Janis's comments
(member since Oct 24, 2007)
Janis's comments from the Young Adult Fiction for Adults group.
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I agree Allison, read the Underland books and really enjoyed them. They seem readily available at bookstores, and my library, so I assumed they were fairly popular. Sorry to hear they don't seem to be, at least in your experience. Hopefully more kids will discover them.
I second the Midnighters series by Scott Westerfeld, the first is The Secret Hour.
The White Mountains by John Christopher is very good - first in a series, although might be a bit younger than "young adult". More in the older kid range.
Airborn by Kenneth Oppel is very good - a bit hard to classify, more of an adventure story ala Jules Verne, but set in an alternate version of our world. So there's a bit of a sci fi feel.
Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld.
City of Ember, Jeanne DuPrau
Hi Shauna - Did you? That's nice to hear :) I think I liked Airborn better, but only just. I think Skybreaker was very good as well, and not a disappointment as second books so often are. Sorry your library doesn't have Starchaser - but I think it's recently out, perhaps they will get a copy. Give 'em a call and suggest it! Haven't gotten to it yet - I'll let ya know.
You got it :)
Hi Shauna, I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed it! I'd love to see these books get more exposure, I think there are a lot of people who would enjoy them that haven't heard of it. I've got the third book from the library, "Starchaser", looking forward to reading it. Let us know how you like "Skybreaker".
I just finished Skybreaker by Kenneth Oppel, the second book after Airborn. Completely enjoyed them. They are adventure stories, with a bit of a fantasy/alternate history twist.
I just finished Skybreaker by Kenneth Oppel. I really enjoy this series, and look forward to reading the next one, Starclimber. Has anyone else read these books?
I don't know that it matters Elizabeth. I think those catagories were created as defaults with groups in mind that select a book to read and discuss as a group. I just listed the one's I added in "read".
I just tested it and was able to add a book - so I vote you go ahead and add your recommendations. Great idea!
The Tripod series was also a childhood favorite of mine :)
Jenn, I loved the Midnighters series. Haven't read any of the Uglies series yet, but I plan to.
That's Caroline, that's helpful to know. I'd heard this series was good but hesitated because they are Discworld books. I prefer to read series in publication order, but really am not interested in the other Discworld books. But I may give these a try now that I know I wouldn't be lost.
I really enjoyed Scott Westerfelds "Midnight Hour" series.
Anne McCaffrey's Dragonsong trilogy and Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar series are other favorites of mine. The first book in the Valdemar series is "Arrows of the Queen". Parents/teachers may want to know that after the first 3 books it's clear that in this society homosexuality is accepted, and later books feature gay characters.
Neil Gaiman's "Stardust" is also very good.
I haven't read any other Disc World novels, can these be read independantly? Would I lose much not having that background?
Hi Elizabeth, I haven't read those books. What do you like about them?
FYI, I'm also a member of all three YA groups, but I have to differ with Newengland in that I don't think "Young Adult Fiction for Adults" should be merged with the other two. There is a difference between adults reading YA books for their own enjoyment, and discussing YA books for YA audiences - although granted there's still crossover discussions. But it would be nice if "Best Teen Books" and "Young Adult Fiction" were combined....
I hear ya Kim, perhaps that's it. Perhaps it wasn't worded as diplomatically as it could have been. But still, it's a personally opinion, not a pronoucement on those who don't agree. At least, that wasn't how I read it.
I agree with you about unlikeable literary characters that you love to dislike, like Snape. The difference for me is when that character is the main character. There was a very popular sci-fi book years ago I couldn't get into for the same reason. But as I said, obviously the opinions of others differs, and that's ok!
Thanks Newengland. I'm a bit befuddled myself. I did say I didn't think I could use this with the student I tutor, but the tutoring program is a faith-based program for at-risk kids, I have to err on the side of caution. I don't really know where his parent would draw the "appropriate" line. What I'd use for my student doesn't necessarily mean I think a book is inappropriate for all chidren, or even that child.
I did try to sound respectful that others think differently, because I am.
I didn't read enough of this book to know anything more than I wasn't enjoying it, and I didn't feel comfortable using it in this tutoring program. I readily admit if I'd finished the book I may have a different opinion.
If Kim does choose to leave, I am sorry for that.
Kim, I certainly was not offended. Just giving my own opinion, with the understanding that others differ :) I certainly did not, nor would I, suggest it be banned. I admit I did not even finish the first story, I personally can't get into stories with a protagonist who is unlikable. Maybe that's just me.
This group is, I think, for Young Adult books enjoyed by adults and with an adult perspective. There are other groups out there discussing Young Adult/Teen books in light of their intended audience.
Not that I don't understand there are adults also who enjoy the this series - clearly there are.
You're probably right Poppy, I found the character too unlikeable to keep reading the book. Since I only read part of the first book I really don't know how the character developed or if I would have liked it if I'd kept with it.
Young Adult Fiction for Adults
