Release Date: September 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction
When and Where: Cape Cod, 1972
Protagonist: Naomi "Chirp" Orenstein, 11 years old
The Story: Noami "Chirp" Orenstein has a great life; a psychiatrist father, a dancer mother, and a great older sister, plus the comfort of the Cape and the wild birds who live there. When Chirp's mother is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and her dancing career is derailed, the entire family is thrust into turmoil. Chirp's closest friend is Joey, the boy across the street, and their on-again, off-again friendship is put to the test when a tragedy involving Chirp's mother occurs. Life will never be the same for Chirp or her family, but love and friendship can help with healing.
Reaction: I loved Nest! The characters are fascinating, and the historical setting puts the reader back into the past in such a way that allows the reader to understand the social dynamics of the time period. For example, the implications of being Jewish in a mostly Christian area, the way people might turn a blind eye against domestic violence, and the way depression has been stigmatized are all issues addressed in a period-specific manner. Chirp's passion for wild birds is an essential part of her character, and the author artfully drops in facts about the native birds in a way that helps tell Chirp's unique story.
If You Liked... Nest is really quite incomparable, as it it quite unique. If you liked Countdown, then Nest will be a good fit for you!
Rating: 4
Teacher Notes: This novel addresses depression and loss; teachers should offer this book in a sensitive manner. Nest would also be a nice book for counselors to use in small groups.
Release Date: August 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Free Verse
Protagonist: A ensemble cast of characters
The Story: Told from the perspectives of an ensemble cast of characters, Ghosting is the tale of a group of high school students and their experiences when joyriding and a prank go terribly awry. Each character is an archetypical character - the jock, the good girl, the popular girl, the stoner, the brainiac, the follower, the kid sister, etc., and each character's perspective reveals facets of a story no one ever wants to truly experience.
Reaction: Powerfully told through free verse, Ghosting is a cautionary, yet hopeful novel that promotes independent thinking and developing self-confidence, even in the face of overwhelming tragedy and adversity. The novel is easy to relate to, and readers will recognize pieces of themselves or people they know within the well-developed plot. This is a novel that sticks with you long after you've read the final sentence.
If You Liked... Crank or Before I Fall, then Ghosting will be a great addition to your collection.
Rating: 4
Teacher Notes: Touching on a variety of sensitive issues, such as drugs, alcohol, and violence, Ghosting is most definitely intended for a high school audience.
Disclaimer: This novel was given free from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A book written by both Holly Black and Cassandra Clare? OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG!
Release Date: September 2014
Genre: Fantasy
Protagonist: Callum Hunt
The Story: For as long as Callum can remember, Callum's father has made it clear that all magic and mages are dangerous and not to be trusted. Forced to attend the Iron Trial to determine his admission into the Magisterium, Callum is determined to fail the tests spectacularly so that he can continue his life of normalcy. Despite his best (or worst) efforts, Call is chosen to attend the Magisterium to learn how to control his magic. Grouped with two other students, Aaron and Tamara, Call learns for the first time what friendship is and what a person can overcome in the name of loyalty and friendship. Along the way, Call discovers a shocking secret that explains his father's suspicion of the Magisterium. Faced with the ultimate choice between good and evil, Call must make an irreversible decision that will put him on the path to his destiny.
Reaction: Any time you see to power house authors paired up like this, readers are going to have high expectations. I love both of these authors, and I think they've done a really bang up job of crafting a fun new fantasy series for middle grade students. The majority of The Iron Trial is focused on world building and character building, which is extremely important in a fantasy novel where the universe is so profoundly different from our reality. Callum's background and character development are effectively crafted to help us develop sympathy; Callum is the boy bullies pick on, the one chosen last for team activities, and the person others choose not to associate with. After we've learned to care about Call and have sympathy for his situation, the authors drop a bomb on us and leave us wondering about what will happen next. What other choices will Callum make, and how will those decisions impact not only his friends, but the world? Those last few lines of the book, that wicked little twist, is a cliffhanger designed to make you want to read the second book in the series...and I say to the authors: Hurry up, please!
If You Liked... Harry Potter, The Spiderwick Chronicles,Fablehaven and Howl's Moving Castle, then The Iron Trial is right up your alley!
Rating: 4
Teacher Notes: Put this with Harry Potter, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Fablehaven, and Howl's Moving Castle. Fans of high fantasy and fantasy will eat this one up!
Release Date: January 2014
Genre: Science Fiction/Time Travel
Protagonist: Abby, 18 years old
The Story: In the not too distant future, Abigail lives a simple life in Brighton. She follows all the rules and
allows every choice to be influenced by the Date of Death clock she
wears on her wrist. Wrong choice = less time to live. As part of the
transition to adulthood, Abby is excited to meet her Compliment (her
future self) and glean all the wisdom she can from the experience.
Disillusioned by the entire situation, Abby soon realizes that the Brighton leadership is hiding some pretty profound secrets, and unauthorized persons with secret information is considered a threat. Abby discovers she is not the rule-follower she believed herself to be, and she's willing to do whatever it takes to protect those she loves. Government secrets, romance, and friendship all weight heavily into Abby's tale...and then there are the zombies Abby fears so much.
Reaction: Glitch is one of those stories that starts off strong, slows down a bit in the middle, then picks back up as the action starts. Strengths: zombie apocalypse novel told from a feminine perspective, interesting plot twists, zombies, and time travel. Weaknesses: Dare I say this? Too many boys! Other than Kaden, I had a hard time remembering which boy was who. I also found the jumps to different time streams confusing at first. It took some re-reading to keep everything/everyone straight. Lots of new plot elements were introduced right at the end of the novel, too, and I would have liked at least of the major conflicts resolved prior to the conclusion of the novel. I understand that series are all the rage right now, but typically at least one of the conflicts in the story arc are resolved before the next one is introduced. I was left with a lot of questions at the end of this book, and I want some answers! :)
Rating: 3
Teacher Notes: Nice addition to a classroom library. Plentiful of the tropes that are so popular in young adult fiction are present in this fun, little book, so students who enjoy science fiction, zombies, and romance will find Glitch quite entertaining.
