Dark Water Rising by Marian Hale; Henry Holt Books for Young Readers: New York, 2006; $16.95 Do you know somebody who survived a natural disaster or a big storm? Well, I don’t, but when I read Dark Water Rising by Marian Hale, I felt like I had survived a natural disaster, the Galveston storm of 1900. Marian Hale takes you right into the life of 16- (almost iv-) year-old Seth. This book was very intriguing, especially for someone like me who doesn’t like straight-out history, but enjoys historical fiction. Before reading this book, I knew about major cities in Texas, but I had never even heard of Galveston or of the storm that took place there in 1900. Seth wants to fulfill his dream and become a builder like his father, but Seth’s father has different plans for Seth. He wants Seth to become a doctor. This is one of the reasons why Seth and his family, in the beginning of the book, move to Galveston. I’m not as old as Seth so I don’t really work yet, but I’ve had experiences like his. For example, I used to play piano and liked it, but when my brother started playing drums, I also wanted to play drums. My parents just ignored me and kept on signing me up for piano. Eventually, I ended up quitting piano, and now I don’t play any instruments. Seth is similar to me in a way because his parents think they are doing what’s best for him, but he really wants to do something else. While reading this book, I was surprised at how badly black people were treated during this time period. Seth has barely seen black people and treats an old black man named Ezra like a slave. He later becomes good friends with Ezra’s grandson, Josiah, when they have to survive together in a storm. In an early scene, Seth’s dad comments that black people aren’t as good as white people. I really disagree with this and I’m appalled at this behavior, but I live in a more modern time period than Seth. Once Seth and his family are moved into their house, Seth’s uncle finds a summer building job for Seth. Seth is overjoyed because he thinks that if he does a good job for his boss, his dad might let him become a builder instead of a doctor. Josiah also works for the same person as Seth. One day a big storm is forecast for Galveston, but Seth still goes to work that day He and Josiah (who lives with Seth’s aunt and uncle) end up almost swimming home because there is so much water in the streets. When Seth and Josiah end up relying on each other for survival, Seth really changes his views about black people. This affected me personally because I have friends who are black and this was Seth’s first realization that blacks weren’t much different from whites. Throughout the book, the relationship between Seth and his dad is constantly changing. After Seth survives the storm, Seth’s dad (in my opinion) views Seth as an adult who can make his own decisions. Seth’s dad also sees that Seth is a good builder, and tells Seth that he doesn’t have to become a doctor. I highly recommend this book to all people who would enjoy a short read about a relationship between a father and a son that will teach them history and a lesson about friendship. Adiel Schmidt, 12New York, New York
Book-Reviews
Loving Will Shakespeare
Loving Will Shakespeare by Carolyn Meyer; Harcourt Children’s Books: New York, 2006; $17 History is a great topic. When you combine that with William Shakespeare, the greatest poet in Europe, you have a story so intriguing it takes only a few days to read, once you get hooked. Loving Will Shakespeare by Carolyn Meyer is a realistic fiction book that takes place during the sixteenth century. It’s a story of Agnes (Anne) growing up and interacting with Will Shakespeare, who’s younger by seven years, who adores her. In her story she struggles to develop relationships with many men before finally appreciating Will. Although Will pops up throughout the story, he doesn’t become a major part of Anne’s life until the end. It’s a down-to-earth story with festivals, many births, and Anne farming the land under her cruel stepmother’s direction. If you take pleasure in fast-paced stories, Loving Will Shakespeare is perfect for you. I truly enjoyed reading this charming book. I often found myself advising Anne in my head because she, like all of us, makes mistakes. She is a mistreated daughter who longs to find love. She is neglected by her father, and she argues viciously with her stepmother, Joan. Although he loves her, Anne’s father is too overwhelmed by his workload to pay much attention to Anne, which I find absolutely awful. Could you imagine if neither of your parents cared in the least about you, but they expected you to care for their children and the farm as well? Throughout the story, her friends and family all find “the right person,” leaving Anne unsatisfied and alone. I can relate to Anne because both of us have to cope with rowdy, younger stepsisters. It is obvious that Anne much prefers her own sister to her cruel stepsister, Joan Little. Joan Little, an ill-tempered little girl, spies on Anne and threatens to tattle on her whenever she makes even a tiny mistake. The author, Carolyn Meyer, proved that some relationships are not destined to be. I find Anne’s struggles to be very emotionally touching. Anne discovers this through the many love disappointments in her life. First comes Kit Swallow, a poor sheepshearer with a sweet disposition. Alas, he flees from authorities hot on his trail. Next Anne encounters Edward Stinchcomb, whom she falls deeply in love with. Hob Ingram appears third. Anne’s stepmother forces Anne to betroth herself to him. She is obliged to accept, but after she realizes the effect this could have on her life, she gladly declines the offer. Each man deserts her. After these numerous love letdowns, Anne couldn’t have been more exhilarated to have Will enter her life. When Anne gives Will a chance, she is thoroughly pleased with the result. They fall deeply in love, but Will pursues his true passion, poetry and playwriting. He ends up making a choice that affects the entire book. I enjoy happily-ever-after endings, so I was rather disappointed by the outcome, but that’s life. Life can be both harsh and rewarding, and both are a part of Anne’s adult life. I was delighted in how true-to-life Loving Will Shakespeare was. It had ups and downs, a perfect balance of glamorous times and melancholy moments. Kelsey May,13Grand Rapids, Michigan
Life As We Knew It
Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer; Harcourt Children’s Books: New York, zoo6; $17 My first impression of the book Life As We Knew It was that it would be boring and drawn-out, judging by its number of pages and blunt plot. When I began reading it, I was mesmerized with the book’s intensity and multiple problems that stemmed from the story’s main conflict: an asteroid hitting the moon, knocking it closer to the earth and off its orbit. From that moment, life for Miranda, the main character, drastically changes as she, along with the rest of humanity, is burdened with the devastating aftereffects of the asteroid. First of all, natural disasters such as tsunamis are submerging peninsulas all across the globe, beginning the List of the Dead posted on the Internet. Scientists even announce that “the world is coming to an end.” Afterwards, Miranda and her family embark on a shopping spree to create a surplus of food in case this theory is true. I realized that things we can take for granted, such as clean drinking water, enough food to eat, and a comfortable home, have a huge impact on your life if affected. As the plot continues, the results only become worse. Earthquakes occur, fatal viruses are common, weather patterns change, and heating oil along with electricity is hard to come by. This disables phone and Internet connections, and the outside world’s future seems closer to non-existence every day. I thought about what I valued and appreciated the opportunities I had each day. I was also amazed at what Miranda has to cope with concerning her living situation. In order to conserve heat, they move into the living room and board up the windows. My house seemed much nicer in comparison, making me feel thankful. As for the way the book was written, there were some pros and cons to it. I thought the format of the story, which was written as if it were Miranda’s diary, seemed very engaging and made you feel as if you were going through the same struggle that she was. However, her account was too detailed with repetitive thoughts such as being hungry or bored that didn’t contribute to the plot and made it less appealing to the reader because of the day-to-day format. Some topics that the author focused upon were dedication to your family, dealing with forced situations, and how a crisis has a different affect on each person. This book made me realize something important: we should pay attention to our surroundings and to what is going on in the world, such as the war in Iraq or the world hunger issue. These events may not affect us, but we should know about them because one day, unexpectedly, something similar could happen in our country Another current problem is the effect of global warming, which is the heating of the earth’s atmosphere because of the carbon dioxide released from motor vehicles, factories, and the overuse of electricity Although it seems an asteroid won’t be colliding with the earth any time soon, global warming is having the same impact—only gradually—on our planet. With its wonderful morals and intricate plot, Life As We Knew It is a book that everyone should read. Megan Kibler, 12East Springfield,Pennsylvania
