Nerds Heart YA: Alligator Bayou vs. In Mike We Trust – Decision
July 26th, 2010 by the1stdaughter
This was the first year I had the opportunity to volunteer to be a part of Nerds Heart YA, and I was so so excited when I was picked as a judge! What is Nerds Heart YA, you might ask? Basically, it’s an opportunity to highlight young adult books published during 2009 that received little or no publicity throughout the year and dealt with diversity in some form. The event is set up like a tournament bracket with the final result ending in one book as the ultimate winner.
So, what books fell into my bracket, for me to judge? Lets see…
Decision courtesy of Melissa from Book Nut: In Mike We Trust by P.E. Ryan
Personal Summary: Garth is your typical teen, with a few exceptions…he’s recently “come out” to his mother, suddenly he’s inherited a seemingly well-meaning “stand-in-dad” in the form of his uncle, and he’s suddenly prone to dressing up in costumes in public. Sounds pretty normal, right? Probably not, but that’s also okay.
Through a series of rather tragic events, Garth’s mother has now become quite obsessive about his personal safety in regards to every aspect of his life, including his love life. Fortunately, or not, for Garth his Uncle Mike is stepping in. Making life “fun” through a series of not-so-safe activities, including conning most of the population of Richmond Virginia out of their pocket change in support of a “good” cause.
Overall, though, the overriding tone of the book is all about the lies we tell. Not just as teenagers, parents, or friends, but everyone. Including, ourselves for all different reasons. A powerful story about communication and the implications of being dishonest with even things we feel may “protect” the other party involved.
Decision courtesy of Kelly from YAnnabe: Alligator Bayou by Donna Jo Napoli
Personal Summary: A strange new land, new family & people, racial tension and a romantic interest make up just a small portion of Calogero’s story. Having recently lost his mother and been shipped to America, Calogero soon discovers there is more to harvesting and selling crops in the small town of Tallulah. The racial divide that separates the inhabitants is often too great to be contained in such a small setting. Unfortunately for Calogero he’s caught right in the middle of the strife caused merely by being Sicilian during America’s difficult transition after the Civil War. Not only this, but he’s also trying to contain the knowledge of his feelings for a neighboring young black girl who has won his heart.
This is definitely a story to be told and read. Based on true events in America’s history and told through the eyes of the fictional character Calogero, you soon learn more than you ever imagined happened during this time. It definitely opened my eyes and got me interested in learning more.
This was an odd decision if I’m being completely honest. I loved the entire experience, primarily because these are both books I normally wouldn’t have picked up without having been involved in Nerds Heart YA and I’m so glad I was able to read them! But truly, these books were so completely different. Different times, different circumstances and even themes.
In the end it came to which book I truly enjoyed reading more. Unfortunately, I had a terribly difficult time getting into Alligator Bayou, I was almost 150 pages before I wanted to keep reading. On the other hand, In Mike We Trust was a book I picked up and didn’t put down until I was completely done. I was also a able to connect with the characters a little better in In Mike We Trust, where Alligator Bayou took some time. So, in the end, my final decision was relatively easy, though I enjoyed both books for different reasons.
Final Decision: In Mike We Trust by P.E. Ryan moves on.
Make sure to stayed tuned to Bart’s Bookshelf on August the 16th to see if In Mike We Trust makes it to the final round and Nerds Heart YA for the last few rounds of the event!
These books were purchased for our home library.
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.
Posted in Book Events, Book Reviews, Just Floating In - News, When I Grow Up | 20 Comments »
Thanks for being a judge. Can’t believe how fast the third round came about.
You are so welcome! It was a ton of fun!
[...] ‘In Mike We Trust’ moves on. Subscribe to the Nerds Heart YA feed! Email us! Search [...]
Yay for Garth and In Mike We Trust! I’ve found myself liking that book more as I’ve thought of it over time, too. Crossing my fingers that it’ll go all the way.
Melissa (Book Nut) recently posted..North of Beautiful
I definitely agree! The more time that has past, the more I love the book. It was such a great read!
Cool selections
Danielle, I do have one question? Are you part supergirl? I’m always amazed how you manage to take part in such cool things and be a rocking mom!
*high five*
Juju at Tales of Whimsy.com recently posted..Friday 56- The Choir Boats
Thanks!
That’s what my husband is wondering…if you start to notice a bit of a scaling back that would be the exact reason. I’m not supergirl and I’m starting to whither a bit because of it. LOL. But thanks for the compliment!
I read for In Mike We Trust for the our site and totally liked it. It gets my vote!
It’s a great read! So glad to hear you liked it as well.
I completely agree about how hard it was to get into Alligator Bayou. I was not enjoying it at all, and then in the last half of the book I completely changed my mind.
I do wish the beginning had been more compelling so that more kids would get into reading it. I have a hard time imagining kids reading it unless they have to for a school project.
Kelly recently posted..Which Book Will Win Alligator Bayou vs Evil
That was my thought exactly! It seemed a lot like those school books I used to get back in 6th grade that I just drudged through for the first half of the book. I still really enjoyed the book and the meaning. But like you, wish it would have taken off a bit more quickly.
Hmmm…wonder if I will be reading it for the final?
Lenore recently posted..Book Review- Picture the Dead by Adele Griffin
Oh! I really hope so!
I really hope so!
Twitter: GRgenius
says:
Wow…how exciting and yet totally expected. Have to agree with Juju there….where are you hiding your cape? ^_^
As for the two books, haven’t read either myself but from the description and cover alone, I’d have chosen IN MIKE WE TRUST as well….happy reading!
Gina recently posted..Shoulder Bags and Shootings by Dorothy Howell
The cape is being retired shortly, for a smaller version that fits only books and kiddos. Too many events can be a bad thing, as I have recently learned…I need a breather for a bit.
You’d really like In Mike We Trust I think!
[...] I had the opportunity to take part in the Nerds Heart YA tournament and was given the task of judging between this book and another that had made it to my round. This [...]
[...] ‘In Mike We Trust’ moves on. [...]
[...] In Mike we Trust by P.E. Ryan made it through to this round thanks to There’s a Book. [...]
[...] Mike as an Uncle from P.E. Ryan’s In Mike We Trust – “Uncle Mike” The sad thing about this, is that I have an Uncle Mike, who was [...]