Formerly Shark Girl review

Formerly Shark Girl
by Kelly Bingham
Candlewick Press
May 2013

High school senior Jane Arrowood may have physically healed from the loss of her arm in a shark attack the year prior but she still grapples with emotional scars in this narrative poetry novel sequel to Shark Girl. Jane struggles as she tries to decide what path to take: continue her love of art as a painter, or try becoming a nurse - a way of paying it forward for the nurses who saved her life after the attack. 

Poems are interspersed with “fan mail” which are condescending and inspiring by turns. Some of the letters say things like, “Seeing you makes me realize how lucky I am,” while others simply offer encouragement. No one is more surprised than Jane by a budding new relationship with college freshman, Max Shannon. She discovers that he’s dealing with troubles of his own as he’s chosen to give up going away for college to stay at home and care for his mentally troubled father. 

This coming of age story showcases Jane’s mental turmoil and ultimately, her strength of character. Recommend this to teens who are looking for something that falls somewhere between the poetic melodrama of Ellen Hopkins and the soul-searching realistic fiction of Sarah Dessen.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
This review originally appeared in School Library Journal.

Bitterblue review

Bitterblue
by Kristin Cashore
Dial
May 2012

First line: "When he grabs Mama's wrist and yanks her towards the wallhanging like that, it must hurt."

Queen Bitterblue rules a fractured kingdom after the defeat of her psychotic mind-controlling father Leck. This book really ties together Graceling and Fire which felt like they took place in two separate worlds, to a great extent.

Bitterblue and most of her royal advisors kind of stumble through trying to rule the kingdom, as most of them are still pretty shellshocked from the years of abuse they suffered under Leck.

Katsa and Po show up for a brief turn, as well as a much aged Fire towards the end of the book, but this is primarily, of course, Bitterblue's story. Bitterblue is thoughtful and sensitive, curious but cautious as she gradually teases out and unravels many of the mysteries that her father left behind. Her mother, who sacrificed herself in order to save her daughter from Leck, taught Bitterblue to use math to calm herself, and fight against her father's mind control. Clues slowly but surely begin to pile up, as Bitterblue sneaks out of the castle at night to mingle anonymously with her citizens. Everything from the three grand bridges and architecture of the castle that her father built, to the populace's lack of literacy, to the seemingly mad and random pranks mentally-addled survivors in the village play on each other and the symbols in her mother's embroidery begin to point to much needed answers for the still healing nation of Monsea.

I don't think it's too much of a spoiler to say that one of the major reveals in the book is that one of the most heinous acts of Leck was his penchant for secret torture dungeons where he forced members of his court to do his dirty work for him. This was something that was hinted about, and easily guessed, but not directly discussed until very late in the book. There are plenty of other twists and turns though, that I never saw coming, which I really enjoyed. I loved the librarian Death's special ability - his Grace is to be able to memorize every book he's ever seen. This is a slower-paced, but still grand and sweeping epic conclusion to the trilogy.

Compare to:
Alanna - Tamora Pierce
Dragonswood - Janet Lee Carey
Daughter of Smoke and Bone - Laini Taylor
A Conspiracy of Kings - Megan Whalen Turner

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

Alex Ko review

Alex Ko: From Iowa to Broadway, My Billy Elliot Story
by Alex Ko
HarperCollins
April 2013

In this straightforward autobiography, Ko covers the two main events in his young life: the loss of his dad from cancer when he was eleven, and his subsequent foray into ballet leading to a starring role on Broadway at age thirteen. 

After being sidelined from gymnastics due to working through an injury, Ko finally receives his father’s blessing to pursue dance. Ko’s passion for dance, both as an athlete and as an artist, is evident. Despite his family’s financial hardships and many setbacks, Ko never loses his upbeat disposition. Ko’s father remains on his mind, as he connects to him in nightly prayers and a dance piece choreographed in his father’s memory eventually becomes the audition piece that scores him the role in Billy Elliot. 

Readers will be fascinated by the backstage details of working on Broadway and impressed by Ko’s humble nature. Ko experiences equal parts camaraderie and competition with the two other boys who share the role. Even after appearing on Broadway, Ko remains starstruck by some of the celebrities he meets including Rosie O’Donnell and President Obama. An appealing memoir for tweens and their contemporaries.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
This review was originally published in School Library Journal.

Picture books mini-reviews 30

Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole
by Stan, Jan & Mike Berenstain
Harper
August 2012

This story has the feel of an early unpublished manuscript... because it turns out that just exactly what it is! A penguin is convinced that nothing interesting ever happens at the South Pole, and blithely misses seeing dangerous polar bears, whales, wolves, etc. Of interest to diehard Berenstain fans, especially for the illustrations, as you can see hints of the trademark Berenstain Bears style.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Let's Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy

by Jan Thomas
Beach Lane Books
September 2012

This storybook offers typical zany fun from Jan Thomas with a great cowboy on the range feel. As to be expected, the story includes a multitude of very silly cows. I must confess I'm a bit intimidated by the idea of actually singing the cowboy song. If ever a book called for a CD to be included, this is it, but sadly there isn't one. Rats.

Still, if you're a brave, or a very musical storyteller, there's no reason why not to add this to your storytime repertoire.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Surfer Chick

by Kirsty Dempsey, illustrated by Henry Col

Harry N. Abrams

May 2012

This rhyming story includes plenty of beachy slang. A young chick and her dad take to the beach to teach her how to surf in this wacky picture book. Cole's acrylic, colored pencil and watercolor illustrations are bright and colorful, with expressive cartoonish faces for all the anthropomorphized chickens featured in this story. Pair Surfer Chick with Rhinos Who Surf by Julie Mammano for a beachy storytime and don't forget to include this around Father's Day as well.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Waking Dragons

by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Derek Anderson
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

October 2012

Here's a cute and simple book. It's a bit reminiscent of How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?, but for the younger set with simple rhymes, and a few words per page. Pair Waking Dragons with Night, Knight by Owen Davey, The Sunflower Sword by Mark Sperring or Lovabye Dragon by Barbara Joose for a knights and dragons storytime session.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Seattle Public Library Domino Book Chain

This is one of the most heartwarming things I've seen all week! Check out this video from one of my favorite libraries: Seattle Public. 1:17 had me a little verklempt.

Top Ten Road Trip Books

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic is: Top Ten Books Featuring Travel In Some Way (road trips, airplanes, travelogues, anything where there is traveling in the book!)

Here's my list:

Trickster's Girl involves a girl on the run, traveling with a magical raven to heal the Earth's ley lines.

The Darkest Minds has a group of teens running away from an evil workcamp where all kids with psionic powers are sent to keep them away from the normal population.

In Better Nate Than Ever, Nate sneaks away for a weekend in New York, to realize his dream of auditioning for a Broadway play.

Night Road is one of my favorite books of all time. Vampires go on a road trip, to get a new rebellious vampire under control.

In Meant to Be, nebbish teen Julia goes on a class trip to London, meets a cute guy and learns to loosen up.

I feel like listing Across the Universe, A Million Suns, Glow and Spark is cheating, since this topic makes me think, "road trip" not "starship" but the topic does list travel of any sort, and you can't deny there isn't much further you can travel than into outer space.

Angel Burn involves a half-angel girl and a deadly angel killer who are forced on a long road trip together, and of course, fall in love.

Are there any great road trip books I'm missing? Let me know in the comments.

Frostbite review

Frostbite
by Richelle Mead

Razorbill
April 2008

First line: "I didn't think my day could get any worse until my best friend told me she might be going crazy. Again."

I enjoyed this second installment in the Vampire Academy series. Once again, we return to St. Vladimir's, an exclusive private school for young vampires. Physically weak, Moroi have elemental magic. Half-human, half-vampire dhampirs train to be their bodyguards. Immortal, evil Strigoi are recognizable by their pale skin and red-rimmed eyes. Dangerous attacks by an unusually well-organized group of Strigoi (who are normally lone hunters) have the Moroi vampire nobles in a panic. The students are forced to hole up in a glamorous ski resort over winter break. Tough girl dhampir Rose must sort through her feelings for her forbidden mentor Dimitri, and safe good-boy Mason. Not to mention her unresolved feelings towards her mother, a ruthlessly efficient bodyguard who abandoned Rose to further her own career. Rose's best friend Lissa and her boyfriend Christian are getting more serious, much to Rose's dismay. Rose's one-way psychic link leads to some awkward moments when she can see into her friend's thoughts, including intimate moments with Christian.

The first chapter is exposition-city, designed to help readers who've skipped the first in the series. The theme of female-dhampir-as-sluts is again briefly touched upon, but not fully explored. Tired of living under duress, some of the Moroi finally decide they'd like to figure out how to use their elemental magic in battle. What I find hugely curious is the subservience of most of the dhampir. I'd love to see a full-out dhampir rebellion. Just because they're the genetic equivalent of mules is no reason why they have to settle for second best at every turn! Those annoying Moroi deserve to be knocked off their high horses.

In the end, Mason sacrifices himself, believing to the last that Rose loves him. Dimitri turns down an intriguing offer of guardianship with an unconventional Moroi woman (Christian's aunt Tasha) I think it would have been so interesting if he had taken the offer. But then again, I'm a sucker for hard choices and unrequited love stories.

I borrowed this book from the library.