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Thursday, June 27, 2013

REVIEW: Frankenstein: A Life Beyond, by Pete Planisek

Ten years after the loss of his entire family to madness and death, Ernest Frankenstein finds himself compelled to return to the city of his birth, Geneva, in order to discover if his elder brother, Victor, might still be alive.  Only Victor can provide the answers to questions, which have long plagued Ernest.  The quest for answers will force Ernest to confront demons, both internal and external, from his past, which refuse to be at peace and which ultimately will endanger both he and his new family. Hunted across Europe their only hope may lie with a French spy, Ernest’s childhood friend, and a mysterious gypsy girl whose people believe that Ernest will lead humanity to its salvation or final destruction.

Frankenstein A Life Beyond by Pete Planisek is the first direct sequel to Mary Shelley’s iconic story, Frankenstein, which examined Victor Frankenstein’s quest to both create and kill an unnamed creature that ultimately destroys all but one member of the Frankenstein family, Victor’s brother, Ernest.  Frankenstein A Life Beyond explores many of the issues left open by the original, while establishing new characters and mysteries.


This is one of my favorite kinds of books--an Adult for YA novel. It's not written from YAs, it's written for adults, BUT because so many YAs are introduced to Shelley's Frankenstein in high school English classes, it's a great "what to read next" title.

This isn't a "re-write" it's a continuation of the story we already know. Where Mary Shelley leaves off, Planisek picks up, answering the what if questions. It's impressive, to say the least.

This book centers around Ernest, the last surviving Frankenstein (well, except for the monster). He has moved away and moved on, building a life as different from Victor's as possible. He has a family, a home, and the life he grew up in is...gone. Until...

The writing is wonderful. Planisek doesn't alter the original Frankenstein mythos and history. Instead, he weaves it into the story he needs to tell. It's not slow, it moves and draws the reader in, just like Shelley's work. The "flashbacks" are a bit long in some places, but gave a small break in the "present day" action.

The creature (the monster) receives the same treatment from Planisek as he did from Shelley...which can't have been easy. Honestly, reading this book is like reading the story Mary Shelley would've told--and it's wonderful.

This is book one of a trilogy...and I can't wait for the second installment.

What do you think??


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

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

REVIEW: The Twisted Window, by Lois Duncan

The new guy at Tracy's school is handsome, intense, and desperately needs her help--but there's something about him that isn't quite right


High school junior Tracy Lloyd is unsure about the new guy in school. Brad Johnson is attractive, smart, and polite, but Tracy can't help but feel he watches her too closely. Then one day Brad confides in Tracy a horrible secret: His little sister Mindy has been kidnapped by his stepfather, and he needs Tracy's help to get her back. But even as Tracy commits to a plan to help her vulnerable new friend, details emerge that suggest nothing is what it seems.


(Re-release of the same title published in 1987, and again in 1991).

Took me back to my junior high years, reading Lois Duncan books. I'll grant I don't remember this one, but it was a still a bit of nostalgia trip for me.

That being said, while I still stand by my belief that Lois Duncan is an excellent YA writer, the story is a little dated. No one seems to have immediate and constant access to a computer, and they mention phone books several times (I can't even tell you the last time I had a phone book in my house). But then, there's a random mention of a cell phone (in the 80s? Unless your were Zack Morris, you didn't have one).

These days, this book would be good for a reluctant reader who doesn't get caught up in the dated phrases and technology lag. It was VERY predictable, but then, I'm a more mature reader. It'd be find for junior high or early high school.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Open Road Media (Open Road Young Readers) 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: Fourteen and Sentenced to Death, by Bill Swan

At fourteen, Steve Truscott was a typical teenager in rural Ontario in the fifties, mainly concerned about going fishing, playing football, and racing bikes with his friends. One summer evening, his twelve-year-old classmate, Lynne Harper, asked for a lift to the nearby highway on his bicycle and Steve agreed. Unfortunately, that made Steve the last person known to see Lynne alive.

His world collapsed around him when he was arrested and then convicted of killing Lynne Harper. The penalty at the time was death by hanging. Although the sentence was changed to life in prison, Steve suffered for years behind bars for a murder he didn't commit. When his case gained national attention, the Supreme Court of Canada reviewed the evidence -- and confirmed his conviction.


It took over forty years and a determination to prove his innocence for him to finally clear his name. He has since received an apology and compensation for his ordeal.



The Real Justice series is a really interesting one. All of them tell the story of a teen or young adult in Canada who were accused and convicted of murder. Some were false accusations, some were horrible miscarriages of justice.

Steve Truscott's story is particularly gut-wrenching for me. What was clearly circumstantial evidence, no confession, and gross mismanagement of a case by the police (who stopped looking when it came to light that Steve was the last to see Lynne alive) led to a fourteen year old be sentenced to death by hanging.

This book will appeal to reluctant readers, the "bad boys and girls," and the kids very into shows like CSI. This isn't a "true crime" novel, in that it's not about the crime committed itself, but the aftermath for the accused, and subsequently cleared, Steve Truscott.

Excellent read. Swan does a nice job of reminding us all that we really need to be aware of what our rights are, before they disappear on us.

I reviewed another in the Real Justice series earlier this year: Sentenced to Life at Seventeen.

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.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

REVIEW: Kindness for Weakness, by Shawn Goodman

A fifteen-year-old boy from an abusive home desperately seeking his older brother's love and approval starts pushing drugs for him and suffers the consequences.

Really interesting premise. James, in an effort to gain attention and approval from his older brother, finds himself taking the fall for him instead. Even winding up in juvie because his brother abandoned him.

The story is really interesting, a provides a better understanding of what life "inside" is and can be like in a facility like this one. By no means do I think I "get it," but I can see some of the good and the bad in this story.

I think this will make an excellent book for a reluctant reader, or an all boy book club for discussion. James is committed to maintaining his inner self--a good, good guy--while still keeping himself "strong" in the eyes of his companions. It's a delicate balance, and one that his positive mentors see in him.

James is a reader, something you don't quite expect in this situation. And not only that, he reads literature, not just junk stuff. He is a deep thinker, and finds a connection with Jack London's writing, while sitting in a juvenile detention facility.

Ultimately, it's all about the choices you make, and James not only learns this but teaches it as well. 

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.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Announcement

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.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

REVIEW: Proxy, by Alex London

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.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

REVIEW: Far Far Away, by Tom McNeal

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.


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