by Susan Kaye Quinn
Kira Moore lives in a world of eerie silence.
It's the twenty-second century, and everyone can read minds, except for Kira. Her inability to share thoughts with her classmates leaves her hopelessly at the bottom of the social ladder, and she even has to wear a special hearing aid so her teachers can whisper their lectures. Things most young teenage girls look forward to, like college and boyfriends, are completely out of the question for a zero like Kira.
The one bright spot in Kira's life is her friendship with Raf. He's the only person who seems to care about her in spite of her freakish inability to communicate. But everything changes when Kira accidentally knocks Raf out--with her mind.
Terrified, Kira doesn't know what to do until Simon, a good-looking senior with a slightly dangerous reputation, reveals that he and Kira are both mindjackers, rare people who can control thoughts. He teaches her how to use her ability to fool everyone into thinking she's a normal mind-reader, and warns her that no one can ever find out what she really is. Tormented by the lies, Kira pushes her family and Raf away, spending time with Simon instead. After all, Simon is the only person who really understands her.
But Simon is about to pull Kira into a sinister clan of mindjackers who are being hunted by ruthless government agents. In this treacherous underworld, Kira discovers that her mindjacking abilities go way beyond what anyone has seen before, which puts her and everyone she loves, including Raf, in unspeakable danger.
I've seen stories about mind-reading before, but never one so thoroughly consistent and chillingly believable. Kira Moore rocks. Her quest to find her place in the world and to save the people she loves had me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this book for readers age twelve and up.
Showing posts with label sciencefiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sciencefiction. Show all posts
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Monday, March 29, 2010
When You Reach Me
Rebecca Stead
Wendy Lamb Books 2009
Book
Bag
Pocket
Shoe
When You Reach Me is a book of stunning revelations. Of discovery.
Time travel. The book begins in 1978, and so as I first settle in to the story I feel like I'm time-traveling already. But soon I forget I'm in the past, because Miranda and her friends act like sixth graders act now, like they've always acted since the sixth grade was invented.
Stead's characters are so human, so immediate, so rich and surprising and fascinating. They pull me through the exposition until the mystery begins.
And then I can't put it down. My daughter needs a ride to the craft store to buy shells for her history project - traditional ceremonial mask from Bambara - and I say, "Okay, okay, but only if you'll read to me on the way."
Book, bag, pocket, shoe---in each place Miranda finds a clue, a hint that there's a deep tragedy looming, something that will kill one of her friends and destroy another. Miranda can stop it, but only if she believes that she can affect something after it's already happened.
This is one of the finest science fiction books I've ever read. Through the course of the story, Miranda makes deeply powerful discoveries about herself, about her friends and family, and about life. I loved the setting, learned things about growing up in New York City that I never would have guessed. Stead's insight into the nature of time made me want to joyfully embrace the universe. This is a great book, every bit deserving of the Newbery Award. And it's science fiction!
Bravo! Author! Encore! Recommended for ages ten and up.
Wendy Lamb Books 2009
Book
Bag
Shoe
When You Reach Me is a book of stunning revelations. Of discovery.
Time travel. The book begins in 1978, and so as I first settle in to the story I feel like I'm time-traveling already. But soon I forget I'm in the past, because Miranda and her friends act like sixth graders act now, like they've always acted since the sixth grade was invented.
Stead's characters are so human, so immediate, so rich and surprising and fascinating. They pull me through the exposition until the mystery begins.
And then I can't put it down. My daughter needs a ride to the craft store to buy shells for her history project - traditional ceremonial mask from Bambara - and I say, "Okay, okay, but only if you'll read to me on the way."
Book, bag, pocket, shoe---in each place Miranda finds a clue, a hint that there's a deep tragedy looming, something that will kill one of her friends and destroy another. Miranda can stop it, but only if she believes that she can affect something after it's already happened.
This is one of the finest science fiction books I've ever read. Through the course of the story, Miranda makes deeply powerful discoveries about herself, about her friends and family, and about life. I loved the setting, learned things about growing up in New York City that I never would have guessed. Stead's insight into the nature of time made me want to joyfully embrace the universe. This is a great book, every bit deserving of the Newbery Award. And it's science fiction!
Bravo! Author! Encore! Recommended for ages ten and up.
Monday, February 1, 2010
First Light
Rebecca Stead
Wendy Lamb Books, 2007
In a colony carved out beneath an arctic glacier, Thea's people live a simple life, safe from the angry mobs that hunted their ancestors for witchcraft. But now their numbers have grown too large. They can barely sustain themselves. Thea wants to find a way to the surface, but her grandmother, the leader of their clan, has forbidden it.
Peter has never been to Greenland before. His father, a glaciologist, has always gone by himself on research trips, but this time Peter and both his parents are going all together. Once there, Peter begins to suspect that his mother and father are looking for something, something they won't tell him about.
Then Peter discovers a strange marking in the ice, Thea decodes an ancient map, and two worlds are about to collide.
First Light had me hooked in the first few pages with its exceptional prose and characters so alive I loved them at once. I had gone to the library looking for Rebecca Stead's Newbery winner, When You Reach Me, but according to the library's computer catalog, six other people had the same idea before I did. I will have to wait. In the mean time, I simply adored her science fiction arctic adventure mystery of a first novel. Recommended for ages ten and up.
Wendy Lamb Books, 2007
In a colony carved out beneath an arctic glacier, Thea's people live a simple life, safe from the angry mobs that hunted their ancestors for witchcraft. But now their numbers have grown too large. They can barely sustain themselves. Thea wants to find a way to the surface, but her grandmother, the leader of their clan, has forbidden it.
Peter has never been to Greenland before. His father, a glaciologist, has always gone by himself on research trips, but this time Peter and both his parents are going all together. Once there, Peter begins to suspect that his mother and father are looking for something, something they won't tell him about.
Then Peter discovers a strange marking in the ice, Thea decodes an ancient map, and two worlds are about to collide.
First Light had me hooked in the first few pages with its exceptional prose and characters so alive I loved them at once. I had gone to the library looking for Rebecca Stead's Newbery winner, When You Reach Me, but according to the library's computer catalog, six other people had the same idea before I did. I will have to wait. In the mean time, I simply adored her science fiction arctic adventure mystery of a first novel. Recommended for ages ten and up.
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
Scholastic 2008
As late as the fifth century of the Christian Era, Roman citizens gathered in great stadiums to watch criminals and slaves battle each other to the death. Some competitors were highly trained, with wealthy sponsors who provided weapons and armor. Others were simply societal rubbish thrown to the wild animals. These bloody entertainments might make us shudder now, we who are used to knowing that the people we see hacked up or shot to pieces on the movie screen will wipe off the makeup and go home after work in one piece.
But what if the gladiatorial games were revived, and broadcast on national television?
This is what makes Hunger Games so eerie. It isn't much of a stretch. Reality TV plus the Roman Area? It could happen.
To punish their people for a rebellion nearly seventy-five years ago, the Capitol requires each District to sacrifice two of their children each year to the Hunger Games. When Katniss volunteers to take her sister's place as a contestant, she is thrust into a wilderness crawling with enemies where she must struggle not only for her life but to maintain her identity in spite of being on the cast of a deadly entertainment spectacular.
It's a brilliant premise, and Suzanne Collins makes the most of it. She deals out edge-of-your seat adventure while laying on the full emotional impact of being in the Games. At the heart of this disturbing, haunting tale of survival is a battle between one girl's inner humanity and the tyranny of an inhumane society. This is real literature, AND a riveting read.
It's violent, so violent I almost didn't review it. Still, it has my approval for dealing with the consequences of violence rather than merely mucking around in gratuitous gore. For ages 14 and up.
Scholastic 2008
As late as the fifth century of the Christian Era, Roman citizens gathered in great stadiums to watch criminals and slaves battle each other to the death. Some competitors were highly trained, with wealthy sponsors who provided weapons and armor. Others were simply societal rubbish thrown to the wild animals. These bloody entertainments might make us shudder now, we who are used to knowing that the people we see hacked up or shot to pieces on the movie screen will wipe off the makeup and go home after work in one piece.
But what if the gladiatorial games were revived, and broadcast on national television?
This is what makes Hunger Games so eerie. It isn't much of a stretch. Reality TV plus the Roman Area? It could happen.
To punish their people for a rebellion nearly seventy-five years ago, the Capitol requires each District to sacrifice two of their children each year to the Hunger Games. When Katniss volunteers to take her sister's place as a contestant, she is thrust into a wilderness crawling with enemies where she must struggle not only for her life but to maintain her identity in spite of being on the cast of a deadly entertainment spectacular.
It's a brilliant premise, and Suzanne Collins makes the most of it. She deals out edge-of-your seat adventure while laying on the full emotional impact of being in the Games. At the heart of this disturbing, haunting tale of survival is a battle between one girl's inner humanity and the tyranny of an inhumane society. This is real literature, AND a riveting read.
It's violent, so violent I almost didn't review it. Still, it has my approval for dealing with the consequences of violence rather than merely mucking around in gratuitous gore. For ages 14 and up.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Enchantress from the Stars
Sylvia Louise Engdahl
Antheneum, 1970
I first picked this book up in the early 1980's, during my 7th grade fantasy only phase, when if it didn't have a dragon in it I didn't want to read it.
This one has a dragon in it, but it wasn't the sort of dragon I was looking for.
Enchantress from the Stars may have been the first real science fiction novel I ever read. In it, a young girl from a highly advanced space-faring society joins her father on a dangerous mission to protect an infant civilization from being overrun by less enlightened space colonists. This collision of three worlds plays out as a fantastic fairy tale for the woodcutter's son Geyorn, as a science fiction adventure for colonist Jarel, and a magnificent coming of age story for Elara the young enchantress/anthropologist from the stars.
Deftly weaving together these three points of view, Engdahl explores deeply relevant questions about prejudice, technology, and human love. Classic, classic science fiction. Not to be missed. For readers 10 and up.
Antheneum, 1970
I first picked this book up in the early 1980's, during my 7th grade fantasy only phase, when if it didn't have a dragon in it I didn't want to read it.
This one has a dragon in it, but it wasn't the sort of dragon I was looking for.
Enchantress from the Stars may have been the first real science fiction novel I ever read. In it, a young girl from a highly advanced space-faring society joins her father on a dangerous mission to protect an infant civilization from being overrun by less enlightened space colonists. This collision of three worlds plays out as a fantastic fairy tale for the woodcutter's son Geyorn, as a science fiction adventure for colonist Jarel, and a magnificent coming of age story for Elara the young enchantress/anthropologist from the stars.
Deftly weaving together these three points of view, Engdahl explores deeply relevant questions about prejudice, technology, and human love. Classic, classic science fiction. Not to be missed. For readers 10 and up.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Mothstorm
Phillip Reeve
Decorated Throughout by David Wyatt
Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children's Books, 2008
As the third installment of the Larklight series, this is Mr. Reeve and Mr. Wyatt's greatest achievement yet. But you simply must read the other two books first (see reviews no. 1 and no. 2).
In this episode, the Mumby family's Christmas Holiday is spoiled, first by a visit from the voracious pudding worm and then by a call to investigate a mysterious and sinister silvery cloud which is rapidly approaching the solar system. Can Art Mumby and his friends save the British Empire from the most powerful and evil villain they've ever met? Can they do it by New Year's? Well, they've always managed before...
With fantastic battles, hungry space creatures of all sizes and shapes, deluded missionaries, amazon lizard women in full armor, and enough giant moths to set any wool sweater aquiver with fright, Mothstorm is a jolly romp for all readers age nine and up.
Decorated Throughout by David Wyatt
Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children's Books, 2008
As the third installment of the Larklight series, this is Mr. Reeve and Mr. Wyatt's greatest achievement yet. But you simply must read the other two books first (see reviews no. 1 and no. 2).
In this episode, the Mumby family's Christmas Holiday is spoiled, first by a visit from the voracious pudding worm and then by a call to investigate a mysterious and sinister silvery cloud which is rapidly approaching the solar system. Can Art Mumby and his friends save the British Empire from the most powerful and evil villain they've ever met? Can they do it by New Year's? Well, they've always managed before...
With fantastic battles, hungry space creatures of all sizes and shapes, deluded missionaries, amazon lizard women in full armor, and enough giant moths to set any wool sweater aquiver with fright, Mothstorm is a jolly romp for all readers age nine and up.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Starcross
Phillip Reeve
Illustrated by David Wyatt
Bloomsbury, 2007
In an alternate Victorian age where the British Empire stretches from cloudy Venus to the moons of Jupiter, young Art Mumby finds himself embroiled in one interplanetary adventure after another. His previous encounter (recorded in the volume Larklight) with an ancient race of giant spiders bent on dominating the solar system turned out remarkably well, thanks to Art's quick thinking, the bold deeds of his rakish pirate-captain friend Jack and his alien crew, and, surprisingly, Art's intolerably properly prudish sister Myrtle, who shocks everyone, including herself, by ultimately saving the day (a deplorably unladylike thing to do - she swears never to repeat it).
But now Art and his allies face an even greater threat. An unexpected invitation to a recently opened sea-bathing resort in the asteroid field draws Art along with his mother and sister into a tangled plot of stolen time machines, poisonings, espionage, and brain-wave sucking hats. More jolly characters join the cast, as well as killer maniacal sea-side amusement machines, and most of our old friends from the previous volume make an appearance as well, even though some of them, sadly, spend most of the book having been turned into trees. Anyone who loves a good yarn will want to join this journey to the very cold, dark end of time to save the good old nineteenth century (huzzah!) from dismal destruction. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
Illustrated by David Wyatt
Bloomsbury, 2007
In an alternate Victorian age where the British Empire stretches from cloudy Venus to the moons of Jupiter, young Art Mumby finds himself embroiled in one interplanetary adventure after another. His previous encounter (recorded in the volume Larklight) with an ancient race of giant spiders bent on dominating the solar system turned out remarkably well, thanks to Art's quick thinking, the bold deeds of his rakish pirate-captain friend Jack and his alien crew, and, surprisingly, Art's intolerably properly prudish sister Myrtle, who shocks everyone, including herself, by ultimately saving the day (a deplorably unladylike thing to do - she swears never to repeat it).
But now Art and his allies face an even greater threat. An unexpected invitation to a recently opened sea-bathing resort in the asteroid field draws Art along with his mother and sister into a tangled plot of stolen time machines, poisonings, espionage, and brain-wave sucking hats. More jolly characters join the cast, as well as killer maniacal sea-side amusement machines, and most of our old friends from the previous volume make an appearance as well, even though some of them, sadly, spend most of the book having been turned into trees. Anyone who loves a good yarn will want to join this journey to the very cold, dark end of time to save the good old nineteenth century (huzzah!) from dismal destruction. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Among the Hidden
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1998
Twelve-year-old Luke is an outlaw.
In a future world where being a third-born child is a crime punishable by death, Luke lives like a shadow, hiding every time someone comes near his family's farm. Then, when the government builds an upscale housing development next door Luke is sure he will never be allowed to go outside again.
But his family aren't the only ones with a secret to hide.
Among the Hidden is the very best dystopian science fiction for young readers that I have ever come across. Intelligent, suspenseful, with well drawn characters and a chillingly believable setting, this book is one of my favorites. Ages 10 and up.
Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1998
Twelve-year-old Luke is an outlaw.
In a future world where being a third-born child is a crime punishable by death, Luke lives like a shadow, hiding every time someone comes near his family's farm. Then, when the government builds an upscale housing development next door Luke is sure he will never be allowed to go outside again.
But his family aren't the only ones with a secret to hide.
Among the Hidden is the very best dystopian science fiction for young readers that I have ever come across. Intelligent, suspenseful, with well drawn characters and a chillingly believable setting, this book is one of my favorites. Ages 10 and up.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Larklight
Philip Reeve
Bloomsbury 2006
In an alternate solar system where the science of two centuries ago turned out to be absolutely true, more or less, the mysterious and drafty old Larklight drifts out beyond the orbit of the moon. This daft house in which no one can tell which way is up, especially when the gravity generators are down, is home to the Mumby family - Art, his older sister Myrtle, and their lonely, absent-minded, space-fish-dissecting father. The British Empire is at it's height under the reign of Queen Victoria, bringing the blessings of civilization and proper manners to the natives of Mars, Io, the Moon, and other such formerly benighted realms. But all that is about to change, and it begins with an uninvited visitor at Larklight named Mr. Webster.
Jolly adventure ensues, including space pirates, giant spiders, even bigger moths, entrepreneurs, British Secret Service agents, robotic domestic servants, lizards that do alchemy, and even Queen Victoria herself. Seasoned with British humor and packed with clever ideas, this book was a fun and funny read. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
Bloomsbury 2006
In an alternate solar system where the science of two centuries ago turned out to be absolutely true, more or less, the mysterious and drafty old Larklight drifts out beyond the orbit of the moon. This daft house in which no one can tell which way is up, especially when the gravity generators are down, is home to the Mumby family - Art, his older sister Myrtle, and their lonely, absent-minded, space-fish-dissecting father. The British Empire is at it's height under the reign of Queen Victoria, bringing the blessings of civilization and proper manners to the natives of Mars, Io, the Moon, and other such formerly benighted realms. But all that is about to change, and it begins with an uninvited visitor at Larklight named Mr. Webster.
Jolly adventure ensues, including space pirates, giant spiders, even bigger moths, entrepreneurs, British Secret Service agents, robotic domestic servants, lizards that do alchemy, and even Queen Victoria herself. Seasoned with British humor and packed with clever ideas, this book was a fun and funny read. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
Friday, January 23, 2009
The City of Ember
Jeanne DuPrau
Random House Books for Young Readers 2003
There is a shortage of good science fiction for children in this world. "City of Ember" should take its place among the classics.
Deep beneath the ground, the City of Ember is dying. The electric generator which gives the city its only light is slowly failing, and the supplies which were plentiful a generation ago are running out. It is up to two children who have never known anything but the black empty sky over their city to discover the way back to a world they could never have imagined.
Well thought out, with solidly drawn characters, this book moved me and captured my imagination. Recommended for ages 8 to adult.
Random House Books for Young Readers 2003
There is a shortage of good science fiction for children in this world. "City of Ember" should take its place among the classics.
Deep beneath the ground, the City of Ember is dying. The electric generator which gives the city its only light is slowly failing, and the supplies which were plentiful a generation ago are running out. It is up to two children who have never known anything but the black empty sky over their city to discover the way back to a world they could never have imagined.
Well thought out, with solidly drawn characters, this book moved me and captured my imagination. Recommended for ages 8 to adult.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Hidden Talents
David Lubar
Starscape 2003
I have wanted to read Hidden Talents by David Lubar for a long time. I started it once, but the first few pages were so much like Holes I thought "Been there, done that" and hopped off the bus. I took a look at it again and this time, I'm glad I stayed on for the ride. The book is clever, fun, and it even has a great sequel! I read them both in one day. The main character is a boy who has such a smart mouth that he's been sent to alternative school for very bad boys. He gets a pyro for a roommate, makes freinds with a clepto and a pathological cheater, and fills out his crowd with a hyperactive boy who wears his hair in little braids (that was one of my favorite parts) and a kid famous for randomly throwing objects.
They all have one thing in common, one thing they haven't discovered yet.
None of it is their fault.
There is some language in this book I wouldn't want to hear my kids use, but other than that, nothing objectionable. The sequel is more action oriented and less contemplative, but still clever and well written. I recommend them both.
Starscape 2003
I have wanted to read Hidden Talents by David Lubar for a long time. I started it once, but the first few pages were so much like Holes I thought "Been there, done that" and hopped off the bus. I took a look at it again and this time, I'm glad I stayed on for the ride. The book is clever, fun, and it even has a great sequel! I read them both in one day. The main character is a boy who has such a smart mouth that he's been sent to alternative school for very bad boys. He gets a pyro for a roommate, makes freinds with a clepto and a pathological cheater, and fills out his crowd with a hyperactive boy who wears his hair in little braids (that was one of my favorite parts) and a kid famous for randomly throwing objects.
They all have one thing in common, one thing they haven't discovered yet.
None of it is their fault.
There is some language in this book I wouldn't want to hear my kids use, but other than that, nothing objectionable. The sequel is more action oriented and less contemplative, but still clever and well written. I recommend them both.
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