4 stars

Criminal or kid?  Murdered or misunderstood? 

 In this graphic novel based on a true story,  eleven-year-old Roger tells about the life of his classmate Robert, a young boy nicknamed Yummy.  Yummy, like many other kids in the inner city, never had a real childhood.  He was taken away from his abusive drug addict mother at a young age and lived with his elderly grandmother.  His grandmother loved Yummy, but with 19 others living with her, she had little money or time to give him.  Yummy could come and go as he pleased and often  did - leaving his home for days at a time.  Before long Yummy found a place he could belong - where he would be taken care of if he just followed their orders and proved his worth.  Yummy joined the Black Disciples, the same gang the narrator's brother, Gary, belonged to.  

Yummy begins his venture as a member of one of Chicago's toughest gangs with a petty crime spree - shoplifting, fighting, breaking and entering, and stealing cars.  Yummy never planned on killing anyone - despite having been given a gun by his gang.  He only meant to scare away a few rival gang members hanging in their 'hood.  When Yummy fires his gun as a warning to others, the stray bullet hits and kills a sweet, innocent young girl who was only sitting outside her apartment.

Suddenly, Yummy is on the run -  an 11 year old boy now wanted for murder.  Yummy trusted his gang to take care for him, and he couldn't understand why everyone now hated him and wanted him captured.  He wasn't a killer.  It was just a mistake.  Yummy would give anything to take it back and give the pretty young girl, Shavon, her life back...

Roger thinks he knows his classmate Yummy, but he suddenly realizes life is not white and black.  Yummy could be ruthless and mean, but he also was still just a lonely little kid who never had a chance for a good life.  When Yummy  is captured and killed - not by the police but by his own gang family-Roger realizes the young girl Shavon is not the only victim in this tragic turn of events.

Saturday, August 04, 2012

4 Stars

A Long Walk to Water tells the true story of a young girl named Nya and a young boy named Salva, one of the lost boys of Sudan. The reader learns about life in war-torn Sudan - the fear, famine and dehydration, the desperation of the Sudanese as they are forced to flee their homes and walk thousands of miles through the hot desert in order to locate one the the refugee camps - where living conditions were also deplorable.

With the belief that his family has been killed, Salva is left alone and must fend for himself.  Though he walks with the others, he is not shown much mercy by the adults.  Silva loses his one friend to a lion who drags the young boy away at night.  Silva knows no matter how difficult things become, he must keep walking or die.  Despite his never-ending thirst, the blistering sand underneath his bare feet, and the gnawing, deep hunger which never goes away, Salva is determined to survive.

Eventually, Salva is chosen by American missionaries to come to America and be sponsored by an American family.  Salva is amazed by the luxuries America can afford him and decides he must return to Sudan in order to share his good fortune and to help his people.  It is during his first trip home where Salva learns his family is still alive, and his life intersects with the young Nya.      

Saturday, August 04, 2012

3.5 Stars

     Ella was used to being the outsider.  All the students at her school were white, and some teased her for her discolored facial skin, calling her "Camo."  Z was the only friend she could count on.  Sure Z was strange.  He usually wouldn't respond unless you called him Agent Z, and he frequently lived in a fantasy world.  Z was always a little different, but he really began acting strange after his father left his family.  Ella didn't care, though.  Z was always there for her and accepted Ella just as she was.  Ella didn't think anything would ever change until the new boy moved into town.

     Bailey was the new goodlooking African-American boy who transferred to Ella's middle school.  Everyone wanted to be his friend.  Bailey, though, seemed most interested in becoming good friends with Ella.  Suddenly Ella belonged.  She sat at the cool table during lunch and started getting invitations to parties.  Though Ella never turned her back on Z, he suddenly seemed threatened by Ella's new relationship.  

     Ella feels torn.  She enjoys feeling good about herself again but cannot forget Z's loyalty and friendship.  Ella knew she would have to make a choice - choosing the friend she could always count on or the life she has always dreamed about...   

Saturday, August 04, 2012

3.5 Stars

     Ella was used to being the outsider.  All the students at her school were white, and some teased her for her discolored facial skin, calling her "Camo."  Z was the only friend she could count on.  Sure Z was strange.  He usually wouldn't respond unless you called him Agent Z, and he frequently lived in a fantasy world.  Z was always a little different, but he really began acting strange after his father left his family.  Ella didn't care, though.  Z was always there for her and accepted Ella just as she was.  Ella didn't think anything would ever change until the new boy moved into town.

     Bailey was the new goodlooking African-American boy who transferred to Ella's middle school.  Everyone wanted to be his friend.  Bailey, though, seemed most interested in becoming good friends with Ella.  Suddenly Ella belonged.  She sat at the cool table during lunch and started getting invitations to parties.  Though Ella never turned her back on Z, he suddenly seemed threatened by Ella's new relationship.  

     Ella feels torn.  She enjoys feeling good about herself again but cannot forget Z's loyalty and friendship.  Ella knew she would have to make a choice - choosing the friend she could always count on or the life she has always dreamed about...   

Saturday, August 04, 2012

Michael Vey knew he was different.  He was always teased and made fun of for his small size and the way he blinked his eyes when he was nervous.  Michael had Tourettes Syndrome.  That wasn't the only thing that set him apart, though.  Michael also had special powers - a unusual but powerful gift that he had to keep hidden from others.  


Michael tries to keep his power a secret until he finally breaks and just can't stand the abuse anymore.  After yet another beating by Jake and Wade, the school bullies, Michael unleashes a powerful electric shock at his tormentors.  Leaving them stunned and helpless as they lie on the ground in the front of their high school, Michael's hands release strong electrical currents throughout their bodies like a tazer.  Michael knew they would never bother him or beat him up again.


Michael wasn't alone with this happened.  Taylor, the impossibly beautiful and popular high school cheerleader, sees what happens.  Suddenly she wants to be Michael's friend.  She, too, has a secret.  


Both Taylor and Michael have secret powers which set them apart from the other teens.  Together, they soon discover that they are part of an elite group of 17.  Seventeen teens who have unique abilities which give them the power to both save and destroy.  

Tayor and Michael are being hunted.  Someone knows about their talents.  He won't stop until he captures them so he can ruthlessly use the electric teens in order to gain control - control of the 17 "Glows" and control of the entire world.


Nonstop action and excitement in this new series!

Friday, July 27, 2012