Jillicious Reading: All the Bright Places

All the Bright Places
by Jennifer Niven

Summary: Theodore Finch. He is a tortured soul, completely obsessed with death.  Everyday he thinks of ways he might die, but also desperately seeks something -  anything - that will keep him here. 

Violet Markey. She is struggling to make it through each day without her sister.  She is counting down the days until graduation when she can get out of her town and begin to live again, away from the memories and the pain.  

And, then Finch and Violet meet.  On the ledge of the bell tower at school. One rescues the other, and a relationship begins that changes everyone's' lives forever.  

Thoughts:  All the Bright Places grabs you from page 1 and never lets go.  Teens Finch and Violet are both seriously struggling.  Finch is an outsider.  Getting up, making it through the day, and finding a reason to do it again the next is a constant challenge.  Violet's struggle is new.  It began when her sister died in a car accident in which Violet was a passenger and survived.  Everyone wants her to start moving on, getting back into life.  But she just can't do it.  Being a sole survivor is incredibly difficult, and Violet is consumed by guilt.  When the two meet, both find a kindred spirit that neither expected, but is exactly who both need. 

This powerful novel and these afflicted characters are unforgettable.  Inspired from events from her own high school experience, Jennifer Niven tells a story that is gripping, honest, and completely heart-breaking.  It explores these teens' struggle to truly live as well as navigating difficult family relationships and intense first love.  It inspires readers to look for the bright places in their lives and to also look for those around them who might be silently suffering.  Get your tissues (and your Post-its!) ready. This one will touch your heart forever.  

Read All the Bright Places if you ... 

• enjoyed The Fault in Our Stars, Eleanor and Park, Thirteen Reasons Why or If I Stay 
• have lost someone close to you
• sometimes feel lost - or like a "weary traveler" - in this world
• are a tortured soul or commiserate with those who are
• you remember (or dream of!) your first true love

Click here to read more about All the Bright Places, Jennifer Niven, and her critically-acclaimed books published for adults. 

Note: The movie rights of All the Bright Places have already been sold, and Elle Fanning has been cast to play Violet!  

I created a wall of some of my bright places and was honored that author Jennifer Niven added it to her blog!  :) 

Jillicious Menu: Dystopian Novels

Since The Hunger Games hit the shelves, readers have been clamoring for dystopian novels.  If you are looking for more in this captivating genre, here are several to consider.  Some are well-known and already quite popular; others are quieter, appealing to a smaller audience.  But, all are worth a look by fans of dystopia!

Article 5 series 
by Kristen Simmons
Ember remembers what life used to be ... before people were arrested for reading romance novels or for staying out too late.  She manages in the new government controlled world until her mother is arrested for violation of Article 5 ... and one of the arresting officers is Ember's first love, Chase Jennings.



Blood Red Road series 
by Moria Young
(optioned for a movie by Ridley Scott) 
When Saba's twin Lugh is kidnapped, she sets out with her little sister Emmi to find him; the two endure a tough, gritty world as they seek to reunite their family.  Saba eventually finds hope in the handsome, daredevil Jack and the Free Hawks, a group of female vigilantes.  But, will she ever find Lugh?  

Delirium trilogy 
by Lauren Oliver
(in development as a TV movie)
Lena is looking forward to her 18th birthday when she will receive the cure.  Provided by the government, this remedy ensures a safe, predictable life not threatened by emotion.  But then, unexpectedly, she falls in love. Lena now wonders if a life without emotion is really worth living.



Divergent trilogy 
by Veronica Roth
(movie in filming, set to release in March 2014; final book in the trilogy, Allegiant, just released)
As her 16th birthday approaches, Beatrice ponders which faction of society she will choose; the choice determines her future identity and could also permanently separate her from her family.  Her decision becomes even more complicated when she discovers she is "divergent," the first of many surprising discoveries about herself, her government, and her future.  

The Eleventh Plague  
by Jeff Hirsch 
After the Collapse of America, Stephen, his father, and his grandfather are doing their best to survive by scavenging and staying on the move.  But, a sudden tragedy and a risky decision put Stephen on a completely unexpected path.





Enclave series 
by Ann Aquirre   
After the world is decimated, most of civilization has moved underground into the enclaves.  Deuce turns 15 and, as expected, takes her role as hunter, but is unexpectedly paired with the elusive Fade, a former Topsider.  The discovery they make changes everything.
  

Epitaph Road 
by David Patneaude 
It's 2097. Thirty years ago 97% of the male population was wiped out by a mysterious plague.  Kellen, a 14-year-old boy, now exists in the minority in this female-dominated society.  The ruling women have eliminated the world's most pressing problems - poverty, hunger, war - but this utopia has come at a cost.  




Gone series 
by Michael Grant 
In the blink of an eye, everyone over the age of 14 suddenly disappears ... gone.  When the teens are left in control, sides are drawn, bullies rule, and a frightening new world emerges that no one expected. 

 Incarceron series 
by Catherine Fisher
(in movie development)
Finn has been a prisoner in the vast Incarceron as long as he can remember.  But, he is certain he is an Outsider.  His only tie to the Outside is Claudia, the daughter of the Warden.  Finn is determined to escape the prison, Claudia is determined to escape an arranged marriage.  Do either have a chance?



Legend trilogy 
by Marie Lu
(optioned for a movie: final book in the trilogy, Champion, releases this week!)
What used to be the US is now the Republic.  June, born into an elite family, is the  golden girl of the government.  Day, a son of the slums, seeks to thwart to the government at every turn.  When these two cross paths, an unlikely alliance is made and truths are discovered that neither expected.

 
Matched trilogy 
by Ally Condie
(optioned for a movie)
Cassie trusts the decisions the government makes for her.  When she is Matched with her longtime friend, Xander, she trusts that he is her perfect mate.  But, then another Match flashes momentarily on the screen ... the mysterious outsider Ky.  The government says it was a glitch.  But was it? 



The Maze Runner series 
by James Dashner
(movie in filming, set to release September 2014)
When Thomas awakens, he is in an elevator with no memory of how he arrived there.  The doors open, and he is greeted by a group of boys who welcome him to The Glade.  Like Thomas, they don't remember how they arrived; all they know is that the doors to the Maze open every morning and close every night and that a new boy arrives every month.  All are surprised when the next arrival is a girl with a message.  

The Neptune Project  
by Polly Holyoke
(just named to the 2014-2015 Texas Bluebonnet Award List)
Nere has always felt most comfortable in the water with her beloved dolphins.  But, she is shocked to learn that she has been genetically engineered to live in the sea.  When the government makes a sudden proclamation, her mother tells Nere the truth and insists that she immediately escape in the sea with two others like her.  She doesn't have time to think; she is now on the run from the government officials and the dangers that lurk beneath the water's surface. 


Partials series 
by Dan Wells
Only a small human population remains after a decimating war and a weaponized virus.  The end seems to be in sight for the human race as no babies can survive the plagued new world.  Kira, a medic-in-training, is on the front lines; she makes a discovery that might lead to ultimate survival, but she must battle the government to see it through and time is running out.

 The Testing  
by Joelle Charbonneau 
(nominated for the 2014 Texas Lone Star List)
It's graduation day for Cia.  Against all odds she hopes she will be selected for the Testing; she is not the very top of her class, none of her brothers were chosen, and few have gone from her region.  But, Cia desperately wants to be among those taken to the capital to compete for the chance to lead and to study at the university.  Then she learns more about what the Testing truly involves.



Under the Never Sky 
 by Veronica Rossi 
(optioned for a movie)
Aria lives safely in a domed city where most time is spent in a virtual world.  Perry lives on the outside in a world where life is dangerous and very real.  When Aria's mother disappears, she seeks answers that take her beyond the domed walls and into immediate danger.  Suddenly thrust into this frightening world, she has no one to depend upon but the savage Perry.  

Jillicious Reading: Crime Capers

What's better than a mix of crime, espionage, high school drama, and romance? These novels have it all! 

A Girl Named Digit 

By Annabel Monaghan 

Summary: Farrah, known as 'Digit' for her superior math intelligence, tries to shed her geek-iness and really enjoy the school social scene her senior year.  Although not quite fitting in, she attempts to run with the 'in' crowd with some success.  However, her year takes a dramatic turn when she notices a series of numbers hidden in a television show.  Her mathematical mind immediately recognizes a code. The code turns out to be that of a terrorist organization planning a deadly attack; Digit suddenly finds herself in the middle of an FBI investigation, a fake kidnapping, and hours of surveillance with a very cute young FBI agent. 

Thoughts: Author Annabel Monaghan delightfully turns a far-fetched premise into a completely believable, charming novel.  Digit is a smart, endearing heroine; she has atypical intelligence but very typical teen feelings of insecurity and wanting to belong. Her honesty, wit and crush on John, the FBI agent in charge of her safety, make for a funny, entertaining adventure.  I've just learned that Disney has optioned A Girl Named Digit for a Disney Channel Movie AND there is a sequel, Double Digit, on the way; I can't wait for her next escapade! 

Also Known As

by Robin Benway

Summary:  Maggie is the daughter of spies. She has spent her life moving from place to place as her parents carry out missions of espionage to stop international crime. She has shown remarkable ability for safe-cracking, and has now been assigned her first solo spy mission! Her task involves enrolling in an elite private school in NYC to befriend the son of a criminal suspect. But, high school is not at all what this first time student expected. And neither is the target of her espionage. 

Thoughts:  Also Known As is a funny, fast-paced novel. The characters are well-developed and interesting, some realistic teens and others the cryptic cast members spy novels are made of.  Unlike Digit who is thrown into the criminal world, Maggie knows no other life; instead she is overwhelmed by the workings of high school and friendships. Robin Benway's Also Known As is a winsome romp into the worlds of international crime, East Coast private school and high school romance.   

These novels will appeal to the many fans of Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series and her Heist Society series. 

And while we're on the subject, here are a few Ally Carter notes: 
  
-Heist Society has been optioned for a movie by the producers of Pitch Perfect!  

-The Gallagher Girls comes to an end this fall in the sixth volume, United We Spy.  (Sad news, but followed with good news ... )

-Ms Carter is working on a new series called Embassy Row! I dreamed of being an ambassador when I was a kid, so I am super excited about this one.

Last criminal caper idea ...

If these plot lines sound appealing to you but you prefer your crime of the supernatural variety, be sure to check out Kiersten White's Paranormalcy series (click to view my past post on this delightful series).    






So if you are looking for some entertaining reads full of crime, capers and crushes, be sure to add these novels to your list.  They are tons of fun and will leave you itching for your own spy investigations, gadgets and gear!     

The World is Watching!

The time has come.  The captivating, bestselling Hunger Games is finally hitting the big screen.  I attended a midnight showing last night and thoroughly enjoyed the film adaptation.  Of course no movie can ever live up to the book :) , but it keeps a strong essence of the powerful story and is visually magnificent!

If you enjoyed this trilogy and are looking for more futuristic, dystopian, survival stories, try one of these: 


Legend by Marie Lu
June is a prodigy, the government's golden girl.  Day is an infamous criminal, risking it all time and again to steal medicine for his family.  When their paths cross, their lives change forever. 

Divergent by Veronica Roth
What is your strength?  Are you brave? ... honest? ... selfless? ...intelligent? ... or, a peace maker?  Beatrice is 16 and must decide.  Society is divided into 5 factions based on these traits.  Does she choose the one that truly defines her ... even if it requires her to break all ties with her family and the only life she's ever known? 

Blood Red Road by Moira Young
When Saba's twin brother Lugh is kidnapped, she and her little sister Emmi set out across the desolate Dustlands.  Everyday is a fight to survive as the girls must overcome treacherous conditions and brutal bandits in hopes of finding their beloved brother.  

Enclave by Ann Aguirre
New York City has been basically destroyed and most of the survivors have moved underground to live in enclaves beneath the former city.  When Deuce is 15, she is named a huntress and paired with the mysterious Fade who lived once lived Topside.  Together the make some startling discoveries about the neighboring enclaves and truths about their own.      


Matched series by Ally Condie
What if the government made life's most important decisions for you, including who you would match with for life?  Cassie has always trusted the decisions of The Society.  She is thrilled when she matches with childhood friend Xander.  But, why does the CD of her match momentarily flash with Ky, the outsider of the community?  And, why can't she stop thinking about him?  Who is her perfect match?  Does The Society really know what's best? 

Partials by Dan Wells
There are very few humans left in the United States due to a debilitating virus.  And, none of the newborn babies are immune and able to survive.  Medical intern Kira is determined to find an answer and a way to save these young lives.  But, she might lose her own - and her friends' - in the process.  


The Maze Runner trilogy by James Dashner
When Thomas awakes in the elevator, he has no idea how he got there and remembers nothing but his name.  When the doors open, he finds himself with a group of other kids also wondering how they ended up in the Glade and all faced with same challenge:  find a way out of the maze.   

War Horse
by Michael Morpurgo

Summary:  The young horse Joey is sold to a hot-headed farmer, but luckily finds a master in the farmer's kind-hearted son Albert.  Joey and Albert become loyal friends until they are torn apart by the war.  Joey meets many horses and soldiers on both sides of the conflict, but never forgets Albert, his first and most beloved companion.    

Thoughts:  War Horse is the novel that inspired the award-winning Broadway production and blockbuster film.  Told from the horse's point of view, the novel is a powerful, heart-rending tale of the unbreakable bond between a horse and his master.  As a lifelong horse lover, I was completely enthralled by this story from page 1.  It beautifully explores friendship, the human spirit, the power of kindness, and the horrors of war.  This is a must read for horse lovers and fans of historical fiction.  

Click here to read more about author Michael Morpurgo and his many other animal books.                

Wonderstruck
by Brian Selznick

Summary:  Wonderstruck, "a novel in words and pictures," tells two stories, one of Ben and one of Rose.  Ben lives at Gunflint Lake, Michigan in 1977.  After his mother passes away, he sets out to New York City to find the father he never knew.  Fifty years earlier, Rose lived in Hoboken, New Jersey, and she, too, set out for the City to find what her life her was missing.     

Thoughts:  Brian Selznick has created another masterpiece of storytelling and art in Wonderstruck.  He uses the same format of his Caldecott-winning The Invention of Hugo Cabret, yet brings a new freshness in this wholly original tale.  The stories are told side by side, Ben's through text, and Rose's through pictures.  Rose is deaf, and I was impressed with the way her story was told visually; the quiet experienced as the reader "reads" the illustrations is the perfect accompaniment to her journey.  The cinematic quality of the illustrations and Selznick's brilliant spreads, zooming in and out, are truly mesmerizing.  It is impossible not to be pulled in from the very first page!  From there the reader is taken on a fascinating adventure as Ben grieves for his mother, struggles with his own hearing, and seeks answers about his father, a quest that leads him to the American Museum of Natural History.  


The author includes many references to the beloved novel, The Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and the classic journey taken to the Metropolitan Museum of Art by Claudia and her little brother Jamie.  (I have found a few and may have to reread both books so I can catch more!)  I loved this tribute to the classic novel (a lifetime favorite of mine) and also loved that Ben's mother, described by the author as a strong, independent, revolutionary, was a librarian.  :)  The "Acknowledgments" at the end of the book are worth reading as they tell of the author's inspirations and how things all came together in this new work.  Wonderstruck will surely be a favorite of readers of all ages, those who loved Hugo as well as those who are just meeting Brian Selznick for the first time.    

If you haven't read The Invention of Hugo Cabret, take the time to do so before this story hits the big screen in November 2011 (directed by Martin Scorsese).  Brian Selznick's first "novel in words and pictures" tells the story of Hugo, an orphan living secretly in a Paris train station in the 1930s, and a mystery involving his father and an automaton found in a museum.  This groundbreaking book was the perfect format to tell this intriguing story involving a father, a son, a toy-maker, friendship, clocks, train stations, silent movies, invention, and dreams.  


Visit Brian Selznick's website to learn more about The Invention of Hugo Cabret (both the book and upcoming movie) and to get a sneak peek of Wonderstruck.      
  

Delirium

by Lauren Oliver


Summary:  In a future world, love (amor deliria nervosa) is declared a disease and is outlawed by the government.  Lena is counting down the days until her 18th birthday.  Then she can get the operation that will prevent an outbreak of love and enusre her a safe and predictable life.  But then, she meets Alex.  

Thoughts:  What an excellent premise!  The idea of love as a disease and that its side effects ... strong emotions, anxiety, irrational behavior ... need to be avoided at all costs is original and thought-provoking.  Oliver builds a chilling world where safety & caution prevail, and Romeo and Juliet is viewed as a frightening, cautionary tale.  Lena is a believable character, and her journey to true understanding is captivating.  I was particularly impressed with the effective use of Biblical allusions.  Delirium ends dramatically leaving the reader eager for a sequel.  Luckily this is the first book in a new trilogy, so there is much more to come!  

Visit author Lauren Oliver's website to read more about this talented young adult author and her books. 

Interesting note:  Delirium and Ms. Oliver's first novel, Before I Fall, have both been optioned for movies!    

Coming Soon to a Theater Near You!

Check out the trailers of these novels that will soon hit the big screen:

New Moon
by Stephanie Meyer




















The Lightning Thief
by Rick Riordan

Coming Soon to a Theater Near You!

The White Giraffe

by Lauren St. John

Summary: Martine's life is devastated when her beloved parents are killed in a fire, and she is sent to live with her only relative, a grandmother she has never known who runs a wildlife preserve in Africa. Her grandmother is cold and distant, but Martine finds comfort in the beautiful landscape and the fascinating African animals. There are rumors that a rare, elusive white giraffe lives on the perserve, and Martine is determined to discover the truth.

Thoughts: I was drawn to this story because of the African setting and animals. I really enjoyed it. I liked how Martine withstood her grief and found her way in a new world. I look forward to seeing how this translates into a film and also can hardly wait to visit Africa someday!

Coming Soon to a Theater Near You!

Everlost

by Neal Shusterman

Summary: Following a fatal car crash, Nick & Allie collide on their way to the light. No longer living they find themselves in Everlost, a limbo for lost souls. Here they discover other lost souls and new rules for "living." Nick begins to settle into this next existence, but Allie will stop at nothing to find her way out.

Thoughts: I am glad I finally had the chance to read this Shusterman novel. Although I knew the premise, the book was very different than I expected. I enjoyed the creative twists and turns. This was a selection of one of my book clubs, and I was so intrigued with the excellent discussion this novel produced. This is a favorite of many of my students who are eagerly anticipating the next volume of the trilogy.

Coming Soon to a Theater Near You!

Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging
by Louise Rennison

Summary: This is the diary of 14-year-old British teen, Georgia Nicholson. In this hilarious journal, Georgia tries to control her wild cat, Angus, deal with her weird parents, keep her little sister occupied, make her nose stop growing, avoid as much school work as possible, and win the love of older man Robbie. The diary is complete with a British - American glossary which defines "snogging" and other Brit slang terms.

Thoughts: I am a huge fan of the "fabbity, fab, fab" Georgia. Be sure to get to know this feisty heroine before the movie (Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging) hits the big screen this year. There are several books in this series describing Georgia's hilarious and often embarrassing adventures. And, they are a blast on audio!

Coming Soon to a Theater Near You!

Twilight

by Stephenie Meyer

Summary: When her mother remarries, Bella Swan moves from sunny Phoenix to rain-soaked Forks, Washington to live with her father. She just wants to fit into her new school without being noticed. But noticed she is, by the gorgeous and mysterious Edward Cullen. Bella is instantly drawn to Edward, and she is determined to unveil the true identity behind this distant yet alluring boy.

Thoughts: This captivating novel is one of my very favorites. If you haven't read Bella & Edward's story, be sure to do so before the film release on December 12, 2008. The story continues in New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn.

Coming Soon to a Theater Near You!

The City of Ember

by Jeanne DuPrau

Summary: The city of Ember was built 241 years ago to ensure that the human race would continue on earth. However, Ember is rapidly decaying, and the instructions for how to get out of the city have long since been lost and forgotten. Twelve-year-old Lina and her friend Doon are convinced that the only chance to survive is by finding a way out. The courageous duo works together, determined to save the doomed city before the lights go out forever.

Thoughts: This is a creative, fast-paced novel that makes the reader thankful for life on earth. If you haven't read it, be sure to do so before the movie hits theaters in October 2008. Also, the story continues in The People of Sparks, The Prophet of Yonwood, and The Diamond of Darkhold.