Thomas Caplan’s romp has one thing that I’m not sure any other spy novel can claim — an introduction by Bill Clinton. Turns out they met as freshmen at Georgetown, were later roommates, and Clinton advised Caplan on this novel early in the editing process, since they have always been fellow devotees of the spy [...]
Alex Gilvarry’s first novel is darkly funny, yet deadly serious. It reflects both his experience living in New York City post-911, his obsession with Guantanamo Bay, and a deep interest in celebrity. A brief yet telling interview with the author is available on NPR, and Penguin offers discussion questions. GILVARRY, Alex. From the Memoirs of [...]
The Magicians won Lev Grossman both the Alex Award and the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. While this sequel may not be as perfectly attuned to teen readers, his fans will hardly mind. By the way, when it comes to books with teen appeal, the John W. Campbell Award is a good [...]
Books as salvation. Literature as inspiration. An homage filled with references to children’s books. Sounds like a perfect read for book lovers. The Borrower also works for teens, perhaps especially teens who were recently voracious readers of children’s books. But the appeal goes beyond that — it’s also a road trip novel and a coming-of-age (as [...]
Laura Harrington’s debut novel makes a powerful anti-war statement, while being entirely supportive of the families personally involved. Alice Bliss is a teenager whose world is turned upside down when her father’s army reserve unit is called up for active duty in Iraq. I will admit that there came a point when I had to put [...]
Although The Price of Stones was released last summer, I did not want to miss posting a review. Twesigye Jackson Kaguri continues to speak around the country about the founding of the Nyaka AIDS Orphans School, as his website attests. He emphasizes the difference that one person can make, a powerful message for active, aware teens. KAGURI, [...]
A Thousand Cuts was one of the most powerful books I read in 2010. Still, I went back and forth on whether to recommend it here, wondering whether it might be too disturbing for young adults. Considering the number of books published over the last several years that address school shootings, many written for the [...]
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