DUAL REVIEW: Dust & Decay by Jonathan Maberry

Lucinda's Rating: 4/5 Stars
Tracy's Rating: 4/5 Stars
Audience: Young Adult
Genre: Zombie/Dystopia
Series: Benny Inmura #2; sequel to Rot & Ruin

Summary:
Six months have passed since the terrifying battle with Charlie Pink-eye and the Motor City Hammer in the zombie-infested mountains of the Rot & Ruin. It’s also been six months since Benny Imura and Nix Riley saw something in the air that changed their lives. Now, after months of rigorous training with Benny’s zombie-hunter brother Tom, Benny and Nix are ready to leave their home forever and search for a better future. Lilah the Lost Girl and Benny’s best friend Lou Chong are going with them. But before they even leave there is a shocking zombie attack in town, and as soon as they step into the Rot & Ruin they are pursued by the living dead, wild animals, and insane murderers, and face the horrors of Gameland—where teenagers are forced to fight for their lives in the zombie pits. Worst of all…could the evil Charlie Pink-eye still be alive?

In the great Rot & Ruin, everything wants to kill you—and not everyone in Benny’s small band of travelers will survive….

Lucinda's Views:
This novel tells the tale of the further adventures of Benny Imura and his friends in their zombie-infested world. As they set out on their quest to locate the mysterious jumbo jet seen in Rot & Ruin,  the reader will see many changes in Benny, from his blossoming romance to his new found respect for his brother, Tom.  Within we also see ethical dilemmas that pose such questions as, "Does the good of the few outweigh the good of the many?" Also posed is the question of what really constitutes a "good" person?  Is someone who professes to be a preacher automatically a good person?  Should their word be more valuable than that of a layperson? This tale offers many twists and turns and an ending that may be very surprising to some. An ending that leaves one character dead and another completely altered for life. If you liked Rot & Ruin you will love Dust & Decay.

Tracy's Thoughts:
I am so glad I decided to stick with this series. At the same time, I am seriously mad at Jonathan Maberry for putting his characters through such hell and even (gasp!) killing off a couple of the good guys. In Rot & Ruin, I never quite managed to connect with the heroes. But they really grabbed me in Dust & Decay—and then Maberry pretty much tortures them. I couldn't put the book down. What that says about me, I'd rather not contemplate.

Anyway, I was very pleased with the character development in Dust & Decay. Benny has evolved into a slightly tougher, more balanced (and likeable!) character, though he is still flawed and recognizable as the same guy from Rot & Ruin. He has matured as a result of his experiences, and I could really feel the struggle between the kid his is and the adult he is becoming. And Tom, well he's still awesome...only now we get to see his skills in action. We also discover more about Lilah's past; even Benny's friend Chong gets new layers (actually, his is one of the most relatable character arcs). I did get rather sick of Nix—IMHO, she seems more than a little crazy at times—but she was an interesting character and I cared what happened to her even though it was difficult to like her at times. Even better, Maberry brings the Zombie Cards to life. We meet fascinating new characters straight from the Cards—Preacher Jack, Sally Two-Knives, and J-Dog and Dr. Skillz (who bring a welcome dose of humor to the mix).

I also found the storytelling more vivid and less clunky than in Rot & Ruin. In book one, the POV was mostly 3rd person from the perspective of Benny. There were a few brief shifts to other characters' perspectives, but I found this quite jarring. In the sequel, these transitions are more frequent and feel more natural, allowing for a fuller, richer story. This also advances the pacing, which is fast and absorbing. The action scenes (of which there are many) have an immediacy I felt was lacking in R & R, and the villains have more flavor. Horror aficionados will love the increased gore-factor, and Hunger Games fans will be intrigued by the Gameland scenes. But this novel isn't all blood, guts, and fight scenes; there is also love, heartbreak, hope, and real ethical questions to consider. For me, Dust & Decay has the feel of a good Western (with zombies!). The story touches on themes of loyalty, obligation, and courage in a world where lawlessness is rampant and the good guys are struggling with their own inner demons. There are lots of twists and turns, and a new development in the mystery of zombie reanimation raises questions that have me hungry for the sequel. 

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Best of 2011: Middle Grade/Tween Books

Here are our favorite 2011 books for middle-grade readers and tweens! A few of the titles skew a little older (10/11+).

The Apothecary by Maile Meloy
It's 1952, and fourteen-year-old Janie isn't happy when her family moves from sunny Los Angeles to dreary London. Then she meets Ben and his father—an apothecary with a secret book of "scientific magic"—and becomes involved in a mission to save the world from nuclear war. This is a fast-paced historical fantasy/adventure.

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu
Fifth-graders Hazel and Jack are best friends. Together, they prefer imagination and fantasy over reality. So when Jack suddenly stops talking to her, Hazel becomes convinced that something magical is at work and embarks on a quest into the woods to rescue her friend from an evil Snow Queen.

The Chronicles of Harris Burdick: 14 Amazing
Authors Tell the Tales by Chris Van Allsburg
An inspired collection of short stories by an all-star cast of best-selling storytellers based on the thought-provoking illustrations in Chris Van Allsburg’s The Mysteries of Harris Burdick.
Lucinda's Review.

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens
Three siblings who were separated from their parents under mysterious circumstances a decade ago discover a magical book in their new orphanage. When the book transports them into the recent past—where an evil witch holds an entire town captive in search of the very book they hold—they must find a way to save the town and keep their family together.

Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri
Twelve-year-old Cole is dumbfounded when his mother dumps him on the doorstep of the father he's never met. Even worse, his father thinks that he's a cowboy—in the middle of the Philadelphia ghetto!—and expects Cole to learn the "cowboy way."

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai

This novel in free verse follows a year in the life on ten-year-old Hà and her family, from their life in Saigon, to their flight from their home in the wake of the Vietnam War, through the difficult transition to life in America. This is a quick and surprisingly lighthearted read, filled with perception and humor.

Tracy's Review.

Jefferson's Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Everyone at Montecello knows that Beverly, Harriet, Madison, and Eston are the children of Thomas Jefferson and his slave Sally Hemings, though it can never be spoken of. But what does it mean when the man who wrote "all men are created equal" is your father—and also your slave master?

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Conor is plagued by a recurring nightmare, but when a real monster appears in his room one night, he isn’t afraid—until the monster demands to know the secrets of Conor’s dream. This is a powerful, timeless book full of sharp humor, insight, and a dark eeriness that is echoed perfectly in nightmarish pen and ink drawings.

Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmid
In this companion book to the award-wining The Wednesday Wars, Doug Swieteck is bummed when his blowhard dad loses his job and the family has to move from Brooklyn to small-town Marysville, NY. It is obvious that the town sees Doug as a criminal-in-training, but after discovering drawing and making a friend, Doug begins to feel okay—for now.

Small Persons with Wings by Ellen Booraem
As a child, Mellie’s best friend was a Small Person with Wings (not a fairy!) named Fidius. After years of ridicule from her classmates, she stopped believing in their existence. That is until her family inherits her grandfather's run-down inn—overrun with bickering, demanding Parvi Pennati (aka Small Persons with Wings)— and she is pulled into a series of magical misadventures in search of a magical ring that has linked her family to the Parvi for centuries.

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
In 1977, shortly after his mother’s death, 12-year-old Ben runs away from his Minnesota home to seek the father he never knew in New York City. Fifty years earlier, in 1927, a young deaf girl named Rose runs away from her father’s New Jersey mansion to track down her favorite silent film star. Ben’s story is told in words; Rose’s is revealed through a series of richly detailed pencil drawings.

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
In a society where creativity is a crime, thirteen-year-old Alex is separated from his twin brother and sent for Elimination. Instead, he finds himself in a wondrous place where the “Unwanteds” hone their artistic abilities, learn magic, and prepare for an inevitable battle.

Late additions:

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

REVIEW: Tiger, Tiger by Margaux Fragoso

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Audience: Adult
Genre: Memoir/Adult Nonfiction

Summary: Margaux Fragoso was seven when she met pedophile Peter Curran at a neighborhood swimming pool. Peter was 51. Quickly, Peter's world—a wonderland of exotic pets and play—became the center of Margaux's life. Her mentally ill mother thought Peter was practically "Jesus in another life" and for Marguax, Peter became the all-consuming person: friend, playmate, father... lover. Their relationship lasted 15 years. This memoir is absolutely gut-wrenching, and a fearlessly honest account of sexual abuse and family dysfunction.

Tracy's Thoughts: 
This is a difficult book to read. Descriptions of the physical relationship are graphic at times, but not nearly as sensationalistic as one might fear. No, the real horror here is the way Fragoso manages to humanize a child molester, showing his perspective while laying bare the destruction of her childhood without self-pity or judgement. It is this last point—the lack of outright condemnation—that is astonishing. I was awed by Fragoso's storytelling, which skillfully allows readers to experience Curran as the object of a young Margaux's adoration even as we recognize the calculating manipulations of a predator. It is an uncomfortable balance at times—Fragoso is too candid to deny her love for her molester—but it provides important and fascinating insight into the mind of a victim. The erosion of Margaux's sense of reality is devastating, and at times I was horrified to catch myself almost sympathizing with Peter. Peter insidiously worked his way into Margaux's world, and as a writer Fragoso is equally skilled at pulling the reader into the world that they shared. This is an intensely disturbing book, but also a beautiful one.

Best of 2011: Our Favorite Easy Picture Books

I've been working to compile a list of the Best Books of 2011 and have asked our entire library staff to participate. I hope to make this an annual event. So, without further ado... Here is part one of our series: Picture Books.

The Babies on the Bus by Karen Katz
This book gives new life to the classic "Wheels on the Bus" song and makes for a happy, loveable read-aloud and sing-along. The bright, colorful illustrations will hold toddlers' attention. Ages 3 to 5.

Blackout by John Rocco
Told through a series of graphic novel–style panels, this is the story of an ordinary summer night in the city. A little girl is eager to play a game, but everyone in her household is too busy. Then there is a blackout; with the power suddenly out, no one is busy at all and the the neighborhood comes alive. The visual images are bold and striking, and small details add a lot to this story about family togetherness. The contrast between light and dark plays an important but subtle visual role. Ages 4 to 8.

Blue Chicken by Deborah Freedman
This deceptively simple farmyard caper is filled with bold splashes of color (mostly blue) and the discoveries of a curious chicken who accidentally spills some (blue) paint. Ages 3 to 5.

Bumble-Ardy by Maurice Sendak
Sendak's (Where the Wild Things Are) latest is a raucous tale populated by pigs, and his signature subtly sinister style is in full force. Ages 4 to 7.

Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld
This solo effort from the illustrator of Amy Krouse Rosenthal's Duck! Rabbit! is utterly charming and not a bit condescending to children despite the little "life lesson." This is a lovely book about self-determination and overcoming obstacles as Cloudette, a very small cloud, looks for a way to contribute. Side chatter from the bigger clouds provides comic relief, and the illustrations are surprisingly sunny and cheerful.

Grandpa Green by Lane Smith*
A boy follows his grandfather though his topiary garden in this moving and clever story about art, family stories, and memory. The gorgeously verdant illustrations are the star here, though the special relationship between the boy and his grandfather is touching. Ages 5 to 8.

Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator by Mo Willems
This playful collection of "6-1/2 stories" gives kids the feeling of reading their first chapter book. The highs and lows of Amanda's friendship with her pet alligator are treated with honesty and humor, and the text and simple illustrations provide occasional moments of real poignancy.

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
The bear's hat is gone, and he wants it back. Patiently and politely, he seeks out his fellow forest creatures to inquire "Have you seen my hat?" It's like a sly game of clue, with clever visual hints. It's an adorable tale with a delightfully wicked twist at the end. Ages 4 to 8.

Little Owl's Night by Divya Srinivasan*
Little Owl is darned adorable, and this book provides a clever twist on the traditional bedtime story. Gorgeous, both visually and verbally. Ages 3 to 5.

Melvin and the Boy by Lauren Castillo
This quiet tale of companionship and compassion has a bit of an ecological message, but it is not overblown. The marker-edged watercolor illustrations are beautiful and echo and the book's gentle tone. Turtle FAQs at the end will appeal to budding scientists and animal enthusiasts. Ages 4 to 8.

Neville by Norton Juster, Illus. by G. Brian Karas
This is a one-of-a-kind picture book about about friendship and the trauma of moving, from the author of The Phantom Tollbooth. The illustrations are whimsical and nuanced despite their simplicity, and the story has a great payoff at the end. It should work well as a read-aloud with lots of opportunities for audience participation. Ages 4 to 8.

A Pet for Petunia by Paul Schmid
Petunia desperately wants a pet skunk, and she would do anything to get one. She wheedles, begs, and then lets loose with a rant that will delight children and feel all too familiar to parents. Think Viorst's Lulu and the Brontosaurus or Willems' Pigeon stories. The spare illustrations—in a limited color palette of black, white, purple, and hints of gold—perfectly reflect the childlike tone of the book.

Press Here by Hervé Tullet*
This ingenious, interactive picture book will incite wonder and delight in children ages 2 to 200. It doesn't require batteries or have any fancy flaps or tabs. Instead, Tullet asks kids to suspend belief and participate by pressing on dots, shaking the book, turning it, and blowing on it—gently of course. When they turn the page, they see the results of their actions. The illustrations—somewhat reminiscent of Lei Lionni, without the personification—are simple, leaving room for the reader's imagination. Ages 2 to 5.

Stars by Mary Lyn Ray, Illus. by Marla Frazee*
In direct and poetic language, Ray explores stars both heavenly and symbolic. This is a quiet, gentle read and the taller than average dimensions and gorgeous artwork by Frazee (All the World and A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever) help create a feeling of awe. Ages 3 to 7.




Stuck by Oliver Jeffers*
After he gets his kite stuck in a tree, Floyd heaves his shoe up there in an attempt to dislodge the kite. When that doesn't work, he tries something else, and then something else, each new rescue object becoming increasingly ridiculous. Jeffers's (Lost and Found) illustrations are vibrant and deceptively simple, leaving a lot of white space to keep the reader's focus on Floyd, his latest object, and the progressively overstuffed tree. This is an absurdly funny foray into logic and problem solving that is sure to elicit giggles and eager suggestions from the kiddos. Ages 4 to 7.



*Bullitt County Public Library copies have been ordered. If you are interested in placing a hold if/when the item is processed, you may fill out a patron request form at any Library location.

REVIEW: The Chronicles of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg

Rating: 5/5 Stars
Audience: Middle School/Ages 10 and up
Genre: Supernatural Short Stories

An inspired collection of short stories by an all-star cast of best-selling storytellers based on the thought-provoking illustrations in Chris Van Allsburg’s The Mysteries of Harris Burdick.

For more than twenty-five years, the illustrations in the extraordinary Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg have intrigued and entertained readers of all ages. Thousands of children have been inspired to weave their own stories to go with these enigmatic pictures. Now we’ve asked some of our very best storytellers to spin the tales. Enter The Chronicles of Harris Burdick to gather this incredible compendium of stories: mysterious, funny, creepy, poignant, these are tales you won’t soon forget.

This inspired collection of short stories features many remarkable, best-selling authors in the worlds of both adult and children's literature: Sherman Alexie, M.T. Anderson, Kate DiCamillo, Cory Doctorow, Jules Feiffer, Stephen King, Tabitha King, Lois Lowry, Gregory Maguire, Walter Dean Myers, Linda Sue Park, Louis Sachar, Jon Scieszka, Lemony Snicket, and Chris Van Allsburg himself.

Here is a book trailer:

Lucinda's Thoughts:  I have always been a Chris Van Allsburg fan and the Mysteries of Harris Burrdick has always intrigued me.  The mysterious drawings have always provoked many "What ifs?" and this collection of tales seems to be the answer to that question.   The stories are all well-written and made me think to myself "Would I have gotten this tale from that picture?"  Many of the stories are definitely "out of the box" and the characters are unexpected and original.  The stories will keep a reader's interest right up to the last page and leave them asking for more.  For example, M.T. Anderson's Just Dessert was so well constructed that after I read the story I wondered about the nature of reality and its malleability.  Stephen King's The house on Maple Street is very reminiscent of his early work and John Scieszka's Under the Rug could have been an Edgar Allen Poe work.  If you like dark mysteries and enjoy stories that are just a little bit west of sideways, this is the work for you.  I give it two thumbs up!

DUAL/GUEST REVIEW: Trapped by Michael Northrop

Allison's Rating: 4/5 Stars
Tracy's Rating: 3/5 Stars
Audience: Young Adult/Teen
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Suspense

Summary: Seven high school students are stranded at their New England high school during a week-long blizzard that shuts down the power and heat, freezes the pipes, and leaves them wondering if they will survive.

Allison's Guest Review:
I really enjoyed this one. Narrated by the main character, a boy who sees himself as a normal teen, this book takes us into the mindset of teens lost in a crisis. At first, the reader feels like the characters don’t give the situation its due worry, but as the characters develop, the reader realizes that the nonchalant attitude displayed by many of the teens trapped in the school are simply avoiding admitting the danger they face, even to themselves. There are a few scenes which introduce some humor, and many details given to enthrall the reader and keep him/her moving along with the story. It was refreshing to read a book with no clearly defined hero/heroine; just a telling of the story with points of drama where they are needed.

Tracy's Thoughts:
I was very impressed by Northrop's debut novel, Gentlemen, and after reading the blurb and reviews for Trapped I had high hopes for his sophomore effort. As in his first book, Michael Northrop does an excellent job of building tension. Not only is there a growing awareness that this is indeed a life-threatening situation, there is also tension as the 7 teens—many of whom are mere acquaintances—must pull together. I liked that these are seven typical teens, although they do tend to represent the usual cliques (popular girls, jock, outcasts, the school bully). This lends the book a sort of  Breakfast Club-meets-Christopher-Pike vibe (I'm thinking Weekend). The characters often misread one another, allowing their own preconceptions to get in the way. For me, this was the real drama of the story.

However, the characters, particularly the narrator, just didn't have the same zing that I expected after reading Gentlemen. What I enjoyed so much about Gentlemen was Tommy's voice—sharp, biting, and darkly funny. Scotty, the narrator of Trapped, just didn't have that something special that made me truly invested in the story's outcome. I needed more character development. The ending, too, was a bit abrupt for my taste and doesn't really do justice to the excellent premise. But despite my quibbles, Trapped is a quick, enjoyable read and a solid choice for a cold, snowy day's read.

Best of 2011: Our Favorite Book Trailers

Happy New Year! New Year is usually the time for looking forward, but first we are looking back on the year that is past. Over the next few weeks, I will be posting about our favorite books of 2011. But before I identify our best books of 2011, we thought it might be nice to whet your appetite a bit!

Here are our favorite Book Trailers of 2011... Don't they make you want to read the book?!

Honorable Mentions:

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

This quiet trailer, put together on a shoestring budget, perfectly complements the mood of the book.

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

Weird, quirky animated illustrations and an equally weird and quirky—and catchy!—song.

Blackout by John Rocco

Rocco's illustrations from the book are wonderfully vibrant, almost glowing, and we love how first person accounts of the blackout are intermingled with the artwork.

Page by Paige by Laura Lee Gulledge

The music and animated illustrations tie together beautifully to tell the story.


Before Ever After by Samantha Soto

Whimsical and charming!

The Apothecary by Maile Meloy

Gorgeous colors, an air of mystery, and music reminiscent (to me anyway!) of Harry Potter.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Beautiful and eerie...This trailer does a wonderful job of creating the same atmosphere and eliciting the same emotions that you feel reading the book.


Our Top Five:

#5. Little Owl's Night by Divya Srinivasan

Little Owl is adorable—and even better animated!

#4. Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver

The animation is lovely, and the official Leisl & Po song—"A Train with Wings"—haunting.

#3. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Princess Bride with a dark(er) side!

#2. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I love the silent film allusions; this trailer beautifully echoes Morgenstern's gorgeous, atmospheric writing.

#1. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater

Maggie Steifvater is one talented lady! She's an author, an artist, and a musician. She created this stop motion animated trailer with "several hundred frames, some cool paper, and a very manky paintbrush" and composed her own music!