Book Review: A Break with Charity

Friday Spines Book Review:

A Break with Charity, by Ann Rinaldi

Ann Rinaldi has written many historical fiction novels for older children/young adults. If you've tried reading her books and lost interest, try this one. Told by a fourteen-year-old girl named Susanna, whose story will be familiar to most who've been through junior high years, the historical content is fresh and excellently woven with the drama. 

Susanna English feels out of place in her strict Puritan community. She's impatient with the twittery female stereotype she's expected to fulfill, and finds the inflexible sexism stifling: "[my father], a man, a town elder, and a rich merchant...could be forgiven his enlightened views while I, a mere, girl, could not." Perhaps partly to make up for her "unladylike" cleverness, she longs to be part of a circle of girls who frequently met at the town parsonage, sharing stories and listening to tales told by the Indian servant Tituba. She doesn't know what the girls are plotting, though, and by the time Ann Putnam, the young leader of the group, puts the pieces together for her, she's too deeply involved to stay innocent.

Ann's circle has been deliberately flouting the rules, and utter the magic word--witchcraft--to justify their behavior. Now the religious leaders have asked the girls to name their tormentors, and they won't pass up a chance to escape the severe dullness of daily life as females. Susanna, who wouldn't otherwise be caught up in more than the outer tendrils of the frenzy, is drawn into the core by Ann's confession: If she tells anyone the truth about the girls' mysterious affliction, the English family will be named as witches.

The language in this book is elegantly old-fashioned yet simple. The subtleties of the plot are better understood by older children, but the language seems a little straightforward in comparison--it's not enough to take away from the book, but be prepared. Besides the semi-intense backstabbing, which is told in age-appropriate language, there isn't much content that could be labeled objectionable. I recommend this book for ages 9 and up: Older readers will probably get more out of the story, but won't be challenged by the writing. 

Other things I liked about this book:

• The twist on the ever-present wish to belong is woven into the historical novel so subtly that you'll hardly be concious of your connection to spunky Susanna's predicament. The title, too, is a beautiful twist on a classic situation.
• The depth of the characters is suitable for the audience, but can still be explored further by older readers. It's especially interesting to see the often ignored sides of young girls in Puritan communities.
• Ann Rinaldi's dialogue shifts to fit the characters while maintaining the voice of the era, becoming more sophisticated for adults, simpler for children, and containing an undercurrent of malice with Ann's circle of girls.
• Although religion is certainly present in the book, it can be understood and related to by people of any belief. 

Themes:

• Sexism
• Understanding
• Class
• Religion
• Historical fiction
• Age/wisdom
• Cliques/friendship

Other books you might enjoy: The Witch of Blackbird Pond, by Elizabeth George Speare; Up a Road Slowly, by Irene Hunt; Fever 1793, by Laurie Halse Anderson; and other books by Ann Rinaldi. 

Happy reading--check back Monday for the next book!

M. Gabrielle

Book Review: A Great and Terrible Beauty

Friday Spines Book Review:

A Great and Terrible Beauty, by Libba Bray

This riveting trilogy combines (fairly gentle) horror, vivid historical fiction, and coming-of-age, but you won't be thinking about anything except Gemma Doyle, debutante-in-training at Spence Academy for Young Ladies, also known--quite eloquently--as hell.

"'While we can and will teach you the necessary skills to become England's future wives and mothers, hostesses and bearers of the Empire's feminine traditions, it will be up to each of you to nurture and feed your souls, and to apply yourselves with grace, charm, and beauty. This is the Spence motto: Grace, charm, and beauty. Let us all rise and say it together.'
There is a great rustling as fifty girls stand at attention and recite the pledge, chins tilted upward toward the future."

On her sixteenth birthday, Gemma has a mysterious, haunting vision of her mother committing suicide, in the middle of a public market, on Gemma's sixteenth birthday. It turns even more disturbing when every detail the first of her many visions is proven true. Red-haired, too-tall Gemma is then sent to Spence, in accordance with her mother's wishes. She's used to not fitting in, and is not surprised when the other girls at her new boarding school subtly but unreservedly shun her. Her social standing changes dramatically when she catches Felicity, who has the most power at the school, doing something decidedly un-ladylike: Gemma's immediately welcomed into the inner circle.

Even with the promised friendship of Felicity and her best friend Pippa (as well as Gemma's roommate, Ann) and the grudging admiration of the rest of the Spence girls, Gemma's life still isn't what she wishes for. There's Kartik, the young Indian who's been shadowing her since her mother's death, as well as the visions that have followed her in much the same way. She shares these visions with the circle of girls she tentatively calls friends, and together they discover a magical world that only Gemma can take them to, that they call the Realms.

The writing in this book is beautifully old-fashioned, fitting in with the corsets and mincing steps while still being concise and easy-to-understand. Libba Bray's storytelling is excellent; the plot will keep you drawn in as long as your house isn't burning down. I recommend this trilogy for ages 10 and up--the romance bits aren't inappropriate and the horror isn't vivid enough to scare off younger readers, but readers with more context around expectations of women during the Victorian era will be far more able to empathize with Gemma.

Other things I like about this book:

• The covers of all books in the Gemma Doyle trilogy are intriguing and fit the story perfectly.
• Although the majority of the book is narrated by Gemma, there's a few chapters from Kartik's perspective: The transitions are eloquent and concise, providing enough contrast to make the reader notice but not enough to distract from the story.
• The portrayal of the world's expectations of Gemma as a young woman are historically accurate but still easy for us, in modern times, to identify with. Also, although she and her friends are constantly breaking the constraints of society, it's handled in a way that seems realistic, perfectly blending fantasy with history.
• Just enough wishes come true in the Realms to make us wonder whether or not anything is possible. 

Other books you might enjoy: The Luxe series, by Anna Godbersen; Wildwood Dancing, by Juliet Marilier; and Ophelia, by Lisa Klein.

Themes:

• Heaven/hell
• Magic
• Social class
• Religion
• Friendship/love
• Historical fiction
• Equality: Gender and racial
• Etiquette

Happy reading!
M. Gabrielle

Next Friday Spines Review

Hello lovely readers! Hm, for next week... Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green (!!!) and David Levithan. These are both amazing authors whose books you should pore over and worship (especially Looking For Alaska, by John Green, one of the best books of all time).

See you on Friday--happy reading!
M. Gabrielle

Book Review: Wild Roses

Friday Spines Book Review:

Wild Roses, by Deb Caletti

Wild Roses is one of my 10 favorite books: The story is unbearably sweet, sad, terrifying, and thrilling. Deb Caletti's stories are as easy to fall into as Sarah Dessen's, but darker in a way that makes you cringe while simultaneously leaning farther into the book. 

Cassie has a stepfather. Dino is a famous violinist and composer, and as if that wasn't enough, he's insane. She's hated him ever since her mother married him, trying to figure out why her mom let go and let herself love a man who's certifiable. And then a gorgeous blonde boy comes up her driveway, and Cassie is gone. Ian is Dino's new--and only--student. Cassie promises herself that she won't fall in love with him, but from the moment she hears his bike tires crunching on the gravel, only one tiny part of her is able to resist.

Wild Roses is dark enough to make getting through the book a tiny bit of a challenge. (Most of Deb Caletti's books are like this, but they're worth every uncomfortable second.) The writing in this story is incredibly vivid, and told in Cassie's careful, abrupt, and somehow lyrical voice. The plot will keep you engaged but not terrified that Cassie (and you) are going to die; also, the covers on all of the editions are unbelievably romantic, and fit the story perfectly.

This book is good for ages 14 and up. There's a little swearing, a lot of intense heartbreak, and the storyline will be appreciated significantly more by readers past their tweens.

Other things I liked about this book:

• The "third wall" (click here and scroll down for definition) of this story is occasionally broken by Cassie; "I guess we should also begin with an understanding, and that is, if you are one of those easily offended people who insist that every human breath be politically correct, it's probably best we just part company now."
• Ian is utterly wonderful but still human.
• Cassie's development as a character is subtle enough to be realistic, but the reader can still watch as she realizes how much she's changing.
• The length and complexity of sentences varies with the situation, becoming long and languid as Cassie watches Mars through her telescope, and shorter and more terse as Dino's craziness escalates. 

Other books you might like: Along for the Ride, by Sarah Dessen; Twenty Boy Summer, by Sarah Ockler; and other books by Deb Caletti.

Themes:

• Music
• Mental illness
• Parents
• Power in relationships
• Love and friendship
• Loyalty to self
• Acceptance
• Truthfulness

Most of these are subtle enough to be unnoticed, but still thought-provoking. The book is definitely less overwhelming than last week's Jumping Off Swings.

Note: All links lead to Goodreads, except for the third wall, which leads a page at Carson-Newman College's website. (Random, yes....)

Happy reading, everyone--check back on Monday to see next week's book!

M. Gabrielle

Friday Spines Fresh Review: Jumping Off Swings

Friday Spines Fresh Review:

Jumping Off Swings, by Jo Knowles

New Feature: Fresh Reviews, of books I've just finished. These may or may not be updated and expanded in a few months, once I've had time to get over the traumatic ending/horrid plot/main character's cute boyfriend and can be literarily objective. I just read this book yesterday on the plane (coming home from Seattle--see blog here!).

Jumping Off Swings is a book about teen pregnancy. It's also a book about alcohol abuse; relationships with peers, parents, and non-parental adults; how sexism relates to sexuality, as well as teen sexuality; bullying; abortion; and coming-of age. Combined with the narrative, which switches between four friends, the read is a little choppy.

I certainly don't think that plots should be developed in a vacuum: Stories can't be untangled from all other aspects of life without also removing the life from the story itself. Protagonists need antagonists, goals need setbacks, epic journeys to destroy rings in fiery mountains need Golems, orc raids, and giant spiders. Once authors have mastered aspects of writing such as creating a distinct voice, suspense, or conflict between characters, having one or more subplots can make the read all the more enjoyable. However, tackling (even subconsciously) the amount of issues addressed in the 230 pages of Jumping Off Swings leaves less callous readers overwhelmed and in turmoil.

SPOILERS

Ellie gets pregnant by virgin Josh at a party. She decides not to have an abortion, breaks the news of her pregnancy to her strict, conservative parents, and becomes friends with Caleb (a shy boy who's been crushing on her for a while). Corrine, Ellie's best friend, is her main source of support through the story, until Caleb (Josh's best friend, at the beginning of the book) becomes better friends with Corrine and then Ellie. Caleb's mom stands in as a mother figure for Ellie, whose mother is unwilling to accept her daughter's decision.

Caleb and Corrine fall in love. Josh remains distant from Ellie and Corinne through the whole story but is still given a point of view--I don't really see why. His narration doesn't give us that much insight into his character and doesn't impact the story that much, as he has limited contact with Caleb and doesn't speak to Corrine or Ellie at all. This doesn't change at all, through the whole book--Josh doesn't develop enough as a character to have a voice in the story; he's more of a prop to start the story of Ellie's pregnancy than a character in his own right. It bothers me that he and Ellie have no emotional relationship through the whole book: They

END OF SPOILER

That said, please read this book. It follows the story of Ellie, a fairly average high school girl with a reputation as a slut. Although in a way this is accurate (she often hooks up with boys at parties) we're given a deeper view into her rationale for her behavior near the beginning of the book. It challenges the conflicting sexual expectations of teen boys and girls and explores teen pregnancy. The complicated themes make it great for a discussion book--you should pick a book with a theme similar to one of those in Jumping Off Swings, to help focus the discussion.

I recommend the book for ages 16 and up--I was on the plane when I finished it, and I started crying at the ending--not only is it rather traumatic, but can be absolutely overwhelming for younger readers. Alcoholism is another thing present but not addressed directly in the book; many of the characters' home lives are impacted by alcoholic parents, and the parties Ellie and her friends attend are adult-less and rather drunken.

Themes (yes, a new feature! I was having a conversation with my mom about books, and decided on a few basic categories for YA fiction. Overview post of this feature coming soon!):

• Teen pregnancy
• Present/supportive adults
• Drinking/drugs
• Tangled friendships
• Communication

You might also like: After, by Amy Efaw; How It Ends, by Lauren Weiss; and Looking for Alaska, by John Green.

Happy reading--check back on Monday for the next Friday Spines book!

Book Review: The Truth About Forever

Friday Spines Book Review:

The Truth About Forever, by Sarah Dessen

This is one of the first books by Sarah Dessen that I read. The first thing I fell in love with was the title, the second was the cover (I know, but still), and before I could think about anything the story had completely sucked me in.

Macy is not perfect. This might seem obvious, but as she goes deeper into her life, taking us along through agile and concise flashbacks, we see that perfection is by no means an anomaly in Macy's existence. Her boyfriend is the most obvious example: Jason is exhaustingly academic, well-rounded, eternally clean, and so politely careful that the reader will be rolling their eyes in exasperation every time his name is mentioned. (I'm serious.) Macy, however, is grateful for the sense of security that the blandly consistent Jason adds to her reeling life.

About three years before the start of a novel, Macy's father--a running coach--went for his early-morning run, which Macy usually joined him on. That day, though, she stayed in bed. Five minutes later, when she dragged herself out of the house to go after him, he'd had a heart attack and died at the hospital soon after. She gave up running, which had been her passion for years, completely, and her life was at a standstill. And that was where Jason came in.

But this summer, Jason has left for Brain Camp, and Macy's left at home with her strict, work-obsessed mother. This changes when she's offered a job at Wish, a topsy-turvy catering company. Her job at the library info desk--filling in for Jason--proves to be utterly boring, and Macy lets herself be absorbed into the comforting chaos of Wish.

There she joins Delia, the hugely pregnant owner; Kristy, who's a little older than Macy and obsessed with fashion (in a good way); Monica--aka Monotone--who has three phrases: bettaquit, mmmm-hmmm, and donneven; Bert, an EOW (end-of-worlder; obsessed with armageddon); and his brother Wes, who can be described in one word: sa-woon.

Macy is not a romantic heroine, though. She plays Truth with Wes all summer instead of dumping Jason (who suggested they "take a break" after Macy signed an email with "I love you") to be with the "tortured artist", as she describes Wes. Foreshadowing has us constantly waiting for a Moment between Wes and Macy. Although Sarah Dessen supplies many Perfect Opportunities, she knows just when to let them pass to keep her readers waiting. 

The content of this book isn't that mature. Grief, love, and teenage angst play major parts in the story, but they are handled in a way that readers will only get out of the book what they can deal with. Macy does attend one underage-drinking party: Although it's completely out of the ordinary for her and she does get grounded by her mom, the party itself isn't described in a negative light. Something to think about. I recommend Forever for ages 13 and up: Younger readers may lose interest as the book is slower-paced.

Other things I like about this book:

• The contrasting themes: Macy's home life is pristine and orderly, which makes her time at Wish louder, brighter, and more appealing.
• The cover, again, is quite romantic and perfect for its audience, as are the pictures on all of Sarah Dessen's books.
• Macy and Wes's game of Truth is very fun to read about. Another game that runs throughout the book is "Gotcha", which is exactly what it sounds like: Wes and Bert are constantly trying to scare each other, and Macy is inadvertently drawn into their efforts.
• Macy's memories play a fairly large part in the story. Although it may take a minute for the reader to adjust to the current setting, these flashbacks generally aren't confusing, and add a lot to the book.

You might also like: The Summer I Turned Pretty, by Jenny Han; Two-Way Street, by Lauren Barnholdt; Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta; and other books by Sarah Dessen.

All links lead to Goodreads.

Happy reading--don't forget to check back Monday for the announcement of the next review!

M. Gabrielle

Book Review: Unfluffy books, part 2: Girl, Interrupted

Girl, Interrupted, by Susanna Kaysen

“Are you crazy? It’s a common phrase, I know. But it means something particular to me: the tunnels, the security screens, the plastic forks, the shimmering, ever-shifting borderline that like all boundaries beckons and asks to be crossed. I do not want to cross it again” (159). 

The first thing I have to say about this book is don't try to expect it. You can't, even if you've heard about it from your friends or on Goodreads; even if you've seen the movie (although admittedly I've only watched a bit of it) this book is starkly and consciously shocking. 

(For the record, I've had no experience with anything similar to Susanna's experience.)

Two things have kept this story fresh over the 15+ years since it's been published (and around 50 years since it happened). The first-- Susanna's story is certainly unsettling and evocative, especially as psychology evolves and treatments for depression, bipolar disorder, etc evolve farther away from what's written about here. The second is the writing. Girl, Interrupted could easily be a novel--I have to repeatedly remind myself that it's not, due to the sense of plot, and vivid past tense narration that will keep you enthralled through the whole story. It's probably a good thing that this book is nonfiction, otherwise I'd need to spend half the review rambling about the incredibly developed, distinct-voiced characters, and the vivid setting. A partial lack of author voice that reveals a whole new layer to the character, format--the narration skips between memories, sarcastic yet curiously blank lists and definitions, and deliberate side-notes, like small personal reflections scattered through the book. It may take several tries to let yourself be sucked into this book, pushing down the sense of foreboding in your stomach and ignoring your tumblr and Facebook notifications, settling into Susanna's quiet but bold voice as she pulls you under with her.

I'd recommend this book for ages 16 and up. The book is fairly disturbing in content--not a lot of language or smoking/drinking, but the twisted stories of the characters aren't appropriate for younger readers. (I'm guessing my own opinion of this book will evolve over time--I'm hoping to do another review of this book in a few years.) It's helpful if you're one of those lucky people who's able to keep their social/work lives and reading lives separate: As with The Fault In Our Stars, by John Green, the power of this book left me slightly traumatized and wobbly for a few days after I read it. 

Other things I liked about this book:

• The short length of the book matched the at-times harsh brevity of its voice. It makes the content more digestible for readers. 
• While exploring the stories and minds of her fellow patients, the author eloquently combines fact about their backgrounds and actions with her own musings on their situations.
• The cover of my edition matches the story perfectly. Just as striking as the book itself, the cover mirrors the shattered story inside, told in pieces of an isolated life.
• Even though Susanna's story is completely different from that of most readers, there are sudden moments where we can completely empathize with her.

Happy reading--see you on Monday!

M. Gabrielle

Book Review: Unfluffy Books, Part 1

Hi lovely readers! It's almost September, and I for one am thoroughly not ready for summer to end but just as thoroughly sick of trashy summer novels with as many plot holes as pages. As an antidote, here's the first of two wonderfully written nonfiction books, with lots of white space on the pages and simple but powerful words.

I Can't Keep My Own Secrets: Six-Word Memoirs By Teens Famous and Obscure

(edited by Smith Magazine)

I Can't Keep My Own Secrets came into my life at the perfect time: About a week after attending a writing camp (one of our assignments was to write our own memoir in 6 words) I went to a library booksale, and pulled this book out of the corner of a plastic crate. I nearly started jumping up and down in the middle of the hordes of book-hunters (which I do quite a lot, actually). 

So many of these 6-word stories were my own life, written by someone else. Quite a few inspired plots for novels and short stories, and although a few were rather cliche, most of these eloquent lives with small word counts are quite beautiful enough to write in sharpie on your wall. 

I've found reviews that complained about the lack of depth of the memoirs, (i.e., "My weird elbows make me special") for a few lines and then conceded that they're written by teenagers who haven't lived a full life, so the shallowness should be expected. My response is 1., one can read more into "My weird elbows make me special" than just talking about elbows. I'm not going to get deep here, but you can often relate to what you chose. Other complaints included the mixture of happy with dark memoirs, making the more lighthearted seem superficial--this is true, but I didn't notice it while reading. The gradient of subjects was fairly gradual, and I enjoyed it. 

This book is good in small doses. The intensity of each memoir can often provide minutes, if not days, of thought, as well as inspiration for any number of creative outlets. Don't read it all at once, please--not only is it best savored, but the different tones of the stories will resonate better if enjoyed separately.

I'd recommend it for ages 12 and up, although there's very little swearing--the subjects range from prom to drugs to teen pregnancy to getting kicked out of Wal-Mart to drinking to depression. Not only are many of these at least slightly inappropriate to more perceptive children, but they'll be more likely to identify with the implied backstories than younger readers.

This Friday:

I Can't Keep My Own Secrets

...most of these eloquent lives with small word counts are quite beautiful enough to write in sharpie on your wall. 

Girl, Interrupted

The first thing I have to say about this book is Don't try to expect it. You can't.

Hello, my lovely readers! I'm so sorry--due to a very busy summer there's been a rather long break in between posts. I've missed you all very much! If you have any summer books you'd like to hear about, post or list suggestions, questions, or feedback, please leave a comment!

My next book will be I Can't Keep My Own Secrets--a collection of 6 word memoirs, by teens.

Happy reading!
M. Gabrielle

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants: Part 1

Friday Spines Book Review Number 31: 

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, by Ann Brashares

This book is one of those books that emanate summer from the first line ("One upon a time there was a pair of pants." Not the best, but combined with the creative and easy-to-relate-to paragraph that follows, it will definitely keep you reading). While the story is slightly cheesy and slightly far-fetched (if you're the type of person who notices these things), it combines with the quotes to envelope you in the friendship of wild Bridget; shy careful Lena; mutinous spunky Tibby; and loyal, unadventurous, hot-tempered Carmen.

The Pants are found by Carmen in a thrift store, abandoned on her dresser, and rediscovered by Tibby. Tibby, who's wallowing at the prospect of working at a drugstore all summer, demands the pants as compensation for a lonely few months without her traveling friends. Lena, who's visiting her grandparents in Greece, Carmen, who'll be staying with her dad in South Carolina, and Bridget, who's attending soccer camp in Mexico, agree: But upon closer examination, the pants fit skinny Lena and plump Carmen as well as more average Tibby and Bridget. The four girls declare the pants magic, hold a quick ceremony, and agree on a set of rules, including

1. You must never wash the Pants

3. You  must never say the word [fat] while wearing the pants. You must also never think to yourself, "I am fat" while wearing the Pants.

9. You must not wear the Pants with a tucked-in shirt and belt. (It's tacky. There will never be a time when this will not be tacky.)

10. Remember: Pants=love. Love your pals. Love yourself. 

And so the Traveling Pants go from Lena to Tibby, to Carmen, to Bridget, and then in reverse, as hearts and rules are broken, questions answered (or not), limits stretched, and summer enjoyed to the fullest. 

While the writing in this book is more mainstream than sophisticated, it fits with the easy warmth of the story. The content is a little toward the more mature side (Bridgett gets involved with a camp counselor, and Lena with a boy she meets in Greece) but it's written in a very gentle way: I recommend the Pants series for ages 12 and up. 

Other things I like about this book:

• The story of Bailey, a younger girl who befriends Tibby during her summer of solitary moping.
• Summery, friendship, inspirational quotes adorn the beginning of each chapter, keeping with the spirit of easygoing happiness.
• Letters are interspersed with third-person narratives from the four girls.
• The love stories range from rather cliche to totally unexpected.

Other books you may enjoy: Peaches, by Jodi Lynn Anderson; The Truth About Forever, by Sarah Dessen; and Girl at Sea, by Maureen Johnson.

(Psst-next Friday I'll be reviewing the new Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants book, Sisterhood Everlasting!)

See everyone on Monday!

Happy reading!

M. Gabrielle

Book Review: Bella at Midnight

Friday Spines Book Review Number 30:

Bella at Midnight, by Diane Stanley

First, let me reiterate the lack of vampires in this book. No vampires. (Although I'm going to do a special feature on the Twilight Saga sometime in the next few months. Not so much a review-most readers know the basic story even if they haven't read it-but a discussion type of post...What do you think?)


Like I said, no vampires. This is a medieval retelling of Cinderella, reminiscent of Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, but slightly more sophisticated.


At the beginning of the book we witness Bella's birth, to a mother who is the daughter of a wealthy glassmaker, and a noble but coldhearted father. Her mother dies soon after Bella is born, and her father sends her to live with her poor aunt. Bella is raised in her aunt Maud's family, as their daughter. Julian, the prince of the kingdom Moranmoor, spends much time with Maud (who was his wet nurse when he was younger) and Bella, and the two become best friends. 


When Moranmoor and their rival kingdom Brutanna decide to end a hundred-year-long war, however, Julian is called away from his country home to be part of a prisoner exchange. Bella is also forced to leave the only home she's ever known when her father remarries, and sends her to live with her stepmother and sisters. They are cruel and jealous towards her, but she befriends the cook and spends much of her time in the kitchen.


One day her stepsister Marianne, who is a lady-in-waiting for Moranmoor's queen, brings the news that the king of Moranmoor is planning to break the treaty and attack neighboring Brutanna secretly, with no regard for the Prince Julian. Bella, who is deeply unhappy in her home and still cherishes the memory of sunny days with her friend, leaves her stepfamily and stages a dramatic and stereotype-breaking rescue that will fulfill the dreams of many girls. 


Ages 8 to 13 will enjoy this book the most, depending on their reading level and interests. The content is fairly innocuous-war, drinking, and childhood abandonment are included but not focused on. Readers of all ages will love the ending; happy, mostly realistic, and thrilling. 


Other things I liked about this book:

• The shifting perspectives. Bella's story is told by characters including Maud, her aunt, Julian, a prince who is her childhood friend, her stepfamily, and Bella herself. This fills out the plot, giving the reader a more comprehensive story without monotonous or confusing details. 
• The book is divided into three main parts: The Thimble, the Ring, and the Slippers, each of which play an important part of the story. I loved how the classic "glass slippers" or the original Cinderella were adeptly woven into the story, instead of awkwardly added to make the book seem more complete.
• The language, while deliberately old-fashioned, isn't too hard to understand, and reads naturally.
• The format of the book, while unillustrated, includes many decorative swirls and elegant fonts that add to the romantic feeling of the story. 

Similar books you may enjoy: Ella Enchanted, and other books by Gail Carson Levine; The Goose Girl, by Shannon Hale; and Rowan Hood, by Nancy Springer.

Book Review: Cinderella Ate My Daughter

Friday Spines Book Review Number 29: 

Cinderella Ate My Daughter, by Peggy Orenstein

(Disclaimer: I'm writing a research paper covering this subject...please disregard all thesis-like statements. I apologize.)

Cinderella Ate My Daughter would be best appreciated by someone who isn't already very educated about feminist parenting. I've read reviews that Peggy Orenstein has nothing new to say, or at least nothing new to those who are pretty familiar with the subject. (This is probably true.) To me-- someone who's interested in the politics gender bias of childhood marketing, but doesn't know much about it--Cinderella was perfect. 

No matter who you are, Barbies have probably freaked you out at one point or another (quite understandably). You might have thought about the young girls who play with them, wondered briefly how the plastic skinny-waisted, long-legged dolls affect them, and moved on to the clothing section or the book aisle. In Cinderella, Orenstein explores the consequences of media portrayal of girls and women, how stereotypes manifest and evolve in popular culture, and the trends evidencing the affect of our perception of girlhood.

While parents or parents-to-be will be especially interested in this book, it's a fascinating read for ages 14 and up. The writing is accessible enough for this age; some readers may not appriciate it for a few more years, but it's a great introduction to the subject. 

Other things I liked about this book:

• The anecdotes and statistics scattered throughout the book were balanced nicely with analysis and personal stories.
• There is enough repetition to convey Orenstein's point--pretty in pink is more harmful than we thought--but the writing never gets tired.
• The cover provides visual introduction to the book, with sparkles, pink, a fluffy dress, and a nice touch of irony.
• The author's honest narration of her journey from opinionated journalist to mother is easy to identify with, even for those without daughters.

Other books you may enjoy: The Triple Bind, by Stephen Hinshaw; Full Frontal Feminism, by Jessica Valenti; Schoolgirls (and other books by Peggy Orenstein)

Other links: The author discussing Cinderella Ate My Daughter with radio host Michael Krasny; What's Wrong With Cinderella?, an article by Peggy Orenstein that preceded her Cinderella book; Peggy Orentsein's website

Happy reading!

M. Gabrielle

Next Friday Spines Review

Hello lovely readers! In between essay writing, research essay writing, application essay writing, (please don't say the word "edit"), and, um, essay writing...on Friday I'll be reviewing Cinderella Ate My Daughter, by Peggy Orenstein. Yes, this is a non-fiction book (the horror!) about parenting, but it's also a fascinating account of how pink, sparkles, and pretty-pretty-pretty have completely invaded pop culture, with accessible, funny writing and...wait...it's Monday. I also recommend the radio program of Peggy Orenstein discussing Cinderella Ate My Daughter with host Michael Krasny; it's about 50 minutes long, iPod-friendly, and completely worthwhile.

Enjoy the book...see you Friday!

Happy reading,
M. Gabrielle

By the way, everyone, I believe I finally got the comment feature working, so please do tell me things you love about Friday Spines, books you'd like to see, or any other feedback you might have. Hope to hear from you!

Book Review: The Pursuit of Happiness

Friday Spines Book Review Number 28:

The Pursuit of Happiness, by Tara Altebrando

"The day my mother dies is a Thursday in mid-June and Loretta's scolding me for leaving my cell phone on the kitchen table." 18-year-old Betsy introduces us to her story in The Pursuit of Happiness with this effortless juxtaposition of ordinary, odd, and profound. I've been wary of books where the mother dies ever since glancing at the title of One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies, by Sonya Sones (which admittedly I never read, but it made me notice the growing number of books with that theme). However, the author of Happiness uses funny subplots, peculiar situations that will make you go back and reread them to make sure you actually understood correctly, and honest narration to keep this entertaining, emotional book from becoming one of the crowd.

Betsy Odell didn't want to spend her summer at a colonial farm--Morrisville Historic Village, to be exact--she didn't want to spend it with Liza Murphy, "the weirdest freak of a girl" from school, and she didn't want to start it by breaking up with Brandon, her first legitimate boyfriend. On the other hand, James, the cute blonde "farm boy" at Morrisville doesn't seem so bad, and neither does Liza, once Betsy gets used to her. 

Over the next three months, Morrisville becomes home to Betsy more than her house does. Her father, a history professor, is distant, and not able to step into his wife's shoes the way Betsy wishes for. Her best friend Mary, after being fired from Morrisville, starts seeming juvenile to Betsy, and she grows to appreciate Liza's fresh frankness over Mary's familiarity. The resolution isn't a forced cliffhanger; it's satisfying, refreshing, and hopeful, bringing a sense of closure to Betsy's compelling story.

I'd recommend this book for readers age 13 and up. There's drinking, but it's portrayed candidly and not without consequences (both physical and emotional hangovers). Betsy's story, while often written lightly, is fairly intense at times, and will be best understood by slightly older readers. While the seasonal journey of summer is on the overused side, the writing and supporting plots keep Happiness slightly above the rest. 

Other things I liked about this book:

• James seems too perfect at times (and realistic at others), but Brandon is a clear villain, but seems like someone you could easily meet outside of literature.
• The cover. I try not to judge covers (as a writer, I have a strong allergy to cliches) but this photo drew me in instantly.
• Tara Altebrando's first person narrative is well-written, casual without being trashy, easy to identify but not overused. 
• Betsy's fascination with silhouettes grows along with her through the course of the story, mirroring her acceptance of her mother's death and the changes it's caused in herself and her life.

Other books you might enjoy: The Summer I Turned Pretty, by Jenny Han; Twenty Boy Summer, by Sarah Ockler; and Stay, by Deb Caletti.

Happy reading!

M. Gabrielle

Next Friday Spines Review

Hello, lovely readers! And happy Monday, in California at least, because it's finally feeling like summer.

On Friday I'll be reviewing The Pursuit of Happiness, by Tara Altebrando--it's a wonderful, unique, funny summer story.

Enjoy the book--see everyone Friday!

M. Gabrielle

Book Review: A Mango-Shaped Space

Friday Spines Book Review Number 26:

A Mango-Shaped Space, by Wendy Mass

This is the story of a cat named Mango, his human Mia--who sees colors in the air when she hears sound--and their journeys to the unknown. 

Mia, a thirteen-year-old with a condition called synesthesia (click here for synesthete.org for more information on synesthesia), is grieving for her grandfather, who died about a year ago. She was very close to him, and at his funeral she finds a small grey and white kitten, who, to her, holds a part of his soul. She names the kitty Mango, not because of his orange eyes, but because his wheezy purrs appear as mango-colored puffs in the air. 

Nearly a year later, Mango is full grown, and Mia's colors, as she calls them, are still with her. Since numbers have both numerical value, shape and color to her, she's failed two math tests in a row, and is finally forced to tell her parents about the colored patterns she sees in the air. This results in an unsettling visit to a psychiatrist who mentions "middle child syndrome"; a fight with Mia's best friend Jenna; and finally, a community of people who she can understand.

Readers 9-14 will probably identify with it most, but it's a wonderful read for ages 8 and up: told in Mia's simple, uninhibited voice; she reveals all her secrets to us, and in her words we hear the fluctuations in her life. The story is honest and ordinary, with fresh twists not often seen in books for this age group. Not written as an ideal life or fairytale, young readers will be able to see themselves in Mia, even if they can't see colors in the air. 

Other things I liked about this book:

• Wendy Mass walks the line between an overplayed, far-fetched psychic pet connection and a colorless one: Mia's relationship with Mango isn't unrealistic, but it's still special. 
• The romance is utterly age-appropriate, but also utterly sweet. Rodger is no Prince Charming (it's Adam who appears to be her Prince but is quickly and bitingly revealed to be rather self-absorbed), but he's funny and will be loved by readers of all ages.
• Jenna's tangled relationship with her deceased mother will draw you into her story, adding a sensitive level of depth to the book. 
• The imagery in this book goes deeper than images, evoking the vivid memory of smells, sensations, and feelings in the reader.

Warning: the cover is a little misleading, but is explained later in the book.

Happy reading--I'll see everyone on Monday!

M. Gabrielle

Next Friday Spines Review

Hello lovely readers! This Friday I'll be reviewing A Mango Shaped Space, by Wendy Mass. I recommend reading it alone, with lots of tissue, room to roll on the floor laughing, and some hot chocolate.

Don't forget to check out my fabulous List of Books With Cats--comment and let me know if I've unintentionally left out your favorite!

Happy reading,
M. Gabrielle

Friday Spines List: Books With Cats

Hello, my lovely readers! Here's my first list (in no particular order) containing books with cats.

• Mango of A Mango-Shaped Space, by Wendy Mass
• Ratbag of Wee Free Men, by Terry Pratchett
• Buttercup of The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
• Faithful of The Song of the Lioness Quartet, by Tamora Pierce
• Fat Louie of The Princess Diaries series, by Meg Cabot
• The Cheshire Cat of Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carrol
• Thistle of Gone-Away Lake, by Elizabeth Enright
• Richard Parker of Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
• Crookshanks of Harry Potter, by J. K. Rowling
• The Fat Black Cat of Hate That Cat, by Sharon Creech
• The Cat In The Hat of The Cat In The Hat by Dr. Seuss
• Asimov of The Penderwicks, by Jeanne Birdsall
• Harry Cat of The Cricket in Times Square, by George Selden

If I've missed any of your favorite books with a cat (even if the cat is just mentioned in passing) leave me a comment and let me know!

See you on Friday-happy reading,

M. Gabrielle

Next Friday Spines Review

Hello, my lovely readers! My next review will cover the first book of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, by Ann Brashares.

Happy reading,
M. Gabrielle

Next Friday Spines Review

Hi everyone...happy Monday! (Pleasantly sarcastic laugh.) On Friday I'll be reviewing A Break With Charity, by Ann Rinaldi--it's a YA historical fiction novel about the Salem Witch Trials.

Also, I'm adding a new feature: Once-In-A-While Wednesday Lists! I'll post a list of books with a common theme, which might be title, subject, cover art, main character's name, or any other number of interesting details...and the first one will be posted on Wednesday, March 28th.

Happy reading!
M. Gabrielle

Book Review: Squashed

Friday Spines Book Review Number 23:

Squashed, by Joan Bauer

While the voice and tone of this book are similar to Joan Bauer's other books, the story is fresh and unique even compared to the wide range of literature . 

Ellie, the book's plump heroine, opens the book with a description of her "secret booster solution", which she is about to inject into the stem of her 300-pound-pumpkin. This would be boring in anyone else's words, but Ellie deftly mixes pumpkin chemistry soliloquies, worries about her weight, memories of her mother (who died in a car crash eight years ago), and obsessions about her crush (easy to identify with, but told with a fresh twist that makes it funny). 

"I already have a bad relationship with my father," I said. "I want to have a good relationship with him..."
Richard put down the bat and wiped off his hands. "I think, Ellie, that people respect people that are either like them or people they want to be like."
"So?"
"I think it's a lost cause with your father. Give it up. Be your own person."
"There's got to be something I-"
"Do you have anything in common?" Richard asked.
I thought hard. "Ice cream," I said.
"Then I'd eat a lot of ice cream together and not talk much."
"I'm on a diet."
"You could learn Japanese," he offered, swinging again.

The plot of the book tells the story of the forty-six days left until the Rock River Pumpkin Weigh-In and Harvest Fair, as Ellie tries to lose twenty pounds and Max tries to gain two hundred. There are emotional breakdowns at the pumpkin's side under pouring rain, motivational speeches (written by her father and edited to suit a pumpkin), and midnight tussles with mysterious pumpkin thieves. 

I've heard that a lot of people have trouble getting into this book--I didn't experience that at all. Although the story is by no means a thriller, its interesting, realistic characters and one-of-a-kind subject mixed with everyday themes make it an uplifting book that will call to you as soon as you put it down. The writing is clear but not overly simple, and the content--while appropriate for readers of all ages--can be appreciated more as children mature. I recommend this book for ages 9 and up, although readers in the "too cool" stage might not find it interesting: The simplicity and happy ending can portray a deceptively mundane story, but it shouldn't be disregarded by older readers.

Disclaimer: There is a happy ending. If you tend to think things are unrealistic, you'll probably find fault with it. If you let yourself be caught up in Ellie's story, though, hopefully you'll see it as I did when I first read it, and just smile to yourself and give a big "I just finished an excellent book" sigh.

Other things I like about this book:

• There's a fine line between "perfect" and "absurdly screwed-up" when it comes to characters. Although significant amounts of angst can be tiring, it's hard to be patient with someone who has it all, even in a book. The characters of Squashed are in between: They're have many of the issues any reader might, but they don't seem unrealistically flawed.
• This is the comfort food of books. The story is simultaneously soothing and stimulating, and will make you laugh, cry, and go "Oh, I've done that" through the whole book.
• There are constant references to agriculture and gardening, but they can be appreciated even by indoor types. 
• A heroine is included who isn't ridiculously good at putting on makeup!

Other books you may enjoy: Other books by Joan Bauer; The Princess Diaries series, by Meg Cabot; Walk Two Moons, by Sharon Creech; and A Corner of the Universe, by Ann Martin.

See you next week--happy reading!

M. Gabrielle

Next Friday Spines Review

Hello, my dear readers! Next Friday I'll be reviewing Squashed, one of Joan Bauer's many excellent books. (Warning: You'll probably start craving pumpkin pie, muffins, or fudge while or after reading this book. Don't resist.)

Happy reading!
M. Gabrielle

Book Review: A Wrinkle in Time

Friday Spines Book Review Number 22: 

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L'Engle

First of all, I have a confession. This picture isn't of the cover of my edition, as it usually is. (I couldn't find a high quality picture of my cover, so I picked a different one--it's lovely though, isn't it? :)

A Wrinkle in Time is one of Madeleine L'Engle's many science fiction series for young readers. This book isn't narrated by Meg Murry, the daughter of two brilliant scientists: Her mother is a gorgeous microbiologist, and her father (a physicist who's researching the space-time continuum) has been missing for some time. "It was a dark and stormy night," begins the book, and gets only less stereotypical from there. 

Meg and her 5-year-old brother Charles Wallace, a clairvoyant, incredibly smart and open-minded boy who she's fiercely protective of, meet Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which, and Mrs. Whatsit on the dark and stormy night. The three mysterious old beings (who may take the shape of traditional witches, winged centaurs, shimmering forms, and mismatched humans) are on a quest to rid the universe of the Dark Thing, and after informing Mrs. Murry that "There is such thing as a tesseract," whisk Meg, Charles Wallace, and Meg's redheaded friend-and-maybe-more Calvin on a journey through space to find Mr. Murry.

Tessering, or "wrinkling" the ground, so that instead of walking 20 feet (or light-years) you step right from where you are to where you're going, is revealed to be what Meg's father has been experimenting with, and it apparently went wrong for him when he encountered IT, which is part of the Dark Thing. IT is a giant brain-like creature that takes control of people and makes them "equal", as it says, but as Meg realizes, "alike and equal are not the same thing at all". 

The story of Meg's missing father, the battle with the Dark Thing, and Meg's struggles with herself are not only interwoven but connected. The author goes deep into her main character's personality to connect her personal dilemmas with the widespread push-and-pull between good and evil, as well as her tangled feelings about the search for her father.

This book is excellent for readers aged 7 and up. The excellent storytelling will captivate younger readers intent on the action, but don't dismiss it as uninteresting: A Wrinkle in Time is one of those children's books that have a lot to offer to adults as well, and it's a wonderful book to discuss with a younger reader. 

Other things I like about this book:

• Madeleine L'Engle blends stereotypes with fresh personality traits to create interesting, relatable characters. 
• Charles Wallace's mild "telepathy" is present and defined, but not overdone.
• The imagery is bold--it's easy for younger readers to take in, and the author's vivid descriptions of other planets are fairly believable.
• Although the straightforward is and the syntax fairly consistent, the book will keep you engaged through the whole story, and leave you referencing it for years after you finish it.

Other books you might enjoy: The rest of the Time series, by Madeleine L'Engle; Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, by Robert C. O'Brian; and Half Magic, by Edward Eager.

See everyone Friday--happy reading!

M. Gabrielle

Next Friday Spines Review

Hello dear readers! On Friday I'll be reviewing A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle. There are 5 books in this series, which overlaps with many of the author's other excellent books.



Happy reading-see everyone Friday!

M. Gabrielle