January 3rd 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Hardcover, 288 pages

Review Copy

Book Synopsis

In the year 2098 America isn't so different from the USA of today. But, in a post-9/11 security-obssessed world, "secured" doesn't just refer to borders between countries, it also refer to borders between states. Teenagers still think they know everything, but there is no cure for cancer, as Kelsa knows first-hand from watching her father die. The night Kelsa buries her father, a boy appears. He claims magic is responsible for the health of Earth, but human damage disrupts its flow. The planet is dying. Kelsa has the power to reverse the damage, but first she must accept that magic exists and see beyond her own pain in order to heal the planet....................(Goodreads)

Review

Uh-oh....could it be yet another book about global warming? Another book about evil Americans? Well yes and no.....instead of a full out global warming awareness we have a premise underneath the blanket of bio- terrorism. Scary situation in itself but I thought Bell did a good job pointing out how as humans we should be good stewards of the earth, well at least if your a greedy, resource sucking American..and frankly Im pretty sick and tired of being referred to as a evil American.

Kelsa's journey begins shortly after the burial of her beloved father. Kelsa and her father shared a love of the outdoors and wilderness. As a scientist he was always teaching Kelsa about the earth and the healing of the tress after a terrorist attack on the rain forests.The world Kelsa lives in has a very "big brother" feel, things are the same, people still have everything they need: food, shelter and transportation but security is obsessive. Borders into country's and states are controlled, buying items are controlled, everything is secured, monitored and no one gets away with owning guns.

On a night after Kelsa sneaks out to bury her fathers ashes in the ground, Raven a young man starts following her everywhere she goes. Is this boy nuts when he tells Kelsa only she has a magic power to heal the earth.... is he just a crazy stalker who happens to have the ability to transform into a real Raven....or is he the trickster of Native myth? Before Kelsa knows it, she is plunged into a cross-country adventure with a shape-shifting man and a countless number of enemies on her trail.

I enjoyed the action Tricksters Girl offered, I loved that Kelsa was a smart, tough girl who through grief finds strength to heal herself and heal the earth. I did not however like the ending. The events that take place go completely against who Kelsa was and frankly I thought it just didn't fit the story, seeing how Raven was specific about the whole healing process and Kelsa frankly does exactly what Raven said couldn't be done.....so lots of questions left with an open-ended ending. And lets not forget the true meaning behind the story....I thought the environmental push was stereotypical, I'm an American, I love the earth, I love my flowers and tree's but I'm not bowing down to mother nature, I will not worship creation or force others to do so and that doesn't make me an evil greedy person. I think recycling is great, I think taking care of the planet is important but I also love driving my car and heating my house. Overall, Tricksters Girl is trying to convey a message, one that might come off as Americans are evil but Canadians rock. Or it might be something like Americans take security too serious (yeah right because are borders are so secure) while Canada needs major security training. Maybe the message Bell is trying to convey is terrorists are real, war is painful and citizens of all country's should respect the environment and do things that help the earth and not abuse it. I can respect that but thought the America bashing was overdone....for me that gets a thumbs down in my book.

Rating

Tricksters Girl is suitable for most teens and can be enjoyed by advanced middle-school readers (think 8th grade). Seeing how language is a crime in this novel words like carp and frack are used. Sexuality is limited to lots of references to Raven's naked body. Parental concerns include: Theft, violence, suspense, high speed chases and illegal activity.

2/5- YA, Dystopian-Environmentalism

Thank you to Houghton Mifflin for review copy via Netgalley.