The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Pages: 216

Intended Audience: Teens and tweens

Genre: Historical fable

Notes for Parents: Allusions to acts of cruelty

The Inside Cover

The story of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is very difficult to describe. Usually we give some clues about the book on the jacket, but in this case we think that would spoil the reading of the book. We think it is important that you start to read without knowing what it is about.

If you do start to read this book, you will go on a journey with a nine-year-old boy called Bruno. (Though this isn’t a book for nine-year-olds.) And sooner or later you will arrive with Bruno at a fence.

Fences like this exist all over the world. We hope you never have to encounter such a fence.

What the Back Cover doesn’t tell you:

Well, it doesn’t tell you much. So, in keeping with the philosophy of the description, I won’t tell you much more than it’s a story about a boy whose father gets a promotion that moves the family to a new place where Bruno meets a boy living on the other side of the fence wearing blue striped pajamas.

What’s good?

The author deliberately avoids details to heighten the suspense as we traverse the story guided only by the perspective of a very naïve child. However, unless you live in a bubble, you will know the who, what, when, where and why of this story. As a 9-year-old sheltered from the truth, however, Bruno doesn’t understand it, so we watch as he navigates the horrors around him with a child’s innocence. This is a haunting fable that ends with a cruel twist of karmic fate.

Best part: The end, even though I totally saw it coming.

What’s not so good?

Accepting the premise may be a difficult pill for some people to swallow. This book asks you to tolerate knowing more than the main character for the entire story. This stifles the pace and makes for a daunting read.

Worst part: The beginning. It’s halfway through the book before we even meet the boy in the striped pajamas.

Recommendations þþþþo

Ultimately, this book must be viewed as a fable – a story with a message – rather than a historical novel in order to be enjoyed. Picky readers will hate the naivety, the inconsistencies, and all of the questions that arise from the actions and non-actions of the supporting characters. I enjoyed it and I recommend it. 

Boyne, John. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. New York: David Fickling Books, 2006

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Pages: 390

Intended Audience: Teens

Genre: Supernatural Sci-Fi

Notes for Parents: Some mature themes.

The Back Cover

The cold.

Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn’t know why.

The heat.

Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace…until now.

The shiver.

For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it’s spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human – and Grace must fight to keep him – even if it means taking on the scars of the past, the fragility of the present, and the impossibility of the future.

What the Back Cover doesn’t tell you:

This is the first in a trilogy.

What’s good?

It has a different take on werewolf lore and I always admire when someone is courageous enough to step outside the box. The author’s use of language is beautiful. The story had the feel of a classic romance with a supernatural twist.

Best Part: Wolves. I love wolves.

What’s not so good?

I have to admit that I didn’t particularly like the characters. It felt a little too Twilight to me. While I admire the outside-the-box thinking when it came to the werewolves, I didn’t like what she came up with. Also, the romance bloomed too quickly, relying on that mystical I-love-you-deeply-even-though-we-barely-know-each-other emotion (a la Twilight), which I find juvenile. A convincing relationship should have, at least, a little time to develop. It all seemed a little campy.

Worst part: Some of the poetry is very cheesy. (Although, some of it is quite good.)

Recommendations þþooo

I think this is one of those love it or hate it kind of books. I didn’t like it, but then, I didn’t like Twilight either.

Stiefvater, Maggie. Shiver. New York: Scholastic, 2009

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Pages: 485

Intended Audience: Teens

Genre: urban fantasy

Notes for parents: Some violence and mature themes

The Back Cover

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder—much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Clary knows she should call the police, but it’s hard to explain a murder when the body disappears into thin air and the murderers are invisible to everyone but Clary.

Equally startled by her ability to see them, the murderers explain themselves as Shadowhunters: a secret tribe of warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. Within twenty-four hours, Clary’s mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a grotesque demon.

But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know.

What the Back Cover doesn’t tell you:

This is the first book of six in the Mortal Instruments series. It’s also being made into a movie.

What’s good?

It has warlocks, vampires, werewolves, fairies, angel-empowered warriors, love triangles, betrayals, family secrets and shocking revelations – what’s not to love? The story has a quick pace, the dialogue is strong and witty, and the characters are well-drawn and likeable.

Best part: Jace.

What’s not so good?

A few things: Jace’s charisma is too often overshadowed by his arrogance; the fantasy elements were sometimes too cliché; and a few parts were so wildly predictable that it distracted from the story.

Worst part: Clary takes WAY too long to figure out who Valentine really is.

Recommendations þþþþo

I give this a four based mostly on its entertainment value. In terms of literary value, it probably rates much lower, but it really is fun, adventurous, and creative with lots of action and humour. Recommended.

Clare, Cassandra. City of Bones. New York: Simon Pulse, 2007.

Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas

Pages: 352

Intended Audience: Teens

Genre: real life / verse

Notes for Parents: Themes of abuse

The Back Cover

Anke’s father is abusive to her brother and sister. But not her. Because to him, she is like furniture—part of the background, invisible. Then Anke makes the school volleyball team.

As Anke learns to call for the ball on the court, she finds a voice that she never knew she had. For the first time, Anke is making herself seen and heard, working toward the day that she will be able to speak up loud enough to rescue everyone at home—including herself.

What the Back Cover doesn’t tell you:

This book is written in verse (a series of poems).

What’s good?

This compelling story begins as a dark and disturbing account of abuse and neglect, but grows into a tale of hope and, ultimately, of triumph. The verse-style makes for quick and easy reading, and the poems themselves are, at times, distressing, but always poignant and beautifully written. Anke and her siblings are heartbreakingly real.

Best Part: The poetry.

What’s not so good?

Some readers may not care for the poetry, but I don’t think it could have been written any other way.

Worst part: None.

Recommendations þþþþo

This is an inspiring story of a girl who finds her voice. It’s beautifully written in verse that’s easy to understand. Highly recommended.

Chaltas, Thalia. Because I Am Furniture. New York: Speak, 2009

Another Kind of Cowboy by Susan Juby

Pages: 341

Intended Audience: Teens

Genre: real life

Notes for Parents: Contains some mature themes.

The Back Cover

For Alex Ford, dressage is an oasis. In the stable, he can slip into his riding pants, shed the macho cowboy image, and feel like himself for a change.

For Cleo O’Shea, dressage is a fresh start. She’s got a new boarding school, absentee parents, and, best of all, no one to remember her past.

When their paths collide, Alex doesn’t want to have anything to do with the privileged, overbearing girl, not least because she doesn’t seem to get how lucky she is to be riding horses all day. But when Alex can’t shake Cleo, he soon realizes she might be the only one who understands him. After all, keeping a secret is as tough as getting a horse to dance. Sometimes you need a little help.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

The back cover says just enough.

What’s good?

This is a fresh and funny story about polar opposites who strike up an unexpected friendship. The excellent use of humour doesn’t distract from the serious issues, and no one issue overpowers any other. Strong characterization makes this a touching tale of two young people, neglected by their parents, who figure out for themselves how to be happy.

Best part: Del Magnifico le Noir – the name Alex gave his bicycle when he was six.

What’s not so good?

Cloe was hard to like, especially at the beginning. It wasn’t until I believed she sincerely cared about Alex that I was able to look past her attitude and appreciate the person she was. Also, if you’re not a horse lover, you may get a little tired of all the equestrian references. I, however, like horses just enough that I found it enjoyable.

Worst part: I didn’t like that Alex’s story was told in 3^rd person and Cloe’s in 1^st person.

Recommendation þþþoo

This was a good book. It was charming and sincere while still being courageous enough to tackle the tough issues. It’s a fairly easy, light read.

Juby, Susan. Another Kind of Cowboy. Toronto: HarperCollins, 2007.

Everlost by Neal Shusterman

Pages: 313

Intended Audience: Tweens and Teens

Genre: Science Fiction Fantasy Adventure

Notes for parents: Some mild violence

The Back Cover

Nick and Allie don’t survive the car accident…but their souls don’t exactly get where they’re supposed to go either. Instead, they’re caught halfway between life and death, in a sort of limbo known as Everlost: a shadow of the living world, filled with all the things and places that no longer exist. It’s a magical, yet dangerous place where bands of lost children run wild and anyone who stands in the same place too long sinks to the center of the Earth.

When they find Mary, the self-proclaimed queen of lost kids, Nick feels like he’s found a home, but Allie isn’t satisfied spending eternity between worlds. Against all warnings, Allie begins learning the “Criminal Art” of haunting, and ventures into dangerous territory, where a monster called the McGill threatens all the souls of Everlost.

What the Back Cover doesn’t tell you:

This is the first book in the Skinjacker series.

What’s good?

This story is chalk full of comedy, drama, adventure, horror, suspense, and even some mystery. It’s a comical yet, at times, scary romp through a ghost world where even buildings, horses and birthday cakes cross over to the other side. The villains are villainous – the haunter, the McGill, and Mary Hightower – and the others, both major and minor characters, are well-drawn and likeable.

Best part: Lief in the pickle barrel.

What’s not so good?

Through the entire book, something felt lacking. The story was a bit juvenile and moved a little slow at times. Some things were too silly while others were too serious. Occasionally actions lacked common sense and the timing was a bit too convenient. Overall, it was the small things here and there that kept this story from being extraordinary.

Worst part: No part seemed particularly bad.

Recommendations þþþoo

This was an interesting, well-written story with a little bit of everything. Visually, it was stunning, but I wasn’t moved by it enough to want to read the other books in the series.

Shusterman, Neal. Everlost. New York: Scholastic, 2006