YA Book Reviews for April 23, 2008
From CRBSLS
No Shame, No Fear by Ann Turnball
Vivid, well written historical fiction, set in Cromwell's England (late 1600s). This is the story of a teenage Quaker girl, Susanna, who is forced to confront violence against family and friends when the authorities clamp down on Quakers everywhere. Susanna must care for her siblings and other children in the community when her parents and many of the adults are thrown in prison. Their crime? Holding "Meetings" (religious gatherings) in people's private homes. Complicating matters is Susanna's soft spot for an Anglican boy, Will, who happens to be the son of the local mayor. Turnball recreates this time of religious and civil strife with great detail. Although set in the distant past, this adventure moves along, and the cross cultural romance adds suspense. Recommended for grades 7 to 10. There is also a sequel: Forged in the Fire
Reviewed by Ann Sayers
Please note: Ann suggests the purchase of all or most of a new batch of quality biographies by Albert Marrin.
Marrin's work is well researched and readable. These titles are by Dutton. The newest one is The Great Adventure: Theodore Roosevelt and the Rise of Modern America. All present agreed that although biographies don't make for popular reading, they are invariably a required part of the curriculum. Marrin's books will fulfill the need to "read a biography" and will always support research papers. These are for both middle and high school collections.
Freaks: Alive, On the Inside by Annette Curtis Klause
Abel realizes he must leave his home at a circus freak show where his parents are successful because his "normalcy" isn't getting him any notoriety. But, Abel is then followed by his friend, the dog-faced boy, who Abel then feels responsible for. Through the chapters, we encounter all kinds of "freakish" side-shows from the two-faced man, to a hermaphrodite, alligator lady, and frog-boy who can push his eyeballs out of his head. The fight is on to free his friends from the control of an evil circus leader while finding his true love in an unsuspecting mummy. It's quite an adventure as Abel finds his place in an abnormal world by being himself, which may or may not be normal. (Reviewed by Alicia Abdul, Albany High)
Beating Heart by A.M. Jenkins
Evan's mom has moved them out into the country in an old, ghostly fixer-upper and his responsibility is to entertain his younger sister, who may or may not see ghosts. Through an alternating narration by the ghost herself, it's understood that tragedy struck the young woman in that house, who now has set her sights on Evan as her lover, even though she's a ghost. As the quick story progresses, Evan begins to discover what tragedy has occurred all while trying to understand his mysterious dreams and hang on to his real-life girlfriend. A neatly packaged ghost story, told by a great YA author. (Reviewed by Alicia Abdul, Albany High)
"Shakespeare The World As Stage" by Bill Bryson
Well, many of the things I learned about William Shakespeare are out the window. Even the spelling of his name is in question. Bryson shows just how little is known about the man whose work we know so well. In his usual dry humor Bryson discusses theories based on research as well as other more unusual ideas about the man and his writing. This short tome (198 pages including bibliography) contains a wealth of information on the not so pleasant sounding Elizabethan times (Bryson is very good at telling of the many plagues and pestilences). While it is not indexed, it has a good flow from chapter to chapter. Included are quotes from plays, famous figures of the times and many small facts that make this really enjoyable. Who knew that Shakespeare coined 2,035 new words! Reviewed by Judi Stott, Shaker Junior High)
"Lily Dale Awakening" by Wendy Corsi Staub
Based on an existing spiritualist community in western New York, Staub weaves this first in a series story around Calla, a high school junior grieving the loss of her mother. While her father goes to California to arrange for a new job, Calla visits her estranged grandmother, Odeila who lives in Lily Dale. There Calla begins to uncover the mystery of her mother's early life, something she never shared. Why was her mother so secretive? What was behind the falling out with Odelia? Who are the strangers Calla sees that no one else does. She discovers that she may have more in common with this strange community and its inhabitants than she wants. I enjoyed the story, the way the author drops small clues, the possibility of romance, the sympathetic adult characters. Alas, just as I was wondering how the story was going to come together--it ended with a cliff-hanger! So, I will look forward to the sequel and book talk it to girls in grades 7 and 8, though it may hold interest for grade 9, too. (Reviewed by Judi Stott, Shaker Junior High)
