High School
-- School Library Journal, 11/1/2005
See SLJ's December 2005 Holiday Book Reviews
High School | Adult/High School Fiction | Adult/High School Nonfiction
AIDA, Yu. Gunslinger Girl. vol. 2. tr. from Japanese by Eiko McGregor. illus. by author. 135p. ADV Manga. 2005. pap. $9.99. ISBN 1-4139-0233-2. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–Containing the artful blend of action and melodrama common to many popular manga series, Gunslinger Girl tells the stories of little-girl assassins trained by an undercover arm of the Italian government. Their bodies are improved with prosthetics and rigorous training, while their minds are "conditioned" so that childish emotions and needs do not interfere with their work. However, the agency has not completely succeeded in stamping out the children's humanity, or that of their adult handlers. At one point, a slight, fair child cheerily asks for ice cream as her "reward" for carrying out a gruesome attack; at another a group of handlers are distressed to find that a newly "conditioned" recruit has forgotten a fairy tale they used to tell her. Drawn in a more spare, sober style than other manga thrillers, this is an unusually provocative tale that should keep its readers thinking as they wait for the next installment.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
AKANE, Kazuki & Satelight. Heat Guy J. vol. 1. tr. from Japanese by Beni Axia Hirayama. illus. by Chiaki Ogishima & Nobuteru Yuki. 218p. Tokyopop. 2005. pap. $9.99. ISBN 1-59182-777-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–Daisuke Aurora, who is 21 but looks (and sometimes acts) like he's 12, works for the Special Service. His partner, Heat Guy J, needs an exemption to exist because androids are illegal in the city of Jewde. The Special Service was designed to investigate leads and prevent crimes, but that usually turns out not to be the case. This is a typical manga universe, in which brassiere manufacturers don't bother making anything smaller than a C-cup, and the clothes that professional women wear to work won't surprise anyone who reads a lot of manga. The black-and-white drawings are stylized and polished, and move the story along at a rapid pace. The plot gains depth in the relationship between Daisuke and Heat Guy J. Daisuke's father was killed by an android, so even though he and his partner are extremely close, he does point out that if J's program is ever rewritten or corrupted, he won't hesitate to destroy him. The story lines are often grim (one involves a series of bombings), but the action is interspersed with humor. After all, what woman wouldn't want to be told, "You are not displeasing to my optical processors?" The "J-Hot Paper" and "Heat Guy J Animation Characters" sections at the end of the book help to explain plot points and will generate some buzz for the next installments of this page-turning story.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library
CLOWES, Daniel. Ice Haven. illus. by author. 88p. Pantheon. 2005. Tr $18.95. ISBN 0-375-42332-X. LC 2004058732.
Gr 10 Up–Previously published in the independent comic-book series "Eight Ball," this is a darkly comic romp through the small Midwestern town of Ice Haven. The basic story is pretty straightforward: a sad, quiet little boy named David Goldberg vanishes. But instead of delivering a pulp-inspired detective story, Clowes uses the child's tale mostly as a backdrop. His real interest is in the lives of the bizarre, yet all-too-real townsfolk. They include a lovesick teen, an irritable private detective, a poet, and a schoolyard bully. Although the characters are types, the author/illustrator embellishes them enough to make them unique and memorable. Through vignettes that jump perspective every few pages, readers witness their lives and individual reactions to David's disappearance. As the point of view shifts, so does the artwork. In showing how the event affects the boy's classmates, the panels take on a style inspired by Charles Schultz's Peanuts, but Clowes moves into satire with a bleakly funny schoolyard of kids talking quite openly about sex, drugs, and violence. Other vignettes pull from the motifs of detective strips, teen romances, and The Flintstones. While well-read comics fans will get most of the jokes, some references may frustrate or confuse readers. Overall, though, there is plenty here to enjoy.–Matthew L. Moffett, Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale
EISNER, Will. The Plot: The Secret Story of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. illus. by author. 148p. bibliog. index. notes. Norton. 2005. Tr $19.95. ISBN 0-393-06045-4. LC 2005040527.
Gr 10 Up–Published posthumously, this history of the Protocols is based on new evidence from the post-Soviet opening of the Russian archives. Mathieu Golovinski, a Russian aristocrat exiled in France, wrote the work for the secret police, to convince Czar Nicholas II that Jews were behind the political unrest in Russia and to persuade him to abandon liberal reforms. Golovinski plagiarized The Dialogues in Hell between Machiavelli and Montesquieu (1864), a satirical essay by French attorney Maurice Joly, implying that Napoleon III's plans for France were Machiavellian. Following the stories of Joly and Golovinski, the scene shifts to Constantinople, where a Russian exile offers to sell copies of the Dialogues and the Protocols to a reporter from the London Times. A comparison of the two documents leads to the publication of an article in 1921 exposing the Protocols as a forgery. Despite this revelation, it continued to be used, from the Nazis to Henry Ford to more contemporary hate groups and governments. Eisner appears as a character: researching his book, discussing why the Protocols survive despite repeated debunking, and talking to college students who distribute it. The artwork is occasionally over-the-top; one of Golovinski's superiors is a crazed, Rasputin-like caricature. The side-by-side comparison of sections of the Dialogues and the Protocols is so long that it risks losing readers completely. Despite these flaws, the book is well researched and, for the most part, accomplishes Eisner's goal of making the information available to a wider audience by using a graphic format.–Sandy Freund, Richard Byrd Library, Fairfax County, VA
LEE, So-Young. Arcana. vol. 1. tr. from Japanese by Youngju Ryu. illus. by author. 204p. Tokyopop. 2005. pap. $9.99. ISBN 1-59532-481-X. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–A complex quest story full of magic and mystery. Inez travels with her grandfather, a 200-year-old wizard, and her canine companion to offer their services to the Emperor. From the beautiful opening scene in which she first encounters snow to the surreal dream sequences scattered throughout the book, Lee's melodramatic fantasy tale is short on explanations but never on style. The art is beautiful, with delicate lines and art nouveau-inspired backdrops and patterns. To add to the mystery, which involves Inez being able to communicate with animals and an epic quest to find a dragon, the characters all look very similar, with long, androgynous limbs and faces. This is a step above the usual manga sword-and-sorcery fantasy. Although there are immediately recognizable characters, such as wizards, demons, and talking animals, the gentle plot and loving relationships make the book unique. Arcana will certainly have cross-over appeal for kids who enjoy fantasy novels like Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" series and Christopher Paolini's "Inheritance" trilogy.–Steev Baker, Kewaskum Public Library, WI
LOEB, Jeph. Superman Batman: Absolute Power. vol. 3. illus. by Carlos Pacheco & Jesús Merino. unpaged. DC Comics. 2005. Tr $19.99. ISBN 1-4012-0447-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–When baby Superman's spaceship crashes into a Kansas field, three superbeings kill the Kents and take him for their own. Later, Bruce Wayne's parents, walking along Broadway, are shot right before the hood gets riddled with bullets himself. With the superbeings intervening at the so-called "origin moments" of both heroes, they then raise them to rule Earth. This scenario is carried to its logical limits, if its logical limits include random time-travel and the grown Bruce Wayne murdering his parents' murderers before they can perform their fated crime. Superman, given a similar chance, does not save the Kents. "Obey or Die" reads the inscription on the gigantic statue of Superman and Batman that replaces the Statue of Liberty, and do they ever enforce it. In the end chapters, though, they wake from their evil reverie, realize they've been raised by monsters, and repent by setting time right and canceling all other alternate worlds except the original one, in which they are beacons of good. It's a touching ending, but dystopian stories always seem more forgettable than classic morality tales.–John Leighton, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
MCCRAIG, Ian, Warren Fu, & Derek Thompson. Star Wars Visionaries. illus. by Aaron McBride, et al. 128p. Dark Horse. 2005. pap. $17.95. ISBN 1-59307-311-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–In the introduction to this collection, J. W. Rinzler writes about the weekly Friday meetings with writer/director George Lucas and the concept artists of the movie The Revenge of the Sith. In those preproduction meetings, Lucas would toss around ideas and the artists would come up with visual representations. Although Lucas liked many of the concepts, he did not believe that all of them fit into his movie, so 10 of the artists use these pages to show off their styles and imaginative Star Wars scenarios, providing readers with "intimate views by some of the key creators of a galaxy far, far away." The artists were given free reign to explore all aspects of the Star Wars universe; each tale offers a glimpse into or new twist on that galaxy. The emphasis is on art and character origins. The graphics range from gothic-looking watercolors to bright and dazzling paintings. The book is in full color, but there is a tendency toward dark, muddy hues and bright red highlights. Not just for fans of the movies, this compilation is an excellent resource for readers interested in how ideas, artwork, and printed material come together.–Erin Dennington, Fairfax County Public Library, Chantilly, VA
MORRISON, Grant. WE3. illus. by Frank Quitely. unpaged. Vertigo. 2005. pap. $12.99. ISBN 1-4012-0495-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–This title reads a bit like Robocop meets Homeward Bound meets the final scene of The Wild Bunch. In it, animals are being transformed into intelligent experimental weapons, and three in particular are trained to work together as a team known as "WE3." When the animals formerly known as Bandit the dog, Tinker the cat, and Pirate the rabbit are decommissioned and condemned to death, their doctor/trainer decides to let them escape. What follows is a series of action-packed and heartbreaking chase and fight scenes between the lethal animals and the United States military. The artwork is innovative and breathtaking, and there are several pages without text. While this requires some concentration, those who take time to look carefully at all of the images will witness an amazing story. This book pulls no punches; sensitive readers will be moved to tears, and animal lovers might be moved to put the book down for a while before picking it up again. The violence is often graphic, but those who wade through all the blood will be rewarded with some badly needed closure. Compelling, moving, and disturbing, this is a thought-provoking work for mature readers.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library
RUCKA, Greg. Half a Life. illus. by Michael Lark. 160p. (Gotham Central). DC Comics. 2005. pap. $14.99. ISBN 1-4012-0438-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–This series is very much like such programs as L.A. Law, NYPD Blue, and Law and Order. Although it takes place in the Batman universe, the Dark Knight is a peripheral character (when he appears at all). Instead, the focus is on a member of Gotham's police force–Detective Renee Montoya. She is young, urban-dwelling, and a lesbian. Half a Life features her public outing. Surrounding this plot point is a story involving Two-Face, one of Batman's enemies. His part in the story, while serving to tie up loose ends, is subservient to Montoya's more compelling drama. Lark's dark, moody drawings are a perfect complement to the story. Their bold lines and fluid compositions have a cinematic quality while still being gritty and slightly abstract; the art brings to mind the cell-shading techniques used in Richard Linklater's film Waking Life. This is a great example of the literary and artistic maturity of the graphic-novel format.–Steev Baker, Kewaskum Public Library, WI
SAKUISHI, Harold. Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad. vol. 1. tr. from Japanese by Stephen Paul. illus. by author. 214p. Tokyopop. 2005. pap. $9.99. ISBN 1-59532-770-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–Yukio, 14, alternately worships his dream girl, Izumi, from afar and curses his general meekness. Enter Beck, a hybrid dog with stitched-together fur–the only fantastical element in this enjoyable book–and Beck's owner, a sullen, street-fighting, American-raised teen who plays in a rock band. Conveniently, the band has recently lost its lead guitarist. Although the setup is pretty clear, the story lines are engrossing enough to make readers forget how long it may take Yukio to realize his rock 'n' roll dream. With hard-edged scenes of drunken American GIs wandering Tokyo streets and encountering the resentful Japanese, references to both Japanese and American music, and a refusal to use standard manga devices like magical beings or juvenile artwork, Beck stands out. The treatment of male friendship is also fresh, and Izumi seems poised to be one of the classic manga heroines. If John Hughes wrote manga, he'd have written Beck. Because of the dark tone in scenes with GIs and startingly aggressive fight scenes, this is for older teens. An absolute surefire read, thankfully the first in a series.–John Leighton, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
SHUREI, Kouyo. Alichino. vol. 2. tr. from Japanese by Amy Forsyth. illus. by author. 144p. Tokyopop. 2005. pap. $9.99. ISBN 1-59532-479-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–This exquisite continuation of the story reveals more information about the Alichino, the wish granters who feed off of human weaknesses, and concentrates on their relationship with the Kusabi, who gain power by releasing stolen souls. Tsugiri, the last surviving Kusabi, is protected by three Alichino, though others in the group want him dead. A battle ensues between the two factions. The illustrations in this volume are just as stunning as in the first, with a strong story line to match. The beautifully effeminate style for male characters, (known in manga as bishounen) only adds to the artistic allure of this work. The themes here are darker than in the first, exploring the gray area between good and evil, and how the two may not be entirely distinct. This volume is more violent and offers more romantic situations, though neither would be considered gratuitous. The finale should be highly anticipated.–Jennifer Feigelman, Plattekill Public Library, Modena, NY
SPEARS, Rick. Dead West. illus. by Rob G. 144p. Gigantic. 2005. pap. $14.95. ISBN 0-9763038-1-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–This edgy graphic novel, which wonderfully blends the tropes of the Western with the zombie horror story, opens with a short prequel. A Native American village is wiped out to make way for a town called Lazarus. Years later, the lone survivor returns and places a curse on the bustling burg. The dead rise from their graves and start attacking and snacking on the inhabitants. Speed ahead one week and a bounty hunter arrives, searching for a fugitive. He finds himself helping the trapped people so he can reach his target. Spears balances heart-pounding action with quick side moments that give readers a chance to catch their breath. The tale reaches its inevitably violent-yet-campy conclusion when the cavalry arrives with guns and cannons blazing. Rob G's artwork adds to the fast-paced plotting through a sketchy, frenetic, and angular style. His depiction of violence will satisfy horror enthusiasts but is not so gore-intensive that it will shock average readers. Fans may be surprised by the lack of character development and deep themes that the pair's Teenagers from Mars (Gigantic, 2005) provided so skillfully. But the intent here is one of pure fun and guilty pleasures. Devotees of zombies, Westerns, and zombie-Westerns will rejoice over this thrilling story. As different as it is from this team's other work, it points to a powerful collaboration that is heading toward a promising and diverse career.–Matthew L. Moffett, Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale
WAGNER, Matt & Steven T. Seagle. The Vamp. illus. by Guy Davis. 98p. (Sandman Mystery Theatre Series). Vertigo. 2005. pap. $12.99. ISBN 1-4012-0718-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 12 Up–This third volume in the series has a film-noir feel, with hard-boiled detectives, 1930s-style parties, and a vigilante hero who wears a trench coat, a fedora, and a gas mask. Behind The Sandman's mask is mild-mannered Wesley Dodds. The Vamp is a woman who lures men to her bed and then kills them. This is an adult story with mature themes. The explicit artwork is vital to the story but not always appropriate for most YA collections. There are a few racial slurs (in keeping with time period).–Melissa T. Jenvey, New York Public Library
WHITE, Shane. North Country. illus. by author. 94p. NBM. 2005. pap. $13.95. ISBN 1-56163-435-2. LC 2005927719.
Gr 10 Up–An introspective story about a man going home to visit his family and reliving his past along the way. Many of Shane's memories are painful. As he reflects on incidents in which his father repeatedly abused his family and once shot a cow in the head after it kicked him, readers may wonder why the young man would even consider returning home. Throughout the book, the quality of the artwork is consistently high, with two notable instances standing above the rest. The first is when Shane remembers trying on the Superman cape made by his mother and realized to his dismay that he could not actually fly. The stylistic change and the images of Superman himself juxtaposed against the boy's emotional outpouring are extremely effective. The second is when the family dynamic finally changed when Shane's father confessed to an affair and (literally) crumbled to pieces before his son. The cover at first seems misleading–the image of a man walking with an axe through the snow seems reminiscent of The Shining–but after subsequent readings it makes sense as readers consider the constant threat of violence in the father/son relationship. North Country moves from a strange beginning into a deeply textured story. It can be read again and again, and each time teens can appreciate different nuances in the writing and artwork.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library
WILLINGHAM, Bill. The Sandman Presents: Thessaly–Witch for Hire. illus. by Shawn McManus. 95p. Vertigo. 2005. pap. $12.99. ISBN 1-4012-0497-X. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–Thessaly is your average immortal, powerful witch. She gets up in the morning, goes to the market, and fights off the demons that happen to invade her home. Actually, she's fought off more than 30 demons in the past two years, and she's getting a little tired of trying to explain that to the neighbors. Everything becomes clear when Fetch shows up. He is her erstwhile suitor, a ghost on a romantic-cum-business mission. He's optioned out her services to the rich with shady problems needing certain solutions. Unfortunately, he didn't ask Thessaly first. Her general irritation with him grows into actual anger and fear when she learns that they are slated to fight a Tharmic Null–a being composed of nothingness and impossible to beat. The art is lively and cartoonlike, a nice counterpoint to some of the grimmer elements of the story. Thessaly is slight and girlish; her looks belie her ruthless nature. Fetch is a fantastic contrast for her–jovial and slick where Thessaly is dark and cruel. Their bickering is funny and complicated; it feels old, but you don't have to be familiar with their history, introduced in Taller Tales (Vertigo, 2003) to enjoy it. A single-page, violent sex scene makes this title better suited to older teens. The one disappointment is the anticlimactic ending; it's a bit rushed and told as flashback, which results in too much emotional distance.–Sarah Couri, New York Public Library
Adult/High School
Fiction
CASTELLANI, Christopher. The Saint of Lost Things: A Novel. 336p. Algonquin. 2005. Tr $23.95. ISBN 1-56512-433-2. LC 2005045246.
Adult/High School–It is 1953, and Maddalena Grasso, newly arrived in the United States from Italy, is trying to make sense of the language, the customs, and her place in her new, extended family. Her perpetually dissatisfied husband, Antonio, yearns for the American Dream: shiny new car, new home, and children. Having convinced the beautiful Maddalena to marry him and leave her family behind, he now watches over her jealously. He feels a mixture of contempt and envy for his brother, who seems perfectly happy with his average wife, nondescript daughters, and job managing a restaurant. While Maddalena tries to keep Antonio grounded in the simpler joys of the life they share, an adventurous and single childhood friend lures him with promises of easy riches. Maddalena befriends a middle-aged single man who has recently lost both parents. Giulio Fabbri is drifting through life, but as his friendship with the Grassos deepens, he comes to understand himself and his dreams better. Threading through the various relationships are undercurrents of racial tension. When an African-American family moves into their predominantly Italian neighborhood, the community reacts with ugliness. Maddalena, Antonio, and Giulio interact with Abraham Waters in markedly different ways, and these differences are telling in how each individual handles life's disappointments and surprises. Castellani's lyrical and elegant novel goes beyond the story of a mid-20th-century Italian-American community. His characters are finely drawn, and he has a keen eye for the subtle dramas of family and friendship.–Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Library System, VA
DAYTON, Anne & May Vanderbilt. Emily Ever After. 311p. WaterBrook. 2005. pap. $11.95. ISBN 1-4000-7042-2. LC number unavailable.
Adult/High School–Emily Hinton lived at home during her college years at San Diego State but longs to go to New York. Amazingly, her uncle knows an editor at a publishing firm there, and Emily gets a job. Her roommate is the "young, hip, professional" she purports to be but is also distant and controlling. Emily soon makes friends at work. However, other than Uncle Matthew, who runs a soup kitchen, she is not sure that there are any other Christians in New York. Then she meets a coworker, Bennett; he's handsome, Ivy League, professes to be a Christian, and keeps trying to get her into bed. When she goes home for Christmas, she runs into Jacob, an old boyfriend who looks very good, and is very interested. Back in New York, Bennett tries to go too far and she dumps him. Then an overambitious editor tries to "sell" a book that slams both religion and family life by leaving out that section when she presents it to staff. Emily objects and wins a promotion, but New York has lost its attraction. Frank, witty, and funny, this story succeeds in spite of its sometimes awkward reminders of Emily's Christian faith and upbringing.–Molly Connally, Chantilly Regional Library, VA
DEVOTO, Pat Cunningham. The Summer We Got Saved. 416p. Warner. 2005. Tr $23.95. ISBN 0-446-57696-4. LC 2004010408.
Adult/High School–Told from three points of view, this thought-provoking story takes place in Alabama and Tennessee during the early 1960s. Tab is a junior high school girl whose primary concerns are nail color and being tolerated by the high school crowd at the local soda shop. Her childhood friend, Maudie, is a black polio victim who wears a leg brace and recently survived a fire at the Tuskegee Polio Institute. Tab's father, Charles, is a hardworking farmer descended from one of the founders of the Ku Klux Klan. All three lives are dramatically changed by the events of one summer. When Tab and her older sister embark on a secret trip to the Highlander Folk School with their socially conscious aunt, they become unwilling participants in an interracial camp, living with Civil Rights activists. At the same time, Maudie is recruited to help prepare resistant African Americans for voter registration by teaching life skills and reading, and Charles is trying to keep his farm solvent and his family in their accustomed genteel lifestyle while supporting the candidate running against segregationist George Wallace. The stories converge when the main characters experience the tragic consequences of their involvement with integration. The complicated plot might discourage less-serious readers, but this well-written and historically important novel is likely to find a place on this year's "best books" lists.–Pat Bender, The Shipley School, Bryn Mawr, PA
ERICKSON, Carolly. The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette: A Novel. 352p. St. Martin's. 2005. Tr $24.95. ISBN 0-312-33708-6. LC 2005046584.
Adult/High School–Best known for her highly readable biographies of European nobility, Erickson tries her hand at historical fiction. She approaches the life of one of France's most notorious queens from a first-person perspective, which allows her cleverly to blend fact and fiction. The diary spans 24 years, from Marie's childhood in Vienna to the eve of her execution. She is married to Crown Prince Louis at age 14 to form a political alliance. Her husband is shy and reclusive, given to escaping to the woods to catalog plants, and has little interest in women, including his wife. Even after he becomes Louis XVI, his eccentricities keep him cut off from the world. Marie Antoinette, meanwhile, hides her loneliness in extravagant parties and frivolous expenditures. No wonder that as the years progress both sovereigns are more and more out of touch with the populace. Erickson's picture of the queen is much different from the uncaring, "Let them eat cake" persona that is popularly evoked. There is no attempt to hide her tragic flaws, but her generosity, good intentions, and deep love for her children humanize her and make her more of a three-dimensional character. The use of the diary is, at times, contrived and awkward: in an attempt to provide background information, the queen's writing is inconsistent in places. However, this is an excellent piece of historical fiction, and a valuable companion to more accurate biographies.–Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Library System, VA
HORNBY, Nick. A Long Way Down. 375p. Riverhead. 2005. Tr $24.95. ISBN 1-57322-302-6. LC 2004058837.
Adult/High School–Four different people find themselves on the same roof on New Year's Eve, but they have one thing in common–they're all there to jump to their deaths. A scandal-plagued talk-show host, a single mom of a disabled young man, a troubled teen, and an aging American musician soon unite in a common cause, to find out why Jess (the teen) can't get her "ex-boyfriend" to return her calls. Down the stairs they go, and thoughts of suicide gradually subside. It all sounds so high concept, but each strand of the plot draws readers into Hornby's web. The novel is so simply written that its depths don't come to full view until well into the reading. Each character takes a turn telling the story in a distinctive voice. Tough questions are asked–why do you want to kill yourself, and why didn't you do it? Are adults any smarter than adolescents? What defines friends and family? Characters are alternately sympathetic and utterly despicable, talk-show-host Martin, particularly. The narrators are occasionally unreliable, with the truth coming from the observers instead. Obviously, a book about suicide is a dark read, but this one is darkly humorous–as Hornby usually is. Teens will identify with or loathe Jess and musician J. J., but they will also find themselves in the shoes of Maureen and Martin. This somewhat philosophical work will appeal to Hornby's fans but has plenty to attract new audiences as well.–Jamie Watson, Harford County Public Library, MD
LYNCH, Jim. The Highest Tide: A Novel. 256p. Bloomsbury. 2005. Tr $23.95. ISBN 1-58234-605-4. LC 2004029187.
Adult/High School–Thirteen-year-old Miles O'Malley's nightly kayaking trips contribute to his expertise on the natural life of the Puget Sound tidal flats. On one of his nocturnal forays, Miles discovers a giant squid, a creature that has never before been sighted in the area, and he becomes a phenomenon. Before long, a spiritual group begins to revere him as a prophet because of his prediction of a high tide in the bay and Miles finds himself in the middle of a firestorm of publicity. The protagonist is not a typical teen: captivated by Rachel Carson's writings, he is interested in reading and in safeguarding the secrets of an elderly friend whose health is declining. But many things are changing in his life: his parents separate; he develops an unlikely friendship with an older boy who is obsessed with sex; and Miles himself hungers after the attention of the out-of-control girl next door. Lynch's lyrical writing holds great interest for teens concerned about the natural world; the book's haunting images will linger in their minds as they contemplate the relationship between the sea's mysteries and Miles's growing understanding of the mysteries of his life.–Ellen Fader, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR
MAINE, David. Fallen. 256p. St. Martin's. 2005. Tr $23.95. ISBN 0-312-32849-4. LC 2005046588.
Adult/High School–Maine uses the story of Adam and Eve and the subsequent fatal conflict between their two sons as the basis for this meaty, lusty tale. Fallen opens with an introspective Cain in his later years and works backward from there to Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden. The novel is divided into four sections. The first centers on the Cain of the present: shunned by society after murdering his brother, he is a surly, reclusive man whose one joy in life is his son Enoch (or Henoch in the story). The second series of chapters relates Cain's and Abel's growing up years and the events that lead to Cain's decision. The focus then shifts to Adam and Eve and the years they spend raising their family. Finally, readers are taken back to the events leading up to the Fall and the period that immediately follows their expulsion. The portrayals are vibrant and three-dimensional; there is a raw energy to Adam and Eve, especially, that makes them almost leap off the page. Cain's simmering resentment is disturbingly appealing, and the reverse chronology is a masterful stroke that emphasizes the stark power of regret. The language throughout the book is spare and beautiful, and the author weaves his story with such finesse that readers are left thinking, "Well, of course it happened that way!" Fallen breathes new life into one of humanity's oldest stories.–Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Library System, VA
MOORCOCK, Michael. The White Wolf's Son: The Albino Underground. 352p. Aspect. 2005. Tr $24.95. ISBN 0-446-57702-2. LC 2005001341.
Adult/High School–In the 1960s, Moorcock created Elric of Melniboné, an albino elf who is as much a blood-lusting villain as a hero. Over the years, he has created other eternal champions, each of whom fights to maintain the delicate balance between good and evil. This story belongs primarily to Oonaugh, a distant relative of Elric's who lives in modern-day England. The 12-year-old's normal lifestyle shatters when Prince Gaynor the Damned and his assistant, Klosterheim, attempt to kidnap her. She avoids their plots but falls into a Lewis Carroll-inspired alternate reality populated by sentient houses and foxes that quote Robespierre. As she travels through different realities, readers learn that Gaynor and Klosterheim believe she is an essential piece of their plot to destroy the multiverse and re-create it in their own horrible image. Elric, his daughter, and a host of others who protect the Cosmic Balance seek to defend her. Numerous eternal champions, references to Moorcock's works, and no small bit of philosophy make this a detailed and deeply involved book. While these aspects will appeal to fans, they create a barrier for newcomers. The author does an admirable job trying to clue those readers in to the backstory, but it gets a little overbearing if one is reading for pure action. Not to fear. Moorcock develops political plots aplenty, and the climactic scene spins more thrills than almost anything else the author has penned. This fresh, fabulous book shows what an artist dedicated to his vision can create in the often worn-out epic fantasy genre.–Matthew L. Moffett, Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale
ROBINSON, Roxana. A Perfect Stranger: And Other Stories. 256p. Random. 2005. Tr $23.95. ISBN 0-375-50918-6. LC 2004059537.
Adult/High School–This collection of stories is most notable for its variety and diverse points of view. In "Family Christmas," readers are privy to the confused thoughts and emotions of a girl as she recounts the tensions and unhappiness of the adults around her, trying to make sense of the charged atmosphere. Readers understand the complex issues and ache for the child observer. The other first-person narratives are equally compelling: "Face-lift" is about two girls who meet in boarding school and continue their friendship into adulthood. The story is told from the perspective of the one who observes and envies the exciting life of the other. Envy is also the theme of "The Football Game." Here, it is the apparently "normal," carefree McArdles and their way of life that is dramatically revealed to be "…more dangerous and beautiful…and immanent with love and sorrow" than the narrator ever imagined. In other tales, the author recounts the desperation and despair of a housewife and the complex conversations at a dinner party in which the guest of honor is as reluctant as the host; in "Shame," the narrator comes to terms with her selfhood, defiantly affirming her lesbianism. The descriptive language presents a vivid sense of place that subtly illuminates and complements the strong characterizations in each of the narratives. Readers looking for good stories and examples of good writing will be more than satisfied.–Jackie Gropman, Chantilly Regional Library, VA
SHREVE, Anita. A Wedding in December: A Novel. 336p. Little, Brown. 2005. Tr $25.95. ISBN 0-316-73899-9. LC 2005014722.
Adult/High School–This novel has many of Shreve's hallmarks: simple and elegant prose; characters who are entirely convincing in their portrayals of human fallibility; and a plot buildup with a twist toward the end that packs a wallop. Set in New England several months after 9/11, it is the story of seven former classmates who have not seen one another in 27 years but have come together for the wedding of Bill and Bridget, who dated during high school and then went their separate ways. They have reunited and are getting married in the face of Bridget's advanced breast cancer. Nora, who owns the inn where the wedding will be held, is trying to rebuild her life after the death of her husband. Agnes, Nora's former roommate, has a secret she is desperate to share. Over all of them hangs the specter of Stephen, whose charismatic life and tragic death they seem unable to address head-on. Paralleling the story of these friends is the one in the novel Agnes is writing about the Halifax explosion of 1917, a little-known disaster that resulted in the deaths of almost 2000 citizens. This story-within-a-story not only provides an eye-opening account of a piece of World War I history, but also allows Agnes to address some of her own issues. An understated and graceful exploration of the choices that people make in their day-to-day interactions and their consequences, Wedding is an excellent piece of American literature to add to any library.–Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Library System, VA
SIMMONS, Dan. Olympos. 690p. Eos. 2005. Tr $25.95. ISBN 0-380-97894-6. LC 2005040024.
Adult/High School–In Ilium (Eos, 2003), readers were introduced to Hockenberry, a 20th-century historian on a Mars of the far future restructured to look and feel like ancient Greece. He works for quantum-technology-wielding beings that brought classical mythology to life for their own amusement. Olympos places Hockenberry in an alliance with the Moravecs, a race of sentient robots who fear that the self-styled gods' technology will destroy the solar system. Together, they fight for ways to stop the Olympians. A second story line occurs on Earth, with humankind facing extinction from multiple directions. Voynix, powerful robotic creatures that once served humans, seem bent on killing and destroying everything they can. A monster named Caliban and a giant, pulsating brain known as Setebos add spine-tingling, H. P. Lovecraft-inspired terrors. Full of plot twists, doses of humor, and technologically pumped action sequences, this complex tale is nevertheless readable and surprisingly easy to follow. While it is even more complex than its predecessor, Simmons does a much better job of connecting the threads here. The mixing of Homer's Iliad and Shakespeare's The Tempest is likewise handled better, making more solid use of the personae. While it helps to have some familiarity with these classics, it isn't required. The spectacular ending leaves just enough open for a sequel. Fans of epic, action-driven science fiction will talk about this inventive and highly addictive thriller for years.–Matthew L. Moffett, Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale
WOLFE, Gene. Starwater Strains. 352p. Tom Doherty Assoc. 2005. Tr $25.95. ISBN 0-7653-1202-6. LC 2004060115.
Adult/High School–The 20-plus science-fiction stories in this solid collection vary greatly in length, setting, and subject. In "Petting Zoo," a captive T-rex relives old times with a human friend; "Lord of the Land" is a horror story with an ancient Egyptian twist; in "Calamity Jane," an unusual dog brings increasingly strange gifts to its owner; and "The Boy Who Hooked the Sun" is a mythlike tale set in Atlantis that explains the origin of seasons. Of special interest to teens will be "Viewpoint," in which reality TV is taken to a future extreme, and "Golden City Far," in which a high school student's fantastic dreams spill over into his everyday life. Throughout, the writing is perfectly suited to each story–clear and precise, with not a word wasted. Readers may not like all of the tales, but there is something here for everyone who enjoys fantastic fiction.–Sandy Freund, Richard Byrd Library, Fairfax County, VA
Nonfiction
CARROLL, Will. The Juice: The Real Story of Baseball's Drug Problems. 255p. index. Ivan R. Dee. 2005. Tr $24.95. ISBN 1-56663-668-X. LC 2005007537.
Adult/High School–Carroll is a recognized expert on medical matters related to baseball, and, for the most part, his analysis of steroid use among ballplayers is fair, thorough, and based on solid evidence. As such, his book is in direct competition with several more sensational and opinionated accounts. There is no question, for example, that Juice has more to offer the baseball community than Jose Canseco's Juiced (Regan Bks., 2005), but the latter has received far more attention from the media. At the risk of being slightly pedantic, Carroll refuses to sidestep the many complexities surrounding the use of performance-enhancing drugs. He considers PEDs not just a baseball or even a general sports problem, but rather a social issue on par with the use of recreational drugs. Despite a few factual errors, and some uneven writing (several of the chapters are written by other "experts"), this book belongs in most public and school libraries. Many who read it will gain from it, but none more so than the high school athlete who will confront, most likely for the first time, the truth about these illegal substances.–Robert Saunderson, Berkeley Public Library, CA
DEJEAN, Joan. The Essence of Style: How the French Invented High Fashion, Fine Food, Chic Cafés, Style, Sophistication, and Glamour. 320p. illus. photos. reprods. bibliog. index. Free Pr. 2005. Tr $25. ISBN 0-7432-6413-4. LC 2005040019.
Adult/High School–DeJean gives readers an entertaining and engrossing account of how and when France cornered the market on luxury. Beginning with a description of what life was like before Louis XIV ascended the throne in 1643, she then details the radical changes that occurred as he and his ministers redirected French manufactures toward the creation of new luxury items. Each of the various subjects she discusses has its own chapter that can stand alone; taken together they show how desire for style created new products and markets. Louis's sumptuous, constantly redesigned wardrobe was copied by his court. The interest in the elegant new styles led to the development of the fashion press. The magazines with their engravings (the original fashion plates) enthralled the common people, who wanted their own bit of glamour. The manufacture of luxury accessories allowed almost everyone to feel like a fashionista. Since women needed somewhere to show off their stylish clothes, the dark, smoky coffeehouses were replaced by elegant, glittering cafés with fine coffee and exquisite pastries. Teens who gather in modern cafés, flip through fashion magazines, and purchase designer bags will enjoy this book. They will also discover that Madison Avenue has nothing on 17th-century Paris.–Kathy Tewell, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
DUGARD, Martin. The Last Voyage of Columbus: Being the Epic Tale of the Great Captain's Fourth Expedition, Including Accounts of Swordfight, Mutiny, Shipwreck, Gold, War, Hurricane, and Discovery. 304p. bibliog. notes. CIP. Little, Brown. 2005. Tr $24.95. ISBN 0-316-82883-1. LC 2004024725.
Adult/High School–Dugard's compelling account of European history in the concluding years of the 15th century is chock-full of the intrigue and manipulation that underscored various monarchies' race to control the world. Columbus is presented as a man of courage and perseverance who unwittingly became caught up in the various treacheries of the more political players around him. Along with Columbus and his family, Dugard introduces readers to such contemporaries as Vasco da Gama, Amerigo Vespucci, and Alonso de Ojeda. With its blend of adventure and intrigue, and its comprehensive character development, this book is highly readable, thoroughly enjoyable, and an excellent addition to any high-school biography collection.–Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Library System, VA
FRIEDMAN, Thomas L. The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century. 488p. index. Farrar. 2005. Tr $27.50. ISBN 0-374-29288-4. LC 2004028685.
Adult/High School–This brilliantly paced, articulate, and accessible explanation of today's world is an ideal title for tech-savvy teens. Friedman's thesis is that connectedness by computer is leveling the playing field, giving individuals the ability to collaborate and compete in real time on a global scale. While the author is optimistic about the future, seeing progress in every field from architecture to zoology, he is aware that terrorists are also using computers to attack the very trends that make progress plausible and reasonable. This is a smart and essential read for those who will be expected to live and work in this new global environment.–Alan Gropman, National Defense University, Washington, DC
GORDON, Charlotte. Mistress Bradstreet: The Untold Life of America's First Poet. 285p. maps. photos. reprods. bibliog. index. notes. Little, Brown. 2005. Tr $27.95. ISBN 0-316-16904-8. LC 2004022702.
Adult/High School–The early days of colonial New England come to life in this biography. Bradstreet was born in England in 1612, into a prominent Puritan family. Her father taught her to read, write, and compose poetry, unusual activities for a female of those times. In 1630, she and her new husband, her parents, and her siblings made the dangerous journey along with more than 300 others to what is now Massachusetts. Gordon portrays his subject as a complex personality–a dedicated, hardworking mother of eight and loving wife as well as a talented, prolific poet. While her poems dwell mostly on the godliness of the mundane, some of her later work reveals a rebellious spirit, a mind of her own. She wrote in praise of women, such as the "warrior queen" Elizabeth, "an example of the glory of England." Bradstreet's story unfolds against the backdrop of the settling of the New England frontier and the English Civil War. The author uses conjecture when she writes about the poet's thoughts and reactions, but the historical events on both sides of the Atlantic are well researched and lushly portrayed. Readers will enjoy learning about this fascinating and courageous woman whose ideas helped shape this country.–Susanne Bardelson, Kitsap Regional Library, WA
GUERASEVA, Stacy. Def Jam, Inc.: Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin, and the Extraordinary Story of the World's Most Influential Hip-Hop Label. 329p. photos. index. notes. One World. 2005. Tr $23.95. ISBN 0-345-46804-X. LC 2004066261.
Adult/High School–In the early '80s, unconventional NYU student Rubin had a dream and a logo. A friend introduced him to Simmons, a Queens-based promoter only slightly older than himself. With more passion than business acumen, they started Def Jam, a company that outgrew Rubin's dorm and moved to increasingly more glamorous offices, eventually becoming part of the Universal media conglomerate, making its founders multimillionaires in the process. When Rubin began to feel trapped in the "rap only" formula, he left the company to form his own, more varied label, Def American. In the mid-'90s, Def Jam became part of Island records, and at that point Rubin was long gone and Simmons was no longer in the day-to-day operations. The final third of the book is less a human story than a business tale of mergers and acquisitions. Though the discography shows several releases in the late '90s, much less is written about them than Def Jam's original performers LL Cool J, Run DMC, and the Beastie Boys. Some of the details are ragged, there are some misspellings, and the cover has a stock picture of a DJ and a turntable. But for those who want to know how to succeed in the music business, this title really shows how it was done in the beginning.–Jamie Watson, Harford County Public Library, MD
KIRKPATRICK, Stephen. Lost in the Amazon: The True Story of Five Men and Their Desperate Battle for Survival. 240p. photos. W Publishing. 2005. Tr $21.99. ISBN 0-8499-0015-8. LC 2004029446.
Adult/High School–Freelance wildlife photographer Kirkpatrick made a trip to the Peruvian Amazon in 1995. His need to find good material was so paramount that it pushed his expedition to start out with hand-drawn maps of an area virtually unvisited by humans, and with only a general idea of the route that would lead to the planned pick-up point. The hastily put together plan fell apart very quickly, and it wasn't long before the group was lost in the rainforest. This book is more than just a retelling of what happened–there's plenty of drama, comedy, suspense, fast-paced action, and nature to satisfy any reader. Kirkpatrick took comfort in thinking about his three sons and from his belief in God. His narrative is not particularly liturgical, doctrinal, or objective; his was an experiential faith that wavered, struggled, and was almost lost completely at times, but somehow held on. He eventually realized that faith was what sustained him, but there was no guarantee as to the outcome of the journey. Readers will not only feel like members of the expedition, but will also discover hidden truths about life, love, and faith.–Erin Dennington, Fairfax County Public Library, Chantilly, VA
KIRSCHENBAUM, Valerie. Goodbye Gutenberg: How a Bronx Teacher Defied 500 Years of Tradition and Launched an Astonishing Renaissance. illus. by author. 416p. (Designer Writers Series). reprods. bibliog. index. notes. Global Renaissance Society. 2005. Tr $47.95. ISBN 0-9745750-3-8. LC number unavailable.
Adult/High School–In this gorgeous and stimulating work, a teacher presents a history of the book, printing, design, writing around the world, and computers that is easy and fun to read. This overview is the vehicle for showing off her ideas about book design and getting readers' creative juices flowing. Kirschenbaum uses color (for emphasis, for instance) as well as different font sizes and types, and incorporates paintings, drawings, and calligraphy in and around text to pique interest. She claims that when she began adding color and design to the material she assigned to her students, reluctant readers turned into eager ones, and actually wanted more. The author's approach can be especially revelatory for teens who are at the beginning of their creative lives, whether it be writing, graphic design, or art.–Judy McAloon, Potomac Library, Prince William County, VA
MCGOUGH, Matthew. Bat Boy: My True Life Adventures Coming of Age with the New York Yankees. 288p. Doubleday. 2005. Tr $22.95. ISBN 0-385-51020-9. LC 2004061756.
Adult/High School–McGough was 16 when he wrote a letter to the Yankees and asked for a position as a batboy. After persistently calling their switchboard over a period of weeks, he was finally granted an interview with the clubhouse manager. He got the job and spent 1992 and 1993 in the position. The author focuses on the positives and tells his story with immediacy, humor, and heart. While he met famous ballplayers and cute girls, he also had to deal with outsiders who sought to gain an in with such folks as Don Mattingly and George Steinbrenner by cozying up to peripheral personnel. This memoir is much more than an all-access pass to Yankee Stadium and baseball–it is an exquisitely written and observed book about growing up and the beauty of the game. The author is honest and self-effacing in his recounting–he almost failed high school when he placed his job before his studying–and he later mentions that being a batboy gave him confidence as he fulfilled his childhood dream. The book is a quick, fast read, full of amusing anecdotes involving spring training, bat stretchers, a pyramid scheme, and 50 illegal CDs.–Erin Dennington, Fairfax County Public Library, Chantilly, VA
VOWELL, Sarah. Assassination Vacation. 258p. illus. S & S. 2005. Tr $21. ISBN 0-7432-6003-1. LC 2004059134.
Adult/High School–Vowell has a perspective on American history that is definitely funny. She visits museums, historic sites, statues, libraries, anything remotely relevant to successful presidential assassins, and a few of those not so successful. This is an amusing way to learn history, but it is also an unusual look at the interconnectedness of things. Robert Todd Lincoln, "a.k.a. Jinxy McDeath," was present, or nearly so, at three assassinations–his father's, Garfield's, and McKinley's. To understand Garfield's assassin, the author spends time at the Oneida Colony in upstate New York, a religious commune that preached a combination of free love and the second coming, and connects it with Jonathan Edwards. She tracks the Lincoln conspirators through the process of plot and escape to hanging and imprisonment, even describing Dr. Mudd's enormous contribution when the plague hit the prison island of Dry Tortuga. Garfield's assassin was deeply involved in the redirection of the Republican Party after the Civil War, and McKinley's was an anarchist following, he thought, the tenets of Emma Goldman. There are family anecdotes and real scholarship in this quirky road trip. Teens will get an interesting view of one aspect of American history while picking up odd bits of information about a whole lot more. There is much to enjoy in this discursive yet somehow cohesive book.–Susan H. Woodcock, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
