Blood Gold
by Michael Cadnum
Published 2004 by Viking Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 067005884X

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Jacket Notes:

The rush to the gold fields of California is on in the lawless year of 1849. But Will Dwinelle is not in search of gold in California. He's out to find and bring home the man who betrayed the honor of a girl back home.

06/01/2004 REVIEW: School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-Willie Dwinelle has a score to settle with Ezra Nevin. Ezra not only compromised Willie's friend Elizabeth, but also left her unwed to go in search of gold. Always wanting to do what's right, Willie and his friend Ben leave Pennsylvania and set off for California in search of gold, and for Ezra. Their adventure begins in the Panama jungle, which they must walk across to reach the boat destined for San Francisco. There, they confront disease, thievery, bribery, and death. Halfway through the journey, Ben abandons Willie to pursue promises of wealth with a family of actors and romance with their beautiful daughter. Uncertain of their honesty and committed to his quest, "Reverend Willie" carries on to the hills of California in the company of new friends. Finally, he catches up with Ezra but instead of confronting him about Elizabeth, he is forced to face down Ezra's killer. Cadnum has an uncanny ability to formulate character descriptions through creative analogies and well-thought-out first-person perspectives. This novel is fast paced, and although it is peppered with numerous people and places, the narration is easy to follow. Additionally, the well-realized settings, which range from remote wildernesses to sprawling cities, create colorful backdrops for Willie's adventure. An enticing read.-Kimberly Monaghan, formerly at Vernon Area Public Library, IL

Among the Impostors: A Sequel to Among the Hidden
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Published 2001 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0689839049

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Jacket Notes:

In this sequel to "Among the Hidden", Luke Gardner is enrolled under a fake identity at Hendricks School for Boys, and there's nowhere to hide. Luke feels lost and terrified until he discovers an unlocked door to the outside. Can he conquer his fear of being identified to find out the truth?

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 06/11/2001

Continuing the story of Luke Garner, a third child born under a futuristic government that only allows two children per family, this sequel to Among the Hidden picks up with Luke finally out of hiding and going to boarding school under an assumed identity. While Haddix is often able to capture the suspense of her earlier work, this installment gets mired in too many confusing details, and the conclusion is flimsy. As Luke's initial bewilderment at Hendricks School for Boys subsides, he begins to notice that some students behave strangely some appear to respond to several different names, and others are constantly holding themselves, rocking. When he discovers a bunch of other "exnays," or third children, meeting in the woods, he hopes that he's finally found a community where he belongs. But Luke is still frightened of being turned over to the Population Police should he trust these kids with his true identity? The descriptions of the school, windowless and built like a labyrinth, combined with accounts of obtuse school staff, give Haddix's story the appropriate nightmarish quality, and readers will understand Luke's constant feelings of anxiety. Other plot points are harder to follow, such as the confusing test the exnays put new kids through to see if they are third children. In the end, Mr. Hendricks, the school's founder, shows up to shed light on all the mysteries, but his explanations are less than believable, and questions left unanswered point too obviously to another sequel. Ages 9-14. (June)

07/01/2001 REVIEW: School Library Journal

Gr 5-7-Luke, a third child, hides quietly in his house, eluding the Population Police because he lives in a society in which families are only allowed two children. Now he has a chance to come out of the shadows by taking on an assumed identity and leaving home. This sequel to Among the Hidden (S & S, 1998) has Luke, now Lee, entering the Hendricks School for boys and a completely new existence where he feels lost and confused by his surroundings. He has gone from a furtive solitary existence to one in which he is never alone, from being desperate for company to being hazed by his classmates, particularly his roommate, "the Jackal." Lee learns to cope with the changes before him by escaping through the door to the outside. The story is artfully told with suspense and interesting twists. As Lee's confusion dissipates, readers begin to see what is going on. Lee is a fully realized character, developing courage and a true sense of self. Peripheral characters are not as fully developed, serving solely to further the story. Repeated references to Jen, another third child from the first book and martyr to all third children, may cause readers to wonder what they have missed. By the end of the story, the main character evolves into "L" and the author has created the possibility for another sequel. This compelling read can be enjoyed alone but it's sure to leave readers wanting to know the whole story.-Susan M. Moore, Louisville Free Public Library, KY

Nailed
by Patrick Jones
Published 2006 by Walker & Company

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0802780776

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Jacket Notes:

The nail that sticks out farthest gets hammered the hardest.

Flint Southwestern High School is run by a cult: the jockarchy. And Bret Hendricks could never fit into their conformity cult. Bret doesn't mind standing out from the crowd when he's on stage acting or singing in his band. And he feels at home in his funky girlfriend's arms because sticking out together doesn't seem as hard.

But loyalties aren't what Bret thinks they are, as his safe havens seem to disappear one by one, and he learns that sometimes you just have to risk getting hammered in order to build a great future.

For any teen who feels that standing out is harder than just conforming. Patrick Jones's second novel nails the real truth about the high price of hiding one's true self.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 04/17/2006

Jones's (Things Change ) forthright, message-driven novel explores the relationship between teasing and school violence. Sixteen-year-old Bret's life is becoming intolerable, both at home and school. He's ignored at home for not being just like his older brother (who "does oil changes for a living"), and tormented at school for not being a jock. Bret, who narrates, is not interested in working on cars or playing sports. Instead he'd rather act onstage or make music with his band, Radio-Free Flint (inspired by "hometown antihero Michael Moore"). As he grows frustrated at being harassed by the school's bully, he writes an essay expressing empathy towards the Columbine gunmen: "I... pointed out that how they had been treated at their school was wrong, too. I said they were the first victims." Teens will applaud Bret's spunk as he goes up against the school principal. But life takes a turn for the worse when Bret sees his girlfriend making love with bandmate Sean and reacts with violence, a response he's been taught to abhor. Eventually, with the aid of his father (who has a rather abrupt change of heart), Bret makes amends with Sean. Through the first-person narrative, readers see Bret's shortcomings and his struggle to fit in where he feels like an outsider. At times, however, it seems as though the author has set up his characters to serve his issues, even if his message is one that teens in a similar situation may find beneficial. Ages 14-up.(Apr.)

05/01/2006 REVIEW: School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up -Bret does most things the hard way, according to his father, and the teen is sure his dad hates him. He-s more interested in acting than sports and covers his long green-tinted hair with a fedora. It takes Bret most of his junior year to understand what his dad always told him: -the nail that sticks out the farthest gets hammered hardest- as he struggles to deal with the -jockarchy- at school and their constant taunts (mostly being called a faggot or a homo because he-s a born artist). As in Jones-sThings Change (Walker 2004), the father/son relationship is central to this story. While readers may feel a bit hit over the head with the nail imagery, tension and frustration build naturally. Subplot relationships are believable and well developed, such as tender sexual moments with Kylee, Bret-s girlfriend, and language is realistically raw to reflect Bret-s anger and frustration. Issues of free speech, conformity, and the power of the in-crowd all surround Bret as he begins to buck the school-s establishment and to stand up for himself. References to pop culture such as WWF,The Green Mile , and Austin Powers will attract many teens. Without being too preachy, Jones gives Bret several mentors: his theater teacher, his school counselor, and, yes, even parents, who help him sort out the roller-coaster ride of his life.-Kelly Czarnecki, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg, NC

Be Healthy! It's a Girl Thing: Food, Fitness, and Feeling Great
by Lillian Wai-Yin Cheung
Published 2003 by Crown Publishers

Library Binding, English. ISBN: 0679990291

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Jacket Notes:

Mavis Jukes is here to help girls learn how to be healthy so they can stay healthy. Be Healthy! targets what girls need to know in order to achieve an active lifestyle and how to avoid the pitfalls of body image issues. Readers will find basic nutritional information; ideas for safe exercising; tips on how to eat right no matter where they are; and lots of other kid-specific information--all written with the author's trademark energy and enthusiasm.

"From the Trade Paperback edition.

12/01/2003 REVIEW: School Library Journal

Gr 5-9-This upbeat book offers girls going through puberty advice on nutrition, fitness, self-image, and appearance. The authors claim that following their Cactus Plan, which is largely based on the food pyramid model, will increase energy and concentration, improve sports ability, reduce stress, and improve one's looks. Readers are encouraged to take charge of their choices, and to recognize marketing gimmicks. The plan offers a balanced diet along with guidelines for physical activity, hydration, and rest. Most adolescents will need a support network of family and friends to make these ideas a reality, but the book offers the inspiration to get started and sufficient information for reference along the way. "You can do it!" is the battle cry. Tina Schwager and Michele Schuerger's The Right Moves: A Girl's Guide to Getting Fit and Feeling Good (Free Spirit, 1998) includes more direct information on improving self-image, including journaling activities, as well as more specifics on exercise and fitness, but speaks to the same audience and goal.-Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS