Posts Tagged 'attack'

Small Favors by Erin A. Craig

Published April 18, 2024 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Fantasy

Eighteen-year-old Ellerie has lived her entire life in the small town of Amity Falls, which is protected from monsters by a rudimentary alarm system that was installed around the border by the original town settlers. No one has seen or heard of a monster in many years and many believe it was just an old legend, but when a routine supply run ends in disaster the town is left scrambling as to how to proceed. If they stay within the confines of the town they will run out of supplies and medicine, but if they wander out they run the risk of facing a terrible fate. Meanwhile, a mysterious new young man has begun hanging around the town and has taken an interest in Ellerie. As things begin to fall apart, Ellerie is left to take on more responsibility for her younger sisters and her twin brother proves to be less than trustworthy to help out. Can she trust this new stranger? Is he somehow involved in the town’s new found bad luck? When she has the opportunity to make her wish come true does it come with unacceptable strings?

This engaging story is based on the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, but the characters and setting really add a lot to that original story. Plus, even if you are familiar with Rumpelstiltskin this story is modern enough that you don’t necessarily expect what is going to happen. The motivations of the townspeople are easily explained as resources get more scarce and people become more scared and desperate. The plot takes many unexpected turns as well and not all is explained, which seems to be on purpose as the author wants to leave some things open ended. This open endedness works in this story as it makes it feel more believable and realistic that not all would be perfectly explained or solved by the story’s end. Recommended for anyone looking for something bold and unique.

Burning Blue by Paul Griffin

Published September 25, 2013 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre;  Realistic Fiction

# of Pages:  350

RAC:  Yes

Nicole is popular, beautiful, and participates in local beauty pageants.  Then one day she is walking down the halls of her high school and someone throws acid into her face burning half of it.  She is horrified and doesn’t know how to continue since everyone has seen her as beautiful her entire life and it has become a part of her identity.  Jay, an outcast who also suffered a terrifying incident at the high school two years earlier, was in the hall during the attack but failed to see who actually threw the acid.  When Nicole and Jay meet in the counselor’s waiting room they begin to start a relationship and Jay becomes obsessed with finding out who attacked Nicole.  He tries not to show it at school, but Jay is actually an accomplished hacker and he begins to investigate who would want to hurt her and the list of suspects is way too long.  Is Nicole safe from any further attack?  Can he help make the perpetrator have to face the punishment he or she deserves?

This is a powerful story that audiences who enjoyed Whatever Happened to Cass McBride or Thirteen Reasons Why would enjoy.  The attack itself was so brutal and personal, but Nicole’s reaction to it is very understandable and almost painful for those around her to watch.  There are many suspects and false leads in the mystery to finding the culprit and the ultimate resolution is both surprising and satisfying, albeit in a sad way.  Issues such as beauty, identity, trust, and even self worth are all discussed in ways that anyone can identify with.

Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham

Published November 6, 2008 RAC , Realistic Fiction 11 Comments
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Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age level: 14 and up

# of Pages: 276 p.

RAC Book: Yes

Jane, a fifteen year old girl, gets attacked by a shark when her and her family go to the beach one summer day. Despite the fact that there were many people around, the only person to help her was her older brother who pulled her out of the water. Jane ends up having to have her arm amputated, which is extra hard for her because she was a talented artist. The story is told through a variety of poems in which Jane expresses her feelings about every aspect of this catastrophe such as the tape of her getting attacked that was played over and over on the news, the numerous letters she gets from supporters, and even her own feelings about trying to draw again. Jane’s feelings come across as very natural and understandable for a young girl in her position. As time goes on her thoughts reflect her healing process.

This story is honest and compelling in the way it describes how Jane copes with losing a limb in her teenage years. There are many supporting characters who help Jane in her journey to recovery such as her best friends and a young boy who has recently lost a leg that she meets at the hospital. She has a strong support structure around her, but in the end it is up to her to take those important steps toward acceptance. The content is unique for young adult literature and should be very popular among young readers.

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