ALAN v28n2 - Young Adult Books In Review: Recently Published Titles

Young Adult Books In Review

Recently Published Titles

Jeff Kaplan, Editor

3x5 inches to "Clip & File"

You Don't Know Me by David Klass	Isolation/Identity/Family
Frances Foster Books, 2001, 266 pp., $17.00	ISBN: 0-374-38706-0
John, who claims that his father named him after a toilet, struggles to find a sense of belonging both at home and at school. He feels that his mother has chosen her new boyfriend, and is angry because she does not know that her boyfriend is abusing John. He struggles to find groups with which he belongs at school by playing in the band, hanging out with friends, and trying to ask girls to the dance. Some teachers sense that something is going on with John, and his band director, Mr. Steenwilly, asks him about marks he noticed on John's arm. John avoids talking directly with adults, as many of his responses occur within his mind, and he repeatedly "thinks" variations of, "You don't know me." While they may not directly identify with issues of abuse, many adolescents will identify with John's search for identity, and for a feeling that people truly know him and who he is on the inside. The language and structure of the novel are intriguing; much of John's conversation is internal, and he defines various situations through what they are not. While this difference may make the novel begin as a slow read for some, it quickly picks up the pace as John begins hanging out with friends at the mall. Jennifer Dail Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Frenchtown Summer by Robert Cornier	Coming of Age/Poverty
Delacorte, 1999, 113 pp., $16.95	ISBN: 0-385-32704-8
This exquisite novel, told in lyrical free verse, tells the story of Eugene's twelfth summer in Frenchtown, Massachussets, sometime in the 1930s,when he falls in love for the first time, get his first paper route, loses his favorite uncle, and connects with his emotionally distant father. Each chapter is a separate poem and the novel is episodic in structure. Although many of the events may seem minor, the poetry Cormier uses to show readers Eugene's life in unforgettable. Cormier brings a long forgotten era to life with this book. Readers expecting his more typical explorations of the darker elements of humanity may be disappointed, but those who savor beautiful imagery and the evocation of past times will be thrilled. Eugene's story may not be catastrophic or life threatening, but it is eventful and thought provoking. Reluctant readers may be enticed by the brief text. Ellen Greever Milwaukee, Wisconsin
At the Sign of the Star by Katherine Sturtevant	Growth to Awareness
Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, 2000, 137 pp., $16.00	ISBN: 0-374-30449-1
Twelve-year-old Meg Moore is the motherless only child of a bookseller with a thriving business in Restoration London - and that makes her an heiress. This is the story of Meg Moore's growth to awareness. Set in a British era when women were subservient to men, this work looks at the life of a motherless girl, who is faced not only with a changing family, but with a society that is in the middle of defining new roles for women. Her experiences and her dreams take her to a new maturity that will help her control her future. And help her secure her deserved fortune. As the story unfolds, Meg finds herself in a stepfamily that she mistrusts and a future that is uncertain. Seeking the advice of everyone from astrologers to literary scholars, Meg gradually learns to assert herself and her new found womanhood. Sturtevant's story and characters are believable and realistic. Adolescent readers will not only be drawn into the characters' lives, but they will come away from the reading with a better sense of the Restoration. Jeanne M. Gerlach Arlington, Texas
Play to the Angel by Maurine F. Dahlberg	Historical Fiction
Farrar, Straus, Grioux, 2000, 186 pp., $16.00	ISBN: 0-374-35994-6
Set in 1938 Vienna just before and during the Nazi takeover, this well-written, fast-paced first novel focuses on likable, admirable, and indomitable twelve-year-old Greta Radky as she pursues her dream of becoming a concert pianist. When Greta discovers that her widowed mother plans to sell their piano because she cannot cope with hearing it played after the death of Greta's brother, another promising pianist, Greta is devastated. However, with the help of a family friend and Herr Hummel, Greta's mysterious new piano teacher, Greta's mother relents and even consents to her performing in a prestigious recital. Dahlberg does a superb job in depicting the Nazi takeover, showing how many Austrian supporters - seemingly decent people - violently turned against Jews and those who wanted an independent Austria. Middle school girls, especially, will appreciate Greta's determination and her helping Herr Hummel flee to Prague, since he actually is a wellknown German pianist whose anti-Nazi actions have marked him an enemy of the state. Bill Mollineaux Granby, Connecticut
Lizzie at Last by Claudia Mills	Coming of Age
Farrar, Straus, Grioux, 2000, 160 pp., $16.00	ISBN: 0-374-34659-3
Lizzie at Last, a sequel to Losers, Inc. and You're a Brave Man, Julius Zimmerman, follows the middle school blossoming of Lizzie Archer. Lizzie selfconsciously enters the halls of West Creek Middle School suddenly uncomfortable with her love of poetry, the old-fashioned white dresses she favors, reminiscent of her idol Emily Dickinson, and her reputation as a math whiz. Embarrassed by her parents, she looks to visiting Aunt Eispeth to take her shopping for jeans and t-shirts, and to popular Marcia Faitak to give her tips on fitting in and attracting the attention of Ethan Winfield. Lizzie at Last is a predictable pre-teen novel for younger middle school students. While it does sympathetically explore the typical teen concerns about conformity and popularity, it's strictly light reading. Margaret J. Ford Campbell, Ohio
A Wizard Abroad by Diane Duane	Wizardy/ Fantasy
Harcourt Brace, 1999, 339 pp., $6.00	ISBN: 0-15-201207-9
Clearly fifteen year-old Nita's parents don't fully grasp what it means for their two daughters to be wizards. Misunderstanding the nature and intensity of Nita's relationship with Kit, her wizard partner, they bundle their daughter off to Ireland to spend the summer with her father's sister, Aunt Annie, unaware that the trip actually fulfills a much larger purpose than their own, and also that wizardy runs in the family. While in Ireland, Nita goes "on call" and is summoned to use her powers together with those of a group of Irish wizards to do battle with malevolent forces which, unchecked, would pull Ireland, Europe, and in fact, Earth itself into a time-space void where barriers between past and present, the physical and nonphysical, break down and dark chaos rules. Batttles with the Formori (the early monster of Ireland) and the king, Balor of the Evil Eye, and the conversations with Tualha, the cat-bard, play easily alongside the everyday realism of contemporary rural Irish life. This well written book, fourth in Duane's Wizardy series, moves quickly and will undoubtedly please wizardy fans that have outgrown Harry Potter. Peter E. Morgan Carrollton, Georgia
The Transformation Mette Newth	Historical Fiction
translated by Faith Ingwersen	ISBN: 0-374-37752-9
Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, 2000, 195 pp., $16.00
Set in fifteenth-century Greenland, this novel explores the relationship between a native Inuit woman and a young Irish missionary, both seeking answers to spiritual questions and struggling to survive in a harsh, frozen environment. Navarana saves Brendan's life when she finds him in a deserted church settlement, but Brendan is convinced he must save her soul from her "heathen" Shaman religion. The Transformation is a new look, in a very ancient setting, at the need for religious and cultural tolerance. The beautiful descriptions of the Greenlandic landscape mixed with the mystical visions and awakenings experienced by the characters make for fascinating reading. This story would be especially appropriate for high school and mature middle school readers. Patti Cleary Peninsula, Ohio
Jerome by William Taylor	Communication/Homosexuality
Allyson Books, 1999, 95 pp., $9.95	ISBN: 1-5583-512-0
Stylistically, Jerome is a surprising novel - beginning suspiciously like another Catcher in the Rye wanna-be, with considerably more reliance on the "F" word, then quickly moving to a tight FAX/E-mail dialogue between two friends, Marco and Katie. Their discussion and hence, the theme of this work, centers on two friends counseling each other about the unexpected suicide of a close mutual friend, Jerome. This talk between Marco and Katie becomes an analysis of Jerome's character, leading eventually to a personal encounter between these two, during which is revealed that the deceased Jerome was unwilling to accept his homosexuality. Instead, Jerome chose to end his life rather than live it as a gay person and express his love for Marco. There are twists: during the e-mails Katie reveals that she too is gay, and a disbelieving Marco attempts to persuade her that she can't be. Yet ironically, through this act, Marco discovers that he too has been repressing his own homosexuality and love for Jerome. This book is well worth the read for teachers interested in suggesting realistic fiction to those middle teens wrestling with these very tender issues. Michael Angelotti Norman, Oklahoma
The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner	Fantasy/ Adventure
Greenwillow, 2000, 279 pp., $15.95	ISBN: 0-688-17423-X
The thief, with a reputation for being able to steal anything, seems to know the Queen's castle and all its passages intimately. However, this time the Queen of Attolia, who has lost face because of him, knows he's there and eventually captures and punishes him in a horrible, unthinkable way. Eugendies feels the gods have forsaken him and his recovery from this cruel, debilitating punishment is halting and difficult. But his loyalty and dedication to the Queen of Eddis causes him to embark on a mission to bring stability to his part of the world. He must steal a man, and steal the Queen of Attolia in order to steal the peace. This fast-paced, breath-taking sequel to the Newbery Honor Book, The Thief, has fabulous twists and turns which make this not only a wonderful story of adventure but also a story about life. Diana Mitchell Williamston, Michigan
Calling the Swan by Jean Thessman	Death/Separation
Viking, 2000, 147 pp., $ 15.99	ISBN: 0-670-88874-5
The loss of a family member is always difficult for those who remain behind. Thessman explores the impact of an unanswerable question: what happened? Alexandria has been missing for three years - she simply disappeared one day while going to feed the swans in the local park. Skylar, her sister, wants to believe that Alexandria is still alive; she talks with her in Alexandria's room, sees her on the street, and at school. The family is uncertain whether to proceed with life, based on the assumption that Alexandria could return, or that she is truly gone. Skylar's mother fears her other children will disappear so she becomes overly protective, not wanting Skylar to go to summer school and interact with young people. Still, Skylar's grandmother believes that the family must somehow put their lives back together and get on with living. She supports Skylar as she begins to make new friends. Thessman captures vividly the impact such an event can have on a family. The novel will stir powerful emotions and should be recommended only to mature readers. Charles R. Duke Boone, North Carolina
Lost and Found: Award-Winning Authors Sharing Real-Life	Short Stories
Experiences Through Fiction , edited by M. Jerry Weiss and Helen Weiss	ISBN: 0-312-87048-5
Forge, 2000, 217 pp., $19.95
Here is a volume of thirteen short works guaranteed to inspire readers to read and writers to write. Lost and Found is the second short story anthology compiled by Helen and Jerry Weiss aimed at young adults. In David Lubar's "Duel Identities," sports and ethics spar as freshman Scot Tarbell defends his honor as a fencer amid a school of football players and wrestlers. Shelly Stoehr's "The Book" is about Jesse, who discovers her old high school memoirs in her parents' attic. Jesse learns - through her writings - of a long ago car accident that left her disabled and for which she still grieves. Adele Griffin tackles eating disorders in her prom story, "As Skinny Does," and Mel Glenn looks at teens hanging out in "Kids in the Mall," told in his traditional free verse. Each of the thirteen short pieces is a fast read - about fourteen pages in length. Highly accessible for both teachers and teens, this enjoyable collection brims with inspiring stories, revealing insights, informative biographies, and adaptable lessons. Lisa K. Winkler South Orange, New Jersey
Spindle's End by Robin McKinley	Fantasy/ Fairy Tale
Putnam, 2000, 422 pp., $19.95	ISBN: 0-399-239466-7
Renowned fantasy writer Robin McKinley retells the fairy tale about the dreamy Sleeping Beauty. This time, she is called Infant Princess Rosie who is cursed by wicked Pernicia to die when she pricks her finger on a spindle on her 21st birthday. That very same day, though, a good peasant fairy steals her away and raises her concealing her royal identity from others, including baby Rosie herself. As she grows toward adulthood, our Infant Princess Rosie develops strength and insight through her many experiences in the forest and her communication with her animal friends. Hence, when our heroine Rosie approaches the ill-fated 21ST birthday, she is, by now, powerful enough to thwart the destiny Pernicia intends. She avoids the spindle prick and receives, like Sleeping Beauty, a "spell-binding kiss," from a most surprising source. McKinley's rich storytelling - the fictitious countryside, the classic personification of good and evil, the magical elements, the humanized animals, the spunky peasant girl with a secret identity - work smoothly. The end result is a clever, suspenseful and highly moral fairy tale bound to please McKinley fans or any middle or high school reader who is in love with good fantasy. Marjorie M. Kaiser Louisville, Kentucky
The Grave by James Heneghan	Irish Famine/Family Heritage
Frances Foster Books, 2000, 245 pp., $ 17.00	ISBN: 0-374-32765-3
Abandoned as a baby in a department store, thirteen-year-old Tom Mullen has spent all his life in neglectful, Irish foster homes. Such experiences have left him callused yet curious about his family heritage. It isn't until after her is lured into a mass grave and mysteriously transported back in time to 1847 that he begins to piece together his family heritage. Tom is united with the Monagham family after her performs CPR on Tully Monagham, and the locals of Ireland deem him a "holy angel" because of his mysterious healing powers. Tom's assimilation is quick and soon he finds himself engaged in the struggles of the Irish potato famine. It is during this historical time period that Tom learns what a true sense of family is and through the offering of a Claddagh ring, he is reunited with his real family in his own time period. Heneghan's story is a good introduction for readers not accustomed to historical fiction. His blending of modern day with the events of the past will engage readers interested in historical struggles. Jenny R. May Mason, Ohio
Snail Mail No More by Paula Danziger and Ann M. Martin	Teen Issues, Alcoholism
Scholastic Press, 2000, 344 pp., $16.95	ISBN: 0-439-06335-3
Using the e-mail correspondence of two girls, popular children's writers Paula Danziger (The Cat Ate My Gymsuit, The Bat in Bunk Five) and Ann M. Martin (The Baby-Sitters Club Series) let us in on the lives of Tara and Elizabeth and their families. Eighth grader Tara has moved to Ohio and begins to correspond by 'snail mail' (begun in their first book, P. S. Longer Letter Later) with her best friend since childhood, left-behind Elizabeth. As in the first book, we learn that bubbly Tara likes people and drama, while introspective Elizabeth writes poetry and serves as editor for a school magazine. Tara, as a typical seventh grader, gets herself grounded periodically as a result of the mistakes she makes in her "growing up" process. Elizabeth, the wiser friend, condemns Tara's reckless behavior, while simultaneously dealing with her own problem - an alcoholic father. Funny and serious, this easy-to-read book addresses many of the problems and concerns that confront teeangers today-babysitting, boyfriends, dating, drinking, and even death. Although marred by a slow beginning, the story does achieve its own fun pace as the characters of these two girls are well revealed through the e-mails they send and the feelings they express. Connie Russell Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
True Believer by Virginia Euwer Wolff	Coming of Age
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2001, 264 pp., $18.00	ISBN 0-689-82827-6
Eight years ago readers fell in love with the spunk, determination, compassion of fourteen-year old La Vaughn in Virginia Euwer Wolff's Make Lemonade. Now fifteen, La Vaughn returns in True Believer as she continues to pursue her goal of someday going to college. Despite the poverty of her neighborhood and school, LaVaughn believes she is "lucky, born under a star, maybe," but she finds out that growing up takes more than luck. LaVaughn's compassion, beliefs, and intelligence are tested at school, in her changing relationship with childhood friends Annie and Myrtle, and in her new feelings for Jody, a boy who has returned to the housing project where LaVaughn and her mother live. True Believer explores issues relevant to today's teens in an honest and sensitive manner. Virginia Euwer Wolff gives readers a moving, beautifully written poignant story, well worth the eight year wait - a story that makes us true believers in LaVaughn and in the tenacity and resiliency of her spirit. Joan Kopperud Moorhead, Minnesota
Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer	Coming of Age/Relationships
G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2000, 186 pp., $16.99	ISBN: 0-399-23142-0
Moving from New York City to a small town in Wisconsin is the latest in a long string of disappointments for Hope. Abandoned by her mother and pining for the father she has never met, Hope yearns to stay in one place, but more importantly, to belong. Aunt Addie provides stability in Hope's life, but it is Hope's own sense of humor, her ability to relate to people, and her considerable skills as a waitress that forge her a place as an important citizen of Mulhoney, Wisconsin. In the process, Hope discovers integrity, romance, and a resolution to dreams she has long carried in her heart. Joan Bauer excels in using humor to address serious issues such as responsibility, political double-dealing and acceptance. Hope Was Here also offers a central character who, while plagued with adolescent insecurities, remains strong. This book is particularly recommended for the way it shows young people performing competently outside of school, at work, and in politics. Beverly J. Jackson Columbia, South Carolina
My Grandfather Jack the Ripper by Claudia Apone	Mystery/Thriller
Heroidas, 2000 (English translation), 200 pp., $19.00	ISBN: 1-928746-16-0
What would it be like to find out that you might indeed be a descendent of the infamous Jack the Ripper? It's a painful discovery for Andy Dobson, a realistic teenager with unusual mental powers. Andy has the ability to touch an object and visualize its past. Growing up in a shabby boarding house built by his great-great grandfather has not been easy on Andy, although he realizes the significance of his fate when his grandfather, Bob, slips and reveals the mysteries still connected to this house. Things begin to unfold quickly when a young graduate student, Massimo, arrives to write his thesis on the Ripper murders. Massimo learns of Andy's powers and teams up with Andy to uncover the secrets that lie behind the door to Room 4, the site of Ripper's last murder. The novel gave me chills and kept me guessing until its very end, when the identity of Jack the Ripper is finally revealed. Greg Hamilton New York City
Ereth's Birthday by Avi	Animals/Fantasy
HarperCollins, 2000, 180 pp., $15.95	ISBN: 0-380-9773-6
Disappointed that friends have forgotten his birthday, the curmudgeonly porcupine Ereth skulks off through Dimwood Forest in search of his favorite food, salt. Along the way he discovers a mother fox caught in a trap. Obeying her dying wish, Ereth locates her three lively kits and reluctantly cares for them. When the kits' father returns, Ereth unwillingly recognizes his strong feelings for them: love and jealousy intertwined. Heading home, his journey almost comes to a premature end when he meets the fisherman who has stalked him since the beginning of the novel. Middle school readers may not be surprised by the final plot twists, but they will delight in the way that good is triumphant and love is rewarded. The predatory nature of the animals in the final scenes adds a bit of realism, yet does not overwhelm. Ereth Birthday is a fine sequel to Ragweed, Poppy and Poppy and Rye. Kathy Pounds Winston-Salem, North Carolina
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Miserable Mill	Fantasy
Book the Fourth by Lemony Snicket	ISBN: 0-06-440769-1
Harper Trophy Publishers, 2000, 195 pp., $ 8.95
The Baudelaire children were orphaned when their parents were killed in a fire. Violet (14), Klaus (12) and, the infant, Sunny, are being sent to yet another place (#4) in the hopes of securing a permanent home. Each adventure has them being tracked by the dastardly Count Olaf and his cronies, who want to swindle the children out of their substantial inheritance. The Miserable Mill was the Lucky Smells Lumbermill in the Finite Forest in Paltryville. The children live an unhappy existence. They have no breakfast, chewing gum for lunch, and a casserole for dinner. They must debark trees, saw planks, share the space of one bunk bed, and overcome adults who will not listen to them - because we all know that children "should be seen …" They find disaster and danger lurking everywhere. They just cannot win. The Miserable Mill is written in the style of Dahl and Dickens. Although the story is predictable, the narrator (Lemony Snicket) keeps young readers guessing and giggling. The Baudelaire children are upbeat, smart, lovely, and optimistic. Readers become optimistic all the while predicting (optimistically) success for them. This is the fourth of a series of events that chronicle the eventful mishaps of the children. Linda Broughton Mobile, Alabama
Shakespeare's Scribek by Gary Blackwood	Historical Fiction
Dutton Children's Book, 2000, 265 pp., $15.99	ISBN: 0-525-46444-1
In Shakespeare's Scribe, the sequel to the popular The Shakespeare Stelaer, Gary Blackwood leaps back in time once more to explore the life of Widge, an orphan struggling to survive in Elizabethan England. In the earlier book, Widge struggles against wicked men trying to use his skill of charactery. In the sequel, Widge's struggles are more with his own identity and with the vicious threat of the Black Plague tearing through the land. But, amid such absorbing issues, the teenager finds time to treat Shakespeare's broken arm and help the bard create some of the greatest lines from his plays. With touches of tragedy and humor, Blackwood walks us through effects of the deadly Black plague and a gritty view of life back then. While this book takes on a more soapopera tone with the parentage issue of illnesses, Blackwood continues to offer a compelling and engaging lesson in history. Lori Atkins-Goodson Wamego, Kansas
Dancing With An Alien by Mary Logue	Science Fiction/Romance
Harper Collins Publishers, 2000, 134 pp., $14.95	ISBN: 0-06-028318-1
Tonia is seventeen and at a statuesque six feet, she is certain that she will never meet a boy tall enough for her. But she loves summer and swimming and when she meets a new and very tall boy at the lake, she begins to hope. Unbeknownst to Tonia, though, her knight in shining armor turns out to be an alien from outer space. Alien Branko, our alien in question, has come to Earth for a special quest-he is to find a female and convince her to come back with him to his home planet. Staying with a host family who has already sent their daughter to Branko's planet, this alien young man provides a funny and intriguing look at our world and human relationships. Logue's crisp and captivating narrative alternates between Branko and Tonia and focuses on how their feelings grow and become powerful. Dancing With An Alien is not exceptional science fiction but it is lovely and lyrical romance. Our teen protagonists come alive when they are with each other and their fate propels readers quickly to an unexpected ending. This is perfect for those who normally shy away from science fiction. Jane Halsallr McHenry, Illinois
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen	Death and Drugs
Viking, 2000, 250 pp., $15.99	ISBN: 0-670-89122-3
When sixteen-year-old Caitlin's older sister Cass runs away, Caitlin feels a great void in her life. She's lost the person in her life with whom she's been closet. Deciding she needs a major change, Caitlin enters into her first serious, romantic relationship. Rogerson is brilliant and charming, but also dangerous. He sells drugs and, as Caitlin soon learns, he is physically abusive to her - the legacy of the abuse he receives from his own father. Not having Cass around for the advice and support she needs, Caitlin retreats into "Dreamland," a half-sleep state where she can keep her problems at a safe distance. In her fifth novel, Dessen again demonstrates her astonishing talent at creating memorable characters with authentic voices and psychological depth, and her remarkable ability to craft subtle but riveting stories, exploring rich themes which young adult readers are sure to find compelling. Ed Sullivan Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Mystic Uncle and the Magical Bridge by Jeffrey Winters	Conflict/Friendship
Writers Club Press, 2000, 105 pp., $9.95	ISBN: 0-595-09746-4
After violent trespassers invade the gentle planet Ahnu, Bobby and Jeremy are recruited to help save the parallel world. Mathen, a shape-shifting teacher who travels between worlds, instructs the boys in combat, breathing and utilizing fear as part of their warrior training. Mathen (nicknamed "Mystic Uncle") helps the boys explore family relationships, self-identity, and friendship while saving Ahnu. Mystic Uncle uses realistic language and simple sentence structure appealing to reluctant readers. Most chapters are three pages in length and easy to read. This book may also appeal to fans of Madeline L'Engle and other fantasy novels. Using the archetypical "hero's quest," Winters' novel is formulaic at times, though always spirited. While geared at a young adult market, the unaffected language and didactic style of Mystic Uncle may be better suited for middle grade readers. Many chapters have "lessons" or morals that could also be the forum of a classroom discussion. Joshua James Keels San Francisco, California
No Cafes in Narnia by Nikki Tate	Relationships/Illness
Sono Nis Press, 2000, 172 pp., $4.95	ISBN: 1-55039-107-0
Thirteen-year-old Heather Blake's world seems to be falling apart. She has moved with her family from the city of Toronto the small island of Tarragon in British Colombia. As a want-to-be-writer who refers to her alter ego as "writer girl," Heather chronicles her attempts to make new friends, deal with serious family illnesses, and cope with others who know too much about her problems. Resilient Heather finds ways of coping in her world turned upside down. She joins a local creative writing group where she develops feedback on her writing and friendships. Although Heather is immediately intimidated by the group's mystery writer, she recognizes a budding interest in Matt, who by chance knows information that Heather needs for a local criminal investigation that she and her neighbor have been examining. piced with quotes and journal entries, Nikki Tate creates a novel for middle school students who enjoy the art of writing, who are embroiled in dramatic life-changes, and who are coping with difficult family concerns. Katherine McFarland Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Battle Dress by Ann Efaw	Coming of Age/Child Abuse
Harper Collins, 2000, 291 pp., $15.95	ISBN: 0-06-027943-5
Seventeen-year-old Andi Davis doesn't know why she wants to be at West Point Military Academy, other than that she doesn't want to be at home. But slowly, she's learning. Like all new cadets, Andi Davis receives abuse from her regiment leader. Yet, she reasons, his abusive demeanor has a purpose - to help her develop character. At home, though, the verbal abuse and neglect she gets from her parents, she figures, is just that - abuse and neglect. Suddenly, she finds purpose in her military life during a storming, mud-soaked, twelve-mile hike to Lake Frederick. Exhausted, yet elated, she sees herself for the first time as belonging to a group - and a cause larger than herself. Amy Efaw uses her own West Point experience to write this realistic, engaging coming-of-age story. The strength of this work - with its detailed look at preparing for army life - is its in gripping self-reflective look at the central character's growth. This book is for anyone who is struggling not just with the angst of surviving an abusive household, but for those who want to learn more about becoming a strong moral leader. Ann Reddy Damon North Baltimore, Ohio
The Effects of Knut Hamsun on a Fresno Boy	Autobiographical Essays
by Gary Soto	ISBN: 0-89255-254-9
Persea Books, 2000. 224 pages. $12.95
Pensive, yet light-hearted, Soto chronicles tales from his childhood and adulthood. Childhood moments in time that take place in a Mexican barrio rich with music, food and emotion are intricately explored. Soto describes such moments as trying to help a starving dog, or getting a cheap, ugly green jacket with humor and reflection. Essays from Soto's adulthood are just as fun, and beautifully explain the surface reality of life's fragments while Soto gives his own perspective of the underlying story. Lauren Groot Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
The Boxer by Kathleen Karr	Sports/19th Century
Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, 2000, 160 pp., $16.00	ISBN: 0-374-30921-3
Before Johnny Woods, fifteen, gains the name, "The Chopper," he finds himself in jail for boxing illegally at Brodie's Saloon in at Brodie's Saloon in the New York City's Lower East Side of the late 1800s. In jail, he meets Mr. O'Shaunnesey, who teaches Johnny how to train and box when he sees Johnny's natural ability and determination. Once out of jail, Johnny struggles to provide for his mother and younger siblings, until as promised, O'Shaunnessey contacts Johnny. Johnny begins training at the New York Athletic Club. When Johnny finally wins a challenging professional fight arranged as the sport of boxing is gaining some prominence and regulation, he realizes the challenges in this sport include more than defeating one's opponent This "rags to riches, turn of the century American dream" story provides believable and positive role models for young people struggling in today's world. Sheila Gullicksonr Moorhead, Minnesota
Before Wings by Beth Goobie	Confronting One's Own Death
Orca Book Publishers, 2000, 203 pp., $16.95	ISBN 1-55143-161-0
Fifteen-year-old Adrien may have physically endured the brain aneurysm that almost killed her when she was thirteen, but the emotional effects of the trauma still haunt her. Hoping to lift Adrien out of her depression, her parents send her to spend all summer with her Aunt Erin, who runs Camp Lakeshore. Aunt Erin, a no-nonsense kind of manager, treats Adrien just like any camp counselor; nonetheless, each serves at the other's personal counselor of sorts. In this captivating fantasy-mystery-story, readers will be reminded of the awardwinning movie Sixth Sense, as Adrien sees "dead people" and befriends another teenager who shares his own sixth sense with her. Besides a good read, there is much to explore in this novel: depression, the afterlife, friendship, peer pressure, choices and consequences, first love, to name a few. Joan Kaywell Tampa, Florida

Reference Citation: Kaplan, Jeff (2001) "Young Adult Books In Review: Recently Published Titles " The ALAN Review , Volume 28, Number 2, p. 31.

by Zulfia Imtiaz