Going Bovine

Title: Going Bovine
Author: Libba Bray
Location: YA Bray

Can Cameron find what he’s looking for?

All 16-year-old Cameron wants is to get through high school—and life in general—with a minimum of effort. It’s not a lot to ask. But that’s before he’s given some bad news: he’s sick and he’s going to die. Which totally sucks. Hope arrives in the winged form of Dulcie, a loopy punk angel/possible hallucination with a bad sugar habit. She tells Cam there is a cure—if he’s willing to go in search of it. With the help of a death-obsessed, video-gaming dwarf and a yard gnome, Cam sets off on the mother of all road trips through a twisted America into the heart of what matters most.

Bottomline: This was an interesting read - a bit of adventure, a bit of fantasy, and a bit of "is this real or is it a dream?". He definitely comes across some interesting things on his road-trip, including: a talking gnome, a cult obsessed with being happy, snowglobes, spring break Party houses, etc etc. I wasn't really liking the story at the beginning, but it pulled me in and I really wanted to know if Cameron would achieve his "quest".

14 Cows for America

Title: 14 Cows for America
Author: Carmen Agra Deedy
Level: juvenile
Location: J 327.676 DEE 2009



This book is based on a true story about a Maasai young man who was in New York September 11th and how he related the event to his people on his return to Kenya. Their reaction is captured in this story.

Bottom Line: This short book based on true events is powerful. The artwork does an excellent job of conveying the feelings of the Maasai people. The last sentence of the book is poignant ,"Because there is no nation so powerful it cannot be wounded, nor a people so small they cannot offer mighty comfort." Make sure to read the end note written by the actual Maasai man and his dedication. You will be touched by the compassion of these warriors.