Carl Hiaasen is back! Chomp reminds me of my first Hiaasen novel, Striptease. That novel was full of wonderfully flawed, and fabulously funny characters, and it set me off on a Hiaasen obsession. I was so disappointed the movie didn't translate.
Hoot, his first YA novel, was very enjoyable but lacked the wacky humor of his adult novels. Chomp, is simply great.
I loved all of the characters, except for Tuna's dad, who nonetheless is portrayed as realistically evil. Derek, the "survivalist" will make everyone chuckle, particularly when you picture all of those shows where supposedly a man is surviving on his own..from day one of those shows I thought of the camera crew and chuckled at people who truly believed anything shown might have actually been dangerous.
The hero of the book, Wahoo, is an engaging young man, who works with his dad wrangling animals. His home is also home to a menagerie of animals, and the love he and his dad have for the animals and each other, is very nicely portrayed. They are hired to work on Derek's TV show, assisting Derek with the wild animals of the Florida Keys. Derek's wild antics, and selfishness set up some wonderfully comic moments, some of which are told in flashback highlights of former episodes.
I had been a bit reluctant to try this novel, because I didn't find Flush or Star Island worthy of recommending to anyone.
I highly recommend Chomp, and expect it to become a favorite of many.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
A few titles
I just finished The Limit by Kristen Landon; I thoroughly enjoyed it, until the ending. The first sentence, "An eighth grader was taken today." is clearly compelling, and truly from that point forward the story's momentum continues until the poorly developed ending.
This was another bookfair purchase, and I will recommend it to my students because the plot is so engaging. In a not too distant future, everyone has a debt limit..families can only purchase so much, and if they go over their limit their oldest child is taken to a workhouse to work off the debt.
Matt gets taken and soon discovers all is not kosher in the workhouse. Many of the revelations are rather obvious (what they purchase while in the workhouse is of course counted against their debt..increasing what they owe). I wish the author brought in some historical perspective..sharecropping and child labor would have been easily worked in, but the lack of information doesn't truly take away from the plot development.
The ending is truly my major quibble with this novel. It seemed rushed and not well thought out. The fact that the kids remain in the workhouse, and are now happy, makes the theme of the novel less worthy. I did enjoy the fact that each chapter has a bar code, and that nice touch plays into the theme quite well, however it somehow makes the ending seem even more poorly done.
Two other books I read recently are part of the adolescent book club I run. The first, Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix by Gary Golio, is a true must have. It is simply wonderful: a beautifully illustrated (Javaka Steptoe) picture book about Jimi when he was a child, discovering music and discovering a "rainbow of sounds." One great line, “A truck engine backfired, pounding like a bass drum, as a neighbor’s rake played snare against the sidewalk. . . . The sounds of life were calling out, and Jimmy Hendrix wanted to answer them.”
After the story is told, there are wonderful references to learn more about Jimi, music and substance abuse.
I held off reading, Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson due to the fact that Patterson has essentially franchised his name. I have been very dubious of his writing for sometime now as a result. I ended up purchasing it though, for my group, since a number of students recommended it.
I was concerned when I started reading it that members of my group would complain that it was inappropriate, and when we meet again in January I might hear comments along those lines, but I suspect those complaints will only occur from people who don't actually finish the book.
The main character sets out to break every school rule there is. Hence, my fear of complaints. However, those who finish the book will recognize there are consequences for his actions, and they will realize the reason he sets out to do what he does. It should make all teachers ponder why students misbehave, and perhaps not merely write off a kid as a "bad" kid.
This was another bookfair purchase, and I will recommend it to my students because the plot is so engaging. In a not too distant future, everyone has a debt limit..families can only purchase so much, and if they go over their limit their oldest child is taken to a workhouse to work off the debt.
Matt gets taken and soon discovers all is not kosher in the workhouse. Many of the revelations are rather obvious (what they purchase while in the workhouse is of course counted against their debt..increasing what they owe). I wish the author brought in some historical perspective..sharecropping and child labor would have been easily worked in, but the lack of information doesn't truly take away from the plot development.
The ending is truly my major quibble with this novel. It seemed rushed and not well thought out. The fact that the kids remain in the workhouse, and are now happy, makes the theme of the novel less worthy. I did enjoy the fact that each chapter has a bar code, and that nice touch plays into the theme quite well, however it somehow makes the ending seem even more poorly done.
Two other books I read recently are part of the adolescent book club I run. The first, Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix by Gary Golio, is a true must have. It is simply wonderful: a beautifully illustrated (Javaka Steptoe) picture book about Jimi when he was a child, discovering music and discovering a "rainbow of sounds." One great line, “A truck engine backfired, pounding like a bass drum, as a neighbor’s rake played snare against the sidewalk. . . . The sounds of life were calling out, and Jimmy Hendrix wanted to answer them.”
After the story is told, there are wonderful references to learn more about Jimi, music and substance abuse.
I held off reading, Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson due to the fact that Patterson has essentially franchised his name. I have been very dubious of his writing for sometime now as a result. I ended up purchasing it though, for my group, since a number of students recommended it.
I was concerned when I started reading it that members of my group would complain that it was inappropriate, and when we meet again in January I might hear comments along those lines, but I suspect those complaints will only occur from people who don't actually finish the book.
The main character sets out to break every school rule there is. Hence, my fear of complaints. However, those who finish the book will recognize there are consequences for his actions, and they will realize the reason he sets out to do what he does. It should make all teachers ponder why students misbehave, and perhaps not merely write off a kid as a "bad" kid.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Interesting adventure
I picked up 2 other books from my school's book-fair; I just finished the second. Sasquatch by Roland Smith, is a compelling adventure story. Cryptids and Cryptozoologists are terms I first heard about 15 years ago when I had a student who had Aspergers. He was fixated on cryptids (from the Greek "κρύπτω" (krypto) meaning "hide", are creatures or plants whose existence has been suggested but is unrecognized by scientific consensus and often regarded as highly unlikely.)*
Roland Smith is an author I have come to know over the past few years. The first book of his that I read was Peak, a more realistic adventure story centered on a young boy as he attempts to climb Mt. Everest.
Smith has written a couple of other books centered on Cryptids, Cryptid and Tentacles, and Sasquatch is a nice companion to those, though the characters are different.
Sasquatch takes place 18 years after Mount Saint Helens blew up (1980). The premise is that Bigfoot lived there, and many of the Bigfoot hunters believed that they were killed during the eruption.
In 1998, Dylan's father camps on Mount Saint Helens and believes he sees Bigfoot (in fact, Bigfoot saves him). He joins a Bigfoot Investigation society, and eventually joins a team that attempts to track Bigfoot.
Dylan becomes worried about his father's plans, and essentially tracks him and the Sasquatch hunting party. A great deal of trouble ensues, including earthquakes, a ruthless Bigfoot hunter, and a FBI agent who is tracking D. B. Cooper (an oddly nice tie-in, that works).
Sasquatch will draw in reluctant readers, and keep them hooked. It is a quick read that most 5th-7th graders will enjoy.
*source for Greek spelling etc: Wikipedia.
Roland Smith is an author I have come to know over the past few years. The first book of his that I read was Peak, a more realistic adventure story centered on a young boy as he attempts to climb Mt. Everest.
Smith has written a couple of other books centered on Cryptids, Cryptid and Tentacles, and Sasquatch is a nice companion to those, though the characters are different.
Sasquatch takes place 18 years after Mount Saint Helens blew up (1980). The premise is that Bigfoot lived there, and many of the Bigfoot hunters believed that they were killed during the eruption.
In 1998, Dylan's father camps on Mount Saint Helens and believes he sees Bigfoot (in fact, Bigfoot saves him). He joins a Bigfoot Investigation society, and eventually joins a team that attempts to track Bigfoot.
Dylan becomes worried about his father's plans, and essentially tracks him and the Sasquatch hunting party. A great deal of trouble ensues, including earthquakes, a ruthless Bigfoot hunter, and a FBI agent who is tracking D. B. Cooper (an oddly nice tie-in, that works).
Sasquatch will draw in reluctant readers, and keep them hooked. It is a quick read that most 5th-7th graders will enjoy.
*source for Greek spelling etc: Wikipedia.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Black Swans
Caroline Cooney is a staple for any mystery loving teen. Therefore, many of her titles find a home in my classroom library.
I came across Three Black Swans while perusing my school's book fair. The back of the hardcover reads: "Black Swans: events that are hugely important, rare and unpredictable, and explainable only after the fact."
This sets up quite an unusual premise, girls discovering they are part of a multiple birth adoption. Initially I was irritated I hadn't read the first few pages prior to purchasing the book. I found the writing odd, and felt that perhaps Cooney was just writing to meet a deadline.
I gave it time, and ended up enjoying the book despite some plot issues and issues with the characters. The set-up seems implausible. How could girls, who spend as much time with each other as they do, not recognize they are identical? While Cooney does a fair job of explaining this (one girl was quite small when born, and apparently there are cases where identical twins don't look alike until the tiniest grows and catches up)..so okay, I end up buying this.
However there are issues with paperwork and schooling that I don't truly buy, but I go with the flow, because the mystery of it remains intriguing.
That is the only intriguing aspect though. The characters are mere outlines, and that diminishes the novel. Each girl (a third is soon introduced) is only a caricature of what she could be. It is as if Cooney had an outline: this character will react this way, and this this way, and she never got around to developing nuances. The worst by far was the development of the birth parents. While initially it seems plausible they made the decision to do what they did, their reconciliation with ViVi isn't at all plausible.
Nor is it believable that no one in their immediate family recognized what was going on. Cooney should never have mentioned a shower was thrown for the birth parents, because after-all that is done late in a pregnancy, and there is no way a woman giving birth to triplets could pretend she is only giving birth to one, at that stage of the game so to speak.
So...plot holes, lack of character development would normally make for a poor review. And it does, if you are an average reader. But, if you are the parent of a daughter who is "aliterate" someone who can read but chooses not to, than you might want to buy this and give it to her.
The pacing is great; the honing in on how teen girls think, what they fantasize about, how a moment in time with an impulsive decision can have huge ramifications, the whole "I think I am adopted" fantasy many teens have (tripled here) will be a huge draw for those girls who simply can't find a book that meets their criteria.
I know the students I am going to recommend this novel to, as well as a particular 8th grade niece.
I came across Three Black Swans while perusing my school's book fair. The back of the hardcover reads: "Black Swans: events that are hugely important, rare and unpredictable, and explainable only after the fact."
This sets up quite an unusual premise, girls discovering they are part of a multiple birth adoption. Initially I was irritated I hadn't read the first few pages prior to purchasing the book. I found the writing odd, and felt that perhaps Cooney was just writing to meet a deadline.
I gave it time, and ended up enjoying the book despite some plot issues and issues with the characters. The set-up seems implausible. How could girls, who spend as much time with each other as they do, not recognize they are identical? While Cooney does a fair job of explaining this (one girl was quite small when born, and apparently there are cases where identical twins don't look alike until the tiniest grows and catches up)..so okay, I end up buying this.
However there are issues with paperwork and schooling that I don't truly buy, but I go with the flow, because the mystery of it remains intriguing.
That is the only intriguing aspect though. The characters are mere outlines, and that diminishes the novel. Each girl (a third is soon introduced) is only a caricature of what she could be. It is as if Cooney had an outline: this character will react this way, and this this way, and she never got around to developing nuances. The worst by far was the development of the birth parents. While initially it seems plausible they made the decision to do what they did, their reconciliation with ViVi isn't at all plausible.
Nor is it believable that no one in their immediate family recognized what was going on. Cooney should never have mentioned a shower was thrown for the birth parents, because after-all that is done late in a pregnancy, and there is no way a woman giving birth to triplets could pretend she is only giving birth to one, at that stage of the game so to speak.
So...plot holes, lack of character development would normally make for a poor review. And it does, if you are an average reader. But, if you are the parent of a daughter who is "aliterate" someone who can read but chooses not to, than you might want to buy this and give it to her.
The pacing is great; the honing in on how teen girls think, what they fantasize about, how a moment in time with an impulsive decision can have huge ramifications, the whole "I think I am adopted" fantasy many teens have (tripled here) will be a huge draw for those girls who simply can't find a book that meets their criteria.
I know the students I am going to recommend this novel to, as well as a particular 8th grade niece.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Wyatt Hunt
John Lescroart has been a staple in my library. I have read each and every book of his, and have generally loved them all. His novels bring back memories of my time in San Francisco, but more importantly I have enjoyed getting to know Dismas and Glitsky, and their assorted friends and family. The writing has always been top notch, whether one looks at character development, or the development of the legal quandry or mystery at hand.
Recently he has developed another series that deals with Wyatt Hunt. There are clear connections with the former series, and initially I was a bit worried. I feared it would diminish the original series and that the second couldn't possibly hold up.
Fortunately the first venture was quite good, and the latest proves to be even better.
The Hunter, which will be published January 3rd, delves into Hunt's past. He discovers information regarding his birth parents. How he initially starts the process is unique (mysterious text messages) and what he discovers would send anyone into a tailspin.
This is the area where Lescroart shines. Hunt's mental state is beautifully explored. If the reader has ever suffered from an anxiety attack, or knows someone who has, you couldn't find a better description than what Hunt experiences.
The twists and turns of the plot are entertaining, and though at times it stretches belief, (you will find yourself googling some historically infamous people, to see how plausible some of the developments are), the development of both the plot and Hunt's reactions to those developments play out very nicely.
Lescroart's talent lies in his ability to create entertaining plots, without ever losing site of his characters. They don't do things that defy their nature. I have left series due to this flaw of some authors (Cornwell for one) but I continue to read Lescroart, and this latest reminds me why I will continue to read both of his series.
Recently he has developed another series that deals with Wyatt Hunt. There are clear connections with the former series, and initially I was a bit worried. I feared it would diminish the original series and that the second couldn't possibly hold up.
Fortunately the first venture was quite good, and the latest proves to be even better.
The Hunter, which will be published January 3rd, delves into Hunt's past. He discovers information regarding his birth parents. How he initially starts the process is unique (mysterious text messages) and what he discovers would send anyone into a tailspin.
This is the area where Lescroart shines. Hunt's mental state is beautifully explored. If the reader has ever suffered from an anxiety attack, or knows someone who has, you couldn't find a better description than what Hunt experiences.
The twists and turns of the plot are entertaining, and though at times it stretches belief, (you will find yourself googling some historically infamous people, to see how plausible some of the developments are), the development of both the plot and Hunt's reactions to those developments play out very nicely.
Lescroart's talent lies in his ability to create entertaining plots, without ever losing site of his characters. They don't do things that defy their nature. I have left series due to this flaw of some authors (Cornwell for one) but I continue to read Lescroart, and this latest reminds me why I will continue to read both of his series.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Grief, beautifully told.
As I read, A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, I was drawn back to one of my last conversations with my father. I so wish I had had this book then.
The book tells the tale of Conor, and the very real monster he is dealing with. The book is beautiful, with a unique structure. The pictures of the Yew tree monster are incredible, and the narrative is simply beautiful. This book will haunt you. It will make you laugh, make you cry and leave you awestruck.
Grief is the dominant theme, but forgiving yourself (and others) is a close second.
My favorite line of all is, "Stories are the wildest things of all," the monster mumbled. "Stories chase and bite and hunt."
There are three tales interwoven in the novel, that take off in unexpected, but ultimately wonderful ways.
I am sure this book will win numerous awards, but don't read it only for that reason. If you have lost someone close to you, this book can be a welcome salvo.
If you enjoy traveling through the lens of a novel, and are hungry for a unique voice, read this book.
The book tells the tale of Conor, and the very real monster he is dealing with. The book is beautiful, with a unique structure. The pictures of the Yew tree monster are incredible, and the narrative is simply beautiful. This book will haunt you. It will make you laugh, make you cry and leave you awestruck.
Grief is the dominant theme, but forgiving yourself (and others) is a close second.
My favorite line of all is, "Stories are the wildest things of all," the monster mumbled. "Stories chase and bite and hunt."
There are three tales interwoven in the novel, that take off in unexpected, but ultimately wonderful ways.
I am sure this book will win numerous awards, but don't read it only for that reason. If you have lost someone close to you, this book can be a welcome salvo.
If you enjoy traveling through the lens of a novel, and are hungry for a unique voice, read this book.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
First Review
Cinder, by Marissa Meyer is an enjoyable debut. A dystopian take on a classic fairy tale (actually, a few fairy tales find their way into this novel), it has well developed characters and an entertaining plot.
There are a few plot elements that are perhaps not worked out as well as they could be (if the queen holds the power that she does, why doesn't she just take over?) but they will surely be worked out over the course of the 4 part series. The reader knows who Cinder is almost from the beginning, but that doesn't spoil the novel at all. In fact it made me anxious, wondering when she would find out and how the author would develop that element.
Too many YA novels are turned into series, when one novel would have sufficed. Cinder is fortunately an exception. The pacing was well done, with nothing dragging merely to create a series.
I wanted to read the book quickly, yet at the same time I didn't want to finish knowing the second book isn't sitting on my nightstand.
I highly recommend Cinder.
There are a few plot elements that are perhaps not worked out as well as they could be (if the queen holds the power that she does, why doesn't she just take over?) but they will surely be worked out over the course of the 4 part series. The reader knows who Cinder is almost from the beginning, but that doesn't spoil the novel at all. In fact it made me anxious, wondering when she would find out and how the author would develop that element.
Too many YA novels are turned into series, when one novel would have sufficed. Cinder is fortunately an exception. The pacing was well done, with nothing dragging merely to create a series.
I wanted to read the book quickly, yet at the same time I didn't want to finish knowing the second book isn't sitting on my nightstand.
I highly recommend Cinder.
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