A Girl Called Fearless

So I stayed up half the night reading this. A Girl Called Fearless by Catherine Linka has that post-apocalyptic semi survival feel without the end of the world. Well maybe "Teotwawki": The End of the World as We Know It.

Hormones feed to cattle and ingested by humans lead to a type of cancer that women in their child-bearing years had no chance to survive. There wasn't enough medicine to go around and only children, older women and long term vegetarian/vegans survived.

While families were mourning their loved ones, a new political power: the paternalists took control of the government. Girls and women are now a highly sought after commodity and the majority of teenage girls have bodyguards. They go to special schools, can only shop in gated stores and are forced into arranged marriages when prospective (and often much older) men purchase them from the fathers.

Avie is one of these girls. Her father treats her well and she can remember happier years when her family was still intact and she was allowed to be friends with boys. Her rushed marriage contract comes as quite a surprise to her as does her future husbands extremely controlling ways. One thing is for sure, once she signs the contract and has her wedding, she will be trapped for life. Some have tried to flee to Canada (they never allowed the beef feed the disastrous hormones) but many fail as well. And Avie certainly can't get there without help.

Haunting and suspenseful, Avie is relatable and likable and undergoes a perfectly paces, realistic transformation. Supporting characters met the same standards. I can't wait to start recommending this book. Readers will be clamoring for future installments (even though I think this will be a stand-alone).

Five Stars.


If you liked this book try these: Wither by Lauren DeStephano and Epitaph Road by David Patneaude.



*ARC provided by publisher through Netgalley for an honest review.

Puppy Birthday

I realize that even with my spotty blogging, I haven't posted anything about cooking or baking in a long long time. Partially, I just haven't been. Too many other things going on. But I did make something (however silly) this week and I thought I would share the cute photos.

This is our dog Rylie on his second birthday--or at least the day we picked as his second birthday. He was a very good boy and didn't eat his hat until after he had his cake and played with his new squeekie for a bit. 

This cake is similar to many recipes for dog birthday cakes found online and on pinterest. It is basically peanut butter mixed with shredded carrots, flour, oil and egg. The frosting is just plain non-fat yogurt. It lasted less that two minutes. Success. 

HUB Challenge 2014 Check In

So the Hub Challenge started two months ago and I have read 17 titles as part of the challenge. Challenges are hard for me, because there are so many books that I want to read and they often take precedence before challenge books. Especially since with a list like this, I have read so many before the challenge began. I re-read a few graphic novels, but haven't taken the time with some of the other books (even those I adored!)


I am going to wait until the challenge is finished to talk about all of the books, etc, but I wanted to take this check in to mention a couple I read because of the challenge and loved:

CLA Book Buzz 2014, First Second Part 1

This week I was very lucky to hear from a panel of publishers on their upcoming books. There were so many (!!!!) that I am going to have to break up reporting on these by publisher and then maybe even by their books.

I am going to start with First Second Book, who came and talked about many graphic novels--several appropriate for teens, and several I was really excited about.



The first book I want to talk about is Julia's House for Lost Creatures by Ben Hatke. I loved the illustrations. They were beautiful, detailed and full of fantasy. A dream come true for any girl or boy. I was trying to explain it to my mother and here is what I came up with:

Julia is sort of a new Pippi Longstocking. It is about making family from friends, taking responsibility. And I think maybe there might have been an allegory about stuffed animals in there somewhere. At least that is what I thought when Patched Up Kitty was introduced.

I give this 5 stars for illustration and 4 stars for writing/content--this could have had so much more and I still wouldn't have tired of the story! But, as I was forewarned, this is more of a graphic novel/picture book and meant for a much younger audience than me.

Here is some of what I want to know:

• Did Julia's House come to the sea on the back of a turtle? It looks like it. Is Julia friend's with the turtle, does the house move often? 
• What are some of the creatures that come to the house, I don't recognize all of them and I want to know more. 
• And please, please tell me about the repairman! 

The next book I read was Andre the Giant by Box Brown. Andre was apparently a very famous wrestler. I assumed I was going to be reading the back story of the character he played in The Princess Bride. Completely my mistake, but if Goodreads can be trusted, I am not alone.

Carefully researched with a detailed bibliography, this is a well-executed graphic non-fiction work. I actually learned quite a bit about the sport and showmanship of wrestling. As it was non-fiction it was more fact based than character driven, and that would have involved me as a reader more--but then it would not be the resource that it is. I wish that the teens visiting my library had to do reports on biographies. I think this would be a great choice for reluctant readers.

One Man Guy by Michael Barakiva

So this book fits a niche audience. But will also be widely applicable to a larger group. An Armenian-American who discovers he's gay. And there isn't any of that internal panic or homophobia. It's wonderful to read and wonderful for teens to have this book as an example as well. Diversity list, pick up this book! And then maybe start reading about the Armenian people.

However, I really wanted a bit more from the writing. I felt disconnected from Ethan--at times he seemed too much like a skater caricature. But that doesn't mean I didn't like all of the characters. I did, even Alek's very-opinionated, grade-obsessed parents.

This will definitely be purchased for the teens at my library and I am sure it will circulate well.

Noggin by John Corey Whaley

So other than being super intrigued by the premise and excited to recommend this book, here is what I have to say:

1. Travis has the best friends EVER! You know that one scene--in the hospital. Trust me, you will know it when you read it.

2. Travis is completely, unequivocally and past the point of understanding self-involved. OK, he is one of two people ever to have a full body transplant and come back to life. But in 4-6 months he couldn't make one thing about his family or friends, it all had to be about him?


Anyway, John Corey Whaley is now on my must read list.
Four Stars, because I really wanted to scream at Travis.

Fat Boy vs. The Cheerleaders by Geoff Herback

Fat Boy vs. The Cheerleaders was way better than I was expecting. I practically flew through this book and will be sure to recommend it once it is available in my library.

Gabe, whom everyone--even his grandfather, best friends and teachers call "Chunk" is overweight and underestimated. But when the proceeds from the school vending machine are handed over to the cheerleaders instead of Gabe's beloved marching band, it is time for a change.

Dealing with issues such as the power of words, true friendship / kindness and self identity / strength this is a humorously powerful book. Routing for Gabe is necessary and may just make the reader take a look at their own life too.

Great book!




Books this made me think of: Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong, a graphic novel where the robotics club goes head-to-head with the cheer leading squad. These cheerleaders are much scarier than in Gabe's world.


ARC provided by publisher for honest review.