A Million Shades of Gray
Cynthia Kadohata
All Y’Tin ever wanted was to be an elephant handler, and at thirteen, he is the youngest handler in his Dega village. He has big dreams of one day opening a training school for elephant handlers, the would-be first in Vietnam. But war interrupts everything, and the Vietnam War is horrifying for Y’Tin’s family and his village. The American troops have long since left the area and when the village is attacked by North Vietnamese forces, the community has few skills and resources with which to retaliate. Y’Tin, Tomas, and Y’Juen manage to escape to the jungle with Y’Tin’s elephant, Lady, but the jungle provides little safety for three young boys. There are difficult choices to make, and Y’Tin must struggle with faith in himself, his friends, and his community. Sometimes one can’t survive without giving up who he is and what he holds dearest.
Recommended to all ages, but likely to appeal mostly to those with an interest in Vietnam history, elephants, or cultural adventures.
Smile
Raina Telgemeier
Raina Telgemeier tells her own brutal story of dental trauma, beginning with knocking out her top two front teeth just days before going in to get braces. Most kids just have to worry about being called “Brace Face” or “Metal Mouth” — along with most of the rest of the teenage population at one point or another — but Raina has to endure much more. First, the rumors and stories about how she lost her teeth, then the lisp from the teeth “cast,” and the pain from root canals, bone and nerve damage, braces and adjustments, and — the worst — head gear! All of that, while navigating the torture of middle school, boys, earthquakes, and bras.
The annoyances of friendship, braces, parents, and fitting in are common around the world, and Raina tells her story colorfully through words and pictures, and with all the right touches of embarrassment, joy, and struggle. This quick read is recommended for all ages.
After Ever After
Jordan Sonnenblick
Jeffery tries not to let all that much get to him these days. After all, he’s only in eighth grade and he’s already survived cancer. But then again, his parents fight all the time, his dad pretty much avoids spending any time with him, and his brother Steven ran away to Africa just to get away from him. Oh, and he’s failing math and now he’ll need to get through a standardized test just to get into high school. It’s a good thing that the cute new girl totally digs him, and that his best friend Tad — also a superhero cancer survivor — is willing to tutor him so that he can graduate. In exchange, Jeffery is going to make sure that Tad can get out of his wheelchair and walk across stage to receive his diploma. The problem is: sometimes cancer gets in the way of the best laid plans.
This novel is a step up in terms of literary quality and well-rounded appeal from last generation’s Lurlene McDaniel paperbacks. Recommended to anyone and everyone, especially those who don’t mind a tearjerker with a lot of laughs, or a comedy that tugs at your heartstrings.
Katherine Vasilik, Teen Librarian
Franklin Lakes (NJ) Public Library
tel: 201-891-2224 x105
fax: 201-891-5102
email: vasilik@bccls.org or kate_thelibrarian@yahoo.com
blog: http://katethelibrarian.blogspot.com