The Terror by Dan Simmons

I don't know how many students would enjoy reding this rather lengthy novel, but some staff might. In any case, it's what I've been reading this summer. In the mid 1800s, two British ships set sail for arctic waters; the Terror and the Erebus. We know the ships were iced in for at least two winters in northern waters, but we don't know what happened to the crews as none were ever heard from again. This story is Mr. Simmons' idea of what may have occured. It is chock full of graphic details about what it must have been like to survive (or not) in a ship being slowly crushed by the winter ice, with food supplies disappearing and scurvy coming on. It's brutal, I tell you. I feel like I've been stuck in the arctic for years in a wet woolen greatcoat with my teeth falling out from scurvy. Two criticisms: The author could have seriously used an editor, plus, I don't think he had to include the supernatural element in the form of a large, man eating, intelligent monster (though this does make for a curiously interesting ending which I did not see coming). If you are looking to cool down and you like survival stories, go ahead and give this one a shot. Just don't say I didn't warn you. (submitted by J.S. - librarian)

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

There are hundreds of Holocaust books, but this one is unusual. The setting is a German village during WWII and the main characters are primarily German citizens who survive (or do not) the war and the rise and fall of Hitler. Liesel is a young girl when she is given over to a German couple for caretaking when her mother, a communist, realizes she cannot care for her. It is Liesel who is the book thief and the main character. Through her we get to know the villagers and we live out the war and it's many hardships. Don't assume this is a dark book, however. It is chock full of warmth and gentle humor. It celebrates compassion and story. I enjoyed this rather thick book very much. I give it 4 out 5 stars. (submitted by J.S. - librarian)

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Uglies, the first in a sci fi series, takes place in the future (near future ?) in which all 16-year-olds have plastic surgery to enhance their face and body. It's referred to as "becoming pretty." This is something all kids aspire to. It is a right of passage into adulthood. Tally, the main character is looking forward to her 16th birthday when she meets Shay, who curiously, is not interested in becoming pretty. Tally and Shay become fast friends, hooverboarding (like skateboarding on air) all over the place including some old ruins, where Tally is first introduced to the idea that there is a group of humans beyond her world who are not welcome by the authorities. Who they are and why they aren't wanted is part of the mystery of the story. This is a highly readable novel. I'd give it 4 stars out of 5. (submitted by J.S. - librarian)

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult

My friend, KBD, begged me to read this book so she had someone to talk about it with. I hadn't read anything by this author before, but I am an excellent friend, so I picked it up and read it. It's an adult book, but I think high schoolers would enjoy it as much as adults. It's a great story with excellent characters who are smart and the dialogue didn't annoy me as dialogue so often does. The gist of the story is that a couple, having given birth to a child that is seriously ill, has a second child, who can help the first child survive by providing blood transfusions and other medical necessities. The second child, Anna, is now thirteen and she's had it with being poked and prodded. She's tired of being defined in relation to her sister. She wants it to stop. She wants it to stop even though it may mean the death of her sister. As you can imagine, the parents are not happy, but Anna gets a lawyer and the story begins to play out. I found it quite compelling and thought provoking, as well as entertaining. I would give it 4 1/2 stars out of 5. (submitted by J.S. - librarian)

Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks

I just finished this one. The main character is a 7-year-old genius, but I would say the book is aimed at an older audience, anywhere from 4th grade through high school. Cadel, the boy genius is sent to a college that appears from the outside to be a normal college but the classes he studies include such topics as embezzellment, computer hacking and infiltration, disguises, poisons, and more. Cadel is taught that evil is relative and the world needs people of his intelect to control it. Despite all he is taught, Cadel is basically a nice kid in a not very nice environment. All around him students are disappearing or getting wacked. There's plenty of action and intrique here, especially in the last part of the book. For me, I would give it 3 out of 5 stars, but I suspect a younger audience would really enjoy it. (submitted by J.S. - librarian)

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

I read this book a few months ago. I admit I am a bit of a survival wonk, as in the idea of being put in a survival mode fascinates me, though I pray never to have to actually be in a situation in which I would have to survive because I would be toast. Still, I love reading about other unfortunates who are in such situations. Life As We Know It is the story of a high school girl whose world changes drastically when Earth is hit by an asteroid. She and her family have to survive in their house cut off from nearly everyone else. It kept my attention all the way through. I think the author captured what this experience would be like for a teenager trapped with her family. I'd give it a 4 out 5 star rating. (submitted by J.S. - librarian)

What RU Reading?

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