Book Reviews by Young Adults
RSSSneak Peek Reviewers Club
Two titles firmly grounded in the present lead off this issue's list, though diametrically opposed in tone-an examination of a young journalist's life and his death at 22 in Somalia in Dan Eldon: Safari as a Way of Life, and in How to Fight, Lie and Cry Your Way to Popularity (And a Prom Date), readers will find a collection of teen movie sound bites to help them journey through life. Everything else is about the future. In Julie Frost's Tempest, Jackson is a time traveler who must grapple with events in both the past and the future, while Ember is working desperately to escape what the future holds for her in Kristen Simmon's Article 5. NEW, Jennifer. Dan Eldon: Safari as a Way of Life. Chronicle, October 2011. Tr $24.99. ISBN: 978-0-8118-7091-7. Gr 7 Up—Dan Eldon: Safari as a Way of Life is a biography of Dan Eldon, a photojournalist, activist, and artist. The book covers his whole life (1970-1993), from his early years growing up in London and Nairobi to his death in Somalia at age 22. It's filled with his collage artwork, made from photographs, writings, drawings, and other images from his journals, which he always kept adding to. Throughout his life, Eldon traveled the world. He grew up in Kenya, went to college in California and London, and traveled in Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. Every place he visited influenced his art. As the title suggests, safari was a major theme in Eldon's life, no matter where he was. As an activist, Eldon directly helped many refugees in Africa. As an artist, he created many pieces of beautiful and unique art. As a war photojournalist, Eldon brought attention to the devastating war in Somalia. Even after his death, Eldon still continues to affect people, through his work and through the people he inspired. Dan Eldon was an inspirational and exceptional person, and someone definitely worth reading about. This book is an excellent way to commemorate his life. It gives many insights, and by the end, readers will feel like they know Eldon. I would recommend it to anyone interested in art, activism, traveling, or photojournalism.—Jacob M., age 15 RODDY, Nikki. How to Fight, Lie and Cry Your Way to Popularity (And a Prom Date): Lousy Life Lessons from 50 Teen Movies. Zest, December 2011. pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-0-9827322-2-9. This book is great to share with family and friends if they love a good laugh, and handles some rather mature subjects with good humor. It's a book you'd want to keep handy for a movie night with a couple of friends; you could choose to read the book before or after. While the movie synopsis does give away the big points, the finer details are kept out, allowing for a pleasurable viewing experience despite the spoilers. This is not recommended for students who are already behind on homework, because they'll probably want to watch a couple movies while reading this book. Overall, a great fun, quirky read.—Charlene S., age 15 CROSS, Julie. Tempest: A Novel. St. Martin's Griffin, January 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN: 978-0312568894. Tempest is a beautifully written book with an unpredictable plot. It captures the reader's attention quickly and is very unique. Unlike most books on the subject of time travel or anything supernatural, the character doesn't instantaneously gain his powers to jumpstart the plot, he has had them for awhile. With standout and welcome details and a fresh plot, Tempest is an amazing book. The only flaw in this breathtaking read is the cover, which is a bit excessively dramatized and fake.—Claire V., 13 SIMMONS, Kristen. Article 5. Tor Teen, February 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0765329585. Honestly, I loved this story and couldn't tear my eyes away from it. It's suspenseful and really feeds your hunger for descriptive writing and passionate characters. Article 5 is a story about standing up for what you believe in and what's right—even if there are horrific consequences. It is also offers a reality that's filled with fantasy, meaning it talks about the future of our world with a twist that wouldn't actually happen. I'd recommend this book for teens around the ages of 14 to 17, because there's rebellion and romance that keeps you on your toes. This would be a good book to read if you like that type of story.—Leyla S., age 14 This article originally appeared in School Library Journal's enewsletter SLJTeen. Subscribe here.
Gr 9 Up—For years, Hollywood has been producing countless teen movies, many of which have had a questionable influence on teens. In How to Fight, Lie, and Cry Your Way to Popularity (And a Prom Date), Nikki Roddy explores 50 teen movies, ranging from classics such as The Breakfast Club (1985) to more recent movies, which the current generation of teenagers may be more familiar with, like Easy A (2010). Each movie page includes a synopsis on the film, a "sound bite" featuring a few memorable lines from the movie, the lousy life lesson from the movie, and either a few tips on how to follow in the path of a main character (such as "Nicole and Chase's Five-Step Guide to Fake Dating" from Drive Me Crazy (1999), or a multiple choice question asking about the choices made by a character. A warning printed in the beginning of the book proclaims "Warning! Sarcasm ahead!" helps ensure that the readers are prepared for the light-hearted tone.
Gr 9 Up—Jackson is the type of person you'd consider completely normal, except for one thing: he can travel back through time. When he time travels he doesn't alter the future, he just relives the past in a different way. To him, it was originally harmless amusement until his girlfriend, Holly, is shot. In fear, he leaps back two years, and this time, he's able to alter his future and past. Soon, Jackson finds himself confused, trying to figure out how to save Holly, not knowing who he can trust, maybe not even his father.
Gr 9 Up—Article 5 was definitely an on-the-edge-of-your-seat-fight-for-survival-romance book. The story focuses on Ember, who now lives in an unfairly reformed world, where she's just trying to lay low. When the new society threatens her lifestyle by taking away the one she loves and soon after, her mother, everything changes. Ember gets sent to a girls rehab institution called the Sisters of Salvation. Ember doesn't know how she'll survive, but she will find her mother one way or another. Then an old friend comes along. He has changed and isn't the person she remembers at all, although he is saving her life. Maybe there is still a good part of him to hold onto. Only time and their journey, which is full of unexpected turns and horrible twists, will tell.
