YA New York

It’s no secret that I have Opinions about assembly-line books. You know the kind, devised by old white men sitting around a board table.

“What do the kids these days want? Rich, naughty Upper East Side school girls! Rich, naughty Upper East Side school girls who are also vampires! Rich, naughty Upper East school girls from the nineteenth century! Yes!”

The old white men agree that this is what kids today want, and then an editor writes up an outline and sends it off to a starving writer who is desperate to be published.

It makes me cry. I have this whole concept of the-writer-as-artist in my mind, of the book as a baby borne of its author’s imagination and ink, and I suppose that’s old-fashioned.

But the worst part is … sometimes these books end up being good. Case in point, Simon Holt’s The DeVouring. (more…)

Darlings,

I just couldn’t wait any longer. I know the year is not yet over, but I’ve received galleys taking me all the way up through the end of December, and while there have been many, many fantastic books this year, none have captivated me as much as E. Lockhart’s incredible story of a 15-year-old girl who crosses social boundaries when she infiltrates an all-boys’ secret society.

Frankie begins her sophomore year at Alabaster Preparatory Academy and is almost instantly noticed by one of the hottest guys on campus — one who never seemed to know she existed the previous year, though she crushed on him even then. It’s an auspicious start to the school year: she is “in” with the most goofy, glamorous, interesting crowd on campus. Only she isn’t, really. Because she is nothing more than a girlfriend. She can never be a full member of the tribe, and she knows her boyfriend is keeping secrets from her. He asks her not to be so “sensitive,” tells her how cute she is, and generally treats her like gold.

But Frankie isn’t satisfied. She wants to be known as brilliant and funny. She wants to be respected. And so she infiltrates the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds, a secret society to which her own father once belonged.

The Disreputable History gets right to the heart of what it means to be only a girl, even in these supposedly liberated times. But while Lockhart explores social issues that we could debate for hours on end, her work is by no means overwrought. It’s funny, insightful, and honestly the best book I’ve read this year. Indeed, it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read. (The evidence of this novel’s awesomeness is quite compelling, and clearly an opinion shared by many others: not only did Oprah choose The Disreputable History as one of her inaugural picks for her teen book club, but the novel is also a National Book Award finalist.)

Back in the good old days, I wrote a newspaper column on the best “trashy” books out there. I focused mainly on chick lit and some of the more goofy teen books. Just before Lockhart’s novel The Boyfriend List came out, a publicist was kind enough to send me a copy. I remember reading it and thinking, “This won’t do. This won’t do at all. It’s just not trashy enough. It’s too good.”

And as her career has progressed, Lockhart has proven to be extremely skilled in writing books that get to the heart of things. Important things, like why young women are so often treated like dolls rather than equals. Fly on the Wall, one of Lockhart’s other awesome books, examines some of these same issues with a clever twist in which the protagonist, Gretchen, turns into a fly after reading Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, then spends most of her time on the wall in her high school’s boys’ locker room.

The Disreputable History takes Lockhart’s exploration further, and it’s not only an interesting dissection of teen social boundaries, it’s also a genuinely enjoyable read. Frankie’s pranks — which I’ll leave you to find out about for yourselves — are brilliant and funny and generally make you wish you could pull some of them off yourself.

In fact, I have to say that if it weren’t for the fact that this novel is pretty much perfect as it is, I would be begging for a sequel. Thanks, E., for sharing such an awesome story with us.

Oh, and if you haven’t already gotten yourself a copy? Do so immediately. I mean, even Oprah says to read it. So hurry up, and then come tell me what you think.

Much love,
brina

Laurie Halse Anderson has done it again. The author of Speak — a book I highly recommend you read if you haven’t already — has now written a truly terrific novel about the American Revolution.

Oh, no. That, again, you say? As if you haven’t already spent enough time memorizing dates and places and learning about tea parties in Boston. As if you want to hear another tale about lobsterbacks and the heroism of our founding fathers. Well, guess what? This … is not about that.

No, this story is about Isabel, a teenage slave who becomes the property of a wealthy New York family when her owner dies. It’s about a young woman who has no allegiance to rebels or loyalists, who is caught up in a war that offers to freedom to others, but not to her.

I have to say I learned a lot from this book — it’s chock full of New York history, stories about how the war impacted people right here in my hometown. And it’s also a wonderfully told chronicle of those who want to be free. Loyalists, rebels, women, children: no one in this novel is having an easy time of it. Laurie’s characters, even the more villainous ones, are multi-faceted, and did I mention that her research is exquisite? Because it really is.

Oddly, this title is listed as middle-grade fiction. I’m not slamming middle-grade stuff, not at all. Indeed, there are times when I wish I could read and review everything, because I do get quite a bit of middle grade fiction that is worthwhile. But I’m surprised because I think this is a book that will resonate with the YA audience and even with an adult audience. It’s smart, and detailed, and moving … and it is not at all “young.” In fact, one of the thoughts that has stayed with me since I read Chains is that it would be a perfect book to use in the classroom. I could see it being taught in ninth grade English, and I could see students really learning from it.

But alas. I am not a curriculum expert, or even a teacher (although I do tutor high school seniors who are working on college admission essays … but that really isn’t quite the same). Still, if I had the opportunity, I would recommend this tome to teachers all over the US. Indeed, I’d buy copies for every eighth grade history teacher and ninth grade English teacher and pray that some of them would use it in class.

Laurie’s book is most certainly in my top five for 2008. I’ve decided not to make a formal top five list, because there have been so many fantastic books this year. But seriously? Chains is one of the best YA books I’ve ever read, not just one of the best books I’ve read this year. It’s fantastic, and kudos to Laurie for exploring the domestic, female, under-appreciated side of the American Revolution.

Much love,
brina

PS. Oh, and more proof this book rocks? It’s a finalist for the 2008 National Book Award. Yay, Laurie!