Stream of Unconsciousness

Reading Three Quarters Dead by Richard Peck is like being in someone's confused nightmare. But, not in a bad way.

Sophomore Kerry, out of step with her peers, finds herself inexplicably drawn into the coolest trio in school: Tanya, who seems to have the ability to stop time to her own purposes; Natalie, graceful and beautiful; and Mackenzie, whose English heritage gives her a quirky, superior quality. Peck describes the bizarre, sometimes nightmarish journey from the first day of school to the scene of a fatal car crash to the After Prom Party to the great beyond, from the dark suburban homes to New York's nightclubs all blue velvet and shimmering glass, from tricks to treats to texts from dead girls in twists of time or fate, Kerry's journey is intriguing and, frankly, a bit unnerving.

Read it in a single sitting or in short spooky sessions, but be on your guard against believing too much or too little and TTKU (try to keep up). It doesn't take a lot to tip the balance of reality when you're three quarters dead.

What a Sweet Story

If you're looking for one of those timeless stories, one that's simple and sweet, look no further than Kevin Henkes' Grandpa and Bo. This straightforward story from 1986 tells the story of Bo and his grandfather and the summer they spend together. Grandpa teaches Bo about trees and birds and fish. Bo teaches Grandpa a few things, too. The book is the literary equivalent of mac-n-cheese or buttery mashed potatoes. It's warm, homey, and satisfying. Look for it and other Kevin Henkes books any time you want a guaranteed pleasant read.

A Walk Around Walden

Exquisite wood carvings grace the pages of Michael McCurdy's alphabet picture book Walden Then and Now: An Alphabetical Tour of Henry Thoreau's Pond. A to Z, from ants to zypher, McCurdy notes specific chapters and paragraphs from Thoreau's Walden taking the simple concept of picture book to a whole new level suitable for an introduction to primary and secondary sources. Beyond the rhymes, McCurdy also provides insightful contrasts between the Walden of yesteryear and today's conservation efforts. The possibilities are endless for this short work which makes for a delightful walk around Walden Pond or an anchor text for your curriculum.

A Retro Read in Red

Rose Sees Red by Cecil Castellucci is Fame meets Breakfast Club meets Ferris Beuller's Day Off all with a running soundtrack from Sting's album (vinyl album, that is) Dream of the Blue Turtles.

1982. New York. Rose and Yrena, both ballerinas, become fast friends when Yrena, a Soviet citizen due to return to the USSR, go out for a night on the town. Castellucci paints a colorful picture of the era with plenty of references to the pop culture of the time and lots of fashion tips you might want to avoid in 2011 besides giving her characters plenty of opportunity for dreamy speeches about peace all in the span of about 24 hours.

A quick read and a not-too-ponderous introduction to the Cold War and all it meant to those of us (a-hem) who did our coming of age singing "We Are the World".

How Does Your Garden Grow?

The Gardener by S. A. Bodeen is one of the new titles in the Glendale Library. This second novel by Bodeen (her debut was this year's Gateway nominee, The Compound) is a disturbing blend of science fiction and the real and current concerns over our global food supply.

Mason is the picture of strength and a bit of scariness with a facial scar marring his appearance since a childhood experience with the neighbor's dog. The physical scarification, though, is nothing compared to the emotional trauma of an absent father whose identity is a mystery and a mother whose battle against drinking is less than valiant. Enter Mason's hero complex: the need to rescue people in danger.

This aspect of Mason's character has earned him plenty of praise in his young life; but it is also the very thing that sets in motion a series of events that begin with kidnapping and end in a strange place called the Greenhouse.

Predictable? Yes. Engaging? Absolutely. Disturbing? Understandably. Definitely worth a read, S. A. Bodeen's The Gardener is a chilling and thought-provoking experiment in ethics and the meaning of life.

See an Animoto for The Gardener on the Read 2.0 page.

Aliens Love What?

Okay, so it's not a new title, but since I discovered it last year I have enjoyed it over and over again. What's not to love? Colorful, fun aliens visiting Earth and playing wacky games with all kinds of bloomers, knickers and underthings on the clotheslines. If you're looking for a read-aloud with giggles galore and a story that snaps back wash after wash, try Aliens Love Underpants by Claire Freedman.

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

A $2 Summary of the story. . .Andi's messed up. Failing school. Dad: Paris now! Finds old diary. French Revolution. Andi: I'm there! New future, new hope.

I give Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly thumbs up for lots of action, a little romance and especially for characters you can care about (both in the past and in the present). You really need to be a dedicated reader to appreciate this one. The author did her research (there are several pages of references and resources following the Epilogue). You will probably find the lyrics to some of your favorite songs in the book (there is a page of permissions Donnelly acquired for inclusion of lyrics) and you'll find some of yourself here, too - the fear, the anger, the sense of helplessness we all have sometimes as well as our love, our courage, and our ability to continue in hope.