Favorite Books of 2009 - Two A Day x 2

Day 4 of Favorite Books Read in 2009. Also the last day.

16 Favorite Middle Grade Novels in 2009
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
Petronella Saves Nearly Everyone by Dene Low
Ghost Town by Richard W. Jennings
I Wanna Be Your Shoebox by Cristina Garcia
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur
Sylvie and the Songman by Tim Binding
Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez
The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon
The Magic Thief: Lost by Sarah Prineas
The Kind of Friends We Used to Be by Frances O'Roark Dowell
Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins
Luv Ya Bunches: by Lauren Myracle
Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally) by Lisa Yee
Glida Joyce: The Dead Drop by Jennifer Allison
White Bread Competition by Jo Ann Yolanda Hernandez

16 Favorite Young Adult Novels in 2009
Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco Stork
Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Ruined: by Paula Morris
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Jumped by Rita Williams-garcia
Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford
A Wish After Midnight by Zetta Elliott
The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey
Liar by Justine Larbalestier
Magic And Misery by Peter Marino
Shine, Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger
Wanting Mor by Rukhsana Khan
Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda
Meridian by Amber Kizer
Chameleon by Charles R. Smith Jr.
Skunk Girl by Sheba Karim

10 Favorite Female Protagonist
Calpurina from The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
Katniss from Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Genna from A Wish After Midnight by Zetta Elliott
Micah from Liar by Justine Larbalestier
Yumi Ruiz Hirsch from I Wanna Be Your Shoebox by Cristina Garcia
Mare from Mare's War by Tanita S. Davis
Samar from Shine, Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger
Aubrey from Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur
Scarlett from Kisses and Lies by Lauren Henderson
Theodosia from Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris by R. L. LaFevers

10 Favorite Male Protagonist
Marcelo from Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco Stork
Remy from Funny How Things Change by Melissa Wyatt
Zach from Last Night I Sang to the Monster by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Spencer from Ghost Town by Richard W. Jennings
Carter from Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford
Roy from Mudville by Kurtis Scaletta
Hampton from Knights of the Hill Country by Tim Tharp
Alex from Lockdown by Alexander Gordon Smith
Bobby from Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally) by Lisa Yee
Daniel from Gringolandia by Lyn Miller-Lachmann

Finally one of my favorite reads of 2009 was a graphic novel Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan.

Favorite Books of 2009 - Two A Day +1

Day 3 of Favorite Books Read in 2009. Two a day. So this can be a 4 day thing instead of 5. Today there are three list.

14 Books Made Me Laugh the Most In 2009
Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford
What Would Emma Do? by Eileen Cook
Project Sweet Life by Brent Hartinger
Petronella Saves Nearly Everyone by Dene Low
NERDS: by Michael Buckley
Ghost Town by Richard W. Jennings
The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity (The Brixton Brothers) by Mac Barnett
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney
Dragonbreath by Ursula Vernon
Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass
Rapacia: The Second Circle of Heck by Dale E. Basye
Scat by Carl Hiaasen
Perfect Shot by Debbie Rigaud

10 Favorite Reads W/GLBT Characters
Magic And Misery by Peter Marino
Say the Word by Jeannine Garsee
The Necessary Hunger by Nina Revoyr
M+O 4EVR by Tonya Hegamin
Ash by Malinda Lo
Jacqueline Woodson's short story in No Such Thing as the Real World
In Mike We Trust by P. E. Ryan
Dramarama by E. Lockhart
Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood by Benjamin Alire Saenz
The Ring by Bobbie Pyron

15 Favorite Sports Books
The Prince of Fenway Park by Julianna Baggott
You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?! by Jonah Winter
Knights of the Hill Country by Tim Tharp
The Brooklyn Nine by Alan M. Gratz
The Necessary Hunger by Nina Revoyr
Boost by Kathy Mackel
Mudville by Kurtis Scaletta
Twenty Miles by Cara Hedley
The Ring by Bobbie Pyron
Keeping Score by Linda Sue Park
The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane
Soccer Chick Rules by Dawn FitzGerald
Change-up: Baseball Poems by Gene Fehler
Babe Ruth and the Baseball Curse by David A. Kelly
The Baseball Talmud: by Howard Megdal

I wanted all my list to be top ten, exceding that amount in funniest reads and sports books could not be help. There are no titles on either list I would want to remove. Each story left a lasting impression.

One YA book that I never got around to reading is Rage: A Love Story by Julie Anne Peters. (Check out Becker's review of Rage @ Dwelling in Possibility) I've only heard great things about it. If I had read Rage, it probably would have ended up on my favorite GLBT list.

Though maybe its for the best I didn't read it. Now there's room for Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood by Benjamin Alire Saenz an amazing novel that was published in 2006 and I only just discovered. Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood has a little of everything including two lifelong friends that must come to terms with the sexual preference of a third friend. Its a novel that should not be missed.

Meridian Amber Kizer

Meridian by Amber Kizer

Since Meridian was a baby living things have been dying around her. As she got older they got bigger, like her friends hamster. Now 16 Meridian must move to a small town in Colorado to live her Aunt (her namesake). Finally Meridian learns what she's half angel half human, a Fenestra and not the cause of death.

"You are not death. You do not bring death, you do not control it, you cannot change the destiny of that fate. You could adminster lifesaving measures like CPR, but if that soul is ready to rise, then nothing you or I, can do will stop it" You're a Fenestra, a window. An open attic window in the tallest of houses, for the transition of life energy into the purest, best world possible."

I loved Meridian. Too many times authors create characters who get their powers out of the blue. Meridian abilities have been growing gradually since birth.

"The first creatures to seek me were the insect; my parents cleaned the bassinet free of dead ants the morning after they brought me home from the hospital. My first word was "dead"

That's only the prologue. Not even the first chapter. How could you not want to read me. In that little bit, the author quickly establishes Meridian's voice.

Meridian's aunt is a Fenestra as well. Meridian must learn from her, how to be who she was born to be. Now dying humans can sense what Meridian is if she doesn't learn how to control her window, she'll die the first time someone tries to pass through.

There aren't many Fenestras left in the world, and there are even less Fenestra Protectors. Meridian's Protector, Ten has already found his way to Meridian's Aunt's house. Ten(around Meridian's age) has been living there for a while. Yes, Ten is there to protect Meridian but this is no stay within our gender roles relationship.

"He regarded me the way every warrior has looked at the smaller and the helpless they've sworn to protect. I didn't appreciate his expression. I wasn't helpless and I wasn't in need of rescuing. I opened my mouth, but he beat me to it. "I know how to shoot. I've hunted for years. A gun is more efficient than a bow and arrow, especially when you're hungry. Would I pull the trigger to protect you? Absolutely. Would I let you pull the trigger to protect me? Hell yes. But do you know how to shoot? Have you ever held a gun? No. So, if this is something I know how to do and you don't there isn't anything sexist in that - it's smart. I nodded. When this is over, you'll teach me, right? Sure. I'll even let you skin and gut dinner."

Now that Meridian is getting closer to her full power, she must worry about the Aternocti, they carry souls to hell and hunt Fenestra. Along with her aunt and Ten, Meridian is wary of the new preacher in the small Colorado town. Reverend Perimo is loved by many in town, those who don't are quickly encouraged to leave with accidental fires.

In the end there is a confrontation with Meridian and Reverend Perimo. I must admit it read a little flat to me. Though it had nothing to do with Meridian. I was fully committed and believed in her from the beginning to the end. It was Reverend Perimo, he wasn't as developed . This wasn't an important aspect of the story for me.

It was all about Meridian and Tens for me. They're definitely hardcover full price worthy. This is the start of a new series. It's not often that I am very excited when a book ends with more to come. Authors seem to drag out story lines with unnecessary series. This time I knew it wasn't time to say goodbye to Meridian and Tens, nor did I want to.

I don't know what will come next. Though I do hope the Rizer will give Tens a book of his own. I want to learn about Tens journey to Meridian's aunts house. The author peaked my interest by telling a little of Ten's story. More than halfway into the novel Tens full name is reveled. Tenskatawa Valdes. A little later we find out that Tens is Cuban.

I love that the author waited, it means Tens being Cuban wasn't a big thing it just was. If you visit my blog, then you know I love color in my fiction but I am not blinded by . So I can freely admit at the end of Meridian the coincidences at the end were a little much. Again not enough to make me love it any less. Though enough for me to say hmm. the author needs to work that out a little on the second book.

My full price worthy sentiment still stands. I highly recommend Meridian. Ages 12

This was the last book I read in 2009, and it inspired a recent post called Color: The New Reality. Check out it, and find some other great middle grade and young adult novels where Color is not ignored.

Favorite Books of 2009 - Two A Day

Day two of Favorite Books Read in 2009 -Two A Day

10 Favorite Biographies
I and I Bob Marley by Tony Medina illus by Jesse Joshua Watson
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip M. Hoose
The Other Mozart: The Life of the Chevalier Saint-George by Hugh Brewster illus by Eric Velasquez
John Brown : His Fight For Freedom by John Hendrix
Shining Star : The Anna May Wong Story by Paula Yoo illus. by Lin Wang
Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshal by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson illus by R. Gregory Christie
Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudi by Rachel Victoria Rodriguez illus. by Julie Paschkis
Sky High: The True Story of Maggie Gee by Marissa Moss illus by Carl Angel
Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx / La juez que crecio en el Bronx by Jonah Winter illus. by Edel Rodriguez
Pele, King of Soccer/Pele, El rey del futbol by Monica Brown illus by Rudy Gutierrez

10 Favorite Non Fiction Titles
Sweethearts of Rhythm by Marilyn Nelson illus. by Jerry Pinkney
Marching For Freedom: Walk Together Children and Don't You Grow Weary by Elizabeth Partridge
Jim Thorpe, Original All-American by Joseph Bruchac
14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy illus by Thomas Gonzalez
Leaving Glorytown: One Boy's Struggle Under Castro by Eduardo F. Calcines
Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change by Michelle Cook illus. by various awarding and up and coming artist
The Real Spy's Guide to Becoming a Spy by Peter Earnest and Suzanne Harper
An Environmental Guide from A to Z by Tim Magner
We Troubled the Waters by Ntozake Shange illus by Rod Brown
Harlem Stomp!: A Cultural History Of The Harlem Renaissance by Laban Carrick Hill

Last Night I Sang To The Monster Benjamin Alire Saenz

Last Night I Sang To The Monster by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Zach is spending his senior year of High School in rehab. He almost died of alcohol poisoning, found on the side of the road one night. Zach can't remember what happened nor does he want to. In rehab Zach must admit he has a problem with alcohol and begin putting his life back together.

This novel was intense, beautiful, strong and believable. I finished this novel awhile back, Zach is still with me. I remember Zach worry about where his monster comes from (maybe his brother) or what God tattooed on his heart.

"I keep seeing a newspaper being toosed around in the wind. And then a strong gust comes along and the newspaper is thrown against a barbed wire fence and it gets ripped to shreds in an instant. That's how I feel. I think God is the wind. It's all like a game to him. Him. God. And it's all pretty much random. He takes out his pen and starts writing on our blank hearts. When it came to my turn, he wrote sad. I don't like God very much. Apparently he doesn't like me very much either. "

Zach becomes close friends with Rafael his roommate who is old enough to be his father. I can't even begin to try to find the words to describe how beautiful their friendship was.

"My lips were trembling and I couldn't make them stop. And there were salty tears running down my face and I couldn't see. I just closed my fists tight until I could feel my lips stop trembling. Then the tears stopped. And then I took a breath and then I unclenched my fists. I looked down at the floor. I could feel the words coming out of my mouth, could feel them, the words I didn't want to speak. "The last time - the last time I felt really alive was when Rafael sang to me."

The authors writing is beautiful and poetic. Zach is as three dimensional as they come. Last Night I Sang to the Monster is a wonderful and unforgettable realistic YA novel featuring a male protagonist.

Check out this wonderful interview with the author over at School Library Journal

Favorite Books of 2009 - Two A Day

Today, I will start my Favorite Books Read in 2009 - two a day. Beginning Picture books and Early readers

10 Favorite Picture Books of 2009
Olu's Dream by Shane W. Evans
The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen
Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts illus by Noah Z. Jones
Two of a Kind by Jacqui Robbins illus by Matt Phelan
The Rain Stomper by Addie Boswell illus. by Eric Velasquez
The Hat That Wore Clara B. by Melanie Turner-Denstaedt illus by Frank Morrison
Mouse Was Mad by Linda Urban illus. by Henry Cole
Rose's Garden by Peter H. Reynolds
Me With You by Kristy Dempsey and Christopher Denise


10 Favorite Early Readers of 2009
Nikki and Deja: Birthday Blues by Karen English illus by Laura Freeman
Calvin Coconut: The Zippy Fix by Graham Salisbury
Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Ava Tree and the Wishes Three by Jeanne Betancout illus. by Angela Dominguez
Keena Ford and the Second-Grade Mix-Up by Melissa Thomson
Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom by Eric Wight
Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel by Nikki Grimes and R. Gregory Christie
Zac Power #1: Poison Island by H. I. Larry and Ash Oswald
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, by Lenore Look illus by LeUyen Pham
Dinosaur Hunt (Max Spaniel) by David Catrow

Color: The New Reality

I usually don't know ahead of time what my non review post will be. This particular idea came to me while I was reading Amber Kizer's new YA novel Meridian. I've already finished and really enjoyed the book. ( review to come)



Here's a quick back story
In the novel, since Meridian was small animals have been dying around her. As she got older the animals got bigger. On her 16th birthday Meridian sent to live with an Aunt, who will explain Meridian powers. She is a Fenestra, a window, helping people move on to the afterlife. For her safety Meridan must the bus to her Aunt's in Colorado. While at the bus depot Meridan helps translate for an older women. When they get to Colorado the woman's daughter Dr. Portalso -Marquez thanks Meridian for help her mother. When I read that, I was like What! a Latina doctor. That is just one example of color in this novel. I don't think it was a concidence that this was the last novel I read in 2009.

I think its fitting that I would end the year reading a book with a protagonist that does not exist in a color free world. It made me think of all the other books that I've read like that this year that have embraced diversity.

Luv YA Bunches by Lauren Myracle - This is a great book. How often do you see a MG book with a Muslim girl that's not historical fiction. How often do you see an MG book where one of the main characters has two moms. Myracle has all of this diversity, like its the most natural thing in the world.



NERDS: by Michael Buckley This book is so much fun. Not only is the cast diverse, just like Luv YA Bunches so is the cover. Thank you Abrams books. This is book one in the series. Each character will get a chance to be in the spotlight. I have no problems with the author starting with the White male protagonist. Its always easier to start with the familar. Though I have my fingers crossed that the next character the author decides to show case is a character of color.



Ruined by Paula Morris - This is one of my favorite novels on the year. The Haitian ghost was unexpected and loved. The author gives alot of New Orleans history along with the history of Haitian in the city. My review If you get a chance watch the book trailer, it's great.



Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda - I thought this novel was great. I discovered it thanks to a wonderful interview with the author over at Finding Wonderland. Chadda said many things that made me want to pick up his first YA novel

Including
What's interesting is the feedback I've had from some schools regarding the religious and ethnic mix of the characters. Again it was just how I see the world, so that's what I wrote.

Skunk Girl by Sheba Karim - I loved the main character Nina Khan. Some of my favorite scenes of this book were of Nina eating lunch with her friends and their boyfriends. The divesity with seamless and natural. It just was and it didn't hurt that the scenes were well written and funny.


The Ring by Bobbie Pyron -I really enjoyed this one and I loved the MC, Mardie. If any of these novels could have easily had an all White cast it would be this book. The story of a White girl in Colorado who starts boxing to deal with her problems. Though not only are there Black and Latino secondary characters, the author takes the time to develop their story lines.

Liar by Justine Larbalestier - Micah is one of the most original protagonist I've read in awhile. Though if you think Liar made this list just because the MC is Black, you'd be wrong. Its here because Liar is set in current day NYC and some of Micah's teacher last names give hint at their ethnicity. (imagine that) and Zach the boy who is murdered is called a White Latino by his friends. (I did a double take when I read that, didn't realize White people knew there was a difference)

All of these authors found their own way to add color to their novels. I hate the fact that I am still surprised when I find color in MG and YA novels. I shouldn't want to tell everyone that there is a Black, Latina, Muslim, Indian, Asian character in such a such novel. Its 2010 Color should no longer be the exception it should be the norm. Novels should reflect reality.

I am over books with multiple White protagonists and no people of color . Now, I am not looking for forced diveristy. I hate that just as much as a colorless world. I don't expect or want every group of friends to be rainbow colored that is not reality.

Though there is no excuse for a color free book with 3 or more White protagonists. I expect these friends to interact and talk to other people besides each other. (I am so over the TV show Friends the World is all White fake reality. ) I don't need want or expect a character of color be a main character or even a secondary character all the time. What I do expect is that people of color are recognized and not forgotten.

It doesn't even have to be big. It can be something as small as an MC noticing that a store owner reads his national paper everyday.(insert the name of said paper, good to go)

The diversity bar is so low right now. Readers who want it , love it and seek it out are willing to accept almost anything. So make the effort.