Catalyst

Catalyst

By: Luarie Halse Anderson

Pages: 231

ISBN: 0142400017

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Setting: Merrywater, Somewhere. The book never states a specific place but the name of the high school is Merrywater High.

Catalyst is about Kate or Katie depending on who is talking to her. Kate has a dream and her whole life she’s worked toward that dream of attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology or MIT. Kate is the daughter of Reverend Malone and big sister/mother of Toby. Kate’s mother passed away when she was younger of pneumonia. Kate’s mom attended MIT, so naturally with the love of science and her mom going there MIT was the perfect choice for Kate. The first part of the book you are strapped in and enjoying the ride of Kate waiting for “the letter,” you know the one that decides her fate, the acceptance or denial letter. It was in the later in Kate’s story. Kate now has to learn how to cope and figure out what else she is going to do seeing how she didn’t apply to any other schools.

This book was very well written. I found myself not waiting to put it down. It was nice to see that I wasn’t the only one that made the mistake of only applying to one school. Luckily for me it worked out. Unfortunately for her it didn’t. I would recommend this to any high school student so that they can learn the important message of service and planning ahead because life doesn’t always work out the way you want it to.

Incantation

Incantation

By: Alice Hoffmann

Pages: 166

ISBN:0316154288

Genre: Historical Fiction

Setting: Spain 1500

In Incantation Estrella DeMadrigal discovers the brutal reality of being a Jew. Her family has been keeping a secret from her since she was born and now at 16 she figures out the truth for herself. Estrella begins to notice her family is different after her neighbors are taken from their home and she sees her best friend, Catalina, stealing all that is left in the home. She starts to make the connections. Her family doesn’t eat pork. Her family doesn’t cross themselves like the others. Her family lights the candles in a certain order on certain nights. She makes the final connection when she visits her father’s grave in the middle of the night. After confronting her grandfather about it a whole new burden is placed upon her shoulders. It is now up to her to save her beliefs. With the help of her secret boyfriend, Andres, will Estrella be able to make it out alive?

I enjoyed reading this novel. So many times we don’t think about how there were “Nazis” everywhere. It happened in Spain and the execution of Jews was just as brutal as in Germany. It opened my eyes to heart ache that was put upon a young girl, not only did she have to watch her entire family get killed but she had to be brave enough to try and escape. I would recommend this to a young adult reading that is studying the Holocaust, so that his or her eyes could be opened to the world of discrimination that happened everywhere not just in Germany.

Nicole

Nicole

By: Jack Weyland

Pages: 196

ISBN: 0875797873

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Setting: It takes place in a suburban neighborhood

Nicole is a girl that is in the pep band and Josh is the high school athletic star. At the state championship game the search for an orange soda and a twist of fate bring them together. Josh is in the game to win and never says never, when Nicole refuses to let him buy an orange soda the game begins. Before you know Nicole and Josh spend the night talking in the laundry room. Josh can’t seem to keep Nicole off his mind and continues to push until Nicole gives in and opens the door to her life. Nicole has a brother, Richard, which is mentally handicapped. Things seem to be a little complicated when Josh brings his LDS religion into the picture but at the same time it somehow helps too.

I enjoyed this book more than I like most of Jack Weyland’s book because the role of the church isn’t so pronounced. It was a cute story of how sometimes faith and hard work pays off for the good of more than just you. I would recommend this book to my miamaid class if they were looking for a fun, quick summer read.

Gathering Blue

Gathering Blue

By: Louis Lowery

Pages: 224

ISBN: 0440229499

Genre: Dystopia

Setting: A slightly futuristic village but not because they live in huts.

Gathering Blue is about an orphaned girl, Kira. Kira’s fate is decided in the beginning of the book after her mother dies of an awful illness. Kira is chosen to fix the singers robe. Kira’s mother used to be the mender of the singers robe before she became ill. Kira’s mother taught her the trade. Kira’s talent seems to have an extra lace to it. Sometimes when she has a piece of fabric that seemed to form it’s self in her hand she feels like she has an extra guidance through this fabric. This is the story of Kira finding out the truth of the village she’s always know to be her home. Kira’s family becomes a boy named Thomas and a tike named Matt. These boys give her a sense of security in a world that, as it turns out, she doesn’t know at all.

I thought the book did a good job of grabbing your attention and getting you to continue to turn the pages of the book. It also did a good job of teaching there is always more to a story than just what is right in front of you. I’m not sure I would recommend this book. I would rather spend my time reading a different book.

Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables

By: L.M. Montgomery

Pages: 256

ISBN: 0517189682

Genre: Historical Fiction

Setting: Green Gables, Canada

Anne of Green Gables is a story about a charismatic young girl named Anne. Anne is an orphaned that is adopted by Marilla and Matthew Cutbert. At first this mistake of a girl instead of boy seems to be horrific. Before Marilla knows she’s swept off her feet by Anne. Anne has a way of enchanting everyone she talks to. Throughout the book you learn of Anne’s relationships with everything. Anne has relationships with more than just people but with animals and plants and whole forests of trees. As you read you get the pleasure of watching Anne grow and prune herself into a young lady. To give more of a synopsis of the book would give away some of the secrets that you learn throughout the book.

I would recommend this book to any young adult girl. Through Anne there are multiple lessons learned. I’ve learned that criticism is good as long as you take it for what it is and help correct you actions. I’ve learned that optimism helps each day to be brighter. I’ve learned that a dare doesn’t always have to be followed through. This book is just a wholesome book that is worth taking your spare time to read, and that’s saying a lot because I’m not a big reader.

Alone Together

Alone Together

By: Jack Weyland

Pages: 231

ISBN:1590385756

Genre: Realistic Fiction dealing with Death

Setting: Madison, Duluth, MN and Josh, Muddy Gap, WY

Alone Together is a split story. Madison and Josh meet on their missions. Of course at the time they don’t know that someday they are going to fall for each other. Their last night on the mission Madison asks Josh to give her a blessing before she returns home, while Josh is giving her a blessing he has the distinct impression that someday he will Marry Madison. This is how the story begins. Then you are sent back in time to learn about Josh and Madison in high school.

You learn about Josh’s struggle with stuttering and the accident involving his best friend and sister, Hannah. You learn about the closeness of the siblings. You learn about Josh and Hannah and how they grow closer to the Lord through each other after being up rooted and moved across the country to the middle of nowhere to help their grandfather run his gas station. After the death of their grandfather they feel as if they have been sentenced to death in Muddy Gap, WY. You find the inspiration and motivation that Josh is given through his little sister heartwarming.

You learn about Madison’s struggle with weight and doubt in her own worth. She is given the opportunity to live a new life after winning a contest to have a make-over. After a series of unfortunate events Madison decides that popularity isn’t at all what she thought it was and gives up on that to serve people. She decides after helping one of her friends find the gospel that she will someday fill the role as a missionary.

The ending of the book is them coming together and adjusting to life “together.” I enjoyed reading the book. I did feel however that the points that Weyland were trying to get across a little bit obvisous and predictable. I did think that Weyland did a great job of showing families in a different way than we typically we aren’t hand roses and lily’s and everything is going to be alright. He also does a great job of showing us that we are all worthy fighting for.

Tunes For Bears to Dance to

Tunes for Bears to Dance to

By: David Cormier

Pages: 101

ISBN:0029035

Genre: Historical Fiction

Setting: A city outside of Frenchtown Massachusetts

Tunes for Bears to Dance to is written about a boy who is dealing with the death of his brother. He and his parents have moved from Frenchtown to a new city to get away from all the memories of Edward. Henry works in a store in town as a bender, he does the bending for the store owner that has a bad back. He stocks cans on lower shelves and picks things up for Mr. Hairston. Henry also lives across the street from a “crazy house,” is the way Henry puts it. Henry notices an old man that leaves each day and comes back each afternoon. This old man sparks his interest so Henry decides to follow him. Henry soon finds there are two sides to every story.

I enjoyed this short novel. It teaches a good lesson about how sometimes doing the right thing is the hardest thing. Henry learns about the old man and his past as a prisoner at a Nazi camp. He learns the truth of his boss. He learns to trust his gut feeling. I believe that this story shows that all teens struggle to make big choices in life. David Cormier does a good job of showing the turmoil that Henry goes through when his boss asks him to do the unthinkable.

rules of survival

the rules of survival

By Nancy Werlin

Pages: 360

ISBN:9780142410714

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Setting: Boston, Massachusetts

the rules of survival is written from the view of a big brother. Matt is writing to his little sister Emmy about their childhood with their mother. This story is about three children trying to survive their mother, Nikki’s abuse. The interesting part to this story is Matt. He has his own rules to survival. Matt’s goal each day is to protect Emmy. Matt opens the book by explaining Murdock. Murdock, is in a way Matt’s hero. Matt sees Murdock as his way out, he is the solution to the problems Matt is having with his mother. Matt never dreamt of Murdock dating his mom, but he does. And for a brief moment before Murdock sees Nikki’s true light Matt feels safe. The rest of the book is Matt’s, Callie’s and Emmy’s trail to survival from their mother.

I enjoyed reading this book. I was interesting to see abuse from the side of the abuser, at one point in the book Matt mention how it really isn’t that bad. Matt and his sisters lived life in fear of what their mother may or may not do next. Matt reaches out for help from his biological father but only gets rejected which helps give understanding as to why it took so long for Matt to finally get the help he needed to save him and his sisters. I think that this book would help the average reader understand that abuse it some than a beating that blinds or breaks bones, it is being put in a situation that causes fear and is unrightfully put upon them.

The White Darkness

The White Darkness

By Geraldine McCaughrean

Pages: 373

ISBN: 978-0-06-089037-7

Genre: Action/ Adventure

Setting: Antarctica

The White Darkness written from a Sym’s perspective. Sym, a typical teenage girl with her own quirks, some may say she isn’t typical but she is. Sym has her own interests and views and lives by them. Sym loves Antarctica or so she thought. Sym lives with her Mom and her “Uncle Victor”, who really isn’t her uncle but her father’s best friend. He took care of Sym like she was his very own. Uncle Victor tricks Sym’s mother and get’s her to Paris. There he tells her that they are going south for a few weeks. He reveals that south really means Antarctica. Naturally of course Sym is excited, she gets to go to a place that she only dreamed of going.

Once arriving in Antarctica she finds beauty in all of it. She learns of people through observation, because Sym is a shy individual and likes to keep to herself. Well, except when it comes to Sigurd. Sigurd, the son of a movie maker seems to take an interest in Sym and she doesn’t mind a bit. After the first week in Antarctica there is a change in the attitude of those who have visited the contentment. Before Sym knows it here Uncle is waking her up in the middle of the night for an adventure to find the hole that leads to the center of the earth, which is hollow. It has a happy ending.

I really didn’t like this book it was awful. I wouldn’t recommend it. I would much rather spend my time reading something else. I didn’t like this book because I felt like it took pages upon pages to explain something that could have been explained in a paragraph. I felt like the book was dull and when it was about to get exciting all excitement would die in a matter a few words.