#tbt: Feed by M.T. Anderson

Image: Candlewick Press

Feed by M.T. Anderson. 320 p. Candlewick Press, 2002.  9780763662622. (Own.)

Happy Thursday! Happy June 1 and happy Pride Month as well! #tbt spotlights Feed by M.T. Anderson. Featuring one of of the most memorable first lines ever, this satirical dystopian is narrated by Titus, a disaffected teen in a near future that is completely dominated by corporatios and consumerism. Most people have a feed implanted, which, well, feeds them with constant information, but it's not info that is empowering. Everything is trademarked. The environment is deteriorating and so is language.

While Titus and his thrill-seeking friends are out at a club, they meet a girl named Violet, who while she has a feed, it is modified. She also has a mind of her own and isn't afraid to have opinions. This is new to Titus, and he's intrigued, but a man with connections to an anti-feed organization hacks the feeds of all the teens at the club and they end up in the hospital.

Feed was published in 2002 and was a National Book Award Finalist. It was also a Horn Book-Boston Globe Honor Book, appeared on numerous year-end "Best Books" lists and won the LA Times Book Prize. This is a book for thoughtful teens due to the mature themes.

Teen Tuesday: The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by M.T. Anderson

The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin. 544 p. Candlewick Press, September 25, 2018. 9780763698225. (Review from arc courtesy of the publisher.)

When Brangwain Spurge, elfin historian, accepts an assignment to be catapulted into enemy territory to present the goblin king with a gift, he is honored and copes with the dangers. Little does he know, the gift he is bearing may just ignite a war. Oh, and kill him in the process. 

Goblin archivist, Werfel, is delighted to host. He believes he and Brangwain are kindred spirits and will have much to discuss. He rolls out the red carpet, goblin style and is nonplussed over Spurge's aloofness. He's also suspicious. Spurge keeps disappearing.

Each believes the other culture is the cause of all the problems in the world. The goblin-elfin conflict goes back over 1000 years and historical record is impeccable, is it not? As they stumble their way to an audience with the goblin king, readers discover through Yelchin's detailed illustrations what is afoot. In a world where insults are compliments, except when they're not and appreciation for other cultures is absent, how can it end, but badly?

This fantasy world is all too familiar in this sly, satirical romp. The illustrations propel the prose narrative, aided by letters from the spymaster to the elfin king. The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge is sophisticated, hilarious fun. 

I posted to Teen Tuesday because of the rather sophisticated humor and the fact that older readers might appreciate the satire. Younger fantasy fans and fans of Brian Selznik's illustrated novels will love this book as well. It's going in the "Everyone" section at school when it releases late September. I can't wait to see the finished product. Even the arc had heft and those illustrations! One could get lost in every one!