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Display This: Canada and Mexico

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Another installment of Display This for this week, and this time, we’re taking a trip north and south of the United States — we’re heading to Canada and then down to Mexico. We’ve already been to Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand. There are tons of books set in these locations, so limiting was difficult, but as in other posts, the parameters include books set primarily in these countries, limiting to first books in a series, limiting to fictional titles, and limiting to one book per author. All of these books are ones available easily in the US, as well. Descriptions come from WorldCat, since there are many titles I’ve not personally read. As always, feel free to steal my list for your own use (just credit me) and please chime in with other titles that fit the bill.


First stop: Canada!

Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots by Abby McDonald: Seventeen-year-old Jenna, an ardent vegetarian and environmentalist, is thrilled to be spending the summer communing with nature in rural Canada, until she discovers that not all of the rugged residents there share her beliefs.

Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel: In 1973, when a renowned Canadian behavioral psychologist pursues his latest research project– an experiment to determine whether chimpanzees can acquire advanced language skills– he brings home a baby chimp named Zan and asks his thirteen-year-old son to treat Zan like a little brother.

Maybe Never, Maybe Now by Kimberly Joy Peters: Sixteen-year old Caitlyn wants to forget the abusive relationship with her ex-boyfriend, but she is still dealing with the psychological damage. When she and best-friend Conner become exchange students to Quebec, she thinks this may help her start afresh. But she is still plagued by her fears and insecurities.

Lure by Deborah Kerbel: Max Green’s parents have just uprooted their family from Vancouver to the suburbs of Toronto, he has no friends, everybody at his new high school is ignoring him, and he’s in love with an older girl who’s completely out of his league. When Max discovers a local library rumored to be haunted by ghosts, he’s immediately drawn to it. With the help of some cryptic messages, he pieces together the identity of the teenage ghost and the mysterious chain of events that have connected its spirit to the building for over a century.

The Uninvited by Tim Wynne-Jones: After a disturbing freshman year at New York University, Mimi is happy to get away to her father’s remote Canadian cottage only to discover a stranger living there who has never heard of her or her father and who is convinced that Mimi is responsible for leaving sinister tokens around the property.

If You Live Like Me by Lori Weber: Cheryl’s unhappiness builds with each move as her family travels across Canada while her father does research for a book, and by the time they reach Newfoundland, she is planning her escape, but events cause her to re-examine her feelings.

Bonechiller by Graham McNamee: Four high school students face off against a soul-stealing beast that has been making young people disappear from their small Ontario, Canada, town for centuries.

Mud Girl by Alison Acheson: Aba Zytka Jones lives with her dad in an odd little house that hangs over the Fraser River. Her mom took off a year ago. In his own way, so did her dad. She doesn’t fit in, never has, and she has questions.

The Braid by Helen Frost: Two Scottish sisters, living on the western island of Barra in the 1850s, relate, in alternate voices and linked narrative poems, their experiences after their family is forcibly evicted and separated with one sister accompanying their parents and younger siblings to Cape Breton, Canada, and the other staying behind with other family on the small island of Mingulay.

The Edge by Ben Bo: A teenaged gang member accused of various crimes finds redemption working and snowboarding at a ski lodge in the mountains surrounding Canada’s Glacier National Park.

Free as a Bird by Gina McMurchy-Barber: Ruby Jean Sharp comes from a time when being a developmentally disabled person could mean growing up behind locked doors and barred windows and being called names like “retard” and “moron.” Born with Down’s syndrome, Ruby Jean is lovingly cared for by her grandmother. But after Grandma dies when Ruby is eight, her mother takes her to Woodlands School in New Westminster, British Columbia, and never comes back. It’s here in an institution that opened in 1878 and was originally called the Provincial Lunatic Asylum that Ruby Jean learns to survive isolation, boredom, and every kind of abuse. Just when she can hardly remember if she’s ever been happy, she learns a lesson about patience and perseverance from an old crow.

Tripping by Heather Waldorf: Escaping a dull summer, Rainey Williamson joins a school-sponsored eight-week road trip across Canada. Up for the challenge, Rainey, who has worn an artificial leg since birth, discovers that her long estranged mother is alive and well in British Columbia, directly on the road trip route, and wants to see her.


Now, we’re heading south to Mexico!

The Heart is Not a Size by Beth Kephart: Fifteen-year-old Georgia learns a great deal about herself and her troubled best friend Riley when they become part of a group of suburban Pennsylvania teenagers that go to Anapra, a squatters village in the border town of Juarez, Mexico, to undertake a community construction project.

The Goldsmith’s Daughter by Tanya Landman: In the golden city of Tenochtitlan, the people live in awe of Emperor Montezuma and in fear of blood-hungry gods. Under an ill-fated sky, a girl is born, facing a life of submission and domestic drudgery. But Itacate has a secret passion for goldwork, forbidden to women, and is forced to disguise her identity to protect herself and her family. When her city is shaken by Cortez’s invasion, Itacate challenges fate, culture, and faith by crafting golden statues and pursuing the love of a man who should be her enemy.

Red Glass by Laura Resau: Sixteen-year-old Sophie has been frail and delicate since her premature birth, but discovers her true strength during a journey through Mexico, where the six-year-old orphan her family hopes to adopt was born, and to Guatemala, where her would-be boyfriend hopes to find his mother and plans to remain.

Feathered by Laura Kasischke: While on Spring Break in Cancun, Mexico, high-school seniors and best friends Anne and Michelle accept the wrong ride and Michelle is lost–seemingly forever.

La Linea by Ann Jaramillo: Miguel has dreamed of joining his parents in California since the day they left him behind in Mexico six years, eleven months, and twelve days ago. On the morning of his fifteenth birthday, Miguel’s wait is over. The trip north to the border—la línea—is fraught with dangers. Thieves. Border guards. And a grueling, two-day trek across the desert. It would be hard enough to survive alone. But it’s almost impossible with his tagalong sister in tow. Their money gone and their hopes nearly dashed, Miguel and his sister have no choice but to hop the infamous mata gente as it races toward the border. As they cling to the roof of the speeding train, they hold onto each other, and to their dreams. But they quickly learn that you can’t always count on dreams—even the ones that come true.

Heart and Salsa (SASS series) by Suzanne Marie Nelson: Cat Wilcox is going to study abroad for the summer in Mexico with her best friend Sabrina, but Sabrina complicates matters by bringing along her boyfriend.

Shock Point by April Henry: Fifteen-year-old Cassie Streng is determined to expose her stepfather after learning that he is giving a dangerous experimental drug to his teenaged psychiatric patients, but he sends her to a boot camp for troubled teens in Mexico in order to keep her quiet.

Audiosynced: A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson

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I’m not a big nonfiction reader.  I like it in theory, and I often bring stacks of interesting nonfiction titles home with the intention of reading them all, but I’m usually distracted by the latest dystopia or mystery or romance and then the nonfiction books are overdue and I need to return them to the library.
That’s why I’m especially glad I brought home Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything on audio.  This is most likely a book that would have languished in my “to read” pile if I had checked out the print version, but the audio proved a delightful way to keep myself entertained on a road trip I took earlier this month.
The basic concept of the book is this: Bill Bryson describes how the universe, and everything in it, came to be.  This is a pretty tall order, but it’s precisely because he covers so much in so little space that he manages to keep the lay reader (or listener) interested.  He covers the big bang, evolution, plate tectonics, ice ages, and volcanoes, among a dozen other subjects.  He also talks a lot about the people behind the major discoveries and includes a few funny stories that show just how odd (or just plain human, really) scientists can be.  The book is never dry or boring, but it also doesn’t give the reader a full picture on any one subject.  It’s a fascinating look at science for non-scientists.
One of the greatest joys of the audiobook experience was Bryson’s narration. The book is full of humor, and Bryson’s voice lets that shine through.  He speaks deliberately and with a very slight English accent (I may be imagining this, since I know he is American but spends a lot of time in England) that adds interest to the listening.  He also occasionally refers to himself in the text, which makes the fact that he’s narrating all the more real.  I also really appreciated that the book was tailored to the listener, not the reader.  By this I mean that whenever the text read “If you’re reading this,” it was changed to “If you’re listening to this.”  It’s a nice touch that iced the experience for me.
I should mention that I listened to the abridged version, which I normally try to avoid at all costs.  Abridgements are the bane of my audiobook existence and I’m baffled as to why they exist in the first place.  I think this book suffers from the abridgement.  The unabridged version is short in the first place, but abridged it’s simply too short (only five discs!).  Bryson skips from one topic to another with almost no transition in many places, and I needed more elaboration at certain points to really satisfy my curiosity.  Perhaps, though, that’s also a success of the book: it left me wanting more and feeling even more curious about the world in which we live.

Page by Paige by Laura Lee Gulledge

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Paige’s family moves from Virginia — where she’s always lived — to New York City, and suddenly, she’s torn from everything she’s known. Her life has fallen into a new place, and she’s lost any sense of who or what she is. She knows she’s an artist, but having that label applied to herself is tough to understand. She doesn’t know where she fits into the new scheme of her high school, an urban high school where everyone seems to know exactly who they are and where they fit in. She doesn’t want to be the “new girl” forever, but it’s tough finding a place to slide into.

Paige pours those feelings into her notebook, one where she’s also noted the rules her grandma gave her when it comes to making art. As she begins unraveling her feelings about her new life and about who she is, Paige begins making new friends — both by accident and by purposeful interaction on her part (though she’d never admit to that). While making these new friends, she begins to understand what her purpose in this new life is, as well as begins to understand that being an artist is part and parcel of who she is. It’s how she deals with things, and it’s how she processes and understands the world around her.

Page by Paige is a new addition to the slight world of stand alone graphic novels geared toward teen girls. There are no superheroes in here. Instead, it’s a fully fleshed story about growing up and about change. It’s perhaps most about better understanding who you are as a person and embracing the things about you that make you unique. It’s a bit of an artist’s manifesto, even. As a reader, I understood everything that Paige said and struggled with when it came to making art and to valuing the role art plays in understanding oneself. I think anyone who has ever done something artistic, something that really requires delving deep inside to express a feeling or a thought or an idea, will relate to Paige easily; there’s a real tension between going out and living, sometimes and sitting back and letting life live around you, and Gulledge captures that strongly in both the words she’s written and in the illustrations that heighten those words.

The book is structured around the nine rules which Paige’s grandmother told her about creating art, and I think that the set up and execution of the book are successful because of this. The rules help Paige process herself and her place in this new, foreign, even exotic world she’s entered, and at the same time, they serve as her guidebook to creating meaning in her art. What was extremely smart on Gulledge’s part in illustrating the story, though, was not putting all of the rules out there from the beginning. Had she done that, we’d know the whole of Paige’s story from the set up; instead, we’re given the first three rules in an early illustration, but we’re lead through the remaining rules as the story progresses and as we begin to sympathize and urge Paige on in her path to finding who she is.

Characters in this book were well done, and I appreciated that they never swerved into stereotypes. Paige falls into a group of artistic kids, but they’re not set up as the strange ones in school, and neither are they outcast or the popular kids. Instead, they’re all individuals, and I could keep them apart in my mind. Since the book’s told through Paige’s point of view, it would have been easy to have these secondary characters fall into a trope, but they didn’t — which is both proof of Paige’s ability to grow up and work toward her goals, as well as proof of Gulledge’s ability to flesh out individuals quite well.

The illustrations in the book — done in black and white only — are unique, and I found them to be strong and in harmony with the text. The details included in the illustrations make it modern, as many of the characters wear t-shirts sporting favorite bands (that are current), and perhaps my favorite little details included seeing what the characters were reading at different points in the story (Paige, for example, delves deep into Y: The Last Man). I found these little details important because they really spoke to an idea Paige brings up in her own art and in the rules she follows: inspiration. It was fun to be right there with her as she sought and found moments of inspiration in the world around her, and again, it makes these things relatable to readers who also find inspiration for their own art all around them. I won’t lie: I found the fact Paige has her own treadmill desk one of the highlights of this book for me.

Perhaps my only issue with the graphic portion of this story is that at times it felt very young, given the strength and the wisdom in the text itself. For me, the cover and font used on it speak more to a middle grade readership than a young adult one, and this is not a book for a middle grade audience. Middle school, definitely, but not middle grade.

My biggest challenge with the book, though, is that at times it borders on didactic. The points Gulledge wants to make with readers are important, but they’re almost served a little too clearly and obviously in the story. The rules from Paige’s notebook work perfectly to service the story’s goal, but there are instances throughout the book that these points are hammered home a little too much. As an adult, I found myself a little frustrated with those things being hit on again and again, and I can imagine that might turn some teen readers off entirely. Paige is a quieter character, and she’s one who is very internally focused. In no way does this make her dumb or unaware of herself and the path she needs to take to fit in and to understand the role art plays in her life. I think a lot of times characters who are quieter and more focused internally are branded as the kind of characters who need things repeated to them since they’re not showing off these lessons or their thoughts out loud or in showy ways; as someone who’s had people talk down to me because of my own need to process internally, I was annoyed for Paige that these “big lessons” were repeated and repeated and repeated. At the end, it felt like Paige’s coming to terms with herself was too adult-like, too reflective and insightful. It was a little too idealized.

While reading, I spent a lot of time thinking about audience for Page by Paige and actually had little trouble figuring out who’d like this book — fans of realistic fiction, artists, or anyone who has ever felt like an outcast or experienced a huge change in their life. I read this at the same time I was rereading Siobhan Vivian’s Same Difference, and I saw countless parallels between Emily and Paige. In fact, I almost brought Gulledge’s book to my teen book group’s discussion of Vivian’s book because I thought they’d be an excellent pairing. Fans of Liz Gallagher’s recent title, My Not-So-Still Life will also find great parallels between the stories and characters.

This is the kind of book you could sell easily to regular fans of realistic fiction, even if they’re not usually fans of graphic novels. Fans of Cecil Castellucci’s Plain Jane books will also enjoy this one. As I mentioned earlier, this book will work well for middle and high school students, though I wouldn’t feel comfortable handing it to middle grade readers. There aren’t language issues, but some topical ones that make it more appropriate for those ages. And while I think there are certainly males who will read and relate to this story, I think the audience for Gulledge’s book will be primarily female.

If you want more information about the book, want to check out the inspiration for the story, or want to download some of the cool art associated with the book (like Paige’s rules shared above), make sure you check out the author’s website. There’s also an entire blog devoted to just Page by Paige here. For anyone who does art or writing workshops, these look to be great places for ideas and inspiration.

The Mid-way Point: Our Printz Predictions

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It’s that time again: Printz award prediction time. This is completely unscientific and founded on little other than our reading this year and some of the hunches we’ve gathered through starred reviews and word-of-mouth. Last year, we limited ourselves to books published prior to this point in the year only, but this year, we’re also pinging titles we have read that may be published later on in the year.

We’d love for you to chime in and offer up your thoughts in the comments. And of course, anything you agree or disagree with, we’d love to hear.

This year, I’m in the rare position of not actually having read three out of the four books that I am predicting for potential Printz titles. Yes, I’ve read a lot so far this year, many amazing books, too, but not many have leapt out as me as worthy of committee consideration.

At the moment, my front-runners would have to be:

Chime by Franny Billingsley: I haven’t read this one yet, although it’s high on my list. Many bloggers have gushed about its lush language, fantastical plot, and intriguing main characters. I’ve also heard that it’s a bit weird and slow-moving, but honestly…that sort of thing, combined with utter artistry, could be exactly what the Printz-committee is looking for. Kim reviewed Chime here.

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma: I also haven’t read this one. However, Suma’s exploration of the pull of sisterly love, mixed with paranormal aspects, is garnering rave reviews. Kim and Kelly reviewed this earlier.

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray: I bought this one, but still haven’t gotten to it in my pile. Libba Bray is one of my favorite authors, and it would definitely be a feat to win the Printz twice in three years. But her exploration of beauty queens, political dynamics, and competition (set on a desert island) could do it. Beauty Queens is supposedly bizarre and over-the-top….exactly what Bray excels at.

The Dark Horse:

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Septys: I’d probably slot this more in the Morris category, but it could also merit a Printz honor. One of my favorite books so far this year, I reviewed this here. A heart-wrenching exploration of a little known period in history, the deportation of Lithuanian families by the Soviets, this book is touching, affecting, and heartfelt. A well-done historical fiction that portrays an entire period through one girl’s experiences.

I have to admit to thinking that so far this year, the field looks a little dim. I haven’t read much that’s completely blown me away, nor have I read enough starred reviews to be convinced of a book I may not have read. But without further ado, here’s my list of potential Printz titles:

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma: I think the language coupled with the incredibly creepy vibe of a well-written and engaging story is what makes this one a Printz contender for me. Easily some of the best prose this year.

Chime by Franny Billingsley: I haven’t read this one, though Kim has. It’s garnered a ton of starred ratings and a lot of buzz about being award-worthy. I think the cover is pretty atrocious.

Strings Attached by Judy Blundell: This is one that I tried reading at the wrong time but am compelled to go back and try to read again. Blundell’s a strong writer, and that alone would give her a Printz-consideration for me. Coupled with rave reviews in a number of sources, I feel this is the strongest contender so far this year.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys: Again, I haven’t read this one yet (what have I been reading this year?) but it’s garnered a lot of positive attention in the reviews. Plus, topically, it’s strong and different and a worthy contribution to historical fiction.

Blink and Caution by Tim Wynne-Jones: This story about two kids in a big blackmail scheme recently got a nod from the Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards. Wynne-Jones got some acclaim for his last novel, The Uninvited, but this particular title seems a little more accessible.

The Berlin Boxing Club by Robert Sharenow: I adored Sharenow’s first novel, My Mother the Cheerleader, but I haven’t yet read this one. But the topic combines historical fiction with sports against the Nazi regime’s background, and it sounds like one that has huge potential.

And now, my dark horses….

My Beating Teenage Heart by CK Kelly Martin: This is my shot-in-the-dark title. It doesn’t come out until September, so of course, now I’m teasing. But this book was utterly breathtaking, combining powerful prose with a compelling plot somewhat reminiscent (but completely different from) Amy Huntley’s The Everafter. It’s not a contemporary title like Martin’s others, but combines a bit of the fantasy element of the afterlife.

Recovery Road by Blake Nelson: I have reviewed this title, and I’ll say this is my “out there” title for Printz consideration. It’s garnered a couple of starred reviews, though the talk in the blogosphere on this title has been absent. The writing is strong, and though the topic is edgy, I think the approach and set up of this book have the key components of a Printz nod.

Both Kelly and Jen have mentioned Imaginary Girls (which I enjoyed) and Chime (which I did not) as candidates for the Printz already. I feel Imaginary Girls would be a strong choice – it’s well written, literary, and has received two starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus. Plus, I liked it a lot.

While I slogged through Chime and don’t feel kindly toward it, I’ve yet to meet someone who isn’t in love with it. It’s also gotten more starred reviews than I care to count. If I follow the Going Bovine rule of Printz winners where the weird book I didn’t like garners the prize, this one would be the winner.
As many of you have noticed, I read mostly science fiction and fantasy, which are wildly popular right now but don’t get tons of recognition with the Printz. Last year’s winner, Shipbreaker, was an exception in that it is solidly science fiction, but other winners were mostly contemporary, historical, or just a little surreal (Going Bovine is a good example, and it’s another reason I think Imaginary Girls has a good shot). So I’ll name a couple of my favorite science fiction/fantasy reads of 2011 and explain a little about why they were so good, but I’ll also list a few others I haven’t read but seem like contenders.

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan is the first book in a new science fiction series about a group of people on two ships going to colonize a new planet. I talked a little about it here, and I plan on writing a full review closer to publication date. I think this one has a lot going for it: good, tight writing, a fairly unique premise, and some interesting and thought-provoking ideas about religion – how it can be used as a tool for good or ill and how it affects people in power. This last bit makes me think it could be Printz-worthy.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor is my favorite read of 2011 so far. The writing is so gorgeous, it made me realize that I hadn’t read a book in quite some time with truly outstanding prose. The heavy themes that usually make an award-winner aren’t as visible in this one, so I don’t think it’s a strong contender, but it does have some things to say about love and war. Plus, Taylor got some National Book Award love a couple years ago for Lips Touch: Three Times, so she’s at least on the radar.

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray I haven’t yet read, but have heard good things. Honestly I can’t say that I plan on picking it up, since her books don’t have a great track record with me, but I figured it was at least worth mentioning.
Shine by Lauren Myracle, about a girl whose childhood friend was brutally assaulted for being gay, has award-winner written all over it. It addresses a hot button issue right now and also describes a meth-riddled small town, something brought to light earlier by Jennifer Lawrence’s (aka Katniss Everdeen) turn in the movie Winter’s Bone. This is also one I haven’t read.
The Piper’s Son by Melina Marchetta is the last one I’ll list here. Marchetta has gotten Printz love before for Jellicoe Road and this one has received a lot of acclaim. It’s the sequel to another book of hers, Saving Francesca, so that may hurt its chances.

What do you think of our picks? Are there any books we missed?