Pluto’s Ghost by Sheree Fitch
Summary: Jake Upshore has his problems with anger, impulse control and reading, but most of it is overshadowed by his relationship with Skye, the love of his life. When she disappears one day and Jake hears rumours that she is off to Halifax to get an abortion, his brain goes into overdrive and he can’t stop himself from taking action. So begins a journey to find Skye that involves battling his personal demons and many unfortunate incidents. Jake finds himself in a place he never expected to be, largely because of his impulsive nature, and he is left to decide if he can overcome it to gain the trust of the one he loves.
Number of Pages: 254
Age Range: 16-18
Review: At first, reading Pluto’s Ghost is the mental equivalent to putting on Spanx. I’m a reader, have been for my whole life. I never had trouble learning to read and I was reading at a grade 13 level in grade eight. I am also a reserved person. So forcing my mind into the perspective of a young man with a learning varation, driven by impulse and adrenalin with a brain triple-wired for sight and sound was difficult for me. Extremely difficult.
But the reason why it was so difficult to get into at first was because Sheree Fitch instantly immerses her reader into Jake’s point-of-view through her writing style. She allows her reader to experience the world from inside his skin, and it is truly an eye-opening experience.
Jake’s voice is fluid and rushed, and he is largely driven by his physical reactions to whatever situation he is in, and through it all Fitch shows us a very keen and smart mind that at times just needs a bit of taming. I loved it.
This is my second time reading Pluto’s Ghost, and it took me two times to properly appreciate it. There is so much contained in Jake’s perspective that I didn’t catch a lot of it the first time. Because of that I would recommend it for older and experienced teen readers. There are themes of abuse and some violence, but it is mostly the story of one young man’s journey into adulthood and his quest to be worthy of the one he loves.
Memorable Quotes:
“Best as I can describe it, love feels like in the summer when I’m outside mucking in the dirt and it’s one of those days so blue and yellow and lime green you got to wear shades or you’ll be blinded by all that jeezly light.” – Jake from Pluto’s Ghost by Sheree Fitch, page 10
“Skye and Kaje. They should have clued in back then I was going to be having a hard time with the two of the three Rs. Reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic. Who thought that up if not someone with a learning variation? Variation or learning difference, not disability, okay?” – Jake from Pluto’s Ghost by Sheree Fitch, page 38
“But enough remembering and reflecting and confessing for now. This writing shit down has a way of making me admit way too many private things. No wonder I hate it so much. Like taking a crowbar to my heart and digging it out of my chest.” – Jake from Pluto’s Ghost by Sheree Fitch, page 87
“But I kept going AWOB. Absent without a brain. Burble, burble, underwater, like I was watching myself through an aquarium screen. Jake Upshore, the action-less hero in a warped slow-mo video game. Yes, a full-blown panic attack was settling in.” – Jake from Pluto’s Ghost by Sheree Fitch, page 115
“I was mad at Skye. No thought of me. Whatsoever. As I drove on, I had lots of what-ifs like little hamsters spinning wheels inside my head and gnawing brain.” – Jake from Pluto’s Ghost by Sheree Fitch, page 148
“All I know is if you went to China, you’d need a translator to read the signs so you’d know where you were, where you were going. When you read like me you are your own translator. Every day. Every goddam day I open a book, I kind of don’t know where I am going. And don’t even get me started about writing and how long it takes me for one paragraph. So yeah. That’s how it is.” – Jake from Pluto’s Ghost by Sheree Fitch, page 150
“And I was. I really was and you maybe think that’s a bit weird because I never knew them at all but when you know what it’s like to lose someone you loved that much, needed that much, you can almost feel the hole in another’s heart and it’s sad because it is and because you know that pit will get deeper, because that time heals saying is bullshit; time just gives you more time to know you’ll miss forever. I heard soft drum-beating from inside the house and I felt like I do when I’m alone in my room with a song on the radio that makes my throat feel like someone pressed on my Adam’s apple with their thumb.” – Jake from Pluto’s Ghost by Sheree Fitch, page 165
“My therapist tells me it’s the wounded who wound. Sounds great. Still, it is no excuse for what my dad did. Not ever. But . . . well, it helps me start to understand.” – Skye from Pluto’s Ghost by Sheree Fitch, page 245
Pluto’s Ghost by Sheree Fitch is published by Doubleday Canada (2010).
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A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk by Jan L. Coates
Summary: Caught in a war between North and South Sudan, seven year-old Jacob Akech is driven from his home and separated from the rest of his family. Jacob, his nephew Monyroor, and his friend Oscar join thousands of other boys in the same predicament. Known as “The Lost Boys” to the world at large, they make their way to a refugee camp in Ethiopia and then to one in Kenya when the first is dismantled. Jacob grows up on his feet, finding family in the boys he travels with and surviving dehydration, starvation, and animal attacks. Caught between being encouraged to become a soldier and his mother’s wish that he should be educated, Jacob must figure out for himself which option is in the best interest of Sudan.
Number of Pages: 274
Age Range: 12-14
Review: Loosely based on the real life story of Jacob Deng, A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk by Jan L. Coates follows Jacob Akech and the journey of the Lost Boys displaced from their homes by the war in Sudan. This book is important from a historical perspective, and I have to admit I didn’t know anything about the Lost Boys until I read it.
Coates uses Jacob’s story to show the conflict of a nation at war, and I liked how she set up Jacob’s personal struggle between strength and intellect. Will the war be solved with more soldiers and might? Or does it take education to change the attitudes of those who would become soldiers? It’s a complicated question that Coates attempts to answer.
Although Jacob’s character starts out being seven years-old, I would recommend this book for early teen readers because it contains some serious themes and complex ideas. As a historical piece, I think it is also suitable for adults and classroom reading. My interest on the subject has been piqued by Coates’ book and I would love to do some non-fiction reading about the Lost Boys now as well. If you would like more information about the real Jacob and his foundation, Wadeng Wings of Hope, that focuses on fostering literacy in South Sudan, visit www.wadeng.org.
Memorable Quotes:
“‘We must keep looking ahead,’ Monyroor said. ‘The past is over, it cannot be changed. But we can change the future, make sure the past is not repeated. In school, we can learn ways to make Sudan stronger when we return.'” – Monyroor from A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk by Jan L. Coates, page 124
“‘But maybe the King of the Beast should be the smartest animal, not the strongest. most powerful one,’ Jacob said. “Maybe Hare is actually the King of the Beasts.'” – Jacob from A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk by Jan L. Coates, page 129
“‘That is a strong sweater,’ The farmer admired its thick, heavy cotton. ‘It would keep my son warm during the cool winter evenings.’ He held up a red t-shirt. ‘And what do these words say?’
‘Just Do It!’ Jacob read, translating the words into Dinka.
‘Do what?’ the farmer asked.
Jacob shrugged. ‘Whatever you must do, I suppose.'” – conversation between the farmer and Jacob from A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk by Jan L. Coates, page 235
A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk by Jan L. Coates is published by Red Deer Press (2010).
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The Space Between by Don Aker
Summary: Jace Antonakos is headed for a life-changing Mexico vacation with his mother, aunt and younger brother. Still grieving the death of his older brother, Stefan, and fresh from a break-up with his long-time girlfriend, Cynthia, Jace decides to make getting laid the focus of his vacation. While trying to achieve his goal with a girl named Kate, Jace keeps encountering Conner, a hockey player also from Nova Scotia who reminds him of Stefan. Events conspire to foster a friendship between the two, but misunderstandings and secrets force Jace to realise the importance of the truth, both in his friendships and with his family.
Number of Pages: 246
Age Range: 16-18
Review: I hadn’t read The Space Between before, but it is now my favourite Don Aker book. Based on the blurb on the back of the book, I thought it was going to be a humourous, light-hearted story about a guy trying to lose his virginity, but instead I found a sensitive story about guilt, grief, and the secrets that have the power to destroy us.
I loved Jace’s sarcastic but witty voice, and while the erection references got to me after a while, I did feel they were appropriate for the experience of a teenage guy. I enjoyed his insightful and thoughtful point-of-view, as well as the way Aker brought truth to the meaning of Jace’s name.
Aker adds a spark of humour to serious themes of suicide and closeted homosexuality and the result is a honest, well-written book I would probably recommend for bibliotherapy. Jace’s growth from a keeper of secrets to someone who encourages himself and others to live the truth of their lives is an eye-opener for anyone who has ever experienced the heaviness of a silence containing things unsaid.
This book is for older teens due to swearing, mature themes and a suicide scene.
Memorable Quotes:
“A hand tugs at mine and I look down at Lucas. He’s smiling, but there are sudden tears on his cheeks, his eyes watering from the sun’s brilliance, and for a moment something in my chest catches, makes me think of the smiles that have hidden so many tears in our family this past year.” – Jace from The Space Between by Don Aker, page 25
“A few years ago, a wireless phone company developed an ad campaign around the slogan ‘Can you hear me now?’ and I briefly considered getting those five words tattooed on my forehead. I doubt, though, that anyone named Antonakos would have noticed.” – Jace from The Space Between by Don Aker, pages 29-30
“Sure, there are times when I resent the extra care he requires, the extra word he creates for all of us, but Lucas never fails to remind me how special things are, even the most ordinary and mundane. Like the way light reflects off silverware. Who else could make me appreciate something like that?” – Jace from The Space Between by Don Aker, page 37
“I look at the meter on the taxi’s dash that marks elapsed time in pesos. the numbers slowly increasing. Without intending to, I think about Stefan and wonder if there was ever a time he thought of me as a friend, if he ever considered telling me what was wrong, what was so bad that he’d look for a way to halt that increase, to keep those numbers from counting up, forever freezing them in a single display.” – Jace from The Space Between by Don Aker, page 90
“And for the first time in nearly a year, I feel something different move inside me. At first, because it’s so foreign to me, I don’t recognize it.
Hope.” – Jace from The Space Between by Don Aker, page 124
“It’s funny how people tend to handle the grief od others. Most want absolutely nothing to do with it. If there’s anything you need . . . I swear to God, the unspoken end of that sentence is don’t expect me to be around to do it for you. What everybody really wants is for you to just get over it, to get back to being the person you were as fast as possible so they don’t have to feel so goddamn awkward any more.” – Jace from The Space Between by Don Aker, page 147
“There are stories in our silences
The things that don’t get said
speak louder than we ever dream they can
They echo through the space between
the place I long to be
and this never-ending empty where I am” – lyrics by Leah Delaney from The Space Between by Don Aker, 169
“Neither of us says anything for a long moment. I turn and look far down the beach, where swimmers and surfers are oblivious to the drama we’ve experienced, the tragedy we’ve sidestepped on this Caribbean sand. I’m suddenly stuck by how much we miss, how much happens around us without our knowledge. And by how much unfolds inside us without our ever knowing it’s there.” – Jace from The Space Between by Don Aker, page 220
“Listening to Conner repeatedly blame himself for what happened on the beach, I learned something more. That being sorry isn’t a solution. That admitting guilt is sometimes all any of us can do.” – Jace from The Space Between by Don Aker, page 222
The Space Between by Don Aker is published by HarperTrophy Canada (2007).
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Bitter, Sweet by Laura Best
Summary: The Burbidge family have each other, and after being abandoned by their father and the illness of their mother, their bond is stronger than ever. After their mother dies, Jesse, Pru, and their younger brother and sister struggle to keep her death a secret from noisy neighbours and the law so they can stay together. An unexpected return further complicates things and ultimately results in a showdown between Jesse and the RCMP, leaving the Burbidge children to decide who they can and cannot trust.
Number of Pages: 144
Age Range: 13-14
Review: Bitter, Sweet. Apt title. With all of the bitter hardship the Burbidge family endures, Laura Best weaves in truly sweet moments filled with joy. The title is beautiful in its simplicity and revealing of the book’s contents at the same time.
As for the book itself, I was enchanted by Bitter, Sweet. Four children abandoned by their father are now dealing with their mother’s terminal illness, struggling to keep their family together before and after she dies. They make mistakes, but their motives are pure. All they want is to stay together.
But it’s complicated. Caught up in memories of their father and mother’s views and experiences, Jesse and Pru are left to determine what was real and what wasn’t, as well as who is truly worthy of their trust.
Interwoven into this tale is a thread of mysticism, as mother and daughter Pru are both connected to the spirit of their Mi’kmaq ancestor. When Pru’s mother dies, Pru finds herself able to still communicate with her, especially in timely moments when she needs her the most.
My favourite part of the book though is the character of Pru’s mother. She instils in her children self-reliance and pragmatism to keep their feet on the ground, but also gives them wings to soar with through their imaginations, dreams and hopes for the future. She can make a celebration out of almost anything, encouraging her children to look for the good in life among the bad even after she dies. I loved her.
Bitter, Sweet is a vibrant read set in 1948 that I thoroughly enjoyed. Recommended for early teen readers and suitable for a classroom setting.
Memorable Quotes:
“They looked like Ballerina slippers, and for a brief moment I pretended that they were magical and perhaps had the power to make Mama well again. It was a silly thing to pretend, but Mama always said that some days it was hard enough to live with what is, let alone ignoring what could be.” – Pru from Bitter, Sweet by Laura Best, page 15
“‘The world is filled with many strange things, so many that you couldn’t count them all even if you wanted to. But it’s not the knowing of everything there is in the world so much as it is the imagining of all there could be,’ she said. I wasn’t sure I knew what she meant, but her words seemed to bring me comfort.” – Pru remembering words from her mother from Bitter, Sweet by Laura Best, page 66
“‘Things aren’t always the way they seem to be on the outside,’ I said to Jesse, sharing in his disappointment at Daddy’s behaviour. I knew Jesse was right – Daddy owed us some sort of explanation. But part of me couldn’t help but wish these past two years away, pretend like they had never happened. How much easier that would be.” – Pru from Bitter, Sweet by Laura Best, page 77
“There was something different about Mama that last night and sometimes I think I should have known. But what you really know and what you just think you know are two different things.” – Pru from Bitter, Sweet by Laura Best, page 99
“…dreams are what tell us we’re alive. Sometimes you just need to have a dream, some way to keep you going.” – Pru’s mother from Bitter, Sweet by Laura Best, page 103
Bitter, Sweet by Laura Best is published by Nimbus Publishing (2009).
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| Canadian Booksellers)
Lost on Brier Island by Jo Ann Yhard
Summary: Distraught after the unexpected death of Adam, her twin brother, Alex is sent to spend the summer with her Aunt Sophie in the small community of Brier Island. A whale-watching trip introduces her to a baby whale that Alex connects with and calls Daredevil, but guilt over her brother’s death holds her back from forming friendships with others. When she discovers her parents’ marriage is on the brink of divorce, a day spent with Rachael on the foggy island changes her perspective on things, and she is finally able to move on with her life.
Number of Pages: 178
Age Range: 12-13
Review: Lost on Brier Island is the story of one girl’s journey through grief after the death of her twin brother.
Pared down, the storyline I liked best was the one about Alex and Daredevil, the baby whale. It was almost as if the spirit of her brother Adam was in the whale, and Alex’s connection with Daredevil allowed her to work out the remaining feelings she had over Adam’s sudden loss. I did wish it was more clear whether Daredevil survived or not. I suppose he didn’t, but since Yhard wasn’t absolutely specific about it, I like to hope that somehow he did live.
This is more of a pre-teen book than a teen book, and so I would recommend it only to early teens.
Memorable Quotes:
“She’d been so mad, too. She remembered that. But he’d been lying in that bed, silent and still. How could she get mad at him? She’d felt guilty about that, too, and then angry at herself instead. She’d been smothered in a mammoth-sized boulder of guilt, so heavy it was a crushing weight on her all the time. And now it floated off her shoulders like a feather on the wind, disappearing as quickly as the fog they’d been wrapped in.” – Alex from Lost on Brier Island by Jo Ann Yhard, pages 164-165
Lost on Brier Island by Jo Ann Yhard is published by Nimbus Publishing (2011).
(Buy this book: Amazon
| Canadian Booksellers)
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
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