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By:
Sheila Ruth,
on 1/13/2014
Blog:
Wands and Worlds
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Shadows
by Robin McKinley
It's not just that Maggie misses her father, or understandably resents her new stepfather, Val. No, it goes beyond that: Val has too many shadows. Whenever Maggie looks at him, she sees him surrounded by wiggly shadow shapes with too many appendages. It can't be magic, because there is no magic in Newworld. Anyone with the potential for magic must have a procedure to snip the gene before they reach puberty, and even though Val is an immigrant, he wouldn't have been allowed in if he had any magic.
Maggie tries not to think about it, and avoids Val as much as possible by throwing herself into her work at the local shelter, which isn't hard, since Maggie loves animals anyway. Then a cobey — a "coherence break" in the universe — opens nearby, and with one revelation after another, Maggie begins to discover that the world — and Newworld specifically — is full of surprises, among them that Val is not such a bad guy. When the situation goes from bad to worse, Maggie and her friends set out to set things right, accompanied by five very large dogs, a cantankerous Maine Coone cat, a friendly shadow named Hix, and one stubborn algebra book.
Shadows is a fun book with loads of teen appeal. Maggie's voice as the narrator is authentic and entertaining, if a bit rambly in parts, and there's gentle humor woven throughout the book. The pacing is excellent, perfectly balancing character development, excitement, humor, and reveals. All of the characters are interesting and well-developed, including animals, shadows, and semi-animate objects. Even the dogs each have distinctive personalities. Although Maggie finds she has some unusual abilities, she can't do it alone - it takes the combined efforts and abilities of everyone to succeed. There is romance, but it's not overdone and I like the direction that McKinley went with the it.
There are dystopian elements, such as soldiers in the streets with scanners, roadblocks, and forced genetic manipulation, but I wouldn't call this a dystopian book. The focus is not on fighting against a dystopian government, although there is certainly some of that. Instead, it's more about finding yourself and discovering that the world is a different place than you thought.
Shadows is a 2013 Cybils Awards Finalist in the YA Speculative Fiction category.
Who would like this book:
Readers of both traditional fantasy and dystopian stories will enjoy this, as it has elements of both. Dog lovers, cat lovers, and origami artists will also find a lot to appreciate.
Get it from:FTC required disclosure: Reviewed from library copy. The bookstore links above are affiliate links, and I earn a very small percentage of any sales made through the links. Neither of these things influenced my review.
By:
Sheila Ruth,
on 1/31/2013
Blog:
Wands and Worlds
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Planesrunner
Everness, Book One
by Ian McDonald
I decided to try a new format for my reviews. I hope this is a useful format.
Plot: Everett Singh's dad, a quantum physicist, is kidnapped off the street in view of Everett by three men in a black car. Later that night, Everett gets a message from his father containing a mysterious app, with only the note "For you only, Everett." Turns out that his dad has been working on a scientific project seeking physical proof of parallel universes, and the app is a map of all the known universes, the only one of its kind in existence. Now Everett is on the run from agents of the Plenitude, an alliance of the known universes. They want the map, called the Infundibulum, and will stop at nothing to get it. But Everett has other plans, and he uses the Infundibulum to travel to an alternate London in a daring attempt to rescue his dad.
Notable Characters:
- Everett Singh. Teen boy who is as good at cooking as he is at math, and not afraid to use either in pursuit of his goal. Punjabi, or at least half Punjabi (his dad is Punjabi, but I never figured out if his mom is). Authentic teen male voice.
- Sen Sixsmyth. Fearless teen girl with an attitude and a love for "bona" tech. Airship pilot in an alternate London.
- Captain Anastasia Sixsmyth. Sen's adoptive mother. No-nonsense airship captain. Strict but compassionate, not afraid of a fight.
Worldbuilding: Excellent! The second half of the book takes place in E3, an alternate universe in which oil-based technology was never developed and modern technology comes out of a coal-based heritage. More advanced than our universe in some ways - carbon nanotubes are used everwhere - but less advanced in some areas, like computing. Very steampunkish feel.
Things I liked:
- The worldbuilding and the steampunkish feel to E3, as noted above.
- Airships!
- Hard science fiction that doesn't shy away from science and math.
- Authentic teen boy voice. A boy who's good at math and soccer and cooking, and isn't afraid to use his culinary skills.
- Sen Sixsmyth is just about the best thing about this book. She's a fantastic character. Her adoptive mother Captain Anastasia is pretty awesome, too.
- The bond between Everett and his dad. Everett is a typical teen boy, and mentally rolls his eyes at some of the things his dad does, but it's clear that they are close, and Everett literally travels to another universe to rescue his dad.
Issues:
- There's too much detail in the descriptions, and it bogs down the story in some places. In some ways the detail is good, as it contributes to the worldbuilding. It's also authentic to the protagonist, as we learn early on that he notices details and connections. However, in places there's so much detail that it almost seems to be stream of consciousness and it's hard to follow.
- I think the cover really does the book a disservice, and probably deters a lot of teens from picking it up. The biggest problem with it is it's too busy. I think the picture of Everett coming through the gate would have made a better cover. Although I have a problem with that image as well, as he looks more like a caucasian with a tan than someone of Indian ancestry.
Who would like this book:
- Math and science geeks
- Steampunk fans
- Boys and girls
- Hard science fiction fans
Get it from:
It's Cybils Finalist Day! The Cybils shortlists have been announced, and what a fabulous group of books!
Go check them out!
Here's a list of the Fantasy/Science Fiction finalists:
Fantasy & Science Fiction (Young Adult)
And All the Stars
by Andrea K Höst
Every Day
by David Levithan
Planesrunner (Everness, Book One)
by Ian McDonald
Seraphina
by Rachel Hartman
The Curiosities: A Collection of Stories
by Brenna Yovanoff, Tessa Gratton, and Maggie Stiefvater
The Drowned Cities
by Paolo Bacigalupi
Vessel
by Sarah Beth Durst
Click here for Fantasy & Science Fiction (Young Adult) shortlist with blurbs and links
Fantasy & Science Fiction (Middle Grade)
Beswitched
by Kate Saunders
Geeks, Girls, and Secret Identities
by Mike Jung
The Cabinet of Earths
by Anne Nesbet
The False Prince: Book 1 of the Ascendance Trilogy
by Jennifer A. Nielsen
The Last Dragonslayer (The Chronicles of Kazam)
by Jasper Fforde
The One and Only Ivan
by Katherine Applegate
The Peculiar
by Stefan Bachmann
I was honored to serve again on the Fantasy/Science Fiction (Young Adult) panel. There were so many good books that choosing only seven finalists was HARD! A big shoutout to my fellow panelists. They're all smart, interesting folks who know their SFF! I loved working with them and will miss our discussions. Go follow their blogs:
A big shoutout also to the terrific Fantasy & Science Fiction (Middle Grade) panelists! This was one of the most active and dedicated panels I've ever worked with. They generated hundreds and hundreds of messages discussing the books over the course of the three months, and had two separate chat sessions during the holidays, lasting several hours each. Their discussions ranged far and wide, and covered everything from middle-grade appeal to internal consistency. If you want to know more about middle-grade fantasy & science fiction, you couldn't do better than to follow these folks:
I'm probably the last person to post these, but in case you missed them, here's the fabulous list of Middle-Grade finalists in the Fantasy & Science Fiction category:
11 Birthdays
by Wendy Mass
Scholastic
Nominated by: Maggi Idzikowski
Amanda's 11th birthday is the worst ever, and when she wakes up the next morning, she discovers that she and her ex-friend Leo are doomed to repeat the same day over and over--and over! Amanda and Leo's attempts to live the day the "right" way to break the spell are funny, entertaining, and absolutely believable, whether they are ditching school or auditioning for a rock band. This is a deliciously fresh look at how making small changes in your life--or even in one day--can have big consequences, both ordinary and magical.
--Eva Mitnick
Dreamdark: Silksinger (Faeries of Dreamdark)
by Laini Taylor
Putnam Juvenile
Nominated by: Melissa
The Dreamdark series, by National Book Award nominee Laini Taylor, opens a window on a world of fierce winged faeries determined to restore their race to its former glory. In Silksinger, Maggie Windwitch, Whisper Silksinger and their motley allies are driven to reach beyond their abilities to guard the sleeping Djinn Azazel from a host of conniving characters and gruesome devils. On panoramic display in Silksinger are Taylor’s gifts for rich language and imagery, suspenseful plotting, and intricate world-building. Even as readers thrill with vertigo while flying alongside Maggie and her crow brothers, they will feel secure in this master storyteller’s hands.
--Brian Jung
Farwalker's Quest, The
by Joni Sensel
Bloomsbury USA
Nominated by: Joan Stradling
Ariel finds a telling dart, an artifact that hasn't been in use for hundreds of years and carries a message that only a specific recipient can read. That sends her on an adventure to see who could have sent such a message and why this messaging system has started back up. Farwalker's Quest takes readers on a journey that is filled with many thoroughly developed characters. Joni Sensel weaves an enchanting story that is easily remembered by readers long after the story is done.
--Cindy Hannikman
Odd and the Frost Giants
I served on the Cybils Round 1 panel for young adult fantasy and science fiction. We had 134 books nominated for the young adult half of the category alone, and the majority of them were excellent books. My committee had a hard time narrowing it down to only 7 finalists, but in the end, I think we have a great shortlist:
Candor
by Pam Bachorz
Egmont USA
Nominated by: Chelsea Campbell
Oscar Banks has fooled the town of Candor, Florida, into thinking he's the perfect son. Even his father, the town's founder, believes that the subliminal messages he invented and that are carried by ever-present music, have brainwashed Oscar into becoming one more "good kid" among many. Oscar, though, knows about the messages and has trained himself to resist.
First-time author Pam Bachorz has created a book that perfectly snares what every teen both fears -- to lose his/her identity and be part of the bland crowd. Oscar may be selfish, but his motivations are sincere and natural based on the tragedies that have happened to his family. Good science-fiction for young adults is scarce--SF is more than spaceships and lasers, it is how technology could be used to help or harm humanity--and Barchorz's book will linger long in the minds of readers. They'll wonder what they would do if they ever found themselves in Candor.
--Steve Berman
Demon's Lexicon, The
by Sarah Rees Brennan
Margaret K. McElderry
Nominated by: Nick Jessee
Brothers Nick and Alan have been living on the run for years, hunted by magicians trying to take back their mother. But while the brothers'relationship is front and center, the story truly belongs to Nick, the ultimate bad boy barely managed his whole life by his nicer brother. Nick should be unsympathetic, but instead Sarah Rees Brennan manages to make his lack of self-awareness achingly riveting. And in doing so she gives us one of the most memorable, fully realized characters in YA contemporary fantasy--and then she surrounds him with a slew of other memorable characters in an equally intriguing and unforgettable world. The jury simply couldn't put this book down, not until we reached its satisfying and surprising ending. A thrilling read--this debut novel goes off like fireworks.
--Gwenda Bond
Dust of 100 Dogs, The
by A.S. King
Flux
Nominated by: Lisa McMann
It starts with the death of Emer Morrisey, famed female pirate, who is cursed to live the life of 100 dogs. When Emer is reborn as Saffron Adams, completely aware of her past lives, all Saffron can think is how fast she can get to Jamaica to rightfully reclaim her buried treasure. Dust is a novel that interweaves not one but three storylines that work to create one amazi
The Year We Disappeared: A Father-Daughter Memoir
Authors: Cylin and John Busby
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA (August 2008)
Reading Level: YA/ 352 pages
Imagine as a nine-year old, going through everyday with a police officer following you (everywhere!), living inside a fortified house, and a dog trained to kill living in your yard. This is the true story of the Busby family. This was one Cybils Finalist I was really looking forward to reading. When I tracked it down at another library, I powered through it in two days! I couldn't put it down. I had never heard of this story, but found myself so intrigued by the strength and resilience of this family that was forced to endure so much.
When Cylin Busby was nine years old, she was obsessed with Izod clothing, the Muppets, and her pet box turtle. Then, in the space of a night, everything changed. Her police officer father, John, was driving to work when someone leveled a shotgun at his window. The blasts that followed left John’s jaw on the passenger seat of his car—literally. Busby is taken to Massachusetts General, where he spends the next few months unable to talk or to eat. Overnight, the Busbys went from being the "family next door" to one under 24-hour armed guard, with police escorts to school, and no contact with friends.
Worse, the shooter was still on the loose, and it seemed only a matter of time before he’d come after John—or someone else in the family—again. The shooter has close ties to the police department and the investigation turns out to be very careless.No one is arrested, and the family spends the next year pretty much under house arrest with round-the-clock police guards, a sniper on their roof, and a police dog chained up in their backyard. With their lives unraveling around them, and few choices remaining for a future that could ever be secure, the Busby family left everything and everyone they had ever known…and simply disappeared.
The format of the book makes it a fascinating read. The chapters alternate between John's recollections and those of his daughter, Cylin, who was nine years old at the time of the events. This way, the reader sees the events through the eyes of an adult and through the eyes of a nine-year old. We often never hear how a child is affected by such a tragedy, so to hear Cylin's perspective is truly unique.
Some young readers might not be able to take the graphic detail in this book, but those interested in crime stories will find that it lingers with you and gives you a new appreciation for police families.
Be sure to tune in February 14th at 10 p.m. to watch the Busby family story on CBS's Live to Tell series from the producers of 48 Hours. I know I'll be watching!
For more info, visit CBS News.
Read another great review...
Carol Wilcox at Carol's Corner
11 Planets: A New View of the Solar System
Author: David A. Aguilar
Publisher:National Geographic Children's Books (March 11, 2008)
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 48 pages
Who isn't amazed by the possibility of life on Jupiter's moons, the freeze-dried atmosphere of Pluto, and a potential planet the author calls Eggland?
Since the last time I went to science class, astronomers have come up with a new way to think about our planetary system which is why I found this book fascinating. The planets are broken into three groups- terrestrial (Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars), gas giants (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune), and then the dwarf planets (Ceres, Pluto, and Eris). Aguilar devotes a two-page spread to each of the eleven planets and additional two-page spreads explain other extraterrestrial bodies such as moons, meteorites, and comets. There are great facts such as, "Unlike any other planet in our solar system, Uranus has a 98-degree tilt to its axis. Scientists think that really early in its history, it was hit by something really big that knocked it completely over on its side." In addition, Aguilar has a skill of making a difficult subject very easy to understand. "You can think of our solar system as neighborhoods in space."
David A. Aguilar is Director of Science Information at the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and in addition to writing and making art about space, he loves building telescopes, leading astronomy expeditions, and telling people about the latest discoveries. Aguilar's artwork in this book is breathtaking and will have you dreaming of hopping on a spaceship and soaring to outer space.
What I really like about this book are the hidden gems. For instance, a trick to remember the names of the planets in order from the Sun, and "The Solar System in a Grocery Bag." The size of the solar system is immense to us, so Aguilar provides a way to put it into better perspective with items you can find at a grocery store. What a great lesson to do with young readers!
Read these other great reviews...
Carol Wilcox at Carol's Corner
Sarah Rettger at Archimedes Forgets
Body Drama: Real Girls, Real Bodies, Real Issues, Real Answers
Author: Nancy Amanda Redd
Publisher: Gotham; 1st edition (December 27, 2007)
Pages: 272 pages
I searched all over to find this book in a Connecticut library and when I was finally successful, it was checked out! Ugh! Fortunately, I took out a bunch of other Cybils finalists and by the time those needed to be returned, it was checked back in- phew! When I first thumbed through the book, I have to admit, I was a little shocked at the pictures. Redd holds nothing back and I think it's fantastic! A book like this needs to tell (and show!) the whole truth and nothing but the truth! The cover says it all: Real girls, real bodies, real issues, real answers. I agree with other reviewers of this book when they say, "I wish I had this book in high school and college." It should be recommended reading. I think it's a great resource for women of all ages (even I learned a few things), and a handy tool for the mom or dad who doesn't quite know the right things to say when it comes to body issues.
All of us are concerned about our bodies, so it's nice to have a book that shows how women's bodies actually look, smell, feel, behave, and change. Nobody's perfect and we all have that one thing (or two!) that makes us wonder, "Is this normal?" Well, now you can find out. Body Drama talks about all the issues that every girl should know about and presents the facts in a fun, conversational way. The photos of real girls show us how most bodies look, not the usual 'perfect' ones we see gracing magazine covers. I especially love the section that covers airbrushing and how magazine pictures come to be what they are, and the tips on how to give yourself a great facial are excellent! It's great to see a book educate women about real life and what women's bodies naturally go through.
Check out Nancy Amanda Redd's website for information about the author and extras that go with the book.
Read these other great reviews...
Carol's Corner
Abby the Librarian
Let's give a big KUDOS to all of the Cybils panelists who narrowed down enormous lists of titles- Frankly, I'd love to know when they slept! But the day has finally come and the 2008 Cybils Finalists have been announced. Head on over to the Cybils blog to check out all of the finalists in the following categories...
Easy Readers
Fantasy & Science Fiction
Fiction Picture Books
Graphic Novels
Middle Grade Fiction
Non-Fiction MG/YA
Non-Fiction Picture Books
Poetry
Young Adult Fiction
Since I’m a judge for the Middle Grade/ Young Adult Non-Fiction category, I'm excited to get reading, talking books and help choose a winner. Thanks to the Panelists in the Middle Grade/ Young Adult Non-Fiction category for selecting the finalists...
Jill Tullo The Well-Read Child
Kathy M. Burnette The Brain Lair
Sarah Rettger Archimedes Forgets
Carol Wilcox Carol's Corner
Vivian Mahoney HipWriterMama
And, of course, a big congratulations to the finalists in the Middle Grade/ Young Adult Non-Fiction category...
11 Planets: A New View of the Solar System
written by David Aguilar
National Geographic Children's Books
My Very Exciting Magic Carpet Just Sailed Under Nine Palace Elephants (10-year-old Maryn Smith's winning entry for the National Geographic Children's Book Planetary Mnemonic Contest). So begins this engaging introduction to the newly classified solar system. Stunning artwork, cool facts on how the planets are named after different gods and goddesses, simple explanations and an informative glossary make this a book young astronomers will enjoy reading.
--Vivian Mahoney, HipWriterMama
Ain't Nothing but a Man: My Quest to Find the Real John Henry
written by Scott Reynolds Nelson
National Geographic Children's Books
A field trip into the mind of a historian. Historian Scott Reynolds Nelson invites readers to follow him as he uses artifacts, photographs, and other documents to put together the pieces of a real- life historical mystery.
--Carol Wilcox, Carol's Corner
Body Drama: Real Girls, Real Bodies, Real Issues, Real Answers
written by Nancy Amanda Redd
Gotham Books
Leave your embarrassment at the door, because this book combines refreshing candor with no-holds barred topics, untouched photos, and information backed by a leading physician to help empower teen girls. The photos are somewhat shocking, but important for girls to see so they know their body is normal. Don't let your teens get the wrong information from their friends...let them get empowered with real information and love the body they're in.
--Vivian Mahoney, HipWriterMama
King George: What Was His Problem?: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the American Revolution
written by Steve Sheinkin
Roaring Brook
Historian and textbook author Steve Sheinkin provides a factual, fun chronicle that traces the American Revolution from start to finish. Humorous chapter titles and illustrations, entertaining facts, and labeled maps make learning history lots of fun.
--Jill Tullo, The Well-Read Child
Lincoln Through the Lens: How Photography Revealed and Shaped an Extraordinary Life
written by Martin Sandler
Walker Books for Young Readers
John F. Kennedy may have been the first television president, but Lincoln Through the Lens makes a strong case for recognizing Abraham Lincoln as the first photographic president. From the earliest known photo of Lincoln to the only one taken after his death, Martin Sandler shows how the sixteenth president was captured on film, and how he used the images to his advantage.
--Sarah Rettger, Archimedes Forgets
Swords: An Artist's Devotion
written and illustrated by Ben Boos
Candlewick Press
Ben Boos' well written and visually stimulating book was a pleasure to read. The illustrations were detailed and the history fascinating. Children of all ages will pore over this book as they trace the sword designs through the ages. Ben relayed the use of the sword throughout the ages including the Middle Ages and the age of the Samurai. Ben's drawings illuminated not only the variety of swords used but his love for this "formidable tool".
--Kathy Burnette, The Brainlair
The Year We Disappeared: A Father-Daughter Memoir
written by Cylin Busby and John Busby
Bloomsbury USA
In summer, 1979, Cylin Busby was nine years old, living with her parents and two older brothers on Cape Cod, Massachusetts when her life changed in a matter of minutes. Cylin's father, John Busby, a policeman, was on his way to work when a car pulled up next to him and shot off the bottom half of his jaw. THE YEAR WE DISAPPEARED is a memoir, told by Cylin Busby and her father John, in alternating chapters, of the terrible year following Busby's shooting. A terrific real life crime read!
--Carol Wilcox, Carol's Corner
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball
written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Hyperion
Kadir Nelson connects with readers in his history of Negro League baseball told from the first person point of view of an "everyman" player. The engaging narrative combined with stunning oil paintings capture the joy and passion of the players who were surrounded by hatred and inequality.
--Jill Tullo, The Well-Read Child
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And thanks so much to you, Sheila, for being our fearless leader!