Sorry I’ve been such a slacker lately about posting, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been reading! Quite the contrary, in fact!
So I’ve got 2 lovely things in store for you all this month:
- an absolutely fabulous Neil Gaiman contest hosted by Fashionista Piranha:
http://fashion-piranha.livejournal.com/23000.html
- my recent book reviews hosted by Goodreads.com
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/108634
Enjoy!
Author:
Anderson, M.T.
Title:
Feed
Publisher & Date:
Candlewick, 2002
Recommended Age Range:
14 and up
Plot Summary:
Feed introduces readers to a troubling future where everyone, who can afford it, that is, is constantly plugged in. What everyone is plugged into is not explicitly stated, but it seems to be a scary, commercial conglomerate that constantly bombards everyone with advertisements. Unfortunately, this situation seems to have grown so slowly, inconspicuously, and insidiously, that no one notices anymore. Everyone, adult, teen, or child is used to the commercialism of their lives.
The novel revolves around two main characters, Titus, who is used to this fast-paced, media-inundated lifestyle, and Violet, who got the feed installed at a relatively late age. Violet’s father was a professor who did not believe in the feed. Thus, Violet did not have the feed installed until she about seven years old. It seems that most people in Violet and Titus’ age group get the feed at birth or very early in their childhood. Violet and Titus meet during a spring break trip to the moon. While hanging out at a club, both Violet and Titus’ feeds get hacked. Titus seems mostly recovered, while Violet, perhaps as a result of her late installation, seems to degenerate further and further. Or does she? Violet starts to struggle against the feed and to grasp the last bits of real life she has ahead of her before her infected feed kills her.
Reader Appeal:
This innovative science-fiction novel and its theme of anti-consumerism and information literacy would appeal to fans of science-fiction, social responsibility, activism, and social justice. This novel would not appeal to anyone looking for romance or action. This book would also not appeal to anyone who does not have patience with annoying fake slang.
Literary Merit:
Feed is a an innovative novel that uses slang, poor grammar and limited vocabulary to place readers into the head of the main character, Titus. Everything that happens does so through Titus’ eyes, so readers experience his struggles to understand the queerness of Violet’s upbringing and beliefs. It is well-written because it works on many levels. It works at face value for reluctant readers due to its limited vocabulary, short chapters and decent amount of white space. It also works for more advanced readers due to the social implications of its anti-consumerism theme.
Author:
Johnson, Angela
Title:
The First Part Last
Publisher & Date:
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2003
Recommended Age Range:
15 and up
Plot Summary:
On his sixteenth birthday, Bobby’s girlfriend Nia presents him with a surprise that will change his life forever. Nia is pregnant with their child. Suddenly, Bobby must grow up fast. He and Nia initially decide to give the baby up for adoption, but during delivery, Nia suffers from eclampsia, a potentially fatal disease that sometimes strikes pregnant women under 20 years old. Nia ends up in a “persistent vegetative state” and Bobby decides to keep the baby, who he names Feather. Now, Bobby must learn to be a father, while struggling to learn how to be a man.
Reader Appeal:
This sensitive portrayal of teenage pregnancy and a young man’s coming of age would appeal to boys, fans of realistic fiction, first-time parents, or those struggling with teen pregnancy themselves. This book would not appeal to those seeking gritty suspense, mystery, urban crime, or fantasy.
Artistic Merit: This novel was a refreshing change from the many books and media that tend to portray urban teens as gangsters and criminals. This sensitive and moving novel was not only written in a boy’s perspective, which is rare enough, it was written with the natural dialogue of a teenager and addresses the fragility and complexity of boys’ emotional states, especially in relation to family, fatherhood, and friends. The pacing in this book is slow and gentle, like the main character’s interactions with his baby daughter, Feather. The story flips back and forth with chapters alternately titled “then” and “now,” to show the myriad of ways that Nia’s pregnancy and Feather’s birth have impacted Bobby’s life. This quiet, unassuming book is a meditative look at the silent strength of a young man who decides that he is ready to assume responsibility for his child. It is a beautifully written book that reassures readers that while mistakes cannot be undone, they can still be dealt with responsibly and with love.
Author:
Castellucci, Cecil
Title:
The Queen of Cool
Publisher & Date:
Candlewick Press, 2006
Recommended Age Range:
14 and up
Plot Summary:
Libby Brin’s life seems perfect. She’s part of the popular crowd and her parents let her do pretty much anything she wants. But she’s bored. Bored of school, bored of her friends, bored of her family. On a random impulse, she signs up to intern at a local zoo, where she is grouped with two of her seemingly uncool classmates, Tina Carpinteri, a little person, and the shy and nearly-mute Sheldon Black. At the same time, she has to deal with disruptions to domestic peace as her father decides to quit his lucrative job to pursue his long-standing dream to write the Great American Play. At first she hates her internship, but soon she learns that there’s more to life and adolescence than being the “queen of cool.”
Reader Appeal:
This book was a fun read and would appeal to outsiders, bored queen bees, realistic fiction and fans of the reality tv show “Little People, Big World.” This book would not appeal to fans of action, adventure, romance, or fantasy.
Artistic Merit:
The characters of Tina and Sheldon were especially well-written, while Sid seemed like an interesting character to get to know. The character of Libby needed a bit more development, but was realistic in her hypocrisies and character flaws. Overall, the book was an entertaining and fast read.
Books to write reviews for:
Currently reading:
Author:
Yang, Gene Luen
Title:
American Born Chinese
Publisher & Date:
First Second, 2006
Recommended Age Range:
13 and up
Plot Summary:
American born Chinese has three intersecting plotlines. the first story is a slightly altered version of a traditional Chinese tale about the monkey king, who comes to be embarrassed that he is a monkey. the second plotline involves jin wang, a second-generation Chinese-American, and his relationship with wei-chen sun, a first generation Chinese-American. jin, whose status In his mostly white suburban school, is already low, is embarrassed by wei-chen sun’s asian-ness, which reinforces jin’s, own ethnicity and self-hatred. the final plotline involves danny, a white character that inexplicably (or not so inexplicably in the end) has a cousin named chinkee, who is an amalgamation of endless negative asian stereotypes. these three plotlines merge to beautifully illustrate the complexity of having multiple identities (Chinese, Japanese, American, first generation, second generation, teen) and finding yourself in America.
Reader Appeal:
The charming, clever, and realistic manner in which ethnic identity is discussed in this book would appeal to anyone who has been embarrassed by certain aspects of themselves. the teenage years are a tumultuous time for most teens and unfortunately, can be a time of much self-hatred and low self-esteem. this graphic novel addresses those issues sensitively and positively. this book would also appeal to anyone who wanted to learn more about asian-american culture and history or about dealing with ethnic identity in general. the hilarious dialogue would appeal to anyone who remembers the more embarrassing moments of their adolescence. the clean drawing style and entertaining dialogue would also appeal to fans of Derek kirk kim and Adrian tomine, who are asian-american graphic novelists who write and draw with a somewhat similar style.
Literary Merit:
American born Chinese Is a beautifully drawn, cleverly written, and excellently paced graphic novel that is especially relevant in our increasingly multicultural society. the graphic novel accurately, sensitively, and humorously tackles issues of ethnic identity, adolescence, tolerance, and ultimately, self-acceptance in a way that is not preachy or overbearing.
