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.