The Pleasant Ridge High School Library has many different kinds of books. One genre that needs to be expanded in the collection is called “manga”. Manga is Japanese graphic novels that are read from the back to the front by the reader, rather than from the front to the back like traditional books. What the library lacks in quantity is made up for in quality. Available for check out is a 25 volume series, Basara. This manga series began in the 90’s and is truly a work of art.
The storyline features a young girl, Sarasa, who takes up her slain brother’s sword to fight for freedom in post-apocalyptic Japan. Helped by friends from her village, Sarasa takes on her brother’s name, Tatara, and leads her country in the struggle against the sadistic Royal family. Love, adventure, intrigue, tragedy, joy, battle and comedy are all present in this hard-hitting storyline. Though the art is rather ‘old school’, it fits perfectly with the story. This series is easy to read and highly recommended.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
The Dream of the Stone by Christina Askouns
This book is part Wrinkle in Time and a part princess fairy tale. Sarah is daughter of two photojournalists with an older genius brother with a happy, almost perfect life. One night while her parents are flying to California to convince her brother, Sam, to quit his job, their plane crashes. Sarah’s life changes drastically from this tragic event. Sarah must contend with an organization hell bent on destruction, a mysterious gypsy boy, and other worlds in this twisting plot. Unfortunately, the book isn’t near long enough to keep the suspense going and the ending is a huge downer. If the reader stop reading this novel at about halfway mark, the story rocks. The ending is a disappointment.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Book Reviewed: Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner
Spanking Shakespeare is one of those typical novels that feature a teenage boy facing the trials of growing up as its central character. At the same time, it’s not-so-typical. Simply put, it is the story of a boy named Shakespeare writing a story. Not so simply put, it is the story of a non-adjusted, maybe-nerdy senior trying to find his way and get the (right) girl. Filled with many “Omigod, did he just think/say that???” moments, Spanking Shakespeare is a great light read.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Book Reviewed: Pure Sunshine by Brian James
Book Reviewed: Pure Sunshine
By Brian James
Keeping with his theme of teenage angst and confusion, Brian James has written another spectacular novel, this time about LSD and a user named Brendon. Brendon seems like a typical teenager; he attends school but hates it; he has friends but they don't understand him; he has a secret crush he would never dream of approaching.
Pure Sunshine, the novel inquestion, follows the 48-hour journey of Brendon and his druggie buddies as they trip on special California LSD. Barely making it through school, they wait every day for the instant they can get away and eat the sunshine-printed pills. At first, things seem perfect. As the night wears on, Brendon starts to feel scared. He can't look at his friends, and he doesn't act the way they want him to. He doesn't act the way they want him to. He doesn't know who he is. After a particularly messy confrontation in a club, Brendon flees and finds himself approaching his salvation in the form of the girl he has always liked.
Pure Sunshine is rich in description, and travel deep into the mind of a teenager who can't seem to do anything right. Readers will find themselves agonizing with Brendon, wishing that he would make the 'right' choice, even is they don't know what it is. James does not disappoint.
By Brian James
Keeping with his theme of teenage angst and confusion, Brian James has written another spectacular novel, this time about LSD and a user named Brendon. Brendon seems like a typical teenager; he attends school but hates it; he has friends but they don't understand him; he has a secret crush he would never dream of approaching.
Pure Sunshine, the novel inquestion, follows the 48-hour journey of Brendon and his druggie buddies as they trip on special California LSD. Barely making it through school, they wait every day for the instant they can get away and eat the sunshine-printed pills. At first, things seem perfect. As the night wears on, Brendon starts to feel scared. He can't look at his friends, and he doesn't act the way they want him to. He doesn't act the way they want him to. He doesn't know who he is. After a particularly messy confrontation in a club, Brendon flees and finds himself approaching his salvation in the form of the girl he has always liked.
Pure Sunshine is rich in description, and travel deep into the mind of a teenager who can't seem to do anything right. Readers will find themselves agonizing with Brendon, wishing that he would make the 'right' choice, even is they don't know what it is. James does not disappoint.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Book Reviewed: Feed, M.T. Anderson
Written in the earlier style of sci-fi writers such as Ray Bradbury and Ron Hubbard, Feed is a social commentary of not only a future society and world, but our own as well. Brought to life by author M.T. Anderson, the characters in Feed are all the same, not because they are forced to be by their government, but because they want to be alike.
In this future, everyone has a small computer implanted in their brains (called feeds) which take over everyday functions such as speaking or shopping. They are commercial tools created by corporations to market their products. Music, games, and movies are brought into the brain. Dictionaries can look up words as needed. The internet is closer than their fingertips.
The novel introduces us to Titus, a relatively normal teen, who travels to the moon for spring break. After renting a hotel and trying to break into the mini bar, he attempts to go to a no gravity lounge when he can’t get in to any parties. Titus meets Violet, and his eyes are forever opened. She is a home schooled girl who didn’t get a feed implanted until she was seven. Violet is different from every other girl Titus has ever met; she can read, write, and even think. This novel is set in the last days of the world. Feed is a beautiful, tragic, and eye-opening story of teens in love just trying to be “normal” – whatever that means.
Written in the earlier style of sci-fi writers such as Ray Bradbury and Ron Hubbard, Feed is a social commentary of not only a future society and world, but our own as well. Brought to life by author M.T. Anderson, the characters in Feed are all the same, not because they are forced to be by their government, but because they want to be alike.
In this future, everyone has a small computer implanted in their brains (called feeds) which take over everyday functions such as speaking or shopping. They are commercial tools created by corporations to market their products. Music, games, and movies are brought into the brain. Dictionaries can look up words as needed. The internet is closer than their fingertips.
The novel introduces us to Titus, a relatively normal teen, who travels to the moon for spring break. After renting a hotel and trying to break into the mini bar, he attempts to go to a no gravity lounge when he can’t get in to any parties. Titus meets Violet, and his eyes are forever opened. She is a home schooled girl who didn’t get a feed implanted until she was seven. Violet is different from every other girl Titus has ever met; she can read, write, and even think. This novel is set in the last days of the world. Feed is a beautiful, tragic, and eye-opening story of teens in love just trying to be “normal” – whatever that means.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Book Reviewed: Tithe by Holly Black
The world created by Holly Black in her modern fairytale series (thus far made up of Tithe, Valient, and Ironside) is like no other in teen literature: it repulses and frightens even as it captivates. Tithe is the first story and invites the reader into the lush and dangerous world of the fae. The main character, a streetwise girl named Kaye, must find her way through the conspiracy, teen angst, and betrayal both in New Jersey and the faerie courts. A tale of intrigue, hidden identities, and true love, Tithe will shock and amaze you, make you laugh, make you cry, and keep you coming back for more as the story unfolds.
The world created by Holly Black in her modern fairytale series (thus far made up of Tithe, Valient, and Ironside) is like no other in teen literature: it repulses and frightens even as it captivates. Tithe is the first story and invites the reader into the lush and dangerous world of the fae. The main character, a streetwise girl named Kaye, must find her way through the conspiracy, teen angst, and betrayal both in New Jersey and the faerie courts. A tale of intrigue, hidden identities, and true love, Tithe will shock and amaze you, make you laugh, make you cry, and keep you coming back for more as the story unfolds.
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