Another Halloween Treat- Four and Twenty Blackbirds

Halloween Special #2: Four and Twenty Blackbirds by Cherie Priest is the story of Eden Moore. Eden is a typical young girl who longs to know the true story of her family’s past in order to understand her own identity…except there is one catch; Eden can hear ghosts. She can see them too, but it is three particular spirits, the ghosts of three sisters, whose words guide Eden on her mission to discover her family’s history. Readers will enjoy Priest's complex and interesting characters (and even if you don’t like their personalities all the time, you’ll love their names. Malachi…Miabella…Awesome! Southern Gothic novels are great if you are looking for good character names. It is almost a guarantee of the genre) Eden is a wonderful protagonist (one of my newest favorites) She is strong and capable lady. You will be glad she is your guide through this story of witchcraft and betrayal. An eerie modern Southern Gothic tale, Four and Twenty Blackbirds is a fun, creepy read. It’s a perfect spooky delight.

Note: Eden Moore’s story continues in Wings to the Kingdom and Not Flesh Nor Feathers; although I have not read either of these yet, so I cannot fully recommend them. After Four and Twenty Blackbirds, though, I intend to check them out!

Halloween Treat- We Have Always Lived in the Castle

Halloween Special #1: We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a 1962 novel by Shirley Jackson. It is a fabulous Southern Gothic novel that is perfect for Halloween, or any other time you are in the mood for a good suspense story. Though not exactly a YA novel, it is a good story for that audience. I do not want to give too much away because one of the novel’s greatest assets is its secrecy. I will say that the novel is narrated by Mary Katherine "Merricat" Blackwood of the notorious Blackwood family. She, her sister Constance, and her Uncle Julian are the remaining descendents of the Blackwoods, a family that has become a town legend due to its tragic demise and the odd behavior of the family members that have been left behind. ***Spoilers: The Blackwood clan was poisoned by arsenic. The reasons behind this and the reasons why these last three Blackwoods remain is part of the great mystery of the novel***. Merricat is an audacious and highly unreliable narrator, but she and her sister Constance are great complicated female characters. Of course they are quirky and a little weird, but their oddities just make the reader have more affection for them. They have to overcome a lot and their loyalty and dependence on each other is good message about female relationships. But if that does not intrigue you, the story itself should. It is a decevingly simple narrative with a good morality lesson hidden within. The way the people of the town treat the Blackwoods is maybe even darker and more frightening than the Blackwoods past. It is a great spooky tale. I highly recommend it!

Note: If you like We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Jackson is also the author of the creepy short-story, The Lottery and another novel of hers, The Haunting of Hill House, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Both of these are eerie and great as well.

Graceling- A Different and More Dangerous Type of Fantasy Love

Graceling by Kristin Cashore is the story of Katsa, a young girl born with a particular Grace. A grace is a certain skill that an individual has that they excel at more than most people. Gracelings are marked with two different color eyes; Katsa has one blue eye and one green eye. The drama in Katsa’s story is that her grace is the ability to kill (quite a deadly grace). Because of her special skill, Katsa is sent on missions by The Council, a highly authoritative group. Katsa does not really enjoy this work, but she accepts the position she is in with her unique ability. On one particular mission, though, Katsa meets another graceling named Po, who changes her life forever.

Katsa and Po have quite a love story. They go on crazy adventures and learn more about their graces, each other, and themselves. It seems to me to be pretty much a typical fantasy story (though I do not have a huge amount of experience with this genre) mixed with a coming-of-age tale. I thought it was interesting that Cashore decided to use a less-modern dialect for the dialogue, but it fits with the fantasy world and gives the book sort of a timeless quality. Also Katsa and Po’s love story is less conventional than I was worried it was going to be. Once you find out what Po’s grace is, it leads to discussions about gender roles in relationships and even some morality questions. ***Spoilers*** I also like the dynamics of their relationship. For example, in the beginning Katsa needs Po to help her break free from her work for the King and then, in the end, Po ends up needs Katsa to help him with his new physical ailment. I really love though that Po does not try to change who Katsa is. He does not force her to marry him in the end. Po accepts who Katsa is and try to bring out the best in her. I think it would not be a bad thing for there to be more male characters like Po to set that example because that is the type of guy that a girl should be interested in, one that does not put a girl on a pedestal so much as they value her for who she truly is.

This story, though, is much more than a love story. It is the story of a young girl finding herself. Katsa is a very cool female narrator. She is not my favorite (she did grow on me though---give her a chance), but she is different and that is very important. It is good that there can be different types of female characters. Katsa has become a little hardened, understandably by her lifestyle of killing. She is a good person, but she can come off as aloof or selfish. I actually think it was important to include the relationship with Po because it allows the reader to see a much deeper side of her. It explains why she seems so distant. Katsa is complicated. It is hard to understand, or even like, her at first, but it is her complexity that really makes her a heroine, more than any skill she possesses.

Parent/Teacher Advisory: There are descriptions of violence; Katsa does kill people since her grace is killing. There are also a few scenes of sexual intimacy that, while neither graphic nor gratuitous, are definitely something for parents to be aware. Those who are worried about sexual content should preview the book first. It is not the main focus of the novel, but it is there. Also, Katsa has very strong views against marriage. There is not anything necessarily wrong what that, but I could see how some people having a problem with that since it is not a societal norm. It is something to be aware of while reading.

Overall Recommendation: I have to admit, this is not one of my favorite YA novels so far. Although, I did like it more after taking some time away from it and reflecting upon it. This is not really my best genre, but it is important to explore areas outside of your comfort zone and for the fantasy genre, Graceling is very accessible and is a good place to start. It touches upon some great themes like when is it ok to rebel? What does it really mean to love someone? Why do people accept societal conventions and rules? Katsa has a skill that could be used in very harmful ways. It is important to note as well that her enemy is a King that can manipulate peoples’ minds. So what is she really fighting? Is it this manipulative message that girls have to act in accordance with how society says they are supposed to? If these questions intrigue you, maybe this book will too! I really do see its value for girls who are interested in the fantasy genre. Katsa is a good heroine and her story is a good one to think about. She has to make some tough decisions and everyone can relate to making hard choices. It is only when Katsa finds an inner strength to match her outer skill that she succeeds and that is an important message for women of all ages to hear.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks: Do You Want to Be Part of the Club?

I loved The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks! Frankie is awesome; what a great, witty narrator and good example for girls! Do I have some problems with her? Will you? Does she make mistakes? Will she drive you crazy at times? YES—to all. But she is a stunning narrator with a pretty cool story.

At first, I was worried I would not like this book. Frankie, our protagonist, returns to her prestigious boarding school for her sophomore year of high school and gets a new senior boyfriend. Easily this could have been a book this blog would readily avoid. “Oh great, I thought. Now he’ll become the center of her universe and blah, blah, blah….I’ve heard this story too many times before…I don’t care if the new boyfriend Matt has fun quirks like knowing a lot of words.” I hate stories about girls who glorify a boy in their life and make them their universe (it’s quite unhealthy girls!). But Frankie LB surprised me; it worked what could have been a cliché love/teen angst story into a clever tale about gender differences and exclusive societies (By the way, secret societies in themselves are fascinating. I think it’s because they are a tangible example of what people intrinsically feel—the need to belong). Anyway, I was very impressed! E. Lockhart did enough to make me understand why Frankie was so worried about staying with Matt and instead of rolling my eyes with disgust that she cared so much about his acceptance (which I normally would do), I actually commiserated with Frankie and her want to stand-out, yet fit in, at the same time (It is a tough feat, let me tell you).

Although the setting is high school, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks is about life. It's about overcoming obstacles no matter what class you are in. It's about realizing there are some differences between social classes, whether we like it or not. It’s about fitting in, while still being independent. It’s about taking chances, without being completely reckless. It’s about breaking down barriers, instead of waiting for someone else to do it for you. Frankie is a role model, not just for young girls, but for women of all ages.

Is she perfect? No. She makes A LOT of mistakes (most teenagers do though…). She is judgmental. She is sometimes selfish. And there are times where you as a reader will want to shake her and say “Grow up! The world is not just about you!” But isn’t that so real? Frankie is such a real girl, wanting to be proud of her womanhood, but still desiring to keep up with the boys. She wants to be liked, but doesn’t feel she needs to be taken care of. She wants to be self-reliant, but have a support system. It’s so true to life (at least in the emotional aspect). These are emotions so many women grapple with.

Parent/Teacher Advisory: Frankie and her friends are fans of pranks (aka they like to cause a little trouble). Adults tend to not like this kind of behavior (and sometimes with good reason), but it is noteworthy that there are consequences to Frankie’s rebellious actions. The book also includes teen drinking and sexual behavior. It’s pretty tame and must less suggestive than Gossip Girl, but the behaviors are still present.

Overall recommendation: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks is a fun book. It deals with a lot of emotional questions and that is wonderful, but the best part about it still is that it is a good story. The characters are funny and memorable (There is actually an alpha-male they call Alpha—hilarious!). The plot moves quickly. You will totally love/hate Frankie all the way through (a sign of a really good/deep character). I highly recommend it. If the girl power message doesn’t entice you, then the pranks, the humor, and the secret societies should. I can see some people not loving the ending, but if you think about it long enough, it was the best ending the author could have chosen (Others would have been more dissatisfying. Trust me; I went through several). Give it a try ladies, you won’t be disappointed!

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation Volume I- The Pox Party---What His Story Teaches Us About History

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation Volume I- The Pox Party is a hard book to review because its plot rests on a secret plan. As a novel, it is a little difficult for a reader to become engrossed in, in my opinion. It is a little dense (particularly for a YA novel). The language used is a little jarring because it attempts to reflect the time period the novel is set in (over 200 years ago) and the characters are trying to be secretive, so they are hard to connect with. I was also not a fan of all the letters in the middle of the book to forward the narrative (clever, but I was not into it). However, The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing is an important book for the YA literary canon in its expansiveness and ambition, and it can also be particularly important for a female audience in terms of displaying history from a minority’s perspective.

There are two main things to know about the plot of The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing (possibly minor spoilers). One is that the protagonist Octavian is involved in an experiment. The other is that the time period setting of the novel pre-dates the American Revolutionary War (meaning for Octavian, the revolution is sort of an experiment in itself; no one knows whether or not it will work). Both experiments start off with good intentions, but things can go wrong in both instances.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing allows the reader to examine several important questions. What does it mean to be free? When is it important to rebel? Should you experiment on human beings? How does a person define themselves (race, creed, nationality, family background, the way other people view them)? And how much does the way you are treated by the outside world affect how you view yourself/ affect who you are?

Parent/Teacher Advisory: The language of this book is challenging, so it can be difficult for younger readers (and even older readers like me). ***Some Spoilers***There is also a dramatic death, a few questionable experiments, and some pretty intense physical and emotional abuse depicted. These things are not overly graphic, but they are there and are things to be aware of before reading.

Overall recommendation: So, how can a story about a young African American boy pre-revolutionary war with one distinct female character (his mother) be relevant for girls? Well, what this story does is make the reader question historical facts and become involved with the personal side of history. History, in a way, is literature; it is a story told by the most successful, the most powerful about their past. What girls need to realize is that a lot of their gender’s history is not told on a regular basis. History books often focus extensively on male accomplishments, but there were always women around making an impact on the world. Historical fiction allows us as readers to re-examine history in a different way and books like The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing can help girls realize and want to explore their gender’s role in historical events. So for that, and for the questions this novel grapples with, it is worth a try. It is far from my favorite current YA novel, but it’s well-written, and takes a unique perspective, which is something I would definitely encourage and I think is important for all literature (YA in particular).

The Hunger Games: Do you have an appetite to enter a new world?

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is the first story on this blog to feature a female protagonist, but it was well worth the wait. The Hunger Games is a smart, brutal, and challenging book that would satisfy many age groups, but is particularly pertinent for young adults (especially girls). The novel is written with first person narration from the point of view of Katniss Everdeen, our heroine. Katniss is from a place called District 12. In this futuristic setting, North America (now called Panem) has been divided into 12 districts (or is it 13? Hmm…) and a central governing location called the Capital. The Capital is constantly in fear of a rebellious uprising from its districts, so to maintain control they hold an annual competition called The Hunger Games. The Hunger Games consists of one male and one female contestant from each district participating in a gladiator-like competition broadcast on national television. The scary part is that there can only be one survivor. Now there are many rules and political tricks involved in the selection process for this game that I won’t go into much detail about, but I will say that economically challenged teens are prime targets for selection for these games. For this particular year of the games, Katniss becomes the female representative for District 12. She performs the rebellious act of volunteering herself to go in her younger sister’s place. Thus, we the readers begin our journey with Katniss through the Hunger Games.

Now, I was beginning to be concerned that most cross-over appeal books from the YA genre had only male protagonists, but Katniss from The Hunger Games was worth the wait for a female protagonist (though I still wish there were more!). Katniss is a survivor, in the best sense of the term. Being a child from a single-parent household, she has already had to take care of herself and others for most of her life and had more than her fair share of struggle. She is strong, smart, and at times even cunning, but also maintains a care-taker type role that connects her to her humanity. She is a fascinating amalgamation of street smart savvy and youthful naivety about the world outside of her district.

The Hunger Games has a totally awesome (very flawed, yet relatable) narrator in Katniss. The girl is going to make some mistakes. She is going to do some things that make the reader frustrated. That is what makes her more realistic and refreshing particularly since she could have easily been a stereotypical, put-on-a-pedestal female protagonist. Aside from the cool narrator, The Hunger Games is an exciting book in many other facets. It’s plot moves very quickly and the descriptions, particularly during the opening ceremonies and the game itself make this dystopian world very easy to imagine. It has very fun characters like Katniss’s advisor Haymitch and very loveable ones as well, such as her co-competitors Rue and Peeta. ***Possible Spoilers***There is a bit of a love story/triangle, but it is very complicated and it shows how relationships are affected by much more than just feelings. The novel also brings up many discussions about class, the role/power of the government, the manipulation of media and image on an audience [the scenes with Katniss and her fashion design team who construct the “audience version of Katniss” creep me out almost as much as the idea of a reality show in which people actual fight to the death. Both are very disturbing concepts to think about], political control, and morality in terms of survival tactics. Though it may not be as literary as some people would like, the ability to embed those kinds of debates and issues into a fast-paced narrative is a talent within itself and should be worthy of literary merit and praise.

Parent/Teacher Advisory: The Hunger Games invokes strong discussions about politics, the government, and morality. In some ways, it is a brutal book. It is not overly graphic, but I would compare to the film Jaws in that even when you don’t see the shark, the frightening effect is there. You may not see all the killings in the games, but they happen. Over 20 people are murdered (either by the players of the game or the gamekeepers---people from the government who control the game) and murder is still chilling regardless of whether it is witnessed or not. The violence in this book may be alarming for some younger readers. I would argue, however, that this should not discourage people from reading or even teaching this book. You would just need to be sure to address the violence and its effects.

Overall recommendation: The Hunger Games is a great book from young adults (especially girls with its strong female protagonist!). The writing is simple and though the story is not completely original (The Hunger Games invokes Horatio Alger rags-to-riches through hard work myths and is similar to several other dystopian stories like Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”), it takes a common narrative and adds modern vision to it. It brings up discussions in the areas of gender, social class and politics that are very prevalent in our world today and it is well worth a reader’s time not only to read the novel, but to ponder the issues it raises afterword. Its sequel Catching Fire is equally as engrossing and adopts even more difficult questions into its narrative (hopefully a review of this will come up later). I loved The Hunger Games! I was not ready to leave that world and I hope you will not be either.