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

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

Kin: The Good Neighbors by Holly Black

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

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

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

Ironside by Holly Black

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

Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks

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

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