Young Adult Mini-Reviews!

I have a few books that have been sitting in my review pile for quite some time gathering dust. And since I don't have a ton to say on each of them, I thought a series of mini-reviews would be fitting!

Enjoy!

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol is a graphic novel that I read quite a few months ago. I had marked it as something I wanted to get my hands one for quite some time, and after our media specialist ordered it, I snatched it to read that weekend (the perks of being a teacher).

Anya, a recent Russian immigrant, doesn't fit in at her New England school. She wants to be a part of the popular crowd and blames that on her "Russian-ness." One afternoon, she falls into a hole where she finds the skeleton of Emily Reilly, a girl who died nearly 100 years before. Emily's ghost appears, and she tells her story to Anya.

When Anya returns home, a piece of Emily's skeleton came with her, so Emily's ghost continues to appear. At first, Anya is okay with this, as Emily helps her with her school work and with the dreamy boy she likes.

Then it gets flat out creepy. Emily's ghost starts to get a little aggressive, then violent, and the book spirals from there.

It's well done. And as someone who doesn't really like scary or suspenseful, this book had a lot going for it that kept me intrigued. The artwork is gorgeous and I think Brosgol really captured that teen angst and self-image dilemma in a realistic way.

A great, short read that is well worth it!

I've read I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak a few times before, and each time, I've loved it more and more.

We (meaning the Media Specialist and myself) included this in our book battle activity that we did back in the spring. It had been awhile since reading it, so I decided to pick it up and read it again to refresh my memory.

First, I forgot the amount of language in the book, so be warned going in. But other than that, I love the message of this book. Ed Kennedy, a teenager living in Australia, is lonely, going nowhere, and lost without his father. Then he witnesses a botched bank robbery and his world changes. He receives playing cards in the mail and each one has addresses. Not knowing what else to do, he visits the addresses and learns that he has to complete tasks for the people who live at that address.

Over the course of the novel, Ed grows. He changes. He realizes what's most important to him and comes to term with the things in his life that he has the ability to change.

The good thing is that most of the kids who read this as a part of the book battle loved it. It's not as popular as The Book Thief, but I love it as well.

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima is a book that has been sitting on my shelves for years. I picked it up, as well as two sequels, in the Borders sales that took place when the stores were closing. I've eyed it a few times, but never jumped on reading it.

So, last school year a student suggested it to me and I finally gave it a try. And while I enjoyed it, it wasn't my favorite (I will read the sequels at some point and make a final decision).

In short, the book follows Jack, a young boy who has taken a certain medication all his life. He is told to stop taking it and voila! Magical powers and strength come surging to him! Okay, not really. But he does go through some training.

There's also a bit about an old war that seeks Warriors, like Jack, to fight on both sides. Warriors are now rare, so Jack is being scouted and hunted by both sides.

My biggest complaints about the novel surrounded some of the explanations and magical rules. There were bits and pieces not explained well enough for my liking and the final grand battle? I don't know. It lacked something. Perhaps I am took picky with my love for adult fantasy to really be drawn to this one, but it was a fast read and something I flew through. And I do want to read the sequels, so that says a great deal, if you ask me. ;)

This particular post has been sitting my drafts for quite some time, so I thought it was time to bring it out, edit, and post it before it disappears into drafts forever. :) I hope you enjoyed!

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

“I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right."

I decided to read The Book Thief last week in preparation for World Book Night. I was lucky enough to get my first choice in books to pass out, but since it had been a couple years since I read the novel, I wanted to refresh my memory.

I ended up flying through the book in two nights-all the while reminded of what I loved it so much.

Narrated by Death, The Book Thief tells that story of a young girl, Liesel, in the midst of World War II. And while the book takes place in Germany, and there are the obvious references to the war, Nazis, and Jews, the book is about SO MUCH more than that.

Liesel, while struggling to come to terms with the death of her brother, finds comfort and help in books and words. Her foster father teaches her to read so that she might read the book she stole at her brother's funeral. Once the floodgate of knowledge opens for her, she able to read more and more. She comes to understand the world through the books she reads and the words she loves.

There are scenes where she reads to her neighbors as they wait out bomb raids in a basement. The words she reads, the stories she recites, are the only escape for them as they wait until the all-clear is given. She reads from her books to an older neighbor-the only positive connection that woman has had with her family. She shares her love of language with the Jewish man her family hides in their basement. While different, they form a lasting connection all because of the power of books.

I think this is the perfect book for non-readers. Without preaching, it shows everything there is to love about literature. It captures the escapist quality of a good book, the hope a story can give, and the way that stories can forever live on as part of you. Reading this I was reminded of why I love words, and why I love sharing that passion with all of you here.

You cannot deny the power of words to capture every human emotion.

“I wanted to tell the book thief many things, about beauty and brutality. But what could I tell her about those things that she didn't already know? I wanted to explain that I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race-that rarely do I ever simply estimate it. I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words and stories so damning and brilliant.”

I was lucky enough to meet Markus Zusak a number of years ago...way back in 2007. I had purchased my copy of The Book Thief almost as soon as it came out. I spotted it on a shelf and grabbed it...all because of the title. I drank it in, the first time I read it, in one long sitting in the booth at the park. I loved it so much that when I saw he was going to be doing a signing, I jumped all over it the following year.

My mom went with me, and I brought all of the books by Zusak I owned (The Book Thief, I am the Messenger, and Getting the Girl). The signing was small-maybe 40-50 people? He spoke for a few minutes about the story-how it was inspired by his parents and their stories. And about his writing process...I remember being really moved by the way he talked about his writing-and the fact that he said he would never rush writing a book until the story felt right.

When I got to talk to him, we chatted for a few minutes about each of the books I brought with me. And he took his time to personalize each of them. I love when authors take the time to do that, and it was worth the longer wait. :)

I cannot wait to share this with some students and others next week when I pass out the copies for World Book Night. It makes the event even more amazing to know that I'll be passing on a book I love so much.

Thursday Treat #28: I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak.

While I adore Zusak's The Book Thief, I am focusing on one of his other novels today. For me, this novel is closer to my heart. The center focus of it is something many of us go through and for that, well, I love it.

The main character, Ed Kennedy, is an underage cab driver. He lives with his dog and his life seems to be going nowhere. Ed is somewhat complacent with the direction his life is going. Then Ed stops a bank robbery and his life begins to change when an ace from a play card deck arrives in his mail. Ed is sent on missions, to hurt or help as he is needed.

Throughout the process, Ed grows. He begins to realize what happens when we make choices, good or bad. He learns about the mistakes he has made, the assumptions he had about himself, well, they are all wrong.

Each message and note to him allows Ed the opportunity to do things he wouldn't have done before. He reaches out to individuals who have it far rougher than he does to comfort them, give them guidance, and set them straight. He becomes a person who cares about the people and world around him, and forgets to focus solely on his own misery.

It is an inspiring book. The way Ed begins to handle the darker side of life thrown at him really grabs hold of the reader. You meet Ed as a pathetic teen, who believes in nothing but continuing to work at his crummy job. But once he believes that someone believes in him, it all begins to change. Ed takes on an assertive tone, and finds the courage within himself to push the people around him-strangers or friends.

This is a novel I need to praise more and recommend. I think it is overshadowed by its brother (The Book Thief), but I cherish it a little more. I can relate to Ed and his struggle. Looking at this cover reminds me to be kind to the people around me and to help others as much as I can. It certainly is a message we all need to hear.

But the best part of my own copy is that it is signed, along with my copies of The Book Thief and Getting the Girl. Zusak came to my hometown about 3 years ago for a reading and to promote The Book Thief. I begged my mother to go with me, and she did. He was a great speaker and inspiring. He talked to everyone who came to his signing, and personalized messages in each book. All three of the books have their own special message. In this book, "Here's to coffee drinking dogs, barefoot shoes, and love..."

This is a novel that holds a special place in my heart. I hope you all pick up a copy at some point, and give it to a friend in need.

Book List Meme: February 2, 2010.

Okay, it is time for a weekly book Meme hosted by Rebecca at Lost in Books. Each week a topic is posted that must be answered by the titles and pictures of 3 books.

This week's topic?

3 Books I Read When I Need a Good Cry

I found this to be a real difficult topic because I am not a big crier! But, I looked and decided on these three! Enjoy!

1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: I have a lot of love for this book. I purchased it on a whim and ended up reading it during one shift at the park (I was sitting in the permit booth all day). By the end of the day and the end of my shift, I was teary eyed and stuck in Zusak's world. It is about a girl living in Germany in World War II and the lives of the people around her. What makes this book so outstanding is that it is narrated by Death.




2. The Giver by Lois Lowry: I read this in school in the fifth grade and I fell in love. For me, this is the ultimate dystopian novel and no other can stand up to this. Jonas lives in a world with no color, no music, and no memories beyond his own life. At his 12 year ceremony, Jonas is told he will be the next Receiver of Memories. He then learns about the past through the reception of memories and is forever changed.




3. Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman: This had to be included on my list. I love Whitman and his use of language. It is always inspiring and sad. This volume of poems got me through both of my grandparents' deaths and it is something I always turn to in times of need. I am not always such a huge fan of poetry, but Whitman's words really touch my heart.