Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell and (more than a) Bit of a Rant....

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
YA

Cath writes Simon Snow fan fiction; spending her time writing, rewriting, and hanging out in Simon Snow forums. She and her twin sister Wren have always done things together-dressed the same, written together, and had the same friends. But now the twins are headed to college and entering a whole new world. Fangirl is a wonderfully written coming of age tale complete with fan fiction, first loves, and family heartbreaks.

Let me begin by saying brava to Ms. Rowell for a book well crafted. Themes of betrayal, rivalry, abandonment, and independence flow throughout the book. Rowell even deals with mental illness in a very honest way. Beautifully written and poignant, I could not put this book down.  

I'd love to rally behind this book and recommend it highly to each and every reader, but this being a children's book blog I have to be honest when I say that I can't. I love, love, love this book-it's amazing and I'm all for kids having access to all kinds of books. No book bans here! But I'm not for kids having access to books with themes and ideas that are just flat out inappropriate for their age. Fangirl has alcohol, sex, and mature themes. Children don't need to be sheltered, but they need to have some understanding of what they're reading. Parents: if you choose to let your child read this book, be sensible and read it before them or read it together.

And here's the rant - or my two cents about finding books that are a good fit for your reader.

The Young Adult genre in literature is relatively new. When I was growing up (yes, in the dark ages) "Young Adult" wasn't the booming genre that it is today. There were books for children and then there were books for adults. Anything in the middle usually ranged from classics to the Sweet Valley High series that my mom forbade me to read. Sometimes I wish that publishers would determine a book to be "Young Young Adult" or "Older Young Adult." I would imagine that they can come up with a more creative title, but the idea is there. Please use caution when choosing what to allow your tween or young teen to read. Just because it's at the library or a friend is reading it, doesn't mean that it's appropriate for your child. Read together or choose to preview their books. Be available to talk about these very mature themes and questions that they kids might have. Give this book a try, but please carefully consider your child's ability to handle adult subjects and language.

Finding books that are appropriate and provide kids well crafted, challenging material can be frustrating and feel impossible as a parent or teacher. It is our responsibility as adults to help our kids find "good fit books" or books that are on par with our children's abilities, personalities, and disposition.

Now get out there and read on!

Starters by Lissa Price

by Lissa Price
Ages- 12 +

Callie (16 years old) lost her parents when the genocide spore wiped out everyone except those who were vaccinated first-the young and the old.  With no grandparents to claim Callie and her little brother, they go on the run, living as squatters and fighting off young renegaded.  Callie finds a way to make some money by renting her body to seniors who want to be young again.  When her chip malfunctions, Callie finds herself living in a mansion, dating Blake (grandson of senator) and her renter is not just partying, but using her body to commit murder.  She tries to discover why and uncovers the Body Bank's horrible plan and has to make a decision to help commit the murder to protect others or take the money and run. 

Thoughts- It was an entertaining book.  It is another dystopian book about a futuristic world where technology can be used to control people.  They is a higher and lower class.  The whole body renting thing freaks me out. 

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

by R. J. Palacio
Ages- 8+

 August Pullman was born with a facial deformity and it had prevented him from going to mainstream school.  Starting the 5th grade, he wants nothing more than to be treated as ordinary, but his new classmates can't get past Auggie's extradordinary face. 


Thoughts- I LOVE IT!!   I am drawn towards feel good books with a powerful message.  This book is told from different points of views starting with August.  These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community's struggle with empathy ,compassion, and acceptance.  I loved how the story moved forward and didn't tell the same story from different points of view, but moved forward with different points of view.   

Tiger's Curse

By Collen Houck
Ages 12+

Kelsey Hayes never thought she would be helping to break a 300 year old curse after her parents died and she began her summer job before college. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren and halfway around the world her journey begins. She faces dark forces, spell-binding magic and mystical worlds. Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy.







Thoughts_
I liked this book more than I thought. Yes, it is the first book of four. I was sucked into the series and luckily for me all the of books had been written and I didn't have to wait. There is a love triangle that forms between Kelsey, Ren and Kishan (Ren's brother-also part of the curse). I learned a ton of about Indian and Chinese folk-lore, I was kind engaged. I admit I did skip some of the poems to get to the action. Each book covers the a different aspect of breaking the curse and the book series ends with a surprising ending.

Tiger's Quest
Tiger's Dragon
Tiger's Voyage

I have not read a Tiger's Dream-which is the 5th book in this series. I am not sure how it would fit into the series but I am excited to learn how it would go all together.

Torn Series

Torn, Tangled, and Bound

Ages- 14+

The series written by Erica O'Rourke is about a girl, Mo Fitzgerald, who witnesses her best friend's murder in the first book.   As the police try to discover the "real" truth, Mo's family becomes a suspect because her father is in jail and her family is connected with the mob.  Her uncle hires a body guard, Colin who Mo begins to fall for. As she investigates further, she finds out that her best friend, Verity, was magical.  Verity was murdered because of her magical connections.  Mo becomes involved in the magical world and has a strong connection a magical boy, Luc. 

After her first adventure, Tangled, she again is needed in the magical world and has to make some difficult decisions about her life.  Mo is torn between her love for Colin and Luc.  She struggles with the magical world when she has no magic, but the magical world needs her presence. 

Bound is the third book in the series, I have not read it, but I am interested to see how the trilogy ends.  Will she choose the magical world with Luc and her powerful connection with him or the human world and her strong love for her previous bodyguard Colin that could protect her from her families connections? 

This series is alright.  Mo is not as annoying as Bella is in Twilight, but frustrating enough as struggles between the two worlds. 

Warning to Parents: Mo is a typical teenager who struggles with the lustful feeling she has Colin. She begs Colin to give her into her lustful feelings.  He refuses.  The book language could be considered inappropriate for some families.   

Cinder

Book One in the Lunar Chronicles
by Marissa Meyer
Ages: 12+

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg.  She is considered a second-class citizen in New Beijing.  Her stepmother blames her when the stepsister gets the mysterious plague.  Her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai and finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle between humans and the ruthless lunar people.  She uncovers her mysterious past which leads her into making difficult choices in order to protect her world's future.   

I was very hesitant to read this book at first because it seemed like another Cinderella story remake.  I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book and had to finishing reading.  I was drawn into the world of humans and androids.  I felt torn when Cinder's past was slowly revealed and she had to make some difficult decisions. I can't wait until Book 2 Scarlet comes out.  It will be featuring Cinder meeting Little Red Riding Hood in France.  There will be four books in the series.     

Goodnight Ipad

by Ann Droyd
All ages

A great parody book of our technology craze society.  I laughed so hard.  Everyone will enjoy this book if they loved "GOODNIGHT MOON."

The Magnolia League by Katie Crouch
ages 14+

When Alex's mother suddenly dies, she is left to live with her wealthy Grandmother in Savannah, Georgia. Little does she know, but she is a member of the Magnolia League, Savannah's exclusive debutante society. The members of the Magnolia League are all beautiful, wealthy, and powerful women. But at what cost? Will Alex discover the secret to their world before she becomes entangled in it?

While this book is a real page-turner, it has some references to drugs (Alex grew up in a commune/pot farm) and sex. Hoo-doo also figures prominently in the novel as it is the main source of the Magnolia League's power and beauty. Although Katie Crouch creates memorable characters and a heart thumping story, I would encourage parents to peruse this novel before allowing their young adults to dive into it.

Specials

by Scott Westerfeld
Ages: 13+
Tally is now one of them, a special.  She was now supreme hunting and fighting machine, engineered to bring the uglies down and pretties stupid.  Tally's memories keep haunting her and tries to forget everything.  Until she's is offered a chance to permanently end the New Smoke, can her memories help her guide her to make the right choice. 

This was the third and finally series by Westerfeld.  It started with the Uglies, then the Pretties, and ended with the Specials.  It was a good book.  I loved the first book, second was good sequel, the third book made the story a little long for me.  I was glad it ended and no more twists at the end.  The series does address the themes of what beauty really means.  He creates a fascinating world of what agency really is.

Life, After

by Sarah Darer Littman
Ages: 14+

Dani's aunt and unborn cousin were killed in a terrorist attack.  Since then, everything in her life in Argentina begins to crumble including private school, boyfriend, loving family, etc...  Dani's family finally decides to escape the United States when there is nothing left in Argentina.  Dani tries to start fresh, but adjusting to a new culture, learning a new language, and living in a small apartment is difficult.  America is not all is cracked up to be.  Dani is able to make friends with an usual boy named Jon and it changes her life.

I really enjoyed this book because it gave me great insight into students who have moved to the United State trying to adjust to everything that is different.

The Hunchback Assignments

by Arthur Slade
Ages: 13+

A mysterious Mr. Socrates saves Modo from a traveling freak show as a boy.  He is trained to be a first class secret agent for Permanent Association.  Finally, at the age of 14 he is able to have his first assignment in London.  Modo investigates the disappearences of several children.  While using his shape-shifting gift, he discovers The Clockwork Guild (a secret organization).  During his mission, he teams up with another young agent, Octavia Milkweed.

What a unique modern adaption of Victor Hugo's Hunchback of Notre Dame.  Modo is a character you really fall in love with.  This book is about the dark underground of London in the Victorian era.  Arthur Slade is able to keep the topic kid friendly in the setting.  I enjoy the book and recommend it for readers who enjoy secret agent books like Alex Rider series.

California Blue

by David Glass
Ages 12+

John didn't expect to discover a new species of butterfly.  He knew what a powerful effect of his discovery would have on his town and his family.  The town lived and died with the business the lumber mill generated.  His relationship with his father was already strained because of their differences.  He has a difficult decision to make, whether to stick with family and friends and fight for his town or side with the those who want to protect the new rare butterfly?

This is great story about a young teenager.  He can't relate to his father because he is interested in father isn't.  They can't talk.  His father is dying and now he has to choose to help the town and his father or pick against family and friends.  This story is heartbreaking as you experience the dilemma John faces.  His choice will affect his future.

Bigger

by Patricia Calvert

ages 12 +

Tyler is glad the Civil War is over and his father will come home after fighting for the South.  Tyler learns that his father's regiment has refused to surrender and is headed for Mexico, he decides to find his father and bring him home.  Along his way, a strange dog, named Bigger joins him.  As the two journey south, Tyler is forced to confront his feelings and let go of his most cherished dream.  Bigger becomes his best friend when Tyler has to face the truth about his father. 

This is a great historical fiction and teen coming of age book.  Tyler is a great character and you fall in love with him.  You are able to connect with him as he faces growing up after the Civil War.  The country has changed and so has his family.

Stormbreaker (Alex Rider Series #1)

written by Anthony Horowitz

ages: Young adult

When 14 year-old Alex Rider's uncle in unexpectedly killed in a car accident, he knows that something is amiss. When he discovers his uncle's car riddled with bullets, it confirms suspicions that his uncle was murdered. Alex soon finds out that his uncle was a spy for the British Secret Service. He is recruited to complete the mission that his uncle began and save Great Britain from a mad man. Alex must impersonate a boy who has won a trip to the facility where Stormbreaker computers are being made. Stormbreaker is a revolutionary new computer created and donated by a multimillionaire to all of the schools in Great Britain. Now it's up to Alex to avenge his uncle's murder and save a nation.

I first heard about these books through an interview with the author, Anthony Horowitz, on NPR and couldn't wait to get my hands on one. Think James Bond in his earlier years-complete with gadgets, quirky characters, and near death experiences. This is truly an on the edge of your seat read-I can't wait to jump into the next book in the series.

The Watcher

by james howe
ages-15+

Three troubled teens lives converge at a seaside resort. Chris Powell, a lifeguard, whose is dealing with the loss of his younger brother and how it has affected his family and their relationships. Evan, vacationing with his family, is watching his parent's relationship struggle. They both noticed "The Watcher", Margaret. Margaret is a small bony little girl, who sits on the beach watching others and writing in her notebook. She creates fairy-tales about Chris and Evan's lives to escape her reality. Can Chris and Evan stop and see what is really going on in "The Watcher"'s life?

"The Watcher" is a book about a three powerful teen subjects: Lost of a loved, facing parent's divorce, and admitting abuse and asking for help. The book hops around from the different perspectives of Chris, Evan, and Margaret and their interactions. How perception of a perfect life is wrong? This book can be a great way to talk about these difficult subjects with your teens.

Heist Society

written by Ally Carter

Katarina Bishop has tried to leave the family business by going to boarding school. However, leaving her former life proves harder than expected when she is unjustly kicked out of school. Katarina's family is not typical, nor is their chosen profession. Katarina's family appreciates fine art and culture-so much so that they steal it. When her father is accused of stealing priceless paintings from a very dangerous man, Katarina and a motley crew work to save him. As Katarina returns to the life that she so desperately wanted to leave, she finds strength in her family, friends, and most importantly, herself. Will the love that she has for her father be enough to help her outwit a dangerous villain as well as a brilliant thief?

Heist Society is the second series penned by author Ally Carter. Although not as well written as the previous Gallagher Girls Series, Heist Society is still a well executed story. Hopefully the remainder of this series will provide Carter with the opportunity to return to a more engaging and thoughtful writing style.

Touching Spirt Bear

by Ben Mikaelsen
ages 12+

Cole has no other options left. The Circle Justice was the only way of avoiding jail time, after he beat up a fellow classmate brutally. He didn't care or understand why they decided to send him to an island on Alaska by himself for year. Who cared? Garvey, his parole officer, was the one who suggested it. Once banished to find himself and prove his is sorry for his actions, he allows his arrogance to set him directly in the path of a mysterious, legendary white bear. Mauled almost to death, Cole awaits his fate and begins the transition from anger to humility.

I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. It is not a typical story. I thought he would just go to the island and find himself in nature and learn his lesson. Oh, no, Cole makes some decisions that cause the story to have many twists and turns that happened in real life.

The Trumpeter of Krakow

by Eric P. Kelly
Ages 12+

A fictional story based on the history of Krakow. Joseph and his family are forced from Ukraine to Krakow, Poland in 1461 after their home is burned to the ground by Cossack-Tarters. His family tries to hide in the city but they are hunted by the infamous "Peter the Button Face" (for a birthmark on his cheek). Peter knows Joseph's father is hiding the "Great Tarnov Crystal" and has been asked to obtain it by any means. Joseph settles into his new identity making friends with his neighbors, Elizabeth and her uncle, an alchemist. Joseph's father takes the job of the trumpeter in the evenings to keep his face hidden. The book shares the many attempts by Peter to steal the crystal.

This book won the Newbery Medal in 1929. I was easily confused by this book. It is a great story, but times have changed. I had a hard time keeping focused on what was happening in the story and had to reread many parts again to understand the plot. I think children who have heritage from this part of Europe or interest in Polish history may enjoy this book, not my favorite.

The Lightening Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series #1)

written by Rick Riordan
ages: 11+ (young adult)

Although Percy Jackson has spent his whole life in and out of various schools being expelled for assorted infractions, he finally feels like he has it together. He has a best friend named Grover and a teacher that cares; things really seem to be looking up. But when a trip to the museum goes horribly awry, Percy ends up at Camp Half-blood, where he discovers that he is a demigod, or half human and half immortal. More interesting still, he is the son of Poseidon, the god of the Sea, which brings about its own set of unique abilities. A prophecy soon reveals that he must go on a quest to prevent a war among the gods of Olympus; a harrowing journey that will take him to the Underworld.

Creative and spellbinding, The Lightening Thief interweaves Greek mythology flawlessly into this adventure. Don't be fooled by the apparently masculine themes in this book; it will be devoured by both boys and girls. A true page turner, writer Rick Riordan will leave you clamoring for more!

Surviving the Applewhites.

by Stephanie S. Tolan
Ages: 11+

Jake Semple is trouble with a capital "T". Rumor has it that he burned down the last school, he attended. Then, the Traybride Middle School kicks him out after a few weeks into the school year. His last hope is a home school run by a quirky and creative family, the Applewhites. E.D. Applewhite is the only non-creative Applewhite and she is not happy because Jake is the same-age and she has been paired with him in the family experiment of "cooperative education." The only thing they have in common is the desire and determination to survive the eccentric family.

The school year is filled with the family coming together to support E.D.'s father, in a production of "The Sound of Music." E.D. and Jake learn about supporting each other and the special gifts and talents they have.

I know why this book received the Newberry Honor in 2003. I enjoy reading about "weird" families learning to work together in crisis including anyone around them. The energy and creative is contagious.