YA Book Reviews for March 18, 2009

From CRBSLS

A Country Called Home by Kim Barnes

This is a brand new adult title, suitable for older teens. Barnes' memoir about growing up in Idaho ("In the Wilderness: Coming of Age in Unknown Country" ) was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize several years ago. Here she debuts as a fiction writer with a powerful, beautifully written story of two young idealists from the East who move West as newly weds in the 1960's, seeking adventure. Pregnant Helen has thrown away her high society life in Connecticut to marry an idealist, young Tom Deracotte, a doctor who loves music and the world of ideas. The two are utterly mis-matched, and their romantic dream soon collapses when Helen's delivery goes wrong. An 18 year old drifter named Manny moves in with them, and this unlikely trio's plight soon develops into tragedy. Barnes writes lyrically, and the tension in the story builds inexorably. This is rich and wonderful writing. Although the story takes an unlikely twist about 3/4 of the way along, in the end Barnes brings it all together very well. Highly recommended for mature readers, especially 11th-12th grade girls.

Reviewed by Ann Sayers

Afghan Dreams: Young Voices of Afghanistan by Tony O'Brien and Mike Sullivan

Using photographic portraits and brief vignettes (in the children's own words), the reader meets 2 dozen young Afghanis who range in age from ten to eighteen. The lives of these young people differ so hugely from the lives of young people in the US that one's mind can scarcely grasp the whole of it. This small but vitally important book should be in all libraries, and should be suggested reading for all teachers and students. Listen to the voice of 13 year old Ismaaf: "I have never been to school. I am too old now. I would have liked to go to school...All the village had to move during the Taliban time. We went to a village called Bessud, one day walking. There is no road. Our village was destroyed. Through the winter we fought with them. They came back in the summer and took all the animals. About 500 hundred people died in this valley, mostly of starvation."

Reviewed by Ann Sayers