"North Central" is what professional linguists call the Minnesota accent. If you saw "Fargo" you probably didn't think the characters sounded very out of the ordinary. Outsiders probably mistake you for a Canadian a lot.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Life Sucks
Dave Miller is stuck in his dead end job at the Last Stop convenience store. Really stuck. Ever since he applied for the job and the owner turned him into his own personal vampire wage slave. The only bright spot in his nights is when the goth girls leave the local juice bar and come into the store to pick up snacks. Dave is particularly taken with the beautiful Rosa, but feels destined to be "just friends". Especially since there are other gorgeous vamps like Wes around, who are ready to make girls like Rosa who think they want to be vamps into their vampire brides.
Vegetarian (re blood bank drinker) Dave challenges Wes not to use his powers over Rosa, and to try to win her the old fashioned way. Will the good guy win?
The amazing team of Jessica Abel, Gabe Soria and Warren Pleece have created a fabulous vampire story that takes away some of the romance and makes readers see that life as the undead isn't as glamorous as it seems. Eternity is, after all, just that. The panels on page 139 brilliantly portray this.
Now as a former goth girl, I am a little particular about the portrayal of that segment of our population. I think that Life Sucks hits it spot on. From the clothing and style of the goth kids, to the reactions of those outside of the circle, it all felt right. The illustrations themselves are rich and defined, and the reader seems somewhat unaware of the fact that everything is taking place at night.
Do yourself a favor and pick it up. A great and different take on the vampire story.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
The Professor's Daughter
It's 19th Century England, and the Professor's daughter Lillian has gone and fallen in love with the handsome mummy of Imhotep IV. Not exactly the best match, hmm? After Imhotep gets loopy from taking tea and smashes up the tea room, police come calling. Lillian doses the tea she offers to the police, thinking that she will be able to get Imhotep out of her father's suit, and put away before any more trouble ensues. Alas, she ends up killing the officers, and what follows rivals many an action film.
From long lost fathers, to kidnapping, to noble sacrifices for love, Joann Sfar and Emmanuel Guibert have put together a graphic novel that zips along. The far-fetched story did not grab me as much as the GORgeous illustrations. From the sepia tones of early panels to the bright red coats of the palace guards, The Professor's Daughter is a visual stunner.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Repossesed
Here's a cover that will catch your attention!Kiriel is one of the demons of Hell who guards over the minions reflecting their souls back to them. It's a gig he's done since the Rebellion. But he's tired. The Boss doesn't notice him, the Creator doesn't notice him, and frankly, he's sick and tired of the misery.
Time for a vacation.
The vacation's name is Shaun. Shaun is a typical, run-of-the-mill teen who is about to get run down by a cement mixer. Kiriel steps in seconds before the event, and while Shaun is no more, Kiriel is happy to start another existence.
Kiriel chose Shaun specifically because he has some autonomy, but doesn't have to truly take care of himself. Kiriel is soon experiencing a teenage boy lifestyle, and while his style is a bit different from Shaun's, he is doing quite well!
The beauty of this title for me is the fact that author A.M. Jenkins explores some pretty heavy territory, including not only the nature of life itself, but our place in it and our appreciation of it. While the viewpoint is a Christian one, the story and message are definitely universal in scope. The fact that Jenkins can get the voice of a teenage boy so well is part of what makes this such an authentic story. While readers wait and see how long Kiriel can get away with hijacking Shaun, we simply enjoy Kiriel's quest to get noticed and to live this life he has taken to its fullest.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Year End
So, here we are at the end of the year once more. How did my A-Z read go, you ask? A-hem. I had the best intentions, really I did. But I have learned that my reading cannot be disciplined like that outside of committee work!
There are a couple of goals for 2008 in regard to this here blog!
1) I want to actually blog more of the books I read. There were some gems like No Flying in the House (an A-Z too, btw) that never made it online. For shame!
2) Do some historical blogging. Especially of picture books. There are so many great old folktales that I use in my curriculum that I would love to share with others!
3) Make it a point to post either here or at Tweendom three times a week. I still want to remain focused on recommendations, but with all those books read that never made it here....it should be possible.
4) Click away in order to find new(ish) blogs that I like. Just found the 3 Evil Cousins today!
5) Get/stay active in the Kidlitosphere. What a great conference this year! Most likely I won't be able to make it out West for '08, so I want to be involved however possible!
This March will be my 3 year blogoversary! Who knew it would be this much fun?
Monday, December 31, 2007
Beige
Katy cannot believe that her mother is leaving her with her father while she goes off to an archaeological dig in Peru. After all, her father is actually referred to as "The Rat". From the band "Suck". Can you imagine? How embarrassing.
She knew that her mom has somewhat of a sordid past. Ran away from home. Hooked on heroin. Pregnant so young. But her mom changed as soon as she found out she was pregnant with Katy. The Rat didn't change quite so quickly. Katy has not even seen him in years. His yearly visits dried up when she was about 7.
But here she is now in L.A. in the Rat's dive of an apartment. For two weeks! How will she last?
When Katy is introduced to Lake (who she finds out has been paid to hang with her), Lake dubs Katy "Beige". As in boring. As in milk toast. It's not that Katy doesn't have interests. It's just that they have always been safe interests. Predictable. Katy thrives on order.
When she finds out that her mother is extending her stay in Peru, Katy is devastated. She just can't understand why her mom would do this. They have always been a team. They keep each other steady. Now Katy is stuck in L.A. for the summer with her aging punk rock dad, and her only friend is a paid friend.
This is my favourite of the Castellucci novels. I loved the Montreal touches, and I really believed in Katy. No, there wasn't a huge transformation in Katy, but she's not the kind of girl who would change so drastically over a summer. Her layers of fear do peel away, and it is a pleasure to read. And look to the chapter titles to give yourself a bit of a punk rock education.
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
Frankie has always been underestimated by people. From her family calling her "Bunny Rabbit", to her virtual invisibility on campus her first year at Alabaster, Frankie is seen as less than. Less than her big sister Zada. Less than the boys on campus who take up too much space. Not even capable of wandering into town on her own at the Jersey shore.
And then she falls off her bike.
Suddenly, gorgeous senior Matthew Livingstone is Frankie's boyfriend. His friends are her friends and she loves all of the attention that she gets. But she doesn't like the fact that Matthew seems to be at Alessandro's (Alpha) beck and call. So one day when Matthew dumps her for the boys, Frankie engages in some espionage. Turns out that the old boy network that her dad is always going on about is still alive and well at Alabaster. Frankie is certain that she could do it better.
Since this is still in arc format, I am not going to give too much away, other than to say that I love this book. Boarding school, feminist sensibilities, and smart characters. From wordplay to the introduction of other authors and social theory, from discussions of class to that of following the crowd and the rules, there is so much going on in this book. Frankie is an amazing girl, and I think that E. Lockhart has outdone herself. Every student at our school who has read this is raving about it. The readers who love Waiting for Alaska will fall for this title as well.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
The Luxe
The cover, the cover, the cover! The first time I saw this arc hanging out on a co worker's desk, I was just about overcome with jealousy. Nonchalantly I said, "Hmmm, this looks interesting...maybe I could borrow it when you are through?" She decided to read it, and it's been on my pile for a while now. I just started it yesterday, and finished it 5 minutes ago. I am going to buy myself a copy of the hardcover tonight.
The year is 1899, and NYC's social elite is doing what they do best. Going from fete to fete, and getting involved in scandal.
Sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland couldn't be more different. Elizabeth is just back from some finishing in Paris, and Diana still has her wild ways. Since their father died, their mother has been aging quickly and looking more distressed by the day. At the Hayes ball celebrating their new Fifth Avenue mansion, Elizabeth's mother presses her to dance with several suitors telling her daughter ominously that time is of the essence. While Elizabeth is off doing the proper thing, Diana is luring men into the coat closet in search of the perfect kiss.
Meanwhile, Penelope Hayes is waiting for handsome Henry Schoonmaker to make his entrance. She is certain that the time to make their affair public is upon them. He comes from one of the wealthiest families, and Penelope is certain that her own family's new wealth is enough for the Schoonmaker family.
What will happen when Mrs. Holland and Mr. Schoonmaker deem that a marriage between Henry and Elizabeth is a boon to both families? Will Penelope take this lying down? And what of Elizabeth's maid Lina? The one with a bit too much information about "sweet" Elizabeth and a certain stable boy.
Anna Godbersen has written a deliciously decadent story about love, betrayal, social class and friendship. Richly laden with historical detail, the characters are developed so well that readers will love and loathe each of them in measure. Sexy, but not over the top, fans of Libba Bray's A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, and just released The Sweet Far Thing will eat this title up. With an open ending, I am hoping to read more about Elizabeth, Diana, Lina, Penelope and the boys!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Freak
Miriam is quite happy to be herself. At least when she is not in school. She yearns for the time in the past when she and sister Deborah would play together at home and have great imaginative adventures. But Miriam has noticed how much that Deborah has changed. She wears fashionable clothes and makeup, talks for hours on the telephone, and has enough assets to garnish the attention of Artie Rosenberg, who has just happened to move in with their family for senior year.
When Miriam is at school, things are almost unbearable. Not that she complains. The pretty, cool girls smell of watermelon lip gloss, get the attention of the boys, and Jenny Clarke, in particular, seems to live to torture Miriam. This is not big obvious bullying...rather the subtle girl sort. Miriam almost plays along...just to make it go away.
Miriam is, however, close to the breaking point. There is no support at home. Deborah just doesn't want to be embarrassed, her college professor dad is busy, and her self absorbed mother is getting ready for an art show. What will happen when Miriam breaks? And why is Jenny Clarke so venomous?
I think that Marcella Pixley has written a gripping first novel about the underbelly of middle school. Miriam is so real, as are the watermelon girls. She is weird enough but not so much so as to be unbelievable. And the Fisher household is truly something to behold. There are many middle school girls (and their teachers and parents) who should be reading this book. Brilliant.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
The Dead and the Gone
So, you can imagine that part of my impetus to read Life As We Knew It was the shiny arc of this title showing up at work.
The time frame is the same, but this time the setting is NYC and the Morales family's experience of the meteor.
With Papi missing in Puerto Rico, and Mami missing from a hospital in Queens, Alex is the head of the family. He has Bri and Julie to take care of, but he is sure that this is just a glitch, and that his plans of Georgetown and the Presidency may well come to fruition.
Alex is a kid who knows that there are a couple of different NYCs. He is, after all, on scholarship at his school, and some of the boys never let him forget it. He doesn't wonder too much when money loses its' value, and he and schoolmate Kevin turn to body shopping in order to provide what each of their families need.
Somehow I thought that the story told from NYC would hit me harder. I found myself persnickety about facts like feet above sea-level in my borough, and a certain lack of terror that surely would have taken place.
I wonder if it is the lack of first person narrative that led me to yearn for the feeling of Life As We Knew It. That said, however, The Dead and the Gone does several interesting things. I love the way that Pfeffer built the disparity between social classes so easily into the plot line. Rich families do not experience the losses that Alex and his family do. Folks that exist in a perpetually clean NYC do not have to see the filth of the dead, do they? This is a reality of NYC. People who live here have incredibly different existences, one could say solely because of income. Also, I enjoyed the difference between the country and city post apocalyptic experiences.
These books really make readers wonder, "What would I do if...?"
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Life As We Knew It
This is a book that I have been meaning to read for a while. I do love a good dystopia title, but for some reason this was slow to come to the top of my pile. Jen kept telling me to read it. I should have listened sooner.
Frankly, Miranda is a bit sick and tired of hearing about the meteor and the moon. She knows the meteor is scheduled to hit, and understands that it is a big deal, but do all of her teachers need to give assignments involving the event?
Well, it turns out that this meteor is the biggest thing to happen to Miranda's life. All of a sudden, there she is with her mom, her little brother, and neighbour Mrs. Nesbitt, at the supermarket. They are loading up with everything they can think of that they might need to survive. With the moon out of its' traditional orbit, everything changes.
Readers follow Miranda's family and their post meteor months through Miranda's diaries. The unthinkable has happened, and now they are trying to deal with human nature in the worst circumstances. Extreme weather, plague, and no electricity are only some of the things they face.
This is a riveting, and somewhat terrifying read. As a mother, I would like to think that I would be as organized as Miranda's mom. I love the fact that Miranda is flawed...she is 16 after all. It was so interesting to see how she and her friends dealt with the situation in completely different ways. I cannot wait to read Pfeffer's follow-up The Dead and the Gone.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Swim to Me
Monday, December 03, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Sweethearts
When Jennifer was younger, she couldn't imagine getting through life without the help of Cameron Quick. Jen was overweight, lispy, and a bit smelly, due to the fact that her single mom was working full time during the day, and in nursing school at night. But Jennifer's life was not nearly as scary as Cam's, as she witnessed one year on her birthday. Now she knew why she wasn't supposed to go over to Cameron's house.
Everything changed for Jennifer when Cameron just disappeared. The mean kids at school told her that Cameron was dead. When Jennifer went home crying to her mother, her mom did not deny the fact. And Jennifer just about shut down.
Now in a different part of the city and in high school, "Jenna" is completely transformed. She works hard everyday to keep the weight off, to remember that boyfriends like Ethan like "happy" girls, and that Jennifer Harris no longer exists. Her mom ended up marrying Alan, and nobody around knows anything about Jenna's past.
And then, Cam comes back.
Jenna doesn't know what to think. Cameron Quick is supposed to be dead! That's the main reason why Jennifer Harris is no more. Not only is Cam in town, he's in her school and looking to deal with the past. A past that only exists in Jenna's head as slippery memories. What will happen when Jenna and Jennifer collide?
Sara Zarr has written an intense story that called to my mind The Rules of Survival by Werlin. Jennifer didn't have any adult help, and as a result, she and Cam had to survive together. What they have is beyond love and friendship. The reader feels real empathy for most of the characters in the book (save Cam's dad), and I found myself willing Jenna towards the truth.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
It's Bidding Time! Robert's Snow
Here are the links that showcase the snowflakes for Auction One!
Read about all the illustrators who contributed to this auction at the sites linked below. (The order presented is the same as on the auction page.)
- Daniel Mahoney at Paradise Found and Great Solutions to Team Challenges
- Brie Spangler at Lectitans
- Yangsook Choi at What Adrienne Thinks About That
- Ginger Nielson at MISS O's SCHOOL LIBRARY
- Philomena O'Neill at Jo's Journal
- James Gurney at Charlotte's Library
- David Ezra Stein at Hip Writer Mama
- Barbara Garrison at Brooklyn Arden
- Hideko Takahashi at The Silver Lining
- Brian Floca at A Fuse #8 Production
- Mary Peterson at Brooklyn Arden
- Maggie Swanson at Chicken Spaghetti
- Elizabeth Dulemba at sruble's world
- Michelle Chang at The Longstockings
- Gretel Parker at Finding Wonderland
- Sara Kahn at Kate's Book Blog
- Ann Koffsky at Book Buds
- Frank Dormer at What Adrienne Thinks About That
- Erin Eitter Kono at Sam Riddleburger
- John Nez
- Julie Fromme Fortenberry at Your Neighborhood Librarian
- Sharon Vargo
- Abigail Marble
- Marion Eldridge at Chicken Spaghetti
- Chris Gall at Through the Studio Door
- Annette Simon at Check It Out and Deo Writer
- Rolandas Kiaulevicius at a wrung sponge
- Paige Keiser at Your Neighborhood Librarian
- Tracy McGuinness-Kelly at Sam Riddleburger's blog
- Jeannie Brett at cynthialord’s Journal
- Peter Emmerich at Loree Griffin Burns: A Life in Books
- Anna Dewdney at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
- Erik Brooks at Bildungsroman
- Joan Waites
- Patrick Girouard at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
- Yuyi Morales at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
- Jennifer Thermes at Through the Studio Door
- Liza Woodruff at Check It Out
- Ilene Richard at Something Different Every Day
- Molly Idle at The Shady Glade
- Leanne Franson at Just Like the Nut
- Anni Matsik at A Sound From My Heart
- Inga Poslitur
