Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

I ordered Incarceron months ago and it has been sitting in my pile of “to be read” books ever since. At the NCTE conference, I picked up an advanced reader copy of Sapphique, the second book in the series, and that pushed me to finally pick this one up. I am so glad I did! What an awesome read – unpredictable, suspenseful, and engrossing.


Summary: Incarceron is the story of two young people; Claudia, a pampered young woman who lives “outside” with her father, the Warden of Incarceron, and Finn, a prisoner within Incarceron who has no memory of how he became a prisoner, but knows in his heart that he came from “outside.” When the two find themselves in contact, Claudia becomes convinced that she knows who Finn is and they work together to help Finn escape the prison.

However, many obstacles stand in their way. Claudia’s father is determined to marry her off to a self-centered prince, the Queen (her fiance’s mother) is a scheming sorceress, and the Prison itself is impossible to find. Claudia’s one asset, besides her own persistence, is her mentor, Jared, whose wisdom and faith in Claudia keep him at her side throughout the story. Claudia has to try to solve the mystery of Incarceron while also navigating the murky waters of political intrigue that surround her engagement.

Finn’s biggest enemy may be the prison itself, which works actively to prevent escapes with its red eyes always watching its prisoners. Then there is Finn’s oathbrother, Keiro; brave, resourceful, and highly untrustworthy, even with an oath to bind them. Finn’s mentor, Gildas, dreams of escaping Incarceron, and believes that Finn is the one who will help him accomplish that – but Finn feels more like he is a tool to Gildas, not a person. Finn has visions – visions of the world outside – which Gildas believes to be messages from Sapphique, the only man to ever escape from Incarceron.

This novel is another great dystopian story – many layered without being confusing, compelling in its mystery.

Themes:
Freedom
Friendship
Loyalty

Age Appropriateness:
Grades 7 & up

Areas of concern (content):
Foul Language: none
Nudity/Adult Content: none
Violence: mild

Like the Willow Tree (Dear America Series) by Lois Lowry

As I am sure I’ve said before, I am a big fan of historical fiction. The “Dear America” series is one that I have recommended to many students; it is an accessible series full of personable characters and it is generally very well researched. This newest contribution has taken its place as one of my favorites in the series. It is due for release next month, January, 2011.


Summary: Despite the Great War being fought by the U.S., Lydia lives a happy and comfortable life with her parents, brother, and new baby sister. An outbreak of Spanish Influenza changes everything, first shutting down her entire town, then killing her parents and baby sister. The two siblings are taken in by their uncle who, pushed by his already large household, takes the two to be raised at Sabbathday Lake, a Shaker community.

The Shaker ways are strange to Lydia at first, and she has difficulty accepting that she cannot talk to her brother as she used to, and that she must give up her belongings as communal property. But she also finds herself surrounded by a new family who accepts her as she is and forgives her occasional bursts of temper. Lydia’s struggles and her growing understanding and acceptance of her new life are realistic and easy for the reader to empathize with.

This story is full of Shaker hymns and info on the Shaker way of life. It also contains some historical facts that I was unaware of; did you know the washing machine and the apple peeler were both invented by the Shakers? As with the other titles in the series, there are historical notes in the back which give more facts about the time period and people in the book.

Themes:
Grief
Family
Age Appropriateness:
Grades 3 & up

Areas of concern (content):
Foul Language: none
Nudity/Adult Content: none
Violence: none

Adios, Nirvana by Conrad Wesselhoeft

I read a lot of books – some good, some great; some not so much. Rarely do I finish a book and think to myself, “THAT was a work of art!” This book is that and so much more. A little bit Tom Robbins, a little Beat Generation Poet, a little blues guitar. It made me think, made me cry, made me mad. That said, this is definitely a young adult book; not for children. The language is as salty as any I’ve read, and there is a good bit of content that takes some maturity to handle. If you’re looking for a quick, fun read, walk away now. If you are looking for a novel that is lyrical, thoughtful, and unafraid to face the darkness that inhabits the soul, Adios, Nirvana is for you.


Summary: Jonathan used to be a star student. That was before the death of his twin brother, Telemachus. Since Telly’s death, Jonathan has been wallowing in the darkness of his own grief, barely kept afloat by his poetry, his guitar, Ruby, and his “thicks,” the friends who have stuck by him; the friends with whom he shares so many memories of Telly.

Now Jonathan is faced with the possibility of repeating his junior year of high school. Thanks to his English teacher and principal, he is given a second chance – on three conditions. He cannot miss any more school. He must play his principal’s favorite song at graduation, and he must write the life story of a dying WWII veteran. None of these three conditions excites Jonathan, but his thicks won’t let him fail.

When Jonathan first meets David, the WWII vet, at The Delphi (the hospice where David is spending his last days), he freaks out – he cannot stand being surrounded by the feeling of sickness and death that is all around – it reminds him too much of Telly’s last days. But over time, Jonathan and David form a bond based on their pain and the feelings that neither has been able to find words for. Together, Jonathan and David try to exorcise old demons and express darkness that they’ve each been facing alone.

Jonathan’s poetry is scattered throughout, and was some of my favorite reading in the book. There are so many amazing lines scattered in the pages of this book – lines that are morbidly funny; lines that almost transcend simple written words because they hold so much meaning. Maybe this was more the case for me, having lost a brother (though admittedly not a twin) when I was just a little older than Jonathan. His journey through grief made me look at my own journey more closely.

Themes:
Grief
Friendship
Family


Age Appropriateness:
Although the book says 14 & up, I would go a little higher myself - 16

Areas of concern (content):
Foul Language: Yes, lots.
Nudity/Adult Content: Yes.
Violence: No.

Amos Daragon: The Mask Wearer by Bryan Perro

Due out in February of 2011, The Mask Wearer is the first in a fantasy series that will appeal to fans of mythology, action, adventure, and mystery. It's an easy read with enough depth to keep it from being totally predictable.
Summary: Amos Daragon is a simple boy living in a hut with his parents, craftsmen who work for a greedy but foolish lord. When he discovers a mermaid one day while gathering food by the shore, his life takes a new path. This mermaid names him the Mask Wearer and sets him on a quest to claim his powers and set the balance of the world aright.

While on this mission, Amos makes new friends, including Beorf, a boy who can change into a bear, and Medusa, a gorgon whose gaze can turn any living thing to stone. Amos also finds himself fighting against an evil sorcerer who is searching for a pendant that was taken from him long ago.

With the first of the magical masks to lend him its power, and the backing of Junos, whose childhood Amos restored, Amos battles against the sorcerer and his army of Gorgons in an effort to reclaim a city and restore the lives of the people within.

This first book in the series is a nice, light fantasy read. It weaves mythology nicely into the story as well. The story also has elements of trickster tales, with Amos using his wits to fool the greedy lord and gain gold, horses, and the equipment needed for his family to escape the man’s tyranny.

This is the first English language release of the book, and I hope that the rest of the series gets translated as well. It will be interesting to see how the story develops and how Amos, who seems pretty mature in his choices from the very beginning, uses his wits and resources to gather all four masks and restore balance to the world.

Themes:
Courage
Friendship
Acceptance of others
Age Appropriateness:
Grades four and up
Areas of concern (content):
Foul Language: none
Nudity/Adult Content: none
Violence: mild battle scenes

Alice-Miranda at School by Jacqueline Harvey

Alice-Miranda’s adventures don’t officially begin until April of 2011. I was surprised by this book – a chapter book (almost 250 pages of story) that is simple fun featuring a character who always (and I mean always) sees the best in everyone and everything. Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones is the optimists’ optimist, and makes the reader smile as much as she does the adults that surround her in this first story of her adventures.


Summary: Alice-Miranda is a precocious seven (and a quarter) year old girl who has decided that it is time she went off to boarding school. Yes, it is a little early, but she knows she can do it and her parents know that, once she has set her course, their daughter cannot be stopped.

When Alice-Miranda arrives at Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies, she feels that something is not quite right. Every adult she meets is unhappy, and the headmistress, Miss Grimm, refuses to come out of her office and take part in the lives of the girls in her care. Alice-Miranda, not one to sit quietly and let things remain broken, begins to fix the things she sees lacking in the school, whether Miss Grimm likes it or not. (Really, why shouldn’t she, Alice-Miranda thinks. Everyone deserves some happiness.) Cook gets a long overdue holiday, Mr. Charles gets to plant flowers again, and the secret of Miss Grimm’s grimness is solved through Alice-Miranda’s spirit, smile, and unfailing optimism. Why, even the mean-spirited head girl doesn’t get her down!

Themes:
Persistence
Optimism

Age Appropriateness:
Any

Areas of concern (content):
Foul Language: none
Nudity/Adult Content: none
Violence: none