Split Screen, by Brent Hartinger

This third book of the Geography Club is a little gimmicky, with 145 pages written from Russel's perspective, and another 145 from Min's.  It has nowhere near the emotional powerful of the original, but it's a fun light read. 

We get to see more of witty, idealistic Min than ever as she ponders ethics and a new girlfriend.  Meanwhile, Russel juggles a long-distance relationship with renewed interest from his gorgeous ex-boyfriend.  A good popcorn novel.

The Demon's Lexicon, by Sarah Rees Brennan

Nick and Alan try to live normal lives, but it's difficult when they must repeatedly fight or flee from the magicians who hunt their family.  This little-known subculture of magic users increase their power by calling demons into the world whose prime desire is to possess a human body.  What starts out as a straight-forward good guys versus supernatural bad guys tale becomes much more uncertain when Nick begins to question his brother's motives and honesty.

Readers of Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series will love this book, and dark, brooding Nick in particular.

Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson

This was a difficult book to read;  well-written, but painful.  Melinda enters high school as an outcast, with the memories of something terrible shutting her in her own mind, unable or unwilling to say more words than are necessary. 

This is an "issues" book, but it isn't flat.  I wouldn't be likely to recommend it to teen readers simply looking for something entertaining, but it's perfect for high school study.  I expect it's helped a lot of young folks either find their voice or understand someone else's over the years. 

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, by John Boyne

This book irritated me more than other in ages.  The nine year old protagonist's naivete about who Hitler is, let alone the Jews, is not believable.  The conclusion is too neat, and would never happen.  The little boy in the camp would never invite anyone to visit him in there, seeing what he has seen.  The author's referral to the story as a "fable" sounds to me like an excuse for suspending plausibility.  This book has been very successful, but I cannot entirely understand why.

Found, by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Two boys discover their adoptions are nowhere near ordinary and attempt to uncover the truth.  This science fiction mystery will appeal to both boys and girls (as the third protagonist is a sister).  Many clues turn out to be red herrings, but the kids' persistence, ingenuity, and loyalty take them far. The siblings relationship is convincingly teasing, maddening, and loving. 

 Spoiler: The sequel will add historical fiction to the mix of genres.  Time travel books tend to be little too far-fetched for my own preference, particularly when the characters all accept it too easily, but this has been a popular novel and I'd be interested to hear how readers enjoy the back-in-time follow-up.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by Eric Shanower

True to the original material, as far as I can recall.  I appreciate that it features interesting elements and events that do not appear in the film.  This may direct some folks to read the L. Frank Baum novel.  I recall not being terribly impressed by Baum's writing, but that's neither here nor there.   Fantastic art.  Quite well done over all. 

Vacation Catchup

I went on vacation and fell out of the habit of chronicling.  With a month of books to catch up on, I suspect the next batch of entries may be brief.