Gilda Joyce: Psychic investigator

I received this book as a present a while ago. Based on the title, I assumed it would be sci-fi, and while I like some science fiction,  I'm not a huge fan, so I wasn't really looking forward to reading it.  The book investigates paranormal activity, mostly ghosts and spirits, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that the book is a mesh of numerous genres. It has elements of sci-fi, but it leans more towards realistic fiction. The main character, Gilda, often ranges between eccentric and absurd. At 13, she's working hard to develop her three careers: writing novels, spying on her neighbors, and honing her skills as a detective of the paranormal. Determined to do something intresting with her summer, Gilda takes the liberty of writing to her mother's estranged second cousin, Lester Splinter, in San Fransisco, asking to be invited to his home. Mostly due to a miscommunication between Mr. Splinter and his assistant, she procures an invitation. Upon her arrival, she soon discovers that something is not quite right at the home of Mr. Splinter and his 13 year old daughter, Juliet. 

Gilda is so distinct and unique that the reader can't help wanting to read more, and I found myself finished with the book in two days. One of the main reasons I think this book is so appealing to many readers is its relatability. While most people at 13 don't write to distant relatives they have never met before in the hopes of being invited to their homes, don't don wigs and various disguises to spy on people, and don't attempt to open a private investigative business of unexplained phenomena, Gilda still struggles with issues we all deal with—loss, loneliness. I highly recomend this book to everyone; it's unlike anything I've ever read, and I can not wait to start the second installment.

The Ruby in the Smoke

I recently finished reading The Ruby in the Smoke, by Phillip Pullman. It portrays Sally Lockhart, orphaned daughter of the newly deceased Matthew Lockhart, as a sixteen-year-old girl in London, 1872. Upon receiving an anonymous message telling her to 'beware the seven blessings,' she visits her the company her father owned to inquire about the mysterious note. When she mentions it to an employee, he dies of fear. Sally is soon thrust into a dangerous game centering around a ruby, illegally imported opium, and herself. Pursued by cutthroats and thugs at every turn, she must discover who wants her dead, and what is has to do with the infamous red gem.

The book is written in third person, allowing the reader a glimpse of the going-ons in the lives of Sally's enemies, allies, and acquaintances in addition to her own. I think this was a very good choice, as it keeps the reader informed better than the main character, heightening the suspense. I thought the book was very well written, with a lot of descriptive language. The unique characters have very definitive personalities, instigating feelings of empathy or dislike in the reader. Overall, I thought this was an amazing book, filled with mystery, intrigue, and many surprises. I couldn't stop reading, and now that I'm finished I can't wait to read the next one. I recommend it to everyone!

Over Sea Under Stone

In Over Sea Under Stone, by Susan Cooper, Simon, Jane, and Barnabas Drew go on holiday with their parents and mysterious Great-uncle, Merriman, to Trewissick in the South of Cornwall. While exploring the attic of the house they rented from a local sailor Simon, Jane, and Barney discover a manuscript. It leads them on a dangerous quest over the great headlands and bays of Trewissick. They must travel over sea and under stone to retrieve their prize—a sacred grail from the time of King Arthur—and, accompanied by Great Uncle Merry, wield it against the dark.

The theme of the first book in The Dark is Rising series centers mainly on good and evil, light and dark. It shows the blurred line between the two, and implies that there is no one person without both. Many characters waver between sides, confused or uncommitted. Mrs. Palk, their housekeeper and cook, seems to be caring and kind towards the children. As the book progresses she is revealed to be lying to the children and Great Uncle Merry, as well as passing along crucial information to the Dark. She is an example of how people can be swayed out of the light, and conveys that many people reside in the middle—not dark or light but grey.

A Swiftly Tilting Planet

In A Swiftly Tilting Planet, by Madeline L'Engle, Charles Wallace Murry, assisted by Guadior, a unicorn sent to help him along his journey, travel through space and time to try to right a wrong that transpired long ago, and an ancient rune with words of power. Mad Dog Branzillo, ruler of Vespugia in Patagonia, South America, is about to launch a nuclear attack that will wipe out civilization completely. Charles Wallace must alter the fabric of time and make sure that Branzillo was never born as a descendant of the evil Gwydyr but as a descendent of his brother, the peace-seeking Madoc. But for this to happen, he has to make it back alive.

The writers style is complicated, filled with metaphor and unconventional word structure. It is intriguing without being completely indecipherable. I love the way that the book centers around the rune- each chapter is entitled with one of the lines, and the climax of each chapter is based off the line. It is a more unique way of structuring the book, and keeps the reader constantly on the edge of their seat. The rune itself is very interesting, and carries on common themes in L'Engles books such as the power of Earth and space, especially the stars. Madeline L'Engle is a widely celebrated author who writes beautiful literature about thought-provoking subjects. This work of intertwined stories about past, present, and future and how each affects the other did not disappoint.

The Westing Game

In The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin, sixteen seemingly unrelated people and their families are invited to the desirable new apartment building, Sunset Towers. They are gathered by a lawyer to be told that they will be split into pairs—and each pair will have the chance to inherit the 200 million dollar estate of the deceased Samuel Westing. The will states that Westing was murdered, and the murderer is one of the heirs. Many of the heirs have never even met the illustrious Mr. Westing, and those who have do not have any fond recollections. Each pair is given a set of clues, each pair driven by the lure of a vast fortune. The only catch is, the answer to the clues is the murderer. 

The book is told through a series of chapters told in 3rd person, centering around a different heir every time. I admired the writer's style. She perfectly paced the book so that the reader is always in suspense, arising another conflict each time one was resolved. I especially enjoyed the way the writer scattered the clues throughout the book, so that the reader is trying to solve the death along with the characters. The writer also gave a strong character to each air, making them more relatable amongst the action and mystery. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to everyone- it's plot is expertly told with amazing technique.  

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll, Alice is plunged into numerous mind-bending situations. She manages throughout the book to remain logical and level headed. Under the duress of being accused of stupidity and threatened with decapitation by an abundant supply of enjoyably ridiculous and puzzling characters, she remains remarkably calm. For example, in the book, Alice's size is constantly changing. To be in a strange world with no idea how to get home and have your body shrinking and growing would be maddening to many people—but not Alice. While falling down a seemingly endless pit, she considers whether she will end up in New Zeland or Australia (the opposite side of the world from Britain), showing how she uses her head in times of distress.

What is really amazing is how young Alice is. At seven, she can think more clearly than many adults. As Alice comes face to face with ones such as the Duchess and the Mad Hatter, she shows more wisdom than many her age. While sometimes her worries seemed a bit meaningless, as shown when after falling down a rabbit hole she worried about people thinking her strange when she asked what country she was in, in the majority of the book she shows resilience and resourcefulness, managing to navigate a world of strange things and strange people. I think the reason why she has remained famous for decades and decades is her endearing and unwavering character.

Am I Blue

 "Am I Blue," by Bruce Coville, shows the reader that discrimination can be embodied in both emotional and physical harassment and can result in many negative outcomes for its victims. Discrimination is harmful, and wrongfully tries to repress people into conforming to society's norms.

In the story Vincent,  the main character, is struggling to define his sexual identity. Butch Carrigan, along with some of his other peers, think that he is gay and resent him for it. Butch shows the least compassion, and bullies him with discriminatory comments and actions. For example, he says " 'You little fruit! I'll teach you to look at me!' " leading to Butch pushing Vince into a puddle. Vincent is bruised and wet, along with feeling embarrassed and hurt, showing that discrimination effects people badly. Another example of its negative effects is when Vincent first meets Melvin, his fairy godfather. Melvin is kind, but Vince is so used to cruelty from people like Butch that he lashes out and tells Melvin to leave him alone. If discriminatory actions against someone  escalate, that person's disposition can be affected, as shown when Vince automatically assumes that someone he doesn't know is unkind.

In some cases, fear of discrimination causes people to try to hid who they really are, and attempt to conform into the stereotypes of their occupation or position in society. The republican congressmen speaks out against homosexuality, calling it "the great crime of being gay," when in fact he himself is homosexual. Many Republicans are homophobic, so the congressmen was trying to make himself into a "typical" republican, probably to gain support from voters, and to avoid judgement in his colleagues.  Another situation where someone tried to conform to the status quo was when Vince finds out that some of the football favorites for the Super Bowl were gay. Sports are an aspect of stereotypical masculinity, and being gay is commonly seen as non-masculine. The football players pretend to be strait to avoid discrimination from their fans and coaches.

 All in all, being discriminatory is an action that should be discouraged and prohibited. It makes people feel that they are wrong for being themselves, and should do their best to be "normal." By bullying someone for something they can't help, like race of sexuality, you are subjecting them to emotional torment. The results can be disastrous, and lead the victim to depression or, in extreme cases, suicide. People should show compassion and stand up for someone being harmed by something they can't control—something part of themselves. After all—we're all human.