Review #10

Citation: Anderson, Laurie Halse; Speak, Farrar Straus Giroux: United States 1999

Genre:Printz Honor Book. Coming of age, Edgy/Realistic

Annotation:Raw and overflowing with emotion. "Speak" the truth and it will set you free.

Justification for nomination:Melinda Sordino is a freshman at Merryweather high school. It is not a good year. Her transition from middle school to high school is muddied by an event that causes Melinda to become the class outcast.

Melinda called the cops during an end of summer party where a lot of her classmates got in trouble for underage drinking. No one knows why Melinda dialed 911 and no one seems to care. What they don't know is that Melinda was raped by a popular Senior named Andy who she refers to as "it". Her friends hate her, her enemies hate her, even people she doesn't know hate her. Her parents don't even seem to notice anything about her. Melinda has nobody to talk to or notice that her life is starting to spiral out of control. She bites her lip until it bleeds, forgets to wash, gains weight, skips class and over time stops speaking.

The only "friend" Melinda has is a new student, Heather who uses Melinda as a stepping stone to bigger and better things. As soon as Heather is able to get into the clique she is angling for she ditches Melinda without looking back. The only place Melinda finds some comfort is the art room. Her art teacher Mr Freeman doesn't know what has happened, but over time senses that something is not right. While working on her art project over the year, Melinda begins to find her voice again and regain some of her confidence due in part to two people. One of her old friends from the past is in her art class and they begin to reconnect and her outspoken lab partner David. When her ex best friend starts to date Andy, Melinda has to get involved. She speaks out and finally is heard. Andy tries to attack Melinda again but this time she stands up for herself and everybody finds out the truth of what happened. Melinda goes from being an outcast to somewhat of a hero.

This book is a multilayer of many themes such as: friendship, identity, sexuality, family and adolescent cruelty. It will resonate with both male and females in its many different issues that it touches on.

Extra credit #2

Citation:Yang, Gene Luen, American Born Chinese First Second: New York 2006

Genre: Graphic Novel; Multicultural;


Annotation: Funny and pleasing to the eye. This beautifully drawn graphic novel will give the reader three separate stories that all twist together in the end making a great read.





Justification for nomination: The book begins with three separate tales that merge into one by the story's end. The first story is about the monkey king who is born from stone and tries to become what he isn't.

The second story is about Jin Wang who is the son of Chinese immigrants and moves from Chinatown in San Fransisco to a suburban school comprised of all Caucasian children. He is discriminated against and is unable to fit in. He has no friends until Wei-Chen Sun arrives. His family has come from Taiwan and Jin Wang does not want to be friends with him, but eventually they become best friends. Wei-Chen Sun does not try to be someone he isn't but Jin Wang continues to try to make himself into someone else.

The third story is about an American teen named Danny. Danny's Chinese cousin visits every year and causes alot of trouble for Danny. Chin-Kee is portrayed as the ultimate Chinese stereotype in every bad way.

The final chapter is a culmination of what it really means to be an American born Chinese. This lighthearted graphic novel would be great for any teen who has been embarrassed or had a hard time fitting in due to certain aspects of themselves. This is a good book about being comfortable in your own skin.

Extra credit #1

Citation: Brashare, Ann The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Dell Laural-Leaf: New York 2001

Genre:Coming of Age, Romance

Annotation:What does an ordinary pair of jeans, four friends, a summer vacation have in common? A light hearted magical adventure that will keep your nose in the book to the very end.

Justification for nomination:This book follows the adventures of four high school friends Lena, Tibby, Bridget and Carmen. They are very different, but as close as sisters. The summer before they start their junior year they are all going to be apart for the first time. Carmen finds a pair of jeans in a thrift shop that fit all the girls perfectly even though they are all different shapes and sizes. They decide the pants have a magic quality to them and they will take turns having them throughout the summer.
The pants start with Lena who is spending the summer with her grandparents in Greece. Lena meets Kostos and they have a sort of relationship.
 Next is Tibby who is stuck at home. She meets and slowly befriends Bailey a 12 year old who is dying of Leukemia. Tibby allows Baily to help her with the documentary she is making.
Tibby sends the pants to Carmen who is visiting her single father but finds out he is soon to be married. Carmen feels like she doesn't fit in and runs away back to her mother. She is able to work it out with her father and attends his wedding at the end of the summer.
Carmen sends the pants to Bridget at soccer camp in Mexico. Bridget is a little wild and loses her virginity to Eric, one of the coaches who is supposed to be off limits.
When all the friends return after their summer adventures they gather together for a birthday celebration and begin to reacquaint themselves as only best friends can.

Ann Brashares takes the reader on the magical journey of four best friends and one pair of jeans. It is a great pick for the YA reader. The characters are real, with all the insecurities and tribulations of teens. It is sure to give insight to anyone facing challenges and needing to learn how to become an individual.

Review #9

Citation: Welch, Diane Welch,Liz Welch Amanda Welch Dan  The Kids Are All Right Crown Publishing Group2009                       

                 Genre: Memoir, Coming of Age, Edgy/Realistic,Alex Award winner

Annotation:

Told in the alternating voices of 4 siblings this memoir is a riveting account of how life can quickly unravel but still be put back together again.

     Justification for nomination:

The Welch children lived a fairly normal life in the suburbs of New York until the mysterious death of their handsome father started the downward spiral of their lives. Following closely after their father's death was the cancer diagnosis of their soap opera star mother. She tries to keep things in control, but is unable to get a handle on things. Add to that the cloud of bankruptcy d that is looming and the Welch children's lives began to slide

When their mother finally succumbs to the cancer 3 years later, Amanda was 19 and legally on her own, but the three younger children; Liz 16, Dan 14 and Diana 8 were in need of guardians. They are farmed out to different family friends.

Amanda headed for college in New York and continued her spire into drugs.  Liz lived with a family she babysat for until graduation from High School when she took a job as a nanny in Norway to get away from the partying. Dan went from guardian to Boarding School and back again getting in trouble and more involved with drugs. Diana was given to a very strict and conservative family who wanted her to forget about her past life. As a means of doing so, Diana was subjected to physiological abuse from her guardians.

This is a story of survival and the unbreakable bond these four siblings share. A true look at the real harshness of life and how even when you lose yourself it is always possible to come out on the other side.

A great crossover book for teens as well as adults. This book is about teens and what can happen when there is no adult in control. Instead of being a depressing book about death and loss, it is a book of sibling love and redemption.



Review #8

                            Citation: Myers, Walter Dean Fallen Angels                  Scholastic Inc. New York 1988      

                 Genre: Coming of age; Banned; Realistic/edgy

Annotation:Gritty, stark and told through the eyes of a 17 year old young man. Fallen Angels will take the romanticism out of war.

Justification for nomination:War can be summed up in the following words, "Hours of boredom, seconds of terror." (Page 123) Set in Vietnam, Fallen Angels is the story of 17 year old Richard Perry who joins the army after high school as a way out of Harlem. He's plenty smart enough for college, but his alcoholic mother and younger brother need his support. The army is a way to earn money and get three squares a day. Perry has no real idea of what war really is and he goes into it with romanticized view which is quickly destroyed. He is not prepared for watching his friends die, what it feels like to kill someone close up, the stench of burning flesh, and the heat, humidity and bugs. We hear the truth of war in Perry's 1st person narrative.

We meet Perry as he is shipping off to Vietnam.  He meets and befriends Peewee Gates who he bonds with during an experience filled with death, fear and confusion. Perry starts to wonder why they were even fighting in Vietnam and why he enlisted in the first place: for selfish reasons or selfless reasons. Perry, Peewee and their platoon Alpha spend their days either board or out on patrol looking for Vietcong. When their platoon leader Lieutenant Carroll dies they get Lieutenant Dongan, a racist leader who puts his Afro-American soldiers in the most dangerous positions. This is almost secondary due to the fear felt from the violence of the war. Perry watches as the lines between good and bad get blurred, friends die and he loses faith in his commanding officers.

Perry long to be home and spends a lot of time writing (or trying to write) letters home to his younger brother Kenny and his mother. When Perry is wounded for the second time along with Peewee, they are finally allowed to return to home.

Dedicated to his older brother who died in the Vietnam war, Fallen Angels gives the reader a realistic look at war, far different then the one presented in American movies. This is an anti-war book that gives the YA reader an emphasis on the value of friendship and couage.

Review #7

Citation: Lewis, C.S. The Horse and His Boy Macmillian Publishing Co. New York 1954

Genre: Fantasy, Coming of age, Adventure/Search for identity


Annotation: A magical adventure of a talking horse and a boy as they journey toward freedom in the land of Narnia.


Justification for nomination: The Horse and His Boy is #3 in the series The Chronicles of Narnia. This book follows the adventures of a young boy and his talking horse as they travel from Calormen where they have been enslaved into the magical realm of Narnia. When Shasta, the main character of the book overhears the man he calls father agreeing to sell him he runs to the barn to find comfort with the animals. There he meets Bree, a talking horse from Narnia who has been enslaved in Calormen for many years. Bree and Shasta run away together with the hopes of making it to Narnia. During their travels, they meet up with Aravis, a young Calormene aristocrat escaping an arranged marriage and her talking horse Hwin who has also been enslaved in Calormen.
They journey across the desert and have many adventures along the way. During times of great duress Aslan the mighty presence of Narnia shows himself in different forms, giving the children the strength to keep moving forward.
After crossing the desert, things become rather tense as the children have learned that the Calormen's are going to invade Archenland the peaceful land that separates Narnia from Calormen. They manage to warn the king of Archenland and in the process find out that Shasta is really the long lost twin of Prince Corin (named Prince Cor). The book ends with both children and horses finding happiness in Archenland and Narnia.
This book is a great adventure story of two children on a quest for happiness and freedom from the constraints of their outward identity. By the end of the book they have all (horses included) learned their own self worth and forged great lasting friendships not to mention Shasta and Aravis falling in love...

Review #6

Citation:Sebold, Alice. The Lovely Bones. Little Brown and  Company: USA 2002

Genre: Horror; Coming of age; Supernatural

Annotation: Haunting and unforgettable, the story of a 14 year old girl's rape and murder told from Heaven.

Justification for nomination: "My name is Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973." (page 5) Susie Salmon was raped and murdered by her next door neighbor, George Harvey. What follows is a narration from heaven of her family's reaction and slow disintegration. Her family is unable to deal with their loss and the mystery surrounding Susie's death. Susie, finds herself in a Heaven of her own making with Franny her guide to help her along. Her heaven resembles a high school playground where she gets everything she wants except for the return to earth with the people she loves. Susie is unable to do anything but watch as her family falls apart. She is able to briefly show herself to her father and brother, but nothing in those first months can stop the inevitable stages of grief that the family must go through to come out the other end.

As the weeks and months go by, Susie follows the life of her family and friends, while keeping an eye on Harvey. She meets Harvey's others victims in heaven and comes to understand that his traumatic childhood has made him unsuccessful in his attempt to stop killing.

Susie will never be able to experience growing up herself, so she has to be content in following Ruth, her former classmate's daily routine of adolescences. One reason Susie can't let go of Earth, is her unfilled desires. She longs to experience the joy of first love. "at fourteen my sister sailed away from me into a place I'd never been. In the walls of my sex there was horror and blood, in the walls of hers there were windows." (page 125) It is only when Susie is allowed to come back to earth to make love with Ray Singh the boy with whom she was just starting to have a relationship when she was murdered, and ensure that George Harvey can never kill again is Susie able to move on into "adult Heaven". The book ends with Susie and her family all being given the gift of letting go and moving on. Susie finishes with a wish for the reader to have a "long and happy life."

Though a seemingly unbearable tragedy, the book is an imaginative and moving exploration of loss with a plot that features suspense, romance, mystery and hope. It leaves the reader not sad but thoughtful.

Review #5

Citation: Pena, Matt de la. Mexican White Boy. Delacorte Press; New York 2008

Genre: Coming of age, Multicultural, Realistic/Edgy

Annotation: "And Danny's brown. Half-Mexican brown"(2) This is the thought that goes through Danny's mind in a book about a biracial teens emotional journey of self discovery to find out who he is inside. 

Justification for nomination: Full of authentic dialogue with Spanish mixed in, Mexican White Boy tells the story of Danny a 16 year old biracial teen from a wealthy area of San Diego.  He doesn't feel like he fits in at his mainly white school, "a shade darker than all the white kids at his private school."(2) When Danny's Mexican father leaves the family, Danny shuts down; he won't speak unless he has to and he starts to dig his fingers into his arm until he cuts himself. Even though he is a great pitcher, he can't pitch unless he is alone.  Danny decides to spend his summer in National City with his fathers family so he can learn more about his father. Danny still doesn't feel like he fits in, "he feels pale. A full shade lighter. Albino almost. Less than."(2) He can't speak Spanish which further isolates him. Danny meets Uno another biracial teen, who is half Black and half Mexican.Their first encounter is not good, it is filled with blood and stitches. When Uno chances upon Danny pitching on his own, he joins him as catcher and their friendship begin. With the support of his cousin Sofia and Uno, Danny begins to deal with all the issues in his life. After a violent scene involving his fathers younger brother, Danny learns the truth about his father and has to rethink everything he has believed until then.

This is a moving book that will resonate with many teens. In particular, readers who come from mixed backgrounds, have identity issues, and use cutting to make themselves feel real will all gain further insight. 

Review #4

Voices from the Streets: Young Former Gang Members Tell Their Stories

Citation: Atkin Beth S. Voices from the Streets: Young Former Gang Members Tell Their Stories. Canada: Little, Brown & Company (Canada) Limited 1996

Genre: Nonfiction, Multicultural, Realistic/Edgy, Memoir

Annotation

A powerful book which is written in first person narrative gives voice to former gang members. The reader will see the inside life of gangs and how some are able to leave.

Justification for nomination

In this first person narrative, Beth Atkin takes us with her on a two year journey documenting why young people join gangs and how they leave them to reenter society. The youth who are interviewed are male and female, different ethnicity's and from different regions. The black and white pictures let the reader see each person clearly, making their stories more real. Each chapter is dedication to one person, and Atkin does not change the voice of the one who is speaking.  Poems and journal entries are included in each chapter to further help the reader see each person.  Each chapter gives a different perspective on why someone would join a gang: cultural identity; racial attacks; escape physical abuse; anger about broken homes. 

Gangs are a fact of life for children growing up in tough neighborhoods in America,"I've known gangs since I was little because I never lived in a good neighborhood (Elena Rojas pg 34). One thing that should not be forgotten is every one of these former gang members started their journey into gang life when they were children.  All of them looked to gang life to fulfil something that was missing in their life for example, everyone depicted in this book lacked a father figure, and sometimes mother. The underlying theme that runs through each of these stories is that the gang is like a family who protects you, in other words, makes you feel accepted for who you are. The book concludes with a chapter on two men, a father, a former gang member who was able to leave the gang life with help from mentors from his church, and his son who grew up watching his father help others. These two men have dedicated their life to helping kids of many ages and ethnicities leave gangs.

There is a great tone to this book because it is a collection of stories of hope and courage amidst tough backgrounds. The style is easy for the reader to follow, and the language good for all YA readers. The theme is especially important because it shows the reader real people who live tough lives, but were still able to turn it all around, and sometimes go on to helping others.

The Earth, My Butt, & Other Big Round Things  Review   3

Citation: Mackler, Carolyn The Earth, My Butt & Other Big Round Things. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press 2003

Genre: Coming of age                                                                      

Annotation

..."All I can say is, if I were that fat girl I'd kill myself." (26) Virginia Shreves is that fat girl, and although her issues include self-mutilation and poor body image, by the end of the book she discovers that self-esteem comes from the inside out.

Justification for nomination

Written in a first person narrative with journal entry's and emails, The Earth, My Butt, & Other Big Round Things follows the life of 15 year old Virginia as she tries to fit in with her perfect family. "And along came me, blemishing the image of a picture-perfect family"(18). Her parents are critical and unaware of Virginia's pain.  Her mother is a skinny, successful adolescent physiologist who only has time for Virginia when obsessing over her weight; her father, a successful businessman expresses is admiration for ultra slim women but not Virginia; her older sister is slim, smart and beautiful and has escaped the family by joining the Peace Corp; her brother Bryon is the "star" on the Columbia University campus.  Virginia starts a clandestine relationship with Froggy one of her classmates, but doesn't believe it can go anywhere due to the "fat girl" code of conduct she has written "Any sexual activity is a secret. No public displays of affection..."(14). Virginia is filled with self-loathing and seems to hate her body so much she hurts herself.  The only person she has to talk to is her best friend Shannon who has moved away, so email is their only form of communication.  Virginia has to navigate the sometimes harassing and uncomfortable school lunches alone. She is helped through these hard times by Mrs Crowley, a teacher at her school, who is also overweight but seems to feel good about herself.  The book comes to a head when Virginia's brother Bryon is accused of date rape. Her parents still don't "see" Virginia's pain, but rather work harder to gloss over Bryon's crime. After a teacher has a heart attack during school, Virgina realizes that she needs to empower herself.  She begins to speak out to her parents who actually listen; she starts taking kickboxing which she likes; she realizes Froggy does like her and doesn't care if they are seen in public; she makes a few new friends at school; she starts a web zine where students can talk about whatever they want.

In The Earth, My Butt, & Other Big Round Things we watch the metamorphosis of Virginia as she goes from a self hating girl to someone who has a place in this world.  Although this book is geared toward females, it delves into many subjects such as self-mutilation that are relevant for all teens. Virginia's transformation provides a learning experience and a hopeful ending for those who might be going through similar situations.

The Amazing "True" Story of a Teenage Single Mom

Review 2

 

Genre:  Graphic Novel

Citation: Arnoldi, Katherine Hyperion New York 1998

Annotation

The Amazing "True" Story of a Teenage Single Mom  is a graphic novel with real life villains and heroes. Although this is a dark tale that may leave the reader teary eyed, it is filled with hope, optimism and the realization of dreams fulfilled.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       fulfilled.                                                                                                 

Justification for nomination:
The Amazing "True" Story of a Teenage Single Mom is a story about a single teenage mother determined to follow her dream of going to college. Based on her actual life, the author has created a mature comic book that a teen can relate to. It speaks to the broken hearts of any struggling teen, and turns horrific events into a story of inspiration and hope. The black and white pictures highlight the emotions of the heroine and the reader can easily feel what she is going through.The reader learns that Katherine, the heroine is kicked out of her mother house at a young age; she lives with her sister and her brother-in-law who have legal custody of her. However, her brother-in-law abuses her and she is forced to leave their home after a confrontation. She tries to go back to her mother's house, but is rejected. She is raped by a stranger and gets pregnant. She goes west with her boyfriend, giving him all the money she has saved, but he beats her so she has to escape. Despite all of this, the story is really about the authors love for her daughter, and her dreams of college and a better life. She introduces the reader to the heroes that help her achieve her dreams, and lets us know that there are good people out there who do care. The book has a happy ending, and is followed by a list of resources that could help a teen in trouble.

I think this is a very important book for teens, as well as any other troubled person.  Even though it shows us the stark reality of how hard how life can be, it is truly inspirational. Not only does this book give the reader hope, but it also offers practical information for anyone needing help.
                                              

Review 1 Angus, thongs and Full-frontal Snogging

Rennison, Louise Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging 
                                     HarperCollins: New York 1999

Annotation:
7:oo p.m. "In my room in front of the mirror.  Practicing smiling without making my nose spread.  It's impossible. I must never smile again (102).  Filled with British humor, and a glossary to understand it, Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging is the diary of a 14 year old named Georgia who spends her days trying to figure out: Why her parents are so weird,  how to make her nose look smaller and how to stop Angus her cat from eating the neighbor's poodle.

Justification for nomination

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging is written in the form of a diary and follows Georgia's trials and tribulations over one year.  Set in England, this 14 year old has many misadventures, such as shaving off her eyebrows with her dads razor, and going to a party dressed as a stuffed olive.  These things often got her in loads of trouble.  Using humor to potray all the agnst of being a teenager, the book will make you laugh out loud.  The wide use of British slang helps transport the reader to another place, but the glossery in the back helps to understand Georgia's world.  Georgia tells all to her diary; through this the reader learns the inner thoughts and feelings of a 14 year old.  Typical of many teenagers, Georgia is obsessed with her looks and her relationships with her parents, her friends, potential boyfriends and her cat Angus who often time is more like a wild animal; "Oh dear. I have just seen Angus hunkering down in the long grass.  He's stalking their poodle.  I'll have to intervene to avert a massacre.  Oh, it's OK, Mrs. Next Door has thrown a brick at him" (pg 30). Through Georgia's eyes we learn about her secert crush Robbie, and what measures she and her best friend Jas go through to get the boy including kissing lessons.  Like many teenagers, Georgia finds fault with many of her features including her nose and how big it looks when she smiles.  Although Georgia is very self obsorbed, she is still a likable character as reflected in her display of affection toward her younger sister Libby, even though Libby is known for leaving dirty diapers in Georgia's bed.

This is a hilarous potrayal of the many issues teenagers deal with today.  I believe this is a book that most teens could relate to in one way or another.  Although the book is a light read, it will appeal to a large teenage audience (as an adult, I found it pretty funny!).  There are many aspects that make this book worthy of a nomination for the Printz award.  Sometimes dealing with teen issues are best handled with humor.  This is a feel good book which will leave readers smiling.