Book Review: Titans

TITANS by Victoria Scott is a captivating near-future, science fiction, young adult novel involving high-stakes, mechanical horse racing.

Astrid Sullivan lives in a working-class neighbor near the race track where jockeys practice with their robotic horses known as Titans. Designed by and for the wealthy elite, these life-like horses have ruined the lives of many poor people who gamble on the outcome of their popular races. However math-whiz Astrid jumps at the chance to recondition an old Titan and enter it in a race that could change her life.

The heart-pounding race descriptions along with the moving stories of friendship and family will keep teen readers engaged from beginning to end. Fans of romance may be disappointed, but others will enjoy the lack of a love interest and focus on friendship instead.

Librarians will find that this book appeals to both horse and fantasy lovers. Fans of The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater will enjoy this title too.

To learn about the author, go to http://www.victoriascott.com/.

Published by Scholastic Press on February 23, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Rhythm Ride

RHYTHM RIDE: A ROAD TRIP THROUGH THE MOTOWN SOUND by Andrea Davis Pinkney chronicles the rise of Motown music in Detroit.

Pinkney’s smooth narrative will draw readers into the world of Berry Gordy and the rise of Motown Records. Featuring well-known artists from Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder to the Jackson Five, Pinkney connects key political and cultural movements including the Civil Rights Movement to the evolving Motown sound. In addition to the well-known artists, Pinkney also weaves in fascinating information about song writers, choreographers, and others who worked behind the scenes.

The many captioned black and white photos will attract many readers. Students doing research will appreciate the author’s note, timeline, discography, source notes, further reading, and index.

Appropriate for both middle grades and young adults, librarians will find this work of nonfiction to be an excellent addition to the library’s music biography collection.

To learn more about the author, go to http://andreadavispinkney.com/.

Published by September 29, 2015 by Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan. ARC courtesy of the publisher.