Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

Marjane Satrapi uses the graphic format to give glimpses into her life growing up in 1980's Iran. Between revolutions, wars and a fundamentalist regime this land does not provide the ideal setting for a girl's childhood. But it does make for a fascinating read and engaging history lesson. I didn't realize that Iran has been killing its own citizens for many years. The seeming boon of revolution in the 1980's only ushered in fundamentalist leadership that stripped away even more human rights.

The only downside to this book is that it ends mid-story. Marjane is fourteen and shuttled away from Iran by her parents. The plus is that you can pick the story back up in Persepolis II. Yeah!

American Born Chinese by Gene Luan Yang

American Born Chinese by Gene Luan Yang weaves together three tales: Jin Wang's troubles adapting to a new school, a re-telling of the Monkey King's adventures and Chin-kee's disruption of his cousin Danny's life. By the end of this graphic novel you discover how these three story lines relate and the implications of being Chinese in the American culture. Attractive full-color pictures aid in transporting this book from a simple story to a visual feast.

Moving to a new school is never easy and in this story is compounded by the blind bigotry of classmates. Jin Wang finds himself torn between two different stories of his heritage. From Chinese mythology we have the story of the Monkey King whose ego must be overcome to find out his true nature. From American mythology we have Chin-Kee the representative of the caricatured stereotypical Chinese man. These forceful narratives influence Jin Wang's life and find new meaning when reinterpreted through a boy's adjustment to a new culture.

These tales are also told graphically which throws another element into the storytelling stew. To see the faces of the characters limits my imagination but is compensated by receiving more of the author's vision. A different part of my brain is engaged and the visual elements force me to a more visceral level. I can sense Jin's confusion by the white splotches that frame the storyboard. I react to the incessant laughter of Chin-Kee that lines the bottom of the frames in which he appears. By telling this story graphically, Yang uses more tools to display different layers of meaning. His techniques allow for a certain amount of silence that propels the reader into reflecting upon the hardship of finding one's self amid the flurries of incessant myths.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Please remind me to read more of Neil Gaiman. Strike that. Remind me to listen to Neil Gaiman tell one of his entrancing tales. Yes his talents are many. Not only does he create a new world to explore but he makes it come alive by giving voice to all the characters that people his world.

Meet Coraline. No its not Caroline although the man who lives upstairs can't help mispronounce it. She lives with her parents and in an Alice in Wonderland turn of events finds a passageway to an alternate universe through a door in the living room. This is when it gets good. Meet the Other Mother and the Other Father who welcome Coraline and urge her to stay with them. There is something very strange however about these Other parents. Maybe it is their black button eyes. Maybe it is the strange sense Coraline gets by their insistent offerings.

Gaiman, yes, I need to read more of his stuff. Read his journal if you've got the time. Kick back and relax a bit...

Looking for Alaska by John Green

I listened to this story on my way to and from work. Set at a boarding school in Alabama we become familiar with Pudge, the Colonel and the unforgettable Alaska Young. Culver Creek sounds like a pretty interesting place to be receiving an education--for Pudge this learning extends outside of the classroom. He is in search of the Great Perhaps and the adventures awaiting him in a sweltering Alabama deliver him to that unknown precipice.

When one of the main characters exits the story the rest of the characters must deal with the loss in whatever way they can. Green lets us experience the struggles inherent in facing the mystery of life. His characters shine with individuality and mirror humanity's incessant need to both push the bounds and question authority. Read it now!

Skellig by David Almond

David Almond does it again. He gently reminds you of the magic that is existence. Through the eyes of Michael we are reintroduced to the connectedness of all living things. His friend Mina sings Blake poetry and shows Michael how to listen more closely to the fabric of life. (I want to return to the days of youth and truly have a day of exploration.)

Skellig could be human, angel or animal--but more than anything he represents the possibilities of the imagination and the beauty of love. This is the book that announced David Almond to the world and I hope that you find the time to marvel at its wonders. Peace!

Hard Love by Ellen Wittlinger

"So I loved you for your courage and your gentle sense of shame,
And I loved you for your laughter and your language and your name,
And I knew it was impossible, but I loved you just the same,
Though the only love I gave to you was hard love."
-Bob Franke

Before reading Ellen Wittlinger's novel Hard Love I was unfamiliar with the work of Bob Franke but now find myself awed by his poetry. I think that Wittlinger was as well when she transposed the characters of Hard Love from the realm of the imagination to the page. And these characters, wow, they will move you. Zines are the mode of expression for our two main players, John (a.k.a. Gio) and Marisol, who share their pain and triumphs through the written word. Both deal with issues of abandonment and identity which is magnified through their relationship. See--Marisol is gay and Gio finds himself falling in love with her. Can love still exist between members of the opposite sex without physical consummation? Perhaps--but what you'll have left is hard love.

The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron

I know there has been controversy regarding this book and I'm sure in some circles the word scrotum is unmentionable. Seeing past that word though you find a sweet little story and an irresistible title character. Abandonment issues abound with Lucky whose parents are dead or deserted and Miles who carries around a copy of Are You My Mother? You get a sense of the isolation in Harp Pan, CA and the scraggly Lucky is a testament to folks that live in weather-beaten climates. Her search for her Higher Power mirrors our own search for security in the face of the great unknown. Winning the Newbery Medal is a fitting prize for this little gem of a book.

Kit's Wilderness by David Almond

I recently listened to an interview with David Almond for class and was impressed by his honesty and good humor. He wrote many books and stories before his first, Skellig, actually got published. He wrote for adults primarily but when he made the switch to writing for young adults everything clicked. He said that he felt his writing was the best it had ever been and his writing has only gone up from there. With Kit's Wilderness Almond won the Printz award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature.

So Kit's Wilderness. Kit is the main character and lives in a town with his grandfather, mother and father. His new friends include Allie a budding soap opera actress and John Askew an outcast and phenomenal artist. Kit and Askew have an other-worldly connection that both ties them to the past and propels the book to its climax. Beware: there are ghosts flitting about the edges of this book and one in particular, Silky, lives in the mines and has a mischievous nature. I look forward to catching up with Almond's books and plan on Skellig to be my next foray into his world.

My Darling, My Hamburger by Paul Zindel

Paul Zindel is at it again in this novel that gives a brief glimpse into the lives of four teenagers. The title refers to the advice given by a teacher when a girl asked her how to stop a guy when he is going too far. The teacher says to suggest going for a hamburger.

Yes the tone is set in this tale and as you can well imagine the adults are not on the same page as the kids. There is a beautiful sequence towards the middle of the book when you follow each teen home to get a taste of the typical family encounter. Maggie and her mom seem to have the healthiest relationship where Liz and her mother and stepfather are at odds and the misunderstandings run deep. Sean talking to his dad makes for uncomfortable laughter because the scene rings so true. What do you do with a parent that has not a clue? As with Pigman, Zindel again is a front runner in presenting realistic teens that face life-changing issues. I feel as if I am in the hands of a master as I weave through his harrowing tale. Bravo!

Sandpiper by Ellen Wittlinger

I picked up this book because of an online book discussion group that is just getting under way. I came to the chat about half way through because my work schedule gets me home late on Wednesday evenings. I'm looking forward to this Wednesday when Ellen Wittlinger will be a part of the chat group. Questions anyone?

Sandpiper has a reputation around town and her latest break-up brings her face-to-face with one of the mysteries of the story, the Walker. Her mother is getting re-married, her sister can be slightly annoying and her Dad is out of touch. But these characters grow past a 'type' and interact with believablility and humor. I wanted to find out if Sandpiper could work past her difficulties and learn more about Walker who definitely has some secrets of his own. This book would mostly appeal to girls who could walk in the difficult shoes of a likable character learning hard lessons about herself.

Zel by Donna Jo Napoli

Zel lives a happy isolated existence with her mother in a secluded house far from town. One day Zel and her mother visit town to get supplies and the young prince Konrad fastens his eye on the beguiling Zel. When mother discovers Zel's mutual interest in the young man she convinces her daughter that evil forces are out to get her and the only safety can be found at the top of a tall tower. Oh did I mention that her hair grows really long and hangs down to the ground from the top of the tower?

If you have not already guessed, Donna Jo Napoli revisits the fairy tale of Rapunzel. Breathing freshness into this tale, Napoli gives us the story from the perspectives of Rapunzel, the mother, and the prince. Issues perhaps glossed over in the original version of the story now comprise the central thrust of the plot. Can a mother be too over-protective? (Yes) Whose interests are being served? What can a traditional fable tell us about the relationship between a mother and a daughter?

As the story progresses you find out the true motivations of mother and what drives her to take such desperate actions in coercing her daughter into solitary confinement. Napoli does not rely on easy stereotypes however as we discover the pain of separation lived by each of the three main characters. The emotional struggles of each of the characters adds depth to the familiar tale and distinguishes Napoli's work from the original Grimm's fairytale. Zel suffers from believing the lies of her mother while knowing that something is terribly wrong. Konrad is distraught over the whereabouts of Zel and cannot continue his day-to-day living without knowing more about her. Mother is haunted by her past and tormented by causing so much pain to the one she loves the most.

But do not fear! Remember this is a fairy tale and a happy ending is practically guaranteed. Even the misunderstood mother exits the story with a wisp of hope. Napoli delivers a well told tale and enriches the experience by deepening the emotional situations of the characters. We are all a little better off in the re-telling of this classic.

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

I read the delightful novel Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison. To be a bit more exact I listened to the audio book of this story and received strange looks while driving because of my uncontrollable laughter. If Georgia were to see me she would think me quite mad. Rennison lets Georgia tell her story through the use of diary entries that detail the inner workings of the female teenage mind and the extreme ups and downs that highlight a year seen through her eyes. Be warned: Georgia’s observations might lead one to smile unconsciously and chuckle with abandon.

If it isn’t already abundantly clear I really enjoyed entering the world created by Louise Rennison. Putting a humorous touch to the awkward teenage years only seems fitting and Rennison speaks clearly through her characters about the typical adolescent worries: peer pressure, love and self-image. Georgia’s relationship with her parents rings true and you get the sense that although they occupy the same house they operate within different universes. Georgia’s focus stays on those her same age namely Jazz, her best friend and Robbie the SG (Sex God). These relations can sometimes be sticky but they bring Georgia the most pleasure and allow her to find out more about herself.
Her baby sister is a source of great humbling to Georgia especially in a scene with Robbie when she blurts out that “Georgia took a big poo.” Despite this and other embarrassing situations, Georgia prevails during this year by standing up to peer pressure and being with the boy of her dreams. But as I learned in this novel everything is subject to change. Moods sink to the depths of hopelessness and magically rebound with a phone call. Who was a best friend one day can no longer be spoken to. Such is the teenage experience through the eyes of Georgia Nicolson and a time worth sharing with a hearty cheer.

The Pigman by Paul Zindel

Meet John and Lorraine. They have a story to tell and magnanimously decide to take turns writing about their journey and encounter with the Pigman. They meet him with mischief on their minds posing as a charity collecting money. He presents to them a seemingly foreign specimen to their teenage existence: a lonely man who is basically good and kind.

Zindel is one of the founders of the modern young adult novel and a particular interest of mine for an upcoming research paper. This book was published in 1968 but the voices are still fresh and indicative of present day teen-speak. So at the end John and Lorraine push it a bit too far regarding Pigman's generosity. Yes his house gets torn up a bit and certain items of his late wife are shamefully damaged. But before that disaster the two adolescents make a good friend in the Pigman and are offered kindness from an adult world that offers little. My question is: does the good outweigh the bad or would the Pigman have been better off never meeting John and Lorraine? Hmmm...

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

What do you get when you mix a bit of mind-reading with a terrorist takeover and intimate relations between first cousins? Well not exacty HowI Live Now but you will find these elements in this story that resists definition. When exactly does it take place? What is this magical place in England where Daisy and her cousins find themselves without adults but with the threat of war hanging in the air?

So many questions, but where lie the answers? Ah in the book of course when you pick it up and live through the turbulent happenings of the main characters. I did my first booktalk on How I Live Now a few months back and struggled with the aspects that I wanted to reveal to my captive audience without giving away too much of the plot. What I finally settled on was a reading of the first chapter followed by a couple of cliffhanger questions to get their curiosity piqued. I'm sure there are more effective ways of making this book attractive to a teen audience but this being my first booktalk I allowed the book to do the talking. I still need to revisit my experience in a formal write-up for class. I feel that practice will make me more comfortable in this "selling" of books.

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

Don't try to cross Archie Costello or the Vigils! Jerry stands his ground and refuses to sell chocolates for the school fundraiser. Repercussions abound as different forces work to make him follow the straight line. Evil characters shape destinies and their machinations go unpunished. By the end of the story you find yourself ready to support Jerry and fight back against those that deserve some form of retribution.

Alas this is just a story and the corrupt Brother Leroy, heartless manipulator Archie Costello and violent Emile are just out of reach. Defying the expectation of an uplifting ending, Cormier leaves the reader with an ache for justice against those that only produce hatred. I feel sorry for Jerry but glad that he moved in the affirmative to T.S. Eliot's question, "Do I dare disturb the universe?"

Teenagers will be able to identify with the peer pressure and blind actions of the sheep-like student body. On the surface Cormier seems to say that if you try to rock the boat you will be pummeled from all sides without mercy. This is the fate of Jerry. Gauging my reaction, however, I think Cormier leaves such a bitter aftertaste that I want to fight the forces of conformity and take a stand at whatever cost. Perhaps this will be the trace left in the adolescent reader and their future actions will take into consideration the sacrifice of one freshman who decided to say no.

The reading of this book reminds me of the visceral reaction to a car accident: the curious gaze trying to figure out what happened coupled with the guilt of having witnessed something tragic. Even though these are just made-up characters I feel that I should have done something to help Jerry out against the overwhelming forces he faced. Perhaps I’m reminded of times in my own life when the earth seems to tilt in a direction that always has me trudging uphill. Times when you might need a little help but might not know how to ask for it. I thank Jerry for facing the impossible without hope and achieving success through the small act of survival.