American Born Chinese

Yang, Gene Luen. American Born Chinese. 2006. New York, NY: Square Fish, 2010. Print. ISBN: 9780312384487 Pages: 240 Paperback US $8.99

Image from boone.lib.ia.us

Awards!

Winner of the Michael L. Printz Award

National Book Award Finalist

Booklist Top Ten Graphic Novel for Youth

NPR Holiday Pick

Publishers Weekly Comics Week Best Comic of the Year

The Reuben Award for Best Comic Book

The Chinese American Librarians Association 2006/2007 Best Book Award

Eisner Awards 2007- Best Graphic Album- New

Time Magazine Top Ten Comic of the Year

Amazon.com Best Graphic Novel /Comic of the Year

Annotation: Beautiful, captivating illustrations, folklore, and humor bring to life three very different stories that merge to tell one complete tale about the Chinese-American experience.

The Graphic Format:

Three different stories are told in American Born Chinese. First, the story of the Monkey King; pulled from happiness by greed and brought to ruin by his own, unwise decisions. Next is the story of Jin Wang, the son of Chinese immigrants who is trying his best to fit in with his classmates. The final story is that of Danny, a teenager who is mortified and embarrassed when his out-of-control, Chinese cousin comes to visit every year. 

Image from shesgotbooksonhermind.blogspot.com

All three stories are told through bright, entertaining illustrations. When the stories converge at the very end you’ll be shocked at how they tell the single story of one Chinese-American kid’s experience.

Image from newyorktimes.com

Praise for American Born Chinese!

“Gene Luen Yang has created that rare article: a youthful tale with something new to say about American youth.”—New York Times Book Review

“. . . brilliantly written and designed, sophisticated and wise.”—The Miami Herald

“. . . one of the most powerful and entertaining works of literature to be published this year . . .”—The San Francisco Chronicle

“Yang accomplishes the remarkable feat of practicing what he preaches with this book: accept who you are and you'll already have reached out to others.”—Publishers Weekly

“Kids fighting an uphill battle to convince parents and teachers of the literary merit of graphic novels will do well to share this title.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Video from youtube.com

Arielle's Recommendation: Recommend this excellent graphic novel to the struggling reader, comic book fan, or adventurous type that enjoys a good plot twist. Best for grades 8 and up.

Riding Invisible

Alonzo, Sandra. Riding Invisible. New York, NY: Hyperion, 2010. Print. ISBN: 9781423118985 Pages: 234 Hardbound US $15.99

Image from amespubliclibrary.com

Awards!

None yet!

Riding Invisible
by Sandra Alonzo
illustrator: Nathan Huang

Annotation: In an effort to escape his violent, mentally-ill brother Yancy prepares to survive with only his horse and a few supplies in the desert surrounding Los Angeles.

The Graphic Format:

For his birthday Yancy’s parents gave him a journal

Image scanned from Riding Invisible

Eight months later, he’s finally putting it to use.

Image scanned from Riding Invisible

Yancy needs the journal to chronicle his journey into the deserts surrounding Los Angeles. Yancy’s escaping toward a better future, but, more importantly, he’s escaping away from him crazy, scary brother, Will.

Image scanned from Riding Invisible 

He and Shy, his beloved horse, ride off into the sunset but don't live happily ever after.

Through emotional, action-filled journal entries and sometimes-hilarious, sometimes-beautiful illustrations, Yancy’s story is powerful and memorable. It is the story of a normal kid’s journey from invisible to healing.

Image from Riding Invisible

Check out the trailer!

Video from youtube.com

Praise for Riding Invisible!

Alonzo’s first novel features the sort of likable, embattled narrator that brings to mind Arnold Spirit from Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (2007), but instead of being tormented by negative stereotypes and poverty, 15-year-old Yancy’s primary source of misery comes from his nearly sociopathic older brother, Will. The story is told entirely in diary form, complete with a handwriting-styled font and plenty of cartoony drawings (again reminiscent of Alexie’s book). After Will, who suffers from conduct disorder, violently threatens Yancy’s horse, teen and horse take off into the California desert. There, they encounter a kind Mexican worker, who helps Yancy begin to size up the challenges of living with his brother and the toll that it is taking upon the entire family. Alonzo skillfully handles teetering family dynamics, equestrian details, and the undertones of immigration and class, which add realistic depth. The resolution leaves a bevy of challenges and plenty of food for thought about family dysfunction. Grades 7-10. 

--Ian Chipman

I highly recommend Riding Invisible for all male and female readers 13 or older, and a must-read for teen (and adult) horse-lovers. ” --Mountain Write

Arielle's Recommendation: This is a fast-paced, involved story. Hand this book to struggling readers or someone looking for something different. Recommended for 6th-10th graders that enjoy adventure and horses.

Where Things Come Back

Whaley, John Corey. Where Things Come Back. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2011. Print. ISBN: 9781442413337 Pages: 228 Hardbound US $16.99

Awards!

YALSA Michael L. Printz Award 2011

ALA William C. Morris Debut Award 2011

Indigo Books and Music Best Teen Books of 2011

ABC Children’s Group at ABA New Voices for Teens Selection 2011

ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2012 Nominee

Publishers Weekly Flying Start Author 2011

Annotation: Cullen Witter is an average teenage boy. He wants to focus on doing the things an average teenage boy needs to do; hang out with his best friend and convince a beautiful girl to reciprocate his adoration. Instead of achieving these goals, Cullen must spend his summer distracted. His brother Gabriel’s gone missing, his best friend is slowly going catatonic, his aunt won’t stop crying, and the whole town is going nuts over a woodpecker. 

Image from boone.lib.ia.us

Snap n' read:

Where Things Come Backby John Corey Whaley

Lily, Arkansas is a sleepy town where everyone knows everyone else. Everyone knows, for instance, that 17-year-old, Cullen’s cousin, Oslo, died. Cullen’s Aunt Julia, who is staying with them, can’t seem to keep dry eyes over her son’s death. But the constant tears and sharing a bed with his brother is the least of Cullen’s worries. For instance, Cullen can’t figure out why the resurrection of an extinct species of woodpecker is bigger news than the disappearance of his little brother.  

Benton Sage doesn’t know Cullen. Benton is on a different track in life, he wants to reach people for the Lord and is going to the distance to do just that.

“When Benton Sage woke up that next day…he found himself soaked in a cold sweat, his clothes stuck firmly to his skin and his hair flat and dripping. Rameel stood before him as dark as a shadow and taller than the tent itself. He smiled, but with an expression of remorse or shame. He sent one hand down to Benton and, as he pulled him up from his cot, said, ‘God has given us a gift this day.’

The gift, Benton soon discovered, was a small village called Kwalessa filled with the sick, the dying, and the hungry. “

Where Cullen’s life intersects Benton’s will shock and surprise. In Lily, Arkansas, where things sometimes go missing but where things often come back, something amazing is about to happen.

Video from youtube.com

Click here to see if this item is available at Ericson Public Library!
Click here to see if this item is available at Ames Public Library!

Praise for Where Things Come Back!

“This is one damn fine debut novel, and a darkly funny, enjoyable read.” 

Denver Zombie Examiner

A “multilayered debut for sophisticated readers. Unexpected, thought-provoking storytelling.” Kirkus Reviews

“In this darkly humorous debut, Whaley weaves two stories into a taut and well-constructed thriller.” Publishers Weekly

“It doesn’t really matter what this book is about. It’s a good book about a good kid and it’s a good story told remarkably well.” 

Maggie Stiefvater, author of the bestselling Shiver Trilogy

Arielle's Recommendation: A deeply enjoyable, hard-to-put-down book, Where Things Come Back is the perfect title for a mature reader with a quirky sense of humor. Whaley's way with words is whimsical and fun...I especially appreciated Cullen's frequent use of the term "ass-hat" when referring to jerks and idiots. I totally thought I invented that term. In that vein, this book is for a reader with mature tastes. This book should have a home on public library shelves and its celebrated victories will likely give it a home in school libraries as well. Recommend this book to high school students and adults that appreciate  adork-able characters and eccentric, surprising stories. 

The Kill Order

Dashner, James. The Kill Order. New York, NY: Delecorte Press, 2012. Print. ISBN: 9780385742887 Pages: 329 Hardbound US $17.99

Awards: None yet!

Annotation: Thomas and his friends from the Maze Runner Trilogy have completed their adventure. The Kill Order goes back thirteen years to explore what led to the “exposure, infection, pandemic, and extinction.” Meet Mark, Trina, Alec and their comrades as they struggle to survive in the post-apocalyptic United States where the elements have become the least of their worries.

Image from boone.lib.ia.us

Open end and wrap back to the title:
The Kill Order
by James Dashner

   The Kill Order was given but very few heard it over the cries from the victims and survivors of the devastating solar flares. Mark and Trina barely escaped the vicious heat before the water levels began to rise and they were forced to race against the waves for their lives. As if the scorched earth weren’t enough, a violent virus is attaching the survivors and rage, lunacy, and death is spreading wildly. Convinced that there is something bigger in play Mark and his friends set off to find answers. What was The Kill Order? Who gave it and most importantly, why?

Check out this awesome book trailer!

Video from youtube.com

Click here to see if this item is available at Ericson Pubilc Library!
Click here to see if this item is available at Ames Public Library!


Arielle's Recommendation: It isn't really necessary to have read the first three books to enjoy The Kill Order. It really does work as a stand-alone novel. For fans of The Maze Runner: I didn't think that the prequel really answered all of my burning questions. I'm hoping for an additional prequel novel, but I'm not going to hold my breath because it sounds like James Dashner is moving on to new story lines. The Kill Order definitely belongs in school and public libraries where The Maze Runner was popular. Recommend this book to teens in 7th grade and older that like adventure, science fiction and thrillers! 

Don't miss the Maze Runner Trilogy...awesome!

visit the official Maze Runner Series website for games, 

book info, videos, and news! 

Images from boone.lib.ia.us


The Maze Runner Movie is in production! 
Look for it some time in 2013!
Check out The Maze Runner's IMDb page! 
So excitied!