  |
|
|
|
Index Interviews: Shirley Palmer Kill is a Four Letter Word The Five Golden Rules of Publicity for Authors Writing That Killer Query Return to This Issue's Index Return to Homepage Subscribe
|
|
Children's Book ReviewsPage One of TwoThe Angel Factory by Terence BlackerSimon and Schuster, September, 2002Hardcover, 224 pages ISBN: 0689851715 Ages 10 and up Ordering information: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 
Thomas Wisdom seems to have a life that any boy would
envy. He is popular, does well in school, and actually gets
along with this parents and big sister, Amy. Eventually his
life seems too perfect and Thomas decides to do some
snooping in his father's computer, assisted by his
geeky friend Gip. The information Thomas finds is explosive:
he is adopted. And shortly thereafter, he finds out another
secret: his parents aren't human. They are artificially created
organic beings created by aliens who claim they wish to
save humanity from its violent tendencies -- whether
humanity wishes to be saved or not. The aliens (who refer
to themselves as "angels") have infiltrated
all levels of human society, including the American presidency.
The aliens do offer a solution to the violence of this world,
but the price humanity will have to pay to save itself may
be much too high. The aliens still believe in free will, and
eventually it all comes down to Thomas. Will he join the
Project or will he reject the aliens' plans? What he decides
will determine the fate of all of mankind.
Terence Blacker has created an imaginative and thought-provoking story with The Angel Factory. Thomas, the boy who is faced with a terrible choice, is a likeable narrator, and Blacker keeps the suspense level high throughout the story. Although some of the aliens' actions strain credibility, overall the plot is both well-executed and very entertaining. With skillfully drawn characters and a fascinating premise, The Angel Factory is a compelling fantasy adventure. Before We Were Free by Julia AlvarezKnopf, August, 2002Hardcover, 176 pages ISBN: 0375815449 Ages 12 and up Ordering information: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 
In her Author's Note at the end of Before We Were
Free, Julia Alvarez explains that there is a tradition in
Latin American countries called testimonio. It is the
responsibility, explains Ms. Alvarez, of those who
have survived the struggle for freedom to tell the story
of those who were not so fortunate. With this in
mind, the author tells the story of a twelve year-old
girl who lives through the final brutal days of the reign
of the vicious dictator named Trujillo, who
ruled the Dominican Republic until his assassination,
and through the even more brutal reign of Trujillo's son.
Anita de la Torre not only must go through the demands of passing from childhood to adulthood, she must also adjust to a world suddenly filled with dark secrets and imminent danger. Anita's story, as she tells it, begins just before the American holiday of Thanksgiving. Anita attends the American school, along with other Dominican students, and the American presence is always there in one way or another. Her home is a compound consisting of the houses of her large extended family. Grandparents, uncles, and aunts with their assorted children all live in the compound. The puzzling thing to young Anita is why so many people keep disappearing from her life. Some, like her Aunt Laura and cousin Carla leave right in the middle of the school day. Others just disappear. Slowly Anita begins to unravel the actions of the adult world. She notices how nervous her mother is and ponders the sayings of the family nanny, Chucha. The secret police conduct searches in the compound and always seem to be watching the family. Anita's window, unknown to the family, is right over the place where the men of the family and selected friends discuss plans. Anita begins a diary, but she must erase her entries each day in case the police find it and use what she has written against her family. Her older sister is sent to live with relatives in New York when after her coming out party (quinceanera) she receives flowers from the lecherous Trujillo. Finally, Anita and her mother must hide in the closet of family friends after the arrest of her beloved father. Then, one day, they are able to escape to New York and live with other family members. Anita's story ends with Thanksgiving at the home of the Garcias in Queens. Anita has been told that her father and favorite uncle were both killed by soldiers in a brutal and senseless way. She dreams of returning someday to her home country, but mostly she realizes that that her freedom was purchased with the sufferings of others. She remembers her father and feels love and pride. Before We Were Free is a story that will draw the young adult reader into a different world where nothing can be taken for granted. Anita's difficulties in unraveling adult motives, relating to a mother who always seems worried and preoccupied, all while handling the strong emotions dealing with boys her own age will appeal to young readers. --Sarah Reaves White Children's Book Reviews Page One | Page Two Return to Book Reviews Index ** To visit the archives of children's books reviewed in The IWJ, please click here. |