Young Adult Fiction Book Reviews

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M. T. Anderson
I picked up this book because it had a "National Book Award Winner" seal on the front cover even though I was thinking it was
not my genre. The story is about a young boy who does know that he and his princess mother are actually slaves. She is
beautiful and charming and holds court with many admirers. Octavian discovers that he is part of an philosophical experiment to
prove his race is not intelligent or teachable. I didn't enjoy the story but I was hooked in the last few pages. Now I want to read to
read Volume 2 just to find out what happens to Octavian after he escapes from the Novanglian College of Lucidity. (2006) [5/07]

Broken Moon by Kim Antieau
This story started a little slow for me but it turned into an interesting story about girls who are punished for another family
member's crimes and children of Pakistan who are kidnapped or sold to work as jockeys (the lighter the better) for camel races
in the desert. Nadira's six-year-old brother is such a boy who was sold by his uncle and the story records Nadira's effort to save
her brother while she deals with her issues. Narira masquerades as a boy and is constantly afraid she will be found out and
punished again. I like glossaries, maps, historical footnotes, cast of characters in historical fiction but you won't find any of those
in this book which is a detriment. (2007) [7/07]

Interestingly. in the news recenty was a story about a woman of this same area who was raped by men from her village for
something her brother did. She was jailed and nothing happened to the men. She is now on a mission of improving women's
rights.

Montmorency by Eleanor Updale
In London, a thief is caught by the law when he tries to flee but falls through a glass roof and is seriously injured. A doctor saves
Prisoner 493's life and by putting his medical handiwok on display for the Scientific Society in1875, exposes 493 to the better life
and the manner in which he will obtain it. On the outside the prisoner, with his aquired name, Montmorency, becomes a
gentleman of the day and Scraper who travels the new sewer system under the city to make it all possible. (2003) [10/07]
A 2006-2007 Wyoming Soaring Eagle Book Award Nominee