The Seasons of the EmmaLee by Michael Lindley

For my birthday, the family got me a book that was "local" at the time. The Seasons of the EmmaLee is an adult book but might appeal to YA audiences as well. There are several stories going on at once-the prologue tells of a grandfather and grandson out on a pier fishing when the boy comes upon a floating dead girl. However, the reader doesn't know who this person is or what era she fits into until 3/4 of the way through the novel. One story, set in the present, brings Alex and his 12 year-old daughter, Megan, to Charlevoix, Michigan for the Venetian Boat Festival. The unusual part is that Alex is riding through on his newly restored, 180 foot yacht, the EmmaLee. Waiting for him at the dock in Charlevoix are George Larsen and Sally Thomason. George was the best friend of the man who eventually owned the EmmaLee and Sally is the daughter of the owner, the only remaining person left living in her family. This story is interspersed with the boat's history and the story of how Sally's parents came to love and marry each other even though they were from very different classes of people. This novel has several love stories, a murder and much suspense throughout. I have to admit that I never thought I would like this book, but finished it in two days. The cover didn't do much for me, but the picture of this huge yacht on the front helped me visualize much of the "boat part." The scenery, well, we just got back from the area, so all of the places were fresh in my mind. This was a nice escape.

On another note, I am so happy to have become part of Simon and Schuster's egalley party. I just downloaded a copy of Laurie Halse Anderson's upcoming Forge, which is the second novel after Chains- I LOVED Chains and so did my students. I even added it to my historical fiction genre cart. More on that book when I'm done with it!

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Is there anything Laurie Halse Anderson can't write? I am so impressed by the variety of what she produces. As an avid follower of her blog, I am always struck by how down to earth she is (online as well as in person). Truly, I can't think of a better person to win all of the recognition she has. I always tell my 8th graders that every one of them should read Speak before they go to high school, boys and girls alike. It seems odd that I read the ARC of Wintergirls before I even read Chains, but I managed to make short work of it. Isabel is a slave who is sold to a cruel Tory couple (the Lockharts) in 1776 New York where the Revolution is in full swing. She endures the hardships of working for the Lockharts while losing her sister ("sold" the Madam tells her). Isabel finds herself torn between the two sides of the Revolution, not knowing who to support. In the meantime, she becomes a messenger runner for the Patriots. The book ends as she is finally breaking away from her evil owners and I can't wait for FORGE, which is the next promised continuation.

Not only is the novel beautifully written with great characters (I love Mr. Lockhart's ailing aunt who is kind to Isabel)but the research is incredible. Each chapter starts with a primary source quote pertinent to the rest of the chapter. This goes right to the top of my list for historical fiction. Anderson has also started a foray into picture books, which I can't wait to get my hands on!

Wintergirls

Unfortunately, I can't find a cover for this book anywhere[FOUND IT!] but I blew through Wintergirls, which is Laurie Halse Anderson's next book, due for release in March, 2009. While others were apparently whooping it up in San Antonio at NCTE this past week, I was devouring ARCs while I didn't have any children or students around me. I have to say that this is Anderson's BEST, BEST, BEST work, and I have read everything, starting with Speak. I have always loved Laurie Halse Anderson, but this newest work is exquisite and haunting.

Lia is an 18 year-old high school senior who learns on the first page that her ex-best friend was found dead in a hotel room. What follows is a haunting tale of Lia's struggle to keep her weight above the danger zone (she's been in the anorexia rehab place twice already) and her attempt to keep Cassie - the dead Cassie- from following her.

Lia's refers to her own mother as "Dr. Morrigan". After the mother-daughter falling-out, Lia was sent to live with her dad and stepmother, Jennifer, and Jennifer's daughter, Emma. Most of the book is spent inside Lia's head as she tries to avoid eating so she can get under 100 pounds, preferrably less. Additionally, Lia cuts herself to ease her pain. She wanders to the hotel where Cassie was found dead and adds another layer to the mystery surrounding Cassie's death. Also, Lia discovers that even though she and Cassie hadn't spoken in over three months, Cassie left 33 messages on Lia's cell phone the night she died.

While the story is incredibly moving and intense, it is Anderson's sparse prose, word repetition and incessant labeling of calories after each food Lia records eating that helps you understand the disturbance of the main character. She needs help but refuses. Lia also sees Cassie wherever she goes and has conversations with her which add a layer of almost magical realism to the story. The ending will keep riveted through any disturbance, right to the last word, where you want to start again from page one immediately. I am a HUGE fan of Speak and recommend it to every single 8th grader I teach- the novel is that important to me. However, Anderson may have equalled or surpassed importance with Wintergirls. Another important book that parents and teens should BOTH read!