The Limit by Kristen Landon

Title: The Limit
Author: Kristen Landon
ISBN: 978-1-4424-0271-3
291 pages
Aladdin Books, 2010 edition


Description:

Set in a not-so-strange and not-so-futuristic world, 'The Limit' tells of a world where children are taken away from their homes and their schools and taken to what amount to be big factories, called workhouses, if their families cannot abide by the laws. The main law that sees many kids taken away is called 'the limit' and is a limit on how much federal debt anyone family can accumulate. Early in the book, the protagonist Matt sees a number of his peers taken away by the government. To his surprise, the government soon comes for him too. His father is too slow in trying to protect his son from being taken away, and Matt is brought to a workhouse to serve his sentence. To his surprise Matt has been placed in a different area of the workhouse where only certain kids are sent. He is allowed and computer and a cell phone and may order up just about anything he can desire (except freedom). Matt's sister is too taken to the same workhouse but sent to a much different section. He soon learns the truth behind the workhouses, but will he be able to stop it?

Review:

Not the most thrilling of the books I have read, but it is unique in that it fully understands the use of cell phones and technology by 'tweens'. There is texting and computer use going rampant throughout the book (as is the case in real life) and the kids are never far from their devices. The plot is sort of cheap science fiction/mystery and nothing too surprising (to my mind). The pace moves pretty fast and the reader is drawn up into the world of Matt and the workhouses before they even realize it. While not an exemplary piece of 'tween' fiction, it does get some things right and many a 'tween' might very well enjoy it, if only for the use of technology and its pivotal role in the novel.

Lost Time by Susan Maupin Schmid

Title: Lost Time
Author: Susan Maupin Schmid
ISBN: 978-0-399-24460-5
169 pages
Philomel Books, 2008 edition

This book was on a sort of 'featured' table at the public library near my family's house (which is about 45 minutes away from my home in Seattle) and the cover design and jacket looked interesting enough for me to try. I know the mantra "don't judge a book by its cover" should be ringing in my ears, but old habits die hard.

Description:

This is a tale of the planet of Lindos, a world of ancient cultures and deserts of red sand dunes. The story revolves around a young girl named Violynn, whose parents have disappeared after a trip to a famed archaeological site. Violynn is highly suspect of the Arbiter, the powerful ruler of her planet in the disappearance of her parents and a recent break-in at her home. The Arbiter invites her to a masquerade ball and the Coil, a mysterious and powerful figure, also begins to show interest in Violynn. What is so special about her that two of the most powerful beings on her planet have all the sudden become very interested in Violynn? It turns out that some of her father's belongings possess some very powerful information; information that in the wrong hands could prove deadly. It is up to this one 12-year-old girl to save the fate of her planet and to find her parents.

Review:

This book is a strange blend of sci-fi, fantasy and a sort of pseudo-mystery book and, to me, is reminiscent of the works of Ursula K. LeGuin (albeit for children). The length of the book isn't too daunting or unnecessary (like many works of sci-fi/fantasy) yet there is no sacrifice in characters depth or plot development. The mix of genre's and the futuristic technology of the Croon (the ancient civilization) was enough to keep me interested, but the kids will probably relate more to the protagonist Violynn. Although nothing spectacular in terms of breaking new ground, this was a pretty fun book that is recommended for fans of sci-fi/fantasy.

The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer

Title: The Case of the Missing Marquess
Author: Nancy Springer
ISBN: 978-0-14-240933-6
214 pages
Puffin Books, 2006 edition

At the local branch of the Seattle Public Library near my house, they have a bookshelf of popular titles that children or parents (or people like myself) may take home and read without checking out and with no particular due date. This title was one that the librarian had suggested so I thought that I would check it out. The idea of having these titles available for kids to take home without a library card is a really neat idea and one that should be adopted wherever possible.

Description:

Enola Holmes is the younger sister of the famed Sherlock Holmes and, on her fourteenth birthday no less, learns that her mother has been kidnapped. Enola, alone spelled backwards, goes to her two older brothers in hopes of finding the location of her missing mother. After being told by her brothers that she will be sent away to boarding school, Enola decides to take the search upon herself and runs away from home in hopes of solving the mystery; to mysterious, dark and murky London. Upon her arrival in London, Enola reads about another missing person; the young Marquess of Basilwether. What do this young, 12-year-old girl and Enola's mother have in common? That is what Enola plans to figure out.

Review:

I was initially excited about the premise of this book, which is the first in a series of books about Enola, with Sherlock's younger sister getting into the action. The subject matter may be a little bit too heavy for some of the younger 'tween' readers as Springer's London is a pretty scary place. Right from the get go, there are mentioned prostitutes and other decidedly adult characters that populate Springer's novel. While none of them is given too much detail, some might be tentative to have their children reading books with this type of material. While I don't usually go for, or enjoy for that matter, mystery books for kids or adults, this one was admittedly good. The plot is engaging, the back story and connection to Sherlock Holmes is a fun and amusing take on the classic, and overall the novel is quite good.

The Seven Keys of Balabad by Paul Haven

Title: The Seven Keys of Balabad
Author: Paul Haven
Illustrator: Mark Zug
ISBN: 978-0-375-83350-2
275 pages
Random House, 2009 edition


Just a random book that caught my eye and sounded like it might be a good read. I had not received any recommendations for this book or anything of the sort, just thought I might give it a try.

Description:

'The Seven Keys of Balabad' takes place in the mystical land of Balabad (which, in the author's note at the end of the book, is based on the author's time in Afghanistan and Pakistan). The book tells the story of a young boy named Oliver who feels out of place in his new home in Balabad. Being from New York City, his expectations and perception of his new surroundings are tainted by him missing home. The story really begins when an ancient and sacred carpet comes up missing, stolen from the shop of Mr. Haji, where Oliver and his new friend Zee hangout. When Oliver decides to get to the bottom of the mysterious happenings he finds himself drawn in to the world of Agamon the Great, King of Balabad, and his seven sons with their seven horses (sevens are a constant throughout the book). One day, Mr. Haji is nowhere to be found, so Oliver and Zee must find him and get to the bottom of the mysterious brotherhood and the seven keys of Arachosia.

Review:

A well researched book based on the author's real life travels, 'The Seven Keys of Balabad' is a fun, Middle Eastern inspired mystery tale perfectly suited for 'tweens'. There is a little love interest in the story, a beautiful young girl that Oliver and Zee meet, but their romantic inclinations are silly and awkward (like real-life 'tweens') The story is well paced and is funny and the reader is pulled into an involving mystery. Some of the character and place names seem a little bit like they are poking fun at Muslim names and places, but the author's intent is in no way malicious. The author has really done a nice job with this book; a great read for any 'tween' interested in a little bit of mystery.