LEVIATHAN By Scott Westerfeld

Illustrations are beautiful and overall work well with the story. The map endpapers are very cool in how the countries are depicted, but a little hard to see the shading differences. Some knowledge of who was actually allied and neutral in real WWI is helpful.

We liked the integration of using real historical oddities with the fictional fabrications. Although we aren’t sure that a Tasmanian Tiger, which once really existed, would have really made a good pet.

One way that series were often critiqued was whether or not they could stand on their own as well as in a series. The main issue would be resolved (even if temporarily) by the end of a single book. There may be some unanswered questions that keep you wondering and may be answered or more important in the next book. However, we found Leviathan’s ending unsatisfying, but at least you know there’s a next book. No resolution of anything at the end seems to be the trend with series books these days – both adult and YA. The next book due out in October.

We also discussed the mystery at the end of what’s in the eggs? Our thoughts: Kracken/Squid? Shark? Based on illustration in Ch. 24 we are guessing perhaps a Giant Sea Turtle. A mighty warship made of?....

The steam punk genre seems to be really on the rise and may be jumping genres soon. Main characteristics of steam punk: Mechanical components with historical fiction elements, often with an alternative history twist.

Characters, Quotes & Descriptions:

“Steam punk” – a genre name that has been created to sound “cool”; came from a play on cyber-punk which came from characters who really were more punk.

“It’s barking hard to be a boy” – great quote

Really liked Deryn. – Her spunk, her intelligence, she passes as an underage boy. Loved it when she’s trying to be a boy and she talks about needing a “swagger”; later Alek comments on that Dylan’s “swagger”. Starts having crush on Alek. Where will this go, since she hasn’t revealed her true identity to him.

Monkey Ludites – luddites are afraid of technology, but the Clankers aren’t afraid of technology they are more afraid of the whole biological sciences. Hence Monkey Ludites refers to someone afraid of biological science.

Bats guano carries metal shards: Using bodily functions for weaponry and transportation.

We also liked Alek. His self awareness comes naturally, not contrived.

Other thoughts related to the book and author:

Scott Westerfeld – US/Texas boy spends much of time in Sydney Australia (married to an Australian)

He seems to have been very influenced by several sci-fi books/movies that already exist. There are parallels to Star Wars with the Storm Walkers. Furthermore, creating an ecosystem based on living creatures is a theme in several sci-fi shows as well. The sci-fi show Farscape has a character named Moya of the Leviathan race. Grows other creatures that help function to maintain her. Could it be an infringement of these types of sci-fi characteristics? We’re not the only ones making these comparisons and drawing these parallels which isn’t surprising knowing how into Sci-fi people can get.

We would recommend it for Middle School through High School; a precocious reader could read it in upper elementary. This book is a good intro to genre of steam punk to readers, and can be easily pitched to either gender. It can also be pitched to people with varied interests: historical-fiction readers, sci-fi readers, push fantasy, etc.

Other books using this genre that our group recommends:
Boneshaker by Cherie Priest another Steam punk that may be up for Alex Award
Solace by Gayle Carringer

BOOK TALKS/REVIEWS...

For our December meeting we decided to share books in an informal booktalk format rather than have an assigned reading.

Books discusses and shared at our December meeting were:

Notes from the Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick (Leah): Alex is not adjusting well to some things in his life. One night after getting drunk he takes his mom's car and heads over to his dad's girlfriend's house. If it wasn't bad enough that his dad has a new girlfriend, it also happens to be Alex's 3rd grade teacher! On his way, he crashes into the neighbors lawn and ends up throwing up on the policeman who comes to the scene. From there he gets sentenced to community service helping out at an old folks home working with one of it's grumpiest residences. Whether it's the 3rd grade teacher or the throwing up on the police officer, this book talk has Leah's kids grabbing for this book at the end of her presentations.

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale (Heather):When it is announced in Miri's village that the next princess is to come from their village every young girl is to attend the princess academy Miri is less than interested, but attend she does. As things happen that put the girls into peril and isolation Miri must figure out if she really wants to be princess of the academy or stay with her other love interest. This is a Newbery honor book/Maude Heart Lovelace nominee.

Vampire Archives: The Most Complete Volume of Vampire Tales Ever Published (Jenn B): This is not a YA book but could have ya interest for those interested in vampires. Over 80 stories from authors famous and non for their vampire stories. Several stories are actually Pre-Dracula. There are also a number of poems. Contains a bibliography – over 100 pages of reference. Perfect for reference and/or vampire fans.

John Dies at the End by David Wong (not YA): According to Publisher's Weekly review "...adroitly spoofs the horror genre while simultaneously offering up a genuinely horrifying story. The terror is rooted in a substance known as soy sauce, a paranormal psychoactive that opens video store clerk Wong's—and his penis-obsessed friend John's—minds to higher levels of consciousness. Or is it just hell seeping into the unnamed Midwestern town where Wong and the others live? Meat monsters, wig-wearing scorpion aberrations and wingless white flies that burrow into human skin threaten to kill Wong and his crew before infesting the rest of the world. A multidimensional plot unfolds as the unlikely heroes drink lots of beer and battle the paradoxes of time and space, as well as the clichés of first-person-shooter video games and fantasy gore films."

Bright Sided by Barbara Ehrenreich (Kim/not necessarily ya): Dark side of the positive thinking movement. If you’re not so positive about positive thinking this is for you. Breaks it down into parts, including how it got started.

Your Own, Sylvia by Stephanie Hemphill (Jenn T.): A unique and appropriate way of presenting a haunting biography of Sylvia Plath, this book is done all in poetry. Each poem is beautifully crafted to reveal a piece of Sylvia's life. Each poem notes whose viewpoint it is being told such as Sylvia's mother, father, psychiatrist, etc. After each poem is usually a prose note giving a bit more detail about the situation, person or event. The poems are as haunting as Sylvia's own and capture the darkness in a way simply writing the story may not.

Other horror suggestions for teens:
Peeps by Scott Westerfield
Thirsty by MT Andersen
Holly Black’s books are supposed to be pretty creepy: Tithe is suppose to be very unnerving
Vivian Van de Velde
Katie Maxwell horror with humor
Soulless by Christopher Golden
Joseph Burach Skeleton Man
Face in the Frost – building intensity

Next book for January: Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Climbing the Stairs/Living Dead Girl RECAPS

We discussed two very different books with very different reactions!

Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman took us to India during World War II and India's struggle for independence. Here a young girl from a progressive family has her life upended when a tragedy strikes her father a hollow shell. The family most go live with the father's very traditional family structure where the men basically live upstairs and the women downstairs. Vidya braves the wraith of her Aunt, who is the lead woman of the house, and seeks solace in the library, an upper room that is usually forbidden, and a young man who may be her salvation or her down fall. This is an interesting view of the WWII Era and from yet another view point that is often not heard. The background is set against political issues between the peaceful protests that end in British brutality and those who enter into the military to help the British fight in the World War. There is also the family culture clashes. The Aunt who clings to the older traditions and perhaps is bitter because of them. The Grandfather who adheres to much of the old traditions but respects his granddaughter enough to allow her some modern ways. While we discussed this book briefly, it was a consensus that the book is well written and very interesting both in plot, character development and time period.

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott is a completely different story about a girls abduction and torture - physically, sexually, and mentally. This book while very short, is so intense that you may feel you've read 1000 pages when you are done. Some of us couldn't even finish the book, others had to put it down several times and then continue later. This book compelling and graphic. The group discussed this as a high school book for sure - not meant for younger middle school aged kids. For teens it could almost be used as a "Trust your insticts 101" book. If it seems weird, it probably is. The story is well written in prose and near poetry at times. Short vinettes reflect the pain the agony and the second guessing of the tortured girl. Parents of any young daughter will cringe and find it horrifying - there are images you just don't want in your head a parent and this book definitely hits on many of them. The overwhelming urge never to let your child out of your site ever again is quite strong. One thing is very clear with this book. No matter what happens after someone is abducted it is never good and perhaps being killed swiftly is the best hope than living through the hell that can happen. It is a book with intense imagery, excellent writing and a very disturbing plot. Teens who like dark, edgy stories will be drawn to this book and, hey, if it makes them a little more self-aware then perhaps that's the best part of the book.

New fantasy book makes me go hmmmm....

So there is a new release coming out called Legacy written by a 16-year old girl. You can read prologue and first chapter at amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595910557/ref=pe_32810_12887170_fe_txt_1/

What I find fascinating is that there seems to be a never-ending stream of "next generation" writers/readers who still dip back into a romanticized medieval era for their writings. What is it about this era that captures and fascinates so many young women, even today? Just a thought to put to the group.

May & June books...

May's read: Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book.
June's read: Cycler by Lauren McLaughlin.

Both in their own ways were very enjoyable books and gave us lively conversation.

Graveyard explores themes similar to Kipling's The Jungle Book (which Gaiman actually acknowledges as part of his impetus for writing the book), but for those who haven't read that in years, The Graveyard Book also stands on its own. Social commentary and living between worlds - one to which you belong because of your inherent being and one to which you belong because you are raised within it. How this marginalizes and blurs many of the usual characters and situations is interesting. Who the heroes are aren't always the ones you think about as heroes.

Cycler explores two lives trying to live in the same world AND within the same body. A good YA book dealing with identity. Gender bending is the name of the game but in a very physical sense and the culmination at the end leaves you wanting more (and it sounds like there will be - sequel in the making is the rumor). Of course, we'd liked a little more closure with the situation at hand but may not get the full story of what happened next, depending on how the author proceeds with the next book.

Apologies for the recaps being a bit vague. Not a lot of time lately and we don't have a refined system for getting recaps onto the blog with the change over of secretarial responsibilities. We'd like all book club members to share in the blog so please feel free to add your own posts/comments about our books or sign on to help do a recap following our meetings. Thanks to everyone who keeps our book club going!

July's book: Schwa Was Here by Neal Shusterman
August's book: The Uglies by Scott Westerfield

APRIL ANNOTATED BIBS...

For April we celebrated our book clubs 3rd birthday and the start of our 4th year together. In honor of the various people we are we decided to each present a book that we've read and enjoyed be it YA or not. The following is the annotated bibliography of what was presented. Members who weren't able to join us at the table, feel free to add your comments and book talks here on the blog. ENJOY!

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (Camille)

NOTE: this is not an adult literature piece, not YA
Excerpt:
"This is the story of how as a girl of sixteen I went in search of my father and his past, and of how he went in search of his beloved mentor and his mentor's own history, and of how we all found ourselves on one of the darkest pathways into history.  It is the story of who survived that search and who did not, and why.  As a historian, I have learned that, in fact, not everyone who reaches back into history can survive it.  And it is not only reaching back that endangers us; sometimes history itself reaches inexorably forward for us with its shadowy claw."
My Take:
For those of you interested, an adult vampire tale more in the tradition of Bram Stoker than Stephanie Meyer.  Don't attempt to speed read this one, you will find yourself lost.  Honestly, if you take your time you will find yourself lost as well, but lost IN the story.


The Hound of Rowan by Henry Neff (Kate)
The Hound of Rowan, first in the Tapestry series, borrows heavily on familiar themes that readers will recognize from Harry Potter.  However, it is a fun read in its own right.  Max McDaniel is the rightful heir of Cuchulainn, the fabled Irish hero, though he doesn't know it at first.  His mother disappeared years earlier and upon his arrival at Rowan, a school in New England for "potentials", he discovers a world he never knew existed, complete with mystical creatures, a training course that changes every day and danger.  Daring rescues, a quest and discoveries make this a fun adventure and in the sequel entitled "The Second Siege", author Henry Neff's writing comes into its own, departing from his dependence on Harry Potter and owning his own work.   

Burning Up by Carolyn Cooney (Leah)

Macey lives a nice life in a wealthy, white Connecticut town that looks perfect from the outside. Macey's eyes are opened when chooses to do her local history project on a neighbor's barn that burned down in 1969. She soon discovers that the apartment on top of the barn had been home to the town's first Black teacher. The more she looks into her discovery, the less her neghbors are willing to talk. Macey soon discovers that people she has known and trusted her whole life are trying to hide the truth about the fire from her -- neighbors, family friends, even her own grandparents... By the time Macey realized that the answers to some questions can make you wish you had never asked, it is too late to turn back on the true history of Macy's town.

Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (Jennifer T)
When a young toddler crawls through the gates of the old graveyard up the hill, it is his saving grace - literally. The man Jack was to kill him along with the rest of his family, but instead the inhabitants of the graveyard take him in and protect him. Soon Bod Owens is one of the oddest residents in the graveyard - after all he is alive. Adopted by a long dead, childless couple and cared for by a mysterious guardian, Bod grows up learning the ways of the dead and somewhat of the living. Bod has many adventures in the graveyard. Learning about the oldest residents and their secrets he meets the Indigo man and a forever young witch. He even makes friends with a young girl his own age who happens to be alive. Soon, there are things that draw Bod out into the world beyond the graveyard. Has what he learned from those among the dead enough to keep him alive?

Don't Call Me Ishmael by Michael Gerard Bauer (Martha)
A book about bullying that has the perfect nerd. The book is funny, silly, and perfect middle-school fodder with a believable bully.
From Booklist 11-15-2007: Ishmael Leseur is convinced that his name (his first name was inspired by Melville's famous character and his last name is ripe for unsavory rhymes) is the source of all his woes. Then he meets James, confident new classmate who, despite a facial tick that marks him a juicy target for laughs, bests bully Barry Bagsley and succeeds at everything. Could this mean Ishmael can turn his own life around? He joins the debate club James is organizing, which brings together a bunch of other losers. Of course that seems to make matters worse. Ishmael faints at a tournament, and he still can't stand up to Barry. But when James disappears, Ishmael finds himself and his fellow debators pulling together in the way James always knew they could. Bauer invests Ishmael with a great sense of self-deprecating humor, and quirky chapter titles extend the laughs. Like the Primrose in Polly Horvath's Everything on a Waffle (2001), Ishmael can't catch a break, but he still holds out hope that geeks will eventually rule the world.

Elephant Run by Roland Smith (Martha)
A different perspective of World War II.
From Booklist: At the height of the London blitz, Nick’s mother sends him to join his father on the family’s remote, ancestral timber plantation in Burma. Her gambit turns out badly: The invading Japanese soon seize the plantation, imprisoning his father in a brutal POW camp, and leaving 13-year-old Nick to endure hardship under Japanese overseers (whose characterizations are less complex than those of the diverse Burmese). As readers will expect from suspense-specialist Smith, Nick faces exciting situations (including several weeks in the estate’s secret catacombs), and details of Burmese politics, spirituality, and daily life weave an alluring backdrop. Some readers, however, may feel disoriented by Smith’s fragmented storytelling style, in which momentum often seems to consolidate around one character or plot development only to move suddenly in an entirely new direction. Still, this offering’s unusual setting deserves attention from historical fiction fans, who will appreciate the window on a rarely discussed theater of World War II. Grades 5-8. - Jennifer Mattson

Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster (Kim)
A classic that still stands the test of time!
From Amazon Review: "It seems to me that almost everything is a waste of time," Milo laments. "[T]here's nothing for me to do, nowhere I'd care to go, and hardly anything worth seeing." This bored, bored young protagonist who can't see the point to anything is knocked out of his glum humdrum by the sudden and curious appearance of a tollbooth in his bedroom. Since Milo has absolutely nothing better to do, he dusts off his toy car, pays the toll, and drives through. What ensues is a journey of mythic proportions, during which Milo encounters countless odd characters who are anything but dull.
Norton Juster received (and continues to receive) enormous praise for this original, witty, and oftentimes hilarious novel, first published in 1961.
As Milo heads toward Dictionopolis he meets with the Whether Man ("for after all it's more important to know whether there will be weather than what the weather will be"), passes through The Doldrums (populated by Lethargarians), and picks up a watchdog named Tock (who has a giant alarm clock for a body). The brilliant satire and double entendre intensifies in the Word Market, where after a brief scuffle with Officer Short Shrift, Milo and Tock set off toward the Mountains of Ignorance to rescue the twin Princesses, Rhyme and Reason. Anyone with an appreciation for language, irony, or Alice in Wonderland-style adventure will adore this book for years on end. (Ages 8 and up)

OTHER BOOKS MENTIONED:
- Art of Racing in the Rain (adult fiction) by Garth Stein: Told completely from the dogs point of view about his life and his master's, an avid race car driver, and how their lives are deeply entwined.
- Ties that Bind, Ties that Break (young adult) by Lensey Namioka: Chinese foot binding
- Mistress of the Monarchy: The life of Katherine Swynford, Duchess of Lancaster (adult biography) by Alison Weir: Life of Swynford who was mistress and later wife of John of Gaunt, the third son of King Edward III of England.
- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (adult novel) by Mary Ann Shaffer: letters that share women's experiences during WWII including a secret book club in occupied Germany

MAY'S BOOK: Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (no worries, no spoilers in the above blurb)

RECAP OF "BLOODY JACK"...

Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy, by L.A. Meyer was our read for March.

We felt the age level would be most appropriate for readers: age 7^th grade and up due to some of the graphic scenes. We noted that the book was actually accurate for its age recommendation.

We used the Reader Chat Page from Harcourt, 2004 paperback edition, but did not necessarily follow the order of the questions. Following are the discussion answers from our group. The number in front references the chat page number with some paraphrasing of the question to help understand our answers. Where there are no numbers, the discussion points came from other avenues of discussion:

5. How did living on the streets prepare Jacky for life at sea? She wasn’t modest or easily affronted by men’s body or behavior. She already knew how to curse like a sailor. Life was so tough on the streets that the work on the ship, although hard, was easier for her to pick up and handle.

1. Why does Jacky sign on to the ship and her allure to the sea? She wants to see more of the world, not just sing about far away places. More so she wants to get away from the streets. Being on the ship meant getting meals every day, her own clothes, and shelter plus she didn’t have to deal with Muck or end up being one of his corpses he delivered for the doctors .

2. Why does Jacky worry about giving away her Deception by singing and dancing? Could she? At first there probably wasn’t so much to worry about, but as she hits puberty drawing attention to herself could attract the interest of others, not just Sloat. Some do notice the differences such as Jamie starting to treat her different because he’s worried about his attraction to her (as a boy).

-- We enjoyed the words and lessons of the teacher – how aptly they seemed to apply. He seemed very deft about the habits at sea and/or acutely aware that there was some issues on board around Jacky and the seamen.

3. Why did Jacky feel that Jenkins needed to fight Bliffil but not necessarily win? She had dealt with bullies on the streets. In her experience, bullies often backed down when they were called out. Bullies often leave someone alone if they aren’t an easy target. Also, perhaps she worried about Jenkins getting put off and she felt a kin to because she too feared that.

4. Being a coward? Is she really? She’s scared but she doesn’t back down and she does what she needs to do. Being a coward is hiding when you need to do something. People are often scared while doing what they need to do, but accomplishing what you need to do in the face of being scared is not cowardly.

-- What about the kite scene? When the tree uproots and she ends up on a paradise island eating coconut and drinking milk it seemed a little bit too over the top. Did our author watch a little too much Gilligan’s Island as a youngster? This seemed like a completely different story about a castaway, not her adventures at sea. We felt it wasn’t necessary. Almost seemed like the author needed to give her an adventure before being booted off the ship and sent to proper school. It seemed like a pretty contrived way to have the crew to find out that she’s really a girl.

-- Street smarts vs. incredulity and naïve. She’s a fun, complex character – the “smart one in the relationship” but not knowing everything.

-- Both boys and girls would enjoy this book. One member’s personal experience with reference questions in her media center is that boys tend to ask more advisory questions than girls. Girls seem to find books more on their own and know what they’ll like right away.

-- You cold book talk this with a “girl” slant or a “boy” slant depending on your approach or theme.

-- The end is so set up for sequel, but almost too sharp… could there have been a bit cleaner ending ? Not necessarily neat and all wrapped up but not so abrupt. There could have actually been a place earlier to end the story so that the interest in what happens to her is there, but not demanding that you read the next book to find out.

Next Month: Our group celebrates 3 years of book club with an outing and book talks. Each member will have a book (YA or not) that they will give a short book talk about. Look for an anotated bibliography of the book talk later this month.