Tuesday, January 17, 2017
[Book Review] As I Descended by Robin Talley
Fiction/Horror/Young Adult
Allison reviews AS I DESCENDED by Robin Talley (HarperTeen, 2016)
Maria and Lily are roommates at Acheron, an exclusive private school on the grounds of an old Southern plantation. They’re also head over heels in love with each other, even though they’re keeping their relationship under wraps. Both girls want to continue their relationship in college, but the only way they can do so is if Maria wins the coveted Kingsley Prize - a scholarship that will let her attend the college of her choice at no cost.
Maria is second in the class, and Delilah, ranked number one, is just slightly better than Maria in every way possible: more popularity, more extracurriculars, better grades. Even with all the extra credit in the world, Maria’s GPA won’t top Delilah’s.
So the girls have to get rid of Delilah. And they know no bounds.
Lily buys an old wooden Ouija board off eBay and holds a seance with Maria, whose belief in spirits was instilled by her Hispanic nanny. The girls use the board to open the door to the spirit world - then forget to close it.
This twisted retelling of Macbeth is delightfully creepy and unsettling. The atmosphere the story creates is dark and spooky, and the suspense builds while the reader wonders what havoc the spirits will wreak on campus next. The history of the slave plantation on which the school is built adds depth to the story.
Labels: Fiction, Horror, LGBT Fiction, Readers' Advisory Annotations, Reviews by Allison R., Young Adult
Thursday, January 05, 2017
[Book Review] El Deafo by Cece Bell
Library staff members attend Reader’s Advisory classes throughout the year to learn the characteristics of different book genres. By developing their reader’s advisory skills, library staff help customers find books they may like to read.
Non Fiction/Memoir/Graphic Novel
Allison reviews EL DEAFO by Cece Bell (Amulet Books, 2014)
El Deafo is a graphic novel memoir by Cece Bell. Using bright illustrations, Bell tells the story of the illness that caused her to lose her hearing at a young age, and how she coped with being different from everyone else. Bell used her bulky hearing aid, also known as her Phonic Ear, to transform into her superhero alter ego, El Deafo! She deals with learning to use a complicated hearing aid, as well as how this visible disability isolates her from her classmates.
Bell uses the graphic novel format to her advantage; the illustrations move the action along and really make her autobiography enticing. The panels read left to right, top to bottom, so it’s a great book to serve as an introduction to graphic novels. The book’s target audience is ages 8-12, but everyone can relate to the story of adaptation and acceptance.
Allison R., Staff member
After each session, participants select a book from that genre to read and profile. Take a look at the Reader’s Advisory Annotations posted on Memphis Reads to discover what you can read next.
Non Fiction/Memoir/Graphic Novel
Allison reviews EL DEAFO by Cece Bell (Amulet Books, 2014)
El Deafo is a graphic novel memoir by Cece Bell. Using bright illustrations, Bell tells the story of the illness that caused her to lose her hearing at a young age, and how she coped with being different from everyone else. Bell used her bulky hearing aid, also known as her Phonic Ear, to transform into her superhero alter ego, El Deafo! She deals with learning to use a complicated hearing aid, as well as how this visible disability isolates her from her classmates.
Bell uses the graphic novel format to her advantage; the illustrations move the action along and really make her autobiography enticing. The panels read left to right, top to bottom, so it’s a great book to serve as an introduction to graphic novels. The book’s target audience is ages 8-12, but everyone can relate to the story of adaptation and acceptance.
Allison R., Staff member
Labels: Readers' Advisory Annotations, Reviews by Allison R., Staff book reviews
Thursday, October 06, 2016
[Book Review] If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo
Allison reviews IF I WAS YOUR GIRL by Meredith Russo (Flatiron books, 2016)
Amanda moves from her mom’s place in Atlanta to live with her dad in Lambertville, Tennessee. Who would willingly move from a big city to a small town, especially before their senior year of high school?
Someone hiding a secret.
Amanda was born Andrew, and transitioning into a girl wasn’t an easy situation, even in a big city. Amanda just wants a fresh start before she can leave for college and be whoever she wants, with no traumatic past.
Then Amanda meets Grant, and feels emotions she didn’t think she’d feel. She wants to share herself--all of herself--with him… but should she?
This book is an interesting crash course in transgender issues.
Allison R., Library staff
Labels: Fiction, Reviews by Allison R., Staff book reviews, Young Adult
