Coraline Four Different Way

by Neil Gaiman

Ages 9+

Coraline is one of those properties that has been excellent in any form that it has been made available to be consumed. Whether it is the original juvenile book, audio book, graphic novel, or movie, all forms of the material have all been well received. It may be because Neil Gaiman's original book is so strong and unique that no matter what medium it is adapted into the story still shines through.

Coraline Jones has just moved into a new flat and cannot wait to explore her new area, but on a rainy day when she is not allowed to play outside she makes a discovery in a little hidden door. With warnings from both neighbors and their pets to stay away from this door, Coraline cannot resist the temptation of a new place to explore. At first the Other World with her Other parents seem great but soon Coraline will realize that their is something dark behind all the perceived sweetness.

Neil Gaiman, using Alice in Wonderland as inspiration, creates a fun and eerie novella that can be enjoyed by child and adult a like. I first read Coraline just shortly after it was released because I had loved Neil Gaiman's comic series Sandman and his other adult novels. When I head a movie was being made by Henry Selik (Nightmare Before Christmas), I went ahead and checked out the graphic novel that was illustrated by P. Craig Russell to brush up on the story and I love graphic novels anyways so I was curious as to how well it was adapted. The graphic novel version is the most realistic visually you will experience the book. Coraline looks older here than in the movie or original illustation of the book cover. Because of the realistic look of the illustrations this version may be the best for teen readers as I also found it to be the most creepy when the Other world starts to lose its solidity.

Gaiman chose himself to read for the audio book, and his voice adds a dark, crisp tone to the retelling. There is some odd and not very good music that plays at times but it is not often enough to ruin the whole experience but I still wish it wasn't there. If you are taking a trip this October this would serve as a fun and seasonal listen.

Coraline was also adapted into a stop-motion film and released in 3D in 2009. The film adaption concentrates more on isolating Coraline and making her feel unwanted in the real world rather than portraying her as a more curious child as they do in the book. They also introduce a young eccentric boy who is a relative of the landlord. They did this so there wouldn't be scenes with Coraline talking to herself. The movie's strongest trait is the gorgeous visuals of Henry Selik and some scenes really pop especially the intricate mouse circus of Mr. Bobo.

The book won the 2003 Hugo Award and Nebulla Award for Best Novella along with the Bram Stoker Award for Best Work for Young Readers. The movie was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards.

Fever 1793

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Ages 9+

It is one of the hottest summers anyone can remember in the nation's capital of Philadelphia in 1793, and Matilda "Mattie" Cook just wants to sleep in and not worry about her chores around her family's coffeehouse. Though as the heat is reaching all time highs, Mattie is no longer having to worry about chores or going to the market as rumors of a yellow fever outbreak spreads across the city. Soon thousands lay dead and families are fleeing Philadelphia in droves, and even though the Cook family coffeehouse is doing great business, sickness and death are approaching quickly to Mattie's door.

Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Speak, creates a protagonist who goes from a sheltered teen to a young woman in just a few months. Mattie has to learn to care and protect for others, sacrifice her own well being and health for the greater good, and make hard decisions that will affect her future while all around her the first great catastrophe of our young nation is playing out. Anderson peppers real historic individuals and portrays the time with authenticity. Mattie, her mom, and close friend Eliza are all portrayed as strong women and would be good female role models during any period.

Fever 1793 is an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults.

Paper Towns

by John Green

Grades 9+
Having kind of enjoyed John Green's first book, the 2006 Michael L. Printz winner Looking For Alaska, and having a friend who swears by him as the teen writer of our times, I decided to give him another shot and read Paper Towns. By the end, which was accomplished in one night, I had laughed a lot and gotten a little teary eyed.

The girl of your dreams, who was also your childhood best friend, appears at your window one night to take you along on an all-night, score-settling spree through Orlando. Just when high school senior, Quentin Jacobsen (Q), thinks Margo is back in his life she disappears. Q with the sometimes help of his two best friends will trace Margo's last days in and around Orlando in hopes to find out where she has disappeared to and along the way maybe find out who Margo is as a person. The drama of this book isn't especially the chase and mystery of where Margo went or even if she is still alive, but Q finding out about Margo herself and coming to terms with finishing high school.

Paper Towns won the 2009 Edgar Award for best Young Adult novel.

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer

Grades 6+

What do you want to be when you grow up? An Athlete? A Movie Star? A Musician? A Lawyer? Not many kids or adults really want to see the inside of a courtroom or wade through piles of litagation paperwork. But the main character in this book, Theo can't decide between being a famous trial lawyer or a respected judge.

Well, Theo Boone hasn't taken the bar, but he offers advice to his friends, hangs out at the courthouse, and watches Perry Mason reruns. Things turn serious, however, when a witness to a murder, a young illegal immigrant, comes to Theo with evidence. The trial is in full swing, and it looks like the defendant will walk unless Theo comes forward. But he's promised the young man he will keep his identity confidential. What should he do?

Grisham is known for his legal mysteries, and this kids book is no exception. It is a fun read for anyone, not just aspiring lawyers.

Little Blog on the Prarie

by Cathleen Davitt Bell

Ages 10+

Imagine it is 1890. No iPods, no cell phones, no jeans or tank tops, no electricity, and no indoor plumbing. This is the life that Gen Welsh has to endure for the whole summer, since her mother has decided that the family's vacation will be at a frontier-living fantasy camp near Laramie, WY. When they arrive, all modern conveniences are taken away, but Gen is granted her one wish: Clearasil. Secretly she has hidden her new cell phone in the product's box, and uses it to text her friends back home. 

Meanwhile, back at camp, a first romance and a good, clean girl rivalry are bubbling among the milking of cows and clearing of forest. As the families make their way through a difficult season, they all discover their strengths and weaknesses.

This fast read is humorous and insightful, with realistic characters that are refreshingly well rounded. Bell has captured a 13-year-old's voice, making Gen's unlikely situation feel very real.

Sabriel

by Garth Nix

Please welcome our first teen blogger, Elizabeth! Thanks for the GREAT entry!

I was wandering my school's library and praying for a good fantasy book to do my report on. Finally I gave in and typed 'fantasy' into the search engine and Sabriel came up as a result. The cover looked interesting so I hunted it down and read the back. It sounded like just what I needed, so I checked it out. Then I proceeded to spend weeks reading the rest of the series because Sabriel was so amazing.


Sabriel is the adopted daughter of the Abhorsen, a necromancer sworn to help the spirits back into Death. When her father goes missing, she takes up the seven bells of the Abhorsen, and goes in search of him, hoping her meager knowledge of necromancy is enough. She finds companionship in the form of Mogget, an incredibly powerful Free Magic creature, and Touchstone, a prince imprisoned in the wood of a ship's figurehead for several centuries. She and her friends must track down Kerrigor, a spirit from beyond the ninth gate. Sabriel has to imprison Kerrigor to free her father. Will she do it?

Well I sure ain't tellin'! What I love about this book, is the fact that it is subtly eerie and scary, without being an all-out blood bath. Garth Nix keeps Sabriel focused with a believable familial loyalty, and puts her necromancer skills to the test in many unusual and unexpected ways. The cover makes you really wonder about what will happen, and gives you the chills.

The Book of the Maidservant

by Rebecca Barnhouse
After taking a couple days off from reading (it's awful, I know. But sometimes the brain needs a break), I was in search of a book to read. Browsing the shelves, I came upon this pretty book and thought I would give it a try. Sometimes you CAN tell a good book by its cover!

Johanna is a servant girl to Dame Margery Kempe, a renowned medieval holy woman. Dame Margery feels the suffering the Virgin Mary felt for her son but cares little for the misery she sees every day. When she announces that Johanna will accompany her on a pilgrimage to Rome, the suffering truly begins. After walking all day, Johanna must fetch water, wash clothes, and cook for the entire party of pilgrims.

Way back when, I learned bit about the medieval era and in particular Margery Kempe. This is an interesting take on what life was like back then and also what it would have meant to be a servant to an upper class woman. Very thought provoking.

Wikipedia page on Marge Kempe