GOING BOVINE by Libba Bray

Bibliography
Bray, L. (2009). Going bovine. New York, NY: Delacorte Press. ISBN: 978-0-385-73397-7. 480 pp.

Plot Summary
Cameron Smith is a sixteen-year-old who prides himself with being able to get through high school unnoticed and not having to worry about anyone or anything other than his own personal well-being. All of this changes when he gets diagnosed with mad cow disease. Dulcie, a punk angel, sends Cameron on a quest to find a cure for his disease with the help of his newly found friend Gonzo, a hypochondriacal teenager with dwarfism, and Balder, a garden gnome.

Critical Analysis
Bray takes the tragic situation of having a fatal disease and turns it into something heroic and magical, reminiscent of stories such as The Wizard of Oz or Alice in Wonderland. Cameron’s own personal angel, Dulcie, gives him the quest of finding Dr. X, who has the cure to his disease. Dr. X is also the key to saving the world from a mysterious dark energy. All this must be done in two weeks before Cameron dies of his illness. Cameron’s adventure is dangerous and difficult in that fire giants and an evil dark wizard are chasing him. His only help comes from an angel, a dwarf, a garden gnome, and a handful of well-loved musicians.

Although this plot may sound like a hard core fantasy novel, many of the adventures are exaggerated situations closer to real life with a few characters that add to the fantasy element. Readers deeply into fantasy may find that some of the adventures drag on a bit with the fantastical elements few and far between. The story may also get a little preachy with making statements about current society, such as the need for instant and constant satisfaction or the increasing fascination with instant fame. However, this story generates enough interest in Cameron’s success that should motivate readers to reach the very end. With all the necessary fantasy elements in place: a protagonist who grows from selfish to self-sacrificing, a journey that reveals everything that Cameron questions about himself and life, and a world that will be destroyed unless Cameron can save it, this book has a dreamlike quality that is a feast for the imagination.  

THE COLOR OF EARTH by Kim Dong Hwa

Bibliography
Hwa, K. D. (2009). The color of earth. (L. Na, Trans.). New York, NY: First Second. (Original work published 2003). ISBN: 1-59643-458-9. 319 pp.

Plot Summary
This story chronicles the experiences of young Ehwa growing up in rural Korea from childhood to age 16. This manhwa (the Korean version of manga) is the first of a biographical trilogy, and Ehwa is the author’s mother. Hwa presents all the life changing moments of his mother as she gains understanding of her own body, puberty, love, and relationships.

Critical Analysis
This book crosses genres like many graphic novels. It is a biography that provides glimpses of the author’s mother during her major life changing moments. Poetry colors the dialogue, narration, and thoughts of various characters. The novel is also an informational book in that it discusses the changes that puberty brings to males and females. These body changes are handled gracefully and with respect so that young adults gain an understanding that these changes are normal and a natural part of growing up. All this is presented using beautiful black and white illustrations, in which Hwa captures the emotions of the characters, beautiful Korean landscape, and an era two generations in the past.

The Color of Earth is more than just a biography. One forgets that it is non-fiction because it is easy to get caught up in the romances that can happen in a young girl’s life. The story also explores the body changes that happen during a young man’s voyage through puberty. However, the story may not hold much appeal for young men due to only having supporting male characters. This is unfortunate because Hwa discusses the changes that young men go through with such class. 

I feel that this will be a good book to read with my daughter when she gets closer to puberty due to the strong mother-daughter relationship between Ehwa and her mother as well as the interesting characters. Ehwa can tell her mother anything, and they have many discussions about love and life. Her mother makes sure she is never lead astray by the false notions Ehwa picks up from her friends and acquaintances about sex, love, and beauty. The characters are interesting because they are true to life. Ehwa is not all good. She is a snob to her best friend, Bongsoon, and seeks her out when it is convenient for her. However, Ehwa is such a good person because she values her mother’s advice and does what her mother asks her to. Other characters, such as Dongchul a village boy, are forever trying to coax Ehwa out of her innocence yet never succeeds. It is a rich story with many treasures that young readers will value.

I AM THE CHEESE by Robert Cormier

Bibliography
Cormier, R. (1977). I am the cheese. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN: 0-394-83462-3. 234 pp.

Plot Summary
A young man is traveling on his bike from Monument, Massachusetts to Rutterburg, Vermont to visit his father in a hospital and tells of his adventures on this day and a half trip. At the same time, an interview is revealed between the young man, Adam, and his questioner, Brint, in an attempt to help Adam recover his memory. However, the interview and the bike trip are not quite what they seem to be and reveal odd circumstances and details. Thus, a mystery unravels explaining Adam’s true reality.

Critical Analysis
This book has three fascinating stories happening simultaneously. Adam tells a first person narrative about his bike ride to see his father in a hospital in Vermont. There is also an interview interspersed within the bike ride story as Adam attempts to regain his memory. Finally, the interview reveals a third person account of Adam’s memories that occur throughout the interview. The three stories come together beautifully to reveal an exciting mystery about Adam and his family. As the novel reveals bits and pieces of events and memories, the reader becomes uneasy and aware that something is not quite right. The whole truth of the story is not found until the very end. This novel is suspenseful and a definite page-turner. The only weakness is wanting to know more about the interviewer, and his true intentions and goals. However, the story is solid without knowing such details because the author’s true intent is to center on Adam and his experiences.

This mystery goes beyond having the need to figure out the true story behind Adam’s life events. It deals with issues such as fears, the cruelty that exists in the world, and trusting others. Adam is no stranger to these things, but he does not let them deter him from his goals of getting to his father or remembering his past.