YA Book Reviews for March 13, 2008
From CRBSLS
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
This is an adult book that is suitable for teens. It is the incredible story of one man's quiet but persistant determination to build schools and better the lives of impoverished mountain villagers in the remote region of northern Pakistan. In 1993, when he was in his early 30's, Mortenson attempted to climb K2. The young man's climb ended in failure (by our western standards), but he was taken in and nursed back to health by the people of a small virtually inaccessible village in Baltisan. Mortenson was so affected by their kindness and generosity that he vowed to return and build a school for them. What started as a modest dream has since grown into a mission to bring education to people who have otherwise been overlooked. Along the way, Mortenson has become a humanitarian hero. He has traveled to Pakistan over 40 times, where he has countless devoted friends, and he has gone on to expand his efforts into the mountains of northern Afghanistan. His work continues today, funded through the Central Asia Institute. I think he should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize!
Reviewed by Ann Sayers
Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood by Ibtisam Barakat
Barakat and her family became refugees after the Six Day War in 1967. This is her story, written as a sort of lyrical letter. As a young girl, Ibtisam had many pen pals in far away countries, and she eagerly wrote letters, and went to Post Office Box 34 to pick up her friends' replies. But then the war came, and "the roads and mail system [became] like our country, broken." No letters arrived any more. Ibtisam and her family were reduced to scrabbling to survive. This is a story of war, and family, and love and suffering. It is beautifully written. The first chapter is called "A letter to No One" and begins the family's journey. The last chapter is called "A Letter to Everyone"--she is addressing us, her readers--and Barakat ends with a poem celebrating "Alef the letter" (I misrepresented this in our group today). For grades 5-9.
Reviewed by Ann Sayers
Before I Die by Jenny Downham
An innocent teenager girl, Tessa, has been diagnosed with leukemia. Throughout the novel, she tries to come to terms with her illness as well as accept death, much like Gunther's Death Be No Proud. So, Tessa creates a list of things she must do before she dies, some conventional, like fall in love and others, are far less conventional, like stealing. But all make her feel alive, which is what she needs before she passes. There is the typical romance, but there's also more attention, well placed, on the family dynamics. Tessa's father tries to encourage her not to sulk, her mother is in denial and moved away from the family, and her younger brother is caught in the middle of how to say goodbye to his older sister. The final chapter, of her ultimate death, is peaceful and serene, and is an accurate portrayal of death. (Reviewed by Alicia Abdul, Albany High)
Don't Call Me Ishmael by Michael Gerard Bauer
Poor Ishmael can't catch a break. His name is awful and everything that can go wrong for him, does. He's trying to get the girl, but every time he signs up for an extracurricular activity, she somehow gets away. But, he's got a positive outlook on life, and that's why it's entertaining to read about Ishmael's first-person narration of his comedic existance. He proves, that you shouldn't take yourself too seriously. But of all the characters, it wasn't Ishmael, or his new best friend who takes more of a bullying than him, but his young, attractive teacher, Miss Tarango, who steals the show with her calm and sarcastic comments. Even she puts bully, Barry Bagsley, in his place: she's an idol for every teacher who's ever wanted to learn how to shut down the class bully. (Reviewed by Alicia Abdul, Albany High)
Rucker Park Setup by Paul Volponi
Best friends, Mackey and J.R. love playing basketball and their goal is to play in the NBA but first they have to get into a good college. They play for a local basketball team at Rucker Park, a famous basketball court in Harlem, NYC. While playing in an important basketball game, J.R. is murdered and Mackey seen it all but refuses to tell anyone about what happened on that fateful day on the court. Generally, I am not into sports fiction however, I really enjoyed this one. The play-by-play made me feel like I was actually there during the basketball games. Although some violence is included, it is not descriptive or graphic and should be appropriate for students in grades 8 and above. If you like this, then you will Walter Dean Myer’s Slam. (Reviewed by Sonji Greenaway, Albany High School)
