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Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Watery Dystopian World Makes For Wide-Eyed, Gnawed-Fingernail Adventure
5:29 AM
(Image from Indiebound)
Ever since massive flooding drowned the old world in mucky water, killing off most of
Earth's population, chaos reigns in what were once civilized countries. Gentle England of yore no longer exists, replaced by a hardscrabble land where food, clean water, and safety are luxuries few can afford. Life on the mainland is so bleak that its residents will offer anything, even their children, to escape. Young boys are taken to The Island, a place rumored to have adequate shelter, plenty of food, and guaranteed protection for kids willing to work for it. When Baz wins a coveted spot on the transport ship, he's elated. He'll miss his father, but life can only be better on The Island. How could it possibly be worse?
Earth's population, chaos reigns in what were once civilized countries. Gentle England of yore no longer exists, replaced by a hardscrabble land where food, clean water, and safety are luxuries few can afford. Life on the mainland is so bleak that its residents will offer anything, even their children, to escape. Young boys are taken to The Island, a place rumored to have adequate shelter, plenty of food, and guaranteed protection for kids willing to work for it. When Baz wins a coveted spot on the transport ship, he's elated. He'll miss his father, but life can only be better on The Island. How could it possibly be worse?
It doesn't take long for Baz and the other newbie, 13-year-old Ray, to figure out that X-Isle ain't exactly Eden. Once a posh girl's school, the island's crumbling buildings now house a trio of sadistic brothers; Preacher John, their father and self-appointed prophet; the ragtag group of boys who do the family's bidding; the diving equipment necessary to the Ecks' salvage business; and rooms full of canned food, water bottles, pots, pans and other relics from the world Baz once knew. The treasure's locked up, of course, away from the greedy stomachs of starving boys, who work from dawn to dusk sorting the bounty for the Eck brothers to sell on the mainland. Bullied by the older "capos," the boys get one tin of food a day, sleep on soiled pallets, and are forced to slave away at whatever tasks the Ecks assign them.
Maybe his stomach's fuller on X-Isle than it was on the mainland, but Baz is getting tired of his island prison. It's becoming clear that, despite what the Ecks tell their families, boys never leave the island. When Preacher John's fanaticism reaches terrifying new heights, Baz and his friends know they have to escape. But nothing in this new world is easy. Overthrowing the bizarre little island kingdom is tantamount to suicide. And for what? The nightmare that passes for freedom on the mainland? It's up to the boys to decide, up to the boys to survive.
X-Isle, Steve Augarde's gritty YA dystopian novel, introduces a harsh new world where the battle for survival has become as desperate and bloody as any war. Young Baz represents innocence lost and found as he struggles to preserve his humanity in the face of grim reality. He - along with the rest of the island's lost boys - is instantly empathetic, his story constantly compelling. Not all of the tale's surprises are that surprising, but that hardly matters. X-Isle is a tense, action-packed adventure that will appeal to even the most reluctant readers (though they may be put off by the book's bulk). Dystopian fans know the genre's never light and fluffy, and this book's no exception. Still, it's one of those stories that had me racing through the pages with wide eyes and gnawed fingernails, knowing I wouldn't - couldn't - stop until I read every last word.
(Readalikes: Reminded me a little of Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi)
Grade: B
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 (possibly R) for language (no F-bombs, although Augarde is British so I'm not familiar with all the expressions he uses), violence, and some sexual content
To the FTC, with love: Another library
finefind
Monday, January 17, 2011
Tiger Mother Infuriates This Rabbit Mommy
1:00 AM
(Image from Indiebound)
What do you call a mother who forces her 10-year-old to practice playing the violin seve
n hours a day, then screams at her, says she's "trash," and accuses her of shaming the family if she dares to complain? I'll tell you who I'd be calling - Child Protective Services. But, according to Amy Chua, author of the new memoir Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, the scenario I described is just another day in the trenches for a Chinese mother (which she defines as someone who parents in a Chinese manner, regardless of ethnicity or nationality). What we Westerners would label abuse, they identify as "parenting." Lest you think Chua is exaggerating or making assumptions based on cultural stereotypes, let me tell you straight up: the mother I'm talking about is her. And, although her parents immigrated from China (via The Philippines) in 1960, she's American. Having been reared in a strict Chinese household herself, she chose to bring her daughters up in the same unyielding manner, a process which included bullying them both into becoming musicians. Honest and unapologetic, her book chronicles the years she spent trying and - in the case of her youngest - failing to make her girls into exactly what she wanted them to be.
n hours a day, then screams at her, says she's "trash," and accuses her of shaming the family if she dares to complain? I'll tell you who I'd be calling - Child Protective Services. But, according to Amy Chua, author of the new memoir Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, the scenario I described is just another day in the trenches for a Chinese mother (which she defines as someone who parents in a Chinese manner, regardless of ethnicity or nationality). What we Westerners would label abuse, they identify as "parenting." Lest you think Chua is exaggerating or making assumptions based on cultural stereotypes, let me tell you straight up: the mother I'm talking about is her. And, although her parents immigrated from China (via The Philippines) in 1960, she's American. Having been reared in a strict Chinese household herself, she chose to bring her daughters up in the same unyielding manner, a process which included bullying them both into becoming musicians. Honest and unapologetic, her book chronicles the years she spent trying and - in the case of her youngest - failing to make her girls into exactly what she wanted them to be.
Chua, a Yale law professor and author of two previous books, is married to Jed Rubenfeld, also a law professor and writer. Although Rubenfeld had the gall to believe kids should enjoy childhood, he allowed Chua to rear their young daughters in a traditional Chinese way (whether or not he is in real life, Chua portrays him as a spineless doormat). This, according to Amy, involved pushing their girls into not only getting perfect grades but also playing the piano and violin. A weekly lesson or two was not enough for Chua, who aimed to get her daughters into Julliard and beyond. While Sophia, the eldest of the girls, practiced more or less willingly, the youngest wanted nothing to do with music. Stunned by the child's rebellion, Chua yelled, screamed, threatened, mocked, shamed, bribed and otherwise coerced young Lulu into playing the violin. And not just at home, but on vacation, in intense lessons with world-class musicians, in auditions before stern judges, during "wasted" school periods - for hours and hours and hours every day.
As a result of Chua's constant pushing, the girls did become accomplished musicians, collecting awards, honors and accolades that bought their mother's affection. Chua remembers Saturdays, which the girls spent taking lessons at the Neighborhood Music School, as "the highlight of my week" (45, emphasis added by me) and the Spring her daughters performed to great admiration as "some of the best days of my life" (49, emphasis added by me). When Lulu finally breaks down, an event which causes Chua to (very reluctantly) let her quit violin, Chua recalls how she, not Lulu, "wandered around the house like a person who'd lost their ... reason for living" (213). As much as the author insists that "everything I do is unequivocally 100% for my daughters" (148), it's pretty obvious from the descriptions of her obsessive, controlling, self-serving behavior that the only person she does anything for is herself.
Considering the subtitle of the book ("This is a story about a mother, two daughters, and two dogs. This was supposed to be a story of how Chinese parents are better at raising kids than Western ones. But instead, it's about a bitter clash of cultures, a fleeting taste of glory, and how I was humbled by a thirteen-year-old."), I expected Chua to experience the kind of epiphany that makes her realize she's ruining her life with her own ridiculousness. And it is. Kinda. Because her daughter's unhappiness does eventually wake Chua up, but not enough to make her admit that by stubbornly insisting on perfection, she might have destroyed her child's life. There's no self-deprecating humor here, no humble admittance of mistakes, just a half-hearted acknowledgment that Chua's dictatorial parenting style might not work for every child.
Since I can't stop ranting about this book, you might think I detested it. Not so. I found it fascinating. Fascinating in the same way I think TLC's My Strange Addiction is fascinating, but still ... It's always interesting to get a glimpse into someone else's psyche. Plus, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother is inarguably compelling, well-written and provocative. So, no, I didn't hate it. I just have issues with the behavior and conclusions Chua discusses in the book. While I do agree with Chua that American parents are often alarmingly overindulgent, I also don't think saying, "All decent parents want to do what's best for their children. The Chinese just have a totally different idea of how to do that" (63) is enough to excuse Chua's monstrous behavior. She may be Chinese (-American), but she is also (presumably) human (not that you'll see much evidence of that in her book). This, in the end, was what I found most disturbing about the book - not the writing, the editing, the construction, the content, or even the cover art, it was the author herself. I couldn't stand her. What I really wanted to do was rip the "It's All About Me" sticker off her forehead, crush her rose-colored glasses under my heel and force her to face reality. Call me a consummate Westerner, but I can't stand people who willingly shred a child's self-esteem in order to bolster their own. I guess I'm just American like that.
(Incidentally, I was born in the Year of the Rabbit which, according to the ultimate authority [i.e. Wikipedia] means I am sensitive, flexible, and amiable, pretty much the exact opposite of a Tiger. Might that have something to do with my strong reaction to this book?)
(Readalikes: Although I've only ever read her fiction, Amy Tan's books come to mind.)
Grade: B
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for one use of strong language (no F-bombs) and the verbal/emotional abuse of children
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother from the owners of TLC Book Tours, for whom this review was written. Thank you!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Danger Box Immensely Enjoyable
1:00 AM
(Image from Indiebound)
No one understands 12-year-old Zoomy Chamberlain like his grandparents do. Gam keeps him supplied with fresh notebooks and purple pens so he can turn his obsessive worrying into nice, orderly lists, while Gumps' gentle humor keeps everything on an even keel. The kindly couple, who've cared for Zoomy since his birth mother left him on their front porch wrapped in nothing but an old sweatshirt, make him feel safe and loved. So what if he's a little odd, can't see very well even with his Coke bottle glasses, and has no friends his own age? Zoomy's perfectly happy to craft his lists, help Gump at his antique store, and tend the garden with Gam.
When his father shows up out of the blue, Zoomy's peaceful existence erupts. Buckeye Chamberlain's a drunk who's caused Gam and Gumps nothing but trouble. He barely acknowledges Zoomy's existence, staying at the house only long enough to dump a box in the toolshed. It's only after the police come around, informing the Chamberlains that Buckeye's driving a stolen pickup, that Zoomy gets curious about the box. Inside, he finds a crumbling journal full of lists, notes, and scientific observations. The almost inscrutable entries look so similar to Zoomy's lists that he feels an instant connection with the author of the diary. He wishes he knew who wrote it. The only clue is a date: 1835. There are plenty of old books in Gumps' antique store, so Zoomy knows it's probably not valuable. Except, what if it is?
The more Zoomy examines the diary, the more he learns - about friendship, family, and a world-reknowned scientist whose obsessive compulsions seem awfully familiar. Zoomy's fascinated by the journal and, even though he knows he should turn it over to the police, can't make himself give it up. With Buckeye on the loose and a strange man watching Zoomy's every move, things are getting downright dangerous for the boy who craves calm. Can he solve the journal's mystery before someone takes it from him? Or should he turn it over to the police before Buckeye makes good on his threat to harm the two people Zoomy loves most?
The Danger Box by Blue Balliet is the kind of adventure that will appeal to readers of all ages. With a cozy, small-town setting, warm, interesting characters, and an intriguing, unique mystery, it's a fun, heartwarming story that manages to be both exciting and educational. I enjoyed it immensely.
(Readalikes: Um, I can't think of any. Can you?)
Grade: B-
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for some mature themes (alcoholism, child abandonment, etc.)
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Danger Box from the generous folks at Scholastic. Thank you!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
7 Teens + 1 Vicious Nor'easter + 1 School With No Heat, Electricity or Cell Reception = 1 Desperate Struggle for Survival
1:00 AM
(Image from Indiebound)While falling snow is, arguably, one of the most beautiful sights to behold, it doesn't take much to turn a few gentle flakes into a fierce, driving nor'easter. It's just a fact of life in New England. Fifteen-year-old Scotty Weems has heard the old-timers at the coffee shop yapping about the "big ones" enough to know how dangerous, how deadly the storms can become. Which is why he's a little concerned when school's released early due to an oncoming storm and he's still waiting for his ride to show two hours later. As the snow piles up around Tattawa High School, it becomes obvious that Scotty and the six others who didn't escape in time, are stranded. Trapped. With no cell phone reception, no electricity, and no hope of rescue, the only thing they can do is hunker down until the storm subsides.
When it becomes clear the blizzard won't be abating any time soon, the kids have to face the facts: they're stuck at school for the forseeable future. Food isn't really a problem, but staying warm's getting more and more difficult. Then, there's the missing teacher, the hacking coughs that could spell illness for everyone, and the roof that's slowly collapsing under the weight of all the snow. Completely cut off from the outside world, the kids can only rely on themselves. With some people flirting, some fighting, and some immobilized by fear, it's going to be a long, hard fight for survival. One that will have devastating consequences.
In Trapped, Michael Northrop's sophomore novel (which releases February 1), the author returns to Tattawa High School, the setting of his first book, Gentlemen. As he told me on his blog, "Just when I thought I was out, Tattawa pulled me back in! I already felt so familiar with and invested in that setting that I thought, you know, why not pound it into submission with a massive blizzard? I guess I’m just sentimental that way…" The new characters are on a higher social tier than the last bunch, but they're still struggling with a situation that's quickly spiraling out of their control. Scotty's an engaging hero, whose voice rings mostly true. His self-deprecating humor makes him likable, while providing some levity in spite of the story's increasing tension. While the plot does drag a little in places (after all, there's not a lot to do in a dark, cold, empty school building), and the characters never develop enough for me (especially the girls), it's still a pretty intense ride.
If it wasn't for the ending, I would leave it at that, recommending Trapped as a compelling novel guaranteed to suck in even the most reluctant readers. However, there's the small issue of the book's finale. The last 100 pages is where the story really starts getting good and intense. It stays that way until the last page where it just abruptly cuts off. Now, my copy is an ARC, so there's a chance I'm missing a chapter or two. I hope that's the case, because otherwise I'm going to have to call this conclusion one of the most ambigious, least satisfying ends I've ever read. This kind of survival story really doesn't lend itself well to sequels, so I have a sinking suspicion I'm never going to know what happens to the gang at the school. I've never liked those cop-out "What do you think happened?" finales, I want the author to spell it out for me. Darn it, Northrop, and I was really starting to like you ...
(Readalikes: Although Trapped is not dystopian,the survival aspect reminded me of Susan Beth Pfeffer's The Last Survivors series)
Grade: C
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for some language (no F-bombs), suggestive humor and sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Trapped from the generous folks at Scholastic. Thank you!
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