UnWholly

UnWholly by Neal Shusterman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


If you loved Unwind like I did, you will not be disappointed with UnWholly.  Shusterman continues with the perspectives of Connor, Risa, and Lev, but adds a new dimension to the story with Starky, one of the "storked" kids. Storked kids are kids left on doorsteps who are slated for unwinding from the beginning.  When Starkey ends up at the AWOL camp, he decides he needs to become the AWOL leader and usurp Conner's power.  We are also introduced to "Cam," who is a Frankenstein creation of unwound body parts.  These characters add a new dimension to the book, but Shusterman keeps our involvement with the characters we know.  Readers need to read Unwind to really understand how the characters are related.  The action, like in Unwind, is intense. Teens will be begging for the the final installment of the trilogy.



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Dead End in Norvelt

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I wrote a nice review of this book already, but it was in odd moments during my day, and the network  bumped me off before I published.  Basically, I really liked this 2012 Newbery winner.  The main character is named Jack Gantos, the author's name, so you get the idea that it is more than a little autobiographical.  The Jack in the story gets "grounded for life" when he accidentally shoots a bullet from his father's Japanese rifle,and at his father's request, plows down his mother's cornfield.  He faces a pretty boring summer until his mother tells him he has to help arthritic Ms. Volker write the obituaries for the town.  She dictates and he types.  This act of service gets him involved in more adventure than he would ever find in a regular summer.  Truly a fun, fun read.  Might be nice book for our library group next year. 



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