A Crooked Kind of Perfect- Linda Urban

Often I’m finding it a bit of a challenge to find that great book for our students in the middle; those in grades 4-6. We seem to have a great number of wonderful picture books and great novels for our young adults. ACrooked Kind of Perfect is perfect (excuse the pun) for those in-between kids of ours. It has something to say in a non-preachy, humorous way. It has enough of this age group’s struggles with peer acceptance, beginning romantic crushes and wanting to achieve something memorable to satisfy all the readers’ needs.

Zoe dreams of being a great concert pianist, but unfortunately, her somewhat eccentric father, presents her with an organ, with lessons thrown in. Disappointed as she is, she decided to make the best of it, and works hard enough to enter an annual competition. Now I know this doesn’t sound very exciting, but throw in the author’s quirky sense of humour, the fast-paced incidents at school and home, the interaction with friends, former friends, and potential love-interests, and you have a story that is hard to put down. You wanted to cheer for Zoe all the way and even though her life wasn’t perfect, she had the support she needed to have some confidence in herself and in her dreams. It was on many recommended lists last year, and now I know why!

Stolen Voices- Ellen Dee Davidson

Although this author was previously unknown to me, in Stolen Voices, she masters the science fiction genre. When the world as we know it has ended, a new world evolves where citizens lose any individual voice and all is ruled by a small elite group and the Voice who speaks for them all, the Masker. Miri, at 15, has reached the age where she and her fellow students will become masked and join the ranks of those who use their talents only to promote unity. Unfortunately, Miri has not yet discovered her talent, which placed her in peril of becoming classed with the lowest of servants. During the masking of her peers, she sees a sight that frightens her as she watches their masking and the Masker draining them of all their individuall colours to augment his own power. Miri is then discovered and informed by the Masker that she will become a servant. With the help of the Masker’s servant, she escapes to the outside where she is feared, mistrusted and eventually heralded as one who has a great talent which had been thought to be forever lost. In time, Miri must make the hard choice between the world she thinks she knows and a new world where there may indeed be individual ideas. There are lots of themes inherent in this novel; coming-of-age, the value of the individual, the use or mis-use of talents and the difficulty of making hard choices. I really just enjoyed the fast-paced and unique plot line of this story and hope to see more from this author.

It reminded me somewhat of The Uglies. et al, by Scott Westerman.

Kate- Valerie Sherrard

I enjoy Sherrard’s writings generally and was a little intrigued by the premise of this book. I have read several of her Shelby Belgarden mysteries and noted that this one was quite different in plot. Sometimes I have students who ask me for “sad” books and they aren’t always easy to find as we don’t have a section for “sad” books. But I understand that some young girls want to explore the emotions of sorrow in a safe environment or perhaps are trying to deal with some grief of their own. So often, a good novel will allow us to find some measure of comfort and understanding through the hardships of others. So here is Kate; a book about a 14 year-old girl who is facing sure death from a brain tumour. She, her family, her friends, her neighbours and now her new boyfriend, all have to face up to and deal with this catastrophe in their own way. The very real pain and anxiety is explored in what I thought was a very realistic, thoughtful and ultimately, in a healing fashion. It doesn’t pull any punches; neither is it sentimental. It is an excellent reminder from Kate to take very day and live life to the fullest. I would recommend this for middle years, Young Adult readers and high school. One of the blogs I follow is Deliciously Clean Reads. This is definitely a book to meet their requirements.

The Secret of Grim Hill- Linda DeMeulemeester

This book confused me somewhat. I had been looking forward to reading it as it had come up on several recommended sites. The unfortunate cover will likely not appeal to the age group for which I assume it was intended. That assumption is based on the age of the protagonist, Cat, who is just entering her first year of a new high school. The plot and actions of the character made it appear more appropriate for the grade 4-6 crowd. So my recommendation is to offer it to that group of readers as they may quite enjoy the mysterious and and even scary moments in this book.Cat is typically unhappy in her new school and wishes she could afford to attend the posh Grimoire private school. When she hears about a soccer tournament which will award attendance at this school as the prize, Cat is eager to try out and give it her all. Things begin very quickly to seem out of sync.Teachers don’t expect assignments in on time, barriers to players’ attendance at soccer practises mysteriously evaporate and Cat’s playing ability exceeds even her wildest dreams. When her sister Sooky suddenly disappears after having warned Cat of the dangers of the school and her mom doesn’t remember who Sooky even is, Cat finally realizes that something indeed is amiss and begins to explore the possibilities. A creepy atmosphere may well draw kids to this, but when I compare it to Coraline by Neil Gaiman of some years ago, it just doesn’t have the same depth and credibility. Well, you know what I mean- some books allow you to suspend your disbelief with the blink of an eye while others have you going, “you’ve got to be kidding!” Grim Hill falls more into the latter category for me.

It is one of the nominations for this year’s Diamond Willow awards.

The Feathered Cloak- Sean Dixon

How did I miss this in my reading? Browsing through several books that I had on hand, I eventually picked this one up and was in a delightful surprise! This is a lovely fantasy book that incorporates a somewhat old-fashioned style of writing with a mastery of the elements of great fantasy. Freya is an 11 year-old Viking girl whose life is being turned upside down. Her once kind and caring father is withdrawing into his own space. Her younger brother, Rolf, once her playmate, has grown to ten feet tall and is no longer suited to the play they enjoyed. Frustrated and angry, Freya happens to view a falcon catcher who is planning to sell the falcon to the Viking king and make his fortune. Freya decides she will become “Freya the Falcon-Catcher” and thus find her place in the world. Unknown to her, Morton, oldest falcon of the king has had his wings torn from him and is sent as a warning to the king’s brother, who has been asked to rule over a small part of Norway. So when Freya sets her falcon trap, it is Morton whom she captures. Morton, whose falcon language she speaks; Morton of great wisdom who attempts to apprise her of the wickedness of the king she wishes to impress. But Freya is not easily persuaded and the resulting conversation between her and Morton is humorous and enlightening. Eventually, she, Morton and her giant of a brother, head out to meet this most vile king and…. Well, I’ll let you read this for yourself. It is a most delightful story and not only do I plan to purchase the rest of the series for my library, but read them all as well.

Ranger’s Apprentice Book One: The Ruins of Gorlan- John Flanagan

Fantasy lovers; step right up! You have a treat in store for you. Although I have as yet only read the first one in this series, it is one I will continue reading for my own pleasure. Sometimes I only read the first in a series so I can recommend them to students. Other times, such as this one, it’s a series I want to finish. The first in this series, The Ruins of Gorlan, is about 15 year old Will, an orphan who has been raised in Baron Arald’s home along with other orphans. At a particular time, they are chosen to apprentice in various capacities. Although Will, in spite of his small size, hopes to be chosen for Battle School, he is dismayed to find that he is to be apprenticed as a Ranger. A somewhat shadowy, mysterious group, he has no idea what will be expected of him and why he has been chosen. Over time, it becomes clear that he has skills that do indeed qualify him for this rather extraordinary life. As Rangers, they are protectors of the kingdom, and as Will is soon to find out, it will tax every ounce of courage and skill he possesses. This overview does not do justice to the intriguing characters and the truly fast-paced adventure of this book. I would highly recommend this for all elementary as well as high school libraries.

The Juvie Three- Gordon Korman

Korman continues to impress with his most recent offerings. A renowned writer from a very young age with the successful Bruno and Boots series (fondly remembered by my son-in-law), he continues to produce excellent novels. His language in The Juvie Three is terse and polished. I don’t believe I missed a word and I sometimes tend to be a skimmer. Douglas Healy wants to help juvenile delinquents, having been one himself. His choice of characters: Gecko, on the hook for stealing a car and abetting in his older brother’s theft; Arjay, a big, gentle giant who has been convicted of murder while acting in self-defence, and Terence, who really is in jail for crime committed, but is really just a lost kid looking for a place to belong, is masterful. The interaction of these characters is crucial to the unfolding story. Several weeks into their time at the half-way house with Healy, a tussle results with Healy taking a fall and sustaining a concussion. Terrified, the boys drop him at an emergency unit and hope things might yet turn out all right. But Healy has suffered amnesia and doesn’t even remember his own name. never mind the boys who are in his care. Transferred to a mental hospital until he regains his memory, the boys, who have been on their very best behaviour, plan to break him out. The rest is left for you to enjoy!

This novel would appeal to male and female readers and would be suitable for a Young Adult section as well as high school. Highly recommended, as are Schooled and Born to Rock, other recent offerings.