Boys Boys Boys, (lengthy pause) Girls Girls Girls

 Ah, lad lit. Lad lit that appeals to both sexes, due to the absolute hilarity captured (I say captured, because the reader feels lucky to be experiencing such things) within these pages. The runner line under the author's name stating 'Winner of the Michael L. Printz Award for Looking for Alaska' is probably only meaningful to librarians and Young Adult geeks such as myself, but it is an interesting marketing device. One of my favourite Young Adult novels of 2009, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart, was named a Printz Honor Book, so I guess that's why it piqued my interest.  

Review: An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (Speak, 2006)

Colin Singleton, 18-year-old child prodigy (not genius: there's a difference, explains Colin) and recent high-school graduate has been dumped, yet again. By who? Well, Katherine #19, who else? That's a lot of Katherines to get through in your lifetime, let alone 18 short, latin-filled years.

When it comes to girls (and in Colin's case, it so often did), everyone has a type. Colin Singleton's type was not physical, but linguistic: he liked Katherines. And not Katies or Kats or Kitties or Cathys or Rynns or Trinas or Kays or Kates or, God forbid, Catherines. K-A-T-H-E-R-I-N-E. He had dated nineteen girls. All of them had been named Katherine. And all of them--every single solitary one--had dumped him. 

Colin and his trusty best friend, 'who gives a fug' Hassan, decide to take a roadtrip for the summer, to lift Colin out of the deep fog he's wandering in. Hot, sweaty and disgruntled, the duo arrive in the birthplace of Billie-Mae and Aunty Sue (at least, that's their first impression of the town), the place where Archduke Franz Ferdinand is buried--yep, Gutshot, Tennessee. Even I have to admit this stink-hole sounds like H-E-L-L and not exactly the place you'd like to wile away your troubles. On their quest to see the Duke and slay dragons, the boys meet Lindsey Lee Wells, general store attendant with smarts and enough guts to make sure every day is Tell-it-like-it-is-Tuesday. In need of a job, Colin and Hassan are invited to stay with Lindsey and her Mum, Hollis, in exchange for interviewing the townsfolk and putting together a history of Gutshot.

All Young Adult stories (nay, all stories, but it seems to be a particular, if unspoken trend in Young Adult fiction) should have what I like to call a shining light, for want of a better cliche: a character who will pull everyone out of themselves and get them to remove their heads from their arses. Usually they should be able to manage this feat when those around them need it the most, with good humour and a deep understanding of the protagonist. Hassan was made for this. I say made, but that doesn't mean manufactured. His presence in the story is so natural and right. I have a friend like this and it is only because she knows me so well that she can pull this stuff off and tell me when I need to quit my whinging and stop talking about jumpers and lifts - cheers Steph (please note, she differs greatly in appearance and general politeness from Hassan).

But back to Hassan, just read his opening scene in the book. I dare you not to chuckle (and I hope you read it in public, so someone else can ask what you're laughing about and you can share the good news - I sound like a street preacher, but I swear it isn't the case).

May I also say how refreshing it is to see a boy squirming over a girl in fiction? Perhaps this is sometimes the case in real life too and we shouldn't be too quick to judge. This corner of market is flooded with female authors (far too many in the paranormal romance section, so shoot me now) but this only serves to make the male authors more noticeable, like a pair of rare, vintage cowboy boots (I'm a girl and I really like shoes - I couldn't really think of a more masculine comparison, so shut it, hombre). 

Things I Love About This Book

1. The boys say 'fug' or 'fugging' instead of actually swearing. This tickles my fancy for some out-there reason.

2. Hassan refers to Colin as 'Sitzpinkler' ("A German word, slang for "wimp," that literally means "a man who sits to pee.") If it weren't so inherently weird, I may try to work it in to everyday conversation. 

3. We learn that boys and girls can be equally awful to each other and equally pathetic. It just sits very nicely, as I swirl it around in my mind-grapes (thanks, Tracy Jordan).

What else? Colin learns how to be more of a human being over the course of the story and less of a prodigy (but mainly, just less of a dick). The story, the characters, the town are real, kooky, and hilarious using equal measures of intellect and toilet-based humour.

John Green, I think I may have a crush on you.

Star Light, Star Bright

Though I cannot entirely be sure, I think many of the stories I've liked about stars over the years may have held a special place in my heart because of this English nursery rhyme:

Star light, star bright,

The first star I see tonight;

I wish I may, I wish I might,

Have the wish I wish tonight.

Review: Starry Starry Night by Sarah Kate Mitchell (Murdoch Books, November 2010 - Age group: 5-8 and adults)

Ahhh, picture books. I may not have any children (I do know a few), but this doesn't stop my insane, heartfelt love of picture books and all they represent. I remember being read to as a tiny one myself and enjoyed nothing more. If some twit proposes (at whatever point in the future) that there is no use for the printed picture book and parents should just read them to their children on the iPad, I will go postal. Seriously, if you are the unfortunate person (Nicholas Callaway, I'm watching you) who suggests such nonsense, I will hunt you down. If I have left this world, I will simply have to be content with haunting you for the rest of your miserable, iTwitty days.

Rant over. 

This, my good people, is the front cover. The image absolutely does not do it justice. Glossy, smooth, bright and yet incorporating a rich colour palette: this hardcover book is meant to held and looked at up close.

The premise for this story is such an important one in children's literature today. Starry Starry Night takes you on a true journey of the imagination: encourages thoughts, ideas, and ponderings. When young Jeffrey sees a star fall from the sky, his endless curiousity takes hold. Why did it fall? Where did it go? How can I put it back in the sky? So we begin our journey with Jeffrey; Jeffrey begins to travel on his own path, leafing through his own imaginings.

Debut writer/illustrator Sarah Kate Mitchell has produced work of astounding quality. The illustrations are whimsical, coloured in deep, varied hues of blue and purple and interspersed with the brightest, twinkliest stars you've ever seen. The message that the biggest, best sorts of magic can happen in your own head is very strong and beautifully put, built up over the course of the narrative.  

Starry Starry Night tells a story, whilst instilling the importance of storytelling in the young. As with all beautiful things, they're better experienced in the real. I highly suggest you take a trip to your local book store, pick up a copy, and see the magic for yourself.

This is Awkward

I mean my reasons for not posting anything for so long are awkward, not the book I'm about to review. I got a new job and moved interstate, blah de blah de blah and none of you care so let's move on to the review, shall we.

Review: This is Shyness by Leanne Hall (Text Publishing, August 2010)

Firstly, let us look at the purrrdy cover.

As you read the book, you will see how well this design captures the essence of This is Shyness: mysteriously hovering between the light and dark places in our heart and trying to find a balance in a strange, almost four-dimensional world.  

You know why it is nice to read Australian YA fiction? As much as I love the whole Mean Girls/American teen culture phenomenon, it is truly refreshing to be drawn to a universe away from malls, first-date prep, and college applications.  

This is Shyness follows Wildgirl in her quest for adventure and escape--from the kids at school, her job, her flighty Mother. Boring and normal aren't on the cards tonight for Wildgirl, Rosie, and Neil (who promptly get ditched when Wolfboy makes his presence known at the Diabetic Hotel in Shyness). Shyness is a place where the sun literally does not come up. Or go down. Under the cover of constant darkness, the people of Shyness conduct their lives. This sounds very Swedish and potentially depressing, but author Leanne Hall sets the scene with an equal amount of wide-eyed romance and gritty reality that it just ends up being Shyness: unlike anywhere you or I have ever been.

The novel also has one of the best meet-cutes in the history of a work involving romance:

She looks a hundred times better up close. I blink. Why did I come over here in the first place? In my panic I forget myself and do what I do best: I howl. Every shred of longing and despair in the front bar--and believe me, on a Friday night at the Diabetic there's plenty of it--gets sucked into my lungs. My body shakes as the sound runs through me. The pub stereo shudders to a halt. Every face in the room turns towards me.
I finish with a couple of short sharp yelps and then I'm quiet.
Someone from the City snorts nervously. The regulars turn back to watch the football on the telly mounted above the bar. It's not as if this is the first time this has happened.
 "You're a tool," the girl says, in a cold voice that could cut through my ribs to my heart. The diamond stud in the curve of her nose flashes.
I came to the pub tonight because the walls were closing in on me at home. I thought I'd run into Paul or Thom here. Howling at hot strangers wasn't on my schedule.
"It's in my nature," I reply, and incredibly she laughs. She brushes the guy's arm off like it's little more than a piece of lint.
"I was talking to Neil, not you," she says. "Are you going to help me up?"
Oh. I offer her a hand, and hoist her to her feet. She's light as anything.


So begins their wild night. What could have progressed as a casual flirtation, a night of innocent teen romance (innocent by anyone's standards - there is more raunch in that vampire book by the Mormon lady), turns into something far more real and frankly, far more interesting. Wildgirl and Wolfboy are well-developed, whole characters. The pair explore each other's problems (Wolfboy's dead brother and family estrangement: Wildgirl's school-yard torment as Slutty McSlut-a-lot) and become closer in one night than many people do in a lifetime.

Both characters have their stand-out moments of courage; Wildgirl faces off against a gang of ragamuffins dressed as pirates (winning over their leader with a kiss) and Wolfboy stops running from the memory of his brother, feeding off the strength Wildgirl has given him and seeking out people for once: people from his past, before the darkness became total in Shyness and everyone he loved was gone or on their way out. As far as personalities go, Wildgirl is pretty off the wall, but also pretty hilarious. She's the fifteen-year-old friend you wish you'd had in high school: no joke.

This is Shyness has been a true standout on the shelf of notable YA fiction this year. My greatest hope is for a sequel (my favourite type of ending is one of tentative possibility) and a U.S. rights sale. Isn't that what we all wish for? Also, I hope if someone makes this into a movie that Caitlin Stasey and the entire Neighbours cast are kept well away. To be sure, to be sure.

Tomorrow, When the War Began

I have just seen a preview screening of Tomorrow, When the War Began, the film adaptation of the first novel in John Marsden's fantastic Young Adult series. I want to take this opportunity to urge everyone, if they haven't already, to please go and buy a copy of the books (seven, in total). At least try the first one. They're very well-written, imaginative, and yet have a gritty sort of toughness in the vein of many recent works of Dystopian fiction (except, these novels precede that trend). A special shout out to anyone who may be reading this and is not living in Australia: you won't regret it and they're available cheaply on Amazon.

Now, go forth and devour, my pretties!

Scott Pilgrim, You Slay Me

Review: Scott Pilgrim Volume 6: Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour by Bryan Lee O'Malley

While 24 —the age of our hapless hero, Scott Pilgrim—may not generally be considered Young Adult, the general behaviour of our protagonist seems to warrant that label. These graphic novels are a tale for our times and may, in fact, describe most (if not all) of the males you know under the age of 30. True story. 
 
In case you haven't read the others in the series (which I haven't—yet), the inside cover provides a quick recap titled 'Keep Up!!'. I love this already. 

Ramona Flowers, Scott's supposed true love, has gone away (to where, no one is really sure). His deep state of zombified depression is even pissing of Wallace, who by all accounts, is a chump. With the help of his friends, Scott cycles through his past (and possible future) relationships to figure out what went wrong, or why they will never be. I would perhaps point out to Scott that asking blatantly for casual sex from your ex (or anyone) is perhaps the most direct method, but not the most effective in winning the heart of a lady. 

In the tradition of the previous volumes, he must also fight one of Ramona's evil ex-boyfriends. Oh noes!

 The three main words one should use to describe this story are hilarious, hipster, and insightful. The themes about feeling lost in relationships and unsure of your direction in life are very relatable and sit nicely alongside the cacophony of über-cool artwork and wisecracks. 

A sample, if you will:
Scott: It feels like we're alone on the world!
           No grown-ups!
           It's like "The Tribe!"
Kim:   Scott. We are grown-ups. And I have no idea what "The Tribe" is.
Scott: I don't think I'm ready to be a grown-up.
Kim:   I don't think you are either, buddy.
            But hey, you'll get it. 

I'm no artist, but I found the black and white illustrations were drawn and inked in a way that was very eye-catching, while being simple enough to complement some truly great comedic writing and poignant emotional touches. 

The verdict: Highly Recommend. Do it now (I am now going back to the first volume). 

P.S. - Here's a nice picture of Michael Cera, the live-action version of Scott Pilgrim. Because I bloody well can, okay? 

Why, hello there.

Welcome to the first-ever post from Dorothy's Red Shoes, a YA and Children's literature blog with news, reviews, and interviews (oh my!). Keep your eyes peeled for new content over the coming days.

- Katia