Rats Saw God--Rob Thomas

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in December 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

Title: Rats Saw God

Author: Rob Thomas

1996

Genre: realistic; problem novel

Subjects: high school, adolescence; fitting in; divorce; fathers and sons

Summary: In order to graduate, Steve York must complete a 100-page writing assignment. Although he balks at first, he ultimately comes to a better understanding of himself and his life. 

Critique: Thomas has a good understanding of teens and their dialogue. His writing is effective and makes the story more interesting than it first appears to be. 

Recommendation: Yes

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Adventures of Blue Avenger--Norma Howe

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in October 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

Title: Adventures of Blue Avenger

Author: Norma Howe

1999

genre: Humor; Fiction

Subjects: free will/determinism; choices; heroes; family

Summary: 16 year old David Schumacher decides to change his name to Blue Avenger on his birthday. When he becomes Blue, he transforms into a hero and is able to do good deeds and save his friends. 

Critique: Very well written, it looks at serious subjects, grief, free will/determinism, and makes them funny without mocking them. 

Recommendation: Yes

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Hate You--Graham McNamee

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in October 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

Title: Hate You

Author: Graham McNamee

1999

Genre: realistic fiction

Subjects: self-esteem; acceptance; family relationships

Summary: Alice is strangled by her abusive father at a very young age and her voice is affected unalterably. Though she will never be able to sing beautifully, she writes songs. Through a friendship with a girl who has a voice of an angel but is overweight and lacks self-esteem, Alice begins to accept herself and her fate. 

Critique: Well written and cleverly done. Also, a quick read but well worth it.

Recommendation: Yes.

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Monster--Walter Dean Myers

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in November 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

Title: Monster

Myers, Walter Dean

1999

genre: Fiction

subjects: Crime, jail, trials, self-perception

Summary: 16 year old Steve Harmon is on trial for felony murder. He's so disturbed by the events of his life that he decides to write it all down like it's a movie. We see the trial through his "screenplay" as he attempts to regain control of his life. 

Critique: Creative in format, Myers's book shows us how easy it is to blur reality and fantasy. Steve sees his life like a movie while he's in jail because it's easier for him to handle it that way. But if he had seen it as reality from the get-go maybe he would never have gotten into the mess. The reader is treated like a jury member, although we have insight to Steve that the jury does not. I did not know how the trial would end until it did. Even knowing the outcome, and with insight into Steve's mind, there is still doubt as to the extent of his involvement. Although a judge and jury determined his guilt or innocence, Steve faces a tougher judge, one who sees him as a monster: himself. 

Recommendation: Yes. 

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The Subtle Knife--Philip Pullman

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in August 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

Title: The Subtle Knife

Author: Philip Pullman

1997

Genre: Fantasy

Subjects: journeys; other worlds; religion; friendship

Summary: Lyra and Will find themselves in a strange world where the only people they can trust are each other. They both have important tasks to achieve the same goal but don't know it. Sequel to The Golden Compass, second in series of three. 

Critique: More complex than the first book, The Subtle Knife must be read word for word. The different plots fit together nicely and we get a sense of the overall story. Major cliffhanger, wait until the 3rd one is available before reading this!

Recommendation: Yes!

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The Golden Compass--Philip Pullman

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in August 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

Title: The Golden Compass

Author: Philip Pullman

1995

Genre: Fantasy

Subjects: religion; souls; male/female dynamics; family

Summary: Lyra Belacqua leads a crusade to save her friend and other helpless children from gruesome scientific experiments. Along the way she learns important lessons on who she is and the struggle between good and evil. First of three books.

Critique: Exciting and thought-provoking, this book will appeal to young adults and adults alike. It focuses on religion without it being so obvious that it turns the reader off. Interesting thesis--people with tangible souls--and treatment of the original sin/good-evil discussion. Great for a book discussion group for any age!

Recommendation: Yes!

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Perks of Being a Wallflower--Stephen Chbosky

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in December 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

Title: Perks of Being a Wallflower

Author: Stephen Chbosky

1999

Genre: problem novel

Subjects: depression, sexuality, adolescence

Summary: 16 year old Charlie spirals down into a depression during his freshman year of high school. He begins well, and becomes friends with two people who show him more of life than he's ever seen, but until he accepts a traumatic event from his past, he can't break away from depression. 

Critique: Set in the early 1990s, Chbosky has realistically portrayed the time as well as universal issues teens of all decades deal with. Dialogue (seen in Charlie's letters) is great. Format is great. With Speak, a must read of this year's books. 

Recommendation: Yes

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Companions of the Night--Vivian Vande Velde

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in August 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

Title: Companions of the Night

Author: Vivian Vande Velde

1995

Genre: Supernatural

Subjects: vampires; morality

Summary: 16 year old Kerry encounters murder, kidnapping and vampires when she visits a laundry to retrieve her brother's teddy bear. Through it all she learns about morality, lying and betrayal.

Critique: Great story. One complaint--I would have liked to see Kerry reunited with her family at the end. I'd like to know what story she gave them!

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Look for Me by Moonlight--Mary Downing Hahn

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in August 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

Title: Look for Me by Moonlight

Author: Mary Downing Hahn

1995

Genre: horror; supernatural

Subjects: vampires, ghosts, family, mind control

Summary: 16 year old Cynda feels lonely and unwanted when she moves in with her father and his new wife and child. Then a mysterious older man stays at the inn with them and pays special attention to her. "Ill come to you by moonlight" was the secret message hidden in the scrabble board. But was it "I'll" or "Ill"? Cynda wonders and you will too.

Critique: The book slowly builds to its climax, we are swept away with Cynda as Vincent tells her what she wants to hear. Once it's clear what Vincent really wants, the books becomes truly scary as we see how much control he has over Cynda. 

Recommendation: Yes.******
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Thirsty--M.T. Anderson

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in July 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

"Thirsty"
M.T. Anderson
1997
genre: horror
subjects: vampires; puberty

Summary: Chris must choose between the forces of darkness and the light and fight for his soul as he unwillingly turns into a vampire.

Critique: Suspenseful and funny, "Thirsty" blends teenage angst with vampire bloodlust is a unique and creative way. Definitely a quick read, the book keeps the reader engrossed in the struggle between good and evil.

Recommendation: Yes


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Speak--Laurie Halse Anderson

From the Vault

This review was originally written--handwritten no less--in November 1999 before the Age of Blogs. I'm not editing it at all because I don't believe in tampering with history. For other old reviews, click on the "From the Vault" tag.

In honor of the "Speak"controversy, I've found my handwritten review originally written in November of 1999. I  haven't edited it at all:

Summary: Melinda begins her freshman year in high school alone and friendless because of an incident at a party the summer before. She must learn to accept the truth of that incident and tell others the real truth before she can begin to heal.

Critique: I shouted the title in my mind as I read and watched Melinda sink further and further into depression. It was gripping and realistic. I felt like I was there, watching a friend slip away and not be able to break through to her. I felt as much relief as Melinda did when she finally does Speak.

Recommendation: yes.

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