The Thingamabob by Il Sung Na (picture book)

The Thingamabob by Il Sung Na.

Audience: Preschool & up
My Rating: 5* of 5

Summary: One day, he found the thingamabob. He had no idea what it was or where it came from. . . . So begins the story of a curious elephant and a mysterious red object. But what is it?!
Comments: A delight on every page! A perfect marriage of outstanding story and art, somehow easily being both adorable and hilarious simultaneously.
Awards: I'd give it the Caldecott if I could!
Read-alikes: Book of Sleep by Na

Ship Breaker by Bacigalupi (audio)

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi. Narrated by Joshua Swanson.

Audience: 12 and up
My Rating: 3* of 5

Summary: In America's Gulf Coast region, where grounded oil tankers are being broken down for parts, Nailer, a teenage boy, works the light crew, scavenging for copper wiring just to make quota--and hopefully live to see another day. But when he discovers an exquisite clipper ship beached during a recent hurricane, Nailer faces the most important decision of his life: Strip the ship for all it's worth or rescue its lone survivor, a beautiful and wealthy girl who could lead him to a better life.
Comments: In a nutshell: I prefer Hunger Games. Swanson's accents were ethnically confusing--I wonder if this was conscious choice or his lack of dialect prowess? While the first third of the story compelled me, the author's storytelling rhythm eventually bored me, as did his repetitive phrases: "blossomed with pain," etc. Richard Lopez: now there's a fascinating, utterly repulsive villain the likes of which I have not read in a while!
Awards: Printz award, National Book Award finalist
Read-alikes: Hunger Games by Collins