I'll Give You the Sun

High School Fiction

E/A  Nelson, Jandy.  I'll Give You the Sun.  Dial, 2014.  384p.  978-0803734968.  17.99.

Artistic twins Jude and Noah have always been close, but lately they seem to be drifting apart. In this original novel, the story unfolds from both of their perspectives, but in Noah's chapters the twins are 13 and in Jude's they are 16. Eventually the reader learns what changed between them during that time period and if they can find their way back to each other. This is realistic fiction at it's best. It's an honest portrayal of growing up, relationships, family and forgiveness. I'll be recommending this one to teens and adults, since I think everyone will fall in love with the characters and story like I did. Loren Spector, LAPL, Memorial Branch Library

Andre the Giant: Life and Legend

YA/Adult Graphic Novel

G/A  Brown, Box.  Andre the Giant: Life and Legend.  First Second, 2014.  240p.  978-1-59643-851-4.  17.99.

Andre the Giant was one of the pioneers of professional wrestling. This graphic biography covers his life from boyhood (having to ride in the back of trucks because he couldn't fit in the cab) to his wrestling career, film debut (in Princess Bride) and death. Andre suffered from acromegaly, which caused him to age prematurely and continue to grow his whole life. Even through the pain (and heavy drinking) he continued to wrestle past his life expectancy. Unless your teen patrons are interested in the history of professional wrestling, this book will have more appeal to an adult audience, who is already familiar with Andre the Giant. Some of the content is questionable for teens as well, including bad language, violence and racism. Otherwise, the artwork is great and it's an interesting read about a man who was literally larger than life. Loren Spector, LAPL, Memorial Branch Library

Stay Where You Are and Then Leave

Juvenile/Middle School Fiction

G/A  Boyne, John.  Stay Where You Are and Then Leave.  Henry Holt, 2014.  245p.  978-1-62779-031-4.  16.99

World War I started on Alfie's 5th birthday and the following day his Dad decides to volunteer, much to the dismay of his family. When the letters stop coming and 4 years have passed, Alfie is told that his father is on a secret mission, but Alfie thinks his father has died. While Alfie spends his days secretly shining shoes at the train station he discovers that his father is actually in England, only a few hours from home, in a hospital suffering from shell shock. Alfie decides to rescue him. Some of the English terms and content make it hard to imagine this book in the hands of a child, but a middle school student with an historical fiction assignment would enjoy it. Loren Spector, LAPL, Memorial Branch Library

FIGHTING FIRE!

MIDDLE SCHOOL NONFICTION

G/A  Cooper, Michael L.  Fighting Fire!  Holt, 2014.  128p.  978-0-8050-9714-6.  19.99.  Through ten horrific episodes of fires -- including New York's 9/11; Chicago's Great Fire of 1871; and San Francisco's 1906 fire, "ignited" in the aftermath of an earthquake -- we learn some history of firefighting.  Bucket brigades, simple hose carts and volunteer fire companies are a few of the early forerunners of today's safety codes, continuously updated equipment and professional firefighters.  Approximately 30 pages are devoted to a gallery of fire engines, a list of fire museums, internet sites, a glossary, an extensive bibliography, supplemental titles, source notes and an index.  This title could be handed to a student who expresses admiration for and/or shows an interest in preparing for fire service.   E.M. Roublow (ret.)

Nil

G/A  Matson, Lynne.  Nil.  Henry Holt, 2014.  376p.  978-0-8050-9771-9.  17.99.

There's a flash of heat and when Charley wakes up she's naked and alone in a strange place. After 12 days, she finally runs into some other teens and finds out that she is on the island of Nil. No one knows how or why they are there, but they do know that they only have 365 to escape through a "gate" before they perish. "Gates" come once a day and only one living thing can go through each one. Charley develops a relationship with Thad, whose days on Nil are numbered. Told in alternating viewpoints from Charley and Thad, you get to know the characters better, although their voices are pretty similar. Even though there are several holes in the story and a lot of questions left unanswered, this science fiction debut is an adventurous story. Fans of television shows like Lost or Survivor will definitely enjoy this novel. Loren Spector, LAPL, Memorial Branch Library

Pure Grit: How American WW2 Nurses Survived Battle and Prison Camp in the Pacific

YA Non-Fiction

VG/A  Farrell, Mary Cronk.  Pure Grit: How American WW2 Nurses Survived Battle and Prison Camp in the Pacific.  Abrams, 2014.  160p.  978-1-4197-1028-5.  24.95.

In December 1941, the Japanese attacked the Philippines where thousands of United States Army and Navy soldiers were stationed, along with over 100 Army nurses. The nurses were not prepared for a war zone. By 1942, the nurses were all considered POWs and were forced into internment camps in Manila. With limited food and many sick people, the nurses persevered and worked hard until they were finally liberated in February 1945. Unfortunately, they were not recognized by the military as the heroes that they were when they first returned to the United States. This book chronicles the experiences of these heroic nurses. It includes archival photos, a glossary, timeline, list of nurses, bibliography and index. The only problem with the book is in the editing, there were several chapter headings with the wrong year listed, which made the reading a little confusing at times. Otherwise it was a fascinating read and look at a little recognized piece of World War 2 history. Loren Spector, LAPL, Memorial

LAST DAYS OF JESUS

MIDDLE SCHOOL NONFICTION

V/M  O'Reilly, Bill.  Last Days of Jesus.  Henry Holt, 2014.  298p  978-0-8050-9877-8.  19.99.  Jesus' life, from birth through crucifixion, unfolds among many black and white drawings in this youth edition of the author's KILLING JESUS…  There are also fifteen pages of color illustrations that show a scale replica model of ancient Jerusalem's Temple Complex -- complete with clay figures.  This prose version  of biblical scriptures is a very comfortable read for both young teens and adults.  Additionally, there are approximately thirty-five pages of mini--chapters that cover information relative to:  the Jewish calendar; Dead Sea Scrolls; Roman Religion, Twenty-First-Century Jerusalem sites, etc.  Families can easily enjoy the significance of this era of history together.  (An independent audio version -- read by Edward Herrmann -- is superb.)    E.M. Roublow (ret.)