Review: The Merchant’s Daughter

The Merchant’s Daughter
By Melanie Dickerson (Zondervan, 2011)
Young Adult Fiction [Y-A Inspi Fic Dicke]
Reviewed by: Jessica L.

A new lord with a nightmarish past is coming to the village of Glynval, and seventeen-year-old Annabel has heard frightening stories of his fierceness and ugliness.  But soon she finds herself his indentured servant, working to pay her family’s debt.  Annabel prays that someday she will be able to enter an abbey and become a nun so she can permanently avoid the creepy Bailiff Tom, who wishes to marry her.

This story, set in 14th century England, would probably appeal most to fans of history and/or romance. The Merchant’s Daughter follows the basic storyline of the classic Beauty and the Beast, which makes this book predictable.  However, the book has many twists and turns of its own, including the problems and desires of the two main characters. Overall, I highly enjoyed it.

I rate it 4 1/2 out of 5 bookmarks.

Note: have you read a good book recently? Talk to Angy or email her at bpl@bernepl.lib.in.us about getting your review on the library’s blog!

Review: The Running Dream

The Running Dream
By Wendelin Van Draanen (Alfred A Knopf, 2011)
Young Adult Fiction [Y-A Fic VanDr]
Reviewed by: Jessica L.

The Running Dream by Wendlin Van Draanen is an emotional story about a teenage runner named Jessica.  Jessica is in love with running. So when she loses her leg in a bus accident she is completely devastated and thinks her joyous days of running are over. Throughout her recovery, which has its highs and its lows, Jessica’s family, coach, teammates, and new friends encourage her until Jessica begins to hope that she will be able to run again.

The chapters are usually very short, and the book is divided into five parts, each of which corresponds to a part of a race.  It’s about being strong, appreciating what you have, and seeing the person, not the condition.  The book begins in anger and despair but ends in radiant hope, because as Jessica’s friend Rosa tells her, the finish line is “also the starting line” (page 214), opening up a world of wonderful possibilities.

I rate it 4 out of 5 bookmarks.

Note: have you read a good book recently? Talk to Angy or email her at bpl@bernepl.lib.in.us about getting your review on the library’s blog!

Review: Stormbreaker

Stormbreaker
By Anthony Horowitz (Philomel Books, 2000)
Young Adult Fiction [Y-A FIC HOROW]
Reviewed by: Jessica L.

Alex Rider’s world turns upside down when he discovers that his dead uncle never worked in a bank and that he didn’t actually die in a car accident.  His uncle was shot.  The people now in charge of Alex’s life give him no choice but to continue his uncle’s work, thought they are pretty sure Alex will get killed. When Alex uncovers a deadly plot, he must use his wits, luck, and some high-tech toys given him to thwart the terrorist before England’s future is ruined.

Anthony Horowitz’s Stormbreaker is an exhilarating book that had me hooked from the first chapter.  There is plenty of fast-paced, life-threatening action and a protagonist who is young (some people think too young), in a place he doesn’t really want to be, and not sure if he can do the task set before him.  Though the book is several years old, it it perfect for a teenager who is looking for a book of spies and excitement.

I rate it 4 1/2 out of 5 bookmarks.

Note: have you read a good book recently? Talk to Angy or email her at bpl@bernepl.lib.in.us about getting your review on the library’s blog!

“A Long Walk to Water” by Linda Sue Park

Think of the country of Sudan and terrible images of famine and war over the past decades are present. How does a parent or teacher explain such difficult things to a child?
Newbery winning author Linda Sue Park uses the childhood of Salva Dut, one of the “lost boys of Sudan” to weave a tale based on his actual experiences. By alternating chapters between the early years of conflict in Sudan and present day struggles that involve something as basic as clean water, the author demonstrates the difficulties that have affected thousands of Sudanese throughout the last several years.
In our nation of plentiful resources, “A Long Walk to Water” provides a well written, dramatic example of problems in third world countries on a level that is easy for a young person to understand. With only 120 pages it is packed with emotion.

Becky Lehman
Children’s Department