Review: Princess Pigsty by Cornelia Funke & Illustrated by Kerstin Meyer

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Brianna

Princess Pigsty by Cornelia Funke. Illustrated by Kerstin Meyer. Translated by Chantal Wright. Scholastic, 2007. Currently available.

Genre: Picture book

Face Value: Very appealing. I love Kerstin Meyer’s charming illustrations, and the image on the cover is captivating – a little girl looking totally content in the filth of the pigpen. I especially love the dazed and confused look on the pig’s face as he stares at Isabella. The humor in the cover image drew me in. You can tell from the cover that this is going to be an unconventional, Slatebreaking book!

Does it break the slate?  Yes! Cornelia Funke has written several pictures books that subvert the patriarchal paradigm, and Princess Pigsty is no different. The princess of the title is Isabella, a girl who is growing increasingly tired with the formality and rigidity of her royal lifestyle. Her decision to challenge her family’s expectations is initially not well met, but Isabella insists on doing “princess” her own way.

Who would we give it to? I think all little girls would enjoy this book, but it might be an especially great choice for girls who are hardcore into princess stuff. It could be nice to include an alternative telling of the princess role into their pop culture diet.  Continue reading →

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Review: Happy Families by Tanita S. Davis

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Sarah

Happy Families by Tanita S. Davis. Alfred A. Knopf, 2012. Currently Available.

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction (YA)

Face Value: I love this cover. It hints at what the book is about without sensationalizing and it’s simple and clean but still really aesthetically pleasing. If I didn’t know about this book ahead of time, I would absolutely pick it up off a library or bookstore shelf to see what the deal was.

Does it Break the Slate? By all means, this is a Slatebreaking book. We love reading books that take a complicated question surrounding gender identity (in this case it is the main characters’ father) and investigate it in a thoughtful, sincere way. There are not a ton of books out there about transgender identity, and I’ve actually never read one before that talked about transgender parents. So to read this amazing, loving book about this family was really wonderful, and absolutely Slatebreaking.

Who would we give it to? These characters are so beautifully relatable that I would give this to almost any fan of YA contemporary realism. Definitely recommended as another great title for YA Pride Month. Continue reading →

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Summer Week Review: One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Sarah

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia. Armistad, 2010 (Currently Available)

Genre: Historical Fiction

Face Value: Seriously, one of the best. There’s so much to like about this cover. First, it absolutely feels like summer, without looking like a beach story. Not an easy thing to do. The colors, the type, the way the print of the title looks like it’s slowly chipping away to reveal the background behind it – it’s like you can feel the heat sizzling off the page. And Delphine’s face, looking up at the possibilities above is just so beautiful, and looks just like I pictured her. I love illustrated faces on book covers – you see them a lot more on middle grade titles, and I think that YA should get with this trend. And everything behind Delphine is a vivid part of the story. There’s Vonetta and Fern and Miss Patty Cake and Mean Lady Ming’s restaurant and the Black Panthers – it’s all there. And yet, it doesn’t look cluttered or too busy aesthetically – it just creates a picture of this world that we’re about to get a glimpse of. If I could get a print of this cover I would put it on my wall.

Does it Break the Slate? Do you even need to ask? Well, yes, this book is downright slate-shattering. I’m so excited that Summer Books Week gave me the chance to review it, because it came out before we started this blog. It addresses so many issues that we consider to break the slate: identity, standing up for yourself, what it means to be a woman, and more.  Delphine goes through a beautiful Slatebreaking journey over the course of the book and the dynamic between the main characters and their mother is really unique and spectacular.

Who would we give it to? This is honestly just one of those “everyone” books. It’s so well written, and captures Delphine’s voice so authentically that middle grade readers will connect with her immediately. Such a great book for older siblings, especially. And there are so few books out there that cover this moment in time for kids, and this book presents a real opportunity to learn about the Black Panthers. And adults will connect with it too, whether its because they remember this moment historically or just because getting a glimpse into this world that Delphine, Vonetta and Fern find themselves in is an amazingly worthwhile read. Continue reading →

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Summer Week Review: The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Brianna

The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson. Penguin, 2004. Currently available.

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Face Value: This one has a very subtle cover design. Cutaway hearts in a triangle formation give us a glimpse of three girls casually lying in the grass. They look happy, it’s cute, and it looks good on a shelf. No complaints here.

Oh, did I mention it comes in a “splashproof” edition? That’s right. You can get a version with a waterproof cover that can withstand your beach reading habits.

But then there’s the paperback cover…

Goodness, did those cover designers even read the book? The Bermudez Triangle is about friendship evolving as you grow up. It is not the most cheerful story in the world. There are hurt feelings and breakups and painful moments. So, why all of that pink and purple? It looks like a sleepover and nail-painting manual. Also, this book features three female characters who have to learn to be mature through situations that make them want to flip out, and that super girly cover undermines the inherent maturity of the story.

Does it break the slate? Smashes it, actually. In The Bermudez Triangle, Johnson does an amazing job crafting the arch of two summer romances as they heat up and cool down. What I love most is that these relationships (one heterosexual and one homosexual) have many parallels in their ups and downs, and readers see that there are more similarities in the relationships than there are differences.

Who would we give it to? I think this book would be a good fit for readers at the end of their time in high school. It’s a time when friendships change drastically because everyone’s life is heading in a different trajectory, and it would be comforting to read about a friend group that found ways to work through the changes in their relationship and still support each other. Continue reading →

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Summer Week Review: Twenty Boy Summer

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Sarah

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler. Little Brown and Company, 2009. Currently Available.

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction (YA)

Face Value: It’s not bad, actually. I think the title of this book is terribly misleading, and doesn’t really get at the heart of the book at all. But when I step back from the title and look at the cover alone, it’s quite pretty. No headless girls in bikinis here, the sea glass heart against the sun-worn wooden slats is a beautiful image on its own, and it directly relates to the content in the book.

Does it Break the Slate? Yes it does! Oh, Anna and Frankie I love you. It’s no secret that I love books about female friendship, and the layered complexities of these girls’ friendship is beautifully portrayed in the story. Add to that the very different ways these two characters have to deal with grief, and a nuanced portrayal of teen girl sexuality, and we have

Who would we give it to? This book has Sarah Dessen fans written all over it. I mean, I’m not the first person to think this. The back of my paperback quotes Booklist saying “will satisfy fans of Sarah Dessen.” Frankly, I think this isn’t the best quote they could have used, because “will satisfy” is not a particularly dynamic verb choice. But that point aside, Booklist is accurate, in that Ockler’s novel taps into the summery mix of sadness, romance, compelling characters and quality writing that I like in Sarah Dessen’s work. This is the perfect paperback to hand a reader looking for a beach read with depth (that if she’s prepared to cry a little bit.)  Continue reading →

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Summer Week Review: Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Brianna

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen. Penguin, 2009. Currently available.

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Face Value: Sarah Dessen’s books are notorious victims of terrible covers. The pink-tinged girly frivolity of the cover often betrays the depth of the writing inside. Along for the Ride had one of the worst covers: two disembodied teenagers perched on a bike.  It encompasses all of the annoying YA cover trends.

Given the disservice those covers do to Sarah Dessen’s books, I was thrilled when, at the beginning of the summer, Sarah and Penguin announced that all of her books would have new paperback covers. I saw this mass re-covering campaign as an opportunity to put covers on her books that would showcase the honesty and emotional intelligence with which Dessen writes. Most of the books had new covers that I found to be major improvements. Along for the Ride, however, was not so lucky.

It is marginally better. But it doesn’t escape the disembodied teen trend. Although her head is there, the author’s name is printed in gigantic bold letters right over her face. And she’s wearing a skimpy bikini. In the book, Auden specifically comments on the skimpy bikinis sold at Clementine’s and how she wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing that sort of swimwear. This new cover was, in my opinion, the most disappointing of the bunch. I’ll hold out hope for something better the next time this cover gets updated (because I am confident that Sarah Dessen’s books will be popular with young readers for at least another decade).

Does it break the slate? Yes – in an unexpected way. Auden starts her summer with rigid ideas about what it means to be a “smart girl” versus a “girly girl” and sees very little room for those identities to overlap. Her personal evolution is gradual and a bit reluctant, but she ultimately realizes that every girl and woman has the potential to craft an identity that spans social groups and fields of interest. Just because a woman enjoys fashion and socializing does not mean that she is incapable of intellectual strength. Auden experiences a personal liberation from stereotypes that empowered me as a reader. I am in a time of transition in my own life, and I was reminded that my professional pursuits could (and should!) co-exist with a healthy personal life.

Who would we give it to? Young women who are in that final summer between high school and college. It is a liminal time – that limbo between who you were in high school and who you want to become in college. Auden makes the most of her transitional summer, and I can see how this would be the perfect book for that “in-between” time. Continue reading →

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Summer Books Week: Celebrating a Slatebreaking Year!

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Sarah

It’s summertime.

And Brianna just moved to Wisconsin, where it’s actually beautiful and people like to be outside in the summer (I am still here in Phoenix where it’s 110 and summer means that we hide out inside in the air conditioning all the time).

But one thing that summer has always meant for us is summer reading. Even though we’re not in school anymore, it just feels like this is the time for checking out huge stacks of books from the library and reading them on the beach. And you guys, there are so many good summer books. Most of Sarah Dessen’s books, for one thing. The Penderwicks. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, which (despite my first review for this blog), I hold a special place in my heart for. Summer of Fear. A Ring of Endless Light and The Moon by Night. That Baby-sitters club book where they all go to Sea City. SUMMER SISTERS, for crying out loud, which, now that I have thought of it, I want to just go to the library and get my hands on a copy. Seriously. Right now.

And also, regardless of where we are, and what we’re reading, we feel like celebrating. Because today, June 18, 2012, is the 1st Anniversary of Slatebreakers! Seriously, we cannot believe we’ve been blogging for a whole year now. It has flown by, and its been so much fun. We’ve read some incredible books. Through twitter we’ve “met” some incredible authors and fellow bloggers. Megan McCafferty did an interview on our site. We met A.S. King and John Green and Stephanie Perkins and a whole bunch of other authors in person thanks to our amazing local indie, Changing Hands. We’ve become better writers and more thoughtful readers. We’ve connected with tons of other readers, who have gotten us so excited about being part of this online community.

Continue reading →

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Review: Babymouse: Dragonslayer by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Brianna

Babymouse: Dragonslayer by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm. Random House, 2009. Currently available.

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction Graphic Novel

Face Value: Very charming. It makes me happy to see a well-illustrated cover with a girl character in a triumphant pose. It is also good to see that Babymouse in fantasy garb is not sexualized at all, which is something that happens to a lot of female characters on fantasy book covers – check out this guy’s blog post for some very interesting and mildly hilarious evidence of this phenomenon.

Does it break the slate? Yes! The last time I reviewed a Babymouse book I wrote about how Babymouse was a character with Slatebreaking potential, but she had not quite reached full Slatebreaking status in the first book in the series. I am happy to report that Babymouse can officially be called a Slatebreaker. She slays the dragon not only in her imagination but also conquers her real-life fear, and that is a terrific moment. I have only read two Babymouse graphic novels, with this one being #11 in the series, and I think I can safely assume that the other books depict Babymouse doing many other wonderful and Slatebreaking things.

Who would we give it to? This is the perfect book for a young elementary grade reader who is struggling in math class, or really any subject. Babymouse takes her struggles with a challenging subject and turns it into a victory. The Babymouse books do an excellent job conveying dramatic tension with minimal text, so it would also be a good fit for reluctant readers.

Continue reading →

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Review: The Shattering by Karen Healey

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Sarah

The Shattering by Karen Healey. Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2011. Currently Available

Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy/Contemporary

Face Value: I don’t love this cover, but there’s nothing wrong with it either. While I don’t think it really tells you much about the book, and doesn’t drive me to pick it up, it also doesn’t give misinformation

Does it Break the Slate? YES! Oh my goodness, yes. Healey has created these three incredible protagonists, first of all, who all go on a Slatebreaking, self-defining journey throughout the course of the book. And there is a ton of subtle exploration of gender stereotypes and how they are damaging for everyone – male and female. Plus a huge bonus factor for including a wide range of diverse characters. The major characters in this book are gay and straight, Maori, Samoan, White and Japanese, and while all of these things are addressed as part of the characters identities, they are woven seamlessly into the narrative.

Who would we give it to? I feel like this book could be a great introduction to fantasy, because it’s also still so rooted in contemporary realism. I would recommend it to lovers of both genres. Readers of mysteries would probably get into it as well. Continue reading →

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Review: Tessa Masterson Will Go to Prom by Emily Franklin & Brendan Halpin

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Brianna

We are so excited that author and blogger Malinda Lo is sponsoring a series of posts about GLBT issues in YA throughout the month of June. In honor of YA Pride Month, I read a new and Slatebreaking book with a dynamic gay teen at the heart of the story. Be sure to hop over to Malinda’s blog for reviews and a history of queer YA fiction.

Tessa Masterson Will Go to Prom by Emily Franklin & Brendan Halpin. Walker & Company, 2012. Currently available.

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Face Value: This gets complicated, because I have my initial impression of the cover, but now that I have read the book my thoughts on the cover have changed. When I first saw this cover I was impressed with the clean and simple graphic design. I liked the tux and the rainbow bow tie because they give a subtle nod to readers that this book features a gay teen protagonist. I thought that the bold colors looked good on a shelf and that it was an attractive, eye-catching cover.

Post-reading, I see the cover in a very different way. Now that I know Tessa as a character, it is clear to me that she would never wear a slinky sexy sleeveless tuxedo catsuit to prom. Tessa bought a tux at a men’s store and had it tailored, so it would have been more true to the character to put a slim cut regular tux on the cover rather than a sexed up version. Also, this book is a coming out story. So why, when I flip the book over, do I see “Tessa + Lucas = Prom” in big pink letters? I know that this is a significant plot point to launch the story, but broadcasting it in big letters on the back of the book may make it look like this book is a boy-and-girl-have-the-best-prom-ever story…and it is that story, sort of, but not in the cliché way that the cover suggests. I wish that this cover could just own Tessa’s awesomeness and not try to mask the fact that this is a book about a lesbian who wants to go to prom with a girl as her date.

Does it break the slate? Yes, it does. Although Tessa is tentative in her coming out process because of the overwhelmingly negative reaction from her community, she has a core strength that helps her persist despite the crappy way people are treating her. Tessa is not the only character challenging norms. Tessa’s parents, her brother, Lucas, and Lucas’s mom are Slatebreaking in their own way. It is truly wonderful to read not just one Slatebreaking character but entire Slatebreaking families. It helps dull the ache of reading those jerk characters who are too closed-minded to accept Tessa as she is. (I am talking to you, Jenny Himmelrath. You stink.)

Who would we give it to? LGBTQ teens and their allies who live in small towns. This would be a great book for a high school Gay-Straight Alliance to read and discuss together.

Continue reading →

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