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Sunday, December 29, 2019
Exciting Dogsled Race Novel Perfect for MG Readers Who Dig Outdoor Adventures
9:03 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
McKenna Barney loves mushing. Always has. Under normal circumstances, she—and her eight sled dogs—would be chomping at the bit to enter an upcoming, 200-mile dogsled race commemorating the brave work of early Canadian mail carriers. But these aren't normal times. The 14-year-old is showing signs of Stargardt disease, the same degenerative vision condition that has been stealing her younger sister's sight. McKenna doesn't want to admit her symptoms to her parents. That would only cause more tension, more fighting, and more stress over money. They're dealing with enough of that with one affected child. How much worse would it be with two?
When 8-year-old Emma realizes what McKenna's hiding, she makes her sister a deal. McKenna will run the race, carrying a letter from Emma to Foundation Fighting Blindness, asking the organization to help spread awareness about Stargardt disease. If she wins, Emma will say nothing to their parents about McKenna's condition. If she loses, Emma spills the beans. McKenna's not ready for that, so she must win. Even if it means navigating rough terrain, ice storms, animal attacks, and dogsled maintenance with low vision that's getting worse by the day. And it will. Can McKenna finish the race, let alone win?
Terry Lynn Johnson is an outdoor enthusiast with extensive dogsledding experience. It shows in her newest MG novel, Dog Driven, which rings with authority. The story includes lots of interesting information about mushing that's shared in a way that doesn't talk down to the reader or slow the plot's forward action. It also stars a strong, but vulnerable heroine who has to learn to have confidence in her abilities, accept her limitations, and ask for help when needed. Although the story stars several likable characters, the focus is really on the action-packed plot. There are plenty of exciting twists and turns in McKenna's path (literally and figuratively) to keep the tale exciting. Hand this one to kids who love the outdoors and are always up for a thrilling adventure.
(Readalikes: This is the first book I've read by Johnson, but I know she's written others about dogsledding and other outdoor adventures. Dog Driven also reminds me a bit of Hatchet by Gary Paulsen and The Wild Lands by Paul Greci)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Dog Driven on Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Saturday, December 28, 2019
Taut, Exciting Dystopian/Survival Story an Engrossing Read
5:13 PM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Three years ago, amidst chaos created by climate change and natural disasters, the United States drained Alaska of oil, then withdrew statehood to the cut-off land. Residents who desired to leave were removed to Maine. Those who refused were left to fend for themselves in the newly-designated "Sacrifice Area."
Travis' prepper father saw no reason to flee Alaska then, but he does now. With almost no food left and none to be found in the wild, his family is in danger of starving—and that's if they don't get killed first by the bands of hungry, half-feral people who roam the land, ready to kill for a can of soup. Their trek toward the Arctic ends too soon, leaving 17-year-old Travis and Jess, his 10-year-old sister, on their own. Determined to travel the 300+ miles to Anchorage, the pair sets out across the lonely wasteland. Along the way, they encounter dangers of every kind, from wild beasts to treacherous weather to impossible roadblocks to people who will help them to those who would just as soon eat them. With everything against them, can they make it all the way to Anchorage? What will they find if they get there? Will they ever be able to feel safe and at peace again?
The Wild Lands by Paul Greci is a taut, tense story that combines action/adventure, survival, and dystopian themes to create an exciting tale that should appeal to even reluctant readers. Greci is an experienced outdoorsman, which shows as he details the inventive methods Travis' family uses to survive in a harsh, unyielding environment. He's also a long-time Alaskan, which explains the vivid way he describes the land. The setting is so atmospheric that I could see, hear, and smell it as well as feel the desperation cloying the air. The characters are interesting, the prose strong, and the plot action-packed. True, there's nothing really fresh or original about the story. It's also a bit far-fetched, as the kids deal with literally every kind of survival/dystopian scenario there is on their journey. Still, though, it's a pulse-pounding thriller that I enjoyed. The ending is infuriating, yes, but also satisfying enough. I'm just hoping Greci has a sequel in the works.
(Readalikes: I'm trying to think of other novels that combine wilderness survival and dystopian elements, but no specific titles are coming to mind. Ideas?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a few F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, blood/gore, mild innuendo, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Wild Lands from the generous folks at Macmillan for the purpose of Cybils Award judging. Thank you!
YA Romance Cute, But Issue-y
3:39 PM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Don't Date Rosa Santos, a debut novel by Nina Moreno, is a little hard to describe. Since my brain is tired, I'm just going to use the book's back cover copy, which sums the story up nicely:
Rosa Santos is cursed by the sea-at least, that's what they say. Dating her is bad news, especially if you're a boy with a boat.
But Rosa feels more caught than cursed. Caught between cultures and choices. Between her abuela, a beloved healer and pillar of their community, and her mother, an artist who crashes in and out of her life like a hurricane. Between Port Coral, the quirky South Florida town they call home, and Cuba, the island her abuela refuses to talk about.
As her college decision looms, Rosa collides-literally-with Alex Aquino, the mysterious boy with tattoos of the ocean whose family owns the marina. With her heart, her family, and her future on the line, can Rosa break a curse and find her place beyond the horizon?
But Rosa feels more caught than cursed. Caught between cultures and choices. Between her abuela, a beloved healer and pillar of their community, and her mother, an artist who crashes in and out of her life like a hurricane. Between Port Coral, the quirky South Florida town they call home, and Cuba, the island her abuela refuses to talk about.
As her college decision looms, Rosa collides-literally-with Alex Aquino, the mysterious boy with tattoos of the ocean whose family owns the marina. With her heart, her family, and her future on the line, can Rosa break a curse and find her place beyond the horizon?
As warm and breezy as the wind off the ocean on a summer's day, Don't Date Rosa Santos is a light, entertaining YA romance. The relationships that shine the brightest in the book, though, aren't the romantic ones, but those between the members of Rosa's vibrant Cuban-American community. It's easy to feel the love flowing among them, even if it's sometimes tough to remember who's who. The love story between Rosa and Alex is also cute. As far as plot and pacing go, though, I have some issues. The whole curse thing around which the story revolves seems silly. Would a whole community really believe some ridiculous superstition like that? I don't think so. As far as pacing, the flow of Don't Date Rosa Santos seems frenetic at times and too slow at others. The story also feels disjointed, kind of here, there, and everywhere. While I enjoyed Rosa's community, the cute romance, and the novel's bright, happy vibe, I had too many other issues with the book to really love it. I liked it well enough, but it didn't bowl me over or anything.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of books by Kasie West)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs) and innuendo
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Somali Boy Soldier Novel Vivid, Action-Packed, and Moving
3:05 PM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
All Abdi Mohamed wants is for his family to be together and safe. When they're rounded up by soldiers, the 16-year-old Somalian is given an ultimatum by his American captors—infiltrate the Al Shabaab jihadi group or else. Abdi wants nothing to do with the terrorists, but he does want to find his older brother, Dahir, who was forcibly "recruited" by the group three years ago. As the brother of an established Al Shabaab member, Abdi has an "in" few others do, which makes him valuable. Even so, he has little choice but to do what he's told. His captors promise that if he does a good job, they'll make sure his whole family gets relocated to America where they will be free and happy.
Becoming an Al Shabaab soldier is risky enough, but being an embedded spy for the Americans is one hundred times worse. If Abdi is found out, he knows he and his family members will die a slow, painful death. His best bet is to get the information the Americans want, grab his brother, and get away from the jihadists as fast as he can. Abdi's plan begins to go awry almost immediately. Forced to keep his real purpose a secret, he must go along with Al Shabaab's drills and missions, doing what the others do. It's not long before he's just as much of a murderer as all the others. Can Abdi get away from Al Shabaab? Does he even want to? When a suicide vest is strapped to his chest, he will have to make an impossible decision.
I haven't read any books, fiction or non-, about Somali's boy soldiers, so I found Let's Go Swimming on Doomsday by Natalie C. Anderson completely fascinating. The characters are sympathetic, interesting, and complex. The plot speeds along at a furious pace, with lots of action and heart-pounding scenes. Anderson's prose is strong and her descriptions vivid, all of which makes the novel come to terrifying life. Timely and moving, Let's Go Swimming on Doomsday is an exciting, important read that should appeal to even reluctant readers.
(Readalikes: I haven't read anything else on this subject, so I'm not sure what to compare Let's Go Swimming On Doomsday to. Any suggestions?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
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