Review of Bumped by Megan McCafferty

Imagine a world where society encourages teenaged girls to get pregnant, as early and often as possible. This is the world of Bumped by Megan McCafferty. The Human Progressive Sterility Virus has made a majority of adults sterile. In order to perpetuate the human race, teenagers must reproduce. Melody Mayflower is a star in this world - sixteen, tall, blond, beautiful, athletic, intelligent, artistic, socially conscious. Melody has signed an exclusive contract to reproduce for a couple named the Jaydens receiving full college tuition, a Volkswagon plug, a postpartum tummy trim, and a six-figure signing bonus. She is simply waiting for the Jaydens to select someone for her to “bump” with. Her life is proceeding as planned until her identical twin sister Harmony, adopted by an ultra-religious family, decides to reconnect. Raised in a church compound, Harmony was supposed to marry at 13, but things didn’t work out. Wearing an ankle-length, long-sleeved, high-necked dress and a veil, she arrives on Melody’s doorstep in order to help her find God.


Both girls find out a lot about themselves. Despite their very different upbringings, they are alike in more ways than they imagined. How much of who we are is determined by DNA and how much by environment? That is one of many topics this novel examines. McCafferty creates a dystopian not-too-distant future that manages to seem futuristic, yet familiar. She creates slang that sounds completely natural, and technology, including the MiNet which connects everyone at all times through contact lenses and earbuds, which seems like it might be right around the corner.

The novel ends with something of a cliff-hanger. Perhaps the author wants the reader to decide the ending for him/herself, or maybe there’s a sequel in the making. I hope it’s the latter. This novel is thoroughly enjoyable - funny, touching, and thought-provoking. It should be a big hit with teenaged girls. School libraries should be aware, however, that this novel does deal with sex, and although slangy euphemisms are used in most instances, some readers (or their parents) might find language or topic offensive.

Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King: A Review

I nearly gave up on this collection of stories during the first one, “1922.” This tale of a farmer who puts his love of the land above everything else was a bit too graphic for my taste (let’s just say there are rats – lots of rats!). His life spirals downward into despair with such unrelenting determination that I just hoped he’d die and be done with it. The other three stories, however, were classic Stephen King.


In “Big Driver,” a write of cozy mysteries finds that she has more strength and will than she ever thought possible. “Fair Extension” portrays the usual “deal with the devil” concept as a man regains his health and tragedy after tragedy befalls his life-long friend. The interesting twist to this tale is the impact this has on the character that has made the deal. King doesn’t rely on the trite traditions of these tales. The final story, “A Good Marriage,” was my favorite. What happens when a wife discovers, after 27 years or marriage, that her husband is not the man she though?

These tales may not have the same strength as some of his earlier short works, but they will keep you turning the pages. Young adult readers who enjoy King’s work will enjoy these works too, although his novels and short stories which feature young people were always the most popular with students in my library. For those worried about challenges, this work does not contain anything not found in previous King publications; there is violence, sex, and the supernatural, but, hey, he’s a horror writer after all.

Art and Oppression: A Review of Clara and Mr. Tiffany: A Novel by Susan Vreeland

Clara and Mr. Tiffany tells the tale of Clara Driscoll, who works for Louis Comfort Tiffany designing windows, lamps, and mosaics. The novel gives a comprehensive view of Tiffany’s production from the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago to 1908. It also allows the reader to become immersed in New York City of the same period. It demonstrates the oppression suffered by immigrants, women, and minorities. It also gives a view of the opulent lifestyles of the wealthy during this period.


Clara designs many of Tiffany’s most famous works, and she revels in each triumph of art and beauty. Her personal life, however, is a series of tragedies beginning with the death of her first husband, who was less than her perfect mate, to the disappearance of her second love, and the deaths of close friends.

The endless descriptions of glass, windows, and works of art become a bit tedious in this book, but the events of the outside world generally compensate. Vreeland mentions a number of famous people, but Clara never has the opportunity to actually meet any of them. She does do a nice job of describing the New York City of the time and of creating a complete picture of the lives available for women in the period.

Fear and Loathing in the Library

Apologies to the late Hunter S. Thompson, but that is the best term I can find to describe my reaction to President Obama’s budget proposal. His proposed budget, which the Republicans don’t feel is nearly draconian enough, would eliminate all funds for the Improving Literacy for School Libraries grant program, the only federal funding for school libraries. With state budgets in crisis, this almost ensures that school libraries will receive little or no funding for the next school year. In Oklahoma this year, schools are not required to expend any funds for library materials or equipment. The same will be true for next school year. The state legislature also attempted to exempt them from having certified school librarians, but a last minute lobbying effort saved those positions. Chances are excellent that legislation to eliminate school librarians will be proposed again during this legislative session.


Do politicians, both at the state and national level, have no idea what a school librarian does? I believe they have a mental image of a lady in sensible shoes with a bun and glasses sitting behind a desk all day and stamping books. They need to spend a day in a school library and see what takes place. School librarians are teaching digital literacy – showing students how to find relevant, reliable information online; instructing students on how to stay safe online and avoid jeopardizing their own privacy; using Web 2.0 tools to promote literacy; creating book trailer videos; showing students how to use publishing tools; collaborating with teachers to make assignments more relevant…. Oh, and occasionally, they do check out a book, as well as selecting appropriate materials for their collections, cataloging them, and promoting them.

School libraries are also the only source of not just books, but also computer access for many poor students. It seems we are entering an age where the only concern is to hold onto every cent you have and the only response to those less fortunate is scorn. Of course, some of these poor kids may be lucky enough to have a public library near where they live. Of course, the Obama budget proposal is also cutting funds for those. The Institute of Museum and Library Services would receive $23.3 million less, and the Library Services and Technology Act would get $122.3 million less.

I’m lucky enough to have the money to buy the books I want to read and to have Internet access at home. I feel, however, that it’s important for those who aren’t so fortunate to have access to those things. That’s why I am contacting my Senators and Representatives and telling them library funding is important, both for schools and for communities. Maybe you should do the same thing.

History, Love, and What’s Lost: A Review of The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise: A Novel by Julia Stuart

I hate to gush, but I LOVED this book. Laugh-out-loud funny, sweet, sad, and hopeful, Stuart’s novel takes us into the lives of residents of the Tower of London and the London Underground. Balthazar Jones has lost his will to be a beefeater. He no longer cares about the pickpockets or wants to inform the tourists of the Towers long and colorful history. Since the loss of his only child, Milo, all Balthazar cares about is rain. He is cataloging rain, in a collection of Egyptian perfume bottles and has lost all interest in his career, his wife, and his life. Out of the blue, he is contacted by the palace and asked to become the keeper of Her Majesty’s menagerie, which will be reinstalled at the Tower to increase tourism.


Meanwhile, his wife, Hebe, is also overcome with grief. Yet, she continues to pride herself on her job of reuniting people with their lost objects in the London Underground Lost Property Office. Added to this mix are a minister whose obsession is killing mice; a barkeeper who finds herself with an unwelcome addition to the family; a woman who falls in love with a heavily tattooed, vertically challenged Underground worker; the Ravenmaster; and a collection of historic spirits.

This book is part fable, part love story, part comedy or errors, and all wonderful. I would highly recommend The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise

Would You by Marthe Jocelyn and Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham: Reviews

In Would You by Marthe Jocelyn, a Sequoyah Award nominee for high school, Natalie and her friends play an endless game of “Would you rather…” – “Would you rather lose all of your hair or all of your teeth?” They also engage in pool hopping, finding swimming pools in backyards and taking a quick dip before being caught by the owners. They work summer jobs, and bicycle around town. All of that changes when Natalie’s older sister Claire is hit by a car.


Natalie and her friends are likeable, believable characters. They are not the coolest kids in school and they aren’t troubled. This novel takes the reader inside a normal family in crisis. It also allows us to see how an average girl reacts to extraordinary circumstances.

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer is John Grisham’s first attempt at young adult literature. Although only 13, Theo Boones is something of a legal expert. The child or lawyers, he has been raised around the courthouse and is very knowledgeable about the legal system. He even provides free legal advice for students in his class at school.

In this novel, Theo is excited about being able to watch the proceedings of a murder trial. This is, by far, the most sensational trial Theo has ever been able to witness. During the proceedings, Theo becomes privy to information about the murder that is not known by the attorneys or the judge. He has to determine how to protect his source without letting a cold-blooded killer go free.

This book will grow on you. Initially, I felt that the legal information might be boring to young readers, but soon the characters, particularly Theo, and the murder trial will catch your attention and keep you reading.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth: A Review

I'd never have believed that I'd love a dystopian action/adventure/love story with zombies, but I did! The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (Delacorte, 2009) is set in a future world where things have gone terribly wrong. Mary lives in a small village surround by the Forest of Hands and Teeth. The forest is populated by thee Unconsecrated whose constant hunger for human flesh leaves them futilely shaking the fences around the village and moaning. The Unconsecrated are a constant threat. If one of them bites you, infection will course through your body causing illness, death, and return as one of them. Society survives in this village because of the Sisterhood, who makes all rules, and the Guardians, who patrol the fence line and ensure that the boundary is maintained.


Mary has reached the marrying age and is hoping that Travis will ask for her, but marriage in her village is about civic responsibility, not love. Instead of Travis, it is his brother Harry who asks for Mary. She never has a chance to tell him whether she will accept since her mother becomes infected by the Unconsecrated. Mary believes her mother has intentionally allowed this to happen so that she can join her husband who was lost to the forest some time ago. Mary finds herself alone when her mother becomes Unconsecrated and her brother refuses to take her in. She is forced to go to live with the Sisterhood.

Mary’s independent spirit and her faith that there is still a world outside the village lead her into a number of difficult situations. Will she be able to survive? Will she be able to be with Travis? Will the Unconsecrated once and for all eliminate civilization? The Forest of Hands and Teeth keeps you turning the pages to find out.