Showing posts with label aarene storms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aarene storms. Show all posts

Book Review by Aarene Storms: Lips Touch Three Times

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Lips Touch Three Times by Laini Taylor, illustrated by Jim Di Bartolo

Three stories of supernatural love, each of which pivots around a single kiss.
In the first story, a dead grandmother might be the only one who can save Kizzy from the seductive promises of the goblins. The second story features an old woman who makes a demonic deal to save the lives of children, and agrees to allow a newborn baby to take on a curse to bind the deal ... a curse that the child contains until she grows up and falls in love. The third story is a tale of mothers, children, and a fey and magical race called the Druj.

What took me so long to read this book? I suppose that somehow I thought it was "just another kissing book", maybe with a vampire in it. It is not just another kissing book. The tales are dark, enticing, and entrancing, with hints of longing and a hope (but not a promise) of salvation that will draw readers into each story, beautifully illustrated in shades of red and grey. As soon as I finished reading it, I knew three people with whom I wanted to share it.

Rating:
Highly recommended for ages 14 to adult; minimal cussing, some implied violence (including very muted and off-page sexual violence) and three profoundly significant kisses.

The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern 

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS


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Book Review by Aarene Storms: For the Win

Saturday, February 23, 2013

For the Win by Cory Doctorow
audiobook read by George Newbern
All over the world, kids play video games ... for money. They don't make much money, of course. Their bosses make most of the money, selling virtual treasure--magic swords, talking mushrooms, and virtual gold -- to rich gamers who are too lazy to play the games and earn treasure for themselves. Virtual economies are big business ... which is why the mysterious woman called Big Sister Nor is determined to organize the sweatshop virtual workers of the world into a real-life union.
Doctorow has written about an uninteresting topic with such riveting action that I found myself deeply immersed in the tale. Embedded in the story of the Webblies are mini-lectures about economics, politics, and massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), which somehow, miraculously, are fascinating rather than boring.
The audiobook read by George Newbern was so captivating that I found myself volunteering to drive anywhere, preferably somewhere far away, so that I could spend more time in my truck with the characters in the book.

Rating:
Highly recommended to readers who love gaming...and also to readers who don't love gaming but do love a good book. Ages 12 to adult; no sex, some violence, some cussing (in several languages).
The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern
Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS


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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Akata Witch

Sunday, February 3, 2013


Book Review by Aarene Storms
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

Sunny lives in Nigeria, but she was born in America. Her parents are Nigerian, but Sunny is an albino. She feels that she doesn't fit in, no matter where she goes ... but after she sees a vision of the world's end, she learns that there is a reason for all of her differences: Sunny has magic, and lots of it. She is a Leopard Person, born with powerful juju ... and only she and her friends will be able to stop the mysterious criminal Blackhat Otokoto.

Does it sound like Harry Potter in Africa? It kind of reads that way, too ... but the similarities do not detract from a ripping good story. Great characters, terrific setting (both the real world of modern Nigeria and the magical world of Leopard Knocks), and excellent action sequences. 

No cussing, a few kisses, and some magical violence. This book stands alone, but there is clearly room for a sequel (or a series). 

Recommended ages 12 to adult. 


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Book Review by Aarene Storms: The Aviary

Monday, January 28, 2013

The Aviary by Kathleen O'Dell
11-year-old Clara leads a sheltered life in the crumbling Glendoveer mansion, where she lives with her mother, the cook, elderly Mrs Glendoveer, and a cage full of exotic birds. Nothing exciting has ever happened to Clara. In fact, nothing interesting has ever happened to her until a new girl moves to the neighborhood, Clara begins to question her mother about their lives before coming to the mansion, and the birds begin to speak.

An old family mystery, a mesmerist with kind words and bad intentions, and a bit of magic--stage magic and the real kind--keep the pages turning on this sweet, shivery story. No cussing or kissing; some tame off-stage violence.

Rating:
Recommended for readers who enjoy books like Inkheart, The Penderwicks, and other tales of girls and mysteries and magic, ages 8 to adult.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS


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Book Review by Aarene Storms: All Their Names Were Courage

Friday, January 25, 2013


All Their Names Were Courage : a novel of the Civil War by Sharon Phillips Denslow


The year is 1862, and Sallie Burd is eleven years old. Inspired by the beautiful drawings of her friend Isaac and the adventures of the family mare who was stolen by Confederate soldiers and later escaped home, Sallie decides to compile a handmade book about the horses of the Civil War. 

Letters to her brother and his letters home chronicle the progress of the book and the war, as well as the small events on the home farm in Kentucky. Letters to famous Union and Confederate generals and their written responses chronicle the courage of individual equines who served the Blue army and the Grey, and also detail the exploits and hardships of soldiers from both sides of the Mason-Dixon line.

Rating:
This sweet little historical fiction novel will appeal to history buffs and horse lovers. Despite the wartime setting, there is minimal bloodshed on-page, no cussing, no kissing and no nekkidness. Recommended for ages 10 to adult. 

The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS


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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Ten Miles Past Normal

Saturday, January 12, 2013


Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances O'Roark Dowell


When Janie turns nine years old, she thought that that living on a farm and milking goats every morning was fun and cool and exciting. Now that she's a freshman in high school--in a city, where nobody else milks goats or gathers eggs before getting on the school bus--she thinks that living on a farm is weird.

Janie doesn't want to be weird. She wants to be normal. Then she joins the school Jam Band, meets an elderly man who turned a burned cross into yard art, makes friends with a sweet boy named Monster, and agrees to help her mother host a hootenanny. Before she knows what is happening, Janie has left "normal" ten miles behind her.

Rating:
No cussing, no on-page violence (the civil rights activists do relate their fears of violence in Missippippi prisons during the 1960's but those events are far removed from the present action), no sex, but there are some very enjoyable romances and one romantic fail. Recommended for ages 12 to adult.

The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern
Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Polly and the Pirates

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Polly and the Pirates by Ted Naifeh

Polly Pringle, raised up properly and never dreaming of adventures like the other pupils at her proper boarding school is very surprised to discover that she has been kidnapped by pirates.

The reason behind the kidnapping is just as silly and delightful as the resulting swashbuckling that fills this teen graphic novel. Every piratical convention a reader could want is here: walking the plank, hidden treasure maps, backstabbing crew members, colorful nautical language, and a dashingly romantic rival pirate captain, plus a gutsy girl with surprisingly mad pirate skillz.

Hoist the sails and prepare yourself for a rippin' pirate adventure tale.

Rating
No sex, drugs, or (real) cussing. Some cartoon violence, not bloody. Highly recommended for readers ages 10 to adult. A second Polly and the Pirates book was published in January 2012, and I can hardly wait to read it!

The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS


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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Swim the Fly

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Swim the Fly by Don Calame

15-year-old Matt and his buddies Sean and Cooper have a long-standing tradition: at the beginning of each summer, they set a challenge for themselves. This year the challenge is to see a real live girl naked. Magazines don't count, the internet doesn't count, family members don't count. The boys are absolutely focused on their goal ... except when they get distracted by poop, masturbation, and the attractions of the girl's locker room.

Over-the-top comedy and crazy situations (like the time the boys dress up as girls, or the time they hide in a closet during a party, or the time they try to peek over the top of dressing room) had me literally laughing out loud. Give this to boys who enjoy Three-Stooges-esque humor and poop jokes. A sweet romance between Matt and a girl is a surprise to the main character, but savvy readers will see it coming. 
Rating:
Recommended for readers (especially boys) ages 12 to adult. Underage drinking, mild cussing and *yes* there is a naked woman...but no sex. 

The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern 

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS


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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Ready Player One

Wednesday, December 26, 2012


Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

The year is 2044 and 18-year-old Wade Watts, like almost everyone else in the world, regularly escapes from grim reality to spend most of his waking time in OASIS, the online community that has grown up from early beginnings as a network of online video simulation games.

Wade is a "gunter", a game player dedicated to locating the elusive "Easter Egg" hidden somewhere in the nearly-infinite OASIS. The creator of OASIS was obsessed with the pop culture of the 1980's, and left hundreds of clues for gunters hidden within 1980's movies, books, music, television shows and even commercials The first to find the Egg will inherit a fortune in cash and controlling interest in the OASIS. Unfortunately, there are some unscrupulous bad guys who don't mind cheating -- or even killing -- to win the Egg.

Anyone who has ever gotten immersed in a book, a movie, a video game, or a face-to-face session of Dungeons and Dragons will relate to Wade's experience in OASIS. Anyone who can recite the entire script of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, knows every line ever spoken on Star Trek (original series and/or any of the prequel/sequel/spin-off series), played PacMan or Joust for uncounted hours, or who ever rolled for damage to an imaginary monster will revel in the retro-geekiness of the narrative. Anyone who wants a fun, action-filled dystopian adventure is advised to hide this book from family members who might grab it for themselves and demand a roll of the dice to determine ownership (as happened to this reviewer).

Rating
Comic book violence and some off-stage "real world" violence, cussing, and two paragraphs of non-graphic virtual sex with an ultimately unsatisfactory anatomically-correct haptic doll, plus some awesome friendships and a sweet romance. 

Highly recommended for readers ages 14 to adult, maybe especially for adults who were teens in the 1980's...but since this book was given to me by a 16-year-old boy, I must recommend it also for those who weren't even a naughty notion in the 1980's.
The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS


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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Hooked

Monday, December 17, 2012

Hooked by Catherine Greenman
Thea considers herself savvy and spunky, but she throws all that away when she starts dating Will, who "hooks" her with his good looks and charm. Their love is strong, the sex is fantastic ... and then, Thea gets pregnant. 

The early-abortion plan (endorsed by parents, friends, and Will) is abandoned when Thea discovers that she loves her unborn child too much for abortion or adoption. 

 Plan #2 centers on everyone supporting Thea and baby Ian (and Will too), physically, emotionally and financially. There is a bit of squeaking about this, but eventually, everyone falls in line because they love Thea and the baby is adorable. Thea's plans for the future include spending more time with her formerly-estranged dad, making bundles of money by designing the latest crochet fashion merchendise, and eventually getting back together with Will.

Realistic? Uh, no. 

Maybe that's how folks do things in The Big City, but in my small town, parents of unwed parents don't hand over $10,000 (each!) as starter money on top of the rent-controlled apartment they finance for the teens and little Ian. Thea's narrative voice rescues this story from the round file: she is spunky, and she stands up for the ideas and the people she values, including herself.

Raiting
Not a first purchase, but don't overlook this title if budgets can support it. There is on-page (but not graphic) sex, minor cussing, and some underage drinking, but nowhere near as gratuitous as Gossip Girl and that ilk. Ages 14 and up.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Americus

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Americus,  written by M.K. Reed, drawn by Jonathan Hill

8th-graders Neil and Daniel would rather read books in their favorite fantasy series The Chronicles of Apathea Ravenchilde than pay attention to their gossipy classmates or the adults in their small town of Americus. 


However, Daniel's mom is convinced that Apathea is the work of the devil and sends her son away to military school, leaving Neil alone to defend his favorite book. However, it turns out that Neil isn't alone in loving the book....


Here is a great graphic novel depicting terrific friendships inspired by books. Following the example of the main character in Apathea, Neil learns to stand up to bullies on behalf of other book-lovers, gains the confidence of classmates and the local library staff, and even starts a new romance with a fellow-bookworm. Three cheers!

Rating
Highly recommended for readers ages 12 to adult. No sex or cussing; there are depictions of bullying and some rather ugly adult behaviors towards books, children, and other adults.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Dreadnought by Cherie Priest

Sunday, December 2, 2012


Dreadnought by Cherie Priest

Mercy Lynch is a recently-widowed nurse working in a Confederate hospital during a strangely-elongated American Civil War when she gets news that her long-missing father is injured and possibly dying in the distant state of Washington. 

Mercy immediately leaves the hospital and journeys West aboard the locomotive Dreadnought, surrounded by all kinds of characters: a Texas Ranger, a spy, hostile Indian warriors, Union soldiers, Confederate soldiers, Mexican bandits, ladies of easy virtue, and a huge army of zombies.

Steampunk fun in the altered American West: it doesn't get better than this! Don't look for historical accuracy here -- the history of this America has taken a sharp turn away from our reality, and into a very interesting place of its own. Dreadnought is the sequel to this author's Boneshaker (another steampunk story, set in gold-rush Seattle), but stands alone beautifully.

Recommended for readers ages 14 to adult. Some romance but no on-page sex (the ladies of pleasure go off-stage for business purposes), some drugs (including the drugs that turn soldiers into zombies!), some wartime violence, plus a few bloody scenes of amputation in a Civil War-era hospital.

The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS


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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Beauty Queens

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray 

When a plane crash-lands on a (supposedly) deserted island, a small group of teenaged beauty pageant contestants are stranded away from parents, television cameras, and a powersupply for the straightening irons. Will they turn all Lord of the Flies? Will the Sparkle Ponies prevail? What will happen to their newfound sense of independence and self-worth when a ship full of faux rock star pirates lands on the island?

Most importantly: what will happen when the television cameras and Corporation representatives reveal themselves in the heroic conclusion?

Satire? Oh, yes. Social commentary? That too. Wickedly hilariously funny? Yes, yes, YES!

Rating:
HIGHLY recommended for teen girls, and parents of girls, and teachers of girls, and anybody who ever talks to girls (including boys). This book contains sexual situations, GLBTQ characters, feminists, corporation stooges, an insane dictator of a tiny country called ChaCha, and a little bit of cussing.

Also: some really good tips on alternative uses for feminine dipilatory cream.

The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS


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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Blizzard of Glass

Tuesday, November 13, 2012


Blizzard of Glass by Sally M. Walker

December 6, 1917, started out as an ordinary day in Halifax, Nova Scotia. People breakfasted, left for work, for school. However, just before 9am, two ships collided in Halifax Harbour. One was empty, preparing to collect medical supplies for troops fighting in Europe. The other was heavily laden with highly explosive munitions.

The resulting disaster was the largest human-caused explosion until the detonation of the atomic bomb over Hiroshima in 1945. Huge areas of Halifax were flattened, and shrapnel flew for miles. Nearly two thousand people died, and nearly nine thousand were injured....and then came a blizzard and more than a foot of snow, blocking relief efforts from surrounding towns and the rest of the world.

Carefully researched and copiously illustrated with photos from the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and private collections, this slender volume (145 pages) documents the tragedy and the recovery efforts with gentle compassion. Descendents of survivors were interviewed, artifacts investigated, and primary resources explored in depth to provide a fascinating, readable account of the Halifax explosion. Highly recommended.
This watch melted and stopped during the Hallifax disaster. Survivors reported that the owner of the watch, who died of his wounds, always kept his watch set five minutes fast so that he would never be late to work.

The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS 


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Book Review by Aarene Storms: War Horse

Sunday, November 11, 2012

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
audiobook read by John Keating

Joey is a big farm horse, born in England before the start of WWI...and when England went to war, the horses as well as the soldiers shipped out to France to fight.

Joey himself narrates the story of his life in the tradition of Black Beauty. He tells about the hard work during basic training, comfort and companionship of his friend Topthorn, about his fear of the noise of cannons, as well as the injury, illness and death that horses and humans experience in wartime.

The audiobook is capably narrated by John Keating, who tells Joey's tale with a gentle and sometime incredulous voice that is totally appropriate to the character of a horse sent into bewildering circumstances like war.

This story was adapted for the stage in London using life-sized puppets; the production came to New York's Lincoln Center this year. View some amazing footage of the puppetry here

Stephen Spielberg's live-action film version of the story will be released in December 2011. The trailer for the film is located here.

Rating:
Recommended for animal lovers, and also readers who enjoy realistic historical fiction. Ages 10 to adult. Minor cussing, no sex, wartime violence and injury.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS


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Book Review by Aarene Storms: You Decide How to Survive (Series)

Thursday, November 1, 2012



Mars: 
You Decide How to Survive

Amazon: 
You Decide How to Survive

Everest: 
You Decide How to Survive

by Hena Khan and David Borgenicht

Remember the Worst Case Scenario books?

And, remember the Choose Your Own Adventure books?

Here, at last, is the amazing series of books that combines the best of both!

In each you-are-the-main-character narrative, the reader makes decisions at critical junctions of the story.  For example, when you find yourself lost and alone on the surface of Mars, you have a choice to make:  if you choose to tap into your space suit for power, the story continues on page 107.  If you'd rather travel by the light of your watch, you must turn to page 41.

These fast-paced adventures told in a combination of prose and graphic novel format are certain to be popular with elementary-aged readers and adults who haven't outgrown the fun of trying to outwit the author and survive to the end of the book, and will be an excellent choice for reluctant readers. 

Rating
No violence, no cussing, no nekkidness.  Lots of action, lots of fun.  Ages 8 and up.

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS


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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Jumping off Swings

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles

Every time Ellie hooks up with a new guy, she's sure that there will be more to the encounter than sex, and that she will finally feel loved. But the "one-time thing" with eager virgin Josh gets much more complicated when Ellie gets pregnant.

The nine months after that fateful night in Josh's van is told by four narrators: Ellie and Josh, plus their friends Corinne and Caleb, who live complicated lives of their own. Their voices are mostly realistic, although the situation often seems straight out of an "after school special."

With repetitive writing (I got tired of reading the word "empty") and mostly-predictable characters, this book is no classic, but readers looking for an emotional problem-novel with minimal cussing will find Jumping Off Swings engaging enough.

The "condom slipping off" situation that causes the pregnancy seems vaguely plausible. Sexual situations are described in flashback sentences, without graphic details, and childbirth is treated with similar distance: Ellie repeats the phrase "it hurts so much" frequently until she is sedated for the caesarean-section birth.

Rating
On-page sexual situations, mild cussing, underage drinking and partying. Readers 14 and up.
Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS


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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Cat Girl's Day Off

Monday, October 15, 2012

Cat Girl's Day Off by Kimberly Pauley

Natalie Ng's two sisters have "Class A Talents": Emmy is a chameleon, able to blend in perfectly with her surroundings. Viv has X-ray vision and the gift of truth divination.

All Natalie can do is talk to cats.

Nat considers her Talent more of an embarrassment than a gift. She has sworn her family and best friends to secrecy about the nature of her ability rather than face the shame of being known at school as "Cat Girl." And yet, it is Natalie's unusual aptitude that leads her into a crime-fighting adventure complicated by a movie film crew and cast intent on re-making Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Funny and fluffy, this breezy read will appeal to girls who like a little bit of humor and magic or fantasy mixed into normal high school romance stories. The talking cats almost entirely steal the second half of the book.

Rating
No cussing, no sex, some kissing, a few threats of violence from the Talented villain. Recommended for ages 14 and up.

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library


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Book review by Aarene Storms: Temple Grandin : how the girl who loved cows embraced autism and changed the world

Monday, September 10, 2012


Review by Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS


Temple Grandin : how the girl who loved cows embraced autism and changed the world 
by Sy Montgomery

Humane activists and meat industry representatives may argue over many issues, but on one point they agree:  Temple Grandin is a godsend for animals.  She is the only person in the world who has been honored by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and also inducted into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame.

Temple Grandin was just three years old when she was diagnosed with autism.  When she was growing up in the 1950's, little was understood about the autism spectrum, and autistic children were routinely labelled "retarded" or "schizophrenic", and treated accordingly.  However, Temple's mother steadfastly advocated for her daughter, seeking out schools, teachers and therapists who would encourage the girl's talents, creativity, and intellect.  Today, Dr. Temple Grandin is a professor of animal science at Colorado State University, and is considered the world authority and consultant on the respectful, humane treatment of animals raised for food. She has designed groundbreaking facilities and equipment that protect livestock from fear and suffering because her autism permits her to think the way animals do.

This book, written with Temple Grandin's cooperation (she contributed an introduction and an appendix of advice for kids on the autism spectrum, as well as technical drawings and family photographs), is not only a biography of a contemporary scientist.  It is also full of details about autism--what it is, and what it isn't.  Sidebars emphasize that autism is not a disease or a dysfunction, and that people do not outgrow the condition.  The book also details some of the less-than-lovely functions of meat-packing plants; while never gory, it does not sidestep humanitarian issues surrounding animal slaughter.

Highly recommended for ages 10 to adult. 

Editor's note: Temple Grandin has a fascinating talk on TED about her life, work, and autism.


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Book review by Aarene Storms: Between

Wednesday, August 8, 2012


Between  by Jessica Warman
When pretty, popular, wealthy Elizabeth Valchar wakes up on the morning of her 18th birthday, she's dead.

Nobody knows exactly what happened, including Liz herself, who is stuck "between" life and death, haunting her hometown, her friends and her family, seeking answers.  The only person who can see Liz is Alex...and he's dead too.

The narrative gradually unwinds clue after tiny clue, drawing the reader deeper into the complex life of a pretty girl who apparently had it all.  Liz is not a sympathetic character, especially at first.  Yet, as the story delves deeper into the past, Liz  learns that her life was not as perfect as she thought it was...and that her accidental death on the family yacht might not have been an accident.

The mystery is not perfect--astute readers will figure out the connection between Liz and Alex long before Liz understands it--and there are a few plot holes.  However, the storytelling itself is entrancing.  

Mild cussing, sexual situations, underage drinking and drug use.  Recommended for readers 14 to adult. 

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS


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