The Killers Cousin

Werlin, N. (1998). The Killer's Cousin. Random House: New York, NY (9780385325608)

David Yaffe is being forced to move to Boston to live with his relatives in whom he rarely has spent any time with and has only experienced animosity between his mother and Aunt Julia. David must move even though he has been acquitted of killing his girlfriend Emily the year before. David must move because he needs to finish high school. David must move in order to experience a second chance from the accident that haunts his life.

Nancy Werlin’s The Killer’s Cousin grabs the reader’s attention from the moment you open the book. As a reader, you believe initially that you will be sharing the experience of heartache, pain, and overcoming horror in life. However, what you soon realize in this suspense mystery that there is more than meets the eye with David’s younger cousin, Lily.

From the moment the reader meets Lily, you are surrounded by questions that are never answered until the very end of the novel. As a reader you know less about the actual events than the main character David. David experiences ghost, mysterious whispers, and interesting occurrences in his upstairs apartment.

The ghost, who we come to find out is Lily’s older sister Kathy, is sending messages to seek help for her younger sister who killed her out of jealousy. As the story comes to an end, we find that Lily, in her rebellion of having another older relative take away her parents’ attention, is actually seeking help in dealing with her own secret at such a young age. Lily poisoned her sister. Lily must live with the truth for the rest of her life.

Lily attempts to pay for her mistakes by killing herself so that she will never make the same mistake again. David actually teaches Lily a lesson of overcoming fear, "And it doesn't matter," I said with difficulty. "It doesn't matter how you got there, or whether you never meant to do anything so horrible. What's true every day is that you are on the other side. Alone. Knowing -That you could do it again," finished Lily softly. (p. 225). “I know, but your punishment isn’t to die. It’s to live with it. Like me, Lily” (p. 208).

The book has a terrifying tone to it. Werlin’s characterization of Lily keeps the readers on their toes and unsure of what will happen when the page turns. Lily has a scary psychopathic way about her. Her spying, her staring David down across the hallways, her ability to smirk at just the right moment where David is the only one to witness, and her ability to control her parents with her eleven-year old ways. Lily even becomes creative into making it appear in her parents eyes as though David is losing his own mind.  Throughout the story, the reader has growing suspicion that Kathy did not commit suicide, nor was her death an accident. However, David’s aunt and uncle, Julia and Vic chose to see Lily as an eleven year old without any maturity as to what is actually occurring within the household.

Nancy Werlin, in the Edgar Award and Mystery Writers of American Award winning novel, continues to have her readers wanting more, quicker. She grabs the reader’s attention to question and find rationales for the characters actions until the very end. She keeps the suspense and mystery alive until it is given to us in a surprising that does not leave all with a happy ending, just a new outlook on a second chance and living life with a past.

The Terrorist

Cooney, C. (1997) The Terrorist. Scholastic: New York, NY. (9780590228534)

Billy has been killed. Laura was on a mission to find who killed her little brother. Laura was not aware of what she could possibly get herself into on her adventure to locate the true terrorist. 

Caroline Cooney creates a mysterious adventure in which she brings to life a very current event: Terrorism. The Williams have moved to London from Boston Massachusetts because of their father’s new job. Billy and Laura both attend London International Academy with students from all over the world. Some of their peers are rich refugees from various countries, others are American’s whose parents must work in Europe, and some, unfortunately come from wealthy terrorist families who are in hiding from their country. Billy, an adventurous young man intrigued by the new place he will call home, was given a package in the Underground that contained a bomb. Laura is faced throughout the novel with questions and apprehensions about her classmates. “What if Billy’s killer was somebody in school? Somebody right here at L.I.A.?”(p. 65).

Laura begins to question all of her classmates’ origins and requests to see their passports. However, what Laura does not see is that the one person who was responsible for her brother’s desk actually became one of her closest friends- Jehran.

The Terrorist contains so many themes. Cooney introduces her young adult readers to adventure and suspense with the idea of terrorism. She also incorporates the theme of multiculturalism and learning to accept others for their differences, and not simply through what you hear in the news. Laura, found it difficult to understand this concept, repeatedly questioning her teachers and friends parents regarding countries in which Terrorist originate, and sensing frustration when the answer was not as cut and dry as she may have once suspected. “I don’t want details, Mr. Hollober. Just a list of who has terrorist.”(p. 73). Part of what Cooney does throughout this book is open the reader’s attention to the idea of stereo typing cultures and religions. Not only do we learn about the Arab cultures, but also about the conflict with the Irish and Brits. All of these come into question for Laura when deciphering and investigating her brother’s death.

Finally, Cooney describes the emotions that family members go through when losing a loved one. According to Books for adolescents, “Her latest offering for YA readers deals with international terrorism and reflects the horror, the sorrow, and the feeling of helplessness that random acts of violence engender among survivors.” (Teri S. Lesesne, 1997). Even though most of the story is told with Laura, the sister in mind, we get a vague sense of her parents suffering as well. 

Part of the suspense Cooney brings to the reader is that the reader knows more than the main character herself. Readers know before Laura does that her brother Billy has been killed by a terrorist attack, readers also know before Laura knows that Jehran and her family are the terrorist that killed her brother. Even though The Terrorist deals with so many underlying themes, the adventure and suspense from the point of view of a teenager with adhere to young adult readers both boys and girls. 

Books for adolescents. By: Lesesne, Teri S., Buckman, Lois, Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 10813004, Dec97/Jan98, Vol. 41, Issue 4

Notes From the Dog

Paulsen, Gary. (2009). Notes from the Dog. Random House: New York, NY. (9780385738453)

Finn, a fourteen year old boy in the novel Notes from the Dog by Gary Paulsen has a plan for his summer vacation: Talk to as little people as possible. Finn has always been an introvert and has a difficulty communicating with others; therefore he finds that he would rather envelope his life with books and his best friend, Dylan the dog. During the summer, Finn also has his best friend, Matthew living in his house with him.  Matthew is socially opposite of Finn; he is friendly, smart, can talk to anyone and is considered one of the cool kids.

Finn’s plans change when Johanna, a very beautiful, bald twenty-five year old moves in for the summer next door. Johanna has a way about her which brings out the best in Finn. Johanna, using Dylan to send messages to Finn to boost his self-esteem, actually changes Finn’s outlook on life and people by the end of the novel. Johanna, even though she is suffering from breast cancer at such a young age is ambitious. She wants to complete a triathlon and raise money to find a cure for cancer. Finn and Matthew join in on the efforts and learn many things about each other, life, and the value of life.

Gary Paulsen writes a quick read that has so many undertones. “Through a beautiful combination of humor and pathos, Paulson has us join Finn on his summer vacation, where he accidentally turns his backyard into a swamp, just as accidentally goes on his first date, cares for Johanna after chemo treatments, races in the triathlon, and receives written notes from his dog” (Alleen Pace Nilsen, 2010 ). Paulsen uses Johanna to change Finn from a loner to an ambitious, adventurous young man.

Paulsen uses this book to also create awareness to such a terrible disease: Breast cancer. He also uses humor to focus the attention on finding importance and enjoyment in life, even with such horrific news at such a young age. According to Library Media Connection, “The title comes from Finn’s dog that brings notes from Johanna to Finn. Dedicated to everyone who has faced cancer, this is a story that will make readers think about what the important things in life are, and written by Paulsen to show that cancer can’t crush the human spirit.” (Tracy Fitzwater, 2009)

Johanna teaches Finn many things as the story comes to an ending. She teaches Finn how to communicate, how to be brave, how to inquire, but most of all, how to be a risk taker at such an awkward age. “Yet this candid and tender tale, told with his signature humor, is a salute to the bravest of the brave.” (Allison Follos, 2009).

Many young adults will find that they can find themselves in the characters that Paulsen has created. Although a bit different than some of his other novels, “Notes from a Dog” gives some adventurous side to his writing through Finn and Matthew on a journey to find their true identity and to try new things to find the importance of life. Many young adults who doubt themselves due to insecurities or circumstances will find a connection with Finn. 

Arter, Lisa. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, Apr2010, Vol. 53 Issue 7, p615-615.

Fitzwater, Tracy A.. Library Media Connection, Nov2009, Vol. 28 Issue 3, p79-79.

Follos, Alison. School Library Journal, Sep2009, Vol. 55 Issue 9, p170-170.

Unlocked- Ryan Van Cleave

Unlocked-The Trailer

The Earth, My Butt, & Other Big Round Things

Mackler, Carolyn. 2003. THE EARTH, MY BUTT & OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN: 9780763620912.

Virginia Shreves struggles with being the youngest child in a family full of successful people. Her parents both work, her sister is away with the Peace Corp, and her brother was a sports hero at her high school before going to Columbia. Virginia struggles with her weight and acceptance from her family while dwelling constantly over her weight. She shares with readers how she is not sure how she is actually part of the Shreves family. She believes she was possibly switched at birth. As well as dealing with the struggles at home, Virginia is faced with high school all by herself. Her best friend Shannon has just moved across the country to Walla Walla, Washington. Now, she spends her lunches in the bathroom listening through the stalls to the popular girls. 

She dwells so much over her weight that she finds herself creating a Fat Girl Code of Conduct, which has much emphasis on relationships with boys her age. So much so, that she keeps her Monday afternoon meetings with Froggy a secret because she does not believe a boy would actually find her attractive or have real feelings for her. “4. Never, ever, ever, ever, ever push the relationship thing. Everybody knows that guys hate discussing relationships, so make it easy on him. Same goes for dates to movies and school dances. Bottom line: Let him get the milk without having to buy the cow.” (p. 17).

As the story continues, we are introduced to the silent problems that are found within any perfect family and high school socialism. “Virginia is the sassy, sad, chubby teen in a "perfect," prominent family. Cracks occur when idolized college brother Byron, commits date rape. Piercings and wild clothes symbolize Virginia's rebellion, enhance her confidence, and unexpectedly help heal family rifts.” (Hoffman, 2005). Still she receives very little positive attention from her family until the end of the story when she realizes, “Now that I’ve been deemed an official family member, I’m not even sure I want that affiliation.” (p. 245). She realizes the skinny girls at school suffer in different ways, such a bulimia. 

With a bit of rebellion, The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things presents a coming of age story of finding yourself, and being comfortable in your own skin. Virginia had to become happy with herself in order to become healthy. Even though she was not one of the skinny girls at the end of the story, she found a comfort in who she was. She began kickboxing to become healthy. She found that Froggy actually did like her and find her attractive. She found out that she could make a difference within her school community by creating an online newspaper for her school to speak out about what is really going on within the school. She found herself, for herself and no one else. “Maybe it can mean whatever I want it to mean, like taking care of myself and not letting people walk all over me.” (p. 245).

Many readers will find that they can relate to Virginia. “The teen’s funny, rocky journey to self-acceptance also includes a brush with self-mutilation, incredulity that the boy she experiments with sexuality likes her and the support of a sister who escaped to the Peace Corps.” (Hoffman, 2005). She is humorous in her life issues, however, these issues create a controversy as some have asked for it to be censored “for sexual content, antifamily, offensive language, and unsuitability to age group.” (American Libraries, 2007)

Resources:

American Libraries, Apr2007, Vol. 38 Issue 4, p10-10, 3/5p

Hofmann, Mary. School Library Journal, Nov2005, Vol. 51 Issue 11, p58-58, 1/9p

The Chosen One

Williams, Carol Lynch.  (2009).  THE CHOSEN ONE A NOVEL.  New York:  ST Martin's Griffin.  ISBN 9780312555115

Kyra is one of twenty-two children her father has with three different wives. She has grown up on a polygamist compound known as “The Chosen Ones”. As a teenager, Kyra starts to question some of the ideas that are happening within the compound she calls home. She rebels in her mind against the burning of all books, and eventually finds an out when she is introduced to the Irontron County Mobile Library. She becomes friends with the driver, Patrick, who the reader can infer, knows the truth behind Kyra’s lifestyle, and offers assistance even before Kyra contemplates leaving the compound. “You know, Kyra,” Patrick says. He looks at me down the steps. “If you ever need a ride into town, I can give you one.” (p.67).Patrick becomes extremely important in Kyra’s life of conflicts of what she believes are right or wrong. 

Many themes are evident throughout this novel. Normalcy, cults, religious and self-freedom are a few. Kyra’s character is unsure if what she sees on the compound is truly the work of God. “The forced marriage brings with it more than a whiff of child rape, though Williams unnecessarily pushes every button by also depicting the church hierarchy as murderers who use their religiosity to sadistically control and humiliate their parishioners,” (Kirkus Review, 2009). She also questions her obedience to the Prophets, especially after she was chosen to be the wife of her uncle, the seventh wife. “I know I should be quiet. That I should do what I’m told. But I can’t help it. Anger scream tears from me. Without meaning to, I’m crying.” (p.89). 

Many important parts of this story are told through Kyra’s mind. Carol Lynch Williams choice to tell the story through Kyra is extremely important to the audience. Even though Kyra may say one thing aloud, the reader gets to understand Kyra from her thoughts.  The reader gets to see the constant struggle she faces with staying on the compound with her family, or setting herself free from having to marry her sixty-year old uncle. “Mother and Father stand in the kitchen. His arms are around her and she rests against him. Look what I have caused, I think. Look at this grief.” (p. 96). 

Even though readers can understand Kyra having struggles with true love, such as her love with Joshua, they may find it difficult to understand the life of living within a cult. The story ends leaving you wonder if Kyra is going to truly find freedom from her troubles, or if she will find life more difficult on the outside.” Kyra presents a poignant story that is compelling and powerful. Readers will not be able to put the book down as they cheer for a positive outcome,” (Glantz, 2009). Young readers who are interested in a different culture, as well as books with open endings will enjoy this novel. “Within a fast-moving story, Williams creates sympathetic characters, and readers will hold their breath right to the end, hoping that Kyra wins her freedom.” (Philpot, 2009). 

Reviews:

Glantz, Shelley. Library Media Connection, Oct2009, Vol. 28 Issue 2, p77-77, 1/7p

PHILPOT, CHELSEY. Horn Book Magazine, May/Jun2009, Vol. 85 Issue 3, p311-311, 1/2p

Kirkus Reviews, 4/1/2009, Vol. 77 Issue 7, p397-397, 1/4p