Electric Girl by Michael Brennan
Vol. 1
Virginia is a fairly normal teen who just happens to have the extraordinary ability to store, conduct, and discharge electricity. Hence the nickname Electric Girl. Electric Girl's faithful dog, Blammo, and imaginary gremlin, Oogleeoog, make the stories in this book even more fun and entertaining. This volume introduces us to Virginia, her family, Oogleeogg and Blammo. Her relationships are very normal, she just happens to be drawn to electricity and it is drawn to her.
Very fun read. Looking forward to more adventures of Electric Girl.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Girl Genius: Agatha Heterodyne and the Beetleburg Clank by Phil & Kaja Foglio and illustrated by Phil Foglio, Brian Snoddy & Laurie Smith
Agatha Clay is a lowly lab assistant at the local university, but what she doesn't know is that she's much more than that. The theft of her special locket and the death of her mentor and protector set into motion a chain of events that will brings Agatha to the attention of the ruthless yet brilliant Baron who rules over the city. A robot (or "clank," in this world's vernacular) runs about the city looking for someone.
Interesting story. I felt somewhat lost as it felt like we jumped into the middle of the story and are trying to catch up. But I'm hoping with future volumes I'll start figuring it out. It's refreshing to see a female be the lead but not be this beautiful object as Agatha seems like a real person, flaws and all.
Agatha Clay is a lowly lab assistant at the local university, but what she doesn't know is that she's much more than that. The theft of her special locket and the death of her mentor and protector set into motion a chain of events that will brings Agatha to the attention of the ruthless yet brilliant Baron who rules over the city. A robot (or "clank," in this world's vernacular) runs about the city looking for someone.
Interesting story. I felt somewhat lost as it felt like we jumped into the middle of the story and are trying to catch up. But I'm hoping with future volumes I'll start figuring it out. It's refreshing to see a female be the lead but not be this beautiful object as Agatha seems like a real person, flaws and all.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Misfits by James Howe
Four best friends, Bobby Goodspeed (who tells the story), Joe Bunch, Addie Carle, and Skeezie Tookis who are seventh graders at Paintbrush Falls Middle School in upstate New York. The four are the usual outcasts found in most schools, and Addie has decided to take a stand against what she sees as the hypocrisy in her school. At first she wants to bring forth issues of minorities discrimination and hypocrisy in the democratic system. But it is really much more simple than that.
Through her determination to put forward her beliefs, she forces her friends to step back and take a look at themselves and each other. All who change and come to realize their own potential. Bobby, who works as a tie salesman at a local department store, learns that adults have problems too and that everyone has their own names for themselves. That even his dad needs encouragement and support. Bobby challenges everyone to list all the names (or labels) they have ever been called and to reflect how it has made them feel. They decide to become the No-Name party and ask everyone at the school to stop calling each other names for at least one day.
I love James Howe's books, but have only read his mysteries for kids. This is my first YA novel that he has written. He has done a good job at capturing the personalities of kids who could be from anywhere and anyone. I like that he doesn't use lots of slang and dialog that will become dated in a few years. It made me think about names I've called people and have been called. We're all guilty of that.
Four best friends, Bobby Goodspeed (who tells the story), Joe Bunch, Addie Carle, and Skeezie Tookis who are seventh graders at Paintbrush Falls Middle School in upstate New York. The four are the usual outcasts found in most schools, and Addie has decided to take a stand against what she sees as the hypocrisy in her school. At first she wants to bring forth issues of minorities discrimination and hypocrisy in the democratic system. But it is really much more simple than that.
Through her determination to put forward her beliefs, she forces her friends to step back and take a look at themselves and each other. All who change and come to realize their own potential. Bobby, who works as a tie salesman at a local department store, learns that adults have problems too and that everyone has their own names for themselves. That even his dad needs encouragement and support. Bobby challenges everyone to list all the names (or labels) they have ever been called and to reflect how it has made them feel. They decide to become the No-Name party and ask everyone at the school to stop calling each other names for at least one day.
I love James Howe's books, but have only read his mysteries for kids. This is my first YA novel that he has written. He has done a good job at capturing the personalities of kids who could be from anywhere and anyone. I like that he doesn't use lots of slang and dialog that will become dated in a few years. It made me think about names I've called people and have been called. We're all guilty of that.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
Their mothers were in the same aeorbic classes when they were pregnant. They've been best friends ever since.
Carmen got the jeans at a thrift shop. They didn’t look all that great: they were worn, dirty, and speckled with bleach. On the night before she and her friends part for the summer, Carmen decides to toss them. But Tibby says they’re great. She'd love to have them. Lena and Bridget also think they’re fabulous. Lena decides that they should all try them on. Whoever they fit best will get them. Nobody knows why, but the pants fit everyone perfectly. Even Carmen (who never thinks she looks good in anything) thinks she looks good in the pants. Over a few bags of cheese puffs, they decide to form a sisterhood and take the vow of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants . . . the next morning, they say good-bye. And then the journey of the pants — and the most memorable summer of their lives — begins.
A fun and real life look at four friends who are as different as they are alike. They bring out the worst and best in each other as they are on their own for the summer. We see the pants travel from one place to another giving each girl the strength and courage to do what they should. I wish I had these pants when I was their age. Perhaps I would have been more bold and brave.
Now it's been made into a movie. I hope it stay true to the book.
Second summer of the sisterhood
Like the summer before, Carmen, Bridget, Tibby, and Lena share their individual adventures with the Pants collective, creating an engaging, kaleidoscopic narrative of four voices. This summer, Tibby attends a film program in Virginia and Bridget (Bee), whose mother has died, impulsively jets off to Alabama to get reacquainted with her estranged grandmother. Lovely Lena tries to protect herself from the heartbreak of loving her long-distance Greek god boyfriend Kostos, and Carmen deals (poorly) with her mother dating again and having the nerve to borrow the Pants!
Fun to be had by all, as we live a 2nd summer of the pants!
Their mothers were in the same aeorbic classes when they were pregnant. They've been best friends ever since.
Carmen got the jeans at a thrift shop. They didn’t look all that great: they were worn, dirty, and speckled with bleach. On the night before she and her friends part for the summer, Carmen decides to toss them. But Tibby says they’re great. She'd love to have them. Lena and Bridget also think they’re fabulous. Lena decides that they should all try them on. Whoever they fit best will get them. Nobody knows why, but the pants fit everyone perfectly. Even Carmen (who never thinks she looks good in anything) thinks she looks good in the pants. Over a few bags of cheese puffs, they decide to form a sisterhood and take the vow of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants . . . the next morning, they say good-bye. And then the journey of the pants — and the most memorable summer of their lives — begins.
A fun and real life look at four friends who are as different as they are alike. They bring out the worst and best in each other as they are on their own for the summer. We see the pants travel from one place to another giving each girl the strength and courage to do what they should. I wish I had these pants when I was their age. Perhaps I would have been more bold and brave.
Now it's been made into a movie. I hope it stay true to the book.
Second summer of the sisterhood
Like the summer before, Carmen, Bridget, Tibby, and Lena share their individual adventures with the Pants collective, creating an engaging, kaleidoscopic narrative of four voices. This summer, Tibby attends a film program in Virginia and Bridget (Bee), whose mother has died, impulsively jets off to Alabama to get reacquainted with her estranged grandmother. Lovely Lena tries to protect herself from the heartbreak of loving her long-distance Greek god boyfriend Kostos, and Carmen deals (poorly) with her mother dating again and having the nerve to borrow the Pants!
Fun to be had by all, as we live a 2nd summer of the pants!
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Oracle Prophecies by Catherine Fisher
Oracle Betrayed
In the distant land of deserts and islands, the servants of the god rule the land. His wishes are conveyed through the Oracle, and interpreted by the High Priestess. Mirany is the new Bearer, afraid of her perilous duties for the god in the rituals of the Oracle, and fearful of her secret questioning... Does the god truly exist? The priestess is corrupt and in secret partnership with the General, ruler since the God-on-Earth, the Archon, has no real power. The Archon is always chosen as a child, his face always masked, never seen by outsiders. He is ruler, but should any national tragedy occur, he is also the sacrifice.
When the old Archon dies, his spirit migrates into a child, and there are several candidates for succession. But Mirany begins to experience the real visions of the god, discovers which child is the rightful heir, and that the General and High Priestess intend to choose another child and seize power. With only a tomb-robbing scribe and a mad musician for allies, Mirany begins her quest - knowing that, if she is betrayed, her fate will be to be walled up alive in the Archon's tomb...
This book is incredibly difficult to describe as it is very complicated and has so many different people's points of views.
Wow, this is an incredible read. The main person is, Mirany. We see her emerge from the stuttering girl to a leader as she becomes one of the NINE who follow the Archon. Only Mirany can help the true God come to light. But will she be right or is she the traitor?
Book 2 The Sphere of Secrets
Book 3 - Scarab
is out in the U.K. but not yet in the U.S.
Oracle Betrayed
In the distant land of deserts and islands, the servants of the god rule the land. His wishes are conveyed through the Oracle, and interpreted by the High Priestess. Mirany is the new Bearer, afraid of her perilous duties for the god in the rituals of the Oracle, and fearful of her secret questioning... Does the god truly exist? The priestess is corrupt and in secret partnership with the General, ruler since the God-on-Earth, the Archon, has no real power. The Archon is always chosen as a child, his face always masked, never seen by outsiders. He is ruler, but should any national tragedy occur, he is also the sacrifice.
When the old Archon dies, his spirit migrates into a child, and there are several candidates for succession. But Mirany begins to experience the real visions of the god, discovers which child is the rightful heir, and that the General and High Priestess intend to choose another child and seize power. With only a tomb-robbing scribe and a mad musician for allies, Mirany begins her quest - knowing that, if she is betrayed, her fate will be to be walled up alive in the Archon's tomb...
This book is incredibly difficult to describe as it is very complicated and has so many different people's points of views.
Wow, this is an incredible read. The main person is, Mirany. We see her emerge from the stuttering girl to a leader as she becomes one of the NINE who follow the Archon. Only Mirany can help the true God come to light. But will she be right or is she the traitor?
Book 2 The Sphere of Secrets
Book 3 - Scarab
is out in the U.K. but not yet in the U.S.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Miss Marple
Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
The murder of Colonel Protheroe is a shock to everyone in St. Mary Mead, though hardly an unpleasant one. Now the vicar, who had declared that killing the detested Protheroe would be a service to the world, as well as his young and flirtatious wife, could be considered suspects. And what about the faithless Mrs. Protheroe, or her lover, the young artist Lawrence Redding? Jane Marple is at her shrewdest in this delightfully intricate mystery. I read all of these as a teenager but am enjoying the re-reads.
I enjoyed the new version showing on PBS Mystery.
Moving Finger
This story is told by Jerry Burton, an RAF flyer recovering from a crash. He has been sent to the village of Lymstock to get rest and quiet. Accompanied by his sister Joanna, Jerry soon finds that all is not as peaceful as he might have hoped. A series of poison pen letters detailing the explicit and often illicit facts of the residents' lives is causing quite a stir. The fear escalates when an apparent suicide is followed by a murder. With so much wickedness abounding, the vicar's wife calls in her old friend Jane Marple, whom she considers an expert on wickedness in village life. Miss Marple yet agains sees the wickedness beneath the surface to uncover the truth behind the poison pen letters and the deaths that result.
Christie examination the evil underneath the pristine surface. This "wickedness" lies not only beneath the beautiful exteriors of the sleepy village, but also beneath the shiny faces of its inhabitants. She once again manages to make all my guesses wrong. Plus this has more of a romantic overtone than her other novels, which is refreshing. Truly brilliant.
At Bertram's Hotel
When Jane Marple comes up from the country for a holiday in London, she finds what she's looking for at Bertram's Hotel: a restored London hotel with traditional decor, impeccable service and an unmistakable atmosphere of danger behind the highly polished veneer. Miss Marple's suspicions are aroused by some of the guests. Her worst fears are confirmed when the doorman is murdered in strange circumstances. With the help of clever Chief Inspector Davey, who is occupied with the investigation of a series of robberies. With her help all is revealed. A fun cozy look at Miss Marple outside of her home.
Murder is Announced
When an ad appears in the gazette announcing a murder to take place on Friday at Little Paddocks at 6:30 p.m., the locals show up, assuming it's a murder mystery party, only to get shot at and then become witnesses to the real murder of a boy no one knows. The police are convienced that someone wants to kill Ms. Blacklock but when her best friend and a local woman are killed it appears that the murderer is becoming a serial killer. Fortunately, Miss Marple arrives and unravels this tangled skein. As with other Agatha Christie novels nothing is as it appears and you never know until the end who the murder really is.
Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
The murder of Colonel Protheroe is a shock to everyone in St. Mary Mead, though hardly an unpleasant one. Now the vicar, who had declared that killing the detested Protheroe would be a service to the world, as well as his young and flirtatious wife, could be considered suspects. And what about the faithless Mrs. Protheroe, or her lover, the young artist Lawrence Redding? Jane Marple is at her shrewdest in this delightfully intricate mystery. I read all of these as a teenager but am enjoying the re-reads.
I enjoyed the new version showing on PBS Mystery.
Moving Finger
This story is told by Jerry Burton, an RAF flyer recovering from a crash. He has been sent to the village of Lymstock to get rest and quiet. Accompanied by his sister Joanna, Jerry soon finds that all is not as peaceful as he might have hoped. A series of poison pen letters detailing the explicit and often illicit facts of the residents' lives is causing quite a stir. The fear escalates when an apparent suicide is followed by a murder. With so much wickedness abounding, the vicar's wife calls in her old friend Jane Marple, whom she considers an expert on wickedness in village life. Miss Marple yet agains sees the wickedness beneath the surface to uncover the truth behind the poison pen letters and the deaths that result.
Christie examination the evil underneath the pristine surface. This "wickedness" lies not only beneath the beautiful exteriors of the sleepy village, but also beneath the shiny faces of its inhabitants. She once again manages to make all my guesses wrong. Plus this has more of a romantic overtone than her other novels, which is refreshing. Truly brilliant.
At Bertram's Hotel
When Jane Marple comes up from the country for a holiday in London, she finds what she's looking for at Bertram's Hotel: a restored London hotel with traditional decor, impeccable service and an unmistakable atmosphere of danger behind the highly polished veneer. Miss Marple's suspicions are aroused by some of the guests. Her worst fears are confirmed when the doorman is murdered in strange circumstances. With the help of clever Chief Inspector Davey, who is occupied with the investigation of a series of robberies. With her help all is revealed. A fun cozy look at Miss Marple outside of her home.
Murder is Announced
When an ad appears in the gazette announcing a murder to take place on Friday at Little Paddocks at 6:30 p.m., the locals show up, assuming it's a murder mystery party, only to get shot at and then become witnesses to the real murder of a boy no one knows. The police are convienced that someone wants to kill Ms. Blacklock but when her best friend and a local woman are killed it appears that the murderer is becoming a serial killer. Fortunately, Miss Marple arrives and unravels this tangled skein. As with other Agatha Christie novels nothing is as it appears and you never know until the end who the murder really is.
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Nancy Drew Graphic Novels from Papercutz
#1 Demon of River Heights
A movie is being filmed in River Heights supposedly about a real life demon. Nancy becomes involved when the film directors go missing. Is there really a demon or just a way to promote the movie or something even more sinister.
I've read most of the various versions of Nancy Drew and enjoyed this. It will be interesting to see how it developes. The Hardy Boys have a graphic novel as well from Papercutz.
It is an interesting modern version of the classic mystery. George & Bess are a lot more promident as well. But I never really get why she wears a skirt.
#1 Demon of River Heights
A movie is being filmed in River Heights supposedly about a real life demon. Nancy becomes involved when the film directors go missing. Is there really a demon or just a way to promote the movie or something even more sinister.
I've read most of the various versions of Nancy Drew and enjoyed this. It will be interesting to see how it developes. The Hardy Boys have a graphic novel as well from Papercutz.
It is an interesting modern version of the classic mystery. George & Bess are a lot more promident as well. But I never really get why she wears a skirt.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Unhinged by Sarah Graves
Jacobia Tiptree, or Jake to her friends, owns a big, old house that needs lots of repairs and fixing up. A onetime financial advisor to the Mob she now lives the peaceful life in Eastport, Maine. After falling from the roof many other accidents start happening to her friends and family. But it seems to start with the mysterious disappearence of Harriet Hollingworth, known asa busybody and not liked by anyone. While Jake and her best friend Ellie search for clues, a series of lethal mishaps occur. Ellie's son and husband are imperiled and a visitor to Eastport is killed. But why is all this happening and will they all survive.
Not the first in the series, I believe #7. I got rather annoyed how the answers seemed to just come and no one seemed very concerned for Jake's health as she managed to detour from the hospital several times. Perhaps since I haven't read the other books I don't have all of her quirks down. I might try to read the first book just to see if I can stand it.
Jacobia Tiptree, or Jake to her friends, owns a big, old house that needs lots of repairs and fixing up. A onetime financial advisor to the Mob she now lives the peaceful life in Eastport, Maine. After falling from the roof many other accidents start happening to her friends and family. But it seems to start with the mysterious disappearence of Harriet Hollingworth, known asa busybody and not liked by anyone. While Jake and her best friend Ellie search for clues, a series of lethal mishaps occur. Ellie's son and husband are imperiled and a visitor to Eastport is killed. But why is all this happening and will they all survive.
Not the first in the series, I believe #7. I got rather annoyed how the answers seemed to just come and no one seemed very concerned for Jake's health as she managed to detour from the hospital several times. Perhaps since I haven't read the other books I don't have all of her quirks down. I might try to read the first book just to see if I can stand it.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Valley of Bones
by Michael Gruber
Rookie cop Tito Morales arrives at the Trianon Hotel in time to see a wealthy oilman plunge ten stories and impale himself on a nearby fence. Soon Morales is joined by detective Jimmy Paz. Together Paz and Morales enter the hotel and discover, in the dead man's room, a most unusual suspect, an otherworldly woman by the name of Emmylou Dideroff. She emerges from a rapturous, prayerlike state and admits that she had a motive for killing the oilman. Psychologist Lorna Wise is enlisted in an effort to make sense of things that go beyond Emmylou's explanation of the murder.
This book is very intense as it describes extremely graphic sexual abuse. Plus it is almost impossible to tell if Emmylou is possessed by the devil or by god. Or is there really a difference between the two? Book two in the series. Tropic of Night is book 1 and is refered to several times in this mystery.
Gruber is the ghostwriter behind Robert K. Tanenbaum popular novels.
by Michael Gruber
Rookie cop Tito Morales arrives at the Trianon Hotel in time to see a wealthy oilman plunge ten stories and impale himself on a nearby fence. Soon Morales is joined by detective Jimmy Paz. Together Paz and Morales enter the hotel and discover, in the dead man's room, a most unusual suspect, an otherworldly woman by the name of Emmylou Dideroff. She emerges from a rapturous, prayerlike state and admits that she had a motive for killing the oilman. Psychologist Lorna Wise is enlisted in an effort to make sense of things that go beyond Emmylou's explanation of the murder.
This book is very intense as it describes extremely graphic sexual abuse. Plus it is almost impossible to tell if Emmylou is possessed by the devil or by god. Or is there really a difference between the two? Book two in the series. Tropic of Night is book 1 and is refered to several times in this mystery.
Gruber is the ghostwriter behind Robert K. Tanenbaum popular novels.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman? by Eleanor Updale In Victorian London, after his life is saved by a young physician, a thief utilizes the knowledge he gains in prison and from the scientific lectures he attends as the physician's case study exhibit to create a new, highly successful, double life for himself. He soon becomes the most elusive burglar in Victorian London, adopting a dual existence as both a respectable, wealthy gentleman named Montmorency, and his degenerate servant Scarper. Excellent read. Plus there are sequels already in the works. Hurray!
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