Reporter's Review: Marcelo in the Real World, by Francisco X. Stork

Overall Grade: A+

Arthur Levine, March 2009

When 17-year-old Marcelo is offered the opportunity to work at his father’s law firm for the summer, he isn’t thrilled. In fact, he’s terrified. He has a mild, undiagnosable condition similar to Asperger’s or Autism, and he wants to spend his summer taking care of ponies at his school for special needs children. The real world, as his father presents it, is the last place he wants to be.
As his summer job progresses, it would seem as if his fear was justified; Jasmine, his coworker in the mail room, didn’t want him there; a young intern named Wendell bullies him; he learns things about his father that he never wanted to know. The real world, in short, pushes in on his former peace from all angles.
Eventually he and Jasmine become friends—only to have Wendell try to take advantage of that friendship by pressuring Marcelo to help him “get” Jasmine for his selfish purposes. And when Marcelo finds a picture of a girl severely injured by the product of one of his father’s clients, his job gets more and more confusing. Should he help Jasmine? Or stay on Wendell’s good side? Should he help the hurt girl? Or should he stay true to his father?
Eventually Marcelo, so innocent in his former life, learns the hard truth of the real world: the choice between good and evil isn’t always black and white. It can mean the choice between evil—and personal sacrifice.

Marcelo in the Real World was the most beautiful book we’ve read this year, for many reasons—the foremost of which is Marcelo himself. Initially he is happy and innocent, but as the book progresses, he loses his innocence for something more important: wisdom. And the wisdom he conveys to the reader is something you will carry with you for a long time.
Though we usually reserve the “possibly objectionable topics” for the end, it’s important to mention here that this book is very intense, and not for the immature or overly innocent reader. There’s a hefty amount of crude language and material—and since Marcelo with his condition filters everything through his very literal mind, there’s no glossing over the harsh stuff. Additionally, a large facet of the plot deals with sexuality and Marcelo’s coming to understand it. The conclusions he reaches are profound and insightful, but parents and teachers may wish to read the book first before recommending it to a younger teen. In fact, they should just read the book first because they’ll love it. And because there’s no adult who won’t benefit from the lessons Marcelo learns and teaches in a real, but beautiful, way.

Literary Quality: A
Plot: A+
Voice: A+
Originality: A+
Descriptive Ability: A
Humor: A
Illustrations: n/a
Believability of Characters: A
Believability of Situations: A
Overall Reading Enjoyment: A+

Possibly objectionable topics*: sexuality, crude language, serious injury

Special Topic: Popular vs. Classic Books

Ok, so it’s the quintessential question, isn’t it? And probably will never be answered completely satisfactorily. But I feel it’s worth addressing considering some of the books I’ve been reading lately.
The obvious truth is: some books last, some don’t. What some people don’t want to admit is that whether or not a book lasts is not left completely up to luck and fate. Every year, hundreds of books appear on the shelves of our bookstores, fill the warehouses of online stores, make their way to libraries and homes. While they may be enjoyed by many individuals, the great majority of them won’t be in the bookstores or warehouses next year. In ten years, they’ll be in the library book sale stacks, because of the simple fact that no one is reading them anymore.
Does this mean the books are bad? Not necessarily, and in many cases, just plain no. Often these fly-by-night books address topics and issues which are very relevant to today’s readers. In the case of Young Adult and Children’s books, these books can be very important in helping readers deal with the issues they face every day.
However, while these books may not actually be bad, it has to be acknowledged that other books are simply better. As Aristotle wrote in his Poetics, “Clearly, then…the soul of tragedy is the plot [Aristotle was kinda obsessed with tragedy, but he is also talking about literary works in general here], and second in importance is character,” and, “the larger the plot is, while still remaining perspicuous [look it up], the more beautiful it is in virtue of its magnitude,” and, “poetry tends [Aristotle used the term poetry to indicate fiction, as opposed to history]…to express the universal.” (And don’t complain about me using Aristotle: it’s lasted over two millennia—that makes it classic classic.)
What I derive from Aristotle is that for a work to be really beautiful, or great, it has to: 1) express a universal truth—universal meaning it is relevant to readers in any time period, not just the present; 2) focus on both plot and character and not just one or the other—but plot is more important, because characters are…well…everywhere, but a plot makes it drama; and 3) contain a plot of a certain magnitude, complexity, and importance.
It’s easy to find books that meet these criteria, both in “classic” and “modern” literature. Take The Lord of the Rings. Or A Wrinkle in Time. The Giver. Johnny Tremain. The Graveyard Book. Black Beauty. Or even Harry Potter, though language-aficionados will complain about that one. Some of those books are decades old, some are new, some are still on the bestseller list. What they have in common is a dynamic plot, real and unique characters, and a universal truth that is expressed through them. There were hundreds of popular books from the decades of LOTR and Johnny Tremain that almost everyone has forgotten (trust me—I’ve read the old Horn Books). You probably can’t name 50 books from the years Harry Potter came out, unless you have a really good memory. You may not even be able to name two dozen from last year.
But you’ll remember the great ones. And so will your children…and their children…and probably their children.
Any thoughts? I'd love to hear your opinions on which modern books will still be around in 50 or 100 years!

Reporter's Review: the treasure map of boys, by e. lockhart

Overall Grade: B-
Delacorte, July 2009

In her Junior year of highschool, Ruby Oliver has a lot to deal with, mostly concerning her own confusing feelings about the boys in her school, but also her own confusing feelings about her friends, her ex-friends, and a cutesy bake-sale that she wants to un-cutesy-fy. Basically, she has the problems of any teenager…only…probably a little weirder than just any teenager.
e. lockhart created a very funny and believable character in Ruby, though the secondary characters are a little harder to swallow at times. The book was easy to read as well as entertaining, in a sort of after-school sitcom kind of way: it was funny, but they’re not gonna be doing reruns five years from now. If you like this type of book, enjoy it while it lasts.

Literary Quality: C (Trust me, the author didn’t even try to make this a literary novel)
Plot: C
Voice: A
Originality: B
Descriptive Ability: B
Humor: A
Illustrations: n/a
Believability of Characters: A
Believability of Situations: A-
Overall Reading Enjoyment: B

Possibly objectionable topics*: crude language, sexuality, mental health issues

Reporter's Review: Carolina Harmony, by Marilyn Taylor McDowell

Delacorte, March 2009
Overall Grade: A

Almost-11-year-old Carolina Campbell faces tragedy early when her parents die. And her best friend movies away. And her grandmother suffers a stroke. And her foster parents are mean and neglectful. And when they don’t even come after her when she runs away. But when she comes to the Harmony farm, run by kind Mr. Ray and Miss Latah, Carolina learns that if you allow it, tragedy can be the door to true happiness.
In her debut novel, author Marilyn Taylor McDowell crafted a beautiful story around a very beautiful character. Although the plot is somewhat predictable, it is above-average for a character-focused novel, containing a few twists and turns which were refreshingly surprising. The sense of time and setting is tangible and the consistency of all the characters in their world is excellent.

Literary Quality: A-
Plot: B (But it’s a character-focused book)
Voice: A+
Originality: A-
Descriptive Ability: A+
Humor: n/a
Illustrations: n/a
Believability of Characters: A+
Believability of Situations: A+
Overall Reading Enjoyment: A

Possibly objectionable topics*: death of parents, child neglect

Reporter's Review: Umbrella Summer, by Lisa Graff

Harper Collins, June 2009
Overall Grade: A-

Annie is afraid of everything: bugs, germs, heights, speed, bikes, obstacle courses—and the dead-brother-look that people have given her every since her older brother Jared died of a rare heart disease. As far as Annie is concerned, she has to be careful…because, after all, you never know what could happen. Your parents don’t know. The doctors don’t know. It takes a whole crowd of friends and neighbors to help Annie learn that being too cautious can keep you from just being yourself.
Lisa Graff’s Annie is a character you just want to hug (except she probably wouldn’t let you if you show any of the many symptoms of laryngitis), and who can make you laugh and (if you’re the emotional type) almost cry.
Our biggest complaint: Why do so many writers try to force Charlotte’s Web into books about death?? (And please do comment; we really want to know!)

Literary Quality: A-
Plot: B
Voice: A
Originality: A-
Descriptive Ability: A
Humor: n/a
Illustrations: n/a
Believability of Characters: A
Believability of Situations: A-
Overall Reading Enjoyment: A

Possibly objectionable topics*: death of sibling

Reporter's Review: The Locked Garden, by Gloria Whelan

Harper Collins, June 2009
Overall Grade: A-

The Locked Garden by Gloria Whelan was a beautifully written story. The characters--both primary and secondary--are real, and their trials are heart-wrenching. The language is perfect for the time period (Victorian) yet accessible for young readers. The plot is intriguing. But the last three chapters were missing.
Seriously, this book was great but for its (lack of an) ending.

Literary Quality: A-
Plot: A
Voice: A
Originality: A-
Descriptive Ability: A+
Humor: n/a
Illustrations: n/a
Believability of Characters: A+
Believability of Situations: A
Overall Reading Enjoyment: A-

Possibly objectionable topics*: secondary characters dealing with mental health issues.

Reporter's Review: Fat Cat, by Robin Brande

Overall Grade: A-
Knopf, October 2009

Fat Cat, by Robin Brande, is one of those books that surprises you with its layers. As with Cat, the main character, you have to get to know the book before you can fully appreciate it—but it’s pretty likeable just from first glance, too. It is a first-person chronicle of a girl’s struggle to get an A and win the science fair—but her research project involves far more than lab work. Cat, to prove her theory on the healthy lifestyle of early humans, must live like one, as closely as possible, for the entire semester. No processed foods. No sugar, no caffeine, no chocolate. No TV. No hairspray. In the course of her research, she changes—she loses her extra pudge and soda addiction, and she gains a self-assurance she had never known.
But, as was mentioned earlier, this book had layers. It isn’t just about a girl’s lifestyle change and weight loss. The character is very real, and her relationships with her friends and family are really at the heart of the book. Robin Brande does an excellent job of weaving the story together, and getting a message across without the least bit of preachiness.

Literary Quality: B
Plot: B
Voice: A
Originality: A
Descriptive Ability: A-
Humor: A-
Illustrations: n/a
Believability of Characters: A+
Believability of Situations: A
Overall Reading Enjoyment: A

Possibly Objectionable Topics*: mild language, kissing, some discussion of sexuality (so...for mature readers)