The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, by Jacqueline Kelly

2009
This books has received numerous awards including a Newberry Honor designation and an International Reading Association Book Award. It is historical fiction that explores life as experienced by an eleven year-old girl living in a small Texas town in 1899. (I may be over-generous with the historical fiction designation.  This may be realistic fiction set in an historical period.  But, it also has very nice connections to the history of science, so I'll be calling it historical fiction.) She does not easily fit into the expectations for a pre-teen girl in this time period.  She is something of a "tom-boy" and interested much more in exploring nature than working on her embroidery or tatting. 

Miraculously, her grandfather shares a passion for science with her.  They discover this shared interest when Calpurnia is "forced" to consult with him in an attempt to discover the difference between two types of grasshoppers that are plaguing the countryside in an unusually hot summer.  Once consulted, Grandfather helps Calpurnia on her path to learning scientific method and the research habits of a scientist. 

Much of the book details the research projects that Calpurnia and her grandfather undertake in this year.  It is a well crafted book that takes a broad look at life at the turn of the 20th century through the eyes of a preteen who doesn't quite fit in the role that society would dictate for her.  The International Reading Association calls this "intermediate fiction" but I think it may be better for older readers.  I shared information about this book with a friend who loved it so much she is now seeking out "used" copies to send to family member.  She suggested that it is really an adult book.  I do think that some "intermediate readers" would find the weight of this book a bit daunting.  It is not as "action packed" as other popular intermediate books.  However, with good teacher scaffolding it could come alive for this age group.  I can easily see this as a shared reading in an interdisciplinary unit looking at US History, biology, scientific method, and women's rights.

This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victory Frankenstein, by Kenneth Oppel

2011

I'm still working my way through the recommendations for "Halloween" reading from Common Sense Media.

This book is a "prequel" to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.   Oppel has done a good job of assuming her Gothic style. Consequently, it may be a somewhat challenging read for many adolescents.  The content and themes are clearly designed for adolescent readers. The book tells the story of Victor Frankenstein's beginnings as a "mad scientist." Oppel creates a twin brother for Victor, Konrad, a somewhat timid but brilliant friend Henry, and a distantly related love interest, Elizabeth. Konrad falls ill from a mysterious and deadly  illness. Victor, Elizabeth, and Henry go in search of a cure from a disgraced alchemist after discovering a hidden and forbidden library of alchemy in the family castle.

It took me a little persistence to finish this book. It may have just been that I was preoccupied with many other tasks, but I worry that adolescents may find this Gothic style a little too challenging. On the other hand, were I wanting to introduce students to pastiche or fan fiction, this might be a good choice. Oppel uses the basic personality of Victor Frankenstein to create an original tale that is congruent with Shelley's work.

This might be a good companion read with historical material on the transition between alchemy and modern science.  The details that Oppel includes of Switzerland and Medieval walled-cities will also help connect to European history. He creates an ominous tone throughout the book that students should appreciate. It will provide good teaching material for the study of voice and word choice. He is not heavy handed and clearly demonstrates the subtleties of creating mood and tone. It is also a good choice for a "stepping stone" into the more complex and challenging Gothic literature of Shelly, Stoker, Poe and even some of Dickens and Wilde.

Seizure, by Kathy Reichs

This is Reichs' second YA book in the "Virals" series (and her overall second YA book).  I'm enjoying her efforts.  Reichs' has established herself as an adult author.  Her books have also be the foundation of the TV series Bones.  Both have some rough connections to her own work as a pioneering forensic pathologist.  I would be certain to guide any adolescent reader to her website:  http://kathyreichs.com for career connections. 

The Virals series is a new effort.  There is little of "forensics" in either novel, however the main character is the great niece of Temperance Brennan, the main character in most of her adult novels and the television show.  The series has more of a "crazy science gone wrong" premise.  In the first book the main characters and her "pack" are infected with a virus being researched by a scientist working on the university owned, island research facility where all of their families live and work.

In Seizure, the main character Tory, and her friends/pack are once again navigating a complex teen social scene, their supernatural powers, and a specific mystery (with some additional side-plots such as Tory's father's love life).  My readers know that I value YA books that allow for investigations of a variety of themes/topics.  The center piece of this story is a female pirate, Calico Jack, and her buried treasure. There are opportunities in this book to explore wolf pack behavior, realistic teen life (well--except for the super powers of the Virals), adult-teen relationship complexities (appropriate--not perverse or sexually inappropriate), pirates and privateers, biology of the flora/fauna of the South Carolina coastal region, and the history of Charleston, SC. 

Reichs is a proficient writer and as always tells a good story.  I think her first attempt, Virals, was just a little awkward.  Learning to write for the YA market is not necessarily easy, even for the most proficient adult fiction writers.  This book feels much more like a strong addition to the YA field.  It would not be necessary to read the first book in the series to appreciate this book, but would fill out the background of how these adolescents acquired these mysterious powers.  (And I believe the mysterious powers are a metaphor for the biological changes that adolescents experience and to which they need to come to grips.)

This book would be a nice companion to the Maximum Ride, series by James Patterson.  It offers opportunities to discuss the ethics of science as well as some specific scientific concepts.  (And I trust, better founded in actual science than are the Maximum Ride books.)

The UnResolved, by T.K. Welsh

This is a quick read that provides a wonderful look at New York in 1904.  The story fleshes out the biggest disaster in New York prior to 9/11.  Readers will come to understand German and European Jewish immigrants and many of the safety issues that have led to present-day rules and regulations.

The story is told from the point of view of a ghost.  Mallory Meer died in the General Slocum steamship disaster.  Through her narration the events and characters involved are gradually revealed.  Readers will find this a compelling mystery and vivid description of daily life in early industrialized America.  It is a quick read that can easily supplement units on the time period.  Students who enjoy CSI and other crime/forensic shows may particularly enjoy the plot.

Hush: An Irish Princess Tale, by Donna Jo Napoli

I was completely engaged with this book, but wonder about it's designation as a YA title.  There are two reasons for my concern--the content of the story and some of the features of the writing.

This wouldn't necessarily be an easy read for young adults.  Perma-bound recommends it for 5th-9th grades with a 570 Lexile estimate.  The plot begins with Melkora's (the Irish Princess), brother having his hand inexplicable cut off while shopping in Dublin.  Shortly after that Melkora and her younger sister are stolen by slavers.  The remainder of the book is about her long voyage as a slave.  Rape, physical abuse, and the lives of slaves are the backbone of the remainder of the plot.  I certainly wouldn't want to have a 5th grader reading this material.

The writing is also a bit of a challenge.  Napoli makes some leaps during the narrative that might well confuse less mature readers.  Occasionally there are jumps in time during the narration that aren't obvious.  They would be confusing to readers.  Readers might also be confused by the historical period.  I don't think many 5th-9th graders are familiar with Europe during the Dark Ages.  Napoli is not specific about her time frame, but it is during early Christianity but post-Roman Empire.  I believe the setting/tone/events of the book will provide a relatively accurate picture of the time period.  Certainly much more so than some of the popular movies right now.  The characters become relatively well developed through the book.  The ending was not tidy--many readers will finish feeling dissatisfied.

This would be a useful companion reading for a high school world history course.  I would, however, strongly advise students that there are some very "hard to read" parts of the book (based on content).  The rapes are not sexually explicit, but they are quite clearly rape.  Not all students or their families would find the content acceptable.

All that said--I am still haunted by the book.  I'm certainly not an historical scholar, but I believe that the rich portrayal of this time period in Europe and the Middle East is worth the challenging materials in the book.  It would certainly liven up the study of the Dark Ages!

The Mostly Ture Adventures of Homer P. Figg, by Rodman Philbrick (2009)

I picked this up after reading Freak the Mighty, and discovering that Philbrick was a prolific YA writer who deserved some additional attention.  I had a little trouble getting engaged with this book.  The voice of the narrator was a bit off-putting.  Homer P. Figg is a teen from Vermont whose evil uncle, Squinton Leach, has become his guardian after the death of both of his parents.  Leach sells Homer's older brother, Harold, as a replacement for the drafted son of a wealthy Vermonter during the Civil War.  The plot is developed around Homer's devoted quest to rescue his brother.  The dialect used is a little too "backwoods hick" for my comfort.  It could be that the average American spoke like this during the 1860's, but I found it distracting.

As an historical novel this does highlight some of the issues and events of the period.  Of course slavery and the underground railroad are explored, but so are many other historical elements including the war, travel, corruption, spying, and inventions. 

I would be interested to see if younger readers could work around the dialect and ironic voice that Philbrick uses.  I'm not ready to give up on him as a writer, but this particular book is not going to appear on my short list.

What I Saw and How I Lied, by Judy Blundell

Set in post-WWII America this book combines coming of age, a "detective" story, and information about Nazis and the treatment of Jews in the early part of the 20th century.  Evie is not your typical 1940's teen.  Raised in New York city during the depression and through WWII, she hasn't had the easy life that we'd like to think adolescents had.  Her mother is on her second marriage and trying to contend with the results of years of lies and deceptions.

Evie and her parents leave for a "vacation" in Florida at the beginning of the school year.  This leaving is quite sudden and keeps Evie slightly off-kilter. At fifteen, removing Evie from her school and friends is, in itself, emotionally damaging. Things only become more confusing as she and her parents travel south.  In Florida Evie finds herself on the edge of very odd adult behavior.  Through this she has to develop her own set of ethics and find a way to make a way through a series of events that would perplex most of us. 

This book was awarded the 2008 National Book Award for Young Adult Literature.  I think it is deserving of the award and well worth adding to book sets created around the commonly read Diary of Anne Frank.  There are some references to adult sexual behavior that are quite mild and one teen-aged "lust" scene that may offend some readers.  However, the scenes are all important to the plot (not gratuitous) and worth the risk a teacher might incur in recommending the book.  I probably wouldn't choose it as a whole-class read because of some of this content, but I would read sections aloud to encourage students to read it independently.

The Swan Thieves, by Elizabeth Kostova

Once and a while I have a convergence of events in my life that make a book particularly powerful. Such experiences surround my reading of The Swan Thieves.

First, about the book itself. It is a complex story of love, families, madness, and art. Kostova is what others would probably call a "literary" writer. Her books are enriched with historical, literary, and artistic references. This book, focused on artists, their art, and lives is one I read quite slowly and with great relish. It was a rich reading experience. As a result I will be looking at books of impressionistic art, mythologies of the story of Leda, and reading about the historical period as well. A good book always leads to the reading of others. I am also going to have to reread Lord Jim, a book I read as an undergraduate and The Historian, Kostova's first book and one I enjoyed the first time.

Now, about how my life has conspired to make this book especially powerful to me. In the last few business trips I've taken I've extended my stay by a day or so to do some touring. In each case I have included art museums as part of the tours. Last spring I spent a day at the Morse Museum in Winter Park, Florida exploring Lewis Comfort Tiffany's works and another day at the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. I recommend both, but particularly encourage visits to the Dali Museum. I remember photos of Salvidor and Gala Dali in Life magazine as a child. I thought them extremely weird. Visiting the Dali museum gave me an entirely new understanding of his intellectual depth and the complexity of his art work, beyond the surrealistic pieces for which he is so well known.

This fall, prior to beginning this book, I had the opportunity to spend half a day at the National Gallery of Art. I spend much of my time in the Chester Dale collection and with the Dutch and Flemish galleries. Within the Dale collection I spent much of my time viewing the Impressionists within the collection. As a child, my mother had decorated my bedroom with Degas prints. The art books in my personal library lean heavily toward the Impressionists. (But several of those were inherited from my mother.)

Finally, one of the important pieces of my personal history are the years that my parents were guardians of my mother's cousin. He was a gifted musician who was also mentally ill. His diagnosis was never clear, something like schizophrenia or bi-polar disease. I remembered him as a wild and crazily funny "uncle" who entertained my brothers and me as we visited Lake Okoboji in Iowa. As an adult, caring for a man who was unpredictable wasn't so amusing.

Shortly after my return from D.C. I opened The Swan Thieves. It had been on the stack of books I have anchoring the hall tree. (Actually, my to-read collection.) I had purchased it nearly a year ago but hadn't yet had time to pick it up. It was perfect timing. I'm near the end of the book I'm writing (a book for teachers--not fiction). I felt able to pick up something just a little selfish, even though I need to be reading in advance of teaching a YA lit course this spring.

My last few weeks have been lovely, spent with this book. It is one I can recommend to high school students with strong interests in art, artists, psychology, and history. However, it would be an ambitious read for most high school readers. I have already been talking about it with friends and colleagues. They may feel my stories go on too long, but weaving together my trips to the art galleries and the reading of this book is a story I enjoy retelling.

Incantation, By Alice Hoffman

The story here is based on a young-woman coming of age during the Spanish Inquisition. Hoffman tells a short but powerful story of how Estrella de Madrigal discovered that she is a Jew rather than a Catholic and how your best friend is not always as she appears.

The writing is almost poetic. The titles of the sections and chapters within each are apocryphal. Days latter I am still considering Hoffman's intent.

I'm thrilled that Hoffman has turned to a slightly different genre. I am a big fan of some of her books, but felt that sometimes she stays with a theme too long. This is a wonderful change, bringing her ability to bring mystical overtones to strong plots in believable ways.

This is a book I will be recommending for a long time. It will be a nice companion piece to works like The Crucible.

The Sheen on the Silk, by Anne Perry

Perry steps outside of her usual setting of England to Constantinople in the 13th Century (1273-1282). It may be that because I do not know as much about this region of the world or this time period that I found the book a little less engaging than other Perry novels.

The main character, Anna Zarides, has disguised herself as a eunuch to attempt to find the truth of her brother's involvement in a murder. She hopes that through finding this she will be able to free him from his sentence to a monastery in Palestine.

I trust Perry's historical background, but not the particulars of the plot she is unraveling. I was engaged enough in the intricacies of the schism between the Eastern and Roman Catholic churches to want to attend carefully and do some background reading. I will be giving it to my friend who attends our local Greek Orthodox church and look forward to comparing impressions.

Search of the Moon King's Daughter, by Linda Holeman

Set in Victorian England this novel explores the oppression of the working class during the industrial revolution. I read pretty extensively in this historical period and this tale seems to be well researched and authentic.

Emmaline, in her early teens, has to become the head of the household for her disabled, drug-addicted mother and younger deaf brother. It is the fairly "typical" Victorian tale of a poor but talented young girl (woman) who has to find her way in a world at time that is most hostile to her. It is sort of mid-way on the scale of Jane Eyre to Angela's Ashes.

There are adventures, and kind souls to counterbalance some of the grim realities of life. Emmaline fights hard to provide for her mother and brother, to find her brother after he is lost to the streets of London, and to return the family to some stable, healthy life.

The story is believable and well told. Holman has been recognized by several awards for the book including, YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, the McNally Robinson Book for Young People, Notable Books -> YALSA Best Books for Young Adults -> 2003" id="linkTeens->NotableBooks->YALSABestBooksforYoungAdults->2003"> and the Mr. Christie's Book Awardl.

Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik

Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a reading accident. I download audio books to my smart phone and this was on the library's website. I went through a "dragon" phase about 6 years ago and decided to go ahead and listen to it. It was surprising. I hadn't read the first book so I started this cold and had to figure out the context. That wasn't too bad, but it would be a good idea to go back and read the first.



I'm definitely appreciating the historical perspective. I need to read up a bit on this period in China. I don't remember there being much of a French presence. Using fiction to explore history is a great idea. But, I worry that if authors don't get the facts right they may be creating misinformation in reader's minds.


View all my reviews.

A Great and Terrible Beauty, by Libba Bray

This is a Victorian girl's finishing school story with a supernatural twist. Voya recommends it for 10-12 grade students. I agree with that evaluation. It is a somewhat challenging read, a longish book, and has some mature content although no explicit sex. However, all that being said, this is a book I am going to recommend to lots of students (and perhaps my daughter). It is complex and really delves deeply into the development of friendships between young girls and the temptations that many girls face.

I'm always looking for connections. It appears to be a good portrayal of Victorian girls schools and the era. It also begins in the British governed India. This is a book I listened to on my smart phone. There was a great surprise at the end--the author had a relatively long autobiography of the process she used to write the book including a trip to England for research. This alone is a wonderful addition. Young women reading may be motivated to consider sophisticated research for their writing projects.

Young Zorro: The Iron Brand, by Jan Adkins

I loved Isabelle Allende's version of Zorro so as soon as I saw this title I picked it up. It began a little slowly--but soon I fell into the plot and setting. Set in the Pueblo de los Angeles in the 1700's this would be a great novel for Hispanic kids with an interest in the history of California or Hispanics in the USA. I think teens will enjoy the plot line and character development while at the same time learn a lot about the history of California and the relationships between Native peoples, the Roman Catholic church, and Spanish explorers.

No historian, I can only hope that the details of this book are accurate. (That might be a good task for my next historical reading project!)

One interesting link to a more advanced read would be the plot device--a modern descendant of the de la Vega family is called in when a secret room full of artifacts is discovered after an earthquake. This is reminiscent of Laurie R. King's device of the artifacts her narrator is sent that initiates the Mary Russell series. When teaching kids how to write fiction this is a great place to begin. How can an object be the initiating event for a story? In King's books the artifact does indeed serve as the initiation of the tale. In this book it is just the chest with ancient papers telling the stories that begins the tale.

I certain hope for more books in this series. We need lots of readings for Hispanics students and a better historical view of the development of American cultures in the western states.

The School Library Journal's reviewer wasn't quite as enthusiastic about the book as I. He called it a "Hardy Boys" knock-off. Having worked with striving readers most of my life, sometimes this sort of formula provides the predictable structure that allows them to move through enough print to become proficient. I'll be eager to find out the responses of actual kids. I think I'll give it to one this afternoon. I'll update when I get a response.

New York Stories, Edith Wharton

I've always like Edith Wharton. I have read most of her novels. While I was in the New York Public Library I picked up this collection of short stories. I've read some, but will save most of it for break. Wharton is a wonderful story teller. Now that I've spent a week in New York City proper, walking around and visiting landmarks, I can visualize her settings much better. Her look at Victorian "society" in New York with its hypocrisies and high stakes is complex and enlightening.