Review: The Shadow Society by Marie Rutowski

Posted on September 30, 2013 by Sarah

The Shadow Society by Marie Rutowski. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2013. Currently Available.

Genre: Speculative Fiction

10356760Face Value: This is a great fantasy cover. It’s atmospheric and interesting – the shadowed image on the front reflects both the idea of Shades and the idea of alternate realities. The Chicago skyline is identifiable and obviously, really pretty to look at. No shame in reading this one in public whatsoever.

Does it Break the Slate? Obviously. Darcy Jones is the best. She’s a great example of a tough female protagonist of an action/adventure novel who is neither a delicate trembling flower nor an emotionless robot of toughness. I love her, and love her story. Plus, the supporting cast is not all boys. There are some great female characters in featured roles, from best friend Lily to surprise potential ally Savannah.

Who would we give it to? Rutowski is an expert world builder, and I think that this alternate world fantasy will definitely appeal to Hunger Games and Divergent readers looking for something along those lines with a totally different story. Plus any Chicagoans will appreciate the attention to detail in creating the alternate reality version of the city. It’s been five years since I lived in Chicago but I still love reading about it in almost any form. Continue reading →

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Review: Heaven is Paved With Oreos by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Brianna

Heaven is Paved With Oreos by Catherine Gilbert Murdock. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. Currently available.

Genre: Contemporary realistic fiction.

17165898Face Value: Cover tropes collide: a headless girl, Converse sneakers, and oh of course something with cow print because it’s set in Wisconsin. The map background is about the only thing saving this book cover. At least the cover model at least looks to be the same age as the girl in the story, and dressed in a way that is believable for Sarah as a character.

Does it break the slate? Yes! It’s especially wonderful because this book features two kinds of Slatebreaking characters. Z (Sarah’s grandma) is a1960s era feminist who has grown into a senior citizen community activist. Sarah is soft spoken, inquisitive, and a blossoming intellectual. She breaks the slate by constantly asking questions, and she’s learning how to cope when she gets answers that aren’t satisfactory.

Who would we give it to? Sarah is a smart girl who examines the world with a scientific mind. Girls who look forward to the science fair every year will love Sarah’s story. It’s also a great story about a first time major travel experience and would be a nice book to share with young readers about to embark on their first major trip. Continue reading →

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Review: Lotería by Mario Alberto Zambrano

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Sarah

Lotería by Mario Alberto Zambrano. Harper, 2013. Currently Available

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

16089241Face Value: You can’t get the full effect from just the image here, but this is one of the most beautifully designed books I have ever seen. The cover image is stunning – Lotería cards are beautiful anyway, and obviously relevant to the story. The rose card is perfect for the cover, and the images throughout the book are a beautiful part of the way the book is put together.  But it’s not just the cover art – every piece of this book is crafted to be a piece of art in and of itself. It’s the kind of book you want to pick up off a shelf.

Does it Break the Slate? Not really, but that’s ok. This is a beautiful, heartbreaking book about a little girl who has grown up in an abusive household. Something terrible has happened to her. Luz is not ready to break slates on her own yet, but we end the book with the hope that she’s going to get the help she needs to grow up into a Slatebreaking young woman. And if this book can inspire conversations about child abuse – that in itself is definitely a Slatebreaking element.

Who would we give it to? I think that the aesthetic of this book, as well as the unique style of storytelling will appeal to readers of literary fiction who want to try out some YA. And it’s a powerful exploration of a difficult topic. It is not, however an easy read, and I would worry that it would be triggering to some children or young adults going through abusive situations. It might also be cathartic to others. So be strategic in your recommendations. Continue reading →

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Review: The Adventures of Superhero Girl by Faith Erin Hicks

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Brianna

The Adventures of Superhero Girl by Faith Erin Hicks. Dark Horse Books, 2013. Currently available.

Genre: Comic

shgcoverFace Value: It’s gorgeous! Superhero Girl looks like a normal girl. She doesn’t have over-exaggerated body parts and her superhero clothes have a normal fit (it’s not a skin tight Spandex get-up). I love this cover simply because it shows a normal-looking girl in a position of power. There’s also a great sense of humor in this cover. While Superhero Girl is enjoying her moment of glory, forces of evil are sneaking around behind her. The pixilation of the artwork is a nod to the classic comic format of the book.

Does it break the slate? Absolutely. Superhero Girl shows that even people who do great things in their professions can have annoying real-life problems (like a tight budget and an overbearing family). The fallibility of Superhero Girl is what makes her so delightful, so appealing, and so Slatebreaking. Yes, she struggles sometimes. But that doesn’t stop her from using her talents.

Who would we give it to? I really loved this book because of the balance of the beautiful imperfection of the heroine. I think that any reader who struggles with self-doubt would find Superhero Girl to be an inspiring fictional ally. It’s also a great book for readers who struggle with blocks of text, because the comic format breaks down dialogue and visually tells the story. Continue reading →

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Review: Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Sarah

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein. Hyperion, 2013. Currently Available.

Genre: Historical Fiction

17262236Face Value: This is a lovely piece of cover artwork that absolutely captures the story. When you have a book that deals with horrors like a concentration camp, it’s a delicate balance to find something that conveys the weight of the situation without an overly gruesome or horrifying image. The stark gates and red scarf up against the sky, with planes flying overhead is a lovely and poignant image.

Does it Break the Slate? Definitely. I can hardly imagine that a follow up book from the writer of Code Name Verity would ever not be Slatebreaking. But Rose is definitely a Slatebreaker in her own right, and this piece of historical fiction is absolutely a feminist book.

Who would we give it to? If you loved Code Name Verity, you won’t want to miss Wein’s companion novel about another fiercely brace pilot (and with our beloved Maddie in a small featured role). If you find Holocaust narratives important and compelling, this is one of the best pieces of concentration camp fiction I’ve come across. Continue reading →

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Review: Jessica Darling’s IT List by Megan McCafferty

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Brianna

Jessica Darling’ IT List by Megan McCafferty. Little, Brown, and Company, 2013. Currently available.

Age Level & Genre: Middle grade realistic fiction.

downloadFace Value: Can we talk about the pink problem that’s happening here? It’s bad. Jessica’s dressed in her trying-to-fit-in clothes rather than the vintage band tees she grows to love in the book. I’m disappointed in this cover because the whole point of a Jessica Darling book is that it is a literary haven for girl readers who aren’t girly frou-frou types. Jessica Darling is the character that you can love when you don’t feel like other characters speak to you. I wish the cover would reflect that. Also, she’s headless. Boo.

Does it break the slate? Easy answer: of course. Jessica Darling was a Slatebreaker as soon as she could walk and talk. (Speaking of which: do you think Megan McCafferty would go for a JD picture book series? It would be amazing. Imagine the Jessica Darling story hours at the library. That’s programming perfection.) What’s beautiful about this book is that Jessica’s trademark independence and persistence emerge during one of the most trying times in the formation of a person’s identity: the beginning of junior high.

Who would we give it to? This is another perfect back-to-school book, especially for those kids making the transition from elementary to middle school. Continue reading →

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Review: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Sarah

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black. Little, Brown and Company, 2013. Currently Available.

Genre: Fantasy

12813630Face Value: I think this is a great cover. The more I look at it, the more I like it. The stark image of the hand – maybe dead, maybe reaching out, is creepy and evocative. The title font is beautiful, and I love the smoldering look – maybe tattooed, maybe burned on to the hand. Totally scary, in a gorgeous way.  Also – I love this title. It makes me immediately intrigued.  

Does it Break the Slate? Yes, yes, yes! This is a multi-layered Slatebreaking book. First, Tana is THE BEST. Seriously, she’s incredibly tough but also she’s a deeply complex, dynamic character. We get to see her vulnerabilities as well as her strength, her humor and her deep loyalty to her sister, her friends. This is a girl who would do almost anything for the people she cares about, but not someone who is a martyr – she would also do almost anything to survive.

PLUS there are all these other great female characters, and a complicated world that surrounds them.  And the lens of vampirism gives Black a great means to explore personal identity in all kinds of interesting ways.

Who would we give it to? If you love vampire books, and so many readers do, you’ll love this one. It’s one of the smartest, most original vampire narratives I’ve come across in awhile.

  Continue reading →

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Review: Call Me Oklahoma! by Miriam Glassman

Posted on September 5, 2013 by Brianna

Call Me Oklahoma! by Miriam Glassman. Holiday House, 2013. Currently available.

Age Level & Genre: Middle Grade Realistic Fiction

downloadFace Value: I think it’s clear from this cover image that Paige (aka Oklahoma) is going to be your new favorite character. She’s busting a move on stage in her cowgirl outfit, and she’s entirely adorable. The illustrations that are sprinkled throughout the text are also Glassman’s work. She’s a multitalented woman. The text is delightful, and so are the images of Paige/Oklahoma in her finest moments.

Does it break the slate? This is not a slate shattering type of book, but Paige is definitely a character to keep on the Slatebreaker radar. She makes choices in this book to break the cycle of girl bullying at her school. She also steels herself to take on a personal challenge that pushes her beyond her comfort zone. She’s a character that I can comfortably call “pre-Slatebreaking.”

Who would we give it to? Do you know any girls in the early elementary grades who get extremely frustrated with the other girls in their class? They will love reading about Paige. Paige is smart and energetic, yet fallible, which will make her incredibly appealing to young readers. Continue reading →

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Review: All Our Pretty Songs by Sarah McCarry

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Sarah

All Our Pretty Songs by Sarah McCarry. St. Martin’s Griffin, 2013. Currently Available.

Genre: Fantasy, Retelling

All Our Pretty SongsFace Value: At first I like it, the leaves and the font and everything, but when you look closer and see the floating girl I am less interested. But it could certainly be worse.

Does it Break the Slate? Yes. Our characters are flawed, but they are absolutely Slatebreakers. Aurora and our unnamed narrator are both devoted to each other, and that loyalty to their friendship results in absolutely Slatebreaking actions. I also think that the author’s exploration of the different ways each girl presents femininity adds to that as well

There are moments where these characters perform non-Slatebreaking actions, but my ultimate read on it after finishing the book was that it was part of a larger, Slatebreaking narrative.

Who would we give it to? I’d recommend this book to readers of Francesca Lia Block or Nova Ren Suma. The prose is beautiful, lyrical, and almost stream-of-consciousness at times, so if you like your narrative straightforward, this isn’t the book for you. But for readers who are willing to get lost in language as the story unfolds, this book will definitely have appeal.

Continue reading →

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Review: Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher

Posted on August 29, 2013 by Brianna

Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher. Delacorte, 2009. Currently available.

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

downloadFace Value: If it weren’t for the positive reviews of this book, I would never have picked it up. The cover has the whole floating head thing going on. It’s sexualized, which isn’t all bad because the story does explore aspects of teen sexuality. But truly, this book is about identity. The romance is just a small part of the book. I would like to see a cover that somehow addressed that theme.

Does it break the slate? Although Logan, the narrator, is not a Slatebreaker, he’s certainly a great example of someone who evolves and rejects past prejudices. Sage is a Slatebreaker, for sure. She’s risking everything to be herself. The novel itself is challenging norms of YA literature, too. Katcher tells the story of two teens navigating a romance that’s unlike anything they’ve ever experienced before. They struggle, and it can be painful to read, but that’s because these characters live in a world where they don’t have any examples of relationships beyond the heterosexual male-female pairing. Almost Perfect is a needed story in the YA canon because it shows another kind of relationship.

Who would we give it to? I’d give it to any reader who enjoys a love story. It’s not the typical sweet summer romance that we know and love. In fact, it’s quite a bit darker than that – but it would push readers to see love and friendship in a new light. Continue reading →

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