Tag: YA

A List of Good Reads

I have not been able to make myself write while I have been substitute teaching because my brain is fried by the end of the day, but here is a list of books I recommend.

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Anne Perry’s novel is one in a series about a police detective in Victorian England. Very atmospheric and full of angst for the protagonist who has lost his memories of an earlier life. Anne Perry is a prolific writer whose characters grapple with the constraints put on them by society.

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Markus Zusak is a poet living in a novelist’s body. His books Messenger and The Book Thief are also worthy of mention, especially The Book Thief which was made into a movie that is very faithful to the novel. His newest Bridge of Clay presents a challenge in the narrative, skipping around in chronology and place, but it is one of those novels that makes you love the journey to the climax and the tying up of loose ends. This one has beautiful considerations of love, friendship, family, dying, and brothers.

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Dry is a warning, a warning about climate change and what happens when government and citizens ignore scientists. In this YA novel, the Shustermans give us a cast of young people who have to deal with the consequences when water from the Colorado River is stopped on its way to southern California. Not only is life without water filled with dreadful decisions, but life is filled with the dreadful behavior of humans who are frantic for their very existence. Read this and you might think twice before taking a 20-minute shower.

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Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor is a beautifully written fantasy about a legendary land that was conquered and cruelly ruled by a race of gods. Now, the gods have been slain, and the Godslayer has gathered a group of inventors and thinkers to rid the city of Weep of the huge statue of an angel that hovers over the city blocking the sun. This is a love story, a story of young people finding their purpose, a story of bravery–all of it enthralling. But, I was dismayed when I reached the last chapter and realized there will be a sequel. Damn.

Leonardo’s Shadow

Leonardo’s Shadow: Or, My Astonishing Life as Leonardo da Vinci’s Servant by Christopher Grey

This fascinating historical novel was one of the ALA Best Books for Young Adults for 2008, but don’t let that label fool you—it’s also an enjoyable book for adults.

The narrator is 15-year-old Giacomo, an orphan who was rescued by da Vinci when the boy was a small child. Giacomo wants two things very much: to know who his parents were and to have da Vinci teach him to paint. Neither thing seems likely for Giacomo because he is caught up in da Vinci’s financial problems. The Duke of Milan has promised da Vinci a huge sum of money for painting a picture of the Last Supper on the wall of the church where the Duke’s wife is buried. The problem? The Duke has given da Vinci no money. Without the money, da Vinci won’t paint—it’s a conundrum, one that Giacomo helps solve.

Throughout the novel, the author weaves in historical information about life in 15th-century Milan, its politics, and how people lived. He also uses information that da Vinci left in his notes to tell the story of da Vinci’s flying machine and why there is no record of him ever trying to see if it would fly.

Giacomo’s story is fictional, of course, except that da Vinci refers to Giacomo in his notes—Grey has used that as a jumping-off point for this coming-of-age story. Giacomo, a clever young man, finds ways to improve his life, all the while taking care of da Vinci despite the painter’s prickly manner and apparent unconcern for the well-being of his home and servants.

I was quite taken with this novel and the story of the painting of a masterpiece—and the explanation of why the painting has not survived the centuries in its original condition. Young people or adults who like art or history will enjoy this novel.

Beginning March 1, 2019, you can go to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science to see the traveling exhibit entitled: Leonardo Da Vinci: 500 Years of Genius.  Quoting from the 303 website: “Through high-definition motion graphics and surround sound, combined with authentic photography and video footage, the Leonardo da Vinci will also provide a cinematic experience will provide a breathtaking display of his codices, computer-generated imagery and art. Guests can even test a da Vinci-inspired catapult and create their own codex page with a self-portrait or still life. The Museum’s historical enactors will also be on hand, to present characters who bring a personal perspective to the story of Leonardo.” The exhibit runs through August 25, 2019. It’s on my list of things to do. Member tickets to the show are now on sale on the museum’s website.