Refresh Refresh, by Danica Novgorodoff

Refresh Refresh, by Danica Novgorodoff. New York: First Second, 2009. 138 pp. ISBN 9781596435223


READER'S ANNOTATION
Apart from a few lines here and there, it's been so long since Josh has received any real contact from his father.  He just wants to know where his dad is...

GENRE
Graphic Novel

SUMMARY
"Fathers, sons, and the war that comes between them. There's nothing Josh, Cody, and Gordon want more than their fathers home safely from the war in Iraq — unless it's to get out of their dead-end town. Refresh, Refresh is the story of three teenagers on the cusp of high school graduation and their struggle to make hard decisions with no role models to follow; to discover the possibilities for the future when all the doors are slamming in their faces; and to believe their fathers will come home alive so they can be boys again." (barnesandnoble.com synopsis)

EVALUATION
This is a heart-breaking and vivid window into the experience of three boys who want nothing more than to hear from their fathers, and the title of the novel refers to just that, the act of hitting the "refresh" key to see if you've received any new email.  The teens' lives are portrayed realistically, and scenes of everyday things such as going to parties or practicing their fighting skills are interspersed with conversations about the future which is just around the corner for these high school seniors.  I highly recommed this honest graphic novel.  Potential controversial elements: violence, underage drinking, sexual activity.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
This novel may help teens whose fathers or mothers are in the military and stationed away from the family.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
I have always been interested in how teens deal with having parents overseas in the military.

I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It, by Adam Selzer

I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It, by Adam Selzer. New York: Delacorte Press, 2010. 177 pp. ISBN 9780385904971


READER'S ANNOTATION
To Alley, Doug is the cutest guy, with impeccable taste in music: hers.  So what if he's a little -- well, a lot -- pale?

GENRE
Horror, Humor

SUMMARY
Alley Rhodes is a high school senior who lives in a small Iowa town in what has been termed the "post-human era".  It is so called because humans, zombies, and vampires live together, without harming each other for the most part.  The era began when the vampires came out of the shadows to successfully spearhead a legal action on behalf of the zombies, whom the Megamart chain had brought back from the dead to use as slave labor.  Against this satirical backdrop is an engaging story about Alley's meeting of and dating Doug, a guy from a neighboring town who sings with a local band and shares Alley's taste in music.  But she shortly realizes that he is not quite human.  However, he is her first real love, and their relationship really transforms for the better the way that she treats others.  She also grapples with the question of whether a teen like herself should make permanent life-altering decisions in order to be with the person she loves. 

EVALUATION
This is an easy and fun read which will get teens thinking about social issues and interpersonal ones as well.  The plot is fairly simple but the story is well-paced; Alley's experiences day-to-day at school and dating milestones such as having Doug meet her parents, going to prom, etc. are balanced with her sorting through her feelings about the relationship. The story is quite funny at times, and Alley is a likeable character with whom I think teens will identify.  The other characters are not as developed.
What may make this novel controversial to some are a couple mentions of teenage drinking and teens dying in order to become vampires or zombies.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
I think this novel could help teens involved in romantic relationships to keep their perspective and not let the relationship radically change their post-high school plans.  It could also help teens to develop more compassion for physically challenged or ill classmates.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
The phrasing of the title and the idea of dating a zombie made me laugh.

Tantalize, by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Tantalize, by Cynthia Leitich Smith.  Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 2007.  310 pp. ISBN 9780763627911


READER'S ANNOTATION
One month before the grand re-opening of Quincie's family's restaurant, their beloved chef has been murdered, possibly by a werewolf.  Or is the new vampire theme of the restaurant attracting real bloodsuckers?

GENRE
Horror, Humor

SUMMARY
After her parents' death, first-person narrator Quincie Morris was left in her Uncle Davidson's care.  Now at age 17, she will help her uncle manage the family Italian restaurant, which they've decided will now have a vampire theme.  When their beloved Chef Vaggio is murdered one month before the grand reopening, they are left scrambling to find a replacement, and Quincie to cling to the hope that her half-human/half-werewolf best friend and love interest, Kieren, was not involved in the killing.  A new chef named Henry Johnson is hired, who is quite talented but also a bit off-putting.  Also problematic for Quincie is the fact that the time has come for Kieren to join a wolf pack and leave Austin.  Then murders begin piling up and Uncle Davidson starts acting very strangely...  Smith continues the stories of these characters in two later novels.

EVALUATION
Of all the monster books I've read this semester, Tantalize has probably been the most fun, and I like Quincie's sense of humor and sarcasm. I think the fact that she, as a teen, is helping to run a restaurant should give teens an enjoyable taste of independence.  And at the same time give an idea of the huge sacrifices that one makes in other areas of life, such as friendship and school, when one takes on such a responsibility. In addition, there is relevant social commentary in this novel, one example being the fact that werepeople have fewer rights than humans and suffer discrimination. One of my favorite aspects of Tantalize is that we don't find out until the end whether Kieren truly reciprocates Quincie's romantic feelings.  And I also love the ambiguity of the ending as far as what Quincie's future holds. What some may find controversial is Quincie's drinking, but her drinking is included to illustrate how alcohol impairs one's judgement.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
This book could help teens who find themselves with more responsibility than they can handle, or whose parents/guardians are absent.  It could also help teens who feel they may have a drinking problem.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
I liked the idea of vampires, werepeople, and humans together in one city, and the restaurant aspect sounded fun.

Emiko Superstar, by Mariko Tamaki & Steve Rolston

Emiko Superstar, by Mariko Tamaki. New York: Minx, 2008. 149 pp. ISBN 9781401215361


READER'S ANNOTATION
Emiko's just about ready to perform live on stage for the first time, but feels she still needs to add a "wow factor" to her show...

GENRE
Graphic Novel

SUMMARY
"A borrowed diary, a double life, and identity issues fuel a teenager's quest to find herself before she cracks and commits social suicide, in this new series written especially for girls." (Syndetic Solutions, Inc. summary)

EVALUATION 
Emiko is a very realistically developed protagonist.  Far from perfect and somewhat shy at first, she nevertheless eventually manages to muster up her courage and step out of her shell.  But even at the novel's end, she acknowledges that she is still a work in progress.  This is a really lovely and incredibly entertaining story about the need to fit in that we all experience at some point and, ultimately, finding one's true self. Potentially controversial element: graphic novel format.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
This novel could help teens who are starting over, either in a new town, or building new friendships. 

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
I had read about this on a UCLA "best graphic novels for teens" list.

Robot Dreams, by Sara Varon

Robot Dreams, by Sara Varon.  New York: First Second, 2007. 205 pp. ISBN 9781596431089


READER'S ANNOTATION
Now that Dog and Robot are separated, how will they each survive?  Will they ever again feel as happy as they were together?

GENRE
Graphic Novel

SUMMARY
"This moving, charming graphic novel about a dog and a robot shows us in poignant detail how powerful and fragile relationships are. After a Labor Day jaunt to the beach leaves the robot rusted, immobilized in the sand, the dog must return alone to the life they shared. But the memory of their friendship lingers, and as the seasons pass, the dog tries to fill the emotional void left by the loss of his closest friend, making and losing a series of friends, from a melting snowman to epicurean anteaters. But for the robot, lying rusting on the beach, the only relief from loneliness is in dreams." (barnesandnoble.com synopsis)

EVALUATION 
Despite the fact that this novel is completely wordless, Varon tells a completely original story that really grabs at the heartstrings.  We feel the pain of both Dog and Robot at the loss of their friendship, yet also the hope in the fact that  life does go on.  In soft browns, aquas, and other pastel colors, Varon communicates the characters' emotions vividly.  The last few pages of this novel are very touching as one old friend gives another the ultimate gift in the form of music: a wish for him to remain happy. Potentially controversial element: graphic novel format.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
This novel could help teens who have drifted apart from a formerly close friends, letting them know that they will indeed make new friends.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
I've always loved any anthropomorphic fiction, and I couldn't resist the cover drawing of a contented dog and robot sweetly smiling as they rowed along in a little boat.

Zombies vs. Unicorns, edited by Justine Larbalestier and Holly Black

Zombies vs. Unicorns, edited by Justine Larbalestier and Holly Black. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2010. 415 pp. ISBN 9781416989530 


READER'S ANNOTATION
Which makes for better fiction: zombies or unicorns?  Read through these twelve inventive tales and decide for yourself!

GENRE
Fantasy, Horror

SUMMARY

This is an anthology of twelve short stories by YA authors, half about zombies and half about unicorns.  The premise by which the editors unite the tales is that they wish readers to read them all and then decide whether zombies or unicorns make for better subject matter for fiction. Each story is preceded by a page of banter between editors Larbalestier and Black about the merits of zombies and unicorns.  Stories vary widely in theme and setting, all the way from Margo Lanagans’ seemingly Middle Ages tale, A Thousand Flowers, which concerns a royal lady who will make the ultimate sacrifice to be with her true love, to Carrie Ryan’s futuristic Bouganvillea, in which a young girl’s mettle is tested .

 
EVALUATION
I really loved the great majority of these stories.  Although it is hard to narrow it down, my favorite is Naomi Novik's Purity Test just because it's so zany, centering around a teenage girl conscripted to help rescue a group of baby unicorns in New York City.  I especially love the unicorn Belcazar's sarcasm, and his lines about Fairyland and chocolate milk really tickle my funnybone for some reason.  I also loved Bouganvillea by Carrie Ryan.  She manages to convey such a heavy expectant mood, and I like the growth and ultimate strength shown by Iza, the main character.  The black humor and thought-provoking nature of  Alayna Dawn Johnson's Love Will Tear Us Apart are also just great.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
I think that one uniting factor of several of the stories is that protagonists are called upon to act decisively in the interest of self-preservation or in order to be true to themselves.  This could inspire teens in any situation in which courage is called for.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
Some of the stories sounded really funny and/or thought-provoking.

Ultimate Spider-Man,Vol. 2: Learning Curve, by Brian Michael Bendis

Ultimate Spider-Man,Vol. 2:  Learning Curve, by Brian Michael Bendis. New York: Marvel Comics, 2004. Unpaged. ISBN 0785108203


READER'S ANNOTATION
It's hard balancing school and work...especially when you're fighting crime at the same time.

GENRE
Graphic Novel/Comic Book

SUMMARY
"Following the murder of his uncle, the assault on his high school, and the confusing signals from Mary Jane Watson, Peter [Parker] finds himself on the brink of manhood: getting a job at a New York City newspaper, the Daily Bugle, to help support his family and taking on other extracurricular activities...like bringing down organized crime head honcho Wilson Fisk, otherwise known as the Kingpin!" (summary on back cover)

EVALUATION 
This is an update to the original Spiderman series, telling Peter's story from the beginning, but in the present day.  The illustrations are in full color, which seems rare in teen graphic novels (based on the limited number that I've read) and is quite striking.  Characters' emotions are clearly expressed in these depictions, although some are a bit static, and Mary Jane in particular looks older than the high school student she is meant to be.  The story is of course action-packed, but there are comedic moments inserted here and there, such as Peter's interaction with a school psychologist.  Overall, a fun, light read.  Poterntial controversial element: violence.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
Teens who have a large amount of responsibility may identify with Peter Parker.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
I had never read a Spiderman comic/graphic novel before.

Jumped, by Rita Williams-Garcia

Jumped, by Rita Williams-Garcia.  New York: HarperTeen, 2009.  169 pp. ISBN 9780060760922

READER'S ANNOTATION
Leticia just heard that Dominique's going to beat up Trina after school.  Will she step in to try to change events?

GENRE
Realistic Fiction

SUMMARY
This short novel is composed of three alternating narrators' first-person accounts of one day at high school. Trina is a happy and somewhat vain yet friendly girl who loves creating art.  Dominique lives for basketball, and in all area of life can become aggressive if she feels she's being challenged.  Leticia lives to talk on her beloved cellphone and share gossip. As the novel opens, Trina walks down a school corridor, by chance passing by Dominique and her friends. As is Trina's habit with everyone, she says "Hey" to the girls, even though she does not know them. Dominique believes Trina to be challenging her, and after Trina is out of earshot, Dominique indicates aloud that she'll be beating her up after school.  Unseen, Leticia witnesses the entire scene. Each girl then narrates her day at school  We do not find out until the end whether Leticia decides to warn Trina, or whether Dominique actually follows through with her plan.

EVALUATION
I found this to be a quick and really enjoyable read, narrated in true-to-life teen voices.  Each character's voice is quite distinct.  Yet the girls' similarity is that each is quite self-involved, and does not appear to be much influenced by the opinions of friends/classmates or the lessons they could glean from the often extremely relevant topics that are discussed in their classes.  This self-involvement is really the key to the novel's conclusion, for better or worse. The plot is not fast-paced, but this is not an action novel, but a day-in-the-life story.  The slowness of some scenes mirrors these teens' frustration at their days and lives being constrained by an order imposed by others.  And the fact that the narrators alternate frequently and their voices are so honest more than makes up for the slow plot moments.  The novel's a powerful look at the various factors which may trigger/encourage a teen to bully/hurt another teen --and perhaps even more importantly, the critical role that "bystander" teens who overhear threats of bullying can play in potentially stopping incidents of bullying/violence.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
This book could help teens who are being bullied and also bullies themselves to better understand the dynamics of bullying. 

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
I'd heard really good things about this author, and am interested in the topic of bullying.

Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater




Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater. Scholastic: New York, 2009. 392 pp. ISBN 9780545123266


READER'S ANNOTATION
Ever since he saved her life a few years ago, Grace has been drawn to the handsome wolf who watches her from the woods.  If only they could be together somehow... 

GENRE
Fantasy

SUMMARY
When teenage Grace was a child, one of the wolves living in the woods bordering her house rescued her from the rest of his pack.  She found herself mesmerized by his beautiful yellow eyes during this rescue, and has watched him from her house in the years since.  The wolf in turn, has watched Grace.  One day an injured boy, Sam, appears outside Grace's house.  Grace comes to realize that Sam is none other than her wolf in human form, the wolf she has been hoping to get closer to for so long.  Elated to finally be together in the same form, Grace and Sam fall in love.  This is made a bit challenging, however, by having to hide Sam and the fact that he shapeshifts, from Grace's parents.  And the real problem is that Sam only gets to spend a few months each year in his original human form, and each year this amount of time decreases. This could be the last year he changes into human form at all...  This title is the first of the Wolves of Mercy Falls series.

EVALUATION
One of the stand-out aspects of this book is the strength, self-reliance and resourcefulness of the character of Grace.  When the going gets tough, her inspiring "just dive in and and do it" attitude kicks in.  I also like the way in which Stiefvater includes the theme of forgiveness, through Sam's ultimately strong relationship with father-figure Beck despite his Sam's strong dislike of a couple things that Beck has done. I found the plot to be a tad slow-moving at first, but the introduction of the character of Isabel and her initial questioning of Grace really creates a sense of intrigue as we initially don't know what Isabel's true motives are, and also because she and Grace are such seeming opposites.  I usually enjoy audiobooks, but in this case I would recommend sticking with the written text.  Portions of the audio version (Scholastic Audiobooks, 2009) are read slightly overdramatically.  But I do recommend this novel as a good fantasy read with some great suspense.  What some may find controversial is the fact that Grace and Sam have sexual intercourse, although no graphic details are included.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
I think this book will help teens whose parents are absent due to late working hours or are simply not at home very much.  Such teens may identify with Grace.  Teens who have survived abuse at the hands of their parents, or whose parents have done ethically questionable things, may identify with Sam. Sam experiences the first at the hands of his birth parents, and then is "adopted" by Beck who has inducted members into the wolf pack in a morally questionable way.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
I always like books with dual narrators, because it allows you to get two often very different perspectives on the same story.

Burnout, by Rebecca Donner & Inaki Miranda

Burnout, by Rebecca Donner & Inaki Miranda. New York: Minx, 2008. 147 pp. ISBN 9781401215378


READER'S ANNOTATION
Danni's life up to this point has not been easy.  Her dad's left, and now she and her mom are on the road looking for a place to live.  Hopefully things will be better in this new town...

GENRE
Graphic Novel

SUMMARY
"When Danni and her mom move in with her mom's alcoholic boyfriend, Danni develops a fierce crush on Haskell, her soon-to-be stepbrother, who's a hardcore environmentalist. Desperate and confused, Danni wrestles with what she's willing to sacrifice as she confronts first love, family secrets and the politics of ecoterrorism set against the lush backdrop of the Pacific Northwest." (barnesandnoble.com synopsis)

EVALUATION 
Protagonist Danni shows growth in character in this novel, yet it is somewhat depressing that by the end of the story, she doesn't seem to be using any new coping skills to deal with emotional trauma.  (However, though, she has just lost a boyfriend, and not too long after her father abandoned her and her mother.)  Perhaps, given what she's gone through, her reaction is realistic, but it's sad that she doesn't even seem to have a tiny bit of hope.  Potential controversial element: brief "almost" sexual intimacy between Danni and Haskell.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
This book could help teens with one or more absent parents, or who are living in alcoholic households.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
Judging by the drawing on the cover, it looked liked the protagonist had been through a lot and might have an interesting story to tell.

Blue Bloods, by Melissa De La Cruz

Blue Bloods, by Melissa de la Cruz. New York: Hyperion, 2006. 302 pp. ISBN 0786838922

READER'S ANNOTATION

Schuyler Van Alen has just found out that she's a vampire, along with many of the annoying popular kids at her school.  Along with the special abilities that this bestows come new dangers.

GENRE

Horror

SUMMARY

Nonconformist Schuyler Van Alen, the last of the line in a distinguished family, is being raised by her distant grandmother, Cordelia, due to the fact that her mother has been in a coma for years. Schuyler and her best friend Oliver are definitely not part of the in crowd at their small private Manhattan school. Yet this year, at the age of fifteen, she learns that she is inextricably linked to arrogant Mimi Force and the rest of the popular set. Schuyler finds out that she is, like them, a Blue Blood, a vampire. In the world that De La Cruz has created, being a vampire includes several innovative aspects, including possessing great strength and having flashbacks to past lives. The early years of being a vampire, called the twilight years, are when Blue Bloods are at their most vulnerable to attack. And now things are especially dangerous, as a vicious sub-group of vampires called the Silver Bloods begins hunting the young Blue Bloods one by one…  This is the first title in the Blue Bloods series.

EVALUATION

This first installment of the Blue Bloods series is much more enjoyable than I'd expected, mainly for its suspense, the reflective moments of characters like Schuyler and Bliss, and in particular the mystery surrounding Schuyler’s mother.  Schuyler is a strong female protagonist, who is believable though, and is not immune to normal teenage issues such as her crush on Jack Force and her sometimes selfish behavior in her friendship with Oliver.  I enjoyed De La Cruz's unique vision of vampires, as she notes that they are fallen angels who are trying to prove that they are worthy enough to be admitted back into Heaven.  This idea of vampiric integrity contrasts with the negative public perception of vampires.  This sends a strong message to readers about not blindly believing rumors/commonly-held beliefs about the behaviors or motivations of people or groups in society. My only critique of the novel is that a couple of Schuyler’s responses to new information seem automatic and not really thought out on her part, which is not in keeping with her overall character. However, I would definitely recommend this novel to teens as an entertaining and interesting read.  What some may find controversial about this novel is its references to violence and sexual intercourse, but these are by no means the focus of the story.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS

This book could help teens who, like Schuyler, do not have close/loving family members around to provide support or who have low self-esteem.  It will hopefully make such teens realize that they have much more strength and ability inside them than they know.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT

I love New York and the cast of characters sounded really intriguing. 

Monster, by Walter Dean Myers

Monster, by Walter Dean Myers. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 1999. 281 pp. ISBN 0060280786

READER'S ANNOTATION
Accused of being involved in a fatal robbery, Steve is now in a detention center, more scared than he's ever been in his life.  Sometimes he wonders if he'll ever get out. 

GENRE
Realistic Fiction

SUMMARY
Steve Harmon is a 16 year-old who has been placed in the Manhattan Detention Center, on trial along with others for a store robbery which involved what the prosecution has labeled a felony murder. In order to deal with the frightening and depressing reality of the detention center, Steve decides to write a movie script about his day-to-day experiences in the courtroom and the detention center. Thus most of the novel is a record of the dialogue in the courtroom, Steve's observations of others' appearances and the physical space, and his notes on camera angles, etc. (he's been a member of his school film club for quite a while). Interspersed throughout these movie scenes are Steve's diary entries. Steve comes from a supportive family, yet grew up in a neighborhood where crime seemed like a reasonable option to some. Steve comes to know one such man, and thus becomes accused of taking part in the aforementioned robbery.  Will the jury believe that he is or isn't responsible?

EVALUATION
In my opinion, this novel rises to literary excellence in many ways, and it is one I'd recommend to both teens and adults without hesitation.  The first reason is its unique format.  Myers' writing of the majority of the novel as Steve's movie scenes is innovative in itself.  And this format makes Steve's sporadic heartfelt diary entries, which add the novel's emotional/self-reflective content, all the more powerful.  This novel also shines because  Myers leaves Steve's level of involvement in the robbery in question throughout.  Because of this, interesting questions about one's feelings of personal responsibility and how they are affected by how we see ourselves are raised.  Steve is a very likeable character with whom I think teens will easily identify, yet none of the other characters are fully developed, but necessarily so due to the format.  I highly recommend this quick yet enjoyable read.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
This novel should help any teen who finds themself in a detention facility or accused of a crime, or in any other highly fear-inducing situation,.  It will also help teens who have acquaintances or friends involved in criminal activity, illustrating the possible negative results of getting involved in such activity themselves.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
I was really intrigued by the film script format.

Identical, by Ellen Hopkins

Identical, by Ellen Hopkins. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2008. 565 pp. ISBN  9781416950059


READER'S ANNOTATION  
Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical twins who are living a nightmare.  Even though they are not the best of friends, sometimes their only consolation is each other.

GENRE
Realistic Fiction


SUMMARY 
In this free-verse novel, Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical teenage twins who live in a small central California town which appears to be Solvang from the description of it.  They live with their lawyer father in an affluent neighborhood, while their mother, a politician, spends most of her time away from home.  Their father, addicted to alcohol and drugs, regularly molests Kaeleigh.  Raeanne witnesses the attention their dad pays to Kaeleigh, and in response acts out by using drugs and having casual sex.  Eating disorders and self-mutilation round out the list of tragedies that form these girls’ experience. Both girls are slowly losing themselves, and it will take courage and determination to unearth some astonishing family truths, and hitting rock bottom before the possibility of healing presents itself.


EVALUATION
Wow, what a book.  I don't think I'll be able to visit the central California coast in the future without thinking of Kaeleigh....and strange as this may sound as she's fictional, wondering how her life turned out.  This is definitely a work that stays with the reader, a very powerful look at the dynamics of incest.  The sheer intimacy of Kaeleigh's thoughts and statements held my rapt attention, making the different shapes of certain passages and juxtaposed parallel words in side-by-side passages seem somewhat  unecessary to me.  But I realize that they add expanded meaning and work for many readers. The novel is paced almost perfectly, building up the readers' understanding of the twins' psyches little by little, making them real.  The climax and resolution, when they come, are satisfying and believable.


HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
This is an extremely important novel for incest survivors, and I really think that Kaeleigh is the kind of character that could become a stand-in friend until such teens are able to reach out for help.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
I had not read a book concerning incest before.

Going Bovine, by Libba Bray

Going Bovine, by Libba Bray. New York: Delacorte Press, 2009. 480 pp. ISBN 9780385904117


READER'S ANNOTATION
Escaping his hospital bed to travel cross country with his hypochondriac mama's boy roommate and save the world -- this is the mission presented to Cameron by his very own punk angel.

GENRE
Fantasy, Realistic Fiction

SUMMARY
Cameron is a sixteen-year-old who really is not making much of his life, and whose only real passion is listening to music.  Suddenly, he is diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jacob, or "mad cow" disease, landing him in the hospital.  A hypochondriac dwarf roommate named Gonzo then moves in, and he and Cameron -- encouraged by the angel Dulcie who has begun visiting Cameron -- embark on a road trip to find the man who purportedly has the cure for mad cow disease and also save the world from the evil wizard and fire giants who have also begun appearing to Cameron.  During this trip, which parallels Don Quixote in many ways, Cameron and Gonzo have various adventures at stops as varied as a New Orleans jazz club, the headquarters of a happiness cult, and a spring break party spot in Florida.  Along the way, they take on a third traveling partner, a living breathing lawn gnome/Norse god.  By the end of the journey, Cameron must use the strength and wisdom he has gained to face the dark forces.

EVALUATION
I absolutely love this novel.  It is completely zany fun (you have to read it just for Cameron's hysterically funny visit to the "Church of Everlasting Satisfaction and Snack-n-Bowl" alone) and at the same time conveys some earnest messages about the importance of connection with others and jumping right into life with purpose and gusto.  Cameron is a fully-fleshed, entirely believable character, as is his emotional growth by the end of the story.  As the story is picaresque, it is composed of several distinct adventures, yet all are pulled together cohesively by Cameron's ultimate quest to save the world and himself.  Make sure to get your hands on this thought-provoking read as soon as possible.  What some may find controversial is the novel's subject matter of terminal illness and some language.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
This book could be very helpful to terminally ill teens, but also to any teen who is socially isolated.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
It sounded like a lot of fun and unlike anything I'd ever read before, and also won the Print Award in 2010.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson, by David Levithan and John Green

Will Grayson, Will Grayson, by John Green and David Levithan. New York : Dutton, 2010. 310 pp. ISBN 9780525421580


READER'S ANNOTATION
Two teens named Will Grayson meet by pure coicidence in downtown Chicago one night, and their lives are forever changed...

GENRE
Realistic Fiction

SUMMARY
This novel is narrated in alternating chapters by two high school students who meet by chance one night in downtown Chicago -- both are named Will Grayson.  The "Original Will Grayson" (OWG) and Tiny Cooper have been best friends since fifth grade, but OWG is starting to become slightly irritated with what he considers to be Tiny's selfishness.  Tiny, who is gay, has been through numerous romantic break-ups and OWG has always been there to help pick up the pieces.  Even though Tiny has now decided to play matchmaker for OWG, OWG at first doesn't see the generosity of this act, because he is too blinded by his fear of getting close to girls and potentially getting hurt.  Once the two Will Graysons meet, Will #2 begins dating Tiny.  Will #2, however, has not told his mother or anyone else that he's gay.  Meanwhile, OWG decides to step out of his comfort zone and give dating another chance.  As a backdrop to -- and also representative of -- all of this, Tiny is writing a musical about life and love, to be performed at the high school.

EVALUATION
This is the first novel I’ve read of either Levithan or Green, but if this novel is any indication of the general level of fun and insight of their writing, I can’t wait to read more!  I found the two Will Graysons to be very believable and representative of many teens, as we are privy to their self-doubt and conflicting emotions.  It is true that Tiny Cooper is a larger-than-life character in more than just his size, yet there really are teens with that kind of self-confidence and drive, and his character is also necessary to our understanding of OWG, the friendship between the two of them, and to keeping the plot moving in several instances. And Tiny is just too hysterically funny too resist.  Overall, this novel is highly entertaining and contains a lot of sage advice to teens, and all of us really, regarding navigating interpersonal relationships.  These lessons about friendship and love, and the complexity yet necessity of both, are interwoven into the story naturally, as characters come to realize them themselves.  I highly recommend this gem of a book to anyone.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
I think that this book would be very helpful to teens who are questioning their sexual orientation or are aware that they are gay, lesbian, or bisexual and are thinking of letting their family and friends know.  I think this book would also help teens who are experiencing depression.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
I love anything involving unbelievable coincidences, and the high school musical aspect and the Tiny Cooper character both sounded really fun.

Shattering Glass, by Gail Giles

Shattering Glass, by Gail Giles. New York: Simon Pulse, 2003. 215 pp. ISBN  0689858000


READER'S ANNOTATION  
Young could understand the desire to help another student, but why was Rob so completely obsessed with making Simon popular?  Would Rob stop at nothing to accomplish this, and what would the ultimate consequence be?

GENRE
Realistic Fiction 

SUMMARY
The narrator of this novel is high school student, Young Steward, pressured by his father to excel in academics and life.  He is best friends with Coop, a great athlete, and Bob, a highly sought-after ladies' man, but Young's self-doubt makes him wonder why he himself is popular.  One day a new student named Rob, with charisma to spare, appears at school and makes their group of friends a foursome.  Witnessing how certain students bully Simon Glass, an awkward and geeky boy, he makes it his mission to make Simon popular.  In this task, however, he demands that Simon, Young, Coop, and Bob follow his orders exactly, and feels threatened when any of them takes action of their own volition.  Rob thinks nothing of altering the course of Young's romantic and academic life in order to make his plan proceed smoothly.  Along the way, the boys find out some information about Rob's past which changes their perception of him and points to why he is so obsessed with exerting control.  At a certain point, the boys find out exactly what Rob will do when he feels that he is losing control.  The consequence is dramatic and will change all of their lives.  But who is responsible?  

EVALUATION
I think that Young is fairly believable as a character.   Being raised by a demanding father, he has been conditioned to please others.  Although I was surprised that he gave up a very good relationship with his girlfriend for Rob's seemingly much more momentary whim of transforming Simon, I can also see why Young's feelings of sympathy and loyalty toward Rob -- and Young's strong need to feel needed by friends himself -- might have made him do this.  I love the format of the novel, in the way that Giles intersperses the narrative with extended comments made by several of the characters at some point in the future, after Rob's ultimate release of fury and the deed has been done.  At the end of the novel found myself wanting to know more about Young's future and his reflections on everything that had transpired. But then I think this is part of the point of the novel, i.e., when you put your trust blindly in someone else, without being sure of their ethics, you run the risk of being left with the pieces. What you do with them after that point is up to you. What some may find controversial in this novel is the violent last scene.  It is graphic, but Giles is trying to make a dramatic point.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
This book could help teens who are being bullied in the way that Rob bullies Young, Coop, and Bob.  It points out the risk one takes when one gives control of one's actions to someone else.  It will hopefully encourage teens to extricate themselves from the influence of such friends, and also respect the free will of others.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
The possibility of someone like Simon making such a complete turnaround in behavior sounded very intriguing.

Whale Talk, by Chris Crutcher

Whale Talk, by Chris Crutcher. New York: Greenwillow Books, 2009. 220 pp. ISBN 9780061771316


READER'S ANNOTATION  
Putting together a swim team composed of the most unlikely members, and then winning meets together and sticking it to the jocks and naysayers -- how cool would that be? 

GENRE
Realistic Fiction

SUMMARY
High school senior T.J. Jones, of mixed African-American, Japanese-American, and white ethnicity, was a prominent swimmer in his younger years.  He has avoided organized competition in recent years, however.  That is, until his beloved English teacher, Mr. Simet, approaches him for help with starting a school sports team.  T.J. decides to start a swim team, planning to use it as an example to the jocks and others who bully students in the school who don't fit the prescribed mold in some way.  In particular, he wants to use the team as a vehicle for Chris Coughlin, a developmentally delayed student who has been harrassed for wearing his late brother's letterman jacket, to earn his own jacket.  T. J. thus assembles a team of non-swimmers, each member with a different personality and personal issue.  As they train, they come to know each other and give their all to pursuing their common athletic dream.

EVALUATION
I found T.J. to be very inspiring in his convictions and follow-through.  Both adults and teens can learn much from this character.  Despite the anger that T.J. felt as a young child -- resulting from his biological mother's abuse of him -- and still deals with as a teen, T.J. does the right thing in most situations.  Although he does seem a little too perfect at moments, I think his self-awareness and approach to life are conceivable for an intelligent teen who's been through as much therapy as he has.  I would have liked to read more about his relationship with Carly, as it did seem unrealistic that two high schoolers would have such a hermonious relationship, but then Carly isn't the focus of the story.   And this is positive too; Crutcher's lack of focus on T.J.'s relationship with Carly hopefully demonstrates to teens that being in love shouldn't take over one's life, that one should remain one's own person with one's own interests and goals and friends outside of the relationship.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
This book should be helpful to any teen who is being bullied or who has been told they can't do something which they desire to achieve.  It should encourage teens to believe in themselves.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
The idea of creating a swim team from non-swimmers sounded intriguing.

Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson

Speak [sound recording], by Laurie Halse Anderson. Read by Mandy Siegfried. New York: Random House/Listening Library, 2004. 5 CDs (72 min. each). ISBN 1400089980


READER'S ANNOTATION
Something happened at that party last summer, and Melinda still hasn't told anybody about it.

GENRE
Realistic Fiction

SUMMARY
Ninth grader Melinda Sordino memorably narrates her own story, and we meet her on her first day of high school.  We learn that over the preceeding summer she called the police to a party that she attended, although we do not find out the reason why she made this call until the latter half of the book.  For making this call and its consequences to party-goers, her best friends have dumped her and she starts the school year completely alone.  Melinda finds herself unable to speak to anyone, neither parents nor former friends, about why she made the call.  There are a few bright spots in her life, however, the most notable one being her art class, which is taught by a caring teacher who encourages her to express herself. Throughout this incredibly tough year, Melinda manages to maintain a wonderfully dry sense of humor and wit.      

EVALUATION
I have met few literary characters as engaging as Melinda.  She is equally capable of believably expressing sarcasm and wonderment, and everything in between.  Anderson describes her emotions, from  fear to moments of joy, palpably.  Anderson's descriptions of Melinda's feelings while eating alone in the lunchroom, for example, are spot on for anyone who's ever experienced that kind of isolation.  The plot of the novel  is fairly simple, consisting of the day-to-day school and home life of Melinda; the interest of this story is in Melinda's observations and interpretations of the actions of people around her. Readers will definitely find themselves rooting for Melinda, as she goes through her cocoon phase, and then grows, slowly at first and then more bravely, gathering strength and some new information which lets her know that she is not alone in her experience, that there are others to whom she matters, and that she is indeed strong.  Because I drive a lot, I listened to the unabridged audio version of Speak, read by Mandy Siegfried. I most highly recommend it.  Siegfried strikes Melinda’s various tones so perfectly and naturally, that I think it adds another level of richness to the narrative.  The aspect of this book which could be controversial to some is its discussion of rape.  However, Melinda's rape is described much more in terms of her emotional response to it, and not in terms of the physical act itself.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
I feel that Speak can help teens who have survived sexual assault, by letting them know that they are not alone in their feelings and response. Hopefully, reading about Melinda's year of isolation will encourage survivors to speak up sooner rather than later, to a trusted adult or friend.   

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
I had read rave reviews of this novel.

Good as Lily, by Derek Kirk Kim & Jesse Hamm

Good as Lily, by Derek Kirk Kim & Jesse Hamm. New York: Minx, 2007. Unpaged. ISBN 9781401213817


READER'S ANNOTATION
Being stuck with three other versions of yourself every day is quite a challenge.  How will Grace survive the embarassments they're causing her, and why are they here?

GENRE
Graphic Novel, Fantasy

SUMMARY
"What would you do if versions of yourself at [ages] 6, 29 and 70 became a part of your already awkward high school life? Grace Kwon is about to find out the hard way after she breaks a haunted pinata on her 18th birthday and her "other selves" appear. But it just may be the dark secret she's kept hidden about her younger sister, Lily, that stands between Grace and her past, present, and future." (Syndetic Solutions, Inc. summary)

EVALUATION 
Kim and Hamm do an incredible job of balancing two stories in this novel.  On one hand, the novel is about Grace's everyday life at high school, with friends and bullies, ups and downs.  But simultaneously, Grace must manage the three other versions of herself at different ages, the physical manifestations of a family issue which is gnawing at her.  Both the dialogue and the illustrations in this graphic novel are filled with humor.  The illustrations are black and white, but convey the full range of characters' emotions in an engaging way.  The only critique I have is that the illustration style on the cover is different from that inside the book.  Yet overall, this is both a thought-provoking and heart-warming graphic novel which is a superb example of all of the amazing potential of this form;  it's the kind of work which would be a great introduction to the form for anyone. Potentially controversial element: graphic novel format.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
This novel could help teens who are being bullied at school or who have unresolved family issues.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
I liked the illustration style and thought the premise sounded fun.

Lush, by Natasha Friend

Lush, by Natasha Friend. New York: Scholastic, 2006. 178 pp. ISBN 9780439853460

READER'S ANNOTATION  

GENRE
Realistic Fiction


SUMMARY
Inspired by the personal stories of two close friends who grew up in households with alcoholic parents, and affected by alcoholism in her own extended family, Natasha Friend decided to write about the experience of a young teen with an alcoholic father.  Her fictional protagonist is Sam, a thirteen year-old girl.  Sam's alcoholic father's unpredictability and a shocking act of violence to toward Sam’s preschool-age brother lead to Sam's acute need to seek assistance with coping with the situation.  Yet she finds it impossible to share her frustration with anyone, not even her closest friends.  She thus initiates an anonymous correspondence with another teen, accomplished by exchanging notes inside one of the books at their local library. Meanwhile, Sam also experiences various common aspects of teen life, including navigating a rift between herself and her former best friend, her self-consciousness about her quickly developing body, and a very brief romantic relationship.

EVALUATION
Sam is a very likeable protagonist who does not approach her dilemma melodramatically, but with believable frustration and also a sense of humor and a tad bit of sarcasm.  She is also real, and like her father, does not always make the best decisions herself.  And I really enjoyed the letters she writes to her anonymous friend.  They are poignant, but I also found myself laughing out loud at her humorous observations in several instances.  The novel's ending does not tie up everything with a cute little bow, but it is realistic and hopeful, and we know that Sam has taken positive steps in one of the areas she can control, namely sharing her family secret with friends old and new and allowing them to be a support system for her.  What some may find controversial about this novel is that Sam’s first experience drinking alcohol leads to her near sexual assault by several boys. This incident is pivotal to Sam’s development and to Friend’s message, however, because it helps Sam and readers internalize more personally the potential destructive outcomes of drinking.
 

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
Lush lets teens living in alcoholic households know that they are not alone, and suggests possible coping strategies.  At the end of the book, Friend includes a list of resources for such teens, including hotlines,Web sites, and books.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
I wanted to learn more about the experience of growing up with an alcoholic parent.

Eighth Grade Bites, by Heather Brewer

Eighth Grade Bites, by Heather Brewer. New York: Speak, 2008. 182 pp. ISBN 9780142411872


READER'S ANNOTATION
Middle school is challenging enough when you've got to make sure to eat blood each day at lunch without the other kids knowing.  Throw in a teacher's disappearance and the arrival of a frankly creepy substitute, and you're in for one interesting year...

GENRE
Horror


SUMMARY
Vlad's an eighth grader who deals with the usual bullies, friend issues, and romantic crushes of middle school, but also is quite unique: he is half vampire. Vlad's late father had earlier broken the vampire code when he revealed his vampire status to his love and married and had a child with her. The couple subsequently fled to the town of Bathory, but soon died in a mysterious fire. Now, odd things are beginning to happen in Vlad's life, including a teacher disappearing and an odd substitute teacher with an interest in supernatural beings taking his place. When it begins to appear that the substitute may know something about Vlad's secret, Vlad decides he must try to learn something about his past and take action. (This book is the first of the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series.)

EVALUATION
This is an engaging story which works for several different reasons.  On one hand, it's just a great school story about a young teen, Vlad, who feels like somewhat of a nobody on campus and is picked on, and longs for a girl whom he believes likes his best friend. Vlad's got a wry sense of humor about things and is often reflective about life and himself.  But the novel is also paced very well, and a wonderful suspense builds about what may have happened to Vlad's former English teacher and the mystery concerning the motivations of the substitute teacher with his odd/intriguing demeanor and assignments. Some nice twists at the conclusion and Brewer's overall handling of how a teen vampire would live amongst non-vampire peers, deal with the need to consume blood, etc., is creative.  The goriness in some of the scenes may be a controversial aspect to some, but it is much lighter than that in horror fiction in general.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
I think this is a great book to recommend to any teen, but especially those who appear to be on the outside of the social scene, are being bullied, or just have unique qualities which may make them feel different from others.  The novel has a main character to draw strength from and is a great page-turner at the same time.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
One of my fellow library assistants who has good taste in books had read it and really enjoyed it. 

The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier

The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier. New York: Knopf, 1997. 272 pp. ISBN 0394828054


READER'S ANNOTATION
With a vague yet developing conviction that even he does not yet fully understand himself, Jerry Renault has decided that he will not sell chocolates in the school fund-raiser.  Archie Costello, however, is determined to make Jerry cave...

GENRE
Realistic Fiction

SUMMARY
(This verson is a reissue of the 1974 novel, with added author introduction.)  Jerry Renault, whose mother has just passed away, and whose father is somewhat distant due to having to work late hours, is starting his freshman year at the all boys' Trinity Catholic School. The school holds a chocolate sale fundraiser each year, and sinister acting Headmaster Brother Leon has just doubled the price of each box as well as the quota that each boy must sell. Meanwhile, Archie Costello, leader of the school's secret society, The Vigils, chooses Jerry for one of the assignments that this group often forces members of the student body to perform. Jerry is tasked to refuse to sell chocolates for ten days. Once the ten days are up, however, Jerry -- for reasons even he doesn't fully understand at first -- chooses to continue to refuse to sell the chocolates. As a result, the incensed Brother Leon forces Archie to make sure that The Vigils ensure the chocolate sale's success. The ensuing campaign of harassment and violence against Jerry tests his resolve and his very spirit, leaving it uncertain until the last moment how Jerry will ultimately respond.  The sequel to this novel is Beyond the Chocolate War.

EVALUATION
What makes this novel an amazing piece of writing to me is the completely honest way in which Cormier describes characters' innermost thoughts -- especially their incomplete understandings of their own motives. Examples of this are Jerry's delayed understanding of why he was taking a stand about the chocolate sale and lack of complete self-awareness even in malicious characters like Archie (e.g., "Archie was always puzzled about whatever there was inside of him that enjoyed these performances -- toying with kids..." p. 31).  With its very character-driven plot, the story is riveting, as we are kept guessing about how far each character will go to make their stand or further their own agenda.  One potential controversial aspect of this novel is the violence committed by some characters, yet this violence is integral to the story as it graphically shows what happens when bullying is left unchecked.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
This book could help any teen who is being bullied, by making them realize that they are not alone in being mistreated.  It should further help them to realize what may be the consequences of not seeking adult or other assistance against bullies, and what the ultimate emotional cost of unchecked bullying can be.  Teens who suspect that a friend may be being bullied -- by noting changes in the friend's behavior -- will hopefully be inspired to intervene.

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
A Girl Scout as a child, I had always hated having to sell those overpriced cookies!  So the idea of a novel about a boy refusing to sell chocolates on behalf of his school -- albeit in a much more serious context -- really intrigued me.

Annie on My Mind, by Nancy Garden

Annie on My Mind, by Nancy Garden. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1982. 233 pp. ISBN 0374303665


READER'S ANNOTATION
Who knew that true love could be so wonderful?  Who knew that others would be so bothered by Liza and Annie's relationship?

GENRE
Realistic fiction

SUMMARY
Seventeen-year-olds Liza Winthrop and Annie Kenyon meet by chance at New York's Metropolitan Art Museum in New York, where Liza is working on an assignment and Annie is browsing. They are immediately drawn to each other, and their friendship begins to grow quickly. Liza loves architecture, lives in an affluent neighborhood and attends an elite private school where she is the student body president.  Annie is a gifted singer and attends a public high school complete with police on site and lives in a poor/working class neighborhood.  As their relationship deepens, and the girls realize that their attraction is romantic, they proceed with some hesitation at first.  It is mainly Liza who is initally unsure, and needs time to discover herself, before the two develop a full-fledged relationship.  A house-sitting job that they take on results in them being forced to confront family, friends' and school reaction to their relationship.  The ultimate question is how their reaction to this confrontation will affect their relationship.  

EVALUATION
Perhaps my favorite aspect of this novel is the reflective nature of Liza, which we see in her relationship with Annie, but also in her school life.  She is not one to take decisions lightly, especially about her personal life.  This allows the reader time to think through their feelings about the novel's theme along with her.  I also think this novel is very true-to-life in its depiction of the emotions of any love affair, especially between young people.  Liza and Annie's interaction and hestitations are very believable.   This book also has a power beyond the theme of sexual orientation, and that is to encourage all teens to be true to themselves in general, and prepares them for the fact that there are some who will try to set up roadblocks to their free self-expression. Hopefully this novel will give them that courage to persevere.  Some may find this book's focus on a lesbian relationship controversial.  However, I feel that these are the people who most need to read this book, as it so realistically depicts the experience of true and young love, helping heterosexual readers to understand that lesbian/gay relationships are no different from straight relationships apart from the gender of the partners.

HOW THIS BOOK HELPS
This novel will help teens who are questioning their sexual orientation, or are struggling with coming out to their peers, family, and society. 

WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT
I have always wanted to read this classic of teen literature.