Ticker

Ticker by Lisa Mantchev

Ticker by Lisa Mantchev.  Skyscape Publishing, Seattle, WA, 2014. ISBN 978-1477825280

Summary

In a steampunk society, Penny Farthing lives with a clockwork heart.  After surgeon Calvin Warwick saved her, she became an Augmented: humans who have clockwork hearts and mechanical body parts. Life as an Augmented isn’t easy: Penny has to be careful not to overexert her body and remember to wind up her heart every hour. While she tries to live life as an Augmented teenager, Calvin Warwick faces trial for mass murder.  Penny knows that Calvin’s intentions was to make her another heart and save her life again, but the rest of their community views him as an evil murderer.

Now as the trial is underway for Warwick, Penny and her twin brother Nic, face more problems. In one day, their parents are kidnapped, their home ransacked, and their factory bombed. Whoever is behind it all demands that Penny and Nic hand over their parents research about the Augmented or else they will be killed. Now Penny must figure out who is after her family, with the help of some new friends including handsome, brooding general Marcus Kingsley.

Critical Evaluation

The world building in Ticker is wonderful. There is a nice mix of modern technology along with traditional steampunk—instead of texting, Penny uses a “personal aethergraph” to send messages.   While there are a lot of steampunk names and inventions sprinkled throughout the story, it’s never confusing to the reader what’s going on. And the setting of an alternate universe Victorian England is pure, traditional steampunk.

Penny is a strong character who doesn’t view herself as a damsel in distress. While she does fall for Marcus, she also establishes that she is a strong girl who can take care of herself in spite  of the  fact that she has a windup heart. The supporting characters of Nic, Violet, Sebastian, and Marcus are all strongly written as well without ever seeming too perfect or fake.  The plot itself is fun and moves along nicely, giving the audience just enough story background before jumping right into the action.  Ticker is a wonderful, imaginative story for teens looking to get into the steampunk world.

Reader’s Annotation

When Penny’s parents are kidnapped and her world is falling apart, she won’t let a little thing like a clockwork heart stop her from finding out the truth.

About the Author

“Lisa Mantchev is a temporally-displaced Capricorn who casts her spells from an ancient tree in the Pacific Northwest. When not scribbling, she is by turns an earth elemental, English professor, actress, artist, and domestic goddess. She shares her abode with her husband, two children, and three hairy miscreant dogs.

She is best known as the author of the young adult fantasy trilogy, The Théâtre Illuminata. Published by Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan,) the series includes the Andre Norton and Mythopoeic awards-nominated EYES LIKE STARS (2009), PERCHANCE TO DREAM (2010), and SO SILVER BRIGHT (2011.) Her young adult steampunk novel TICKER is now available from Skyscape/Amazon. Her picture books, STRICTLY NO ELEPHANTS and SISTER DAY!, are forthcoming from Paula Wiseman/S&S.”

 (Lisa Mantchev  Retrieved November 12^th, 2014 from http://www.amazon.com/Lisa-Mantchev/e/B001JSE9PE/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0)

Genres

Steampunk

Fantasy

Curriculum Ties   N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1: How does Penny’s windup heart make her different from her friends?

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 14+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

N/A

Why included?

I included Ticker because it’s a new YA release and because of its steampunk themes. I also loved the characters and there was plenty of action and humor to keep me interested.  

Far Far Away

Far Far Away by Tom McNeal

Far Far Away by Tom McNeal. Knopf Books for Young Readers, New York, 2013. ISBN: 978-0375849725

Summary

Ever since the age of six, Jeremy Johnson Johnson has been able to hear ghosts. But only one ghost has stuck with him throughout the years--Jacob Grimm, one of the Brothers Grimm. Jacob is not an angry spirit and instead helps Jeremy out with normal things such as homework and girl advice, as well as protecting him from evil he cannot see--including the evil in his small town. 

 Jeremy doesn’t  really believe in evil or curses, until one of his classmates magically falls in love with him. After taking a bite from an enchanted cake, Ginger Boultinghouse falls in love with the first person she sees--who just happens to be Jeremy. 

But his classmate falling in love with him is the least of Jeremy’s problems.  Strange things are happening in town and everyone seems to have a deadly secret they’d do anything to keep. Now with the help of Jacob’s spirit and Ginger, Jeremy must figure out how to stop the evil in town before it’s too late.  

Critical Evaluation

Far Far Away reads similar to a Brothers Grimm fairytale, with a modern twist. The classic elements of a fairytale are all in the story: love at first sight, a normal boy must become a hero, a curse upon a small town.  However, McNeal uses plot twists and surprises to keep the story original.  

The omnipresent narrative of Jacob Grimm’s spirit allows readers the chance to observe everything going on in the story. McNeal also interweaves German history and personal facts from the Brothers Grimm throughout the plot, giving the plot a historical fiction feel.

It may be hard for some readers to get into the point of view of Grimm’s ancient spirit, and the prose can be a little clumsy at times.  There’s no foul language or bloody violence, making this a perfect read for both older and younger teens.  For readers looking for a fairytale adaptation with a male main character, Far Far Away is an entertaining and interesting book.

Reader’s Annotation

Jeremy Johnson Johnson and the spirit of one of the Brothers Grimm find themselves living in their own dark fairytale.

About the Author

 “Tom McNeal was born and raised in Santa Ana, California, but spent part of every summer at the Nebraska farm where his mother grew up.  After earning a BA in English at UC Berkeley and an MFA in Creative Writing at UC Irvine, he lived and worked in the region of Nebraska that inspired his critically acclaimed novels, Goodnight, Nebraska and To Be Sung Underwater.  Tom has been a Wallace Stegner Fellow and a Jones Lecturer at Stanford University and is the recipient of the James Michener prize and two California Book Awards. His short stories have been widely anthologized, and "What Happened to Tully" was the basis of the award-winning independent film: Tully.   His solo young adult novel, Far Far Away, was a finalist for the National Book Award in 2013.”

 (About the McNeals.    Retrieved November 3^rd, 2014  from http://mcnealbooks.com/authors.aspx)

Genres

Fantasy

Fairy Tales

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1: Difference between Brother Grimm fairytales and Disney fairytales.

2: How does McNeal make the book different from other fairytale retellings?

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 14+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

N/A

Why included?

I included Far Far Away for readers looking for more fairytale adaptations. I also liked the presence (pun intended) of Jacob Grimm’s spirit.

A Great and Terrible Beauty

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray, Random House, New York, 2005. ISBN 978-0385732314

Plot Summary

In 1895,  Gemma Doyle is a young woman enjoying her unconventional

life in India.  But when her mother is mysteriously killed on Gemma’s sixteenth birthday, she is forced to leave India for the posh Spence Academy boarding school in London. Fitting in with ‘proper’ ladies of society is hard enough for Gemma and so is  learning how to be a proper lady herself.

Gemma is also struggling with something the other girls aren’t: supernatural visions like the one that foretold her mother’s death. A mysterious young man is following  Gemma’s every move and seems to know something about her mother’s death.  After becoming friends with popular Felicity, beautiful Pippa, and her roommate, Ann, Gemma discovers a journal on the outskirts of the school grounds. The journal details a secret order of girls that practiced magic at Spence twenty-five years ago.

Suddenly realizing there is more to life than just being a proper lady, Gemma and her friends decide to start their own Order and begin practicing magic. But the girls soon realize that even their safe little world has dark secrets, secrets that could destroy them if they aren’t careful.

Critical Evaluation

Bray manages to combine historical fiction, fantasy, and paranormal themes together seamlessly in this novel.   The Victorian England setting and society’s desire for the characters to act like ladies provide a nice contrast to the girl’s true desires.   The historical detail doesn’t derail from the main focus of the characters trying to find their own identity. While the plot does take place over a hundred years ago, readers today can still relate to the emotions and desires of Gemma and her friends. The fantasy world and magic doesn’t overshadow the rest of the plot and doesn’t come across as far-fetched.   

Another strong focus throughout the novel is Gemma’s personal journey. Gemma starts her narrative confused about where her life will lead her. Her safe, secure life is suddenly taken away from her after the death of her mother. While Gemma knows she can’t follow the rules and expectations of society, she also has to try to fit in the best she can. Trying to find her identity and her place in the world is something many teens (and even adults) can relate to.

Reader’s Annotation

After the mysterious death of her mother, Gemma must find her own inner strength and power, in order to survive her new life.

            About the Author

“What is it about writing an author bio that gives me that deer-in-headlights feeling? It's not exactly like I'm going to say "I was born in Alabama..." and somebody's going to jump up and snarl, "Oh yeah? Prove it!" At least I hope not.

I think what gets me feeling itchy is all that emphasis on the facts of a life, while all the juicy, relevant, human oddity stuff gets left on the cutting room floor. I could tell you the facts-I lived in Texas for most of my life; I live in New York City with my husband and five-year-old son now; I have freckles and a lopsided smile; I'm allergic to penicillin.

But that doesn't really give you much insight into me. That doesn't tell you that I stuck a bead up my nose while watching TV when I was four and thought I'd have to go to the ER and have it cut out. Or that I once sang a punk version of "Que Sera Sera" onstage in New York City. Or that I made everyone call me "Bert" in ninth grade for no reason that I can think of. See what I mean?”

(Libba Bray. Retrieved September 25^th, 2014 from http://www.amazon.com/Libba-Bray/e/B001IGQHL6)

Genres

Historical Fiction

Fantasy/paranormal

Curriculum Ties

Victorian History

Booktalking Ideas

1:  Which of the girls do you most identify with? Why?

2: If you could create your own Realms, what would they look like?

Reading  Level/Interest Age

12+

Grades 7+

Challenge Issues

Violence/Murder

Sexual situations

Themes of magic and psychics

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why included?

 I included this book, because it is a favorite of mine. It also has a good cross selection of genres and the characters are strong, relatable young women that other teenagers would identify with. 

Grave Mercy

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers. HMH Books for Young Readers, New York City, 2012. ISBN:  978-0547628349

Summary

In medieval France, seventeen year old Ismae has just escaped an arranged marriage. After her husband sees her birthmark, which marks her as a servant of the god of Death, Ismae is saved by a priest who takes her to St. Mortain’s convert. The sisters at this convert worship and serve Mortain, who is not just a saint, but the god of Death.  After meeting with the convert’s abbess, Ismae learns that her journey there was not a mistake--she  has been chosen by the god of Death and has been given special skills to do his work. All of the sisters have special skills, such as predicting death and healing themselves.

After passing her first test—drinking poison wine that does not kill her—Ismae is officially brought into the convert to train under the sisters. All of the women are trained in assassination, killing people that Mortain has asked them to.  While Ismae is at first unsure of her role, the sisters tell her that she was chosen especially by Mortain and must do his will for her life’s work. Now Ismae must learn the art of assassination and how to survive as a daughter of Death.  

Critical Evaluation

The world building in Grave Mercy contains a nice mix of historical fiction and fantasy. The mythology of the god of death mixed in with traditional religion was a nice touch and added something original to the story.  The historical details were easy to understand without too many confusing terminology and the plot moved along at a steady pace with plenty of action.  The author also included a “Who’s Who” guide at the beginning of the book, making it easy to remember the many characters in the book.  

There are plenty of strong female characters throughout the book.  While Ismae first comes to the convert weak and afraid, she is soon trained to become strong, both mentally and physically. The other sisters are also strong and don't allow their weaknesses define who they can be.

Some readers may be turned off by Grave Mercy’s 500 some pages and historical setting. But fans of historical fiction and fantasy will enjoy the first book in the “His Fair Assassins” trilogy.  

Reader’s Annotation

In a medieval world where Mortain, god of Death, is served, Ismae joins an unconventional

convert and learns to be an assassin.

About the Author

 “Robin LaFevers was raised on a steady diet of fairy tales, Bulfinch's Mythology, and nineteenth-century poetry. It is not surprising that she grew up to be a hopeless romantic. She was lucky enough to find her one true love, and is living happily ever after with him in the foothills of Southern California. 

In addition to writing about teen assassin nuns in medieval Brittany, she writes books for middle grade readers, including the Theodosia books and the Nathanial Fludd, Beastologist series.”

 (About the Author.  Retrieved October 2^nd, 2014 http://www.robinlafevers.com/about-the-author/)

Genres

Historical Fiction

Fantasy

Curriculum Ties

Medieval History

Booktalking Ideas

1: Discuss traditional women’s roles in medieval time versus the assassins at St. Mortain’s convert.

2:  If Ismae hadn’t joined the convert, what would have happened to her?

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 14+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

N/A

Why included?

I included this because of the strong female characters, the historical fiction and fantasy hybrid, and of course, the assassin nuns.