Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I read Elkeles 2nd book lst---but just finishing this book on my way to Rhode Island in 4 1/2 hours tells you I couldn't put it down and that this book is just as good as Rules of Attraction! Mexican, Alex Fuentes is a gang member who loves to fight, collects drug money for the Latin Bloods but doesn't do drugs. The only reason Alex became a blood was to keep his mother and 2 brothers protected; Alex was 6 when he was with his father and his father was shot. Now he wants to graduate from high school and go to college---but everyone doesn't know that about him - only that he is always in trouble, has an attitude and doesn't trust his teachers. Especially Mrs. Peterson, the chemistry teacher who pairs him with perfect blond Brittany Ellis, who can't stand Alex, has a boyfriend and has secrets of her own. What I liked about both books is how the main guy character thinks, feels, reacts. The author does a very convincing job of showing you Alex's thoughts and feelings while convincing you Brittany hates and fears Alex. She has worked her whole life to keep her secrets and won't let anyone find out her life is not pefect. But she begins to find out Alex has other sides that no one sees. For a very stimulating, heart-pounding look at two opposite teens and what happens when their worlds collide, this book will satisfy readers with all the action, desire and passion that moves the characters and story to a nailbiting conclusion.



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Borderline by Allan Stratton

Borderline by Allan Stratton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I loved Stratton's Chanda books and Borderline is another example of quality multicultural writing teens will be drawn to with the espionage, bullying and being Muslim in a private school. Sami has two great friends since fourth grade, Andy and Marty, yet he feels that his summer spent without them (his father wouldn't let him go on vacation with them) and having to return to his private school, has made Sami feel that his friends don't really need him. Things have been tense between Sami and his dad but when his father is arrested and charged with aiding in a terrorist plot, Sami begins his own investigation, and begins to find some damning evidence against his father. As Sami digs deeper and deeper, is bullied repeatedly in school, and judged by many because he is Muslim and his father is a terrorist in jail, the plot just thickens and the suspense is unnerving. With the help of Andy and Marty, Sami hatches a plot to get to the truth, and hopefully help his father. A gripping read about a teen who because he is Muslim, is looked at differently by different people when a life threatening situation develops. Stratton crafts a totally believable story about how unfair the legal system can be toward those with a different color skin or culture. Keeping his wits about him, being beyond brave, and learning to find his voice, all describe the young teen Sami, who must rise above prejudice to save his family name.



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The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd

The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A super great first book by Nick Burd. Thanks to all the multicultural blogs I follow for this guy coming of age book. Dade knows he is gay, but he hasn't told his family...he proclaims it like a mantra to his "mirror" "ceiling fan" and other inanimate things in his bedroom. Dade's parents are splitting up, he is being threatened in school by Bert McGraw and Jessica (Pablo is her boyfriend and Dade's too), a young girl Jenny Moore goes missing, and Dade is finding it really tough to get through his senior year. Until he meets Alex Kincaid and Lucy. Lucy has been banished to her aunt's house; she is openly gay and is totally up front about being lesbian and she really gets all that Dade is going through and is his first real friend. Dade meets Alex Kincaid as he flees a party where Jessica's sister, Fessica, put the moves on him, and he can't handle it. It is through Alex and Lucy that Dade comes to accept himself, tells his parents who he really is and begin to understand about himself, Pablo, Alex, Jenny Moore's disappearance and finds a new happiness, even if it comes with a shocking surprise. I loved the ending advice from Dade:

"There is always hope. The world is vast and meant for wandering. There is always somewhere else to go."

A great read by a new writer, I am looking for more great books from Nick Burd.



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Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This beautiful book is about the end of World War II in California and how the Japanese were taken to the internment camps. Henry Lee is the boy telling the story and is Chinese and his parents send him to an American school and make him wear a sign that says "I am Chinese" which most people ignore. He is bullied in school and at home must speak only English (even though his parents don't understand English). Life sucks for Henry Lee, until one day Japanese Keiko Akabe starts at his school and works beside him in the lunch room. Henry cherishes their friendship, and it blossoms into love. When Keiko's family must report to an internment camp, Henry begins to correspond with her. He also visits her when he is asked to help in their kitchens on a weekly basis. As he grows older, Henry promises to wait for her. There is so much in this story to love. Henry is older when the story begins and he remembers his childhood, has an acrimonious relationship with his son and is despondent over the death of his wife, no she is not Keiko. Such a great story, I loved every minute of it and so will you.



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Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


What a totally fabulous book! I loved the characters, the story, and the beauty of Addis Abba, Ethiopia was simple and timeless. I will admit I wanted to see more of Sister Mary Joseph Praise but the family dynamics of the twins, Marion and Shiva, with Hema and Gosh as the doting parents with the extended family of Missing Hospital was great reading. Even though this book was over 650 pages, I didn't want it to end. I loved the working relationship of Sister Mary Joseph Praise and Thomas Stone. I found Marion's love for Genet all consuming and profound. I wondered if Shiva might be a little Aspergers.....and I almost wanted the twins to stay little...Addis Abba and its military tumult was a very sad and difficult time when Marion realized his parents couldn't fix the wrongs (the clubbing of the old women by the imperial guards, Gosh's imprisonment)and Shiva's betrayal with Genet. Marion's voice, his medical beliefs, his stories, were all mesmerizing because I think he talks about a certain kind of doctor; maybe one that doesn't exist anymore? I don't know, but I loved his doctors and their pledge to healing the human race with the vpw "I swear by Apollo and Asclepius and Hygeia and Pannaceia to be true to her, for she is the source of all...I shall not cut for stone." Abraham Verghese's book is going to be one of my favorite adult reads.....Highly, highly recommended!



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Haiti On My Mind; Stories By Haitian American Teens

Haiti On My Mind by Dana K. Vincent

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wow, for such a skinny book of stories, Haiti On My Mind, was compelling heavy reading. I was captivated by the Haitian teens writing for Teen Communication telling their stories of hope and fear, joy and despair. With a moving foreword by Edwidge Danticat, Haiti's history, traditions and heritage is chronicled by teens who now live in the United States. The message is clear; since the 2010 earthquake, Haiti will need our understanding in order to rise above the chaos that decimated much of their country. The essays speak about the refugee experience and also about the many challenges of teen life. Teens reading this book will learn about prejudice, triumphs, failures and alienation, but they will also see the proud resilience of the Haitian American immigrant.



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