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Thursday, March 31, 2016
Middle Grade WWII Story Heart-Wrenching, Hard to Forget
8:07 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Unlike the children she watches from the window of her London flat, 10-year-old Ada Smith has never gone outside. Because of the club foot with which Ada was born, Ada's mother calls her a "cripple" and insists she stay inside where no one can see her shameful deformity. There's nothing Ada wants more than to flee her filthy, roach-infested apartment; escape from her mother's cruel taunting; and run around outside with friends. Her little brother gets that privilege every day; it's difficult not to envy 6-year-old Jamie his freedom.
When the fear of German bombs dropping on London starts propelling concerned parents to send their children out of the city, Ada seizes the opportunity to forge a new life for herself and her brother. But Mam will only agree to send Jamie away. Refusing to be left behind, Ada sneaks out to join him. Soon, the siblings find themselves in the Kent countryside under the care of Susan Smith, a lonely spinster who insists she isn't fit to be their guardian. And yet, Ada and Jamie thrive under her watchful eye.
As the months fly by and London remains untouched, children are being sent back home. That's the last thing Ada and Jamie want. Can they hold on to the stable, peace-filled life they know with Susan or will they be forced to go back to the miserable squalor that used to be all they knew?
The War that Saved my Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is the heart-wrenching story of a young girl's triumph over abuse. As Ada rises above her pitiable circumstances, tackling every obstacle in her path with courage and compassion, she comes to realize that strength of character has nothing to do with physical appearances. For the first time in her life, she knows that not only is her twisted foot nothing to be ashamed of, but also that it doesn't have to keep her from living a life that is as full and happy as anyone else's. Chock-full of important lessons, The War that Saved my Life is a poignant tale that preaches acceptance and love as antidotes to overcoming adversity of all kinds. It's a different kind of WWII story, not my absolute favorite, but one I've found difficult to forget.
(Readalikes: Hm, nothing's really coming to mind. Suggestions?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and disturbing subject matter (child abuse/neglect, the horrors of war, discrimination against the disabled, etc.). Homosexuality is also alluded to, albeit vaguely.
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Timeless LDS Romance Tells an Uplifting, Inspiring Story
12:35 PM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When Cal Morgan and Kate Clayton first meet in eighth grade, the sparks immediately began to fly. At least for Cal. As the years go by, the shy farm boy continues to pine after the dark beauty even as she climbs up the social ladder to a rung far beyond his reach. It's only in his 20s, following three years as an LDS missionary, that Cal begins to suspect he might actually have a chance with the vivacious Kate. Even though her parents' long-ago divorce has made Kate leery of commitment, Cal can think of no one he'd rather have as his wife. He's prepared to court her for as long as it takes, but there's one big obstacle standing in his way: war. Can Cal make it out of the conflict alive? If so, will Kate be waiting for him upon his return? Can their love survive the horrors of war? Can Cal?
Inspired by a true story, By the Stars, a debut novel by Lindsay B. Ferguson, tells of a sweet romance that blossoms between two ordinary people living in extraordinary times. Although the war chapters get a little gruesome, the tale is, on the whole, a gentle one. It's a clean, inspiring story that promotes faith, fidelity, and focusing on the good even when surrounded by evil. By the Stars is a timeless tale, the sort you can hand to your teenager or your grandmother without worrying about offending the delicate sensibilities of either one. All the characters in the book are likable, especially our hero and heroine. Both are wholesome, kind-hearted souls; it's easy to root for their happiness.
The thing is, though, it's a little too easy. Because of the book's Prologue, we know the answers to most of the questions I posed in the first paragraph of this review before Cal even starts telling his story. This makes the novel feels very predictable, even dull in spots. I kept waiting for twists and turns, a little suspense to throw the couple's HEA into question, something to make me wonder and worry about their relationship's future. While the action definitely picks up when Cal ships off to war, the first 200 pages or so of By the Stars really dragged for me. It doesn't help that Ferguson's prose is much more tell-y than show-y. Or that the text is liberally peppered with typos, misused words (poignantly and pointedly, for example) and errors. The author assures me all of these will be fixed in the electronic/Kindle version of the novel as well as future print runs, which is good because they are definitely irritating and distracting in a "finished" book.
Overall, I think By the Stars has good bones. It really is an endearing tale, especially because it's based on a real love story. In fact, it reads like a memoir, which may be a better format for it than a novel. To work well as fiction, I think the story needs much more dynamic prose; a focused, less episodic plot; better pacing; and more depth/nuance. For me, as is, it's just an okay read.
Note: Although I always try to write balanced reviews, my style still tends toward the brutal. I know this, you know this. Since my opinion isn't the only one that matters (Shocking, I know!), be sure to check out other reviews for By the Stars at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads. You can also follow along on the book's blog tour:
March 9: Robyn Echols | Rambling Reviews
March 10: Bookworm Lisa | Totally Obsessed
March 11:
March 12: Novel-ties | Books R Us
March 13: Read Between the Bindings | This Mormon Life
March 14: Marianne Sciucco | Clean Romance Reviews
March 15: LDS & Lovin’ It | Emmy Mom
March 16: I Am a Reader
March 17: Getting Your Read On
March 18: Mel’s Shelves | The Things I Love Most | From Eeka’s Eyes
March 19: Singing Librarian Books | Inklings and Notions
March 20: Ashley Ziegler | Jorie Loves a Story
March 21: Katie’s Clean Book Collection | My Little Sunshines
March 22: Aubrey Zaruba | Making Life a Bliss Complete | The Random Book Blogger
Books Are Sanity | Fire and Ice
March 23: Becky’s Book Reviews | Rockin’ Book Reviews
March 24: My Reading Spot
March 25: September Fawkes
March 26: Wanna Be Balanced Mom
March 27: Compass Book Ratings | Wishful Endings
March 28: Blooming with Books
March 29: Jorie Loves a StoryMarch 30: Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books
March 31: The Real Housewives of Riverton
(Readalikes: Hm, nothing is coming to mind. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and a few respectful references to sex
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of By the Stars from the generous folks at Cedar Fort. Thank you!
Friday, March 25, 2016
Alternate History Soldier Girls Series Off to an Intriguing Start
12:30 PM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
On September 16, 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Selective Training and Service Act into law. While military conscription had occurred in The United States before, this was the first time it had happened during peacetime. The law required all men between the ages of 21 and 35 to register for the draft. As the probability of the U.S. entering World War II became more evident, the law was expanded to include all men between the ages of 18 and 45. Females were not included.
But what if they had been?
What if women were not only required to register for the draft, but also allowed to voluntarily join the military and serve in combat roles? What if they, like their male counterparts, were given the chance to prove themselves on the front lines during World War II? How would it have changed things, both during the conflict and afterward?
These are the questions asked in Front Lines, the first novel in a new alternate history YA series by Michael Grant. In it, we're introduced to three ordinary women whose lives change irrevocably because of a 1940 ruling which allows them to enlist in the military. Two years later, 16-year-old Rio Richlin, a farmer's daughter from California, lies about her age in order to sign up. Not only does she want revenge against the enemies who killed her soldier sister, but she wants to do her part to serve her country. Frangie Marr, a 17-year-old black girl from Oklahoma, wants to be a doctor. It's a pipe dream, of course, but one she might be able to realize—to some degree, at least—by getting medic training and experience in the Armed Forces. Besides, her family desperately needs the money she can earn as a soldier. Knowing her double minority status will make her a particularly vulnerable target, Frangie signs up anyway. Rainy Schulterman, an 18-year-old Jewish woman from New York City's Lower East Side, wants her chance to outwit the Nazis who are systematically murdering her people in Europe. Training to be an intelligence officer is a challenging but fulfilling way to use her smarts against the seemingly unstoppable enemy.
As Rio, Frangie, and Rainy make their way through enlistment, boot camp, advanced training, and war itself, they'll find challenges and difficulties around every corner. Not only will they battle flagrant discrimination, but they'll also endure the pain, fatigue, fear, homesickness, and self-doubt that plagues every soldier. Along the way, however, they'll discover the vast potential that lies within each of them—and the courage to unfurl it in defense of the country they love.
I'm always intrigued by World War II novels, especially those written for teens. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak, Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, and Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys all stand out as excellent stories that bring the conflict, with all its inherent drama, to life. Even among these titles, though, Front Lines stands out. Its unique premise makes it different from the rest. While the story itself may not be all that original, Grant keeps it exciting by throwing plenty of conflict into the characters' paths. The front lines action doesn't begin until 3/4 of the way through the book, but the first 300 pages still managed to keep my attention. More or less. Yes, it feels long in places and no, it isn't as mesmerizing as I wanted it to be, but I still enjoyed Front Lines. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein; Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith; and Rites of Passage by Joy N. Hensley)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence, blood/gore, language (no F-bombs—the word "fug" is used as a substitute), and sensuality/sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Front Lines by Michael Grant from the generous folks at HarperCollins. Thank you!
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Unique Calvin Stands Out in the Contemporary YA Crowd—In A Very Good Way
7:14 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
"Now I was seventeen and a tiger was talking to me and I wasn't scared of the monsters under the bed. I was scared of the monster in the bed, which was me" (13).
It's not like it's an overly common name, Calvin. So, it can't be a coincidence, can it, that Calvin has always felt connected to the old comic, Calvin and Hobbes? After all, he was born on the day Bill Watterson published the last strip, his favorite toy used to be a stuffed Hobbes (until his mom washed it to death), and his best friend (okay, his only friend) is a girl named Susie. Creepiest of all is that Hobbes has returned, only now he's a walking, talking, full-blown delusion that Calvin can't shake no matter how hard he tries. Calvin realizes it's not normal for a 17-year-old boy to have an imaginary friend. 'Course, schizophrenia isn't exactly commonplace among his high school peers, either. Question is, how is he supposed to deal with a mental illness as terrifying as the one that's taking over his mind? First things first: Calvin has to ditch the delusive cat. As far as he can see, there's only one way to do that. If he can convince Bill Watterson to write one more Calvin and Hobbes story—this one sans Hobbes—the imaginary feline will disappear from existence. Writing to the comic's creator hasn't worked, so Calvin's taking his plea to Watterson's front door. It will mean tramping across frozen Lake Erie with a girl who may or may not be real, but Calvin is determined to stop a figment of his imagination from taking over his life.
Can his foolhardy plan really work? Can he accomplish something so daunting, especially when he's not sure if the trek is happening for real or just inside his muddled brain? In his desperation to find a cure for his schizophrenia, has Calvin doomed not just himself but his only friend as well?True originality is not a quality often found in contemporary YA literature. That's one of the reasons Calvin by Martine Leavitt is such a gem. With a unique premise, an otherworldly setting, and an intriguing blend of adventure, humor, and psychological thriller, it's definitely different from the norm. Which is a good thing. A very, very good thing. At less than 200 pages, it's a quick read but a surprisingly complex one. Both tender and touching, Calvin is appealing, absorbing, and absolutely unforgettable. Destined to be a sleeper hit, this is one contemporary YA novel you don't want to miss.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for scenes of peril and vague references to sex
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
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