Exciting, post-apocalyptic

I wasn't sure what to expect from the book after seeing the cover of The Boy at the End of the World, by Greg van Eekhout.  It seemed a bit odd:

Why is the boy glowing?  Is the robot going to hurt him?  He's looking at something amazing? scary? huge? all of the above?  Is there a fire in the background?  It seemed a bit much for a cover, and I was worried that the book would be.....messy.  I must say, it was exciting, action-packed, and yet it worked.  I was never bored!

It begins with Fisher, the boy on the cover, waking (being born) in the pod in which he had been "grown."   This is set in a future in which humans have destroyed the earth.  In an effort to save the world that was falling apart, scientists created Arks in which they grew and maintained genetic clones of all the creatures that were dying: elephants, bears, bugs and humans, to name a few.  The Ark in which Fisher slept was completely destroyed.  He was the last living organism.  As The Ark crumbles around him, he must escape with only one companion....a robot that was programmed to maintain The Ark, and, who woke him.  Fisher quickly names him Click, and they escape into the wilds.  They discover killer robots, mini mammoths, giant killer parrots, and prairie dogs that talk.  They venture off in search of the other Arks, in hopes of finding more humans.  Will this be the end of humanity?

This books is full of action and a sly sense of humor.  For example, Fisher ends up joined by a baby mini mammoth that he quickly names "Protein."  Quick, entertaining, read that makes one think, a little, about the impact our decisions make far into the future.

Two books in one

Like the main characters, Jake and Lily, by Jerry Spinelli, is two books, both literally, and figuratively.  It is told in two, alternating voices, those of twins Jake and Lily.  In my opinion, though, there is the annoying part and the part I liked.

Since six years old, Jake and Lily have shared "goombla," the ability twins sometimes have to know each other's thoughts.  If one was in trouble, the other knew, and, it was impossible for them to play hide and seek.  Then they turned 11.  Suddenly, Jake is hanging out with a bunch of guys, leaving Lily adrift.  Lily has to learn to be Lily-without-Jake.  At the same time, Jake faces his own challenges as his new friends begin to bully a new kid.  Both Jake and Lily must come to terms with their lives separately and together.

As the book started, I did not like it.  I found the constant shift in voice distracting, and the initial problem introduction uncomfortable.  Having said that, as the problem resolution began, I was used to the changing perspective and was invested in how it finished.  If you start this book, be sure to finish; it is worth it.

Zombie games

I almost gave up on The End Games by T. Michael Martin.  I believe this is because it is more than just a zombie book.  It is a zombie tale told by a lover of first-person shooter video games, of which I am not.  This is one of the first books that made me realize my age.  Teens, especially teen boys, will love it.

It begins with seventeen-year-old Michael and his five-year-old brother making their way through post-zombie-apocalyptic West Virginia.  Michael uses reflexes honed in the gaming world to navigate the dangers posed by the "Bellows" and by some of the uninflected survivors.  They are trying to make their way to the safe zone, without being totally sure of where they are.  Michael has regular communications with the "Game Master" who gives them clues on how to earn points and "win."  This is where the book nearly lost me.  While I can accept zombies, not so much the whole video game thing.  The purpose of the "game" is soon revealed, making the story much richer.  Michael must protect his little brother from all sorts of evil, as he realizes there may not be a safe zone.

His struggle to overcome both the real dangers of the world, and the imagined pitfalls of the game, as well as the insanity left in the world make this a worthwhile read.  The author is a film school graduate and it shows; the fight scenes reminded me of a great action flick.

Quick, fun for younger readers

I read Attack of the Shark-Headed Zombie by Bill Doyle and it was quick fun meant for younger readers, especially boys.  It is the adventures of Keats and Henry as they try to earn money from the mysterious Mr Cigam to replace the bikes they ruined.  They realize something is not as it seems when one item on their to-do list is to "battle the shark-headed zombie."  The I pictures really add to the action..what could be worse than a shark? One that can hop on land on it's back fin.  Can the boys not only defeat the monster, but also escape the magical house? Will they earn enough to get tier bikes back?  It's worth the read to find out.

For the reluctant reader....

I've heard of reluctant readers, but never one so adamantly opposed as Charlie Joe in Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading by Tommy Greenwald.  In this humorous telling, Charlie Joe admits that he has never read ANYTHING entirely.  He reads the beginning and the end, and then "pays" a friend to summarize the rest.  His perfect plan is thrown out the window when his friend suddenly decides he's tired of doing it for him.  We not only follow the extraordinary ends to which he will go to NOT read, but learn his 25 tips on not reading.    

I enjoyed that it was not only funny, but had a bit of a deeper message.  Don't worry, though, it does't end with a syrupy sweet conversion to a love of reading.  In fact, without giving away too much, this is this last tip:  WHEN FINISHING A BOOK, NEVER LOOK AT IT AGAIN.  So, there.