Married to a Guybrarian

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Book Review: Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald

Under the Egg
by Laura Marx Fitzgerald
Publication Date: February 25, 2014, 247 pages

When Theodora Tenpenny spills a bottle of rubbing alcohol on her late grandfather’s painting, she discovers what seems to be an old Renaissance masterpiece underneath. That’s great news for Theo, who’s struggling to hang onto her family’s two-hundred-year-old townhouse and support her unstable mother on her grandfather’s legacy of $463. There’s just one problem: Theo’s grandfather was a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and she worries the painting may be stolen.

With the help of some unusual new friends, Theo's search for answers takes her all around Manhattan, and introduces her to a side of the city—and her grandfather—that she never knew. To solve the mystery, she'll have to abandon her hard-won self-reliance and build a community, one serendipitous friendship at a time.

-Goodreads.com description

As soon as I saw the description of this novel comparing it to From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler I was cautiously optimistic. Why cautious? Well because I had such high expectations. E.L. Konigsburg's classic is one of my all time favorite stories from my childhood. In fact, it is still one of my top recommendations for middle school kids looking for a good mystery. Under the Egg will now be recommended right alongside it. Clocking in at just under 250 pages, Under the Egg is a quick, fun read however it is also deep and informative. The novel centers around the mystery, bringing in a little bit of a history and art lesson along with it. Fitzgerald cleverly weaves historical details into the plot adding to the complexity of the mystery. The main character Theodora is self-sufficient and strong, which I respect her for, however there is also a level of vulnerability to Theo that develops as the novel progresses. A great cast of supporting characters including helpful neighbors, Theo's spunky new friend and fellow detective Bodhi, and a reference librarian who is just as intrigued by the mystery as our young detectives. The issue of poverty is delicately handled with honesty and also a level of optimism and resourcefulness. The combination of Theo's old school detection habits and Bodhi's tech skills serves to illustrate the importance that history plays in our lives while also emphasizing the usefulness of new technology for exploring the past, a theme the author portrays in various ways throughout the novel. This book is perfect for middle school mystery and history fans however it will also appeal to a wider audience.

For other books similar in nature to Under the Egg, I suggest Charming Vermeer by ? and of course the classic From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Book Review: The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

The Impossible Knife of Memory
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Viking Juvenile, 372 pages

For the past five years, Hayley Kincaid and her father, Andy, have been on the road, never staying long in one place as he struggles to escape the demons that have tortured him since his return from Iraq. Now they are back in the town where he grew up so Hayley can attend school. Perhaps, for the first time, Hayley can have a normal life, put aside her own painful memories, even have a relationship with Finn, the hot guy who obviously likes her but is hiding secrets of his own.

Will being back home help Andy’s PTSD, or will his terrible memories drag him to the edge of hell, and drugs push him over? The Impossible Knife of Memory is Laurie Halse Anderson at her finest: compelling, surprising, and impossible to put down.

- Goodreads.com description

I was blown away by Anderson's debut novel Speak so I was very excited when I saw she had a new book coming out. The story deals with PTSD, a tough subject matter that is not often covered in teen fiction. Be warned this is an emotional read that is hard to stomach at times. However Anderson is a pro at delicately handling difficult issues and creating strong main characters you can't help but root for. I wanted to keep reading, even though it was hard at times, because I just had to know what was going to happen to Hayley in the end.

It was heartbreaking watching Hayley's father hurt her repeatedly, knowing that he wasn't always in control of his actions. Even more heartbreaking was watching Hayley punish herself when things became challenging at home. The romance between Hayley and Finn balanced out the heavy subject matter nicely, injecting some tenderness and snarkiness into an otherwise melancholy plot. Finn was supportive and caring without being overbearing, exactly the kind of support Hayley needed. Hayley and Finn have made my list of all time favorite literary couples. That first 'anti-date' alone....sigh! One thing I want to touch on is the supporting characters. I felt as though in the beginning of the novel they were featured prominently in the story line however as the story progressed they faded out, leaving some questions unanswered. Overall I highly enjoyed the book and gained an understanding of what PTSD really is and how it affects soldiers and their families.

I highly recommend this novel to fan's of Laurie Halse Anderson's earlier novels. Other teen novels that touch upon PTSD include The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher and Something Like Normal by Trish Doller.