Review Roundup: 8/20/10

Check out what the teen book reviewers are saying about some great new and classic books!

Title of Book: The Contender
Author: Robert Lipsyte
Name of Reviewer: Riya
Description: The Contender is the story of Alfred Brooks, a 17-year-old African-American high school dropout who is torn between the street life of his Harlem neighborhood and his dreams of becoming a champion fighter. Lipsyte's experience as a sports journalist is evident by his gritty depiction of the arduous and difficult training and discipline required of a boxer; this detail lends authenticity to his story and brings the reader into the ring. Alfred struggles to improve himself, even as he doubts himself and his ability. Boxing is a way to prove to himself he has the heart of a contender, even as he is swayed by his ties to a former life. His childhood friend James is involved with a gang and battling a drug addiction and Alfred is caught between two worlds. This novel's strong protagonist and engaging story make it suitable for grades 8-12, although some teachers may even use it with younger students.
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Title of Book: Dr. Franklin’s Island
Author: Ann Halam
Name of Reviewer: Purnaesh
Description: This book is one of the most unusual I have ever read. Semi has just won a winning spot in the in the Planet Savers competition. She is among fifty British Young Conservatives and very shy. After they take off from Miami airport, disaster strikes over the Atlantic and they go down. Semi and two others are the sole survivors of the crash and are now stranded of a deserted island, or so they think. They are being watched by Dr. Franklin, a mad genetic engineer, who is waiting for the right to time to make his horrible visions a reality, starting with Semi. This book is a ticking time bomb full of friendship, sacrifice, and the will to be free.
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Title of Book: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Name of Reviewer: Stephanie Kong
Description: The novel takes place in 1939 in Nazi Germany and is narrated by Death. Death tells the story of the book thief, Liesel Meminger. Liesel is given away by her mother to the Hubermanns, a relatively poor old couple living Himmel Street. There, Liesel begins loving relationships with her neighbors, her Papa, and books. However, danger lurks as bombs begin to drop and the Hubermanns take in a Jew. This is undoubtedly one of my favorite novels. Zusak writes darkly, humorously, and bluntly and manages to create the perfect opening to this fantastic novel. Zusak hints at historical references and produces a realistic fear of in the reader similar to the one at that time in Nazi Germany. He creates multidimensional, relatable characters that the reader creates a bond with. The novel is brilliant and deserves to be read multiple times for its ingenuity.
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Title of Book: Fairest
Author: Gail Carson Levine
Name of Reviewer: Bisma Baloch
Description: In the Kingdom of Ayortha, singing and beauty are a person’s most treasured qualities. This story is about a young girl named Aza who has the best voice in the land; in fact, she can “illuse” or “throw” her voice so it seems like it can come from anywhere! However, Aza doesn’t have the second quality; she isn’t pretty. She has to hide from people and stay in her parents’ inn because of her appearance. But everything changes when Aza becomes the new queen’s lady-in-waiting. She asks Aza for a dangerous and risky favor or else people’s lives will be at stake, or even the whole kingdom! It’s up to Aza to save Ayortha as well as herself!
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Title of Book: The Devil in the White City
Author: Erik Larson
Name of Reviewer: Stephanie Kong
Description: This novel tells the story of the construction and execution of the infamous 1893 World Fair held in Chicago. The novel is centered on two individuals: Daniel Hudson Burnham, the chief architect of the Fair and H. H. Holmes, a serial killer who amazingly remains under the radar throughout the 6 month Fair. Burnham constructs the White City for the Fair despite seemingly impossible conditions and for extremely important reasons. Holmes harvests a fortune through deceit and charm, while luring unsuspecting women into his castle. While the novel is entirely nonfiction, it reads as an entertaining narrative due to Larson’s style of narration and the incredible nature of the events unfolding in the novel. The novel transports the reader to Chicago in the late 19th century and teaches the reader while entertaining him or her. While the tale of the World Fair is not usually known, the events of the Fair are shocking and absorbing.