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STARCLIMBER
written by Kenneth Oppel, (HarperCollins Children's Books, $17.99,
ISBN 978-0-085057-9), 400p, Young Adult.
Pilot Matt Cruise and Zoologist Kate de Vries from Airborn
(2004) and Skybreaker (2006), journey into space as
part of the crew on an experimental Victorian-era space ship.
Months before the planned mission, Matt begins rigorous training
for a place with the crew of Starclimber, a secret
Canadian elevator-type vessel designed to climb vertically 25,000
miles on a cable into outer space. With many hurdles to overcome,
including their relationship, Matt and Kate (now part of the
suffragette movement) join a prickly female photographer, a
pompous zoologist, and a fatherly captain in an exciting race
into space. However, the race turns deadly as strange glowing
space creatures, asteroids, bomb threats, metal-eating barnacles,
equipment malfunctions, and mechanical failures threaten the
survival of all aboard. Part science fiction, adventure, romance,
and social commentary, action-packed Starclimber will
not disappoint readers. |
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THE DIAMOND
SECRET: A Retelling of "Anastasia"
written by Suzanne Weyn, (Simon Pulse, $6.99, ISBN 978-1-4169-7530-4),
256p, Ages 12+.
Mystery surrounding the survival of the Grand Duchess Anastasia
has been the subject of numerous tales for years. In this version,
two young Russian men, Ivan and Sergei, conspire to trick the
Dowager Grand Empress Marie Feodorovna Romanov into believing
that her granddaughter, Anastasia, miraculously survived the
Russian Revolution in which the royal family perished. In a
Russian tavern, the two discover a lonely kitchen girl, who
has no memory of her past. Ivan, who witnessed the murder of
the Romanov family, believes that Nadya resembles Anastasia,
and with proper training, the deception might be believable.
Nadya, yearning for a family and unaware of a reward, agrees
to meet the Grand Empress. On the journey to Paris, Nadya, Ivan,
and Sergei hitchhike, work to survive, dodge Russian police,
and pursue a strange scarred-face man. As Nadya and Ivan develop
an attraction for each other, they must face the possibility
of parting when the Grand Empress confirms her identity. A diamond
necklace, a rag doll, an evil stalker, amnesia, and betrayal
mix with laughter, love, and family to make this intriguing
interpretation, with its clever alternative ending, a great
read for young adults. The Author's Historical Note explains
facts surrounding the Russian Revolution and the Romanov's sad
fate. |
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COFFEEHOUSE
ANGEL
written by Suzanne Selfors, (Walker Books, $16.99, ISBN
978-0-8027-9812-1), 288p, Young Adult.
When sixteen-year-old Katrina finds a homeless man sleeping
in the alley behind her grandmother's coffeehouse, she leaves
him a cup of coffee, a bag of chocolate-covered coffee beans,
and pastries. Little does she realize that this small act of
kindness will touch the lives of many in the small Nordic town
of Nordby, Washington. The homeless stranger turns out to be
a Scottish angel, Malcolm, on assignment to deliver a message
to someone in town. Because of Katrina's kindness, Malcolm insists
on rewarding her generosity with coffee beans that will give
her what she most desires. Katrina refuses to take him seriously,
as she is overwhelmed with competitor problems from a neighboring
coffeehouse, her future direction in life, and alienation from
her best friend. Katrina begins to take notice of the special
beans, when her friend, Vincent, drinks coffee from the first
bean and gains a full scholarship to college. The second bean
is accidentally eaten by her cat, Ratcatcher, who becomes famous
after killing a record-size wharf rat. The third bean involves
what Malcolm most desires, a promotion. Hilarity abounds, romance
develops, friendships heal, truths are uncovered, and scoundrels
are defeated. With themes of forgiveness, redemption, and helping
others, this likeable heroine and feel-good light romantic story
is recommended for all those who are weary of dark young adult
titles. |
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WISHES ON
THE MOON
written by Michael O. Tunnell, (Speak, $9.99, ISBN 978-0-14-241270-1),
496p, Young Adult.
"What know you of magic lamps–of the demon jinn who dwell
within brass walls? Draw near, my friends, and I, Idris–the
master spinner of tales–will amaze you with a saga the
likes of which you've never heard." Wishing Moon (2004)
and Moon Without Magic (2007) are combined in paperback
format to tell the enchanting story of a young orphan, a street
urchin/storyteller, a kindly cook, a handsome baker, an evil
princess, and their adventures with a tricky jinni and his magic
lamp. Unaware of its magical powers, Aladdin's selfish wife,
Princess Badr al-Badur, throws an old dented lamp at a fourteen-year-old
orphan girl, who begs for work in the Sultan's palace. Much
to Aminah's surprise, the lamp contains a jinni, who grants
her three wishes at the rise of each full moon. Aminah uses
the wishes to improve her circumstances, but differs from previous
masters in that she also helps her suffering people. Jinni is
surprised by her generosity and begins to change his opinion
of greedy and selfish humans. Together they aid a tailor, who
is raising dozens of orphans, help a young baker struggling
to feed the poor, enable a cinder girl to win her prince in
spite of a mean stepmother and stepsisters, and rescue a young
child from a wicked uncle. When Princess Badr discovers the
lamp's value, she stops a nothing to reclaim it and take revenge
on Aminah. Relying on their common sense, luck, and the lamp's
magical powers, Aminah and her friends outwit desert robbers,
escape thieving pirates, outsmart a vengeful princess, and finally
realize that power to succeed requires responsibility, wisdom,
and compassion. For readers who love great storytelling, good
triumphing over evil, resourceful heroes and heroines, magical
enchantments, intrigue, and a love story, this tale will provide
hours of high adventure, suspense, romance, and the discovery
that true happiness comes from helping others. |
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