Sapphique by Catherine Fisher

Sapphique, the sequel to Catherine Fisher’s brilliant YA fantasy, Incarceron, captured my imagination from the first chapter. From there it led me on an enchanting, enthralling and breathtaking journey, which is hard to write about without revealing spoilers or even plot lines that are best discovered by the reader.



I will tell you this- if you like fantasy, read these books. If you don’t like fantasy, read these books. They are the perfect fantasy novels for non-fantasy readers (me) because the world Fisher creates is entirely accessible and magical and peopled with strong, complicated characters.


Oh, the characters! The haughty, yet vulnerable Claudia; arrogant and resilient Keiro; gentle and intelligent Jared; conflicted and tormented Finn; and my favorite, the overlooked yet vital Attia.


I can’t say enough about these two novels. And though I would love to read more about the characters I’m glad it won’t be a trilogy. It ended on a perfect note.


Hollywood has noticed these books and Incarceron will be made into a movie starring Taylor Lautner as Finn. I’m a bit scared about this turning into another Twilight cheese-fest, but I don’t have to watch the movie, do I?

Dear Toni is quick read by Canadian author, Cyndi Sand-Eveland. The diary-style writing of our main character is highlighted with “doodles” and ink illustrations to engage the reader in the life of 6th grader Gene Tucks. Gene, (named after an Uncle, despite being a girl) is a nomadic middle schooler whose only goals are making the field hockey team and having a best friend at her new school. Both goals are accomplished, but new best friend, Winnifred, (Winn) soon leaves the area to live with her Uncle and ailing mother. Gene finds solace in the landlord’s St. Bernard puppies she and Winn took care of daily.

The book never gives the reader a true climax, but rather a rolling internal dialogue from Gene’s point of view. Toni is actually the diary Gene writes in every day, giving the audience a sense that “Toni” is really Gene’s best friend. The characters could have been more fully developed, but overall the tone and style are perfect for reluctant readers who are dealing with middle school angst and concerns.

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Lennie Walker is grieving. Her older sister, Bailey, died suddenly of a heart condition and Lennie is suffering in isolation. She's shut out everyone important in her life; her grandma, her uncle and her best friend, Sarah. Her only outlet is the poems that she writes on scraps of paper and scatters around town. Not even her formerly beloved clarinet playing produces relief. Then she connects with Thoby, Bailey's boyfriend. Though she finds strange comfort in him she can't deny her feelings for the new boy in school. Joe Fontaine is French, gorgeous and a musician, like her. She doesn't want to abandon Thoby, but how can she resist Joe?



The Sky is Everywhere is written in an endearing contemporary style, yet it is disjointed and I didn't enjoy it. The author tosses almost every cliche of young adult fiction into the pot, mixes it up and produces a tedious and frustrating plot. Her 17-year-old characters sound like 40-year-olds and her adult characters are juvenile. Her dialogue is similar to that of TV shows like Glee and Gossip Girl. It is undeniably clever, but it gets old. This works well for a teen audience, but from an adult perspective it's too forced. I also didn't care for the foul language and frank crudity of some scenes. I read this novel for the Printz challenge. I don't think it will win.

Picture Books Obsolete?

The New York Times recently published an article called "Picture Books No Longer a Staple for Children". What is your opinion?

Can You Pick the Printz?

Since we're holding a Mock Newbery challenge, why not hold a Mock Printz challenge as well? Again we'll read the books on the following list and pick our individual winner a week before the Midwinter conference. Join us!


You by Charles Benoit



Shipbreaker by Paolo Bacigalupi


Incarceron by Catherine Fisher


Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta


Under a Red Sky by Haya Molnar


The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson


The Last Summer of the Death Warriors by Francisco X. Stork


Nothing by Janne Teller

Neil Armstrong is My Uncle & Other Lies Muscle Man McGinty Told Me By Nan Marino

This is a terrific historical/realistic fiction from the early 1970’s before we had the computer/information explosion thrust upon us, and another great story written by a librarian! Set in the summer of 1969, when Jack Lalane, TV, letter writing, and Vietnam were on America’s radar. Readers get to experience the Apollo moonwalk as well as learn some hard facts of life along with 12 year old, Tammy Simpson. Tammy “lost” her best friend, exactly 45 days ago, to be with her biological mother. Muscle Man is the new foster kid that moves in next door, and just can’t seem to tell the truth. It's Tammy's job to expose this kid and all of his lies, she thinks.

The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz 117 pages

Third person fantasy about, “Flory,” a night fairy who must adapt to her new “day fairy” status when a bat accidentally nips her wings, and causes her to live in a new garden. Great example of living within changing circumstances, empathy, and helping others. High-level vocabulary discussed (such as suet, torpor) as well as habits and environments of various garden animals. Gorgeous color illustrations, rich with detail to bring this new world to life for the reader.