tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11531381622199507982024-02-08T06:25:23.110-08:00Young Adult Reviewers of Southern CaliforniaAll Youth Services Librarians and School Librarians from the Southern California are welcome to join us. <br> We meet on the first Tuesday of each month. Time of meeting: 9:00 am to 11:30 am. <br>
Our next meeting is on February 7, 2017 at 9:00 am at <br>
Inglewood Public Library, <br>
101 W. Manchester Blvd.<br>
Inglewood, CA 90301<br>
<br>
Publishers - if you wish to send review copies, please send to the above address. Thank you! <br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger282125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-67946805686164262472019-08-06T14:24:00.001-07:002019-08-06T14:25:12.118-07:00Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">High School Fiction<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">VG/M. Jackson, Tiffany. <i>Let me
hear a rhyme</i>. Katherine Tegen Books, 2019. 380p. 978-0-06-284032-5.
17.99.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">It’s
the summer of ’98, and rather than heading off to Coney Island to enjoy the
beach and fireworks like they always do right before the school year starts,
Quadir and Jarrell are instead attending their best friend’s funeral. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To others, Steph may have just been another
nameless victim of street violence, but to them he was their brother, someone
they could always count on to have their back. However, as close as they were,
Quadir and Jarrell are still surprised to find the depth of Steph’s musical
talent. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they discover his
prerecorded music, they approach Jasmine, Steph’s sister, with an outrageous
plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three decide to promote
Steph’s music under the alias “The Architect”, pretending Steph is still alive
in order to get him signed onto a record label. Jasmine agrees, only if the two
help her uncover the truth about her brother’s murder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stakes are high for the all three, and the
situation ever more dangerous as they move closer to the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will they be able to help Steph achieve his
dreams even after death and find justice for him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">For
fans of Angie Thomas. Recommended for all YA collections.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br />
Camille Campos, LAPL, Benjamin Franklin Branch Library </div>
<br />
<br />Camille Camposhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16905609656336714496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-42786558775281715002019-08-06T14:21:00.000-07:002019-08-06T14:21:23.801-07:00Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">High School Fiction</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">VG/A. Donnelly, Jennifer. <i>Stepsister</i>.
Scholastic Press, 2019. 342p. 978-1-338-26846-1. 17.99.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stepsister </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">is Donnelly’s darker and more nuanced
reimagining of the classic fairy tale of Cinderella, told from the point of
view of the “ugly stepsister”. Isabella may be considered ugly, but she’s
fierce and strong of will. Isabella was also good and brave once upon a time,
and she, Octavia or “Tavi”, and Ella were once friends. What happened to the
three that made them so jealous and resentful of each other?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that Ella has married the prince, Isabella
and Tavi, are left behind to deal with the derision and scorn of the villagers
in the aftermath of their desperate and failed attempt to marry the prince.
When the girls and their mother lose their home, they are forced to beg for a
place to stay, finding work in the fields of a nearby farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isabella can’t help but think that if only
she were pretty, her life would be easier. Isabella meets the same fairy queen Tanaquill,
who had helped Ella, but instead of giving Isabella gifts of a carriage and beautiful
gown, only agrees to help Isabella, if she can find the missing pieces of her
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isabella has to unravel the
riddle, and in doing so, rediscover herself and forge her own path lest, she
forever remain known as the ugly stepsister. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Recommended for YA
collections.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Camille Campos, LAPL, Benjamin Franklin Branch Library</span></div>
<br />Camille Camposhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16905609656336714496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-33819972142039862212019-05-09T14:39:00.001-07:002019-08-06T14:20:17.347-07:00New Kid by Jerry Craft<div style="text-align: left;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-45e7e2fc-7fff-4891-a365-f7e5caaa362e" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-45e7e2fc-7fff-4891-a365-f7e5caaa362e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">E/A. Craft, Jerry. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">New Kid</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">. Harper, 2019. 249p. 978-0-06-269120-0. 21.99.</span></b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-45e7e2fc-7fff-4891-a365-f7e5caaa362e" style="font-weight: normal;">
<br />
</b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-45e7e2fc-7fff-4891-a365-f7e5caaa362e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Middle Grade Graphic Novel</span></b></div>
</div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-45e7e2fc-7fff-4891-a365-f7e5caaa362e"><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</span><b id="docs-internal-guid-45e7e2fc-7fff-4891-a365-f7e5caaa362e" style="font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-45e7e2fc-7fff-4891-a365-f7e5caaa362e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Jordan Banks loves to draw, and he wants nothing more than to start his 7</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 6pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre;">th</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> grade year at an art </span></span></div>
</b><div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">school, </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">but his mom has other plans. Instead, she wants him to attend a prestigious private </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">school—Riverdale </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Academy Day School. His father is worried that there is not enough </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">diversity at this new school, and sure </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">enough, Jordan is only one of the few diverse kids </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">at Riverdale. It’s difficult enough to be in middle school,</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> but to be a new kid at a middle </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">school where the other kids are very privileged, who vacation in places like </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Aspen or</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> the Adirondacks, where the teacher confuses your name with other African American </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">boys, and </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">even the librarian thinks that the only books that would appeal to you are the </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">gritty problem novels. Jordan </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">can’t help but feel like an outsider, lost and alone, as he </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">tries to get through his classes, make new friends </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">while staying clear of upperclassmen</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> and bullies, and generally trying to survive the school year until he can </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">convince his mom</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> to send him to art school. This singular graphic novel is full of insight and humor, and </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">definitely </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">answers the call for #weneeddiversebooks. For fans of Jeff Kinney and Raina </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Telgemeier. Must-have for all </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">general YA collections.</span></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Camille Campos, LAPL, Benjamin Franklin Branch Library</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Camille Camposhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16905609656336714496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-12513376726134954092018-11-13T18:08:00.000-08:002018-11-13T18:10:39.138-08:00Beck by Mal Peet and Meg Rosoff YA Fiction<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The leaves shiver and fall and a
gentle wind circulates through the neighborhood. It’s autumn and the perfect
season to nestle up under an oak and lose yourself in a good book. And I’ve got
just the book to chase away those post-summer blues. Let’s delve right in and
get all roused with reverie for leisurely literature again.</span><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Beck</span></em><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"> by Mal Peet is wholesale
heartrending and a host to many narrative highs and lows. A historical novel
that follows Beck, a young orphan vagabond traveling across the continent
during the Depression, as he struggles with the racial inequalities of the era
and the hardships of life on the road. It’s a story propelled by well-wrought
emotions, fully-realized characters, and a protagonist that embodies
determination in the face of abject desolation. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">The plot will pitch your
wellbeing through the emotional wringer. Beck undergoes tremendous trials and
tribulations and, willingly or not, finds his resolve and character hardened by
it. Hunger and discrimination are a constant companion with him throughout his
travels but he manages to find solace by novel’s end. Circumstance and chance
batters the boy incessantly but he learns to persevere. He ekes his way from
one harrowing situation to the next. Survival becomes a knack despite some
gut-wrenching close calls. Beck finds himself testing the very limits of luck
with his constant freight-hopping, illicit hardscrabble careers, and irreverent
denunciation of authority. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">The writer is adept at conjuring
vivid paragraphs of description. We’re transported from the gloomy docks of
Liverpool to the frigid tundras of Canada to the desolate amber prairies of
rural America. It’s a story that spans many lands and locales. Displacement and
social decline a strong theme page after page. It’s a Dorothea Lange portrait
writ large across the page. Bleak and howling gray. But embedded in the nigh
nothingness of descriptive deprivation and famine, we catch sight of lyrical
glimmers of poetry. Soothing and sorely sought sustenance for the soul.
Scattered are easily-missed, microscopically-mentioned mementos that remind
readers of the beauty in disconsolate environs. Though seemingly barren and
unforgiving, we must make an earnest effort to dust off the dolorous to find
the shoots of green hope dormant underfoot. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s a challenging book. Dark and
sublime in its devastating portrayal of chronic indigence. Not your usual Young
Adult fare that strikes all the conventional plot points and culminates in a
tidy saccharine ending. This tale expects more from readers. It prods and poses
difficult questions regarding race, class, and an outsider’s waning place in
the world. It’s a book that has the courage to not opt for the easy answers.
And presses you to find comfort in a lack of resolution or sense of closure.
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">The long and short of it: <em>Beck</em>
is fine reading. Stark and powerful in its craft of storytelling. It’s a thick
borsch of <em>The Grapes of Wrath</em>, <em>Angela’s Ashes</em>, and <em>Great
Expectations</em>. A tale as steadfast, unsettling, and mosaic-like as America
itself. So brandish that thumb and hitchhike a ride on this rich and harrowing
literary odyssey. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s a ride that’s sure to be
itinerant and eye-opening. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Tommy Vinh Bui, Inglewood Public Library </span><br />
<br />Tommy Vinh Buihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489714264798942667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-5135460238286712492018-11-06T14:15:00.001-08:002018-11-06T14:15:22.004-08:00More Deadly Than War : The Hidden History of the Spanish Flu and the First World War<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">YA Nonfiction</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">VG/A. Davis, Kenneth C. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">More Deadly Than War: The Hidden History of the Spanish Flu and the
First World War.</i> Henry Holt and Company, 2018. 291p. 978-1-250-14512-3. 19.95.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We live in a world in which we fear the deadly things we
can see. Bombs, guns, and terrorism are the most visible threats to life and
peace…But throughout human history, the things we cannot see have actually been
the most lethal. Disease have been more deadly than war.” Davis’s fascinating
and engrossing account comes on the 100<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the Spanish
flu, the most deadly pandemic in the modern era. It has recently been estimated
that 100 million people died worldwide, of which 675,000 died in the US.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, little attention has been paid to
the Spanish flu that left victims, otherwise young and healthy, “blue as
huckleberries and spitting blood”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A “collective
amnesia”, the censorship of newspapers, magazines and textbooks surrounding the
Spanish flu and its effects on WWI, has allowed it to fall into “a black hole
of history”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The history of the Spanish
flu is a cautionary tale, in which lessons of the past are still relevant
today, especially in a world more interconnected than ever before, where outbreaks
of Zika or Ebola or even the flu can lead to another deadly and terrifying
pandemic. Includes black and white photographs, appendices, timeline, bibliography,
source, notes, and index. Recommended for all general YA collections. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">C. Campos, Benjamin Franklin Library, LAPL</span></div>
<br />Camille Camposhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16905609656336714496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-43147572647440249652018-08-07T17:27:00.000-07:002018-08-07T17:29:59.961-07:00The Prince and the Dressmaker General YA Graphic Novel<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">VG/A. Wang, Jen. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Prince and the Dressmaker</i>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First Second, 2018. 312p. 978-1-62672-363-4.
16.99.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After having designed such a scandalous dress for Lady
Sophia Rohan, Frances finds herself unexpectedly let go. Luckily, she soon finds
herself as a personal seamstress for a private client -- the mysterious Lady
Crystallia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By night, the confident,
bold, beautiful and alluring Lady Crystallia takes Paris by storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By day, Lady Crystallia is none other than
the Crown Prince Sebastian of Belgium, a dutiful son for whom his parents are
steadfastly searching for a bride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever
Sebastian wears Frances’ beautiful creations, he feels absolutely transformed,
that he can do just about anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just
as Lady Crystallia and Frances’ designs grow in popularity - all the girls want
to dress like her - so, too, does the need for secrecy. Sebastian is worried
about what his parents would think if they find out the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He implores Frances to keep his secret, but Sebastian’s
secret may tear their friendship apart. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frances knows that in order to keep
Sebastian’s secret she would have to keep her own talents a secret and miss out
on following her dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sebastian is
torn between following his parent’s wishes or being honest and remaining true to himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jen Wang’s delightful
and refreshing graphic novel is a wonderfully illustrated, unconventional fairy
tale that will captivate many fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> C. Campos, LAPL, Benjamin Franklin</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Camille Camposhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16905609656336714496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-34322522028773878832018-04-30T09:32:00.000-07:002018-04-30T09:32:52.847-07:00ALICE PAUL AND THE FIGHT FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTSADULT/YA NONFICTION<br />
<br />
G/A Kops, Deborah. Alice Paul and the Fight for Women's Rights. Calkins Creek, 2017. <br />
978-1-62979-323-8. 17.95. Paul's inspiration to become a political activist for the fair treatment and rights of women began during her 2 1/2 years in England. While extending her "beyond graduate" education, she became a suffragette in London's -- Women's Social and Political Union. This involvement prepared her for a leadership role in America's -- National Woman's Party. She worked tirelessly for the women's right to vote, anti-sex discrimination, civil rights, and the Equal Rights Amendment. Included in the book are: a very detailed index; a mini -- who's who section of approximately 30 additional women; an extensive bibliography; and a thorough listing of sources for quotations. There are also an ample number of good quality b/w photographs distributed throughout the book -- many of which are properties of the Library of Congress. E.M. Roublow (ret.)emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607168024675212840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-50115023093070401282018-02-05T19:57:00.000-08:002018-02-05T19:57:52.984-08:00EYES OF THE WORLDADULT/YA NONFICTION<br />
V/A Aronson, Marc and Marina Budhos. EYES OF THE WORLD. Henry Holt, 2017. 9780805098358. 22.95. During Spain's Civil War, two photojournalists discover their passion for image reporting. Robert Capa and Gerda Taro ("adopted" names created to protect their ethnic identity) honed their skills in the midst of inclement weather, crowds of refugees and physical danger. Their fierce determination was well supported by respect and love for one another. Readers and browsers, alike, will appreciate this handsome presentation of history plus chapter notes, a timeline, appendices and a detailed index. Interesting, also, is the authors' segment: "How We Came To Write This Book." E.M. Roublow (ret.)emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607168024675212840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-16022385627613489662018-01-30T14:21:00.002-08:002018-01-30T14:21:45.138-08:00Dear Martin<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Dear
Martin</span></strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">By Nic Stone <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Narrated by
Dion Graham <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Published by
Listening Library <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">ISBN:
1101939494 <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">October 17,
2017 <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">This was a
trenchant and incisive yarn that ran the gamut of emotional peaks and valleys.
From rib-grabbingly funny to heartsomely somber, writer Nic Stone has managed
to wring a rich and textured story that should keep young audiences captivated
from word one. It’s a narrative that confounds expectation and tackles
admirably some of the pressing issues that are but all too relevant today. It’s
a dazzling work that is sensitive to a multitude of contemporary controversies
and should spark a windfall of thoughtful discussion among teen readers. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The story
follows Justyce McAllister, a bright and clear-eyed senior trying his best to navigate
the slings and arrows of adolescence. It’s hard enough for a teen to wrestle
with schoolwork, social life, and the other difficulties part and parcel with
high school, he also must struggle with some pretty profound racial and
societal questions. He becomes deeply disoriented when he himself is the victim
of racial profiling and he begins to falter when it comes to understanding his
own sense of identity and class affiliation. He finds solace and guidance in
the teachings of his historical mentor, Martin Luther King Jr, desperately trying
to make sense of the racial tensions and inequalities around him. Through a
series of epistolary missives he writes to Dr. King, he undergoes a head-to-toe
personal transformation and comes out the other side of the novel a changed
person. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">It’s certainly
a page-turner. I was hanging on each word and found myself at the last page
with alarming swiftness. It’s structurally sound and has ample narrative
velocity. The characters are fully fleshed out and nothing is rushed or
under-developed. The writer manages to capture a tone that is exceedingly
listen-eable and strikes the ear true. There’s a je ne sais quoi musicality to
the dialogue that is dulcet and alluring from beginning to end. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The themes are
certainly age-appropriate and should provide a wealth of discussion points for
any Current Events class worth their salt. Themes of racial inequality,
affirmative action, and tacit discrimination are all subjects that are broached
elegantly and kneaded into the narrative masterfully. These struggles and
difficult questions really coax the best out of the primary and secondary
characters and make them fully realized and multi-layered figures by the
novel’s culmination. The character development is top-notch. We sympathize and
identify with these characters. Very much so. We celebrate with them during the
highs and grieve together during the lows. And all arrive at a better
understanding of the issues chapter by chapter. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">All said, a
doozy of a YA novel. Inexplicably by-the-book and out-of-the-box somehow. A
wholehearted recommend.</span><br />
<br />
Tommy Bui, Inglewood Public LibraryLoren Spectorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079780486409790038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-6315159429406694492018-01-30T14:20:00.006-08:002018-01-30T14:20:59.827-08:00I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I Am Not Your Perfect
Mexican Daughter <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Written by Erika L. Sanchez <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read by Kyla Garcia <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Knopf Books for Young Readers <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Publication Date: October 17, 2017 <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ISBN: 1524700487 <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A riveting and rambunctious read that tugs all the right
heartstrings unabashedly and without hesitance. Erika L. Sanchez has tapped
into a rich reservoir of relatable and poignant characters. Characters that are
flawed, vulnerable, and muster the courage to grow and change into better
people by book’s end. This is Young Adult fare that will have mass appeal and
manage to get you flipping fervently page by page and rooting for our young
female protagonist. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We follow teenage Julia as she navigates the rigors and
pitfalls of growing up in a strict Mexican-American household that upholds
familial responsibility supreme. But Julia has an independent streak that runs
directly counter to that value and the friction between her and her mother is
fraying her thin. To compound her frustrations, Julia suffers the slings and
arrows of overcoming daily stereotypes. She yearns for more. The book is
incredibly layered as it explores themes of self-identity, LGBTQ
discrimination, loss and grief, and teen mental illness. All very sensitive
issues that are dealt with an appropriate amount of levity and gravity somehow.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Julia carries this YA novel single-handedly. Her voice is
authentic and you’re immediately yanked into her trials and tribulations from
the first chapter. Julia is a firebrand but also has a sensitivity to her. A
febrile fragility. A complex character study that confounds and compels. And the
performance of Kyla Garcia percolates with flair. From the farcical to the
solemn, every tone and idiosyncrasy is captured with gusto. It’s a myriad of
fleshed out and memorable secondary characters to help prop up our protagonist.
From the ever-kvetching mother to the sassy and sometimes absurd circle of
friends. Every voice is singular and unique in its delivery. Top marks. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s so much beyond just a coming-of-age tale. It’s a modern
day bildungsroman in the vein of <i>Jane
Eyre</i>. Just angrier and more relevant to today’s diverse audiences. There’s
a smidge of <i>Catcher in the Rye</i> in
there too. A voice of cynicism that is just a disguised cry for help. So
there’s sincerity in that sardonic tone. The struggles and challenges of
growing up are timeless. And the writer here manages to carry on this rich literary
tradition while also melding other aspects of popular genres such as mystery,
social critique, and race politics. It’s an ambitious and culturally-timely piece.
And a successful one that merits a look-thru. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A wholehearted recommend. Read and be ravished by the book’s
insights and cultural shrewdness. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
Tommy Bui, Inglewood Public LibraryLoren Spectorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079780486409790038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-33795727556772637952018-01-30T14:20:00.002-08:002018-01-30T14:20:17.332-08:00Juniper Lemon's Happiness Index<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Juniper Lemon’s
Happiness Index <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Written by Julie Israel <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Narrated by Abigail Revasch <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Published by Penguin Random Audio Publishing Group <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Publication Date: 2017 <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ISBN: 1524775223 <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was a thoroughly enjoyable and poignant tale of a young
girl navigating the trials and tribulations of adolescence. It also strives to
go beyond the mere tropes of high school dramedy by trying to tackle a variety
of emotionally-laden subjects. Subjects such as grief, loss, and soul-sapping
depression. It offers up some pretty weighty and sensitive societal issues to
the audience but manages to do so with an appropriate degree of tact and social
responsibility. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The quick pitch: Juniper Lemon is pitched into a world of sorrow
and bereavement when she survives a car crash that tragically takes her older
sister’s life. Her parents are hobbled with grief and she herself is racked
with unspeakable guilt over the whole ordeal. She eventually uncovers a
mysterious letter written by her sister before the accident. A letter undelivered
to a secret recipient. Racked with remorse, she undergoes a by-any-means mission
to convey the letter to this unknown party. As this act becomes the last
meaningful link she has to her dearly departed sister. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The narrative paces along at a manageable momentum and
endeavors to keep the audiences’ attention rapt throughout. The protagonist is
vulnerable and endearing but manages to muster enough spunkiness to overcome
seemingly the whole weight of the world on her shoulders. This is a character that
many should be able to identify with quickly and feel knee-jerk compassion for.
She’s being dragged through the emotional wringer. But she comes out the other
side stronger and a fully-realized character for it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The side characters also all contribute meaningfully to the
story. Juniper undertakes an epic internal journey that takes her through an
array of emotional peaks and valleys. And along the way she recruits an
eclectic motley of sidekicks to help her find the way. And each and every one
just as richly-textured and complex as the main protagonist. It’s a riveting
cortege of characters and friendship quickly becomes another enduring theme by
book’s end. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Juniper Lemon’s
Happiness Index </i>can be likened to <i>Mean
Girls</i> meets <i>Extremely Loud &
Incredibly Close</i>. The shifting from teen-rom-com to intense character
profile of pain and melancholy is seamless and no easy course to slalom. But
the author manages it well here. The performance of the reader is superb. She
does a fine job of sprinkling the right amount of voice-quiver and reticence
into the title character of Juniper. You just want to take her voice and drape
a blanket over it and comfort, “Everything’s going to be okay.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
All in all, by-the-books Young Adult machinations. Perfect
for a multitude of demographics. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
Tommy Bui, Inglewood Public LibraryLoren Spectorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079780486409790038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-29646731634581603962018-01-30T14:19:00.001-08:002018-01-30T14:19:28.034-08:00Girls Who Code<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Girls Who Code: Learn
to Code and Change the World <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Written and Read by Reshma Saujani <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Listening Library <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Publication Date: August 22, 2017 <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ISBN: 1524778222 <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is an item that inspires and cajoles young woman to
confound expectations and jump with both feet into the world of coding and
computer-science. Writer Reshma Saujani makes a compelling case to pursue a
passion for computer coding and combine it with other interests to create a
synergy of creative potential. It’s all about empowerment and building confidence
and flagging that nerd flag high. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The audiobook offers a succinct little primer and
introduction into the world of coding. She takes our hand and walks us through
the history of the field and the innovations and advancements that women have
contributed over the years to computer-science. The writer provides us with
several historical figures and a multitude of case studies of the unsung female
heroes blazing a trail in the world of tech. And shows that inspiring young
girls to explore the world of coding is the future and how imperative it is to
close the gender gap in the tech industry.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reshma Saujani also gives us a pretty comprehensive play by
play into the basics of coding. She goes over the terminology and cobbles a
sturdy scaffolding in which to frame a better understanding of coding. She
manages to take a sometimes abstruse subject and make it relatable and
palatable to digest. She uses an assortment of real-world scenarios and always
endeavors to make the topic engaging and approachable. Though the work is
largely skewed toward a female audience of a certain age, the information
conveyed about rudimentary coding skills can be useful for a wide demographic
of people just interested in the course of study. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This work is a big advocate of eschewing stereotypes and
impels young audiences to augment their thinking of what’s expected and what’s
possible. She reminds us that encouraging STEM and useful computer fundamentals
will serve young girls for years to come and that the field is ready and
receptive to a whole generation of groundbreaking tech pioneers. The
possibilities are nigh boundless. Put the right string of code in the right
girl’s hands and she could make a sizeable impact from social justice champion
to canny entrepreneur. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This work earns a wholehearted recommendation. The content
is delivered in an enthused and infectiously effusive manner. And the range of
topics covered impressive from beginning to end and the overall message of
empowerment delivered with precision. The item also includes a bonus disc with
PDFs of images, computer-history timelines, flowcharts, lines of code, and a
handy glossary. All fine fodder for any coding connoisseur. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Get coding, kids. Plain and simple.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tommy Bui, Inglewood Public Library</div>
Loren Spectorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079780486409790038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-87847263409772384992017-11-22T15:18:00.000-08:002017-11-22T15:18:22.903-08:00JACK LONDON AND THE KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH<br />
MIDDLE SCHOOL NONFICTION<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
G/A Lourie, Peter. Jack London And The Klondike Gold Rush. Henry Holt, 2017. 9780805097573. 18.99. With an appetite for adventure and a financial need to find gold, London developed characters for stories while building his own personal character. He exhibited love for the outdoors and enough perseverance to withstand the weather's fierce elements. Shaded sections throughout the text capture London's (and other's) actual writings about their Klondike experiences. London's biographical and literary lives are attractively laid out over a four page time line. Terms -- true to the Klondike era -- are well defined in the glossary. Should appeal to any young reader who'd enjoy outdoor excitement. E.M. Roublow (ret.)</div>
emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607168024675212840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-70969164057446869672017-11-22T14:59:00.000-08:002017-11-22T14:59:30.021-08:00IN THE SHADOW OF LIBERTYADULT/YA NONFICTION<br />
<br />
V/A Davis, Kenneth C. In The Shadow Of Liberty. Henry Holt, 2016. 286p. 9781627793117. 17.99. As early America sought independence and self-sufficiency, four presidents (Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Jackson) struggled with issues surrounding slavery. Five enslaved people -- owned by these presidents -- were also challenged as they weighed loyalty vs the unknowns of freedom. This book's focus is definitely about our country's history more than these individuals' biographies. Its time line, detailed source notes, plus clear b/w pictures and drawings make it a valuable supplement to classroom texts. E.M. Roublow (ret.)emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607168024675212840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-26235120362218177212017-08-07T17:07:00.003-07:002017-08-07T17:07:31.875-07:00Love and First Sight by Josh Sundquist<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">General YA Fiction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">VG/A. Sundquist, Josh.
Love and First Sight. Little, Brown and Company, 2017. 281p. 978-0-316-30535-8.
17.99.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">William Porter was born
blind, and until recently he went to a school for the blind. Now, at 16-year-old, Will is determined to go
to a mainstream school and be as normal a teenager as possible. His first few days at school don’t go quite
as planned. He finds himself in a few
embarrassing situations: accidentally groping a girl, making another girl cry when
he stares at her a bit too long, sitting on someone’s lap at lunch, and mistakenly
walking into the girls’ restroom. Soon
things start to look up. Will’s one favorite class is journalism, and he teams
up with Cecily (the same girl he made cry) to report on the Van Gogh exhibit at
the museum. Will becomes good friends
with Cecily and the other members of the academic quiz team, despite the
initial misunderstandings. He also becomes
a candidate for experimental surgery that may give him eyesight, allowing him
to see for the first time in his life. Even
with successful surgery, Will has even more hardships ahead of him. He will actually have to <i>learn</i> how to see. This is
Sundquist’s debut young adult novel, and it is highly recommended. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Camille Camposhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16905609656336714496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-41732324569541287322017-08-07T17:06:00.002-07:002017-08-07T17:06:44.516-07:00The Cruelty by Scott Bergstrom<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">High School Fiction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">G/M. Bergstrom, Scott. The
Cruelty. Feiwel and Friends, 2017. 371p. 978-1-250-10818-0. 18.99.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When special agents from
the Bureau of Diplomatic Security show up at her door, Gwendolyn Bloom knows
something serious has gone wrong with her dad.
She is shocked to find out that he has gone missing and even more
surprised when she discovers his diplomatic job was just a cover. When the trail for her father grows cold, and
the Bureau is no longer is aggressively pursuing his case, Gwendolyn takes it
upon herself to go search for him. With
the clues that her father left for her and with help from friends, she leaves
New York with little more than a backpack and first travels to Paris, where he
was last seen, following clues that take her all across Europe. Her search plunges her into a world of
organized crime, witnessing first-hand the cruelty and brutality of it, and is forced
to commit unspeakable acts herself. This
spy action-packed thriller is at times unbelievable, but is overall engrossing.
However, with the level of violence in the book, it is recommended for older
teens and young adults. There is a
sequel in the works, and the film rights for the book has been optioned by
Paramount. Camille Campos, Benjamin Franklin Library, LAPL. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Camille Camposhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16905609656336714496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-35429163955214536082017-08-07T12:16:00.001-07:002017-08-07T12:16:34.677-07:00The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">High School Fiction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">G/A. Kincaid, S.J. The
Diabolic. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2016. 416p.
978-1-481-47267-8. 17.99.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Feared and reviled,
Diabolics were engineered to be super human bodyguards, to bond and to love
their masters above all else. Nemesis is
Sidonia’s Diabolic and there isn’t anything she wouldn’t do to protect her
charge. Sidonia Impyrean is the daughter of Senator von Impyrean, whose love of
science and education has earned him the title of heretic. When her father is caught disobeying the
Emperor’s edicts, Sidonia is demanded as hostage at the Chrysanthemum
court. However, Sidonia’s mother has
other plans—she intends for Nemesis to take Sidonia’s place, and to go to the
Chrysanthemum court in her stead. Not
only does Nemesis now need to learn all the rules of court etiquette, but also
how to navigate a court full of political intrigue and danger, fool other Diabolics,
fellow courtiers, not to mention the Emperor.
Inspired by <i>I, Claudius</i>, Kincaid weaves a story of friendship and humanism set against
a backdrop of a galactic empire on the brink of implosion. Recommended for
science fiction fans and for those who enjoyed Marie Rutowski’s <i>Winner’s Trilogy</i>. Camille Campos, Benjamin Franklin Library, LAPL. </span></div>
Camille Camposhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16905609656336714496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-208907182176977092017-07-31T19:23:00.001-07:002017-07-31T19:23:24.607-07:00Decelerate Blue<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Graphic Novel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">VG/A Rapp,
Adam. Decelerate Blue. First Second, 2017. 188p. 978-1-59643-109-6. 17.99<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In Rapp’s vision of the future, everything is fast paced
and the Guarantee Committee makes sure that your every action doesn’t waste any
time. Meals are precooked, whenever you are done speaking, you say “go”
indicating the next person can respond and contractions must be used as much as
possible. Teenager, Angela, doesn’t like this lifestyle and when she finds a
banned book called “Kick the Boot” by Kent Van Gough that the resistance
movement uses as their bible, she goes underground with the movement. The
resistance members take a pill called decelerate blue that makes them go
slower, even reducing their heart rates. While Angela is slowing down and
falling in love, the outside world is plotting to destroy the resistance. Loren
Spector, LAPL, Memorial<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Loren Spectorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079780486409790038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-51055373439747026812017-07-31T18:40:00.000-07:002017-07-31T18:42:06.302-07:00Alex & Eliza: A Love Story<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Historical Fiction</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">G/A de la Cruz, Melissa. Alex & Eliza: A Love Story. GP Putnam’s Sons, 2017. 358p.
978-1-5247-3962-1. $17.99<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Like many people before her, Melissa de la Cruz and her
daughter fell in love with and were inspired after seeing the hit musical,
Hamilton on Broadway in 2016. The musical immediately made them wonder about
Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler’s courtship and inspired de la Cruz.
This novel focuses solely on the early days of Alex and Eliza’s relationship.
It begins with their somewhat tumultuous introduction, where Alexander was
charged with delivering bad news to Eliza’s father, which left Eliza not liking
Alex at all. It takes a while, but ultimately Alex’s charm and determination
pay off and lead to one of history’s most romantic love stories. You don’t have
to be a fan of the musical or even know much about Alexander Hamilton or
Elizabeth Schuyler as historical figures to appreciate this rich girl, poor boy
romance. If you like historical fiction or just a good old fashioned love
story, then this book is a must read. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Loren
Spector, LAPL, Memorial<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Loren Spectorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079780486409790038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-83524131082043068212016-10-28T12:39:00.000-07:002016-10-28T12:39:47.161-07:00FOR EXTREME SPORTS -- CRAZY BOYSMIDDLE SCHOOL NONFICTION<br />
<br />
G/A Coy, John. For Extreme Sports -- Crazy Boys. Feiwel, 2015. 155p. 978-1-250-04944-5. 15.99. A predominantly black and white, double-column text plus small snapshots introduce readers to non-traditional sports. Unlike baseball, soccer or hockey teammates, individual adventurers must be self-disciplined and dedicated to endless hours of practice. They cannot afford to be ignorant regarding the dangers of mountain biking, pogo stick flips or skydiving, etc. Nor can they be naive about the risks (including death) of BASE jumping, ice climbing and slacklining. Informative paragraphs about X Games "heroes," charting of Olympics medal winners and short commentaries by extreme sports' pros make this title a fun browser for middle-school students (boys or girls). Fitting for book talks. E.M. Roublow (ret.)emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607168024675212840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-62117767482324390662016-09-04T18:21:00.000-07:002016-09-04T18:21:34.076-07:00WET CEMENT<br />
MIDDLE SCHOOL NONFICTION <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
V/A Raczka, Bob. WET CEMENT. Roaring Brook, 2016. 43p. 978-1-62672-236-1. 17.99. Have audible and visual fun by "stepping" into this interesting collection of "poeTRY." Each poem's shape is unique -- perhaps a maze, a coat hangar or a kite. Topics are also variable -- a musical instrument, weather, a sport, etc. A good literary appetizer to be offered to classes at schools or in libraries. </div>
<div>
E.M. Roublow (ret.)</div>
emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607168024675212840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-56051629439359165292016-09-04T18:12:00.000-07:002016-09-04T18:12:32.789-07:00BUBONIC PANIC<br />
GENERAL YA NONFICTION<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
G/M Jarrow, Gail. BUBONIC PANIC. Calkins Creek, 2016. 195p. 978-1-62091-738-1. 18.95. It is estimated that an original outbreak of this disease occurred in the sixth century -- long before reaching U.S. shores. In the early 1900's, when a medical plague developed in San Francisco's Chinatown, the area was unfairly quarantined. An ignorant diagnosis of who contracted the sickness or where the illness could spread was ultimately disproved. Politics was sometimes more of a hindrance than a help in determining causes and medical solutions. This handsome presentation -- complete with drawings, b&w photos, glossary, index and graphs -- is useful as an introduction to more detailed research. E.M. Roublow (ret.)</div>
emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607168024675212840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-33441276650925073862016-09-04T18:00:00.000-07:002016-09-04T18:00:47.890-07:00RHYTHM RIDE: ROAD TRIP THROUGH THE MOTOWN SOUNDADULT/YA NONFICTION<br />
<br />
G/A Pinkney, Andrea Davis. RHYTHM RIDE: ROAD TRIP THROUGH THE MOTOWN SOUND. Roaring Brook, 2015. 166p. 978-1-59643-973-3. 22.99. Detroit's Motown was the music production birthplace for R&B, soul and pop songs performed by that city's young black singers. Berry Gordy's song-writing skills plus financial aid from his family were the initial investments into a recording company in 1959. Some of the voices that matured through that studio were Diana Ross, The Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, "Smokey" Robinson, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder. Today, Motown is not what it once was but it will always be remembered for the finger-snapping, toe-tapping melodies plus its many talented artists. A Timeline, an extensive Discography and a listing of TV and Motion Picture credits are included. E.M. Roublow (ret.)emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11607168024675212840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-68980866079934273072016-08-30T13:55:00.002-07:002016-08-30T13:56:34.408-07:00Pasadena<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">High School Fiction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">F/M Smith, Sherri L. Pasadena.
Putnam, 2016. 229p.
978-1-101-99625-6. 17.99.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In this modern noir
style novel set in Pasadena, CA, Jude is called home from her vacation back
east when her best friend, Maggie is found dead. Not believing that her death
was suicide and against everyone’s wishes, Jude starts snooping around. Her
investigation uncovers secrets, and not just those about Maggie. Jude is not a
likeable character. She’s mean and rude and it’s no wonder she has few friends.
The novel keeps readers on their toes trying to figure out what really
happened, but in the end, when the mystery is solved, the wrap-up is a
let-down. Mature language and lots of references to sex make this a book for
older teens only. Loren Spector, LAPL, Memorial Branch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Loren Spectorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079780486409790038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153138162219950798.post-10759751742939837462016-08-09T10:08:00.000-07:002016-08-09T10:08:06.222-07:00FirstlifeHigh School Fiction<br />
<br />
VG/A Showalter, Gena. Firstlife. Harlequin Teen.2016. 468p. 978-0- 373-21157- 9. 17.99<br />
<br />
In Firstlife, we discover a society where the people are given two choices to go when they die. There is the Myriads and the Troikans. For those who remain unsigned, after they die they go to the outer<br />
realms to a place called The Many Ends which is a limbo of in-betweeness and seen as the rough place to be and live out their second life. Tenley aka Ten Lockwood's family is high up in the Myriads food chain and so it was assumed that she would happily sign with them. However Tenley refused to sign to any party and her family puts her inside an insane asylum where they will try and break Ten by making her choose. Her strength and ability to not be broken come to the attention of Myriads and Trokians and they both want her for their own reasoning as there was a prophecy about someone who held the right amount of light and darkness - had a balance that could make one party better than the other. So both parties send in a Labourer to try and get her to sign, but what happens when she starts to fall for one of the Labourers and sees the other as her new best friend. What will Ten do?<br />
Dawn Fechter, Inglewood Public LibraryLoren Spectorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079780486409790038noreply@blogger.com0