler’s Bones Smiler’s
aith H. Wallace
xual Orientation
F
ISBN: 0374373825
ISBN: 0-439-98723-7
e/Exploration/Survival
Cultur
ess of New York, readers share in share readers York, ess of New
Realistic Fiction/Se Realistic
Clip & File Y
ow
ering of ties with so-called friends
etakers, contemplated suicide, and pub- contemplated suicide, etakers,
v
s spirit to return home in s spirit to return
, he has won the lead role in his high school pla the lead role , he has won
elocation.
, historical basis, complex character development, ethical dilem- development, character complex , historical basis,
er been in a play
v
by Peter Lerangis Peter by
K
by athe Koja
. But when he thinks about it, he’s been acting his whole life so that no one w . But when he thinks about it, he’s
ept from the icy white arctic to the industrial pr white arctic the icy ept from
ances Foster Books, 2005, 133 pp., $16.00 2005, Books, ances Foster
ants, no needs, Kit causes an eruption within the school about the natur no needs, ants,
ecords indicate Mene was bounced among car indicate Mene was ecords
oja masterfully weaves several stories throughout this stream of consciousness, alter- of consciousness, this stream stories throughout several oja masterfully weaves
eter Lerangis felt the calling to breathe life into history by recreating the emotional recreating life into history by felt the calling to breathe eter Lerangis
xperiences of this young Eskimo. Mene was the sole survivor of six native Eskimos of six native the sole survivor Eskimo. Mene was xperiences of this young
epercussions felt after their r epercussions
Smiler’s Bones Smiler’s
Scholastic, 2005, 160 pp., $16.95 2005, Scholastic,
Much as Mene hears the calling of his father’ Much as Mene hears
P e transplanted to America at the turn-of-the-century by the famed explorer Robert Peary. Robert the famed explorer to America at the turn-of-the-century by transplanted R
licly threatened the Museum of Natural History for his exploitation. However, the per- However, History for his exploitation. the Museum of Natural licly threatened son behind the headlines had yet to be discovered until this novel. to be discovered son behind the headlines had yet Sw Mene’s account of both the Eskimo people’s bold journey south and the tumultuous bold journey account of both the Eskimo people’s Mene’s r Eloquent descriptions mas and cultural exploration make this novel an excellent addition to any classroom addition to any an excellent this novel make exploration mas and cultural and a great read. and a great
hate crimes committed against Kit, and the se K nating the voice of the narrator across the books, and providing teases of the script and providing the books, across of the narrator nating the voice throughout. The result is a realistic account of understanding identity and coming to account of understanding is a realistic The result throughout. grips with reality.
Fr
Talk know he is gay. Lindsay, the drama queen, plays opposite Kit and questions, for the opposite Kit and questions, queen, plays the drama Lindsay, he is gay. know first time, what she wants in life, particularly in a boyfriend. Her conclusion that she particularly in a boyfriend. in life, what she wants time, first w
Talk Although Kit has ne 39
g33-40TAR_Summer05 39 6/4/05, 10:36 AM T ◆ H ◆ E
have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this book, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. The s and usage of the no Should these twelve-year-old boys rescue the struggling Boston Red Sox or should they let fate play out its course? As the boys play their own game of baseball nearly e day they watch in anguish as their belo is just enough future slang and technology to make the reader believe they are in 2024, but not too much to take away the universal appeal of a coming-of-age story. The boys battle super computer an evil maintenance man in a wheelchair
24 Girls in 7 Days
of true love and self-identity. While the situations are amusing, the ending is almost predictable.
The Year They Won Brown Barn Books, 2005, 118 pp., $8.95 The Year They W
Dutton Books, 2005, 265 pp., $15.99 After Jack fails to get a date for the prom, his best friends place a per online school newspaper. Jack has seven days to date twenty-four girls and pick his prom date, and that is the easy part. Jack Grammar, the geek who can name all of Shakespeare’s plays from memory and has the maximum number of AP credits al- lowed, is suddenly the coolest kid in school. Jack faces two drunken flashers, group dates, a wheelchair bound jock, and illegal r a two tough questions: Who is Fancy Pants and who is Jack Grammar? An interesting twist on the usual prom story, 24 Girls in 7 Days
ockets. He takes kissing lessons, centered around the word “olive,” and faces his o ALAN wkwardness. As Jack races to narrow down the prospects to that perfect girl, he faces REVIEW
24 Girls in 7 Days
on
by Alex Bradley
v
is a delightful adventure into the future of baseball. One does not
ald Purciello by
el places the reader squarely in the midst of a preteen dilemma.
s,
Ger
nosy parents, a faceless creature who hides in the se
is most appropriate for high school aged r
v
ed team goes on another losing streak. There
.
Clip & File
Sports Heroes/Urban Life
Self-disco
e
xplores the definitions
ISBN: 0-525-47369-6
ISBN: 0-974648159
Kar
sonal ad in the
Kenan Metzger
Manhattan, KS
very/Romance
eaders.
olinde Young
Shawnee, KS
wer,
yntax
Y
very
and
wn
A Book Reviews A Book
This book is the fourth in a series and is sure to be a book for readers interested in r
The Unsuspecting Gourmet (Missing Persons Book 4) by Speak, imprint of Penguin Group, 2004, 169 pp., $5.99 This delightful mystery centers on two orphaned girls incognito in Venice, Indiana due to a conniving stepmother W When the mistress of the local diner turns up missing, the sisters help solve the case. The twists and turns of the m insecurities of gr
ecurring characters.
orking part time at a detective agency, the girls are familiar with missing per
Publishers who wish to submit a book for possible review should send a copy of the book to:
To contact Lori Goodson at [email protected]
M. E. R
submit a review for possible publication or to become a r
abb
Lori Goodson 409 Cherry Circle Manhattan, KS 66503
o
wing up.
y
stery keep the reader engaged as do romance and the
, Sophie and Sam, who ar
.
ISBN: 0-14-250044-5
Mystery/Romance
Chatsworth, GA
eviewer,
Joy Frerichs
e living
sons. 40
g33-40TAR_Summer05 40 6/4/05, 10:36 AM