(On Friday I posted a bit of the first page of Juniper Berry, so after you read this review you might want to check it out)
I was instantly drawn in by the first sentence of this middle-grade novel: "The house was a mansion, the lake was a pool, Kitty was a dog, and Juniper Berry was an eleven-year-old girl."
It's one of those magical first sentences that gives you the chills and envelops you in the world right from the start.
This is a story about the choices we make -- the choices that define us. It's about temptation to buy into being the same as everyone else, and it's about the terror of feeling alone.
Juniper Berry is an eleven year old with no friends and severely neglectful parents. The child of two movie stars, she spends her days distant -- from her parents and the world around her. With her dog, Kitty, and every kind of lense imaginable (monocular, binocular, telescope, periscope, etc.), she explores from afar and dreams of the day when her parents will notice her again.
She meets a strange boy named Giles whose parents are musicians, and together they solve the mystery behind their parents' meteoric rise to fame -- which includes a mysterious tree, a talking raven, and a handful of balloons.
This is a modern moral fable. It has a lot to say about the price of fame -- the changes, the loss of personal identity and privacy and the pressure of pleasing a constant audience.
It also speaks to the hardships one must endure to keep the essence of who they are, despite pressure to conform.
Although this might seem a heady subject for middle-schoolers, I think it is a perfect opportunity for middle-grade readers to begin understanding the cost of living a false life. Juniper Berry is a genuine, honest, heartfelt individual who remains true to herself despite the agony of being an outsider and the temptations to 'live a perfect life' by living shallowly.
I needed this book. It came at a time when I was struggling through what Juniper deals with -- wondering if, perhaps, being ourselves is too difficult and if embracing a life in the shallow end wouldn't be easier. But as we see in this story, our own lives are worth living, no matter what pain we experience. We are who we are, and if we lie to ourselves about that, we aren't going to be happy, even if we receive everything we ask for.
This is the third book I've received from Walden Pond Press (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers) and I am continually impressed with the caliber of their authors (and illustrators!). This one might be my favorite of the three for the way its author words things, the front cover, and the themes expressed throughout the story.
Definitely put this one on your Goodreads list, and if you've read it, let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Note: my new website is almost ready! I need two more photos and a few more words and I'm good to go. I'll link to it once it's complete. Remember, I'll still be doing book reviews on this site.
Showing posts with label Middle-Grade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Middle-Grade. Show all posts
Monday, March 25, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
First Line Friday No. 30
Well, I was going to introduce you to a very exciting middle-grade novel set in the state I'm living in, but I found out today that it isn't technically "out" until the end of next month. So...I'll do a review of it later next month.
However, I do have another middle-grade novel that promises to be just as exciting, and it begins thusly:
"The house was a mansion, the lake was a pool, Kitty was a dog, and Juniper Berry was an eleven-year-old girl.
And like many eleven-year-old girls, she couldn't wait until her parents returned home from work. She sat at the top of the stairs, binoculars in hand and directed out the two-story front window, waiting to see the golden gates of her home slowly open. Tonight was Italian night and the three of them were supposed to make pizzas for dinner. This was part of their weekly schedule, only Juniper couldn't remember the last time they actually followed through with it. For a while now, everything, including her, had been neglected.
Still, she never gave up hope. One of these days her parents would come home from work and be thrilled to see her. The rest of the day and every day after would be spent in each other's company, not a minute wasted, not even a single second, just like it was years ago."
-- from Juniper Berry by M.P. Kozlowsky
There are some books that just have it, whatever "it" is, from the beginning. This is one of those books. It creates an atmosphere instantly, with the first sentence. It's mysterious, a bit creepy, and promises a very, very interesting time.
Reasons to keep reading:
1. The names! Kitty for a dog and Juniper Berry for a girl? Amazing!
2. Why is she (and everything else) being neglected?
3. What's wrong with her parents?
4. What happened to make this change?
5. ...What are the other theme nights on their schedule (yes, I am actually curious about this!)?
What do you think about Juniper Berry? Curious?
However, I do have another middle-grade novel that promises to be just as exciting, and it begins thusly:
"The house was a mansion, the lake was a pool, Kitty was a dog, and Juniper Berry was an eleven-year-old girl.
And like many eleven-year-old girls, she couldn't wait until her parents returned home from work. She sat at the top of the stairs, binoculars in hand and directed out the two-story front window, waiting to see the golden gates of her home slowly open. Tonight was Italian night and the three of them were supposed to make pizzas for dinner. This was part of their weekly schedule, only Juniper couldn't remember the last time they actually followed through with it. For a while now, everything, including her, had been neglected.
Still, she never gave up hope. One of these days her parents would come home from work and be thrilled to see her. The rest of the day and every day after would be spent in each other's company, not a minute wasted, not even a single second, just like it was years ago."
-- from Juniper Berry by M.P. Kozlowsky
There are some books that just have it, whatever "it" is, from the beginning. This is one of those books. It creates an atmosphere instantly, with the first sentence. It's mysterious, a bit creepy, and promises a very, very interesting time.
Reasons to keep reading:
1. The names! Kitty for a dog and Juniper Berry for a girl? Amazing!
2. Why is she (and everything else) being neglected?
3. What's wrong with her parents?
4. What happened to make this change?
5. ...What are the other theme nights on their schedule (yes, I am actually curious about this!)?
What do you think about Juniper Berry? Curious?
Monday, March 18, 2013
Storybound by Marissa Burt
It seems I have been inundated with middle-grade novels to read. While I do prefer YA in terms of subject matter (I am more drawn to the themes discussed in YA), the middle-grade books I have been reading are strong, appropriate, and fun.
Storybound is no exception.
The book started out slow, carefully world-building, introducing characters and spinning the beginning of a mystery, but as I reached the middle it began to pick up pace. (Much appreciated. An earlier middle-grade novel, while strong, was much too slow for my taste) Then came a GIGANTIC surprise twist that I didn't see coming until it was right up on me, but it was so ingenious that I instantly became a huge fan of the story and wanted the sequel immediately. Seriously. This new author has some guts.
Another thing I really liked was that I was able to tell what the author's influences were without the author having to spell out what type of books she read as a child. Multiple descriptions of food, references to other stories, and types of characters let me know that this author must have read Anne of Green Gables or Redwall as a child (I think her site mentions Anne of Green Gables).
The story focuses on Una Fairchild, a lonely orphan who often escapes her dreary life by delving into storybooks. Until one day she literally jumps into the pages of a mysterious book and enters the world of Story. She begins attending classes (Villainy, Heroics, etc.), attempting to figure out who brought her here and why. As the story unfolds, we realize that no one, not even Una, is who they seem.
There's a sly twist of Snow White's character (quite amusing and somewhat sad at the same time), a villain-who's-actually-a-hero, Muses, a talking cat, and two handsome boys. And then there's Una, with a backstory as mysterious as everyone else's.
Trust me -- this book (and its sequel) is well worth the read. I can't wait until Story's End appears on the shelves!
Storybound is no exception.
The book started out slow, carefully world-building, introducing characters and spinning the beginning of a mystery, but as I reached the middle it began to pick up pace. (Much appreciated. An earlier middle-grade novel, while strong, was much too slow for my taste) Then came a GIGANTIC surprise twist that I didn't see coming until it was right up on me, but it was so ingenious that I instantly became a huge fan of the story and wanted the sequel immediately. Seriously. This new author has some guts.
Another thing I really liked was that I was able to tell what the author's influences were without the author having to spell out what type of books she read as a child. Multiple descriptions of food, references to other stories, and types of characters let me know that this author must have read Anne of Green Gables or Redwall as a child (I think her site mentions Anne of Green Gables).
The story focuses on Una Fairchild, a lonely orphan who often escapes her dreary life by delving into storybooks. Until one day she literally jumps into the pages of a mysterious book and enters the world of Story. She begins attending classes (Villainy, Heroics, etc.), attempting to figure out who brought her here and why. As the story unfolds, we realize that no one, not even Una, is who they seem.
There's a sly twist of Snow White's character (quite amusing and somewhat sad at the same time), a villain-who's-actually-a-hero, Muses, a talking cat, and two handsome boys. And then there's Una, with a backstory as mysterious as everyone else's.
Trust me -- this book (and its sequel) is well worth the read. I can't wait until Story's End appears on the shelves!
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Middle-Grade vs. YA
I've been reading a mixture of Middle-Grade and YA novels lately and I have slowly been able to make a distinction between them.
As a child I devoured books without thinking. I just read what looked interesting and left what seemed boring on the library shelves.
But as I grow older and start to write my own stories, I realize I have to know and work with these terms. Do I write middle-grade? Do I write YA? Do I write for middle schoolers or teens? Young adults?
So I thought it would be helpful to take a short look at what distinguishes these two categories (in my own terms).
I would describe Middle Grade novels as follows:
1. Straightforward plot (with maybe one big twist)
2. Simple characters (not a ton of development -- middle schoolers are just figuring out who they are, just beginning to be able to sort out complex feelings and emotions...)
3. One issue/theme
I'm not saying *every* Middle Grade novel has these things, but generally, this is what I've encountered when reading them. A strong, straightforward plot (few to no secondary storylines), simple characters with more external action than internal monologue, and an overarching, simple theme (if there even *is* a theme) or issue that's solved by the end of the book/series.
I would describe YA novels as follows:
1. Complex plot (multiple storylines) -- told through various characters, times, places, etc.
2. Complex characters (sifting through emotions, thoughts, motives, reasons, etc.)
3. Possibly more than one theme or issue to resolve
Again...this is just general. Some YA novels may include romance (while MG novels may make the barest hint but rarely take it beyond that), complex issues (motives behind bad behavior, anti-heroes, grey areas, etc.), and more than one MC, but some might not.
So what's the biggest difference?
I think the biggest difference is the maturity of the reader. It is hard for me to read a Middle Grade novel. The stories can be terrific, but to me they seem overly simplified, with not a lot of complexity to grapple with. On the other hand, I don't like YA romance because it can go *too* far.
It all depends on the reader.
But of course, you can't market for one reader. So you have to make up genres and age groups and hope that other people will find your story.
Honestly, though, the best stories can be told to a wider audience than they're advertised for -- take a Wrinkle in Time, for instance. Middle school kids, teens, young adults and older adults all love that book. Same goes for Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, and Redwall.
So maybe the whole point of this exercise is that I think we make too many distinctions between what genre and age group we're writing for.
Maybe we're supposed to write for ourselves, first. We're the first readers, after all. Let someone figure out who to market it for later.
What do you think?
As a child I devoured books without thinking. I just read what looked interesting and left what seemed boring on the library shelves.
But as I grow older and start to write my own stories, I realize I have to know and work with these terms. Do I write middle-grade? Do I write YA? Do I write for middle schoolers or teens? Young adults?
So I thought it would be helpful to take a short look at what distinguishes these two categories (in my own terms).
I would describe Middle Grade novels as follows:
1. Straightforward plot (with maybe one big twist)
2. Simple characters (not a ton of development -- middle schoolers are just figuring out who they are, just beginning to be able to sort out complex feelings and emotions...)
3. One issue/theme
I'm not saying *every* Middle Grade novel has these things, but generally, this is what I've encountered when reading them. A strong, straightforward plot (few to no secondary storylines), simple characters with more external action than internal monologue, and an overarching, simple theme (if there even *is* a theme) or issue that's solved by the end of the book/series.
I would describe YA novels as follows:
1. Complex plot (multiple storylines) -- told through various characters, times, places, etc.
2. Complex characters (sifting through emotions, thoughts, motives, reasons, etc.)
3. Possibly more than one theme or issue to resolve
Again...this is just general. Some YA novels may include romance (while MG novels may make the barest hint but rarely take it beyond that), complex issues (motives behind bad behavior, anti-heroes, grey areas, etc.), and more than one MC, but some might not.
So what's the biggest difference?
I think the biggest difference is the maturity of the reader. It is hard for me to read a Middle Grade novel. The stories can be terrific, but to me they seem overly simplified, with not a lot of complexity to grapple with. On the other hand, I don't like YA romance because it can go *too* far.
It all depends on the reader.
But of course, you can't market for one reader. So you have to make up genres and age groups and hope that other people will find your story.
Honestly, though, the best stories can be told to a wider audience than they're advertised for -- take a Wrinkle in Time, for instance. Middle school kids, teens, young adults and older adults all love that book. Same goes for Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, and Redwall.
So maybe the whole point of this exercise is that I think we make too many distinctions between what genre and age group we're writing for.
Maybe we're supposed to write for ourselves, first. We're the first readers, after all. Let someone figure out who to market it for later.
What do you think?
Thursday, March 7, 2013
FINALLY! A Review
Suffice it to say I'm feeling quite apologetic for not getting this review posted sooner.
But without further ado, here it is:
Kevin Emerson's The Fellowship for Alien Detection is a strong, standalone middle grade novel (although I could see a sequel happening). While it is quite long for middle-grade (over 400 pages), the pacing is such that it never really drags. There are lulls in the action, but I appreciated the lulls because it gave the characters time to think and reflect instead of having them rush through a bunch of action sequences.
The two main characters, Haley and Francis ("Dodger") are typical middle-schoolers in different ways. Haley wants to get away from her boring home life and find an adventure. Dodger just wants to find a place where he fits in.
When the kids win a Fellowship based on their research of possible alien visitations, they convince their family members to go along for the ride. Starting at either end of the U.S., both kids struggle with how much they tell their families and how much they should keep secret. Because aliens are real, and close by, and what parents are going to let their kids get close to an extraterrestrial?
The story also focuses on one Suza Raines...one of The Missing. She wakes up every morning with a distinct feeling that something is 'off'. And then something goes wrong. And the day starts all over again.
The book is somewhat about identity (who am I/why am I here?), somewhat about family (acceptance, affection, and trust), and a little bit about how small we are in the universe. The themes are age appropriate for middle school while never being heavy-handed. There was one conversation I thought would start heading that direction but it cut off and gave you food for thought instead of completing the sentence, as it were.
I also liked that there was a hint of romance, but it didn't completely materialize. Again, age appropriate. Also, there was stuff to do, like save the planet from aliens. So, you know. No time for kisses.
There was a shocking twist (at least, I thought it shocking) that in the aftermath, made sense. It deepened one family's backstory and made them more sympathetic.
While there are characters who aren't as fleshed out as others, that was the only thing I noticed that I wasn't 100% happy with -- but most of the characters are unique, with at least some backstory.
All in all, this is a fun, entertaining read without being too light. There are themes I connected with (the search for identity), the characters were a delight to read about, and the conclusion was satisfying without being tied up with a pretty bow.
If you like middle-grade or YA sci-fi novels, definitely give this one a chance.
But without further ado, here it is:
Kevin Emerson's The Fellowship for Alien Detection is a strong, standalone middle grade novel (although I could see a sequel happening). While it is quite long for middle-grade (over 400 pages), the pacing is such that it never really drags. There are lulls in the action, but I appreciated the lulls because it gave the characters time to think and reflect instead of having them rush through a bunch of action sequences.
The two main characters, Haley and Francis ("Dodger") are typical middle-schoolers in different ways. Haley wants to get away from her boring home life and find an adventure. Dodger just wants to find a place where he fits in.
When the kids win a Fellowship based on their research of possible alien visitations, they convince their family members to go along for the ride. Starting at either end of the U.S., both kids struggle with how much they tell their families and how much they should keep secret. Because aliens are real, and close by, and what parents are going to let their kids get close to an extraterrestrial?
The story also focuses on one Suza Raines...one of The Missing. She wakes up every morning with a distinct feeling that something is 'off'. And then something goes wrong. And the day starts all over again.
The book is somewhat about identity (who am I/why am I here?), somewhat about family (acceptance, affection, and trust), and a little bit about how small we are in the universe. The themes are age appropriate for middle school while never being heavy-handed. There was one conversation I thought would start heading that direction but it cut off and gave you food for thought instead of completing the sentence, as it were.
I also liked that there was a hint of romance, but it didn't completely materialize. Again, age appropriate. Also, there was stuff to do, like save the planet from aliens. So, you know. No time for kisses.
There was a shocking twist (at least, I thought it shocking) that in the aftermath, made sense. It deepened one family's backstory and made them more sympathetic.
While there are characters who aren't as fleshed out as others, that was the only thing I noticed that I wasn't 100% happy with -- but most of the characters are unique, with at least some backstory.
All in all, this is a fun, entertaining read without being too light. There are themes I connected with (the search for identity), the characters were a delight to read about, and the conclusion was satisfying without being tied up with a pretty bow.
If you like middle-grade or YA sci-fi novels, definitely give this one a chance.
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