The Bad and the Ugly of YA Lit
“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” has a little bit of the good of contemporary young adult fiction, but way more of the bad and the flat out ugly.
Close Encounters of the Medieval Kind
“Eifelheim” is a very fine science fiction novel, and should be on the reading list of everyone interested in the interaction of medieval and modern philosophy, science, and even politics.
Scythe
Dignity and gravitas sound together to form the deep chords of this piece, and author Neal Shusterman is a somber organist.
The Prisoner of Alcatraz
If parents are looking for a story that will present a heroic role model for their boys to imitate, this is not the series for them.
A Post-Apocalyptic World of Dogs
This is the moral message of the book … don’t just think of yourself, don’t just let everyone do everything for you, combine self-reliance with care for others.
Ready Player One
The pros, in my opinion, far outweigh the cons. The book affirms the value of online social interaction as a step in the right direction if you’re living in a dystopia, but that reality is still best.
Die Hard, with Fairies (and Some Sketchy Elements)
In marketing terms, the books are brilliant, but like Artemis’s supposed wit, the brilliance is mostly superficial.
A Troubled Boy’s Search for Peace
Pax is not only an interesting read because of the characters’ personal journeys, but also because of the novel’s discussion of war and human nature.
As Brave as You
In the end, As Brave As You is a little bit disappointing because it doesn’t live up to what it could have been.
A Gripping Novel About Emotional Imprisonment
“The Warden’s Daughter” could be an excellent book to read and discuss, especially as to how or why it leaves the reader unsatisfied.