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In: Historical Fiction, Historical Fiction (YA), Middle Grade Reviews, Mystery & Suspense, Mystery & Suspense (YA), Young Adult Book Reviews
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Jennifer Donnelly’s newest book for young adults, Revolution, is a revelation (October 2010 from Delacourte Press).  It’s an enticing, enchanting blend of transformation story, historical fiction, mystery, and good, solid storytelling. Two smart, artistic, reckless young women are linked  across the centuries by their love for the young boys in their care: Andi, in 21st century Brooklyn is on a self-destructive bent after the tragic death of her younger brother Truman 2 years ago; and Alex, in Paris in 1795 during the French Revolution, is determined to save her young charge, the Dauphin of France, young Louis-Charles.   When Revolution opens, Andi’s self-loathing, grief, and hatred forRead More →

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As demonstrated by books like “The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs” and “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales,” his collaborations with Jon Scieszka, author and illustrator Lane Smith has a wonderfully sardonic sense of humor that lends itself well to subversive children’s books. In his latest title, “It’s A Book,” Lane turns his humor to a pervasive cultural issue among the younger generation today: explaining the merits of a printed book — a property that can’t text or tweet. He explores the issues through two main characters: A monkey who’s trying to read, and a jackass who keeps interrupting himRead More →

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In: Mystery & Suspense (YA), Sports (YA), Young Adult Book Reviews
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Dead Connections’ author Charlie Price’s new novel, The Interrogation of Gabriel James, is an intriguing mystery from page one.  High school junior Gabriel is a material witness to two murders and in a combination of his interview with local police detectives and his memories of the events that lead up to the murders, we watch spellbound as he quickly gets in way over his head. What starts as a prairie fire outside his hometown of Billings, Montana, leads quickly to the disappearance of local pets.  Next, there’s increased drug pushing going on around town and the town’s homeless and mentally ill population is being harassed andRead More →

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In: On the Edge, Young Adult Book Reviews
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Dirt Road Home, the companion to Watt Key’s Alabama Moon centers on Hal Mitchell, the Moon’s friend fromthe Pinson Boys’ Home, and Hal’s time in the hard-core Hellenweiler Boys’ Home in Tuscaloosa. 14 year-old Hal’s one goal is to stay out of trouble so he can qualify for early release once his father is able to sober up and hold down a job. But on the first day in Hellenweiler, Hal learns that the boys are clearly divided into 2 rival gangs, The Ministers and The Hounds, and no one can exist without joining up. Hal is determined to stay out of the system, and his stoic non-commitance catches theRead More →