‘She’s So Money’

By Cherry Cheva

Maya is a high-school senior living in Michigan and dreaming of getting as far from there as possible. She knows that college is her ticket out and she’s doing everything in her power to get into Stanford.

For this reason (and pressure from her very involved parents), she is the quintessential good girl. Her schedule is full of AP classes, tutoring struggling students and working as a waitress at her family’s Thai restaurant. Getting into Stanford shouldn’t be too hard … as long as things don’t go awry.

Maya’s trouble begins when she gets a new student to tutor — hunky and popular Camden King — who tries to talk Maya into just doing his homework instead of tutoring him. Her trouble continues when her parents leave Maya and her little brother, Nat, in charge of the restaurant while they’re out of town. After a few good days in charge, Sunday comes. On Sunday, Maya is plagued with mixed-up orders, a jammed dishwasher and two angry ladies. After Maya sasses the angry ladies, they threaten to send the health inspector to the restaurant to shut it down. Maya takes this as an empty threat and makes the managerial decision to put off cleanup from the night’s business to the next day.

Unfortunately, the angry ladies weren’t bluffing. The health inspector shows up before things get cleaned up and gives the restaurant a whopping $10,000 fine. Instead of confessing to her parents, Maya decides to take matters into her own hands. The tips she earns at the restaurant go into her college fund, so she has to be creative. Remembering Camden’s suggestion, Maya starts an elaborate cheating ring. For an impressive price, the smart kids do the popular (not-smart) kids’ homework while Maya and Camden skim money off the top. Maya is sure she can get enough money to pay the fine but all the lying and, well, cheating may cause her to lose everyone she loves.

Cheva, who writes for “Family Guy,” has a knack for witty dialogue. The interactions between Maya and Camden are fun to read and Maya’s first-person narration is good insight into the plight of a good girl gone bad. My one complaint about this book is a couple of jarring uses of a name-calling phrase (associated with a feminine hygiene product). Maya’s use of this phrase is out of character and feels more like Cheva trying a little too hard to capture “teen speak.”

All-in-all, though, this was a fun and satisfying read that got me thinking about what it’s like to be a server. I’ve never worked in food service, so I was curious about whether the descriptions of Maya’s job were accurate. When I asked my friend Christina (at Bella Pepper’s, an Italian restaurant on Range Line) about it, she invited me to spend a lunch shift observing.

I was seated in Leila’s (pronounced “Lee-eye-la”) section, smack dab in the middle of the action. The lunch shift flew by as I watched Leila, Christina, Raquelle and Christi stride from table to table, to the kitchen, back to tables, around corners and through their shifts with the kind of energy and efficiency I can only imagine (all for a base pay of just more than $3 per hour). The amount of multi-tasking that they have to master just to make sure all of their tables have full glasses, warm bread and lunch-hour friendly service is incredible. I certainly understand, now more than ever, that the tips servers receive for their hard work are well-earned and well-deserved. Maya’s hectic serving experiences in “She’s So Money” were well-described and believable, but didn’t quite capture all that I saw in my afternoon of observation.

So, readers, be sure to tip your servers (15 percent is still standard) and check out “She’s So Money” from the teen department at your library.

~Cari - Teen Librarian

Psychological thriller hits ‘Too Close to Home’

‘Too Close to Home’

By Linwood Barclay

(compact disc audiobook)

Teenager Derek Cutter had made plans for a romantic week with his girlfriend to use the Langley’s house for a week while they are on vacation. Derek hides in the basement waiting for the Langleys to leave. They leave only to return a short time later when Mrs. Langley becomes ill.

As Derek hides and waits for his chance to escape without being found out, someone enters the house and shoots Mr. and Mrs. Langley and their son, Adam. After the killer leaves, a terrified Derek escapes to his own home without telling anyone.

Despite the closeness of the homes, Derek’s parents didn’t hear the gunshots and they don’t find out about the triple murder until the police pay them a visit the next day. Derek’s father, Jim, used to be a driver for the city’s mayor, but now he runs a landscaping service with help from Derek. Ellen, Jim’s wife, works for the college president, the author of a best-selling book that he has used to his advantage and that plays a large part in the mystery.

Adam and Derek had always enjoyed tinkering with discarded computers, and when the police take him back to the Cutters’ house, Derek notices that one of the old computers is missing from Adam’s room. He also knows what was on the computer and had made a copy of it. Derek shows it to his parents, who cannot escape the secrets from their own pasts.

This psychological thriller is full of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end. Barclay’s complicated novel contains diverse characters with believable relationships. Christopher Lane’s narration is excellent as usual and certainly added to the suspense.

‘Lethal Legacy’

By Linda Fairstein

(compact disc audiobook)

Alex Cooper, an assistant district attorney in New York City, is called upon to investigate the attack of Tina Barr in her apartment. Homicide detectives Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace accompany Cooper to Tina’s apartment. Tina was attacked by an unknown assailant and may be the victim of a sexual assault, but she refuses to discuss what happened or seek medical treatment.

The next day, a dead woman is discovered in Tina’s apartment along with a very valuable book. The woman turns out to be the housekeeper of wealthy Minerva Hunt and was wearing the clothes of her employer. Tina’s body is discovered a few days later. The investigative trio eventually learns that Tina is a former New York Public Library librarian and a restorer of rare books who has ties to some of the library’s richest contributors.

As Alex, Chapman and Mercer trek through the New York Public Library’s underground tunnels, forgotten apartments and hidden rooms in their quest to unlock the secrets of centuries-old rare maps and books, they attempt to find the person or people willing to kill for these treasures. It’s interesting to observe the interaction among the three investigators as they discover secrets that could destroy the legacies of the some of the largest benefactors of the old library.

This is not the typical Alex Cooper mystery, but I found it absorbing since it contains all the elements that interest me —- a library, reading and books, and an enjoyable mystery. Linda Fairstein presents an incredible depth of research about the history of the New York Public Library and its inner workings in this intriguing mystery. It was fascinating to learn about New York’s historic landmark and the incredible treasures contained within. The characters come alive as Barbara Rosenblat lends her brilliant narrative abilities to this mystery.

Both novels are also available in regular print editions at the Joplin Public Library.

~Phyllis- Technical Services Librarian

‘Wednesday Wars’ a flawless story

‘The Wednesday Wars’

By Gary D. Schmidt

(Teen fiction)

Holling Hoodhood is convinced that his seventh-grade teacher, Mrs. Baker, is out to get him. Especially since he is the only student in her class who does not attend religion classes on Wednesday afternoons; meaning he spends afternoons alone with her in the classroom.

It is during these afternoons that Holling discovers Shakespeare. Despite being hesitant at first, he soon warms to the plays and ends up performing in a local rendition of one of them. It is also during these afternoon sessions that he discovers that Mrs. Baker is not simply a teacher. She is wife to an MIA soldier, a lover of Shakespeare, owner of two enormous rats and a former Olympian. While Mrs. Baker’s character may seem a bit over-the-top, her actions complement the story and Schmidt makes them appear believable.

The book starts a little slow, but it quickly gives way to a flawlessly written story. The main focus may be Holling’s seventh-grade year, but Schmidt effortlessly incorporates the Vietnam War, the ’60s, and the trials and tribulations of being a teenager into this hopeful account.

‘The Dead and the Gone’

By Susan Beth Pfeffer

(Teen fiction)

After the moon is hit by an asteroid and knocked out of orbit, 17-year-old Alex Morales becomes the head of his household and assumes responsibility for his two younger sisters.

While holding out hope that their mother will return from her hospital job in Queens and their father will return from Puerto Rico, Alex, Julie and Brianna must struggle to survive. Each day brings new challenges and soon dead bodies are piling up on the streets, food is dwindling and medical attention is non-existent.

Ethical decisions abound in Susan Beth Pfeffer’s companion novel to “Life as We Knew It.” While not as compelling as her previous novel, this one will still cause readers to consider what they would do should similar circumstances arise.

‘The Appeal’

By John Grisham

(Adult fiction)

The stage is set when a Mississippi jury returns a $41 million verdict against a chemical company for illegally dumping toxic waste into a small town’s water supply. The reward has been hard fought by two practically bankrupt lawyers and a plaintiff who has buried her husband and son.

Carl Trudeau, the company’s billionaire CEO, is unsure of how the appeal will play out, so when the opportunity arises for him to buy a seat on the Mississippi Supreme Court, where the appeal will be heard, he does not hesitate to shell out several million dollars for an unknown candidate.

Grisham’s 20th work of fiction introduces a colorful cast of characters, and provides an interesting look at big business and the corruption of the electoral system. It is a bit hard to keep the larger-than-life characters straight and believe that people actually act in this manner; however, this book will fly off shelves simply because of the broad appeal of the author.

Much of the novel is over the top, but readers will keep turning pages until their final gasp at the unexpected conclusion.

~Jeana Gockley- Children's Librarian

Princess grown up in final book

'Forever Princess'

By Meg Cabot

Reading the final book in a much-loved series is a lot like saying good-bye to a dear friend. It’s sad, but tinged with the hope that perhaps you’ll see each other again.

Sometimes I try to postpone the inevitable. I’ve picked up and put down “Breaking Dawn,” the last book in Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” series, so many times that it’s getting embarrassing.

When I learned that Meg Cabot was winding down her popular “Princess Diaries” series with the tenth book, my first response was worthy of the sometimes overly dramatic Princess Mia: An anguished “NOOOO!!!!!”

But I soon got over myself. There was no way I was not reading “Forever Princess.”

I read all 383 pages in two sittings. If there is one thing I love about Cabot, besides her loopy sense of humor and non-conformist heroines, it’s that her books are very easy and enjoyable reads. Brain candy, if you will.

In “Forever Princess,” Mia is no longer an awkward 14-year-old struggling with math, impossible crushes on unavailable boys, and the newly-discovered knowledge that she’s the heir to the throne of Genovia. Her once-dreaded princess lessons with her sidecar-swilling, control freak of a grandmother have paid off, and she’s considerably more poised and polished these days.

Her life isn’t any less complicated, though. She’s about to graduate from high school, but can’t decide where to attend college. Her father is trying to get elected prime minister of Genovia, but losing in the polls to his cousin.

Her grandmother has planned an 18th birthday party for her, complete with celebrities. She and her former BFF Lilly still haven’t made up. And she’s also the only one among her friends who hasn’t “done it.”

To add to the fun, her first love, Michael Moscovitz, now a wealthy inventor, is back in New York.

His reappearance has made Mia realize she isn’t quite over him after all, which is a problem because she already has a boyfriend. It doesn’t help matters that said boyfriend is wrapped up in himself, or that Michael flirts like crazy with her and offers unwavering support for her dream of publishing a romance novel.

The usual antics ensue, and anyone who has read a Meg Cabot novel knows how “Forever Princess” will end. But getting there is the fun part, thanks to Mia and crew.

Her friends are as loony as ever: Tina Hakim Baba still has romance on the brain, and Lana Weinberger, a former enemy turned into a good friend, has been “tamed.” Lana gets in some of the book’s best lines. Among them is her suggested title for Mia’s novel — a title that is hilarious but not fit for print here.

(”Forever Princess” also features excerpts from Mia’s awesomely bad novel, titled “Ransom My Heart,” which she describes as “a humorous and moving romance about a young girl’s sexual awakening in the year 1291.” Needless to say, her grandmother is not amused.)

Although Mia occasionally slips into old patterns, she has grown up. Thanks to therapy and her grandmother’s tutelage, she’s more inclined to put on her princess face and confront situations that once would have made her cower. And her reaction to her boyfriend’s shady behavior is classic: “He really ought to have remembered that several of my ancestresses are known for strangling and/or chopping off the heads of their enemies.”

As in the previous “Princess” books, Mia continues to write obsessively in her journal, usually in the oddest of places, such as a French-fry strewn Applebee’s bathroom. (“Who eats French fries on the toilet? WHO??? Who eats ANYTHING on the toilet???? Excuse me, but gross, also, ew.”) This device has allowed the reader access to Mia’s mind and heart. To fans of the series, she has become a trusted friend.

I will miss reading new “Princess Diaries” books. But I remain secure in the knowledge that although it is time to say farewell to Mia, I can visit her again by rereading ten very funny, very charming books.

~Lisa E. Brown- Administrative Assistant

Youth titles are informative, or just fun

For the most part I write about adult books available at the Joplin Public Library, but my heart still remains in youth services.

Below are children’s books that have been on my nightstand of late. Regardless of your age, these contain good information or are just plain fun to read.

“The Trouble Begins at 8: A Life of Mark Twain in the Wild, Wild West”
By Sid Fleischman (non-fiction)

This well-researched, accessible biography tells of Mark Twain’s life on the Missouri River, heading West to California, how he started writing, and how and why Samuel Clemens came to use the name Mark Twain. Some information about his family and life as a child is also included.

Although this book is written for children, it is a terrific book for those wanting an overview of Twain’s life and is suitable for all ages.

Newbery Award-winning author Sid Fleischman includes many photographs and illustrations, a timeline of Twain’s life, references, a bibliography of titles about Twain as well as a bibliography of his work and an index in this well-written book of one of Missouri’s most favorite and well-known sons.

“Seer of Shadows”
By Avi (fiction)

Horace is a young apprentice to a photographer, Mr. Middleditch.

Mr. Middleditch is not a very well-known photographer and therefore jumps at the chance to take pictures of Mrs. Von Machts, who wishes to have a picture placed at her daughter’s tomb.

Mr. Middleditch devises a scheme to place an image of the deceased daughter, Eleanora, to appear as if her ghost is hovering within the photograph. Horace, not thrilled with this idea, is given the task of using a spy camera to take pictures of pictures of Eleanora in the house while Mr. Middleditch takes Mrs. Von Machts’ portrait.

When Horace develops the plates, he discovers four pictures of Eleanora, not the three he took. He is startled by this discovery but doesn’t halt the scheme. When Mr. Middleditch shows the Von Machts’ the portraits they are terrified of what they see — the “ghost” of Eleanora hovering over Mrs. Von Machts’ shoulder.

Soon Horace sees Eleanora appearing in other pictures. When the Von Machts’ servant girl, actually Eleanora’s cousin, Pegg, realizes what’s going on, she tells Horace the truth about Eleanora’s death and her belief that Eleanora has come back for revenge. Horace now believes it is up to him as a “seer” to put Eleanora’s soul to rest before more damage is done.

Newbery Award-winning author Avi writes a fabulous story of two young people in the 1870s trying to do the best they can under unusual circumstances. The time period, descriptions and dialog are well written and make this an excellent historical-fiction novel for upper-elementary and middle-school students.

“The Postcard”
By Tony Abbott (fiction)

When Jason’s grandmother passes away, his mother sends him to Florida to help his father sort through her things and sell the house. Jason doesn’t really want to go as he’s never met his grandmother.

After the funeral, Jason and his father are working around her house trying to get it ready to put on the market. Jason finds a box marked “Very Important Papers” and decides to find out what his grandmother considered important. In the box is an old magazine entitled Bizarre Mysteries. The cover has a lady flying and in her last days Jason’s grandmother referred to flying. Jason thinks he’s onto something when he finds a fold labeled with the initials E.B., the initials of an author his grandmother once knew and dated. In the magazine there is a story by Emerson Beale that is written as fiction, but is it really fiction?

Later Jason answers the phone and a raspy voice sends him on a quest to find out who Emerson Beale really was, who his grandmother was and why the mysterious caller told him to find a postcard. All his life, Jason’s father has not talked about his family. Will these puzzle pieces, when assembled, give Jason a more complete family history? With the help of a girl, Dia, from down the street, the two of them set out to solve the mystery.

This is a fun, fast-paced mystery within a mystery.

~Susan Wray - Library Director