Seizure

Bibliographic Information: Reichs, K. Seizure.  (2011).  New York: Razorbill. ISBN: 978-1-59514-394-5 

Plot Summary: In this second installment of the "Virals Series," Tory Brennan's pack, "the virals" is in danger of being disbanded if a solution is not found in the very near future. Tory and her fellow friends, learn that the institution that their parents work in may be shut down which would force "the pack" to be separated. In a stroke of desperation, Tory decides to seek out the mythical treasure of Anne Bonny, a historical female pirate; in order to save their parents' jobs. Tory and her gang set out on several adventures that involve breaking and entering, theft, dealing with questionable characters, and a jail break. They soon find that they may not be the only ones hunting down the coveted lost treasure and find that they must watch their every step.

Critical Evaluation: The theme of "the wolf pack" is further developed in this novel. The virals (Tory, Hi, Shelton, and Ben) must learn to develop their pack strengths as they are continually tested by a number of factors. Reichs also defines the role of each "viral" as she shows Tory also realizing that she has unconsciously been given the role as the "alpha." Tory takes this knowledge and works hard throughout the novel to motivate her "pack" to work together in order to save the institution their parents work in. The pack realizes that if the institution is shut down then that they will be forced to move away from each other. This knowledge lends a sense of urgency to everything the "virals" do from that point out; a factor that helps to further strengthen their relationship. Reichs makes a point of giving the characters the ability to mentally connect (under great amounts of stress and panic) in order to demonstrate how deep their ties run. This "wolf pack" will only continue to improve as they are challenged by great obstacles that they must solve together.
 
Reader’s Annotation: Buried treasure does not stay buried forever and may come at a high cost.
 

Information About the Author: Kathy Reichs, originally Kathleen Joan Tolle, was born on July 7, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois (notablebiographies.com, 2012). She grew up in a religious Catholic family and spent most of her time within her own neighborhood (notablebiographies.com, 2012). Reichs married at the young age of 19 to Paul Reichs, an attorney and Marine captain (notablebiographies.com, 2012). Reichs then attended American University for her undergraduate studies (anthropology) and Northwestern for her PhD (skeletal biology) (notablebiographies.com, 2012). Reichs  then accepted a teaching position at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (notablebiographies.com, 2012). Reichs' career as a forensic anthropologist inspired her novels (being an author is her second career) (notablebiographies.com, 2012). Her novels have been inspired by details of her many cases (notablebiographies.com, 2012).  Reichs now splits her times between North Carolina and Quebec, Montreal (notablebiographies.com, 2012). She has worked with a variety of government agencies (including the FBI) and is highly sought after for her expertise (notablebiographies.com, 2012). 

The "Virals Series" is Reichs' first forage into the YA scene. She has received great reviews and plans to continue the series. Some of Reichs' other works:  Deja Dead (1997), I'd Kill for That (2005), Death du Jour (1999), Deadly Decisions (2000), No Rest for the Dead (2011), and many, many others (Reichs, 2012). Reichs has released about one novel every year since 1997 (notablebiographies.com, 2012).

Genre: Science Fiction, Mystery, Horror, and Suspense, Adventure

Subgenre: Paranormal Powers, Exploration
 

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Booktalking Ideas:
1). What is important about Tory's relationship with Coop? 
2). How does Tory become the alpha "viral?"

Reading Level/Interest Age:  Lexile Reading Level: 480/ YA (Follett's Titlewave, 2012)

Challenge Issues: Does include some violence and strong language. I would use the following items to defend this book if it was ever challenged:

1) Refer to Library Bill of Rights, see items: I, II, and III (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill).
2) Refer to San Diego Public Library collection policy - (http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/about-the-library/freedom.shtml).  Original site: The American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read/View Statement (http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement).
3) Refer to California School Library Association (CSLA), Model School Library Standards - September 2010 (http://www.csla.net/index.php/publications/school-library-standards). PDF: (http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/librarystandards.pdf).

4) Refer t0 American Association for School, Librarians Standards for the 21st Century Learner (http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/AASL_Learning_Standards_2007.pdf)

5) Contact Office of Intellectual Freedom for any further support, 800-545-2433, ext. 4223 or oif@ala.org.

6) Refer to legitimate book reviews, such as: School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Horn Book and others; found on either Academic Search Premier, Follett's TITLEWAVE, or Amazon.com.

Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?: This book is an action packed adventure, mystery, suspense, and horror and science fiction book. It is a great addition to my collection and will be sure to attract reluctant readers who may want some suspense to keep reading interesting.

Reference Page:

Follett's Titlewave.  2012.  Virals.  Retrieved August 3, 2012 from Follett's Titlewave iPhone App. 


notablebiographies.com.  (2012).  Kathy Reichs biography.  Retrieved August 3, 2012 from  http://www.notablebiographies.com/newsmakers2/2007-Pu-Z/Reichs-Kathleen-J.html


Reichs, K.  (2012).  Books.  Retrieved August 3, 2012 from http://kathyreichs.com/category/books-by-kathy-reichs/ 

 
cover art: http://serious-insanity.blogspot.com/2012/03/book-review-seizure-virals-2-by-kathy.html