Waiting on Wednesday: Fox & Phoenix

Fox and Phoenix (Long Ciy, #1) by Beth Bernobich

Release Date: October 13, 2011

The king of Lóng City is dying. For Kai Zōu, the news means more than it does for most former street rats in the small mountain stronghold, because he and the king's daughter are close friends. Then the majestic ruler of the ghost dragons orders Kai to travel across the country to the Phoenix Empire, where the princess is learning statecraft. In a court filled with intrigue, Kai and his best friend Yún must work together to help the princess escape and return to Lóng City. A refreshing mixture of magic, wit, and action, Fox and Phoenix is an auspicious debut.

-Asian-inspired fantasy yes please. And oh yeah, it's blurbed by Tamora Pierce. 'Nuff said.

What are you waiting on this week? Are you ready for fall, specifically fall books?

Male Monday: We Could Be Brothers

We Could Be Brothers by Derrick Barnes 2010
Scholastic Press

Rating: 1.5/5

IQ "I didn't care anymore if he thought I was tough enough or hard enough or cool enough. All I knew was that when it mattered most, I was friend enough. " pg. 145

Robeson Battlefield and Pacino Clapton come from two very different homes. Robeson (nicknamed Crease by Pacino because of his iron-pressed pants) lives in, as Pacino calls it "a nice chunk of the suburbs slammed right down in the middle of the hood" (pg. 25). Pacino lives in "the hood" and helps his mother pays the bills and watches over his younger siblings after school. Pacino and Robeson wouldn't have met if it weren't for Tariq, a kid who get them both in PSS (Post-School Suspension).

Short summary I know but the book the jacket describes must belong to some other book. And I can't write a more thorough summary because it would give too much away. First, based on the cover, I thought the book involve a variety of narrations from Pacino, Robeson and Tariq. It does not. First, Pacino acts all "hard" and then decides to be friends with Robeson. It happens completely out of the blue in my opinion. Robeson has zero personality, he preaches and preaches and preaches but he's believable because I definitely knew annoying know0it-all kids like him when I was in junior high. I'm not so sure the author intended to make him sound so insufferable though but like Pacino, I was irritated at how he always quoted his father's life lessons at random moments. Robeson's only flaw was that he wasn't a straight-A student which isn't that serious since he's not in high school yet anyway. Pacino's flaw might be that he uses the m-word or likes to fight but neither of those is detrimental or explored in a way to make the reader see why it's so bad.The most annoying aspect of this book was that fact that Robeson explained EVERYTHING in too much detail, the author explained things that a reader should be smart enough to gather based on the text. For example, "You're no guest. You come over so much now it's like you're one of my big-headed boys,' Dad responded to Pacino, calling him one of his sons in a roundabout way" (pg. 162). The author should have faith that the reader will be able to infer that the father is calling Pacino one of his sons based on what the father says, the extra text is unnecessary and it drives me crazy. The extra explanations continue throughout the duration of the book.

I HATED how Robeson talked about Rosilyn, the one girl in PSS with Pacino and Robeson. For a supposedly educated "brotha" he acted extremely ignorant. Again, I think if the author did this on purpose a worthwhile lesson could have been subtly taught but the issue of how Robeson treats Rosilyn is never addressed. Only how Pacino treats her which isn't entirely respectful but sometimes he acted a lot nicer than Robeson. At one point Robeson thinks to himself "[s]he looked like a lady today" (pg. 101) He's in EIGHTH GRADE. I may be naive but I'm fairly certain the guys in my eighth grade class did not care one bit if a girl looked like a lady. Then he goes on to insult her further by thinking that "[s]he had on a pretty silk blouse and some kind of gold necklace that she must have borrowed (pgs. 101-102, emphasis mine). You know what people say about assumptions....why would he even think that she borrowed the necklace? It was just rude and incredibly ignorant and made me mad to no end. True I was already annoyed by the talking down to readers but the Rosilyn incidents didn't help. Furthermore the continuous use of "brotha" was ridiculous. Back in the day I think teenagers used that expression a lot more but I have NEVER heard a teenage Black guy my age say "brotha." Maybe "wassup bro" but usually it's "dude" or "man" or even "n-" or something of that ilk. My father and his friends would be more inclined to say "brotha" and they usually say it as a joke. Therefore I found it hard to believe that Crease and Pacino would walk around saying "brotha" instead of the n-word.

We Could Be Brothers was a book I was waiting on eagerly. I loved the author's first book, a YA novel that was authentic and managed to talk about the importance of teaching Black boys particular lessons in a humorous, subtle manner. Unfortunately this book does not deliver. I felt as though the author talked down to his readers, constantly explaining what was going on in a particular scene with unnecessary dialogue and explanations when the reader could easily understand the situation. The book is preachy and dull. I wish the main characters had included Tariq and that the author had further delved into the heads of all three boys. Instead they remain flat characters that the author uses to make certain points. Initially I was going to give this book a 2 but then I couldn't think of a single reason as to why I would recommend someone read it. The Making of Dr. Truelove was absolutely hysterical. I'm inclined to think that maybe the author should stick to funny YA novels or write nonfiction books about raising Black boys because THIS is just not working.

Disclosure: Received as a gift from Zetta Elliott. Thank you Zetta :)

New Crayons, Did I Mention That....

I'm excited because I have three reviews planned for this week and I've written five college essay rough drafts. Progress!

New Crayons is hosted by Color Online a meme in which I share what new books I received for the week. Don't forget to pre-order What You Wish For, all the proceeds go to BookWish which helps build refugee camp libraries.



Have I mentioned that I was the 2011 Best Teen Blog winner at the Black Weblog Awards? No? Considered it mentioned. Thank you so much to all who voted for me! You can watch the entire show here or just skip to me being announced here ;) It's super embarrassing though!





Traded Subway Girl for


Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

When Kimberly Chang and her mother emigrate from Hong Kong to Brooklyn squalor, she quickly begins a secret double life: exceptional schoolgirl during the day, Chinatown sweatshop worker in the evenings. Disguising the more difficult truths of her life-like the staggering degree of her poverty, the weight of her family's future resting on her shoulders, or her secret love for a factory boy who shares none of her talent or ambition-Kimberly learns to constantly translate not just her language but herself back and forth between the worlds she straddles.

Through Kimberly's story, author Jean Kwok, who also emigrated from Hong Kong as a young girl, brings to the page the lives of countless immigrants who are caught between the pressure to succeed in America, their duty to their family, and their own personal desires, exposing a world that we rarely hear about.

-EVERYONE has recommended this book to me (well not any teens but whatever) and so I had to read it. Thank you so much de Pizan!


For review from Little, Brown & Company

The Shattering by Karen Healey

Image from Tansyrr.com (I couldn't find any other images of the U.S. ARC cover)

Seventeen-year-old Keri likes to plan for every possibility. She knows what to do if you break an arm, or get caught in an earthquake or fire. But she wasn't prepared for her brother's suicide, and his death has left her shattered with grief. When her childhood friend Janna tells her it was murder, not suicide, Keri wants to believe her. After all, Janna's brother died under similar circumstances years ago, and Janna insists a visiting tourist, Sione, who also lost a brother to apparent suicide that year, has helped her find some answers.

As the three dig deeper, disturbing facts begin to pile up: one boy killed every year; all older brothers; all had spent New Year's Eve in the idyllic town of Summerton. But when their search for the serial killer takes an unexpected turn, suspicion is cast on those they trust the most.

As secrets shatter around them, can they save the next victim? Or will they become victims themselves?

-I haven't started reading this yet but I did skim through it and I'm failry certain the main character is Maori so it fits with my blog's theme. I was relieved to see that since lately I've been getting quite a few books that don't and I don't have the money to mail them out just yet to other reviewers. I don't like reading books about serial killers though... thank you L&B!

Enjoying your end of summer? For those in school, how's it going? Any last-minute summer reads?

Waiting on Wednesday: Jefferson's Sons

Jefferson's Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Release Date: September 15, 2011

Beverly, Harriet, Madison, and Eston are Thomas Jefferson's children by one of his slaves, Sally Hemings, and while they do get special treatment - better work, better shoes, even violin lessons - they are still slaves, and are never to mention who their father is. The lighter-skinned children have been promised a chance to escape into white society, but what does this mean for the children who look more like their mother? As each child grows up, their questions about slavery and freedom become tougher, calling into question the real meaning of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Told in three parts from the points of view of three of Jefferson's slaves - Beverly, Madison, and a third boy close to the Hemings family - these engaging and poignant voices shed light on what life was like as one of Jefferson's invisible offspring.

-I wish the story was being told from Harriet's viewpoint as well. I read her story in Wolf by the Ears by Ann Rinaldi but there were reports of historical inaccuracy so I really want to read something else about her (though I did enjoy the story a lot). I'm always baffled at how Jefferson kept his children as slaves so I'm definitely intrigued to read about how the children feel. And I don't know much about slavery during the colonial period (a point in time I never much cared for but I should still learn about it). Plus I haven't read a GREAT historical fiction in quite some time and I really need a historical fiction fix.

Breaking the Spine hosts this meme

What are you waiting on this week? Are you familiar with the history of the Hemings/Jefferson children?

Orchards

Orchards by Holly Thompson 2011
Delacorte Press/Random House

Rating: 3.5/5

IQ "I try to learn fast/make up for my /non-Japanese half/but Uncle makes/remarks/like after I set the breakfast table-how are we supposed to eat..../with our hands?/I rush to set out chopsticks..../seconds/too late/they seem to think/I can just switch/one half of me/on/and leave the other/half of me/off/but I'm like/warm water/pouring from a faucet/the hot/and cold/both flowing/as one." pg. 24

One of Kana Goldberg's classmates committed suicide at the end of Kana's eight grade year. Everyone wonders who's responsible, but Kana knows she played a small part at least by saying some not-so-nice things to Rachel (the classmate) and not sticking up for her when Kana's cliquey friends said harsh or rude things. Her parents are upset at Kana's behavior and possible hand in the situation so they send her to Japan, specifically the farm Kana's mother grew up on, amongst the mikan orange groves. Kana's grandmother (Baachan) is disapproving of her "Jewish bottom" and it's clear she doesn't trust Kana's Jewish father, it's not tradition to marry outside your culture. Kana is angry with her parents for sending her away from her friends but gradually the distance allows her to work out her feelings of grief and guilt. Her grieving process is interrupted by the death of another friend and that plunges her into a deeper abyss of confusion.

I think the free verse format of the book kept me from better visualizing the countryside of Japan. I've got the travel bug so I wanted way more details than were provided. Kana does spend a lot of time describing food which was yummy to read about (this coming from someone whose never had Japanese food) but I wanted her to describe the differences in schooling, what do the teenagers in Japan do for fun, etc. Instead Kana is a loner in Japan except for cousins a few years older than herself which is understandable but I do wish she had made one friend or her cousins had been around more in the story to take her to a variety of places. I think I was most frustrated that it took place in the countryside since I much prefer reading about city life but I did love the bits about Bon dances and the yukata (which I think is the Japanese word for kimono). The author also didn't make it clear if she was translating the Japanese words to English for example on page 217 the author writes "a yukata kimono." That confused me because I was unsure of a yukata was a type of kimono or the word for kimono in Japan. The story starts off slow and I didn't really take notice of all the details until chapter 3, which isn't bad but still the first two chapters were short but uninteresting, all about the plane ride and Kana's arrival. Eh

The reason for Kana's arrival in Japan is compelling to read about especially as Kana works through her feelings of guilt, anger and sadness. She ranges hot and cold but never gets out of hand. Sometimes she's defensive "Lisa didn't mean it/everyone knows/when a person says/certain things/they don't mean/the words/they say/really" (pg. 109), other times apologetic. The things Kana and her friends said were sad but not surprising. Kana doesn't have a sudden epiphany "What I did was bad! And I regret it absolutely" instead she really has to work on not blaming Rachel for committing suicide and not being able to "take a joke." I truly felt as though I "watched" Kana mature. Kana's personality was withdrawn, she had friends and managed to be in the popular group but she was more on the outside of that group. I could relate to her withdrawn personality but what I couldn't relate to was her fascination with physics. AND YET I loved reading about the connections she drew from physics to the real world becuase no matter how hard my science teacher tries I will never understand the point of physics. "Physics and You/spells it out/says/if body A exerts a force/pn body B/then body B will exert a force/of the same magnitude/on body A/push and pull/I think/maybe this/is what happened/with Lisa/and you, Ruth-/body A/ and body B" (pg. 280) that makes sense to me.

Orchards I think would actually be a stronger story if it wasn't in free verse. I don't think the author was able to fully explore other characters or the setting as effectively in the chosen format. The circumstances surrounding Kana's visit to Japan are what should really draw a reader in. I was half and half. I definitely wanted to see how the author handled the subject of bullying from the voice of someone who not only was a bully but her victim had a very tragic end. The story delivers completely on that part and it's an engaging narrative. I wasn't so thrilled with the descriptions of life in Japan's rural areas, I wanted Japan to play more of a central role but that's not this kind of book. A bonus was the discussions of trying to fit into a culture that is part of you but you have little connection to the actual land (or so you think). I 100% understood Kana's half and half dilemma that gradually becomes less of a problem and more of a gift. The story is most certainly relevant due to the depressing stories of increased bullying (cyber, verbal, not so much physical I don't think) and I think Kana handles the entire situation in an authentic manner, she's never a complete angel nor is she a bitter, "Mean Girl". She's ordinary and I would venture a guess that she could easily have been you or me at some point in our lives.

Disclosure: From the library (also why I had to rush to review it)

*I know I said this book would be reviewed for Japan week but I needed to write a review and publish it so that I can keep the blog fairly current. I still have quite a few options for when I'm able to plan out the week (probably Thanksgiving week or Christmas break when I'll have time to read, read, read).

New Crayons+ School Starts Tomorrow

School starts tomorrow. It's also senior year. That means anyone who likes reading college essay applications and offering feedback leave comments or email me! Haha (I'm serious). But more seriously it means that I definitely won't have as much time to blog. I'm no longer accepting books to review unless I specifically ask for them (and I'm going to try my hardest not to accept) until November 1. That's the goal I've set for myself to be done with ALL college applications. I will of course still write reviews for books sent to me for review.

On to New Crayons hosted by Color Online

Won from Helen, thank you so much!

A Cup of Friendship by Deborah Rodriguez

The story of a remarkable coffee shop in the heart of Afghanistan, and the men and women who meet there—thrown together by circumstance, bonded by secrets, and united in an extraordinary friendship.
After hard luck and some bad choices, Sunny has finally found a place to call home—it just happens to be in the middle of a war zone. The thirty-eight-year-old American’s pride and joy is the Kabul Coffee House, where she brings hospitality to the expatriates, misfits, missionaries, and mercenaries who stroll through its doors. She’s especially grateful that the busy days allow her to forget Tommy, the love of her life, who left her in pursuit of money and adventure.

Working alongside Sunny is the maternal Halajan, who vividly recalls the days before the Taliban and now must hide a modern romance from her ultratraditional son—who, unbeknownst to her, is facing his own religious doubts. Into the café come Isabel, a British journalist on the trail of a risky story; Jack, who left his family back home in Michigan to earn “danger pay” as a consultant; and Candace, a wealthy and well-connected American whose desire to help threatens to cloud her judgment.

When Yazmina, a young Afghan from a remote village, is kidnapped and left on a city street pregnant and alone, Sunny welcomes her into the café and gives her a home—but Yazmina hides a secret that could put all their lives in jeopardy. As this group of men and women discover that there’s more to one another than meets the eye, they’ll form an unlikely friendship that will change not only their own lives but the lives of an entire country.

Brimming with Deborah Rodriguez’s remarkable gift for depicting the nuances of life in Kabul, and filled with vibrant characters that readers will truly care about, A Cup of Friendship is the best kind of fiction—full of heart yet smart and thought-provoking.

-As I find myself drawn more and more to books about the Middle East I begin seriously considering studying Persian, Farsi or Urdu in college (as well as finally mastering Spanish). I love learning about this region and I'm not particularly sure why. I think part of it has to do with the era I'm growing up in. I also think it has to do with how much I adore that they have civil (for the most part) political discussions, that point is often made in books I read. Anyway, I've only read two books set in Afghanistan (Three Cups of Tea and Shooting Kabul) so I look forward to this intimate portrayal (and perhaps I will be drawn to coffee....).

Received from Lyn while having lunch in Brooklyn with her, Zetta and Gbemi!

No Ordinary Day by Deborah Ellis (ARC)

Release Date: September 13, 2011

Even though Valli spends her days picking coal and fighting with her cousins, life in the coal town of Jharia, India, is the only life she knows. The only sight that fills her with terror is the monsters who live on the other side of the train tracks, the lepers. When Valli discovers that her aunt is a stranger who was paid money to take Valli off her own family’s hands, she leaves Jharia and begins a series of adventures that takes her to Kolkata, the city of the gods. Valli finds that she really doesn’t need much to live and is very resourceful. But a chance encounter with a doctor reveals that she has leprosy. Unable to bear the thought that she is one of the monsters she has always feared, Valli rejects help and begins an uncertain life on the street.

-I'm fairly certain I've been remiss in not reading Deborah Ellis, she seems to be an author brought up a lot for better or worse. This sounds like it will be tough for me to read about, I've gotten even more sappy when it comes to stories about hardships, I just want to solve all the problems y'know? But I'm ready to read about a grittier side of India

Bought from Borders (the bargains are getting better!)

The GQ Candidate by Keli Goff

After a sex scandal brings down a local politician, Luke Cooper finds himself catapulted into the Michigan Governor’s mansion, making him one of the few black and—by virtue of adoption—Jewish elected officials to hold such an office. His national celebrity is increased when he heroically saves the life of an avowed racist, and his good looks and charm earn him the nickname “The GQ Candidate.”

One day Luke stuns his inner circle by informing them that he has decided to run for president of the United States. His friends offer to help out with the campaign but a fundraiser, hosted by Luke’s good friend, becomes the subject of an incredibly negative gossip item that threatens to jeopardize the campaign. Meanwhile, Luke’s wife is ambivalent about her husband’s political aspirations, and grows increasingly wary of life in the spotlight.

The GQ Candidate gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at what happens in the lives of candidates, and the people closest to them, when the cameras aren’t rolling. In addition to the story of the campaign, the novel also follows the lives of Luke’s tight knit circle of friends and reveals how his amazing race changes their lives forever.

-At first glance it sounds like this book could be modeled after Senator Obama. That's part of why I picked it up but I mostly chose to buy it because I love reading about politics, fictional or not. Especially Black politicians since they are so rarely written about.

Well what did you buy this week? Anyone else dreading going back to school?

PS I pre-ordered What You Wish For. Have you preordered it yet?????

Waiting on Wednesday: What You Wish For

What You Wish For: A Book for Darfur by various authors and poets, BookWish Foundation

Release Date: September 15, 2011

A stellar collection from Newbery medalists and bestselling authors written to benefit Darfuri refugees

With contributions from some of the best talent writing for children today, What You Wish For is a compelling collection of affecting, inspiring, creepy, and oft-times funny short stories and poems all linked by the universal power of a wish - the abstract things we all wish for - home, family, safety and love.

From the exchange of letters between two girls who have never met but are both struggling with the unexpected curves of life, to the stunning sacrifice one dying girl makes for another, to the mermaid who trades her tail for legs, to the boy who unwittingly steals an imp's house, and to the chilling retelling of Cinderella, What You Wish For brings together a potent international roster of authors of note to remember and celebrate the Darfuri refugees and their incredible story of survival and hope.

-I didn't want to type out the names of all the authors included in this anthology but allow me to share the ones I'm most excited about (these being authors whose work I am somewhat familar with); FRANCISCO STORK (I will read anything anything anything by him), Alexander McCall Smith, Sofia Quintero and Nikki Giovanni. New authors I'm eager to read: Meg Cabot, John Green and Naomi Shihab Nye. Best of all? 100% of proceeds go the UN Refugee Angency to build libraries in refugee camps. I just found a new organization (BookWish) to support (as if I needed another one)! And if you pre-order the book (like moi-although I haven't done it YET) from Better World Books (another amazing business/organization), 100% of the proceeds will go to the Book Wish Foundation.

So why haven't you pre-ordered it yet?! We should all get on that :)

What are you waiting on this week?

PS I'm thinking of doing a spotlight on different literacy based non-profits every month (or at least a for-profit that donates proceeds to helping literacy, RED is an example except I'm not sure if they focus on literacy. They do phenomenal things though!). Anyone have any recommendations of some great non-profits I should research?

Subway Girl

Subway Girl by P.J. Converse 2011
HarperTeen/Harper Collins

Rating: 1.5/5

IQ "He couldn't believe he was actually speaking English. It was exhilarating, and a little dangerous, like the first time he'd gotten up on a two-wheeler, although back then his problem was speeding out control whereas now the challenge was to go fast enough so that his conversation wouldn't wobble and crash." Simon pg. 27

Simon rides the subway everyday in Hong Kong and he often sees Subway Girl. He doesn't know her name but she has this air of mystery about her. He can't seem to work up the courage to approach her, she's unattainable and always has her headphones in her ears. One day Simon FINALLY approaches her and learns that she is officially out of his reach because she only speaks English and he only speaks Cantonese Chinese. Amy turns out to be a Chinese American girl who did not grow up speaking Cantonese. They both continue to take the same subway and soon they manage to find a connection and bridge the gap a tiny bit. Simon is able to admit (in English) that he is dropping out of school and Amy admits (in English as well) that she is pregnant with her ex's baby. Both of them are lonely because even though they have parents, their parents are only a physical presence, never asking much about the really personal details of Simon and Amy's lives. Amy is reluctant to turn to romance and Simon doesn't want to push her further than she wants to go.

Oh where to start on how sad I was to dislike this book. First the setting of Hong Kong felt extremely vague. I sort-of have an image of how the Hong Kong subway system works and an elementary grasp of the schooling system but that's it. If a book is set entirely in Hong Kong and the summary makes it sound like Hong Kong will play a major role in the story, it should deliver. Another thing I really disliked was the disjointed dual narration of Amy and Simon. It seemed as if the author wrote their stories separately and then combined them without any bother with transitions, smooth or otherwise. Furthermore the story was SO RANDOM. It jumped from subject to subject starting off trivial and then all of sudden Amy was ranting about sexuality and the hypocrisy of her Catholic school. It came out of absolutely nowhere and it was quite annoying. The dialogues were long, it was never clear who was speaking and again, there were no transitions so it all seemed jumbled together. The side characters were ghosts. They were brought into a scene when convenient but I couldn't keep them straight otherwise and their reasons for saying certain things didn't add up (I couldn't understand the character of Katie for the life of me). And the glue of the story, the 'blossoming' relationship between Simon and Amy. What was their connection? They bumped into each other on the subway and through the language barrier they just....fell in love? Became best friends? WHAT?! The ending was a complete groan, open but not with an air of mystery or with enough clues for the reader (or at least not this reader) to figure out what happens next. Honestly it seemed like the author just didn't know where to take the story.

I could absolutely relate to Simon's struggle to learn English. I don't even understand some of our grammar rules sometimes (gerunds????) and I grew up speaking the language. I could also relate to him on learning a second language because I struggle with speaking Spanish. I can understand it fairly well but like Simon my brain and tongue freeze when I need to speak in a language different from my own. Even though Amy blabbered on about nothing in particular, Simon was a decent character. He was like a puppy-dog; vulnerable, sweet, just wanting some good company but at the same time he wasn't pure fluff, he battled with wanting to quit school and learning new job skills. So I should say that I understood why Amy liked him but not why he liked her aside from her being beautiful and just different. Furthermore, Amy didn't learn that much about him. The story is an easy read and moves along.

The premise of Subway Girl filled me with such hope, a romance between two characters who don't speak the same language and have to deal with the girl being pregnant with another guy's child. Alas, the actual story did not live up to its fascinating premise. The secondary characters blended together and there were too many storylines trying to be juggled. The author dropped the ball on all of them ranging from Simon wanting to quit school to Amy being pregnant to Amy's parents having issues. The fact that the author brought up abortion in a non-judgemental way was nice but the delivery fell flat. There was little discussion of Amy's options and how she felt making the decision. The author brings up a lot of issues (too many I think) in this book but it may be a good starting point for a conversation for some readers. Overall the story made too many complex situations seem simple or just glossed over them (it felt as though the author had a page limit or something).

Disclosure: Received as a gift from a book fairy! Thank you T :D

New Crayons & Books to Trade

This meme is hosted by Color Online

All you have to do to participate in this meme is share the titles and images of books you got this week. It's a gorgeous day in Chicago, wonderfully breezy and all I want to do is curl up with a good book. Unfortunately I have to work on three college essays (due the first day of school-ew).

This week I'm highlighting all the books for review I received this week


From Lee & Low



Wolf Mark by Joseph Bruchac

Luke King knows a lot of things. Like four different ways to disarm an enemy before the attacker can take a breath. Like every detail of every book he’s ever read. And Luke knows enough—just enough—about what his father does as a black ops infiltrator to know which questions not to ask. Like why does his family move around so much?

Luke just hopes that this time his family is settled for a while. He’ll finally be able to have a normal life. He’ll be able to ask the girl he likes to take a ride with him on his motorcycle. He’ll hang out with his friends. He’ll be invisible—just as he wants.

But when his dad goes missing, Luke realizes that life will always be different for him. Suddenly he must avoid the kidnappers looking to use him as leverage against his father, while at the same time evading the attention of the school’s mysterious elite clique of Russian hipsters, who seem much too interested in Luke’s own personal secret. Faced with multiple challenges and his emerging paranormal identity, Luke must decide who to trust as he creates his own destiny.

-Three words: Paranormal spy thriller. Who could ask for more? Releases Fall 2011


Galaxy Games: The Challengers by Greg Fishbone

Things are looking up for Tyler Sato (literally!) as he and his friends scan the night sky for a star named for him by his Tokyo cousins in honor of his eleventh birthday. Ordinary stars tend to stay in one place, but Ty’s seems to be streaking directly toward Earth at an alarming rate. Soon the whole world is talking about TY SATO, the doomsday asteroid, and life is turned upside down for Ty Sato, the boy, who would rather be playing hoops in his best friend’s driveway.

Meanwhile, aboard a silver spaceship heading for Earth, M’Frozza, a girl with three eyes and five nose holes, is on a secret mission. M’Frozza is the captain of planet Mrendaria’s Galaxy Games team, and she is desperate to save her world from a dishonorable performance in the biggest sporting event in the universe.

What will happen when Ty meets M’Frozza? Get ready for the most important event in human history—it’ll be off the backboard, around the rim, and out of this world

-I like that Ty cares more about basketball than space, I can relate. I also think the idea of naming a star after someone is cute but it becomes quite funny when that star seems to be causing a controversy. Can't wait to read this one! Releases Fall 2011


Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

When Lupita sees Mami crying over a pesky mesquite growing in her rose garden, she knows something is wrong. Through the kitchen window, she overhears that Mami has cancer. After an operation, things seem to return to normal for Lupita and her family, and they go on with their lives, going back and forth between attending school, working, and living in the United States and visiting family and friends in Mexico. However, when Mami’s cancer returns, Papi doesn’t know whether he should accompany Mami during her long convalescence at an out of town cancer clinic or stay home to care for Lupita and her seven brothers and sisters. Suddenly, being a high school student, dealing with difficult friends, starring in the school play, even writing, become less important to Lupita than doing whatever it takes to save Mami’s life.

-Contrary to Goodreads claiming this book came out in October 2010 it is finally being released this fall. I did a WoW about it


Tankborn by Karen Sandler

Best friends Kayla and Mishalla know they will be separated when the time comes for their Assignments. They are GENs, Genetically Engineered Non-humans, and in their strict caste system, GENs are at the bottom rung of society. High-status trueborns and working-class lowborns, born naturally of a mother, are free to choose their own lives. But GENs are gestated in a tank, sequestered in slums, and sent to work as slaves as soon as they reach age fifteen.

When Kayla is Assigned to care for Zul Manel, the patriarch of a trueborn family, she finds a host of secrets and surprises—not least of which is her unexpected friendship with Zul's great-grandson. Meanwhile, the children that Mishalla is Assigned to care for are being stolen in the middle of the night. With the help of an intriguing lowborn boy, Mishalla begins to suspect that something horrible is happening to them.

After weeks of toiling in their Assignments, mystifying circumstances enable Kayla and Mishalla to reunite. Together they hatch a plan with their new friends to save the children who are disappearing. Yet can GENs really trust humans? Both girls must put their lives and hearts at risk to crack open a sinister conspiracy, one that may reveal secrets no one is ready to face.

-This book sounds very interesting and possibly controversial. We shall see. Release date: September 28

From Little Brown and Company

Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey

This is an intriguing YA urban fantasy in the tradition of Holly Black and Wicked Lovely. Set in New Zealand, Ellie's main concerns at her boarding school are hanging out with her best friend Kevin, her crush on the mysterious Mark, and her paper deadline. That is, until a mysterious older woman seems to set her sights on Kevin, who is Maori, and has more than just romantic plans for him. In an effort to save him, Ellie is thrown into the world of Maori lore, and eventually finds herself in an all-out war with mist dwelling Maori fairy people called the patupaiarehe who need human lives to gain immortality.

The strong, fresh voice of the narrator will pull readers in, along with all the deliciously scary details: the serial killer who removes victim's eyes; the mysterious crazy bum who forces a Bible on Ellie telling her she needs it; handsome, mysterious Mark who steals the Bible from her and then casts a forgetting charm on her. All of this culminates in a unique, incredible adventure steeped with mythology, Maori fairies, monsters, betrayal, and an epic battle.

-I've already started reading this book and I like it so far. It's very creepy but not creepy-scary if that makes sense. Although I have a feeling it will eventually scare me....I love the New Zealand setting because I know nothing about this country (as if that's such a surprise. There are so many countries I know nothing about!)

From the author

Act of Grace by Karen Simpson

Why would Grace Johnson, a bright, African-American high school senior, save the life of a Ku Klux Klansman named Jonathan Gilmore?
That question hovers over Grace's hometown of Vigilant, Michigan, and few people, black or white, understand her actions-especially since rumor has it that many years ago, a member of the Gilmore family murdered several African-American residents. And if Grace had her way, she would not reveal the circumstances that led her to make what some deem to be a foolish sacrifice and an act of treason against her race.

The decision to remain silent, however, is not Grace's to make, for the spirit of her ancestors have emerged and insist, in ways Grace cannot ignore, that she bear witness to the violent racial history that continues to divide the town of Vigilant. But when Grace discovers a century-old tale of a bloodsoaked, eye-for-eye vengeance that includes the mysterious death of her own father, she questions whether she has the ability and the will to accept the mind-bending spiritual challenge in front of her.

As Grace reluctantly embarks on the unlikeliest of journeys and into the magical world of the African-American traditions used by her ancestors to fight slavery and oppression, she undergoes a spiritual transformation that leads to the true nature of her calling: to lead Jonathan Gilmore, the town of Vigilant and her own soul on a path toward reconciliation, redemption and true grace.

-I'm really hoping this book doesn't become super religious (since it talks about grace I guess). I've heard some good things about it though so I'm anxious to read it. A blogger I trust called it one of the best books she read this summer. Whoa.

Books to Trade


I MUST make room on my shelves. That means some books have got to go. I've liked many of these books but I simply don't have the room to keep them. We can either trade or you can pay for shipping. Comment or email me if you have any interest. I've read these books and many of them weren't my cup of tea but they could be someone else's.

1. Dead Gorgeous by Malorie Blackman

2. Naughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman (very used copy)

3. Subway Girl by P. J. Converse

4. Legacy: the Becoming by Dew Platt

5. I Am Nuchu by Brenda Stanley

6. Zen Cooper: Woman-Child Ghetto Genius by Angelia Menchen

7. The Adventures of Silli Page by Dew Platt

8. Gateway by Sharon Shinn

9. Between Sisters by Adwoa Badoe

10. Ice Cream Girls by Dorothy Koomson

If It Takes a Village, Build One

If It Takes a Village, Build One: How I Found Meaning Through a Life of Service and 100+ Ways You Can Too by Malaak Compton-Rock 2010
Broadway Books/Random House

Incredible Quote "I believe that if you care about people, you should care about all people. And if you really believe that we are all part of this human race, all global citizens, then it makes sense to care about all people and to help people anywhere in the world. Certainly, the individuals who receive your time, money, and support appreciate it. But I also think each of us benefits when we serve internationally. There are the cultural benefits, such as learning more about another way of life and understanding other parts of the world in a more in-depth way. Even more important, I think we come to feel that the world is a warmer, friendlier place and that we are part of a human family that sustains us all." pgs. 151-152

Malaak Compton-Rock is a dedicated humanitarian. She has written a book to help others help more people. Her mother took her to rallies and exemplified a life of service to her, and both her parents discussed politics, race and education at the dinner table. In her first book, Ms. Compton-Rock shares the lessons she learned from her mother, and various jobs on living a life dedicated to service. She also provides tips on how to raise children committed to volunteerism and includes resources such as websites and names of various organizations worth checking out to consider volunteering with and/or giving a donation. Starting with how to find the right volunteer opportunity for yourself and your family and continuing with how to throw a fundraiser, start a nonprofit and research reputable charities. To quote the book flap this is "the must-have book (and perfect gift!) for aspiring do-gooders". (And I 100% agree with that quote).

One of my favorite quotes is "service is the rent we pay for living" first said by Marian Wright Edleman. This quote is the daily mantra of Malaak Compton-Rock and through the stories and tips she shares, it becomes quite clear that she is paying more than her share. I was skeptical at first as to how usable her tips would be considering that she also happens to be the wife of Chris Rock and thus has lots of money and influence to give to various worthy causes. Ms. Compton-Rock however, continuously stresses that she realizes how fortunate she is but for the most part are tips are applicable to would-be (and current) volunteers of all incomes. Certain tips concerning corporate sponsors I don't think will apply to everyone but there are other tips about using local businesses and other resourceful ways to save money on planning an event. What I disliked the most about this book was the fact that after all the author's talk about buying gifts, cards, etc from non-profit organizations (or businesses like RED) she doesn't take her own advice and donate the profits from her book to a particular cause. Or at least she doesn't publicize it which is both good and bad. Good because if she does donate proceeds from her book sales, she's being humble by not showcasing it but I'm more eager to buy books where I know proceeds are being given to a certain organization I support and/or find interesting.

I chose the quote I did as Incredible because I've often struggled when people remind me (especially my mom) "charity begins at home". I realize that and we all know America has its fair share of problems but I'm also drawn to working with international NGOs (well not exactly work per se although that's what I want to do after college but for now I just mean choosing where to donate my money and whether or not to spread the word) and I never have the answer for the question of choosing domestic vs. international causes to champion. I want to do both and now thanks to Ms. Compton-Rock I have an answer I can adapt in my own words. She describes it perfectly (if only I was so eloquent)! Another key point she makes early on that I think is well worth bearing in mind concerning deciding how much to donate she states that people "often start feeling guilty about how small their gifts seem, not realizing that every cent counts to a nonprofit organization. They turn what should be a joyous, positive, self-affirming experience into something that causes them guilt or sadness. And no one should be feeling either of these emotions when they have decided to serve by giving" (pg. 31). Sometimes I feel sad when I'm giving but only because I wish I could do more, I wholeheartedly agree that when you donate money you should happy because you took a BIG first step. But I also think you should feel a bit restless and a CRAVING to do more.

If It Takes a Village, Build One is an essential read for everyone because everyone can/should donate their time, money and talents to serving others. The author doesn't try and guilt the reader with harrowing statistics (while there are a few sprinkled throughout they never overwhelmed me with sadness and I'm a mess when it comes to that sort of thing), instead she provides the statistics and then shares the organizations that are DOING something to lower those scary stats. Her stories are uplifting and I *plan* on keeping this book around for the rest of my life for organizations to volunteer for during and after college as well as for tips on how to raise kids (if I ever have any) with generous spirits. I closed this book feeling like (as cliché and cheesy as this is about to sound) I could DO ANYTHING and MAKE A DIFFERENCE in some kind of positive way. I immediately emailed two local organizations I volunteer for with some new ideas and the wheels are turning in my head concerning the blog and C.O.L.O.R. Personally I would recommend this to everyone!

Disclosure: Bought (while in NYC at a closing Borders. I LOVE NYC!)

Ps Check out the author's website for even more resources

Throwback Thursday: Angel's Grace

Angel's Grace by Tracey Baptiste 2005
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Rating: 2.5/5

Incredible Quote "I realized that not all secrets are the kind that turns your whole world upside down. Some of them are sweet little things that are simply too delicious to let slip." pg. 165

Grace has unruly red hair and a birthmark on her shoulder that no one else in her family shares. Her little sister Sally resembles her father and while Grace shares some physical and emotional characteristics with her mother, there are some unique parts of her that she would like to figure out who in the family she resembles. Grace's mother tells her that an angel left the mark on her shoulder as a sign of constant protection. She sends Grace and Sally from Brooklyn to Trinidad in order for them to spend time with their grandmother. As Grace flips through old family photo albums with Ma (her grandmother) and Aunt Jackie she discovers a blurred photo of a man with the exact same birthmark she has. Aunt Jackie can't identify him and neither can anyone else (or they simply aren't willing to) which leaves Grace with many questions. Grace is determined to figure out who the man in the photo is and if he might be her father.

Alright so the premise of this book is a cliche so I shouldn't complain....but I'm going to go ahead. The story crawls along at a snail's pace which is especially unsatisfactory when the book is so short and about a cliche topic. When there are 165 pages of large print the story cannot afford to move s-l-o-w-l-y unless it spends pages and pages describing the new (well new-to-readers) location. This book does not do that which was really disappointing because I've never gone to Trinidad and I'm not so sure if I ever will. The author only talks about the sunsets, beaches and makes a few mentions of the market. But there are very few details aside from the above and I would have at least liked to get more detail on the markets. Even better if the details were presented in an interesting manner or described in lush terms. And I was also annoyed at how long it took the main character to reach the conclusion that she was not living with her biological father. To make matters worse she describes her biological father in less-than-endearing terms (nothing too serious but he didn't seem like the gentlest father either) *spoiler: highlight to read* and yet by the end he's acting like he could win the Father-of-the-Year award or something. The change was too abrupt. *End of spoiler*

As much as the plot was a cliche, I did like reading about how Grace went about searching for her father. Trying to find the man in the photo wasn't the most original concept but the backstory was intriguing. The author used one of my favorite techniques by sprinkling words in Creole English and not explaining what all of them meant. The story has an emotional appeal to it, one that didn't affect me but could affect other readers (in a good way). I think the book would have been stronger if it continued into the next summer. The character of Raj was interesting enough but the author barely scratched the surface of his potential.

Angel's Grace had no effect on me which was disappointing, in fact I would probably say it bored me. I didn't fall in love with the setting of Trinidad (which is both good and bad. Good because I was starting to worry that if an author set the book in a 'foreign'-to-me country I would automatically adore it but that is clearly not the case. Bad because I want to love Trinidad through books since I can't travel to see it!). The other cliche in addition to finding a biological parent was instantly befriending a local boy. Their friendship was odd especially because the author left out some of their conversations so I was left wondering how her new friend (Raj) knew certain things that had just happened. Grace was a much better sister than I because Sally drove me insane! All in all this book fell flat for me and wasn't particularly 'quirky' except for the location.

Disclosure: From the libraryyy :)

Meme hosted by Take Me Away

Waiting on Wednesday: Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

Release Date: September 27, 2011

Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. They had been best friends since they were six, spending hot Minneapolis summers and cold Minneapolis winters together, dreaming of Hogwarts and Oz, superheroes and baseball. Now that they were eleven, it was weird for a boy and a girl to be best friends. But they couldn't help it - Hazel and Jack fit, in that way you only read about in books. And they didn't fit anywhere else.

And then, one day, it was over. Jack just stopped talking to Hazel. And while her mom tried to tell her that this sometimes happens to boys and girls at this age, Hazel had read enough stories to know that it's never that simple. And it turns out, she was right. Jack's heart had been frozen, and he was taken into the woods by a woman dressed in white to live in a palace made of ice. Now, it's up to Hazel to venture into the woods after him. Hazel finds, however, that these woods are nothing like what she's read about, and the Jack that Hazel went in to save isn't the same Jack that will emerge. Or even the same Hazel.

Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," Breadcrumbs is a story of the struggle to hold on, and the things we leave behind.

-I'm not familiar with the fairytale "The Snow Queen" (I thought it was going to be like Hanzel and Gretel at first) but I'm looking forward to learning about the original and seeing how it was reinterpreted. This seems like the perfect winter tale however so I wish I could wait till December to read it! But reviews call :) Perhaps a re-read will be in order...

I need more books to wait on! I have no more 2011 releases once I reach October (I pre-schedule all my WoW posts), any recommendations? What are you waiting on??

Male Monday: The Door of No Return

The Door of No Return by Sarah Mussi 2008
Margaret K. McEldery Books/Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Rating: 2/5

IQ "I'd remembered one of Pop's sayings: 'Where there's a will there's a way, and when there's no way there's always excuses.' I'd add 'and lazy old buggers.' We'd laugh." Zac pg. 64 (that quote made me smile)

Zac Baxter's grandfather drills into his head that he is the descendant of Ghanaian kings, whose treasure was stolen when Zac's ancestors were sold into slavery by the British. Zac doesn't believe his grandfather, after all he's elderly and living in the past but then his grandfather is murdered and their apartment is ransacked. Suddenly it's not just a tall tale anymore, the treasure becomes very real and very important. Zac is determined to get to Ghana to find not just the treasure but his roots. His grandfather's dying words had to do with Zac having the treasure map but Zac has no clue what that means, he hasn't seen one. He discovers clue after clue but the people who murdered his grandfather always seem to be a step ahead and quite influential with the government. Who can Zac trust?

I didn't realize this book was going to end up being about reparations for slavery. I think the reparations debate is completely silly (especially given the state of the economy these days, where is the government going to find the money to pay all the Black descendants of slaves in their country? AND how do you know if some of your ancestors were slaves, not everyone can afford to have their family history traced....) so that put a slight damper on my enjoyment of the book because I kept rolling my eyes. Aside from that I didn't like how this book was ALL ABOUT Zac. It was all in his head for the most part and the few dialogues in the book turned into monologues between characters. At times the dialogue/slang sounded stiff, thrown in just to sound 'cool' or something because otherwise it didn't make much sense (granted there was a lot of British slang I presume). The secondary characters provided background noise and help when needed (or violence) but little else, including the few people Zac decided to trust. And *spoiler: highlight to read* why did Zac take his friends on a shopping spree? They were BARELY mentioned! *End spoiler* Speaking of whom to trust, Zac goes on and on about how growing up in the streets he knows not to trust many people, especially after what happens to his grandfather and his home but then he trusts someone that it seemed (to me anyway) quite clear he shouldn't. He was extra careful about everyone except the one person he needed to be which made it seem too obvious as to who was going to betray Zac. I was even more disappointed in the long history of Ghana (provided in a monologue by a chauffeur) it should have been presented in a more interesting, varied way. Furthermore, Ghana wasn't described in great detail. In the end Zac talks about how Ghana is the best country in the world, I wanted to love it too but I didn't get a real sense of Ghana from this book. I hated how Zac kept saying "I regretted this" or "I shouldn't have done" that, to me that takes away an element of surprise.

Some elements of the story were well done. The history of Portuguese explorers, the British & Ghanaians was fascinating to read about, even if it was described in a long conversation. A small part of the story that I loved was the location of the treasure map. It was unrealistic definitely but a cool concept. While I did not get a strong feel for Ghana, I did get a through description of Gloucester, England, that city was one I could imagine as well as the hamlet of Syde (which might be fictional?). Since the story was all about Zac and his thoughts, the emotional intensity of the story was there. I was terrified for Zac, it would be very scary not being able to trust anyone because your life depends on it. He goes through a lot for a sixteen year old (seeing his grandfather murdered before his eyes, community home, court apperances) and I could literally taste the fear sometimes especially when he was in Ghana. I don't want to give too much away but Zac goes to Ghana on the ruse of doing community service and the place he ends up at would scare me to death. I was amazed that he kept it together. There was another quote that really resonated with me, "He [Pops] had a way of telling things; his voice pulled you into that mysterious place where the past burnt brighter than any pale present, and you hungered to be there, where 'brave deeds and terrible sacrifices' made life worth living" (pg. 60).I can totally relate to that, wanting to be swept up in a cause that's bigger than yourself, that you believe in so passionately (ending slavery, women's suffrage, civil rights). I think my (American) generation is looking for our 'big' cause but maybe that's a lot of 'little' causes (although I think it might be immigration).

The Door of No Return is not a peachy keen read which I appreciated, there are some really dark moments. I did not appreciate Zac's sloppy narration because while I liked how random it could be (after all I think most teenagers' thoughts are pretty random), the slang and his dramatics annoyed me. I really didn't like how Zac didn't interact much with other characters, basically the author used them for what they could give Zac (or hurt him for) and then disregarded them, bringing them up again when convenient. Certain parts of the story were well done such as the descriptions of Gloucester (not that I've been there), Black life in Gloucester, and the treasure map along with the story behind the treasure. At the same time, the pacing is incredibly uneven (fast moving-sloooowwwwwww-fastfast) and I wasn't completely satisfied with how convenient the mystery was solved. Ultimately it worked out that I ended up waiting two years to read this book, I didn't miss out on much.

Disclosure: Got it from the library

New Crayons (Number....)

I was curious as to how many New Crayons posts I've done but I never saw the point of including the (#). then I realized it didn't matter since I could just check the number of New Crayons labels... Anyway I'm rambling. I have even more books to share (review books from Tu Books!) but I'm trying to space them all
out in New Crayons post.



From Tricia-Thank you!

Subway Girl by P. J. Converse

He is shy. Unassuming. Inexperienced.

She is Subway Girl. Cool. Unattainable.

From the moment he sees her on a Hong Kong subway, Simon is intrigued by Amy, but he doesn't have the nerve to talk to her. When he finally works up the courage, he realizes he can't. Because Amy doesn't speak Chinese, and Simon is failing English.

But somehow, Amy and Simon connect, and they find that they understand each other. Enough for Simon to admit that he is dropping out of school. Enough for Amy to confess that she is pregnant with her ex-boyfriend's baby. Amy and Simon feel lost in a world so much bigger than they are, and yet they still have each other.

-Read this book and at the moment it's my biggest disappointment of 2011 in the YA book debut world. The summary had SUCH PROMISE. But did not deliver (not for me anyway).


Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie

In this enchanting tale about the magic of reading and the wonder of romantic awakening, two hapless city boys are exiled to a remote mountain village for reeducation during China's infamous Cultural Revolution. There they meet the daughter of the local tailor and discover a hidden stash of Western classics in Chinese translation. As they flirt with the seamstress and secretly devour these banned works, they find transit from their grim surroundings to worlds they never imagined.

-This sounds a little like Reading Lolita in Tehran which I thought was excellent so I'm really looking forward to diving into this book.

From the library

Angel's Grace by Tracey Baptise

Grace has always had wild red hair like no one else in her family and a birthmark on her shoulder that her mother told her was the mark of an angel. When Grace is sent from New York to spend the summer with her grandmother in Trinidad, she looks through the family album and discovers a blurred photograph of a stranger with a birthmark -- her birthmark -- and Grace is full of questions. No one is able to identify the man in the photo, and Grace is left with no choice but to find out who he is and what he might mean to her. What Grace does not know is that her search will lead to a discovery about herself and her family that she never could have imagined.

Tracey Baptiste's first novel is a tender coming-of-age story set on the island of Trinidad. Angel's Grace explores the meaning of identity and truth, and the unbreakable ties of a family bound by love.

-I'm reading this for the Quirky Brown Reading Challenge. I decided it's quirky because it's set in Trinidad, how many books are set there? :)


Orchards by Holly Thompson

After a classmate commits suicide, Kana Goldberg—a half-Japanese, half-Jewish American—wonders who is responsible. She and her cliquey friends said some thoughtless things to the girl. Hoping that Kana will reflect on her behavior, her parents pack her off to her mother's ancestral home in Japan for the summer. There Kana spends hours under the hot sun tending to her family's mikan orange groves.

Kana's mixed heritage makes it hard to fit in at first, especially under the critical eye of her traditional grandmother, who has never accepted Kana's father. But as the summer unfolds, Kana gets to know her relatives, Japan, and village culture, and she begins to process the pain and guilt she feels about the tragedy back home. Then news about a friend sends her world spinning out of orbit all over again.

-I did a week of Haiti reviews after the earthquake, I want to do the same thing for Japan. After I reviewed the book I linked ways people could help. This is my first book that I chose plus the issue of bullying is extremely relevant to today. I'm eager to read it (finally)!

The Indigo Notebook by Laura Resau

Zeeta's life with her free-spirited mother, Layla, is anything but normal. Every year Layla picks another country she wants to live in. This summer they’re in Ecuador, and Zeeta is determined to convince her mother to settle down. Zeeta makes friends with vendors at the town market and begs them to think of upstanding, “normal” men to set up with Layla. There, Zeeta meets Wendell. She learns that he was born nearby, but adopted by an American family. His one wish is to find his birth parents, and Zeeta agrees to help him. But when Wendell’s biological father turns out to be involved in something very dangerous, Zeeta wonders whether she’ll ever get the chance to tell her mom how she really feels—or to enjoy her deepening feelings for Wendell.

-This book made me want to travel so badly, my heart ached! I really enjoyed the story (big thanks to Lyn for recommending this book to me!). My review

Bought

Words in the Dust by Trent Reedy

In the tradition of SHABANU, DAUGHTER OF THE WIND and THE BREADWINNER, a beautiful debut about a daughter of Afghanistan discovering new friends and opportunities after the defeat of the Taliban.

Zulaikha hopes. She hopes for peace, now that the Taliban have been driven from Afghanistan; a good relationship with her hard stepmother; and one day even to go to school, or to have her cleft palate fixed. Zulaikha knows all will be provided for her--"Inshallah," God willing.

Then she meets Meena, who offers to teach her the Afghan poetry she taught her late mother. And the Americans come to the village, promising not just new opportunities and dangers, but surgery to fix her face. These changes could mean a whole new life for Zulaikha--but can she dare to hope they'll come true?

-I've been wanting to read this book for awhile now because as I've said countless times I devour all the books I can find on the Middle Eastern region, it fascinates me immensely. I decided to buy it however when I read that 10% of the author's proceeds up to 10,000 would be donated to Women for Afghan Women. I'm a sucker for that sort of thing so natch I had to buy the book.

What new books did you buy/trade for/get from the library this week? Were you enticed to go to Borders as they readjusted their bargains (I sort of wish I'd waited for the 25% off BUT my books might not have still been there....)


*From August 6-10 I will be in NYC! This is my first time visiting and I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. I will have limited Internet access so I will try to at least check my emails/comments.

Throwback Thursday: The Indigo Notebook

The Indigo Notebook by Laura Resau 2009
Delacorte Press/Random House

Rating: 4.5/5

IQ "There are ties stronger than blood" pg. 81 Mamita Luz

15 year old Zeeta lives in a different country every year with her free-spirited mother Layla. Layla teaches ESL classes in the various countries and loves the wandering lifestyle; she quotes Rumi, dates starving artists and other guys with no solid future plans and lives in the moment. Zeeta keeps their little family together; she does the dishes, tries to encourage Layla to get to her classes on time, signs them up for first aid classes and is a very practical person. Layla loves the nomadic lifestyle, Zeeta dreams of settling down in suburban America with a Handsome Magazine Dad. This year Zeeta and her mother move to Ecuador (specifically Otavalo which is near the Andes) where Zeeta meets Wendell, an American teenager who wants to find his birth parents. Layla meets Jeff, who is Handsome Magazine Dad. Zeeta and Wendall are both about to learn that they need to be careful what they for and embrace what they have. Zeeta and Wendall's quest to find his parents leads them to an indigenous village, delicious bread, crystal caves, and venomous creatures and flowers.

This is a silly thing to dislike and I didn't dislike it per se but I genuinely did not understand the Rumi quotes. My confusion over what he was saying made me feel like a complete idiot but maybe in time I will understand better. For now I'm content just thinking that he writes vague poetry that celebrates nature, simplicity and individuality (and that might not even be right). I was bothered by the fact that the Layla storyline was really cliche, whimsical mother kept safe/protected by down-to-earth daughter who desperately wants her mother to change. I was hoping Layla would have a less abrupt change (ex: *spoiler highlight to read* What made the one accident in Ecuador lead Layla back to Jeff? Why didn't Layla do that when she had other close-calls and Zeeta begged her to go back to a 'normal' life?* End of spoiler*) and be a little less of a caricature.

This book left me with a serious case of wanderlust. It was hard for me at first to fathom how Zeeta could want to give up her traveling lifestyle with Layla. She spoke seven different languages and had already lived in fifteen different countries. I want to travel the world and speak at least four languages so badly, I'm envious of all those who get to travel and it's hard for me to understand people/characters who don't appreciate the immense opportunity they've been given to travel the world. The author did an excellent job of (almost) completely immersing me in the world of Otavalo (I do wish more Quichua and Spanish words had been thrown in). The hustle and bustle of the market, the loud, cajoling calls of the vendors to tourists with backpacks and water bottles, the dazzling crystal caves in a quiet village, every scene is described in glowing terms down to the most minut detail. Zeeta is the typical teenager in that she doesn't know exactly what she wants and often feels torn between two different sides. She is observant, meticulous and she has a cautiously adventurous spirit. I didn't think Zeeta was boringly practical because she was always willing to explore, she just wanted to know her mother had a financial nest egg for their future.

The Indigo Notebook excels in bringing to life the colors, sounds, smells and even the textures of Ecuador to readers who may never get the chance to visit the country. Not only does it provide more than a cursory glance at life in Ecuador but it opens the page to the larger world of Central American culture (obviously Latin American cultures are very diverse but there are some unifying/common elements). The 'treatment' of being bicultural/multiracial was rarely mentioned but when it was, it was handled deftly. Zeeta's mother is white but Layla doesn't remember what ethnicity her father was but it's clear he wasn't white (and that is why this is not an off-color review). Zeeta observes (and is somewhat irked) that the conversation between Layla and her new 'boy toy' will soon "take a turn to how 'mixed-race' kids always turn out beautiful-in the same way that mutts are tougher than purebreds-and then he'll ask, Where is her father from anyway?" (pg. 6). Through Wendall's avid search for his birth parents, Zeeta is able to live vicariously through him because she doesn't have a clue as to her father's name and where he might live. This is a tale that I was absolutely enamored with due to its fantastic setting of Ecuador, mostly unique characters and the fact that Ecuador did not overpower Zeeta and the other characters. The setting did not overtake the plot and/or the characters which is something that I think is quite important. Otavalo was a major character in and of itself but it wasn't more important than Zeeta, Wendall, and a few other characters. I can't wait to read the next book in the series, The Ruby Notebook!

Disclosure: From ze library

Hosted by Take Me Away Reading (I review books from 2009 and older)

Waiting on Wednesday: My Own Worst Frenemy

My Own Worst Frenemy by Kimberly Reid

Release Date: August 30, 2011

Straight outta the Mile High City, Chanti Evans is an undercover cop's daughter and an exclusive private school's newest student. But Chanti is learning fast that when it comes to con games, the streets have nothing on Langdon Prep.

With barely a foot in the door, fifteen-year-old Chanti gets on the bad side of school queen bee Lissa and snobbish Headmistress Smythe. They've made it their mission to take Chanti down and she needs to find out why, especially when stuff begins disappearing around campus, making her the most wanted girl in school, and not in a good way. But the last straw comes when she and her Langdon crush, the seriously hot Marco Ruiz, are set up to take the heat for a series of home burglaries--and worse. . . .

-I've actually already read this book but I'm saving my review for around the release date. It was quite good! The 'villain' isn't obvious and it's a plausible mystery with realistic (at least to me) clues and situations. Chanti is down-to-earth, intelligent and a bit awkward, which was a lot of fun.

What are you waiting on this week? Do you read lots of mysteries?