Scars

Scars
By Cheryl Rainfield
2010
233 pages

Summary: Kendra hasn’t felt safe since she started remembering gruesome images of her childhood sexual abuse. While she cannot bring herself to remember her attacker, she knows she’s getting closer. Unfortunately, she thinks HE knows too, because she thinks someone is following her. Not sure who she can trust, Kendra seeks comfort in Meghan, a girl from school with her own troubled past. Together they try to piece together the missing pieces, before Kendra runs out of time.

Review: Scars is a compelling and emotional read. While the writing was not as smoothly executed as some other books on the topic that I’ve read, there was a lot to make this novel stand out. Through Kendra’s memories the reader is slowly introduced to the abuse without having to read about it first hand. This allows for some distance between the reader and the protagonist, which can be incredibly helpful for some reading this type of novel. Further, the memories in some ways separated Kendra from the abuse, making the story not just about her as a victim, but also about her as an individual (a friend, a girlfriend, an artist, a cutter, a student, etc.). I thought elements such as the art therapy and the relationship with Meghan were well done and created depth to this novel. Those who enjoy issue fiction or who are looking for a window/mirror will definitely find something to like.

Also by Cheryl Rainfield: The Last Dragon

If you liked Scars, you might also enjoy: Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess, Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott, Willow by Julia Joban

Additional Info:
Secret Shame website on self injury: http://selfharm.net/
Recover Your Life: Support and Community for those who self harm: http://www.recoveryourlife.com/
Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans Youthline: http://www.youthline.ca/

Here is a link to sexual assault centres in Southwestern Ontario. Please find one in your area if you need assistance.

Author website: http://www.cherylrainfield.com/

Rating: W2.5/4 C3/4 P3/4 O2.5/4 PP2.5 (issue fiction isn’t for everyone) CR4/4
Grade Level Interest: JS (some mature elements, but topic is very relevant to a younger audience. Easy to read, which also makes is accessible to a younger audience)

The Queen of Everything

The Queen of Everything
By Deb Caletti
2002
372 pages (paperback)

“People ask me all the time what having Vince MacKenzie for a father was like. What they mean is, was he always crazy?

Summary: Jordan finally has a normal life. She’s living with her normal father (and not her hippie mother), she’s got a best friend and a new boyfriend, everything is the way she wants it. That is until Gayle D’Angelo comes into her and her father’s life. Now her father isn’t sleeping, he’s drinking, being paranoid and acting really strange. Having an affair with married women is turning him into something Jordan doesn’t recognize, something dangerous and Jordan doesn’t know what to do.

Review: While The Queen of Everything definitely has a Caletti feel (slow, rich and purposeful writing), this story contains a lot more edge and drama. Readers of realistic fiction will enjoy Caletti’s everyday teen world with an authentic voice, but there is a lot of suspense and action to keep the story fast moving. The characters are flawed and captivating (pretty cute romance included) and the slow moving build in of violence and suspense make this a hard book to put down. Overall, it’s a very enjoyable read, one that crosses a lot of genres. While it might be a little old, it is still very relevant and would appeal to a wide audience.

Also by Deb Caletti: Honey, Baby, Sweetheart, Wild Roses, The Nature of Jade, The Six Rules of Maybe

If you liked The Queen of Everything, you might also enjoy: Margaux with an X by Ron Koertge, Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott and Leftovers by Laura Wiess

Additional Info: If you like Deb Caletti’s books you might notice some of the characters and places showing up again and again. She has a pretty cool character and location map on her website here.

Author website: http://debcaletti.com/

Rating: W4/4 C3/4 P4/4 O3/4 PP3/4 CR1/4
Grade Level Interest: S

2011 Debut Author Challenge

I’ve decided to participate in the 2011 Debut Author challenge this year. Kristi from The Story Siren does such an amazing job putting it together, and I love supporting new authors. I’m committing to reading 12, hopefully I can read more.

2011 Debut Author Challenge participant information:
- The objective of the DAC is to read at least twelve novels from Young Adult or Middle Grade Authors. While twelve is the minimum there is no maximum limit! I encourage readers who can read more than twelve to do so!
- Anyone can join. You don't have to be a blogger, and you don't have to live in the United States.
- You do not have to have an blog written in English to participate.
- You can join at anytime. The challenge runs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

Qualifying books:
- Books must be a Young Adult or Middle Grade novel.
- DO NOTE: Just because a book has a teen character or is about a teen, does not mean that it is necessarily a Young Adult novel.
- This must be the authors debut with a release date in 2011.
- If an author has a previous novel published under adult fiction/nonfiction or children's fiction/nonfiction, they can still qualify for the challenge if they are releasing their YA or MG debut.

Check back in 2011 to see how I do.
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Blogger Hop

Time for the Blogger Hop from Crazy for Books

What a great idea! I love following readers blogs almost more than I like blogging myself. What a great way to get out there and meet new people who share the same interests as you.

This week’s question: What’s your favourite book cover?

This is a difficult question because there are so many beautiful covers. However, I think my all time favourite cover is Fallen by Lauren Kate. It’s just so dark and beautiful. I have always loved it, I still do. It’s actually my favourite part of the book.

Coming Soon to a Library Near You

Coming Soon to a Library Near You is a weekly feature inspired by Jill at Breaking the Spine that looks at upcoming books.

This Week’s Book: Playing Hurt

Author: Holly Schindler

Release Date: March 8 2011
Summary: Star basketball player Chelsea "Nitro" Keyes had a full ride to college—and everyone's admiration back home. Then she took a horrible fall during senior year. Now a metal plate holds her together and she feels like a stranger in her own family. That summer, Chelsea's dad hires Clint, a nineteen-year-old ex-hockey player and "boot camp" trainer, to work with her at a northern Minnesota lake resort. As they grow close, Chelsea finds that Clint's haunted by his own tragedy. Will their romance end up hurting them all over again—or finally heal their heartbreak?

Oh, this sounds like one of my favourite movies from when I was a kid, The Cutting Edge...so cute!

Fade

Fade (Dreamcatcher Trilogy)
By Lisa McMann
2009
248 pages
Book 2

Summary: Dreamcatching is taking its toll on Janie physically, but also on her relationship with Cabel, who hates to see her hurt. On top of that she’s been asked by the Captain to help find a possible sexual predator in her school. While Janie tries to use her dreams to catch the predator, she comes to find that she’s more involved than she wants to be and she’s dangerously close to a nightmare she won’t be able to wake up from.

Review: For those who enjoyed the first book in the series (Wake), this second instalment will not be a disappointment. While it still contains the choppy writing style that the first book does, Fade demonstrates growth with respect to story and character development. There is a lot more time given to Janie’s thought process and her life outside of the dreams. This resulted in a lot of room for readers to connect with the story, especially with Janie, that wasn’t there in the first novel. There is also a significant amount of action and suspense, which also makes this book feel fuller. It was a quick, easy and enjoyable read, one that would be applicable to wide audiences of varying ages and genre preferences.

Also by Lisa McMann: Cryer’s Cross (2011), Wake and Gone

If you liked Fade you might also enjoy: Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Haria Stolarz, Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, Sleepless by Cyn Balog, Dream Girl by Lauren Mechling, Evermore by Alyson Noel

Author website: http://lisamcmann.com/

Rating: W3/4 C3/4 P4/4 O3/4 PP3/4 CR3/4
Grade Level: S – low level for reading but mature elements.

The Karma Club

The Karma Club
By Jessica Brody
2010
258 pages

“Good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people. That’s just how Karma works. Well, at least that’s how I thought it worked.”

Summary: Hell hath no fury...When Madison’s boyfriend cheats on her with Miss Perfect Heather Campbell, she’s not sure she wants to wait around for Karma to take care of things. So instead she decides to start a Karma club to dish out bad things to those who deserve it, especially her ex boyfriend. However, Madison soon realizes that every action has a re-action and soon enough Karma will catch up to everyone...even her.

Review: The Karma Club is a fun, light read that could easily be devoured in one or two sittings. Readers who enjoy upside down high school settings where the cheerleader finally gets what is coming to her will no doubt find something satisfying in this comedic novel. Madison is a very likable and charming character, despite her desire to seek revenge. Her honesty and frankness make her stand out amongst the plethora of other realistic fiction main characters. There are also key elements of friendship, forgiveness, honesty and romance to appeal to YA audiences.

This is Jessica Brody’s debut YA novel

If you liked The Karma Club, you might also enjoy: Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood by Eileen Cook, Getting the Girl by Susan Juby, Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman

Additional Info: you have to check out the awesome book trailer on Jessica’s website. It’s like watching a movie, really well done.

Jessica Brody’s website: http://www.jessicabrody.com/

Rating: W3/4 C3/4 P4/4 O2.5/4 PP3.5/4 CR3/4
Grade Level Interest: JS