365 Days of Books

Clone Codes by Patricia C. McKissak asks us to examine our understanding of cloning from a civil rights angle. How much of a person must be unique dna or actual flesh and blood in order to be human? At what point do our basic human rights no longer apply? An interesting story but simply laid out without mystery.

For other books about these ideas see The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer and another book I'll name here after the boy wakes up and I can get in his room.

Hero Type by Barry Lyga sets before us a dramatic scene of something that we do daily. Each of us knows our inner weaknesses and reasons for action; we see our selves from the inside. What other people see of us is very different...shaded by their inner selves but not ours. Kevin intervenes in a kidnapping and saves beautiful Leah from a serious assault. He is considered a hero by not only Leah but the whole town. Kevin feels guilty and sick inside because he knows that his actions were only possible because he had done something creepy. Can he forget his previous actions and interest and move on from the hero position or will he have to expose his flaws in order to free himself. Not as clear or easy as you might think.

Ice by Sarah Beth Durst is Beauty and the Beast meets East and North Child with a modern setting. I did like the concept that the totem animals collect and implant the souls of their species and how important that could be to balance. I think that the story was rushed when it came to deepening Bear and Cassie's relationship. I love fantasy and I can feel a story very deepl;y and fall into the world of the story but it is very distracting when, as in in Ice, my brain keeps popping out of the story so I can roll my eyes at some ridiculous action or story twist.

Cherub - Mission 2 - The Dealer by Robert Muchamore is probably the last of this series that I will read. The plot was ridiculous and the relationship between James and his sister Lauren is thin and only pops up when it is convenient; there never seems to be any realy feeling or connection there. Anyway, this time the mission is about drugs and the SpyKids get to act as mules while trying to find the dealers and suppliers. I was bored.

Ironside by Holly Black is the third in the tale of a modern faery. The other two books are Tithe and Valiant. I think that Ironside has less violence/sex but it is still very dark. Pixie changeling Kaye declares her love for the faery prince Roiben. In order to keep her safe and out of the way, Roiben sends her on a seemingly impossible quest. Confused and hurt Kaye struggles to understand the task and Roiben's distance.

Linda Greenlaw is one of the best sea captains on the East coast. In The Hungry Ocean she tells of a season of fishing with its triumphs and hardship. She details the decisions about where, when, and how long to fish. She tells about the personal relationships and interactions on the ship without whitewashing herself.