Summer Vacation!

The back field behind my house.

Even in summer it's cloudy in CNY

It's Summer Vacation time!!!

I'm thrilled. This will give me time to be lazy and work really hard at it! Also, I have an update on the job front. I will have a job next year. Yay me! However, I'll be transferred to an elementary school. ..... help me.....

In other news…

Local author, Laurie Halse Anderson has a new book coming out October 21, 2008. It is entitled Chains. Ms. Anderson gives a brief summary of the novel.
"The story follows the adventure of a slave trapped in New York City in 1776 while the city is torn back and forth between Patriot and British occupations."

Also I read The Luxe over the weekend. "Historically accurate details" indeed! Apparently, the author of the Gossip Girl series needs a history lesson.

YA Bookmark will continue to give news, view and reviews throughout the summer.

Stay safe and enjoy the your Summer Vacation!

Another book about the Tudors....

When I read that Alison Weir was writing a novel about Elizabeth Tudor (Queen Elizabeth I) I groaned along with most of the historical fiction groupies out there. It’s no secret that recently the market has been flooded with historical fiction focusing on Anne Boleyn, Queen Elizabeth I, or one of Henry VIII’s wives. It’s getting tiresome.

So reluctantly I borrowed The Lady Elizabeth from the public library. I had enjoyed Ms. Weir’s first novel Innocent Traitor and thought I would try this one.

The Lady Elizabeth begins when Elizabeth is a young child. When we are introduced to Elizabeth her mother just died and it is up to her half sister Mary to tell the young child about the horrible tragedy. From there we are read about Elizabeth’s childhood and young adult life.

While I did enjoy this novel, I will say that it seemed like so many others that I have read about Elizabeth. However, Ms. Weir does play with some historical facts, which helps to make this book a more interesting read. One aspect about the book that I loved is that Elizabeth was curious about who her mother was. I always wondered how Elizabeth really felt about her Anne Boleyn. I mean, this is a woman who was brutally beheaded after she was convicted of treason and incest. Did Elizabeth believe that her mother was a horrible person as well? This book does a great job of exploring that topic.

Tudor fans will enjoy this book. People who are interested in Elizabeth will also want to pick this one up. Those looking for a book that focuses on Queen Elizabeth’s reign will not want to read this one because it only focuses on her childhood and young adult life. The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory explores Elizabeth's early years on the throne.

Want something a little edgy?

Madapple is the story of Aslaug, a teenager who has been sheltered from the outside world. Her mother is a recluse and is dying of cancer. While growing up Aslaug had an unusual education. She was schooled in plants, herbs, ancient languages and rituals. Nothing about her childhood was normal. But that’s to be expected if you are a “virgin birth.”

The book begins in 1987 before Aslaug is born, and then jumps to 2003. The rest of the book alternates between chapters set in 2007(courtroom setting) and in 2003. The entire book is working up to the courtroom case in 2007. Aslaug is on trial for a double homicide.

As the book progresses we learn about Aslaug’s dark family secrets. Trust me, they are disturbing. Religion is also discussed in this novel, but it did not come off as preachy or condescending. The characters in this book are interesting and some are very unsettling. The writing in this novel was good and very descriptive. Be forewarned there are dark subject matters in this book.

One issue I had with the book was the first three chapters were a little confusing. Also the constant reference to herbs/plants grew tiresome. At the end of the novel you understand the importance of these plants but sometimes the novel felt more like a botany lesson than a young adult novel. The constant reference to virgin births started to wear on me as well.

As I read this novel I continued to think…will students like it? Adults are raving about this book, and that’s nice, but this is a novel for teens. Will teens be drawn to this story? For students who can make it through the confusing narrative, they will be shocked by what they read. I think students who enjoy V.C. Andrews’ various novels will like Madapple. Also, students who like their novels a little dark, edgy and sophisticated will enjoy this book.

Back at it again...another review in the works...

Last year, Michelle Moran published her first novel Nefertiti and it became a best seller. Now, Ms. Moran has another book that will be released September 16, 2008. The book is entitled The Heretic Queen.

I was recently informed that (in August) I will be given a copy of Ms. Moran's new book.

The Heretic Queen is the story of Nefertari, who is the niece of the former queen Nefertiti. This summary was taken from Ms. Moran's website: "Nefertari catches the eye of the crown prince, and despite her family’s history, they fall in love and wish to marry. Yet all of Egypt opposes this union between the rising star of a new dynasty and the fading star of an old, heretical one. While political adversity sets the country on edge, Nefertari becomes the wife of Ramesses the Great. Destined to be the most powerful pharaoh in Egypt, he is also the man who must confront the most famous exodus in history."

I look forward to reading The Heretic Queen. Ms. Moran is an excellent author who is extremely talented. For those who are interested in historical fiction or in Egyptian history I strongly encourage you to read Nefertiti. It is now out in paperback.

For more information on Ms. Moran's books please go to her web site

Get Ready for Summer!

Rumors is the sequel to Luxe (which, I still havent read). This novel was just recently published. Amazon summary: "As old friends become rivals, Manhattan's most dazzling socialites find their futures threatened by whispers from the past. In this delicious sequel to The Luxe, nothing is more dangerous than a scandal . . . or more precious than a secret.

Ten Mile River is Paul Griffin's first novel. Amazon summary: "Best friends Ray and Jose are not your typical thirteen-year-olds. They’ve escaped foster care and juvenile detention centers to live on their own together in an abandoned building located near Manhattan Park called Ten-Mile River. With no use for school or families, street-smart Jose and bookish, introspective Ray have everything they need in each other. They are closer than brothers until they meet Trini. She’s smart, beautiful, and confident, and they both fall for her immediately. As tension creeps into their relationship, Ray must struggle to find an identity separate from Jose and try to envision a future for himself beyond Jose and Ten-Mile River."

Ink Exchange Amazon summary: Unbeknownst to mortals, a power struggle is unfolding in a world of shadows and danger. After centuries of stability, the balance among the Faery Courts has altered, and Irial, ruler of the Dark Court, is battling to hold his rebellious and newly vulnerable fey together. If he fails, bloodshed and brutality will follow.

Some other titles you maybe interested in:

• All we know of Heaven by Jacquelyn Mitchard
• Airhead by Meg Cabot
• Hurricane Song by Paul Volponi
• The Demonata #6: Demon Apocalypse by Darren Shan
• Generation Dead by Daniel Waters
• Alfred Kropp: The Thirteenth Skull by Rick Yancey
• Rehab by Randi Reisfeld
• Venomous by Christopher Krovatin

Looking for more upcoming books? Go to YALit's website: http://www.yalit.com/upcoming.php

You can't handle the truth!

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson has brought a lot of attention to rape victims. Chris Lynch’s book is different. It is told from the perspective of the rapist.

Keir is a fun loving senior. He is a football player and earns the name “killer” after he tackles and paralyzes another player during a game. He pulls the average teen pranks and has an interesting relationship with his father, whom he refers to by his first name. Keir also abuses drugs and thinks nothing of it. Afterall, he's still a "good guy."

The story is told through a series of flashbacks which all leads up to the rape, or supposed rape. Keir tries desperately to convince Gigi he “loves” her and that it wasn’t rape. She’s knows it was rape. Finally, in the last few chapters the reader is finally told what took place.

The topic is interesting and Keir is a very disturbing character. I know he has some problems, but even looking past his issues I cannot like him as a main character. He bothers me, but maybe that’s the point. Maybe I shouldn’t like him? Maybe I am supposed to hate him?

Overall, it was a decent read. It was a National Book Award Finalist, but I felt this book was more disturbing than award quality.

While book talking this novel I have told students that if they enjoyed Speak they may find Inexcusable interesting. I explain to them it is a book about rape and is from the guy's point of view. At first, students are interested in this novel, but the majority tell me that Speak is their favorite of the two.