Right Behind You by Gail Giles

Age Level: Teen
Format: Book


"There are three things you need to know about me," he said.
"First, you don't know my real name. 
"Second, I murdered somebody once.
"Third . . . well, maybe number three can wait.  Until you read this."
And he was gone.  Down the stairs into the dark and rain.

When Kip was nine, and living in the Alaskan wilderness with his father, he set another child on fire.  Now, after years of living in a juvenile ward, he and his family are trying for a second start at life.  But the ghosts of his past will not leave him alone and he soon has to reveal his secret.  What happens to Kip and his family when he finally reveals that he really is - or was - a murderer?

Let me start off by saying that if you've read other books by Gail Giles, this one is a little different.  With this book, the crime's at the beginning rather than the end.

It's an amazing portrayal of the humanity of someone who has committed an inhuman act.  The story is riveting.  Kip's movement from first, rage to redemption is an amazing ride.  I found myself rooting for Kip, wanting him to finally lay his demons to rest so he could move on with his life and find happiness, or if not happiness, then at the very least, acceptance of who he is and what he did. 

You move through the stages of his life with him - first in Alaska where the incident happened.  Then in the juvenile ward where he's first catatonic and then as he starts dealing with the issues in his therapy sessions.  From there you move with Kip and his family to Indiana where he has the chance to finally live a relatively normal life, but that slips away.  Finally, you move with Kip and his family to Texas.  It's his last chance to make things right.

This was an amazing story.  Once I started, I couldn't put it down. 

Reviewed by Sara.

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher

Age Level: Teens

Format: Book

Sarah Byrnes and Eric Calhoune have been friends for years. Growing up, they were outcasts with no one to turn to but each other. The terrible scars covering Sarah's body coupled with the fact that Eric was an obese child made them prime picking for tormentors in school. Later, even though Eric began swimming which causes the pounds to melt away, Sarah and Eric remain close friends. Now, when Sarah is sitting silent in the hospital's psychiatric ward, Eric begins to try to unravel Sarah's secrets...before even worse things happen.

This is only the second Crutcher book that I've read (the other being The Sledding Hill), but just like the other, from page one, I was hooked. I was thrust into the mind of Eric, seeing the interactions of his peers and listening to his thoughts and worries about Sarah. There is action and suspense in this book, however, the main focus is on the relationship between Sarah Byrnes and Eric and his hunt to find the answers to the questions swirling through his mind...Why has Sarah Byrnes suddenly gone catatonic in a Spokane mental ward? How can he help if he's not really sure why she's there? Are Sarah's secrets striking her dumb? Would her father kill to keep the secrets from being revealed?

Now, this book might not be for everyone. There are religious elements and discussion between the characters within the book as well as discussion of abortion and suicide. For these reasons, this book may not be for everyone, but I would recommend this book.

Crutcher has an amazing ability to pull the best from each character while still showing their faults. The themes of pain and retribution, love and abandonment, and the struggle to understand one's self are universal. Crutcher's story is engrossing because of his ability to show both the pain and the humor of being an outsider.

Reviewed by Sara.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Age Level: Children
Format: Unabridged Book on CD

Reader: Jim Dale

 

 

Let me begin my review by saying that I am an avid listener to audio books.  I unfortunately don’t get a lot of time to read novels, so when I am driving in my car I listen to novels.  In a year, I will listen to 30 or 40 audio books.  

 

However, no listening experience of any novel compares to the reading of Jim Dale of the Harry Potter series.  It has been a complete delight to listen to these novels over the years as read by this very talented and gifted performer.

 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows completes this series and the reading by Jim Dale is again extraordinary.  He has created a new voice for each and every character in the story.  An immense achievement in reading, considering the hundreds of voices he has had to work with over the past years.

 

How do you review the story?  It is as gripping as any other of the books.  Revelations come fast and furious, especially on the later CD’s when the battle which we have been waiting for finally appears to be forthcoming.  It is the type of story which makes you drive one more time around the block because you don’t want to turn the car off yet.

 

This is the most adult of the books in the series.  Harry has some moments of childish indecision, but for the most part he is coming into his adult hood and his experiences are processed as an adult.  Jim Dale reads his character with all the confusion and angst of  the late teenage years  but with an understanding of his characters.  

 

The series is a true masterpiece of the audio book genre.  If you have not experienced an audio book before, this series is the perfect introduction.  If you have read the books, the audio books give you a whole new perception of the story.  Can you tell I like them?

 

Reviewed by Rob Lesher

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Age Level: Teen
Format: Book

**Warning: May contain spoilers**

We’re a bit sensitive to blood around here. I’m sure you can understand that. — Bella Swan

In Eclipse, the third book in Stephenie Meyer’s Isabella Swan series, Seattle is being ravaged by a string of mysterious murders and it seems that a malicious vampire is on a rampage looking for revenge.  If that wasn’t enough drama, the time has come for Bella to choose and she knows that whatever decision she makes, it has the potential to ignite the ageless struggles between werewolf and vampire.  Who will Bella choose – Edward, the vampire and love of her life or Jacob, her best friend and werewolf?  Will her decision be one of life – or death?

I enjoy Stephenie Meyer’s books.  I’ve read both Twilight and New Moon numerous times.  Her characters have the ability to suck (no pun intended) you into their world.  You view the world through Bella’s eyes and it’s easy to understand why she is in love with Edward and why she would have such a hard decision to make between the love of her life and her best friend.  Now, I will admit that I am probably more of a Jacob fan than Edward, but they’re both pretty awesome guys – once you get past the whole vampire and werewolf thing.

From page one of Eclipse I was once again drawn into the world of Forks, Washington and was not able to come up for air until I finished the book.  I think my favorite part of Eclipse is the final chapter, I won’t tell you what happens, but just note that it’s different from the rest of the book and it leaves me wondering about how book four (supposedly the final book in the series) is going to evolve.  Next year can’t come soon enough!

Do you ever think that your life might be easier if you weren’t in love with me? — Edward Cullen

Reviewed by: Sara