Feed by M.T. Anderson

I only recently discovered the work of M.T. Anderson, and he has quickly become one of my favorite authors. He explores such diverse genres as vampire novels (Thirsty), young adult serial novel satires (Whales on Stilts, The Clue of the Linoleum Leiderhosen), and futuristic worlds-gone-wrong (Feed), all with humor, adventure, and empathy.

Feed paints a picture of Earth perhaps 1000 years in the future. Almost everyone on the planet has been implanted with a "feed," essentially a wireless Internet connection that connects directly into the brain. People can listen to music, instant-message, watch movies, see advertisements, and buy things simply by tuning into the "feed." While this might sound idyllic to those of us who are glued to our computers and hand-held "wired" devices, Anderson illustrates the downside of a constantly plugged-in and literature-free world. The characters, even the adults, speak in a childish, unsophisticated blend of "likes" and "you knows," and the one character who isn't plugged into the feed (and not coincidentally the only character who can read) is the object of distrust and isolation.

The dystopia depicted in Feed may sound bleak, but in our present existence of incessant text-messaging, "Twitter," and Facebook, it might not be too far away.

London Calling by Edward Bloor

Having really enjoyed Bloor's Tangerine, and being a big fan of the classic Clash album, I was excited to read London Calling. Bloor's novel is a tale of courage, forgiveness, and family that crosses decades and oceans by means of a time-traveling radio.

Martin is a student at a prestigious private school in central New Jersey. He is content to spend his summer vacation cooped up in his basement, instant-messaging with friends and reading. When his grandmother passes away, though, and Martin inherits her 1940's Philco radio, his hermit tranquility is turned upside-down. Martin is thrown into a 60-year-old mystery that will reconnect him with his alcoholic father, his larger-than-life hero grandfather, and his genius older sister. He will also meet Jimmy, a boy about his age who died in the 1940 German bombing of London.

I highly recommend this spine-tingling book. Anyone who is interested in World War II or ghost stories, or who has ever felt wrongly accused of a misdeed, will find this a great read.

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson

Imagine what it would be like to have wings and be able to fly like a hawk? On the one hand, you may feel a bit weird and awkward. On the other hand, it is pretty cool to be able to escape any situation by flying away.

Maximum Ride, the title character of this book, does just that. Max and her buddies are "birdkids." They grew wings as a result of a genetic experiment. The book begins with an attack on the "Flock" by a group of mutant wolf hybrids called Erasers. The Erasers kidnap Angel, the youngest of the "birdkids." Much of the story revolves around the search for Angel. As Max and her extended family fly off to rescue their genetically enhanced sister, she uncovers clues to their past and the experiment which left them 98% human and 2% bird.

Maximum Ride is a well written, fast paced adventure that is difficult to put down. The author, James Patterson, is famous for his many popular adult mystery thrillers. This is his first venture into young adult literature. We are very lucky he made the leap. Enjoy!

Revolution Is Not A Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine

Few periods in history have captured my imagination like the Cultural Revolution in China. Chinese culture has a long history placing value on education and the wisdom that comes with age. During the Cultural Revolution, however, having both a traditional education and rich life experiences was scorned. Most of the educated, accomplished professionals were sent to work camps in the countryside. Furthermore, young people were encouraged to turn against their parents and grandparents who were not complying with Chairman Mao's orders to burn their books and cut all ties with their bourgeois past.

Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party tells the story of a girl named Ling who grew up in China during that time. Ling's parents are both doctors living a productive, happy life in Wuhan when one day, Comrade Li moves in. A member of the communist party, Comrade Li makes life difficult for Ling's family and neighbors. Ling's father burns all their books. It appears that Ling will not be able to attend school. Her father is arrested and the family has very little to eat. She is bullied endlessly because of her elitist past. Ling refuses to cut her long hair, despite the fact that her peers see it as a remnant of her privileged background.

The author's vivid storytelling makes us experience Ling's pain and sorrow as if we were living next door to her. We long for any chance to learn from teachers, peers, or family. Since food is so scarce, we yearn for the simplest of edible delights. It is no wonder that the author has also published several cookbooks. An excellent read!

The Pact: Three Men Make a Promise and Fulfill a Dream by Drs. Samson Davis, George Jenkins and Rameck Hunt

Getting through college and medical/dental school seems difficult enough these days with the stiff competition. However, the authors of this book were able to accomplish this and more in spite of the fact that they all grew up in broken homes in Newark, NJ. The Pact is a non-fiction, first person account of their efforts to rise out of a neighborhood of drugs, gangs and violence to become doctors.

The authors all tested into Newark's University High, and like other high school boys were trying to get by doing as little work as possible. George went to a presentation for a Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental recruitment program at Seton Hall University. He was hooked and persuaded his two friends to join the program. The boys made a pact to support each other when the going gets rough so that they could fulfill their dream.

This is not a tale of all going smoothly and living happily ever after. Rather, it is an account of the difficulties they encountered. Many had family members and friends who were addicted to drugs. All three had little or no financial resources. Several got arrested. At one point, they were performing rap and toying with the idea of music as a career.

This book is about second chances and making the right choices. It is an inspiration to all.

Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke

One day the Overlords appear and park their space ships at strategic points around the world. Contrary to our pre-conceived fears about extra terrestrials, the Overlords come in peace with a desire to help humanity. They proceed to wipe out all violence, poverty, disease and war. How they do this is a very fascinating part of the story. Furthermore, the Overlords will not reveal themselves to humans for the first 50 years. When they do, again, we are faced with a peculiar interpretation of our own culture. With time, we discover the Overlords' motives for coming to earth and their final transformation of the human race.

Some of you may be familiar with Arthur C. Clarke's book 2001 A Space Odyssey which was made into what many believe to be the best science fiction movie of all time. However, for science fiction aficionados, Childhood's End is one of Clarke's most successful novels and a true science fiction classic.

Peak by Roland Smith

Peak begins with fourteen-year-old Peak Marcelo climbing the Woolworth Building in Manhattan. The police arrest him and put him in jail. As part of his probation and in an effort to thwart copycat climbers in New York City, Peak is sent to the Himalayas to live with his mountaineering dad. His father, whose expedition business trains teams to climb Mt. Everest, decides that Peak could be the youngest person to reach the peak. He assigns one of the Sherpa guides to get Peak acclimated to the altitude and prepare him for the trek. Peak befriends a Nepalese boy named Sun-Jo and discovers that life in the Himalayas is not as beautiful as it appears in photos.

This is a great adventure story with many twists and turns. The book explores several timely themes and subplots. Is this father/son relationship based on love or exploitation? Are the Sherpas helped or abused by the mountain climbing tourists? How difficult is the political situation for the Tibetans? Check it out and see.

Many of you may have read this book after our thrilling author visit with Roland Smith in the spring. Click here to see Roland Smith talk about writing.