Pop by Gordan Korman

Pop by Gordan Korman

“I love the Pop! Sometimes you actually hear it go POP!”

When a fifty-something-year old man joins him in his personal football practice at the park, Marcus isn’t sure what to think. Charlie’s bone-grinding tackles and surefire throws denote both a love and mastery of the game—and Marcus clearly profits from both. But Charlie’s juvenile behavior is puzzling—from his ingenious pranks to his seemingly complete lack of responsibility. Soon Marcus discovers that Charlie is in fact Charlie Popovitch, a retired NFL linebacker best known as “the King of Pop” and father of Troy, the star quarterback on Marcus’ high school football team. Korman’s poignant story is full of football action, and plenty of feel-good moments. A perfect fit for sports fans everywhere.

Catching Fire

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Review by Katie

Since the Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen’s life has changed irrevocably. Not only do her mother and sister now live in Victor’s Village, no longer deathly poor, but Katniss and Peeta are on tour, traveling through all 12 districts. This, of course, means that the two have been forced to continue their fabricated relationship originated in the actual Games, even while Katniss is beginning to have feelings for her longtime friend Gale. But the districts are not content to sit and watch two people who have openly defied the Capitol parade by them without acting. The people of Panem are ready to rise up against the Capitol—and they want Katniss and Peeta to lead their revolution.

Sometimes when the first book in a series is stellar, the sequel falls short of a reader’s expectations. Happily, this is not the case with Catching Fire. This book is fast-paced and smartly written, engrossingly dark with a smattering of wry humor. It rises to a breathtaking climax and abruptly ends, leaving the reader dying to know what happens next. I couldn’t put this book down, and can’t recommend it highly enough for fans of The Hunger Games.

Best YA of 09 (according to NPR)

Looking for something to read? Try one of these five books as recommended by reviewer Jonathan Hunt on NPR yesterday. All are available at the library (or will be shortly!), although one is clearly nonfiction and a couple can be found in the Juvenile section. Still, they are all fabulous reads, so swing by and check them out!

Princess of the Midnight Ball

Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

In this book, George brings to life one of my favorite fairy tale, “The Twelve Dancing Princesses.” Rose and her 11 sisters are bound by a contract made by their mother before they were born to dance before the wicked King of the Under Stone every night. Hoping to discover the cause of their exhaustion and tired of replacing worn out dancing slippers every day (times twelve gets expensive, even for a king!), their father offers a portion of the kingdom and one of his daughter’s hand in marriage to the prince who can discover their secret. Of course, the arrogant candidates who follow have no chance at all of discovering the curse. But more troubling is the fact that each one meets an unusual death within weeks of their attempt. Neighboring countries begin to grumble and worry about the strange coincidences, and Rose fears her country may be heading back into a terrible war.

George’s imaginative retelling is engaging and full of interesting characters, including a soldier/gardner young man who knits–yes, a boy who knits! What could be better? Fans of Robin McKinley, Donna Jo Napoli, Gail Carson Levine, and George’s other works (Dragon Slippers; Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow) will want to read this one.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

The summer of 1899 was exceptionally hot in Calpurnia’s sleepy Texas town, but she’s discovered at least one advantage to being the only girl out of seven children–her own room–which allows her to escape the house for the river while the rest of her family naps during the heat of the day.  While exploring the natural world around you, she also gets to know her cantankerous old grandfather, whose interest in science and nature mimics her own.  At eleven years old, she’s also becoming more aware of the expectations for a girl at the turn of the century, and wondering whether there is a place in the new century for a female scientist.

Kelly’s debut novel is a veritable wealth of fascinating characters. Calpurnia is an inquisitive, thoughtful girl who is more than able to keep up with her six brothers, all of whom are named after Texan heroes.  Her grandfather is an excellent mentor for Calpurnia’s scientific queries, although having lived so long in his own world, he occasionally forgets the reality of life for women in the society of the turn of the century. Even so, he treats his grandaughter as an equal scientific partner, and enlightens her to other possibilities available to her. Kelly’s gentle exploration of gender roles and family relationships are thought provoking.  Readers will enjoy this sweet, but quietly powerful story.

Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements

Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements

Review by Hannah Sommer

We’ve all wondered what it would be like to be invisible. And as Bobby Philips found out, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. One morning in February, Bobby wakes up and finds that he’s turned invisible. He can’t just go walking around without clothes on in the middle of winter and clothes walking around by themselves would make people freak. This means, no school no friends, no nothing. Life gets dull pretty fast when all you can do is hang around the house, so Bobby sneaks out to go to the library and winds up bumping into a blind girl named Alicia. The two quickly become friends and try to figure out how to turn Bobby visible again. They have to hurry too. A boy can’t just disappear without people noticing. Pretty soon, the police and Child Protection Agency are looking for Bobby. Blame for his disappearance is laid on Bobby’s parents and Bobby has to find a way to become uninvisible before his parents get hauled off to jail.

This book starts off with a bang, throwing you into the story from the very first page. I found Bobby funny and easy to relate with. Though I did not always care for how he talked to his parents. This book is relatively a quick read with surprises at every turn and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

A master at stories about troubled teens, Laurie Halse Anderson does not disappoint readers with her latest novel. Wintergirls tells the story of Lia, an anorexic teen who’s former best friend was recently found dead in a hotel room.  Cassie’s death sends Lia spiraling out of control.  Her parents–both driven professionals–though worried about Lia and fully aware of her eating disorder, have no idea how far she has sunk into her obsession with weight.  This is a frightening and intense read.  Anderson does an excellent job of protraying the complexity of eating disorders.  Like the heroines of Speak and Twisted, Lia is a compelling, richly drawn figure that will have readers pulling for her survival.

Impossible by Nancy Werlin

Review by Katie Bickley

Are you going to Scarborough Fair?

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme

Remember me to one who lives there

She must be a true love of mine

For most listeners, the ballad Scarborough Fair strikes someone as not much more than a melancholy love song. It’s just a poor guy who’s in love with a woman who doesn’t love him back. Right?

After reading this book, you will never think that again.

Lucy Scarborough is an average teenager—she has awesome friends, a cute date for her prom, and loving foster parents. The only thing that really gives her pains is her birth mother, Miranda, who’s insane in the clinical sense of the word. She dips in and out of her daughter’s otherwise normal life.

Then comes the night of Lucy’s disastrous prom. Once it’s over, Lucy discovers that she’s pregnant, and subsequently learns of a curse placed on all the “Scarborough girls”, as they’re called: upon giving birth, each of Lucy’s female ancestors have gone crazy. She has nine months to break the curse. With the help and love of a long-time friend, Zach, she just might be able to do it.

This book pulled me in with nearly flawless, intriguing writing and kept me going through a plot full of surprise turns and fairytale magic. Lucy and Zach’s love is one of the most heartfelt, caring relationships I’ve read in a long time. In fact, all of the relationships are handled with a tender touch, from Lucy’s interaction with Miranda to Soledad and Leo’s concern for their daughter. I am deeply impressed this book—Nancy Werlin’s sinister twist on this ballad was Impossible to put down.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Once in a while a book grabs hold of you and won’t let go.  Before you know it, it’s 2:00 in the morning, and you’re reading the last page.  Such was the case for me with The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  The book takes place in a future North America, which consists of the Capital and twelve districts.  In addition to supplying all of the Capital’s resources, each district must also provide two tributes each year who will participate in a televised game of survival–the ultimate reality show.  The last tribute standing brings home honor and riches for him/herself as well as the district.  When Katniss volunteers to take her sister’s place, she knows she’s  been given a death sentence.  What she doesn’t realize is that in fighting for her life, she must eventually choose between saving her life, and saving her humanity.

Don’t miss this thrilling new book.  I’m sure once you’ve read it, you’ll have lots to talk about, which is why I’ve chosen it for our book discussion during Christmas break.  So read the book, then join us for what is sure to be an interesting discussion on December 30, at 4:00 pm.

Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hale

Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale

Shannon Hale is one of my favorite Young Adult authors, and I have yet to be disappointed with her work.  In this imaginative retelling of the classic Grimm fairytale, Rapunzel is no meek princess awaiting her Prince Charming to rescue her. Instead she is a rip-roaring, lasso-twirling, do-it-yourself kinda gal in a fantastic world reminiscent of the Old American West. After escaping from her tower, she joins up with the rascal Jack to find her real mother and save her world from the evil Mother Gothel. Along the way, they encounter crooked outlaws, wild beasts, and evil henchmen. Nathan Hale’s artwork captures the adventure and fun in full-color panels that keep the story moving at a lively pace. Fans of graphic novels, fractured fairy tales, and adventure will all fall in love with this highly entertaining story.