Because It Is My Blood: A Novel (Birthright, 2)

Author: Zevin, Gabrielle

Number Of Pages: 368

Details:

"Every time I think I'm out, they pull me back in."- Michael Corleone, The GodfatherSince her release from Liberty Children's Facility, Anya Balanchine is determined to follow the straight and narrow. Unfortunately, her criminal record is making it hard for her to do that. No high school wants her with a gun possession charge on her rap sheet. Plus, all the people in her life have moved on: Natty has skipped two grades at Holy Trinity, Scarlet and Gable seem closer than ever, and even Win is in a new relationship.But when old friends return demanding that certain debts be paid, Anya is thrown right back into the criminal world that she had been determined to escape. It's a journey that will take her across the ocean and straight into the heart of the birthplace of chocolate where her resolve--and her heart--will be tested as never before.Because It Is My Blood is the second novel in Gabrielle Zevin's Birthright series. From School Library Journal Gr 8 Up-In this sequel to All These Things I've Done (Farrar, 2010), Anya Balanchine's life becomes very complicated not long after she is released from a prison located near a future Manhattan. In her continued attempts to protect her siblings, manage her family's standing in the mafiya world of black-market chocolate, and plan her future, the teen finds herself in Mexico where she sees the cacao business from a different angle. Here she learns about the healing powers of chocolate and its rich folkloric tradition, causing her to wonder why it was outlawed and if it were possible that chocolate isn't dangerous, or even unhealthy. Anya's on-again, off-again romance with Win Delacroix persists in spite of numerous obstacles, including her rocky relationship with his District Attorney father. Threatened by her competitors in the criminal world, she is forced to return quickly to New York to intervene in her family's affairs. Anya finally finds a way to legitimize her family's longstanding ties to chocolate. The sequel is not as strong as the first book-the multitude of characters, plot twists, and conspiracy theories take readers on a bit of a bumpy ride. The romance is downplayed in favor of Anya's familial and political pursuits, but there is a satisfying, friendly relationship between Anya and Theo, a boy whose family is also in the chocolate business. Readers who enjoy mob stories and visions of future societies will be pleased. As in the first book, Zevin provokes thought about what we make illegal and why.-Nora G. Murphy, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, LaCanada-Flintridge, CAα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Reviews:

“An engaging heroine, lots of humor…in this Godfather for teens. B+” ―EW.com“Readers who enjoy mob stories and visions of future societies will be pleased. As in the first book, Zevin provokes thought about what we make illegal and why.” ―School Library Journal“The idea of a world in which chocolate, coffee, and other stimulants have been outlawed is alluring, and Anya is a strong, smart protagonist. Fans will want to find out what happens to her.” ―VOYA“Discerning characters' true motives will keep readers guessing, and the conflicting forces within Anya add an extra dimension of drama to this action-packed sequel. ” ―Publishers Weekly“This sequel to All These Things I've Done (2011) paints on such a broad canvas that readers will be amazed at Zevin's management abilities...Zevin's strong suit is characterization, and it shines here. Whatever the nefarious plot, no one becomes a cartoon character--like chocolates, each is delicious in his or her own right.” ―Booklist“Fans of the first will enjoy the author's inventive combination of chocolate, crime and politics, as well as finding out Anya's post-prison fate.” ―Kirkus Reviews“Anya's flaws are what make her a complicated, thoroughly human character, one whom readers will enjoy continuing to try to under...

EAN: 9780374380748

Release Date: 18-09-2012

Languages: English

Item Condition: New

Binding: Hardcover