Don't get wound too tight... Unwind

Authored by Neal Shusterman, Unwind is a book for the kiddos on the older end of the tween range. It deals with the serious issues of abortion and is set in a post-war world where children can only be aborted retroactively. They are unwound, which is the process of surgically disassembling their (still living) bodies to be used as donors around the world. more than 99% of the body remains alive and is utilized for transplantation. The main character is Connor Lassiter, who finds out his parents have signed an order for him to be unwound because of his continual fighting. He runs away and meets additional characters Rita and Lev, who were both also scheduled to be unwound. The story chronicles their fugitive run from the Juvipolice, and their discovery of an underground network of people helping fugitive unwounds stay alive until their 18th birthday when they are legally too old to be unwound. Shusterman takes ample time introducing the main characters of the book. We get to know their personalities, weaknesses, tendencies, desires, mannerisms, etc. which truly provides the plot with a very gripping interest in the characters well-being. Because the book is set in the future, technologies are used which aren't available today which seem like quite a stretch. For example, villains known as 'clappers' have a nitroglycerin type fluid running through their veins which enables them to be human bombs without the extra equipment. All they have to do is clap and BOOM. Although this may seem borderline possible for me the story is enthralling as it takes twist after turn.

From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Written by E.L. Konigsburg, From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler chronicles the adventures of Claudia Kincaid and her brother Jamie. Claudia wants to run away from home. We never really learn all the reasons why, and Claudia even admits that she doesn't remember why. She is determined, however, to run away and stow away in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Of her multiple siblings, she elects to invite her her bother Jamie to join her because of his proficiency with both making and managing money. Claudia and Jamie run away, take a train to New York and walk to the Museum where through their wit and a bit of luck they successfully take up residence in the museum. Much of the book chronicles the realistic problems they face, such as avoiding guards and handling the money for food, laundry, etc. Some of the most interesting commentary is the sibling discussions and arguments that take place between Claudia and Jamie. Despite these arguments, however, it is very evident that they love each other and care about each others opinions and feelings. Konigsburg has done a wonderful job at recreating that authentic relationship. The character development in the book is wonderful. We feel connected to both Claudia and Jamie and are interested in their success. The main plot of the book hinges on the children's desire to anonymously help the museum identify a newly acquired sculpture believed to be done by Michaelangelo. Through their diligent effort in the library and studying the statue they come to know the source of where the sculpture is acquired... from a Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. I found myself cheering on the effort of the children to find the evidence they need. Overall, the book is very enjoyable and easy to read. It is well written and developed.

Which one is the Witch... of Blackbird Pond?

The Witch of Blackbird Pond is set in the late 1600s, and follows the protagonist, Kat, as she moves from Barbados to the puritan town of Wethersfield, Connecticut to live with her aunt and uncle. I like this book because I liked Kat. She is a strong female in a time and place where strong females are not common. She follows her heart when she befriends Hannah, the supposed witch, and Prudence, a young girl whose parents abuse and belittle her. Although these friendships put Kat's very life in peril, she puts the well-being of those she loves ahead of herself. I don't know how accurate the witch trial aspects of the book were--in the book, Kat and Hannah are both accused of being witches and the evidence against them are other's testimonies--I passed her in the street last week and she gave me the evil eye and I got sick; my cow ate from her land and gave sour milk; etc. This is how actual witch trials were held, from what I can gather. However, the fact that Kat isn't convicted surprised me. Don't get me wrong, I was glad, but I didn't believe these people would have let her off, especially based on the "evidence." I also thought her uncle's strong support of her innocence was against his character. The whole book he is very concerned with appearances and, even more so, with obedience. Kat frequently fails in both of these regards. I didn't see his character evolve enough throughout the book to warrant such an about face in the end. However, I really like this book and was grateful, if suspicious, of the neatly wrapped up happy ending.

He's a maniac... Maniac Magee

Maniac Magee chronicles the life of Jeffrey "Maniac" Magee. This book touches on many social issues that can be difficult to address with tweens. Such issues include racism, homelessness, social acceptance, bullying, socioeconomics, etc. One of the things that really makes this book shine is that the main character, Maniac, is someone I never stopped loving. He approaches all of these difficult social issues in an almost naive way, but his innocent attitude towards the issues transcends the bigotry and prejudice those around him exhibit. I find myself saying, "Maniac Magee is how I want my kids to be". The character development in the book is excellent. Maniac's friends, as well as his enemies, are described and developed in a way that makes them both endearing or annoying respectively. The friendly characters interacting with Maniac aren't just names to fill in the story, but are endearing characters that I grew to love and root for. Each of these characters seems to be positively affected by the interactions they have with Maniac as he is an example of patience, love, acceptance, and stick-to-itiveness. Through the course of the book I get the feeling that all Maniac is really looking for is love and acceptance. The same kind of love and acceptance that he is such a wonderful example of. The best thing about the book is that through Maniac's diligence and honor the book's antagonists all come to respect him for who he is.

LIBR 264 - This is it!

This is the site where I will make my professional book reviewing debut. Yay.