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Showing posts with label Autism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Autism. Show all posts
Friday, December 18, 2020
MG Debut Warm and Uplifting
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Because of his autism, Hank Hudson feels things—especially sadness—very keenly. His hyper sensitivity has gotten him into plenty of trouble already, which is why he's hesitant to join the new girl's campaign to free her neighbor's dog. It's not that he doesn't care about Booler's plight. He does. The 2-year-old pit bull, who's constantly tethered to a too-short chain, is pitiable. But Hank has enough problems without Maisie Huang bossing him around and getting him mixed up in some ill-planned rescue mission.
When Maisie makes him an offer he can't refuse, Hank becomes her reluctant wing man in a covert operation to help Booler escape his confinement. It's not long before Maisie's enthusiasm overtakes her good sense (again) and the kids are caught up in a plan that's quickly spiraling out of control. Hank needs order to keep his world on an even keel. The more chaotic Maisie's escapade becomes, the more anxious he gets. When push really comes to shove, can he keep it together long enough to fulfill the mission? Can they give the poor pooch the freedom they so desperately think he needs? What if the plan to free Booler isn't really about the dog at all—what if it's the two misfits looking for belonging who are really the ones in need of rescue?
There are so many things to love about We Could Be Heroes, a debut middle-grade novel by Margaret Finnegan. Not only is it warm and funny, but its depictions of autism are some of the clearest, most helpful explanations of the disorder that I've ever come across. Hank's feelings and actions seem very authentic, which probably has a lot to do with the fact that Finnegan has an autistic daughter who helped her make them so. Both he and Maisie are wonderful characters, who are interesting, humorous, and relatable. Their actions are consistent with their ages, which makes them feel like real kids. In addition to likable story people (and canine), the book also features a compelling plot and engaging prose. Finnegan uses these elements to subtly teach valuable lessons about how to be a real friend, accepting people in spite of their differences, reserving judgement, and owning up to and learning from one's mistakes. Overall, We Could Be Heroes is simply a great children's book. I loved it.
(Readalikes: Um, I can't think of anything. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for scary situations
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Moose is Back and Better Than Ever in Newest Alcatraz Adventure
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Note: Although this review will not contain spoilers for Al Capone Throws Me a Curve, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Alcatraz novels. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
While Moose Flanagan's friends believe his living situation on Alcatraz is the coolest thing ever, Moose just thinks of it as home. The Island might house an inescapable prison, where some of the country's most notorious criminals are locked up, but it's not like he rubs shoulders with them in the chow line. As unique a hometown as Alcatraz might be for a kid, it's still just a community with the same kind of mundane problems that plague any other place. Of course, not every boy gets a helping hand now and then from the likes of Al Capone, but still ... Moose is just an ordinary kid.
It's the summer of 1936 and Moose has only one thing on his mind—baseball. He desperately wants to make the high school team. When his batting skills fail to impress the team's captain, Moose is offered a deal. If he can bring the captain an impressive souvenir from the Rock, Moose is in. It's an impossible task, but Moose has to try.
Moose's big plans are thwarted by his usual nemeses, Natalie and Piper. Although Natalie is four years older than Moose, her "special" condition means she can't be left alone. The last thing on earth Moose wants to do is drag her to the mainland baseball diamond every day, but he's left with little choice. He can't keep her out of trouble if he can't see her. Unbelievably, the warden has asked him to keep an eye on his daughter as well. Although Piper's pretty, she's also a mischievous, danger-loving whirlwind who's not afraid to sell out anyone who gets in the way of her scheming.
All Moose wants to do is play baseball, but he's got two troublesome girls to watch over, a souvenir to procure, and a possible prison riot to worry about. Before he knows it, he's up to his chin in problems. When Natalie disappears at the worst possible time into the worst possible place, Moose is terrified—not just for his high school baseball career but for his very life ...
It's been five years since Gennifer Choldenko published an Al Capone book and man, have I missed Moose Flanagan! He's an ordinary kid, yes, but one who possesses a heart of gold. If you haven't gotten to know this understated but unforgettable character, you need to go back and read the three books that come before Al Capone Throws Me a Curve. They're all atmospheric, entertaining, and exciting. As is the newest installment in this excellent series. Al Capone Throws Me a Curve brings back all the characters I fell in love with in the previous books and throws them into a new adventure that's even riskier than those that have come before. With an intriguing setting, sympathetic characters, and lots of action, this book will keep readers young and old entertained from beginning to end. I can't recommend the series highly enough. I adore it.
(Readalikes: Other books in the Alcatraz series, including Al Capone Does My Shirts; Al Capone Shines My Shoes; and Al Capone Does My Homework. It also reminds me of The Warden's Daughter by Jerry Spinelli.)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence, scenes of peril, and brief, mild language (no F-bombs)
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Al Capone Throws Me a Curve from the generous folks at Penguin Random House. Thank you!
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Feel-Good, Fast-Eating MG Novel a Delicious Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
There's only one thing David Miller is really good at: eating. As a growing 14-year-old boy, he's constantly hungry, which means he's always shoveling food down his hatch. He's never dreamed, however, that his talent for fast eating could actually earn him money. Not until he accidentally spends $2000 on a non-returnable item using his mom's credit card. Suddenly, he has to come up with some serious dough—and he has to do it before his parents get the bill.
While he's stressing about the upcoming eating contests he's entering, David also has to worry about his brother. As the unnoticed/ignored middle child, he's always stuck watching 10-year-old Mal, who's severely autistic. Plus, his two best friends are acting ... weird. Like lovey-dovey. It's almost as if they're trying to be a couple or something. Creepy.
With all the tension in his life, David's having a hard time concentrating on his main goal—winning enough money to pay his mom back before she realizes what he's done. Can he do it? It's time to put his stomach of steel to the test ...
Slider, a middle grade novel by Pete Hautman, is a warm, funny story about friendship, family, and, of course, food. Despite its lighthearted vibe, the novel deals with some serious issues and teaches valuable lessons about loyalty, acceptance, and appreciating perspectives that differ from your own. I've never read a book about competitive eating before, so that aspect of the story feels original to me. Slider is, overall, a fun story that will especially appeal to boys and reluctant readers. I'm neither, but I thoroughly enjoyed it as well.
(Readalikes: Um, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs) and vague references to sex
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-galley of Slider from the generous folks at Candlewick via those at NetGalley. Thank you!
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Delightful Rosie Makes Me LOL (in Public)
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Don Tillman, a 39-year-old associate professor of genetics, lives his life according to a rigidly structured schedule designed to ensure his time is spent in the most logical, efficient way possible. He has little patience for any activity that forces him to deviate from his impeccably-organized itinerary. Dating, thus, presents a bit of a problem. Although he desires a wife, and should—statistically speaking—have no trouble finding one, Don cannot seem to attract the perfect partner. Even a suitable one, it seems, is impossible for the professor to attain. Wasting time getting to know females who simply will not do as potential mates is making Don crazy. Since he is not the type of man to let a conundrum go unsolved, he vows to find himself a bride using the parameters he knows best: logic, efficiency, and hard, provable data.
Thus, The Wife Project is born. Don comes up with a brilliant, 16-page tool for finding the perfect woman:
A questionnaire ... A purpose-built, scientifically valid instrument incorporating current best practice to filter out the time time wasters, the disorganized, the ice-cream discriminators, the visual-harassment complainers, the crystal gazers, the horoscope readers, the fashion obsessive, the religious fanatics, the vegans, the sports watchers, the creationists, the smokers, the homeopaths, leaving ideally, the perfect partner or realistically, a manageable short list of candidates. (Page 17)
Rosie Jarman, an unpredictable barmaid ten years his junior, is the exact kind of woman the questionnaire is designed to eliminate from Don's dating pool. Still, he's intrigued by her passion, especially when it comes to seeking out her biological father. As Don lends his expertise to The Father Project, he finds himself falling (illogically, irrationally) for the exuberant Rosie. Does such an unconventional pairing have any hope of lasting? Can someone as unbending as Don ever be happy with someone as pliable as Rosie? Only one thing is certain: Don's rational attempt at finding a wife has turned into a messy affair that proves love is rarely logical, never predictable, and always ready to turn your life upside down.
The Rosie Project, a debut novel by Australian playwright Graeme Simsion, is one of those books that's embarrassing to read in public. Not because of risqué cover art or a suggestive title, but because I couldn't stop laughing—out loud—at the antics of its main character. This hilarious rom com is so delightful that I could hardly restrain myself from smiling, chuckling, and sharing the best bits with the room at large. It's just a fun all-around read. I loved the unique premise, the sparkling prose, the intriguing characters, and especially, the growth that Don's character shows throughout the novel. Hype usually steers me away from a novel—in this case, it drew me to one of the most delightful books I've read all year.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language and sexual innuendo/content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Oh, Moose Flanagan, I'm Going to Miss You So!
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Al Capone Does My Homework, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Alcatraz books. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
Moose Flanagan's a worrier. Always has been. The 13-year-old worries about Natalie, his autistic older sister. He worries about Darby Trixle, the prison guard who's had it in for Moose ever since the Flanagans moved to Alcatraz Island. He worries about Piper Williams, the girl he likes on the outside, but not so much on the inside. And, now, he's got to worry about his father, too. Moose stressed enough when his dad was just an electrician—with his dad's new job as associate warden, the teenager's worrying slams into overdrive. When Piper informs him about a deadly game the cons play with Alcatraz's leading men, Moose can hardly breathe, he's so scared for his dad.
In the meantime, all kinds of weird stuff is happening on the island: Piper's acting stranger than usual; a mysterious fire forces the Flanagans out of their apartment; Darby Trixle's more adamant than ever about kicking Natalie off the island; and the cons are up to something sinister. With the aid of his friends (which just may include the infamous Al Capone), Moose has to figure out what's going on before it's too late for his sister, his dad, and himself.
Ever since I read Al Capone Does My Shirts, the first installment in Gennifer Choldenko's appealing upper middle grade series about life on Alcatraz in the 1930s, I've been captivated. Not just by the unique setting, but by the colorful characters, the day-to-day problems Moose faces, and the authentic, yet entertaining ways he goes about solving them. Each of the books in the series brings something new to the table; Al Capone Does My Homework (available for purchase on August 20, 2013) is no exception. Choldenko just has a gift for bringing the world of Alacatraz to life in books that enchant both children and adults. Be warned, though—the Alcatraz stories are edgier than they seem. Still, this is one of the most original, well-written historical middle grade series out there. My only complaint with the newest book is that it will be the last one in the trilogy. Anyone got a tissue? I'm really going to miss the always endearing Moose Flanagan.
Grade:
Although this book is written for middle graders, because of some language (no F-bombs) and violence, it's really most suited for readers aged 10+.
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Al Capone Does My Homework from the generous folks at Penguin Young Readers Group. Thank you!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
A FAYZ Finale (*Sniff, Sniff*)
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Light, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Gone novels. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
More than a year has passed since everyone over the age of 14 vanished from Perdido Beach, California. Those left behind, residents of a domed area dubbed the FAYZ, have learned to fend for themselves—and not just for food, water and shelter. They've had to battle a deadly plague; giant, bloodthirsty worms; feral coyotes; and, worst of all, each other. While some have used their strange new superpowers to do good, others have caused only destruction. Chaos is what The Gaiaphage—a horrifying, control-hungry monster—wants and that's exactly what it's getting. Now that the dome has turned opaque, spectators can see what's happening in the FAYZ. They're outraged, not just because there are children trapped inside, but because of what those children have become.
Despite the news helicopters buzzing around outside the dome, the fast food signs glowing in the night, and the hundreds of people gathered to peer inside, nothing much has changed in the FAYZ. Sam's group is hunkered down at the lake; Cain and his cronies rule the town; Astrid's autistic brother, Little Pete, is MIA; and Diana's stuck with the psycho baby that emerged from her own womb. Gaia's gaining strength by the hour. She's bent only on destruction—of her nemesis, Little Pete; of the FAYZ and everyone in it; and of the world beyond. Fighting Gaia is impossible. The kids can't survive against her mighty power, especially if they can't learn to stand together. Even if they do, even with their strongest mutants on the front lines, even then, there's a good chance none of them will make it out of the FAYZ alive. And yet, Sam refuses to go down without a fight. Can Sam and his friends foil the Gaiaphage and save the world or will their efforts all be in vain?
Call me a sadist, but I'm sad to see the FAYZ end. It was inevitable, of course, and truly, I'm impressed at how Michael Grant was able to up the ante in each of the books until, finally, bringing the series to a dramatic, yet satisfying, conclusion. I've enjoyed all the novels and Light is no exception. It's got all the action, drama, suspense, and even humor that I expect from these books. And while I didn't absolutely love the ending, it felt right.
(Readalikes: Other books in the Gone series [Gone; Hunger; Lies; Plague; Fear] by Michael Grant; as well as other YA dystopian novels)
Grade: B
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (no F-bombs), violence/gore, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Slow, Snore of a Story Too Dull For My Tastes
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Still reeling from the unexpected death of his mother, the last thing 13-year-old Jack Baker wants is to be shipped off to boarding school. But that's exactly what has happened. Jack longs for Kansas and the home he's left behind. Maine just isn't the same. Even with his Navy captain father stationed nearby, Jack couldn't feel more adrift. It's not like he really knows his father—a strict man who's been fighting in the European Theater for the last four years—but he'd rather be in Kansas with him than living on the shores of the Atlantic with a bunch of boys he doesn't know. Jack's mother would have listened to his concerns; his father doesn't care.
It doesn't take long for Jack to realize he'll never quite fit in at Morton Hill Academy for Boys. He's a hick, who gets nauseous just looking at the ocean. Boats are as foreign to him as the moon—he certainly doesn't know how to row like the other boys. And that's just the most noticeable difference between him and the others. When Jack meets Early Auden, a strange kid who's mostly ignored by Morton Hill's staff and student body, he knows he's finally made a friend. No one else hangs out with this oddest of boys, but with Early, Jack feels tolerated, if not accepted.
When Early hatches a crazy plan to track an (allegedly) extinct bear, Jack wonders if his new pal might be not just weird, but actually insane. And yet, Jack finds himself following his crazy friend on a wild adventure along the Appalachian Trail. On the way, they'll encounter pirates, mountain men, and all sorts of other strange characters. Will they locate the great Appalachian bear? Or will the startling truths they discover about themselves be enough of a treasure to satisfy the young adventurers?
The best words I can think of to describe Navigating Early, a new middle grade novel by the Newbery Award-winning Clare Vanderpool, are the same adjectives with which the boys of Morton Hill labeled Early—strange, odd, weird, etc. It really is a different kind of book, one that I'm just not sure its target audience is going to appreciate. The story starts slowly, drags through the middle, and finally picks up at the end. The question is, will young readers stick around that long? Because, like I said, it's a strange little book. And the tale pretty much centers around math. I mean, its real themes are friendship, loyalty and overcoming grief, but there's a lot of talk about the number pi. Odd for a children's book. The writing itself isn't bad, it's just that the story scoots along at such a snail's pace that I grew bored with it very quickly. Honestly, if I hadn't been reading it as part of my volunteer work at my kids' school, I wouldn't have gotten past the first couple chapters. I just can't imagine young readers seeing it through to the end either.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a little of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain)
Grade: C+
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for scary images and violence
To the FTC, with love: I borrowed a copy of Navigating Early from my children's elementary school library as part of my volunteer work with the school's homegrown reading program.
Friday, August 31, 2012
A is For Alright, But Not Amazing
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Tink Aaron-Martin's got some time to kill. That's the thing about being grounded—it's a vast, endless ocean of empty hours, minutes and seconds. What's a 12-year-old aspiring writer to do? Why, create her own encyclopedia, of course! Starting with Aa (a type of lava) and ending with Zoo (of course), Tink takes the reader through the alphabetized story of her life. She tackles brothers (she has 2), parents (2, although it might as well be none thanks to the long hours they work), her brother's autism ("Let's talk about this endlessly! By which I mean, let's not"), her BFF (who's smarter, prettier, funnier than Tink and maybe, too mature to hang out with her anymore), and a new friend (a blue-haired skateboarder named Kai, who is of no interest to Tink—none at all). Mostly, though, it's a story about growing up, because that's what Tink does during the "weirdest, most wonderful summer of my life."
There's not a lot of plot going on in The Encyclopedia of Me by Karen Rivers, which makes it a difficult book to describe. Still, it's an entertaining read, with a clever format, a lovable heroine and some poignant thoughts on friendship, family and finding oneself. Although the snark sometimes feels overdone, Tink's narration is what makes the novel so fun. She's a funny girl, full of all the angst and insecurity that comes with being almost 13. I appreciate the fact that Tink's bi-racial, although there's little else that's really unique about her or her story. All and all, I wanted more from The Encyclopedia of Me, especially in the way of plot. It's a fun read, but one that wanders rather aimlessly and doesn't leave much of an impact.
(Readalikes: Nothing comes to mind. Any ideas?)
Grade: C+
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG; Because the book talks a little bit about puberty and has some kissing in it, it would probably be most appropriate for children ages 11 and above
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Encyclopedia of Me from the generous folks at Scholastic. Thank you!
(Readalikes: Nothing comes to mind. Any ideas?)
Grade: C+
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG; Because the book talks a little bit about puberty and has some kissing in it, it would probably be most appropriate for children ages 11 and above
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Encyclopedia of Me from the generous folks at Scholastic. Thank you!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Rules: The Sweet, Simple Novel That Owns My Heart
Knock before entering someone's bedroom.
Don't talk with your mouth full.
Take off your shoes when you come inside the house.
All families have rules. Catherine's does, too. Only they don't necessarily apply to her younger brother, David. He has his own rules to follow:
It's fine to hug Mom, but not the clerk at the video store.
Take your shoes off at the doctor, but at the dentist leave them on.
If someone is holding something you want, ask if you can have a turn.
Keep your pants on! Unless Mom, Dad, or the doctor tells you to take them off!
Most kids David's age just know what to do in these situations. Not David. His autism makes him act differently than other people, something Catherine knows better than anyone. She's seen him freak out over the tiniest issues, things a "normal" kid wouldn't even notice, let alone care about. She's watched his odd behavior attract stares, giggles and cruel teasing from other children. She's comforted him, defended him, tried to teach him about appropriate reactions. She's let him hog their parents' attention, sat patiently through hours of his therapy appointments and missed out on the kinds of trips and vacations kids with regular families go on all the time. Catherine wishes fervently that there were no such thing as autism. Sometimes, she even wishes there was no such thing as David.
When 12-year-old Kristi Peterson moves in next door, Catherine's thrilled. She's always wanted someone in the neighborhood her age to hang out with. It's clear, though, that Kristi's the type of girl who's destined to be popular; if Catherine wants to win her over as a BFF, she'll have to act fast. There's only one problem: David. How can she impress Kristi when he's always hanging around acting so ... different? Real friends understand, that's what Catherine's mother always says. But how can anyone get David? She doesn't even get David most of the time.
Catherine's surprised when she makes another new friend, this one even more unexpected than the last. Jason Morehouse is funny, friendly and seems to enjoy her company, but when Kristi suggests inviting him to the community dance, Catherine hesitates. What Kristi doesn't know is that Jason's confined to a wheelchair and he's only able to speak by pointing to words in his communication book. Catherine gets enough stares when she's with David - what will happen if she's seen with Jason?
Sorting through all the feelings that war in her heart - resentment toward her parents who always put David's needs before hers; guilt over her sometimes hateful feelings about her brother; embarrassment over her "irregular" family; and, most of all, shame for all her horrible thoughts - Catherine's forced to face grim truths about herself. Does she crave Kristi's friendship enough to betray her family? Her wheelchair-bound friend? How far will she go to get a normal life? And what's normal anyway?
As much as I love Cynthia Lord's sophomore novel (Touch Blue), it's her debut that really owns my heart. Rules is a rare kind of story, one that offers truth without bitterness, humor without mockery, and sweetness without sentimentality. Catherine's voice rings with such authenticity that her brother's disability becomes instantly personal and intensely relatable. It's impossible not to feel her heartbreak, not to root for her success. So comfortable is Lord in the world she's created for Catherine and David that their story flows along with a natural ease that just feels right. Middle grade books rarely touch me the way this one did, but Rules grabbed me from the first sentence and hasn't let go yet. If you only have time to squeeze in one more book this year, make it this one.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of Al Capone Does My Shirts and Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko; also reminded me a little of Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult)
Grade: A
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for content more suited for kids over the age of 8
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Jodi's Back and Man, How I've Missed Her!
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Cold.
Withdrawn.
Emotionless.
Anti-social.
Psychopathic.
That's how 18-year-old Jacob Hunt appears to most people. His mother knows better. She knows Jacob's unwillingness to look someone in the eye doesn't equal disrespect, his "tantrums" aren't thrown out of selfishness, and his inability to connect with others doesn't mean he has no desire to. She knows the very traits that make her son look like a remorseless killer can be explained: Jacob Hunt has Asperger's. All she has to do is convince a jury. Considering Jacob's obsession with crime scenes, his admission of "cleaning up" after his friend's death, and his refusal to apologize for his actions, that might be a little difficult.
Life has never been easy for Emma Hunt, one of the stars of Jodi Picoult's newest book, House Rules. Ever since she noticed Jacob disconnecting as a toddler, she's been searching for answers. Her singleminded devotion has meant sacrifice - her husband left years ago, she has no friends, she spends every penny she makes on Jacob's care, and she's unable to give her younger son, Theo, any kind of normal life. When Jacob is accused of murdering Jess, his social skills tutor, things quickly go from bad to worse.
Jail is not friendly to a person who craves quiet, order and routine. Although Jacob is "high-functioning" and has some control over his obsessions, his discomfort with these new accomodations have him "stimming." Emma watches his decline with horror - she's spent her whole life helping Jacob control the obsessions, the fidgeting, the nervous tics that are hallmarks of his disease. In a panic, she hires the first lawyer she can find. Oliver Bond is a former farrier with no experience trying a criminal case. Still, he finds Jacob fascinating, Emma even more so. Together, they work to build a case.
At the same time, Rich Matson, a detective who's been around the block more than once, collects the evidence that could put Jacob away forever. Not every clue adds up, though - Jacob's rarely violent, why would he turn on the one person his age who really seemed to care for him? He's also a brilliant amateur crime scene investigator - why would he leave a sloppy crime scene? Jess' boyfriend's no prince - did he have anything to do with the crime? And what about Theo, whose desire for normalcy led him to break into people's houses? What part did he play in Jess' death?
As Oliver, Rich, Emma and Theo all try to piece together what really happened to Jess Ogilvy, they will have to reevaluate everything they think they know and ask themselves the truly tough questions: Should a person with special needs be treated any differently than a neurotypical defendant? How can a mother, who's spent her whole life insisting her son's not crazy, suddenly embrace an insanity plea? Isn't it wrong to push a boy, who is already on the edge, to the very brink, just to prove the limitations of his condition? Can a person who's incapable of empathizing even understand remorse? Does the legal system truly serve everyone equally or only those who look and act "normal?"
I've been a Jodi Picoult fan for a long time. Her trademark - taking a compelling, "ripped from the headlines" issue and examining it from all sides - works well for me. I love the way she digs into her characters, making me care about their plights even if I don't agree with their points of view. Even though she's used this method consistenly, I've been disappointed with her last few novels. From predictability to poor editing to just somehow lacking that Picoult pizzazz, they haven't captured me like her earlier novels did. Well, I'm glad to say that Jodi's back. House Rules proves it. I'm not saying the story's perfect - it's a bit predictable and there's at least one of those nitpicky, but annoying editing mistakes that just bug (On Page 134, Emma says her mother made Jacob's ROYGBIV quilt, on Page 475, Emma claims it as her own work). Still and all, it's a riveting, thought-provoking story that will leave Picoult fans cheering.
Jodi Picoult is back, folks. And man, how I've missed her!
(Readalikes: Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult; Al Capone Does My Shirts and Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko; Saving Sammy by Beth Maloney)
Grade: B+
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language and some sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I bought this glossy hardcover from Amazon.com because I love books in general and Jodi Picoult in particular. So there.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Al Capone Does My Shirts Crackles With Authenticity, Life
(Image from Barnes & Noble)It's January 4, 1935, and 12-year-old Moose Flanagan's the newest inmate at Alcatraz Island. At least that's how it feels. Leaving friends and baseball behind in Santa Monica to come to a "twelve-acre rock covered with cement, topped with bird turd and surrounded by water" (3) isn't exactly his idea of a life. But, Moose is one of those kids who follows the rules, dutifully doing whatever he's told. He's also a boy who loves his sister, however odd she may be. He knows the move to Alcatraz will allow Natalie a chance to attend a special school for kids like her, while giving his father a steady job to help pay the pricey tuition. So, here he is. Okay, he's grumbling a little bit - after all, his dad's working all the time, his mother's stressed out caring for Natalie, and there's no one on the island with whom to play ball.
It's not as if there's no one else on the island. After all, the prison's home to a mess of the worst criminals alive, including the infamous Al Capone. Even the worst of the worst need cooks, doctors, guards and so on and those workers have families - all of whom live on Alcatraz. There are plenty of kids, too - 25 counting Moose and Natalie - so it's not like there's nothing to do. Still, hanging out with a pesky 7-year-old and her sports-challenged brother hardly counts as great times. And then there's the warden's daughter. Snooty Piper's as conniving as the criminals her father oversees. When she gets an idea, Moose soon learns, it's best to just watch out. Of course, when she taunts him for being a chicken, he has to prove that he's not, which is how he winds up searching for convict baseballs, spying on the inmates, and running a laundering scam. All with his weird sister trailing after him. Not that she notices anything amiss - Natalie's too busy counting her buttons, obsessively arranging and re-arranging them, solving complex math problems in her head, and sometimes, zoning out completely.
When Moose accidentally puts his sister in harm's way, he realizes just how dangerous Alcatraz is for someone like Natalie. She needs help, the kind of help only professionals can give her. But she's a teenager (despite his mother's insistence that she's ten) with a severe disability - most would dismiss her as a lost cause. Moose knows he has to help her, even if it means enlisting Piper's help, even if it means angering the warden, even if it means breaking the rules. Moose doesn't want trouble, but c'mon, he lives on Alcatraz - it's not as if trouble's hard to come by.
Although Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko brings Alcatraz to vibrant life, the book's not really about the island. It's mostly a story of a boy and his sister. It's the story of a brother forced to deal with conflicting feelings of shame, resentment, guilt, but also love and devotion. It's also a funny, very readable tale of adventure. Lots of historical detail makes it crackle with authenticity and life. It's unique, engaging, heartbreaking, brilliant. I loved it. The sequel will be out in September - guess who'll be first in line to buy it?
Grade: A
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for mild language and one disturbing situation
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