Don’t Throw Rocks at His Window: Real Advice to Mend a Broken Heart

Don’t Throw Rocks at His Window: Real Advice to Mend a Broken Heart
By Julie C. Donaldson
Deseret Book, 2011. 97 pgs. Young Adult Nonfiction

Don't do it. I know you want to. I know you want to pick up that jagged rock and just chuck it through his window. After all, he broke your heart. Worse, he threw it to the ground, danced on it, and then kicked it aside. But you don’t have to resort to criminal activity. There are better ways to get over your broken heart.

Using humor, common sense, and honest, heart-to-heart advice, author Julie C. Donaldson lays out four simple rules that will help you mend your broken heart (including Rule #1: Don’t be pathetic).

This book gives good advice for not only getting over a heart broken romantically, but could also apply to hearts broken by family members or friends. Written with a teen audience in mind, the book has hand drawn pictures, real life stories, and workbook like pages scattered throughout.

AMM

The Night Bookmobile

The Night Bookmobile
By Audrey Niffenegger
Abrams ComicArts, 2010. 40 pgs. Nonfiction

One night a woman encounters a disappearing library on wheels that contains every book she has ever read, but seeing her most intimate self in this library, her search to once again find the bookmobile turns into an obsession.

This graphic novel for adults is an interesting story about the love of books. I liked the premise of the book, but was a little disturbed by the twist at the end of the book. A short read, but not meant for children.

AMM

Christopher Columbus: Explorer of the New World

Christopher Columbus: Explorer of the New World
By Robin S. Doak
Compass Point Books, 2005. 112 pgs. Young Adult Nonfiction

If you have ever wondered about the life of Christopher Columbus (beyond the "In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue..."), this handsome little biography of Christopher Columbus is a fine place to start.

Columbus was remarkable in many ways. Most impressive is the persistence with which he pursued sponsorship for his ambitious plan to cross the ocean to the West in order to reach the East. From 1492 to 1502 Columbus made four voyages to the New World. His first with three ships and about 90 men. The second voyage was outfitted with 17 ships and about 1,500 men. The third voyage was scaled back to six ships and end for Columbus with his being arrested and brought back to Spain in chains. The fourth voyage was scaled back further and was no more of a financial success than any of the earlier voyages. Columbus had made promises to the King and Queen of Spain regarding the gold, pearls and spices we would be returning with, but alas this never panned out for Columbus, who lived the remainder of his life believing he had found a new route to the Asia.

Written for middle-school readers, this slim volume provides little more information than is found in an encyclopedia article from World Book or Encyclopedia Americana; however the maps and illustrations make this book a more pleasurable reading experience than an encyclopedia article.

SML

Losing Faith

Losing Faith
By Denise Jaden
Simon Pulse, 2010. 381 pgs. Young Adult

Brie's older sister Faith, who is as religious as her name implies, is the last person Brie would have expected to commit suicide, and yet, when Faith apparently jumps off a cliff, that is exactly what everyone suspects. Brie, realizing she doesn't know as much about her sister as she thought, and she sets out to find out more. Along the way, she discovers that everything is not as it seems with Faith's final night.

This book was riveting as far as putting all the pieces together--even the readers who figure out early in the book some of the pieces will likely still be surprised by some of the twists. At the same time, I felt like some elements, such as a character introduced late in the book, were somewhat underdeveloped. There's a little bit of language, but other than that it's a clean pick, although the thematic material might make it more appropriate for older readers.

AE

You Wish

You Wish
By Mandy Hubbard
Razorbill, 2010. 284 pgs. Young Adult

Kayla's sweet sixteen is a miserable experience, but it's just the beginning of a disaster. When Kayla wishes that all her birthday wishes will come true, she doesn't expect that anything will actually happen. But when a pink pony shows up at her house, followed by her Raggedy Ann doll coming to life, Kayla starts to realize she's in big trouble...because last year's wish was that Ben Mackenzie would kiss her but now Ben is dating Kayla's best friend.

This book takes a fair of amount of willingness by the reader to suspend disbelief, but as the book gets going, readers will likely be surprised by how deeply Kayla is affected by the experience and the realizations she makes about her own life. It's certainly not an earth-shattering book, but it's still fun and has enough substance to make it a fairly satisfying story.

AE

Chasing Lincoln's Killer

Chasing Lincoln's Killer
By James L. Swanson
Scholastic Press, 2009. 194 pgs. Nonfiction

Working from letters, manuscripts, trial transcripts, newspapers, government reports, books, and other documents, Swanson has pieced together the story of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the ensuing chase of John Wilkes Booth. Readers not only follow the course of Booth and his co-conspirators, but also Lincoln's final moments and the reactions of those around him.

The attention to detail in this book paints a surprisingly vivid portrayal, and everything comes together to form a cohesive and compelling picture of these days so important in American history. I was moved and silent after reading the chapters depicting Lincoln's final moments. The story is accompanied by eye-catching typography and many illustrations and photographs showing the major participants and scenes. I think for any young person needing to get their feet wet with history, this book will help you jump right in.

BHG

Okay for Now

Okay for Now
By Gary D. Schmidt
Clarion Books, 2011. 360 pgs. Young Adult

Huzzah! Fans of The Wednesday Wars will rejoice in Schmidt’s latest book. Doug Swieteck, a character from Wars, headlines this fantastic effort. Doug’s father announces that the family is moving to Marysville, which Doug promptly declares as stupid. But when he follows a cute girl into the local library and sees one of John James Audubon’s bird drawings, Doug’s life in Marysville brightens. What follows is an up-and-down year for Doug, as he experiences highs, such as learning to draw, performing on Broadway, and becoming a part of the community. Unfortunately the low points mostly relate to his abusive father and his father’s friend. But Doug’s growing confidence and friendships help him through the bad times.

The humor, depth, and great writing that fans expect from Schmidt are all on full display here. It is a pleasure to see Doug evolve and move out from under his father’s and brothers' shadows. I cried, laughed, and rejoiced in Doug’s triumphs; this is one Schmidt’s best.

MN

Branch Rickey

Branch Rickey
by Jimmy Breslin
Penguin, 2011. 146 pgs. Nonfiction.

What better book to read on Opening Day 2011 than Breslin's new bio of Branch Rickey, president and general manager of the Dodgers who signed Jackie Robinson and broke the color line for Major League baseball? Opposition to blacks in baseball was so terrible that one team chose to field a one-armed man rather than let a black man play. Branch Rickey changed all that, not, as I always thought, because he knew that Robinson and Don Newcombe and Roy Campanella could take his team to the Series, but because he knew not letting blacks play was not only stupid but wrong. His signing of Robinson was undertaken with beneficence aforethought: he knew it was wrong to exclude anyone from baseball or from anything else, and he set out to change things. How much things have changed between then and now is apparent from the epilogue when voters at the Jackie Robinson elementary school when a Brooklyn election official mimics Jackie's back-and-forth pre-steal moves while overseeing the voters put a black man in the White House. All this sounds very earnest but Breslin is, as always, punchy and acerbic relaying the life of not just a great manager, but a great man.

LW

Bitter Melon

Bitter Melon
By Cara Chow
Egmont USA, 2011. 309 pgs. Young Adult

Chinese-American Frances is a high school senior whose mother has scrimped and saved to provide for her--and who insists that Frances will attend Berkley and become a doctor and return the care that she has given Frances. However, when Frances is accidentally enrolled in a speech class instead of calculus, she realizes she might not want the same things her mother does, but she doesn't know how to achieve her dreams without lying to her mother.

This coming-of-age story is a realistic portrayal of a girl struggling to fill the duties imposed upon her by her culture while simultaneously trying to be true to herself. Secondary plots (including a dash of romance) round this book out, giving most readers something to which they can relate.

AE

Tiger's Curse

Tiger’s Curse
By Colleen Houck
Splinter, 2011. 403 pgs. Young Adult

Kelsey Hayes has just graduated from high school and is not quite sure what to do with her future. When she finds a temporary job helping care for animals while the traveling circus is in town she figures it will at least fill the time until she can find something else. What she doesn’t count on is feeling a connection with a white tiger that eventually leads her to India to try to break a 300-year-old curse.

This book was enjoyable but I think I would have liked it more as a teenager. This is another young adult book with a teen girl that doesn’t feel worthy of the attention of a man that she considers perfect. Mr. Perfect also has a flirtatious brother who further complicates everyone’s feelings. Adventure, mystery and romance make this a good read for teens and Twilight fans. The next book in the series comes out in June 2011.

AL

Fool Moon

Fool Moon
By Jim Butcher
New American Library, 2001. 342 pages. Fantasy

This is an interesting mash-up of two genre staples, the wizard and the cynical, world weary private investigator. The protagonist of this novel is Harry Dresden, the only openly practicing wizard, private eye and occasional consultant to the police. Dirt poor and hungry for work, Dresden is dragged into an investigation of several murders, apparently committed by werewolves. As the clues and bodies pile up, Dresden is tossed from one deadly predicament to another. With the aid of friends and dubious allies, our hero saves the day once again by the skin of his teeth. This is a decent adventure fantasy novel with a quick, action packed pace to it. I thought the novel’s premise had potential, but the execution was less than compelling. Sci-Fi and Fantasy fans will likely enjoy this book.

Camo Girl

Camo Girl
By Kekla Magoon
Aladdin, 2011. 218 pgs. Young Adult

Ella is the only African American student at her school, and she has a skin problem that leaves her with light patches on her face, earning her the nickname of Camo Girl. Her only friend is "Zachariah," a homeless boy who shields himself from the harsh reality of their lives by living in a fantasy world. Ella goes along with him until Bailey, a new kid in town, who is also African American, seems to want to strike up a friendship with her. Torn between the lure of Bailey and a chance at popularity and her loyalty to Zachariah, Ella has to take a new look at her life.

Ella's dilemma is realistically portrayed, although I did find the style of the book to be somewhat simpler than many other YA books, and I think it would appeal more to younger teens than older ones.

AE

Steel

Steel
By Carrie Vaughn
HarperTeen, 2011. 294 pgs. Young Adult

Jill Archer is on vacation in the Bahamas with her family after a disappointing match in the Junior World Fencing Championships. When she finds the rusty tip of an old sword in the sand, she pockets it and through its magic travels back 300 years to the pirate ship Diana where she is surrounded by strangers and is forced to sign on as crew. Over the passing weeks she learns the ropes (literally!), practices dueling with real swords, and witnesses the freedom and danger that come with being a pirate. But Jill is desperate to get home and senses that the key to getting back is through a notorious and deadly pirate, Edmund Blane.

This was great fun to read. Jill is an appealing character who acquires a new, deeper understanding of her sport when given the chance to fight with real sharpened blades that could draw blood - or end a life - with one swift stroke. I also enjoyed the sights and sounds of life as a pirate. Vaughn paints it with a realistic touch, highlighting the work just as much as the adventure.

BHG

Queen of Water

Queen of Water
By Laura Resau and María Virginia Farinango
Delacorte Press, 2011. 352 pgs. Young Adult

Virginia lives in poverty in a small village in Ecuador; she is indígena in a country where mestizos hold the wealth. When a mestizo family wants Virginia as a servant, her parents let her go. Virginia is beaten by the mistress of the house, although the husband, initially, is kind to her. She spends years with as a servant, thinking that her family didn't want her, and only when her situation becomes desperate does she think about leaving. But leaving means going back to her family, and Virginia doesn't want to be a poor indígena anymore, so she has to figure out how to achieve her dreams.

Based on a true story, this book provides an inspiring story of a girl who is determined to succeed in life as well as an interesting look at the social structure in Ecuador, but it reads more like a biography than a novel. So, for fans of narrative nonfiction, this would be a good fiction title to pick up, but those who are looking for a quick plot, this one isn't a good choice.

AE

Strings Attached

Strings Attached
By Judy Blundell
Scholastic Press, 2011. 310 pgs. Young Adult

Following a horrible fight with her boyfriend Billy, Kit Corrigan has fled to New York City, where she's trying to forge a career as a dancer. Billy's father, Nate Benedict, who is a lawyer for the mob, finds her and offers her an apartment, clothes and favors in exchange for her getting Billy, who has enlisted in the army and is preparing to be shipped off to Korea, to come to New York for a visit. Kit accepts, but soon finds that she has gotten herself in over her head.

This book is filled with drama, as one might expect when a young girl winds up connected to the mob. The story flashes between the present (1950, with Kit in New York) and Kit's earlier life, as she remembers things that have happened previously and begins to understand they have more significance than she realized at the time. Although the book ends hopefully, there are many sad things leading up to that, so readers who are looking for something light and fun should look elsewhere.

AE

Death of a Chimney Sweep

Death of a Chimney Sweep: A Hamish Macbeth Mystery
By M.C. Beaton
Grand Central Publishing, 2011. 247 pages. Mystery

In the isolated villages of northern Scotland, the residents rely on chimney sweep Pete Ray. After Police Constable Hamish Macbeth finds a dead body stuffed inside a chimney, the entire town of Lochdubh suspects Pete. Then Pete’s body is found on the Scottish moors, and the mystery deepens.

I have a crush on Hamish Macbeth and look forward to every new book in the series. Since I long ago reconciled myself to the idea that Hamish will never progress in either his personal or professional life, I was able to enjoy this cottage mystery without expectations. I found it to be as light and charming a read as its predecessors. Although Chimney Sweep is the 27th entry in the Hamish Macbeth series, it can easily stand alone.

LF

The Mermaid's Mirror

The Mermaid's Mirror
By L.K. Madigan
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010. 316 pgs. Young Adult

Lena has always wanted to learn to surf, but her father, who had a surfing accident when he was younger, has always refused to let her try. When she decides to defy his orders, drawn by a power that seems beyond her, she finds herself stumbling onto secrets beyond her wildest dreams.

This contemporary fantasy novel features an interesting, in somewhat underdeveloped, alternate world. The choices Lena faces seemed to be resolved a little too easily; while her decisions seemed realistic, sometimes they just seemed to come about too quickly. Overall, though, readers who want fantasy without vampires and the like may enjoy this new story.

AE

Flesh and Blood So Cheap

Flesh and Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and Its Legacy
By Albert Marrin
Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. 182 pgs. Young Adult Nonfiction

The subtitle might lead a reader to suppose that this book is all about the Triangle Fire and the aftermath of that horrible event, but this is misleading. Marrin spends the first half of the book documenting the reasons behind immigration in the early 1900s and the life immigrants had once they arrived in America. He describes the tenements, the areas in New York City they settled in, the jobs immigrants were able to find, and the unions that grew because of the way immigrant workers were treated. Marrin then details the Triangle Fire, what occurred during it, and the aftermath, including how it led to the creation of labor laws. This book, designed for younger readers, contains great information about the immigrant experience and explains it in a way that is clear and easy to understand.

MN

Amelia Lost

Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart
By Candace Fleming
Schwartz & Wade Books, 2011. 118 pgs. Young Adult Nonfiction

In 1937, Amelia Earhart disappeared while completing one of the last legs of her flight around the world, vaulting her into the status of a legend. Before that, though, she was a little girl who loved an adventure, a teenager dealing with her father's alcoholism, and a young woman who initially thought she might want to be a doctor and then decided she wanted to fly and carefully courted the spotlight to vault herself to the status of a hero.

Here, Fleming gives readers insights into who Amelia Earhart really was, in a biography that clearly demonstrates Amelia's spunk as well as some foibles, such as how her future husband already had a wife when he and Amelia met. It's told in alternating chapters about Amelia's last radio contact and the people who heard her but couldn't find her, and chapters about her life. All in all, I vote this one of the best pieces of young adult nonfiction I've ever read; it's easily accessible to readers, has an inviting format, and is informative and entertaining. I was hooked from the first page and wholeheartedly recommend this book to history buffs, anyone wanting to read about spunky women, and those just looking for a great read.

AE

Beowulf on the Beach

Beowulf on the Beach: What to Love and What to Skip in Literature’s 50 Greatest Hits
By Jack Murnighan
Three Rivers Press, 2009. 374 pages. Nonfiction

Writer and professor Jack Murnighan says it’s time to give literature another look, but this time you’ll enjoy yourself. With a little help, you’ll see just how great the great books are: how they can make you laugh, moisten your eyes, and leave you awestruck and deeply moved. Beowulf on the Beach is your field guide for helping you read and relish fifty of the biggest (and most skipped) classics of all time. For each book, Murnighan reveals how to get the most out of your reading and provides a crib sheet that includes the Buzz, the Best Line, What’s Sexy, and What to Skip.

This book is probably most appealing to people who are already lovers of classic literature and would be little help for a non-reader looking for a quick summary of storylines. Although I rarely agreed with Murnighan’s What to Skip recommendations—the first chapters of Jane Eyre? the last chapters of Pride and Prejudice? really?—I did enjoy reminiscing over my favorite classic literature, and learning more about books I haven’t yet read, with someone who clearly enjoys reading the classics as well.

LF

Lirael, Daughter of the Clayr

Lirael, Daughter of the Clayr

By Garth Nix

HarperCollins, 2001. 487 p. Young Adult

Lirael is a daughter of the Clayr, but has not yet received "the Sight"--an ability to glimpse possible futures. Lirael is disappointed that she has not received "the Sight" and doesn't feel like a true daughter of the Clayr. Most all the Clayr are women and live beneath a mountain at the northernmost tip of the Northern Kingdom. Of course, Lirael is no ordinary member of the Clayr and she is destined to save both the Old and New Kingdoms from destruction.

This is a tale nicely told with interesting characters, some nice plot developments, and a bit of humor that kept me so engaged in the story that I was loath to put it down. Lirael is a smart, talented, and fearless character. This book is part two of a trilogy bookended by Sabriel and Abhorsen.

SML

Bringing Adam Home

Bringing Adam Home
By Les Standiford
Ecco, 2011. 291 pgs. Nonfiction

In July 1981, Adam Walsh was kidnapped outside of a Sears store in Florida. When his severed head was found two weeks later, life in America changed forever, and Adam's parents, John and Reve, pushed for legislation and organizations to better support victims of kidnapping and their families. Even as they advanced their cause, no one was charged with the kidnapping and murder of their son, despite the fact that Otis Toole confessed numerous times. Detective Sargent Joe Matthews, who tried to help the local police department from the start but was rebuffed many times over the years, did eventually piece together the evidence to the give the Walsh family the closure they needed.

This was a fascinating true crime story. It will draw readers into one of America's most infamous crimes. The writing can be a bit disturbing, due to some language and the nature of the crime, but overall, I think the author handled the subject matter as tastefully as he could while staying true to the story. A superb piece of narrative nonfiction.

AE

The Tenth Power

The Tenth Power
By Kate Constable
Arthur A. Levine Books, 2005. 306 pgs. Young Adult

In this final book of the Chanters of Tremaris Trilogy, Calwyn has returned to Antaris to find some healing and peace only to discover that a sickness is attacking many of the chanters and that winter is not ending as it should. Now she must set out to find a way to not only heal the people but also the whole land of Tremaris. There are many twists and turns in this story and I enjoyed learning more about the history of the land and its' people.

The magic of song combines with the magic of dance in this final book to bring a satisfying conclusion to the series. Once again this book combines adventure, magic, mystery and a little bit of romance. This trilogy would appeal to many different readers.

AL

Secondhand Charm

Secondhand Charm
By Julie Berry
Bloomsbury Books for Young Readers, 2010. 342 pgs. Young Adult

Evie is a small-town girl who seems to have a knack for healing. When she's offered an opportunity to study at the Royal University, she jumps at the chance to fulfill her dream of becoming a physician. However, along the way, her coach is waylaid by a bandit and then her boat is shipwrecked and her friend Aidan, with whom she seemed to be forming a blooming romance, becomes suddenly distant as they both realize that Evie isn't exactly who she thought she was. Soon, Evie is struggling with her new identity and trying to figure out what she really wants in life.

This book was a fun mixture of fantasy, adventure, and romance. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. I read this in one sitting because I was anxious to see how it would turn out. A great choice for fans of Shannon Hale's Bayern series.

AE

The Weird Sisters

The Weird Sisters
By Eleanor Brown
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2011. 320 pgs. Fiction

Rosalind, Bianca, and Cordelia Andreas are the daughters of a renown Shakespearean expert and grew up in the small college town of Barney. When their mother is diagnosed with breast cancer, the three sisters each find themselves moving back home and being forced to face the consequences of the decisions they have made on their way to adulthood. Each of these women seems to be running from the fear that they will never live up to their parents’ expectations, constantly trying to define themselves as an individual, distinct from their other two siblings.

Brown writes with a great deal of heart and insight. The Andreas family is filled with all the complexity of a real family. But what truly makes this novel stand out is the author’s unusual choice to have all three sisters narrate the story using a first person plural voice. This choice creates an intimate and unique reading experience that I found captivating.

CZ

All in the Family

All in the Family: A Look-It-Up Guide to the In-laws, Outlaws, and Offspring of Mythology
By Steven Otfinofski
F. Watts/Scholastic, 2010. 128 pages. Young Adult Nonfiction

What would Apollo's online profile look like? What would Aphrodite say if she had her own blog? Greek mythology hall of famers meet the modern age in a new series that brings the superstars of Greek myth to life with stories that put them in the pantheon. Complete with profiles, headshots, family trees, fascinating sidebars and irreverent surprises, Mythlopedia is for readers who love action, romance, power struggles and more.

This entry in the Mythlopedia series, directed at a young adult audience, profiles the lives (and usually deaths) of several non-Olympian heroes and mortals. At times, Otfinofski tries too hard to sound hip (Midas: “Aw, snap! Check this out, player—anything I touch turns to gold!”), but most of the information is provided in a concise, easy to understand format. The book is a good resource for anyone trying to understand basic plots of Greek mythology, but despite its attempts to make family connections clear, I still find the Olympian family tree a muddled mess.

LF

The Death Instinct

The Death Instinct

by Jed Rubenfeld

Riverside/Penguin, 2011. 464 pgs. Fiction

Well before the Oklahoma City bombings and the 9/11 attacks, Wall Street was attacked by terrorists on September 16, 1920. A wagon filled with shrapnel and explosives detonated shortly after noon, killing thirty-eight people and wounding many more. In Rubenfeld's crackling good yarn, Detective Jimmy Littlemore of the NYPD and Dr. Stratham Younger, war veteran and former student of Sigmund Freud, are on site when the bomb goes off along with a beautiful young French woman, Colette Rousseau, a student of Marie Curie. Littlemore immediately begins an investigation which quickly runs counter to official explanations; Younger falls in love with Colette and is kept hopping when several people try to kill her. Though the original case of the Wall Street bombings was never solved, Rubenfeld comes up with a credible explanation thanks to the legwork and brainpower of Littlemore and Younger. Suspense, romance, and a wry humor enliven these pages. The book is longish but I doubt anyone will want to set it aside too frequently before reaching the end. A fine history and a fine mystery.

LW

A World Without Heroes

A World Without Heroes
By Brandon Mull
Aladdin, 2011. 446 pgs. Young Adult.

In this first volume of the Beyonders series, Jason Walker doesn't waste time fiddling around in an old wardrobe to find his way into a fantastical world--he dives down a hippo's throat. Finding himself in Lyrian, the world whose heroes have essentially been eliminated by Maldor the evil emperor magician, Jason hunts for a way to get back to Colorado but instead manages to get on the wrong side of the bad guys when he looks in a skin-covered eyeball-ridden book that tells of a Word of Power that will destroy Maldor and free the Lyrians. Hoping that his quest to save himself will coincide with his unexpected responsibility to save the Lyrians, Jason sets out with Rachel, another Beyonder, to find the syllables that will bring Maldor down. Macroid the Giant Crab, the Pythoness of the Sunken Lands, the detachable appendages guys, and my favorite, the Duel to the Death (almost) with Billiard Balls all either help or hinder the two teens along their way to a cliff-hanger ending that will have to wait until next year for the temporary resolution of a second volume. Jason and Rachel are fine, funny young people who should appeal to and inspire Mull's many many many many readers. A more rigorous editorial hand could have tightened the narrative some, but the story is imaginative and memorable. Brandon Mull has done it again.

LW

Anya's War

Anya's War
By Andrea Alban
Feiwel and Friends, 2011. 188 pgs. Young Adult

Fourteen-year-old Anya is a Jewish girl who has recently moved with her family from their home in Odessa to Shanghai to escape persecution in the years prior to World War II. Anya must deal with changes in her family (her mother is no longer the loving, fun woman she was in Russia), adjusting to a new country, and the normal aspects of being a teenage girl (namely, dealing with boys). At the same time, she is worried about her missing heroine, Amelia Earhart, and whether or not Japan will be attacking Shanghai.

This story, based on the author's ancestors' experiences, addresses an aspect of World War II and the Holocaust that isn't normally addressed, but at the same time, I found it hard to get into the story. There seemed to be a lot going on, but it isn't weaved together well enough to make it a truly cohesive piece of writing. Also, while the Hebrew and Chinese phrases and customs thrown in give the book an authentic feel, they are used in such a way that they seem to break up the flow of the story rather than contribute to it; I think most readers will be frustrated by it rather than drawn into the different cultures.

AE

OK

OK: The Improbable Story of America’s Greatest Word
By Allan A. Metcalf
Oxford University Press, 2011. 210 pgs. Nonfiction

OK is a quiet but shining star in the universe of American dialogue. We use it daily in a multitude of contexts. But how did this little combination of a couple letters rise to its present prevalence? Well, it started as a joke, became a political slogan, was adopted by telegraph operators as a quick way to acknowledge receipt, and slowing but surely planted itself in the hearts, minds, and mouths of a nation. Metcalf’s book tells the story of this little word’s interesting origin, rise, and dominance in the vocabulary of the world.

There is not doubt that OK has a great history. OK is said to be the most commonly used word in the English language and yet most of us have never given its origin and history any thought. This book presents everything you could possibly want to know about the word and, for the most part, does so in an entertaining way (minus the chapter listing business named OK of which there are a surprising number of dry cleaners). Most readers will be able to sate their interest in this topic with a quick skim of the first and last few chapters.