Krista Van Dolzer

I have a soft spot for contemporary MG fiction. I think that this age group is the perfect opportunity to start discussing a lot of real life issues that kids either are, or will possibly someday, tackle. My favorite topic of these, is dealing with middle school life. Ah, middle school. It has the power to be so amazing, and so awkward. I generally tend to snatch up any book that deals with that wild world, and Don't Vote for Me was no exception.

This was a cute, if slightly simple story line. David, our witty protagonist, overzealously vows to overthrow his middle school president and tyrant, Veronica Pritchard-Pratt. This creates a funny, misguided campaign with David's friends at the wheel. I admit, it was pretty hilarious to watch them try to run against such a popular girl. There were a lot of giggle worthy moments. It took me back to my middle school friendships.

Below all the whimsy though, was another story line. One about a girl who was misunderstood. Veronica isn't quite what she seems on the outside, and once David starts to discover that he slowly realizes how unfair he was really being. It was refreshing to see a an MG story about not judging others. Still, I felt like this addition could have been a lot stronger. I wanted to see more growth from both Veronica and David, but there just wasn't time.

Final verdict? A sweet, fun story about MG politics and friendships. With a little bit of a moral thrown in, it's a solid 3-star read.… (altro)

While taking a ride to futuristic Earth, this book battles the questions surrounding a dying world, people's hopes, and, most importantly, learning to live with the loss of a loved one.

Eleven-year-old Jameson lives on an Earth, which has been forced out of its orbit and is slowly approaching the sun. While his father is one of the heroes selected to head for Mars to work on a plan to save the human race, Jameson and his mother live in a governmental supported community. Although Jameson attends a normal school, he's a bit of a loner. The most important thing in his life is his JICC, a device his father built with him shortly before he left, which allows Jameson to send and receive communications from his father on Mars. When a new girl moves into the house next door, one whose mother recently died on a similar Mars mission, Jameson decides its time to make his first friend. The results change his life, especially when his JICC breaks and she agrees to help him repair it.

This is a story which requires a box of tissues. . .maybe even two. The setting itself already sets a melancholy atmosphere; the Earth is on a crash course with the sun. Although life is fairly similar to our own modern world, there are distinct differences—dying vegetation, deadly UV rays, hoverboards, and more. The author does a fantastic job at building a realistic world, which is easy to settle into and picture the surroundings through every scene. It's futuristic but still familiar enough for readers to easily identify with.

The characters are true to life, each one taking on a distinct role and personality. They act realistically, carry their own flaws, but still, are very supportive and kind in their own way. This secure foundation lays the perfect buffer for the tough topics addressed in the book and keeps it from growing too depressing.

Jameson is a great kid. He's pretty separated from the rest of society, although he lives in the middle of the compound and attends school. At first, this appears to be a result of him trying to remain off the radar, since his father is very well known. But as the story progresses, it becomes clear that much of this has to do with his mother's over-protectiveness. While Jameson comes across very natural, at times, he behaved younger than eleven. Still, his other genius side balances it out and makes him easy to connect to.

This is not a happy story. While there are many adventurous moments, a sad tone hangs like a nearing storm. There is hope, friendship and many, many emotional moments that make a reader sigh. It's well written. Very well and, for most of the tale, flows smooth and holds the reader in the pages. But as the last chapters roll through, the pacing changes a little. Jameson is very naive when it comes to the world outside, which could be a result of his overly protective circumstances. Still, he's slow to take obvious hints. When the moment of his big action strikes, the ending is a little rushed. It also becomes clear that information surrounding the Mars project and background is still missing to make things clearer.

This is a touching read, and extremely well done. While entertaining, it's one that will make readers think and leave a touch of sadness behind. The ending wraps things up nicely, but there is still many things left open to let the mind wander with its own fantasies. Part of me simply wishes there would have been a deeper sense of hope offered at the end.… (altro)

The 266-page novel for middle grade readers follows 12-year-old Ella Mae Higbee, a tough and thoughtful girl living in California shortly after World War II. Emotions and prejudices are on high alert since the war has ended.

Cousin Robby has been killed in the war. Ella Mae's Auntie Mildred finds a scientist who claims he can bring her dead cousin back to life using the blood on his dog tags, Ella Mae and her mama get wrapped up in a situation that defies everything they believe. When they are summoned to the lab to retrieve Robby, it's not her cousin who steps out of the bio-pod meant to “regrow” him — it's a young man named Takuma, and he's Japanese: the Enemy in the eyes of the God Fearing folk.

It's clear that the blood on Robbie's tags wasn't his own, and it's clear how Takuma's got there. Not only does Auntie Mildred refuse to take responsibility for him, but the entire community also turns its back on the Higbees as they befriend and care for Takuma.

Because of the nature of the story, Van Dolzer included a few tense and conflict-rich scenes — particularly one in which Takuma is refused entrance to a church. This scene helps show that even good people can be wrong sometimes when personal emotions are allowed to prevail.


… (altro)

Adult Reader Reaction: Enjoyable! Although there are aspects of the story that seem predictable, the author does a great job adding a fresh take on life in middle school. These are the kids in your neighborhood. I particularly like how the author challenges the reader to look deeper into "the populars," and that although Veronica's cronies may be stereotypical, she is not. Last but not least, it is always refreshing when the adults play roles that are realistic, not farces or objects of derision. This is a wholesome, worthwhile read.

Read whether we recommend buying or borrowing this book in the full review at The Reading Tub®. You can add your review, too.… (altro)