Monday, April 23, 2018

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

A Single Shard book cover (a boy's face peeking out from behind stalks of bamboo, with a large ceramic vase in the foreground) Tree-ear, an orphan, is fascinated by the potters in his village. One day, he is watching the potter Min working at his craft. After Min walks away from his work, Tree-ear goes and picks up a box that Min made. Min's return startles Tree-ear, causing him to drop the box. In order to pay for the damage, Tree-ear agrees to work off the debt. Initially, he agreed to work nine days, but he continues to work for Min for months, without pay, in order to learn how to be a potter.

One day, Min and Tree-ear learn that a royal emissary is coming to the village to commission work. This is a much sought-after opportunity. On the day of the emissary’s visit, the best potters set up stalls showcasing their work. Min, a man very meticulous about his product, has the fewest items to show the emissary, but Min’s work, along with a few other potters, intrigues the visitor enough to warrant a second review on his return visit in the coming weeks.

Who will get the royal commission? What will become of Tree-ear after his work with Min is done? Winner of the Newbery Medal, this is a wonderful historical fiction story that takes place in medieval Korea, offering a fascinating peek into another culture.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Underground Airlines by Ben H. Winters

Underground Airlines book coverImagine a world where Lincoln was assassinated too early, and a frantic Congress signed a grand compromise to end the Civil War: slavery could never be constitutionally outlawed, but individual states could outlaw it, and an emancipated state could never revert back to a slave state. Then fast forward to the modern day. Only four slave states remain: Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and the united Carolina. The rest of the country frowns on the so-called "Hard Four," but not enough to actually break the status quo.

Victor was once a slave, before he fled north. But he was caught. Rather than being returned to the farm that haunts his nightmares, he was blackmailed into working for the government, tracking and capturing other runaway slaves so that they could be punished or returned. But his latest case isn't like the others. Things just don't add up. And on top of it all, he keeps getting sidetracked by unexpected personal matters. Will Victor catch the mysterious runaway Jackdaw? Or will this be the case that finally breaks him?

This is equal parts a twisty thriller and a startling alternate history. Victor is a flawed but believable protagonist, and his offhand references to familiar-yet-different historical events will keep you reading even through the harrowing moments in his narrative. This is a must-read for fans of alternate histories or realistic sci-fi, like 11/22/63 or Station Eleven.

Monday, April 2, 2018

The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn

The Woman in the Window book coverFor the past ten months, Dr. Anna Fox has been trapped inside her New York City home, completely isolated from the outside world. Her crippling agoraphobia leaves her unable to even step out onto her front stoop without fear and anxiety overwhelming her mind. So she spends her days drinking, watching old movies, and spying on her neighbors.

Then the Russells move in. From Anna's view across the street, they seem like a perfect family. Until Anna, gazing out her window one night, sees something she shouldn't have.

Woman in the Window is a twisty page-turner that leaves you constantly guessing about what's real. With frequent golden-age Hollywood references, this is a perfect book for fans of classic films like Rear Window and Gaslight.