Fiction
BRUNT, Carol Rifka. Tell the Wolves I’m Home. 368p. Dial. 2012. Tr $26. ISBN 978-0-679-64419-4. LC 2011027932.
Adult/High School–June Elbus, 14, begins her story in late December 1986, as her mother drives her and her older sister, Greta, to their Uncle Finn’s Manhattan apartment so he can continue painting their portrait. Finn is a famous artist dying of AIDS, and June is in love with him. She treasures their every moment together, especially their trips to The Cloisters. He even understands her favorite thing–walking deep into the woods, slipping on an old Gunne Sax dress and the boots he bought her at a medieval festival, and pretending she lives in the Middle Ages. After Finn dies, June is approached by Finn’s “special friend,” Toby. She never even knew he existed until the funeral, where her mother bitterly referred to him as the man who killed Finn. Now he wants to spend time with June. She is wary but cannot resist learning more about Finn’s life. Her parents are distracted by work and Greta is in rehearsals for the school musical, so June easily keeps their fragile friendship a secret. Much of this accessible, sensitively told, and heartbreaking story revolves around the jealousy inspired by the love between these characters, and the misunderstandings that result. Greta is jealous of June’s time with Finn. Their mother is jealous of Toby’s relationship with her brother. June is jealous of Toby’s relationship with Finn, and hurt that he hid so much from her. Teens will identify with June, her awkwardness and self-doubt, her need for escape, her conflicts with her sister and mother, and her sadness at losing the one adult who truly understood her.–Angela Carstensen, Convent of the Sacred Heart, New York City
FORD, Richard. Canada. 432p. HarperCollins. 2012. Tr $26.99. ISBN 978-0-06-169204-8. LC 2012013939.
Adult/High School–Ford’s quietly beautiful novel is structured around two life-changing events for Dell Parsons, the narrator. Although he mentions both in the first sentence, it takes him almost half of the novel to get around to recounting his parents’ robbery of a bank in small-town North Dakota, and most of the rest to describe the double murder he witnessed mere weeks later. Indeed, writing from the perspective of 50 years later, Dell approaches these events not with the drama and shock they seem to deserve but with contemplative dispassion as he attempts to understand how they affected the rest of his life. The question he struggles with most is whether or not criminals like his parents inevitably commit their crimes and can somehow be identified as criminals even before acting. And while Ford is fascinated by this question as well, he simultaneously asks the much deeper question of how a person is affected by obsessing over such a question for 50 years. With its narrator’s dual perspective as teen and old man and its focus on a single dramatic summer, Canada has much in common with Mal Peet’s Life: An Exploded Diagram (Candlewick, 2011) and David E. Hilton’s Kings of Colorado (S & S, 2011). And though Ford’s novel is more contemplative and less immediate than either, teens who enjoyed those novels should find much to love here, especially since it compensates by being by far the most beautifully written of the three, particularly in Ford’s gorgeous descriptions of the barren landscape of the Northern U.S. and Saskatchewan.–Mark Flowers, John F. Kennedy Library, Vallejo, CA
HOWREY, Meg. The Cranes Dance. 373. Vintage. 2012. pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-0-307-94982-0. LC 2012001331.
Adult/High School–Kate Crane moved to New York City as a teenager to join a prestigious ballet company. The following year, her even-more-talented younger sister, Gwen, followed, and they have both moved steadily up the ranks ever since. Kate begins her story on the night she throws out her neck during a performance of Swan Lake. In a tour-de-force introduction to her sense of humor, Kate breaks the fourth wall and addresses her reading audience, narrating the plot of the ballet in spectacular smartass fashion. Unfortunately, that night also begins her descent into Vicodin dependency. She starts using to control the pain, then to make it through performances, and eventually to avoid her feelings. Three weeks earlier, she had called her parents to take Gwen back to Michigan, fearing she would do herself harm. Only days later, Kate’s boyfriend asked her to move out. Now she’s living in Gwen’s apartment, living “with the knowledge of what she had done, what she allowed to happen. All alone.” And despite being cast in role after coveted role, Kate knows that her remaining seasons are numbered. Even her friends cannot convince her to look past her fear. What will she become when the strain on her body is finally too much? Days full of classes and rehearsals followed by evening performances, never eating enough, never getting enough sleep or enough emotional support–it all adds up until Kate seems to be following her sister’s self-destructive path. This novel will appeal particularly to readers interested in any type of high-performance art or athletics. Kate’s voice is one that teens will immediately identify with, as it wavers between hilarious and heart-breaking.–Angela Carstensen, Convent of the Sacred Heart, New York City
KOSMATKA, Ted. The Games. 356p. Del Rey. 2012. Tr $25. ISBN 978-0-345-52661-8. LC 2011042718.
Adult/High School–Kosmatka’s debut novel is a slow-building, technological thriller that revs up like a racecar with a dose of bad attitude and steadily creeping horror. In the future, the Olympic gladiator contest sets the bar for world technological domination. The competition has one rule: no human DNA is allowed in the creation of the gladiators. Evan Chandler, an emotionally barren spatial genius, has designed the Bannin, a computer so advanced that it only operates in VR. Tasked with creating the next U.S. gladiator, the computer’s single directive is that the gladiator “Survive the competition.” The creature is so alien that Silas Williams, the head of biodevelopment, is full of misgivings and completely in the dark about its capabilities. Told through multiple points of view and with a hefty dose of technical genetic jargon, this is speculative fiction at its best, reflecting moral, philosophical, and ethical questions, set in a highly politicized arena. It all comes down to money, sponsorships, and greed, encapsulated in a humanitarian “good for the future” mentality. At its heart, The Games is a cautionary tale of what happens when man oversteps his bounds and takes his chances at playing god. Kosmatka has left the ending wide open for a sequel. Teens who enjoy the karmic boomerang of authors like Michael Crichton or Preston and Child should eat this up.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI
MCKAY, Ami. The Virgin Cure. 336p. HarperCollins/Harper. 2012. Tr $25.99. ISBN 978-0-06-1140327. LC 2012015994.
Adult/High School–“The Virgin Cure” refers to a popular myth of the late 1800s in which a man infected with disease could be cured by having intercourse with a virgin. This created a vast market in delivering young girls to wealthy “gentlemen” for deflowering. Escaping the cruelty of the gentlewoman to whom her mother sold her, 12-year-old Moth comes to the attention of Miss Everett, a Madame who specializes in creating young whores who could satisfy a gentleman’s lust for a young conquest. Unable to avoid what she assumes will be her fate, Moth joins Miss Everett’s band of girls. Miss Everett has strong rules and an eye to making money from these girls as she trains them. But Moth has an ally in Dr. Sadie, a doctor who dedicates her life to helping young women who fall prey to establishments of shaky repute. McKay brings 1871 New York’s Chrystie Street alive with all its chaos, smells, hunger, and neglect. Moth is filled with the desire to live a better life than she could reasonably expect. However, when an opportunity presents itself, she discovers that not only can she create her own future, but she also has friends who will help. Dr. Sadie is based on the author’s great-great grandmother, who worked to relieve the plight of women and children. Moth’s story exemplifies the few choices available to young women of poverty and the cruelty placed upon them by those with wealth. This is a terrific choice for teens interested in history; the rights of women; and a determined, feisty character.–Connie Williams, Petaluma High School, CA
OLMSTEAD, Robert. The Coldest Night. Bk. 3. 287p. (Coal Black Horse Trilogy). Algonquin. 2012. Tr $23.95. ISBN 978-1-61620-043-5. LC number unavailable.
Adult/High School–Seventeen year-old Henry Childs is preceded by generations of courageous men. His great-grandfather, Robey, introduced in Black Horse Coal (2007) fought in the Civil War, and his grandfather, Napoleon Childs, led a search to capture Pancho Villa in Far Bright Star (2009, both Algonquin). Henry is a solitary boy when Mercy, daughter of a local judge, bursts into his life with a fierce desire to make him her own. To escape her disapproving family, the pair runs off in a doomed effort to create a life together. After Mercy is violently reclaimed by her family, Henry joins the Marines, arriving in Korea just in time to take part in the terrible battle at the Chosin Reservoir. Olmstead writes with a distinct masculine voice, using terse dialogue and little overt emotional affect. Emotional tension, however, burns just beneath the surface. It is his descriptive writing that takes center stage, particularly during Henry’s time in Korea. The bloody fighting, set in the stark winter landscape, creates a searing visceral experience for readers. Teens who appreciate the sparse dialogue and vivid, violent images of Cormac McCarthy’s writing will find this novel compelling. The focus on the Korean War is a big draw for military history buffs as well. This final volume of the trilogy stands entirely on its own, although captivated readers will surely want to go back and pick up the first two books.–Diane Colson, Palm Harbor Library, FL
TOYNE, Simon. The Key. Bk. 2. 448p. (Ruin Trilogy). Morrow. 2012. Tr $25.99. ISBN 978-0-06-203833-3. LC 2012007666.
Adult/High School–At the end of Sanctus, the Citadel of Ruin survived a bomb attack, the Sacrament was released from its prison, Kathryn Mann and Eve were in the hospital, and Gabriel Mann was in jail. This second book in the trilogy keeps the pace and action of the first and furthers readers’ knowledge of the Prophecy. With the Sacrament gone, the Sancti are dying and the internal rule of the Citadel of Ruin is in shambles and the remaining leadership is struggling to figure out how to assign control. Brother Athanasius hopes to modernize the Citadel, but his plans are derailed first by the emergence of a mysterious disease that destroys the Citadel’s garden and then by a flesh-eating bacteria that attacks those working there. The Vatican is concerned, particularly Cardinal Clementi, the secretary to the Pope and manager of the Vatican’s bank, because disarray in Ruin could reveal hidden truths (like the Sacrament’s existence). The survivors of the bomb attack must be silenced. There’s a Mirror Prophecy that leads a reunited Gabriel and Liv from Ruin to New Jersey, back to Ruin, and then to Iraq in search of Eden (yes, the Eden of the Old Testament) even as they try to outrun the Vatican’s assassin. There’s also the mysterious Ghost who may or may not be working to help the Americans in their oil exploration and the Vatican in its search for ancient relics. The ending leaves readers wondering what can possibly happen next. The Key will appeal to teen fans of action-adventure and conspiracy books.–Laura Pearle, Venn Consultants, Mt. Carmel, NY
WALKER, Karen Thompson. The Age of Miracles: A Novel. 269p. Random. 2012. Tr $27. ISBN 978-0-8129-9297-7. LC 2011040664.
Adult/High School–Just before Julia’s 12th birthday, scientists announce that the Earth’s rotation is slowing. Bit by bit, the days and nights increase in length. Gravity takes a greater hold on the planet, making it hard to run, or kick a soccer ball. As this is happening, Julia struggles with the betrayal of her best friend, ominous cracks in her parents’ relationship, and Seth Moreno, a gorgeous yet distant boy in her math class. The enormous drama of Earth’s inexplicable behavior intrudes on every aspect of her young life, changing the way Julia and her peers think about their lives and their imaginable future. Like the adults, the sensation of impending doom casts a shadow of reckless abandon over ordinary events. When Julia falls in love, she falls completely. While the plot elements of the novel may seem familiar, particularly in light of the current flood of dystopian literature aimed at the young adult audience, readers will find themselves swept wholeheartedly into Julia’s story. The writing elegantly focuses on the unraveling of life on Earth from the perspective of one girl living in an ordinary, even tedious, cul-de-sac in a California neighborhood. But from this perspective, Walker portrays the horror and pain of an entire civilization facing extinction. Like Shirley Jackson, Walker blends the blandness of the everyday with the encroachment of something very terrible. Teen fans of dystopian literature should go for this one. However, the novel is multi-dimensional enough to appeal to readers of romance and mystery as well.–Diane Colson, Palm Harbor Library, FL
WILSON, Daniel. Amped: A Novel. 288p. Doubleday. 2012. Tr $25.95. ISBN 978-0-385-53515-1. LC 2011052318.
Adult/High School–Amped touches on similar themes found in Wilson’s successful novel Robopocalypse, and will appeal to the same audience of teen readers. Advancements in medical technology mean that common conditions and accidents can be compensated for as easily as vaccines prevent disease today. Born in poverty or exhibiting a learning disability? A brain implant–identified by a temporal nub–boosts mental acuity. Damaged limbs are replaced by robotic prostheses. Soon implanted individuals, or “amps,” are outperforming unenhanced humans both intellectually and physically. Senator Joseph Vaughn begins a campaign of prejudice declaring that amps don’t deserve equal rights because they take away jobs from “real” humans. Meanwhile, 29-year-old Owen thought he had a medical implant to control seizures and is shocked to discover that his military-grade version makes him a Zenith, the most powerful soldier ever developed in a secret government program. He travels to small-town Oklahoma in search of answers, just as tensions between amps and humans boil over and rumblings of an insurgent amp uprising begin. Precisely choreographed action scenes bring the danger Owen faces to a pulse-tripping reality. Teens will respond to the socially conscious narrative of an everyman who finds himself at the center of chaos. Wilson’s vision of the consequences of unharnessed technology combined with politics and the desire for power will also resonate with readers. Those intrigued by Mary E. Pearson’s The Adoration of Jenna Fox (Holt, 2008) will appreciate exploring what it means to be human in the brutal future depicted here.–Priscille Dando, Robert E. Lee High School, Fairfax County, VA
Nonfiction
GRYLLS, Bear. Mud, Sweat, and Tears: The Autobiography. 416p. index. Morrow. 2012. Tr $26.99. ISBN 9780062124197. LC number unavailable.
Adult/High School–Grylls’s love of nature and adventure to the max comes out full-force in this autobiography. The author is known to many through his television series Man vs. Wild. He grew up in a loving and supportive family with hardy and adventuresome role models, including his great-grandfather who was a British officer in World War I. He details the beginnings of his life in the wild when he and his father, a Royal Marine, went on high adventures together. He spends several chapters talking about surviving the grueling selection process for the British Army’s Special Air Services, which gave him the skills, confidence, and stamina to join an expedition to scale Mount Everest. As one of the youngest ever to accomplish that feat, he enjoyed a certain celebrity that led to commercial deals and, ultimately, his TV show. Grylls writes in a straightforward manner using short sentences and chapters to show his strong, engaging personality. He comes across as a regular person who figured out a long time ago that he was a risk-taker, but not a stupid one. He is all about careful preparation for his adventures. With each episode leading to one more exciting than the last, Grylls’s account will hook adventuresome readers as well as those whose idea of adventure is reading an exciting book.–Vicki Emery, Lake Braddock Secondary School, Fairfax County, VA
LEWIS, Ricki. The Forever Fix. 323p. photos. notes. St. Martin’s. 2012. Tr $25.99. ISBN 978-0-312-68190-6. LC 2011038193.
Adult/High School–The history of gene therapy was littered with false steps and shattered hopes that threatened to keep this promising medical technology from becoming “the forever fix” for some of our most vexing genetic medical conditions–until the success in treating the hereditary eye disorder in Corey Haas. In 2008 the eight-year-old was the recipient of gene therapy in one eye that cured him of the disorder, enabled him to see, and obviated the need for additional treatment. It was a much needed success after a series of setbacks. The author explains in detail the science behind gene therapy, some of the problems that needed to be overcome, the heartbreaking failures, and where this medical cutting edge technology is headed. She also talks about the hard work of parents in raising funds and advocating for their children as well as some of the talented doctors and researchers who have worked on gene therapy for many years. Students today already learn about work leading up to it, such as DNA sequencing and genetic testing, which is necessary in identifying specific genes implicated in genetic diseases. This technology was the stuff of science fiction not too many years ago. This carefully researched and readable book will be interesting to teens who hear about these issues in the news or in their biology classes, and especially for those who may want to pursue a career in this field.–Vicki Emery, Lake Braddock Secondary School, Fairfax County, VA
PHELPS, Carissa & Larkin Warren. Runaway Girl: Escaping Life on the Street, One Helping Hand at a Time…. 296p. Viking. 2012. Tr $26.95. ISBN 978-0-670-02372-1. LC 2011038441.
Adult/High School–Phelps was 12 when her mother dropped her off in the lobby of the Fresno, CA, Juvenile Hall and told the man behind the counter that she couldn’t control her daughter. Her memoir touches on complex issues, including covert threats of sexual abuse, what it means to for a child to feel safe and cared for, and a bi-racial Latina identity that was not acknowledged. Like Rachel Lloyd’s Girls Like Us (HarperCollins, 2011) and Jaycee Dugard’s A Stolen Life (S & S, 2011), Runaway Girl demonstrates a great amount of insight and maturity. Crisp writing and perfectly chosen events highlight the story of what happens to the majority of 12 year olds on the street–Phelps was picked up within 48 hours and sexually trafficked. Her book is unique in its details and her focus on both post traumatic stress and self-esteem issues. Her ability to connect with and reach out to strangers along the way–counselors, teachers, and a woman who was, for once, a selfless and caring person helping a child in need–saved her life. Each small yet steadfast act of kindness and encouragement made a difference. By the time the author turned 30, she had both a law degree and an MBA from UCLA. With not a trace of victimhood or unplaced drama, this is a terrific addition to all collections.–Amy Cheney, Alameda County Library, Juvenile Hall, CA
TERRY, Kayte. Paper Made!: 101 Exceptional Projects to Make Out of Everyday Paper. 288p. Workman. 2012. pap. $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7611-5997-1. LC number unavailable.
Adult/High School–This visually appealing book offers 101 projects, with an emphasis on the use of recycled or repurposed scrap paper. Papers include newspaper, books past their prime, paint chips, cardboard, maps, and mail order catalogs. The first two chapters provide clear information on techniques, tools, and materials, including suppliers and blogs for inspiration. The following chapters present projects for home, fashion, wrapping and writing, and parties. Each project has a level of difficulty, from 1 to 5, as well as a list of materials needed. The clear directions are enhanced by photos and drawings. Clever titles and witty text make this a fun book to read and pore over. There is much to appeal to teens, including “Ring Around the Rosy Vase,” which uses rolled strips of magazine pages to cover a vase, “(Not Exactly a) Full Deck Lamp Shade” made of playing cards sewn together, “That’s a Wrap Bangle,” which is one of the easiest projects, a “Signed, Sealed, Delivered Accordion Book,” made of envelopes to create a scrapbook, and “Do Me a Favor Box.” The author is great at creating hip and attractive products. A welcome addition to any collection.–Jane Ritter, Mill Valley School District, CA
Graphic Novels
FETTER-VORM, Jonathan. Trinity: A Graphic History of the First Atomic Bomb. illus. by author. 154p. charts. diags. illus. map. bibliog. Hill & Wang. 2012. LC number unavailable.
Adult/High School–Fetter-Vorm, in his debut sequential artwork, combines accessible atomic science with political, military, and science history. Using primary-source material from many of the players in the story of the development and deployment of the atomic bomb that putatively ended World War II, he has fashioned a clear narrative, using images to portray both scientific processes and the array of interpersonal relations among scientists and government officials as the bomb was conceived and then developed. The various personae, including the general in charge of the multi-location effort and the various scientists whose impetus for building the bomb centered more around discovery than weaponry, are distinguishable by face and posture; the words spoken by any of these historic individuals Fetter-Vorm has tried to document as accurate. The increasing tensions of both war and the scientists’ painful ambivalence about the destructive power of the bomb receive evenhanded treatment, making this small volume an excellent introduction to the many nuances of human ingenuity meeting up against military strategic planning. Teens interested in political history, as well as science, will find this insightful. The format evokes quick engagement with a complex piece of history.–Francisca Goldsmith, Infopeople Project, CA