Crank by Ellen Hopkins



Ellen Hopkins's books make me want to curl up in a ball a cry; but, the teens love 'em and so I feel obligated to subject myself to the torture of reading one of her titles about once every two years. And so that's some insight into why it has taken me sooooo long to read Crank.

Kristina goes off to visit her loser father one summer and not only takes on a totally different persona (Bree) but starts dating a guy who introduces her to meth (or, "The Monster" as it is referred to in the book). The story follows Bree through that summer and then the struggles of returning home, having to find out how to score meth, and hiding her new addiction from her mother. What I can only assume is an accurate portrayal of a meth addiction, this story (based on Hopkins's daughter's addiction), is bleak and heart wrenching. Follow this one up with something lighthearted!

Wildwood by Colin Meloy

While watching her brother and running errands in Portland, OR, Prue's brother is kidnapped by a murder of crows.  They lift him up out of his Radio Flyer wagon and fly off, with him in tow, into the Impassable Wilderness.  Though no one has even gone into the Impassable Wilderness and lived to tell about it, Prue is determined to go and get her brother back.  Her school mate, Curtis, is equally determined to help. 

Once Prue and Curtis get into the forest, the first thing they see is a pack of coyotes dressed in soldiers uniforms and talking to each other.  The Impassable Wilderness, or, Wildwood, as the inhabitants call it, is a far cry from what they are used to in Portland.

Now, to be clear, I am a HUGE fan of Colin Meloy (lead singer of my favorite band, The Decemberists) and so I might be biased, but I found this book to be, simply put, charming.  A quick read, even though the page count makes it look daunting, I blew through this book and I can't wait to read the next one in this planned series.

Give to Narnia fans.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Conor's mother is very sick.  His father has basically abandoned him and started a new family in America.  And now,  a monster is visiting Conor periodically.  At 12:07 to be precise.  The monster needs to tell Conor three stories.  After that, Conor is expected to tell a fourth story - his secret.

A quick read that is about a teenager trying to deal with some very heavy problems in his life.  Ness does a great job of getting the tone and the inner (and outer) conflict of Conor just right.  The dark and messy illustrations only add to the story.  Give to reluctant teen readers  and/or those who don't shy away from sad subject matter. 

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

In this near future, men die at age 25 and women die even younger, at age 20.  Because of this, men have become polygamists to help perpetuate the human race while scientists work tirelessly for a cure.  To facilitate these marriages, pretty girls are kidnapped off the streets and shipped to their future husbands.  Such is the case for 16 year old Rhine.  She is stolen off the New York City streets and sent to Florida to marry a man she has never met.  But Rhine is no shrinking violet, she is determined to escape to get back to New York and her brother.

A Handmaid's Tale for teens would be my best description of Wither which would most likely not help promote it to teens and would most likely scare away parents. So, in selling it, I would say for teens (or adults) who liked Condie's Matched, Roth's Divergent, or, of course, Hunger Games since it is one more to add to the ever growing list of YA dystopian literature.  That being said, this story was very interesting with the author deftly handling some tricky subject matter for teenagers.  Wither is the first book in a planned trilogy and I plan to continue on with this series.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

As a librarian that is supposed to be knowledgeable about YA literature, I am embarrassed to admit that it took me this long to read The Book Thief.  I was scared of it.  Scared that it would be too sad.  But, I finally gathered up my courage and checked out the audiobook.

Narrated by Death, the story of a young German girl named Liesel growing up during World War II was, as I feared, quite sad.  However, it was, as I had heard and assumed, also, a beautiful story with wonderful characters, an interesting story telling style (in which you basically know who is going to die quite early on in the story), and a setting in a time period that will always, to me, be both heartbreaking and immensely interesting.  If you haven't read this, just get yourself together and enjoy the ride.  The audiobook is highly recommended - the narrator does a fantastic job and also, when you listen, you don't have to fuss over the pronunciation of the German words.

The Golem's Eye by Jonathan Stroud



My theory on why I never wanted to read these is the covers - I hate them. But, as my last post also mentions, I am ever so glad I started them.

About a 2 1/2 years later after the end of Book 1, The Golem's Eye picks up with Nathaniel (or John Mandrake as his magician's name) is working for the government and is apprentice to a new and highly respected magician. He quickly realizes, however, that no one can be trusted once things start going wrong and all his fellow magicians are quick to put the blame at his feet. His only ally? His old "friend" Bartimaeus of whom he summons and gets an earful (seeing as they ended the first book with a promise of parting for good). An evil magician has created a Golem and Nathaniel needs Bartimaeus's help in finding the culprit.
Once again, Nathaniel isn't very like able (even though you see some potential shine through occasionally) but Bartimaeus is hilariously snarky. I am anxiously awaiting book 3!

The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud



When the Prequel to the Bartimaeus Trilogy, The Ring of Solomon, won the School Library Journal Battle of the Books this past year I knew I had put it off for long enough - I needed to read this series. I decided to try audio since it's set in london and that means the narrator would be British and would, automatically, be a better narrator than most audiobooks (sorry Americans, but we all know a British accent is the best) and Book 1, The Amulet of Samarkand, did not disappoint!
Nathaniel is a young wizard apprentice who is smarter than he is given credit for and much more driven than his underwhelming master. Nathaniel's bad experience with a powerful wizard brings out his spiteful side as he calls up djinni Bartimaeus to help him steal the Amulet of Samarkand. All does not go as planned...
Bartimaeus is a wonderful character and overshadows any flaws that appear in the story (like how unlikeable Nathaniel is).
Recommend to fans of Angie Sage, Eoin Colfer, Rowling, etc.