On a Scale of One to Pomegranate....BEASTLY BONES by William Ritter

Beastly Bones: A Jackaby Novel

by William Ritter

R.F. Jackaby and his trusty assistant, Abigail Rook, investigate fascinating and mysterious forms of paranormal phenomena in the latest series offering.these and more paranormal phenomenon in the latest series offering. In this sequel to Jackaby (Algonquin, 2014), Ritter seamlessly presents enough backstory for newcomers to thoroughly enjoy this hybrid of historical fiction and fantasy. Jackaby and Rook are called to probe into a series of strange murders—could it be vampires or jiangshi (zombies in Chinese folklore)? After following a lead to the picturesque Gad’s Valley, they literally unearth one of the most exciting and dangerous animals of all time. The protagonist’s flighty perspicacity pairs well with Rook’s down-to-earth demeanor, and together the pair work to overcome a threat to the entire world.

On a scale of “one to pomegranate,” this volume is undoubtedly a pomegranate; it offers humor, adventure, mystery, gore, and romance all rolled into one well-written package. The best news? There is more to come, as Ritter sets up Jackaby and Rook’s next case regarding the ephemeral Jenny, murdered many years ago.

VERDICT: Recommended for fans of Jonathan Stroud’s “Lockwood & Company” series (Disney-Hyperion).

This review was published in School Library Journal‘s July 2015 issue and can also be viewed online.

A Ride on the YA Wild Side: JOYRIDE by Anna Banks

Joyride

by Anna Banks

Gr 9 Up –Good girl Carly and popular Arden combine forces in order to live more authentic lives in this angsty contemporary novel. Carly’s parents have been deported to Mexico and she works nights to support her family. Arden uses his bad-boy reputation to pull off grand, sometimes disastrous pranks to salve the pain of his sister’s death. Carly is not Arden’s type, at first—and Carly knows she is too busy to bother with him. Eager to escape the iron fist of his sheriff father, Arden grows closer to Carly after an unexpected encounter. Together they realize Arden’s father’s true intentions and work in concert to bring him to justice. 

With a dash of romance, Banks’s book tackles the issues of human smuggling, immigration, and a rogue police officer. Fans of Sarah Dessen and Deb Caletti will flock to the author’s fan pool. 

VERDICT  Relevant, risky, and romantic, this work is a clear standout in today’s contemporary YA niche.

* This review is featured in the School Library Journal March 27, 2015 edition.

A Man, a Writer, and a Tour de Force -- ISAAC'S STORM

Isaac's Storm

by Eric Larson

After reading Devil in White City – and becoming disturbed that such people as the protagonist existed – I resolved to read more books by Eric Larson. I did some research and discovered he wrote Isaac’s Storm about the deadliest hurricane in history that struck Galveston in 1900. There is a particular significance to reading about hurricanes to me – I was born two blocks from the Atlantic Ocean, in North Carolina, and grew up scampering across the white, hot sands and tide pools of the Carolina coast. Hurricanes were a yearly event for us, and exciting. Even when we sought shelter away from our house and there was no electricity, my parents made it seem like a fun camping trip.

And then, I moved to Houston in 1990, and then, in 2009, Hurricane Ike struck our coast. I wasn't worried, even as I hunkered down in my third-floor apartment with the winds bowing the windowpanes. I wasn’t worried, even as the electricity flickered and then plunged everything in darkness. I wasn’t worried until two days later, when I learned of the devastation and unknown time frame for receiving basic services again. Despite the lessons from previous hurricanes, we were all not prepared for Ike, and as the hot, humid days stretched on, I began to despair of ever watching TV, feeling the cool winds of the A/C, or talking on the phone again. 10 days ambled by before we got our electricity back, but I have still yet to recover from those dank, dark nights and hungry days.

So, reading Isaac’s Storm was good for me; it showed me that the devastation could be worse. It showed me that we were lucky to at least know the storm’s power and potential, even if we were not prepared for it. It showed me the human nuances and impacts Mother Nature wreaks on our vanity.

Isaac Cline was the foremost meteorologist for the US Weather Bureau stationed in Galveston; back in 1900, with no satellites to watch over the Earth, weathermen were akin to snake oil salesman. The people of Galveston had no need to suspect that the 1900 storm was any different than other storms—but it was. A deadly storm surge quickly overtook over half the island, burying houses, businesses, and people in a rage of frothing water. Houses were swept right off their foundations and children, separated from their mothers, screamed in horror. Larson vividly paints a picture of utter destruction and chaos; as a mother, it is particularly difficult to read about the deaths of children. However, Larson also interjects much-needed anecdotes of heroism and generosity in the time of the storm and thereafter.

Much of the blame, Larson insinuates (or rather practically outright screams), lies with the Bureau itself, locked in a political battle of the wills with Cuba. If only there wasn’t a ban on telegraphs or information from the Cuban meteorologists, he contends, then lives could have been saved, as the Cubans understood this 1900 storm was different than others. It’s an important lesson that resonates today, in this time of maybe-we-Cuba-maybe-we-don’t.

Overall, don’t miss any of Larson’s works, but in particular—don’t miss this one.

Get Off At the Next Stop: THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN

The Girl on the Train

by Paula Hawkins

If Ernest Hemingway were a woman and wrote a spin-off of Gone Girl, it would look very much like The Girl on the Train.  Gone Girl is incredibly crafted to deliver a psychological punch -- TGotT is a mostly flimsy, slapped-together, predictable addition to the unreliable narrator genre.

I want to like Rachel, I really do -- she's pathetic in her earnestness and inability to focus.  She's lost her job, her husband, and any hope of having children.  In order to keep up the charade of going to work, each day she takes the morning train into "work," walks around all day (usually drinking), and then takes the train home after "work."  Every morning the train makes a stop that allows Rachel to gaze into the houses built right next to the track.  One of those houses used to belong to her -- and her ex-husband, with his then-mistress and now-wife.  A few houses down, a seemingly loving couple lay out on the patio, unaware of Rachel's intense gaze.  Rachel names the couple Jess and Jason, and proceeds to imagine their sophisticated, affection life together.

Except, appearances can be deceiving.  Just like Rachel attempts to fool everyone that she is not an alcoholic and still has a job, it is quite easy to see the rifts in “Jess” and “Jason”’s relationship.  Rachel conveniently blacks out quite often, enabling her to forget what she did the day and night before – did she knock on her ex-husband’s door again?  Did she leave drunken voicemail messages again? 

Storylines between Tom (Rachel’s ex-husband), “Jess,” “Jason,” Rachel, and Tom’s new wife all begin to cross paths more often than not.  I could predict the ending relatively early in, leaving me to race through supposedly taut and mysterious scenes in the hopes that something, anything, would surprise me.

We All Should Go DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN

Down From the Mountain

by Elizabeth Fixmer

Now, this is why I read young adult literature – an interesting and not overwrought narrative from the viewpoint of a teenager ingrained in a religious cult, Down From the Mountain is interesting, fresh, and alarming.

Eva, so named after Eve and therefore always a reminder of temptation, is 14 years old and lives on a compound with her real mother, several other “Mothers,” and several children.  Prophet Ezekiel leads his flock with an increasingly iron fist.  He insists on marrying every woman in the compound, thereby driving out the men and further bolstering Ezekiel’s power.  When Eva’s talent at jewelry-making allows her to leave the compound for the heathen world outside, she begins to realize that Prophet Ezekiel may not be the word of God, after all.

Fixmer creates a nuanced suspense that is charming and realistic; we hope that Eva escapes from the cult but we also are sympathetic to her desire to be loved.  Eva clings to the memories from a book she read, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, an allegory for a loving God:

“Ezekiel can make me say yes when I mean no, I think.  He can make me submissive and obedient, but he can’t control everything.  He can’t control my thoughts or memories.  Like my book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  He burned it, but it will always remain in my heart” (139).

Eva befriends a waiter named Trevor and they begin meeting at a local library; once Eva obtains “[her] most precious possession,” a library card, she begins to devour the knowledge that Ezekiel may not be God’s word.

The ending is sad and tragic, but also quite realistic.  I only wish we would have gotten more information about what ultimately happened to Ezekiel.  Overall, I will be highly recommending this story – what a treat!

Far From Perfect - FAR FROM YOU

Far From You

by Tess Sharpe

Count me as someone who is disappointed with this book. The premise had me hooked and I could not wait to read it. Unfortunately, there are just too many things going on with this book, and not enough attention is given to any of them.

Sophie, our protagonist, is addicted to prescription narcotics, caught in a love rectangle, and on the hunt for her best friend's murderer all while being stalked herself. It's just too much for one novel. If the author had just cut out all that murder mystery stuff (which is unbelievable, anyway) and focused on the addiction/love rectangle, the novel would have been splendid. Think about it: what are the chances that a teen is going to witness a murder and be swept up in a murder mystery? Zero to nil. What are the chances that a teen may try drugs and/or fall in love with the wrong person? Much more possible. 

So, all in all, I was very disappointed. I am also disappointed that whomever is in charge of writing the blurbs did not explicitly state this is a novel that addresses themes of bisexuality/lesbians/gay community. Why are they trying to hide that?

"They hungered for us" - IN THE AFTER by Demitria Lunetta

In the After

by Demitria Lunetta

“After They came, I did not leave my house for three weeks.  The broadcasts stopped after the first few days, but they were not helpful anyway.  They kept repeating the same things.  Aliens had landed, they were not friendly, half of the planet was dead.They were horrifyingly fast, traveling across the globe at an alarming pace.  They didn’t destroy buildings or attack our resources, like in so many crappy Hollywood movies.  They wanted us.  They hungered for us” (9).

 A large, unexplained object lands, hosting thousands of hungry, predatory “Them” that rapidly kill, eat, and take over every continent and city.  Amy is alone at home when it happens, and barricades herself inside, thanks to her father’s foresight.  When all becomes quiet, too quiet, Amy ventures outside the safe boundaries of her house to scavenge and find survivors.  She ends up rescuing a toddler, whom she calls “Baby,” and they live three years in silence, as “Them” are attracted to noise.

Eventually, Amy and Baby are rescued by an elite, organized force that resides in New Hope, a highly-regulated society of survivors.  Amy’s mother is the director and assures her daughter that the confining rules of New Hope are for the betterment of future mankind.  When Amy stumbles upon experiments involving the fearsome Them, she begins to realize her mother is not telling her everything.

In The After is a 2015 Lone Star-awarded book, and for good reason – the writing is smoothly-paced, the action has peaks and valleys, and the subject matter of the book is fascinating, albeit in a morbid way.  Those in the lower grades, like sixth and seventh, might not be the best audience for this gruesome subject matter and grotesque descriptions of Them eating people: “The creatures pounced, not bothering to kill their prey before feeding.  They ripped skin and flash from their victims, who screeched in agony” (14) and “They feed for a long time, eating every bit of their dead, their sharp teeth chewing through skin, muscle, and bone.  Their feeding noises sicken me, slurps with the occasional crunch” (68).  So, gird your iron stomach and go ahead and read this, but don't say I didn't warn you.