Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood.

Pages: 552

Intended Audience: Adult

Genre: Historical / Murder Mystery

Notes for Parents: Contains some mature content. Recommended for older teens only.

The Back Cover

Grace Marks has been convicted for her involvement in the vicious murders of her employer, the wealthy Thomas Kinnear, and his housekeeper, Nancy Montgomery. Years later, Dr. Simon Jordan—an up-and-coming expert in the burgeoning field of mental illness—listens to Grace’s story, from her family’s difficult passage from Ireland to Canada, to her time as a maid in Thomas Kinnear’s household. As Grace relives her past, Jordan draws her closer to a dark maze of relationships and her lost memories of the day her life was shattered.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

From the Author’s Afterword: Alias Grace is a work of fiction, although it is based on reality. Its central figure, Grace Marks, was one of the most notorious Canadian women of the 1840s, having been convicted of murder at the age of sixteen. The Kinnear-Montgomery murders took place on July 23, 1843 and were extensively reported not only in Canadian newspapers but in those of the United States and Britain.

What’s good?

The author’s re-imagining of this true story was dark and fascinating. Grace Marks, the main character, was elusive. She seemed cold yet sincere. Her questionable credibility deepens the mystery of her story. The side story with the doctor and his landlady added a little humor and drama. Supporting characters were rich and interesting, especially Mary Whitney and Jeremiah the peddler. Excerpts at the beginning of every chapter were from actual documents, or quotes and poems from real people commenting on the real events. This added to the drama.

Best Part: Mary Whitney.

What isn’t good?

The author is wordy. She included descriptions of people and things that I felt were unnecessary, and sometimes even cruel. It took her over 550 pages to tell a story that could probably have been told just as well in about 350. Also, there was a paranormal element to the story that the author never really committed to. Is possession real? Does hypnosis really work?

Worst part: Nothing terrible.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☻☻ (3/5)

It’s difficult to deny Atwood’s ability to craft a story. She’s a lyrical writer with a gift for layering her stories, and mixing surface emotions with dark undertones in a way that creates a satisfying tension. Alias Grace, however, was a bit lackluster. The character of Grace was brilliantly drawn, but I found the story itself to be monotone. Having said that, I still enjoyed it and would probably recommend it to a select few that I know would appreciate the sophisticated vocabulary, creative metaphors, and meticulous detail. 

Atwood, Margaret. Alias Grace. Toronto: Seal Books, 1996.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Pages: 338

Intended Audience: Mature teens

Genre: Historical

Notes for Parents: Contains some very mature content about the mistreatment of human beings during World War II. Reader discretion is advised.

The Back Cover

In 1941, fifteen-year-old Lina is preparing for art school, first dates, and all that summer has to offer. But one night, the Soviet secret police barge violently into her home, deporting her along with her mother and younger brother. They are being sent to Siberia. Her father is sentence to death in a prison camp.

Lina must fight for her life, fearless, vowing that is she survives she will honor her family, and the thousands like hers, by documenting their experience in her art and writing. Only incredible strength, love, and hope can pull Lina and her family though each day.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

From the author’s notes: In 1939, the Soviet Union occupied the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Shortly thereafter, the Kremlin drafted lists of people considered anti-Soviet who would be murdered, sent to prison, or deported into slavery in Siberia. Doctors, lawyers, teachers, military servicemen, writers, business owners, musicians, artists, and even librarians were all considered anti-Soviet and were added to the growing list slated for wholesale extermination. The first deportations too place on June 14, 1941.

What’s good?
This is a well-paced and emotionally tense story that centers around a teen who is caught up in one of the inhumane events of World War II. The circumstances are dire, details disturbing, and the breadth of the horror is heartbreaking. Fifteen-year-old Lina is a relatable narrator – her fear, impatience, desperation, and shock, are palpable. Lina’s mother is a strong, remarkable character that embodies love and sacrifice. The supporting characters give meaning to the title “shades of grey” as we see good people do bad and bad people do good. Nothing is ever black and white.

Best Part: When the men sing the national anthem (pg. 61).

What isn’t good?

·        The flashbacks are distracting. While some of the vignettes about life before the deportation were helpful, some were unnecessarily sentimental and took away from the depth of the present tense. I was also very annoyed with Lina for not using people’s names even when she knew them – “man who wound his watch,” “bald man,” “repeater.” It made Lina seem distant and naïve.

Worst part: Nothing was terrible.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺☻ (4/5)

Between Shades of Gray reveals a little-known tragedy that affected entire nationalities. This story provides a small glimpse into what that experience might have looked like for one teenage girl. Many parts are disturbing, some are heartbreaking, and a few moments are downright shocking. However, the author’s writing and narrative style makes this hidden history accessible to teen audiences. It’s well-written and very interesting. Recommended.

Sepetys, Ruta. Between Shades of Gray. New York: Scholastic, 2011.

Popular Vote by Micol Ostow

Pages: 216

Intended Audience: Teens and mature tweens

Genre: Real life

Notes for Parents: Some mild mature themes.

The Back Cover

Citizens! Are you fed up with being the perfect, polished First Daughter of the mayor?

Sick of photo shoots and inauguration balls and the press monitoring your Facebook page?

Annoyed at your gorgeous, smug boyfriend who’s been student council president every year?

Suddenly passionate about a cause involving your high school, and not the latest brand of lip gloss?

Erin Bright is! That’s why she’s running for student council president, and finally standing up for what SHE believes in.

The hitch? Her family’s furious at her, and she may just lose all her friends in the process.

This message brought to you by the Erin Bright Campaign.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This was an American Library Association Popular Paperback Selection.

What’s good?

Dating the popular boy and being the perfect mayoral daughter has been all Erin has ever really cared about, until the school board decides to sell Everett Field, her favorite reading and writing spot. She takes up the cause and must risk love and friendship to save her beloved park. The plot is decent, the characters are solid, and there’s an unexpected plot twist that I didn’t see coming (although I did suspect something was up.)

Best Part: The cover.

What isn’t good?

It is so dated!! There are pop culture references to MySpace, Cameron Diaz, fax machines, Lizzie McGuire, and even Elvis Costello. We’re told Erin’s intelligent, she even has a favorite essayist, but uses immature language in her narration like “obvs,” (swoon), and “that’s so NOT the point,” then spouts profundity like “waxing all nostalgic” and “hope springs eternal” that feels out of place.

Worst part: I don’t care what she’s wearing, what type of concealer she uses, or the color of her teacher’s fingernails.

Recommendation ☺☺☻☻☻ (2/5)

Maybe you have to be a teenager to appreciate this, but the outdatedness may be too much for even the most playful of today’s teens. The narrator was likable, but the narration was tedious. It may have been a hip read 10 years ago, but has failed to pass the test of time.

Ostow, Micol. Popular Vote. New York: Point, 2008.

The Round House by Louise Erdrich

Pages: 317

Intended Audience: Mature teens, adults

Genre: Crime / Coming of age

Notes for Parents: Contains coarse language, under-age drinking and smoking, some violence, and some very mature themes.

The Back Cover

One Sunday in the spring of 1988, a woman living on a reservation in North Dakota is attacked. The details of the crime slow to surface because Geraldine Coutts is traumatized and reluctant to relive or reveal what happened, either to the police or to her husband, Bazil, and thirteen-year-old son, Joe. In one day, Joe’s life is irrevocably transformed. He tries to heal his mother, but she will not leave her bed and slips into an abyss of solitude. Increasingly alone, Joe finds himself thrust prematurely into an adult world for which he is ill prepared.

While his father, a tribal judge, endeavors to wrest justice from a situation that defies his efforts, Joe becomes frustrated with the official investigation and sets out with his trusted friends, Cappy, Zack, and Angus, to get some answers of his own. Their quest takes them first to the Round House, a sacred space and place of worship for the Ojibwe. And this is only the beginning.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

Winner of The National Book Award in 2012.

What’s good?

The narrative provides an interesting perspective as 13-year-old Joe interprets the very adult world around him. Despite his age, he is intelligent and his observations are very astute. The mystery surrounding Joe’s mother’s attack is revealed slowly, painfully, as he pieces together the clues. This is a prolific story, layered with Ojibwe tradition and reservation culture, trauma, poverty, danger, and even humor. Strong supporting characters help weave a mystery that goes back years and exposes bigotry and injustice. At times, it feels like the reader is being given a glimpse into a secret society. The plot moves forward at a steady pace, intertwined with subplots and flashbacks that add a richness that only makes the ending more shocking.

Best Part: Mooshum’s story of Akii and the Star Trek: The Next Generation references.

What isn’t good?

Long paragraphs, long chapters, and no quotation marks around dialogue make this a daunting read. The vocabulary is challenging and the subject matter is mature, so the story may be inaccessible to some teens. The pace is steady, but relaxed, taking many turns away from the main story. Unfortunately, these side road stories are often much more interesting than the main mystery and I often found myself wanting to read more about the enigmatic Linda Wishkob, ex-marine Father Wozniak, or even raunchy Grandma Ignatia, rather than discover Geraldine’s secret.

Worst part: Joe’s obsession with Sonja’s breasts (although it culminates in a disturbing yet enlightening moment later on in the story).

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺☻ (4/5)

It took a few chapters before I was truly hooked on the story, but I eventually became immersed in the culture and tradition of the fascinating characters living on this North Dakota reservation. Bazil’s respect for the law despite the historic and grave injustices faced by the indigenous community is one example of the diversity and depth of the characters. The story feels solid, honest, and tangible. Recommended. 

Erdrich, Louise. The Round House. New York: Harper Perennial, 2012.

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Pages: 517

Intended Audience: Teens

Genre: Fantasy

Notes for Parents: Contains some coarse language and mature content

The Inside Cover

Simon Snow is the worst chosen one who’s ever been chosen. That’s what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he’s probably right.

Half the time, Simon can’t even make his wand work, and the other half, he sets something on fire. His mentor’s avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there’s a magic-eating monster running around wearing Simon’s face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here—it’s their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon’s infuriating nemesis didn’t even bother to shop up.

Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, and a mystery. It has just as much kissing and talking as you’d expect from a Rainbow Rowell story—but far, far more monsters.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

The author created the character of Simon Snow in her novel Fangirl where Simon was a fictional character in a series of children’s adventure novels that were the subject of much fanfiction written by the main character, Cath. The author says the character of Simon stayed with her after writing that novel and led her to make his story a new novel.

What’s good?

Short chapters, good flow, and a strong, narrative style are highlights of this unusual fantasy adventure. There is plenty of witty dialogue and irreverent humor amidst action, suspense, romance, and even a dragon battle. While the story has magic and mystery, it’s more a story about relationships. Baz and Simon’s love-hate-tolerate relationship was fascinating to watch, and the plot relies heavily on the strength of the friendships that develop throughout the story. The ending was nice, a bit predictable, but an enjoyable conclusion.

Best Part: “Let’s kill a virgin and write a great Led Zeppelin album.” (Pg. 378)

What isn’t good?

There’s no denying the Harry Potter parallels. This, apparently, was done on purpose, but it has a strange vibe and falls very short of being a parody. The first third of the book was slow and the plot was weak and predictable. With the exception of Baz, the characters are relatively flat and the relationships, especially the romance, can get a bit awkward.

Worst part: “Worsegers – like badgers but worse.” (pg 132)

Recommendation ☺☺☺☻☻ (3/5)

I liked it, but it was silly. It’s definitely not a serious fantasy novel, and it doesn’t work as a parody either. It felt fan fiction-like before I knew it was based on fan fiction from another of her stories. Part of me thinks the title keeps this book from reaching its target audience, but I like the reference to "carry on" that it's taken from in the story. What kept me reading was the author's writing style, great dialogue, and irreverent humor.

Rowell, Rainbow. Carry On. New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2015. (Hardcover)