Head in the Clouds

Head in the Clouds 

By Karen Witemeyer

Bethany House, 2010. 366 pgs. Romance

Summary:

Adelaide Proctor enjoys her work as a schoolteacher, but she can't curb her dreams of marriage and a family, so when her beau, a traveling salesman who comes to town every so often, announces that he's taking a different job and won't be traveling anymore but will be working out of Fort Worth, Adelaide follows her heart--or her imagination, at least--and goes to Fort Worth to find him...which she does, but she also finds his wife and child. Sufficiently humbled and not knowing what to do, she prays for help and tries to follow the Lord's guidance. Led to a newspaper ad for a governess, she is offered a position by Gideon Westcott, a privileged British nobleman turned Texas sheep farmer who needs a governess for Isabella, the child entrusted to his care when her mother passed away. While Adelaide and Gideon quickly find their feelings for each other growing, they also find their concern for Isabella growing as they realize that her money-hungry uncle will do anything to get her--and her inheritance--back. 

Review:

I enjoy a good historical romance, and this was no exception. Although the plot is predictable, readers will still enjoy seeing how Adelaide and Gideon's romance blossoms and Adelaide's journey of faith as she has to learn about following the Lord instead of just plowing ahead with her own path. I didn't like this one quite as much as Witemeyer's To Win Her Heart, but it's a still a good choice for fans of inspirational romances.

3.5 stars. Clean read.

Now

Now

By Morris Gleitzman

Henry Holt, 2012. 184 pgs. Middle grade/teen fiction

Summary: 

Zelda has recently been sent to live with her grandfather, Felix, while her parents, both doctors, go to Darfur to offer their medical expertise there. Zelda was named for Felix's best friend, who died as a young girl in the Holocaust. Now Zelda-the-granddaughter is trying to be as brave as her namesake and to bring happiness into her grandfather's life. However, she comes to realize that Felix's story and his emotions are still very much influenced by the first Zelda, and both Felix and granddaughter Zelda find themselves facing the past in order to have a future.

 Review:

This follow-up book to Once and Then is just as haunting as the others; it has the same elements of hope and hurt and loss and love that make the others utterly unforgettable. Having fallen so much in love with Felix in the other books, which are from his point of view as a child, I was a little worried to switch narrators now, but I loved granddaughter Zelda, too. Gleitzman captures the complexity and simplicity of childhood beautifully, showing that innocent way of looking at life juxtaposed with insights and thoughts that adults often never manage to come up with. I really liked how he gave readers the chance to see how 70 years later, Felix still had a lot of damage and also related that to Zelda's present as she's being bullied. There are lot of books about the Holocaust out there, but I think this series is the cream of the crop. With unforgettable narrators, the pure voices of children facing the hardships of life, these books are simply a work of art that will reach inside your soul and touch you in a way that only a few books can.

5 stars (for the whole series). Clean read.

Shadow and Bone

Shadow and Bone

By Leigh Bardugo

Henry Holt, 2012. 358 pgs. Teen fiction

Summary:

Alina and Mal were orphans, raised together after their parents fell victim in the constant border wars in Ravka. Now they are in the army, Mal as an expert tracker, and Alina as a mediocre mapmaker, and their friendship isn't what it used to be. As they set of into the Unsea, or the Shadow Fold, a dark expense that divides their country and where volcra prey on humans, the danger they are in forces of reaction in Alina that sets their whole world spinning and catching the attention of even the Darkling, the head of the magical Grisha. Although Alina doesn't believe she has any power, she is taken to Os Alta, the capital, to train her special gift. As her distance from Mal grows quite literally, she finds herself pulled into a more complex situation than she ever expected and must find if the light within her is strong enough to combat all the powers of darkness.

Review:

Holy cow. Talk about intense and gripping book! I think I'm worn out from reading it, but mostly in a good way. (Toward the end, I think a lot of the evil and darkness in the world started to be a little too heavy for me, but that could also be because I got up in the middle of the night to sneak in a few more chapters and am just tired.) When I picked the book up, I wasn't really sure if I was that interested in it, but as soon as I started the book, I was hooked. Having finished it, I can't say I absolutely loved it, but I can say it was captivating. I think fantasy fans will love the chance to explore an entirely different world. Alina is a complex character and her journey to figure out her own strength--and her own heart--will resonate with readers. Overall, I think it has a lot to offer, but there is something draining about it, too, as you get so swept into the book and while there's a semi-happy ending, you also know that there's going to be a whole lot of darkness in the next book in the series (and probably the third, too), before there can be light.

4 stars. Some language and a little sensuality (but no actual sex).

Keep Holding On

Keep Holding On

By Susane Colasanti

Viking, 2012. 202 pgs.  Teen fiction

Summary:

Noelle's entire life is pretty much miserable. With her mother working a minimum wage  job, they're living on food stamps and barely able to pay their rent, never have enough to eat, and can't afford the sort of clothes that the rest of the kids at Noelle's school can afford. Her mother constantly complains about how Noelle ruined her life, and the kids at school aren't any better, having dropped her when her family's financial troubles started. For years, she's been bullied and teased, with only one friend standing by her. Now her secret crush Julian seems to be interested in her, but Noelle doesn't think she's good enough for him and is content to keep making out with her "boyfriend" Matt, who refuses to be seen in public with her. However, when tragedy strikes, Noelle decides enough is enough.

Review:

Colasanti has tackled an important topic here and this book is one that both those who are being bullied and those who do the bullying should read. She takes readers inside the pain and humiliation and hopelessness that Noelle, and anyone being bullied, feels, which would hopefully lead bullies to rethink their actions. But she also shows how Noelle chooses to rise above the bullying, which is an inspirational message for anyone being bullied.I thought the romance angle was actually a little weak, since we didn't really see much of the developing relationship between Julian and Noelle, but I recommend putting this one in the hands of just about any teen that you could get to read it.

4 stars. Some language, but it's not excessive. Also some making out, and a reference to if a guy ever got under Noelle's clothes to see her bra.

Rachel's Secret

Rachel's Secret

By Shelly Sanders

Second Story Press, 2012. 248 pgs. Young Adult

Summary:

Rachel is a Jewish girl living in Russia in 1903. When her Christian friend Mikhail is killed, there's an uproar in the community, with many of Christians claiming that the Jews were responsible for the murder in order to use the blood in their rituals. Rachel, who actually saw the murder and knows who is guilty, is terrified that if she comes forward, she and her family will all be at risk. As anti-Jewish sentiments ran wild in their city, Rachel forms an unlikely friendship with Sergei, a Christian boy whose father, chief of police, seems content to let violence erupt against the Jews.

Review:

Based on actual events, this is a worthy piece of historical fiction as it shows an important piece of history, as well as delivering messages about prejudice, propaganda, and friendship. Sometimes the writing seemed somewhat awkward, such as in a scene where Sergei lectures his father about doing nothing to do stop the pogrom, but overall, it's one that any conscientious reader looking to learn more about history should read. It's probably not a story many readers know a lot about, so it's definitely a worthwhile read.

4 stars. Clean read as far as language and sexuality, but there is some brutality as the Jews are beaten and murdered.

Applewhites at Wit's End

Applewhites at Wit's End

By Stephanie S. Tolan

Harper, 2012. 253 pgs. Middle Grade/Teen fiction

Summary:

The crazy Applewhite family, full of artists and originals (except for E.D., the responsible, organized, non-creative daughter), is in danger of losing their home, Wit's End, a former travel lodge turned home/personal studio for each family member. To prevent the financial crisis, E.D.'s father comes up with the idea to have a creative summer camp, with each family member, along with Jake, the former teen rebel who was placed at their home school after being kicked out everywhere else, teaching workshops and helping campers develop their inner artist. While the Applewhites band together and jump in, it might not be enough, as they soon find themselves dealing with cranky campers, threatening notes in the mailbox, and a government inspector roving the property. Will they be able to keep their home?

Review:

Although this is the sequel to Surviving the Applewhites, I think you could get the gist of the story without having read the first book. The Applewhites are funny and readers will want to join in the scheming as they try to save their home and learn to appreciate each other a little more. A good choice for tweens.

4 stars. Clean read.

City Dog, Country Frog

City Dog, Country Frog

By Mo Willems and Jon J. Muth

Hyperion Books for Children, 2010. 1 vol. (unpaged). Picture book

Summary:

In the springtime, Country Frog meets City Dog and shows him how to play frog games. In the summer, City Dog teaches Country Frog to play dog games. In the fall, Country Frog is too tired to play so instead they just remember. In the winter, City Dog can't find Country Frog. In the springtime, City Dog is waiting sadly for Country Frog when Country Chipmunk shows up

Review:

AH! I don't like sad books! And even though this captures the truth of life--that sometimes people leave or die or whatever and then you have to learn to recover from it--it still made me plenty sad. It's a sweet story of friendship, and the pictures are beautiful...but I'm still upset that it's a sad book :(

4.5 stars. Clean read.

Code Name Verity

Code Name Verity

By Elizabeth Wein

Hyperion, 2012. 343 pgs. Teen fiction

Summary:

"Verity," a Scottish girl who works as a spy for the British, has been caught by the Gestapo in France, and after being tortured, has begun to reveal the secret she promised she wouldn't tell, giving them an elaborate written confession. However, she details more than just her entry into France; slowly, she reveals the story of how she met Maddie, a pilot whose papers had with her when she was captured, detailing their friendship and how Maddie came to fly for the British.

Review:

This book is hard to describe without giving away some critical details. It's a story of war, and friendship, and heartbreak. I sometimes got a little frustrated with all the talking about planes and wished that the story just moved forward. It can also be hard to read between the lines sometimes to figure out what really matters (and, sometimes, who is who, since the characters have code names or are referred to by nicknames or description, rather than actual names)--and, if you're a naive reader and don't figure out quickly that Verity is an intentionally unreliable narrator, you could find yourself sympathizing with but not respecting her. This is definitely thought-provoking, and sad, and unique. It's not an easy read, but it's a worthwhile one. Be prepared to cry or feel like the wind is knocked out of you.

4 stars. Some vulgar comments and torture.

The Invaders

The Invaders

By John Flanagan

Philomel, 2012. 429 pgs. Young Adult

Summary:

In the second book of the Brotherband series, Hal and his crew, the Herons, have set out after the ruthless pirate Zavac, who stole the Skandians' treasured artifact, the Andomal. If they can get the artifact back, they may actually be able to redeem themselves and show their faces in Skandia again some day. While the boys have successfully completed their brotherband training, they are still young and need to learn how to work together, use their skills and ingenuity, and hope luck is on their side as they hunt down the pirates. However, things become even more complicated when the pirates take to land when they find out about a secret emerald mine, killing the villagers who stand in their way. The Herons and the villagers, and a few Skandians sent to help, must defeat the pirates or risk losing everything.

Review:

The more I read of John Flanagan, the more I like him. I didn't always care about the details of the battles or the ship terms, but the book still moved really quickly, and you just can't help but love the characters, from smart inventor Will to gruff old seaman Thorn to loyal best friend Stig and so many other characters. I also liked the fact that we perhaps have a hint of romance a little sooner than we did in the Ranger's Apprentice series. Nothing actually happened in this book, but a female character, Lydia, was introduced and both Hal and Stig are drawn to her but also want to maintain their friendship. This is an easy recommendation--fans of adventure, humor, and general awesomeness should definitely check out this series.

5 stars. Clean read...you know, other than the fact that Thorn doesn't bathe that often ;)

Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Daughter of Smoke and Bone

By Laini Taylor

Little, Brown, 2011. 418 pgs. Teen fiction

Summary:

Karou is not exactly your average teenager. She goes to an art school in Prague, but her artwork, sketches of monsters that everyone assumes are just from her imagination, is actually a reflection of the only family she has ever known. Brimstone, a chimaera wishmonger who collects teeth, has raised her from the time she was a child, and while she sometimes resents that he won't explain who Karou is or what exactly he does with those teeth. Akivia is an angel soldier whose job pits him against the chimaera, but when his latest mission brings him into contact with Karou, who while seemingly human also has traits of the chimaera, he sets out to find out who she is. Their attraction is almost instantaneous, but their worlds have pitted them against each other.

Review:

This one started out a little slow for me, probably because I'm impatient with world-building and would have liked at least a few answers about what a chimaerae even is a little earlier in the book, but once Karou and Akivia run into each other, things picked up really quickly and the book was completely gripping from that point on. I couldn't wait to see how things would play out, and when the book ended, I definitely wasn't ready for it to be over and now am eagerly awaiting the sequel. One thing that did strike me partway through the novel was that I wasn't sure why the author decided to make this a teen novel. She could just as easily have made Karou a twenty-something college art student...and that might have made it slightly less awkward when she and Akivia are attracted to each other, since he's at least half a century old. (Okay, I know, it's been done in Twilight...and I suppose some people are okay with that, but to me, it's kinda odd.)

4 stars. With a fair amount of sex and sexual tension, some language and violence, and the thematic material (of a war between the seraphs and the chimaera), this isn't one for younger readers.

I listened to the audiobook and though the narrator was very engaging.