Children of Discord: Second Book in the Gastar Series, by C.C. Cole

Synopsis from the back of the book: “OLD SCORE, NEW CITY:  Following years of war and near-annihilation, the people of the great city of Gastar have thrived without a major threat in two centuries, since the departure of the demon lord Zermon.  Now, unknown to the people, dark forces from the past return to stake their claim.  The boy Goldeon seeks to topple the city leaders by use of a secret army.  Shevata, the teen assassin and the boy’s greatest enemy, unexpectedly returns to the city by unlikely allies.  The clash of the children sets off a series of events that place the people in the center.  Who is the greatest danger, the two teens from the past, or their own war with one another?  Can the city survive it?”

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This sequel of Act of Redemption is another great story in the Gastar Series.  Cole creates a completely new cast of interesting characters, save Shevata and Goldeon, as the two children battle each other as good versus evil.  Two hundred years have passed since Shevata’s last battle in Gastar, from which she left the human world in search of her greatest foe, Goldeon.  Although the demon world from Act of Redemption now resides in hell, a new group of unexpected foes takes the light in this new novella, controlled by Goldeon as he pursues utter destruction of the city.

I especially liked the set up of this novella as it takes place over the course of a week, but the sequence is not necessarily in order.  This aspect creates suspense and interest, egging the reader on to find the answers to the questions that arise in each segment.  It reminds me of the Greek tragedy format, in which the beginning is the middle, and the middle is the beginning (the end is the end).  While the prologue of the novel begins in the middle of the story, the next segment rewinds to earlier in the week.  As the story plays out, and the sequence of events change, the chapters guide the reader, telling him/her where the next portion of the story lies in terms of sequence.  Thus, the novella jumps back and forth, taking the reader for a thrilling ride as the plot unfolds and answers arise.  Questions brought up in this newest novella, as well as those brought up in Act of Redemption, reveal themselves as the story progresses, giving the reader much satisfaction as it all comes together. 

Cole does a wonderful job entertaining the reader through this action packed novella.  I was mesmerized as the story quickly progressed, and I was constantly caught off guard by the multiple twists and turns Cole ingeniously adds to her writing.  The end of the novella sets itself up for the third installment, and I am very excited to read about Shevata’s newest quest, though there is little foreshadowing as to what will happen next for the heroine of the Gastar Series.  Four stars!

Check of the book trailer:

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

 

Gravity Check, by Alex Van Tol

Orca Book Publishers have been extremely gracious to allow me to review Gravity Check prior to its release date of May 1, 2011.  The synopsis is as follows: “Jamie is determined that nothing—not even his annoyingly popular younger brother Seth—is going to spoil his fun at a mountain biking camp in the backcountry.  Nothing but stumbling on a giant grow-op in the woods, that is.  And watching their fellow campers get captured by violent drug dealers.  And working with Seth to figure out a way to save them without getting caught themselves.”

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Orca Book Publishers is an organization that produces fiction for reluctant readers, especially readers on the lower spectrum, with a reading level between second grade and fourth grade.  Gravity Check comes from the Orca Sports series, which is for readers 10+.  This series encompasses short fictional books that combine “mystery and adventure with team sports,” in a way that the reader, especially a reluctant reader, can easily understand. 

Van Tol does it again with her newest novel, enticing the reader through mystery and suspense as the plot unfolds!  While the beginning of the novel explores the joys of mountain biking and enhances characterization, the novel quickly advances into a suspenseful thriller as Jamie and his friends’ camping trip becomes a life and death situation.  Jamie is a well thought out, quick thinking, teen that reacts to his situations with caution and gumption; all of the characters are balanced very well, adding to the chilling reality and believability of the story at hand.  Like Knifepoint, another one of Van Tol’s novels, I found myself breathless with my heart beat accelerating as I turned the pages.  Concern and trepidation for the characters seized me as I read, and I highly recommend this novel for all readers 10+, regardless of reading level or interest in mountain biking.  This phenomenal novel is a testament to Van Tol’s sheer writing genius.  Five stars!

Check out my Orca Book Publishers page for more information, titles, and reviews for reluctant readers!

Come to the Edge, by Christina Haag

The Random House Publishing Group, in conjunction with Goodreads First Reads, offered this book as a giveaway.  I was lucky enough to win one of the ARCs for review, prior to its release today, March 29, 2011.  

Synopsis from Goodreads:  “When Christina Haag was growing up on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, John F. Kennedy, Jr., was just one of the boys in her circle of prep school friends, a skinny kid who lived with his mother and sister on Fifth Avenue and who happened to have a Secret Service detail following him at a discreet distance at all times. A decade later, after they had both graduated from Brown University and were living in New York City, Christina and John were cast in an off-Broadway play together. It was then that John confessed his long-standing crush on her, and they embarked on a five-year love affair. Glamorous and often in the public eye, but also passionate and deeply intimate, their relationship was transformative for both of them. With exquisite prose, Haag paints a portrait of a young man with an enormous capacity for love, and an adventurous spirit that drove him to live life to its fullest.”

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I am on the fence with this memoir.  I liked it, but I don’t think the  style of writing is  necessarily for me.  This is the very beautifully told story of Haag’s relationship with JFK Jr, and I learned a lot of information about the Kennedys.  Haag writes beautiful descriptions and creates breathtaking visuals.  However, as a lot of this story banks on description, I found myself having difficulty pressing on within the memoir.  I am more interested in the meat of a story, and a lot of time is spent denoting Haag’s background, which I personally find unnecessary to the novel.  Yet, this aspect provides much insight into the author, which I believe many readers will enjoy; it’s just not for me. 

I also had some difficulty with the sequence of events.  Haag tends to jump around from memory to memory and, while a majority of the time this was not an issue, at times I had to re-read sections because I was unable to follow along.  I believe many readers will have no difficulty following the sequence, but I need a little more structure to my novels.

The main story was wonderful, though I came away disliking JFK Jr. a tad, and I don’t think that was the intended purpose of the novel.  Most of the memoir was very interesting, and I highly suggest this memoir for history buffs and anyone looking for an insider’s view of the Kennedy family.  Three stars.

Rogue’s Curse, by Jason Beymer

Synopsis from Goodreads: “Two thousand years after the Rapture, the world still sucks.  The talisman responsible for the Rapture has embedded itself in Doban’s chest, making him the most wanted rogue in history.  Pursued by a biblical prophet intent on ripping the talisman out, Doban must seek help from the only woman who ever loved him—a woman he once left to die in a tomb.  Can they let go of the past long enough to stop a second Rapture?”
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This is a fantastic read.  I will admit that I began the book with trepidation, since it “contains graphic violence, off-kilter copulation, and nasty rogues.”  Therefore, I did a test.  Before I began reading, I read a short excerpt, to which my reaction was “Ewwwwwww!” along with much laughter.  Well, anything that can gross me out and keep me laughing at the same time is well worth a read, and I was right!  I found that the “graphic violence, off kilter copulation, and nasty rogues” were ingenious aspects providing much hilarity to the reader. 

Beymer’s novel is like nothing I have ever read before.  I really liked the setting, which combines the past with the future: castles still stand and kings still reign, but the rapture has already come and gone.  The unconventional characters were another aspect I highly enjoyed, as they are both witty and fascinating.  I enjoyed them all, which is a rarity for me.  The off kilter banter and escapades taking place between the characters really sold me on this novel.  For a short novel, the characters have a lot of depth and it is easy to connect with, and love, them.  The fact that I even love the huge man eating monsters is a testament to Beymer’s wonderful writing capabilities.   

There is no lack of suspense in the novel either.  Each scene moves from one section to the next in a fast paced, thrilling manner, and I was always surprised by the twists and turns of the novel.  I found myself glued to the pages, staying up late into the evening to read.  Beymer has created a real gem of a novel for the adult population, and I truly enjoyed this story; I cannot wait for the rest of the novels in the series to hit bookshelves!  I love that it is fresh and completely different.  Since I have a very off kilter sense of humor to begin with, this book was a great fit for me, and I highly recommend it if you are anything like me.  Four stars!

I was given a copy of Rogue’s Curse from the author in exchange for an honest review. 

The Maze Runner, by James Dashner

Synopsis from Goodreads: “Imagine waking up one day in total darkness, unsure of where you are and unable to remember anything about yourself except your first name. You’re in a bizarre place devoid of adults called the Glade. The Glade is an enclosed structure with a jail, a graveyard, a slaughterhouse, living quarters, and gardens. And no way out. Outside the Glade is the Maze, and every day some of the kids — the Runners — venture into the labyrinth, trying to map the ever-changing pattern of walls in an attempt to find an exit from this hellish place. So far, no one has figured it out. And not all of the Runners return from their daily exertions, victims of the maniacal Grievers, part animal, part mechanical killing machines.  Thomas is the newest arrival to the Glade in this Truman-meets-Lord of the Flies tale. A motley crew of half a dozen kids is all he has to guide him in this strange world. As soon as he arrives, unusual things begin to happen, and the others grow suspicious of him. Though the Maze seems somehow familiar to Thomas, he’s unable to make sense of the place, despite his extraordinary abilities as a Runner. What is this place, and does Thomas hold the key to finding a way out?”

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I highly enjoyed this novel!  I have been putting it off for a while as it’s a trilogy and only books one and two are out, so I was planning to wait until all three were published.  However, my school library just received a copy, so I swooped in and took it before it hit the shelves.  I’m glad I did!  I thought this novel was phenomenal!  It reminds me of The Hunger Games trilogy.  If you liked that series, then I highly recommend reading The Maze Runner, even though the series is not yet complete.

I will admit that I wasn’t hooked right away.  In the very beginning, I nearly closed the novel because of the slang words used.  Dashner has created a whole slew of made-up words, and nightmares of trying to decipher A Clockwork Orange started running through my mind.  I am not a fan of gibberish, so I was less than pleased.  However, while Dashner does use slang, he uses very few terms (though in the beginning it seems like a lot), and the meaning of each becomes fairly clear within a chapter or two: insert a bad word.  I’ve concluded that Dashner used slang for two reasons: to keep his integrity as a YA author, and to further the notion that this is a futuristic novel.  As language is one of the first aspects to change within a culture, it actually makes sense that slang is used, even if it only pertains to cusses. 

Once I figured out the language, I was glued to the pages.  Dashner does a phenomenal job creating suspense at the end of each chapter.  Though I started the novel right before I went to bed, and planned to read only the first chapter, I ended up reading 100 pages before forcing myself to turn off the light.  I kept telling myself, “I’ll go to bed at the end of this chapter,” but when I got to the end, it was impossible to put down, because I couldn’t just turn off the light and leave everything hanging!  Eventually I forced myself to quit, otherwise I believe I would have spent the entire night reading; it’s that addictive!

While the character development was not 100%, in my opinion, the characters were still likable, for the most part, and I think they will continue to develop throughout the series.  Afterall, isn’t that the point of a series—to further develop the characters as they go through mass amounts of change?  I’m extremely excited to read The Scorch Trials as soon as I get my hands on it!  Five stars for a phenomenal read.

B Negative, by Vicki Grant

Orca Book Publishers has been extremely gracious to allow me to review B Negative prior to its release date of April 1, 2011.  The synopsis is as follows: “Is blood really thicker than water?  Paddy loves his family, all except for his annoying stepfather Anthony.  When they have a discussion about his future, Paddy overreacts and threatens to join the army.  Unable to back down, he finds he is alienating everyone around him.  And when he takes the physical exam and learns his blood type, his world starts to crumble and he starts to question everything he thought he knew.”

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Orca Book Publishers is an organization that produces fiction for reluctant readers, especially readers on the lower spectrum, with a reading level between second grade and fourth grade.  B Negative comes from the Orca Soundings series, which is for those ages 12+, and is written in a way that the reader, especially a reluctant reader, can easily understand.  

Grant has written a superb novel that is sure to catch the interest of all who read it.  Written in simple prose, B Negative tells the story of Paddy, a seventeen-year-old boy ready to follow in his father’s footsteps, but who is his real father?  Filled with suspense and mounting tension, B Negative will keep the reader glued to the pages as the story unfolds. 

I especially enjoyed Paddy’s voice throughout the novel.  As he tells his story, it is easy to connect with him and obtain a real sense of his thoughts and feelings.  He sounds just like the average teen of our day, and Grant does a wonderful job capturing the essence of the story at hand.  Grant’s ingenious play on words concerning the title, B Negative, made the story that much more enjoyable, and shows her sheer talent as a writer.  I highly recommend this novel.  Five stars!

 

Check out my Orca Book Publishers page for more information, titles, and reviews for reluctant readers!

Trapped, by Michael Northrop

Synopsis from Goodreads: “The day the blizzard started, no one knew that it was going to keep snowing for a week. That for those in its path, it would become not just a matter of keeping warm, but of staying alive… Scotty and his friends Pete and Jason are among the last seven kids at their high school waiting to get picked up that day, and they soon realize that no one is coming for them. Still, it doesn’t seem so bad to spend the night at school, especially when distractingly hot Krista and Julie are sleeping just down the hall. But then the power goes out, then the heat. The pipes freeze, and the roof shudders. As the days add up, the snow piles higher, and the empty halls grow colder and darker, the mounting pressure forces a devastating decision…”

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Wow!  This is a fantastic read!  While it reminded me a little of Lord of the Flies in that young adults are alone together trying to survive, this novel takes on a story of its own.  It is a truly scary look into the wrath of Mother Nature and the human ability to cope in unfathomable situations.  I am a teacher, and the entire time I read this, I kept trying to put myself in the students’ shoes.  What would I do?  Would I have tried to go for help, like Mr. Gossell, or would I have stayed and tried to protect the students to the best of my ability?  Would I risk a fire to keep everyone warm?  Is the food that easy to find in the café after hours? (I’m going to talk to the café staff about that last one). 

Last year we had a huge snowstorm, not a nor’easter, not even close, but it did shut down everything for a full week.  Luckily, I was at home when it started, and not at school, as the situation was quickly declared a statewide emergency.  Like the students in the book, we thought it would be a quick storm, and it would tapper off within a day or so.  While the really heavy snow only lasted two days, it took a full week to clean up the disasters that ensued.  No one was allowed out on the roads, not even to walk (though I don’t know how we could have been fined seeing as the police we’re even out).  As I read, I kept comparing last year’s situation to Trapped, and it is frightening to think about—I am truly grateful we did not have any situations like those in the book.

This novel is told from the viewpoint of one of the surviving seven students, Scotty Weams.  I’m not going to give anything else away, but Weam’s account of his five days locked in a school, while over 18 feet of snow falls around him, is breathtaking.  Northrop is a wonderful storyteller, really capturing the voice of the characters.  As the story unfolds, and the situation goes from bad to worse, Northrop continues to flesh out his characters, and although Weams is telling the story, he does not focus solely on himself, but adds in vital information about the other characters, allowing the reader to identify with them all, as they fight to survive through this dire situation.  This is a very powerful novel, and I highly recommend it!  Five stars. 

Check out the book trailer:

 

Act Of Redemption: First Book Of The Gastar Series, by C.C. Cole

Synopsis from Goodreads: ”The once-great city of Gastar now stands underpopulated and in ruins following centuries of war against an evil priesthood.  Now a demon lord arrives with plans for annihilation of the people and plans to create a half-demon, half-human son to stay and rule after Gastar becomes an extension of hell.  A trio of former soldiers arrive to help the people regain their battle skills and hope for victory.  An unexpected ally arrives, the teen assassin Shevata, who participated in a rescue mission in hell to rescue living hostages.  Upon her return to the human world, she was cursed by having her soul removed after killing an evil priest without a death order.  Her presence gets the attention of the demon lord, as he knows her from the experience in the underworld as a powerful adversary.  Shevata, the humans, a human traitor, the demon lord, his son, and Shevata’s dragon mentor ignite the spark that drives this fast paced action story to its dramatic end with more to come.”

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This was a really interesting read; I have not come across anything like it before.  In a post-apocalyptic world, the human race is plagued by powerful demons trying to make the human world another realm of hell, through the decimation of all humans.  Each chapter intricately juxtaposes the human world with the demon world, keeping the reader up-to-date with the happenings in both realms as the story unfolds.  The prologue sets the stage for the novella, dropping the reader straight into the midst of an age-old war between good and evil.  From the very first page the action ensues, never waning until the completion of the novel.

The first chapter begins in medias res, 200 hundred years after the prologue, and 350 years after the end of the Great War.  Although the Great War may be over, the battle for the human world still ensues; hence, pure souls are released, along with Shevata, the protagonist, back into the world to combat evil.  While not all the background information is clear in the beginning, Cole intricately designs her novel to help the reader piece together all that has happened over the past 200 years.  As the novel picks up in the middle, it only makes sense that the reader will have questions as he/she reads; some of the answers will come quickly, while others will not be answered until the near end of the novel.  Utilizing this tactic, Cole creates suspense for the reader—nothing is necessarily what it seems.  Usually I am an instant gratification reader, but Cole did a phenomenal job filling in just enough gaps to keep me turning the pages, always wanting more.  While not all questions are answered in this first segment, fear not!  Act of Redemption is the first novella in a series of four, and like all series, some questions will be left unanswered until later segments.

Act of Redemption takes a deep look into the fine line between good and evil and the use of violence on both sides.  This dark teen fantasy novella is sure to be a hit with readers of all ages, though I would recommend it for 13+.  I am putting this on my outside reading project for my students, and I am excited to get their feedback about the novella as well.  The second installment of the series, Children of Discord, just recently released in January, and I cannot wait to read it!  Four stars.

Check out the book trailer:

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Beyond Repair, by Lois Peterson

Orca Book Publishers have been extremely gracious to allow me to review Beyond Repair prior to its release date of April 1, 2011.  The synopsis is as follows: “Since the death of his father, everyone has been telling Cam that he’s the man of the house.  Cam takes his responsibility seriously.  He keeps the grieving household organized and takes care of his sister.  But when the man who had been driving the truck that killed his father seems to be stalking his family, he is not sure he’s up for the task.  How does the man of the house handle a stalker?”

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Orca Book Publishers is an organization that produces fiction for reluctant readers, especially readers on the lower spectrum, with a reading level between second grade and fourth grade.  Beyond Repair comes from the Orca Currents series, which is for those ages 10-14, and is written in a way that the reader, especially a reluctant reader, can easily understand.  

This is a very interesting coming of age novel.  While one could argue that it is about a young man dealing with a possible stalker, it is so much more than that.  Cam must step up and protect his family, but he must also deal with the emotional angst that is eating away at his soul.  At the same time, he must decipher fact from fiction and control his overactive imagination before it gets the best of him. 

I really enjoyed following Cam on his journey to manhood as he tried to make sense of his torn up world.  Peterson does a wonderful job with this story, from the disposition of the characters to the dialogue used within the text.  Although this is a fictional story, it is real on so many levels, and causes the reader to identify with the characters.  There is no down time within the story, and it is very fast paced, which will captivate readers from all different spectrums.  The only downfall to the novel that I can see is that it ends.  I wish it was longer!  Four stars.

Windfall, by Sara Cassidy

Orca Book Publishers have been extremely gracious to allow me to review Windfall prior to its release date of April 1, 2011.  The synopsis is as follows: “Life is full of challenges for thirteen-year-old Liza.  She is already having trouble coping with the death of a local homeless man when she learns that her family’s apple tree will need to be chopped down.  If that wasn’t enough, the new principal at school keeps blocking her attempts for a positive outlet by refusing permission for every project that GRRR! (Girls for Renewable Resources, Really!) and BRRR! (Boys for Renewable Resources, Really!) proposes. Liza starts to feel like she needs to create change in her world without seeking permission. When she chooses the school grounds as the site for her latest endeavor, she may have gone too far.”

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Orca Book Publishers is an organization that produces fiction for reluctant readers, especially readers on the lower spectrum, with a reading level between second grade and fourth grade.  Windfall comes from the Orca Currents series, which is for those ages 10-14, and is written in a way that the reader, especially a reluctant reader, can easily understand.  

We’ve all been there… we see a homeless person on the street and we become uncomfortable.  To see someone in such a sad state should cause us to lend a helping hand, but rarely is that the case.  Most of us would rather cross the street than walk near the homeless, a sad, but true fact.  In our world, there are many dangers, and unfortunately, strangers and the homeless tend to be feared in our society.  Windfall is unique in that is in a fictional book dealing with the death of a homeless man, Richard, and its effect on the children and families that live in the area.  Liza questions her nonchalant attitude toward the homeless and ultimately comes of age through Richard’s untimely death as she decides to give back to society.  While an explicitly environmental novel, I think many middle grade students will enjoy this novel, and hopefully be inspired to give back to the community and take care of the environment at the same time.  I was inspired by the projects that GRRR! and BRRR! take on within the novel and I found this novel a refreshing way to look at society as it is today.  While the main characters are middle grade students, and the novel lends itself to that age group, I believe this novel will also interest high school students as well.  I highly recommend it for any green thumbs out there, and anyone looking to make a difference.  Four stars.

Interested in helping the homeless?

http://www.commonground.org/

http://www.self-sufficiency.org/

www.childrenshealthfund.org

www.umom.org

www.diabetes.org

 

Check out my Orca Book Publishers page for more information, titles, and reviews for reluctant readers!

 

 

 

What Can’t Wait, by Ashley Hope Pérez

Lerner Publishing Group and Carolrhoda Lab have been extremely gracious to allow me to view an eBook version of this book on NetGalley.  It was just released on March 1^st, and is a superb read!!  The synopsis is as follows: “‘Another day finished, gracias a Dios.’  Seventeen-year-old Marisa’s mother has been saying this for as long as Marisa can remember.  Her parents came to Houston from Mexico.  They work hard, and they expect Marisa to help her familia.  And they expect her to marry a boy from the neighborhood, to settle down, and to have grandbabies.  If she wants a job, she could always be an assistant manager at the local grocery store.  At school, it’s another story.  Marisa’s calc teacher expects her to ace the AP test and to get into an engineering program in Austin—a city that seems unimaginably far away.  When her home life becomes unbearable, Marisa seeks comfort elsewhere—and suddenly neither her best friend nor boyfriend can get through to her.  Caught between the expectations of two different worlds, Marisa isn’t sure what she wants—other than a life where she doesn’t end each day thanking God it’s over.  What Can’t Wait—the gripping debut novel from Ashley Hope Pérez—tells the story of one girl’s survival in a world in which family needs trump individual success, and self-reliance is the only key that can unlock the door to the future.

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This is a beautifully told story about the hardships of cross-cultural children.  Much like The Joy Luck Club, Marisa finds herself trapped between family obligations and personal wants and needs.  Her family does not understand her want for an education, and Marisa’s struggle between family and independence intricately weaves itself throughout the entire novel.

The character development was phenomenal, and I really felt like I personally knew Marisa.  In fact, each character within the novel is presented in such an unadulterated light that I felt like I knew them all.  I’ve met people just like these characters, and it was really fun to draw out the similarities and differences between the characters and people I actually know.  Pérez does an exemplary job fleshing out each character, and their stories all intertwine flawlessly.  The usage of Spanish intertwined with English was a beautiful touch on Pérez’s part, and it made the story that much more genuine. 

I was really able to grasp the hardships that cross-cultural children go through as Marisa desperately tries to adhere to her home culture while embracing her American culture as well.  This novel is a real eye opener, and you will laugh and cry along with Marisa as she tries to find her place in the world.  The amount of responsibility put on Marisa is mindboggling, and it really brought home to me how little I really know about my students’ lives.  I kept identifying with Mrs. Ford as she pushed Marisa to her limits, not realizing the negative effects of such a push, or the amount of pressure on Marisa from her family and culture.  This novel was a real eye opener for me, and I believe it will be for all who read it.  I hope to see this novel in the 10^th grade world literature curriculum in high school, as it is a wonderful depiction of the struggles and triumphs of cross-cultural children.  I am adding this to my outside reading project for students!  Five stars!

Viral, by Alex Van Tol

Orca Book Publishers has been extremely gracious to allow me to review Viral prior to its release date of April 1, 2011.  The synopsis is as follows: “Mike has fallen deeply in love with his best friend, Lindsay. And he’s pretty sure she feels the same way…until a simple misunderstanding destroys Lindsay’s trust. Devastated and feeling betrayed, Lindsay leaves town for the summer. In the fall, she returns to school a different person and she’s suddenly tight with the “in” crowd. When Lindsay gets intoxicated at a party and ends up in a compromising situation, she has no idea that someone is filming the whole thing on his phone. When the footage goes viral around their school, Mike has to dig deep within himself to find the courage to help Lindsay in her time of greatest need.”

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Orca Book Publishers is an organization that produces fiction for reluctant readers, especially readers on the lower spectrum, with a reading level between second grade and fourth grade.  Viral comes from the Orca Soundings series, which is for those ages 12+, and is written in a way that the reader, especially a reluctant reader, can easily understand.  

How do you help someone who doesn’t want to be helped?  This the question to which Mike must find an answer, and it is a great question to ponder.  If we were in a similar situation as Mike, watching destructive decisions unfold, what would we do?  Van Tol leaves this philosophical question up the reader in this captivating narrative dealing with teenage angst and revenge. 

Any reader will be able to relate to this story through its fast paced storyline and interesting plot, and it will not only captivate reluctant readers, but all readers across all spectrums.  Van Tol’s use of technology within the story aids the plot and adds to the horror within the novel, as Mike’s peers misuse technology to destroy another.  I was captivated by this novel, and the ending was phenomenal!  I highly recommend this for all reluctant readers, but advise everyone to read it as the interest level and moral themes are for everyone.  Five stars.

Check out my Orca Book Publishers page for more information, titles, and reviews for reluctant readers!

Everything I Was, by Corinne Demas

Lerner Publishing Group and Carolrhoda Lab have been extremely gracious as to allow me to review an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release date of April 1, 2011.  The synopsis is as follows: “‘My walls were stripped, and all that was left in the room was a pile of boxes and my mattress propped against the wall.’  So begins Irene’s journey from an Upper West Side penthouse to—well, she’s not entirely sure where.  Irene’s investment banker father is “downsized” when his company merges with another.  When he can’t find work, her family’s lifestyle—and her socialite mother’s spending—quickly catches up with them.  Eventually, they’re forced to move in with Irene’s grandfather in the big family farmhouse upstate.  But what begins as the most disastrous summer of her life takes a surprising turn when she meets a most remarkable family.  Everything I Was is the story of a young woman deciding what she wants for herself after she thought she’d lost everything.”

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This was a very cute coming of age story, and Demas does a wonderful job showing the difficulties children face in this uncertain time.  Although never explicitly stated, this novel takes a hard look at the current economic situation with which the world is struggling, an aspect we don’t see very often in fictional novels.  Irene’s father loses his job as his corporation merges and downsizes, effecting his family’s life of luxury.  As the money wanes, Irene finds herself uprooted from her extravagant lifestyle and living on her grandfather’s farm.  What I really love about this novel is that it takes a detailed look at the effects of our economy on children.  Because children aren’t the breadwinners in the household, and because they tend to live more carefree lifestyles, they are often overlooked in terms of thoughts and feelings as they deal with the constant changes happening around them.  Told from the point of view of thirteen-year-old Irene, Demas does a wonderful job exploring Irene’s disposition as her life constantly changes.  I really enjoyed this novel and it forced me to stop and think about life, and how we are all affected by change.  I highly recommend this novel for all young adults and anyone with children.  Four stars.

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Charmed, by Carrie Mac

Synopsis from Orca Books: “Izzy finds she is one in a long line of girls ensnared in prostitution, with no way to escape.  Izzy’s mother works far away and leaves Izzy at home, alone with Rob the Slob. Angry at her mother and trying to deal with school, friends and the attentions of charismatic Cody Dillon, Izzy finds her life swirling out of control. Coerced into putting out to help Cody, Izzy finds she is one in a long line of girls ensnared in prostitution, with no way to escape. Believing that her mother will come for her, Izzy manages to fight back and, when the chance appears, make a run for it.”

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Orca Book Publishers is an organization that produces fiction for reluctant readers, especially readers on the lower spectrum, with a reading level between second grade and fourth grade.  Charmed comes from the Orca Soundings series, which is for those ages 12+, and is written in a way that the reader, especially a reluctant reader, can easily understand.  

As I read this novel, I kept pleading aloud with the main character, Izzy.  She is such a naïve teenager, looking for love and acceptance, as those she loves continually spurn her.  When her mother fails to take her daughter’s side, and instead sides with Rob, her lowlife live-in boyfriend, Izzy hits rock bottom.  Her mother asks her to move out and live with a friend for the next six months, until she returns from her job at the logging camp.  Hurt and resigned, Izzy seeks help from her new beau, Cody Dillon—a gorgeous high school dropout who is heavy into drugs.  Of course, nothing is what it seems in the life of Cody Dillon, and Izzy soon finds herself sucked in to a vicious ring of drugs and forced prostitution.

This book broke my heart.  It deals with a very difficult subject; one that society would rather sweep under the rug.  Izzy is a troubled young woman, becoming invisible in a society that views acting out as a behavioral problem and not a cry for help.  Although this novel is fiction, Izzy’s situation is very real, and many female teens fall prey to drugs and forced prostitution due to their naivety and lack of parental supervision.  This book is not only for teens, but also for parents.  It calls for parents to value their children and to always put them first.  I think this is a great book for young adults to read as it puts everything in perspective, and will help both young adults and parents become more knowledgeable in terms of protecting themselves and their loved ones.  Five stars.

Check out my Orca Book Publishers page for more information, titles, and reviews for reluctant readers!