Showing posts with label environmental action. Show all posts
Showing posts with label environmental action. Show all posts

Friday, November 19, 2010

Review: Empty (Weyn)

Title: Empty
Author: Weyn
Genre: Fiction, Dystopian, Science Fiction
Pages: 183
Rating: 2 1/2 out of 5 stars

In a not-so-distant future, the U.S. is at war with Venezuela over dwindling oil reserves, and global warming has created a super-hurricane causing destruction up and down the East Coast. In the gloom that is the end of the world, several teens are trying their best simply to survive. Gasoline is scarce, electricity comes and goes, and there is very little food to be had in the wake of the storm.

Gwen, abandoned by her mother years ago, is trying to evade authorities looking for her brother, who was selling black-market gasoline; rich-girl Niki, whose father lost his job, has never had to face adversity in her life; and Tom, an all-around hero who lost his father to an illness, complete the love triangle. In the wake of the storm these teens, along with several other classmates, have found a secret hide-out that just might provide a way to survive the crisis.  But will they tell anyone?

I reviewed this book for Booklist, but I had actually read it before I was assigned the review.  It is not my favorite example of the genre.  Even though the characters and dialogue are sometimes routine, the realistic and thought-provoking scenario is packaged into a speedy read.  Given the popularity of dystopian fiction, it should find an audience.  In fact, our one library copy is currently checked out, and my two advance copies have been borrowed by students that heard me talk about it.  It does have it's market...and I think the short length is is selling point.

Can't wait to hear what these students have to say about the book!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Review: Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots (McDonald)

Title: Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots
Author: McDonald
Genre: Fiction, Environmental Action
Pages: 293
Rating: 3 out of 5 pages

Jenna convinces her parents to let her spend the summer with her godmother in Canada instead of at grandma's condo in Florida.  Rural Canada seems much more appealing to Jenna who is an ardent vegetarian and environmentalist.  Thrilled at the opportunity for a summer communing with nature, and maybe finding a little romance, Jenna is shocked to discover that her beliefs don't play very well in a community of "real" outdoorsmen. 

This is the latest novel by the author of "Sophomore Switch," which is one of last year's recommendations for summer reading.  You should read both books about girls transplanted into unfamiliar surroundings.
 

blogger templates | Make Money Online