13. 2/18/12
Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip by Jordan Sonnenblick
Once again, Sonnenblick has created a couple teenaged characters who are imperfect, likable, upstanding, and wholly realistic. His first-person narration keeps the tone perfect for middle grade/YA fiction, so readers will immediately connect with the protagonist. With his interest split between his love of baseball and a strong relationship with his grandfather, it's particularly tough for Peter when both areas bring pain and uncertainty. The story is touching, but the greatest strength is in Sonnenblick's straightforward writing that conveys emotion and keeps readers hanging on his every word. Even this 36 year old mom!
12. 2/16/12
Agorafabulous!: Dispatches from My Bedroom by Sara Benincasa
No holds barred, that's for sure. This type of memoir takes more than just guts and serious writing chops. Benincasa has put out the ugliest and most terrifying parts of her life, with a wry sense of humor that only time and a solid medication regimen can bring. The anxiety and agoraphobia that she has suffered is conveyed through a series of stories from critical times in her young adult life, and put together, these separate stories come together to show an arc of build-up, a definite crashing to a low point, and the challenge of getting healthy.
11. 2/4/12
The Fourth Stall, Part II by Chris Rylander
While I enjoyed this story, just as I did the first FS, I think this one had a bit less charm than the previous. But, I'm not the target audience, and my 11 year old son did nothing but rave about this book after he read it in a day. The "middle school mafia" feel, on a downgraded scale of course, is still a unique and funny concept, and definitely appealing to young male readers. I chuckled here and there, and was surprised a bit by the ending. I wasn't certain about the possibility of a FS III, but now I'm thinking Rylander is heading in that direction!
10. 2/2/12
The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus, Book Two) by Rick Riordan
More of the same adventurous fun, though I have to say that Riordan is portraying the characters' growing maturity very well. Here, Percy has come to think more deeply about the consequences of his actions, and he's making decisions that put his life in danger with full consideration of the possibilities. Yet, he continues to do the honorable thing time and again, and that is why he is a beloved contemporary kidlit character. I love him.
9. 1/28/12
The Lost Daughter by Lucy Ferriss
This novel was compelling enough that I wanted to finish it, but on repeated occasions, I was huffing out loud at the ridiculous turn of events. I'm not sure if the author was trying to put a certain spin on the topics of teenage pregnancy, abortion, and consent laws, but it still felt stale and judgmental. I wanted it to be over soon.
8. 1/21/12
The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus, Book One) by Rick Riordan
So happy to have more time at Camp Half-Blood! I enjoyed the usual level of action and unforeseen (by the characters) action. There's definitely a formula at play with the previous series that continues with this one, but that's not to say that it's not fun to follow. At first, I felt that Jason's voice sounded a bit too similar to Percy's, but soon enough he began to stand out as a character of his own. I look forward to seeing Percy again in book two!
7. 1/16/12
Spin by Catherine McKenzie
Imagine an insider's look at Celebrity Rehab without the edits chosen by the producers. That's what you get in this novel, with a fictional starlet who appears to be a hybrid of several real-life celebrities who have gone off the deep end in a very public light. It's hard to like the protagonist, a wannabe author who agrees to go into rehab undercover to report on said starlet, but if you keep the mindset that she is truly ill, her god-awful choices aren't as simple to judge. The story is entertaining, if for no other reason than to find out how this woman going to get out of the situation she has created.
6. 1/13/12
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
Never has a book had a more appropriate title. Holy cow was I blown away by this book's emotion and beauty. Selznick has done it again-- created a story that merges images and words in a way like no other. I was happy to make some connections early on in the novel, but I ultimately didn't have it all figured out in the end, which is kind of nice. I love that my 11 year old was excited to see me reading this. "You're reading Wonderstruck? Oh, Mom, it's just so good. You're going to love it!" Yup, he was right!
5. 1/11/12
The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson & the Olympians Book Five) by Rick Riordan
The action level is much higher in this fifth book, and I find it harder to read the fight scenes, since I just can't seem to form the pictures in my head very well. BUT, I know that is why my 11 year old son loved this book best of them all. I was a big fan of the depth of the character development, and I think Riordan skillfully matured these primary characters through the beginning of adolescence. More intense, but still punctured with bits of the humor and lightheartedness that have been present in the previous four. Percy, Annabeth and Grover will all hold a special place in my literary heart!
4. 1/9/12
The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson & the Olympians Book Four) by Rick Riordan
Percy and Annabeth continue to mature in this fourth PJ book, and in addition, they trust each other more than ever. They make a great partnership because of this trust, and they know each other's true selves so well they know how to fight-- and survive-- together. The cast of characters continues to grow in this one, in number and in complexity. This one was perhaps the best cliffhanger ending of them all, and it's going to be painful NOT to immediately begin book five tonight.
3. 1/7/12
The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson & the Olympians Book Three) by Rick Riordan
This was my favorite Percy Jackson so far, for the action level was higher and the relationships Percy has developed grew this time around. As Percy is getting older and experiencing more and more of the world of the gods and Titans, his story is getting more complex. Will he be the half-blood of the prophecy? While I have no doubt that he will be, I'm still a bit unsure of my other predictions at this point. I'm impressed by any writing that can engage young readers AND readers who love a good story, regardless of age.
2. 1/4/12
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson & the Olympians Book Two) by Rick Riordan
Oh Percy, I gotta stop comparing you to my pal Harry, because you're two very different kids, and I love you both. You are headstrong but unsure of yourself, and humble but so hopeful about what might be in store for you. I love your perspective, the way you've come to just accept the new reality you're now aware of, and you're lucky to be supported by good friends. In Book 2, I was impressed with the new characters, and the plot twists may even have been more fun than Book 1.
1. 1/1/12
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson & the Olympians Book One) by Rick Riordan
I could understand why JAM was such a big fan of these books after only a few pages in. Here was a character who he could understand, and I so appreciated the frank perspective of a character who has struggled with challenges that my son could understand. (I wonder if he secretly thinks his ADHD is a sign that he's a demigod...) The writing is fast-paced and realistically toned, even though the subject matter is all about bringing the gods of Greek mythology to life in modern day. Having seen the movie version before reading the book, I was surprised by just how much the movie changed the story line, and I liked the more simple aspects of the story, starting with the age of Percy himself. There were plenty of parallels with a certain boy wizard we all know and love, but that outline of the "chosen one" story line was around long before Mr. Potter, too. I think Riordan has created his own magical/real world hybrid unique enough to stand on its own. I look forward to reading the series in coming weeks.
Reading away the year,
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