Random Reads
Teen Book Reviews by Anne Keller
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
This superbly written novel details Jacob's years with the circus during the Great Depression. The novel opens with Jacob at ninety or ninety-three, living his final years in a nursing home. His flashbacks reflect his life on the road with the circus. He joins the circus at twenty-one after his parents are killed in an auto crash. He has just finished veterinary school at Cornell but is unable to take his final exams due to the shock of losing both of his parents. Jacob runs away and joins the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth as the circus vet. He meets Uncle Al, the circus owner, August, the evil animal trainer and his wife Marlena, whom Jacob befriends. Jacob's interaction with an odd array of other circus characters adds to the authenticity of the circus culture. Readers will not be disappointed with this carefully researched and beautifully written novel.
This is easily one of the best young adult novels that I have ever read. Sixteen year old Faith Duckle is a troubled teen who was gang raped under the bleachers of her school. This led her to an attempted suicide and a stay in rehab led her to lose 48 pounds. Upon her return to school, Faith thinks that things will be better but sadly they remain the same. She later reinvents herself as Annabelle when she runs off with a small travelling circus. By travelling with the circus, she begins to finally heal and begin the path to self-acceptance. I was completely fascinated by the behind the scenes look at circus life. Davis expertly weaves an outstanding read in her descriptions of the circus culture. If you liked Alex Flinn's novel Nothing to Lose, you will absolutely love this read. Sadly, Amanda Davis died in a plane crash with her parents in 2003. 
Michael is sixteen when he runs away to join a traveling carnival because his new stepfather is abusive. The carnival has a policy of "don't ask, don't tell" so Michael fits in quite nicely. He creates a new life and uses an assumed name. While on the road, Michael meets a strange cast of characters and even finds potential love in Kirstie, a fellow carnie. The novel progresses and eventually a year has passed. The traveling carnival eventually lands up in Michael's hometown of Miami. Upon his return, Michael learns that his mother is on trial for the murder of his stepfather. Michael must decide if he is going to continue his present lifestyle or return to civilization in order to help his mother. Flinn dramatically portrays an interesting cast of characters against the backdrop carnival life. She does an excellent job portraying the carnival culture with a behind the scenes perspective. Fans of Wonder When You'll Miss Me by Amanda Davis will love this book.