YA Book Reviews for Jan. 13, 2010
From CRBSLS
The BRIDE'S FAREWELL by Meg Rosoff
This is an adult book suitable for high school girls. It is a stark survival story, told in spare but vivid prose. Pell Ridley is a teenager in the wretched village of "Nomansland" somewhere in England in the mid-1800's. Her drunkard father is a no-good provider (he fancies himself as a preacher, but is a failure as a man-of-god, husband, and father). In the opening scene Pell runs away from home to avoid marriage to a thick witted local youth. Accompanying Pell are her faithful horse Jack, and her mute little brother Bean. This is their story of walking and walking, of hiding in haystacks, and trying to find food. Along the road Pell and Bean are briefly taken in by a Gypsy woman named Esther, and her tribe of wild children. Later the two travelers reach Salisbury, where Pell hopes to find a job. Pell's one skill is as a horsewoman, and while at the Salisbury Great Market, Pell is able to demonstrate her abilities to various people, in unlikely ways. However in the crowded confusion of the fair, Pell loses Bean and Jack is stolen from her. As the story unfolds, the contacts from the fair--as well as Esther--prove key to Pell's survival. Against all odds, this strong-minded young woman manages to find safe places to hide, and she never gives up searching for Bean and Jack. Her pluck will appeal to high school readers. There is some sexual violence and other violent scenes (one in a poor house is particularly graphic), but in the end this tale of courage lifts up the reader.
Reviewed by Ann Sayers
Little Audrey by Ruth White
Historical YA fiction never gets to the root of issues and problems that the United States has dealt with throughout its development, but this gem, explains the coal miner's experience from the eyes of a daughter of a coal miner in 1948 Virginia. White tells the story through her older sister on how their family dealt with an alcoholic father, a lonely mother, and a struggling financial outlook until the death of their father in a tragic accident. The feel of the time and place are evident as well as the rebirth they experience as the family moves on and out of the Virginia coal mines. (Reviewed by Alicia Abdul, SLMS, Albany High School)
Deadly Little Secrets by Laurie Faria Stolarz
I readily admit I'm not much of a mystery reader, but Stolarz's first series (Blue is for Nightmares) as well as the Touch series (of which Deadly Little Secrets is the first) are both cuts from the same vein, yet captivate me in a way that's exciting because I can say I enjoy mysteries as well as sharing them with students who enjoy a little fantasy in their mysteries. In both series there is a main character who can sense the future through a fantastical gift. Both use this gift to help save friends and themselves from sure peril, mostly with very little help from adults. The thing about this series is that Stolarz has matured with themes, characters, and slightly more romance. Students who enjoy fantasy and romance (yeah, totally none of those kinds out there, right?) would appreciate both series. Defintely worth sharing. (Reviewed by Alicia Abdul, SLMS, Albany High School)
A Kiss In Time by Alex Flinn
On the heels of her retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Beastly, Flinn takes Sleeping Beauty and fast forwards to the twenty-first century. Jack and a friend are touring Europe, reluctantly, at his parents' urging. Needing to escape the tour confines, they head for the beach only to come up against a dense forest of brush and thorns. Of course, they discover the sleeping Princess Talia whom Jack has a compelling urge to kiss. Flinn brings humor to the story as Talia is overwhelmed by life as Jack knows it, cell phones and all. When she runs away with him to his home in Florida, meets his parents and tries to find a job, things get interesting. As Jack helps her navigate the world and she helps him relate to his parents, they fall in love. However, evil lurks in the form of the spell-casting fairy of Talia's past and Jack must risk everything to save his true love. An entertaining, humorous, easy read. Just wish the cover was better so boys would read it, since much of the alternating narration of the story is from Jack's perspective. (Judi Stott, Shaker Junior High)
Food, Girls and Other Things I Can't Have by Allen Zadoff
Andy thought the highlight of his sophomore year would be winning Estonia's entry into the UN Club. Instead there is April, girl of his dreams - or she would be if he wasn't overweight, uncoordinated and a loser. In a surprising decision Andy tries out for the football team--and makes it!! The captain of the team, cool yet sympathetic (I liked this character because Zadoff showed how much pressure some of the "It" kids face) helps him learn football in exchange for English coaching. Andy is off and running, literally and figuratively, on an unexpected journey to the heights of the in crowd. Still his problems don't disappear, only grow. An old friend feels betrayed, his parents are confused, he's bruised and aching, and he still doesn't get the girl! It's decision time and Andy once again surprises everyone. I enjoyed this and though it's a bit longer it's easy enough to read that it should sell. (Judi Stott, Shaker Junior High)
