Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Sollett, P. (2008). Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.

Classification: movie, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 11th-12th grade

Subjects: movie, music, love story, friends, identity

Viewer's Annotation: Nick and Norah get to know each other over the course of one long night in New York City.

Summary: Nick and Norah meet in a club one night as both are trying to get over past relationships. In a pinch, Norah asks Nick to be her boyfriend for five minutes so she can convince another girl that she's not there alone. Nick's friends decide Norah is far preferable to his last girlfriend, so they come up with a plan for Nick and Norah to spend the evening together hunting for a band scheduled to play somewhere in the city. Over the course of one night, Nick and Norah decide whether they will live in the past, with their old relationships, or take a risk on something new.

Reviews / Awards:

New York Times Review

Author Info:
IMDB page

Potential Hotspots:

drinking, sex

Watchalikes:

• Juno
  
• Charlie Bartlett
  

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
Some teens will be drawn to the movie because they read the fantastic book by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, though it may be more likely to go the other way around. Others will be drawn to Michael Cera's performance. Many will like it just for the plot, an overnight scavenger-hunt like romp from club to club in New York City.

Other:

It would be wise to stock both the book and the soundtrack, when this is available on DVD.

Evaluation:

5 stars

Your Own Sylvia by Stephanie Hemphill

Hemphill, S. (2007). Your Own, Sylvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Plath. (p. 272). Knopf Books for Young Readers.
ISBN: 037583799X

Classification: book, nonfiction

Genre: biography

Age Level : 9th-12th grade

Subjects: biography, identity, love story, nonfiction, novel in verse

Reader's Annotation: Each of the poems in this collection helps to tell the story of Sylvia Plath's life.

Summary: Stephanie Hemphill has written a collection of poems that tell the story of Sylvia Plath's life. Each poem is written from the perspective of someone from Sylvia's life and some are written in a specific style of one of Sylvia's own works. The story covers all of Sylvia's life, from the time she was born, through her childhood and school years, her failed marriage, up to the day she committed suicide. The poems describe her manic work ethic, the way in which such a wide variety of people were fascinated by her personality, and her troubled relationship with her family. Mostly, though, it chronicles her experience as a writer.

Reviews / Awards:

Common Sense Media Review

This was a Printz Honor book in 2007

Why it belongs in a Teen Collection: Plath's history may be known to some teens, and she may be an intriguing figure for some teens simply because of her tragic story. On the other hand, most teen readers would need this book pitched to them, and would be more likely to pick it up as part of an assignment. It's an approachable collection of poems, not as abstract as some.

Readalikes :

• What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonia Sonnes
  
• Letters Home by Sylvia Plath
  

Other Useful Info:

• Author's page on Random House
• Sylvia Plath info from Poets.org

Evaluation:
3.5 stars

Planet Pregnancy by Linda Oatman High

High, L. O. (2008). Planet Pregnancy. (p. 197). Front Street.

ISBN : 1590785843

Classification: book, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 11th-12th grade

Subjects: coming of age, family, fiction, identity, pregnancy, novel in verse

Reader's Annotation: Saharah's whole life turns upside down when she gets a positive result on a pregnancy test.

Summary: This novel in verse chronicles the nine months of Sahara's pregnancy. A high school student in a conservative town, Sahara doesn't have a lot of friends or much of a support network. She keeps her pregnancy a secret for nearly seven months, from everyone but her friend Emma. The book ends when Grace is born, so we don't get much of a chance to see how they do as a family once the baby has arrived.

Reviews / Awards:

Poetry for Children Review

Author Info:
Linda Oatman High's Website

Potential Hotspots:

teen pregnancy, discussion of abortion, accusations of date rape

Readalikes:

• What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonia Sonnes
  
• Make Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
Teen pregnancy is a topic that will certainly catch the interest of some teen readers, and for those patrons, it's good to have plenty of options available. Because this is a novel in verse, the book moves quickly. The verse is gripping and easily understood.

Other:

--

Evaluation:

3.5 stars

Mistik Lake by Martha Brooks

Brooks, M. (2007). Mistik Lake. (p. 224). Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR).

ISBN: 0374349851

Classification:book, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

Subjects: coming of age, death, family, fiction, identity, love story

Reader's Annotation: Three generations of women are drawn to the shores of Mistik Lake where their lives unfold in a small, interrelated community.

Summary: This is a slow, gentle sort of book. It is the story of three generations of women. Sally was the sole survivor of a tragic car accident on the frozen Mistik Lake in 1981. Her oldest daughter, Odella, understands her mothers loneliness and burgeoning alcoholism, and tries to hold her family together after her mother runs away to Iceland with a filmmaker. Sally's aunt, Gloria, owns the cabin on Mistik Lake where Odella spends her summers. Gloria also has secrets but she does what she can for Sally's girls. The story is set on the shores of Mistik Lake, where everyone knows everyone, and most people are related if one goes back a generation or two.

Reviews / Awards:

Canadian Review of Material's Review

Author Info:
Author info from the Manitoba Author Index Website

Potential Hotspots:

homosexuality, teen drinking, parental infedelity

Readalikes:

• Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You by Peter Cameron
  
• Backwater by Joan Bauer
  

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This interwoven story feels rich and complex, and will be a treat for readers ready for something "more adult," though the material itself is not racy. There's something about this book that feels like a Jane Austen or Emily Bronte novel, with language that is much more approachable.

Other: Martha Brooks frequently appears on ALA lists of best books.

Evaluation:

4 stars

Regifters by Mike Carey

Carey, M. (2007). Re-Gifters. (p. 174). Minx Books.

ISBN : 140120371X

Classification: graphic novel, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level : 9th-10th grade

Subjects: coming of age, friends, graphic novel, love story, siblings

Reader's Annotation: Dixie has to choose between her desire to win the hapkido tournament and her affection for Adam.

Summary: Dik Seong Jen, her friends call her Dixie, wants two things : to win the hapkido tournament and the affections of Adam, the cute boy in her class. She spends the money her parents gave her to enter the tournament on an expensive present for Adam's birthday, a statue of a Hwarang Warrior. Dixie is crushed when he doesn't like it, and instead asks Dixie to help him catch the eye of another girl! The statue is "re-gifted" several times throughout the story...and Dixie is given several other chances to enter the hapkido tournament. Ultimately, she has to make choices between things that seem appealing and things that have real value.

Reviews / Awards:

Comics Worth Reading Review

Author Info:
Mike Carey's Website

Why it belongs in a Teen Collection: There is something about Dixie that most any teen girl would find familiar. Dixie fights with her best friend and has a crush on a guy who likes someone else, she finds her younger brother irritating, and wants to please her parents (sometimes.)

Readalikes :

• The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci
• Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim
  

Other Useful Info:

• Minx Comics
  

Evaluation:
4.5 stars

Paper Towns by John Green

Green, J. (2008). Paper Towns. (p. 416). Bloomsbury USA Children's Books.

ISBN: 1599902036

Classification: book, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 10th-12th grade

Subjects: coming of age, fiction, friends, identity, love story

Reader's Annotation: To follow the clues his friend Margo left when she disappeared, Quentin must come to understand Margo as she sees herself and abandon his idealized version of her personality.

Summary: Quentin Jacobsen has always loved Margo Roth Speigelman. He considers it his personal miracle that she grew up as his next door neighbor. As children they were good friends, until the day they found a man in the park who had killed himself. After that, Margo became a mystery to Quentin. Then, one night in Q's senior year, Margo shows up at his window, dressed in camoflauge and asks Quentin to borrow his parents car. They embark on a night of pranks and petty crimes, getting back at the friends who have betrayed Margo. The next day, Margo disappears. Q, with the help of his two good friends, finds clues Margo has left behind. Quentin is determined to save Margo from herself and hopefully win her love in the process.

Reviews / Awards:

Teenreads Review
An Abundance of Katherines and John Green's first book, Looking for Alaska, both were Printz Honor books.

Author Info:
John Green's website

Potential Hotspots:

drinking, sex, vandalism, breaking and entering

Readalikes:

• The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
  
• 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
  

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This is a story all about discovering the truth about who someone is, as opposed to the myth that has been built about that person. I think this is a message that teens can warm too, as probably many have felt pressured to be something different than they are. Also, the scavenger hunt / mystery angle will keep teens reading until the very end.

Other:

• Fans of John Green should also check out his "Brotherhood 2.0" website, a collaboration with his brother, Hank, and the Nerdfighters website.
• John Green's talk from an ALAN conference, about Paper Towns and why teens are great readers
  

Evaluation:

5 stars

The 9/11 Report : A Graphic Adaptation by Sid Jacobsen and Ernie Colon

Jacobson, S., & Colon, E. (2006). The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation. (p. 128). Hill and Wang.

ISBN:0809057387

Classification: graphic novel, nonfiction

Genre: nonfiction

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

Subjects: current events, graphic novel, nonfiction, war

Reader's Annotation: This graphic novel adaptation of The 9/11 Report details the findings of the 9/11 Commission.

Summary: This adaptation of the report published by the 9/11 Commission is an attempt to bring the committee's findings to a new audience. The creators of the graphic novel took 99% of the text from the actual report and the drawings are extremely lifelike. The graphic novel covers the same scope as the original report, including a moment by moment timeline of the attacks on 9/11, a look at the preparation the terrorists made, a review of how government officials and first responders performed and what would make them better prepared in the future, and a suggested global strategy for preventing future attacks.

Reviews / Awards:

Washington Post Review

Author Info:
Ernie Colon at Comiclopedia

Potential Hotspots:

fighting, illustrations of war and hostage situations

Readalikes:

• In the Shadow of No Towers by Art Spiegelman
• Persepolis and Persepolis II by Marjane Satrapi
• The Wall : Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis
  

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
Though the events of 9/11 will undoubtedly be taught in history classes for the next several decades, the 800 page report issued by the 9/11 committee will be inaccessible to most teen (and perhaps adult) readers. The graphic novel format is a good way to present this important material to young adults. Having this item in a teen collection says to teens that you want them to be informed, and you want to communicate in a way that is familiar to them.

Other:

Jacobsen and Colon talking about making the graphic novel on NPR.

Evaluation:

4.5 stars

The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler

Mackler, C. (2003). The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things. (p. 246). Candlewick Press.

ISBN: 0763619582

Classification: book, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

Subjects: body image, family, fiction, friends, identity, love story, siblings

Reader's Annotation: Virginia is the odd one out in her brilliant, blonde family, but she learns there are some good points to being unique.

Summary: Virginia often feels like she must have been adopted into her thin, blond and brilliant family. She thinks she is fairly smart, though not brilliant. She's definitely not blond and she's definitely not thin. She's fairly certain her family is embarrassed about the way she looks and she desperately wants to gain their approval. Virginia tries very hard to diet and to behave in a way that would make her parents proud, until something terrible happens. Her brother, her hero, does something unforgivable. For awhile things are pretty rough for Virginia, but ultimately, she learns to strike her own path and to be true to her nature.

Reviews / Awards:

allreaders.com Review

Author Info:
Carolyn Mackler's website

Potential Hotspots:

kissing, fondling, masturbating, rape

Readalikes:

• Does My Head Look Big in This by Randa Abdel-Fattah
• Angus, Thongs and Full-frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison
  

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
Virginia will be a familiar and comforting character to any teen who has ever felt like a stranger in her own family, or who has ever felt like she needed to diet to improve her life. Though the first half of the book is almost difficult to read, because Ginny is so desperate for approval, she does come around and become a positive, real role model by the end of the book.

Other:

This book might hold appeal for tweens as well, though because of some of the sexual overtones and the date rape situation, I'd use caution in recommending it to younger readers.

Evaluation:

4 stars

Miki Falls by Mark Crilley

Crilley, M. (2008). Miki Falls vol. 4 Winter. (p. 167). Harper Teen.

ISBN: 9780060846190

Classification: graphic novel, fiction

Genre: fantasy

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

Subjects: fantasy, fiction, graphic novel, love story, magic, series

Reader's Annotation: Miki Yoshida falls in love with Hiro Sakurai, an immortal who is prohibited from falling in love.

Summary: This series of four graphic novels (each named after a season of the year) follows the relationship between Miki Yoshida and Hiro Sakurai. Miki is starting her last year of high school when Hiro enrolls. Hiro is very handsome and the subject of much interest at school but he continuously rebuffs all attempts of friendship. This only makes Miki more determined to be his friend and to uncover the mystery behind his reclusiveness. She discovers that Hiro is one of a group of immortals whose task is to care for the amount of love in the world. They match humans who should be together and break humans apart who are not tending to their loving relationships. Hiro is not supposed to fall in love, but, of course, he falls for Miki. Having violated the rules of his people, he and Miki must flee from the ruler of Hiro's people who may not have the world's best interests at heart.

Reviews / Awards:

Read About Comics Review

Author Info:
Mark Crilley's website

Potential Hotspots:

some fighting, magic

Readalikes:

• Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya
  
• Regifters by Mike Carey
• Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer
  

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
Mark Crilley created the well known series "Akiko" and thus he will be familiar to teen graphic novel fans. Also, the love story and magical elements will appeal to teens (girls in particular) who are not usually graphic novel fans. These are four books that will be quick, light reads.

Other:

There is a Miki Falls music video on YouTube, and rumors of a movie to be made in the near future.

Evaluation:

4 stars

Too Stressed to Think? by Annie Fox and Ruth Kirschner

Fox, A. (2005). Too Stressed To Think?: A Teen Guide To Staying Sane When Life Makes You Crazy. (p. 163). Free Spirit Publishing.

ISBN: 1575421739

Classification: book, nonfiction

Genre: nonfiction

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

Subjects: body image, family, nonfiction, school, stress

Reader's Annotation: Stress can ruin your day and this book explains why teens get stressed and what they can do about it.

Summary: This book looks at teen stress from every angle. The first section describes sources of stress, the brain science behind stress, how stress influences the body, and basic stress remedies. The second section looks at various sources of stress in teen's lives and breaks down responses and solutions. These stressful situations include family relationships, friends, romantic partners, and school situations. The last section gives plenty of advice on how to create a balanced life to prevent stress in the first place. There is also an appendix with plenty of resources for teens who need help that goes beyond what is covered in this book.

Reviews / Awards:

School Library Journal Review

Author Info:
Annie Fox's Website

Potential Hotspots:

none

Readalikes:

• Feeling Freakish by Veronique le Jeune
  
• When Nothing Matter Any More : A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens by Bev Cobain
  

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
A solid volume on handling teenage stress, this book will be a staple in any teen collection. The text is straightforward yet friendly, it strikes a good balance between being informative and easy to read.

Other:

--

Evaluation:

3.5 stars

Feeling Freakish: How to Feel Comfortable in Your Own Skin by Veronique le Jeune

Jeune, V. L., Eliakim, P., & Daly, M. (2004). Feeling Freakish? How to Be Comfortable in Your Own Skin. (p. 112). Harry N. Abrams.

ISBN: 0810991640

Classification: book, nonfiction

Genre: nonfiction

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

Subjects: body image, nonfiction, identity

Reader's Annotation: This is a book for anyone who has ever wanted to stay home because they felt ugly.

Summary: The authors of Feeling Freakish have delivered some straight talk about body image and identity for teen audiences. Mixed with plenty of illustrations, the information is straight forward but not overly serious. The book is divided into three sections. The first describes various ways in which many teens feel ugly. The second section covers reasons why teens feel ugly. The third section offers plenty of suggestions for thinking positively, getting active and overcoming the trap of depression over feeling ugly.

Reviews / Awards:

From Publisher's Weekly
Four paperback titles kick off the Sunscreen series of self-help books aimed at teens....Finally, Feeling Freakish? by V ronique le Jeune and Philippe Eliakim, with Daly, illus. by Princess H, tackles self-esteem issues and ends with quotes from real kids. Cartoons mix a comic touch with compassion: a girl confesses to a boy, "I can't go out with you because my ears stick out... I'm sure you understand."

Author Info:
Veronique le Jeune's Goodread's Page

Potential Hotspots:

none

Readalikes:

• Too Stressed to Think? by Annie Fox and Ruth Kirschner
  
• Going Out without Freaking Out by Tim Baker
  

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
While certainly this won't be a top choice for every teen reader, it's a solid book to have in the collection. For the teen looking for this sort of information, Feeling Freakish is a good quick read, full of information.

Other:

--

Evaluation:

3 stars

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyers

Meyer, S. (2008). Breaking Dawn. (Unabridged, 16 discs). Listening Library.

ISBN: 0739367676

Classification: audio book, fiction

Genre: fantasy

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

Subjects: series, movie, family, fantasy, love story, romance, friends

Reader's Annotation: Bella and Edward get married and set out on their honeymoon.

Summary: The fourth and final book in the Twilight series, this book will be a must have for any teen collection. In Breaking Dawn, human Bella Swan marries vampire Edward Cullen. Contrary to any known lore, Bella becomes pregnant with Edward's child, and the Cullen family must figure out how to bring a vampire/human hybrid into the world. In the process of giving birth, Bella (finally) becomes a vampire. Now, all that's left to work out is how to raise the baby and how to fend off the power hungry attentions of a rival vampire clan.

Reviews / Awards:

Entertainment Weekly Review

Author Info:
Stephenie Meyer's website

Potential Hotspots:

sex, violent birth scene

Readalikes:

• Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
  
• A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
  

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
I can't imagine a teen collection without this series, and without the last book in this series. The first three books have been wildly popular, and with the release of the movie this year, they will probably even have a resurgence. Teens love the combination of fantasy and romance in Bella's story, and the tension between "Team Edward" and "Team Jacob." The audiobooks have all been read by Ilyana Kadushin, who does a great job as a narrator.

Other:

Though many readers were unhappy with the ending of this book, I haven't yet heard of anyone who chose not to read it.

Evaluation:

5 stars

Sovay by Celia Rees

Rees, C. (2008). Sovay. (p. 416). Bloomsbury USA Children's Books.

ISBN: 1599902036

Classification: book, fiction

Genre: historical fiction

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

Subjects: family, fiction, historical fiction, identity, love story, siblings, war

Reader's Annotation: Sovay disguises herself as a highwayman to rob the fiance who cheated on her, and sets off on a path to adventure.

Summary: Sovay's story begins with her getting even with her fiance. She holds up his coach and steals a ring she gave him, which he swore to keep forever. She decides not to marry him. Instead, she's drawn into the life of a highwayman, enjoying the freedom of dressing like a man and the feeling of controlling her own destiny. Soon, though, Sovay discovers that her family is in jeopardy, as revolutionary forces attempt to sow chaos in England like the madness that has swept through France. Determined to save her father and her brother and to prevent the guillotine from becoming a permanent fixture in England, she works with a group of friends to reveal a plot driven by members of the Illuminati. She'll need every bit of her highwayman courage to clear her name, free her family, and keep England peaceful.

Reviews / Awards:

teenreads.com Review

Author Info:
Celia Rees' website

Potential Hotspots:

killing, war, young boys as sex workers

Readalikes:

• The Luxe by Anna Godberson
  
• A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
  

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
The teenreads review for this book notes that this will probably soon be a movie starring Keira Knightly, and I nodded when I read it. Therein lies the appeal for teens. Though this story had some plot problems, it had a great heroine, and a dramatical historical background. There is plenty in this story to keep teen imaginations intrigued, not to mention an ongoing "who-will-she-end-up-with" romantic plotline.

Other:

The main draw to this book is the cover, I think, and perhaps some pull from Celia's other books. Those two things made me pick it up. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I'd hoped, but I do think it would still be a hit in the teen section.

Evaluation:

2.5 stars

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson

Pearson, M. (2008). The Adoration of Jenna Fox. (p. 272). Henry Holt.

ISBN: 9780805076684

Classification: book, fiction

Genre: science fiction

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

Subjects: cloning, current events, distopia, family, identity, scifi

Reader's Annotation: Jenna wakes up from a coma and does not remember her life before the accident.

Summary: Jenna Fox wakes up from a coma and has to be reminded of who she is, where she is, and what her life is about. Her parents assure her that her memories will return in time and they provide her with videos of her former life to jog her memory. As the pieces begin to fall together, Jenna realizes there is some mystery her parents are keeping from her...such as why her grandmother doesn't seem to like her, or why she has no friends. Set in a distopic future, after several natural disasters have destroyed large portions of the population, Jenna's society struggles to balance scientific capability with moral standards. Jenna, as she uncovers the mystery behind her coma, is forced to wonder how much of a person makes a person a person.

Reviews / Awards:

Reviews from Publisher's Website

Author Info:
Mary Pearson's website

Potential Hotspots:

natural disasters, genetic manipulation

Readalikes:

• Uglies Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld
  
• Eva by Peter Dickinson
  

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This story is a great mix of science fiction futurism and moral gray areas. Any reader who has ever felt their parents were a bit overprotective, or had high expectations, will relate to Jenna's situation. Teens will probably enjoy grappling with the question of whether or not Jenna's parents did the right thing, and whether or not Jenna has (or ever did have) a soul.

Other:

Evaluation:

4.5 stars

Water Baby by Ross Campbell

Campbell, R. (2008). Water Baby. Minx. 176 pages.

ISBN: 140121147X

Classification: graphic novel, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 11th-12th grade

Subjects: friends, graphic novel, identity, prejudice, scary

Reader's Annotation: Seeking distraction from her injuries from a shark attack, Brody takes off on a road trip with her friends.

Summary: Brody is a top notch surfer on top of her life when a shark consumes one of her legs. She's just getting back to her regular life when her ex-boyfriend takes up residence on her couch. Confused about her life and plagued by nightmares, Brody and her friend Louisa drag Jake out of their home and on a road trip to get him back where he belongs. Throughout the story Brody struggles to move past her accident and find a way to be normal in a world where people often stare at her injury or remember her from the press coverage of her accident.

Reviews / Awards:

Comicmix Review

Author Info:
Ross Campbell's website

Potential Hotspots:

shark attack, graphic nightmare violence, teens smoking, language, lesbian relationships

Readalikes:

• Burnout by Rebecca Donner
  
• Clubbing by Andi Watson
  

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
There is plenty of realism in this story, ranging from friends crashing on your sofa and not paying for the food they eat up to a shark biting off a surfer's leg. The characters are rough and often unkind to each other, but there is a kind of loyalty, particularly between Brody and Louisa. A good story about overcoming the odds, even if not always gracefully.

Other:

I found this a hard read at times, with the graphic drawings, and the characters always headed in a bad direction. I'd recommend it to those who are okay with a gritty storyline.

Evaluation:

3 stars

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

Kingsolver, B., Kingsolver, C., & Hopp, S. L. (2007). Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life (Unabridged, 12 discs). HarperAudio.

ISBN: 0060853573

Classification: audio book, nonfiction

Genre: nonfiction

Age Level: 11th-12th grade

Subjects: adult crossover, audiobook, environment, family, food, nonfiction, siblings

Reader's Annotation: The Kingsolver family resolves to go a whole year eating only food they've grown on their own land or purchased from local sources and to write about the experience.

Summary: When the Kingsolver family moves from Tuscon, Arizona to a farm in Virginia, they start to grow their own food. They started thinking about the environmental cost of eating food shipped long distances to supermarket shelves. They decided to spend one year eating only food they had grown themselves or purchased from local farmers and to write a book about it. Barbara Kingsolver has written the bulk of the text. Her husband Steven Hopp wrote all of the sidebars, which usually focused on environmental impacts of mega farms and shipping. Camille Kingsolver included several essays about her take on the experiment as well as writing up weekly meal plans and recipes for foods in season at various times of the year.

Reviews / Awards:

New York Times review

Author Info:
Barbara Kingsolver's Webpage

Potential Hotspots:

fairly graphic description of killing turkeys

Readalikes:

• Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen
• Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollen
  

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This book is a great choice for teens interested in the environment or in making informed food choices. Barbara Kingsolver may be a familiar author, as many of her books are good crossovers and frequently taught in high school classes. The audio version was particularly enjoyable because each member of the family read their own writings.

Other:

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle Website

Evaluation:

4.5 stars

Freedom Writers Diary by The Freedom Writers

The Freedom Writers & Filipovic, Z. (1999). The Freedom Writers Diary : How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them. (p. 304). Main Street Books.

ISBN: 038549422X

Classification: book, nonfiction

Genre: nonfiction

Age Level: 10th-12th grade

Subjects: adult crossover, current events, family, friends, identity, nonfiction, prejudice, school

Reader's Annotation: Erin Gruwell uses journals and lessons about the Holocaust and Sarajevo to connect with a group of students that other teachers had considered "unteachable."

Summary: As a new, idealistic teacher, Erin Gruwell took on a class of students that the other teachers at Wilson High in Long Beach, CA considered "unteachable." She asked them to keep journals about their lives and experiences. As she read them, she was stunned by the difficult lives these students were leading. One day, she made a reference to the Holocaust and was surprised when none of the students knew what she was talking about . She created lessons using Anne Frank and Zlata's Diary, stories about teens surviving in war zones. Her students connected with the materials and were interested in their studies. Inspired by the heroism of Meip Geis, the woman who sheltered the Frank family, they raised money for travel and asked her to come visit them. The students, inspired by literature and a teacher who was invested in their education, performed spectacularly well. All 150 students who participated in what became known as "The Freedom Writers Diary" graduated high school and went on to college.

Reviews / Awards:

Denver Post review

Author Info:
About Erin Gruwell

Potential Hotspots:

racial slurs, sexual content

Readalikes:

• Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
  
• Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen
  

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This book has been out for awhile, but it may well be new to teen readers. This will be a particularly relevant story for teens who feel disinfranchised by the school system, or, conversly, to anyone who has had one teacher that made them feel valued and special. This is a book for anyone who wants to believe a small group of people can work together to improve their lives, and the lives of others. Because the story is about teens taking charge of their futures, it will speak clearly to a teen audience.

Other:

Freedom Writers Foundation Website

Evaluation:

5 stars