Throwback Thursday

This week's Throwback Thursday has been making the round with our 8th grade girls who are looking for something to read after "The Fault in our Stars." 

If I Stay by Gayle Forman. 

Seventeen ­year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make.

This isa beautifully written novel that will haunt you long after you finish it. I hope that Mia's journey will move you to think about what is important in your life: family, friends, love. 

I am a little apprehensive to see the movie adaptation when it comes out in August of this year. I LOVED this book. It literally moved me to tears. I truly hope that the movie can live up to how I feel about this book.

Please, please, please make sure you have read this book (and everything by Gayle Forman for that matter)!

Holiday Gift Ideas: Grave Mercy (LeFevers)

Title: Grave Mercy
Author: LeFevers
Genre: Fiction, Assassins, Death, Gods, Historical Fiction, Courts, Fantasy
Pages: 549
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 stars

I love the tagline on this book: Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

17-year-old Ismae escapes the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. At the convent she learns that the god of Death has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death.

Seriously? Nun assassins? Do you really need me to say anything more? Just look at that cover! And this book is the beginning of a new series!
I am in love with this book...it has all the the elements of a dark, sophisticated fairy tale (castles, courts, good vs evil), a nod to historical fiction, and a twisted love story for feminists and romantics alike. And if you are one of those people that likes to read "Best Books," this title has made many Top Books of 2012 lists.


Ismae is one of the great heroines of literature these days. She if flawed but has a strong voice, can spy and kill with the best of them, shows mercy, and her romance with Duval shows her feminine side. This is definitely a book for older (high school and up) readers, but well worth the read. I am anxiously awaiting the sequel, Dark Triumph, due in April.

Review: On the Day I Died (Fleming)

Title: On the Day I Died: stories from the grave
Author: Fleming
Genre: Fiction, History, Ghost Stories, Death
Pages: 199
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I've never been a fan of ghost story collections, but they are wildly popular in all the schools and libraries that I've ever worked in. I am, however, a HUGE fan of Candace Fleming and her writing, so when I found out that she was going to write a ghost story collection for teens, I had to get my hands on it.

Late one dark night, teenager Mike Kowalski drives to a deserted cemetery to return a pair of old-fashioned saddle shoes to a grave (don’t ask). Once there, he is horrified to find himself surrounded by the ghosts of the many teenagers buried there, all of them "dying" to tell him their stories.

 

This collection of ten ghost stories is sure to send chills up the spines of teen readers. Set in White Cemetery, an actual graveyard outside Chicago, each story takes place during a different time period from the 1860's to the present. Some teens die heroically, others ironically, but all due to supernatural causes. Readers will meet walking corpses and witness demonic posession, all against the backdrop of Chicago's rich history: the Great Depression, the World's Fair, Al Capone and his fellow gangsters.

 

Good stuff...just in time for the "dark and scary night" season!

Review: Here Lies Linc (Ray)

Title: Here Lies Linc
Author: Ray
Genre: Fiction, Junior High, Friendship, Death, Family, Mystery
Pages: 320
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Lincoln Crenshaw is about to start junior high after being home-schooled. As if that wasn’t hard enough, his first field trip of 7^th grade is led by his mother at a place she is an expert about—the local cemetery. Linc just wants to fit in and is sure that his unusual mother (who he calls Lottie) will cause him all kinds of embarrassment.

When the teacher assigns a project to adopt-a-grave and research the person buried there, Linc decides to prove himself to his fellow classmates and takes on the cursed “Black Angel” tombstone. Throughout the project, Linc is helped by old and new friends alike. He also discovers a mystery surrounding the grave chosen by a classmate that will change his life.

Grounded in a project readers will relate to, the mystery is realistic and moves the story forward. Though many of the pieces fall into place quite conveniently, the adventure is still enjoyable. Boys and girls alike will root for Linc in this lively tale, perfect for students in 4th-7th grades. I don't usually post reviews of books for this age group, but this was just such a fun read that I can't help but recommend it!

Review: Fall for Anything (Summers)

Title: Fall for Anything
Author: Summers
Genre: Fiction, Realistic, Grief, Family, Suicide
Pages: 230
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he saw? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Culler seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death.

Eddie is dealing with her father's suicide and is so desperate to find out "WHY?!" She is drawn to his photographs and the warehouse where he killed himself. Her anger and emotions are believable. When she finds Culler, she finds someone who understands her quest for answers and it makes sense that she would abandon her friends to spend time with the mysterious Culler.

Eddie is a flawed and not very likeable character sometimes. But she is also so consumed by an atmosphere of grief that you can forgive her. There is suspense and mystery as we as readers know something is not quite right with Culler, but we cannot pinpoint what that is any more than Eddie can. When you reach the part in the story where the mystery surrounding Culler is revealed, I promise you that it will be heart-wrenching.

Eddie's experience is a raw, emotional struggle to move on with her life. This is an honest and sometimes painful examination of grief, family dynamics, and Eddie's intense journey toward healing.

Review: Moonglass (Kirby)

Title: Moonglass
Author: Kirby
Genre: Fiction, Beach, Moving, Father/Daughter, Relationships, Love, Death
Pages: 232
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Anna's life is upended when her father accepts a job transfer the summer before her junior year. It's bad enough that she has to leave her friends and her life behind, but her dad is moving them to the beach where her parents first met and fell in love. But Anna's mother drowned when Anna was a young girl, and she wonders if this is really the best place for her and her dad to be.

I was lucky enough to meet this debut author at a Simon & Schuster event in June (I promise there will be a post on this event SOON. There were so many terrific debut authors in attendance...so many good books coming). At the time, I had not read the book. However, it was a slim hardback that packed well, took place on the beach, and since I was heading to North Carolina to spend some time on the beach, it seemed like the perfect book to pack along.

I enjoyed this book and I definitely think that my junior high readers will also. The setting is well-written, giving a terrific sense of place to the novel. (I imagine that this is due to the fact that the author lives in the location that she wrote about...I envy her life by the way. More on that in a subsequent post). This is a novel begging to be read during the summer! I wish that I had read it in time to add to my summer reading list.

Anna is conflicted over wanting to know more about her mother but leary of the memories that are starting to return. She loves her dad, but doesn't appreciate his meddling in her love life (what teen girl does). Anna finds new friends in surprising places and a hunky lifeguard boyfriend (of course...it's a book that takes place on the beach). I think that many teen girls will appreciate this story and the full-circle ending.

Student Review: Before I Fall (Oliver)

Title: before i fall
Author: Lauren Oliver
Genre: Science Fiction (Fiction, Death, Friendship, High School)
Pages: 304
Rating: 4.5 Stars out of 5


In this book, the main character Sam Kingston is a senior that goes to Jefferson High School. She is very popular and has many friends, but also many enemies, including Juliet Sykes. Sam gets the best parking spots, the most roses on Cupid Day, and gets invited to the best parties. Cupid Day is the Friday before Valentine’s Day, or February 12th. Sam gets invited to the biggest party of the year on Cupid Day, and after a day of hanging out with her friends, they head to the party, with good friend but bad driver Lindsay driving. After a strange confrontation at the party with Juliet, the friends head home. They get into a huge car accident, and Sam believes that she has died for a few hours, and then, for some odd reason, she wakes up. But she wakes up at 6:50am, on February 12th.


I picked this book because I read the summary and it was very interesting, and this book sounded very suspenseful and mystical. The book also had a very intriguing cover, of a girl on the front, lying on her side, possibly dead. The book’s theme was ‘Don’t take your days for granted, because they are limited.’ The most interesting character to me in this book is Juliet Sykes. They don’t talk about her much in the beginning, but suddenly the author throws her into the book as the main reason for Sam repeating the same day 7 times. Juliet acts strangely and proves what people think about her wrong, and shows herself as a strong and determined character.


I really loved this book, it was filled with suspense, and it was always unpredictable. The author keeps you thinking and keeps you guessing, even at the very end. My absolute favorite part of the book was the ending, and how it ends sort of asking you a question, and definitely keeping you thinking. I would recommend this book to mostly teen girls who like a book that keeps you thinking. This is because the book is girly and is told from a girl’s point of view. This book reminded me of “Groundhog Day,” the movie, because they both are a story of repeating the same day over and over again.


Now I ask you this; If you had to relive the day of your own death over and over again, what would you do on those days, and how would you stop the loop?
--"Justin Bieber," 8th grade

Congrats to our guest blogger today, who is not the real Justin Bieber (sorry girls).  Just an FYI, I reviewed this book on the blog in May.  You can read the review here.  "Justin" did a much more in-depth review of the book!

Review: Liars and Fools (Stevenson)

Title: Liars and Fools
Author: Stevenson
Genre: Fiction, Friendship, Sailing, Death
Pages: 256
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The past year has been tough for Fiona dealing with the death of her mother.  Fiona misses the time spent with her mom, especially the mother-daughter sailing trips.  But since her mother died in a boating accident, Fiona’s father is selling the family sailboat and will not let Fiona near the marina. 

To make matters worse, her dad has a new girlfriend...Kathy.   She claims to be a medium who can communicate with the dead, specifically Fiona’s mom.  Fiona decides to put an end to the relationship between Kathy and her dad by using her science project to prove psychics are frauds, even though she secretly wishes she could communicate with her mother.

Fiona is a believable character trying to deal with her grief, even when others feel like it is time to move on.  Her relationship with her best (and only) friend Abby is realistic and the banter between the two girls adds a nice dose of humor to the story.  At it's heart, this is a story about Fiona finding her own strength in the wake of tragedy.

Review: Interrogation of Gabriel James (Price)

Title: The Interrogation of Gabriel James
Author: Price
Genre: Fiction, High School, Crime, Mystery
Page: 176
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Two teens are dead and Gabriel is in police custody.  He is not officially a suspect, but he is being interrogated about the deaths...and he seems to know quite a bit about what happened.  Through the course of the interrogation, Gabriel slowly reveals the history of what he knows.  And there is a lot to know.  A classmate is being abused but hasn't told anyone; local pets are disappearing; fires are being started around town; and a creepy ex-cult leader may be up to his old tricks.  It is possible that all of these crimes are connected, and Gabriel may just be the key.  He may also be the best suspect.

This is mystery/thriller at it's best.  Gabriel is reliving the story and it is his memories, dragged out slowly by the police, that inform readers what has happened.  We only have his version of events, and by his own account, he might just be responsible for what has happened.  He certainly isn't innocent.  

The story is fast-paced and should hook readers right from the opening line.  The mood is suspenseful, scary, and dark.   This quick thriller is best suited for slightly older readers.  Though I read an advance copy, it is now officially published so you should be able to find a copy at the library.  Or comment here if you are interested in reading my copy.

Review: Radiance (Noel)

Title: Radiance
Author: Noel
Genre: Fiction, Death, Angels, Ghosts
Pages: 192
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

When her family's car crashed, Riley crossed into the afterlife with her parents and her dog Buttercup.  The only one left behind in the land of the living was her sister Ever (who you can read more about in the Immortals series). 

Riley has crossed over into Here where it is always Now.  But the afterlife isn't as relaxing as she thought it would be.  Riley is assigned a teacher, Bodhi, and a job (as a Soul Catcher, guiding lost souls across the bridge).  Bodhi is a mysterious soul, and a boy with secrets, but as much as he hates to admit it, he needs Riley.  And Riley needs him in order to pass her first test.

She has been assigned the job of convincing the Radiant Boy to cross into Here and stop terrorizing the occupants of the castle he has been haunting for centuries.  Many Soul Catchers have tried and all have failed.  Bodhi is sure Riley will fail, and he cannot believe she brought Buttercup along.  But for those that have read "Evermore" (book #1 of the Immortals), you will know that Riley has a mind of her own!

I was thrilled to grab an advance copy of this book by Alyson Noel.  Honestly, I would have been excited to read anything new from her (I am a big fan of the Immortals).  The fact that she has started a new series starring the spunky little sister from "Evermore" is most exciting.  Riley is a unique character.  She is sassy, feisty, and funny.  She also has quite an attitude for someone who is only 12.  But I suppose that she has earned the right to have an attitude.  However, she is also highly likable and there is a cute chemistry between her and Bodhi (he's only 14, don't freak out).  Their relationship is key to the story, as is Riley's determination to find her place in the Here.  Who better to help cranky ghosts cross over than someone who spent as much time avoiding the afterlife as Riley did?

If you are a fan of the Immortals, and always wanted to know what happened to Riley after she leaves Ever, you will want to read this book!  If you have not read the books, this is a great opportunity to introduce yourself to the wonderful writing of the author (read more about her in this previous post).  I have already loaned my copy to a student, but you only have to wait until August 31st for the book to be published.  I promise we will have a copy in the library on the first day of school!  Make sure to comment if you'd like to be on the list to check it out.  (If you just can't wait to read it, don't worry.  The book will be released in paperback, so it won't break the bank if you want your own copy).

Review: Hothouse (Lynch)

Title: Hothouse
Author: Lynch
Genre: Fiction, Realistic, Death
Pages: 208
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Russ and DJ have been friends forever, as well neighbors.  Their family friendships are based on the fact that both boys' dads are firefighters who work in the same engine company, the "Hothouse."  Nicknamed "Courageous and Outrageous," the dads are known for their bravery and heroic actions on the job, and Russ and DJ have grown up in their shadow.  When the Hothouse is called to a fire, the dads rescue an old woman from the burning house, but they cannot save themselves.  Soon, the town is rushing to memorialize the fallen firefighters, tossing around words like "hero," and throwing parties and raising  money for the families.  But in the end, Russ and DJ are left without their dads.

Told through the first-person narrative of Russ, this is a very real story of family, friendship, and loss.  There are MANY books out there where the main character has to deal with the death of a parent, but I promise you, this is one not to be missed for it brings so much more to the table than just another dead parent.  In the rush to turn the firefighters into heroes, it is possible that the town officials have overlooked important events of the tragic fire.  As details of that night slowly come to light, it is possible that Russ is going to have to face the possibility that his father is not a hero, and is in fact to blame.

Russ is a "guy's guy" and the story of his friendships, especially with DJ, are realistically portrayed.  The mystery surrounding the events of the fire is parcelled out at just the right pace, and will keep you turning the page. 

I read an advance copy of this book, as it will not be published until 8/24/10.  If you would like to read it before then, please comment and I will send it to you. 

Review: Ostrich Boys

Title: Ostrich Boys

Author: Gray
Genre: Fiction, Friendship, Death, Adventure
Pages: 297
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Kenny, Sim, and Blake are a trio of friends that used to be a quartet.  Their best friend Ross was killed by a car while riding his bike, and his funeral was lame.  The boys, who live in England, decide a trip is necessary to honor their friend's memory.  Ross always wanted to visit Ross, Scotland, so the three friends know they must go there...and they decide to take Ross with them.  Or at least, take his ashes. 

After "kidnapping" Ross' ashes, the guys set out on the adventure of a lifetime.  Each hoping that their parents won't discover where they are going, and that Ross' parents won't call the police...no luck on either account.  Along the way, the guys meet some interesting characters, travel by bus, train, and motorcycle, and find time to bungee jump and pick up chicks. 

But they also discover there was more to Ross than any of them took the time to learn, and there was more to his death than a simple accident.  What they learn about themselves, each other, and Ross has each questioning what it means to be a friend.  An excellent adventure story filled with humor, truth, and friendship.

Review: Sorta Like a Rock Star (Quick)

Title: Sorta Like a Rock Star
Author: Quick
Genre: Fiction, High School, Death, Survival, Dogs
Pages: 362
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 stars

Amber Appleton is homeless.  She is living with her mom and her dog in the school bus that her mother drives (nicknamed the "Hello Yellow"), hoping that the school district doesn't find out and turn them in to social services.  Instead of focusing on the bad things in her life, (and believe me, there are many), she chooses to spread optimism and hope to those around her.

Amber comes in contact with a quirky cast of characters: a single mother raising a son diagnosed with autism; Father Chee and The Korean Divas for Christ (soul-singing ESL students); a grumpy old woman who wants nothing more than to make Amber cry; a video-game-playing gang of outcasts at school; and a haiku-writing war vet.

Then Amber is faced with an unspeakable tragedy and her world is shaken to the core.  Can the girl known for unceasing optimism move past all the bad things going on around her?  This is the author's first YA novel, and is also nominated for BFYA this year.  I wish it had a better cover, because it was not checked out very much at the end of the school year when it was added to the collection and I think it is because the cover gives you no idea about the treasure of a story you will find inside the cover.

This is such a wonderful book with so many zany characters.  Amber is almost annoyingly happy at the beginning, and it takes you a few pages to realize how wonderful she is.  Her enthusiasm for life is so contagious!  And then, tragedy strikes and it changes Amber completely.  But her friends do not give up on her and hope that Amber can come through the other side of the darkness.  A completely realistic character, Amber is "sorta like a rock star" to those around her, and you will fall in love with her and root for her.  There is so much to love about this book, not the least of which is how it will make you think about the way you look at life.

Review: Cardturner (Sachar)

Title: The Cardturner: A novel about a king, a queen, and a joker
Author: Sachar
Genre: Fiction, Card Playing, Family, Death
Pages: 192
Rating: 3 1/2 stars out of 5

Louis Sachar, author of "Holes," is back with this new book!  When Alton's ageing, blind uncle asks him to attend bridge games with him, he agrees. After all, it's better than a crappy summer job in the local shopping mall, and Alton's mother thinks it might secure their way to a good inheritance in the future.  As Alton's relationship with his uncle develops, and he meets the very attractive Toni, deeply buried family secrets are uncovered and a romance that spans decades is finally brought to a conclusion.

I would never have guessed that a book about playing bridge could be interesting or reader-friendly.  Honestly though, I didn't think kids would appreciate or understand the intricacies of "Holes" and it went on to be WILDLY popular and win many awards.  I think this will follow suit...no pun intended.  There are many stories told in "Cardturner" that take place over many generations.  None of which can be concluded until Alton gets involved.  A great read.  And then, read (or re-read) "Holes."

Review: Heart of the Game (Price)

Title: Heart of the Game
Author: Price
Genre: Biography, Sports, Baseball, Death
Pages: 320
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!


To be honest, I read two books tonight...one I didn't like, and one that is "too old" to recommend for my target audience.  So, instead, I thought I would review a book that I will be booktalking in the fall for the 9th grade Non-Fiction IRP.  It is baseball season after all, and we are all still reeling from Griffey's retirement.  Though, this isn't really a happily ever after story either... 


Mike Coolbaugh was a 35 year old minor league baseball coach.  In July, 2007, Mike was killed instantly while coaching 1st base when a foul ball ricocheted off his neck.  This true story follows Mike's life and baseball career as well as that of his teammate that hit the fatal ball.  I have always considered myself a sports junkie, but this book is so much more.  Yes, you will get plenty of baseball!  But you will also get drama, tragedy, and an amazing life story.

Review: Body Finder (Derting)

Title: The Body Finder
Author: Derting
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Death
Pages: 327
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Violet has the creepy ability to find dead bodies (animal or human) that have been murdered.  She can also tell if someone or something has recently killed (which is why it's tough to be around her mouse-chasing pet cat).   Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small Western Washington town, and the echoes of the local girls he’s claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

This is another in what I'm sure will be a long list of books I didn't have time to read before publishing my summer reading list.  Perfect book for those looking for something slightly creepy on a stormy summer night.  The author has even created a short book trailer to get you hooked!

Review: Before I Fall (Oliver)

Title: Before I Fall
Author: Oliver
Genre: Death, Fiction, High School
Pages: 470
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars


I read this book because a student HIGHLY recommended it (see an earlier blog post).  To be honest, it took me awhile to get into it.  I kept picking it up and putting it down and reading other books in between.  Instead of giving up though, I kept reading because her recommendation was so passionate.  I am glad that I stuck with it.  It was worth it!  Definitely time well spent.


Samantha Kingston has it all—looks, popularity, and the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12th should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it’s her last. The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. In fact, she re-lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may just hold the power to change her destiny.

Review: Num8ers (Ward)

Title: Num8ers
Author: Ward
Genre: Fiction, Runaways, Death, Psychic
Pages: 325
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Okay, I finally gave up on the 7 books that I had started and picked up this one. I have been dying (ha, ha) to read this book because the cover is so striking. That red eyeball is pretty cool. Guess what? It's not me and my scattered brain that couldn't get through those other books. I guess they just weren't that good. This one redeemed my faith in authors.

When Jem looks into people's eyes, she can see numbers. The numbers are a date, the date the person is going to die. Jem knew when her mom was going to die and she knows when her friend Spider is going to die...in only a few weeks. When Jem predicts a disaster in London that kills many people (she knew something bad was going to happen because everyone she passed on the street had the same death date), the police think that she is a terrorist. With no real family to speak of, Jem and Spider run. All the time, Jem hopes that she can change Spider's date with death.

A good read, and the last page will get you.

Review: Me & Death (Scrimger)

Title: Me & Death: An afterlife adventure
Author: Scrimger
Genre: Death, Fiction, Ghosts
Pages: 187
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

So, we're back to dead people books. As main characters go, fourteen-year-old Jim is actually a pretty bad kid. He bullies kids, kicks cats, and steals cars. So why is it that I was actually rooting for him as the book went along?

As Jim is chasing another kid, he runs into the street and is hit by a car. While in a coma, he travels to the afterlife where he is visited by three ghosts who show him his past. Each ghost wants Jim to understand that he has been a pretty crappy human being, but it is possible to change. After his travels with the ghosts, he wakes up in the hospital a new person. Now, if only he'll take the opportunity he has been given to change his ways.

Sound familiar? I'll grant you that this book is definitely a nod to "A Christmas Carol" by Dickens. However, the author creates an interesting backstory into Jim's life and why he might have been such a bad kid. And the ending will surprise you!