Author: Joyce Carol Oates
Title: Freaky Green Eyes
Publisher: HarperTempest
Publication Date: 2003
Age range: 14 - 18
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Plot summary: Fifteen year old Francesa "Franky" Pierson is caught in the middle of a disintegrating family life. Faced with the confusion of parents who say one thing and then act completely differently, Franky starts to feel like a second personality is taking over her at the most stressful times, a coping mechanism for how to explain her own erratic behavior. Franky called this other side of herself Freaky Green Eyes; with curly red hair and intense green eyes, Franky feels that when Freaky takes over, someone might be able to see her other side through her eyes and suspect that she has lost control. Freaky is the one who acts on the strong emotions Franky sometimes feels.
Franky's father is a famous TV personality – an ex-athlete who was forced to retire early due to injury. Reid Pierson is excellent at putting up a perfect, glamorous front, and abhors weakness of any sort. Franky's mother, Krista, has worked for years at being the picture-perfect wife, but after almost two decades of marriage she begins to chafe under Reid's controlling personality, and tries to carve out a life for herself in a quiet artistic community. Reid refuses to let their two daughters speak to Krista or even see her, telling them that Krista has betrayed them all by leaving the family. Franky vacillates between wanting to believe the lies her father is telling them, and knowing that his actions do not match his increasingly erratic and desperate behavior. When Krista goes missing, Reid is suspected by the authorities, and he tells his family to pull together and support him. In a last effort to help Krista, Franky finally has to listen to what the part of her mind she has been trying to shut out has been telling her – her father's story doesn't add up, and Krista is in real trouble.
Comments: Oates normally writes for adults, and I was previously unaware that she has also written for young adults. This is a page-turning story with several different writing styles. Franky writes mostly in the first person, then later in the book the text reads like a police report of her responses to questions, without the questions being given to the reader – because in the context of her answers they are obvious. Later, Franky finds some of her mother's journal writing and the reader gets to briefly experience some of Krista's thoughts and impressions as well, in her own words. It is easy to become frustrated with Franky because she usually allows herself to be controlled by her abusive father, excusing his words and actions while he is constantly threatening his young daughters and influencing their perception of their mother's actions with his lies and theatrics. Ultimately, Franky does the right thing and tears off the blinders her father has been controlling her with, putting together the pieces and relying on an outside ally – Krista's sister, Franky's aunt Vicky – to help Krista as best they can. Throughout the book, however, it is frustrating to read Franky's words and recognize how she is being controlled by her father. This is more of a psychological YA novel than any I've read previously. The end is satisfying but the story is painful. Teen readers will be forced to think about how what people say and how they act may not match up – and how important it is to think for oneself and try to step outside of an emotional situation in order to judge what is really happening.
Dates Read: 25 – 30 January
Friday, January 30, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Magazine Review: Vibe
Magazine: Vibe
Cover Story: Kanye West
Publication Date: February 2009
Age Range: 14 - 19
Genre: Multicultural / Music / Celebrities
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Comments: While doing my library observation at the Halifax North branch of HPL this weekend I took a look at the latest Vibe magazine. A close up of pop superstar Kanye West's face graced the cover. I noticed that the advertisements feature mostly black and latino models and celebrities. Most of the articles were about current pop or hip hop music, although there were a couple of nods to the history of pop music and Motown, with a vintage photograph of Michael Jackson in his 'Thriller' days, and Smokey Robinson's writing and performing skills. There was a little bit of sports coverage, and more than one advertisement for the movie, Notorious, about Notorious B.I.G., soon to be released. There was also a little bit on travel, like the description of Beyoncé's latest world tour. I think Britney Spears was the only white performer mentioned in the whole magazine, so the intended audience is probably largely multiracial. I was surprised by the sexiness of some of the photo shoots, especially those for fashion labels – the models looked to be about 16 years old, but acting like they're ten years older. There was also some coverage of current television shows, including a couple that focus on queer issues, which was good to see included in this mainstream magazine. Overall, I would say this magazine is appropriate for older teens with an interest in mainstream popular culture.
Date Read: 24 January 2009
Cover Story: Kanye West
Publication Date: February 2009
Age Range: 14 - 19
Genre: Multicultural / Music / Celebrities
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Comments: While doing my library observation at the Halifax North branch of HPL this weekend I took a look at the latest Vibe magazine. A close up of pop superstar Kanye West's face graced the cover. I noticed that the advertisements feature mostly black and latino models and celebrities. Most of the articles were about current pop or hip hop music, although there were a couple of nods to the history of pop music and Motown, with a vintage photograph of Michael Jackson in his 'Thriller' days, and Smokey Robinson's writing and performing skills. There was a little bit of sports coverage, and more than one advertisement for the movie, Notorious, about Notorious B.I.G., soon to be released. There was also a little bit on travel, like the description of Beyoncé's latest world tour. I think Britney Spears was the only white performer mentioned in the whole magazine, so the intended audience is probably largely multiracial. I was surprised by the sexiness of some of the photo shoots, especially those for fashion labels – the models looked to be about 16 years old, but acting like they're ten years older. There was also some coverage of current television shows, including a couple that focus on queer issues, which was good to see included in this mainstream magazine. Overall, I would say this magazine is appropriate for older teens with an interest in mainstream popular culture.
Date Read: 24 January 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson – Louise Rennison
Author: Louise Rennison
Title: Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson
Publisher: HarperTempest (of Harper Collins)
Publication Date: 1999
Age range: 13 - 17
Genre: Awared Winning Ficiton (Printz Award) / Romance / Realistic Fiction
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Plot summary: Georgia Nicolson is a girl on the cusp of womanhood – and she worries constantly about how to behave around boys, how to get through her dreary school days, and – this is important! - how to make her nose look smaller. This diary-style story is packed full of young adult drama in the form of school-chum rivalries, parental confrontations, and a cat that is half Scottish wildcat and therefore totally out of control. There is a glossary at the back to help US readers decipher some of the more colorful British terms, like "snogging" (kissing), "fringe" (bangs, as in part of a hairstyle), and "dummy" (a pacifier). Over the course of a year, Georgia has trouble with her school mates, difficulties at home when her dad can't find a job and moves to New Zealand to try to stabilize the family finances, and extreme drama over Robbie "the Sex God" who is a good looking 17 year old boy who seems to get any girl he chooses. Reading Georgia's journal entries, which reflect her wild mood swings as well as her utter lack of common sense, and yet wicked sense of humor, is highly entertaining.
Comments: I definitely laughed out loud. Georgia's style of writing is so straightforward and blunt, and reflective of the questions and emotions that a teenage girl faces with the many difficulties of just getting up in the morning. The diary-style writing is a somewhat new form for me, but I think it works, as it keeps the story rolling. It is sweet to see how Georgia really values her family – for example, finding her toddler sister Libby (who occasionally pees in the bed) cute and cuddly rather than disgusting – even when Libby constantly refers to Georgia as "bad boy!" It would be nice to see Georgia get a bit more self-esteem, as she is clever and funny, and apparently taller than all her friends, thought it's hard to know what her looks are truly like, and perhaps her self-esteem will improve in the next volume of her diary annals – I will be on the lookout for them!
Dates Read: 20 January – 24 January
Title: Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson
Publisher: HarperTempest (of Harper Collins)
Publication Date: 1999
Age range: 13 - 17
Genre: Awared Winning Ficiton (Printz Award) / Romance / Realistic Fiction
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Plot summary: Georgia Nicolson is a girl on the cusp of womanhood – and she worries constantly about how to behave around boys, how to get through her dreary school days, and – this is important! - how to make her nose look smaller. This diary-style story is packed full of young adult drama in the form of school-chum rivalries, parental confrontations, and a cat that is half Scottish wildcat and therefore totally out of control. There is a glossary at the back to help US readers decipher some of the more colorful British terms, like "snogging" (kissing), "fringe" (bangs, as in part of a hairstyle), and "dummy" (a pacifier). Over the course of a year, Georgia has trouble with her school mates, difficulties at home when her dad can't find a job and moves to New Zealand to try to stabilize the family finances, and extreme drama over Robbie "the Sex God" who is a good looking 17 year old boy who seems to get any girl he chooses. Reading Georgia's journal entries, which reflect her wild mood swings as well as her utter lack of common sense, and yet wicked sense of humor, is highly entertaining.
Comments: I definitely laughed out loud. Georgia's style of writing is so straightforward and blunt, and reflective of the questions and emotions that a teenage girl faces with the many difficulties of just getting up in the morning. The diary-style writing is a somewhat new form for me, but I think it works, as it keeps the story rolling. It is sweet to see how Georgia really values her family – for example, finding her toddler sister Libby (who occasionally pees in the bed) cute and cuddly rather than disgusting – even when Libby constantly refers to Georgia as "bad boy!" It would be nice to see Georgia get a bit more self-esteem, as she is clever and funny, and apparently taller than all her friends, thought it's hard to know what her looks are truly like, and perhaps her self-esteem will improve in the next volume of her diary annals – I will be on the lookout for them!
Dates Read: 20 January – 24 January
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The Blue Djinn of Babylon – P. B. Kerr
Author: P. B. Kerr
Title: The Blue Djinn of Babylon (Children of the Lamp Series, Book Two)
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: 2006
Age range: 10 - 14
Genre: Fantasy (Series)
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Plot summary: Philippa and John Gaunt are 12 year old twins who find out they are descended from a line of djinn (who happen to dislike the word "genie"). They live in New York City with their wealthy parents, but have more fun and adventure whenever they visit with their uncle Nimrod, who divides his time between London and Cairo. All over the world there are various tribes of djinn, and they tend to be generally good or generally evil. Djinn are responsible for controlling the world's supply of luck, and, ideally, the balance is kept in homeostasis, for the benefit of humankind. Through this constant struggle, there is one ruling power, the Blue Djinn of Babylon, who steps in when things fall too out of whack, and metes out punishment if necessary. Her word is law.
In this, the second volume of the series, Philippa practices playing the famous djinn game of bluffing, Djinnverso, and enters the youth tournament. She attracts the attention of some of the enemy tribes of djinn, as well as the notice of the Blue Djinn of Babylon, who is on the lookout for her replacement. The Blue Djinn kidnaps Philippa after framing her for cheating in the tournament (all for the greater good), and brings her to the ancient (now underground) city of Babylon. The location is also the former Biblical Garden of Good and Evil, with a tree of logic that produces fruit and emits a scent which hardens one's heart to emotional involvement and allows the Blue Djinn to dispense justice fairly. John sets out to rescue Philippa with the help of his uncle Nimrod, one-armed chauffeur Mr. Groanin, and the family dogs, Alan and Neil, who happen to be the twins' uncles (they were formerly human). John must navigate a series of challenges, the first of which is infiltrating a US army base in Iraq – the series includes some awareness of current events, even as it hints at millennia of djinn involvement in human affairs. In the time that it takes John to reach Philippa, she has been changed by exposure to the tree of logic, but the bond between twins is stronger, and John manages to save her.
Comments: This is a well-written series and John and Philippa are a lot of fun because although they share an extremely close bond and value each other's strengths, they also get frustrated with each other and behave like normal siblings. Although some of the coincidences in the series are too good to be true, it wonderful that Kerr inserts many exotic locations and tidbits about customs in foreign countries and cultures. Young adults could learn a lot about other places and perhaps be inspired to travel. This book ends on a cliffhanger, with some of the loose ends from the story not tied up – like one of the enemy djinn whom Philippa, John and Nimrod helped to imprison in the first book escaping his sentence from the Blue Djinn and tipping the balance of luck into the bad area once again. Also, it is not clear who will take over from the Blue Djinn when she dies, which will be shortly as she knows she is reaching the end of her lifeline. There are a couple of candidates – Philippa's mother has agreed to take her daughter's place, though she hasn't told her family, and Nimrod has also come up with a possible candidate in the meantime. I see on Amazon that the fifth book in this series has just been released this month, and while at Spring Garden Public Library looking for book two after I read book one, I saw that they had up to book four as well, so they've been adding to the collection as these books are released.
Great Dialog at djinn tournament (where no magic can be used, so djinn use wit to insult each other – it's tradition!):
"'Clever boy,' smiled Izaak [a sneaky djinn]. You're not as dumb as you look.'
'I can always read another book,' said John. 'But you'll always be ugly.'
Izaak grinned. 'You're quite good at this insult thing.'
'I have a sister', said John. 'I get plenty of practice.'"
Dates Read: 17 January – 20 January
Title: The Blue Djinn of Babylon (Children of the Lamp Series, Book Two)
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: 2006
Age range: 10 - 14
Genre: Fantasy (Series)
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Plot summary: Philippa and John Gaunt are 12 year old twins who find out they are descended from a line of djinn (who happen to dislike the word "genie"). They live in New York City with their wealthy parents, but have more fun and adventure whenever they visit with their uncle Nimrod, who divides his time between London and Cairo. All over the world there are various tribes of djinn, and they tend to be generally good or generally evil. Djinn are responsible for controlling the world's supply of luck, and, ideally, the balance is kept in homeostasis, for the benefit of humankind. Through this constant struggle, there is one ruling power, the Blue Djinn of Babylon, who steps in when things fall too out of whack, and metes out punishment if necessary. Her word is law.
In this, the second volume of the series, Philippa practices playing the famous djinn game of bluffing, Djinnverso, and enters the youth tournament. She attracts the attention of some of the enemy tribes of djinn, as well as the notice of the Blue Djinn of Babylon, who is on the lookout for her replacement. The Blue Djinn kidnaps Philippa after framing her for cheating in the tournament (all for the greater good), and brings her to the ancient (now underground) city of Babylon. The location is also the former Biblical Garden of Good and Evil, with a tree of logic that produces fruit and emits a scent which hardens one's heart to emotional involvement and allows the Blue Djinn to dispense justice fairly. John sets out to rescue Philippa with the help of his uncle Nimrod, one-armed chauffeur Mr. Groanin, and the family dogs, Alan and Neil, who happen to be the twins' uncles (they were formerly human). John must navigate a series of challenges, the first of which is infiltrating a US army base in Iraq – the series includes some awareness of current events, even as it hints at millennia of djinn involvement in human affairs. In the time that it takes John to reach Philippa, she has been changed by exposure to the tree of logic, but the bond between twins is stronger, and John manages to save her.
Comments: This is a well-written series and John and Philippa are a lot of fun because although they share an extremely close bond and value each other's strengths, they also get frustrated with each other and behave like normal siblings. Although some of the coincidences in the series are too good to be true, it wonderful that Kerr inserts many exotic locations and tidbits about customs in foreign countries and cultures. Young adults could learn a lot about other places and perhaps be inspired to travel. This book ends on a cliffhanger, with some of the loose ends from the story not tied up – like one of the enemy djinn whom Philippa, John and Nimrod helped to imprison in the first book escaping his sentence from the Blue Djinn and tipping the balance of luck into the bad area once again. Also, it is not clear who will take over from the Blue Djinn when she dies, which will be shortly as she knows she is reaching the end of her lifeline. There are a couple of candidates – Philippa's mother has agreed to take her daughter's place, though she hasn't told her family, and Nimrod has also come up with a possible candidate in the meantime. I see on Amazon that the fifth book in this series has just been released this month, and while at Spring Garden Public Library looking for book two after I read book one, I saw that they had up to book four as well, so they've been adding to the collection as these books are released.
Great Dialog at djinn tournament (where no magic can be used, so djinn use wit to insult each other – it's tradition!):
"'Clever boy,' smiled Izaak [a sneaky djinn]. You're not as dumb as you look.'
'I can always read another book,' said John. 'But you'll always be ugly.'
Izaak grinned. 'You're quite good at this insult thing.'
'I have a sister', said John. 'I get plenty of practice.'"
Dates Read: 17 January – 20 January
The Akhenaten Adventure – P. B. Kerr
Author: P. B. Kerr
Title: The Akhenaten Adventure (Children of the Lamp Series, Book One)
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: 2005
Age range: 10 - 14
Genre: Fantasy (Series)
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Plot summary: In the first book in this series, Philippa and John Gaunt find out that their mother is a djinn when they both get out their wisdom teeth and have a joint dream where their uncle Nimrod from London, also a djinn, explains a bit about their powers and tests the children. Nimrod finds that the power of the twins is strong indeed, as when they work together they can accomplish a lot more than most normal young djinn. The wisdom teeth are the signal that a young djinn is coming into his or her power. The twins discover that their mother vowed to give up her djinn power after uncovering a plot by her human husband's brothers Alan and Neil to murder their rich brother and steal his fortune. Layla Gaunt's solution is to turn the brothers into dogs, and they become intensely loyal to the whole family, constant companions of the twins, and very smart and observant indeed. The twins go to London to learn from their uncle Nimrod about what life as a djinn is like, and whenever these three get together there is adventure. The twins are always up for a challenge, and Nimrod treats them like equals. Philippa and John get a rough introduction into the world and logic of the djinn tribes, as Nimrod begins their training in Egypt, and they stumble across a plot by a notoriously evil djinn to enslave a group of ancient, entombed djinn to his will, tipping the balance of good and evil quite far in his direction.
Comments: Kerr's writing style is fast-paced and entertaining. His descriptions of ancient artifacts and archaeological digs should be fascinating to middle-school aged young adults. Kerr's depiction of family relationships is believable, and the excitement of the twins on discovering more about their powers is fun. It's also nice to see that even as the twins become more powerful and learn more about the djinn world, they retain the respect for their elders that other djinn children they come into contact with do not have. By raising the children as normal humans, Mrs Gaunt seems to have done them a real favor, even if they do not appreciate it initially. With the power to grant wishes, other young djinn have difficulty staying grounded, but John and Philippa value quick thinking and problem solving just as much as performing magic – probably because their minds are more often the tool that gets them out of precarious situations. Kerr has set up a world where endless adventures can be had, as the culture and history of the dinn is uncovered.
Date Read: December 2008
Title: The Akhenaten Adventure (Children of the Lamp Series, Book One)
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: 2005
Age range: 10 - 14
Genre: Fantasy (Series)
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Plot summary: In the first book in this series, Philippa and John Gaunt find out that their mother is a djinn when they both get out their wisdom teeth and have a joint dream where their uncle Nimrod from London, also a djinn, explains a bit about their powers and tests the children. Nimrod finds that the power of the twins is strong indeed, as when they work together they can accomplish a lot more than most normal young djinn. The wisdom teeth are the signal that a young djinn is coming into his or her power. The twins discover that their mother vowed to give up her djinn power after uncovering a plot by her human husband's brothers Alan and Neil to murder their rich brother and steal his fortune. Layla Gaunt's solution is to turn the brothers into dogs, and they become intensely loyal to the whole family, constant companions of the twins, and very smart and observant indeed. The twins go to London to learn from their uncle Nimrod about what life as a djinn is like, and whenever these three get together there is adventure. The twins are always up for a challenge, and Nimrod treats them like equals. Philippa and John get a rough introduction into the world and logic of the djinn tribes, as Nimrod begins their training in Egypt, and they stumble across a plot by a notoriously evil djinn to enslave a group of ancient, entombed djinn to his will, tipping the balance of good and evil quite far in his direction.
Comments: Kerr's writing style is fast-paced and entertaining. His descriptions of ancient artifacts and archaeological digs should be fascinating to middle-school aged young adults. Kerr's depiction of family relationships is believable, and the excitement of the twins on discovering more about their powers is fun. It's also nice to see that even as the twins become more powerful and learn more about the djinn world, they retain the respect for their elders that other djinn children they come into contact with do not have. By raising the children as normal humans, Mrs Gaunt seems to have done them a real favor, even if they do not appreciate it initially. With the power to grant wishes, other young djinn have difficulty staying grounded, but John and Philippa value quick thinking and problem solving just as much as performing magic – probably because their minds are more often the tool that gets them out of precarious situations. Kerr has set up a world where endless adventures can be had, as the culture and history of the dinn is uncovered.
Date Read: December 2008
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Flavor of the Week – Tucker Shaw
Author: Tucker Shaw
Title: Flavor of the Week
Publisher: Hyperion
Publication Date: 2003
Age range: 12 - 16
Genre: Realistic Fiction / Romance
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Plot summary: Cyril Bartholomew is 16 years old and a fantastic cook; his family relies on him to plan and prepare all their meals. His dream is to attend the nearby culinary school and become a real chef. Though Cyril loves to eat delicious food and to share what he makes with others, he doesn't want his classmates at school to know about his talents because he's very sensitive about his weight. Cyril is crazy about his friend Rose, even though he knows she doesn't see him "that way". Unfortunately, she does think Cyril's best friend Nick is pretty cute, and he likes her too. To Cyril's dismay, Nick ends up enlisting his help to win over Rose – and the way to Rose's heart is through her stomach. Though Cyril doesn't want to see Rose with Nick, he does want to see Rose happy, so he prepares all the things he knows she'll love, and watches Nick take the credit for the fabulous cooking. Nick's longtime blindness with regard to Cyril's weight is also something Cyril is grateful for, and another reason Cyril allows himself to get involved with Nick's plan. Of course, Rose clues in eventually when Nick's behavior doesn't match the subtlety of the flavors in the delicious dishes and snacks he tries to take credit for.
Comments: I thought this was an original approach, with a male narrator who is embarrassed about his weight, as well as the recipes interspersed throughout the book. Some of the recipes are outright complicated, and it's nice to see that the challenges of cooking and having the right ingredients and tools hasn't been 'dumbed down' for the YA audience. Each recipe relates to something served in the previous chapter, from Cyril's own 'kitchen-sink cookies' recipe to 'pressed roasted vegetable sandwiches' – and they all sound totally tasty. Cyril is the nice-guy-friend who girls don't normally want to get intimate with, but with his hidden talents, sensitivity and humor, he is really a catch. Though some of the dialog is forced, and the author is clearly trying to speak the language of his target audience, the positive messages in the book come through. Given enough time, your friends will see through your external appearance and appreciate the real you inside.
Dates Read: 10 January – 16 January
Title: Flavor of the Week
Publisher: Hyperion
Publication Date: 2003
Age range: 12 - 16
Genre: Realistic Fiction / Romance
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Plot summary: Cyril Bartholomew is 16 years old and a fantastic cook; his family relies on him to plan and prepare all their meals. His dream is to attend the nearby culinary school and become a real chef. Though Cyril loves to eat delicious food and to share what he makes with others, he doesn't want his classmates at school to know about his talents because he's very sensitive about his weight. Cyril is crazy about his friend Rose, even though he knows she doesn't see him "that way". Unfortunately, she does think Cyril's best friend Nick is pretty cute, and he likes her too. To Cyril's dismay, Nick ends up enlisting his help to win over Rose – and the way to Rose's heart is through her stomach. Though Cyril doesn't want to see Rose with Nick, he does want to see Rose happy, so he prepares all the things he knows she'll love, and watches Nick take the credit for the fabulous cooking. Nick's longtime blindness with regard to Cyril's weight is also something Cyril is grateful for, and another reason Cyril allows himself to get involved with Nick's plan. Of course, Rose clues in eventually when Nick's behavior doesn't match the subtlety of the flavors in the delicious dishes and snacks he tries to take credit for.
Comments: I thought this was an original approach, with a male narrator who is embarrassed about his weight, as well as the recipes interspersed throughout the book. Some of the recipes are outright complicated, and it's nice to see that the challenges of cooking and having the right ingredients and tools hasn't been 'dumbed down' for the YA audience. Each recipe relates to something served in the previous chapter, from Cyril's own 'kitchen-sink cookies' recipe to 'pressed roasted vegetable sandwiches' – and they all sound totally tasty. Cyril is the nice-guy-friend who girls don't normally want to get intimate with, but with his hidden talents, sensitivity and humor, he is really a catch. Though some of the dialog is forced, and the author is clearly trying to speak the language of his target audience, the positive messages in the book come through. Given enough time, your friends will see through your external appearance and appreciate the real you inside.
Dates Read: 10 January – 16 January
Saturday, January 10, 2009
CD Review: Fall Out Boy
Artist: Fall Out Boy
Album: Infinity on High
Release Date: February 2007
Age Range: 10 - 18
Genre: Rock/Pop/Emo
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Comments: This is a band I've heard about in the news especially with singer/lyricist Pete Wentz having a baby with another pop singer, Ashlee Simpson in the last year. When I took this album out from the library, I thought that I might be familiar with one or two tracks. Track seven is called 'Thnks fr th Mmrs', and I've definitely heard it on the radio. As a whole the album is very much a pop album, though with less emphasis on electronic beats or digital manipulation than a lot of pop music seems to be these days. The four members of the band have a fairly unremarkable rock/pop sound, with occasional interesting lyrics that make me wonder if teenagers understand the references. One example is track 14, called 'I've Got All This Ringing in My Ears and None on My Fingers.' The first line of the song is, "You're a canary, I'm a coal mine", and I wonder if today's teenagers will follow this reference. Track eight is called, 'Don't you know who I think I am?' and has possibly the creepiest line I picked out: "We only want to sing you to sleep". The way this line is sung is not creepy, however, but kind of sweet, so the delivery is good. The CD ends with a computerized voice saying "Now press repeat", which I thought was a fun touch.
Listened: 10 January
Album: Infinity on High
Release Date: February 2007
Age Range: 10 - 18
Genre: Rock/Pop/Emo
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Comments: This is a band I've heard about in the news especially with singer/lyricist Pete Wentz having a baby with another pop singer, Ashlee Simpson in the last year. When I took this album out from the library, I thought that I might be familiar with one or two tracks. Track seven is called 'Thnks fr th Mmrs', and I've definitely heard it on the radio. As a whole the album is very much a pop album, though with less emphasis on electronic beats or digital manipulation than a lot of pop music seems to be these days. The four members of the band have a fairly unremarkable rock/pop sound, with occasional interesting lyrics that make me wonder if teenagers understand the references. One example is track 14, called 'I've Got All This Ringing in My Ears and None on My Fingers.' The first line of the song is, "You're a canary, I'm a coal mine", and I wonder if today's teenagers will follow this reference. Track eight is called, 'Don't you know who I think I am?' and has possibly the creepiest line I picked out: "We only want to sing you to sleep". The way this line is sung is not creepy, however, but kind of sweet, so the delivery is good. The CD ends with a computerized voice saying "Now press repeat", which I thought was a fun touch.
Listened: 10 January
Friday, January 9, 2009
Janet McNaughton - An Earthly Knight
Author: Janet McNaughton
Title: An Earthly Knight
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: 2003
Age range: 12 - 18 (no true upper limit!)
Genre: Historical Fiction / Romance / Revised Fairy or Folktale (based on two ballads)
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Plot Summary: The story is set in 1162, in Scotland. Jenny (Lady Jeannette) is the 16 year old second daughter of a minor nobleman. Jenny is vivacious and pretty, but with a temper and honest manner of speaking that does not match the standards of contemporary ladies. When her older sister Isabel falls into social disgrace, it is up to Jenny to make a good match and secure the future of her family. Unfortunately she catches the eye of Earl William, brother to King Malcolm of Scotland. William is charismatic and attractive, but cruel and selfish, as well as a man who abuses his status and power by seducing young women of lower classes. Meanwhile, Tam Lin, the grandson of another nobleman, thought to be lost to the fairy folk of the forest and their magical ways (even with the presence of the Church in Scotland, many people still believe in the fairies) returns to his birthplace and meets Jenny in the forest. They fall in love, and Jenny has to face the wrath of William, the disappointment of her family, and the danger of crossing the fairy queen, who is unwilling to let go of her first knight, as she seeks to save Tam Lin's life.
Comments: This is the book I picked up in the first day of class because the cover, with an old style calligraphy font, reminded me of the historical romances I started reading as a teenager. The picture is of a young woman with long golden hair shown in front of a tree trunk, looking over her shoulder at the viewer so that her face is half-hidden behind her hair. There is some wonderful historical detail in this book, so the author has clearly done her research. At its heart this is a love story of a slightly immature young woman doing a lot of growing up in a short period of time, and learning to recognize the motivations people have for their actions. Caught up in the possibility of someday becoming the Queen of Scotland, Jenny allows her behavior toward family servants to become petty, as she stamps her feet and shouts when she doesn't get what she wants. Tam Lin is always gentle and kind, and Jenny feels herself around him - calm and at peace. Jenny also feels a strong connection to the forest and to simple, natural things, like sunlight filtering through the tree canopy, and Tam Lin himself lives away from other people, in the ruins of a former home. Though Jenny longs to have status, fine things, and a powerful husband, she also realizes quickly that actions speak louder than words, when Earl William ignores her, then showers her with attention, then practically blackmails Jenny's father to provide a larger dowry so that William will agree to marry Jenny. Just as she is about to be betrothed to William, Jenny decides to risk everything to try to sever Tam Lin's connection with the magic of the fairies and make a life with the man she loves.
Teens, particularly young women, are likely to identify with Jenny's rapid changes of temper and emotion, as well as her desire to be her own person and yet cultivate the approval of the more powerful figures in her life, especially the men. She behaves badly, then realizes that in her heart it is more important to have friendship and love than power and pretty clothes. Jenny finds that she can be brave when necessary, and that she can look for opportunities to better the lot of her family members as well as other members of the household. I enjoyed the historical details McNaughton included, as well as aspects of language and culture, at this intersection where local Scottish culture interacted with the English Church and Norman culture as well. Without overwhelming her audience with too much historical detail, McNaughton tells a good story, while educating her reader a bit at the same time.
Date read: 5 January - 9 January
Title: An Earthly Knight
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: 2003
Age range: 12 - 18 (no true upper limit!)
Genre: Historical Fiction / Romance / Revised Fairy or Folktale (based on two ballads)
Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Plot Summary: The story is set in 1162, in Scotland. Jenny (Lady Jeannette) is the 16 year old second daughter of a minor nobleman. Jenny is vivacious and pretty, but with a temper and honest manner of speaking that does not match the standards of contemporary ladies. When her older sister Isabel falls into social disgrace, it is up to Jenny to make a good match and secure the future of her family. Unfortunately she catches the eye of Earl William, brother to King Malcolm of Scotland. William is charismatic and attractive, but cruel and selfish, as well as a man who abuses his status and power by seducing young women of lower classes. Meanwhile, Tam Lin, the grandson of another nobleman, thought to be lost to the fairy folk of the forest and their magical ways (even with the presence of the Church in Scotland, many people still believe in the fairies) returns to his birthplace and meets Jenny in the forest. They fall in love, and Jenny has to face the wrath of William, the disappointment of her family, and the danger of crossing the fairy queen, who is unwilling to let go of her first knight, as she seeks to save Tam Lin's life.
Comments: This is the book I picked up in the first day of class because the cover, with an old style calligraphy font, reminded me of the historical romances I started reading as a teenager. The picture is of a young woman with long golden hair shown in front of a tree trunk, looking over her shoulder at the viewer so that her face is half-hidden behind her hair. There is some wonderful historical detail in this book, so the author has clearly done her research. At its heart this is a love story of a slightly immature young woman doing a lot of growing up in a short period of time, and learning to recognize the motivations people have for their actions. Caught up in the possibility of someday becoming the Queen of Scotland, Jenny allows her behavior toward family servants to become petty, as she stamps her feet and shouts when she doesn't get what she wants. Tam Lin is always gentle and kind, and Jenny feels herself around him - calm and at peace. Jenny also feels a strong connection to the forest and to simple, natural things, like sunlight filtering through the tree canopy, and Tam Lin himself lives away from other people, in the ruins of a former home. Though Jenny longs to have status, fine things, and a powerful husband, she also realizes quickly that actions speak louder than words, when Earl William ignores her, then showers her with attention, then practically blackmails Jenny's father to provide a larger dowry so that William will agree to marry Jenny. Just as she is about to be betrothed to William, Jenny decides to risk everything to try to sever Tam Lin's connection with the magic of the fairies and make a life with the man she loves.
Teens, particularly young women, are likely to identify with Jenny's rapid changes of temper and emotion, as well as her desire to be her own person and yet cultivate the approval of the more powerful figures in her life, especially the men. She behaves badly, then realizes that in her heart it is more important to have friendship and love than power and pretty clothes. Jenny finds that she can be brave when necessary, and that she can look for opportunities to better the lot of her family members as well as other members of the household. I enjoyed the historical details McNaughton included, as well as aspects of language and culture, at this intersection where local Scottish culture interacted with the English Church and Norman culture as well. Without overwhelming her audience with too much historical detail, McNaughton tells a good story, while educating her reader a bit at the same time.
Date read: 5 January - 9 January
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)