The "P" Reviews--See the content keys for an explanation of the numbers.
The Paladin Prophecy, by Mark Frost (The Paladin Prophecy series, book 1)
*A Kids' Indie Next List Pick--2012*
Core themes: a hero journey in a battle against evil, selflessness, giftedness, friendship
Drugs/alcohol: none
Religion/occult: Because this is the first in a series, I am not quite sure where the author is going with certain ideas, so I will just outline what is in the book. I don't feel I am able to make a true judgment on it, though, until the series is finished. Will, the protagonist, enters into a battle with evil beings that used to populate the earth. Will has someone helping him who is part of "The Hierarchy" (I took this to mean heaven or a part of heaven, but it may be open to interpretation). There is mention of God, but He is said to be way above the Hierarchy. I guess it is a little like being able to see angels battling demons in an eternal struggle for mankind. There are also some Native American influences that stem from one of the coaches and the area that the school is located in. So far, there is a very clear delineation between good and evil and choosing good.
Romance/sexuality: 1
Violence/abuse: multiple instances of fist fights between humans and also between supernatural beings and humans. The descriptions of the evil beings could be slightly disturbing to someone who is sensitive about creepy/alien imagery.
Vulgarities: 1, 3 (infrequent)
Literary artistry: * * * * *
Comments: This is a fast-paced, supernatural adventure that keeps you guessing and page-flipping. The character of Will West is funny, quick-witted, and doesn't hold back when it comes to protecting himself or his friends. Knowing this is a planned series, I was continually surprised at how much plot the author unravels for the reader. I can't imagine what he has left to reveal in future books, but I am sure it will be just as mysterious and exciting. Mark Frost is a great writer, and as a fan of his work on Twin Peaks, it was wonderful to read something of his in a somewhat different genre. However, if you are familiar with Twin Peaks at all, you will see some of the supernatural influences and imagery carrying over. I especially liked Will West's dream sequence towards the end. It reminded me so much of Agent Cooper's dreams and the enlightenment that would follow. Great read!
I would suggest this book to younger teens / older teens / all teens / no teens.
Author website: http://bymarkfrost.com/ / Series website: http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/paladinprophecy/index.php
Reviewer: Sabrina Holland
*A Kids' Indie Next List Pick--2012*
Core themes: a hero journey in a battle against evil, selflessness, giftedness, friendship
Drugs/alcohol: none
Religion/occult: Because this is the first in a series, I am not quite sure where the author is going with certain ideas, so I will just outline what is in the book. I don't feel I am able to make a true judgment on it, though, until the series is finished. Will, the protagonist, enters into a battle with evil beings that used to populate the earth. Will has someone helping him who is part of "The Hierarchy" (I took this to mean heaven or a part of heaven, but it may be open to interpretation). There is mention of God, but He is said to be way above the Hierarchy. I guess it is a little like being able to see angels battling demons in an eternal struggle for mankind. There are also some Native American influences that stem from one of the coaches and the area that the school is located in. So far, there is a very clear delineation between good and evil and choosing good.
Romance/sexuality: 1
Violence/abuse: multiple instances of fist fights between humans and also between supernatural beings and humans. The descriptions of the evil beings could be slightly disturbing to someone who is sensitive about creepy/alien imagery.
Vulgarities: 1, 3 (infrequent)
Literary artistry: * * * * *
Comments: This is a fast-paced, supernatural adventure that keeps you guessing and page-flipping. The character of Will West is funny, quick-witted, and doesn't hold back when it comes to protecting himself or his friends. Knowing this is a planned series, I was continually surprised at how much plot the author unravels for the reader. I can't imagine what he has left to reveal in future books, but I am sure it will be just as mysterious and exciting. Mark Frost is a great writer, and as a fan of his work on Twin Peaks, it was wonderful to read something of his in a somewhat different genre. However, if you are familiar with Twin Peaks at all, you will see some of the supernatural influences and imagery carrying over. I especially liked Will West's dream sequence towards the end. It reminded me so much of Agent Cooper's dreams and the enlightenment that would follow. Great read!
I would suggest this book to younger teens / older teens / all teens / no teens.
Author website: http://bymarkfrost.com/ / Series website: http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/paladinprophecy/index.php
Reviewer: Sabrina Holland
See the content keys for an explanation of the numbers.
Paper Towns, by John Green
*translated into Chinese, French, Dutch, German, and Italian; movie released 2015; NYT Bestseller; 2009 Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Mystery*
Core themes: fear, appearances can be deceiving, fear, caste system in high school, bullying,
the search for a greater meaning to life
Drugs/alcohol: several occurrences of teenage beer parties/graduation parties
Religion/occult: occasional vague references to God, one reference to humans coming from sludge (evolution)
Romance/sexuality: 1, 2
Violence/abuse: mild bullying, nothing overly graphic
Vulgarities: 1, 3, 4, 6 (frequent)
Literary artistry: * * * * *
Comments: Part mystery, part journey of self-discovery, this novel documents Quentin Jacobsen’s search for his neighbor Margo Roth Spiegelman. After a wild night of helping her right wrongs and wrong rights she disappears. As Quentin finds clues and journeys toward figuring out the enigma of Margo, he also learns more about his own character in the process. I enjoyed this book quite a bit and was pleased with the resolution which could have gone in many directions. This novel is what I would call a thinking teen’s book.
I would suggest this book to younger teens/older teens/all teens/no teens.
Author website: http://johngreenbooks.com/
Reviewer: Sabrina Holland
*translated into Chinese, French, Dutch, German, and Italian; movie released 2015; NYT Bestseller; 2009 Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Mystery*
Core themes: fear, appearances can be deceiving, fear, caste system in high school, bullying,
the search for a greater meaning to life
Drugs/alcohol: several occurrences of teenage beer parties/graduation parties
Religion/occult: occasional vague references to God, one reference to humans coming from sludge (evolution)
Romance/sexuality: 1, 2
Violence/abuse: mild bullying, nothing overly graphic
Vulgarities: 1, 3, 4, 6 (frequent)
Literary artistry: * * * * *
Comments: Part mystery, part journey of self-discovery, this novel documents Quentin Jacobsen’s search for his neighbor Margo Roth Spiegelman. After a wild night of helping her right wrongs and wrong rights she disappears. As Quentin finds clues and journeys toward figuring out the enigma of Margo, he also learns more about his own character in the process. I enjoyed this book quite a bit and was pleased with the resolution which could have gone in many directions. This novel is what I would call a thinking teen’s book.
I would suggest this book to younger teens/older teens/all teens/no teens.
Author website: http://johngreenbooks.com/
Reviewer: Sabrina Holland
Passenger, by Alexandra Bracken (Passenger series, book 1)
*NYT #1 Bestseller; 2016 School Library Journal Starred Review*
Why this book is worth considering:
Whatever else one might think of Passenger, it's hard not to be awed by the brilliant plotting. I have enjoyed many stories about time travel, but this gives the theme a whole new, fascinating spin. Plus, it's got everything--fast pacing, suspense, romance, high stakes, villains, heroes, and exciting adventure that spans both the globe and the centuries. For fantasy-lovers this has the perfect mix. Even better, it's a series!
Why it may not be right for your teen:
I was nearly three-fourths of the way through the novel before I realized what was bothering me about it. I knew that part of it was the writing itself. Bracken received great reviews for this novels and I doubt that I could do better, but honestly, her writing seemed unusually flawed to me for a YA novel. Sometimes a sentence wouldn't fully make sense, for example, or her phrasing was strange or awkward.
But what I eventually realized was bothering me the most is that the Bracken's writing reminded me of those religious books where the author tells a great story but doesn't miss an opportunity to take advantage of a teaching moment wherever it pops up (subtly, of course). The only difference with Passenger is that Bracken isn't pushing a particular religious subtext but a social justice one with a splash of secular morality for good measure. She "preaches" on several themes--interracial romance, racial prejudice, and feminism, in particular. It is hard to describe how she weaves it in, but by the end of the book, her personal moral and ethical values are louder and clearer than any YA novel I have read in a long time. Strangely, despite all the great adventure, I felt like I had received beginner lessons in how to be a young and modern secular woman. In my opinion, the best writers (such as The Newbery Award winning, Christian author Katherine Paterson and the classic Catholic-Christian author J.R.R. Tolkien) are those who can convey their values and beliefs without ever having to seize a single teaching moment. They manage to infuse their ideas into the text instead. There is a big difference!
In addition, Bracken holds little back in the way of controversial content. The novel contains a zesty dose of vulgar language, including blasphemy, some abuse and violence (but what I'd call PG-13), and one non-graphic sex scene in which the female protagonist, Etta, initiates. Drinking and drugs are present in only a subtle way that is true to the eras Etta visits (I can't even remember for sure). She herself does not drink, do drugs, or smoke. As for religion, the novel doesn't dwell much on that, except to mention that Etta has only been in a church twice in her life and has no religious faith. It also becomes relevant during one section that takes place in a Muslim society, because it plays into the story's events a little (offering yet another opportunity for feminist subtext).
Parents who are on-board with Bracken's moral and ethical values may not notice the subtext that I did (or care), but parents who do not share all or some of her values will not like the preachy subtext at all. To those parents, I say beware, if your teen is impressionable. Otherwise and if the rest of the content doesn't worry you, let them read the tale for what it is--a great adventure that does beat a lot of other YA novels for worthwhile entertainment.
Literary artistry: * * * * * Note: Five stars for plotting, two stars for writing.
I would suggest this book to younger teens/ older teens/ all teens / no teens.
Author website: http://www.alexandrabracken.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
*NYT #1 Bestseller; 2016 School Library Journal Starred Review*
Why this book is worth considering:
Whatever else one might think of Passenger, it's hard not to be awed by the brilliant plotting. I have enjoyed many stories about time travel, but this gives the theme a whole new, fascinating spin. Plus, it's got everything--fast pacing, suspense, romance, high stakes, villains, heroes, and exciting adventure that spans both the globe and the centuries. For fantasy-lovers this has the perfect mix. Even better, it's a series!
Why it may not be right for your teen:
I was nearly three-fourths of the way through the novel before I realized what was bothering me about it. I knew that part of it was the writing itself. Bracken received great reviews for this novels and I doubt that I could do better, but honestly, her writing seemed unusually flawed to me for a YA novel. Sometimes a sentence wouldn't fully make sense, for example, or her phrasing was strange or awkward.
But what I eventually realized was bothering me the most is that the Bracken's writing reminded me of those religious books where the author tells a great story but doesn't miss an opportunity to take advantage of a teaching moment wherever it pops up (subtly, of course). The only difference with Passenger is that Bracken isn't pushing a particular religious subtext but a social justice one with a splash of secular morality for good measure. She "preaches" on several themes--interracial romance, racial prejudice, and feminism, in particular. It is hard to describe how she weaves it in, but by the end of the book, her personal moral and ethical values are louder and clearer than any YA novel I have read in a long time. Strangely, despite all the great adventure, I felt like I had received beginner lessons in how to be a young and modern secular woman. In my opinion, the best writers (such as The Newbery Award winning, Christian author Katherine Paterson and the classic Catholic-Christian author J.R.R. Tolkien) are those who can convey their values and beliefs without ever having to seize a single teaching moment. They manage to infuse their ideas into the text instead. There is a big difference!
In addition, Bracken holds little back in the way of controversial content. The novel contains a zesty dose of vulgar language, including blasphemy, some abuse and violence (but what I'd call PG-13), and one non-graphic sex scene in which the female protagonist, Etta, initiates. Drinking and drugs are present in only a subtle way that is true to the eras Etta visits (I can't even remember for sure). She herself does not drink, do drugs, or smoke. As for religion, the novel doesn't dwell much on that, except to mention that Etta has only been in a church twice in her life and has no religious faith. It also becomes relevant during one section that takes place in a Muslim society, because it plays into the story's events a little (offering yet another opportunity for feminist subtext).
Parents who are on-board with Bracken's moral and ethical values may not notice the subtext that I did (or care), but parents who do not share all or some of her values will not like the preachy subtext at all. To those parents, I say beware, if your teen is impressionable. Otherwise and if the rest of the content doesn't worry you, let them read the tale for what it is--a great adventure that does beat a lot of other YA novels for worthwhile entertainment.
Literary artistry: * * * * * Note: Five stars for plotting, two stars for writing.
I would suggest this book to younger teens/ older teens/ all teens / no teens.
Author website: http://www.alexandrabracken.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
Pennyroyal Academy, by M.A. Larson (Pennyroyal Academy Series, #1)
Why this book is worth considering:
If a fairy godmother waved a wand over a typical, modern Disney--or Barbie--princess movie to turn it into a book, this is what it would look like. I could almost see the animation and hear exciting orchestral music in the background. Does this make it a book worth considering? Not necessarily, if we're considering literary quality, but for safe, leisure entertainment, it's pretty tame. Being set in a fairytale world, modern swear words don't have a place, nor does sex, drugs, drinking, religion, or complicated political agendas. After all, Disney would hardly approve.
Why it may not be right for your teen:
Larson does a masterful job with plot twists and turns, which makes sense considering his extensive background in writing for television. The story is original and exciting, fraught with plenty of dangers, soul-searches, and tender moments. It is a bit predictable, however, and artistic wordsmith Larson is not. I have read more lyrical, beautifully-written YA novels, so if you are looking for great writing models, this would not be it. In addition, the story sometimes became confusing to me. There are several sections that I could not summarize for you very well, even if I read them again, simply because I don't get what's happening.
Other than that, the only content that might concern parents is some mild good vs. evil violence, frightening wicked witches oozing black magic (after all, this is a Grimm fairytale world), and light kissing. In addition, Larson included a minor but odd plot twist that may express some kind of social agenda or not, but I thought it worth mentioning. At the academy there are "knights" (boys) and "princesses" (girls)--all of which are in training to become worthy of their respective titles. (It's important to understand here that each of those titles means the students are trained for specific tasks; they are not expressions of royalty.). Among the new class of "princesses" is a lone boy, whose parents wanted a girl and never got one, so they insisted that their last son be trained as a "princess" and not a "knight." There is no indication of sexual confusion or preference that I can see, but at the same time, I'm not sure why Larson chose to add this element. Perhaps some parents might pick up on the reason. To me it's not worth any concern, no matter what one's feeling is about sexual identity/preference, but other parents might disagree.
Literary artistry: * * * * * Note: Four stars for plotting, two stars for writing.
I would suggest this book to younger teens/ older teens/ all teens / no teens.
Author website: https://www.malarson.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
Why this book is worth considering:
If a fairy godmother waved a wand over a typical, modern Disney--or Barbie--princess movie to turn it into a book, this is what it would look like. I could almost see the animation and hear exciting orchestral music in the background. Does this make it a book worth considering? Not necessarily, if we're considering literary quality, but for safe, leisure entertainment, it's pretty tame. Being set in a fairytale world, modern swear words don't have a place, nor does sex, drugs, drinking, religion, or complicated political agendas. After all, Disney would hardly approve.
Why it may not be right for your teen:
Larson does a masterful job with plot twists and turns, which makes sense considering his extensive background in writing for television. The story is original and exciting, fraught with plenty of dangers, soul-searches, and tender moments. It is a bit predictable, however, and artistic wordsmith Larson is not. I have read more lyrical, beautifully-written YA novels, so if you are looking for great writing models, this would not be it. In addition, the story sometimes became confusing to me. There are several sections that I could not summarize for you very well, even if I read them again, simply because I don't get what's happening.
Other than that, the only content that might concern parents is some mild good vs. evil violence, frightening wicked witches oozing black magic (after all, this is a Grimm fairytale world), and light kissing. In addition, Larson included a minor but odd plot twist that may express some kind of social agenda or not, but I thought it worth mentioning. At the academy there are "knights" (boys) and "princesses" (girls)--all of which are in training to become worthy of their respective titles. (It's important to understand here that each of those titles means the students are trained for specific tasks; they are not expressions of royalty.). Among the new class of "princesses" is a lone boy, whose parents wanted a girl and never got one, so they insisted that their last son be trained as a "princess" and not a "knight." There is no indication of sexual confusion or preference that I can see, but at the same time, I'm not sure why Larson chose to add this element. Perhaps some parents might pick up on the reason. To me it's not worth any concern, no matter what one's feeling is about sexual identity/preference, but other parents might disagree.
Literary artistry: * * * * * Note: Four stars for plotting, two stars for writing.
I would suggest this book to younger teens/ older teens/ all teens / no teens.
Author website: https://www.malarson.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
See the content keys for an explanation of the numbers.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
*made into movie 2012; 2000 ALA Best Books for Young Adults award; 2002 ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults award; 2000 ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers award; 1999 Capitol Choices; Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens; 1999 School Library Journal Starred Review*
Core themes: coming of age, mental illness, abuse, self-medicating, loneliness, friendship
Drugs/alcohol: multiple instances of underage drinking, smoking, and use of marijuana and LSD. Alcohol and caffeine pills used as self-medication for depression.
Religion/occult: brief references to a girl who has become a Buddhist and why God would allow bad things to happen
Romance/sexuality: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Violence/abuse: several physical altercations between teen boys; parent beating a child with a belt; references to fathers/husbands hitting children/wives in the past; references to protagonist's friend committing suicide before high school begins; and one instance of the main character's sister being hit by her boyfriend and continuing to date him. Also, the same sister becomes pregnant and has an abortion; suicide
Vulgarities: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Literary artistry: * * * * *
Other comments: Okay, I didn't think you could fit almost every awful thing a teen could go through or witness into a 200-page book and still have it be realistic. Apparently you can, and it is this book. The story is told in the first-person through letters written to a stranger by Charlie, a freshman in high school with no friends, because his only friend killed himself. He then meets high school seniors Patrick and Sam (brother and sister), who invite him into their world. Through this friendship Charlie is exposed to and participates in smoking, drinking, drug use, lying, sexual encounters, and depression. As the story evolves, Charlie has some touching moments and brilliant insights, but these bright sparks are few and far between and don't warrant exposure to the rest of the content. I found this book morally offensive and would recommend it to no one.
I would suggest this book to younger teens/older teens/all teens/no teens.
Author website: none
Reviewer: Sabrina Holland
*made into movie 2012; 2000 ALA Best Books for Young Adults award; 2002 ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults award; 2000 ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers award; 1999 Capitol Choices; Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens; 1999 School Library Journal Starred Review*
Core themes: coming of age, mental illness, abuse, self-medicating, loneliness, friendship
Drugs/alcohol: multiple instances of underage drinking, smoking, and use of marijuana and LSD. Alcohol and caffeine pills used as self-medication for depression.
Religion/occult: brief references to a girl who has become a Buddhist and why God would allow bad things to happen
Romance/sexuality: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Violence/abuse: several physical altercations between teen boys; parent beating a child with a belt; references to fathers/husbands hitting children/wives in the past; references to protagonist's friend committing suicide before high school begins; and one instance of the main character's sister being hit by her boyfriend and continuing to date him. Also, the same sister becomes pregnant and has an abortion; suicide
Vulgarities: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Literary artistry: * * * * *
Other comments: Okay, I didn't think you could fit almost every awful thing a teen could go through or witness into a 200-page book and still have it be realistic. Apparently you can, and it is this book. The story is told in the first-person through letters written to a stranger by Charlie, a freshman in high school with no friends, because his only friend killed himself. He then meets high school seniors Patrick and Sam (brother and sister), who invite him into their world. Through this friendship Charlie is exposed to and participates in smoking, drinking, drug use, lying, sexual encounters, and depression. As the story evolves, Charlie has some touching moments and brilliant insights, but these bright sparks are few and far between and don't warrant exposure to the rest of the content. I found this book morally offensive and would recommend it to no one.
I would suggest this book to younger teens/older teens/all teens/no teens.
Author website: none
Reviewer: Sabrina Holland
The Phoenix Files, by Chris Morphew (books 1-6)
*Young Australians Best Book Award, 2012 (for Arrival); nominated for 2011 WA Young Readers' Book Award (older readers category); nominated for 2011 Red Dot Book Award*
Books in this series include the following titles:
1: Arrival
2: Contact
3: Mutation
4: Underground
5: Fallout
6: Doomsday
Disclaimer! Because it was unavailable to me, I was not able to read book 5 in this series. This review is based on the other books and my best guess about book 5.
Why this book is worth considering:
My favorite kind of TV show is suspense dramas that keep to the same storyline for the entire season. The Phoenix Files is a lot like that--a six-season suspense drama set in the Australian bush that keeps you hooked until the nail-biting end. Best of all, there is almost no swearing, no underage drug or alcohol intake, no religion or occult elements, and no sex. The series is not a romance, but the romance it does contain is not sexual. For readers who crave a lot of action and/or who enjoy doomsday scenarios, this is a great option. It is an especially good choice for boys. For those who appreciate some depth to their dramas, the series also confronts the reader with compelling questions about the nature of good and evil. What is evil? Is it a real, objective force or only what we make it? In other words, are good and evil really relative to each person's perspective, or is there an objective truth to these concepts?
Why it may not be right for your teen:
As clean as it is in most ways, parents should be aware that this series does contain a great deal of bloody violence. The fight is clearly between good and evil with teens squarely in the center of the fight, but many characters are harmed or killed in the fight to save humanity from the evil Mr. Shackleton. While most teens will probably not find this violence disturbing (I didn't, and I think I'm pretty sensitive to gore), it will not be appropriate for all readers. I compare this series to a PG-13 movie in this regard. Also, parents who want to encourage their teens to read only high-quality literature will want to bypass this series. Though it is not poorly written and despite its compelling themes, it is really pure entertainment, great for vacation and rainy days but not school projects or book clubs.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to younger teens/ older teens/ all teens/ no teens.
Author website: http://chrismorphew.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
*Young Australians Best Book Award, 2012 (for Arrival); nominated for 2011 WA Young Readers' Book Award (older readers category); nominated for 2011 Red Dot Book Award*
Books in this series include the following titles:
1: Arrival
2: Contact
3: Mutation
4: Underground
5: Fallout
6: Doomsday
Disclaimer! Because it was unavailable to me, I was not able to read book 5 in this series. This review is based on the other books and my best guess about book 5.
Why this book is worth considering:
My favorite kind of TV show is suspense dramas that keep to the same storyline for the entire season. The Phoenix Files is a lot like that--a six-season suspense drama set in the Australian bush that keeps you hooked until the nail-biting end. Best of all, there is almost no swearing, no underage drug or alcohol intake, no religion or occult elements, and no sex. The series is not a romance, but the romance it does contain is not sexual. For readers who crave a lot of action and/or who enjoy doomsday scenarios, this is a great option. It is an especially good choice for boys. For those who appreciate some depth to their dramas, the series also confronts the reader with compelling questions about the nature of good and evil. What is evil? Is it a real, objective force or only what we make it? In other words, are good and evil really relative to each person's perspective, or is there an objective truth to these concepts?
Why it may not be right for your teen:
As clean as it is in most ways, parents should be aware that this series does contain a great deal of bloody violence. The fight is clearly between good and evil with teens squarely in the center of the fight, but many characters are harmed or killed in the fight to save humanity from the evil Mr. Shackleton. While most teens will probably not find this violence disturbing (I didn't, and I think I'm pretty sensitive to gore), it will not be appropriate for all readers. I compare this series to a PG-13 movie in this regard. Also, parents who want to encourage their teens to read only high-quality literature will want to bypass this series. Though it is not poorly written and despite its compelling themes, it is really pure entertainment, great for vacation and rainy days but not school projects or book clubs.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to younger teens/ older teens/ all teens/ no teens.
Author website: http://chrismorphew.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
The Poe Estate, by Polly Shulman
Why this book is worth considering:
The imagination of Polly Shulman never ceases to amaze me. I have read many imaginative authors, but I don't think I've read any to compare with her in wild and original ideas. Where does she come up with it all? The Poe Estate, like her companion books The Grimm Legacy and The Wells Bequest (which are also reviewed on this website), is another thrilling ride into the hidden world of the New-York Circulating Material Respository--a deceptively dull name for a portal to fantastical adventures. While Grimm focused on fairy tales and Bequest focused on time travel, however, The Poe Estate takes readers into the eerie world of American ghost stories with its wandering spirits and haunted houses. If you are comfortable with spooky--but not too spooky!--ghost stories and a little bit of blood and guts, you will love The Poe Estate. Best of all, unlike so much of today's dark and edgy YA fiction (possibly because this is a book about teens marketed as middle grade), it somehow manages to be both spooky and fun at the same time. As always, Shulman's writing is a breath of fresh air among the many depressing books available for teens today.
Why it may not be right for your teen:
In the topics of most concern to the typical concerned parents--sex, swearing, drugs/alcohol--this book is refreshingly safe. The teen characters engage in none of these things, and the only romantic encounter is a chaste kiss on the lips at the end of the book. What will turn some parents away, perhaps, is the occult and sometimes violent nature of the story. This is a tale with a heavy focus on death and hauntings, and it does include magic witches' brooms and other magical objects, which are operated by human beings (including the protagonist).
Though much of it manages to be light and fun--a kind of celebration of American ghost stories--there is an underlying serious thread in which the protagonist must come to terms with the recent death of her sister. Even with this element of sadness, the book doesn't even approach the level of darkness that is part of so much of today's YA fiction. Still, it is a serious one that may disturb some readers who may be sensitive to the concept of death. The book also contains some violence, including a gruesome tale-within-a-tale. None of the violence is likely to keep modern teen readers awake at night, but again, sensitive readers may not enjoy this aspect of the story. The Poe Estate is essentially a fun, spooky story meant to give thrills and shivers--but not frighten. Very conservative parents will want to skim through this book if they are on the fence about it, but my guess is that most parents would rather their teens read this book than many of the other YA offerings on the market. I know I would.
Literary artistry: * * * * * Note: You may notice that I have rated this book higher than Grimm and Bequest. Although her writing retains the same character and although Grimm is still my favorite of the three novels, this story has a deeper, more complex plot than the others. I feel that Shulman has shown finer craftsmanship in this novel and thus warrants a higher literary rating for it.
I would suggest this book to younger teens/ older teens/ all teens / no teens.
Author website: http://www.pollyshulman.com/index.html
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
Why this book is worth considering:
The imagination of Polly Shulman never ceases to amaze me. I have read many imaginative authors, but I don't think I've read any to compare with her in wild and original ideas. Where does she come up with it all? The Poe Estate, like her companion books The Grimm Legacy and The Wells Bequest (which are also reviewed on this website), is another thrilling ride into the hidden world of the New-York Circulating Material Respository--a deceptively dull name for a portal to fantastical adventures. While Grimm focused on fairy tales and Bequest focused on time travel, however, The Poe Estate takes readers into the eerie world of American ghost stories with its wandering spirits and haunted houses. If you are comfortable with spooky--but not too spooky!--ghost stories and a little bit of blood and guts, you will love The Poe Estate. Best of all, unlike so much of today's dark and edgy YA fiction (possibly because this is a book about teens marketed as middle grade), it somehow manages to be both spooky and fun at the same time. As always, Shulman's writing is a breath of fresh air among the many depressing books available for teens today.
Why it may not be right for your teen:
In the topics of most concern to the typical concerned parents--sex, swearing, drugs/alcohol--this book is refreshingly safe. The teen characters engage in none of these things, and the only romantic encounter is a chaste kiss on the lips at the end of the book. What will turn some parents away, perhaps, is the occult and sometimes violent nature of the story. This is a tale with a heavy focus on death and hauntings, and it does include magic witches' brooms and other magical objects, which are operated by human beings (including the protagonist).
Though much of it manages to be light and fun--a kind of celebration of American ghost stories--there is an underlying serious thread in which the protagonist must come to terms with the recent death of her sister. Even with this element of sadness, the book doesn't even approach the level of darkness that is part of so much of today's YA fiction. Still, it is a serious one that may disturb some readers who may be sensitive to the concept of death. The book also contains some violence, including a gruesome tale-within-a-tale. None of the violence is likely to keep modern teen readers awake at night, but again, sensitive readers may not enjoy this aspect of the story. The Poe Estate is essentially a fun, spooky story meant to give thrills and shivers--but not frighten. Very conservative parents will want to skim through this book if they are on the fence about it, but my guess is that most parents would rather their teens read this book than many of the other YA offerings on the market. I know I would.
Literary artistry: * * * * * Note: You may notice that I have rated this book higher than Grimm and Bequest. Although her writing retains the same character and although Grimm is still my favorite of the three novels, this story has a deeper, more complex plot than the others. I feel that Shulman has shown finer craftsmanship in this novel and thus warrants a higher literary rating for it.
I would suggest this book to younger teens/ older teens/ all teens / no teens.
Author website: http://www.pollyshulman.com/index.html
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
The Poet X, by Elizabeth Acevedo
Why this book is worth considering:
I am not a fan of prose-poetry novels, but I am amazed at the high quality of such novels that I encounter, and this one is no exception. For that reason I continue to review them. The Poet X, like other prose-poetry novels I've read, is powerful, sharp, and beautiful. Also, the speaker is Dominican-American, which is a voice not often heard in the YA genre. The choice of the author to use prose-poetry isn't gratuitous, either, for the speaker is a budding poet; poetry is her natural written language.
In addition to the high literary quality, the story the speaker has to tell is meaningful and relevant to many teens, not just those who understand her culture. It's about finding your voice, asking hard questions about religion and life, transitioning from childhood to adolescence, finding first love, and struggling to find personal identity separate from parents. All of these themes are worthy of discussion, and this novel may be just right for some families because of that.
I also appreciate that the adults in authority are not all villains or negative influences, and I appreciate that the novel ends on a hopeful note of reconciliation. Both a Catholic priest and a public high school teacher are strong positive influences for the protagonist--a nice change from the current negative stereotypes frequently seen in print and film. The priest is honorable and faithful to the Church, as well as kind and real to the teens he works with, and the teacher genuinely cares for her students. She does her best to bring out the protagonist's hidden talents and to encourage her to be brave.
Why it may not be right for your teen:
The artistic quality of this novel wasn't enough to off-set the offensiveness of some of the content for me, so I almost stopped reading it. In fact, it was painful for me at times and not in the purifying sort of way that forces me to crack open my fixed perceptions and see things in a new light. If it was just that, I'd respect the author for causing me that pain and helping me to grow. Instead, it was painful because she chose to express the protagonist's struggles in several blasphemous ways that deeply offended my religious sensibilities.
Readers should know from the beginning that the novel has unusually strong religious themes for a secular novel, for the protagonist's family is devoutly Catholic. However, in keeping with the modern secular mindset of portraying Christianity in a negative light, the novel is about the loss of faith, not the strengthening of it (although at the end the protagonist seems to backtrack on her waywardness a bit). The author doesn't shy away from blasphemous commentary, either. For example, the novel is divided into three parts, and each part is a portion of a Bible verse. The verses are then used in the chapters that follow to express the struggles of the protagonist. For example, Part 2 is named "And the Word Was Made Flesh," and in that part the protagonist struggles with her sexual awakening. For me this crossed the line into blasphemy, although I'm not sure that was the author's intention. I think the intention was raw honesty and metaphor, but it was just too much.
Another offensive part is when the protagonist receives the host (Christ's body) in Mass and then spits it out when she returns to her pew and hides it underneath the seat. Although not swallowing it may be her way of showing respect for the sacred (rather than swallowing it without believing it's the Body of Christ), the idea of hiding it under her seat week after week was shocking to me, even though I knew it was only fiction. I also found the parents disturbing, especially the protagonist's mother, who crosses the line into abuse in her zeal to control her daughter and make her into a good, devout Catholic. She also talks about the need to earn salvation, which is directly against Catholic teaching and which may therefore confuse readers and reinforce misperceptions about the Church.
Parents also need to know that although the novel has no actual sex, it does contain a fair amount of graphic sexual innuendos and lustful thoughts and actions. This includes the protagonist discovering that her twin brother is gay and has a boyfriend, which he (understandably) doesn't dare tell his parents. There is also some swearing and vulgar language.
There is no question that this novel will appeal to some young adults, because the protagonist's struggles are not uncommon. This novel is a good reminder to parents, though, that authors do not write and publishers do not publish with their readers' best interests at heart. Writing is an art in the same way as sculpture and music composition, which means that unless they are commissioned to write something specific, authors write to express what is on their hearts. That it is published and marketed to a specific audience is separate from the act of creating art. Acevedo may appeal to teens experiencing the same struggles as her protagonist, but she is not writing for the Catholic and other Christian readers who may find some of the novel hurtful and offensive. She is not writing with parents in mind who may not want their children to start seeing them as adversaries just because they raise them with certain beliefs and values. She is not writing for readers who may not be ready to ask big questions about faith and God and sexuality. She is an artist writing for herself, and she has chosen to share her art with young people. This is legitimate. This is what artists do; it's what art is all about. And Acevedo is good at it.
But parents must not--not now, nor ever--assume that writers are their natural partners in bringing their kids through the struggles of adolescence. This novel, although beautiful and meaningful and thought-provoking and worthy of some good discussion, makes that quite clear.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to younger teens/ older teens/ all teens / no teens.
Author website: http://www.acevedowrites.com/books
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
Why this book is worth considering:
I am not a fan of prose-poetry novels, but I am amazed at the high quality of such novels that I encounter, and this one is no exception. For that reason I continue to review them. The Poet X, like other prose-poetry novels I've read, is powerful, sharp, and beautiful. Also, the speaker is Dominican-American, which is a voice not often heard in the YA genre. The choice of the author to use prose-poetry isn't gratuitous, either, for the speaker is a budding poet; poetry is her natural written language.
In addition to the high literary quality, the story the speaker has to tell is meaningful and relevant to many teens, not just those who understand her culture. It's about finding your voice, asking hard questions about religion and life, transitioning from childhood to adolescence, finding first love, and struggling to find personal identity separate from parents. All of these themes are worthy of discussion, and this novel may be just right for some families because of that.
I also appreciate that the adults in authority are not all villains or negative influences, and I appreciate that the novel ends on a hopeful note of reconciliation. Both a Catholic priest and a public high school teacher are strong positive influences for the protagonist--a nice change from the current negative stereotypes frequently seen in print and film. The priest is honorable and faithful to the Church, as well as kind and real to the teens he works with, and the teacher genuinely cares for her students. She does her best to bring out the protagonist's hidden talents and to encourage her to be brave.
Why it may not be right for your teen:
The artistic quality of this novel wasn't enough to off-set the offensiveness of some of the content for me, so I almost stopped reading it. In fact, it was painful for me at times and not in the purifying sort of way that forces me to crack open my fixed perceptions and see things in a new light. If it was just that, I'd respect the author for causing me that pain and helping me to grow. Instead, it was painful because she chose to express the protagonist's struggles in several blasphemous ways that deeply offended my religious sensibilities.
Readers should know from the beginning that the novel has unusually strong religious themes for a secular novel, for the protagonist's family is devoutly Catholic. However, in keeping with the modern secular mindset of portraying Christianity in a negative light, the novel is about the loss of faith, not the strengthening of it (although at the end the protagonist seems to backtrack on her waywardness a bit). The author doesn't shy away from blasphemous commentary, either. For example, the novel is divided into three parts, and each part is a portion of a Bible verse. The verses are then used in the chapters that follow to express the struggles of the protagonist. For example, Part 2 is named "And the Word Was Made Flesh," and in that part the protagonist struggles with her sexual awakening. For me this crossed the line into blasphemy, although I'm not sure that was the author's intention. I think the intention was raw honesty and metaphor, but it was just too much.
Another offensive part is when the protagonist receives the host (Christ's body) in Mass and then spits it out when she returns to her pew and hides it underneath the seat. Although not swallowing it may be her way of showing respect for the sacred (rather than swallowing it without believing it's the Body of Christ), the idea of hiding it under her seat week after week was shocking to me, even though I knew it was only fiction. I also found the parents disturbing, especially the protagonist's mother, who crosses the line into abuse in her zeal to control her daughter and make her into a good, devout Catholic. She also talks about the need to earn salvation, which is directly against Catholic teaching and which may therefore confuse readers and reinforce misperceptions about the Church.
Parents also need to know that although the novel has no actual sex, it does contain a fair amount of graphic sexual innuendos and lustful thoughts and actions. This includes the protagonist discovering that her twin brother is gay and has a boyfriend, which he (understandably) doesn't dare tell his parents. There is also some swearing and vulgar language.
There is no question that this novel will appeal to some young adults, because the protagonist's struggles are not uncommon. This novel is a good reminder to parents, though, that authors do not write and publishers do not publish with their readers' best interests at heart. Writing is an art in the same way as sculpture and music composition, which means that unless they are commissioned to write something specific, authors write to express what is on their hearts. That it is published and marketed to a specific audience is separate from the act of creating art. Acevedo may appeal to teens experiencing the same struggles as her protagonist, but she is not writing for the Catholic and other Christian readers who may find some of the novel hurtful and offensive. She is not writing with parents in mind who may not want their children to start seeing them as adversaries just because they raise them with certain beliefs and values. She is not writing for readers who may not be ready to ask big questions about faith and God and sexuality. She is an artist writing for herself, and she has chosen to share her art with young people. This is legitimate. This is what artists do; it's what art is all about. And Acevedo is good at it.
But parents must not--not now, nor ever--assume that writers are their natural partners in bringing their kids through the struggles of adolescence. This novel, although beautiful and meaningful and thought-provoking and worthy of some good discussion, makes that quite clear.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to younger teens/ older teens/ all teens / no teens.
Author website: http://www.acevedowrites.com/books
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
Pointe, by Brandy Colbert
*Cybils Award Young Adult Fiction winner; Publishers Weekly Flying Start; Best book of 2014--Publishers Weekly, Chicago Public Library, Los Angeles Public Library, Book Riot, BuzzFeed*
Why this book is worth considering:
Because it was so smutty, I only skimmed this novel. I love that the protagonist is both black and a serious ballet student (ballet is often pegged as a "white" art), and I respect that the characters are realistic. The theme of finding the courage to speak up, even when it may put oneself in danger, is also important.
Why it may not be right for your teen:
I was only two chapters in before I stopped reading thoroughly and began skimming. I would never suggest this to a teen, because it is so full of swearing, drug use, and graphic sex/sexual content. There is good reason for a little of the sex--it ties directly into the pedophile/kidnapping event at the heart of the novel--but that wasn't enough for me to overlook the rest. Parents, if you want your teens to be exposed to the grittier side of teenage life safely, this may be what you're looking for. Other than that, I suggest staying away. Also, ballet lovers should be aware that this is not the ballet novel they are looking for. Ballet is important to the protagonist, but the novel is not about ballet.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to younger teens/ older teens/ all teens / no teens.
Author website: https://www.brandycolbert.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
*Cybils Award Young Adult Fiction winner; Publishers Weekly Flying Start; Best book of 2014--Publishers Weekly, Chicago Public Library, Los Angeles Public Library, Book Riot, BuzzFeed*
Why this book is worth considering:
Because it was so smutty, I only skimmed this novel. I love that the protagonist is both black and a serious ballet student (ballet is often pegged as a "white" art), and I respect that the characters are realistic. The theme of finding the courage to speak up, even when it may put oneself in danger, is also important.
Why it may not be right for your teen:
I was only two chapters in before I stopped reading thoroughly and began skimming. I would never suggest this to a teen, because it is so full of swearing, drug use, and graphic sex/sexual content. There is good reason for a little of the sex--it ties directly into the pedophile/kidnapping event at the heart of the novel--but that wasn't enough for me to overlook the rest. Parents, if you want your teens to be exposed to the grittier side of teenage life safely, this may be what you're looking for. Other than that, I suggest staying away. Also, ballet lovers should be aware that this is not the ballet novel they are looking for. Ballet is important to the protagonist, but the novel is not about ballet.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to younger teens/ older teens/ all teens / no teens.
Author website: https://www.brandycolbert.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
Pretties, by Scott Westerfeld (Uglies series, book 2)
Please see the entry for Uglies, the first novel in the series, for a combined review.
Please see the entry for Uglies, the first novel in the series, for a combined review.
See the content keys for an explanation of the numbers.
Pretty Little Liars, by Sara Shepard (Pretty Little Liars series, book 1)
*made into TV show 2010; Colorado Blue Spruce Award winner, 2012 (YA category); NYT Bestseller; *
Core themes: teen sexual exploration; the rise and fall of friendships; lifestyles of suburban wealthy; no secret is safe, especially shameful ones
Drugs/alcohol: frequent underage drinking and smoking, including pot
Religion/occult: church funeral at which characters show minimal reverence; one character takes out a flask of alcohol to drink at one point during the service
Romance/sexuality: 1, 2, 4, 6 Note: The content includes many sexual jokes and implications, as well as minor/adult sexual encounters. I think it is also worth providing an example of the sexual content here, so that there is no mistaking the nature of this novel. In one key scene a college-age character tells her parents that she and boyfriend intend to live together, and her parents not only approve but offer them either the guest barn or her bedroom to live in. The boyfriend, however, and his girlfriend's underage sister are sexually attracted to each other and are about to have sex when the older sister catches them in the act. Yes, this is a book for teens.
Violence/abuse: character refers to past vomiting for weight control; young teen character disappears for three years and is eventually found dead and buried in her back yard; character confesses to cutting herself; non-injurious drunk-driving accident
Vulgarities: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Literary artistry: * * * * *
Comments: Ohmigoooosh!! Seriously, this is such an incredibly trashy book, I have to wonder what the publishers were thinking. In fact, what was the author thinking? Why would she want her name on it? For those of you who have read my review of Gossip Girl, which is about one step down from teen porn on the trash scale, think of this novel as 1/2 step down from Gossip Girl. And as with Gossip Girl, I found myself perplexed throughout the novel. I continually wondered whether I was supposed to actually like these characters or see them as any kind of role model (assuming I was a teen reader). Although they have everything money can buy, not one character has integrity, strength of character, or any kind of spiritual depth. Instead, they are shallow, selfish, immoral, and sleazy--only with a sparkling dose of glamour mixed in to mask their ugliness. And I'm talking about all the characters, including the adults. It's as if the author went out of her way to make it as gratuitously titillating as possible in as idyllic and posh a setting as possible--kind of like a "Gossip Girl Goes to the Suburbs."
On the other hand...as I read the book, there were times when I wondered if author was trying to be satirical in her portrayal of her characters, because their shallowness and immorality was almost overemphasized. I couldn't help but hope so, but if she is, she is writing for the wrong audience. I fear that her audience is made up teens who are impressionable, who are seeking role models, and whose budding hormones find the pervasive sexual content only appealing, not trashy. The only thing this novel has going for it is that the plot is truly intriguing and well-crafted. It's as shallow as its characters, maybe, but intriguing all the same. For that reason and with great reluctance I had to give it three stars.
I would suggest this book to younger teens / older teens /all teens/ no teens.
Author website: http://www.saracshepard.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
*made into TV show 2010; Colorado Blue Spruce Award winner, 2012 (YA category); NYT Bestseller; *
Core themes: teen sexual exploration; the rise and fall of friendships; lifestyles of suburban wealthy; no secret is safe, especially shameful ones
Drugs/alcohol: frequent underage drinking and smoking, including pot
Religion/occult: church funeral at which characters show minimal reverence; one character takes out a flask of alcohol to drink at one point during the service
Romance/sexuality: 1, 2, 4, 6 Note: The content includes many sexual jokes and implications, as well as minor/adult sexual encounters. I think it is also worth providing an example of the sexual content here, so that there is no mistaking the nature of this novel. In one key scene a college-age character tells her parents that she and boyfriend intend to live together, and her parents not only approve but offer them either the guest barn or her bedroom to live in. The boyfriend, however, and his girlfriend's underage sister are sexually attracted to each other and are about to have sex when the older sister catches them in the act. Yes, this is a book for teens.
Violence/abuse: character refers to past vomiting for weight control; young teen character disappears for three years and is eventually found dead and buried in her back yard; character confesses to cutting herself; non-injurious drunk-driving accident
Vulgarities: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Literary artistry: * * * * *
Comments: Ohmigoooosh!! Seriously, this is such an incredibly trashy book, I have to wonder what the publishers were thinking. In fact, what was the author thinking? Why would she want her name on it? For those of you who have read my review of Gossip Girl, which is about one step down from teen porn on the trash scale, think of this novel as 1/2 step down from Gossip Girl. And as with Gossip Girl, I found myself perplexed throughout the novel. I continually wondered whether I was supposed to actually like these characters or see them as any kind of role model (assuming I was a teen reader). Although they have everything money can buy, not one character has integrity, strength of character, or any kind of spiritual depth. Instead, they are shallow, selfish, immoral, and sleazy--only with a sparkling dose of glamour mixed in to mask their ugliness. And I'm talking about all the characters, including the adults. It's as if the author went out of her way to make it as gratuitously titillating as possible in as idyllic and posh a setting as possible--kind of like a "Gossip Girl Goes to the Suburbs."
On the other hand...as I read the book, there were times when I wondered if author was trying to be satirical in her portrayal of her characters, because their shallowness and immorality was almost overemphasized. I couldn't help but hope so, but if she is, she is writing for the wrong audience. I fear that her audience is made up teens who are impressionable, who are seeking role models, and whose budding hormones find the pervasive sexual content only appealing, not trashy. The only thing this novel has going for it is that the plot is truly intriguing and well-crafted. It's as shallow as its characters, maybe, but intriguing all the same. For that reason and with great reluctance I had to give it three stars.
I would suggest this book to younger teens / older teens /all teens/ no teens.
Author website: http://www.saracshepard.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
Pride and Premeditation, by Tirzah Price
*A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection; Barnes & Noble YA Book Club Pick 2021*
Why this book is worth considering:
Finally, a YA novel for girls that is both clean and fun! It is rare that I can say this about a YA novel, but there is literally nothing in this novel that gives me cause for concern. I could suggest it to a 12-year-old as well as an 18-year-old. Although it is a murder mystery, so of course there are villains and murders, the novel keeps a lighthearted humor that is similar to Jane Austen's own lighthearted style. There is nothing to concern conservative parents, except for two mild swear words ("G--") and two romantic, but mild, kisses. As a twist on Austen's Pride and Prejudice, the novel is stands apart from most YA novels with its clean, yet engaging tale.
Why it may not be right for your teen:
Great literature this isn't. The writing is fine, the plot well-constructed, and the characters interesting; however, it isn't "art" the way a few other YA novels are. That is no problem for those looking for entertainment, but I wouldn't suggest it for discussion or study. Also, as clean as it is and even though the author doesn't try to check PC boxes as so many other authors do these days, she is a bit heavy-handed with her underlying theme of feminism. This didn't bother me as much as it might in some novels, perhaps because Price mostly stays true to the reality of London society of that historical era, but it is worth mentioning.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to younger teens/ older teens/ all teens / no teens.
Author website: https://tirzahprice.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
*A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection; Barnes & Noble YA Book Club Pick 2021*
Why this book is worth considering:
Finally, a YA novel for girls that is both clean and fun! It is rare that I can say this about a YA novel, but there is literally nothing in this novel that gives me cause for concern. I could suggest it to a 12-year-old as well as an 18-year-old. Although it is a murder mystery, so of course there are villains and murders, the novel keeps a lighthearted humor that is similar to Jane Austen's own lighthearted style. There is nothing to concern conservative parents, except for two mild swear words ("G--") and two romantic, but mild, kisses. As a twist on Austen's Pride and Prejudice, the novel is stands apart from most YA novels with its clean, yet engaging tale.
Why it may not be right for your teen:
Great literature this isn't. The writing is fine, the plot well-constructed, and the characters interesting; however, it isn't "art" the way a few other YA novels are. That is no problem for those looking for entertainment, but I wouldn't suggest it for discussion or study. Also, as clean as it is and even though the author doesn't try to check PC boxes as so many other authors do these days, she is a bit heavy-handed with her underlying theme of feminism. This didn't bother me as much as it might in some novels, perhaps because Price mostly stays true to the reality of London society of that historical era, but it is worth mentioning.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to younger teens/ older teens/ all teens / no teens.
Author website: https://tirzahprice.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
See the content keys for an explanation of the numbers.
Prodigy, by Marie Lu (Legend Trilogy, book 2)
*Barnes & Noble Best New Teen Books of 2013*
Core themes: discerning good people in bad governments; whether and how to work within an immoral system. Big Questions raised include the following: What does it mean to be “good?” Is is morally acceptable to assassinate or kill one person for the good of many? How do you know you’re in love? Is right relative?
Drugs/alcohol: teens pretend to be drunk; an adult drinks
Religion/occult: none
Romance/sexuality: 1, 2, 5
Violence/abuse: The teens are involved in a revolution, working within an insurgent force. They are recruited to participate in an assassination attempt on the Elector Primo. They often are involved in altercations with police or armed forces, including a fatal airplane crash late in the novel. There are also fist fights and beatings.
Vulgarities: 1, 7
Literary artistry: * * * * *
Comments: This book is more enjoyable and less formulaic than the first in the series. The actual violence described is less than in the first novel, but the romantic references increase. These are generally references to actions rather than the actions themselves, other than kissing, but I would hesitate to give this book to a 13 or 14 year old.
I would suggest this book to: younger teens / older teens / all teens / no teens.
Author website: http://marielubooks.tumblr.com/ / Series website: http://www.legendtheseries.com/
Reviewer: Jill Papsdorf
*Barnes & Noble Best New Teen Books of 2013*
Core themes: discerning good people in bad governments; whether and how to work within an immoral system. Big Questions raised include the following: What does it mean to be “good?” Is is morally acceptable to assassinate or kill one person for the good of many? How do you know you’re in love? Is right relative?
Drugs/alcohol: teens pretend to be drunk; an adult drinks
Religion/occult: none
Romance/sexuality: 1, 2, 5
Violence/abuse: The teens are involved in a revolution, working within an insurgent force. They are recruited to participate in an assassination attempt on the Elector Primo. They often are involved in altercations with police or armed forces, including a fatal airplane crash late in the novel. There are also fist fights and beatings.
Vulgarities: 1, 7
Literary artistry: * * * * *
Comments: This book is more enjoyable and less formulaic than the first in the series. The actual violence described is less than in the first novel, but the romantic references increase. These are generally references to actions rather than the actions themselves, other than kissing, but I would hesitate to give this book to a 13 or 14 year old.
I would suggest this book to: younger teens / older teens / all teens / no teens.
Author website: http://marielubooks.tumblr.com/ / Series website: http://www.legendtheseries.com/
Reviewer: Jill Papsdorf
