Carter Finally Gets It

by Brent Crawford, 300 p.

Carter is 14, loves the ladies, and a high school freshman.  He also has a wicked case of ADD, a psycho older sister, and is desperately trying to avoid the nickname Slappy (thanks to an unfortunate incident on the high dive).     On top of all that, he's trying to deal with being cool, a mortal enemy, and figuring out girls (especially Abby, the hottie on the drill team).  All of this is bound together by Carter's hilarious inner voice.

I loved this book SO much.  Thanks to a wonderful recommendation from Sarah, I listened to it on audio and would be laughing so hard during my commute I was surprised I made it to work every day.  Plus, it really fills the whole "guys read" for the teens niche.  I'm definitely thinking this is "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" for the hit-with-the-puberty-stick set.

Loved it!

Trapped

by Michael Northrop, 232p.


First of all, this is my personal idea of hell.  Being trapped in a school would be horrid, especially being trapped in a school without power of any sort.  When Scotty and his friends decide to stay after school to work on a go-kart, they didn't think that the snow would pile up so fast.  Neither did the four other students who didn't have rides.  Or the teacher that stayed behind.  They don't know if their families are okay or whats going on outside.   They just know that they are trapped in the middle of nowhere with no way out.

Truly and utterly terrifying, but not the kind that will give you the creeps at the next sign of snow.  It does make you think, though.  Lots of what ifs fill the book, which is definitely a great read.

The Graveyard Book

by Neil Gaiman, 312 p., 2008.

Three things you should know:

1. Neil Gaiman is a god.

2. Neil Gaiman is a literary genius.

3. Neil Gaiman makes me swoon.

Since I've got that out of the way, I loved this book almost as much as I was terrified of it. We're introduced to Nobody Owens just as he's unwittingly escaping certain death at the hands (as sharp blade) of the man Jack. As luck would have it, the friendly neighborhood graveyard takes him in, shelters him, and offers the baby the protection of the graveyard. Neil Gaiman describes Bod's most unconventional upbringing amongst the alternative living: exploring the cemetery, making new friends, learning interesting lessons. But there is a darkness that his undead loved ones must hide from him: the man Jack that failed to kill him so many years ago is waiting for young Bod.

As usual, Neil Gaiman weaves a supremely intricate plot that doesn't fail to please. This guy is smart. You can't deny it. And he expects the same of his readers (really not too much to ask). Also, its a great introduction to classic literature. And why, pray tell, is that? Its dependence on the structure of Rudyard Kipling's the Jungle Book. (Get it? Jungle Book...Graveyard Book... Jungle .... Graveyard... book...) And how so? Boy's family is killed by mysterious, evil stranger. Boy is raised close by and yet so very far away. Boy finds a mentor is adopted home. Boy must defeat old foe. Boy must grow up and return to intended home. Whew.

In short: nicely done, Mr. Gaiman.