Young Adult Books aren't Important

It’s the day after Christmas and I decide to head out to the bookstore because I have been waiting for The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray. This is the third book in the Gemma Doyle series.

Now, this series has become very popular. I do believe that A Great and Terrible Beauty made it to the New York Times best-selling list.

Sweet. Hence, one would think the book would be easy to find.

Wrong.

I went to my local Barnes & Nobel store (the one on Rt. 31). B&N has bestsellers and all the popular authors, so they must have Ms. Bray’s latest book.

Wrong.

In fact, when I asked the lady behind the counter where I could find the book she told me, “We don’t have any in stock but we can order it.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. This is one of the most popular teen series and one of the largest store chains doesn’t have it in stock? Unacceptable.

So I went to Walden book store, thinking that well maybe they would have it. Again they didn’t have it either. Well, I take it back. They had it, somewhere in the back, but couldn’t find the book. The young lady helping me was very kind in trying to locate the book, but with a store growing with costumers who needed assistance she had to abandon me. I could accept that but I couldn't accept that somewhere in the back was a missing box of books. If it had been a box of Harry Potter books do you think they would have lost them?

I went to Target. It was a last ditch attempt to try and find the novel. I went to the small YA section and was greeted by empty shelves. I had struck out again.

I'm sorry but I'm more than annoyed. This is a hot YA series. If James Patterson or Jodi Picoult had released a book the day after Christmas do you think it would be proudly displayed and well stocked in Barnes & Nobel? You better believe it would. But, since this is a YA book it deserves to be overlooked?

So the quest contiunes. I could always order it from Amazon, but by the time I do that my Christmas break will be over and I won't have time to read it. Plus, that's not the point of this little rant. The point is that if this had been an adult book by a popular author I do believe things would have been handled differently. But I guess if it's a young adult book it just doesn't matter, that is, unless you are J.K. Rowling.

For those who wish to find more information on the series Random House has a great website:

Gemma Doyle Series

Oh God, Let it End!

I like historical fiction. I was a history major. I taught history for two years at the high school level. In fact, when I am not reading YA books, I will only read historical fiction. I also write historical fiction in my spare time. So when I stumbled across Hush: An Irish Princess’ Tale. I thought I would give it a go. It sounded like an interesting historical fiction novel.

The concept is simple. Melkorka is a princess and she is kidnapped and put on a slave ship. In order to survive she cannot speak. Since she does not talk her captor is captivated by Melkorka. This novel is based on an ancient Icelandic saga.

The story started out well enough, and the historical detail was great. However, for teens who dislike history or historical fiction this might be a trial for them to read. Even I, who loves historical fiction, had difficulty getting interested in this story. The novel moves along at an unbearably slow pace until Melkorka is captured. Hurray! I’m thinking the action will pick up. Alas! No! The story drags on for a few more chapters as we get her daily exploits on a slave ship. Yawn. It’s dull and nearly unbearable. I want to get to the meat and potatoes of the story. I want to know how she reacts to life as a slave and how she feels when she is forced to obey someone’s orders.

Melkorka is taken to someplace in the Middle East where the other slaves are sold, but not her because she is “special.” The slave market is finally introduced around page 170, but by that time I didn't care what happened to this girl. She’s dull, lifeless and the story has put me through more pain than my high school math classes. Unable to endure any more suffering I set the book aside. I had 138 pages left, but I simply couldn’t continue.

It’s sad because Ms. Napoli is an award-winning author. She has written Zel, Stones in the Water(Golden Kite Award) Bound and Breath(an ALA Best Book for Young Adults).

Maybe more action and a faster pace would have saved this novel. It just lacked that something that could make it great. I wanted to like this book, but I couldn’t. I don’t see my patrons borrowing this book from the library.

If you are a diehard history lover then you may like this novel, but for all others stay away.

Good Kids who Make Bad Choices

“Marcs and Eddie are the stars of Long Island City High School’s basketball team. Marcs is black and Eddie is white, but they got past all that “racial crap" and have been best friends for years.” Quote from Black and White

Marcs and Eddie are going make it to the NBA. Everyone knows it. They have scouts coming to their games to see them play. Both know it will only be a matter of time before they get their big scholarships and then they can go to the pros.

The problem is both boys are from the inner city and have little money. They could work but that would interfere with their practices and games. So, they decide to make some quick cash. Everything is fine until one night when things go horribly wrong. Now one will have to pay for their mistake.

This is an excellent novel that I cannot keep on the shelf. My students love this book. Mr. Volponi does an excellent job of portraying the struggle these young men face. The ending shocked me and when I finished reading the book I couldn’t believe what happened. Amazing read. Boys who are into basketball will especially like this novel. However, I think boys and girls who want a solid story with realistic characters will enjoy this book.

Paul Volponi has written two other young adult novels including Rooftop and Rucker Park Setup. His first novel was Rikers, which could appeal to teens due to its topic.