One time, a long time ago, I found a giant strawberry that I swear looked like Jesus. I suppose if I was more devout I could have made the news or have been invited to the Vatican.
Last night, Jade did me one better.
At dinner I noticed that she appeared to be blowing her nose into her glass of milk. “Jade,” I say with as much disgust that I can muster, “What are you doing?”
“There are bubbles in my milk,” she replies with perfect candor and seriousness. ”And I had to blow on them because there were really freaking me out cuz they looked like SKULLS!”
Thomas woke up in an elevator. Pitch black. No memories. When the doors finally open he finds himself at the center of a maze – called The Glade - with dozens of boys staring at him. As Thomas tries to fit in to the community around him and make friends with the other Gladers, he learns that each day runners head out into the maze to find a way out, only to return at night while the maze change its pattern for the next day. The boys still return each day trying for years to solve an unsolvable puzzle – can you say frustrating? Furthermore, the walls to the Glade close down each night to protect the boys from the deadly Grievers.
Two days after Thomas’ arrival the only girl who has ever arrived at the maze shows up. And things change. Now the boys have to find a way out. No matter what.
This is high-concept book with an over-arching consipiracy theme – think The X Files or Lost. Why are these boys living in a maze? Why can’t they remember anything about their previous life? What are the grievers and who put them there? How do they get out? Throw in dystopia, telepathy, and deadly viruses and, well, I could not put this book down. It helps that the author ends every single chapter in a nail-biting cliff hanger. I literally had to ask myself, can I make it until tomorrow to find out what happens. I made a lot of coffee the week I read this book, trying to recover from my late night of reading. The author leaves the reader guessing through most of the book, which can be frustrating at times (and if you follow Lost, you know what I mean – this books has the same feel to it) as you are practically begging for an answer, ANY answer rather than more questions.
And this book is scary. Perhaps even nightmare scary, but definitely wide-eyed, holy-crap scary.
My one criticism is the characters need some more developing. As we learn later in the book, these kids are suppose to be the “best of the best”, but even Thomas himself seems a bit whiny and sulky. But, I chose to put the weak character development aside and just enjoy the action.
This book gets my highest recommendation and it will appeal to both boys and girls 12 years old and up. The ending of this book actually makes the reader GROWL in complete and utter surprise and disbelief. Then you will get a DEMAND from your child for the next book in the series – which has not been published yet.
Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Genre: Science Fiction , Dystopia
Age: 12 and up
Buying for 2 tween and 1 teen girl(s) can be… um.. challenging sometimes. We do not have the budget to go out and shop at places like Abercrombie or Hollister and, really, they have everything they need. Plus, Jade and Izzy have a babysitting empire. Between the two of them they could purchase a small country with the money they have earned. I often joke that Jade will be the only teenager in our modest neighborhood driving a Lamborgini by the age of 16.
But, I still want to give them gifts that they will like and will not soon qualify as junk – shoved in a drawer to be weeded out sometime next summer. So, here are my 9 ideas for teen or tween girls for — and get this – UNDER $25.
Hollywood intuition bracelets. These are all the rage. You can find these in a plethora (does anyone actually say plethora anymore?) of styles.
Scrapbooking materials. These can easily add up to more than $25. But a good scrapbook on sale is around $25 or you can load up on paper, or stickers, or put a little of each together. The best part is that it gives the girls something to DO after opening presents….
Books. We always give books to the kids. What can I say? Former English teacher here….
Abercrombie gift card – okay, I know, I know, you can barely buy a thing at Abercrombie for $25. Perhaps they can buy a bookmark or all go in together with siblings or friends for a T-shirt…
Cuddly blanket or body pillow. Oh, these are like GOLD for this age group. G.O.L.D.
Glee Soundtrack – I admit that I have to screen each and every episode of this show. Not all the episodes are appropriate for our girls (of course, Dave and I never miss it!), and I want to be sure of the content before unleashing it on them — BUT the music is awesome. I mean, old standards like “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond (of all people) turned into a new, young, hip song – my mom would be so proud.
Cookbook – I say, “Get em cookin’ at a young age!” Then, sit back and enjoy as they serve you. Careful, in some households this can actually mess up the gravitational field and may give off the impression that you have entered an alternate reality… purchase at your own risk.
Leg Warmers – Can you even stand it that these are making a comeback? Oh yeah, leg warmers!
Edward Cullen Poster – The girls are my beard for this one. I really want an Edward poster for my wall, but cannot possibly explain it to, well… anyone! So, look out girlies, Edward is a comin’! Go Team Edward!
