Jenn Laredo's YA Materials Database

Twilight

2008-11-26T18:49:00.000-08:00

Hardwicke, C. (2008). Twilight. Summit Entertainment.

Classification: movie, fiction

Genre: fantasy

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

Subjects: family, fantasy, fiction, friends, identity, love story, scary, series, vampire

Viewer's Annotation: Bella Swan falls for Edward Cullen, a mysterious and possibly dangerous resident of her new home town.

Summary: Bella Swan moves to Forks to live with her dad, and give her mom a chance to bond with her new husband. When she starts school, she encounters the strangely beautiful and aloof Cullen family. Edward Cullen ends up as her lab partner in Biology and he seems oddly repulsed by her presence. At times he's kind to her and at other times he's harsh and distant. Other kids say the Cullens keep to themselves. Yet Bella can't help but seek Edward out. She uncovers the secret of his strange behavior. Far from finding him dangerous, Bella is only more attracted to Edward.

Reviews / Awards:

Entertainment Weekly Review

Author Info:
IMDB page

Potential Hotspots:

violence

Watchalikes:

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Thirteen

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
Any librarian who has tried to keep Stephenie Meyer's books on the shelves will know that this will be a must-have DVD. Though the film was not well received by critics, there were plenty of screaming fans in the theaters on opening night. The movie did so well in it's first weekend that Summit has already decided to start working on the movie version of New Moon.

Other:

Trailer:

Evaluation:

5 stars

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

2008-11-19T12:21:00.000-08:00

Rosoff, M. (2006). How I Live Now (p. 224). Wendy Lamb Books.

ISBN: 0553376055

Classification:book, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 11th-12th grade

Subjects:body image, coming of age, family, fiction, love story, war

Reader's Annotation: Daisy and her cousins are left alone as a war breaks out and brings danger to their peaceful English countryside.

Summary:
Fifteen year old Daisy leaves Manhattan to get away from her father and pregnant stepmother. She goes to the English countryside to live with her mother's sister and the cousins she's never met. In Manhattan, Daisy starved herself to annoy her parents and to feel in control. With her cousins, she feels part of a family in a way she's never experienced. She also falls in love with her cousin Edmund, and he falls in love with her. Then a war breaks out while Daisy's aunt is in Oslo on a peacekeeping mission. The children are left alone to fend for themselves, stuck between two armies and with limited resources. Things only really get bad when the family is separated, and Daisy must somehow manage to protect her young cousin Piper and get her back to the rest of their loved ones.

Reviews / Awards:

Observer Review
How I Live Now is a Printz Award Winner

Author Info:
Meg Rosoff's website

Potential Hotspots:

violence, war, young cousins in a romantic relationship, terrorism

Readalikes:

the dead and the gone by Susan Beth Pffefer
Madapple by Christina Meldrum

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
Some reviewers say this is a good book for readers 12 and up, others label it an "adult crossover." Daisy is at the young end of what older teens would like to see in their protagonists, at 15, but she's a mature 15 on page one of this story. The violence in this story is mainly kept at a distance, but there are a few shocking scenes, more appropriate for older teens. I also think the relationships Daisy has with most of the other characters would be best understood by older teen readers.

Other:

This book trailer, made by student filmmakers, won the 2006 Teen Book Video Award:

Evaluation:

5 stars

Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

2008-11-12T18:38:00.000-08:00

Murdock, C. (2007). Dairy Queen. (p. 288). Graphia.

ISBN: 0618863354

Classification:book, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

Subjects: coming of age, family, fiction, friends, identity, love story, school, series, sports

Reader's Annotation: Determined to be independent and not to follow the path everyone expects her to follow, fifteen year old D.J. Schwenk tries out for the high school football team -- and she makes it.

Summary: D.J. already had plenty going on in her life. Since her dad hurt his back and her mom took on the principleship at her school in addition to regular teaching duties, D.J. has been the only Schwenk available to run the family's dairy farm. She's not a complainer and no stranger to hard work, but she would like to something unexpected every once in awhile. A family friend, and the coach of the rival football team, offers to get D.J. some help on the farm, in the form of the quarterback from his team. In return, he wants D.J., who has played football with her older brothers for years, to train with Brian and give him pointers. After coaching the rival quarterback all summer, D.J. decides to do the most unexpected thing yet. She tries out for her own high school football team, and makes it.

Reviews / Awards:

Teenreads Review

Author Info:
Catherine Murdock's Website

Potential Hotspots:

none

Readalikes:

Deadline by Chris Crutcher
Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This book is a triumph for female athletes, which is something of a rarity in teen literature. Also, D.J. has a work ethic that won't quit, so it's a good choice for those readers who love to read, but feel like they never have time. D.J. is a young protagonist for some older teens, but she bears the weight of so many responsibilities, she feels older than she really is.

Other:

"The Off Season" is the sequel to this book, and it is equally riveting. Catherine Murdock is the sister of Elizabeth Gilbert (of Eat, Pray, Love fame).

Evaluation:

4.5 stars

The Book of Lists for Teens by Sandra and Harry Choron

2008-11-12T18:34:00.001-08:00

Choron, S., & Choron, H. (2002). The Book of Lists for Teens. (p. 336). Mariner Books.

ISBN: 0618179070

Classification: book, nonfiction

Genre: nonfiction

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

Subjects: current events, family, friends, movie, music, nonfiction, siblings

Reader's Annotation: This book has a list for any subject you can imagine.

Summary: More than 250 lists are arranged into six sections in this book: Me, Myself and I, The World Out There, Relationships, School, Entertainment, and Facts on File. Some lists are just for fun, like "What how you eat and Oreo says about you." Some lists are chock full of good information, like "40 Ways to Simplify Your Life" (#33 is "Get to know the librarian.") Some lists you hope you never have to use, like "7 Ways to Report a Hate Crime." Some lists you might use over and over, like "14 Tips for Public Speaking" or "100 Things to Try When You're Bored." This book has plenty of laughs, plenty of great ideas, and plenty of useful and useless information.

Reviews / Awards:

Reviews from Amazon

Author Info:
Sandra Choron's Houghton Mifflin Page

Potential Hotspots:

none

Readalikes:

The Teen Quiz Book by Annalee Levine
Life Lists for Teens by Pamela Espelande

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This is a compulsively easy book to read. It's the sort of thing you pick up thinking you'll read just a few pages, and when you next look up, hours have passed. The lists make this easy going, so it's a good fit for reluctant readers. Also, because of the incredibly wide range of topics covered, there's something in here for every reader to consider.

Other:

Evaluation:

4 stars

A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb

2008-11-12T18:20:00.000-08:00

Whitcomb, L. (2006). A Certain Slant of Light. (Unabridged, 7 discs). Listening Library.

ISBN: 030728610X

Classification: audio book, fiction

Genre: fantasy

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

Subjects: audiobook, death, family, fantasy, fiction, ghosts, identity, love story

Reader's Annotation: Helen has been a ghost for more than 150 years and though she worries about why she is barred from heaven, she is generally content . . . and then one day she realizes someone can see her.

Summary: Helen is a ghost, and has been for more than a century. Ghosts have to stay close to their human hosts. Helen's current host is a high school English teacher. She chose him because she loves to read and she loves to be in the classroom. Lately, though, her teacher has seemed less "hers" since he got married. One day, in the middle of class, she realizes that one of the students can see her. James is actually a ghost as well though he is inhabiting the body of a teen who is so depressed he spends most of his time in a drugged stupor. James wants Helen to find a human to inhabit and together they choose Jenny. Jenny's parents are overly strict and she is feeling hopeless and overwrought. The two hosts and the two ghosts ultimately end up helping each other and Helen begins to confront the memories of her death.

Reviews / Awards:

Teenreads Review

Author Info:
Laura Whitcomb's website

Potential Hotspots:

violence, sexual content

Readalikes:

The Host by Stephenie Meyer
The Blue Girl by Charles de Lint

Why it belongs in a YA collection: The hook to this book is the idea of a ghost haunting a high school. That's what will get teens to pick up this book. The kind and fragile nature of the ghosts in this story keep the story compelling, once the novelty of a "haunted" high school wears off. This book is rarely scary, but the ideas are intriguing. Also, with Stephenie Meyer's "The Host" being such a hit, this is a natural follow up.

Other:

Evaluation:

4.5 stars

Kin: The Good Neighbors by Holly Black

2008-11-11T17:36:00.000-08:00

Black, H. (2008). Kin: The Good Neighbors. (p. 144). Graphix.

ISBN: 0439855624

Classification: graphic novel, fiction

Genre: urban fantasy

Age Level: 10th-12th grade

Subjects: faerie, family, fantasy, urban fantasy, fiction, friends, graphic novel, identity, scary, series

Reader's Annotation: Rue uncovers the secret of her identity when her mother disappears and her father is accused of murder.

Summary: Rue Silver's mother has disappeared, and her father has been arrested, suspected of killing both Rue's mother and another college age girl. As Rue attempts to get to the bottom of these mysteries, she learns that her mother was a faerie. Rue is half-faerie. Her mother has disappeared because of a broken promise and if Rue has any hope of getting her back she'll have to go to the faerie world. She must face her own identity and her true family and deal with a fate darker than she expected.

Reviews / Awards:

Teenreads.com Review

Author Info:
Holly Black's website

Potential Hotspots:

violence, murder

Readalikes:

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
Teens who like Urban Fantasy will want to read Holly Black's latest work. Graphic novel fans will also be drawn to the fantastic artwork.

Other:

This is the first graphic novel in a projected trilogy, called "Kin." The second and third installments are due out in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

Evaluation:

4 stars

How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier

2008-11-11T17:19:00.000-08:00

Larbalestier, J. (2008). How to Ditch Your Fairy. (p. 320). Bloomsbury USA Children's Books.

ISBN: 1599903016

Classification:book, fiction

Genre: fantasy

Age Level: 9th-10th grade

Subjects: faerie, fantasy, fiction, friends, identity, love story, magic

Reader's Annotation: Charlie desperately wants to trade her parking spot fairy in for a fairy with a more useful talent.

Summary: In New Avalon, most people have invisible fairies that provide them with some handy talent or skill. There are loose change fairies, which help their people find loose change. Her friend has a shopping fairy that helps people find great outfits (that are always on sale!) Charlie hates her fairy. She has a parking fairy. She's 14, she can't drive, but people always want her to ride along, so they get good parking spots. She's trying to drive her fairy away by never riding in cars or buses. She hopes if she can get rid of the parking fairy she'll get a new, better fairy. Avoiding cars is causing her some trouble. She keeps getting demerits for being late. Then, her arch-nemesis Fiorenze, who has a fairy that makes every boy her age fall in love with her, decides to help Charlie ditch her fairy. Why would Fiorenze be an expert? Who could possibly want to rid themselves of such a perfect fairy?

Reviews / Awards:

Teen Ink Review

Author Info:
Justine Larbalestier's website

Potential Hotspots:

none

Readalikes:

Jinx by Meg Cabot
Uglies books by Scott Westerfeld

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
Who hasn't wanted a good-hair-fairy? Also of interest to teens will be the sports school Charlie attends, and the strict rules for everyone in New Avalon. It's interesting to wonder if these rules makes life better for residents or worse. This is mostly a light, fun, read that teens will choose to just relax.

Other:

Justine Larbalestier is Scott Westerfeld's wife....so it's interesting to compare and contrast their novels.

Evaluation:

3.5 stars

The New York Four by Brian Wood

2008-11-11T10:51:00.000-08:00

Wood, B. (2008). The New York Four. (p. 167). DC Comics.

ISBN: 9780060846190

Classification: graphic novel, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

Subjects: coming of age, family, fiction, friends, graphic novel, identity, love story, series, siblings

Reader's Annotation: Four friends each confront their own problems as they work through their first semester at NYU.

Summary: This story follows four friends as they struggle through their first semester at NYU. Riley Wilder is at the heart of the story, torn between her sister and her parents and more interested in people she knows only virtually than in people she knows in the real world. She does open up and begin to connect with Merissa, Ren and Lona, though she continues to have a relationship via text messages with a man she's never met. Each of the characters has their baggage, and each makes questionable choices. The book sets itself up for a sequel when Riley finally learns who her secret IM boyfriend is and what it will cost for them to be together in the real world.

Reviews / Awards:

Avid Book Reader Review

Author Info:
Brian Wood's website

Potential Hotspots:

drinking

Readalikes:

Burnout by Rebecca Donner
Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
Setting the story at a college campus and setting the drama of the story against the backdrop of the first semester make this story appealing for teens. Also, as all four of the main characters are wise and flawed in various ways, readers will be sure to find something familiar in them somewhere. Though the big dramatic ending was a bit predictable, the pathos of it is still appealing.

Other:

Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly have worked together on other graphic novels, such as Local.

Evaluation:

3 stars

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

2008-11-01T18:13:00.000-07:00

Ishiguro, K. (2005). Never Let Me Go. (Unabridged, 8 discs). Random House Audio.
ISBN: 0739317989

Classification: audio book, fiction

Genre: science fiction

Age Level: 11th-12th grade

Subjects: adult crossover, audiobook, cloning, coming of age, current events, death, distopia, fiction, friends, identity, love story, scifi

Reader's Annotation: Kathy H. is a Carer looking back over her life as a clone raised only to be an eventual organ donor.

Summary: Kathy H. is 31 years old and finishing up her allotted time as a Carer. Knowing that she will soon be called upon to donate organs she needs for survival, she is reviewing her life and her upbringing. As a child, she lived in an exclusive boarding school called Hailsham that was set aside for clones. She had a good education and made many friends. Her entire childhood and teen years, she was well looked after and cared for. She and her friends knew they were all different, and as they grew older they were given to understand what their role in this society was. Kathy and her friends don't question their fate, and Ishiguro's work causes us to question what sort of society could create these sorts of circumstances.

Reviews / Awards:

Slate Review by Margaret Atwood

Author Info:
Kazuo Ishiguro's biography on Contemporary Writers.

Potential Hotspots:

teen sex, cloning, oppression

Readalikes:

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
Uglies Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld

Why it belongs in a YA collection: This is a book for teens who like mysteries and for teens who like to wrestle with tough issues. Cloning and stem cells are hot topics in the news and teens can use this book to think about how science can both help and destroy a society.

Other:

I found this story to be very slow paced, which only increased the creepiness when I finally came to understand what was happening in the book. I'm a fast reader, so listening to this one as an audiobook made it even slower, and thus, even more creepy.

Evaluation:

4 stars

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

2008-10-31T14:58:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-31T14:42:00.000-07:00

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:

Evaluation:
3.5 stars

Planet Pregnancy by Linda Oatman High

2008-10-30T19:06:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-29T16:49:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-23T15:18:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-21T18:53:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-21T18:14:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-21T17:40:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-21T10:43:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-19T11:14:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-19T09:04:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-18T11:41:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-18T11:08:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-06T12:51:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-04T12:22:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-03T18:38:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-03T17:27:00.000-07:00

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

In the Land of Women

2008-09-29T18:14:00.000-07:00

In the Land of Women. (2007). DVD, Warner Home Video.
ASIN: B000VE4UHO

Classification: movie, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 11th-12th grade

Subjects: family, identity, love story, movie

Viewer's Annotation: Carter Webb goes to suburban Michigan to help his grandmother, to write his novel, and to recover from his breakup.

Summary: Carter Webb (played by Adam Brody of "The OC") gets dumped by his famous girlfriend whom he thought would be the love of his life. In an attempt to regroup, and to find a place to write the novel he's been putting off for a decade, he goes to suburban Michigan to care for his grandma who is sure she is dying. He befriends his grandmother's neighbors, Sarah (played by Meg Ryan) who has breast cancer, and her two daughters Lucy (played by Kristen Stewart, who will be Bella in the upcoming Twilight movie) and Paige. All three women have some level of crush on Carter and he certainly has tender feelings for both Sarah and Lucy. The movie is mostly about finding a livable definition of "love," both in the romantic and familial sense.

Reviews / Awards:

Common Sense Media Review

Author Info:
IMDB page

Potential Hotspots:

drinking, smoking, cancer, one fist fight, adultery

Watchalikes:

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
Juno

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
The stars in this movie will make it a draw to teens. Both Adam Brody from The OC and Kristen Stewart, from Twilight will be names that teens will recognize. Also, the tension between mother and daughter will be a familiar theme to YA readers and viewers.

Other:

Trailer:

Evaluation:

4 stars

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen

2008-09-29T17:26:00.000-07:00

Mortenson, G., & Relin, D. O. (2007). Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time. (p. 368). Penguin (Non-Classics).

ISBN: 0143038257

Classification: book, nonfiction

Genre: nonfiction

Age Level: 11th-12th grade

Subjects: adult crossover, current events, nonfiction, school, war

Reader's Annotation: Greg Mortensen raises money to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan in an effort to promote peace.

Summary: Greg Mortensen set out to climb K2 to honor the memory of his sister who had died of epilepsy. He didn't make the summit. He became ill and ended up spending seven weeks sick and dejected in a small Pakistani village. When he recovered, he vowed to return to Korphe and build them a school to show his gratitude for their kindness. After a great deal of struggle, Mortensen raised the money, bought supplies and managed (through several small miracles) to get to Korphe. The villagers were excited to see him, but said what they really needed, instead of a school, was a bridge. This is only the first in a series of cultural hurdles that Mortensen and his saviors in Korphe jumped over together. Mortensen and his foundation have since built dozens of schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, with a particular focus on schools for young girls. By helping develop education in the heart of Taliban territory, Mortensen is spreading a message of peace and goodwill in return for the care he received from the villagers of Korphe.

Reviews / Awards:

NPR review

Author Info:
Greg Mortensen's Webpage

Potential Hotspots:

war, bombings

Readalikes:

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
The Freedom Writer's Diary by Freedom Writers

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
While this is certainly a book most libraries will have in their adult collection, it is a great title for older teens. The story of one man working for change will likely ring true for teens who want to make a difference in the world. Most high school cirriculum will include discussion of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and this book talks about real people struggling to lead normal lives in the midst of the Taliban. The writing style is easy enough to follow, but it is really the passion for his work that Mortensen displays that will speak to teens, as much as it does to adults.

Other:

Three Cups of Tea Website

Evaluation:

5 stars

Deadline by Chris Crutcher

2008-09-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

Crutcher, C. (2007). Deadline. (p. 320). HarperTeen.

ISBN: 0060850892

Classification:book, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 10th-12th grade

Subjects: death, family, love story, prejudice, siblings, sports

Reader's Annotation: Ben finds out he has leukemia and about one year to live, so he decides to get a whole lifetime into that last year.

Summary: Ben is 18 when he finds out he has an agressive form of lukemia. As a legal adult he can keep his condition to himself and he insists his doctor keeps the secret as well. He's about to start his senior year of high school and he is determined to pack the year full of life experiences. He tries out for the football team with his brother. He asks Dallas Suzuki, the girl he's had a crush on for years, out on a date. He challenges his government teacher and starts a campaign to get a street in his Idaho town named after Malcom X. He meets a reclusive former minister and child molester who

helps Ben to see that keeping his disease to himself, even for the sake of leading a normal life as long as he can, ultimately is not the answer.

Reviews / Awards:

Teenreads Review

Author Info:
Chris Crutcher's Website

Potential Hotspots:

prejudice, abuse by parents, drinking, discussion molestation (not graphic)

Readalikes:

Before I Die by Jenny Downham
Side Effects by Amy Goldman Kloss

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
Crutcher always has a lot going on in books. Good family relationships, bad family relationships, true love, sports (always some sports) and teens making it through a tough situation by relying on themselves and someone they trust. There's a message in there somewhere that most any teen can connect with.

Other:
A trailer:

Evaluation:

4 stars

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

2008-09-22T11:33:00.000-07:00

Doctorow, C. (2008). Little Brother. (p. 384). Tor Teen.

ISBN : 0765319853

Classification: book, fiction

Genre: science fiction

Age Level: 1oth-12th grade

Subjects: current events, distopia, family, friends, love story, prejudice, scifi, war

Reader's Annotation: Marcus gets tangled up with the Department of Homeland Security when he is in the wrong place after a terrorist attack.

Summary: Marcus and his friends cut school to hunt for a clue in an online game on the same day terrorists blow up the Bay Bridge. They are picked up by Homeland Security, held for days, and questioned about their activities. While they are not terrorists they are all capable hackers. They are released but warned they will be watched. Scared and furious that his government would treat him this way, Marcus begins an underground resistance centered around an internet the government can't spy on.

Reviews / Awards:

New York Times Review

Author Info:
Cory Doctorow's Website

Potential Hotspots:

drinking, sex, civil disobedience

Readalikes:

Uglies Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld
Feed by MT Anderson
Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
One reviewer wrote "Too bad about that sex scene. This book should be taught in every Government and Civics class in every high school. The sex scene means teachers won't be able to use it." This is definitely a book that will get people talking, especially in today's PATRIOTAct culture. This is the kind of book libraries were created to carry -- the kind that makes some people nervous.

Other:

I'd guess this will be made into a movie before long.

Evaluation:

4.5 stars

Juno

2008-09-22T10:48:00.001-07:00

Reitman, J. (2008). Juno. DVD, 20th Century Fox.
ASIN: B000YABYLA

Classification: movie, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 11th-12th grade

Subjects: family, identity, love story, pregnancy, adoption

Viewer's Annotation: Juno is pregnant and decides to give her baby to a couple she picks out of the Pennysaver.

Summary: Juno gets pregnant after having sex with her best friend Paulie. At first she thinks she will get an abortion, but she can't bring herself to do it. So, with the help of a girlfriend, she finds a couple in the Pennysaver who are looking to adopt a baby. This is ultimately more a story about relationships than it is about teen pregnancy. Juno's relationship with her parents, with Paulie, with the couple who will adopt her baby all take on new shape as she goes through her pregnancy.

Reviews / Awards:

Common Sense Media Review

Author Info:
IMDB page

Potential Hotspots:

drinking, sex, teenage pregnancy

Watchalikes:

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
Waitress

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This film received a great deal of acclaim and teens will likely end up watching it, though they may or may not have been the original intended audience. While certainly the content might not be appropriate for some families, many will warm to Juno's style of decision making and her attitude about turning an unplanned pregnancy into a good thing for another family.

Other:

Plenty of well known actors in this movie will draw viewers in, not to mention a quirky soundtrack.

Evaluation:

5 stars

Geography of Girlhood by Kirsten Smith

2008-09-21T15:48:00.000-07:00

Smith, K. (2007). The Geography of Girlhood. (p. 192). Little, Brown Young Readers.
ISBN : 0316017353

Classification: book, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

Subjects: family, identity, love story, novel in verse, siblings

Reader's Annotation: Penny faces huge challenges in her freshman and sophomore years of high school.

Summary: This novel in verse follows Penny through her 9th and 10th grade years. Her mother has abandoned her, her best friend spirals into depression and must be institutionalized, her older sister is in and out of trouble, and her father remarries and brings home a wife and a stepson. Things are tough for Penny. She makes some good choices and she makes some bad choices, but ultimately survives her last year of middle school and first year of high school. This is an honest look at some of the hardest parts of growing up.

Reviews / Awards:

New York Times Review

Author Info:
Kirsten Smith's Website

Potential Hotspots:

drinking, sex, abandonment

Readalikes:

What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonia Sonnes
Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
Crams more teen angst and issues into 184 pages (especially when you consider they are poems, so per word is even higher) than any other book I can imagine reading. Great as an example of alternative story tell, fantastic for reluctant readers, I think many teen girls will feel like this novel is ripped from their own brains.

Other:

Really great cover art, and I found the poems to be really lovely.

Evaluation:

4 stars

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

2008-09-21T10:49:00.000-07:00

Green, J. (2006). An Abundance of Katherines. (p. 272). Puffin.

ISBN : 0142412023

Classification: book, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 10th-12th grade

Subjects: fiction, friends, identity, love story

Reader's Annotation: Child prodigy Colin attempts to write a mathematical formula to explain why he has been dumped by 13 girls named Katherine.

Summary: Always a prodigy, never a genius. This seems to be a problem for Colin Singleton, an anagram loving child prodigy who wants to leave a mark on the world to prove he's attained genius status. Aside from an ability to learn quickly, the most remarkable thing about Colin is that he's dated and been dumped by thirteen girls named Katherine. After his last breakup, his friend Hassan convinces him to take a roadtrip. They leave Chicago and end up in Gutshot, Tennessee, where they stop to visit the grave of the Archduke Ferdinand. Colin decides his work of genius will be a mathematical formula to predict the outcome of any romantic relationship, given specific information about the people involved.

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

Readalikes:

The Beautiful Miscellaneous by Dominic Smith
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This book is great for anyone who's ever felt like they were on the outside of things, and covers three characters who are all trying to figure out how to achieve to their full potential. Or even if they want to achieve to their full potential. It's funny and approachable, and readers should be warned not to be put off by the math.

Other:

Fans of John Green should also check out his "Brotherhood 2.0" website, a collaboration with his brother, Hank, and the Nerdfighters website.

Evaluation:

5 stars

Burnout by Rebecca Donner

2008-09-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

Donner, R. (2004). Burnout. (p. 148). Minx.

ISBN : 9781401215378

Classification: graphic novel, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 10th-12th grade

Subjects: environment, family, friends, graphic novel, identity, love story

Reader's Annotation: Danni is confused about right and wrong when her new boyfriend commits acts of ecoterrorism.

Summary: Danni and her mother have been drifting from place to place ever since her father left when she was a baby. They end up in a remote logging town on the north Pacific coast, where they move in with Danni's mother's boyfriend and his son. Her mother's boyfriend is often drunk and managing a failing business, but his son Haskell is a mystery. Danni follows Haskell as he sneaks out of the house one night, and discovers he is sabotaging local logging activities. At first Danni is swept up in the adventure of saving the trees and she is quite taken with Haskell. As the story progresses, however, she sees that Haskell's methods are often dangerous and could have a cost in human lives or livelihoods.

Reviews / Awards:

Kirkus Review (as quoted on author's website)

Author Info:
Rebecca Donner's Website

Potential Hotspots:

family violence, ecoterrorism

Readalikes:

Water Baby by Ross Campbell
The Wild Trees by Richard Preston

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This story ends on a sad, up in the air note, with no real resolution for the characters. While this isn't a "happy" ending, I think it is an honest sort of ending, demonstrating that lots of situations in life don't come with clear black and white answers.

Other:

I enjoyed the art in this story a lot. I had originally hoped to read and review this for my tween database, but decided the content was more appropriate for older teens.

Evaluation:

4 stars

Green Angel by Alice Hoffman

2008-09-15T13:07:00.000-07:00

Hoffman, A. (2004). Green Angel. (p. 128). Scholastic Paperbacks.

ISBN : 0439443857

Classification: book, fiction

Genre: fantasy

Age Level: 7th-12th grade

Subjects: fiction, family, siblings, war

Reader's Annotation: Green is the only member of her family to survive an attack on their city and she must learn to live on her own.

Summary: Green is the only member of her family to survive an attack on the nearby city. Alone, without her parents or her sister, she exists in the house they shared. She ignores her garden, wears leather and combat boots, and gives herself tattoos of ravens, bats, and thorny vines. She calls herself "Ash." Slowly, and with the help of a dog, a hawk, some sparrows, an elderly neighbor and a mute boy, Green grows out of her grief and back into herself.

Reviews / Awards:

Bookpage Review

Author Info:
Alice Hoffman's website

Potential Hotspots:

war, death

Readalikes:

Deerskin by Robin McKinley
Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This short, beautifully written novel has almost a fairy tale feel to it, but tackles the issues of loss and grief. I think this novel will strike the imagination of older teens, and appeal to any who feel they are alone in the world.

Other:

One of my favorite reads for this class so far. Such a lovely book, with such a redemptive message.

Evaluation:

5 stars

Ironside by Holly Black

2008-09-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

Black, H. (2008). Ironside: A Modern Faery's Tale. (p. 336). Simon Pulse.

ISBN : 0689868219

Classification: book, fiction

Genre: urban fantasy

Age Level: 10th-12th grade

Subjects: fiction, urban fantasy, faery, love story, series

Reader's Annotation: Kaye is tricked into asking Roiben to assign her a quest to prove her love and now she must complete the task before he is allowed to speak to her again.

Summary: In this follow up to "Tithe" and "Valiant," the pixie Kaye continues to have trouble balancing her life between the human world and the world of the faerie. As the story opens, her boyfriend Roiben is about to be crowned king of the Unseelie Court. Kaye is goaded into making a "declaration," or stating her desire to be Roiben's consort. According to the law of the fey, he must first assign her a quest, and she may not see or speak to him until she completes it. Roiben, who would prefer she stay safely away from the Unseelie court, challenges her to find a faerie capable of lying, a seemingly impossible task. Roiben is crowned, but that is only the start of his troubles. Silarial, the queen of the Seelie court, wants the Unseelie throne as well and threatens war. Kaye is determined to help Roiben, even though it seems he wants nothing to do with her. She and Corny, and Luis from "Valiant," set out to free Corny from a curse, protect Luis' brother from the faerie, prevent a war, and find the answer to Roiben's quest.

Reviews / Awards:

Teenreads.com review

Author Info:
Holly Black's Website

Potential Hotspots:

fighting, violence, death, gay relationship, faeries

Readalikes:

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
The Blue Girl by Charles de Lint

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
Holly Black is an author teens will recognize from the children's room. Readers who enjoyed the Spiderwick Chronicles may be ready for something darker and scarier (and more violent.) Ironside is the final book of the collection, so libraries that have Tithe and Valiant would be remiss if lacking this third book. As vampires and werewolf stories become increasingly mainstream, urban fantasy and dark faerie tales seem to be increasing in their appeal as well.

Other:

All three of these books were extremely creative, and a bit disturbing at times. I would suggest them for any reader interested in dark, dark faerie stories.

Evaluation:

3.5 stars

Does my Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah

2008-09-12T12:10:00.000-07:00

Abdel-Fattah, R. (2008). Does My Head Look Big In This? (p. 368). Scholastic Paperbacks.

ISBN: 043992233X

Classification: book, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 8th-12th grade

Subjects: fiction, prejudice, identity, friends

Reader's Annotation: Amal decided to wear her hijab whenever she is in public as a demonstration of her faith, but her school friends don't exactly know how to react to her choice.

Summary: While working out on her treadmill and watching a rerun of "Friends," sixteen year old Amal decides she is ready to be a "full-timer," to wear her hijab whenever she's in public or with people outside her family. She makes a list of people she thinks will be fine with the idea and another list of people she suspects will be either uncomfortable or downright hostile about her decision. She sticks with it, though, finding inspiration and understanding in some surprising places. She also begins to understand that faith, identity and prejudice all take many different forms, and that she, too, could stand to learn a few lessons about tolerance.

Reviews / Awards:

Starred review in Booklist

Amazon Reviews

Author Info:
Author Information on Scholastic.com

Potential Hotspots:

family conflict, prejudice

Readalikes:

An Abundance of Katharines by John Green

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This book covers a huge range of teen identity and self-esteem issues, beyond Amal's decision to wear the hijab, and I imagine almost every reader would find a character in this story that is familiar. This book does an excellent job of explaining why some women wear the hijab.

Other:

Funny, insightful, this book does a great job of explaining the signficance of the hijab, and making it just one of the many issues teenagers deal with before heading out the door to school in the morning.

Evaluation:

4 stars

Jinx by Meg Cabot

2008-09-12T12:06:00.000-07:00

Cabot, M. (2007). Jinx. (p. 262). HarperTeen.

ISBN: 0060837640

Classification: book, fiction

Genre: fantasy

Age Level: 8th-11th grade

Subjects: fiction, magic, love story, family

Reader's Annotation: Jinx moves to New York in an attempt to outrun her notorious bad luck, but instead she finds a cousin determined to force her to use her magic powers for evil purposes.

Summary: Bad luck always seems to follow Jean Honeychurch, so much so that her family and friends call her "Jinx" instead of Jean. She hopes that when she moves from Iowa to New York to live with her aunt's family that she'll get a fresh start. Sadly, the bad luck follows her. Her ultra-hip cousin Tory pegs Jinx as a witch and invites her to join her coven. Jinx knows the story of her great-great-grandmother who supposedly passed supernatural powers to one of her offspring. She'd rather have nothing at all to do with witchcraft as her one previous attempts went disastrously wrong. When Jinx begins to understand how Tory would use magic powers, though, she has no choice but to get involved.

Reviews / Awards:

Common Sense Media Review

Author Info:
Meg Cabot's Website

Potential Hotspots:

witchcraft, attempted suicide, attempted bloodletting, drugs and alcohol

Readalikes:

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
Meg Cabot is a YA staple, and this fun story, if not overly thought provoking, does ultimately convey a message to be true to your own talents and abilities.

Other:

A painless read that I would recommend to someone looking for a fun book.

Evaluation:

3 stars

Beastly by Alex Flinn

2008-09-09T16:26:00.000-07:00

Flinn, A. (2007). Beastly. (p. 304). HarperTeen.

ISBN:0060874171

Classification:book, fiction

Genre: fantasy

Age Level: 9th-10th grade

Subjects: fantasy, friends, identity, love story, magic, prejudice

Reader's Annotation: Kyle is cursed by a witch and transformed from a gorgeous high schooler to a hideous beast until he can win true love in his beastly form.

Summary: The Beast starts the story as the gorgeous, has-it-all, neglected Kyle Kingsly. He's mean to the wrong girl though. He's rude to a witch, who turns him into a beast. His father won't see him and sets him up with a kind housekeeper and a blind tutor in a house he's not allowed to leave. He ensnares one of his former classmates, and tries to win her love to break the curse.

Reviews / Awards:

YA, YA, YA's Review

Author Info:
Alex Flinn's Website

Potential Hotspots:

teens treating each other badly, unkind parenting

Readalikes:

Beauty by Robin McKinley
Wicked by Gregory Maguire

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This modern fairy tale retelling will be familiar in the general plot, which makes it a good choice for reluctant readers. The desire to see the transformation of the overly gorgeous Kyle will also keep teens turning the pages. Mostly though, the humor and romance of the tale will be the selling point for this book.

Other: Alex Flinn is also the author of "Breathing Underwater" an ALA notable book.

Evaluation:

3.5 stars

Secret Life of Bees

2008-09-02T10:49:00.000-07:00

Kidd, S. M. (2001). The Secret Life of Bees. (Unabridged, 8 discs) HighBridge.

ISBN: 1565115392

Classification: audio book, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 11th-12th grade

Subjects: adult crossover, audiobook, coming of age, family, fiction, friends, identity, movie, prejudice

Reader's Annotation: Fourteen year old Lily Owens sets off on a search for information about her mother following the only clues she has to her past.

Summary: Lily Owens isn't sure exactly how her mother died, but she is fairly sure that she killed her. She remembers an argument and a gun going off, but the details are hazy. She was young when it happened. At 14 years old, she's more intrigued about the picture of the Black Madonna with the words "Tiburon, South Carolina" than ever. When her friend Rosaleen gets attacked after registering to vote, Lily decides they should head to Tiburon. The picture leads them to Black Madonna Honey in Tiburon, the home of May, June, and August Boatwright. The Boatwright sisters offer to take Lily and Rosaleen in, but it is the summer of 1964, so there is bound to be trouble for Lily, who is white, while living in a house with four black women.

Reviews / Awards:

Allreaders.com Review

Author Info:
Sue Monk Kidd's Website

Potential Hotspots:

violence, parental violence, racial tensions

Readalikes:

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Mistik Lake by Martha Brooks

Why it belongs in a YA collection: This book has recently been made into a film with several actors teens may know well, such as Dakota Fanning and Jennifer Hudson. After seeing the film they may want to check out the book. Additionally, as the book is set in the 60's, it may be relevant to their studies.

Other:

The audiobook version of this story was quite enjoyable.

Evaluation:

4 stars

Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers

2008-09-01T12:22:00.000-07:00

Myers, W. D. (2008). Sunrise Over Fallujah. (p. 304). Scholastic Press.

ISBN: 0439916240

Classification: book, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 10th-12th grade

Subjects: fiction, war, current events

Reader's Annotation: Robin Perry is serving in Iraq with a Civilian Affairs unit and he learns about the harsh realities of a war that most people thought should have already ended.

Summary: Robin Perry, who becomes known as "Birdy," disobeys his father's wishes and leaves Harlem for the war in Iraq rather than heading to college. The story follows Birdy and the rest of his Civilian Affairs unit through the first half of 2003, when many thought the war would be over quickly. As part of the Civilian Affairs, or CA, Birdy and his unit are supposed to be making connections with the Iraqi people, offering protection and first aid, seeking intelligence, and generally putting a friendly face on the American presence in Iraq. As the story progresses, the unit is involved in more and more combat, and it is increasingly difficult to tell friend from foe, or to imagine a speedy end to the conflict. Birdy writes home to his parents, and to "Uncle Richie," who is the main character in Meyer's award winning novel about Vietnam, "Fallen Angels."

Reviews / Awards:

School Library Journal Review

Author Info:
Walter Dean Myers Website

Potential Hotspots:

fighting, violence, death, attempted rape

Readalikes:

Tamar by Mal Peet
Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
Catch 22 by Joseph Heller

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This book is a great way to attempt to understand the war in Iraq. The wide cast of characters presents an array of viewpoints about the situation and will help teens envision the many shades of grey involved in the war.

Other:

A challenging book to read at times, but completely worthwhile. I feel I understand the war better than I used to.

Evaluation:

4 stars

Friday Night Lights

2008-08-31T19:10:00.000-07:00

Pate, J., Berg, P., & Piznarski, M. (2005). Friday Night Lights. DVD, Universal Studios.

ISBN: 1417011416

Classification: movie, nonfiction

Genre: nonfiction

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

Subjects: fiction, friends, movie, poverty, prejudice, sports

Viewer's Annotation:

Friday Night Lights documents the incredible 1988 football season for the Permian Panthers from Odessa, Texas.

Summary: This movie is based on the book Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, a Dream by H.G. Bissinger. The book and movie both chronicle the 1988 football team of Permian High, in Odessa, Texas. Odessa is a town that revolves around high school football and the boys on the team carried the hopes and expectations of the whole town. The 1988 Permian Panthers made it all the way to the state finals where they narrowly lost to a rival team. Though the movie and the book center around the football team, the issues of racism and poverty are prevalent. The movie also forces one to ask what happens to a town that takes their football too seriously.

Reviews / Awards:

Movies for Guys Review

Author Info:
IMDB page

Potential Hotspots:

drinking, implied sex, family violence, swearing

Watchalikes:

Dead Poets Society
Hooisers

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This is a great sports action movie with a book and TV series tie in. Viewers who pick it up for the sports will also be treated to a solid message about hard work and what it really means to be a winner.

Other:

This would be a great candidate for a book-movie club.

Trailer:

Evaluation:

4.5 stars

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

2008-08-31T15:22:00.000-07:00

Tan, S. (2007). The Arrival. (p. 128). Arthur A. Levine Books.

ISBN: 1590785002

Classification: graphic novel, fiction

Genre: urban fantasy

Age Level: 9th -12th grade

Subjects: graphic novel, family, fantasy, immigration, magic

Reader's Annotation: A father leaves his family for a foreign land in hopes of creating a better life.

Summary: The Arrival is an immigration story. The protagonist leaves his family behind to forge a better life for them in a strange, downright fantastical, new land. There are no words in this story, only a foreign alphabet, which gives the reader an idea of what it would be like to struggle in a place where you didn't speak the language. The protagonist finds a job in a massive factory and begins to make new friends though he obviously misses his family very much. Through the sepia toned pictures that seem to come from an old family album, the reader understands how much struggling goes into setting up a life in a new place.

Reviews / Awards:

New York Times Review

2007 The Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards: Picture Book of the Year
2007 New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards, Community Relations Commission Award
2008 Hugo Award Nominated for Best Related Book

Author Info:

Shaun Tan's Webpage

Potential Hotspots:

Readalikes:

Woolvs in the Sitee by Margaret Wild
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This immigration story is one that will be familiar to most readers but it is told in a way that is unlike any other book. Tan's graphic novel is a stunning example of visual storytelling, and thus a fantastic choice for reluctant readers. There is nothing "easy" about this rich and complex story, but the lack of words makes it perfect for those who struggle with reading.

Other:

The illustrations in this graphic novel are incredible. They are rich with detail and frequently appear more like photographs than like drawings. Readers will be able to enjoy them again and again.

Evaluation:

5 stars

Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks

2008-08-31T15:04:00.000-07:00

Jinks, C. (2007). Evil Genius. (Unabridged, 13 discs). Listening Library.

ISBN: 9780739350829

Classification: audio book, fiction

Genre: fantasy

Age Level: 10th-12th grade

Subjects: audiobook, fantasy, fiction, friends, crime, computers

Reader's Annotation: Cadel Piggot is a child genius who attends a special school designed to create criminals.

Summary: Cadel Piggot has always been fascinated by computers. He can get past alarm systems, hack into bank computers, and get his entire eighth grade class flunked. He's a child prodigy. He comes under the tutelage of Thaddeus Roth, who eventually tells Cadel his real father is criminal mastermind Dr. Darkkon. Moreover, Dr. Darkkon has funded (from prison) a school called The Axis Institute and Thaddeus gets Cadel enrolled. The Axis Institute is a school for future criminals, with classes such as Forgery, Infiltration, and Disguise. Cadel is an able student, but he begins to realize that all is not as it seems at the Axis Institute. It's possible that everything he believed about Thaddeus and Dr. Darkkon has been a lie. Can he escape to live his own life?

Reviews / Awards:

School Library Journal Review

Author Info:
Catherine Jinks' website

Potential Hotspots:

violence, advocacy of criminal actions

Readalikes:

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
H.I.V.E.: Higher Institute of Villainous Education by Mark Walden

Why it belongs in a YA collection: The idea of a school for genius criminals will be appealing to teen readers, for the vicarioius thrill. The action that develops as Cadel tries to escape the Axis Institute will keep readers turning pages until the very end. The book takes awhile to unfold, so it is not for the reluctant reader.

Other:

This entire story is set in Sydney, and the audiobook was a nice way to enjoy the Australian accents.

Evaluation:

3.5 stars

Extras by Scott Westerfeld

2008-08-31T14:47:00.000-07:00

Westerfeld, S. (2007). Extras. (p. 432). Simon Pulse.

ISBN: 1416951172

Classification: book, fiction

Genre: science fiction

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

Subjects:distopia, love story, scifi, series, siblings

Reader's Annotation: Aya Fuse posts a huge story to boost her popularity and gets more than she bargains for.

Summary: This fourth book in the Uglies series takes place a few years after Tally Youngblood's mindrain saved the world from pretty stupidity. Now, much of world is run on an economy based on fame. Most everyone strives to increase their popularity, measured by a "face-rank." Aya Fuse is fifteen, and a kicker, someone who publishes stories to the feed in hopes of increasing her face rank. She follows the Sly Girls, a group interested in daredevil stunts and staying out of the public eye. They stumble upon the biggest story since the fall of the mindrain. But the story is so big, Aya will need the help of the most famous person of all, Tally Youngblood, to keep her out of trouble.

Reviews / Awards:

Uglies, the first book of the series was chosen by YALSA as a "Best Book for Young Adults" in 2006
New York Times Review

Author Info:
Scott Westerfeld's Website

Potential Hotspots:

distopia, some fighting (no one is killed)

Readalikes:

Feed by M.T. Anderson
Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This recreational read is part of the Uglies series, and will be much requested by readers if it is not part of a collection.

Other:

I liked this book more than I thought I would, as the fourth book in a planned trilogy, I thought it might be a bit superfluous. My favorite character was Moggle the hovercam.

Evaluation:

3.5 stars

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway

2008-08-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

Benway, R. (2008). Audrey, Wait! (p. 320). Razorbill.

ISBN: 159514191X

Classification:book, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 10th-12th grade

Subjects:family, friends, identity, love story, music, prejudice

Reader's Annotation: Audrey becomes inadvertently famous when her exboyfriend writes a smash hit song about their breakup.

Summary:
Audrey breaks up with her boyfriend Evan who happens to be the lead singer for a band that's really not going anywhere. Evan writes a song about their breakup, "Audrey, Wait!," that becomes a smash hit. Pretty soon, paparazzi are following Audrey everywhere and her reputation is, well, shall we say, tarnished? She's just trying to get past Evan, hang out at concerts with her friends, and perhaps spend some time with her shy, rule obsessed coworker at the Scooper Dooper. Things get out of hand.

Reviews / Awards:

CosmoGirl Review

Author Info:
Robin Benway's blog

Potential Hotspots:

sex, drinking, smoking pot

Readalikes:

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Amazing Grace by Megan Shully

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This is a light-hearted read that would be a great choice for teens summer reading. While most teens will realize the plot is far fetched, it's still a pleasant voyeuristic tale. Personally, I now never go to the local Coldstone Creamery without thinking of Audrey.

Other:

Official Audrey, Wait! Website

Evaluation:

4 stars

Slam! by Nick Hornby

2008-08-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

Hornby, N. (2007). Slam. (Unabridged., 8 dics). Penguin Audio.

ISBN: 0143142836

Classification: audio book, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 10th-12th grade

Subjects: audiobook, coming of age, family, fiction, love story, pregnancy

Reader's Annotation: Sam's life is pretty straight-forward, with school and skating, his mom and his friends...until his girlfriend gets a positive result on a pregnancy test.

Summary: Sam is a skater, a skate boarder, not an ice skater. He's got his life pretty well organized. He's going to finish high school, then go to University to study graphic design. When he needs advice he turns to a poster Tony Hawk, which replies in excerpts from his biography which Sam has read repeatedly. Then Sam's girlfriend gets pregnant. Sam is going to be a teen father. That's the one thing his mother didn't want for him, given that she had Sam at a very young age. Sam and his girlfriend negotiate the rocky waters of teen parenthood with a little help from a Tony Hawk poster and occasional time traveling visions Sam has when he's sleeping.

Reviews / Awards:

New York Times Review

Author Info:
Nick Hornby's website

Potential Hotspots:

teen sex, pregnancy, swearing

Readalikes:

First Part Last by Angela Johnson
Hanging on to Max by Margaret Bechard

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
Nick Hornby is a well known adult author, yet Sam is such an authentic teen, YA readers will not question Hornby's ability to write for teens. Though this is something of a cautionary tale, teens will not feel bogged down by the message. Sam has a supportive family and friends, and so does Alicia, his girlfriend. The story focuses more on the choices the characters make than on the "don't get pregnant!!" message.

Other:

Because Hornby and all the characters in this story are British, I particularly enjoyed listening to it as an audiobook.

Evaluation:

4.5 stars

The Braid by Helen Frost

2008-08-27T18:08:00.000-07:00

Frost, H. (2006). The Braid. (p. 92). Frances Foster Books.

ISBN: 0374309620

Classification: book, fiction

Genre: historical fiction

Age Level: 9th -12th grade

Subjects: celtic, historical fiction, immigration, love story, novel in verse, siblings

Reader's Annotation: Two sisters are separated by the Atlantic Ocean when some of the family immigrates to from Scotland to Canada.

Summary: A family is separated as some immigrate from Scotland to Cape Breton and some remain behind. Sarah, the eldest child, decides to stay with her Grandmother in their homeland. She falls in love with Murdo, but they are also separated. Jeannie, her mother, and the baby of the family survive the sea voyage and must create a new life in a strange land. Jeannie tries her best to follow the example Sarah has always set for her. Their stories are told through alternating verses, interspersed with what the author describes as "praise verses." The words themselves fit together in a braid, or a knot, modeled after Celtic knot patterns.

Reviews / Awards:

Starred review in both School Library Journal and Booklist.

Reviews from Amazon

Author Info:
Helen Frost's Website

Potential Hotspots:

starvation, teenage pregnancy

Readalikes:

Hush: An Irish Princess' Tale by Donna Jo Napoli
Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
The unique structure of this novel in verse combined with the historical information make this a great book to offer to teens who might need convincing they'd enjoy verse or historical fiction.

Other:

The amazing structure of this novel wasn't clear to me until I read the author's note at the end. It's truly a puzzle made out of words, mindboggling, when I considered it in retrospect.

Evaluation:

5 stars

Woolvs in the Sittee by Margaret Wild and Anne Spudvilas

2008-08-27T13:10:00.000-07:00

Wild, M., & Spudvilas, A. (2007). Woolvs in the Sitee. (p. 40). Boyds Mills Press - Front Street imprint.

ISBN: 1590785002

Classification: graphic novel, fiction

Genre: urban fantasy

Age Level: 9th -12th grade

Subjects: distopia, scary, urban fantasy

Reader's Annotation: A boy is living alone in a basement, afraid to go outside where the woolvs rule the sitee.

Summary: This is the story of a boy living, seemingly, in a post-apocalyptic world. We don't know much about him, except that his family is gone and he lives in the basement of his building, all alone except for the neighbor upstairs, Missus Radinski. Things may have been bad for quite awhile, as the narrator spells entirely phonetically, as though he's never been to school. He is terrified of the "woolvs," though as the reader, we're never given to know what the "woolvs" are. This is a short, haunting story, with beautifully dark illustrations, that leave the reader to interpret what happens to the characters after the book closes.

Reviews / Awards:

2007 Shortlisted for CBC Book of the Year - Picture Book
2007 Shortlisted for ABPA Book Design Awards - Picture Book
2006 Winner of the Aurealis Award - Children's Book

Author Info:

Potential Hotspots:

implied violence

Readalikes:

The Arrival by Shaun Tan
The Wall by Peter Sis

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This graphic novel is a great example of a story that leaves a lot of decisions in the hands of the reader. It would also be a good demonstration of a character's voice, as the narrator has a distinct way of conveying his message.

Other:

Really amazing illustrations. This reminds me of the first time I read the short story "The Lady or the Tiger" and felt completely cheated by the story, because there was no definite ending. This would be a great example of a book that leaves the reader to draw their own conclusions.

Evaluation:

4.5 stars

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

2008-08-24T16:34:00.000-07:00

Marr, M. (2008). Wicked Lovely. (p. 352). HarperTeen.

ISBN: 9780061214660

Classification: book, fiction

Age Level: 9th -12th grade

Genre: urban fantasy

Subjects: faerie, fantasy, fiction, love story, urban fantasy

Reader's Annotation: Though she has spent her whole life avoiding their notice, Aislinn has somehow caught the attention of the faerie folk and now her life is no longer her own.

Summary: Aislinn can see faeries but has spent her whole life pretending they are invisible. Her grandmother, who can also see them, taught her that the only way to avoid the capricious nature of the faeries is to never, never draw their attention. This works well until faeries, from the royal court no less, start following Aislinn. She has been chosen by the Summer King. From that instant, she is no longer entirely mortal. She can become one of the immortal Summer Girls, free and easy. Alternately, she may choose to take the test ordained by the Summer King and Winter Queen. If she passes, she becomes the immortal Summer Queen and saves both faerie and human-kind from destruction. If she fails, she will be trapped helping the Summer King until he can find the next potential Queen. The only thing that's not an option is remaining human, with her Grams and her best friend turned maybe-boyfriend . . . unless she can outsmart the faerie folk.

Reviews:

from publisher's website

Author Info:

Melissa Marr's website

Melissa Marr's blog

Potential Hotspots:

implied sex, some violence, mention of drinking and drugs

Readalikes:

Tithe, Valiant, and Ironside, by Holly Black
The Blue Girl by Charles de Lint
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Why it belongs in a YA collection:

This is a great recreational read for patrons who have finished with Twilight or Libba Bray's book and need something new to read.

Other:

I enjoyed this book! It would work especially well for anyone already familiar with the idea of faeries and their dark sides.

Evaluation:

3.5 stars