ALAN Online

“ALAN’s Picks” is a recurring post on ALAN Online featuring book reviews of the newest titles in Young Adult Literature.  Reviews are compiled and posted monthly.  Be sure to visit ALAN Online often to read more about the newest titles from the best authors in the business.

Reviewed this month:

13 by Jason Robert Brown and Dan Elish
The Big Splash by Jack D. Ferraiolo
Bliss by Lauren Myracle
Caught Between the Pages by Marlene Carvell
The Floating Circus by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
Hard Gold:  The Colorado Gold Rush of 1859 by Avi
The Inferior by Peadar O Guilin
The Lucky Place by Zu Vincent
The Midnight Twins by Jacquelyn Mitchard
Mousetraps by Pat Schmatz
The Otherworldlies by Jennifer Anne Kogler
The Runaway Dolls by Ann M. Martin
Suck It Up by Brian Meehl
Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
Waggit’s Tale by Peter Howe
The Year My Sister Got Lucky by Aimee Friedman

13 by Jason Robert Brown and Dan Elish
Geringer/HarperCollins, 2008, 201 pp., $15.99
Fiction/Interpersonal Relations/Peer Pressure/Bar Mitzvah/Divorce
ISBN: 978-0-06-078749-3

In three months, Evan will turn thirteen and celebrate his bar mitzvah.  The only problem is that is parents are getting a divorce, and his mom is taking him to live with her friend Pam in Appleton, Indiana, while his dad and his friends remain in New York.

Without any friends, Evan just wants to forget about his bar mitzvah, but his mother insists that he go through with it and finds a rabbi on the Internet who lives in the Appleton area. 

In an attempt to make friends so he doesn’t have to attend his bar mitzvah alone, Evan tries hard to fit in with the cool kids, and it works for a while, but it also means he alienates Patrice, the girl who befriended him first.  Succumbing to peer pressure, Evan finds himself in over his head, and eventually loses favor among the cool kids.

In the end, the bar mitzvah is a success, and Evan learns a valuable lesson about friendships and family.

Reviewed by Frankie Huff, Orlando, FL

 

The Big Splash by Jack D. Ferraiolo
Amulet Books, 2008, 288 pp., $15.95
Mystery and Detective Stories
ISBN: 978-0-8109-7067-0

Vinnie Biggio, “Mr. Biggs,” is Franklin Middle School’s crime boss.  Biggs has a monopoly on forged hall passes, test answers, black market candy operations, and even a group of assassins who are masters at destroying social status.  These assassins “take out” students using water guns filled with cat urine.  Where do they shoot? With sniper like accuracy they strike out at the crotches of unsuspecting students who are then ridiculed and ostracized into the “Outs.”  Once you are in the Outs there is no going back and no student, no matter how popular, is safe.  Mr. Biggs’ number one assassin is Nikki Finegan  “Fingers.” She has been the terror of Franklin Middle School for so long that her recent retirement is met with some surprise from the student body.  The surprise is turned into elation for the family members of those students who have been “popped” by her, when Nikki gets “popped” herself by a mystery assailant.  Mr. Biggs now decides to hire the services of seventh grader  P.I. Matt Stevens to find out the identity of  the assassin. This job should be an easy one for Matt, but no one seems willing to help out the has-been terror of the school, Nikki Fingers, and Matt’s job is all the more difficult.  It all comes down to Matt’s contacts at school and a mysterious note he gets his hands on.  Will he be able to solve this mystery or better yet save himself from getting “popped” and made an addition to the “Outs” rank of nobodies? 

Ferraiolo cleverly interweaves Mafia undertones with Middle School social dynamics in this comical yet page turning novel.  Young adult mystery enthusiasts will love the unmasking of this new sleuth in literature. 

Reviewed by Ignacio Guerra, Marietta, GA

 

Bliss by Lauren Myracle
Amulet Books, 2008, 464 pp., $16.95
Adolescent Mysticism/Spirituality
ISBN: 978-0-8109-7071-7

From the NY Times bestselling author, Lauren Myracle, Bliss is a chilling story with a convoluted plot that keeps readers guessing until the end. Set in the 1960s, Bliss’s life is complicated by hippy parents who leave her with an aging grandmother who sends her to an elite private school. There she meets Sandy, a deeply disturbed teenager who dives into occult practices to make sense of her life. Bliss and Sandy’s friendship climaxes at the expense of the most popular girl in school, Sarah Lynne. Even though the ending is a bit reminiscent of the prom scene in Carrie, the author creatively parallels 1960s culture (TV shows, current events, and commercials) and gives readers a glimpse into high school in this tumultuous time period. The book is composed of numerous short chapters and is intertwined with diary writings from a mystery writer and 1960s quotes from figures like Sherriff Andy Taylor, Charles Manson, and Neil Armstrong. Classes studying events that occurred in the 1960s might find this book useful to springboard discussions from the more than 100 quotes from cultural. An engaging book, whose disturbing plot compels readers to think. 

Reviewed by Susan Wegmann, Orlando, FL

Caught Between the Pages by Marlene Carvell
Penguin, 2008, 230 pp., $16.99
Coming-of -Age/Slacker/Loner
ISBN: 978-0-525-47916-1

PJ Barnes is the prototypical loner and slacker.  As a high school sophomore, he doesn’t believe in homework, refuses to write essays and takes every opportunity he can to avoid school related events, including soccer practice.  Despite the attempts of his aging English teacher, Mrs. Jordan, to invigorate his senses to his ability, PJ is not willing to give any effort in class or life. In one of Mrs. Jordan’s last efforts she gives PJ one last chance to catch up on assignments and maintain a decent grade.  

By mistake Mrs. Jordan has accidently included her private journal in the pile of homework given to PJ.  From this point, a series of events take place that will question PJ’s place in life as a student, a son and an athlete within a quiet suburban community.  As the secrets and lies begin to snowball around PJ, he must force himself to sort out his issues with a caring but detached mother and stepfather, a growing conflict with the school’s star soccer player, and his inquisitive teachers. 

Carvell’s novel is a good analysis into the mind of a teenage boy who is forced to take a look at his actions and how they affect his potential friends, teachers, fellow students and family.  In this coming-of-age novel, Carvell does a wonderful job of showing a teenage coping with escalating strife. 

Reviewed by Ray Engle, Dayton, OH

 

The Floating Circus by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
Bloomsbury, 2008, 208 pp., $15.99
Abandonment /Orphan
ISBN: 1-599-901854

Owen is the kind of flawed character readers love. He’s lonely, unkempt, has questionable judgment, and is tragically heroic. He’s exactly the kind of person we don’t want to be, because his life seems so hard. And no doubt Owen’s life is hard. 

Already orphaned and abandoned, Owen has only one person in the world that knows and loves him—his brother, Zach. Owen makes the difficult decision to leave Zach behind, and then is left with no one at all. 

Tracie Vaughn Zimmer, author of the award-winning Reaching for Sun, tells a fantastic story in this novel of love, loss, and duty. In addition to the rich language and strong imagery, readers are also treated to a glimpse of circus life at its best when Owen finds refuge on a Circus Boat. This is an area that gives ample opportunity for astounding literary feats, deftly handled by a ringmaster of an author. Colorful, two-headed characters leap from the pages as bits of history leave readers hungry for more details and facts of the time and setting, graciously provided by an author’s note at the back of the book. With a fascinating setting, strong characters, and a riveting story, it’s easy to imagine this book topping school reading lists. 

Reviewed by Julie M. Prince, Tucson, AZ

Hard Gold: The Colorado Gold Rush of 1859 by Avi
Hyperion, 2008, 226 pp., $15.99
Historical Fiction
ISBN: 978-1-4231-0519-0

Fourteen-year-old Early Wittcomb’s life on his family’s Iowa farm is normal until an extended drought and an economic panic pushes his family to the edge of ruin.  When the railroad begins to pressure his father to sell the farm, Early’s uncle Jesse takes off for the Colorado gold rush to find enough gold to pay off the mortgage on the farm. Jesse is more of a brother than uncle to Early, and Early misses him terribly.  When Early finally receives a letter from Jesse that says he has gold but is in danger from robbers, Early resolves to run away and go to Colorado to help Jesse.  Against his parents’ wishes, he runs away and joins the Bunderly family as a hired hand and travels by wagon train to Colorado.  The journey west is hard and filled with tragedy, but Early’s growing relationship with Lizzy Bunderly makes the trip bearable.  When he arrives at the gold fields, he discovers that Jesse is wanted by the law for murder and is hiding in the mountains.  Early and Lizzy travel into the mountains and find Jesse in the mining town of Gold Hill.  Along the way they learn the power of greed and what it can do to even people you love.

This first person historical fiction would be a good addition to any unit on the United States’ western expansion.  The story is told as an adventure, but it is filled with well-researched historical facts and illustrated with primary source materials including period illustrations, engravings, photographs, and maps.  Avi’s ability to tell a good story will engage both boys and girls in upper-elementary and middle school.

Reviewed by Jim Cope, Marietta, GA

 

The Inferior by Peadar O Guilin
Fickling/ Random House, 2007, 440 pp., $16.99
Science fiction/Stuttering/Violence/Hunting/Cannibalism
ISBN 978-0-385-75145-2

This dark tale inhabits a strange and violent world. A tribe of humans live in a ruined city deep in the forest. Their only rule of law is—eat or be eaten. It is a savage and desperate existence and for young Stopmouth and his family, life becomes unbearably cruel as they struggle in a universe where his family knows of no other life than the daily battle to exist. 

To make matters worse, Stopmouth is considered slow-witted hunt fodder by his Tribe. He stutters, is not nimble on his feet, and is considered inferior to his more heroic and intelligent brother. His brother, though, is less than kind, and as the story unfolds, betrays him and leaves him vulnerable to evil forces. From then, Stopmouth wallows in a future that looks particularly bleak until one day a beautiful and mysterious woman falls inexplicably from the sky and changes his life forever.

The Inferior, Book One of The Bone World Trilogy, is a science fiction adventure which continually challenges your perception of a primitive people clawing to survive. A combination of Tarzan and Lord of the Flies, the reader is taken on a typical adolescent coming-of-age journey where the hero learns the true meaning of friendship, courage, and of course, survival. Using no bad language or explicit sex scenes, this is still a gritty read and not recommended for the faint of heart.

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kaplan, Orlando, FL

The Lucky Place by Zu Vincent
Front Street, 2008, 230 pp., $17.95
Family Trauma/Alcoholism
ISBN: 1-932-425705

Reading Cassie’s story means catching a glimpse of a young girl’s struggle to find balance in her life. It’s clear that Cassie is a caregiver of the first order. She’s learned from an early age that she is responsible for holding her family together. If bad things happen, it’s because she didn’t do something right. If good things happen, it is pure luck and things are precarious, so it’s best not to let herself get settled. 

The first person narrative of this book was well-chosen, as Cassie appears perfect on the outside, with her quiet and helpful attitude, but the reader is aware that this girl is far from comfortable on the inside. Her stomach twists and her thoughts travel unceasingly. 

The challenge of keeping a character’s voice believable and consistent is always difficult. Vincent manages it under doubly difficult circumstances, since this story spans from Cassie at age three to Cassie at age twelve. 

Vincent has done an amazing job of capturing the world from a preschooler’s perspective and growing the voice along with the character. It feels like a natural progression within Cassie’s story, and indeed, the readers must purposefully focus on the language to see how it changes throughout the four sections of the book. Subtly. Brilliantly.

The biggest part of Cassie’s personal journey, or at least the snapshot of her life that is primarily explored, is her relationship with her “new daddy.” The complexity of this family dynamic is rarely scratched below the surface in most books but fully plays out in this one. Vincent takes her readers on the same spinning, twisting, leaping journey taken by her exceptionally well-developed character. 

Reviewed by Julie M. Prince, Tucson, Arizona

 

The Midnight Twins by Jacquelyn Mitchard
Razorbill/Penguin, 2008, 235 pp., $16.99
Mystery/Suspense
ISBN: 978-1-59514-160-6

Also author of The Deep End of the Ocean, Mitchard applies a similar formula for injecting mystery, suspense, and tension into this young adult novel. The Midnight Twins chronicles the unique lives of twins, Mallory and Meredith, who have a Corsican-like power to experience each other’s emotions and sensations. Born on both sides of midnight, the identical twins share a connection that baffles even their parents.  They communicate telepathically to each other through a secret and sometimes silent language.  However, their connection soon unravels while Mallory and Meredith are babysitting their cousins and find themselves in a potentially perilous situation, almost dying in an intentionally-set fire. After the fire, their powers change and one twin can see into the future while the other gains insight into the past. Intrigue ensues as the twins fight to piece a puzzle together centered around a young boy named David who commits evil deeds in the dreams of one twin while catching the romantic interest of the other.  They must make sense of their clues in order to save one another and the town from a seemingly unidentifiable source of evil. 

An addictive page-turner, this novel, with its mature issues of rape and violence, might be better suited for readers on the older end of the young adult reader spectrum as well as many adult readers. Mitchard masterfully draws in the reader by writing a gripping and easy to follow story rife with tension and suspense and leaves the reader wanting more.  A definite pick for anyone interested in mysteries, twins, or the paranormal, Mitchard develops the idea of twin telepathy and stretches it beyond the realm of practical reality and into a world of mystery, danger, and dark power.

Reviewed by Joellen Maples, Rochester, NY

Mousetraps by Pat Schmatz
Lerner Publishing Group, 2008, 192 pp., $17.95
Adolescent Drama/Humor
ISBN: 978-0-8225-8657-9

In less than two hundred pages the author dives into the lives and minds of several teenagers and their experiences. Maxie draws all the time, but does not consider herself an artist until there is a blast from the past.  Her childhood friend Roddy, now Rick, has returned to school after being gone from town several years. Maxie’s cousin, Sean, is gay and in love with the star football player Dexter.  Dexter returns the sentiment.  Maxie’s best friend and snowboarder, Tay, experiments with drugs and pushes Maxie away.  The author tells the story quickly, twisting their lives together seamlessly.  The biggest issues are with Rick and his history with bullying and how he has dealt with and is dealing with the continuation of the childhood harassment.  What could turn out to be a horrible Colombine-type incident is put on hold with some good old-fashioned moral fiber.  The author, Pat Schmatz, presents the reader with bullying, drugs, frustration, homosexuality and the stability/instability of family in the lives of several teenagers and does it very well.  

Reviewed by Jennifer Dixon, Woodstock, GA  

 

The Otherworldlies by Jennifer Anne Kogler
HarperCollins, 2008, 383 pp., $16.99
Fiction/Vampires/Bullying/Greek Mythology
ISBN 978-0-06-073959-1

Twelve-year-old Fern’s adolescent awkwardness is heightened by her allergic reactions to the sun, her ability to communicate with animals, and her random episodes of complete disappearance. As if this wasn’t enough to make an already insecure girl question her self-worth, she also hears voices in her head—voices that are constantly talking about her. 

At school, Fern is ridiculed and misunderstood: the focus of two female bullies who take it upon themselves to make her life miserable. Through Fern’s actions and reactions, Kogler masterfully exposes the pain of not fitting in. Yet Kogler provides an unexpected source of hope in Fern’s life when she learns who she really is—one of only eleven “Unusuals” in the world. Things start to make sense and fall into place when Fern begins her quest to discover who her birth-mother is and to master her once “awkward” skills. But just as Fern gains the self-confidence she so desperately needs, she is forced to re-evaluate her purpose in life. 

Kogler effectively weaves together Greek mythology and vampire lore to create a story many young adults will find comfort and excitement in. The storytelling hints at themes from Harry Potter, while still being original and unexpected. Readers will cheer Fern on as she learns more about herself, learns more about her birth mother, and begins to find the peace and the power to accomplish what she was born to accomplish. Fans of vampire literature will not be disappointed as Kogler takes a fresh look at the history of vampires or “Otherworldlies” and their motives.

Reviewed by Kristie Jolley, Orem, UT

The Runaway Dolls by Ann M. Martin
Hyperion, 20089 352 pp., $16.99
Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0-7868-5584-1

The Runaway Dolls by Ann M. Martin is a delightful story of two dolls, Annabelle Doll and her friend, Tiffany Funcraft.  The dolls, who come alive when no humans are around, live with their families in dollhouses owned by two young sisters, Kate and Nora Palmer.  One day a mysterious package arrives at the Palmer house from London while the Palmers are on vacation.  The dolls open the package and discover a small doll named Tilly May, who looks just like Annabelle. Could this be Annabelle’s long lost sister?  The dolls are afraid Tilly May will not be able to stay with them, so they runaway with her and their brothers.  Soon after they leave, they realize running away was not a good idea.  This engaging story tells of the dolls’ adventures in the city, which include a stay in a department store with other dolls.  The dolls have some fun and frightening times while trying to get back to the Palmer’s house.  This book will appeal to young adolescent girls as they discover the secret lives of dolls.  This story, emphasizing the importance of family and friendship, is a fun book.

Reviewed by Barb Slater, Hiram, GA

 

Suck It Up by Brian Meehl
Delacorte/Random House, 2008, 328 pp., $15.99
Humor/Vampires/Action
ISBN: 978-0-385-733007

Morning McCobb is not anyone’s vision of a superhero and his background only confirms it.  Bounced from group and foster homes, sixteen-year-old Morning is more likely to appear on the back of a milk carton.  In fact, he’s been missing for ten months and is just now coming home.  He’s just graduated from the IV League—not Princeton but the International Vampire League. Morning will be the first publicly outed League vampire and now it’s up to him to represent Leaguers everywhere. This responsibility and new found fame play havoc with Morning’s shaky confidence and self-image. 

Morning will need the help of Penny Dredful, owner of Diamond in the Sky PR, and her daughter Portia, an aspiring filmmaker, to give him back his life. He is part of a minority fighting for acceptance in the “lifer” world. Committed to helping all and harming none while consuming, Morning is a vegan who has only consumed Blood Lite, a soy-based protein drink.  In fact, Hemo drinks make him hurl. Morning’s developing attraction to Portia may cause this hero to falter. Compounding Morning’s confusion are other darker forces lurking in the shadows set to destroy all that the League has worked for. Old traditions clash with new hopes. 

Suck It Up subtly portrays how readers should not give up on life despite setbacks. Best of all, Brian Meehl’s tongue-in-cheek humor and infinitely puny play on words will leave you smiling while telling a great story and simultaneously poking fun at the increasingly popular vampire action genre. If you like vampire books, this was a refreshing and funny read.

Reviewed by Sandra Fisher, Hiram, GA

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
Point/Scholastic, 2008, 353 pp., $16.99
Coming-of -Age
ISBN: 0-439-89927-3

Scarlett Martin has just turned 15, lives in a famous hotel in New York City, and has just met the boy of her dreams. Life would be perfect if she didn’t have to worry about her family going bankrupt, her younger sister’s cancer, her older sister’s relationship problems, and her brother’s career as an actor. Any of these challenges would be difficult for a young girl to tackle on her own, much less all of them! Luckily, the flamboyant and wealthy Mrs. Amberson arrives just in time to help save the day, though she often seems to make Scarlett’s problems worse.

This comedy is a coming-of-age story set in modern day New York City. Scarlett, or O’Hara, as Mrs. Amberson opts to call her, is an aspiring author who tends to get lost amidst the special attentions given to her three siblings. Her youngest sister is a cancer survivor; her oldest sister is a striking beauty; and her brother is a talented actor trying to make it to Broadway. Mrs. Amberson sees Scarlett’s potential and offers her a position as her assistant. Over the course of the summer, the two learn a lot from each other and manage to help a few others in the process. 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and laughed out loud more than a few times. While the plot is somewhat improbable, the characters are interesting and vibrant. I highly recommend this book for older teens and adults.

Reviewed by Missie Stugart, Nashville, TN

Waggit’s Tale by Peter Howe
HarperCollins, 2008, 276 pp., $16.99
Adolescence/Animals
ISBN: 978-0061242618

Have you ever wondered what the life of an abandoned dog in Central Park may be like?  Peter Howe’s novel is a look into just that. Waggit has a comfortable, happy, normal dog’s life until his owners bring a strange new baby human into the house.  He is surprised and exhilarated when his master takes him off the leash at the park and throws his favorite ball.  But, when Waggit obediently brings back the ball, his owner is nowhere to be found.  Luckily, he is taken in by a “family” of fellow abandoned dogs who take care of each other and teach Waggit about hunting and friendship.  He forges deep relationships with each one of his new companions.

But, when a nice woman comes to the park to feed and pet him, will he trust her or listen to his new family’s warnings? This heartwarming story will bring a smile to any animal lovers’ face.  Told with humor and great characters, the book teaches lessons of individuality and kinship.  It’s hard not to fall in love with Waggit and his tale.

Reviewed by Cynthia Mitchell, Satellite Beach, FL

 

The Year My Sister Got Lucky by Aimee Friedman
Point/Scholastic, 2008, 370 pp., $16.99
Sisterhood/Moving
ISBN: 0-439-92227-5

Katie is ripped from her perfect life in New York City and displaced in the middle of an upstate countryside town called Fir Lake. This move is definitely not a quick visit. No more hailing taxi cabs. No more gossiping with her friends. No more prestigious dance school. All of which are nearly everything to Katie. The one thing about Katie’s life that feels secure is her relationship with her older sister Michaela. Then school starts. 

Katie quickly learns that the Michaela she knew in the city is nothing like the Michaela in Fir Lake. The once inseparable pair stands divided by a canyon of secrets and lies. From 

the late night rendezvous to the whispering and giggling behind closed doors, Katie is certain Michaela is hiding something big. 

When she finally makes a new friend, Katie begins a life unknown to Michaela. Katie spends time with the eccentric neighbor, takes up a new hobby, and has her first serious boy troubles. Whereas Katie once thought her new life to be unbearable, she now understands that being her own person is far more comfortable than being in her sister’s shadow. 

From this story, readers take a sense of appreciation for who they are. In the end, both Katie’s and Michaela’s struggles and fears are exposed, leaving readers with an understanding of how painful becoming an individual can be. Sometimes stepping out of the shadow of others’ expectations causes more pain than living on the paved path. With one decision, the pain is fleeting. With the other decision, the pain is endless. The problem is knowing which path leads to where. Katie’s story reveals the ugly truth—choosing and following either path is inevitable.  

Reviewed by Malorie Barrett, Dallas, GA