Tag: young adult
Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier
Emerald Green concludes the Ruby Red Trilogy, by Kerstin Gier, three imaginative and romantic novels featuring time travelers, Gwen and Gideon, and a cast rife with villains and heroes. Even though it is, as Xemerius the ghostly gargoyle exclaims, time for a showdown, there is plenty of action on the way to the novel’s final resolution.
For those who have followed the series, the dispute between heroine Gwen and her catty cousin Charlotte, which includes a battle for the affections of the handsome Gideon, is gently resolved. Gideon emerges as not only a swashbuckler, but a gentleman, who shows consideration for both the lovelorn girls. Gwen realizes that where there is a winner, there is also a loser, and she feels compassion for her often adversarial cousin, and yes, a touch of guilt for coming first in Gideon’s affections.
The romantic scenario increases by two, as Gwen’s good friend, Lesley, forms an attachment to Raphael, who seriously rivals his brother, Gideon, in both good looks and charm.
On the sinister side, the true character of the evil Count Saint-Germain resurfaces and with a vengeance. Swordplay ensues, and there are injuries and deaths on both sides of the conflict between time travelers and the Count. The original stolen chronograph (the time machine) is found, the circle is closed (guess by who), and good, after a struggle, prevails over evil, leaving satisfaction in the hearts and minds of devoted readers.
Almost American Girl Robin Ha
Do you love graphic novels with authentic female leads and true stories of teens finding their ways? “Almost American Girl” by Robin Ha is a must read! Chronicling the author’s move from South Korea to the US in the 90’s, a teenager forced by her mother to adapt to an entirely new world. Entering the US as a non native speaker in the rural south, her struggles are daily and similar to the average teen–trouble fitting in and wearing the right clothes–to other much deeper and more unique struggles of someone trying to make their way in a new country. In a twist that resonates with many teens, Robin at last finds her niche drawing comics, and through this discovery also connects with her true self and community.
Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World Penelope Bagieu
The women in Brazen are unconventional, brave, and determined. Readers are introduced to a diverse array of interesting and feisty characters. The tales in the book span both the globe and history. The women in the stories are from all backgrounds and fields. A common thread is that the women defy social norms, follow their dreams, and express their indomitable selves. Brazen tells the heroes tales through captivating drawings and playful writing. Learn about someone new and be inspired through these tales!
Woven in Moonlight Isabel Ibañez
A rich fantasy tale, Woven in Moonlight wraps the reader in the suspense full of intrigue, magic and revolution. Ximena is a young girl who can weave moonlight into magic thread and tapestries. She is also a decoy for the royal condesa of a people who have been pushed to the margins of their kingdom by a rival people group. Ximena as condesa enters the rival kingdom as a spy in order to help overthrow the rivals from within. Her prejudices about her enemies are challenged the more time she spends inside the castle by a variety of characters–a kind medicine man, the intelligent princesa, and a masked bandit. In a story about revolution, loyalty, power as well as love and friendship, we learn through Ximena how we ourselves can change as our prejudices shift and fall away in the face of learning people’s true character and history.
Chilling adventures of Sabrina. Book one, The crucible
Sabrina is about to turn sixteen and in order to become a full-blown sorceress, she finds herself having to make a huge decision: Choose her magical destiny or her non-magical boyfriend Harvey? And on top of that, an enemy, that Sabrina doesn’t even know she has, arrives in town with a deadly agenda. This is Sabrina the Teenage Witch like you’ve never seen her before! Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Robert Hack have created a comic that looks like it came out of Rosemary’s Baby or the Omen. Gory, intense, and fun.
Why Adults Read YA Literature
March 18, 2010
Looking for a good book to read? Stop by The Loft of the Evanston Public Library. But those are young adult books, you exclaim!
A recent article in The Los Angeles Times illuminates a variety of reasons why adults are reading young adult literature. Says Skurnick, who also reviews adult fiction for the LA Times and other publications:
YA books are ‘more vibrant’ than many adult titles, ‘with better plots, better characterizations, a more complete creation of a world.’
Add to that the bonus of getting to know the teens in your life and/or community better, or even just to journey along with young adults who question the world around them with a refreshing honesty and intensity. Says Johnson:
There’s something really wonderful about taking the journey with someone of that age. One of the main reasons I’m attracted to YA literature is just the openness of the characters…
