Solo by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

Solo

by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess

Finally!  A young adult novel written by the venerable Kwame Alexander!  For all of his fans, you will not be disappointed.  To those readers who aren't yet familiar with Mr. Alexander's work, congratulations, you have a new favorite author!

This novel introduces us to Blade, the youngest child of a burnt-out rock musician.  Blade's mother died when he was young, and the family has never recuperated from their loss.  Blade's dad has retreated into drugs and alcohol, Blade's sister tries to be the matriarch, and Blade throws himself into his guitar and his relationship with his girlfriend, Chapel.

But when Chapel isn't there for him, and he discovers a somber family secret, his life turns even more upside down.  Written in verse, Solo follows Blade's journey to self discovery, friendship and family.

Solo is a young adult novel that will appeal to students of all ages.  This is definitely going in my middle school library, and I will recommend it to readers of all ages!

Frostblood by Elly Blake

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

Frostblood 

by Elly Blake

Sometimes when you think the last thing YA readers need is another fantasy about colliding realms, good and evil and love reigning supreme, you are surprised by a story so compelling that you allow the dishes to  pile in the sink to read just one more chapter!  This was Frostblood.

Frostblood starts similarly to Bambi, when Ruby loses her mother.  Again, like Bambi, this event draws the reader in by tugging at their heartstrings.  On her own, Ruby has to keep her special gift hidden while figuring out who she can trust; and more importantly, who she can't.

Frostblood would be great for book groups, there are many themes that will be relatable to young readers.  Hot and cold, good and evil, right and wrong, family all with a little romance thrown in!  This book would also be appropriate for upper elementary school students as neither the violence, or the romance is over-the-top.  And, it's going to be a series, so students will be excited about that!

If you haven't read Frostblood yet, you're in luck.  Save it for poolside and start your summer off with a fun, engaging read!  And with all the descriptions of frost, you won't need a fan to cool off!  I can't wait for Fireblood, I'm hoping it will keep me warm this winter!  

The List by Patricia Forde

Image courtesy of NetGalley.com

The List 

by Patricia Forde

What if we only had 500 words that we could use?  The List starts with the wordsmith asking for 700, but getting denied.  In this land, everyone must speak "List", an approved list of words acceptable for use.  If you are caught using vocabulary not on the list, you are labeled a "Desecrator," and thrown out of the community.

Ark is the community that John Noa founded after The Melting.  He believed that the world was ruined because men chose to use words instead of use actions.  People argued about climate change rather than do something about it.  He is determined that this new community will not make the same mistake.

Letta is the wordsmith's apprentice.  The wordsmith makes and keeps the list.  Their job is to also make lists of words for specific trades.  When the wordsmith goes missing, Letta is suddenly thrown into the role of wordsmith.  It will be her duty to keep the list.

Letta starts to realize that the Desecrators might not be bad people.  For the first time she is exposed to art and music, and it changes her perspective.  She has always believed in John Noa, that he is trying to save his people.  But now she is not sure.  Should people live in a world limited in words, art and music?  What is John Noa's plan for Ark?  Now that Letta is the wordsmith will she complicit in his plan?  

This List is a beautiful story full of words, art, emotions and history.  It is easy to see John Noa's plan and why it is so wrong.  But it is just as easy to see why he believes in it.  This would make a great book to read in a book group, I imagine students taking both sides of the issues that it raises.  I will certainly buy this for my library, and would recommend it for grades 5-12!

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Image courtesy of Titlewave.com
I received an advance reader's copy 
in exchange for an honest review of this book.

Caraval 

by Stephanie Garber

This is how I described this book to my students; "it's about an enchanted island full of magic.  The participants are playing a game, and at the end, they will be granted one wish.  However, Scarlett is not entirely sure if she is playing a game; she can't figure out what is real, and what is fantasy."

I loved this book!  The descriptions are so vivid, I could see everything as I read.  Caraval is a fantasy world where dresses change color with changing emotions, bridges move from one place to another, currency can be secrets or one day of your life and there are trap doors and hidden tunnels that you can get lost in.

Some of the images from the book:

"Someone screamed.  As hot and bright as fire."

"The world tasted like lies and ashes when Scarlett woke."

"...pillows as dark as nightmares..."

"Behind her a cloud drifted over the moon, covering all but two two points of light, which hovered behind her silver hair like devil's horns."

There are more colors in this book than a 24 box of crayons.  But purples, reds and blues dominate.  The food imagery is delectable and made me crave sugary sweets as I was reading.  It was simply exquisite.

This was a book that I couldn't put down.  Not only was it beautifully written, but the story was so twisty that I would have to read on when I should have been turning off the light!  I sped read the last 60 pages because I had no idea how it was all going to end.  It was the kind of book where you are having a conversation with someone, but what you're really thinking about is Caraval!  

I'm looking forward to the next installment of Scarlett's adventure, and I'm sure you will be too!

The Reader by Traci Chee

Image courtesy of Titlewave.com

The Reader

by Traci Chee

The Reader is 437 pages long, yet I can't seem to find the words to describe this novel.  This is a book.  This is a book about words, stories, self, family and love.  This is a book for people of any age who long for words, who live for stories, who find themselves so wrapped up in the pages of books that they can't determine what is real.  Have you ever been talking to a friend and she tells a story and you think "this reminds me of...." and you realize it reminds you of something you read in a book?  If so, this book is for you!

I don't think that I can properly summarize The Reader, especially without ruining some of the surprises that the book contains.  So instead, let me quote some passages.

In respect to choosing one's one destiny; "Maybe he could choose to be all-person: Archer, hunter, protector, artichoke-trimmer, gambler, ship's boy, quartz-holder, friend.  This realization began to simmer inside him, slowly at first, but then faster and fiercer, until he was hot and brimming with it.  Maybe he could choose."

In respect to the power of words: "People are weak.  They can't be trusted.  Can you imagine what Kelanna would be like if everyone could do what you and I can do?  Men would be turned into dogs and never turned back.  Castles would disintegrate with the wave of a hand.  Thieves and murderers, slave traders and warlords, the worst kinds of people would rule Kelanna because they would use the word for evil.  It would be chaos." 

One more quote, this one is harder to find, but you'll discover it if you're paying attention.  "...words are seeds in which meanings are curled pages of oceans and margins of land are civilizations."  

Yes.  I couldn't have said it better myself.  Thank you Traci Chee.

The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

Image courtesy of Titlewave.com
I have received an advance reader's copy of this book
in exchange for a fair review.

The Bone Witch 

by Rin Chupeco

Tea doesn't realize that she is special, until the day she raises her brother from the dead.  That event ignites the beginning of her epic journey to harness her power.  Tea is a "Dark Asha", very rare, and reviled by most.  Her singular job, once properly trained, will be to rid the land of monsters that the people call "Daeva".  But the ability to raise creatures from the dead isn't the only reason others are leery of Tea, her extraordinary gift means that other Asha aren't as powerful as they'd like to be.

I enjoyed getting to know Tea, both from her point of view, and the alternating voice of a young woman (I think) who is interviewing her.  She is a strong, loyal and smart young lady.  However, I had a hard time following the story line.  Chupeco's description of the world in which Tea lives relies too heavily on my imagination.  I didn't have any background knowledge on which to draw and the maps didn't fill in enough blanks for me.

I found myself confused by the characters and which land they came from.  I was also confused by the different abilities various Asha had.  It felt to me as if this book was written to become a movie.  I needed visual cues to help me through the story.  Chupeco writes in detail of the "hua" or dress that all Asha wear.  She describes her characters in detail so that you could practically smell them.  But, I just had a hard time putting it all together.

The ending was also perplexing.  I have no idea why Tea was exiled, why this young girl is interviewing her, what happened to her brother, and why this particular person ends up as her love interest.  I guess I'll have to read the next one to get my questions answered.

In summary, maybe I'm too old to follow the plot lines in this story.  I don't see any reason that it couldn't go in a middle school.  I added it to my book order, we'll have to wait to see if it circulates.  I'm hoping at least one of my regulars will read it so that they can explain it to me!

The Liszts by Kyo Maclear, Illustrated by Julia Sarda

Image courtesy of Titlewave.com

The Liszts 

by Kyo Maclear

Illustrated by Julia Sarda

This charming picture book is about the Liszt family; they write Lists.  Mama made lists of illnesses and soccer players.  Papa made lists of chores and insects.  The youngest made lists of fun things to do, and the oldest made top ten lists.  The middle child made long lists and Grandpa?  He and the cat made lists of their enemies.  The Liszts made lists all day long, "except Sundays, which were listless."  

Then one day they had an unexpected visitor.  Most of the Liszts are confounded by the visitor, but one of them has been expecting him.  Together they have a list of questions.  

The story is simple, yet clever.  But the illustrations steal the show.  Each page tells a story in and of itself.  You will want to linger on each page; finding details such as the whistle around Mama's neck, Winifred's red lipstick, Grandpa's age spots and the scattered Lego at the base of the castle.  

Although this book is intended for elementary school aged children, it will appeal to a broad range of people of any age who appreciate storytellers and list-makers!