Sci-Fi Books We Love: Ally Condie's Matched

Back from a five day hiatus and ready to talk about a delightful book I reread over the weekend. I was in Illinois and spent an evening reading my book. Also I just found out today that I will be teaching eighth grade next year and could not be happier about it! Now onto our next bout of Dystopian Fiction!

Book I: Matched

Cassia lives in a world where society finds your optimal "match" and starting at age 17 you have the possibility of being matched. Cassia knows the probability of being matched on your birthday is miniscule. So you can imagine Cassia's surprise when she is summoned right after her birthday to go into town with her mother and father to be matched. Cassia finds relief in the fact that her best friend Xander has also been summoned, the matching ceremony generally finds the matchees a bundle of nerves. When it is Cassia's turn to be matched she goes to the stage and waits for the screen to light up with her match because chances are he lives in another community and has to be shown on a screen by satellite, and the screen turns black. It turns black because her match is in the room. When they call Xander's name Cassia can hardly believe her luck. She goes home to look at Xander's match card and when she opens it... it is not Xander's face she sees but another boy from her community, Ky. An official comes to tell her that the officials made a mistake and give her Xander's card. According to the official and Cassia all is remedied. However, she begins to notice Ky and it seems for the first time he also begins to notice her too. It seems the community can match everyone with unparalleled accuracy however when they make a "mistake" what does that really mean for Cassia, Ky, and Xander? Do you have choices or is everything chosen for you?

I can't wait to see what happens next in Condie's next

installment coming out November 2011!

Book II: Crossed

That's all for now!

Signing off,

Reader Girl

Sci-Fi Books We Love: Veronica Roth's Divergent

In my previous post I mentioned the growing trend of dystopian novels in Young Adult Fiction. However I failed to explain what dystopia is. Dystopia (according to Wikipedia) is the idea of a society in a repressive and controlled state, often under the guise of being utopian. Essentially not really a perfect world but darn, if it doesn't try to be.

I think the trend is because we are coming upon a very weary generation. We have a group of kids who it seems have never seen their nation at its finest. Politics have been uniquely polarized in the last 10 years which leads to a more moderate counter-culture coming up. They are weary of siding with anyone because in their eyes both sides have done wrong. Statistically we have more students growing up in single parent house holds and the sense is that there is something wrong and broken in families. The economy has been a roller coaster the last ten years and I think our students are looking for answers.

Dystopian novels are author's answer or word of warning to these students. As the Hunger Games presents, don't give up your personal freedom for "bread and circuses" or as the Uglies that outward beauty is not a sign of achievement. I like that our students are getting a dose of something of substance. What is your answer to this broken world? I'd tell you mine, but you'd guess, its the only Answer.

Book I: Divergent

Set in Chicago many years from now Beatrice Prior's world is divided into five factions: Abnegation (selfless), Dauntless (brave), Candor (honest), Amity (Peaceful), and Erudite (intelligent). We meet Beatrice Prior as she enters the most important decision of her young life. She must choose which faction she will spend the rest of her life with. Her family is Abnegation, they are selfless, she envies her mothers natural selflessness and while it doesn't come naturally to her she is thankful for the harmony in which she lives. The day before the choosing ceremony she goes into a simulation which will tell her what faction she is most naturally akin to. For most people the simulation narrows there choice to one, but when Beatrice goes in for her simulation her world is changed. We follow Beatrice as she chooses her faction and learns just what it means to be Divergent. We also begin to see the fabric that binds these factions begin to fall apart. The factions were meant to rid the world of evil by focusing on virtues but it seems that corruption is hard to keep away in any world. You will love Beatrice and her kickin' attitude! You will be horrified at Eric, wish for friends like Christina and will and you will sa-woon for Four! ENJOY!

That's all for now!

Signing off,

Reader Girl

Sci-Fi Books We Love: Scott Westerfeld Uglies

About three years ago I was sitting in one of my education classes in college and talking about books with some of the people around me. It was a teaching Reading through Literature class and we had a habit of talking about the books we really liked. The girl behind me said she had just read this series that had blown her mind.

The series was called "Uglies". It's a series of four books its another book of what has come to be known in the YA World as Dystopic Fiction or Dystopian Fiction. The librarian at a local middle school and I noticed the overflowing bounty of books like this and we took a minute to think "why would these books be so popular now"?

Its a question I will answer in my next blog but for now.... The books!

Book I: Uglies

The book opens and we meet Tally, a young girl desperate to join her friend Peris in New Pretty Town. However Tally is only fifteen and thereby, an ugly. She will receive surgery to be turned pretty when she reaches sixteen. When you are sixteen you are given an operation in which doctors decide what your face will look like, they make you symmetrical, thin, and they give a show stopping beauty. She longs for that day and spends time making up what her new face would look like. Tally longs for the days when she and Peris would turn tricks together. Uglies have a habit of playing all sorts of pranks and tricks that are very "bubbly". However when she meets Shay, another Ugly with the same birthday as Tally, everything changes. Shay also like to play tricks that are very "bubbly" however hers consist of going to something called the "Rusty Ruins" and meeting a very mysterious boy named David. Shay has an entirely new adventure in store for Tally that she isn't exactly ready for because Shay wants something Tally has never even considered. Shay doesn't want to turn pretty. Shay thinks she is fine just the way she is... the question is, can she convince Tally that there is a choice? What in fact is the real cost of beauty?

Book II: Pretties

Again we find ourselves in the company of Tally, Shay, Peris and a few new friends including the strikingly handsome and unique looking Zane. Tally finds herself in New Pretty Town. She is happy all the time and loves going to the latest parties in the coolest outfits. However she also has a desperate desire to join Shay's Pretty Town clique, The Crims. Crim is short for criminal and they are of the few pretties who still play tricks and have adventures so that they can feel "Bubbly". She finds herself left with Zane a lot and comes to see him as an ally of sorts. He is the one person who understands her internal conflict sometimes. He understands that sometimes its like you think more clearly when you have a certain rush of adrenaline and he wonders what it would be like to feel that way all the time. He and Tally set out on a mission to find a way to feel the "clarity" that being bubbly brings them. It is then that they meet some old friends who can tell them all about the clarity they have been missing.

There are two more books in the series "Specials" and "Extras" neither of which I can really talk about without giving too much away about the first two!

They are exciting books that really take a look at the importance of finding beauty in what is real and natural.

Thats all for now!

Signing off,

Reader Girl

Books of Summer: Jessi Kirby's Moonglass

So when it comes to reading new books I often feel a certain skepticism. "Is this book really worth the 12-15$ I'll spend on it? Do I really even trust the reviewers?" However nothing gets me to read a book like a recommendation from an author I love.

In this case, Sarah Dessen. Sarah Dessen is on the quoted as saying "I couldn't put this book down. Kirby's voice is fresh and wise, all at once. An incredible first novel." The last book I read she said she loved was The Summer I turned Pretty and after reading my previous blog you know how much I loved that book! So again upon Ms. Dessen's recommendation I read it and yet again I was NOT disappointed.

Moonglass

Moonglass follows Anna as she and her father relocate to the beach town where her mother and father met many years ago. Her father manages the lifeguard company on the beach and Anna is strictly warned to stay away from the "lifeguarding staff" and the lifeguards are likewise warned to stay away from her. She meets a lifeguard named Tyler and it seems that she won't be able to follow the guideline her father set before her.

More than the lifeguards there are many townies who have a lot to teach her about her mother and father and the times they spent living along this beach. Her mother's past is what interests and scares her most of all, and its the mystery she is most interested in solving.

As with most YA fiction I find myself always longing to understand the relationship between the boy and girl. In this book Anna and Tyler don't disappoint. Tyler is kind and witty. He and Anna have a banter that makes you find them even more endearing.

Great book that you don't want to put down.

You can't wait to find out about Anna's

past right along with her!

That's all for now!

Signing off,

Reader Girl

Books of Summer: Jenny Han

I've read a lot of books. Some books when I go to the store initially deter me. Mostly because I'm 23 years old and there are some books that when someone asks me "What are you reading?" I'm embarrassed to say the name.

"The Summer I Turned Pretty" started out as one of those. However very quickly my mind was changed and I couldn't put down this trilogy of summers. Moreover I had no problem recommending them to my friends!

The Summer I Turned Pretty

Welcome to Cousins beach and the beach house of Susannah Fisher and her two sons Conrad and Jeremiah. Every summer they invite down Susannah's best friend from childhood Laurel Conklin and her two kids, Stephen and Belly (Isabel). Belly has been in love with Conrad for as long as she or any one else can remember. Belly has spent her life as a fourth wheel to the boys fun and sometimes finds herself not included at all. She is the youngest of them all. Conrad is older than Belly by about 2 years. So until she comes to Cousins the summer she turns 16, she has just been little goofy Belly. However, the summer she turns pretty, the Fisher boys start to look at her a little differently in a way that confuses both of them. That coupled with a lot of secrets in the house causes a summer none of them would forget.

I loved this book! I couldn't put it down and was thrilled to find there was another on out! This book is the summer you always swore you'd have and lets face it probably never did. Jeremiah is cause for a lot of hilarity in this book and he will make you smile probably more than just about anyone. Once you get passed that Belly's name is in fact, Belly... the book charms you into its fictional world.

It's Not Summer Without You

Welcome back to Cousins for yet another unforgettable summer. This book takes place the following summer and a lot has changed. Without giving anything away I'll try and summarize this book for you. This book takes a look at what happens after Belly becomes seen as something more than just Laurel's little girl. What I loved about this book is that while most of the book is written from Belly's perspective there are chapters written from the perspective of the ever lovable Jeremiah. Jeremiah has a self deprecating humor that you can't help but find endearing. Jeremiah is getting ready for college, Conrad is finishing his first year, and Belly is entering her senior year certain that nothing will ever be the same again. Follow them on adventure to sort out exactly what has happened in the past year and what it means for their future.

We'll Always Have Summer

Oh this book... It was EVERYTHING I could have wished it would be. It takes place two years after "Its Not Summer Without You" and it seems as though EVERYTHING has changed. Because this book is the latest installment I refuse to be the one that tells you how it ends. BUT just so you know. Jeremiah finally gets his shot outside of Conrad's shadow. And Conrad has a moment... where he says EVERYTHING you've been waiting for him to say for the past two books. The ball is in Belly's court. Who will she pick? Will she pick either of them? How will it end? I can't tell you but I can say... You will NOT be disappointed.

I spend a lot of time with middle school aged kids and EVERY one of them who has read these books ADORED them. If you have a daughter/friend who enjoys reading... get them this book! I would say starting age is about 12.

Kudos to Jenny Han. You wrapped up this series wonderfully and I can't wait to see what you tackle next!

That's all for now!

Signing off,

Reader Girl

Books of Summer: Sarah Dessen

So as I shared before I love Sarah Dessen novels! I find they are like a good wine and get better with age. It seems the first ones I read by her are my favorites but I think its only because I have read them so many times. So here they are my top two! Tomorrow I will post my next to favorites by Sarah Dessen and then we'll change it up with another favorite YA author of mine.

This Lullaby

Basically about a girl who doesn't believe in love and has a bunch of rules as to how relationships work. Then this girl meets a guy who turns her world upside down. Now you might be thinking.... haven't I read this book? Haven't I seen this movie? Here is the thing... you may have heard the story but you've never seen anything like these CHARACTERS. Remi the main character is kick butt. She is gutsy and a little bit crazy but very sarcastic and witty. As a foil for her we have Dexter. Dexter is described as "all angles", he is charismatic, and has a way of getting under Remi's skin that just MAKES YOU LAUGH.

The Truth About Forever

For starters you should know this book will make you "Sa-Woon!". Macy is a girl who has spent the better part of the last couple years trying to be perfect. It should come as no surprise though that just when she thinks she has it all figured out, the ball drops, and she walks herself into a job catering at "Wish". While catering at Wish she forms a friendship with Kristy, Monique, Bert, and... pause for it.. Wes. **Sigh** Wes is essentially a dream. Macy describes him as "The boy all the girls want to rebel with, plus the whole tortured artist bit". Wes will woo you with his sweet humility and his irresistible charm. Wes is my favorite of all the Sarah Dessen leading men.

That is all for now!

Signing off,

Reader Girl