Review: Lois Lane: Fallout by Gwenda Bond

I am by no means a comic book junkie. I don't go to Comic Con, and I couldn't name heroes or villains outside those featured in multi-million dollar blockbusters. Not that there's anything wrong with any of that—let your geek flag fly! I just want to establish that in spite of my inexperience with the superhero genre, I loved Gwenda Bond's novel Fallout. 

Not only is Fallout a fantastic modern retelling of the Superman story, but it takes a talented author to write a page-turning mystery with characters who are so well-known to readers. And Bond does do them justice, capturing fearless Lois and mild-mannered Clark in their teenage years. 

Summary: Lois Lane is starting a new life in Metropolis. An Army brat, Lois has lived all over — and seen all kinds of things. (Some of them defy explanation, like the near-disaster she witnessed in Kansas in the middle of one night.) But now her family is putting down roots in the big city, and Lois is determined to fit in. Stay quiet. Fly straight. As soon as she steps into her new high school, though, she can see it won't be that easy. A group known as the Warheads is making life miserable for another girl at school. They're messing with her mind, somehow, via the high-tech immersive videogame they all play. Not cool. Armed with her wit and her new snazzy job as a reporter, Lois has her sights set on solving this mystery. But sometimes it's all a bit much. Thank goodness for her maybe-more-than-a friend, a guy she knows only by his screen name, Smallville Guy…

Although Clark Kent has a strong presence in the book,  he remains off-page throughout the story. While this was a disappointing twist, Lois does not need Superman to save her. She is no damsel in distress. This is Lois' victory —with a tiny bit of Super help, of course. Clark and Lois met on an online chat forum for the strange and supernatural, but they've never actually met. Instead of a pair of glasses, Clark hides behind a screen name and alien avatar. Clark and Lois have a "more than friends" vibe, but the romance angle is extremely PG.

I love that the book revolves around illegal experimentation with simulation gaming and technology's effect on the mind. As Lois and her friends work together to crack the case, they risk losing a lot more than a few friends to the pack of brainwashed teens.

Although the publisher indicates that this book is for readers ages 14+, it's actually a clean read (clean language, mild violence set in a video game, etc). If it wasn't for the length of the book and the detailed narrative requiring a confident reader, I would be recommending this story to middle graders. 

The world has been calling for more female superheroes and Gwenda Bond gives us a female hero we can rally behind. If you, like me, enjoy the odd Marvel movie, you liked Smallville, or you're just a fan of the Man of Steel, Fallout is a fantastic choice. Smart, witty, and incredibly well-written. Lois Lane is the female [mortal] superhero you've been waiting for!

4 Stars

Review: Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

I haven't been surprised by a book in a while, but Lisa Graff's new novel, Absolutely Almost, got me. I ADORED this book! It's a heart-wrenching story of a boy who struggles in school, with bullies and in making friends. It's a story of a young boy who desperately wants to find the thing that makes him special. As kids, we all feel 'stupid' at something. We all experience moments of feeling not good enough or worry about letting our parents down. Absolutely Almost shows readers that in spite of our own weaknesses, we all are our special in our own way, we just have to look past the bad to see the good!

Summary: Albie has never been the smartest kid in his class. He has never been the tallest. Or the best at gym. Or the greatest artist. Or the most musical. In fact, Albie has a long list of the things he's not very good at. But then Albie gets a new babysitter, Calista, who helps him figure out all of the things he is good at and how he can take pride in himself. 

A perfect companion to Lisa Graff's National Book Award-nominated A Tangle of Knots, this novel explores a similar theme in a realistic contemporary world where kids will easily be able to relate their own struggles to Albie's. Great for fans of Rebecca Stead's Liar and Spy, RJ Palacio's Wonder and Cynthia Lord's Rules.

Absolutely Almost is a great choice for middle grade classrooms to discuss character traits like self-confidence and self-acceptance. I'm not really a fan of the cover. I think it's soft and skews toward boy readers, but the story will appeal to everyone.

A great example of why you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover! Absolutely Almost is a beautiful, wonderful story of an almost average boy who has always been absolutely perfect in his own way.

4 Stars

"Achingly superb, Albie’s story shines." - Kirkus, starred review

"Graff’s (A Tangle of Knots) ... stands out for its thoughtful, moving portrait of a boy who learns to keep moving forward, taking on the world at his own speed." - Publisher's Weekly, starred review

Review: A Year in the Life of a Total and Complete Genius by Stacey Matson

A Year in the Life of a Total and Complete Genius is possibly one of Scholastic Canada's best in recent years. Written for readers ages 10-14, this wonderful novel is told from the point-of-view of a young boy who struggles with a wide range of typical middle school problems, including girls, grades, and bullies. The entire story is told through Arthur's emails, letters, journal entries, assignments, and drawings. This is an easy, enjoyable, and fast-paced read with a charming main character and an endearing story.

Summary: Arthur Bean, soon-to-be a rich and famous author, has set two goals for himself: to win the school writing contest and to win the heart of his secret crush, Kennedy. But his life has had some major twists and turns lately, and the recent loss of his mother definitely complicates things. Arthur is in turns outrageous, defiant, and unintentionally hilarious as we peek over his shoulder at his reading journals, notes from his long-suffering teachers, his offbeat articles for the school newspaper — even the emails he sends to writing partner Kennedy. A Year in the Life of a Total and Complete Genius is a fresh and funny story about a boy whose bad luck can't dampen his spirit — or his love of writing.

Arthur is witty, honest, and sometimes a little too bold. He makes plenty of mistakes, including taking claim of another boy's story for the writing competition. The reason for such an error?: pride, procrastination, and Arthur's having yet to come to terms with recent loss of his mother. Despite his faults, the reader will root for Arthur, but also reflect on his choices, behaviour, and his struggles at school. A big plus for teachers: Arthur's actions make for great classroom discussion on plagiarism, bullying, and more!

There is very little content to concern parents and educators. Arthur is bullied by a classmate, but it's made obvious that Arthur is also not an innocent party. Getting along is a two-person job! One great life lesson to take away is that you don't know what other people are going through. Arthur learns that his bully is mean partly because of what's going on in his life. When the boys admit to their own personal problems, they realize they have quite a lot in common after all.

Overall, this book is well-worth the read and is a great addition to classroom and personal libraries. Arthur's middle school woes are felt by every child at one point or another, and although his faults get him into some trouble, his intentions, heart, and spirit make him an admirable and memorable character for young readers. Funny and witty, Stacey Matson's novel is a great choice for readers who enjoy books such as Jeffrey Brown's Jedi Academy, Lincoln Peirce's Big Nate books, or L. Pichon's Tom Gates series.

4 Stars

Review by Nine Words Max by Dan Bar-el, illustrated by David Huyck

Nine Words Max is a picture book written by Dan Bar-el and illustrated by David Huyck. It will be published April 22, 2014 by Tundra Books. I loved it so much, I could never pick nine words to describe it!

This is a delightful picture book that can be enjoyed by both children and parents alike. At its most basic level, it's a cautionary tale about despising a person's intelligence and curiosity, and disliking their desire to attain and share knowledge of the world. 

In short: don't pick on the little dorky kid. One day, you'll need him. Smart kids will go far in life!

Summary:  Maximilian is a prince who loves to talk: No topic is too small, no story too boring. Max's brothers are the opposite--the less said the better. When the king and queen go on a trip and leave the brothers alone, the 3 princes put a spell on Max that limits him to speaking only 9 words at a time. The brothers are delighted: peace and quiet at last! But when a fearsome dignitary arrives, they realize the true value of their brother's insatiable need for information. A cautionary tale and a tongue-in-cheek tribute to trivia buffs, Nine Words Max is also a sly satire of our modern world's obsession with media--the 3 reticent princes spend a lot of time sending silly messages, lying around watching puppet shows and speaking in 140 characters or less... This book is a funny, quirky and madcap tale with fantastic illustrations from illustrator David Huyck.

Huyck's illustrations are entertaining, incredibly detailed, and really help to make this a 4-star picture book. Maximilian is very clearly a smart child. His brothers, who can barely pull more than three words together, are simpletons: the brainless, macho brother; the gluttonous brother, and the gangly, hick-looking one. All three are useless as rulers, let alone as problem-solvers. Maximilian is an unlikely, seemingly unlikable hero, but he's a great role model for young readers when they see how his intelligence and interest in the world ultimately saves the day.

Children will giggle at silly facial expressions, hilarious images like the one of a chubby king in a ridiculous swimming getup, and crude humour of a butt crack showing. Although some sensitive parents may find the humour inappropriate, it is written for children ages 5-9, and it is no more inappropriate than the mildly crude humour of Shrek. 

The story is timeless, the characters are silly but loveable, and the intelligent, witty narrative is complemented further by the brilliant illustrations. There's so much to see in the details of every spread that readers will likely spot something new every time they read it. 

Dan Bar-el and David Huyck are a masterful storytelling duo. This book is a wonderful addition to any bookshelf. Turn story time with your little ones into fun time — and make it an engaging and memorable experience with Nine Words Max. 

4 Stars

Review: Grimmtastic Girls: Cinderella Stays Late by Joan Holub & Suzanne Williams

Cinderella Stays Late is the first novel in the Grimmtastic Girls series by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams. It is a charming and delightful twist on Cinderella's fairy tale for middle grade readers, ages 8-12. This is an excellent story to share with your child due to the number of references to fairy tales and key authors of children's literature such as the Brothers Grimm, Perrault, and Anderson. This is a PERFECT springboard into teaching kids about the classics — and teaching kids was the point of these classic children's tales in the first place!

I loved all the fairy tale allusions in this book. For example, Cinda's father repairs bridges and he's currently repairing London Bridges, which are falling down. And then there's the school secretary, Ms. Jabberwocky, who breathes fire and speaks nonsense, but after a while, the nonsense starts to make sense (I LOVED seeing some Lewis Carroll!).

Holub further engages the reader's interest by adding her own unique twist on Cinderella's story. Her stepsisters (aka the Steps) use Cinderella to get the prince to fall in LIKE with them —like not love — a very age-appropriate amendment. This story is about Cinderella going to the school ball to figure out what evil scheme the Steps are plotting, and to make sure that good wins out. However, kids will still find some of the classic elements in the story, such as the glass slipper, the magic wand, the ball, the concept of "until midnight", and more. 

Furthermore, Cinderella Stays Late is an extremely relatable story. Cinda is the new girl at school, she doesn't have pretty dresses, she prefers sports over girly activities like dancing, she's teased, and she comes from a fractured family. Young readers can dive into the story for the magic and fairy tale characters, but they can also find themselves in Cinderella's insecurities and flaws, and in her hopes and dreams. 

I'm still surprised by how much I love this book. It's engaging on so many levels and is an easy, light, and sweet happily-ever-after. Cinda has some unanswered questions at the end that leave the reader to think about and decide. For example, Cinderella wonders if the prince likes her. But even with all the questions Cinderella has, as with every fairy tale, there is a morale that young and impressionable girls will benefit from hearing.

There are more important things in life than worrying over whether or not a boy likes you — being yourself, school, friends, and above all, making sure good wins over evil. 

4 Stars

Review: Capricious by Gabrielle Prendergast

Capricious is a YA novel for readers aged 12 & up, to be released in April 2014 by Orca Book Publishers. I received an ARC of Capricious via LibraryThing last month, and after reading this novel, I'm even more thrilled that I was chosen to review the book!

Summary: 1 girl + 2 boys = 3 broken hearts.

Ella’s grade-eleven year was a disaster (Audacious), but as summer approaches, things are looking up. She’s back together with her brooding boyfriend, Samir, although they both want to keep that a secret. She’s also best buddies with David and still not entirely sure about making him boyfriend number two. Though part of her wants to conform to high school norms, the temptation to be radical is just too great. Managing two secret boyfriends proves harder than Ella expected, especially when Samir and David face separate family crises, and Ella finds herself at the center of an emotional maelstrom. Someone will get hurt. Someone risks losing true love. Someone might finally learn that self-serving actions can have public consequences. And that someone is Ella. 

Capricious was an unexpectedly addictive read. The narrative is told in verse, and is divided into different poems (or chapters), but it reads like a regular novel. Bitterly real, Ella's bad choices and low self-esteem haunt her as she spirals through life, apparently unable to resist any chance at happiness, regardless of the cost to herself, her image, and to the people she loves. Ella's redeeming quality is that she has a desperate wish to do better; something we can all relate to. Her story is full of raw emotion and will strongly resonate with high school students. We have ALL felt the despair and shame that comes naturally to impulsive teenagers, to being in love, and of our bewildering bad choices at this age. 

Bullying, sex, love, weed, virtue, religion, identity, and mental illness all have a place in Capricious. It's essentially all of life's bullshit wrapped up in a beautiful story, told in verse. Capricious could be studied in high school as an example of how poetry is so much MORE than rhyming words and difficult interpretations. Much like poets such as William Carlos Williams, Capricious uses the arrangement of lines and words to convey as much emotion and meaning, if not more, than what the actual words give the reader.

This is by far, one of the BEST Canadian novels I've read in a very long time. Prendergast is extraordinary. I sincerely hope Capricious gets the recognition it deserves.

4 Stars

Review: Drama by Raina Telgemeier

Drama by Raina Telgemeier is a middle-grade graphic novel published by Scholastic. It is a charming and sometimes bitterly realistic story of the middle school drama that occurs at the age when kids start to develop romantic feelings. 

Drama includes all the different "types" of kids who can be found at every school (popular kids, mean kids, geeky kids, average kids, outgoing kids, shy kids, etc.) Raina's characters are realistic and very identifiable to readers. Moreover, they are all smart and each have something special to offer the world. This book teaches readers that the drama that people cause because of our differences isn't worth anyone's time. It shows us how the drama can get in the way of being happy, of being one's self, and of putting on an amazing play!

Summary: Callie loves theatre. And while she would totally try out for her middle school's production of Moon Over Mississippi, she's a terrible singer. Instead she's the set designer for the stage crew, and this year she's determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a middle-school budget. But how can she, when she doesn't know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage AND offstage drama that comes once the actors are chosen, and when two cute brothers enter the picture, things get even crazier! Following the success of Smile, Raina Telgemeier brings us another graphic novel featuring a diverse set of characters that humorously explores friendship, crushes, and all-around drama!

Drama has gotten some controversial attention because it explores homosexual feelings and relationships. One of the characters is openly gay, with another who isn't quite ready to share his sexual orientation with others. To these ignorant and archaic people who rip this book from the hands of their kids, I roll my eyes and say it's 2014! Equality and inclusivity for all! It's so important that we teach children to be open and accepting of others, and not pass on hatred and fear to the next generation.

I LOVE that while the characters' sexual orientation plays a major role in the story, it isn't an all-defining, single character trait. We are so much MORE than the colour of our skin, our gender and our sexual orientation. And in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter. We're all humans and we should be accepting.

Sweet, funny, and down-to-earth, Raina Telgemeier is an amazing YA author. I adore Drama and her other graphic novel, Smile (click HERE for my review). Readers can recognize these characters and can reflect on the drama they have going in their own schools and in their own lives. We see how drama is only temporary, and that it's easier to move on rather than cling to the problem. Ultimately, this book shares important messages about acceptance and about establishing healthy relationships with others, regardless of our differences.

Drama is an incredibly inspiring and entirely wonderful book!

5 Stars

Review: How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford

Natalie Standiford's How To Say Goodbye in Robot is a YA book for readers ages 13 & up. Published by Scholastic in 2009, this is a story of being misunderstood, of not fitting in, of friendships, and of family issues. It's not a happily-ever-after story, but there is a hopeful ending.

Summary: The new girl in town, Beatrice is expecting her new best friend to be one of the girls she meets on the first day of school. But instead, the alphabet conspires to seat her next to Jonah, aka Ghost Boy, a quiet loner who hasn't made a new friend since third grade. Something about him, though, gets to Bea, and soon they form an unexpected friendship. It's not romance exactly—but it's definitely love. Still, Bea can't quite dispel Jonah's doom and gloom—and as she finds out his family history, she understands why. Can Bea help Jonah? Or is he destined to vanish?

How To Say Goodbye in Robot is a touching and slightly heartbreaking story. Beatrice struggles as the new girl in school, and Jonas is bullied and struggles to fit in as he's different and slightly eccentric. Jonas also struggles at home with a distant, almost heartless father who has kept Jonas from his long-lost, twin brother; a brother who has been hospitalized in an institution. Due to his being lied to about and separated from his brother, Jonas' unsympathetic father, his being bullied at school, and his lack of friends, Jonas struggles with an identity crisis, with depression, and other emotional distresses. Beatrice is his light in the darkness, but one person cannot possibly save someone, no matter how much they might want to help. Sadly, Jonas embraces his identity as "Ghost Boy" and at the end of the novel, enters a destructive spiral in his attempt to finally become a ghost in the world. It's harsh, but the ending isn't all sad, I promise.

Beatrice has it a little easier at home and at school, though her parents are having marital issues and her mother struggles with mental illness. In a few various moments of selfishness and immaturity, Beatrice's mother calls her a robot.

And the award for terrible mom of the year goes to...

Beatrice is accepted by her classmates, but she feels drawn to the lonely eccentric Jonas, who obviously is not a healthy friend to have. These two misfits find solace in their friendship, for better or for worse.

Not only will teens find the social drama relatable, but readers are also exposed to an enlightened way of thinking about social connections. Jonas and Beatrice's friendship lets readers see the world from an adult's mature point of view; something that's uncomfortably missing from the parental characters in the book. It gives the reader a mature and thoughtful perspective on life.

We see that Jonas isn't a good friend for Beatrice, and that she is better off without him, at least for the time being. We also see that Jonas isn't to be blamed for his downward spiral. Failing to be a good parent reflects negatively on one's children. The reader can see how one's actions, whatever the intention, can have seriously detrimental effects on a person. We blame Jonas' father for lying and for deciding to separate Jonas and his brother. We blame the other students for bullying him. Cause and effect. So many kids are bullied in school; this book brings to light some of the consequences of what is intended as teasing or as a mean-spirited joke.

A wonderfully written and powerful YA novel that speaks to difficult subjects. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, for all its emotional ups and downs. The social drama is a little like a train wreck-- it's uncomfortable, but you can't look away from the page. There is perspective to be gained here, teen readers: not all friends are good for us, and sometimes the people we want are not the people we need in our lives.

4 Stars

Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell has been getting a lot of online buzz. It's recognized as an amazing YA book that is also recommended for adults. At first, I found there was nothing special about this awkward, odd love story between two misfits (a slightly overweight, bullied red-head and a comic-reading loner Asian), but by the end, I was hooked. This is a beautiful and slightly tragic love story that will tug on your heartstrings and stick with you long after you close the book.

Summary: Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this is the story of two star-crossed misfits--smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you'll remember your own first love--and just how hard it pulled you under.

Told in alternating narratives, Eleanor and Park fall in love, in spite of how difficult love is to someone who has never truly experienced it anywhere in life. Bullied by kids at school, abused by her stepfather, and humiliated and neglected in her own home, Park becomes her shining ray of hope in all the darkness. Along with the ups and downs that are teenage love, Park endures the judgment of his family and friends for loving a girl who isn't liked, and whose family has a bad reputation.

When Eleanor's living situation worsens, it becomes clear that as much as we need someone, sometimes loving a person means giving them up. The end of the book doesn't bring justice or the satisfaction of punishment for those who made Eleanor's life hell, but there is a sense of closure, and more importantly for me, a happy ending.

Eleanor & Park is a book that teens and adults alike can enjoy. It doesn't read like typical YA/teen books, so don't be put off by the target audience. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and recommend it!

While there's nothing overly special about the writing, narrative, or the characterization, it is a great read.  I feel like Eleanor & Park is a great backlist book that just so happened to surface and gain some momentum. Scholastic's The Big Crunch is very similar to Eleanor & Park. Sadly, The Big Crunch didn't rise above the mass of other books in the YA/Romance/Drama genre, so if you're looking for a comparative title, I'd check that out.

3.5 Stars

Review: Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Did you have any kind of orthodontia growing up? Here's a book about a girl who's had it 50 times worse than you! Raina's experience is cathartic for the reader--whether the reader is pre or post-orthodontia hell.

This is a fantastic middle grade graphic novel. Kids who have had a dental emergency, getting or has braces, or is having some dental work done can appreciate Raina's fears and what she goes through. Raina trips on the sidewalk and suddenly is faced with major social anxiety. She loses her confidence and her ability to smile willingly. Smiling is hard when you're young and vulnerable and your mouth is full of metal.

Poor Raina sees a myriad of dental experts, has multiple surgeries, as well as braces, headgear, elastics for her cross-bite, a retainer, and fake teeth. As a kid who had to suffer through having my overbite, cross-bite, and uneven teeth fixed through years of pain and metal in my mouth, I felt for Raina. Her pain was my pain.

Mouth hurts so much that you're whole head hurts? Check.
Mouth hurts so much you can't chew bread? Check.

Young readers can recognize their own insecurities, fears, and problems in Raina's story. No matter what kind of embarrassing things happen to you, life will go on with people who you can really count on; people who can really make you smile.

This is a wonderful story. Easy to read, accessible, heart-wrenching, and sweet. Smile can be enjoyed again and again. Young girls in grades six and up will enjoy this story. Raina Telgemeier has written a charming graphic novel that tells the story of a young girl growing up and how growing up is never easy.

Review: Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

A book that's both relevant and meaningful in today's society. Openly Straight discusses the very relevant subject of sexuality and coming to terms with one's identity outside of labels and expectations of who should be. It is about dealing with sexuality and learning to deal how others handle the subject of sexual preferences.

The main character is a homosexual teenager who chooses to go from being open about his sexuality to not telling anyone.

The main character struggles with the concept of living without a label--or at least, without the label he wants. By choosing not to tell others he's gay, he attempts to become someone new. He wants to see what it's like to live a life where being gay is just one little part of who he is.

I love that this book exists. It is so, so important in a world where kids are bullied for being different and where being gay, or bi, transgender, etc. is feared.

That being said, I found the narrative to be a little dry. The writing wasn't very gripping, and I think it was largely because the YA genre kept the story from reading too dark for the audience. This book would have likely been more effective written for an older audience.

My other problem with the book was for a story that gently nudges the reader into becoming a more understanding and accepting person, I was a little offended to see that word "retard" still made it into the text. If the use of word was important to the text or the development of the characters in some way, it would be one thing. However, the word was brandied about in casual conversation by one of the characters and posed no relevance to the surrounding text. It just seemed a little hypocritical and I think it's just as offensive as calling someone a "fag." The editor REALLY couldn't sub this word out? Really?

It's not the most gripping read, but it wasn't bad. A little dry at times and I wish the protagonist let the reader in a little sooner in the novel. The ending is more powerfully written and was a much better read.

Hopefully young readers can take something away from this book. Kids need to realize that their words hurt. That words like "gay" and "fag" can cut like a knife. These words are unacceptable. Get a thesaurus, world. This is 2013.