Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon

The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon. Unabridged downloadable e-audiobook, ~5 hours. Read by Sullivan Jones. Listening Library, August, 2018. 9780525643524. (Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library. Own hc edition.) 

Have you ever met a new friend who is fun and exciting and a bit older? Middle Grade Monday features The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon. Ten-year-old Caleb and eleven-year-old Bobby Gene are looking forward to summer but live in the most boring town ever with the most over-protective father ever. Bobby Gene is fine with this; but Caleb wants adventure and finds it when sixteen-year-old foster child Styx Malone moves in nearby. He oozes cool and seems to like Caleb. He likes Caleb so much he's even willing to let the boys in a what he calls "The Great Escalator Trade." What could go wrong?

Magoon is such a versatile author. From gritty realism to reimagined Robin Hood, she excels at developing characters we find interesting and come to care about. Readers will relate to the brothers' dilemmas after hooting about the fact that they traded their baby sister for a sack of fire works. This is a story that invites you in to sit awhile. Before you know it, you never want to leave. And can't, because first you just want to find out what hijinks is going to happen next. Then, once the real action starts, there's no way to close the book until you've read till the end.

Hilarious and heartbreaking, you won't soon forget Caleb, Bobby Gene and Styx. New to me narrator, Sullivan Jones nails the performance with unique voices and perfect pacing. Read with your eyes. Read with your ears. Make time to read The Season of Styx Malone.

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: Pride by Ibi Zoboi

Pride: a Pride and Prejudice remix by Ibi Zoboi. Unabridged audiobook on 6 compact discs. 6.5 hours. Performed by Elizabeth Acevedo. HarperAudio, September, 2018. 9780062855046.

Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorites. I try to reread it every few years, usually with my ears. Ms. Zoboi's 2017 debut, American Street was a favorite book of 2018. So when I learned of this remix, I was excited! I got the book and then learned that the audio was not only available, but performed by Elizabeth Acevedo, who knocked my socks off with Poet X. What could go wrong?

Absolutely nothing! This was a pure delight from beginning to end. Fans of the original will love discovering how the author modernized and adapted the classic. Readers who have not read Pride and Prejudice will enjoy the romance and setting. 

This book is a love letter to Brooklyn in general and Bushwick, in particular. The setting is so vivid; as is Zuri's fierce love for her neighborhood and its culturally diverse denizens. The story is narrated by aspiring poet Zuri Benitez, the second eldest of the five Benitez sisters. She's upset by the gentrification of Brooklyn, and especially upset by the Mcmansion that was recently constructed across the street from her apartment. She already hates the rich family about to move in. The feeling is reinforced when she meets the Darcy brothers, especially Darius. She is dismayed by her older sister's instant infatuation with Ainsley. Themes of race and class are explored here as Zuri and Darius trade barbs as each resists attraction to the other. 

Acevedo brings Zuri's fierceness to life in a terrifically paced performance. Read Pride with your ears or your eyes; but just read it. It's wonderful!

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland. Unabridged e-audiobook, 10 hours. Narrated by Bahni Turpin. HarperAudio, April, 2018. 9780062822956. (Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library.)

Now, I don't like horror in general and zombie stories in particular. Except when I do. I force myself to read it because I have students who love horror. When I do read horror, it's usually been well-reviewed. I'd been hearing a lot about this one so when it popped up on the "new" list of audiobooks on Libby, I gave it a try. Bonus points for Bahni Turpin narrating. 

I will try to give a synopsis of this alternate history/ zombie mash-up; but I won't do justice to the world that Ireland has built. Zombies rise during the battle of Gettysburg derailing the efforts to abolish slavery. We don't know much about Jane McKeene except she's a crack zombie fighter training to become an elite attendant who will protect Baltimore's wealthy, white elite from zombie attacks. Plans go awry and Jane, her nemesis and her ex are shipped out west.

I loved Jane's voice from the start, smart and sarcastic, brash and bold. Of course she gets in trouble thanks to her mouth! The story is fast-paced and suspenseful. Events are totally believable! There are a fair number of social parallels to today as well. I was unaware that this is the first of a duology and cannot wait for the next installment.

As usual, Bahni Turpin turned in another flawless performance. 

2018 Audiobooks

January (5)
1. Far from the Tree by Robin Benway (1/7)
2. Before the Devil Breaks You by Libba Bray (1/13)
3. Dear Martin by Nic Stone (1/15)*

4. The Sleeping Prince by Melinda Salisbury (1/23)
5. They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera (1/28)*

February (6)
6. My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg (2/7)
7. Scythe by Neal Shusterman (2/10)*
8. Alex & Eliza: a love story by Melissa de la Cruz (2/15)
9. All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater (2/21)*
10. Posted by John David Anderson (2/23)
11. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (2/28)*

March (8)
12. Scar Island by Dan Gemeinhart (3/6)
13. Ever by Gail Carson Levine (3/7)
14. Paperboy by Vince Vawter (3/9)
15. Hoodoo by Ronald L. Smith (3/15)
16. Listening for Lucca by Suzanne LaFleur (3/21)
17. Beautiful Blue World by Suzanne LaFleur (3/25)
18. A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge (3/27)*
19. Solo by Kwame Alexander and Mary Rand Hess (3/30)

April (8)
20. Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies by Lindsay Ribar (4/7)
21. I am not your perfect Mexican daughter by Erika L. Sanchez (4/10)
22. American Street by Ibi Zoboi (4/12)*
23. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (4/13)*
24. Love is the Drug by Alaya Dawn Johnson (4/16)
25. Patina by Jason Reynolds (4/21)

26. History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera (4/27)
27. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black (4/29)

May (4)
28. Love, Ruby Lavender by Deborah Wiles (5/3)*
29. The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan (5/12)
30. Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard by Jonathan Auxier (517)*
31. Pip Bartlett's Guide to Magical Creatures by Jackson Pearce and Maggie Stiefvater (5/18)

June (6)
32. A Higher Loyalty by James Comey (6/7)
33. The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan (6/9)
34. Boying Up by Mayim Bialik (6/10)
35. Love and First Sight by Josh Sundquist (6/13)
36. Saving Montgomery Sole by Mariko Tamaki (6/18)
37. Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman (6/30)

July (8)
38. Warcross by Marie Lu (7/4)
39. Binge by Tyler Oakley (7/6)
40. Baker’s Magic by Diane Zahler (7/8)
41. The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater (7/9)
42. The Stars Beneath My Feet by David Barclay Moore (7/14)
43. Reckless by Cornelia Funke (7/14)

44. Girls Like Us by Gail Giles (7/15)*
45. The Odds of Getting Even by Sheila Turnage (7/28)*

August (12)
46. A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig (8/1)
47. Everland by Wendy Spinale (8/2)*
48. The Swap by Megan Shull (8/4)
49. The Icarus Show by Sallie Christie (8/5)
50. Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider (8/11)
51. The Speaker by Traci Chee (8/15)*
52. Dead Fathers Club by Matt Haig (8/18)
53. Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi (8/19)
54. Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson (8/22)
55.Come August, Come Freedom by Gigi Amateau (8/23)
56. A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold (8/25)
57. Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds (8/31)*

September (7)
58. The Traitor’s Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen (9/2)
59. Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed (9/4)
60. Dread Nation by Justina Ireland (9/13)
61. Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar (9/14)
62. Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry (9/17)*
63. From Twinkle, with Love by Sandhya Menon (9/23)
64. Black Panther: the young prince by Ronald L. Smith (9/30)

October (11)
65. Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir (10/2)
66. A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti (10/7)*
67. Sunny by Jason Reynolds (10/9)*
68. Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz (10/11)
69. The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller (10/13)*
70. The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani (10/15)
71. One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus (10/17)
72. Tight by Torrey Maldonado (10/18)*
73. You Go First by Erin Entrada Kelly (10/21)
74. Property of the Rebel Librarian by Allison Varnes (10/25)
75. Resistance by Jennifer A. Nielsen (10/30)

November (12)
76. An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green (11/1)*
77. Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake (11/3)*
78. Squirm by Carl Hiaasen (11/8)*
79. Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina (11/8)

80. My Brigadista Year by Katherine Paterson (11/8)
81. The Perfect Score by Rob Buyea (11/11)
82. The Key to Every Thing by Pat Schmatz (11/14)
83. The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell (11/20)
84. The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle (11/22)*
85. The Third Mushroom by Jennifer L. Holm (11/23)
86. Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman (11/25)*
87. Zora and Me: the cursed ground by T. R. Simon (11/30)*

December (7)
88. Lu by Jason Reynolds (12/6)*
89. The Orphan Band of Springdale by Anne Nesbit (12/7)*
90. Failing Up: how to take risks, aim higher and never stop learning by Leslie Odom, Jr. (12/15)

91. The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon (12/16)
92. Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram (12/21)*
93. Pride by Ibi Zoboi (12/22)
94. The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzie Lee (12/29)*

Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: Lu by Jason Reynolds

Lu by Jason Reynolds. Unabridged  e-audiobook. Read by Guy Lockard. Simon & Schuster Audio, 2018. 9781508246176. Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library. Own hard cover copy.)

Reynolds' Track series comes to a close with Lu, the last of the newbies of Coach's elite track team. Lu is co-captain of the Defenders but seems to be losing a bit of his swagger and gold chains and diamond earrings aren't helping. He's struggling with his event, hurdling, irked that the team co-captain doesn't respect him, and wonders about Ghost's involvement with a boy who bullied Lu relentlessly. On top of that, his parents share the news that a new baby is coming. It's hard to stay focused on leading the Defenders to victory in the championships with all that going on. Reynolds packs a lot of heart into each of these short, readable books. While I didn't want the series to end, the conclusion was satisfying.

Guy Lockard cemented his place as a fave narrator of mine with his performance of Ghost. Patina was performed beautifully by Heather Alicia Simms. I was mildly surprised to find that Lockard was the narrator of Sunny, as each book is written in the first person. The rhythm of Sunny was different and it worked. Besides, it's worth it to hear Lockard's voice for coach. While it still worked here in Lu, I can't help thinking that three different narrators might have been a better choice. Lockard's voices for each narrator didn't seem all that distinct. It's a small quibble, really. The series is enormously popular at my school. Read with your eyes. Read with your ears. Don't miss this quartet of heart. 

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: Failing Up: how to take risks, aim higher, and never stop learning by Leslie Odom Jr.

Failing Up: how to take risks, aim higher, and never stop learning by Leslie Odom Jr. Unabridged audiobook on one MP3-CD. 3 hours, 35 minutes. Audible Studios on Brilliance Audio, August, 2018. 9781978651180. (Review of purchased audiobook.)

Teen Tuesday features Failing Up: how to take risks, aim higher, and never stop learning  by Leslie Odom Jr. This earnest memoir covers most of the actor's life roughly from middle school, where he cops to being a "mouthy kid," but credits a no-nonsense teacher for snapping him out of it and making him accountable. In high school, he discovered theater and landed a part in Rent on Broadway. This experience whetted his appetite for acting. 

Mr. Odom's reading of his memoir is understated and as self-effacing as his words. Even through the low times, he maintains an attitude of openness and positivity. It does become tiresome and a tad twee to these jaded ears but idealistic young fans of the performer will be rapt. 

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: From Twinkle with Love by Sandhya Menon

From Twinkle with Love by Sandhya Menon. Unabridged downloadable audiobook, ~8 hours. Read by Soneela Nankani. Simon & Schuster Audio, May, 2018. 9781508255383.

Teen readers, especially those who are into film, looking for a fluffy fun romance featuring an aspiring filmmaker need look no further than this epistolary novel featuring Twinkle Mehra. The sixteen-year-old gets a chance to write and direct her own film for a film festival and she's super-excited, especially when her crush's twin brother, Sahil steps up to be producer. Twinkle has had a crush on Neil forever and thinks this might be a way to get closer. When she starts receiving secret messages from someone named N., she assumes that it is Neil, all the while relying more and more on Sahil, as a friend. 

Twinkle is equal part endearing and enraging as she stumbles from one misunderstanding to another. Soneela Nankani voices her doubts and triumphs perfectly. Readers will root for Twinkle. 

Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller

The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller. Unabridged downloadable audiobook, 313 minutes. Read by Jennifer Kim. Listening Library, March, 2018. 9780525525707. 

Middle Grade Monday features The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller. This first-person narration is seventh grader Natalie Napoli's "Wonder Notebook," as her hashtag-loving, overly enthusiastic science teacher likes to call it. Natalie used to love science, especially botany and she adored spending time with her vivacious botanist mother in her lab at the university. For weeks now, her mother has virtually disappeared into her bedroom and Natalie wants her back. She doesn't want to join two classmates in an egg-drop competition until she learns the prize for winning is $500. Enough money to bring her mom on a trip to find a rare blue orchid. Maybe this will bring her mother back.

Along the way, Natalie learns a lot about herself as well as a desire to connect with her Korean grandmother and culture, something her bi-racial father has always avoided. She also connects with her two lab partners in unexpected ways. There's a lot to like in this debut. The pace is brisk. The tone is introspective. The characters are unique and complex. There's a smart, science-loving girl and a complicated family situation. Jennifer Kim's narration brings Natalie to life but have the book handy, as it is illustrated. 

The Science of Breakable Things is a wonderful addition to the collection.

Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell

Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell. Unabridged audiobook on 5 compact discs. 6 hours. Read by David Tennant. HarperAudio, 2017. 9781478922735. (Review of audio borrowed from public library. Own hard cover.)

For TMS fantasy fans, Middle Grade Monday features The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell. The setting for this engaging fantasy is prehistoric the British Isles ages before the time of King Arthur and the King Arthur legend is old, old, old. There were two feuding factions, the Wizards, who were magic and the Warriors, who were not. The Warriors mean to stomp out all magic once and for all. The Warrior Queen has a stone that can suck the magic out of any wizard, sprite, giant and all magical beings are terrified of being captured and losing their magic. What happens when one of the queen's daughters, an oddball Warrior princess named Wish, crosses paths with Xar, the Wizard king's non-magical son in the deep woods? The Wizards of Once is drolly told by an un-named, perhaps unreliable narrator who promises to return with more of the story. 

I must admit I have been avoiding fantasy for a while. Not sure why. I just checked my GR list for 2018 and I posted a fantasy in mid-October. The only thing I wrote about it was, "The violence in this was stunning." And I think that might be the issue. As I perused my list and picked out the fantasies, the violence was what I thought of first before characters or worldbuilding. Is this a thing? Admittedly, these were all YA fantasies. But still. Not that fairies and sprites are peaceful, mind you. 

The Wizards of Once is decidedly middle grade and it's rather delightful. We've got the obnoxious Xar who is all bluster and blame and the pitiable Wish, who just yearns for her Queen mother's affections. We've got delightful and delicious sidekicks that include a magicked iron spoon. We've got much laughter and surprisingly, a few tears. Finally, we've got illustrations! Something I discovered when I consulted my library copy. And they are wonderful.

Of course, David Tennant's performance is filled with a variety of voices and just the right amount of ham. What I could've done without, however, were the sound effects. Ugh! They often startled and added nothing to the story. In fact, they were downright distracting. This was my car audio and one effect (I think it was wind) made me nearly pull off the road because I thought it was my car breaking down! In retrospect, I'm surprised that the Odyssey committee didn't seem bothered by the effects as they bestowed an honor on the production. 

I think I will skip the audio for the next installment, Twice Magic. I also think I will get my fantasy mojo back by hanging out in middle grade fantasyland for awhile. Though, I must admit, Holly Black's Cruel Prince is beckoning.

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman. Unabridged audiobook on nine compact discs. ~11 hours. Performed by the authors, Jenni Barber, Noah Galvin, Michael Crouch, Kivilighan de Montebello and Candace Thaxton. Simon & Schuster Audio, 2018. 9781508263081. (Review of audio cd borrowed from public library. Own hc.)

Teen Tuesday features Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman. This gripping novel is told in present tense from multiple perspectives and takes place in a scarily possible near future in southern California. Water shortages have caused farms to fail and lawns and pools to go dry; but one day, without warning, it stops flowing. At first, residents take it in stride and pile into their cars for a trip to Costco. But when seemingly plentiful cartons of bottled water can't be obtained, ordinary people, when desperate do despicable things. And, that is only the beginning. Not only will reading this make you terribly thirsty, you may want to start hoarding bottles of water the way that the book, Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer made the reader want to stock up on canned goods. As the copy asks, what would you do for the last drop of water?

This was a seat-of-your-pants read! One which, if you are reading with your eyes, you might read in one tense sitting. If you are reading with your ears, as I was, it made a marathon raking session fly by. The audio performances were fantastic. The five points-of-view weave seamlessly with each other and occasional "snapshots," narrated by the authors. Boy, does Michael Crouch have that creepy guy vibe nailed.

Dry is a must-read! Recommend it to everyone possible. Definitely hand it to teens to love apocalyptic stories like Pfeffer's Life as We Knew It series. It's timely and oh so possible.

Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: The Third Mushroom by Jennifer L. Holm

The Third Mushroom by Jennifer L. Holm. Unabridged downloadable audiobook. ~3 hours. Read by Georgette Perna. Listening Library, September, 2018. 9780525636168. (Review of audiobook borrowed from public library. Own hc.)

This sequel/ companion to The Fourteenth Goldfish was a pleasant read. It was great to revisit Ellie and her irascible grandfather, Melvin. I just love a smart mc, especially a girl who unabashedly loves science. I also love how fascinating science history is woven into the narrative and spelled out at the end of the story! 

Melvin moves back in just in time to team up with Ellie for the science fair. While he's still a bit outrageous and still stinks, Melvin might be mellowing. Ellie also may developing feelings for her best friend, Raj and the feelings may be mutual? She and Brianna might work things out as well. 

Ellie's engaging voice sounds conversational in this gentle story of friendship, family and science. The dialogue was often humorous in that unique middle school way. Chapters are short and the book flies by. That the audiobook narrator sounded appropriately young added to the pleasure of listening.

Fans of The Fourteenth Goldfish will love this sequel.  

Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: Squirm by Carl Hiassen

Squirm by Carl Hiassen. Unabridged downloadable audiobook. 7 hours. Narrated by Kirby Heybourne. Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group, September, 2018. (Audiobook borrowed from public library. Own print copy.)

Billy Dickens is a bit of an oddball. But he's an interesting one. He lives with his mother and older sister, his dad having left the family when Billy was about three. His mom doesn't talk at all about his dad, but he faithfully sends a check each month. His mom is out there as well. Though loving, she moves the family frequently. The reason? She needs to live near an active eagle family nest. Billy doesn't stay in one place for very long so he doesn't make friends. He loves nature and the outdoors. He really doesn't mind going eagle watching with his mom. He has a thing for justice and fighting for the underdog. He also loves snakes. He earned the nickname, "Snake Boy," when he used a bagful of rattlers to deter his classmates from breaking into his locker (long story). 

Billy decided that he's had enough of not-knowing about his father, pieces together the envelope containing the check and the return address and hops a plane to Montana where he plans on surprising his long-lost father. What he finds instead is his father's new family. Lil and her daughter, Summer  are members of the Crow Nation. They are okay with Billy's dad's frequent disappearances. With Summer and Lil's help, Billy sets out into the woods to find his elusive father. What they find is his truck with the tires slashed. But that is not enough to deter Billy.

Kirby Heybourne is one of my favorite narrators and he does a fantastic job narrating this twisty turny, hilarious mystery. His laid back, almost nonchalant delivery was perfectly paced. I am a fan of both Hiassen's adult and juvenile fare. I love his descriptions of the outdoors. He deftly skewers rich, selfish, hypocritical politicians and businessmen, in this case a big game hunter with a penchant for rare endangered animals. This one might be my favorite. My students who like mysteries and like to laugh really love Hoot and Flush. I can't wait to hear what they think of Squirm.

Middle Grade Monday and Audio Review: Sunny by Jason Reynolds

Sunny by Jason Reynolds. Track series #3. Unabridged downloadable audiobook, 3 hours. Narrated by Guy Lockard. Simon & Schuster Audio, April, 2018. 9781508246169 (Review from audiobook borrowed from public library. Own print copy.)

Let Middle Grade Monday bring a little sunshine on yet another rainy Monday. Sunny by Jason Reynolds is the third book in his very popular track series. Sunny lives up to his name because he is quick with a smile and a good word for his teammates on the Defenders, the elite middle school track team Sunny runs for. But all is not well at home. Sunny is growing tired of trying to please his distant father - a father who insists Sunny call him by his first name - Darryl. The only thing that seems to please Darryl is when Sunny wins the mile run. What happens when Sunny quits the mile run just as he's about to win? Can Sunny still be the track team if he can't/ won't run?

I do so love this series, but I think Sunny might be my favorite so far. Guy Lockard does an amazing job of portraying Sunny's energy. I am not sure I would've read Sunny's exuberance quite so well with my eyes. I especially loved the commentary at the end featuring the author and the narrator speaking about their friendship. I happened to be in the audience when Guy Lockard spoke at the Odyssey Award reception (Ghost won an Odyssey Honor) and thought of his and Jason's remarks as I listened to this story.

My students and I eagerly await the release of Lu on October 23. There's a waiting list already. I will most likely read it with my ears as, you guessed it, Lockard is the narrator. It will be a bit sad to see this series end; but I'm certain that Reynolds has a few things lined up.

Audiobook Review: A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti

A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti. Unabridged downloadable audiobook, 9 hours. Read by Julia Whelan, Simon & Schuster Audio, September, 2018. (Review of audiobook downloaded from public library.)

Annabelle Agnelli should be enjoying her senior year of high school. Instead she's withdrawn and hobbled by guilt and grief. Over what? Do not be impatient to find out. Be with her as she attempts to cope with a triggering incident that sends her running - literally running from Seattle to Washington D.C. Appreciate her slightly dysfunction but indomitable and staunchly supportive extended family. Yearn for friends like Zach and Olivia. Witness Annabelle's courage as she peels back the scarring to face the unthinkable. Acknowledge her doubt. Weep when she is able to face her pain and finally rejoice for there is always, always hope.

The hardest reviews to write are the ones of books that I absolutely love. This one just gutted me. It is stunning, searing, brilliant, devastating and unquestionably and unfortunately, timely. The voice grabbed me from the start. I adore Annabelle. She's a gifted runner, a great sister, a somewhat snarky daughter, a girl everyone finds easy to like and wants to befriend. I hate running. Honestly, I can't run three strides without wanting to heave myself on the couch; but I do admire runners. I loved reading about Annabelle's running. I loved the brutal monotony, the rituals, the interior dialog. It almost made me want to try again but I think my bones are too heavy. Really. I am dead weight.

Caletti has assembled a memorable cast of characters around Annabelle. Even the most fleeting of background characters have impact. Annabelle has found a permanent place in my heart, because of these remarkable secondary supporting characters. 

I read this with my ears and, at first I didn't realize that it was read by a narrator of whom I am not a fan. Her style fit. I still don't love her male voices though. The performance was very good and I am glad to have read it that way; but there were so many bits of brilliant writing, luscious metaphors, startling imagery and glimpses of hope that I wished I were reading with my eyes so as to dog-ear the particularly evocative passages. This is definitely one for the reread pile. And that cover! Oh man, the cover is perfect!

A Heart in a Body in the World is a first-purchase for all high school and public libraries as well as anyone who serves teens. I can't recommend it enough and will be recommending it to my more mature student readers.

Middle Grade Monday and Audio Review: Black Panther: the young prince by Ronald L. Smith

Black Panther: the young prince by Ronald L. Smith. Unabridged audiobook on five compact discs. 5 hours, 45 minutes. Read by Dion Graham. Listening Library, January, 2018. 9780525531319. (Review from finished copy borrowed from public library. Own print copy.)

I must state up front I am totally ignorant in that I have not seen the movie, Black Panther, nor am I familiar with the comic. I have no idea how faithful to the character and canon this story is, but it's an engaging one. This book focuses on young T'Challa. He's twelve and living the life in Wakanda, training and messing around with his best friend, M'Baku. T'Challa's father, the Black Panther, sends him and M'Baku to Chicago for their protection when danger threatens Wakanda. The two are to keep their citizenship and identity a secret and support each other while attending middle school. 

The boys are thrust head-first into American culture and middle school complete with cliques, sports and bullies. M'Baku soon comes under the thrall of Gemini Jones and T'Challa befriends nerdy kids, Zeke and Sheila. There may or may not be a mysterious stranger following them. 

This was a fast-paced adventure featuring a soon-to-be super-hero as a teen facing what many teens face - the need to belong and fit in - in addition to being thoughtful about his destiny. The audiobook was narrated by a favorite - Dion Graham, but I was a bit disappointed. His delivery was very, very breathy. Distractingly breathy. Perhaps even a bit over-the-top with his staccato delivery. Once I distanced myself from that distraction and ignored a couple of, "Really?" moments in the plot, I decided that the target audience will enjoy this adventure. 

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry

Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry. Unabridged downloaded audiobook. Read by Michael Crouch. 9 hours, 4 minutes. HarperAudio, August, 2018. (Review from downloadable audiobook borrowed from public library.)

Michael's father has broken his promise and he is furious. His rather emotionally distant father has a penchant for moving the family whenever there is a possibility of a raise or a promotion. He had promised there wouldn't be a move until Michael finished high school. Now, Michael, a devout atheist  finds himself, not only moving, but attending a Catholic high school. He's not into the school uniform, his stern principal, his teachers, most of whom are nuns or his classmates, many of whom come off as pious and judgmental He fears he is destined to sit alone at lunch until he hears Lucy engage Sister in a discourse about saints, feminism, and religious patriarchy. Intrigued and hoping to have found someone to sit with, Michael rather creepily follows Lucy until she turns and confronts him. Reluctantly, she invites him to sit together at lunch where she introduces him to her bestie, Avi, who is Jewish. Eventually, he is inducted into Heretics Anonymous, a secret society. The other two members are Max, a Korean American who is a bit obsessed with capes and may be autistic and Eden, a Wiccan. Has Michael found his people?

Boy, do I love a smart novel dealing with religion and belief! This debut is impressive from its catchy title, irresistible cover somewhat evocative of "grilled cheesus" from the second season of Glee, to the voice of its narrator, Michael. Michael's bitterness is palpable and understandable. While he's a bit self-absorbed, he's also inquisitive and intelligent. Every character is interesting, including the zealously devout, his father and his teachers. They are not one-dimensional cardboard figures. 

Fave narrator, Michael Crouch turns in another great performance. I've listened to enough audiobooks narrated by him to amend my early impression that he is a chameleon. That said, he sounds appropriately youthful, imbues his character, Michael with humor and paces his narrations well. 

Heretics Anonymous is so appealing. Hand to your thoughtful teens who enjoy laughing and want a smart romance. I am eager to read more from Katie Henry and hope the Morris Committee is reading.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Deceiver's Heart by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The Deceiver's Heart by Jennifer A. Nielsen. The Traitor's Game series #2. 384 p. Scholastic Inc., February 26, 2019. 9781338045413. 

Publisher synopsis: In this sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller The Traitor's Game, Kestra Dallisor has finally gained possession of the Olden Blade. With the dagger in her control, she attempts to destroy the tyrannical Lord Endrick. But when Kestra fails, the king strips her of her memory, and leaves her weak and uncertain, bound to obey him. Heartbroken, Simon is desperate to return Kestra to the rebel she was, but refuses to use magic to heal her. With untrusting Coracks and Halderians threatening to capture and kill her, and war looming on the horizon, Kestra and Simon will have to learn to trust each other again if they have any hope of surviving. But can a heart once broken ever be healed?

I posted a review of The Traitor's Heart yesterday. 

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: The Traitor's Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The Traitor's Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen. Traitor's Game series #1. Unabridged downloadable audiobook. 11 hours. Read by Jesse Vilinski and Michael Curran-Dorsano. Scholastic Audio, February, 2018. (Review from downloadable audio borrowed from public library.) 

Teen Tuesday features a new series by Jennifer Nielsen. Fans of The False Prince will enjoy The Traitor's Game. Sixteen-year-old Kestra has been summoned home to Highwyn by her father. She has been away for three years and wonders what her stern father wants. Her party is attacked by a band of Coracks, who hold Kestra's maid and beloved guard and mentor hostage. The ransom? They want her to find and recover the Olden Blade, a weapon with magical properties fabled to be the only weapon that can kill the immortal and evil Lord Endrick. 

The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Kestra and Simon, one of her captors, who is a former servant with a grudge. This court intrigue fantasy is pretty violent and betrayal and plot twists abound leaving readers to anticipate the next installment. While no new ground is broken here, the quick pace and suspense will have appeal for readers who like their fantasy fast and furious. 

The world-building was a bit vague. The narrators were both new to me. Jesse Vilinsky's clipped, no-nonsense, almost monotone delivery had initial appeal, but soon wore thin. Curran-Dorsano's delivery had more emotion. I am definitely on board for the sequel; but will probably opt to read with my eyes. 

Middle Grade Monday: Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshini Chokshi

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshini Chokshi. Unabridged downloadable audiobook. Read by Soneela Nankani. 10 hours, 23 minutes. Listening Library, March, 2018. (Review of book borrowed from local e-library.)

Middle Grade Monday features Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi. This is the beginning of the Pandava series and is the author's middle grade debut. Twelve-year-old Aru lives with her archaeologist mom in an apartment in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art. All of her classmates are wealthy and go on expensive vacation so Aru has taken to lying about her life to fit in. When three classmates come to her apartment to catch her in a lie, they dare her to touch the Lamp of Bharata, a lamp that her mother warned her to NEVER touch. Uh-oh!

With her friends and mother frozen in time and the Sleeper released, it is up to Aru to find the reincarnations of the Pandava princes and travel through the kindgom of death to save civilization. Fans of Rick Riordan, Sarwat Chadda and Sayantani DasGupta will enjoy this fast-paced adventure. I read this one with my ears and enjoyed new-to-me narrator, Soneela Nankani's performance. She had a nice range of voices for the characters and paced the reading well. 

Teen Tuesday and Audio Review: Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman. Arc of a Scythe #2. Unabridged audiobook on one MP3 CD, hours, minutes. Read by Greg Tremblay. Brilliance Audio, April, 2018. 9781978614307. (Review from purchased audiobook.)

Happy Tuesday and first day of school for me, TMS Readers! Enjoy your lovely day off while we teachers prepare to welcome you back on Thursday! Teen Tuesday features Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman. Thunderhead is book two in the Arc of a Scythe series and you definitely should read book one, Scythe, first. 

The series is set in the future when death and disease have been eradicated. Not only can one live several hundred years, but should one desire, he or she may "reset" their body to a younger age. Governments and most countries as we know it no longer exist. Crime is nearly non-existent. Life is good, if a bit boring. Everything is watched over and controlled by the Thunderhead. But the planet cannot support an unlimited population so Scythes are tasked with culling the population. Unlike the Thunderhead, Scythes are all too human, and being above the law, a faction has split off and seems to take pleasure in the killing. 

The series centers around two teens, Citra and Rowan as they are chosen to become scythe apprentices but eventually end up as political pawns. Neal Shusterman is a master worldbuilder and storyteller. He keeps the reader off-balance and guessing. The ending of Thunderhead will leave the reader panting for the next installment, The Toll, which as yet, has neither a cover nor an expected due date!

I read both books in this series with my ears and thoroughly enjoyed Greg Tremblay's narration. While his pacing occasionally lags, he manages to maintain distinct voices for the large cast of characters. I especially like that his female voices are not breathy caricatures that many male narrators tend toward.

If you are a science fiction fan, you should definitely check this series out as well as Neal Shusterman's Unwind Dystology!