Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Westerfeld, Scott. Leviathan. New York: Simon Pulse, 2009. 440 pages. $19.99 ISBN 9781416971733

Plot Summary: In 1914, The Great War begins between the Darwinists and the Clankers. Aleksandar Ferdinand is prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, son of royalty and a commoner. He is disturbed one night by his tutor Otto Klopp and fencing master Count Volger. They take him out in a walker, a large walking machine, only to tell Alek that his parents were murdered. Deryn just wants to be an airman in the British Air Service. Unfortunately she's a girl and they only take on boys. However she is determined, and disguises as a boy in order to join. Alek and Deryn, from completely different worlds and different sides of The Great War, are forced together on board the great ship Leviathan.

Critical Evaluation: This is a fantastic book, full of crazy plotlines, interesting characters and beautiful illustrations. Westerfeld collaborated with illustrator Keith Thompson to move back to the time when all books were illustrated. The novel is perfectly accented by Thompson's detailed pen and ink illustrations. This alternate history is fascinating blend of steampunk, Eastern European history and adventure.

Reader's Annotation: In an alternate 1914, Alek and Beryn are forced into each others' lives by the great war and the magnificent Leviathan.

Author Bio: Scott Westerfeld is the author of many books for young adults and adults including the Uglies series, Midnighters series and now the Leviathan series. His wife is Australian, so he spends his time alternating between New York City and Sydney, Australia.

Genre: Fantasy

Curriculum Ties: Not sure if this would go well with modern Eastern-European history.

Booktalking Ideas: Show the book trailer. It is one of the most extravagant book trailers I have seen and sure to spark many tweens interests.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 11 and up

Challenges: None.

Reason for including: I read Uglies over the summer and loved it. As a fan of steampunk I was very excited to find out that Westerfeld was publishing a YA steampunk alternate history, with illustrations! I felt this book would appeal to tweens because of the action, sci-fi and illustrations.

The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade

Slade, Arthur. The Hunchback Assignments. New York: Wendy Lamb Books, 2009. 278 pg. $15.99 ISBN 978-0-385-73784-5

Plot Summary: Modo is not what one would normally consider a beautiful boy. He has a hunched back and slightly deformed face. But, he is special. Modo has the ability to morph his features and body into another human form, although this transformation only lasts a few hours at most. Saved from a traveling circus as a baby by Mr. Socrates , Modo was kept secret in a country estate where he learned everything from fighting to Latin. Unexpectedly, Mr. Socrates, abandons Modo in the middle of London where he is forced to make his own way. Little does he know that the series of events that follow, including his meeting with Octavia Milkweed , are all linked. Meanwhile, some sinister machines and an army of potion altered children are being created in the bowels of London.

Critical Evaluation:

Reader's Annotation: Modo, a hunchback with special powers, becomes the entangled in a war between his guarding Mr. Socrates and the evil Clockwork Guild.

Author Bio:

Genre: Steampunk, Science Fiction, Alternate Reality, Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties:

Booktalking Ideas:

Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 6-10, ages 12 and up

Challenges:

Reason for including: I am a big fan of steampunk literature and anytime steampunk is written for tweens or teens I read it. I was waiting for this book to come out and checked it out from the library as soon as it became available.