Sabotage by Karen Autio
Summary: Saara Mäis is recently home from helping care for her baby cousin Sanni while her aunt was recovering from Tuberculosis. Adjusting to life with her younger brother, John, again is difficult, as they always seem to be at odds with each other. It’s 1915 though, and while the Dominion of Canada is entrenched in fighting World War I, Port Arthur, Ontario is ripe with paranoia surrounding German and other foreign residents. Spies and sabotage are seen at every turn, and whole families are shipped away to internment camps if even a whiff of suspicion comes there way. When the focus turns on Saara and John’s father, a Finnish immigrant, after a grain elevator is set on fire, it is up to the siblings to put their differences aside and clear their father’s name before it comes out in the papers.
Number of Pages: 293
Age Range: 12-13
Review: The third and final installment in a trilogy of books featuring Saara Mäis, a young Finnish-Canadian girl, Sabotage by Karen Autio can still be enjoyed as a stand alone book. In a trilogy, this is harder to achieve than one might think.
It’s never exactly fun to read about another time in Canada’s history when internment camps were used, but I love the dynamic Autio had going on between Saara and John as siblings. The use of the altering narration was also quite effective. Autio’s writing reminds me that there are many things in the Canada and the world I have yet learn about, and I’m glad writers like her are willing to tackle such subjects.
Set against a rich backdrop of paranoia, Autio captures a community where no one knows who to trust. There’s a powerful agenda being served by the newspaper as propaganda and lies are fostered, convincing people that spies and saboteurs are everywhere. For Saara and John, this is especially hard to understand because they consider themselves to be Canadian while others see them as being Finnish because their parents are from Finland. John’s perspective of the newspaper industry was enlightening, and I hoped he would grow up to be the kind of reporter who would tell the truth, instead of ‘umbellishing.’
I didn’t know the paranoia was so great that men and their families were sent away to an internment camp if they were German or Austrian or Ukrainian, but I guess with the Japanese internment camps during World War II, I should have suspected. Brigette’s letters from the camp were quite informative and eye-opening.
In the end though, I like that it boils down to a sister and brother finding common ground and working together. Saara and John had so many misconceptions between them, and a great deal of mistrust, but their family bonds triumph.
This story is perhaps a bit young to be considered a true teen book, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Memorable Quotes:
“‘Have you noticed how often men write to newspapers to childe other men for lack of backbone, and then sign fictitious names?’ – The Note Book, Port Arthur Daily News, 1915” – from Sabotage by Karen Autio, page 30
“‘Voi, voi,’ said Mama, rummaging in the cupboard. ‘We say in the Old Country, ‘Happiness is a place between too much and too little.’ I’m worried that we’re getting too close to too little.'” – Mama from Sabotage by Karen Autio, page 175
Sabotage by Karen Autio is published by Sono Nis Press, (2013).
Dog Tracks by Ruby Slipperjack
Summary: After Abby’s grandfather has an episode and ends up in the hospital, her grandparents can’t take care of her anymore and she must return to live with her mother, step-father and siblings on Bear Creek reserve. The move completely changes her life as she learns new cultural beliefs and practices, connecting Abby to her Native American side in a way she has never experienced before. As Abby becomes part of the community, she discovers new talents and comes of age in a place where she is loved by many, giving her a firm foundation to go forward in her life and pursue her dreams.
Number of Pages: 225
Age Range: 13-14
Review: Dog Tracks by Ruby Slipperjack is not a book that should be read in a day. Instead, it should be savoured, because Slipperjack’s writing captures what amounts to a moment of Abby’s life from just before she turns thirteen to shortly after she turns fifteen. I was reminded a bit of A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith, except instead Abby moves from outside of Thunder Bay to Bear Creek reserve, and Slipperjack paints a vivid picture of her getting to know her roots in this coming of age story.
Though I wish I had been able to read it when I wasn’t under time pressure, I enjoyed the world Slipperjack created as I learned as much as Abby did about hunting and skinning animals, and the pragmatic beliefs and practices of Native Americans. I loved the culture of story-telling in the community and Slipperjack’s characters as they all have their own quirks.
The story itself is about the reserve setting up an 1800s Anishinawbe retreat for tourists through assembling a dog team and creating authentic costumes and setting for people to get into the experience, but it is a backdrop against which Abby becomes the White-Throated Sparrow, and learns to embrace her culture through becoming a member of her mother’s community. I think it would be a great read-aloud book, as it is a gently-paced story with wonderful moments of humour and action.
Memorable Quotes:
“When we finally left the house, we headed back home, all of us rather quiet and thoughtful. I thought about how far I’d travelled to becoming a member of this community. But then, looking into my future, I knew that I’d be flipped out of it again when I left to complete high school in the city, just like that stone in the river that Chief Paulie had told me about when I first came to Bear Creek.” – Abby from Dog Tracks by Ruby Slipperjack, page 225
Dog Tracks by Ruby Slipperjack is published by Fifth House, (2008)
The Cupid War by Timothy Carter
Summary: When Ricky accidently falls off a bridge after deciding not to kill himself, he’s a little ticked off. In the afterlife he is assigned to become a Cupid, getting trained in the art of making people fall in love so they will be happy. But it’s not all Valentines and yearning looks, instead the Cupids are waging a war against the Suicides; dark, shadowy creatures who attach themselves to people and suck the will to live right out of them with depression and despair. In an unheard of twist, Ricky encounters a live Suicide in a girl named Susan who plagued him in his own life. Realizing that not all the Cupids are on the same page when it comes to defeating the Suicides, Ricky has to stand up to the Cupids in charge to change things, but he might just be in over his head.
Number of Pages: 229
Age Range: 13-15
Review: Reading The Cupid War by Timothy Carter was like watching a video game unfold in my head. Ricky Fallon dies falling off the bridge he was going to jump off before he changes his mind, and afterwards he is assigned to be a cupid, making people fall in love by reaching into their chests and sending love there. The new form Ricky takes is complete with a skin-tight leotard featuring a heart on the chest and the lack of vital male anatomy bits, effectively making him a eunuch.
What follows reminded me of Kingdom Hearts, the Disney video game with the Heartless, only in Carter’s book they are called the Suicides and are responsible for the world’s despair. If they touch you or plague you, chances are your spirit will be so overcome by depression that you will kill yourself. The only way to conquer the Suicides is through love, love being the weapon aimed like a laser blasting them into oblivion. Ricky’s job is to foster new love, but also protect people from the Suicides.
Each couple matched up earns food for the Cupid, the pure substance of Love Ricky says tastes like corn and cheese. While Cupids don’t need to sleep, after encountering Suicides they need to recharge by eating, and in desperate cases by having a mainline of love to renew them.
Ricky seems to adapt to his new life easily in some respects, but when he encounters Susan, the girl who dragged him down into depression going after another guy, he is determined to put an end to it. Things are more complicated than he suspects though, as Susan seems to be a living Suicide who can drag others down at will and is being protected by some of the Cupids themselves. There’s a conspiracy going on, and Ricky is going to get to the bottom of it.
The Cupid War is an easier read and I generally understood what was going on, although I had questions when Ricky began a relationship with Trina, a live girl who could hear and then see the Cupids. At first his main obstacle is vibrating at the same frequency as her so they can kiss, but I’m pretty sure eventually he’s going to miss other things.
Carter prefaces his book by talking about mood disorders, and I think The Cupid War was a fantastical explanation of why some people are dragged down by depression and others aren’t, and how plugging into the “Source,” meaning God, can refresh a person and make life worth living again. It’s a lighter explanation of a serious topic and as a reader I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it.
Memorable Quotes: Unfortunately I was using my Kindle for this title and cannot seem to access my bookmarks. If I end up figuring it out I will add them later.
The Cupid War by Timothy Carter is published by Flux, (2011)
(You) Set Me On Fire by Mariko Tamaki
Summary: Coming off of a bad relationship that ended with Allison accidently setting herself on fire, Allison starts college with physical and emotional scars. Making new friends is difficult when she’s been burned so badly in the past, but then Allison meets Shar who takes her under her wing and monopolizes her time. Shar’s actions suggest she shares the love Allison is feeling, until what appears to be love turns out to be jealousy, and a need for attention and adoration on Shar’s part. When Allison finds Shar has someone else to love, she reacts with fire, following old patterns. Fortunately other friends she made and neglected along the way are there to help her find her feet again.
Number of Pages: 295
Age Range: 16-18
Review: I saw Mariko Tamaki’s (You) Set Me On Fire at a Chapters store in the fall of 2012, and I have been waiting to read it ever since. My university experience was not nearly so dramatic, but Tamaki set up Allison’s point-of-view with skill, helping me get into her perspective and fostering empathy for her actions.
I love the duality of Tamaki’s writing. Sometimes emotional scarring needs physical expression, and while I wasn’t happy that Allison accidentally set herself on fire, I loved how her burn scar remained a part of her that was always vulnerable. Allison was still vulnerable after her experiences with Anne, leaving her open to Shar’s attentions, but their friendship filled a need for both of them. Again, duality, because at first I thought it was just Shar who benefited from their relationship, until I realised Allison needed someone to need her and reassure her after she had been so wounded.
My favourite character was Carly, because she turns out to be Allison’s true friend and goes through her own journey of self-discovery. Her changing hairstyles and involvement in the film club were fun to read about. Plus I loved how she didn’t give up on Allison and made sure she was okay after things went south with Shar.
Ultimately, I feel Allison is going to learn from her experiences and move on to have the healthier, reciprocal relationships she deserves. Her identification with Joan of Arc at the end of the novel, and recognition that some things need to be tested with fire to prove their worth was literal and figurative, and very well done. I just wish that after Anne, Shar had been the real thing, instead of leading Allison on and giving her more reasons to doubt herself when it came to her sexual orientation.
There are some beautiful moments in Tamaki’s writing, and insights into the human condition that I enjoyed being privy to. As a book about Allison’s transition from high school to college, it is a timely read for older teen readers.
Memorable Quotes:
“Someone, jumping the gun slightly, yelled, ‘Fire!’
The thing that occurred to me later, as I sat in the ER surrounded by an evening’s worth of the broken, the bleeding, and the barfing, was how weird it is that people are apparently more likely to come running when someone yells ‘Fire’ than when someone yells ‘Help’ or ‘Rape.'” – Allison from (You) Set Me On Fire by Mariko Tamaki, page 5
“After weeks of being bandaged, disinfected on a regular basis, and relatively isolated, I’d completely forgotten how to walk in a crowd and finally resorted to frantically boxing my way forward.” – Allison from (You) Set Me On Fire by Mariko Tamaki, page 19
“I’m into girls, but I have some pretty strong reservations about this decision on my heart’s part. For me, ‘lesbianism,’ if you want to call it that (I hate that word), is like a kind of physical betrayal, like Tourette syndrome. It’s like, why, given my MANY experiences with the claws and fangs of girls, would I decide to put myself on the path of pursuing them for the rest of my life? It’s shocking to me that I could fall in love with a girl, let alone more than one girl. Although, you know, let’s not exclude the possibility that some boy will come along and sweep me off my feet. Boys, it seems, are just so cool and everyone wants one. Why not me?” – Allison from (You) Set Me On Fire by Mariko Tamaki, page 28
“Shar smiled. ‘I always think people with scars are the kind of people you want to hang out with, you know? Not so fucking perky all the time.'” – Shar from (You) Set Me On Fire by Mariko Tamaki, page 63
“‘People are strange,’ he sighed, picking a sliver of meat off his wing and popping it in his mouth. ‘We are . . . Pandora’s box. We are . . . Bermuda triangles. We are maps to countries that don’t exist.'” – Jonathon from (You) Set Me On Fire by Mariko Tamaki, page 282
(You) Set Me On Fire by Mariko Tamaki is published by Razorbill, (2012).
The Yo-Yo Prophet by Karen Krossing
Summary: Frustrated by changes at home and his Gran’s mounting confusion, Calvin turns to his yo-yo tricks to find some control and satisfaction in his life. He starts performing in downtown Toronto, soaking up the attention from audience members, and things are going well when one man even gives him money. But then his classmate Rozelle decides to become his manager, labelling him as the Yo-Yo Prophet and claiming that he can see the future when he does his yo-yo performances. When the predictions come true, Calvin begins to believe in his own powers, until everything beings to unravel and he finds out the true source of his abilities. Feeling like a fraud and dealing with his Gran’s hospitalization, Calvin needs some time to regain his confidence after the backlash that follows.
Number of Pages: 237
Age Range: 13-15
Review: Today was my second time reading Karen Krossing’s The Yo-Yo Prophet, and I loved it just as much as when I read it the first time. Firstly, it’s a great summer read. Calvin is at the end of his grade nine year when he starts performing his yo-yo tricks on the street for others to see. Krossing’s writing hums with the arrival of summer and the freedom it brings as Calvin starts upping the number of his shows, and the summer crowds in Toronto are there to watch him.
Calvin is a character worthy of respect who has had to grow up a bit faster than his friends since his mother died and his father went away. He lives with his Gran but has had to be the adult when her health starts to falter. Despite these serious themes, Calvin’s story is ultimately about a young man coming into his own, realising his talents and discovering the joy of being appreciated for them. He blossoms throughout the story, and isn’t vengeful when Rozelle’s management style leads things astray for a bit. Eventually he has to realise that he only needs to be himself, and doesn’t need a gimmick to entice others to watch his yo-yo tricks.
The Yo-Yo Prophet is one of my favourite teen books set in Toronto, because it truly captures the city’s joie-de-vive. At times, Toronto is a city where anything can happen, and it is easy to picture Calvin’s story unfolding on the city streets.
I love Krossing’s style of writing. The way she uses words and how everything is vibrant and well-stated creates clear pictures in her reader’s mind. Some of my Memorable Quotes are simply because I love how she puts things. Krossing is able to capture Calvin’s love of yo-yo tricks on a visceral level, and even though I have little experience with a yo-yo myself, I felt Calvin’s profound satisfaction at being able to complete the tricks and put on a show for his audiences. Krossing is a wonderful story-teller and I can’t wait to read more of her books.
Memorable Quotes:
“When I feel stronger, I do ten reach-for-the-moons. Perfectly. My body’s starting to hum along with the yo-yo. I’m doing it, and people are coming to watch. I steal glimpses at the skateboarder, his board tucked under one arm; the mother with the stroller, the baby sucking her thumb and following the yo-yo with her eyes; a group of kids who are maybe eleven years old; a man smoking a cigarette. All watching me. And no pigeons in sight.
I’m smooth. In the groove. I walk-the-dog, letting the yo-yo run along the bench like a dog on a leash. I throw another sleeper, bringing the dog behind my legs to walk through them. I put my yo-yo hand on my hip. I would say, ‘Jump through the hoop, Rover,’ but I don’t want to jinx myself by trying to talk. I tug the yo-yo to make it leap up from behind and through the hoop made by my arm.
‘Cool!’ one kid says. ‘Do it again.’
I smile. Warmth fills my chest. My hands guide the yo-yo through the tricks. I’m a lion tamer dominating a wild beast. It’s awesome. Powerful.” – Calvin from The Yo-Yo Prophet by Karen Krossing, page 23
“Black Magic conjures a slew of master-level tricks that rage against me. Double suicide. Reverse trapeze whip. Kamikaze. Superman. Tricks I can’t even follow with my eyes.
He starts into a ladder escape, popping the yo-yo in and out of a triangle formation in the string so fast that gold sparks seem to shoot from his yo-yo.” – Calvin from The Yo-Yo Prophet by Karen Krossing, page 172
“The rain batters the hospital window and runs down the glass. Through the rippling water, I stare out at the night. Car headlights flash and then streak away. Thunder growls across the starless sky. Streetlights reflect in the puddles.” – from The Yo-Yo Prophet by Karen Krossing, page 187
“‘Queen Elizabeth the Second.’ Her nose whistles as she exhales. ‘She’s reigned for so long and so well through so many changes.’ She gets a faraway look. ‘I always wanted to be queen, ever since I was a little girl. Although I was queen, in a way. Queen of my shop.’
‘I know you were,’ I say.
‘It wasn’t much, but it was mine to reign over, no matter what.’ She sighs. ‘Now I’m only the queen of myself. But that’s enough.’ She lifts her head and shoulders off the pillow, her neck muscles straining. ‘No illness is going to reign over me.’
I hope not. I shut my eyes briefly and try not to think about Gran with cancer. ‘That’s a good attitude.’ I try to sound positive.
‘Of course it is.’ She collapses back against the pillows, obviously exhausted. ‘We can’t control the world, but we can reign over our own little piece of it.’ She grips my hand. ‘Maybe you’re not a prophet,’ she pauses, ‘but you are good with a yo-yo.'” – Conversation between Gran and Calvin from The Yo-Yo Prophet by Karen Krossing, pages 198-199
The Yo-Yo Prophet by Karen Krossing is published by Orca Book Publishers, (2011).
About Amy
Amy Mathers has been passionate about reading from a very young age, and hopes others will share her enthusiasm for funding a teen book award. Read more Follow Amy
Sponsors
