Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls

Pages: 207
Intended Audience: Teens and mature tweens
Genre: Real Life / Dying
Notes for Parents: Some mature scenes.

The Inside Cover

My name is Sam.
I am eleven years old.
I collect stories and fantastic facts.
By the time you read this, I will probably be dead.
Living through the last stages of leukemia, Sam wants to know facts. Facts about UFOs, ghosts, how it feels to kiss a girl. He wants to break a world record, watch horror movies, go up the down escalator. And Sam is determined to find answers to all of the questions nobody ever answers—all of them.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This was originally published in London, England.

What’s good?

Both heartwarming and heartbreaking, this story about a dying boy is written with humor and reverence. Sam is a charming and loveable pre-teen surrounded by interesting people who are dealing with imminent loss the best they can. I love Sam’s footnotes and True Facts, especially about such diverse topics as coffins and airships. His “Questions Nobody Answers” were painful to read, but his and Felix’s attempts to answer them were touching and often comical. Friendship, fear, sadness, compassion, and grief all drive this beautiful tale. Short chapters, peppered with lists and drawings, make this a quick and easy read.
Best Part: The end. You know it’s coming, and when it does—it is heart wrenchingly sad, yet beautiful.

What isn’t good?

Nothing isn’t good. There are a few British terms that may trip readers up, but overall I found nothing to complain about.
Worst part: Why do I read books about dying children?

Recommendation þþþþþ

I cried at the end. Definitely recommended.

Nicholls, Sally. Ways to Live Forever. New York: Arthur A. Levine, 2008. (Hardcover)

Dancer, Daughter, Traitor, Spy by Elizabeth Kiem

Pages: 264
Intended Audience: Teens and up
Genre: Real life with elements of mystery, science fiction, Soviet Russia history
Notes for Parents: Has some mature moments, violence, language

The Inside Cover

Marina is born of privilege. Her mother, Sveta, is the Soviet Uniorn’s prima ballerina: an international star handpicked by the regime. But Sveta is afflicted with a mysterious second sight and becomes obsessed with exposing a horrific state secret. Then she disappears.
Fearing for their lives, Marina and her father defect to Brooklyn. Marina struggles to reestablish herself as a dancer at Julliard. But her enigmatic partner, Sergei, makes concentration almost impossible, as does the fact that Marina shares her mother’s “gift,” and has a vision of her father’s murder at the hands of the Russian crooks and con artists she thought they’d left behind.
Now Marina must navigate the web of intrigue surrounding her mother’s disappearance, her ability, and exactly who she can—and can’t—trust.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is the first book in a series for this debut novelist.

What’s good?

Set in the 1980s, this story begins in Soviet Russian in the midst of the Cold War. This is a fascinating look at communist life, with its proletariat rules and government propaganda. After the main character, Marya, and her father flee their homeland, we get immersed in the lives of Russian immigrants living in Brighton Beach (Little Odessa) in New York. A complicated plot and an intricate mystery make this an intriguing tale of secrets and lies. Marya is a strong female character, the setting is unique, and the story is sophisticated.
Best Part: I love the title and the cover. It’s definitely what drew me to the book.

What isn’t good?

There’s a strange supernatural element that is completely unnecessary. The dancing and romance (with Sergei) that’s hinted at in the cover description is disappointedly minimal. The pacing slows dramatically at times, but even when things get exciting, the plot is murky. I had a hard time figuring out who (CIA, KGB, Mafia) was after what from whom. While then ending was satisfying, I’m not sure if I really liked it.
Worst part: The superfluous supernatural element.

Recommendation þþþoo

I’m torn. The mystery was good (you never really knew who to trust) but a few times the plot felt heavy and hard to follow. There were parts, especially in Soviet Russia, that I loved, but…I wanted more. I wanted more history, more danger, more intrigue, and more dancing. Overall, it was good, but it wasn’t great. Recommended, but with reservations.

Kiem, Elizabeth. Dancer, Daughter, Traitor, Spy. New York: Soho Press, 2013 (Hardcover)

The Raft by S.A. Bodeen

Pages: 231
Intended Audience: Teens
Genre: Real life/Survival
Notes for Parents: There are some graphic descriptions that may be difficult for some readers.

The Back Cover
Robie is an experienced traveler. She’s taken the flight from Honolulu to the Midway Atoll, a group of Pacific islands where her parents live, many times. When she has to get to Midway in a hurry after a visit with her aunt in Hawaii, she gets on the next cargo flight at the last minute. She knows the pilot, but on this flight, there’s a new copilot named Max. All systems are go until a storm hits during the flight. The only passenger, Robie doesn’t panic until the engine suddenly cuts out and Max shouts at her to put on a life jacket and she sees him struggle with a raft.
And then…she’s in the water. Fighting for her life. Max pulls her onto the raft, and that’s when the real terror begins. They have no water. Their only food is a bag of Skittles. There are sharks. There is an island. But there’s no sign of help on the way.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is yet another cover that tells too much. You may as well skip the first 50 pages.

What’s good?
Short chapters keep most of the story moving at a pretty fast pace. I found the information about the Midway Atoll, the albatross, monk seals, and other ecological facts interesting. There were many emotional moments, especially near the end, and a big revelation that caught me off guard (It was a true “now I get it” moment). Although the ending itself was fairly predictable, it was good.
Best Part: I loved the Hunger Games reference.

What isn’t good?

While I like the short chapters, some of the choppy sentences meant to convey emotion didn’t work for me and felt overdramatic. The main character, Robie, was irritating. There were several odd occurrences in the storyline that made me question the author’s skills, but everything became clear when Robie revealed a secret. While the revelation fixed everything, I almost put the book down several times before that because of what I thought was inconsistencies. Perhaps I should have clued in sooner that something was amiss.
Worst part: My confusion before the big revelation.

Recommendation þþooo
I love survival stories and there were parts of this book that I liked, but ultimately I think it failed. Although Robie’s actions proved she was a strong and capable young woman, her whining and moaning made her difficult to like. The big revelation was a good idea but poorly executed. There are better survival stories out there. Sadly, I can’t recommend this book.

Bodeen, S.A. The Raft. New York: Scholastic, 2012.

Hidden Like Anne Frank: 14 True Stories of Survival by Marcel Prins & Peter Henk Steenhuis

Pages: 211
Intended Audience: Teens and mature tweens
Genre: Non-fiction / Holocaust survival stories
Notes for Parents: Some mature scenes

The Back Cover

They hid…and they survived.
Jaap Sitters was only eight years old when his mother cut the yellow stars off his clothes and sent him, alone, on a fifteen-mile walk to hide with relatives. It was a terrifying night, one he would never forget. Before the end of the war, Jaap would hide with his family and without them, in secret rooms and behind walls. He would suffer from hunger, sickness, and the looming threat of Nazi raids. But he would live.
Hidden Like Anne Frank is a collection of eye-opening first-person accounts that share what it was really like to go into hiding during World War II. The story of each child is different, but all experience the pain of losing their homes, their families, even their own names. They describe the secret network of brave people who kept them safe, and share the coincidences and close escapes that made all the difference.
The stories in this book are often heartbreaking, but they remind us of the strength, the kindness of others, and the courage that it took to survive.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is a translation of the original Dutch version published in 2011.

What’s good?

These are amazing true stories of Dutch Jews during the Nazi occupation of World War II. Told in their own voice, the stories profile children of different ages in varying situations. It’s interesting to see how these stories often overlap in locations and events providing an alternative perspective. Information is kept simple and situations are kept fairly matter-of-fact making this an appropriate read for even middle school readers. Footnotes explain terms and historical facts.
Best Part: The pictures at the end of the survivors today.

What isn’t good?

Most of the true horrors are only inferred, likely to make it appropriate for younger audiences, but the results are a bit lacking in emotion. The survivors’ resilience is still apparent, but the real dangers are not fully illustrated.
Worst part: Nothing.

Recommendation þþþþo

I didn’t give it five checkmarks only because the audience for this is limited to younger readers. I enjoyed it, but I felt I was being denied some of the true emotions an adult must have in relating these memories. For teens and tweens, however, this book is not only revealing, but is important and should be required reading. Definitely recommended.

Prins, Marcel & Peter Henk Steehuis. Hidden Like Anne Frank: 14 True Stories of Survival. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books, 2014.

My Life as a Cartoonist by Janet Tashjian

Pages: 259
Intended Audience: Tweens and up
Genre: Real life/Bullying
Notes for Parents: Has some mature moments involving bullying.

The Back Cover

My copy had no description. From Janettashjian.com:
There’s a new kid in Derek Fallon’s class. His name is Umberto and he uses a wheelchair. Derek’s family is still fostering Frank the monkey, and Derek thinks it would be great to train Frank to assist Umberto. But Derek quickly realizes that Umberto is definitely not looking for any help. Derek soon becomes the butt of Umberto’s jokes. On top of that, Umberto starts stealing Derek’s cartoon ideas and claiming them as his own. How did Derek get himself into this mess, and how can he find a way out before he is the laughingstock of school? The answer may very well be his cartoon strip—SUPER FRANK!

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This book is part of the author’s My Life as a… series.

What’s good?

This is a compassionate look at both sides of the bullying issue. It was a brave choice to use a disabled boy as a bully, but very effective as the reader can easily feel the bully’s desperation to fit it and the victim’s frustration at being singled out. While bullying is a common theme these days, the story feels fresh and the characters are original. While it was apparent that there would be a happy ending, the plot flowed nicely and kept me guessing as to how everything would be resolved. An added bonus is the entertaining illustrations in the margin that highlight vocabulary words.
Best Part: Derek’s description of his feelings for his dog (pg. 258)

What isn’t good?

There isn’t a lot of character development (this is the third book in the series so perhaps we know more about the main characters from previous books) and the resolution came a little easily, but was still satisfying.
Worst part: None.

Recommendation þþþþo

This is a quick and easy read with strong themes of friendship and compassion. It’s a well rounded story that includes the parents, teachers, and classmates, illustrating that everyone has a role to play. Definitely recommended.

Tashjian, Janet. My Life as a Cartoonist. New York: Henry Holt & Co., 2013. (Hardcover)

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

Pages: 384
Intended Audience: Teens
Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopian
Notes for Parents: Violence, gun use, some graphic scenes

The Inside Cover

Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary people extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics.
Epics are no friends of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man, you must crush his will.
Now, in what was once Chicago, an astonishingly powerful Epic named Steelheart has installed himself as emperor. Steelheart possesses the strength of ten men and can control the elements. It is said that no bullet can harm him, no sword can split his skin, and no fire can burn him. He is invincible. Nobody fights back…nobody but the Reckoners.
A shadowy group of ordinary humans, the Reckoners spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them. And David wants in.
When Stealheart came to Chicago, he killed David’s father. For years, like the Reckoners, David has been studying, and planning, and he has something they need. Not an object, but an experience.
He has seen Steelheart bleed.
And he wants revenge.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is the first in a series.

What’s good?

The first person point of view enables a great range of emotions in this action-packed adventure. Short chapters and swift pacing make this an easy and entertaining read. A city turned to steel, blanketed in darkness, is the perfect kingdom for a cold and ruthless leader and a great setting for a revolution. Characterization is strong, but motivation is key as we follow David the avenger and a group of Reckoners as they plan to take down a seemingly invincible villain.
Best Part: David’s struggle with metaphors.

What isn’t good?

There were only a few little things that bothered me. The foreshadowing was not very subtle. David would say things like “that didn’t look right” or “something felt off” and he would be right. Some of the epics’ names are a little cheesy while their powers and weaknesses seem a bit fantastical (rather than science fiction). Lastly, the love-at-first-sight thing is a bit tiresome, though I’ll admit it was kept to a minimum.
Worst part: Slontze!

Recommendation þþþþo

I’m tempted to give this book five checkmarks, but let’s say it’s a 4 ½. Great pacing, original world-building, likeable characters and a satisfying ending made this story very entertaining. Definitely recommended.

Sanderson, Brandon. Steelheart. New York: Delacorte Press, 2013. (Hardcover)