Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

On the morning of January 23, 2012 in Dallas, Texas a room was filled with librarians, publishers, and interested folks, waiting in anticipation for the announcement of this year's American Library Association's Youth Media Awards. Teachers and school librarians unable to attend waited for the first announcements to reach us as we taught our students in schools around the U.S. One was the Michael L. Printz award.

The Michael L. Printz award is given each year to the book that exemplifies excellence in teen (YA) literature. This year the winner was Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley. Our 2012 Printz winner was also the recipient of another award - The William C. Morris award. This award is also for a YA book but by a debut author. John Corey Whaley is a debut author as this is his first published book. Congratulations to Mr. Whaley!

Winning the Printz award was reason enough for me to immediately begin reading it. Do NOT judge this book by it's cover. The cover would suggest that this book is about a woodpecker; yes, it is but it is much more than that.

Where Things Come Back has some bizarre twists and turns to the story. At times you may scratch your head and wonder what is going on. If you're an avid reader, you'll likely know that eventually the various threads that are woven will intertwine.

Cullen is a high school student living in a small town in Arkansas. The story opens with the death of his cousin. His aunt is devastated and Cullen has to identify the body. He manages that fine. Lily, AK is also a town in which a rare, thought-to-be extinct woodpecker, has been sighted. Bird watchers are descending on the town in hopes of seeing it. One morning Cullen awakes to find that his younger, fifteen year old brother is not home. Commotion ensues as his family tries to locate Gabriel but to no avail. Weeks pass, still no Gabriel. Cullen and his parents are frantic. The police have no leads. The case seems to be closed.

A parallel story also unfolds. Cabot Searcy is a college dropout seeking meaning to his life. He's a troubled young man seeking revenge for a lost love. That revenge takes him to Lily, AK where our two parallel stories begin to weave together.

A great read, a must read if you like to experience twisted tales with heartwarming endings.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

The Inheritance Series has given me a whole new perspective on books and fantasy. Paolini's complex world of mystical creatures is fascinating and exciting, with a gripping storyline and deep, involved characters. Once I start one of his novels, I am unable to put them down until I am finished.

Paolini's latest novel, Inheritance, the fourth in what was supposed to be a trilogy, carries on this tradition of fantastic storytelling. Picking up where Brisingr left off, Eragon continues and completes his journey towards Galbatorix. In this book, Paolini goes into great detail; you learn a lot about Roran, Angela, and Arya, and you are taken on many beautiful, fascinating side quests where you will become lost in Paolini's vivid imagery. Prepare for more awesome battles, exciting twists, an epic ending, and a new beginning that you won't want to miss.

Reviewed by BHS student M. Cromer

Persuasion by Jane Austen

The classic novel Persuasion, Jane Austen's final novel, is one every Austen addict will love. Although Austen's most popular work may be Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion has the same funny satire, interesting and at times crazy characters, and the same endearing romance, but with a different sense, maturity and wisdom. Persuasion is the story of a young girl, Anne, who falls in love with a man whom her family believes is below her. This man, Captain Wentworth, has no money and is of no status, so Anne is pushed by her family to turn down his marriage proposal, and she does. This is a choice she regrets the rest of her life, because even though she was young, in Anne's mind, Wentworth was and always will be her true love. Persuasion describes what it is like to put your family's wishes and desires for your life above your own, but also the hope of second chances, and it is a classic novel I would recommend to everyone who enjoyed Pride and Prejudice.

Reviewed by BHS student E. Kerr

The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis

The Screwtape Letters, written by C. S. Lewis, is a Christian satire about a senior demon named Screwtape who attempts to teach his younger apprentice, Wormwood, about how best to tempt humans. Originally published in 1942, this novel is not written in a traditional format, instead, it is written in the form of a letter. Each chapter is a letter written by Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood. This style of writing provides a more personal appeal in that it provides direct insight into what the senior demon in thinking and the topics he discusses. Addressing topics such as religion, war, love, and human pride, The Screwtape Letters should only be read by high schoolers who are able to understand the complex connotations attached to these topics. Each topic Screwtape addresses is meant to make the reader question their own beliefs on these specific topics as well. This 175 page book is not action packed or filled with crime or adventure. Instead, The Screwtape Letters is a novel written to make its reader think about his or her attitude towards certain topics such as religion, love, war, and to their pride.

Reviewed by BHS student J. Birney

Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

Billy sat awaiting his death, a place and time he'd been before. What if life and time weren't linear? What if your life was just a combination of different events which you could travel back and forth through, always in a different order, but always the same; would you ever really die? In the novel Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut, the author opposes war by mixing his own facts with fiction in a psychological journey which will warp your mind and leave you asking "what just happened?"

Vonnegut's fictitious protagonist named Billy Pilgrim is a mundane character who lives through World War II and the bombing of Dresden. Vonnegut hides himself within Billy so he may tell his own story in a less invasive way. He creates a strange life for Billy in which he is abducted by aliens to discover what humans don't understand of life. This novel will teach you of life and of death, and make you grateful for the life you have. If you enjoy reading between the lines and reading to your subconscious, then this novel is definitely for you. Don't let the title scare you off, I guarantee it's not what you think.

Reviewed by BHS student R. Wehrly

Native Son by Richard Wright

Not only is Richard Wright’s novel Native Son a classic that has been known to appear on the A.P. Literature Exam frequently, but I also found it to be a captivating, page-turning, overall fantastic book. Although its length is a little intimidating at first, as soon as you begin reading, it is nearly impossible to stop.

The novel opens with an African-American twenty-year-old, Bigger Thomas, that has his priorities more than just a little mixed up. After committing many violent crimes, one good thing finally comes his way: he is given a job as a chauffeur for a well-off white family. On his very first day, instead of taking the daughter Mary to the university as he is told, she directs him to pick up her Communist boyfriend. They drink all night, and they make-out in the backseat of the car while Bigger drives and tries not to stare. When they finally come home late at night, Bigger has to carry her to her room because she is so drunk she cannot even stand, let alone walk. While he is setting her down in her bed, Mary’s blind mother comes in to check on her. To keep her quiet, Bigger holds a pillow over her head. This innocent act turns into one that Bigger will regret for the rest of his life, as he accidentally smothers Mary. In a state of panic, the only thing he can think to do is dispose of the body. From then on, he lives a life on the run. He runs from the law, from the truth, and from his own guilt.

If you have some time that you would like to spend reading a great book, do not waste your time searching for a book that may or may not be good. Read a book that I guarantee you is fantastic and study for the A.P. English Exam too while your heart pounds with the suspense and thrill of Native Son.

Reviewed by BHS student L. Gilbert

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Horror stories come in many different forms. There are the few that have to do with real life situations, and there are the few that are supernatural gems in the gothic genre. Most can appear to be corny and lame and while they exhibit somewhat terrifying happenings, they tend to overplay the usage of the forces of darkness. It is the stories with the subtlety of the black magic that can really paint a lovely picture (in a rather grotesque manner, but you get the idea).

This is especially true in the case of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Indeed a lovely picture is painted within the very context of art itself. The story does not have a specific main character, however it has its protagonist; obviously known as Dorian Gray. Dorian is an astonishingly beautiful young piano player who exhibits the ideals of picturesque beauty and youth. Basil Hallward, a painter creates a portrait of Dorian Gray which is a subject of envy to Dorian. He becomes depressed knowing that he will age and his beauty will fade while the picture will stay young forever. His wish to bask in the never aging world like the painting comes true, and the burden of the things going on in his life will take its toll upon the painting. The story holds some blandness because it was written in the 1800s, however there are many scenes that withhold an essence of pure drama. Most of the drama is created by a very emotional Dorian Gray, who makes the book a little bit of a page turner. With its flamboyancy and ornate detail and description, The Picture of Dorian Gray is an imaginary painting on its own; a dramatic masterpiece.

Reviewed by BHS student S. Meyers

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Having an interest in suspenseful mysteries I was not one to pick up a heartfelt and quirky novel; but once i picked the book up I simply couldn't set it down.Life comes at us with full force; unrelenting and persistent. Obstacles are often thrown into our lives, in ways where we cannot deviate from them. Who knew that such an obstacle would be one’s own skin color. In the novel, The Help, Kathryn Stockett not only writes from the perspective of the Southern maids, but also a young writer. Stockett moves her audience with this inspirational story.

Narrarated by three strong female leads, I believe is what truly sets this book apart from all others. Each one facing problems head on, without so much as a complaint. In life we don't get to pick and choose the horrific things we face, all we can do is stay confident and true until the "storm" passes through. Minny, Skeeter, and Aibileen risk everthing they have ever worked for to essentially, stand up for their rights and what they believe. Day after day Aibileen, Minny, and the rest of the black community took a back burner to everything the world had to offer, even though they worked just as hard if not harder than the others. Skeeter a young white writer, would soon change this.

This novel is inspirational, exciting, and hilarious. If you haven't picked it up yet, you should!

Reviewed by BHS student H. Geddes

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

In the face of oppression one must find strength from within. Alice Walker's novel, The Color Purple, explores the extensive and courageous journey of finding yourself when all your life you have been the subject of abuse.

The Color Purple begins with fourteen year old Celie writing a letter to God about her father's haunting abuse. Being married off at a very young age, she is forced to take care of children who will never be hers. Throughout her journey Celie continues to write to God about the everyday trials she must endure. Celie's only hope is in her sister Nettie who one day disappears from her life. As she grows older she eventually befriends her husband's mistress, Shug, who shows her that everyone deserves love. As Celie makes lasting friendships with the different women in her life, she learns that not only is her abuse wrong, but that she deserves to have a better life which she never imagined.

Through the examples of the strong women in Celie's life not only is she able to overcome her own abuse, but she becomes a beacon of hope for others. The Color Purple is a story of tenacity, proving to each reader that strength comes from within, and anyone can change a life. This is a captivating novel for those with an interest in feminist ideas, abuse or cultural differences, which will open your eyes to the world around you.

Reviewed by BHS student CJ Maliszewski

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson is back in Rick Riordan's new book, The Son of Neptune, about a group of demigod friends in the modern world. Once again Percy is called on to save the world, but instead of at his former Greek demigod home, Camp Half-Blood, he finds himself at a Roman demigod camp without his memory. With his new Roman demigod friends, Hazel and Frank, Percy sets out to regain his memory and save the world. The Son of Neptune has three narrators, Percy, Hazel, and Frank. While it's helpful to see inside all of the character's heads and learn their secrets, the switches often just caused the story to be fragmented and confusing. Don't get me wrong, I loved the book. I absolutely couldn't stop reading, but this new book just didn't live up to it's prequels. Riordan has a great sense of humor, which was apparent in this book. “They're Lares. House gods. House gods," Percy said. "Like...smaller than real gods, but larger than apartment gods?” The nonstop battles with ancient monsters, funny jokes, and interesting characters make this a great book to read, if you can get past the switching narrators.

Reviewed by BHS student H. Brenner

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

A man stood on top of a crate as white men around him called out prices. He was poked and examined from head to toe. His family had been taken from him and he had nothing left to call his own. To America, he was property, he was worthless. This was the life of the African American slave in the 1800s. This issue, over the treatment of slaves, was the one that divided our country and led us into the Civil War.

In 1851, Harriet Beecher Stowe published Uncle Tom's Cabin, this book that changed America's view of slavery once and for all. Stowe tells the tale of two sets of characters in her novel, both the tales of slaves and their many hardships. The story is mainly focused on Tom, a highly religious slave who is sold many places around the South. Yet, through kind masters and harsh masters, Tom keeps his faith and strength. He never once complains in the novel and remains devout and loyal to all his masters. Through Tom, Stowe reveals the horrors of slavery. She shows that even though Tom did everything his masters asked of him, he was still mistreated. In contrast, Stowe's second story revolves around a family of runaway slaves. Though this family faces many trials and hardships on their flight to freedom, they never lose sight of their goal. Through this family Stowe shows that through perseverance, goals can be reached, despite one's standing in the world.

Stowe uses vivid description and imagery to place the reader in the lives of each slave in her story. This book appeals to the reader's emotion causing them to feel each whip lash and harsh word as a slave would feel it. Stowe reveals this horrific time in our history reminding us that even though it's in the past, it's not forgotten. If you are someone who enjoys history, and experiencing new points of view, this book is for you!

Reviewed by BHS student N. Nollan

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

In the coming-of-age novel What Happened to Goodbye, Sarah Dessen draws the reader into the story through her extremely relatable characters. The story revolves around a teenage girl, named Mclean Sweet, who has experienced a horrible divorce between her parents. The divorce was a result of her mother’s affair with a famous basketball coach, who had also previously been her father’s idol. Mclean’s father is involved in the restaurant business and is constantly moving which allows Mclean to become another person in each town they travel to. When Mclean and her father move to Lakeview, Mclean is finally able to find herself through the other relatable characters that Dessen develops in the novel.

I would recommend this novel, or any other novel by Sarah Dessen, to any teenage girl anywhere. It is a fun and comforting read that a high school girl will be able to relate to through the diverse characters that Dessen establishes.

Reviewed by BHS student J. Provenzola