Tag Archive | fathers

Counterfeit Family Tree of Vee Crawford-Wong, by L. Tam Holland (book review) – family secrets, lies & love?

Sep11

book cover of Counterfeit Family Tree of Vee Crawford-Wong by L Tam Holland published by Simon SchusterHalf-Chinese, half-Texan,
Parents won’t discuss family,
Who is Vee? He’s not sure.

Yep, one of those “write about your family history” assignments which make adoptees, foster kids, and those with fractured families cringe, and Vee decides that writing fiction is better than flunking for writing nothing.

I traveled in China a few years ago, so I can mentally see and smell and hear the inauspicious family trip that Vee, his Texan mom, his Chinese dad, and his best friend-girl take to Dad’s hometown searching for Grandfather Wong.

Grab this basketball-loving, dysfunctional family times two, coming-of-age tale today at your favorite local library or independent bookstore.

When it comes to skeletons rattling the family tree, should you ignore, hide, or celebrate them?
**kmm

Book info: The Counterfeit Family Tree of Vee Crawford-Wong / L. Tam Holland. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2013.  [author site]  [publisher site] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: Basketball, girls, and sad irony – life for Vee was okay. Inventing his family history for a school paper turns things upside down, and his Chinese dad and Texan mom may not see the humor in it, especially when they all go to China on a wild grandfather chase.

Yes, they gave him a name that couldn’t be mistaken for Chinese. No, Dad and Mom will never talk about their parents, ever. Yes, Vee loves basketball more than anything, but passion doesn’t equal talent. No, he is not going to fail honors history merely because he has no known family history to write about!

Getting cut from JV team is awful, but being named manager of the girls’ varsity team could be alright. It’s odd being around Adele outside history class where she hangs out (Mr. Riley helped her out of a tough spot once, she says) – maybe Vee is misreading the extra attention she pays him, or maybe not.

Vee’s best friend Madison’s Chinese is much better than his, so she helps him “reinvent” family information for the history paper and writes a letter to his dad as if from his long-estranged grandfather in China. This extra-credit detail sends the Crawford-Wongs (plus Madison) to Dad’s home village in search of family healing, and what a strange trip their journey becomes!

What if they really find Grandfather? What if they don’t?
What caused Mom’s parents to cut off communication?
What does senior Adele see in Vee (or is he imagining things)?

Complicated family history plus misunderstandings at school (on and off the court) might make Vee wish he’d never written that paper or might let him finally discover who he is, at last.  (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

Beautiful Decay, by Sylvia Lewis (book review) – her touch is death, except for him

Sep9

book cover of Beautiful Decay by Sylvia Lewis published by Running PressRot, mold,
putrefaction,
all in her touch.

Necromancers in current YA lit are a dime a dozen, but viviomancers?

Sylvia Lewis’ first novel is a doozy, with Ellie facing her first possibility at love, online-only friends who can’t know her true nature, a sort-of-zombie, and supernatural corporation owners on a cost-saving (soul-sucking) quest.

Grab this summer 2013 paperback now – you’ll never look at mold in the shower the same way again, ever (I promise).
**kmm

Book info: Beautiful Decay / Sylvia Lewis. Running Press, 2013.  [author info]  [publisher site]

My book talk: Ellie can’t let her skin touch anyone or anything, unless she wants rot to overrun it all. When a new guy at school seems intent on getting close to her, she realizes that this curse may be a gift… maybe.

Even with gloves on, it’s dangerous for 16-year-old Ellie to be near people – dangerous for them, as the tiniest touch of her skin will cause any germ on or in them to suddenly multiply uncontrollably. The smell of bleach-water pervades her parents’ upscale house (they’re rarely home), and the queen bee clique at school bullies her endlessly (just out of her reach).

Why Nate says that she has an “ability” instead of a terrifying medical condition is a mystery to Ellie, until she discovers that his touch has exactly the opposing effect of hers. She is a viviomancer and can make life grow abundantly, if she can learn to control her ability. So that makes Nate a necromancer, a death controller?

Nate’s home life is even more distressing than Ellie’s, and her online friend Mackenzie has to make a personal appearance to rescue them both. That’s when things start to get weird…

When the beetle walking across her hand stays alive,
And Nate’s mom isn’t alive, but isn’t quite dead,
And the factory bosses are sure that undead workers would be a great money-saver.

A very different gift resides in Ellie and another in Nate, but whether they’ll live long enough to learn how to use them is not guaranteed in this paranormal with a twist.  (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com) Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

Are You Experienced? by Jordan Sonnenblick (book review) – time traveling back to Woodstock

Sep2

book cover of Are You Experienced? by Jordan Sonnenblick published by Fiewel and Friends3 days of peace and love,
Music too memorable to resist,
Woodstock.

Time travel with Rich as he meets his own dad as a teenager, hears Jimi Hendrix play his “Star-Spangled Banner” for the crowd, and tries to discover what he got sent back in time to accomplish.

Are You Experienced? embraces those three magical days whose musical and cultural legacies influenced generations – and its book birthday is tomorrow!

**kmm

Book info: Are You Experienced? / Jordan Sonnenblick. Feiwel & Friends, 2013. [author site]  [publisher site] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: One perfect chord on a classic electric guitar and Rich zooms from 2014 and world’s strictest parents to 1969 and Woodstock! Dad will never believe this, except he’s there, too, as his teenage self…

Why his mom and dad are so controlling, Rich will never know, especially since they were hippies and musicians back in the 70s. Dad still gets choked up about his big brother dying of an overdose at 18, but does he ever show Rich any affection? Of course not.

Sneaking into Dad’s always-locked den closet, the teen discovers a vintage electric guitar and a note about playing a special chord… Boom! Suddenly, Rich is on the road to the Woodstock Music Festival in 1969, picked up by David, Michael, and Willow – his own dad, uncle, and uncle’s girlfriend! Claiming the name Gabriel, he hangs out with them for the whole weekend of peace and music.

Living through all the amazing music played live by bands who’d become legendary, wishing for a cellphone to record it, a long late-night talk with Jimi Hendrix – amazing. Getting to know Uncle Michael (whose name grown-up Dad never even says) and his cool girlfriend – awesome. Meeting beautiful Donna and seeing David/Dad so excited about the trip and the music – priceless.

Michael is really worried about something and is trying to hide it from David – but he might talk to Gabriel.

How many of these people at Woodstock will get drafted for the Vietnam War?
What did Jimi mean when they talked backstage?
Is Gabriel/Rich ever getting back to 2014?

Time travel, recreational pharmaceuticals, rock and roll, dysfunctional families, mud, mushrooms, and music – welcome to Woodstock… the Jimi Hendrix song as title says it all.  (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

Famous Last Words, by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski (book review) – writing obits, deadpan humor

Aug30

book cover of Famous Last Words by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski published by Henry HoltVoted least likely to do something crazy.
Known around school as “Um, hi there?”
Quiet in private, boring in public.

Her party-hearty best friend thinks that’s what their yearbook will say about Samantha, who has indeed been pretty cautious in life – until she gets used to calling families of the dearly departed many times daily to verify obituary facts, then helps an investigative reporter on a stakeout.

The other interns include a well-connected dreamboat who’s no great writer and a drummer guy with a flair for words who shares obit duties and coffee runs with Sam. She wanted a job to improve her writing – why not wish for a little summer romance, too?

Snag a copy of Famous Last Words at your favorite local library or independent bookstore, cue up the playlist that Doktorski kept on repeat as she wrote it, and enjoy Sam’s most interesting summer yet.

And ponder Sam’s favorite question – if you were writing your obituary now, what would it say?
**kmm

Book info: Famous Last Words / Jennifer Salvato Doktorski. Christy Ottaviano Books (Henry Holt), 2013.  [author site]  [publisher site]  Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: Writing obituaries wasn’t what Samantha expected during her summer internship, but helping an ace  reporter’s investigation should be more interesting. And then there are some cute guy interns, too…

Sam knows she’s quiet (her best friend Shelby reminds her often), but the obit desk at the New Jersey paper is mighty dull. Thankfully she can swap duties with AJ, another summer intern who’s in a band and good company as they file articles. Tony is also an intern, but he’s too handsome (and too connected to the paper’s owner) to have to do such menial work.

Michael covers City Hall and is sure that the mayor’s up to no good, with cronies being paid for jobs that no one sees them doing. The mayor has bankrolled the new coffeehouse/bookstore in Sam’s area, so she visits often, trying to see the silent partner that Michael is investigating.

Sam and AJ are filling in and working longer hours as staffers take vacation. Her best friend feels abandoned, her parents and grandmother worry about her late hours, yet Sam feels like she’s part of something important.

How long can a print newspaper survive in this digital world?
How long can Sam put up with Tony’s slacking and Shelby’s hurt feelings?
What about AJ’s raised-eyebrow glances as they follow the mayor on surveillance?

Sam knows that any writer improves by writing – even obituaries. Check out Famous Last Words  to see how far this summer job will take her. (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

Falcon in the Glass, by Susan Fletcher (book review) – secrets and more secrets in Venice

Aug21

book cover of Falcon in the Glass by Susan Fletcher published by Margaret K McElderry BooksSecrets passed from master to apprentice,
Sand to glass to beauty,
Death for sharing the secrets.

The all-powerful Doge did indeed control Venice with an iron fist during its heyday as a world trading center. Imagine how he’d respond to intelligent birds who could soar out of his reach, at the behest of their human partners!

Pick up this intriguing window into the world of medieval glassblowing, family bonds, and criminal skullduggery today at your local library or independent bookstore – and wonder if the Bird Children’s descendants may still live among us!
**kmm

Book info: Falcon in the Glass / Susan Fletcher. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2013.   [author site]  [publisher site]  Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: Without help, Renzo cannot practice his glassblowing for the test. Without help, the refugee children and their birds will freeze. Without fail, the Doge of Venice will have them all killed if he finds them together in his city!

As the lowest helper in the padrone’s glassworks, twelve-year-old Renzo wishes he was still working with his father in their studio, before Papa was murdered and Uncle fled Venice with his glassblower’s knowledge and a price upon his head. Now Renzo must demonstrate to the Guild that he can work glass like his father or he will never become an apprentice.

Practicing late at night, Renzo spies a starving girl huddled in the studio’s warmth and her falcon in the rafters – no spies allowed in the glassworks, no strangers, no birds! If she is one of the green-eyed Bird Children who were banished from mainland Venice for witchcraft…but he needs another set of hands to work the glass and she needs only a place to rest.

With Letta’s help, he can create beautiful glass pieces, including a falcon that looks like it could fly. But the other Bird Children need warmth and food, too. Perhaps they can stay for a little while, even if their silent communication with their birds makes Renzo nervous.

But sometimes, doing good carries a heavy price. The ruler of Venice is intent upon capturing the Bird Children, a man who looks like Uncle is spotted on the island, and Mama worries about Renzo’s late nights at the glass furnace.

Can Renzo keep the Bird Children safe and out of sight?
Can he ignore the whispers about his uncle and criminal mischief?
Can he keep his hands steady on the glass pipe when the Guild test comes?

Strong is the psychic connection between these green-eyed children and their birds, strong is Renzo’s love for his mother and sister, strong are the Doge’s prisons awaiting the smallest error by these young ones in this fantasy set in the 15th century. (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

Aquifer, by Jonathan Friesen (book review) – water is life, light is life, control is power

Aug19

book cover of Aquifer by Jonathan Friesen published by ZondervanLight – the Rats forgo it so they can control the water,
one of the most basic human needs;
The Prime Minister controls everything – and everyone – else.

Underground for so many generations, the humans guarding Earth’s last freshwater source have mutated into Rat-like darkness dwellers… that’s what the Council tells the Toppers in 2250, when rain on the Earth’s surface is only a memory and emotions are deemed unnecessary.

Imagine having to memorize each step and turn of the long, perilous journey to the Aquifer! If Luca’s father, the Deliverer, is brave enough to face the Rats at the Aquifer every year to renew the water agreement, why is he so sad and distant the rest of the year?

Be sure to have a big drink of cool, clear, fresh water at hand when you read this intriguing tale of a future Australia and a young man whose emotions refuse to stay sedated – just published this month.

**kmm

Book info: Aquifer / Jonathan Friesen.  Zondervan, 2013.   [author site]  [publisher site]  [book trailer] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: Luca knows someday he will be Deliverer, making the dangerous journey underground to ensure New Pert’s freshwater supply, but all the Toppers believe about the Rats controlling the Aquifer in 2250 may be a lie.

Only needful work is allowed, no wasteful emotions or art or writing, say the Prime Minister and the Council, so the precious water lasts all year, until the Deliverer renews the agreement with the dreadful Rats by taking them lightsticks that only the Toppers can make.

At 15, Luca is nearly done with school, trying to train his mind to remain calm, practicing the memorized steps and turns of the journey to the Aquifer that his father teaches him, the dreadful journey that someday will be his to make as Deliverer.

Trying to stay unnoticed by the Watchful Amongus is essential, else the Council’s enforcers will cast offenders in chains and dump them into the sea – “undone” from this life. When Luca hides a classmate who’s declared undone in the Deliverer’s shack, he starts a chain of events that could undo the cautious agreement between the Rats and the Toppers, breaking off the water supply or opening it forever.

Why does the museum-keeper show Luca the things she calls “books” and teach him to write?
What broke the spirit of the Deliverer – his many journeys to the Aquifer or something else?
When the time comes, will Luca be brave enough to travel underground as Deliverer?

Forbidden friendships, shared secrets, widespread lies, and even bigger truths fill this tale of a future Australia where spirits are parched for affection as much as their bodies are longing for water from the Aquifer. (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

Replica, by Jenna Black (book review) – clones, cops, and secrets

Aug12

book cover of Replica by Jenna Black published by Tor TeenExecutive Board members get memory backups regularly,
Executive families scramble to marry into the Board,
mere Employees do all the work, take all the risks, hide their own secrets…

Don’t send me to this future where corporations have purchased governments, and Paxco (former New York City) exports a memory-and-clones technology that no other Corporate State can match.

Nadia has to balance her conscience with the safety of her family when assassination gets too close to home, too close to the truth.

Read the first chapter of Replica here, then zip to your nearest local library or independent bookstore to get your copy.  Resistance,  book 2 in this new series, currently has a March 2014 publication date.

**kmm

Book info: Replica / Jenna Black.  Tor Teen, 2013.  [author site]  [publisher site]  [book trailer] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: Nadia’s future was all lined out, until her intended was killed and his Replica animated to replace him. As she and new-Nate try to fill in his memory gaps, the head of Security threatens them with more permanent erasure. Someone has secrets to hide…

The teen must be on her best behavior in public (the media is vicious), and she can’t even let her guard down at home – all Executive families know that some Employees spy for the Corporation.  Her soon-to-be fiance Nate doesn’t know what discretion means, even though someday he’ll inherit Chairmanship of Paxco (formerly known as New York City) from his father.

When Nate is killed at a party and Nadia was last to see him alive, her life becomes a nightmare as Security publically arrests her (such damaging publicity) and promises to harm her family if she doesn’t cooperate. Reanimated Nate’s last memory backup was 2 weeks before the party, so he can’t help prove her innocence. But perhaps his personal valet Bishop could… if they can find him in the Basement tenements where all Employees are crammed together. For the Replica technology reserved for highest Executive families is Paxco’s only export and must be supported by the peaceful labor of Employees.

Mosely of Security says Nadia must find the valet if she wants her family to remain safe, Nadia doesn’t trust him, and Bishop is not interested in endangering himself for her benefit – stalemate or powderkeg waiting for just the wrong/right spark to explode the Basement into violence against the Executives?

Is Nadia helping the true Nate or just the Nate she wants to see?
Why does running Replica take so many Employees?
What are the secrets that Paxco and Nate and Bishop are trying to hide?

Of all the Corporates States (of former America), Paxco seems to be a difficult place for truth to thrive, whether for Executive, Employee, or Replica in this future world thriller.  (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

Fantasy and fairy tales to read with your ears

Aug9

This week’s free audiobooks from SYNC bring us an old tale with new twists and the ‘rest of the story’ of an old favorite.

The first book in the Woodcutter series is filled with fairy tale characters you’ll recognize and spells and prophecies – my no-spoiler review of Enchanted  is here.

And Alice’s further adventures after returning from Wonderland are recounted as she steps Through the Looking Glass  to meet nursery rhyme friends and a terrible enemy.

Be sure to download these free, full-length audiobooks with professional narration by Wednesday, August 14; this summer’s last YA and classic audiobook pair goes live for download on Thursday, August 15.

CD cover of Enchanted by Alethea Kontis read by Katherine Kellgren published by Brilliance AudioEnchanted
By Alethea Kontis
Read by Katherine Kellgren
Published by Brilliance Audio

 

 

 

 

Through the Looking GlassCD cover of Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll read by Miriam Margolyes published by Bolinda Audio
By Lewis Carroll
Read by Miriam Margolyes
Published by Bolinda Audio

Which fairy tale or nursery character would you like to meet ‘for real’?
**kmm

Stolen Magic, by Stephanie Burgis (book review) – rogue magic-wielder, powerful secrets

Jul22

book cover of Stolen Magic by Stephanie Burgis published by Atheneum Books for Young ReadersAn unlicensed magic-wielder on the loose,
A future mother-in-law trying to stop her son’s wedding,
The threat of war with France always looming…
Surely the teeniest bit of magic from Kat would make things better, right?

Of course not! And with her big brother finally deciding to watch over her, the youngest Stephenson sister can hardly practice her magic – if the Guardians will ever schedule her test, that is.

Do read chapter one of Stolen Magic  here (no major spoilers), and be sure to grab Kat, Incorrigible (book 1) and Renegade Magic (book 2) before you dive into finale of this early 19th century mystery-magic-political intrigue-adventure series!

If you had a bit of magic, what would you do?

**kmm

Book info: Stolen Magic (The Unladylike Adventures of Kat Stephenson, book 3) / Stephanie Burgis.  Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2013.  [author site]  [publisher site]   Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: Kat senses magic following as her family travels to Angeline’s long-delayed wedding, but soon discovers that England itself is in peril unless can stop the rogue magic-wielder!

At least she’ll get to see older sister Elissa again at the wedding, Kat sighs, as the borrowed coach bumps over country roads toward the Carlyle estate. Their brother Charles and Stepmama have kept Kat from practicing her magic, even as her initiation into the Order of the Guardians approaches.

Being a witch or a magic-wielder is frowned upon by Regency society, and Stepmama so longs to be accepted by those of ‘good breeding’ like Lady Fotherington. During introductions, the beautiful Marquise who knew Kat’s late mother has such an interesting reaction – were she and Lady Fotherington previously acquainted?

Even with the mansion filled by both families and many guests, Kat senses the rogue magic nearby, but can’t run off exploring while Lady Fotherington is watching her, trying to find some reason to disqualify her from the Order. Hoping to stop the wedding plans for good, Mrs. Carlyle has invited Frederick’s lovely childhood sweetheart to stay, and Angeline fears her beauty will steal her fiance’s heart.

Will there be a wedding for Angeline at last?
Can Kat find the rogue magic-wielder before it’s too late?
Is her initiation into the Order ever going to happen?

Secret passageways, caverns in the cliffs overlooking the sea, magic attacks by the rogue, and a threat on Kat’s life!

This final volume of The Unladylike Adventures of Kat Stephenson wraps up the mysterious magic of an alternate Great Britain during its Regency years as shared in Kat, Incorrigible  (book 1) and Renegade Magic  (book 2). (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

Secret Ingredient, by Stewart Lewis (book review) – psychic to young chef: change is coming

Jul12

book cover of The Secret Ingredient by Stewart Lewis published by DelacorteTwo food-obsessed dads,
One music-mad brother,
The world’s best best friend,
and a long-ignored question bubbling up, demanding an answer.

Maybe the psychic’s unsought observation is true, and every decision that Olivia makes this summer will be connected. Maybe she’ll find cute Theo again, too.

A movie version is already in the works for this June 2013 book, but it’s set in Birmingham instead of LA.  The Secret Ingredient‘s  SoCal setting is plot-essential, as Ollie gets a summer job with a Hollywood casting agency, counts the palm trees as she passes each one on her bus ride, and harbors a lingering fear of the ocean’s depths. I’ve always said that the book is better than the movie –  just try to imagine two gay men adopting children 17 years ago in Alabama…

In the book, Ollie shares several recipes with her own secret ingredient added – any recipes with your special touch?
**kmm

Book info: The Secret Ingredient / Stewart Lewis. Delacorte Press, 2013.  [author site]  [publisher site]  Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: This summer should be relaxed for Olivia, but the unexpected jumps in. With a psychic’s warning and a vintage cookbook in hand, Ollie decides to help her dads save their restaurant and finally search for her birth mother.

Bell and Enrique have put everything they have into FOOD, and mortgage payments are coming due too soon. Ollie cooks the special on Saturday nights, always adding a secret ingredient for her own signature touch. Her big brother is totally obsessed with his guitar playing, but his huge talent isn’t exactly paying his bills yet.

They’ve had never been particularly bothered about being adopted by their gay dads (LA is pretty laid-back that way), but Ollie begins to wonder about her own mother when she hears that her best friend Lola’s mother has cancer.

Riding up the elevator to her summer job at a casting agency, a psychic suddenly tells the sixteen year old that her choices will be pivotal and connected, including a young man, guidance from the past, and food, too.

Maybe Theo from last summer will come back?
Perhaps her birth mother is the past part?
And food is always with Ollie – but will FOOD survive, too?

As she supports Jeremy breaking into the music business, creates a backstory for the handwritten notes found in an old cookbook, and stands by Lola during her mother’s treatments, Ollie has to figure out whether the secret ingredient for her own life might be finding her birth mother…or not.

Enjoy the recipes this brilliant young chef shares as she finds her own way in the world during an intense high school summer. (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)