Teen Book Reviews by Katherine Vasilik, Young Adult Librarian for The Franklin Lakes Public Library
Some younger teen titles this time, for your reading pleasure —
Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst
Those who consider themselves to be “mature” readers might roll their eyes a bit when they first encounter Julie’s world, but they will soon be sucked into The Wild with the rest of us despite themselves! On first impression, readers know that Julie isn’t an average girl, but she tries hard to fit in at school and with her friends; only her best friend Gillian knows the truth: that The Wild, the heart of the fairy tale world, lives under her bed. Julie’s mom Zel, her grandmother, her brother Boots, and Zel’s friends Cindy and Goldie were able to escape The Wild over 500 years ago, and The Wild can only regain power if a wish is made at the Wishing Well, which Grandma guards herself. When the worst happens – because, of course, the worst does happen – Zel and all of the other characters get sucked back into their fairy tale worlds, and it is up to Julie to be the hero. Through twists and turns, endless seas, ogres, and magicians, Julie discovers and that the fairy tale world isn’t so happily-ever-after. But along the way, she also discovers some secrets, makes some friends, finds her heart’s desire, and learns what it truly means to be a hero.
This is definitely a story that would appeal most to girl readers in middle school and older. Even if you think that the fairy tale stuff just isn’t for you, you might still find yourself rooting for Julie as she struggles on her journey to reunite her family and find her way home. Chances are you won’t be able to help yourself from reading the sequel, too, Out of the Wild.
Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman
Vidya is pretty much a regular fifteen-year-old girl living with her parents and her brother. She has a best friend, she loves playing volleyball, and she works hard in school. But she lives her life in India , oppressed by the British, during the beginning of the Second World War. Her beloved father, appa, is a freedom fighter, a supporter of a nonviolent protest movement against injustice and war. When Vidya excitedly joins a protest one afternoon, appa is beaten by a British police officer and his brain is injured badly. Because the family now lacks financial stability without the male head of the household, they must move to live with appa’s family, who is neither welcoming nor emotionally supporting. Vidya struggles with a new family that isn’t accepting of her, the guilt she feels for what she believes was her part in appa’s injury, and the fear of being arranged in a marriage before she is allowed to attend college. In the midst of all her worries, there is a war going on that seems to creep closer to India every day.
Although not a contemporary setting, this novel speaks of the basic trials of everyday teenage life, using the voice of a very willful and intelligent girl. Vidya struggles to gain a sense of freedom – from her family and her culture – and believes that education is the only thing that will allow her to be independent. Her brother and her new (boy!) friend, Raman, challenge some of her beliefs and force her to look at life from a wider perspective. Overall, the general storyline and storytelling is average; what make this story stand out are the unique historical and cultural setting, along with the depth and honesty portrayed through the character’s voices.
This quick read is filled with emotion, history, and life, and is recommended for middle grade and high school readers.
Repossessed by A. M. Jenkins
Imagine that you are stuck in Hell “literally” with almost no means of escape. You are destined to keep watch over others’ pain for all eternity. But there is a single sliver of hope: if you could slip into the body of a live human being, you could live a life of freedom . . . at least until God caught you. One of Hell’s own “Fallen Angels” decides that overtaking a human body is worth the risk of facing the wrath of “the Boss.” He can’t take just any body, though. He focuses on one seventeen-year-old boy, who has just enough freedom to walk about on his own without being watched every moment, but few enough responsibilities to hold him back from doing whatever it is he would like to do. And, of course, he can’t just overcome any living soul either; he specifically chose this boy just at the moment that he was about to be hit by a truck and die anyway.
As soon as he is in the teen’s body, the “angel” is overwhelmed by the colors, the detail and beauty, and the intensity of life on earth. He doesn’t know how long he has, so he strives to get all the experiences out of life that he can possibly muster, including attempting to act on many of the thoughts with which the average teenage boy is familiar. He knows he can’t stay, and is curious about what life will be like without him. Haven’t you ever wondered if you’ll leave a lasting impression during your time on earth?
This 2008 Printz Honor book deserves special attention from high school readers looking for something a little bit different – a twist on teenage drama. A balanced mix of light and dark, heavy and humorous, makes this title worth a bit of your time.
Katherine Vasilik, Young Adult Librarian
Franklin Lakes (NJ) Public Library
tel: 201-891-2224 x105
fax: 201-891-5102
vasilik@bccls.org
kate_thelibrarian@yahoo.com