By Challenged Author, Laurie Halse Anderson

Twisted

By: Laurie Halse Anderson

Genre: YA realistic fiction

Pages: 250

Published: 2007

Read: January

3 out of 5

Although not as great of a read as Speak; fans of Anderson will not be disappointed. Told in the voice of Tyler, a 17 year old high school senior, this book will also interest high school boys that enjoy realistic fiction. Tyler was a high school geek then after a summer of community service he became buff. He moves from geek to popular, that is until tragedy hits. With Anderson bringing to the surface controversial teen issues – rape, drug use, bullying – her book, Speak, has been challenged by some parents and school. I, however, am against banned books and feel while books may focus on hard controversial topics they are also topics that need to be discussed or read by the age group aimed at. Especially when the teens feel alone or the parents are uncomfortable discussing certain topics.  Twisted is no exception. This is a great book for all teens to read.  

Second book in the Unwind series by Neal Shusterman

UnWholly

By: Neal Shusterman

Genre: YA Dystopian

Pages: 402

Published: 2012

Read: January

5 out of 5

I continue to be very impressed and engrossed in Shusterman’s Unwind Series. There is never a dull moment throughout the novel and the character development continues to grow. Shusterman’s writing ability to provoke the reader’s emotion for the teens is astonishing that you can’t help but want to assist the teens in their cause. I also enjoyed the humor Shusterman included in his sporadic advertisements and public service announcements for unwinding throughout the story. Keep in mind that this still is a YA novel, (simple writing and quick read) and may not appeal to all adults; however fans of YA and especially The Hunger Game series should definitely pick this series up. 

Genealogy Book - A Memoir

Incognito: An American Odyssey of Race and Self-Discovery

By: Michael Sidney Fosberg

Genre: memoir

Pages: 338

Published: 2011

Read: January

2.5 out of 5

I thought the premise of this book was very interesting - being African American and not knowing until you were in your 30's. However, Fosberg is actually only 1/4 African American and states he "felt" it his entire children and others weren't surprised at that discovery either.  He started living his life as though he was black (trying to walk the walk; talk the talk) and wanted everyone to know. I understand the feeling of being left out as a child, but believe that is because he is adopted not because he is a different ethnicity. Overall, I felt he was full of himself and actually didn't put African Americans in the best of light. I do think it is an achievement how he traced back his heritage and everyone should do that!

First book club novel of 2014

 

Peace Like a River

By: Leif Enger

Genre: historical fiction

Pages: 312

Published: 2002

Read: January

1 out of 5

This book has been recommended to me by several different people. I also had high expectations because the story’s plot and writing style reminded me of To Kill a Mockingbird? by Harper Lee which is a favorite of mine.  I couldn’t believe how much I disliked it. My number 1 upset was that the characters of Reuben (11) and Swede (8) were so beyond their years it made the characters unbelievable; especially with the articulate poems composed by Swede.  Then I felt the story was very disjointed and hard to follow.  The story included numerous tangents that were not necessarily relevant to the story making it became very distracting. It was as though Enger was just creating page fillers. What was the point of 2 pages detailing men wearing dressing gowns?  

First Graphic Novel of 2014

Bag of Marbles

By: Joseph Joffo

Genre: YA Graphic Novel

Pages: 126

Published: 2013

Read: January

3 out of 5

Not knowing until I finished, this is yet another nonfiction autobiographical graphic novel. It is the true story of two Jewish brothers' journey to freedom during World War II.  It was a good adaption for his novel and the illustrations were artistic (except everyone looked like they either had bags under their eyes or black eyes). I enjoyed the few German phrases (with interpretations) included in story. I wasn't overly impressed though nor would I go out of my way to recommend this graphic novel to everyone. However, it would be a great read for teens that need some insight of Jewish life during WWII, but don't want to read an entire history book.

Another Juvenile Audio

Here Lies the Librarian

By: Richard Peck

Genre: Juvenile fiction

Pages: 160

Published: 2006

Audiobook: 3 CD's (3 hours 41 minutes)

Read: January

2 out of 5

This book was a disappointment - I did not find the characters quirky or the story an offbeat, deliciously wicked comedy as stated in the summary.  I also feel it would not hold the attention of the intended audience; not enough excitement - it's more of a true to life story about a small town in 1914 .  Although I did find the writing in juvenile language and tone, I feel all three of Peck's novels I have read will interest adults who may know some of their own family's stories from that time period more than the younger ages.  It is a good "reflection" story similar to A Long Way From Chicago.

Stoner and Spaz sequel

Now Playing: Stoner and Spaz II

By: Ron Koertge

Genre: YA fiction

Pages: 208

Published: 2011

Read: January

2.5 out of 5

I read this book since it’s a sequel to Stoner and Spaz I read earlier this month. Although a good continuation, no surprising revelation occurs and you do not learn much more about any of the main characters. I felt the author was hoping that the “shock” of a stoner and disabled teen romance would be enough to keep readers entertained. The story played around with the idea that Ben was using Colleen. I felt all the characters used each other, Amy included, for their own personal good. I will say it was worth the read is you enjoyed Stoner and Spaz; also it is a very quick read.  

A YA LGBTQ novel

Annie of My Mind

By: Nancy Garden

Genre: J historical fiction

Pages: 233

Published: 1982

Read: January

4.5 out of 5

I have wanted to read this book ever since I learned about it in one of my library classes. This is considered the first YA homosexual based novel featuring a positive attitude.  Even as a heterosexual female, I loved it immediately and actually finished it in one day. I really believe Garden provided a great insight to the reactions and consequences homosexual teens may face, especially for the time written (32 years ago). Although teen homosexuality is more accepted now, this book can be viewed as timeless and should be read by teen girls who may be questioning their own sexuality or are aware they are gay; as well as any females that enjoy a great quick read.

Being a lesbian herself, she has written a lot of novels on the subject. Her website is www.nancygarden.com  

A great C.O.R.E novel for schools

Countdown

By: Deborah Wiles

Genre: J historical fiction

Pages: 400

Published: 2010

Read: January

2 out of 5

Although very well written, I felt the story was a little boring and would not hold the interest of the intended age group. I did enjoy the historical aspect of the story and think it would be great for the kids to read. However, I think the graphic materials of newscast, newspaper articles, etc. interrupted the story and flow. It may have been better to include at end as an appendix or additional material. I would recommend this novel as part of a school C.O.R.E. lesson since it includes important historical facts, but has the fictional story told by a peer which will hold their interest more than a nonfiction book.

Wiles has plans to make this a trilogy; you can watch for it at www.deborahwiles.com

First Juvenile novel of 2014...

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie

By: Jordan Sonnenblink

Genre: J fiction

Pages: 273

Published: 2012

Audiobook: 4 CD's (4 hours 22 mins)

Read: January

4 out of 5

This story is narrated by a 13 year old boy, Steven, during the period of time when his family discovers that his 4 year old cuter than cute brother, Jeffrey,  has leukemia. He tells of his own struggles as the forgotten sibling and his family's troubles through the difficult time. Sonnenblink accomplishes this with humor and true to life circumstances.  Sonnenblink constructs a well written story and I appreciated the humor of Steven. The audio telling was professional and entertaining.  While this novel most likely will not interest adults, it is a great story for children 8 and up.  I believe this would be a great book for siblings of children dealing with cancer. It may just help them know that they are not alone.

2014 just started, but this is my favorite novel of year

Unwind

By: Neal Shusterman

Genre: YA dystopian

Pages: 335

Published: 2007

Read: January

5 out of 5

II have mentioned that I am getting bored and sick of dystopian novels, however this one was FANTASTIC. Shusterman is an exceptional writer and with so many twist and turns, the reader never gets bored with the plot. The novel is placed sometime in the future during a period of war. Due to the issues with survival, a Bill of Life was instituted that allows parents to “unwind” their teens and donated their organs and body parts to adults that need them to survive. The teens are still considered alive, but "Living in a divided state"; therefore parents don't feel guilty for "killing their children". There are four novels in this series and I am very excited to read the rest. I feel this series could be the next Hunger Games and there is talk of making a movie.  I highly recommend this series to fans to YA, Hunger Games, and dystopian novels in addition to anyone needing a fix for a great novel.

He also wrote the popular Everlost Trilogy - website is http://www.storyman.com/.

Cerebal Palsy Novel

Stoner & Spaz

By: Ron Koertge

Genre: YA fiction

Pages: 176

Published: 2004

Read: January

3 out of 5

I chose this book because like the protagonist I have spastic cerebal palsy, also similar to Ben it affects only one side of my body.  I was interested to see how a non-handicap author portrays a disabled person.  There are multiple levels of CP ranging from the very mild to very severe; Ben and I are similar in our capabilities although his is slightly worse. I only have slight difficulty getting dressed and I am able to drive. Overall, Koertge did a  exemplary job with both main characters. I loved the fact that Ben had a great sense of humor and although he, of course, isn't happy about his situation he accepts it for what it is.  Colleen is the polar opposite of Ben with her wild side and drug addiction, but as true to life opposites attract.

A great fictional novel about problems in America

The Tortilla Curtain

By: T.C. Boyle

Genre: fiction

Pages: 355

Published: 1995

Read: January

3.5 out of 5

Catching my interest immediately, I definitely recommend this book to readers that enjoy West Coast settings (California) and novels about problems in the United States especially regarding illegal immigrants. The story does emphasize the issues between Americans and their disrespect for Mexicans. However, Boyle does not portray either Americans or Mexicans in good light, but rather both of their issues with each other and the struggles they face. I appreciated this aspect and it almost made the book a semi nonfiction.  My rating is lower than I planned on given because the ending was unresolved, but I believe that was also the intent because that is also true to real life.

Boyle has written several more books, which I plan on checking out. You can view them all at www.tcboyle.com