Title: The Dark Unwinding
Author: Sharon Cameron Publisher: Scholastic ISBN: 9780545469647 Katharine Tulman has not led a happy life. Orphaned at an early age, she is the ward of her father’s widowed sister-in-law, a money-grubbing shrew who coddles her grown son. Katharine’s uncle holds the Tulman family’s fortune in his power and is reportedly squandering money that should come into Robert’s possession. Aunt Alice will have none of that. She sends Katharine on her first trip ever to visit the family estate and determine Uncle Tulman’s mental health. Arriving at the family home, Katharine finds a house that can only be described as elegant squalor. One woman remains working in the large home, and Uncle Tulman is nowhere to be found. Maintaining as much dignity as she can, Katharine withstands the instant mistrust, cold disdain and rude reception of all the inhabitants of the estate – employees of her Uncle. One of these employees finally shows Katharine her absent uncle. The brawny and silent Lane leads her to “Mr. Tully’s” workshop. Here Katharine finds a childlike man, controlled by routine who creates delicate and exquisite clockwork figures. He is lovingly protected by the people on the estate who work in the foundries and mills he had built on the grounds of the Tulman land. Each of the inhabitants has been saved from poor houses and work houses and has been given a new life by the eccentric Mr. Tully. Katharine learns gradually that despite his shortcomings, her uncle is responsible for the well-being of many, and his savant status has endeared him to all who care for him. Caught up in the mystery of the gothic Tulman home and the intrigue of her Uncle’s brilliant creations, Katharine must choose between her dreary former life and her new existence with the common people of the Tulman estate. It is only a tragedy and betrayal that will lead her finally to her destiny and to the first love she has ever known. Cameron’s debut novel is a dark and thrilling book that is a little bit steampunk, a little bit romance and a little bit gothic. Readers who enjoy classic gothic tales such as Jane Eyre will love this book as well, with a strong heroine and unique and memorable characters. A vivid sense of place and time are captured in strong writing and clean plot. This book is a recommended read for students in grades 9-12. Reviewer: Emily Rozmus School/Public Library: Mechanicsburg Exempted Village Schools
0 Comments
Title: Undead
Author: Kirsty McKay Publisher: Scholastic ISBN: 9780545381888 Evaluation: Bobby can think of a million different places she would rather be than on a school trip with her classmates in the Scottish wilderness. A transplant from the USA, Bobby tries to remind her snobby peers that she was actually born in Britain, but she is still an unwelcome outcast. The snow is piling up, and instead of going to the diner to eat with the rest of the group, Bobby stays on the bus with Smitty, the class rebel. While trying to balance being bored and indifferent to the bad boy come ons of Smitty, the bus is hit from behind. The driver leaves to find out the problem, and Bobby and Smitty are left to wonder what is happening. Their questions are answered when queen bee mean girl Alice stumbles onto the bus in tears. Everyone inside the diner is dead, including their teacher Mr. Tyler. Worse yet, Mr. Tyler has returned from the dead and tried to grab Alice. When a quick survey of the snowy parking lot reveals more blood and bodies, the teens know for sure they have a lot more to worry about than who is included socially and who isn’t. Forming an unlikely team, Bobby, Smitty, Alice and Pete, another social outcast, battle the undead in a fight for their lives. Their flight from the horde leads them to a seemingly deserted castle on the Scottish highlands and the teens finally feel safe. However, the castle holds the key to the zombie outbreak, and Bobby finds herself in the middle of the cause and the cure. The book’s abrupt ending screams for a sequel, and readers will want to know what happens to the team of teens in this humorous, gory and suspenseful zombie book with a twist. Characters are the stars of this book, with fully developed personalities that are realistic and empathetic. Protagonist Bobby has enough backstory to allow readers to invest in her and her relationships with her fellow zombie fighters. The plot of the book is fast-paced and dotted with snarky humor and a good dose of bloody gore. Zombie lovers will love Undead. It is recommended for readers in grades 9-12 Reviewer:Emily Rozmus School/Public Library:Mechanicsburg Exempted Village Schools Title: Murder Notebooks : Dead Time
Author: Cassidy, Anne Publisher: Walker & Co ISBN: 9780802723512 Evaluation: With her mother missing and presumed dead, Rose has moved in with her dower Grandmother Anna. Rose has changed schools and is far from Josh, the sort of half-brother she gained when her mother began to date Brendan. When Rose’s mom and Josh’s dad both go missing the pair is separated for nearly 5 years. Now a series of killings in their neighborhood seems related to other unsolved cases like that of their parents. Rose is the narrator and thus the character you are most concerned about when teens around her start to drop dead. Although she is close to Josh, I didn’t feel I knew him well and felt sort of ambivalent about his involvement in things. The story isn’t overly gory but Rose does witness a murder and walk into a crime scene at a cemetery. Dead Time isn’t a forensic novel; it’s based on clues and detective work. Cassidy strings the plot along slowly but if the effect is meant to be eerie the sensation just gets lost; the story felt slow. The ending leads you to believe there will be more books in the series so we can learn more about the missing parents who also happen to be police officers who were working on cold cases. A lot of the mystery felt muted and dissatisfying; not bad per se but a tad boring. No reservations for language, drinking or drug use. Optional purchase for grade 8th and up. Reviewer: Laura C Perenic School/Public Library: Middletown Public Library Title: Just a Dog
Author: Bauer, Michael Gerard Publisher: Scholastic ISBN: 9780545374521 Evaluation: The classic underdog tale, Corey Ingram relates how from infancy and through childhood, his beloved pet Mr. Mosely has always been a member of the family. Mr. Mosely’s love for Corey, his mother and his father is matched only by the family’s love for their sweet mutt. Recommended for grades 3rd-5th, the end pages suggest Just a Dog would be for grades 4th – 7th but its unlikely older teens will gravitate to such a charming story. Described down the last spot, Mr. Mosely is a gentle giant more scared of storms and cats. At the fair the dog not only wins the prizes for Biggest and Friendliest, but he also earns his kibble by saving Ingram from an ill intentioned couple who wanted to kidnap the boy. The story is predictably sad as most dog tend to be, Mr. Mosely survives being hit by a car only to succumb to bone cancer later. It’s a tame book for younger readers and would be a good way to help elementary school students learn to grieve for a pet. No reservations for any content, there is some mild violence when Corey’s dad and his Uncle Gavin have a fight which results in a bloody nose for Uncle Gavin. It was funny that when the grownups yell at each other it says they use ‘swearwords’ but actual curses are never used. Reviewer: Laura C Perenic School/Public Library: Middletown Public Library Title: Tempest Unleashed
Author: Tracy Deebs Publisher: Walker ISBN: 978-0-8027-2830-2 In this sequel to Tempest Rising, we meet Tempest, who is half-mermaid and half-human, as she is trying to adjust to life in the ocean. After a few months in the ocean, she begins to miss her family that she left behind on land. She travels to her old home in order to see her family and accidently see her old boyfriend Mark surfing. She begins to have old feelings arise for Mark even though her current boyfriend Kona is a selkie prince. She returns to her new home and is injured by some of the sea witch Tiamat’s henchmen while en route. She later finds out that her youngest brother has been injured by Tiamat and is in a coma. She then travels back to her old home and tries to help while she begins to be drawn to Mark. Meanwhile in the ocean, a battle rages between Tiamat and Tempest’s new clan. While the previous installment was great, this volume seems very sappy and superficial while Tempest cannot decide who to date when a battle is raging. This will appeal to fans of paranormal romance, but is considered an optional purchase. Reviewer: Sarah Thornbery School/Public Library: Springboro Jr. High School Library Title: I Lay My Stitches Down: Poems of American Slavery
Author: Cynthia Grady Publisher: Eermans ISBN: 978-0-8028-5386-8 In this beautifully crafted text, we are introduced to poems of American slavery. The author provides poems written in free verse that consist of ten lines with ten syllables per line. In the preface, the author explains the connection that quilt making and poetry both utilize patterns and that each poem is named for a quilt block. In each poem, the author utilizes religious, musical, & sewing references. After each poem, there is an example of what the quilt pattern consists of and then provides information related to the poem. The illustrations for each poem were illustrated by Michele Wood and were wonderful imagery of what story has been told in the poem. This is a must have for any library serving students in grades 5-8. This is highly recommended by this reviewer and received a Kirkus Starred review in January 2012 Reviewer: Sarah Thornbery School/Public Library: Springboro Jr. High School Library Illuminated relates the unique story of a quest to verify the authenticity of an ancient illuminated manuscript believed to have been written by Astrolabe, the love child of the famous Abelard and Heloise. Sixteen-year-old Calliope Martin is interning with her uncle Harry at the prestigious Royal Auction House when they discover the beautiful palimpsest. A palimpsest is an ancient document that has
been erased to make room for a new one. When Harry arranges for Callie to go with him to visit a fellow historian and antique book dealer, she meets his son August, and there is an instant attraction. The two young people become involved with a search to verify the credentials that leads to adventure and romance. This book has an intriguing and unique premise but unfortunately flounders in the delivery of the story. The legend of Heloise and Abelard, as well as, the history behind the story is the best part of the book because many readers are not familiar with these star-crossed lovers. Callie and August are likable protagonists, but their deep love develops so quickly it is unbelievable. There is no real chemistry between the two, and their dialogue is often very clichéd. This book is recommended as an optional purchase for grades six through nine. Reviewer: Elena Borchers School/Public Library: Dunbar High School The Girls Of No Return is a very somber story of girls with deep problems, who are sent to a special school designed to rehabilitate. It is a novel told from the point of view of Lida Wallace, a girl abandoned by her mother that cuts herself to deal with the pain. Throughout the tale, the author weaves a sense of foreboding that induces the reader to speculate on a coming tragedy. Lida, though not always likeable as the main character, is complex and unique. She conveys the feelings of a troubled soul that often seems to act irrationally. The other characters are clearly drawn and have troubling secrets that slowly emerge in the story. At times the plot moves slowly but does maintain interest at a steady pace. It is a very realistic read with a complicated ending that is perfect for discussion. The Girls Of No Return is recommended for grades seven and up.
Reviewer: Elena Borchers School/Public Library: Dunbar High School |
SOYAMRGWe are a diverse group of librarians and teacher librarians from southwestern Ohio. Archives
May 2016
Like us on Facebook!
|