The Case for Books: Past, Present, and Future

The Case for Books: Past, Present, and Future
By Robert Darnton
PublicAffairs, 2009. 218 pgs. Nonfiction

This book is a compilation of essays and articles written by Darnton through the years all relating to books and reading. Several articles discuss the advent and repercussions of Google Books. Darnton likes Google Books, but fears the monopolistic tendencies of this information Goliath. My favorite essay was "The Importance of Being Bibliographical," which argues for the importance of detailed bibliographic description and comparison useful in certain endeavors in the history of literature. For example, William Shakespeare left no manuscripts and his works appear first in print in the early 17th century. When questions regarding the author's intent arise they must be settled by examining multiple copies of the first editions of the works to try and determine what was original and was intentionally or unintentionally altered as the works came off the hand presses sheet by sheet.

SML

Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus

Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus
By Orson Scott Card
TOR, 1996. 402 pgs. Sci-Fi

This fascinating story really surprised me. It begins in the 23rd century when mankind has essentially destroyed itself. It is widely believed that mankind is making a comeback (or perhaps just holding it's own) after nearly annihilating itself; however, this is incorrect and only a handful of scientists know the truth--that they are irreversibly doomed to extinction. Unless...they are capable of altering the past. To make the shift they believe is necessary they send three individuals back in time. Each has a different set of tasks, but individually or collectively they must somehow prevent Columbus' discovery of the new world and delay the subsequent colonization by Europeans. Interesting plot line with well-developed characters.

SML

The Dark is Rising

The Dark is Rising
By Susan Cooper
Atheneum, 1973. 216 pgs. Young Adult

Will Stanton turns eleven years old only to discover that he is one of the "old ones"--ancient and powerful beings who over a period of hundreds or even thousands of years have fought against the evil forces of "The Dark." During the story Will slips between through time into different centuries gathering the information and artifacts needed by the old ones in vanquishing the dark.

This is actually the 2nd in the series of the same title, The Dark is Rising, but I must say that is was a much more interesting story than the first, Over Sea, Under Stone. I actually listened to this book on CD. Alex Jennings does a fine job of voicing the various characters.

SML

City of Fallen Angels

City of Fallen Angels
By Cassandra Clare
Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2011. 424 pgs. Young Adult

Simon, the likeable underdog and Clary's best friend, is having a hard time adjusting to his new vampire life. Luckily, being a daylighter, he can maintain the façade of being human, except for the whole drinking blood thing. But unluckily for him, being a daylighter makes him a target for evil forces wanting to misuse his power. All the while, someone is killing Shadowhunters and planting their bodies in different Downworlder territories to cause dissension among the accords. The battle the Shadowhunters thought they had won might not be over.

I enjoyed the book more than the others in the series, since it focused more on Simon than Clary. But I have to say, I am getting a bit tired of Clary and Jace not understanding the depth of each other’s love. Fans of Twilight looking for a more edgy paranormal romance will not be disappointed.

KK

I Hope You Know How Much I Love You

I Hope You Know How Much I Love You
By John Bytheway
Deseret Book, 2011. 55 pgs. Nonfiction

Popular speaker John Bytheway gives some admittedly simple advice on how live a happier life, stating that even if they're simple, they are also "simply true." Advice includes eliminating the tendency to compare and compete, being grateful, and deciding to be delightful. It's a quick read, and like he says, simple, but it's a fun, uplifting read.

AE

Almost Astronauts

Almost Astronauts
By Tanya Lee Stone
Candlewick Press, 2009. 133 pgs. Young Adult Nonfiction

After the U.S.S.R. launched Sputnik, the U.S. responded by forming N.A.S.A. and recruiting astronauts. Initially, all of these astronauts were men, but then some people began wondering if women were just as capable as men of being astronauts. Since much of the U.S. thought women had no place in space, others set out to prove it, and thirteen women were given and passed the same tests (or, in some cases, even more rigorous tests) administered to male astronaut hopefuls. In many cases, they not only performed as well but better than their male counterparts. However, as Stone explains, there was opposition from male astronauts, politicians, and even a woman who was disgruntled after not being invited to participate in the testing. And so, for many years, women were not allowed to be astronauts.

I've had this book of my "to read" list for a long time, and I'm glad I finally picked it up. Although I found it hard to keep the thirteen women straight, their collective story, their struggle and their rejection but their continued interest in space, was fascinating. For anyone looking to see the political agendas that prohibit women from excelling, anyone looking for a female role model, or anyone interested in space, this book is a great choice.

AE

Sean Griswold's Head

Sean Griswold's Head
By Lindsey Leavitt
Bloomsbury, 2011. 276 pgs. Young Adult

When Payton Gritas finds out that her father has MS--and that her family put off telling her for several months--she refuses to speak with them, so they make her meet with the guidance counselor. As part of her counseling, Payton has to keep a journal about a focus object. At first, she has no idea what to focus on, but then she focuses on something right in front of her: Sean Griswold's head. Since their teachers favor the alphabetical order way of seating students, Payton has spent years near Sean's head, but she's never really gotten to know Sean. However, as she starts focusing on his head, she finds herself wanting to get to know him better, which seems to be going well until Payton's best friend Jac starts pushing her to move faster than she's ready.

I really enjoyed reading about Payton and Sean; I found the idea of using Sean's head as a focus object to be a bit far-fetched, and Jac was over the top and I didn't feel like their friendship was developed enough for me to understand why Payton would want to be friends with her. However, I did think the plots of Payton and Sean's budding romance and Payton dealing with her dad's illness were well-developed, interesting, and realistic.

AE

The Indigo Notebook

The Indigo Notebook
By Laura Resau
Delacorte Press, 2009. 324 pgs. Young Adult

Fifteen-year-old Zeeta has lived all over the world, thanks to her free-spirited mother, who constantly moves them around the globe. When they move to Ecuador, Zeeta, who has always wished for a normal life, finds that she just might get it after all: her mother meets an American man, who specializes in organization, and seems to be settling down. Meanwhile, Zeeta meets a guy of her own: Wendall, a teenager from the U.S. who was adopted as a baby and has come to Ecuador to find his birth parents. As Zeeta helps him on his search, she is also searching to discover what it is that she really wants.

An interesting look at another culture, this book also provides readers with adventure, family issues, and a bit of romance. This highly enjoyable book is the first in a series, and I look forward to reading more about Zeeta. A little bit of language, but overall a fairly clean read.

AE

Caleb's Crossing

Caleb’s Crossing
By Geraldine Brooks
Viking, 2011. 306 pgs. Fiction

Caleb Cheeshahteaumauk was born a Wopanaak chief’s son on the island of Noepe (Martha’s Vineyard) in 1646. Colonists from the mainland had just settled on part of the island and some felt they had a Christian responsibility to convert as many native islanders as possible. Bethia, the daughter of one such missionary and religious leader, tells Caleb’s story which leads him from the warrior traditions of his people to the halls of Harvard as the first Native American to graduate from that institution.

Pulitzer Prize Winner Geraldine Brooks has penned another amazing work of historical fiction. Little is actually know about Caleb Cheeshahteaumauk other than a bare sketch of his existence and achievements. But despite sparse facts, Brooks has imagined an impressive representation of what he may have been like and the struggles he would have had to face. Brooks has a gift for depicting vivid characters and a true sense of time in her work, totally immersing the reader in a breathtaking journey to another era. Caleb’s Crossing is another great work by a spectacular author.

CZ

Infertility: Help, Hope and Healing

Infertility: Help, Hope and Healing
By Kerstin Kaynes
CFI, 2010. 180 pgs. Nonfiction

Full of hope and inspiration, this book will help those who have experienced infertility or just know someone who has. The author uses the experiences of others and her own insights along with gospel principles from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to explore the many different emotions and frustrations of this trial.

She makes you realize that the feelings you have are normal and it is possible to live a full, happy life, whether you have children or not. I appreciated that this didn't get into all the medical explanations and detail, it dealt more with healing emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally and socially. I also liked that many of the suggestions on how to be sensitive to someone experiencing infertility can apply to people struggling with many other types of trials.

AL

Please Look After Mom

Please Look After Mom
By Kyung-sook Shin
Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. 237 pgs. Fiction

On a train station platform in Seoul Korea, Park So-nyo disappears. Her husband and four children search for her without results for weeks. They run newspaper ads and walk the city’s streets handing out flyers offering a reward for information leading to her recovery. The emotional journey this tragedy forces the family to take is told through the voice of a son, a daughter, a husband, and a mother. Each must deal with a lifetime of regrets built by daily taking those closest to us for granted.

This is a powerfully poignant book perfect for Mother’s Day. It aptly demonstrates the sacrifices so many mothers make as they struggle to raise children, support husbands, and fulfill the myriad of responsibilities and tasks required when keeping a home. Several of the sections of this book are written in 2nd person taking the reader on a strangely personal journey with the character. The last time I read something in that tense it was “Choose Your Own Adventure” story. This book was infinitely better and can easily be recommended to anyone. Perfect for book clubs.

CZ

Pinocchio Vampire Slayer and the Great Puppet Theater

Pinocchio Vampire Slayer and the Great Puppet Theater
By Van Jensen
SLG Publishing, 2010. 163 pgs. Young Adult Comics

More lies! More vampires! More... puppets! Pinocchio is back, but now he has to share the vampire-killing stage with his wooden siblings. The stakes are raised in this sequel to the acclaimed 2009 graphic novel, as Pinocchio unravels the mystery of the undead menace and his own shadowy background. But will turmoil within the band of slayers spoil their efforts as they battle the bloodsuckers across Italy and even at sea in this darkly funny take on the classic character?

I didn’t enjoy this volume as much as the previous one, but it was still a fun read. Volume One of Pinocchio Vampire Slayer was one of the top ten Best Graphic Novels for Teens as voted by YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association).

AMM

Death Cloud

Death Cloud
By Andy Lane
Farrar Straus Giroux, 311 pgs. 2011. Young Adult

To his chagrin, fourteen year old Sherlock Holmes is sent to live with his aunt and uncle at Holmes Manor in Farnham for the summer. Things brighten up, though, when his new unconventional tutor, Amyus Crow, who has a set of his keen observations skills, arrives. While Sherlock and Amyus are out on a walk, they encounter a body that appears to have suffered from the plague, but further investigations prove things are not as they seem. With the help of his friends Matty, a street urchin, and Virginia, Amyus’ daughter, they start to unravel a mystery that puts their lives at risk.

The only flaw I found was the encounter with the over the top villain at the end of the book. With that being said, it did not distract from my enjoyment of the book. There is lots of action to capture any reluctant reader, especially those who enjoy Charles Higson’s Young James Bonds series.

KK

The Scarecrow

The Scarecrow
By Michael Connelly
Little, Brown and Co., 2009. 419 pgs. Mystery

Jack McEvoy is an excellent journalist--but he's given the boot when the newspaper targets 100 employees to cut their expenses. He goes out on a story about a central LA drug-dealing kid who's been arrested for the murder of young, attractive white woman. One thing leads to another and Jack comes to believe that the kid didn't do it. He decides to make his last newspaper story the best story it can be, that is if the real murderer doesn't take him out in the process. The scarecrow is a criminal mastermind who takes it as a compliment that such a fine investigative journalist is on his trail. But the scarecrow is always several steps ahead of Jack. This gritty, plot-driven story moves along very nicely.

SML

The Chili Queen

The Chili Queen
By Sandra Dallas
St. Martin's Press, 2002. 292 pgs. Historical fiction

Addie French is a proprietor of a house of ill repute; on a train back to her establishment, the Chili Queen, she meets Emma Roby, who is heading to Addie's town, bound to wed a man she's never met because it will be better than staying with her domineering older brother, who has denied her her half of their inheritance. When they reach Naglitas, though, Emma's intended won't have her, and she turns to Addie for help--and even stays in Addie's home. Addie's lover, the bank-robbing Ned Pardner, comes around, and along with Addie's servant, Welcome, they hatch a plan to trick Emma's brother out of the money that is rightly hers. However, as the plan unfolds, it becomes clear that things are not exactly as they seem.

In a book where everyone seems to have some tricks up their sleeves, readers will be pulled along by the twists and turns and hints that something isn't quite right. In a book that I can only describe as a women's western, the characters are all flawed and yet endearing, readers will find themselves entertained but also reconsidering human nature and relationships.

AE

Courting Miss Lancaster

Courting Miss Lancaster
By Sarah M. Eden
Covenant, 2010. 205 pgs. Romance

Harry Windover is practically penniless and spends a large portion of his time at the estate of his friend Adam, the Duke of Kielder. Adam is a good friend to him, so Harry wants to repay his kindness, but when Adam asks him to help his wife's sister, Athena, find a husband, Harry is put in a difficult position--because he is in love with Athena. His lack of money would eliminate him from becoming a suitor, and helping with this endeavor only heightens his awareness that he can't have her. He accepts the assignment, though, and after finding out that Athena thinks she'll simply know when she meets the right man, sets about introducing her to men who are less than desirable for a prospective husband--men obsessed with their own appearances, conversant only about topics such as trees, or overly devoted to their mother--in order to help her realize what characteristics she really wants in a husband.

This is a fun, lighthearted Regency romance. It's a good choice for fans of Jane Austen or historical romances.

AE

The Last Little Blue Envelope

The Last Little Blue Envelope
By Maureen Johnson
Harper Teen, 2011. 282 pgs. Young Adult

Seventeen-year-old Ginny Blackstone precipitously travels from her home in New Jersey to London when she receives a message from an unknown man telling her he has the letters that were stolen just before she completed a series of mysterious tasks assigned by her now dead aunt, an artist.

I enjoyed traveling through Europe with Ginny and her friends in this adventure! It has been almost six years since Maureen Johnson introduced us to Ginny in Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes. In this new novel we finally find out what Aunt Peg wrote in the last letter.

It has been several years since I read Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes and while I enjoyed this novel, I would suggest that the books be read in sequence if possible. If you enjoyed Stephanie Perkins book Anna and the French Kiss, I recommend you check out these two books by Maureen Johnson.

AMM

Battle of Nashville

The Battle of Nashville
By Benson Bobrick
Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2010.

Bobrick gives a brief overview of the Civil War, including the succession of the Southern states and the incompetence of many of the Union generals and highlights General George H. Thomas, who actually won all of his battles during the Civil War. Thomas did things differently than a lot of the other generals, avoiding many of their mistakes and even thinking ahead of his time. Resisting pressure from General Grant to advance at Nashville before his troops were ready, Thomas raised a cavalry unit and trained new soldiers, certain that rushing things would cost them the battle; his patience and preparation paid off and his army was triumphant in a battle that proved to be a turning point in the war.

I'd never actually heard of General Thomas, but this was a very informative and interesting read, if slightly biased (the author clearly didn't like Generals Grant and Sherman).

AE

Tangled

Tangled
By Carolyn Mackler
HarperTeen, 2010. 308 pgs. Young Adult

The lives of four teens are tangled as they vacation at a resort in the Caribbean. Rich girl Skye's mother invites a friend and her daughter, Jena, to vacation with them, despite the fact that Skye and Jena have never really clicked. While there, Jena starts a whirlwind romance with Dakota, who is pretty much a jerk, and briefly sees his brother Owen working on a blog; the blog intrigues her and they become friends.

I'm sure there are readers out there who would like this book, but I am not one of them. I liked the interaction between Owen and Jena, but I didn't really care about any of the characters (I find it hard to connect with characters when there are multiple narrators), and I actually didn't like Dakota, even when he started to change. This isn't a clean read, and while I do read books that aren't squeaky clean, and this isn't the "worst" one I've read, something about this one bothered me. Overall, the few things I did like pale in comparison to the things I didn't.

AE

Cloaked

Cloaked
By Alex Flinn
HarperTeen, 2011. 341 pgs. Young Adult


Johnny is a poor kid who repairs shoes for his family business. When Princess Victoriana requests his services, not only in fixing her shoes, but also in looking for her brother, who has been turned into a frog, Johnny is skeptical at first, but longing for adventures (as well as the lure of wealth, since if he succeeds, the princess will marry him), he agrees to do it. He sets out on his quest, aided by his best friend Meg, and finds that finding a frog in Florida can be a lot harder than he expected.

This was a fun modern fairy tale. It wasn't particularly deep, but it's a great quick read, and a clean one to boot.

AE

The Remarkable Soul of a Woman

The Remarkable Soul of a Woman
By Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Deseret Book, 2010. 55 pgs. Nonfiction

In this short book, adapted from the talk President Uchtdorf gave as the 2008 Relief Society Broadcast, he encourages women who may be feeling overwhelmed or inadequate to find God's happiness by looking for opportunities to be creative an compassionate.

I thought this was a fabulous a talk when President Uchtdorf gave it, and it was great to reread his message.

AE

Ten Miles Past Normal

Ten Miles Past Normal
By Frances O'Roark Dowell
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2011. 211 pgs. Young Adult

Janie begged to live on a farm when she was younger and was surprised when she got her dream. Years later, the novelty has worn off when her social status as a high school freshman is not helped by the goat poop she has on her shoe. Janie’s beginning as a freshman is further frustrating by not having the same lunch period as her old middle school friends. But then she meets Monster (his real name) who is larger than life, literally, and starts a project with her best friend’s wild older sister and some civil rights activists. These happenings change Janie’s outlook on life and she determines to become bigger and better than normal. Janie is very likable and Monster is charming in this lighthearted read. Fans of Joan Bauer will enjoy this one.

MN

The Word Snoop

The Word Snoop
By Ursula Dubosarsky
Dial Books, 2009, 246 pgs, Young Adult Nonfiction

This book could have been a dry boring look at the history of the English language. Instead, Dubosarsky grabs the readers attention with short chapters filled with jokes, cartoons, riddles, and random facts. A very entertaining look at all the eccentricities of the English language, covering everything from the plethora of silent letters, ridiculous punctuation and grammar rules, to an exploration of the art of texting.

DEF

The Meaning of Everything: The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary

The Meaning of Everything: The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary
By Simon Winchester
Oxford University Press, 2003. 256 pgs. Nonfiction

The Oxford English Dictionary was compiled in response to a plea for a more complete and more accurate dictionary by members of the Philological Society in London in 1857. It had a difficult time getting off the ground. There were several editors in succession who took stabs at the project without really making much progress. It wasn't until James Murray became the editor in 1879 that the project really began to move forward. The dictionary was a massive undertaking, attempting to provide definitions, pronunciation, etymology, and examples of from 1,000 years of literature for all of the words in the English language. The publication was issued in fascicles of 64 pages each which could then be compiled together an bound as volumes. The first fascicle as published February 1, 1884 and the fascicles continued through 1928. The first edition was complete in 12 volumes; however, there was an immediate need for a supplement which would include words which had been added to the language since the beginning of the project (or for some that were intentional or unintentionally excluded). The supplement appeared in 1933.

In compiling and publishing the OED there were numerous challenges and difficulties. There were also numerous interesting and eccentric personalities involved. Perhaps the most famous of these in recent years has been Dr. William Chester Minor, the largest single contributor to the OED and the subject the book The Professor and the Madman.

The dictionary's advocates had a devil of time obtaining a publisher for the work--it was thought to be far to risky and expensive. It's a tribute to Murray that he pulled it off so successfully.

SML

Please Ignore Vera Dietz

Please Ignore Vera Dietz
By A. S. King
Alfred A. Knopf, 2010. 326 pgs. Fiction

Vera Dietz isn’t sad about her former best friend’s death; in fact, she hates Charlie. She hates him, how he betrayed her, and the fact that he is dead now. But that doesn’t stop the Charlies from visiting her, pressuring her to tell the police what she knows about the night he died. Vera ignores them, focusing on her own life, even though she’s started drinking and making out with a 23-year-old. But as Vera relates her life in the present and her relationship with Charlie in the past, she begins to realize what she needs to do.

This is kind of dark and kind of hard to read. Horrible things happen to Charlie and Vera’s life is rough too. This is definitely not for the faint-hearted or those who want to avoid the bad, but realistic things of life. But if you can get past the bad language, the creepiness you feel at different situations, you will find a book about finally accepting the bad things of the past and realizing that a person doesn’t have to end up like their parents before them, but that they can forge their own identity and path.

MN

Red Glove

Red Glove
By Holly Black
Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2011. 325 pgs. Young Adult

In book 2 of the Curse Workers series, Cassel is trying to avoid Lila, even though he's crazy about her, because his mother, an emotion worker, has cursed Lila to love him, and Cassel doesn't want to take advantage of her. However, when she enrolls in his boarding school, it makes it hard for him to stay away. Meanwhile, after his oldest brother is murdered, federal agents approach Caseel, pressuring him to give them information, and Lila's father, the head of the Mafia-like curse-working family, is pressuring Cassel to join his "family".

Intrigue, romance, and adventure make this a hot new series. Cassel is an appealing character, not in the sense that he is always likable but in that he is really struggling to figure out who is and trying to do the right thing even though he has the opportunity to do things that are really, really wrong. A good choice for readers looking for an alternative universe to delve into or a non-paranormal fantasy.

AE

The Lost Hero

The Lost Hero
By Rick Riordan
Random House/Listening Library, 2010. 14 CDs. Young Adult

When Jason Grace wakes up on a school bus on a field trip, he has no idea who he is or where he is. Although Piper and Leo claim to be his girlfriend and best friend, respectively, he doesn't have any memories of them--or any memories at all. Soon, they find out they are all demigods and are taken to Camp Half Blood, where Annabeth is anxious to find Percy Jackson, who has gone missing. Jason, Piper, and Leo set out on a quest to save Hera, while at the same time wondering if it's all a trick since Hera isn't known for caring about the demigods. As Jason tries to figure out who he is, Piper is trying to figure out if they really have--or could have--a relationship, and Leo is trying to fight the memories horrible events in his past.

This book introduces three new heroes, all of whom are likable and have interesting back stories. They are a little bit older than Percy was in the Lightning Thief, so this series can keep the readers who have grown up with Percy. With action, adventure, and a hint of romance, there's a lot here that can appeal to a variety of readers. It sets the stage for a great conflict to come in future books, and I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series.

I listened to the audio version of this book, a little apprehensively since I recently attended a conference where the presenter said she really disliked the narrator and had to switch to the print version instead. Well, I stuck it out for the whole book, and I have to say, for the main characters (Jason, Piper, and Leo), the narrator was tolerable, but for the voices of a lot of secondary characters, I was rolling my eyes. However, the book is well-written, with good characters and adventures, so if you start the audiobook and can't stomach it, don't give up on the book entirely--just switch to the print version.

AE

Stay

Stay
By Deb Caletti
Simon Pulse, 2011. 313 pgs. Young Adult

Clara's relationship with Christian started out well enough, but as things progressed, she began to see an increasingly dark side of him, and as the book opens, Clara and her father are fleeing, heading off to a remote beach after telling everyone they'll be in Europe. Although they are hiding out from Christian, as they live on a beach that is rumored to be haunted, Clara can't escape the "ghost" of him--all the memories of their time together, the good things as well as the bad things. And even as she's trying to get things figured out--and embarking on a new romance--she can't quite shake the fear that has come to envelop her as a result of their relationship.

Told in chapters alternating between her present life at the beach and the past, detailing how she met Christian and how their relationship started to go downhill, the book weaves together the idea of being haunted as much by someone who is alive as someone who is dead. Besides the problems with Christian, who is controlling and demeaning and even stalks her, Clara also realizes that her father is haunted by things from his past, including something to do with her deceased mother. The book is beautifully written, but I did experience some skepticism when things play out with Christian; the fear wasn't quite built up enough for me to believe Clara's reaction. Overall, though, with side plots of the new romance as well as family issues to back up the main plot of the stalking, this book has a lot to offer.

AE

If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard

If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard
By Sheri Dew
Deseret Book, 2005. 3 CDs. Nonfiction

After a number of setbacks when she and her nephew and nieces were trying to visit Nauvoo, Sheri Dew was ready to cancel the whole trip, but one of the nieces remarked, "If life were easy, it wouldn't be hard," a statement that stuck with Dew and became the basis for her book, as she relates it to our experiences on earth. Acknowledging that life is hard, Dew also discusses how we may be carrying around extra baggage and burdens that make it harder than it needs to be and talks about how we can set aside our burdens and be who the Lord intends us to be--and to receive the help He is willing to give us.

I always love Sheri's books and talks, and this one is no exception. I had read this a few years ago and some of the stories had stuck with me, but I'd forgotten others, so it was great to listen to the CD version. Fans of the author won't be disappointed.

AE

Between Shades of Gray

Between Shades of Gray
By Ruta Sepetys
Philomel Books, 2011. 344 pgs. Young Adult

Lina’s life of privilege in 1941 Lithuania comes to an end one night when Stalin’s police deport her, her mother, and her younger brother and ship them east into the Soviet Union. Lina doesn’t understand why her family has been deported and wonders what has happened to her father, who has disappeared. Conditions are horrific from the beginning for Lina and the other deportees; there is not enough food (let alone nutritional food) they are not allowed off the train for days, and deportees are shot on the spot for not immediately complying with the police. Lina vows to stay alive and her mother’s hopeful attitude and Lina’s drawings give her strength.

It’s amazing how the plight of Lithuanians, Finns, Estonians, and others at the hands of Stalin were partly ignored by the world because it occurred during Hitler’s reign and WWII. This book presents an absorbing read about these deportees and how they retained a sense of dignity throughout their long ordeal. Lina evolves naturally as one would do in such hardship and the supporting characters are fleshed out as well. It’s amazing how I wanted to keep reading it even though conditions always became worse for Lina.

MN