Review: Hope is a ferris wheel by Robin Herrera

In this debut novel from Robin Herrera, we meet a fifth grader named Star who has had a unique life.  She lives with her mother and sister in a trailer park right next to the city dump.  She has a hard time making friends in her new school, and many students make fun of her hair (it is blue and a mullet style) as well as her living arrangments (a trailer park named Treasure Trailers).  However, with perseverance and pluck she is able to navigate the often treacherous waters of middle school, and understands more about herself, her family, and the meaning of friendship.
I must say, I did not have high expectations for this book.  I am a fantasy/sci-fi girl by nature, and I thought this might be a little too "feel-good" for me.  I am not going to lie - there were a few sugary parts that made my inner Sweeney Todd cringe.  For example, when excited or surprised, the main characters would blurt out "Heavenly donuts!"  Also, when Star has a confrontation with another student that ends in a food fight, she is told to write an apology letter to the other student. That's it.  No in school suspension, no detention, nothing. 
With all of that said, I must admit, I did like this book.  It was a sweet story, but I think it is something that many children can relate to - being the new kid in town, living with a single parent, being treated a certain way because of stereotypes instead of who you really are...that sort of thing.  So, out of 5 stars, I would give this a sold 3.5. 

Far Far Away by Tom McNeal

A few months ago I stumbled upon a book that reminded me how awesome YA literature can be.  It looked unassuming and sounded like a story that I had heard before (a la 6th Sense).  It was called Far Far Away by Tom McNeal.  I put it on my "to do" list and tucked it away for another day.
Over Christmas break, I decided to give it a go.
Boy, am I happy I did.  This is a book that begins quietly.  We meet Jeremy Johnson-Johnson, a boy with an interesting past.  He lives above a bookstore that only sells two books - his grandfather's biography part 1 and 2.  He has been dubbed the town oddball because, as a child, he proclaimed that he hears voices.  The voice that Jeremy hears is that of Jacob Grimm, whose soul is stuck in the "in-between".
In this novel there is suspense, mystery, romance, and thrills.  I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style of the author and finding out why Grimm is "still here".  Overall, this is a novel that comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion.

Under the never sky by Veronica Rossi

I have been in a sci-fi mood as of late, so many of the books I have read in the last few months have been of this genre.

I must say, the story intrigued me.  I love the dystopian/don't-know-what-is-beyond-the-walls/maniacal government sort of thing, and this novel delivered in that aspect.  Aria is a girl from one of the "pods".  She has lived her life underground, where everything is simulated with this eye patch-type of device that you wear over your eye (think Wall-e with Google glass).  You can visit different realms or worlds by searching a database fed to you through your eye cover.

When Aria must leave the pod, she discovers that the outside world is scary, desolate, and dangerous.  However, she also finds out that not everything she was told in her pod is true.  People do live and function in the outside world; living their lives around the power of the aether, the electrical force that can destroy an entire landscape or village in a matter of minutes.  In this outside world, Aria meets Perry, a would-be leader who has run from his village.  Aria and Perry find that in order to return to their respective worlds, they need each other's help.

What I liked - the story was very good - I liked the characters, and I felt the story progression worked very well - all of the action and adventure did not seem forced.

What I did not like - the love story.  I know, I know, it is YA, so there will be love.  I was prepared for that.  What had me rolling my eyes to the point that I could see the back of my head was the rushed/forced feeling of the love story.  Aria and Perry HATE each other.  They barely speak to each other, he finds her incredibly annoying to the point that he ignores everything about her, and she finds him so foul (smelling and acting) that she wants nothing to do with him.  Then, all of the sudden, they can't keep their hands off each other.  For, like, three chapters, I have to sit through them sharing their feelings and never wanting to part.  Blech!  Get on with the story arch, already!

Overall, I would definitely give this to my Divergent/Hunger Games kiddos, but my die-hard sci-fi fans would have trouble with the sudden shift from sci-fi action to romance.

One came home by Amy Timberlake

In this novel, 13 year old Georgie's family is reeling over the death of her older sister, Agatha.  However, Georgie does not believe that Agatha is really dead.  Yes, there is a body; yes, it has red hair; and, yes, it is wearing Agatha's dress.  But, Georgina cannot shake the feeling that Agatha is alive and needs her help.  She embarks on a journey to find out what really happened to her sister, and uncovers a nefarious plot that could cost her her life.  The novel is full of mystery and plot twists that keep a reader entertained and interested throughout the novel.

Okay, so that is my official book review.  Now let's talk unofficial.  I have held onto this book for a year before I finally came around to reading it.  "Why?", you may ask. Well, I will tell you in one word - pigeons.  Yep, pigeons.  One of the plot points is pigeons.  This alone convinced me that this book could not be all that great.  People hunting pigeons?  It did not sound too enthralling.  However, once I got into the book, I found I did not mind the pigeons so much.  In fact, I realized I knew nothing about passenger pigeons (these birds have been extinct for 100 years).  Apparently, during mating season, these birds traveled in flocks of over 1 million.  OVER ONE MILLION.  Meaning, that when the flock traveled, the sky would be so thick with pigeons that it would block out the daylight for hours.  Their flocks could cover an area at least 2 miles wide and fifteen miles long.  When they moved, you could just shoot at the sky and down would fall dinner. AND, you would be covered in pigeon poo.  You would think that these birds, at the time the most prolific on the planet, would still be around, but no.  Thanks to over-hunting, deforestation, and generally lack of caring by the population of the U.S., these birds are now extinct.  The last one died over 100 years ago.  

Now let's talk about the main character - Georgina (or Georgie for short).  She is hard-headed, strong-willed, and generally not likable.  The entire reason her sister leaves is because she sees her sister do something, and instead of asking her sister about it, she goes and tells on her.  Georgie loves her sister in her own way, but she is very possessive of her.  She sabotages her life, and instead of feeling guilt, she has a "serves-you-right" mentality.  I was not a big fan of hers, but I do feel that she was a very authentic character.  She was not sugar-coated, but hardened by the life and circumstances that surrounded her.  

Overall, I feel this is a good mystery and appropriate for the junior high age group.  I will be book talking it, and hopefully kiddos will be interested.

Book Review: Steelheart by Sanderson

Hello, all!   Do I have a doozie for you!!!
Ten years ago an anomaly took place - a flash of red light in the sky called Calamity, and ordinary people were changed into something extraordinary - Epics.  However, with the onset of super powers, the Epics became villains.  Steelheart is the strongest Epic anyone has seen - he can change objects to steel.  He is also invincible - bullets bounce off of him, explosions do not phase him, and, with the strength of dozens of men, no one can defeat him.  He commits terrible atrocities to ensure that the people of Newcago fear and follow him.  David witnesses Steelheart's power when the Epic kills David's father.  Now David wants vengance - he wants to kill Steelheart, and he has a plan.  He needs the help of a group of Epic assassins to help him carry it out.
David and the "Epic killers", known as the Reckoners, set out to destroy Steelheart and his entire government.
This is a great, fast-paced novel that pulls the reader in and never lets go.  David is a wonderful character - bumbling, smart (but not too smart), and your typical late-teen boy.  I enjoyed the dynamic of the Reckoners, and I could see them vividly in my mind as Sanderson described them.  I have recommended this book to my sci-fi fans and my upper level students, and they have all loved it!

Book Review - Zombie Tag by Hannah Moskowitz

In this novel the reader finds a boy named Wil whose older brother died six months ago.  Wil's family is falling apart - his mother is distant and his father drowns himself in work.  He feels that if his brother could just come back, everything would go back to normal.  When Wil discovers that there is a secret bell that, if rung, can bring back the dead, he makes it his mission to steal it and bring his brother back.  He knows there is a chance that zombies can terrorize the town and kill everyone, but it is a chance he is willing to take if it means he could have his brother back.
However, when Graham returns, he is not the same.  Graham is not a brain-thirsty zombie bent on annihilating the human race.  Far from it - he doesn't seem to care about anything.  He cannot feel emotions.  Graham - the brother that was so full of life and excitement - is now a hollow shell of his former self.  He doesn't feel anything, and he acts as if he is oblivious to anything in the outside world.
At first, Wil and his parents are euphoric about Graham's return.  However, once Graham shows no sign of becoming his former self, Wil decides he must take matters into his own hands and bring Graham back from oblivion.  He will do whatever it takes to bring Graham back from the dead emotionally.
I have to say, this book exceeded my expectations.  Many books I have read about zombies that are geared towards junior high students have been gory or creepy.  This is actually a very interesting portrayal of death. Graham tries to articulate what it means to die - how a person is changed - without getting spiritual.  And it helps you to think about if you were given the opportunity to bring back a deceased loved one, would you do it?  In Stephen King's Pet Cemetery we are faced with the same moral dilemma - but, you know, it has A LOT more horror.  Whereas King freaked you out and got you scared, Moskowitz actually made you think about the Zombie and how it would affect them.  It is a great twist to a "zombie" book!
I also like the "growing up" idea implanted in the book.  Before Graham died, he and Wil made a promise to never grow up.  When Graham comes back, he is indifferent, unconcerned; more like a "grown-up" in Wil's eyes.  The transition from kid to adult is evident in the living to dead relationship and adds a great layer to the story.  Loved it!
Now, for my issues - after Graham died, his family moved across town to a new house.  When Graham "woke up" he went to the new house and not the one he actually lived in.  How did he know?  Where did he receive the information that his family moved?  That really, REALLY bothered me.  Also, what was up with the zombies wanting tea?  Anthony's Grandma asked for some, and Graham was drinking it when he returns from the dead.  Moskowitz made a point of letting the reader know that, but never explained why.  It felt as if that was something important and would be explained later, but it never was.
Overall, I would give this book a good 8 out of 10 stars.  It was nice to see zombies in a new light.

Book Review: Fortunately, the milk by Neil Gaiman

Hello, all!
I was very excited when I received this book in my last book order, and I must say I was not disappointed!
This is a story of a father - a father who must get some milk from the corner store after his children realize they are out.  They MUST have their breakfast, and it MUST be cereal! (The father also realized that if there were no milk for the children's cereal, there would also be no milk for his tea, and that would be a complete and total travesty!)
The children wait....and wait...and wait.  When he finally returns, he explains why it took him so long to get the milk.  He has just returned from an adventure through time with a dinosaur in a hot air balloon (which, we discover, is actually called a "Floaty-Ball-Person-Carrier").  He has encountered all manner of creatures including, but not limited to, aliens, pirates, and piranhas (although the last group is certainly suspect, since the father did not give a rational explanation as to how he came to cross their path).And fortunately, he had the milk, which is the quintessential piece in his extraordinary adventure.  Without it, he would not have survived - in fact, the whole world was at stake!
This book was fantastic! Neil Gaiman is a master storyteller (very much like the father in the book), and the illustrations by Skottie Young gave the book a great whimsical feel.  My kiddos that have enjoyed A tale dark and Grimm, Origami Yoda, and Diary of a wimpy kid will find this an enjoyable read.  Two thumbs up!