It was another week for rereads, mostly because these books are already in my personal library, so they were easy to get. After rereading I Hunt Killers Last week, I had to read the sequel, Game, even though it's not on this year's list. And of course, it ends on an unbearable cliffhanger, so I'll be reading book three as soon as I can get my hands on it!
Art Spiegelman interviewed his father, Vladek, a Holocaust survivor. Vladek's story is told in comic book format, with the Jews as mice and the Nazis as cats.
The graphic novel approach brings a new perspective to this moving memoir. I especially liked the way that Vladek's Holocaust memories were interwoven with the present relationship between the father and son. Intertwined with the horrifying and vivid personal account of Vladek's experiences during the Holocaust, we also see the troubled relationship between a father and his son as they both deal with the long-term effects of this unforgettable human tragedy.
A MUST-READ!
Hazelwood High, book one.
Andy, a high school basketball star, struggles with his guilt after he got into an accident while drinking and driving. His friend, Rob, was trapped in the car and died when the gas tank exploded.
Strong dialogue and realistic characters make this series a home-run for teen readers. And the non-stop drama will keep the pages turning.
Hazelwood High, book two.
Gerald's story is like a bad soap opera: We frist meet Gerald, a battered and neglected child, when he is severely burned in a fire after being left home alone by his addict mother, Monique. He finds a safe and loving home with his Aunt Queen. When he is nine, his mother and her abusive new husband take him back into their home. The only bright spot for Gerald is Angel, his four-year-old half sister. Gerald finds out that Angel is being sexually abused by her father. Monique is unwilling or unable to protect her children and Gerald resolves to protect Angel and himself.
Draper tries to cram a bit too much drama into this slim volume. Poor Gerald; it's one tragedy after another for him.
Hazelwood High, book three.
Keisha, getting ready to give a speech at graduation, reflects on the trials and triumphs of her senior year. She and her classmates have seen and experienced a lot--death, abuse, divorce, homelessness, rape, abandonment, anorexia, and love. Whew! No kidding, it's all in there!
The drama is a bit over the top, but teens who enjoy page-turners will not be able to put this one down. Reading the first two books will make this one richer, but it can also stand on its own.
Hunger Games, book two.
Katniss' act of rebellion during the Hunger Games lights a spark that spreads though Panem and makes her the face of the revolution as the Districts look for ways (both large and small) to defy the Capitol. Katniss and Peeta travel through Panem on their mandatory victory tour, and then, before they even have a chance to settle into the semi-normal lives of Hunger Games survivors, President Snow takes his revenge. I gasped out loud when the rules of the 75th Hunger Games (the Quarter Quell) were announced.
I found this book even more brutal than the first, perhaps because Katniss is now a familiar character and I feel her pain more than ever. President Snow is absolutely ruthless in his attempt to punish Katniss, and has a sadist's knack for twisting the knife just when it will hurt the most.
Like Hunger Games, Catching Fire will keep readers riveted from the very first page. Excellent and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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Not on the YALSA list, but had to read it:
Jasper Dent trilogy, #2.
When a serial killer known as the Dog-Hat Killer begins terrorizing New York City, an officer from the NYPD comes to Lobo's Nod to ask for Jazz's help with the case. Jazz, still struggling not to give in to his darker impulses, joins the hunt for this new killer, all the while looking over his shoulder for Dear Old Dad, who is newly escaped from prison and sure to be in touch--sooner or later.
I read most of this 500-ish page book in one sitting. It was taut, suspenseful, and just very well done. The body count is high and the murders are gory (penectomies and enucleations abound). Connie and Howie are more fully developed in this one and have bigger parts to play as well. Unfortunately, this also ups their peril.
This book ends on a HUGE cliffhanger, with several lives hanging in the balance, so have the third one (Blood of my Blood) queued up and ready to go.
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