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Title: Notes From the Midnight Driver
Author: Sonnenblick
Genre: Fiction, Music, High School, Getting in Trouble, Coming of Age
Pages: 265
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Ages: High School
Okay, it should not be a surprise to readers of this blog that I am a big fan of this author. Much like "if you build it, he will come," if he writes it, I will read it. For this Throwback Thursday, I thought that I would review one of the author's first titles (because I don't want to review his upcoming novel until closer to when it's published).
From the Publisher:
“Alex Peter Gregory, you are a moron!” Laurie slammed her palms down on my desk and stomped her foot. I get a lot of that. One car crash. One measly little car crash. And suddenly, I’m some kind of convicted felon. My parents are getting divorced, my dad is shacking up with my third-grade teacher. I might be in love with a girl who could kill me with one finger, and now I’m sentenced to baby-sit some insane old guy.What else could possibly go wrong? This is the story of Alex Gregory, his guitar, his best gal pal Laurie, and the friendship of a lifetime that he never would have expected.
When this book was published in 2006, it received many starred reviews and it is easy to see why. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love Alex Gregory. (He reminds me a little of my own teenage Alex). He is the perfect narrator and has a terrific sense of humor, which borders on witty sarcasm, my favorite kind. But he also seems like a typical teen with actual problems and emotions, who makes decisions that seem like a good idea to his teen brain at the time, but don't always turn out in his favor. His actions feel authentic, and readers root for him to figure it all out in the end.
What puts this book over the top is that the supporting cast is just as strong. Sonnenblick has created memorable characters who contribute to the story and keep readers engaged.
Alex's tale of transformation and redemption is one that will definitely resonate with teen readers, male and female alike. I believe that this is a must read book for the high school crowd.
Title: Paperboy
Author: Vawter
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Friendship, Coming of Age, Race Relations
Pages: 224
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Ages: 6th-9th grades
This book has been getting starred reviews from many sources this year. I was lucky enough to review it for the publisher and write a "booktalk" that is posted on the publisher's website (for educators and librarians around the country to use).
Here is a copy of my booktalk:
Memphis, Tennesse, summer 1959. A soon-to-be seventh grade boy agrees to take over his friend Rat’s paper route for a month. And what an adventure our unnamed hero has. First, you must know that he doesn’t have very many friends because he stutters and most of the kids make fun of him. Second, he is an amazing pitcher to Rat’s catcher and the two boys have become great friends. When Rat leaves for July to visit his grandparents, his friend agrees to become the substitute paperboy, even though he is terrified to talk to the customers because of his stutter. There are quite a collection of customers in the neighborhood to be frightened of including a drunk housewife and a merchant marine. But it’s the neighborhood junk man who our hero should really be frightened of, especially after a run-in with this man puts the paperboy and others in danger. Will the paperboy learn to overcome his stutter and make friends? Will he survive his run-in with danger? No matter what, it will definitely be a summer he won’t soon forget.
Title: Dunk
Author: Lubar
Genre: Fiction, Summer, Humor, Friendship
Pages: 260
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Ages: 8th grade and up
I am a fan of David Lubar. I often recommend his titles to my students. "Hidden Talents" is a classic "go to" recommendation for me; his "Weenies" short story collections are a good mix of funny and spooky (perfect for the tween and young teen crowd); and I cannot tell you how much I LOVE "Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie." But somehow, I have never seen this book, which actually predates many of the aforementioned titles. So I decided to take full advantage of the public library and check this one out.
From the Publisher:
Chad finds a whole new summer occupation--he wants to be the Bozo, the clown who sits inside the dunk tank and goads people into taking a shot. What could be better than using his razor-sharp wit against a random stranger? But Chad soon discovers he's entered a strange and twisted world where humor packs a loaded punch.
Seriously, how could you not like a book where the main character wants to be a dunk tank clown? Who comes up with a premise like that? Lubar has written a really witty character in Chad. But this book is actually more than just yelling funny insults at people as they pass by (although the insults are quite funny).
Beneath the humor, there is quite a bit going on here: a story about taking care of your friends and family, having fun, falling in love, and growing up. It is also a terrific look at what it is like to live in a town that people flock to for summer vacation but you're stuck in all year long. This is a glimpse at the life of one such young man during the summer when everything doesn't go quite as he had planned.
Title: Being Henry David
Author: Armistead
Genre: Fiction, Journey, Identity, Amnesia
Pages: 304
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 stars
Ages: High School
I read this book well in advance of it's publishing date, so I was able to include it on my Summer Reading list. In fact, I even marked it as one of my "top picks" for high school this summer.
From the Publisher:
Seventeen-year-old "Hank" has found himself at Penn Station in New York City with no memory of anything --who he is, where he came from, why he's running away. His only possession is a worn copy of Walden, by Henry David Thoreau. And so he becomes Henry David-or "Hank" and takes first to the streets, and then to the only destination he can think of--Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts.
When Hank finds himself in Walden, he must admit that he needs help and is luckily taken in by one of Walden Pond's park rangers, Thomas. Thomas has faced his own demons and is able to help Hank come to terms with his choices: keep running, or face the truth. And facing the truth means remembering what happened. It is obvious to readers all along that something tragic has happened to Hank, propelling him on this journey.
Armistead includes passages from Walden throughout the book, which adds an interesting contrast to Hank's quest. The Hank we are introduced to from the start is a sympathetic character that you want to be friends with. His relationships with everyone he meets and the life he carves out for himself feel like something he has earned and deserves. But his need for answers and desire not to ignore the memories as they come flooding back earn him our respect.
This was filled with everything that you want in a book: adventure, mystery, a search for identity/answers/truth, romance, and a hope for redemption. I read one review that called this book "The Maze Runner meets High School Musical" and I felt, wow! That is so not what this book was. Or rather, this book is so much more than these labels. I wonder if the author was excited or saddened by these comparisons? All I know is that this book was unique and I feel like I am a better person for having traveled this journey with Hank.
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Title: Notes From the Midnight Driver
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