Mean Old Library Teacher

Announcement

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Turney LaRowe) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:58:00 +0000

Nothing big or scary...just a little something that might interest you...

In April, I rolled off of the Texas Maverick Graphic Novel Reading Committee (under the umbrella of the Young Adult Round Table and Texas Library Association). It marked the first time in 6 years I wasn't required (because I chose to serve on the committees) to read things that would appeal to my students. Since then, I've gone "hog wild" reading whatever I want. Which is still a lot of YA literature, but fewer graphic novels. I've also picked up several things that are marketed towards adults that would likely see limited interest in YA collections. For example, I LOVE novels set in Tudor England...but can't name one high school kid at my school who would devour them the way I do.

The thing is, I can't review those books here because they don't fit into the scope that I've put together for Mean Old Library Teacher. So, because I suspect that at least a few of you also read other things, I've started a second review blog.

The Other Stuff I Read is still in its infancy, but I'll work with it as much as I do this one. Often, books that I label "Adult for YA" or "YA for Adult" because they'd have crossover appeal will be reviewed on both blogs. While it won't always happen, I'll try to make some pointed comments on those crossover books that explain why I'm posting it to each blog (like...why I think that it'd be great for adults but it's a YA book).

As always, I'm looking for anyone who'd love to review along with me...either here at Mean Old Library Teacher, or on The Other Stuff I read. Feel free to comment here, or contact me at meanoldlibraryteacer at gmail dot com if you'd like to join the team.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Enter Text Here through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

REVIEW: Proxy, by Alex London

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Turney LaRowe) — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:43:00 +0000

Knox was born into one of the City's wealthiest families. A Patron, he has everything a boy could possibly want—the latest tech, the coolest clothes, and a Proxy to take all his punishments. When Knox breaks a vase, Syd is beaten. When Knox plays a practical joke, Syd is forced to haul rocks. And when Knox crashes a car, killing one of his friends, Syd is branded and sentenced to death.

Syd is a Proxy. His life is not his own.

Then again, neither is Knox’s. Knox and Syd have more in common than either would guess. So when Knox and Syd realize that the only way to beat the system is to save each other, they flee. Yet Knox’s father is no ordinary Patron, and Syd is no ordinary Proxy. The ensuing cross-country chase will uncover a secret society of rebels, test both boys’ resolve, and shine a blinding light onto a world of those who owe and those who pay. Some debts, it turns out, cannot be repaid.

Wow.

I know it seems I do that a lot...just "Wow." And then want to stop in my review because I don't really know what else to say.

Proxy is a very well thought-out and written dystopian take on concept of a "whipping boy." (There's been a couple of well-known books with this line...The Whipping Boy, by Sid Fleischman---the Newberry winner in 1987--, and Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper.) Basically, Knox, the well-off trouble-maker, does things that need to be punished, but is considered to high class (society-wise) to be actually punished himself, so his proxy, Syd, gets the honors. Syd, in exchange, gets his schooling paid for...though he does owe his patron a debt of time as the whipping boy.

But when things take a turn for the worse (Knox is basically convicted of vehicular manslaughter), Syd is sentenced to pay the ultimate price for him. The plan is how society functions, but it all goes south from there....at least in the eyes of Knox's father.

I loved these characters. LOVED them. Syd is this wallflower type, who tries like the dickens to live under the radar. Knox is a spoiled rich kid. Then there's Marie...who Knox thought he'd killed. She's been a spoiled rich kid, but she has a conscience.

Syd comes out of his shell simply because he wants to live--even if living means having to give up his life to end the Patron/Proxy system and erase all debts for everyone. Knox is arrogant and spoiled and really only wants to get back at his cold-hearted father. Marie seeks a greater good for all, not just those who can afford it. All 3 have life-altering truths to learn about themselves, and the adults in their worlds.

The story kept me going. It was twisting and turning, and frankly, I was up all night finishing this one. I was so enthralled that every little interruption to my reading was viewed as a personal insult. Each "chunk" of the story, the various scenes in it, had its own rising and falling action, with a climax that caught my breath. And every time I thought I had a couple pages to relax, I was wrong.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Penguin Young Readers Group through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

REVIEW: Far Far Away, by Tom McNeal

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Turney LaRowe) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:30:00 +0000

Far Far Away

It says quite a lot about Jeremy Johnson Johnson that the strangest thing about him isn't even the fact his mother and father both had the same last name. Jeremy once admitted he's able to hear voices, and the townspeople of Never Better have treated him like an outsider since. After his mother left, his father became a recluse, and it's been up to Jeremy to support the family. But it hasn't been up to Jeremy alone.
The truth is, Jeremy can hear voices. Or, specificially, one voice: the voice of the ghost of Jacob Grimm, one half of the infamous writing duo, The Brothers Grimm. Jacob watches over Jeremy, protecting him from an unknown dark evil whispered about in the space between this world and the next. But when the provocative local girl Ginger Boultinghouse takes an interest in Jeremy (and his unique abilities), a grim chain of events is put into motion. And as anyone familiar with the Grimm Brothers know, not all fairy tales have happy endings. . .

Oh this was AWESOME. Seriously. I can't say enough good things about this story and the writing.

First, Jeremy Johnson Johnson is an imperfect person and is aware of it...such a good thing to read (especially after reading a couple where the teen didn't think they could do any wrong, themselves). He's an anti-hero, if he's a hero at all. He doesn't see how great he is (I mean, his own mother left him) and his father won't work. Ginger, a fairly popular girl at school has taken a shine to him, and is really hoping to prove to Jeremy just how wonderful he is.

Jeremy's otherworldly friend is Jacob Grimm (what an awesome idea!). McNeal takes this twist, and builds a story that is very Grimmsian (to coin a word) in nature--there's a magical element, an unsuspecting village, and a dark mystery surrounding one of the best loved villagers.

That was the best part for me--I felt like I was reading a modern-day Grimm fairy tale, where not every thing is sunshine and daisies. This is definitely one that should be on everyone's list!

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Random House Children's Books through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

REVIEW: 15 Days Without a Head, by Dave Cousins

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Turney LaRowe) — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:30:00 +0000

15 Days Without a Head
2013

Despite having a depressed alcoholic mother and a little brother who’s convinced he’s a dog, fifteen year-old Laurence Roach is trying to live a normal life. But when his mom doesn’t come home after work one night, Laurence is terrified that child services will find out she’s gone and separate him from his brother.

For two weeks, Laurence does whatever he can to keep her disappearance a secret. Spinning a web of complicated lies for friends, neighbors, and the authorities, Laurence even dresses like his mother to convince everyone she’s still around. By following clues, the brothers are finally able to track down their mother’s whereabouts. And that’s when the real trouble begins in this powerful story about what it means to be a family

Goodness, what a dismal life Laurence is living, and trying to hold together for his brother. Despite reading the blurb, I hadn't expected this story with this title.

Laurence is the overlooked kid--flies under the radio because that's where he best exists. I love that he fights to be overlooked, especially when the alternative could destroy his small corner of the world. He's the epitome of "don't look at me desperation."

15 Days is a pretty easy read. Not too heavy on the vocab. The story, by nature, is dark, but in the sense that reality is sometimes very dark. Laurence teaches us about resilience, persistence, and the importance of family--even when they aren't everything you need.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Flux Books through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed
are my own.

REVIEW: There are Reasons Noah Packed No Clothes, by Robert Jacoby

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Turney LaRowe) — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:30:00 +0000

There are Reasons Noah Packed No Clothes

You need your eyes, don't you?

So does Richard Issych. Two weeks ago he overdosed. Now he's fighting for his life, finding threatening notes like that one on his nightstand.

19-year-old Richard Issych wakes to a harsh new reality inside an inpatient unit. Now Richard's journey turns into one of revelations and struggling through his own reasons for being as he discovers new meanings for redemption, sacrifice, hope, love-and the will to live.

In the end, what are the reasons Noah packed no clothes? Richard can only imagine. But it has something to do with a size 3XL bowling shirt with the name "Noah" stitched over the pocket.

There are reasons . . . everyone uses his own dictionary.
There are reasons . . . some new heavens come from some new hells.

First, I had a hard time reading this book in the beginning. The subject matter isn't difficult, it's the train of thought the speaker has. Meaning, this is some sort of mix between narrative and stream of consciousness in the beginning. And it's all 3rd person.

It's really rather a neat device, though. As Richard comes out of his drug-induced fog and begins to see things clearly, the speaker is more clear. When there's panic and paranoia..there's panic and paranoia evident in the speaker's voice. The teenager tone is VERY evident in this speaker (though, I work 5 days a week with that teenager tone, so I might be biased.)

It's a really good story. Richard is really just a typical kid in a not-so-terrible situation who just doesn't see any way of overcoming his disenchantment with life and depression--well, overcoming and still be alive. He grows up in the story, through interactions with those much worse off than he.

It does have some rather edgy bits--suicidal thoughts, some very inappropriate relations, etc.--that would make it hard for me to put on the shelves in my conservative small Texas town. I could hand it to mature juniors and seniors, but not my freshman and sophomore readers.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Cloud Books through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

REVIEW: Identity Theft, by Anna Davies

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Turney LaRowe) — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:30:00 +0000

Identity Theft (Point Horror)

Hayley is going to have the best year ever. After years of careful planning, she's ready to serve as student council president AND editor-in-chief of the newspaper. Ivy League, here she comes!
However, just before student council elections, someone creates a fake facebook profile for Hayley and starts posting inappropriate photos and incriminating updates. It must be the work of a highly skilled Photoshopper, but the attention to detail is scary. The embarrassing photos of "Hayley" in her bathing suit reveal a birthmark on her back--a birth mark Hayley has never shown in public. . . .
The situation escalates until Hayley's mother reveals some shocking information. Hayley isn't an only child: She has a twin sister who was adopted by a different family. And that's not all. Soon, Hayley discovers that her long-lost sister isn't just playing a prank--she's plotting to take over Hayley's life . . . by any means necessary.

Ok..so I was totally expecting a formula. Definitely thought I'd read this story line once before, and frankly heard about it on the news or FB horror stories.

I was wrong. This is such a DIFFERENT twist than what I'd thought. And these twins are not Parent Trap twins...oh NO.

It took a little bit for this story to find and sustain a "groove." And it's full of pop culture references, which might make it a bit dated in a hurry. Maybe not. One can never tell. It does remind me of the "horror" novels I read as a tween/early teen that were that formulaic model, but it redeems itself in being a new twist.

Predictable characters (despite the not-so-predictable story line), with Hayley coming across as whiney and no one believing her. But really, who would believe all this? I just didn't like the whiney-ness, but that might work for others.

It's a good, quick read for girls who like this sub-genre. I'd hand it to my casual readers, not my critical readers.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Scholastic (Point) through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

REVIEW: Chrysalis, by Michel Prince

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Turney LaRowe) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:30:00 +0000

In the annals of dysfunctional families, the Chisholm’s are working their way to the top. Drug abuse, an unwed mother with multiple fathers, and the questionable cash flow for the 'pretty one'.   All this from a seemingly normal, two parent middle class family. But were the choices truly made of their free will?
            Bad choices are a Chisholm family trait, one that confounds the youngest child, Ellie, who's trying to separate herself by making smart decisions. And falling for Oscar Jeffreys, the hottest guy at school, would be number one on the list of Chisholm family disasters. Yet the crazy part is it’s not a one sided attraction. Somehow Ellie has caught Oscar Jeffreys’ eye.   Sure she could see the barriers between them.  Race, age, popularity.  They were at opposite ends of the spectrum.  But a demon set to destroy her family? She can't see that.
            Oscar provides security and acceptance Ellie never imagined she deserved.  As the passion of first love grows, Ellie honestly believes she has a chance to beat the odds and live a happy, normal life. Then her world collapses around her. With the help of a guardian angel, Ellie learns of a world that has unknowingly surrounded her for years.  And she'll have to find strength buried deep inside to save not only her future, but flush out and stop the demon in her midst.
            And Ellie will have to learn that sometimes the hardest lesson about growing up is accepting that you're worth more.

The cover throws me...really, there's not that much centered around Ellie playing volleyball. At least, not enough to make me think the cover works. I suspect it's to draw in a certain set of readers. I also feel like the high school age/setting is moot. It doesn't feed the actual story. Does that make sense?

(I happen to think if you're going to use "high school" as a setting and "16" as a character age, then it needs to matter to the story. It doesn't in this book.)

Ellie and Oscar are an interesting pair, but far too grown up for high school. Granted, they've dealt with more mature issues in their futures, but they don't behave the way I think high school kids behave (and since I spend 187 days a year with high school kids...). I also felt like Prince got too descriptive in the physical scenes...it bordered on light erotica, and I'm really not that okay with that in this book. I like my YA romance to be less descriptive.

The first part of the book is contemporary romance with some crazy things thrown in. Then, you get to why the story is paranormal. And then everything is driven by that. Oh, and teenagers struggling with sex too much for the rest of the story to be important.

Oh..and then the story ends. I see that it's set to be the first of a trilogy, but it's not even really a cliffhanger, it just stops. I even read the last couple of chapters twice to make sure I didn't miss the cliffhanger.

Overall, this would've been fine as an adult paranormal romance. It doesn't work as a legitimate YA story line for me.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Goddess Fish Promotions. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

REVIEW: The Rules, by Stacey Kade

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Turney LaRowe) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:30:00 +0000

The Rules
2013

1. Never trust anyone.

2. Remember they are always searching.

3. Don't get involved.

4. Keep your head down.

5. Don't fall in love.

Five simple rules. Ariane Tucker has followed them since the night she escaped from the genetics lab where she was created, the result of combining human and extraterrestrial DNA. Ariane's survival--and that of her adoptive father--depends on her ability to blend in among the full-blooded humans, to hide in plain sight from those who seek to recover their lost (and expensive) "project."

But when a cruel prank at school goes awry, it puts her in the path of Zane Bradshaw, the police chief's son and someone who sees too much. Someone who really sees her. After years of trying to be invisible, Ariane finds the attention frightening--and utterly intoxicating. Suddenly, nothing is simple anymore, especially not the rules.

You grab this thinking it's some sort of dystopian/sci-fi thriller YA novel. And, yes, there's some of that in there. Instead of being strictly that, The Rules is also some romance, some high school clique-drama, and some rather bizarre and intense situations all rolled into one story. Really, it's well done. And it's not like Kade's other books--which come off a little silly to me.

Ariane is in a typical teenage state--finding herself. But also, finding out the truth of what happened to her when she was younger. She's a great character, and one I enjoyed getting to know, and pulling for. She's sharp, without being too much so, and still vulnerable, like all teenage girls are at the core.

Zane is the great guy next door, who has his own skeletons in the closet. Again, really that good, good, guy that any father would love to see his daughter with. But the relationship is organic, and not forced or fast (like so many YA romances are).

Great story line, never slows down. Every time a twist pulled up, I really had no idea it was coming. It kept me on my toes, and was a "finish in a sitting" book. It is the first in a series (Project Paper Dolls), but it's one that could stand alone and leave you satisfied.

Sadly, the next book is over a year away...perhaps someone could suggest that Stacey Kade hurry up, a bit?

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Disney Book Group through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

REVIEW: Real Justice: Sentenced to Life at Seventeen, by Cynthia J. Faryon

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Turney LaRowe) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:30:00 +0000

Real Justice: Sentenced to Life at Seventeen

David Milgaard was a troubled kid, and he got into lots of trouble. Unfortunately, that made it easy for the Saskatoon police to brand him as a murderer. At seventeen, David Milgaard was arrested, jailed, and convicted for the rape and murder of a young nursing assistant, Gail Miller. He was sent to adult prison for life.

Throughout his twenty-three years in prison, David maintained that he was innocent and refused to admit to the crime, even though it meant he was never granted parole. Finally, through the incredible determination of his mother and new lawyers who believed in him, David was released and proven not guilty. Astonishingly, in hindsight the real murderer was obvious from the start.

This is the true story of how bad decisions, tunnel vision, poor representation, and outright lying and coercion by those within the justice system caused a tragic miscarriage of justice. It also shows that wrongs can be righted and amends made.

True crime stories are sort of a favorite of mine. I love to read about how the mind works, and how crimes are managed and solved. (I'm also a HUGE Criminal Minds fan).

This is the story of David Milgaard, sentenced to live in prison in the late 1960s, for a crime he didn't commit. Clearly, there was a lot of mis-managing in this case. MANY details were obvious, from my many years removed perspective, yet completely ignored or never discovered by the police. Sad.

It's a compelling story, but this particular telling of it is definitely geared more for a YA reluctant-reader set. There are kids that love the CSI and Criminal Minds-type shows but can't yet manage a higher level reading version of that type of story. This one will fit the bill.

I tend to look for more detail, less glossing over. And not that the author particularly left things out, she just pared down the information to make it more approachable. (I'm speculating here..the fact that the publisher made sure to note the Fry Reading Level--4.3--tells me this wasn't intended to be a higher level reader book.)

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from James Lorimer & Company through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

REVIEW: Broken, by Susan Jane Bigelow

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Turney LaRowe) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 15:30:00 +0000

Broken (Extrahumans)

In a post-war future world where First Contact has been made, humans are colonizing the stars, and the nations of Earth have been united under a central government, Extrahumans are required by law to belong to the Union. When a young man with visions of the future sets out on a mission to define the course of human history, he encounters a devastated former hero, a fascist dictatorship bent on world domination, and the realities of living in a society where affiliation is everything.

Broken figured she was done with heroics when she lost the ability to fly and fled the confinement of the Extrahuman Union. But then the world started to fall apart around her, and the mysterious Michael Forward entered her life, dangling the possibility of redemption and rebirth.

Michael Forward can see the future, but all he wants is to escape the destiny he has struggled against all his life. When the moment comes, though, he finds he can't refuse. Now he needs the help of a homeless ex-superhero to save a baby who may be the key to humanity's freedom.

Monica had a good life with her large family, until two strangers and a baby showed up at her door. Now her family is gone, her life is in ruins, and she's on the run from the law.

In a time of spreading darkness, when paranoia and oppression have overtaken the world, can three unlikely allies preserve a small ray of hope for a better, brighter future?

There's A LOT happening in this book. It's by no means an easy or quick read and you have to be prepared to focus and dedicate time to it.

There's a kid who is in his over his head. There are people considered "extra" human. They are basically human, but have some extra special ability (in any other "world," we'd call them superheroes.) One of these extrahumans is Broken. It's not only her name, it's her psychological condition.

We never learn specifically how the world has come to be so dismal, so dystopian and dark. And while you wonder, it's not a hindrance to the story. The world is dark and needs to be saved. You can tell that it became this way because of a natural progression.

These are powerful characters. They radiate pain, but also hope. The extrahumans aren't your usual superheroes (they're even more dark and disturbed than Hancock). They don't resemble any character I've read in YA dystopia--which is refreshing since there's A LOT of YA dystopia around these days. I honestly loved Broken, Micheal, and Monica. They were easy to connect with, believe in, and empathize with.

Bigelow's story-telling is choppy, and while that may annoy some readers, I see it as a masterfully used technique to keep the reader on his toes and enthralled. And I was. I didn't see the end coming. Not the "end" itself--although even Michael didn't see that end coming--but the end of the book. I was so caught up, that the last page surprised me. I felt sure there was more on the next page!

What do you think??

REVIEW: In the Shadow of Blackbirds, by Cat Winters

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Turney LaRowe) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:27:00 +0000

In the Shadow of Blackbirds

In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to seances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?

Winters has PACKED this novel with so much. There's the first World War going on, the flu epidemic of 1918, and the Spiritualism craze that's taking over a hurting country.

Oh..and then there's a love story and a mystery surrounding the death of the main character's love.

Just one of those things would've made this an amazing read. Winters has done an amazing job of building a story world that is as incredibly real as can be. I was instantly--instantly!--caught up in the story and setting and was so sad to reach the end. The care given to minor details (a description of a parrot that just, by chance, happens to be in the house, for example) is tremendous. You cannot read this novel without being completely settled neatly (if not comfortably) in 1918.(see my note below.)

The story itself is haunting and creepy. It is not your typical YA ghost story in which everything seems to flow into a neat line. Rather, Mary Shelley Black's ghostly visitor is haunted, in a much more dramatic sense than Mary Shelley is. He shouldn't have died when he did, nor how he did--let alone in the manner that his family claims.

If I did stars or other symbols, this would be an easy 5 stars. Cat Winters has crafted a fabulous debut novel--and I really can't wait for more from her.

NOTE: This isn't a "pretty" story, nor is it "nice and tidy." Winters doesn't gloss over the atrocities of war injuries when her character is volunteering in the soldiers' hospital. Neither does she hide the images of the flu epidemic--with bodies stacked in wagons, and wooden coffins. It's honest, which may suggest that you think strongly about younger readers before handing it over.

Extras: GREAT website from the author.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Amulet Books through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

REVIEW: Spellbinding, by Maya Gold

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Turney LaRowe) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:42:00 +0000

Salem is the bewitching backdrop to this lush, fast-paced tale of one girl discovering the source of her powers.

It is during a routine school project that Abby Silva--sixteen and nearly friendless--makes a startling discovery: She is descended from women who were accused of witchcraft back in 1600s Salem. And when Abby visits nearby Salem, strange, inexplicable events start to unfold. Objects move when she wills them to. Candles burst into sudden flame. And an ancient spellbook somehow winds up in her possession.

Trying to harness her newfound power, Abby concocts a love potion to win over her longtime crush--and exact revenge upon his cruel, bullying girlfriend. But old magic is not to be trifled with. Soon, Abby is thrust headlong into a world of hexes, secrets, and danger. And then there's Rem Anders, the beautiful, mysterious Salem boy who seems to know more about Abby than he first lets on.

A reckoning is coming, and Abby will have to make sense of her history--and her heart--before she can face the powerful truth.

Spellbinding is a coming-of-age-discover-I'm-a-witch-can't-figure-out-the-hot-guy-I-like story. The cover gave me the impression that I'd see more...um...witch stuff. And it's set in Salem, Massachusetts. I feel like I needed it to be...more.

It starts out great. Abby is interesting and the approachable sort, you'd be friends with her. Her friends, new and old, are likeable and develop Abby's character well, even if there's is a little missing. It's, of course, interesting that she's taking a part time job in Salem, in a witchy kind of store. But then...it just became a same ol'-same ol' kind of story. It all even wrapped up neatly and nicely.

But, to be fair, when you're looking for escapist reading, same ol'-same ol' works. It's a good story and something I wouldn't hesitate to share with readers.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Scholastic Point through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

REVIEW: You Know What You Have to Do, by Bonnie Shimko

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Turney LaRowe) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:30:00 +0000

You Know What You Have To Do

Funny, fiesty, fifteen-year-old Mary Magdalene Feigenbaum (otherwise known as Maggie) suddenly faces more than the usual YA concerns: a voice in her head is telling her to kill people. Not just anyone – each time the target is someone who has done something terrible to a person Maggie cares for.

"You know what you have to do," the voice commands.

Maggie struggles to resist, but the voice is relentless. With rising suspense, this story of psychological horror introduces a narrator whose own unique voice and irreverent humor are unforgettable – an unlikely hero fighting a desperate battle against incomprehensible evil.

This is one of the most difficult psychological thrillers for YAs I've read.

It's a little bit Dexter-ish, I'll admit. The voice in Maggie's head doesn't tell her to kill people, all willy-nilly like. No, it does have a purpose. She only kills those who have hurt others she cares about or who have upset her. She does fight the voice and not kill innocents or people who just really don't know any better. Oh..and apparently, if you threaten the life of the kid who is blackmailing you because he knows of your first kill...well, you get away with everything!

Maggie's voice (her own voice, not the one in her head) is the perfect portrayal of a TV-styled teenager. She can't be reasoned with, even when she learns the truth. She spends the entire book blasting her mom because she thinks she's a slut--even after she learns that that really isn't the case. She complains about her friends constantly--all 2 of them--and then alienates them. (Of course, her "best" friend tells her that sitting in the back row of a movie theater is just "asking" for sex and she should apologize for nearly being raped while on a date. So..that one might be worth alienating.) She's just not a strong character. I tend to want my protagonists to be a bit better than the "average" teenager as portrayed by the media.

It's really an interesting premise, but it could have been done SO much better. There are just too many holes in the story, and not enough development of what is an obvious psychological condition. There's no story line here, just what feels like random scenes from a couple school years.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Amazon Children's Publishing through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

REVIEW: Excessive Entanglement, by Nick d'Arbeloff

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Turney LaRowe) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:30:00 +0000

Excessive Entanglement
2012

President Virginia Belknap is one year into her second term when a NASA scientist discovers a new planet with an atmosphere similar to Earth. Embracing the event, Belknap turns a one-way mission to colonize this new world into her grand calling. It is the early 2030s—a time when Earth is struggling under the ill effects of climate change and a growing population, and the mission seizes the world’s imagination. But as the coolheaded and competent Belknap starts to assemble experts from different nations to plan all aspects of this illustrious enterprise, including the new planet’s constitution, religious conservatives—led by an earnest evangelical named Randall Reese—rise up in outrage and indignation. Reese and his followers see the plans put forth by Belknap’s Mission Council as the blueprint for a Godless world and the tragic loss of what could be a second Eden.

As the political machinations of Reese and others put the launch at risk, a broader and darker conspiracy takes shape that threatens to obliterate the ship, its crew, and even the new planet itself. Belknap, her own life in danger, is forced to battle Reese, expose the conspiracy, and regain control of the mission before the launch window closes. But not before the forces at play spark a bonfire of deceit, murder, and domestic terrorism. While taking us on a wild, action-packed ride from Washington DC to Beijing to the L5 Spaceport, Excessive Entanglement holds a mirror to modern society, creatively exploring the political and constitutional issues presented by mankind’s first opportunity to create a more perfect world from the ground up.

The first novel from Nick d'Arbeloff (not a YA writer) is awesome. I expected some generalized awkwardness, especially being a self-published piece, but there isn't any. I don't know who edited for him, but the two did an amazing job on this novel.

It's a political thriller, a near-future science fiction story, a to-the-point look at religion in politics, and a mystery. How in the world does a first time author accomplish all 4? Beautifully...that's how.

There's no one main character, but several and someone to represent each facet of the story, and of the work to essentially create a society on another planet. I didn't "fall in love" with any one of them, as I'm prone to do in most books, but that worked for me in this one. I didn't want to get too close to any one character (though I will admit to rooting for the romantic relationship that evolved).

This is not one of my "fluff" reads, that I rush through in a day for escape. You have to think, and be prepared that (even though it's fiction), it will make you think--just what would we do if we could essentially start over on creating a human society?

While this book isn't a YA book, or even marketed to YAs in any specific way, it's one that your intense readers will enjoy. Those who aren't hardcore sci-fi fans will appreciate that no aliens make an appearance, but there's just enough science to capture your general science fiction crowd.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Smith Publicity through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

REVIEW: If You Find Me, by Emily Murdoch

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Turney LaRowe) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

If You Find Me
2013

Fourteen-year-old Carey and six-year-old Jenessa have been living in the woods with their mother for as long as they can remember; the sheltering trees and a broken-down camper are all they know. But what they’ve never been told is that Carey vanished from the real world ten years ago, when their mother took her, causing an uproar in the media—and in her father's life.

Now, abandoned by the mother they trusted, they’re often left alone for long periods of time to fend for themselves—until, in one moment, everything changes. They're found by Carey's father and thrust into a bright and perplexing new world, one of shopping malls, shiny appliances, new clothes and mouth-watering food. Carey desperately wants to believe in this new reality, but is held back by a deep and painful loyalty to her mentally ill mother, who gave Carey her violin and taught her how to play the soaring music that helps her survive.

And then there’s the other piece of Carey’s past that haunts her . . . the story of what happened to her and Jenessa on that dark night in the woods . . . the reason Jenessa hasn't spoken a word in over a year. Will Carey ever be able to trust her father and his family enough to fit into this new life? Will Jenessa finally break her silence and ruin the cocoon of safety that Carey’s built so carefully around them? And what will happen if the secret comes out?

You know, I get these books from NetGalley, read the blurb, request it, and by the time I actually read the book, I don't remember why I requested it or what the blurb said. Sometimes that works out okay, other times I'm doing a good job of scratching my head.

This time, this book seriously snagged me. It's face-paced and compelling. There are some heart-breaking moments, impossible for this reader not to tear up over. And though it is YA (not simply because Carey is 14), it doesn't read like YA. Emily Murdoch hasn't "written down" to her audience, but instead assumes an honest maturity. Carey is a bit on the too mature side, which is obvious from some of the things her mother made her endure before disappearing, but Murdoch keeps her (and the reader) still on the side of innocence. While there is no doubt what happened in the forest in Tennessee, the memory flashbacks are not gruesome or too detailed.

I read that this is Emily Murdoch's debut novel. What a great start to what will hopefully be a prolific career. I love her characters--she's definitely got everyone mastered. From Carey's too grown up, too mature, too naive personality, down to Janessa's sweet, innocent, desperate one. I forgot I was reading fiction, and for realistic fiction, that's perfect.

But, Ms. Murdoch, if you make me cry like that again, I'm not sure I'll read your 3rd book. (Just kidding...you're on my list of authors to watch and wait for.)

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from St. Martin's Press through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

REVIEW: The Madness Underneath, by Maureen Johnson

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Turney LaRowe) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:30:00 +0000

The Madness Underneath

After her near-fatal run-in with the Jack the Ripper copycat, Rory Devereaux has been living in Bristol under the close watch of her parents. So when her therapist suddenly suggests she return to Wexford, Rory jumps at the chance to get back to her friends. But Rory’s brush with the Ripper touched her more than she thought possible: she’s become a human terminus, with the power to eliminate ghosts on contact. She soon finds out that the Shades—the city’s secret ghost-fighting police—are responsible for her return. The Ripper may be gone, but now there is a string of new inexplicable deaths threatening London. Rory has evidence that the deaths are no coincidence. Something much more sinister is going on, and now she must convince the squad to listen to her before it’s too late.

The sequal to Johnson's The Name of the Star is good....but not as good as the first book in the series.

Rory is "home" recovering after the events of the first book. And it takes a while to get past that part. Plus, "something" has happened to change her--literally--and you really have to have read the first book to catch on. (And recently read it, probably, since I didn't remember what had happened.)

The first book had more ghost-y stuff. This one had some significant scenes, but really didn't further that story line just a whole lot. There was, of course, a paranormal mystery, but it was centered more on humans who were caught up in the paranormal.

Rory is more developed, but still a bit immature. Stephen (the not-so-paranormal mystery character in the first book) is given a back story, that explains his nature a lot. The other members of the team don't get much play in this book, just enough to remind you they are there.

This felt less like a continuation of a story and more like a "check-in with the characters" book. It's not bad, it just left me wanting. There is a great cliff hanger though, and zero doubt that there will be a third installment.

What do you think??

A brand new library...

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Turney LaRowe) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:51:00 +0000

Today, at our district's alternative campus, I gave the kids a gift.

A library.

It doesn't have a lot of books.

Yet.

It doesn't have any comfy seating or lots of posters.

Yet.

There's no reading challenge or program, or even an adult who staffs it daily.

Yet.

But you know what? For kids who didn't have access to reading material that wasn't a textbook or other curriculum material, it's a chance to read just because they want to. Or maybe they need to for test points. Or maybe they just want to look at some pictures.

It's a chance for them to read, and maybe connect with a book. And maybe we "save" them. Who knows.

What do you think??

REVIEW: Deep Betrayal, by Anne Greenwood Brown

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Turney LaRowe) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:30:00 +0000

Deep Betrayal

It's been thirty days, two hours, and seventeen minutes since Calder left Lily standing on the shores of Lake Superior. Not that she's counting. And when Calder does return, it's not quite the reunion Lily hoped for. Especially after she lets her father in on a huge secret: he, like Calder, is a merman. Obsessed with his new identity, Lily's dad monopolizes Calder's time as the two of them spend every day in the water, leaving Lily behind.

Then dead bodies start washing ashore. Calder blames his mermaid sisters, but Lily fears her father has embraced the merman's natural need to kill. As the body count grows, everyone is pointing fingers. Lily doesn't know what to believe--only that whoever's responsible is sure to strike again. . . .

Okay..first..this is the sequel to Lies Beneath. Which was an awesome book (I'll go back and review it at some point.)

I have to tell you, I'm excited to read about mermaids. If I'm going to read paranormal, I'm ready for something other than vampires, zombies, and psychics. And this..works.

Deep Betrayal is awesome as an escape book. Meaning, I got so caught up reading it, I did, in fact escape reality for a bit. I love Lily and Calder. I love that this novel focused more on Lily. She's got a lot to focus on in finding out what being a mutant (as she puts it) means for her. Oh...and there's the deaths.

I'm not sure this book could be any better. I loved the first one, it dealt with practicalities of being a mer-person (seriously, they ARE part fish..there are some things to consider.) And this one addresses being a human, who happens to be part mermaid.

Great character deepening, as they develop in their identities. I would've liked more of Lily's dad as a central character, but it also worked that he was feeding into the inevitable "embracing his inner merman" that happens when one discovers who they really are.

Again, great read, better than the first installment, which would be tough since that one was so good. Definitely different and more based in the possibilities of the real world including the supernatural.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Random House Children's Books (Delacorte BFYR) through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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REVIEW: Orleans, by Sherri L. Smith

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Turney LaRowe) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:30:00 +0000

Orleans
Published in 2013

First came the storms.Then came the Fever.And the Wall. After a string of devastating hurricanes and a severe outbreak of Delta Fever, the Gulf Coast has been quarantined. Years later, residents of the Outer States are under the assumption that life in the Delta is all but extinct…but in reality, a new primitive society has been born.

Fen de la Guerre is living with the O-Positive blood tribe in the Delta when they are ambushed. Left with her tribe leader’s newborn, Fen is determined to get the baby to a better life over the wall before her blood becomes tainted. Fen meets Daniel, a scientist from the Outer States who has snuck into the Delta illegally. Brought together by chance, kept together by danger, Fen and Daniel navigate the wasteland of Orleans. In the end, they are each other’s last hope for survival.

In light of the hurricanes to hit the Gulf Coast in the last several years, this book tells a possible, if hard to imagine story. Set several years, and storms in the future, Orleans is a scary possibility, as well as a story that provides hope.

Fen is the anti-heroine. She doesn't begin as particularly likable, she's not a stunning beauty or paragon of virtue, like you tend to meet in adventure stories. And this is an adventure story, wrapped in a (I hope) dystopian future.

Daniel is also a hero, though an incredibly reluctant one and not the kind he thought he was going to be. He's the nerd, who has believed every single line fed to him by the government that abandoned the Gulf Coast after massive storms and a plague.

I loved so many things about this book. Smith created simply amazing characters. I could see and hear them on every page. Rich, deep, and familiar, yet completely unlike others I've known.

Having walked the streets of New Orleans since it was rebuilt post-Katrina, I read and re-read the descriptions of the city, now a near wasteland. It fed that curiosity in me that has always wondered, what would survive?

The story itself captures you. Fen's fierce determination to do right by her friend's baby is palpable, and feeds her story. Daniel's on a quest to save, though he doesn't realize salvation doesn't look quite the way he imagines.

This is what becomes of civilized humanity when it simply wants to survive.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Putnam Juvenile through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

REVIEW: The Sin-Eater's Confession, by Ilsa J. Bick

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Turney LaRowe) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

The Sin Eater's Confession (Carolrhoda Ya)
Published 2013

People in Merit, Wisconsin, always said Jimmy was . . . you know. But people said all sorts of stupid stuff. Nobody really knew anything. Nobody really knew Jimmy.

I guess you could say I knew Jimmy as well as anyone (which was not very well). I knew what scared him. And I knew he had dreams—even if I didn't understand them. Even if he nearly ruined my life to pursue them.

Jimmy's dead now, and I definitely know that better than anyone. I know about blood and bone and how bodies decompose. I know about shadows and stones and hatchets. I know what a last cry for help sounds like. I know what blood looks like on my own hands.

What I don't know is if I can trust my own eyes. I don't know who threw the stone. Who swung the hatchet? Who are the shadows? What do the living owe the dead?

Wow. This book is heavy. It's tough. I'm not sure what I thought it would be, but good heavens it was tough. Like, took me a few days to get through it, because it impacted me.

There were several teenage stresses in this book. The tamest of them is the tiger-mom--pushing her kid to be the best and work his butt off and "you can rest and play later." Ben's mom has him booked, solid, all with the intention of getting him into Yale, and then medical school. Seriously, nothing can stand in the way, and Ben, honey, you can sleep when you're dead.

Ben is also dealing with secrets. His secrets, Jimmy's secrets. And fighting rumors that have no basis in truth. It is so very tough. And dealing with them all on his own, because what he knows could end everything he's worked for, even though he is innocent.

I think Bick's work as a child psychiatrist is precisely what makes this work so well. What makes Ben's story so compelling. She truly understands the inner workings of the mind that would be Ben's. It is hard to read his pain. Because, if you're like me, you feel it.

This isn't a YA novel for the junior high set. I'd be hard-pressed to give it to my freshman or most of my sophomores, but I think my juniors and seniors could take it. It has the potential to make for some great discussion.

Be prepared, there is some gore and Bick doesn't sugarcoat it . This book does deal with homosexuality and the cruelty that can be dished out, and while it's central to the story, it's not the most important part of the story.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Carolrhoda Lab through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Turney LaRowe) — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 16:30:00 +0000

YALSA's The Hub Blog

Update: March 9.

So, I've been simultaneously not good about updating AND not good about reading from the list. I've got copies of several of the titles, I just can't seem to open them. Perhaps, knitting is getting the way.

Since the previous update...

The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green I think I may have cried even more this time through.

The Name of the Star, by Maureen Johnson Snagged this one because I'm reviewing the second book in the series. The Madness Underneath was published in February of this year.

The Raven Boys, by Maggie Stiefvater Gosh, this one is so good.

Reported to you before today

Every Day, by David Levithan. I think I loved this MORE the second time around than I did when I first reviewed it. LOVE Levithan, and LOVE this book.

Friends with Boys, by Faith Erin Hicks. Great graphic novel. Faith Erin Hicks is one of the (few) graphic novelists that I really enjoy. She's awesome.

What do you think??

REVIEW: Being Henry David, by Cal Armistead

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Turney LaRowe) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Being Henry David

Published 2013

Seventeen-year-old "Hank" has found himself at Penn Station in New York City with no memory of anything--who he is, where he came from, why he's running away. His only possession is a worn copy of Walden by Henry David Thoreau. And so he becomes Henry David--or "Hank"--and takes first to the streets, and then to the only destination he can think of--Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts.Hank begins to piece together recollections from his past. The only way Hank can discover his present is to face up to the realities of his grievous memories. He must come to terms with the tragedy of his past, to stop running, and to find his way home.

Really enjoyed this book, even though I can't think of a single 17-year-old at my school who would be voluntarily carrying around a copy of Thoreau. But hey, someone probably does. :)

So, we've got a male narrator. I have to admit that even though we have quite a few male narrators in YA literature, for the most part the audience is female and so even teenage boys are written to teenage girls. It is what it is. In this instance, it was nice to have a boy voice written to appeal to boys as well as girls. Pretty nice.

The writing style carries the emotion and storyline, too. There's a little choppiness in the places where Hank is very tense. It worked well enough that my shoulders crept up to my ears, just like they do when I'm tense in my real life. In a few places, the "short-ness" of the writing was too short and a particular detail or person didn't feel complete, but all in all it worked.

Places were gut-wrenching. I get emotionally attached, so I'm not ashamed to tell you I had to step away to deal with tears and calm down a few times.

The book is DEFINITELY worth your time. And take some time with it.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Albert Whitman Teen through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

REVIEW: Dualed, by Elsie Chapman

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Turney LaRowe) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 16:30:00 +0000

Dualed
Published in 2013

The Hunger Games meets Matched in this thrilling high-concept YA where citizens must prove their worth by killing their Alts—twins raised by other families. You or your Alt? Only one will survive.

The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one month to hunt down and kill her Alt. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life. But then a tragic misstep shakes West's confidence. Stricken with grief and guilt, she's no longer certain that she's the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future. If she is to have any chance of winning, she must stop running not only from her Alt, but also from love . . . though both have the power to destroy her.

Another dystopian YA novel. I have to admit, I'm glad dystopian fiction is picking back up and we're a little less heavy into vampires right now.

This is a different premise. Like the blurb says, there's a Hunger Games-esque quality, in that it's a "kill or be killed" policy for all 10-18 year olds, and you never know when you're number is going to, quite literally, be up. The Matched reference confuses me a little bit, ok.

The reader is dropped right into the story. West's world is upended, immediately, and you hit the ground running. And there is only room for a breather when West takes one. She's a really interesting character, living in a future world that should be more like her--interesting.

I didn't like (spoiler here, friends) that once West's assignment was given, she ran. Don't give me grief, she did. She ran, and she hid. And you never really get a sense of why. It can't be simply because she wants the best possible opportunity--she'd have to be looking for her Alt for that. I got this sense that she was biding her time until the clock wound down. But wait! A boy helps her to "see the light" and choose to live. Sigh...she's too strong a girl for that.

I also felt like the "world" was almost nonexistent. I needed some backstory, or at least, more than I got since it clearly didn't make an impression. Why was dualing with your Alt the accepted social norm? Other than offhand comments/flashbacks, are you ever going to explain why West is alone in this world, as far as family goes? What the heck is a PK?

All in all, it felt like an unfinished book. And yes, I get that this is a series and I appreciate that there is no cliffhanger going into book 2. I wanted to like this story, because the premise was sound, but it just didn't have enough cohesiveness and substance to hold it together for me.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Randome House BYFR through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

REVIEW: Dr. Frankenstein's Daughters, by Suzanne Weyn

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Turney LaRowe) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:30:00 +0000

Dr. Frankenstein's Daughters
2013

When Doctor Victor Frankenstein died, he left behind a legacy of horror...as well as two unacknowledged, beautiful twin daughters. Now these girls are seventeen, and they've come to Frankenstein's castle to claim it as their inheritance.

Giselle and Ingrid are twins, but they couldn't be more different. Giselle is a glamorous social climber who plans on turning Frankenstein's castle into a center of high society. Ingrid, meanwhile, is quiet and studious, drawn to the mysterious notebooks her father left behind...and the experiments he went mad trying to perfect.

As Giselle prepares for lavish parties and Ingrid finds herself falling for the sullen, wounded naval officer next door, a sinister force begins to take hold in the castle. Nobody's safe as Frankenstein's legacy leads to a twisted, macabre journey of romance and horror.

Frankenstein is one of my favorite classic horror novels (Mary Shelley's original version.) Consequently, I'm more than a bit skeptical about ANY novel that extends or retells the story.

You'd think I'd learn when Suzanne Weyn is the one wielding the pen. Dark and suspenseful, just like you'd expect of a Frankenstein story. This is an extension story that well-deserves a place next to the original.

The two girls, Giselle and Ingrid, made me think more of the characters in the original. Giselle is blissfully unaware of all that's going on in the family's castle, and Ingrid is her father made over--intense and frightening in her resolve to continue her father's research and experiments, all to save the man she loves.

The plot moved. And moved and moved. There was just the right measuring of romance and innocence, of mystery and fear, of paranoia and dangerous intensity. My one sticking point is that the ending raced to the finish too quickly, something I do think Weyn does too easily. A great story doesn't have to hurry and end...it just needs to end as well as it began.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Scholastic Press/Scholastic Inc. through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

REVIEW: Prisoner in Alcatraz, by Theresa Breslin

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Turney LaRowe) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:30:00 +0000

Prisoner in Alcatraz
2012

It is your right to have: food, clothing, shelter and medical attention. Anything else you get is a privilege.

Welcome to Alcatraz, the most notorious prison in America.

Marty is a young, simple man who dreams of growing tomatoes in the warm sun of Mexico. But he gets himself into a bit of trouble when he agrees to help out a friend and ends up in the hardest prison in America: Alcatraz. Marty is sentenced to life, and nobody ever get’s out of Alcatraz. But now there’s a new escape plan – and Marty is the only one that can make it happen. Will Marty break out of Alcatraz – or will life mean life?

***Note from the publisher:

Please note that Stoke Books are created specifically for reluctant or dyslexic readers. The books are short and action-packed with compelling narratives. This book is aimed at kids aged 14 and up with a 4th grade reading level

I had to read this book twice through. I think that, for me, it just moved way too quickly, and left some significant holes in the story. It felt choppy, like it was originally written as a much longer book, but because it was needed in a reluctant reader market, the author cut it down. WAY down. I just worry that it's going to have too many holes to not confuse a reluctant reader. There's also the issue of when this story takes place. Because I'm an avid reader and notice the language queues that give a sense of when something happens, I get that part of the setting. A reluctant reader won't, and some of the language will wind up being confusing.

That being said...there are some positives. It was easy to keep up with the basic premise (even with the holes in the story). You could easily tell what was going on with Marty, and pull a lesson from his situation.

I think it's this story is a step in the right direction, but I think there's just too much choppiness, leaving a lot to be desired for this educator who works with reluctant readers. Writing high interest-low reading level (Hi-Lo books) is more than just adjusting vocabulary and structure. It still requires crafting a smooth story line.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Stoke Books through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.