Twilight

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

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

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

A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb

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

How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier

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

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

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

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

Classification: movie, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 11th-12th grade

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

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

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

Reviews / Awards:

New York Times Review

Author Info:
IMDB page

Potential Hotspots:

drinking, sex

Watchalikes:

• Juno
  
• Charlie Bartlett
  

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

Other:

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

Evaluation:

5 stars

Your Own Sylvia by Stephanie Hemphill

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

Classification: book, nonfiction

Genre: biography

Age Level : 9th-12th grade

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

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

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

Reviews / Awards:

Common Sense Media Review

This was a Printz Honor book in 2007

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

Readalikes :

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

Other Useful Info:

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

Evaluation:
3.5 stars

Mistik Lake by Martha Brooks

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

ISBN: 0374349851

Classification:book, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

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

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

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

Reviews / Awards:

Canadian Review of Material's Review

Author Info:
Author info from the Manitoba Author Index Website

Potential Hotspots:

homosexuality, teen drinking, parental infedelity

Readalikes:

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

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

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

Evaluation:

4 stars

Regifters by Mike Carey

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

ISBN : 140120371X

Classification: graphic novel, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level : 9th-10th grade

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

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

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

Reviews / Awards:

Comics Worth Reading Review

Author Info:
Mike Carey's Website

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

Readalikes :

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

Other Useful Info:

• Minx Comics
  

Evaluation:
4.5 stars

Paper Towns by John Green

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

ISBN: 1599902036

Classification: book, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 10th-12th grade

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

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

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

Reviews / Awards:

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

Author Info:
John Green's website

Potential Hotspots:

drinking, sex, vandalism, breaking and entering

Readalikes:

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

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

Other:

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

Evaluation:

5 stars

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

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

ISBN: 0763619582

Classification: book, fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

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

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

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

Reviews / Awards:

allreaders.com Review

Author Info:
Carolyn Mackler's website

Potential Hotspots:

kissing, fondling, masturbating, rape

Readalikes:

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

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

Other:

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

Evaluation:

4 stars

Miki Falls by Mark Crilley

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

ISBN: 9780060846190

Classification: graphic novel, fiction

Genre: fantasy

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

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

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

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

Reviews / Awards:

Read About Comics Review

Author Info:
Mark Crilley's website

Potential Hotspots:

some fighting, magic

Readalikes:

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

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

Other:

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

Evaluation:

4 stars

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyers

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

ISBN: 0739367676

Classification: audio book, fiction

Genre: fantasy

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

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

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

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

Reviews / Awards:

Entertainment Weekly Review

Author Info:
Stephenie Meyer's website

Potential Hotspots:

sex, violent birth scene

Readalikes:

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

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

Other:

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

Evaluation:

5 stars

Sovay by Celia Rees

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

ISBN: 1599902036

Classification: book, fiction

Genre: historical fiction

Age Level: 9th-12th grade

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

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

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

Reviews / Awards:

teenreads.com Review

Author Info:
Celia Rees' website

Potential Hotspots:

killing, war, young boys as sex workers

Readalikes:

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

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

Other:

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

Evaluation:

2.5 stars

In the Land of Women

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

Deadline by Chris Crutcher

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

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

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