Colin Singleton has issues with his life. Mainly that he doesn't understand it, and as a recent high school graduate, is sure of little other than his status as a failure. Utterly disgusted with his best friend's state of mind, Hassan decides what they needs is a road trip. After somehow making their parents agree, off the head, no destination in mind.

A random highway exit boasts the grave of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, who Colin had been thinking of not long before, and so begins the journey to Gutshot, TN, where the road trip becomes stationary.

After the tour to the Archduke's grave, Colin and Hassan meet Hollis, their tourguide Lindey's mother, who brings them home for dinner and offers them a job for the summer. At $500/week, the pair can't refuse.

The days soon settle into a sort of rhythm. Recording oral histories of Gutshot for Hollis in the morning, killing time in the afternoon while Lindsey goofs off with her boyfriend, and for Colin, working on the Theorem he's come up with to predict the pattern of a relationship. First he can only get it to work for a few of the Katherines. With some tweaking, it works for all but one. After further delving, he realizes he's misremembered this one, and once he adjusts the formula to show the true events, the Theorem is rock solid.

And yet...while History is easy to study (like they say, hind-sight is 20/20), the future is a different animal altogehter. And this is the realization Colin really needs to come to. That life can't be predicted, there is no certainty, and the only sure thing to do is to get out there and try.

Excellent book. Unique story, great characters, much lighter than Looking for Alaska. Definitely worth a read.

__________

This is Green's second book, and I wasn't surprised to see that it too had been up for the Printz Award.

These characters are even more likeable, in their oddities, and the story more fun. I'm not huge on math, but the Katherine equation really intrigued me. Looking forward to whatever is next.

When I saw Barry Lyga's bulletin on MySpace about getting a copy of the ARC for his newest book, I jumped on it. And I jumped right in without reading any of the blurbs. Which I generally tend to do if a book grabs me in its first sentence. So by the time I realized where it was all headed, it was too late to stop or go back or put it down. Because it's a great story. And I give unending kudos to Barry for writing it. And I know there are going to be a lot of people who are going to be up in arms.

Josh Mendel attends South Brook High--a school familiar to anyone who's read Fanboy. Josh's High School life has been made up mostly of avoidance. Five years ago his life changed forever, and everyone knows, and he's sure everyone thinks of it every time they see him.

He walks the halls, he plays ball, but that's pretty much where school ends for him. It's pretty much where life ends for him.

At 12, Josh was ahead of his years. Mature, smart in a way most people couldn't understand--himself included, as it just seemed normal to him. When his gorgeous, and young, History teacher, saves him from a pinch one day when school closes due to an insane snow storm, that's it. The pivot point. But he doesn't know it yet.

Life at home hasn't been fun. He's not allowed to play video games, his parents have been arguing. So when Mrs. Sherman asks for Josh's help for a Grad School project, both he and his parents, or his mother at least, are relieved. Josh will have somewhere to be after school, his mother can work without guilt, his father can rest assured his son isn't spending too much time home alone.

At first, Josh spends his afternoons at school. Then at Mrs. Sherman's apartment. Eventually, he's usually eating dinner there.

He becomes an Xbox wizz. George, Mrs. Sherman's husband, comes home after days testing games, to watch Josh play. Eve, Mrs. Sherman, becomes his friend. She treats him like an adult, instead of a child. He figures it can't get any better.

And then she kisses him.

Here comes the up-in-arms part. This is a book about molestation. About a boy who had a relationship with his 24-year-old teacher. About a boy who, on his 13th birthday, went too far in the closet with his best friend Rachel, and could never bring himself to face her again, thus breaking up the four musketeers. And did I mention he thinks it's all his fault?

Even looking back, it's hard for Josh to figure out when things changed. It's all just one long mesh and merge. School, apartment, teacher, friend, video games, making out. The final progression. Indeed, Josh and Eve had plans for an outing, meant to take place just days after the whole ordeal comes to accidental light.

Josh doesn't want to talk. To his parents, to the cops. He promised never to tell, knows how much trouble Eve could get in. Even confronted with the names of boys Eve came on to in the High School, which prompted her transfer to his Middle School, Josh doesn't want to talk. To betray Eve.

But it all comes out. Legal pads full of his handwriting, detailing it all. Because he remembers everything.

School becomes a nightmare. Especially after Eve's testimony ends up on the internet. No names of course, but he knows they know. George makes a light night appearance in his backyard to pummel him. The 13-year-old.

So I suppose it's no surprise that for the next five years Josh wants as little do with people as possible. Wants only to get the hell out of town. Who wouldn't? I'm sure he'd get out of his own story if he could. Just like some readers may want to get out of his story. But will find themselves pulled in. Because it's that good. And it's that worth it.

After all, making it through, arriving at the other side, that's what it's all about.

Here is an Indian, truely patriotic,finding fault with his

own culture and the age-old values it imbibed on the minds of

its people. The language,style and approach he takes suggests

that he deliberately chooses to be sarcastic. He wants to shock

his countrymen out of complacence.The deep note of patriotism

and sincere wish to rectify the condition also is unmistakable.

That gives his argument credibility and acceptability. He argues

that culture can kill and the Indian culture killed the

very zeal and initiative of the Indians for progress and modernity.

How,otherwise,can a country that produces more than 2.5 lakh

engineers and 3 million university graduates every year manages to

remain one of the poorest countries in the world, he asks.

So much so that 260 million people live below poverty-line.

He holds culture responsible for this.

Any culture that stiffles the very urge for modernity and

innovation and rational thinking fails to promote progress.

Indian culture did this for centuries, says Subodh.The greatest

drawback of this culture,he says,is that it has constantly imbibed

on the minds of its people the ridiculous values like glory in poverty,

not to expect fruits from whatever you do, not to hate your enemy even when

he is bent on killing you in war,the soul is great and the body is an object of

decay and so to be neglected,excessive justification of selflessness etc.

This has not only weakened the indian society but has also rendered it inert and self-satisfied. They burried themselves in the nostalgic memories

of the past glory of their 'great culture'. The world marched ahead and embraced

industrialisation and scientific achievements while India kept talking about

its myths and scriptures and their spiritual superiority over the 'evil'

westerners.Money,to them, was a corrupting force. Science and the rational

attitude it promotes was to be shunned with all the moral inner force. The

natural and the only possible result was that it lagged behind.

Solution ? Change the culture that failed to uphold you and create another,

more healthy,more rational,more modern.

There is a kind of pungent rhetoric which is deliberate. In an attempt to

ridicule each and everything that comes his way, Subodh , sometimes passes

unkind remarks. For example, his comment that Islam is the cruelest of

all religions, or his comment " Why did we need the 'evil' westerners to show

us the natural art of defecating in better style?"And his comment that Buddhism

and Jainism further weakened the Indians by preaching Ahimsa(non-violence).

Subodh's book should be read for a merciless mask-tearing attempt which

sometimes is necessary for a hypocritical society.

Benji sees the world in shades of angel and demon, which makes it, more often than not, a rather scary place. While his father may be less trouble than his mother, less abusive, less of a demon-magnet, in order to live with him Benji had to leave his personal angel, Lacie, behind.

Being in a new school suits him, though, as it's easier to disappear when no one knew you were there to begin with. Being labeled a freak is fine with him. As long as no one takes any notice. As long as no one tries to get close. As long as he can hide inside Dogboy.

But when Benji takes a liking to Rianna Moore, things get a little more complex. She isn't like them, but she travles with the in crowd. They don't really see her, but they certainly know she's there. Which makes Benji a bit less of a shadow. And his feelings make him a bit less dead. And wanting to be near her makes it all a bit less safe.

Eventually, the demons start to show themselves. It turns out they're everywhere, and when you've got your own too...well, they travel with you. No matter how much you might want to leave them behind.

But just because they can follow you, and get inside you, and affect you, doesn't make them you. And this is what Benji has to discover. This is the only real path out.

Of all of James' books, I liked this one the best. Most likely because every time he writes one, they just keep getting better. And while they all come with a bit of a harsh face, there is always a light shining through.

________

This is my review from MySpace and my Library website, which earned a comment from Brian, and is basically what started us talking. With Perfect World, James finally solidified his name in the minds of those who decide who's who in YA literature. In fact, our Library copy of the book walked off as soon as we put it out. At this point, it's mysteriously reappeared.

Benji's story really resonated with me. This is the a sort-of flip-side to Perfect World. Highly recommended.

If you appreciate a darker sense of humor, this is a book for you. If not, you might only end up wanting to throttle the cast.

Sarina Summers is perfect in every way. Except for her pinky fingers. Their slight crookedness mars her style, and so when she is 16, she gets drunk and has her mother break them.

Nicole Hicks lives across the street, and has idolized Sarina her whole life. Her mother is nicer, her life is better. As long as you keep her happy, she'll return the favor. And all Nicole wants is to keep this balance. So much so that she intentionally fails 10th grade, thinking it will better her chances for a friendship, when in fact it proves to be her undoing.

Bitty Jack Carlson grew up in a small town, on a Summer Camp. Summers, she attends. The rest of the year, she's home-schooled. The year Sarina attends, life changes forever.

Caught using a hairdryer in an unusual fashion by Bitty Jack's father while he's changing a light bulb, Sarina cries abuse. Camp maintenance workers are no longer allowed into cabins without staff invitation, and her father is not allowed to work in them at all during summer, but otherwise, things mostly blow over. Until years down the line when Bitty Jack is dating Sarina's first boyfriend, and Sarina's life is coming apart at the seems.

Sarina hatches a plan to get Stewart back. The plan? Out herself as an abuse survivor at a Take Back the Night rally, where both Stewart and Bitty Jack will be there to hear. The back-lash causes the Camp to come under siege by the Press and thus ends the Carlson's have always known. So when Nicole Hicks climbs through Bitty Jack's window late one night with her own plan, rather than being afraid, Bitty Jack is mesmerized.

She has few details. They need to hijack the mascot uniform from Stewart. That's all she knows. From the President's Box she looks on, and as we wait for Nicole's plan to hash out, we come to find Bitty Jack had one of her own.

____

This is definitely the oddest book I think I've ever read. I picked it up mainly because of the title. The story was interesting, and definitely darkly humorous, but also kind of disturbing. If dark humor is your thing, I imagine you'd get a kick out of it. If it's not, I'd probably stear clear.

Miles Halter hates his life in Florida. No friends, no hobbies, other than his mental collection of Last words. Knowing there has to be something more out there, he applies to Culver Creek Boarding School in Alabama.

Upon arrival he realizes that his lofty ideals for the place will not in fact be met, but once befriended by his roommate, The Colonel, and after meeting the girl down the hall, Alaska, he starts to realize there's potential after all.

Getting off to a rocky start, having a near miss with drowning thanks to an over-zealous prank, Miles, now "Pudge," has a lot of reservations. The concussion he receives from a Basketball thrown at his head, and the subsequent being sick on his girlfriend-to-be do little to ease his worries. But there are classes he likes, the bufriedos are great, and his small crew of friends make things worthwhile.

Just when he's starting to feel at home with his new world, a shattering blow brings it to pieces around him. Therein follows much avoidance, soul-seeking, unending questions, anger, pain, detective work, and eventually....enlightenment.

_______

Not long after reading this book I stumbled across a post by a woman who had hated it. I was shocked, and rather irate at the time. At this point I can just sit back and say she clearly didn't understand the story. Or couldn't relate. But there's a world of people out there who can and did. Four different staff members in my library have read and re-read this book and count it among their favorites.

I personally think Green's writing style is great, and loved how he could wrap so much philosophy into a teen novel in such a way that you almost don't notice. His characters are smart, self-aware, and likeable. I think the Printz Medal was well-deserved.

An intertwining tale of two magical and troubled lives, Ruby is a gripping mix of fantasy and reality.

Ruby has always been different. Not just because she hides things.

She sees things. She hears things. She knows things. Her father has always ignored it. But she knows it's real.

She moves across the country, to LA, to take a job as a nanny. She wants to be able to leave herself behind. An ex-boyfriend shows up at her employer's door. Some things are easier said than done.

She leave LA and travels to England. Here the magic is stronger than ever. In the midst of what feels like only lies, she finds a family, her dream, and even herself. What started as a good cover story turns into a reality, freeing her from life-long demons.

_____

Francesca Lia Block is my all-time favorite author. After discovering her when a friend recommended I read Violet & Claire, I went out and bought all the rest of her books. I'm always excited when I see she's written a new one. Ruby almost passed me by, but our Teen Librarian brought it to my attention.

I really enjoyed Ruby's story. It's slightly more reality than fantasy, as compared with Block's other works, but it still had that same mystical feel. Any book-lover should love Block. Her style is compelling and one-of-a-kind. Aside from her erotic works, which I haven't read, I highly recommend everything she's written.

Karen and Donnie have a less than pleasant home life. They occupy the front steps during their parents' fights often enough that they keep provision hidden behind a loose stone. And it's on one such afternoon that they meet her. Amanda. Donnie is immediately smitten, Karen has an immediate best friend. But while Amanda becomes and easy out for Karen, Donnie finds himself left behind. Suddenly the fights are his alone to ignore.

Their happiest time comes the following summer, on their vacation up at the lake. The three stick together the whole time, and bring home stacks of pictures to remind them.

But that vacation was the marking point for everything that would change.

Half way through, their father left. New job, new apartment. He was supposed to come home on weekends. It never really happens. They all struggle to deal with the change in their own way, which in this family means pretending it didn't happen.

Donnie has always been a sickly one, plagued with endless ear infections throughout his life. But when his mother stumbles upon Karen's secret, in the form of an incredibly tiny body, she looses it. Battles ensue. In-patient treatment, which works until she's home again. For Donnie, it's one more thing for people not to talk to him about.

Soon, he comes to find he's turning invisible. A fact which he first fights, and then accepts. He hopes it will somehow help his sister get better. That it will somehow enable his parents to be happy together.

Neither happens.

Meanwhile, he's also lost Amanda. She and Karen seem to have gone their separate ways. And then Amanda moves back to Chicago. Her one visit back, for Christmas, ends with a fight he hears through the wall, and her leaving early.

It isn't until Karen is physically dragged from the house to be taken back to the clinic by her father that anyone finally sits down and tells Donnie the truth. When she does come out and tell him, he can only laugh. He's had it with the lies.

He still longs to help his sister get well, but nothing they do seems to work. He spends most of his free time with her, but it isn't enough for her to tell him the truth. A hard truth, which he finds when he opens his science notebook to find Karen''s latest food diary, full of lists much too short.

In the end, Donnie can't save any of them. Not Karen, who is destined to disappear. Not his parents, who it would seem never belonged together. But he can save himself. He can make them understand that they need to pay attention. He can reach out in school, try to start anew, befriend the twins who have made many overtures towards him.

An honest look at what life in a broken home masquerading as whole can do to those trapped in it. Anorexia, as seen through the eyes of those it hurts perhaps most---the powerless onlookers, destined to be left behind.

Very well written, and highly recommended. Just don't expect to smile til the end.

It's not very often that I get to the end of a book and am left unsure as to what just happened. That being said, I'm not sure it was a bad thing. Just a new one.

This is the story of Gabriel, now 20 and dying, as he looks back over his life and childhood, which was far from easy. His parents were always looked down upon in the town, even before his father made himself an enemy of the constable.

Gabriel, who's real name is Anwell, had a lonely childhood. Though he had a brother, Vernon was ill, and couldn't leave his room, or talk. His parents considered him only a burden. Anwell was left worried about him constantly. And then he died.

This left Anwell truly alone. Until the appearance of Finnigan, the wild boy who one day simply appeared, and ever after appeared and disappeared as he chose.

After making a pact that Gabriel would be all things good and Finnigan all things bad, Finnigan spent years tormenting the town with fires. Never caught, he eventually gave up. He had burned everything. There was no more point.

But he had ruined the town. They'd resorted to vigilante mobs. They no longer trusted one another. Things were simply not the same.

Gabriel struggled on, trying to make do with his outcast place in the little world that was his town. His one ray of hope came in the form of Evangeline. Though they never spoke in public or at school, they shared some walks, and random afternoons in the country where they had run into one another.

Finnigan is displeased. Gabriel is at a loss.

To make matters worse, his only other solace, his dog Surrender, has been caught by a farmer attacking his goats. His father says he must do the right thing and kill the dog. It's all more than he can bear.

When he finds himself being led home by his mother, who followed him to Evangeline's, where he was trying desperately to warn her about Finnigan, he knows there's nothing left to lose.

It can be a world of shadows, ghosts, haunted memories, and shame. But it can also be freedom, beauty, and solidarity bred of understanding. Every street kid has their story--they don't ask, but they know. For Gretchen, it was her Stepmother. Continued life under the same roof as her: impossible. At 15, she still feels like the baby, even though it's been two years. Two years learning to love the morning, before the city wakes up. Loving life while the sun is rising. Liking it less once there's a world to see. Two years on the streets take their toll. Lately, it's the dream of getting out that keeps Gretchen going.

Until Elizabeth.

Tiny, cold, and silent, she arrives one night on the stairs. It's not a place Gretchen usually stays. Still, she can't help but take a stand. They tell her a kid that young will only be trouble. But all she sees is someone who needs her. Someone to take care of. From that moment on, Elizabeth is hers.

At first it's simple. Easy enough to make Elizabeth smile. Easy to be happy just because she is. Then people start to drift, police start to raid, life gets more and more out of control. The streets aren't as fun anymore. The dream seems farther and farther away. Today isn't enough, tomorrow slips from her reach. Only the finality of total loss can bring resolution.

______________

Brian James is one of my favorite authors. He writes about the world as I know it, and does so well. And thanks to the MySpace craze, I've actually gotten to interact with him enough to know that he's a really cool guy. And should be coming to my Library this summer so I can meet him in person!

This is his second book, and marks the real start of his writing take-off. While I enjoyed his first book, it's a world apart from the rest that follow, in more ways than one. Starting with Tomorrow, Maybe his stories delicately intertwine. It's very cool. I'm currently awaiting his next release, which will pick up Elizabeth's tale a few years down the road.