Tween Tuesday: Cosmic

Tween Tuesday is hosted @ GreenBeanTeenQueen.  It's an opportunity to highlight great tween reads!

Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce 

New York: Walden Pond Press, 2010

313 pages

4.5 out of 5

Liam has always felt a bit like he's stuck between two worlds. This is primarily because he's a twelve-year-old kid who looks like he's about thirty. Sometimes it's not so bad, like when his new principal mistakes him for a teacher on the first day of school or when he convinces a car dealer to let him take a Porsche out on a test drive. But mostly it's just frustrating, being a kid trapped in an adult world. And so he decides to flip things around. Liam cons his way onto the first spaceship to take civilians into space, a special flight for a group of kids and an adult chaperone, and he is going as the adult chaperone. It's not long before Liam, along with his friends, is stuck between two worlds again--only this time he's 239,000 miles from home.

I loved this book! The tone is lighthearted and humorous and Liam is quite charming. Any kid who has ever dreamed of being an astronaut will get a kick out of Liam and Florida's adventure. (Yes, Florida. But this is one instance where interestingly named characters actually add to the quirkiness and warmth of the story instead of being different simply to be different.)

Reading the description and even the first bit of the novel it's easy to view this is a silly tale about something that could never really happen. And that may be true, but there is much more to this story than meets the eye.  Yes, Liam tries to be a typical kid but is often mistaken for an adult. As a result he finds himself in sticky situations.  Often, however, his dad manages to step in, usually in the nick of time. The relationships within this novel are what make it great. Liam and his father. Florida and Liam. Liam and the children he chaperones. There is something to be gained, by both parties, that ends in heart-warming revelations and understanding.

I highly recommend this novel.
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Disclosure: I borrowed this ebook from my local library.

Tween Tuesday: The Rendering

The Rendering by Joel Naftali 

Egmont, USA, 2011

288 pages

4 out of 5

One mad scientist + one evil mercenary vs. two kids + three skunks = nonstop adventure

Doug Soloman was a normal kid.  But that ended once he became wanted for murder.  Now he's being hunted by VIRUS--an evil organization bent on world domination.

Only Doug and his friend Jamie stand between mad scientist Dr. Roach and VIRUS's success--well, them and three superpowerful skunks.

The Rending is a wild technological adventure that pushes the limits of reality with out-of-this-world gadgets and fun.

It was after I finished reading the book that I realized that is a skunk on the cover.  Brilliant.  Who in their right mind would think "I need an animal to turn into a superpowerful being.  A skunk! Perfect."  Apparently, Joel Nafatali would and it's awesome.

This science fiction novel is heavy on the tech speak, but it's not exclusionary if you don't know your way around.  The tech savvy characters discuss it in tech talk, then break down for the lay person, otherwise known as the main character.   And it's all done in a way that is not condescending to the character or the reader.

Doug's story is told in the form of a blog.  Since is a techie novel and the reader meets Doug after everything has already happened, this medium makes sense.  Some "posts" end abruptly for  various reasons, which I had a little bit of a hard time with because blogs are not in real time.  But this can be easily overlooked.

I love that these characters have real names: Doug and Jamie.*

This book is great.  It's got adventure.  It's got a loving (if not odd) family: Doug and Jamie are like brother and sister (no romance here!), there's Auntie M, and the Skunks (two male and one female) who are like surrogate parents to Doug.

The story is fresh and entertaining.  Wonderful debut.

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Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sarah at GreenBeanTeenQueen.  The purpose is "to highlight great reads for tweens!" 
 
Disclosure: I purchased this title for review and my own enjoyment.


*This may sound strange, but I have a pet peeve about characters (and children) given an odd name for the sake of having an odd name.  This is in no way relevant, but it was in my notes.

I Am A Genius of Unspeakable Evil...

I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to be Your Class President by Josh Lieb 

Razorbill, 2010

272 pages

4 out of 5

Oliver Watson is pretty much your average kid.  He lives in Omaha, Nebraska.  His favorite after-school snack is a grilled-cheese sandwhich.  His best friend is his beautiful brindle pit bull mix, Lollipop.  And...oh yeah.  He's a mad evil genius on his way to total utter world domination.

Nobody can stop Oliver from getting what he wants.  Not Jordie Moscowitz, the class bully.  Not his plaid wearing, can't-disguise-that-he's-balding English teacher, Mr. Moorhead.  Not even Oliver's father and arch nemesis, "Daddy."  (He hates being called that.) It doesn't matter how many dictators Oliver has to overthrow.  How many presidents he has to blackmail.  How many bingo-addicted grandmas he has to bribe.  What Oliver wants, Oliver gets.

That is, until now.  Because Oliver Watson is running for class president.  And he's about to discover, ruling the world is actually a lot easier than getting other kids to  vote for you.

Even for a genius of unspeakable evil.

There is no doubt in my mind that Oliver Watson is a genius.  I'm actually a little green with envy.  I don't want to be an evil genius or anything, but I would like the benefits that go along with it--like the secret lair, bodyguards that keep life's annoying people* away, that sort of thing.

This book was a lot of fun to read and I kick myself a little for not having read it sooner.  Oliver is not your typical narrator.  He proves himself to be an evil genius and that he's also an incredible actor.  I suppose the two have to go hand-in-hand when your evil genius-ness is a secret.

The writing is solid and conversational.  It's written from  Oliver's perspective, almost like a diary but not quite.  Even so, graduates of Diary of a Wimpy Kid should find this enjoyable as well.

I highly recommend this title.  It's humorous, includes some fun pictures and evil** footnotes.  What more could you want?

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*ie that guy who wants to take me out to lunch for helping him find some music.  Dude, I promise, the thank you was enough.
**Evil on an e-reader at least.  Clicking back and forth was a little annoying (especially when it wouldn't click).  So I recommend reading the print version over the digital version.  Either way, it's an enjoyable read.

Disclosure: I borrowed the e-book version of this title from my local library. 

How to Grow Up & Rule the World

Vordak The Incomprehensible: How to Grow Up and Rule the World by Vordak T. Incomprehensible 

(transcribed by Scott Seegert)

New York: EgmontUSA, 2010

ISBN: 9781606840139

208 pages

4 out of 5

Are you someone who likes "doing the right thing"?  Do you enjoy "sharing" and "caring" and "treating others the way you would like to be treated"?

If so, you are a pathetic goober and a complete waste of my time.  Put this book down immediately!

But if your feeble little mind dreams of a bigger, better, more EVIL future, then I, Vordak the Incomprehensible, will teach you everything you need to know about Supervillainy. From selecting a supremely evil name, to molding a menacing multitude of minons, my magnificiant manual will make dominating the planet so simple that even a sniveling little pipsqueak such as yourself can one day GROW UP AND RULE THE WORLD! MUAHAHAHAHA!!!

Vordak the Incomprehensible is exactly what it says: a manual for evil-doing.  The style of this book reminds me of Edgar and Ellen's Mischief Manual but Vordak is all about villainy (as opposed to pranks) and the eventual success of his "diabolically clever yet extremely slow-acting death trap."  Even though Vordak occasionally uses deprecating language when he chats with the reader, the tone of the book is light and humorous.

The only pitfall are the references to popular culture.  The Simpsons, which at this point is pretty iconic, is mentioned once, but there were other mentions that already felt dated and irrelevant to this age group.  They are easily skimmed over and do not detract from the villainy and enjoyment of the text.

The text is broken up by activities (such as the Evil Aptitude Exam), Vordak's commandments, and illustrations.  The illustrations only add to the humor of the book often acting as punchlines.  Overall, this book is pretty great. I found myself laughing out loud at least once a chapter and I am looking forward to the next one. 

I even made my very own minion at Vordak's website.

X Isle

X Isle by Steve Augarde 

New York, David Fickling Books, 2009

ISBN: 9780385751933

478 pages

3.5 out of 5

In the fight for survival, anything goes.

The floods have come.  Some are lucky to be alive.  Though they might not count themselves lucky.  In the aftermath of global devastation, those left barely survive, living in fear and near starvation.  They have lost everything, including their future.

But there is one way out: a boat to X-Isle.

And Baz is about to take it.

A hard-hitting novel set in a world where there are no boundaries, and normality is just a word.

This is one of many in the genre of dystopian apocalyptic young adult fiction titles out there. I like the title.  I like the story.  I love the cover.

After storms of biblical proportions, the world Baz knew (the world we all know) is drowned, leaving millions dead and drastically shrinking available land and resources.  Boys on the mainland want nothing more than to catch passage to X-Isle, where food is guaranteed in return for a hard work.  Grocery stores are submerged and luckily for the survivors, Preacher John and his sons had their diving equipment during an inland trip before the storms.  Survival is the name of the game on the mainland and it's no different on X-Isle.  The group of boys work six days a week at the hands of the nasty capos to keep Preacher John's operation running. 

There are eight boys working for Preacher John. Usually when there's such a large cast of characters maybe four or five take center stage and the others remain underdeveloped extras.  But these boys each have a distinct personality, belief system, and voice. 

One hurdle I will mention is the language.  This is an American debut of a British novel and much of the language is still very British.  "Tins" of food are traded for other items and it took me a while to equate tin with the canned goods I'm familiar with instead of something like a sardine can.  Even so, the language definitely makes the setting and helps to set  a tone.

This is a lengthy title, coming close to 500 pages.  For a time I thought this book might never end.  That's not to imply that I was tired of it or not enjoying it, just that the build-up is measured and precise.  I simultaneously felt it was worth it and let down.  Even after 478 pages, I wanted just a bit more. 

Tween Tuesday: Football Hero

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen.  The purpose is "to highlight great reads for tweens!"

Football Hero by Tim Green 

New York: HarperCollins, 2008

ISBN: 978006112767

304 pages

4 out of 5

Ty Lewis can't believe it when Coach V recruits him for the football team.  This is Ty's big chance to prove how fast he is on the field, get a fresh start in a new school, and be like his older brother, Thane "Tiger" Lewis, who's about to graduate from college and is being courted by the NFL.

But Ty's guardian, Uncle Gus, won't let him play.  Uncle Gus needs Ty to scrub floors and toilets for his cleaning business while he cooks up gambling schemes with the local mob boss, a man called "Lucy."

When Lucy hears just how famous Ty's older brother is, he becomes suddenly friendly.  Are the questions Lucy is asking Ty really about fantasy football...or is the Mafia using Ty to get valuable insider info from his superstar brother?  Desperately worried, Ty must come up with a plan to save Thane's football career--and, ultimately, his life.

Author of the New York Times bestselling Football Genius, former NFL player Tim Green will have you on the edge of your seat rooting for Ty--and enjoying an upclose look at what it's like to be inside the NFL.

So Ty is this ordinary, poor, scrawny kid who gets invited to play football.  He's super-fast and has great hands.  Uncle Gus has other plans for Ty's hands--he has Ty join his cleaning business and Ty gets bathroom duty (no pun intended).  When Lucy takes an interest in Ty and the information Ty has access to, Ty is able to bargain for the opportunity to play but gets mixed up in more than he ever imagined.

Ty is only kid I can think of who actually measures up to his older sibling.  Most titles with this story line are about discovering how special they are in spite of a successful sibling, but with these two, football is in their genes.  Even though I'm not the world's biggest football fan, I enjoyed Ty's successes and felt empathy for his troubles.  

Even though this is a football book there are many other things that go on.  Yes, there are games and practices and football jargon, but there's also the story line with Lucy, Thane's entrance into the world of celebrity as a starter for an NFL team, and the two brothers are still coping with the loss of their parents.

Overall this is an enjoyable read and the next time I get asked about a good book for middle grade, I'll lead the parent to the Tim Green books.

Split

Split by Swati Avasthi

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2010

ISBN: 9780375863400

288 pages

4.5 out of 5

Sixteen-year-old Jace Witherspoon arrives at the doorstep of his estranged brother, Christian, with a re-landscaped face (courtesy of his father's first), $3.84, and a secret.

He tried to move on, going for new friends, a new school, and a new job, but all his changes can't make him forget what he left behind.  His mother is still trapped with his dad.  And his ex-girlfriend is keeping his secret--for now.

Turns out there are some things you can't just walk away from.

Swati Avasthi gives us a riveting portrait of what happens after.  After you've said enough, after you've made the split--how do you begin to live again?  Readers won't be able to put this page-turner down.

This book had me from the first line, "Now I have to start lying."  Going into a novel cold and catching that line is as close to magic as you can get.

Jace has lived his entire life in a home where his father took out his aggression on his wife, on his oldest son, then finally his youngest.  But this is not the story you'll be reading.  As the description says, this is a novel about what happens after. Usually when someone finds a way out, that's the end, but this novel reveals that there is so much more.  Even Christian, who escaped years before, continues to struggle with his former life. 

Jace's voice is honest and open. The greatest part of this perspective is that it allows the reader to know not only what he does and says, but what he thinks and feels.  This, to me, is one of the most important aspects of this novel.  It's clear that his experiences forced him to grow up too soon, but it's also clear that he's still just a kid trying to figure it all out. 

Split takes a serious look at what it's like to be trapped by domestic violence even after you've escaped.  I highly recommend it.

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Split is the second novel I've read for the Debut Author Challenge.
A "booktalk" version of this review will appear on my library's website.  I can't help but share great books!

Cirrus Who?

The Story of Cirrus Flux by Matthew Skelton

Delacorte Press, 2010

ISBN: 9780440421696

288 pages

3 out of 5

"There is nowhere for the boy to hide."

London, 1783.  Orphan Cirrus Flux is being watched.  Merciless villains are conniving to steal the world's most divine power--the Breath of God--which they believe Cirrus has inherited.  Now he faces a perilous journey through the dirty backstreets of the city as a sinister mesmerist, a tiny man with an all-seeing eye, and a skill-collecting scoundrel pursue him.  Cirrus must escape them, but he'll need to trust some unlikely allies if he hopes to thwart his foes...and survive the grand and terrifying showdown.

 Starts slow...(this could just be me; I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately), but it did catch my curiosity  within a reasonable amount of time. One reason for the slowness was the alternating between time periods.  Parts of the book are set earlier and are visited when it becomes relevant to the present.  I had to go back and look at the part titles and dates to figure out what was going on.  Again this was resolved fairly quickly.

There is quite a bit of alternating in this book.  The first is the time periods, mentioned above, the second is alternating viewpoints.  The book is written in the third person perspective, but it shifts between Cirrus and Pandora.  I like both Cirrus and Pandora, but I felt that Pandora actually experienced her circumstances while Cirrus let things happen to him.  I'm bothered by this because Cirrus is the title character.

It was a good read, but overall it felt underdeveloped.  The fantasy elements are interesting, but take a back burner to the chase.  I'm not even really sure why the coveted object was so coveted.  That's a problem.  Finally, the ending doesn't feel fully resolved.  I'm not sure if this is supposed to  be the beginning of something or a stand alone.  If it's the beginning, yeah I'd be curious about a follow-up, but if it stands alone, I'm in the dark.

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Interesting note: While the book was in my car, the glue melted and my bookmark was glued to the book.  I ripped both the book and the bookmark trying to separate the two.  I'm just glad it's a personal copy and not a library copy.  I also now know to not leave books in my car for extended periods of time during the ridiculously hot Florida summer.

Boys & YA

Author Hannah Moskowitz recently posted The Boy Problem on her blog.  Read it here.  Her post got me thinking about boys and YA.  My intention with this blog is to focus on books for boys.  As Hannah mentions, this is not as easy as it seems.  When I started blogging, just a few months ago, I had a tough time finding true boy books, which currently constitute books with a male POV that aren't targeted to girls.  (Yes, this does happen.  See I Know It's Over).  Luckily, I've found some promising titles, though some I think I need to read before they can officially be dubbed boy books.


From my experiences, I agree that boys generally don't read YA.  Usually if a teen boy requests help the item is in the adult section or he's reading middle grade novels.  Because of this, I was shocked the other day when a boy came up to me asking for Sweep read-a-likes.  I offered him Blue Bloods, and after reading the first page he decided it was awesome.  Go figure. 


To the point: Hannah's post is yet another in the discussion of boys and reading.  She writes that boys have been stereotyped into four categories: 1. the gay best friend, 2. the best guy friend, 3. the bad, and 4. the nerdy boy.  This is most definitely true of boys in YA with female MCs.  The unfortunate part is that it is even true in books that are supposed to be for boys. First I will say that some authors use these stereotypes as a gimmick; it gets someone, perhaps the nerdy boy, to pick up the book.  The issue, however, is that there are a multitude of YA books that portray male characters this way.

Also, books that claim to be for boys often seem to be for the people who try to understand boys and not for the boys themselves.  As cool as the cover is, I haven't seen many guys pick up You Don't Even Know Me by Sharon Flake.  Perhaps it's the female author, or perhaps guys don't need someone else to tell them who they are.  Honestly, (most) guys don't really do for the touchy-feely introspective stuff anyway.  Instead, hand them something with a little action.  This can sometimes be hard to find.  I only have a handful of YA titles that I can recommend to boys.


Another point I agree with Hannah about is covers.  There are interesting books with a male POV that, by the covers, are geared toward girls, or at least would not be appealing to boys.  Though we are ashamed to admit it, us readers do indeed judge books by their covers.  In a previous post, I commented on the cover of Boy Meets Boy.  It's baby blue with candy hearts on it.  If a  boy is comfortable with himself, he most likely will not care, but any other boy wouldn't even dare to read the description.  Nobody wants to get their ass kicked over a book cover.  I know the idea of a cover is to entice readers, but by using certain images and certain colors, publishers are guaranteeing that boys will steer clear.  (Granted the market is tends toward females, but usually the idea is to expand, is it not?)


From my experience in the library (and my experience as a girl), girls will read whatever they find interesting, whether it's a girl book or a book about a boy.  Boys, on he other hand, want boy stuff.  And (again agreeing with Hannah), they deserve to have these needs and wants met.  Girls get vampires and faeries and girl drama, boys deserve explosions, fart jokes, and science fiction.


Another point I'd like to make is that boys don't often get to choose what they read.  For school they are required to read certain materials and even when they have assignments that allow them to choose, they still do not get a choice.  One of my favorite summer assignments offered students an actual choice.  They were to read two books from three lists: Newbery Award and Honor books from 2006-2010, Coretta Scott King Award 2000-2010, and the Sunshine State Reading list for 2010-2011.  The boy flipped through out lists and found two books he wanted to read:one was about an African American baseball player, and the second was a picture book adaptation of a Langston Hughes poes.  By allowing students to chooce from such lists, they get the opportunity to decide what speaks to them and choose something they feel good about reading (i.e. they can choose stuff on their level).  Oh yeah, and by using these lists, you guarantee they get good books.

The final point I'd like to make is that it's wrong to tell boys they are not reading when they are.  Graphic novels and comics are legitimate reading.  Listening to audiobooks is legitimate reading.  Magazines and newspapers are legitimate reading.  Blogs, fan sites, and other digital media is legitimate reading.  Whatever the form, either old-school print or digital, whether the material is for learning or enjoyment, reading is reading.

I understand that Hannah was discussing boys who do like to read and consider themselves readers, but I always think of those that don't read as well.  Hence the slight transition in the above paragraphs.  The fact that boys (teens in general really) are told that comics, magazines, and digital material doesn't count as reading is, frankly, really annoying.  At the library we want to help tweens and teens expand beyond what they know, but when both the tween/teen and the parent are stuck on the novel because it's the only "legitimate reading" according to a teacher, their opportunities and choices are fewer and our materials go unused.

In a nutshell: 1) It's time for boys to have a wider selection of young adult books just for them; 2) It's time to legitimize forms of reading beyond the novel.

Cha-Ching

Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen

Wendy Lamb Books, 2007

ISBN: 9780385746861

88 pages

3.5 out of 5

One day I was twelve years old and broke.  I set out to mow some lawns with Grandpa's old riding mower.  One client was Arnold the stockbroker, who offered to teach me about: the beauty of capitalism.  Supply and demand.  Diversifying labor.  Distributing wealth.  "It's groovy man," Arnold said.

The grass grew, and so did the business. Arnold invested my money in many things.  One of them was a prizefighter.  All of a sudden I was the sponsor of my very own fighter, Joey Pow.  That's when my twelfth summer got really interesting.

Gary Paulsen's comic story about a summer job becomes a slapstick lesson in business as one boy turns a mountain of grass into a mountain of cash.

______________________________

 This description is from the hardcover edition.

The first line of this book really got my attention: "It all began at nine in the morning on my twelfth birthday when my grandmother gave me an old riding lawn mower."  That was the most interesting part.

I like the first person perspective.  It's done very well and sounds enough like a kid that readers could relate.  My main problem is that some of the monetary details go pretty far before he says he was confused.  My brain turned to snooze when this was going on.  The most surprising part is what Lawn Boy does, actually doesn't do, when he has the sudden rush of cash.

Also the action is kind of like a Disney movie.  There's just enough danger or interest to get you to think something big(ger) is about to happen, but before you have a chance to really enjoy it a resolution is found. 

Overall it was a short, enjoyable book. I'm used to longer novels, and this is perhaps why I feel on the fence about this book.  There is a sequel, Lawn Boy Returns, so perhaps that will satiate my desire for more story.

Instructions for Life

Show Me How: 500 Things You Should Know Instructions for Life from the Everyday to the Exotic

by Derek Fagerstrom, Lauren Smith & The Show Me Team

Collins Design, 2008

ISBN: 9780061662577

500 + pages

Life Explained.  One Step at a Time.

Simple, step-by-step instructions on how to do 492 things practically everyone need to know.*

________________

*And 8 that no sensible person would ever do.

I love this book. Some how to's will not interest guys (like how to press pretty flowers and how to apply makeup) but there is so much information in this book that the girly stuff won't matter.  When they say "step-by-step" they mean it.  There's a picture for each step and short descriptions (short, as in a sentence) for clarification. Simply perfect!

Some how to's from a few categories:
Make: assemble a super slingshot, make a playing card wallet
Style: spike up a mohawk, create an oozing fake wound
Nest:  boost my wi-fi with a strainer, create the ultimate tree house
Go: do a killer duck dive, leap from a cliff
Wow: give the illusion of levitation, land an old-school 180 kickflip
Other categories: eat, drink, love, grow, thrive and survive.

GLBT Dos!

June is still GLBT pride month!

This is the second of two posts to celebrate pride month.  The previous post was two weeks ago here.  Realizing that these are the only four books in my GLBT repertoire I'd better get reading!

Vintage: A Ghost Story by Steve Berman

Lethe Press, 2008

ISBN: 9781590211304

204 pages

In a small town, a lonely teen walking along a highway one autumn evening meets the boy of his dreams, a boy who happens to have died decades ago and haunts the road.  Awkward crushes, both bitter and sweet, lead him to face not only the ghost but youthful dreams and childish fears.  With its cast of offbeat friends, antiques and Ouija boards, Vintage offers readers a memorable blend of dark humor, chills and love that is not your typical teen romance.

 The cover of this books is what originally caught my eye.  I was a bit surprised to discover the protagonist was gay.  Somehow I missed that information in the description.  In any case, I'd dub this novel a "paranormal romance" about a somewhat typical mixed up teen, and, oh yeah, he's gay.  Admittedly, the relationship between the ghost and the teen gets a little strange, but that's what you get!

The Blue Lawn by William Taylor

Alyson Books, 1999

ISBN: 1555834930

122 pages

David is 15 and the star player of his school's rugby team.  Sixteen-year-old Theo is an outsider, attractive but not altogether likable, and not particularly interested in making friends.  In this award-winning novel set in New Zealand, initial hostility between the boys turns into an unlikely friendship--which masks a growing attraction that neither boy understands.  In the pages of The Blue Lawn, author William Taylor explores the angst, confusion, and desires experienced by gay teens the world over.  Whether your are a young adult or a not-so-young adult you will identify with and be swept away by David and Theo's engaging relationship.

I originally picked up this novel as a result of my banned books reading spree that I mentioned previously.  This novel follows the lives of two boys.  They start off as boys being boys, but the reader experiences the gradual shift and understanding of the narrator as it becomes something more.  Of the four, this is probably the most honest depiction of the confusion and awkwardness befalling questioning teens.

Seximus Maximus

Doing It by Melvin Burgess

Henry Holt & Co.

ISBN: 9780805080797

336 pages

Everything you never wanted to know about sex and boys--but probably should.

Dino, Jonathon, and Ben has got some problems, mostly with Jackie, Deborah, and Alison.

 Dino's girlfriend Jackie, the most beautiful girl in school, drives him mad with lust, but won't go all the way and relieve Dino of his desperately unwanted virginity.

Jonathon likes Deborah.  She's smart and funny and she makes him feel very sexy, but she's kind of plump and his mates won't let him hear the end of it.

Ben's been seduced by Alison, the pretty young drama teacher as school.  And what seems like a dream come true is actually making him miserable.

Award-winning author Melvin Burgess has written a daringly honest and often hilarious account of contemporary teenage life, and the ups and down that surround "doing it."

Though entertaining, this book is definitely not for everyone.  It follows the story of three boys during their sexual peak so sometimes the book gets down right dirty.  Personally, I found it hilarious because, generally speaking, the thoughts of these boys are true to form.

Set in England, this book really captures the curiosity and uncertainty about taking the leap into the sexual arena.  Throughout, the boys are struggling with a variety of issues, including body image, which, let's face it, when it comes to boys is highly neglected. 

Some criticize the book for not including consequences for their actions (like pregnancies, diseases, etc)*, but that's not the point.  The point is to give male teens an opportunity to better understanding their feelings and fear by vicariously experiencing them with the characters.  The novel certainly accomplishes its goal.

I recommend this book to those who will not be offended by frank sexual speak between teenage boys, though I will agree with the publisher that's it's best for high school age readers .

___________

*To see criticisms and comebacks go here.

To Be Reviewed

Just a note on what I have lined up for review.  Of course it won't necessarily happen in this order.  I'll get these read and post more information as soon as I can!

Malice by Chris Wooding
Once you get into the story, there's no way out.  Everyone's heard the rumors.  If you gather the right things and say the right words, you'll be taken to Malice, a world that exists inside a horrifying comic book.  It's a world that few kids know about and even fewer survive.  Seth and Kady think it's all a silly myth.  But when their friend Luke disappears, suddenly the rumors don't seem silly after all.  Malice is real.  Malice is deadly.  And Seth and Kady are about to be trapped inside it.

The Story of Cirrus Flux by Matthew Skelton
In 1783 London, the destiny of an orphaned boy and girl becomes intertwined as the boy, Cirrus Flux, is pursued by a sinister woman mesmerist, a tiny man with an all-seeing eye, and a skull-collecting scoundrel, all of whom believe that he possesses an orb containing a divine power.

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
Now on the cusp of manhood, Finnikin, who was a child when the royal family of Lumatere was brutally murdered and replaced by an imposter, reluctantly joins forces with an enigmatic young novice and fellow-exile, who claims that her dark dreams will lead them to a surviving royal child and a way to regain the throne of Lumatere.





For the Win by Cory Doctorow
Couldn't find a short description for this one, so here's mine.  In his new novel Doctorow explores the world of online gameplay, but things are more serious for those with money.  As online gameplay rules the world economy a group of subversives attempt to challenge the status quo.

The Last Thing I Remember by Andrew Klaven
High school student Charlie West awakens bloody and bruised in a concrete bunker, only to discover that he has lost a year of his life and remembers nothing about escaping from prison after being convicted of murdering his former best friend, or why he is being pursued by both the law and a group of terrorists trying to bring down the government of the United States.

Super Human by Michael Carroll

Four thousand years ago the world's first super human walked the earth.  Possessing the strength of one hundred men, skin impervious to attack, and the ability to read minds, this immortal being used his power to conquer and enslave nations.  Now plans are in motion that will transport this super human to the present, where he'll usher in a new age of tyranny unlike anything the world has ever seen.

What if your parents could Unwind you?

Unwind by Neal Shusterman
Simon & Schuster, 2007
ISBN: 978-1416912057
335 Pages

In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them.

Conner's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker.  Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs.  Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion.  Brought together by chance and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance.  If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed--but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad eighteen seems far far away.

In Unwind, Boston Globe/Horn Book Award winner Neal Shusterman challenges readers' ideas about life--not just where life begins, and where it ends, but what it truly means to be alive.

Note: the description is from the hardcover edition; the image and publishing information in from the paperback edition.

This is the first book I've read by Neal Shusterman and I think I need to add more to my to-read list.  Image having to live under the Bill of Life: parents can "retroactively 'abort' a child...on the condition that the child's life doesn't 'technically' end.  The process by which a child is both terminated and yet kept alive is called 'unwinding.'"

This book follows the path of a typical dystopian novel: the kids who are unwanted are on their way to "harvest camp," which is billed much like summer camp, when their paths collide and they find themselves on the run together.  What's different is that none of them start out with the desire to end the system.  It's been in place for as long as they can remember and the only goal is to survive until they legally become adults.  This is much like typical teenhood, just with the added threat of having your body parts harvested for the "greater good."  Of course there are many spine tingling twists and turns.  My favorite thing about this book is that often the readers comes to the realization of how things are going to happen either just before or along with the character.  Most of the time, I prefer to be surprised by a book than to have figured it all out before the characters.

This is another novel presented using multiple voices, but in the third person.  So the chapters on Connor are "Connor blah blah."  In some instances, I've seen this device used to tell the same event from multiple perspectives (think Vantage Point), but here the characters usually continue the story after one describes an event.  Also, when they are separated it allows the reader the opportunity to know what's going on elsewhere.  The use of multiple voices is a great way to shake up the "all-seeing narrator" trope.  It also allows for a better understanding of the individual characters when it is done well.  Here, it is done well.

None of the main characters are flat.  They each grow and learn over the course of the novel. The threat of unwinding and separation from their families and old lives works to change both Connor and Lev; they are required to find a new understanding of themselves and the world around them, plus learn their capabilities.  It's interesting the way this plays out.  Risa has a firmer understanding of the ways of the world in the beginning, but she too learns about herself and her convictions.

Although there is plenty of fear and suspense, there are some funny moments.  For instance, a scene takes place in an antique shop and Connor notices iPods and plasma TVs that were popular when his grandfather was young.  It's just an interesting moment to think that some day an iPod might be a quaint piece of junk.  Another interesting moment is in other scenes where sports are mentioned: guys still watch football on TV and talk about baseball at the office.  Even in the frightening future in which Connor, Risa, and Lev live, sports are still popular.  (And there probably much more interesting; who needs steroids when you can choose your body parts?!)

One of my favorite moments involves two secondary characters (mainly because they don't change a whole lot) but still become enmeshed in the story.  Hayden provides a message to Connor's rival; the rival assumes Hayden is on Connor's "side" to which Hayden says "I'm Switzerland: neutral as can be, and also good with chocolate."  With everything that had been going on laughing at that seems somewhat off, but also works to relieve some tension.  Nicely done.

If it isn't clear above, I enjoyed this novel.  It literally gave me the creepy crawlies at times, but even while I was writhing  I couldn't stop reading.  That to me is the mark of an incredible work.

Boys and the Library

During my morning blog reading session, I came across a post from Ask the ALA Librarian on boys and reading.  This prompted a moment of thoughtfulness on the subject.

A common misconception is that boys just don't like to read.  In my opinion, boys are not encouraged to read quite as much as girls are.  Boys are generally expected to run around outdoors like little heathens and be loud and boisterous, while expectations for girls tend to involve quieter activities, like reading.  It's usually the little boys that are shushed at the library; hardly ever the little girls. (This thought process is related to yet another blog post found here).

This all falls under that large debate of nature versus nurture.  Are boys louder because they are boys or because they are raised to be loud?  (Of course loud here is meant to encompass "typical" boy behaviors).  My brother and I are actually examples of this very thing.  He does like to read, but when we were kids, I'd be the one with the book amusing myself, while he constantly needed to be entertained.  Was there a difference in the way our parents raised us that caused this, or was it just because he's a boy? 

In any case, I was happy to see this article, "Why Aren't Little Boys Reading?"  I was happier, of course, to see that the Toledo-Lucas County Library is actually taking measures to entice boys in particular.  One of my favorite ideas is to create programming targeted to boys, including programs with gross or creepy crawly in the title.  Another great idea are displays targeted to boys—testosterone fueled reads, perhaps? : ) 

This article really brings to light some problems I myself have felt in the library.  An archived Booklist webinar, Sensational Summer Reading, also touches on these issues.  Research on the whether summer reading programs benefit students shows that boys tend to participate less; my guess would be this is because generally programs don’t appeal to boys.  When I worked at a small branch we had a tough time getting the kids away from computers to get them to participate in other programming.  Unfortunately, where I work now, there’s no place for tweens or teens, which makes it much harder to get kids interested in anything we do.

In instances like these, I feel the need for a little CYA, so here goes.  Currently, boys slip through the cracks in terms of library interest and usage.  We can do things to encourage and pique their interest, but the goal is to do so while preventing the slippage of girls because we focus time on boys.  As with anything involving any two groups of people, it’s a delicate balance to increase the interest and participation of one group while maintaining or continuing to interest the other group.

Further reading: (These were listed on the ALA Librarian post.  I didn't directly use them above, but created a little list for myself with  what I found.  They are quite useful.)
ALA Wiki on Boys and Reading
YALSA Booklists: Quick Picks and Graphic Novels

Resources (all mentioned above):
Ask the ALA Librarian - Motivation for post
Awful Library Books
Why aren't little boys reading?

Booklist Webinar: Sensational Summer Reading

America's Favorite Pastime

Beanball by Gene Fehler

Clarion Books, 2008

ISBN: 978-0618843480

It's the bottom of the last inning of a game between rival high school teams Oak Grove and Compton.  Oak Grove is at bat, and the stage is set for star center field Luke "Wizard" Wallace to drive in the winning run, save the game, and be the hero.  Instead, he's hit by a beanball--a wild pitch that shatters his skull and destroys the vision in his left eye.

In this riveting novel, the events surrounding a life-changing moment are presented through powerful free-verse monologues by 28 different narrators.  With its multiple voices, gripping subject matter, and fast-paced plot, Beanball is a rush of adrenaline.

"Wow" was all I thought once I finished reading this book.  It was absolutely Fantastic! Granted, this novel encompasses two of my favorite things: free verse and multiple voices. The story focuses around Luke "Wizard" Wallace who is an all around athlete--football, basketball, and baseball. While facing a main rival, Luke is beaned and partially loses his sight.  Everything in this novel just fits.

As first I was a little confused switching from one voice to the next, but as I got to know the characters I found myself asking "who are you again?" less often.  Some characters get more time than others, but this just reinforces the character and his/her part in the story.  You learn an awful lot about these people even though they spend most of their time talking/thinking about Luke and his accident.  Luke's and his parents and friends, and other bystanders (coaches for both teams, a local baseball fan, teachers) points of view paint a wonderful picture of who is affected by such incidents and, more importantly, how they are affected.

It's also a great sports novel.  There's talk of baseball and the dangers of sports in general, and it's about bouncing back from terrible situations.  It is also a novel in verse, which makes it a quick and enjoyable read.

Introduction

This is my first* entry into blog-land. Ever since I discovered the world of book blogging, especially YA book blogs, I thought it would be fun to do. But I noticed too that there are so many wonderful bloggers out there that I wasn't sure I could find a place. That is until I noticed how most of the blogs that I followed were very heavily geared toward the female persuasion. I'm not criticizing these bloggers. They do a fantastic job and have every right to read and review the type of books they love. I merely point this out because it helped me to find a little niche for myself. My intention with this blog is to introduce and review materials that boys would enjoy. So prepare yourselves for some spine-tingling, adrenaline-pumped reads!

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* Meaning my first personal foray into the blog world. I participated in my library's 23 Things project; that blog, however, has sadly been removed due to lack of attention on my part.

Just want to mention this whole footnote thing is borrowed from a friend's writing blog, Ex Libris Bookewyrme. Seems to work better than parenthesis in some instances, but I'll play around and see what I like!