Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Perfect Chemistry

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles published by Walker and Company, 2009.



Elkeles has done a fabulous job in this modern take on the Romeo and Juliet story. Instead of Montagues and Capulets, she has Latino Blood and Country Club. She tells the story in alternating first-person point of view and both co-protagonists are fully fleshed out, intriguing characters.

Both characters grow and change, providing a strong internal arc. But the book also has a very solid plot.
Elkeles makes excellent use of foreshadowing.  Doses of humor break up the tension. Thoughtful use of Spanish words and phrases in the text was extremely well done.

The sequel is due to come out in May, 2010. You can bet I'll be getting it.
Here's a sexy book trailer for Perfect Chemistry.



More Personally
Enjoyed meeting authors PJ Hoover, Michele Bardsley, Jordan Dane and fellow Vermont College student Stacy Nyikos at the Red Dirt Book Festival in Shawnee, OK. The community coming together to talk about books can be very inspiring. I look forward to sharing my thoughts on their books soon.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

The Magician's Elephant

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo, Candlewick, 2009.



DiCamillo uses omniscient third to put the reader in everyone's mind, including the elephant. The vague location and lack of an exact time add to the fairytale feel of this story that is sure to charm readers.
 
Here is a video of DiCamillo reading the first chapter