Ninth Ward

Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes 2010

Little, Brown & Company/Hachette Books

Rating: 4.5/5

IQ "At lunch, I eat my tuna sandwich and apple juice at my table. I call it "my table", 'cause no one will sit with me. But, unlike, TaShon, I don't try to be invisible. I sit right in the middle of the cafeteria. I'm not ashamed of me." Lanesha, pg. 56

Lanesha is twelve years old and she sees ghosts. Not scary ghosts, just the everyday ghosts of New Orleans' Ninth Ward, ranging from ghosts with saggin pants to the ghost of her mother. Lanesha doesn't have a lot of money or a big family or lots of friends. But she does have Mama Ya-Ya who took her in after her mother died and is fiercely devoted to her. Mama Ya-Ya is able to see the future and she predicts hurricane Katrina. Mama Ya Ya knows it's going to be far worse than what the news anchors are saying, but she's too weak to help prepare the home for the storm. It's up to Lanesha to step up and take charge in order to make it through Katrina.

I adore this book. I had one or two little issues with it, but ultimately they didn't really factor into my enjoyment of the story. At times Ninth Ward could be quite vague. Lanesha often refers to her mysterious "uptown family", but she never really explains who they are or why they want nothing to do with her. Sure I can guess why that is, but this is one of those times that I wanted it spelled out for me. Lanesha talks about it at first, then she forgets about them and then she thinks about them all over again. I wanted some answers for her sake as well as my own. I think the story could have been a bit longer. The ending seemed rather abrupt, it didn't have to be much longer, just cover one or two other events that were left open.

"I'M NOT ASHAMED OF ME." What twelve year old do you know who would say that? Better yet, what high school student would say that? I certainly can't make that statement with confidence. The Incredible Quote I shared produced two distinct emotions in me, complete and utter sadness because at that line I officially wanted to be Lanesha's big sister (I'd even settle for younger sister or friend) so that I could hug her and reiterate to her how wonderful she is, and yet, her classmates can't see that. I also felt awe and joy because the fact that someone as young as Lanesha can be so comfortable in their own skin is beyond inspiring. Lanesha is one of the most commendable heroines that I've ever read. A large part of her appeal is her precociousness. I love that she immediately stepped up to help out Mama Ya Ya and anyone else who came to her door needing help. I kept forgetting she was twelve, I'm pretty sure I would not have had her courage at the age of twelve in the face of such a scary storm.

Ninth Ward is a quick read that glides along, guided by the consistent and valiant voice of Lanesha. Lanesha is not all brave all the time. That would not be realistic. she has moments of doubt and she faces real terror, I was holding my breath at times. Yet, somehow, she pushes through. I can only attribute to her being a remarkable young woman raised in a harsh environment but by a loving mother-like figure. I do wish some elements of the story had been further discussed and there was a particular storyline that I wanted a conclusion to. However there are twists in every chapter and the added supernatural of Lanesha seeing ghosts is an excellent addition to the story. Lanesha is thought to be evil because she was born with a caul, but Mama Ya Ya teaches her that being born with a caul makes her special and that she should embrace her gift to see ghosts. Lanesha embraces life with both arms, her gifts, her oftentimes dismal situation and her uniqueness. This is one character I would love to meet. In addition to the fabulous protagonist, the writing is simplistic but not in a bad way. It's fitting for the story, no-nonsense with a hint of a whimsical air.

Disclosure: Received from Carol. Thank you, thank you Carol! And thank you to everyone who recommended it (you know who you are).

PS I would love to see this novel win the Coretta Scott King Award (although I have other favorites as well and plenty of other books to read. More on that later).

Male Monday: I Am Nuchu

I Am Nuchu by Brenda Stanley 2010 (ARC)
Westside Books


Rating: 1.5/5


IQ "But most of them [traditions] are written by people other people; writers who are not us. If you don't live it and practice it, it's not the same and will be lost." Grandfather pg. 190

Cal Burton is half Nuchu (Ute is the name given the Nuchu by white people) but he's never cared to learn more about his heritage. He's forced to live in the throes of his culture when his parents divorce and he must go live with his mother on the Utah reservation where she grew up. Cal hates everything about Fort Duchesne Reservation, he wants to go back to Spokane, Washington where is a basketball star and has lots of friends. In Utah, there is blatant racism and the sheriff is the driving force behind much of the racism. Cal gradually starts to learn that the reason they moved back to the reservation is not as clear cut as it seemed and that the Burton family has LOTS of secrets.

Before I start this review, I just want to say that I am not Nuchu or Native American so I can't say for sure if any of this was offensive to the Nuchu people but as a non-Native reader, I found some of this to be offensive. (if it's not offensive to Native peoples, I will raise the rating). First of all, I was always under the impression that Native Americans did not like to be called Indians, they prefer to be called by their tribal name, in this case, Nuchu. However throughout the entire book, EVERYONE says Indian. I can understand why the racists say it and I even understand why Cal says it, he sees it as a derogatory name befitting a group of people he wants nothing to do with. however Doran, Cal's brother is supposed to be the sensitive one, but even he says "Aren't you curious about the Indians?" (pg. 9). This makes the Nuchu sound like some foreign species and granted, Cal does Doran "[t]his isn't the old West." (pg. 9) but both boys continue to refer to the Nuchu as "the Indians." Which led me to think they both hate being Nuchu and yet, the author seems to be trying to make the claim that Doran is proud of his heritage and so are the other Nuchu people that Cal meets. If they are so proud, why do they identify themselves as Indians, a term that the ignorant people of the town use? Another incredibly annoying issue was alcohol. Shortly after arriving on the reservation, Cal catches his mom drinking at 10 AM. We aren't told how many beers she had nor are we told if she has previous history of being an alcoholic. But all of a sudden Cal is raging about his 'alcoholic mother' who hangs out with her "drinking buddies" (pg. 48). True having a beer in the morning is troubling, but I'm not sure I would immediately jump to the conclusion that my mother is an alcoholic!

The writing style also grated on my nerves. It was ALL TELL, no show. "Robert's face turned to despair." (pg. 254), "Cal swung around surprised" (pg. 58), etc. These feelings/emotions could be conveyed through the words Cal/Robert/whoever used, I don't need to be told that Cal is surprised, I should be able to gather that from the context. Furthermore, I was so tired of everyone lying to Cal. It just didn't seem realistic. I understand lying at first to protect him, but after he finds out one of the truths, why not just tell him everything? I suppose this could also be seen as a strength of the novel because I was just as fed up as Cal over the lies. I did like that the author was discussing revenge versus justice, but the execution fell so flat, I didn't pay it much mind. I never got a grasp on the personalities of all the characters either. Cal meets Puck, Johnny and Fly, but I couldn't keep them straight because they all blended together. They appeared when they were needed to help out the plot, but that was it. I didn't get a feel for Rachel (Cal's sister either).

I Am Nuchu has potential due to its complex mystery surrounding the death of Cal's aunt as well as the reasons as to why Cal and his siblings had to move back to the reservation, but it never comes together. The writing is slow, heavy with unnecessary details and not allowing the dialogue of the characters to carry the story. The characters are one dimensional and the dialogue sounds unnatural at times. To top it all off, I wasn't a fan of "Indian" being thrown about so casually and I'm not sure I liked the messages about alcoholism being presented. I was hoping to walk away from this book with a stronger idea of Nuchu culture, but that is not the case.

Disclosure: Received for review from Westside Books. I'm sorry :(

New Crayons & What books MUST I read before 2010 ends?

First, the year is almost over. I've already created my rather-lengthy list of the best books I've read in 2010 (so far). I'm going to spend these last few weeks of 2010 trying to finish up all my challenges and read all the books sent to me for review. But what other books must I absolutely read before 2010 ends? Must be by/about a poc, of course. But I so don't want to miss out on anything good! So let's have at it, in the comments leave me title suggestions. Odds are, I'll only get to read one or two of the recommendations but I'm curious to see if I missed out on ALL the great titles or if I read a great deal of them.

New Crayons is hosted by Color Online

Everything is from the library

Wanting Mor by Rukshana Khan

Jameela lives with her mother and father in Afghanistan. Despite the fact that there is no school in their poor, war-torn village, and though Jameela lives with a birth defect that has left her with a cleft lip, she feels relatively secure, sustained by her unwavering faith and the strength of her beloved mother, Mor. But when Mor suddenly dies, Jameela’s father impulsively decides to seek a new life in Kabul. Jameela, a devout Muslim, is appalled as her father succumbs to drink and drugs and then suddenly remarries, a situation that turns Jameela into a virtual slave to her demanding stepmother. When the stepmother discovers that Jameela is trying to learn to read, she urges her father to abandon the child in Kabul’s busy marketplace. Throughout it all, it is the memory of Mor that anchors her and in the end gives Jameela the strength to face her father and stepmother when fate brings them into her life again.

-Reading for the South Asian Challenge

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson

This little thing with the perfect face and hands doing nothing but counting on me. And me wanting nothing else but to run crying into my own mom's room and have her do the whole thing.

It's not going to happen....

Bobby is your classic urban teenaged boy -- impulsive, eager, restless. On his sixteenth birthday he gets some news from his girlfriend, Nia, that changes his life forever. She's pregnant. Bobby's going to be a father. Suddenly things like school and house parties and hanging with friends no longer seem important as they're replaced by visits to Nia's obstetrician and a social worker who says that the only way for Nia and Bobby to lead a normal life is to put their baby up for adoption.

With powerful language and keen insight, Johnson looks at the male side of teen pregnancy as she delves into one young man's struggle to figure out what "the right thing" is and then to do it. No matter what the cost.

-I'm 99 % sure I'm going to cry while reading this. C'mon it's a teenage father who actually cares about his baby. And yes I have recommended this book countless times but I've never read it. Haha. But I'm 100% sure I'm going to really really like this book.

Hard Love by Ellen Wittlinger

Since his parents' divorce, John's mother hasn't touched him, her new fiancé wants them to move away, and his father would rather be anywhere than at Friday night dinner with his son. It's no wonder John writes articles like "Interview with the Stepfather" and "Memoirs from Hell." The only release he finds is in homemade zines like the amazing Escape Velocity by Marisol, a self-proclaimed "Puerto Rican Cuban Yankee Lesbian." Hanging around the Boston Tower Records for the new issue of Escape Velocity, John meets Marisol and a hard love is born.

While at first their friendship is based on zines, dysfunctional families, and dreams of escape, soon both John and Marisol begin to shed their protective shells. Unfortunately, John mistakes this growing intimacy for love, and a disastrous date to his junior prom leaves that friendship in ruins. Desperately hoping to fix things, John convinces Marisol to come with him to a zine conference on Cape Cod. On the sandy beaches by the Bluefish Wharf Inn, John realizes just how hard love can be.

-For GLBT Reading Challenge

Finding My Place by Traci L. Jones

"For most people, 1975 was the year that bell-bottoms were in, Happy Days was the best show on TV, and shag carpeting was the ultimate interior decoration. For Tiphanie Jayne Baker, however, it’s the year her parents decide to uproot her from her life in Denver and move to the ritzy suburb of Brent Hills, Colorado. The only Black girl at a high school full of Barbies, Tiphanie suddenly feels like she has to be better than her peers just to be equal. Ninth grade has never been so unbearable.

That is until Tiphanie meets Jackie Sue Webster. Jackie Sue may be blond, but she’s definitely not a Barbie. She spouts out crazy vocabulary words like “anomaly” and “imbroglio,” and announces that she’s walking trailer trash as grandly as if she were declaring she were descended from Queen Elizabeth. So what if Jackie Sue has some secrets? Now that Tiphanie has finally found a real friend, life at Brent Hills High suddenly seems like it might be bearable—possibly even enjoyable. But as Tiphanie begins to feel more comfortable in her new home, her ties to her old community start to fray, and she can’t help but wonder—does fitting in have to mean selling out?"

-I want to read as many of the books I WoWd as I can, including this one

I got more books from the library but that's all I'm going to share for this week.

All summaries from Amazon.com

What new books did you get? What books do I need to read before 2010 is over?

Little Paradise

Little Paradise by Gabrielle Wang 2010
Penguin Books Australia

Rating: 4/5

IQ "She noticed how a certain colour made one person's skin glow, and yet the same colour against another person's skin made it appear lifeless. She saw, too, how clothes reflected a personality-happy, sad, wild, shy, fun-all revealed in the way a person dressed. It was then she realised that clothes had the power to transform, to bring out the inner beauty of a soul. And from her own soul she drew her creations." Mirabel pg. 15

It's 1943 and Mirabel is seventeen. Melbourne, Australia is rather far off from the fighting of WWII but there are still some soldiers stationed there. Mostly American ones but there are some Chinese soldiers as well. Mirabel does not expect to ever work up the courage to talk to any soldier. She's shy and focused on designing dresses. Falling in love was not a part of her plan, but then she meets JJ. JJ is a Chinese soldier who helps to send messages from Australia to China to help coordinate with the war effort. Falling in love with a soldier is frowned upon by Mirabel's family, especially not a poor one. This combined with JJ returning to China, threaten their relationship.

The pacing is rather odd with this novel. It's sort of like a butterfly or a hummingbird. The story moves fast, floating from event to event, never stopping long enough to fully dive into the event or the characters involved. The romance seems to develop quickly, but too quickly. Neither Mirabel or JJ have any noticeable flaws, nor do we get a distinct grasp of their personality. I wanted to know more about what made JJ laugh, what did he and Mirabel talk about, etc. The books is a romance but oddly enough I felt that I learned more about the politics and events surrounding China during and after WWII. Furthermore, I wished we had learned more about mapmaking, it seemed rather vague.

This story is even easier to get emotionally involved in because it's based on a true story. Mirabel is astonishingly brave. She is in a seemingly dire predicament but she bravely packs up and heads to Shanghai to find JJ. Once in Shanghai she has some connections that make her search a little easier but she can't depend on the help of her friends forever. Watching her grow even more self assured and remaining positive about finding JJ is empowering. The whole of China is facing tumultuous times as the Kuomintang struggles to maintain its power and kills anyone who is even accused of being a Communist, no questions asked. Mirabel is remarkably quick-witted when it comes to dealing with both the Kuomintang and the Communists. I like that the author maintains a neutral tone throughout the novel concerning the Communists and the Kuomintang, she highlights the good and the bad of both parties. Even before Mirabel heads to Shanghai, she starts to gain confidence as a mapmaker.

Little Paradise is an accomplished novel that covers WWII in Australia, which is mostly a foreign place to Americans, we know nothing about what was going on there during WWII. What makes the story even more winsome is the romance. Granted the details can be vague at times and the characters are not as fleshed out as I would have liked. However, the story goes above and beyond in historical detail, covering not just Australia in the '40s but China as well. It's an informative read but the romance is at the forefront. The book also covers the alienation many Asian people felt in Australia, Mirabel even changes her name to fit in better (it used to be Lei An). While it's disappointing to learn that racism was so prevalent around the world, it's still interesting to see how racism reared its head in other countries. As a bonus the book is beautifully packaged. Not only is the cover sublime, but so are the inside and back covers feature the designs of Ms. Wang's mother. I would recommend this book to people who wish to learn more about Australia's history, Asian immigrants in Australia, the negative and positives of the Communists and the Kuomintangs (essentially: history lovers) and romantics.

Disclosure: Received from the author. Thank you so much Gabrielle!

Best Books I've Read in 2010 (So Far)

Due to a certain someone (no worries, a few other people asked as well!) inquiring as to when I would be publishing this list. I decided to go ahead and post it today because these are books I am so grateful for, they enriched my 2010 (and who knows some of them will probably have a long lasting impact on me). Plus Borders is having an awesome Black Friday sale so maybe some books on this list will qualify for the bargains. I didn't want to go on and on so I chose 18 titles (my age plus one for good luck, heehee) and tired to stick to 1-sentence gushing. Have a happy thanksgiving to all who celebrate it! And obviously I am especially grateful for my followers both on the blog and on Twitter, for everyone who retweets my links, to everyone who leaves comments even as 'simple' as "Great review!" Those make my day. Thank you to everyone who signs up for the holiday book swap, enters my contests, and emails me to ask for book recommendations/writing advice (not that I'm any good at giving that). And to my inner online circle, those that I can email and vent and celebrate with. You know who you are. THANK YOU.

(Image from sodahead.com)

My Top 18 Books Read in 2010!

1. 32 Candles by Ernessa T. Carter-Hilarious and heartwarming with unforgettable characters, especially if you're a John Hughes fan.

2. Children of the Waters by Carleen Brice-A genuine novel that covers a wide berth of issues without trying too hard.


3. Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves-Eccentric characters, out of this world creatures, and unusual setting make this book "wonderfully bizarre".



4. His Own Where by June Jordan-92 pages of Black English, a touching love story filled with subtle and not-so-subtle metaphors for love and being a teenager and being Black and well it's just stunning, ok?


5. If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson-Lyrical writing that tells a heart-wrenching tale of first love (I'm going to take a wild guess that this was one of the first interracial YA love stories) and love between parents and friends.


6. 8th Grade Superzero by Olugbemisola Rhuday Perkovich-8 cheers for middle school students having a conscience and for the author, who tells this story with humor, grace and authentictiy (and I swear if you don't watn to become Ruthie's best friend, you're crazy).


7. The Agency series by Y.S. Lee (A Spy in the House: book 1, The Body in the Tower: book 2)-A mystery series set in Victorian England with an exceptional eye to detail and a jolly good heroine who gets caught in a wardrobe with a man, most unseemly ;)


8. Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins-As I've said before, depending on your personality, you will need a tissue. And/or a stress ball.


9. The Billi Sangreal series by Sarwat Chadda (Book 1: Devil's Kiss, Book 2: The Dark Goddess) Heart-pounding beginnings characterize these two books along with Billi, one of the strongest, stubbornest and most flawed heroines, plus there's some really good side romance (and it's way off to the side, like not important).


10. Girl Overboard by Justina Chen Headley-A girl athlete who snowboards and happens to be Chinese combined with a Latino male best friend/possible love interest combined with social justice, manga and the Cultural Revolution. It's pulled off brilliantly and Syrah is named after wine and the whole book ties into that concept, brava!


11. Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes-Haven't reviewed yet so I'll hold off on the praise, but I think this book is a solid Coretta Scott King award contender (and a strong contender for any other award too), it's so good! Read an interview with the author


12. Losing My Cool: How a Father's Love and 15, 000 Books Beat Hip-Hop Culture by Thomas Chatterton Williams. This book is 85% the story of my life, the struggle of being an "oreo" or "sellout", my love of hip hop and yet the hypocrisy that love entails. LOVE this memoir.


13. Saving Maddie by Varian Johnson-Don't let the cover fool you, this book is told from the guy's perspective about a girl (one who many of us girls probably wish we were like), he wants to save her, but if he keeps attempting to save her, he will lose her. Not at all preachy and there is no clear answer.


14. When the Stars Go Blue by Caridad Ferrer-LOVE. The magnificent cover matches the magnificent story in the pages.

15. The Rock & The River by Kekla Magoon-One of a pair of good books about the Black Panthers, I love that it delved into classism and the civil rights movements (who upper class Black people versus working class Black people supported and why). <3>Sammy and Julianna in Hollywood by Benjamin Alire Saenz-I first read this book when I was in 5th grade or so and I did not fully appreciate, upon re-reading it, I've fallen in love with it and the author. Exceptional

17. Touching Snow by M. Sindy Felin-If you want to get angry or cry, it's a must-read. Believe me, you WANT to cry and/or get angry.


18. We Were Here by Matt De La Pena-Another tearjerker (every time I think about it, I swear tears well up). You figure out the crime early on but that doesn't take away from the book, in fact it makes the characters and sitautions stand out even more.


Want more suggestions from me (I doubt it you do but...)? Some books cross-over on these lists.


My favorite YA romances


Best books with male multicultral characters


So what books would be on your list? Do you (dis)agree with my choices?

Waiting on Wednesday: The Latte Rebellion

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

This week I'm waiting on...

The Latte Rebellion by Sarah Jamila Stevenson

Release Date: January 8th, 2011

Hoping to raise money for a post-graduation trip to London, Asha Jamison and her best friend Carey decide to sell T-shirts promoting the Latte Rebellion, a club that raises awareness of mixed-race students.

But seemingly overnight, their "cause" goes viral and the T-shirts become a nationwide social movement. As new chapters spring up from coast to coast, Asha realizes that her simple marketing plan has taken on a life of its own—and it's starting to ruin hers. Asha's once-stellar grades begin to slip, threatening her Ivy League dreams, while her friendship with Carey hangs by a thread. And when the peaceful underground movement spins out of control, Asha's school launches a disciplinary hearing. Facing expulsion, Asha must decide how much she's willing to risk for something she truly believes in.

-Obviously I always intended on reading this book (and really if the premise didn't intrigue you, my interview with the author should have. ;) As a bonus it has blurbs from Tanita Davis and Justina Chen Headley, two authors whom I really like. Also I like that the book seems to mix the serious with the humor, taking a form of prejudice and using it to raise money to benefit the main character. Me gusta :)

Your move. What are you waiting on today?

When the Stars Go Blue

When the Stars Go Blue by Caridad Ferrer 2010 (ARC)
Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Griffin Press

Release Date: TODAY! GO. BUY. NOW.

Rating: 5!/5!

IQ (so so many) "The applause-that was a bonus, approval acknowledged with a deep, graceful curtsy and a grateful smile. But I didn't need it. When it was right, I could feel it. The audience-they didn't even exist in those moments. I wish I could describe it, but it was....gossamer. A fleeing sensation that coursed through my system like a drug. Lasting just long enough to block out all the pain and sweat and entice me to do it again. And again." Soledad pg.2

When the Stars Go Blue is a modern retelling of Carmen. Listen to the song that inspired the title here (utterly haunting/enchanting). Soledad is dance and dance is Soledad, it is her everything. It's the summer after graduation and she had planned on teaching at her ballet teacher's dance studio and then getting an apartment in NYC in order to audition for dance companies. However her plans change when her classmate Jonathan Crandall asks her to consider auditioning for the part of Carmen. The audition is for the drum and bugle corps he is a part of. The opportunity is a once in a lifetime and introduces Soledad to the competitive world of the drum and bugle corps, the thrill of dancing in front of a huge, live audience, and the wonder of falling in love for the first time. While she travels across the U.S. with the corps, she meets Taz, a Spanish soccer player with a silver streak in his hair. Taz is clearly into Soledad, but it doesn't matter, because she's in love with Jonathan. And you can't be in love with two people at once, right? But everything changes after one dramatic incident that could ruin more than one future.

"People always asked why I danced. Why I'd devoted so much of my life to something that seemed to offer so little in return. But good as I was with words, in this they kind of deserted me. Every once in a while, I wished I could talk about it. How dancing created this huge, chaotic jumble of emotions and adrenaline rushing through my bloodstream-the freedom and power that came from the ability to command my body so completely." If you have ever felt passionately about something, no doubt, you can relate to what Soledad is saying. This quote is on the 2nd page and it was then that I knew Soledad and I would get along just fine. Soledad is one of the most driven protagonists in YA that I've ever come across. In this novel, the similarities between the original Carmen (I've never seen the opera so I'm basing this off summaries I've found and the musical Carmen Jones, which I adore) and this retelling are harder to spot. One of them is in how ambitious Carmen was and how ambitious Soledad is. Plus they both live in the moment, a quality that Jonathan envies of Soledad. Furthermore Jonathan and Soledad have tempers, much like Don Jose and Carmen. There is a love triangle but there is no clear winner, not until the grand finale. Taz is probably the only guy with long hair I will ever see as utterly sexy (that silver streak!), and it doesn't hurt that he's a soccer player ;) There are no one-dimensional characters. Each character is very carefully fleshed out, the flaws becoming more evident while the plot thickens. There is an intense air throughout the whole novel since Carmen is a tragedy and you know that eventually there will be a dramatic conclusion.

The writing is indescribable. It is expressive and elegant and it has obvious that the author knows both the story of Carmen and the world of which she speaks (drum and bugle corps, dance). The passion for the subject matter leaps off the page, after all only a dancer could really name the indescribable feeling that dancing provides. The romance is steamy, not because it's particularly explicit but because there is so much longing between Soledad, Jonathan and Taz. "Felt as if we had a whole conversation in the glance we exchanged in the silence following his words. But it was a teasing sort of exchange, the words in a language I wasn't quite comprehending. That I didn't really want to understand yet. But in a way, I did. At least, I wanted to try." (pg. 208). The author clearly illustrates the confusion Soledad feels over the behavior of both Taz and Jonathan, the confusion of being in love and wanting someone so badly, you don't know what to do with yourself.

When the Stars Go Blue is a dazzling read set in a world that will be new to many readers (including myself). I've never been to a college football game or seen a drum and bugle corps perform, but now I really want to see one live! I can't say that it looks easy being in the color guard, playing an instrument, etc. but I now know from this book that it's not, it takes a ton of blood, sweat and tears (well I already knew that about playing an instrument and dancing but still). The fervor that Soledad feels for dance, that Taz feels for soccer and that Jonathan feels for playing the horn is a palpable feeling that anyone who has dedicated themselves to a craft of some sort can relate to. The romance will have any romantic swooning and the climax will have you gasp out loud (especially when witnessing the painful rebound Soledad must make, it's a struggle to say the least). Caridad Ferrer is definitely one of my favorite authors and I will read whatever she writes next, no questions (after all I swore I would never develop a crush on a literary character with long hair or for that matter, any guy with long hair. Until Taz came along). At one point Jonathan tells Soledad to "Own it.", own the role of Carmen. Caridad Ferrer owns this retelling of Carmen and just like her main character, she triumphantly makes it her own.

Disclosure: Received from Abby, I'm eternally grateful =D

PS I also read and loved Adios to My Old Life by Caridad Ferrer

2011 YA/MG Debut Author Challenge

The Story Siren is once again hosting the YA/MG Debut Author Challenge. The goal is to try and read at least 12 books by a debut author (the author can be an adult author making their debut in YA or MG). To participate and learn more sign up here The challenge starts Jan. 1, 2011 and ends Dec. 31, 2011. It should go without saying but I'll say it anyway: I'm focusing on debuts by/about people of color.

Here's my prelimnary list. I will add onto it as I learn about new titles. This page will constantly be updated with my reviews as I check books off this list.

1. The Latte Rebellion by Sarah Jamila Stevenson (YA)

2. How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba Sized Trophy by Crystal Allen (MG)

3. Illegal by Bertina Restrepo (YA)

4. The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang (MG)

5. What Can't Wait by Ashley Hope Perez (YA)

6. Luminous by Dawn Metcalf (YA)

7. The Bestest Ramadan Ever by Medeia Shariff (YA)

8. Vanished by Sheela Chari (MG)

9. The Trouble With Half a Moon by Danette Vigilante (MG)

10. Sister Mischief by Laura Goode (YA)

11. Wildefire by Karsten Knight (YA)

12. Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai (MG)

13. Posses by Gretchen McNeil (YA)

14. The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney (YA)

15. Across the Universe by Beth Revis (YA)