ALAN’s Picks is a monthly book review column that is compiled and edited by Dr. Pam Cole of Kennesaw State University. Be sure to check the site often to see a preview of the latest titles in YA Lit.
Borderline by Allan Stratton
Boys without Names by Kashmira Sheth
Countdown by Deborah Wiles
The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk
Dream Life by Lauren Mechling
Fizzy Whiz Kid by Maiya Williams
Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink
The Hollow by Jessica Verday
In a Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth
Borderline by Allan Stratton
HarperCollins, 2010, 296 pp., $16.99
Suspense/Terrorism/Adventure/New York/Toronto
ISBN: 978-0-06-145111-9
The life of sixteen-year-old Iranian-American Mohammed Sami Sabiri, known to his friends as Sammy, is about to change. Sammy has always felt like an outsider. He is taunted by bullies at his prestigious private school when summoned to prayers several times a day by his strict father. When his dad takes a secretive trip to Toronto, Sammy feels that his father just might be having an affair. But life gets worse for the Sabiri family as the FBI and Homeland Security conduct a raid using police dogs, guns and a search warrant. Mr. Sabiri is taken to an undisclosed location and accused of being an international terrorist. The media pounces on the story, adding to hysteria by focusing on the fact that Mr. Sabiri is the research director of a facility where anthrax and other deadly viruses are stored.
Sammy and his friends travel to Toronto to find out the truth of the accusations. This humorous adventure/mystery/suspense thriller is more than a great story which could jump off the page of tomorrow’s newspaper. Tones of McCarthy Hearings, and the Salem Witch Trials make Borderline more than a captivating tale and a fast-paced story. It is a novel that stays with the reader both for its penetrating view of people’s connectedness and for its examination of the rush to judgment so often promulgated by today’s instant communication network. Crisp writing and believable characters make for an unforgettable story. What more can you ask of a realistic young adult novel?
Reviewed by John Jarvey, Cleveland Heights, OH
Boys without Names by Kashmira Sheth
Balzer and Bray, 2010, 318 pp., $15.99
India/Missing Persons/Sweatshops
ISBN: 978-0-06-185760-7
When Gopal’s family falls on hard times, they have no choice but to leave their small rural village and head to Mumbai, where an economic boom has attracted thousands just like them. Their journey challenges the family at every turn. The story is told through the eyes of young Gopal, who finds that pacifying his cranky younger siblings with stories is as much of a challenge as surviving a monsoon or finding food. Intent on contributing to the family, Gopal sees economic possibilities everywhere. His ambitions, though, make him an easy target for the city’s seedier characters, and Gopal eventually finds himself locked into a sweatshop with five other boys, forbidden to speak to one another.
Kasmira Sheth’s novel really takes off once Gopal winds up in the sweatshop, too. The first half of the book is a chore to get through, as Gopal’s family isn’t nearly as interesting as Gopal’s acquaintances in the sweatshop. The last third, most likely the part Sheth most wanted to write, is riveting fiction. The bonds that Gopal forms with his five co-workers are authentic and powerful. Though it does linger on the negative aspects of Mumbai, Boys without Names would make a decent companion book to any middle school project on Indian culture. Sheth’s prose even mixes in an occasional word from various Indian languages (Hindi, Sanskrit, Marathi) that will sharpen context clue skills. A glossary is included.
Reviewed by Sonny Harding, Marietta, GA
Countdown by Deborah Wiles
Scholastic, 2010, 400 pp., $17.99
1960s/Cuban Missile Crisis/Nuclear War/Family Relationships
ISBN: 978-0-545-10605-4
As if being eleven is not difficult enough, Franny Chapman has to deal with her perfect younger brother Drew, her beautiful older sister Jo Ellen, her crazy Uncle Otts, air raid sirens and the ever-present possibility that a nuclear bomb will be dropped at any moment. Through Franny’s eyes, readers experience the three weeks of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Franny shares her daily struggles and immense fears with readers. Wiles complements Franny’s story with pictures, quotes, song lyrics, and other information about the main players in the Cuban Missile Crisis.
In addition to the Cuban Missile Crisis, readers learn more about the 1960s space program through Drew’s interest in becoming an astronaut. Jo Ellen becomes involved in the civil rights movement and teaches Franny, and readers alike, about important moments in civil rights. Shell-shocked Uncle Otts parades around as if he is still a soldier in WWII; although, extremely embarrassing to Franny, his behavior demonstrates the long-term effects of war.
Countdown tells a compelling story with interesting characters and is packed with historical information. This novel is touted as a documentary novel because it provides a snapshot, via a story, about a time in American history and Franny’s story appears side-by-side with documents from 1962. Readers will finish the documentary novel with a deeper understanding of these terrifying days in 1962 because Franny’s story provides a reference to which to attach the information. Countdown would be an invaluable addition to any American history classroom and provides a vivid walk down memory lane for children of the 60s.
Reviewed by Aimee Rogers, Tucson, AZ
The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk
Knopf/Random House, 2010, 248 pp., $16.99
Fitting in/Bullying/Mystery
ISBN: 978-0-375-85699-0
Switching schools can be a daunting experience for any normal adolescent. The problem for Will “Hamburger” Halpin isn’t just that he is (ahem) hefty. Nor is it just that he likes to make up weird nicknames for people and write notes about them (Jimmy Porkrinds = addled pothead or gifted lyricist). What makes switching schools for Will an obstacle is everyone else has the ability to hear. As if that isn’t enough, the most popular kid dies on a field trip to the local coal mine. Suspecting foul play, Will teams up with another unpopular student to see if they can help solve the murder, while still trying to insert their feet in the door to popularity.
Inspired by The Hardy Boys, Josh Berk discovers what it would be like if modern-day teenagers tried to solve a crime in their community. In addition to the obligatory caves, old buildings, and an old car, Berk adds cell phones, digital surveillance cameras, and instant messaging to the standard Hardy Boys format. The book is not just a good mystery; it introduces the reader to the deaf culture. The main character gives insight into the everyday obstacles that deaf teens face. Most importantly, Berk establishes that deaf people are no different from anyone else. This book is great for grades 7-12 since it deals with bullying and deaf culture. It reads easily.
Reviewed by Brian Spiro, Cincinnati, OH
Dream Life by Lauren Mechling
Delacorte/Random House, 2010, 323 pp., $16.99
Mystery/Relationships
ISBN: 978-0-385-73523-0
It’s not only her name that aids Claire Voyante in solving mysteries; she also has a cameo that induces black-and-white dreams with symbolic clues leading to the answers. Lauren Mechling’s second novel in the Claire series, Dream Life, takes the reader back to Manhattan and into an elite socialite society doing secret restoration projects for New York City. Claire’s BFF (Becca Shuttleworth) provides middle-class Claire entrée into the rarefied society, and she re-pays Becca by helping to bring down a rival group.
Dream Life is a multi-layered novel that keeps one turning the pages until the end. The characters ranging from Claire’s ex-showgirl grandmother Kiki to her French professor father to the privileged young socialites in the Blue Moons and their rival group, the Elle House, are just some of the well-crafted people who engage the reader. The mystery is compelling and ends with a moral dilemma that Mechling delivers without being didactic. This novel lacks for nothing; there is a delightfully sweet budding romance between Claire and Andy, as well as strong, emotionally healthy relationships between Claire and, well, just about everyone she meets. This novel will appeal to readers who enjoy reading everything from Nancy Drew to The Gossip Girls series.
Reviewed by Lottie Waggoner, Bloomington, IN
Fizzy Whiz Kid by Maiya Williams
Amulet, 2010, 273 pp., $16.95
Humor/Moving/Acting
ISBN: 978-081098-517-2
Twelve-year-old Mitch Mathis is no stranger to being the new kid. For some reason, his cockroach-loving scientist/professor father has trouble staying in one place, so Mitch has developed some coping strategies. One of them is making lists and the other is not to call attention to himself. In fact, “Don’t Stand Out!” is the most important thing NOT to do on the first day in a new school. Unfortunately for Mitch, his new school is in Hollywood, California, and his classmates want to stand out, so, by not standing out, Mitch stands out. And not in a good way. On top of everything, Mitch doesn’t own a television set and has never seen Star Wars or most movies, for that matter. So what’s a guy to do?
Mitch answers a cattle call audition to become the next Fizzy Whiz Kid and, despite nearly decapitating the producer, he ends up getting the part. The ad campaign is a hit, and Mitch rises to stardom quickly. He finds himself invited to parties and recognized on the street. When fame becomes a bit too much to handle, Mitch needs to discover how to strike a balance in his life and what is important to him.
Mitch is likable and believable in his role of common kid who makes it big. While most of the secondary characters are painted with broad strokes and the time-line is rather rapid, there is a genuine insider vibe to the story as well as some real affection for the industry and its people—the author is a television writer/ producer.
Reviewed by Brenda Kahn, Closter, NJ
Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink
Little, Brown, 2010, 340 pp., $17.99
Fantasy/Prophecies/Quest
ISBN: 978-0-316-03447-0
Although readers might expect Alice, the proverbial evil twin, to take the spotlight in book two of the Prophecy of the Sisters, Guardian of the Gate is more about Lia’s intimate relationships with her friends and with Dimitri—the epitome of Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome. Lia continues her quest from book one, seeking the missing pages from the prophecy. Lia is hoping for clues that will close the gate against Samael, the Beast, who is attempting to enter and rule the world for evil.
In this second novel, Lia’s voice rings clearly as she tells her story in present tense. She knows traitors lurk everywhere: Whom should she trust? While often predictable, the plot holds some surprises as Lia faces risk after risk to grasp the missing pages of the prophecy. She also explores the island of Altus, home of her beloved Sisters who fight for the side of good
throughout the ages. Readers of romance will enjoy Lia’s new love interest and the clashing mores of late 19th-century London and Altus.
Reviewed by Angie Beumer Johnson, Columbus, OH
The Hollow by Jessica Verday
Simon & Schuster, 2009, 513 pp., $17.99
Coming-of-Age/Grief
ISBN: 978-1-4169-7893-0
The town of Hollow is famous for Washington Irving’s Legend of Sleepy Hollow. How does this legend influence the people who live in this town? As the story opens, Abbey is grappling with the reality that her best friend is no longer alive. Moreover, she is questioning how she will continue living without Kristen. Abbey pushes on through the mundane routines of high school life, while struggling to find someone with whom she can confide her deepest thoughts. Much of this story takes place in the cemetery of Hollow, where Abbey and Kristen often went together. While some may think this is a morbid place for a grieving teenager to frequent, it turns out to be quite the contrary. Abbey finds solace in the various people that she meets in the cemetery of Hollow.
Verday writes an intriguing story by weaving the Legend of Sleepy Hollow into this modern-day tale by opening each chapter with a passage from the original legend. The Sleepy Hollow vignette provides a clue to curious readers as to what may occur, thus, guiding the reader to better understand how the story of Hollow is embedded within the legend. Abbey’s struggle with grief over the death of a dear friend reminds us how we may find comfort in our mind’s mysterious ways.
Reviewed by Aimee L. Morewood, Morgantown, WV
In a Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth
Walker, 2010, 216 pp., $16.99
Relationships/Life/Death/Sports
ISBN: 978-0-8027-2068-9
Eagan is a teenager whose passion is ice skating and whose dream is to skate professionally. She has the support of both parents. However, her mother’s support is stifling to Eagan due to secrets and lies; in turn, their relationship is a constant battle. Eagan makes a wrong move during one of her competitions and dies from a head injury.
Amelia, who is in desperate need of a heart transplant in order to live, gets Eagan’s heart. Once on her way to recovery after the transplant, Amelia begins to notice changes in herself; she notices changes in her attitude, her likes and dislikes, even the things that she gets emotional over that would not have fazed her before. Amelia meets Ari, the brother of a transplant patient, who explains to her that it is not uncommon for patients to become part of the person from whom the organ came. Because of the connection Amelia now feels to her donor, she is determined to meet Eagan’s family; and Ari helps her. Eagan’s mother is resistant at first, but when Amelia gets sick, Eagan’s mother visits her in the hospital and makes a peace with her daughter and her death. Eagan, in an afterlife experience, watches as the whole story plays out.
Heartwarming and compassionate describe the magnificent work Loretta Ellsworth has done in her book In a Heartbeat. The style in which she writes this story allows the reader to keep up with each individual character’s story and anticipate connections between and among them.
Ellsworth has created two heart wrenching stories and intertwined each into the other.
Reviewed by Priscilla A. Boerger, Boca Raton, FL
