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.