Use Your Gray Matter: Why Katniss vs. Bella Doesn’t Help Anybody

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Sarah

I love The Hunger Games. We both do, here on this blog. It’s no surprise – Katniss is an outstanding, unbelievably Slatebreaking character. From her fierce loyalty to her family, her amazing survival skills, her ability to outsmart almost anybody and the complexity of her emotions, she’s and incredibly fascinating and admirable heroine. I first read the book in 2008 and have been pushing it upon my friends with an almost alarming urgency ever since. Last Thursday, Brianna and I went to see the movie at midnight with nearly 30 of our friends. I’ve probably spent a solid 30% of my awake time talking about The Hunger Games in the past week. And I could not be more excited that this movie, based on a YA book, that passes the Bechdel test with flying colors, with a complicated and capable female heroine as the star, is on track to break box office records and be a major hit.

It’s been particularly exciting, all of this enthusiasm surrounding this book series, because, you guys, I am this excited about YA Literature and awesome female characters all the time. I spend a huge portion of my time thinking about it. So for everyone I know, from my coworkers to my mom, to be just as excited about it right now – that’s amazing.

And also, I have no serious love for Twilight. While yes, I have read all of the books and seen all of the movies, I didn’t enjoy them all that much and I have real problems with the way women and romantic love between men and women are portrayed in them. Some of it has been downright appalling. I cringe as much as the rest of the feminists by the way the book suggests marriage at 18 as the ultimate happiness and the lack of  depth in the characters and relationships.

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Review: Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Brianna

Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith. Speak, 2008. Currently available.

Genre: YA Historical Fiction

Face Value: I find this cover captivating. Seeing a young woman of color in pilot’s garb immediately catches the eye, and it looks contemporary and historical at the same time. There is a sense of boldness in her gaze that really draws me in. Ida Mae often has to stand strong on her own, and the focus on her in the cover shows just how independent and steadfast she can be.

Does it break the slate? It absolutely does. Ida Mae not only challenges gender norms not only within her community by choosing to leave home and pursue her dreams, and then she goes on to defy the expectations of the men in charge in the U.S. military. Ida Mae shows extraordinary personal strength throughout her journey. She is a Slatebreaking woman in the historical context of the story, but her outstanding qualities make her a model of exemplary womanhood for readers today, too. Ida Mae’s persistence taught me a thing or two while I was reading.

Who would we give it to? Readers who love historical fiction, especially from the WWII era. This book is not only excellent historical fiction, it is also a complex study of race, culture, and family. It would be a great book to share with any young adult reader who is grappling with issues in any of those areas. Continue reading →

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Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Sarah

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith: Poppy, 2012 (Currently Available)

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Face Value: Maybe it’s a little over the top, but I have to admit I really like this cover. The black and white photo is classy, no disembodied humans in sight, and the red heart is just cute enough without crossing a line. Plus I feel like it fits the book well.

Does it Break the Slate? It does, in its own way. Sometimes slates get broken in little increments, and I think there’s something quite powerful about having a novel about a whirlwind romance in which both the boy and the girl are plausible human beings, where the connection between them feels real and where the romance might drive the plot, but its not the only plot. The book isn’t overtly feminist, but Hadley goes on a real emotional journey throughout it and comes out stronger on the other side.

Who would we give it to? Oh, this is a book I’d give to tons of readers. Fans of Sarah Dessen, or Anna and the French Kiss, girls who want to read a sweet and sincere romance that is grounded in real, human issues and relationships. Continue reading →

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Review: Wheels of Change by Sue Macy

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Brianna

Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way) by Sue Macy. National Geographic, 2011. Currently available.

Genre: Middle Grade Non-Fiction

Face Value: I am a fan of this cover. It has a vintage feel, but there’s something so irresistibly rebellious about that woman atop her bicycle, blowing that horn, that you just want to pick up the book and start reading. And thanks to that bold title, I couldn’t wait to open the cover and see what was inside.

Does it break the slate? Oh my goodness yes. If you had any doubt that this would be a Slatebreaking book, take a moment to go back and re-read the title. Macy’s thorough coverage of the onset of bicycle fever explores the social, political, and cultural implications of the new trend – all through the lens of its impact on women. I loved that this book introduced me to many adventurous women and showed multiple ways to be a Slatebreaker.

Who would we give it to? This would be a great intermediate book for a 4th or 5th grade nonfiction reading assignment. Unfortunately, I think this one might be hard to get into readers’ hands, because women’s rights and bicycling history are not exactly trendy nonfiction topics. But once you get a reader to pick this up and flip through a few pages, I can guarantee that they will be intrigued. It has scandal! It has speed! It has funny outfits! Continue reading →

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Review: Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Sarah

Sweetly by Jackson Pearce
Little, Brown & Company, 2011 (Currently Available)

Genre: Fairytale Retelling

Face Value: I’m kind of into it. It’s creepy, and sets the right tone, and I like the witches face appearing in the trees all people-kissing-or-a-vase-style. It makes it clear that this book is set in the same world as Pearce’s first book, Sisters Red, while still clearly indicating a different story.

Does it Break the Slate? Yes. It really does. I wasn’t sure for awhile. I knew I was going to like Gretchen, but I wasn’t sure if she was going to be a Slatebreaker. But she absolutely becomes one over the course of the book. Her journey into someone who can protect herself and others instead of seeking protection is well realized.

Who would we give it to? There’s a big demand for retold fairy tales. The world that Jackson Pearce has created in both Sisters Red and Sweetly is dark, and creates its own specific mythology while drawing upon recognizable fairy tale elements.
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Review: My Name Is Not Isabella by Jennifer Fosberry

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Brianna

My Name Is Not Isabella by Jennifer Fosberry. Pictures by Mike Litwin. Jabberwocky, 2010. Currently available.

Face Value: I wouldn’t have picked up this book if it didn’t have such an intriguing cover. It caught my eye from its perch on the Tempe Public Library’s new picture book shelf. I saw the little girl peeking over the border and had to take a closer look. I liked the style of the artwork, and the girl’s brilliantly purple hair was no small factor in catching my attention. Of all of the elements at play in this cover, it was the subtitle (“Just how big can a little girl dream?”) that most appealed to my feminist sensibilities.

Does it break the slate? Yes! It makes substantial Slatebreaking strides in its mere 32 pages. Fosberry introduces some amazing female role models throughout the story, and this book could be the start of many conversations about how women have changed the world. I do have some reservations about the final message of the book, but I’ll get to that in the review.

Who would we give it to? Mothers and daughters looking for a new bedtime book. This would be a nice one to read when it’s time to be tucked in, and I could see it easily becoming part of a nightly routine. It’s the Goodnight Moon of feminist picture books! Continue reading →

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Review: Cleopatra’s Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Sarah

Cleopatra’s Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter
Arthur A. Levine Books, 2011 (Currently Availabe)

Genre: Historical Fiction

Face Value: Eh. It’s all right I guess. It’s not inauthentic or particularly egregious. But Cleopatra Selene* is one of those characters who is hard to actually create an image for. Nothing the publishers could put on this cover would really match up to my image of her, and something about this feels too contemporary, too pretend. It lacks the actual rawness of the story inside.

Does it Break the Slate? YES! Ohmygod yes. This is a book that goes beyond simply having Slatebreaking characters (which it does) but actually engages in serious conversations about feminism and gendered expectations in a way that is historically appropriate & relevant to the story. It’s awesome.

Who would we give it to? On Goodreads, this book is described thusly: “The Luxe” meets the ancient world in the extraordinary story of Cleopatra’s daughter.” To be honest, I think that’s kind of an unfortunate representation, since the writing is a lot higher quality here. But yes, this is historical fiction with intrigue and some sexual activity. So if you liked The Luxe, yeah, you might be into this! But also, if you thought The Luxe was badly written and sort of uninteresting, you still might be into this!

*As a side note, I realize that using Cleopatra Selene’s full name throughout this review is cumbersome. But when she is in Rome, shortening her name to just Selene is used to diminish her, so I won’t do that here. And shortening it to just Cleopatra is confusing, because throughout the book, that is clearly her mother. So full name it is!
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Detectives Week: An Unabashed Love Letter to Veronica Mars

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Sarah

We started the week with Nancy Drew, and it’s only appropriate for us to end the week with our favorite modern girl detective, the one and only Veronica Mars.

If you never watched Veronica Mars during it’s overlooked 3 seasons (first on UPN then on the WB) then do yourself a favor and add the first season to your netflix queue. Veronica, as played by Kristen Bell is a skilled private investigator, who solves major crimes (who killed her best friend, Lilly Kane) and minor (who stole the team mascot). The show is terrifically written and the acting, especially Bell’s is fantastic. Veronica might be the most Slatebreaking television character I can think of.

As much as we would have liked to sit down and rewatch the entire first season for this post, we don’t have that kind of extra time. So we decided to watch two episodes – the Pilot and “Purity Test” and offer some commentary on what makes this show so great. Before we started, we identified some of the major Slatebreaking elements that we would watch out for, and made notes as we go.
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Detectives Week Review: Cam Jansen: The First Day of School Mystery by David A. Adler

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Brianna

Cam Jansen: The First Day of School Mystery by David A. Adler. Puffin Books, 2002. Currently available.

Genre: Easy Reader Mystery

Face Value: It’s nothing special. Honestly, I had to search for the cover online because I read this one on my Kindle via the Greater Phoenix Digital Library. When I saw the graphic I was disappointed. Cam is lost in thought, which accurately captures her state of mind most of the time. But Eric’s presence on the cover is unwelcome. He’s always just hanging out while Cam solves mysteries. I don’t want him to steal the cover spotlight from Cam!

Does it break the slate? Yes! Who knew the slate could be broken in so few pages? Cam is assertive, smart, and always challenging adults’ preconceived notions about kids. She also is admirably persistent and doesn’t give up on a mystery, even if obstacles arise.

Who would we give it to? Highly observant beginning readers. Continue reading →

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Detectives Week Review: The Girl is Murder by Kathryn Haines Miller

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Sarah

The Girl is Murder by Kathryn Miller Haines
Roaring Brook Press, 2011 (Currently Available)

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery

Face Value: I love the classic mystery aesthetic here: it’s both paying homage to the genre and time period and a lovely piece of art in itself. However I’m not sure that the cover is actually all that reflective of the story inside. From the cover, I expected something very noir, and that’s not really what we get here. Still pretty though.

Does it Break the Slate? Not really. Unfortunately. I really wanted it to! I wanted Iris to be an intrepid girl sleuth, existing comfortably in the world created between Nancy Drew (who we talked about on Monday) and Veronica Mars (who we’re talking about on Friday). But even though both of these young female detectives are mentioned in the back matter, Iris Anderson doesn’t measure up to the standard they set. I don’t want to fault Iris for not being fearless and competent. She’s a 15 year old girl, not a seasoned detective. It makes sense that she would make a lot of mistakes, and that’s potentially very interesting. But it’s not just her lack of credibility as an investigator that’s a problem. She’s not that strong of a character. She doesn’t stand up to others when they pick on her, or demonstrate much of a backbone when things get tough. She makes unbelievably stupid choices, and they don’t necessarily pay off. More details in the full review.

Who would we give it to? I would put this in the hands of historical fiction fans before I’d give it to serious mystery readers. Haines does a great job of creating the world of New York City during the 1940s and even if it gets a bit over the top slangy at times (and Boy, Howdy it does), it’s a richly crafted portrait. The mystery…well I was disappointed, and I think that people who pick the book up because of the Veronica Mars implication in the description will be a bit let down.
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