Dust of Eden by Mariko Nagai

Release Date: March 2014

Genre:  Historical novel written in verse

When and Where: 1942 America, following the attack on Pearl Harbor

Protagonist: Marina Masako Tagawa, aged 13

The Story:  When the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor and waves of nationalism and suspicion sweep across America, Marina Tagawa and her family are forced to abandon their home and are relocated to an internment camp because of their Japanese roots.  Proud to be an American and distraught to be treated as an enemy, Marina struggles to accept her family's treatment by fellow Americans.  Told in verse, Dust of Eden reveals the painful and harsh realities of individuals forced to reside in Japanese Internment camps during World War II. 

Reaction:  Dust of Eden is beautifully and starkly written, and the child's voice shines through the narrative poetry in a way that highlights a child's innocent view of the world that is shattered by the ugly realities of prejudice.  Despite the ugliness of how the Japanese Americans are treated, Dust of Eden also shows how finding beauty, even in impossible circumstances, is anything but impossible.  Dust of Eden is a thought-provoking, lyrical, and painful read.

If You Liked...  Out of the Dust, Monster, or Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, then Dust of Eden should be another book on your bookshelf!

Rating:  5 stars

Teacher Notes:  There is a shortage of high-quality, meaningful, and authentic voices in historical fiction, and Dust of Eden is an excellent addition to a classroom library or book group.  This is a quick, subtle read that would be appropriate in a wide span of grade levels, from elementary through middle school, and could be used for a variety of purposes, including interdisciplinary instruction between English Language Arts and Social Studies.

4 to 16 Characters by Kelly Hourihan

Release Date:  November 2013

Genre:  Contemporary

Protagonist:  Jane Shilling, aged 15

The Story:  Jane Shilling's life is not what it is supposed to be; her mother passed away last year, her alcoholic father lives in a bottle, and Jane attends an alternative school where it is better to blend in than to be noticed.  Jane's one pleasure in life is social media, where she has created a series of alter-egos that live in a manner in which she aspires.  As Jane's online identities blossom, Jane's "real" life spirals further and further downward.

Reaction:  Told through instant messages, blog entries, and other social media, 4 to 16 Characters is hard to adequately characterize; just as Jane is hidden within the multiple personalities she displays online, the depth of this novel is also deeply buried.  Jane is surprisingly unlikeable, and I'm not entirely sure why - is it because she fails to reveal enough of her true self or because this book is written for digital natives, as opposed to digital immigrants?  If you love Facebook, Tumblr, etc., then 4 to 16 is book you may want to check out.

Rating:  3 stars 


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The Darkest Path, by Jeff Hirsch

Release Date:  October 2013

Genre: Dystopian

When and Where:  Set in the not-too distant future in an America ravaged by civil war

Protagonist:  Callum Roe, aged 15

The Story:   Callum Roe is a reluctant member of the Glorious Path, a militant religion sweeping across the United States and forcing citizens to "make the choice."  Cal's unit is an elite fighting force, and Cal has been forced to use his youth too to influence the enemy too many times.  When Cal protects a stray dog from the vicious kennel master, Cal manages to escape his captors and attempt to travel across the country to his home and his parents.  The trip is nothing like what he could have imagined, and his actions set the stage for a shocking turn in the war.

Reaction:  The Darkest Path is a violent, intense novel that addresses heavy issues, including religious freedom and bigotry, sexism, materialism, and the negative effects of capitalism.  Lightened by the inclusion of a dog and some potential romance, the novel shares many of same elements as other popular books within the dystopian genre.  The intensity begins with the first sentence, and the fear doesn't really fade too far from the reader until the final lines of the book; simply put, this book is hard to put down!  While there are many dystopian books targeting teens right now, this book's unique take perspective on religion makes it stand out.

If You Liked...  The Hunger Games, Unwind, or The Knife of Never Letting Go, then you are likely to enjoy The Darkest Path.

Rating:  4 stars

Teacher Notes:  The Darkest Path is an "easier" book to read than The Hunger Games, Unwind, or The Knife of Never Letting Go, but it addresses similar issues.  It would be an excellent addition to a dystopian-themed book club or literature circle.

Inhuman, by Kat Falls

Fetch #1
Scholastic
ISBN:  978-0545370998
October 2013
Young Adult

INHUMAN, the first in the Fetch series, is an engaging dystopian adventure, blending action and science fiction in new ways.  In the not-too-distant future, the United States has been ravaged by disease.  Lane McEvoy has spent her entire life hidden on the safe side of the Wall, which separates the safe West from the hazardous East via the Mississippi River.  The East, known as the Feral Zone, is populated by those infected with the Ferae virus and criminals no longer welcome in the West.  When her father disappears and is implicated in a crime against the government, Lane is forced to enter the Feral Zone to find her father.  Relying on the survival skills she learned in classes and enlisting the unlikely assistance of two young men, Lane is determined to locate her father.  As ill-prepared as Lane is for the violent life on the other side of the wall, she is even less prepared for the truths the government has concealed. 

INHUMAN shares a lot of the same elements as other dystopian novels, such as THE HUNGER GAMES, DIVERGENT, and ASHES, and like these other books, the target audience is middle grades and up.  Fans of the genre, regardless of age, will enjoy this dark and interesting tale because of the heavy themes that dominate the novel, including abuse of power, medical ethics, and quality of life.  The premise of a deadly virus causing permanent loss of life and change to a country is quite believable, though some of the outcomes of the mutation of the virus are a little more far-fetched.  In INHUMAN, the author successfully establishes a believable futuristic world, a heroine who doesn’t yet know her own inner strength, and a potential love triangle that’s sure to keep readers hooked.  Ending in an emotional cliffhanger that will both please and taunt readers, INHUMAN is an engaging, action-packed adventure sure to successfully ride the wave of dystopian literature that is so very popular at present. 

Rating:  4

The Dream Thieves, by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Cycle #2
Scholastic
ISBN:  978-0545424943
September 2013
Young Adult

THE DREAM THIEVES, by Maggie Stiefvater, is an incredible continuation of The Raven Cycle series.  Told in the same haunting, mysterious voice as THE RAVEN BOYS, book two focuses on Adam’s transformation following his sacrifice to the ley line, Ronan’s ability to remove objects from his dreams, and Blue’s determination to not fall in love.  New characters, The Gray Man and Kavinsky, add tension and unexpected twists to an already complex story.  

Book one in the series, THE RAVEN BOYS, was a complicated novel which focused primarily on establishing background, setting, and purpose for the series. If you have not read THE RAVEN BOYS, I highly recommend you do so before reading the second book, as THE DREAM THIEVES picks up where the first book left off and is grounded in showing the outcome of the young group’s pursuit of the slumbering Welsh king.  As revealed in the previous book, Blue’s connection with the boys who attend Aglionby are centered on her knowledge that Gansey is going to die within the year, and Blue hopes to prevent Gansey’s death.  Befriending the boys is contradictory to Blue’s beliefs, as she doesn’t usually like the wealthy boys who attend the boarding school, but for some reason she fits in nicely with this motley crew.  Trying to avoid a deeper emotional connection to both Adam and Gansey is challenging, despite the knowledge that if she kisses her true love, the boy will die.  However, she finds herself drawn closer and closer to these boys as they seek tomb of the sleeping king. 

 

Unlike THE RAVEN BOYS, THE DREAM THIEVES starts at a much faster pace, and though is purposefully meanders at times, the story definitely hooks you and moves quickly.  Relationships between Gansey and Adam, as well as Gansey and Blue undergo major transformations, and Adam’s role in the group changes drastically.  Ronan’s ability to bring the objects from his dreams into the physical world makes him even more dangerous.  Supporting characters, such as psychic women with whom Blue lives, provide both a sense of normalcy in the lives of the group, but also add mystical elements throughout.  Each character, each action they take, and each thought that is voiced is important and moves the plot forward, however, the reader is still completely unable to anticipate what will happen next.  Stiefvater’s writing is beautiful and complex, and I cannot wait to find out what happens in the third installment of The Raven Cycle.

Rating:  4

Daughter of Camelot, by Glynis Cooney

Empire of Shadows #1
Mabon Publishing
ISBN:  978098135009
September 2013
Young Adult

Against a backdrop of the Dark Ages and the end of the Arthurian era, author Glynis Cooney introduces fourteen year old Deirdre, who longs for adventure, despite her gender.  All Deirdre wants to do is to live a life of glory, comparable to the lives of the knights who serve King Arthur, and when she is sent to a neighboring kingdom to learn how to be a lady, Deirdre is extremely disappointed.  When news of Lancelot’s betrayal of King Arthur spreads throughout the kingdom, it becomes clear that the kings are willing to take advantage of Arthur’s weakness.  Determined to provide the king with vital information, Deirdre sets off on a quest that will change her life.

DAUGHTER OF CAMELOT is a fantasy based on Arthurian legends, and the tale is written in a manner that expects the reader to have some understanding of the Arthurian legends themselves, as well as the unrest of the time period.  The rise of the Christian church and the persecution of the Druids, the treatment of women and vassals, in addition to political intrigue are embedded through this complex young adult novel.  As the first in the series, the book establishes characters, setting, and a few different mysteries, some of which are deliberately left unanswered at the end of the tale.  I really liked the authentic “feel” of this book, the banter of the characters, and Deirdre’s naïve nature that slowly matures over the course of events.  If you enjoy Julia Golding’s DRAGONFLY or Kristin Cashore’s GRACELING, then DAUGHTER OF CAMELOT is going to be right up your alley – this entertaining fantasy has all the right elements of its genre:   a strong heroine, epic travels, unusual companions, and hints of magic.  Highly enjoyable!

Rating:  3