48 Shades of Brown by Nick Earls

Earls, N. (2004). 48 Shades of Brown. CA: Graphia. ISBN: 0618452958

Plot Summary

  Fifteen year old Dan Brancrof makes the decision to live with his aunt in Australia after his dad moves to Geneva. His aunt is only 22 and plays bass in a band and she lives with an attractive college student named Naomi. Almost immediately, Dan develops a crush on Naomi and tries to impress her by naming all the scientific names for birds and the different shades of brown. 

  

Critical Evaluation

  I remember this book when it first came out, and I just had to write about it. Dan is a comical character, who acts like any love sick teen. Dan has a comical outlook on life which is contagious to his readers. I remember reading this book because it reminded me of an up to date Catcher in the Rye. Although the story is a little slow, it makes sense, and it is a gentle read. I found myself comparing Dan to new characters like Scott Pilgrim and their fight for love. 

Readers Annotation

  What would you do for love?

Information about the Author

  Nick was born in Newtownards, Northern Ireland and he emigrated to Australia at the age of nine. He graduated with a medical degree from the University of Queensland and he worked as a general practitioner before becoming a writer

  This book won him the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of Year Award in 2000. Some of his adult books have been adapted into screenplays. 

Genre

  Fiction: Romance

Curriculum Ideas

  n/a

  

Booktalking Ideas

  - What have you done to impress a girl?

  - Do you think living with a 22 year old is ok for a teen?

   - Compare this book to Catcher in the Rye.

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  This is one of those books you always remember. I wanted to re read a book that I read when I was a young adult and compare it to the YA books now. 

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah

Beah, I. (2007). A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Solider. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux. ISBN: 0374105235

Plot Summary

  Ishmael's life is destroyed when his village is attacked by the RUF. While trying to locate his family, he travels village to village, only to be made into a child solider in order to survive. Ishmael becomes a junior lieutenant for his skill of executing war prisoners. He is exposed to extreme violence and drug use. 

  He is rescued by UNICEF, rehabilitated, and eventually adopted by an uncle in the United States. 

Critical Evaluation

  No matter how many times you have read news stories about child soldiers, this book is a terrible and heart wrenching story about innocence lost. I cried at the life he had before being captured and I cried when he was saved. I know that there are people who claim that this story is false, if so, it is a darn good story about the real horrors that are still occurring. 

 Readers Annotation

  How can something as evil as war, turn into something good?

Information about the Author

  Ishmael Beah was born November 23, 1980 in Mattru Jong, Bonthe District, Sierra Leon. He was a child solider who underwent and engaged in extreme violence and drug use. He was rescued, rehabilitated, and is now a fighter for child abuse during war. 

  While at college, he pursues advocacy work against the abuse of children during war. He has spoken at the UN and has met with world leaders. He continues to speak at schools and special events. 

Genre

  Memoir

Curriculum Ties

  Can be used in history class.

Booktalking Ideas

  - Can child soldiers really be rehabilitated?

  - What can we do to help child soldiers?

  - Can you think of other instances of war when children were used in battle?

Reading Level/Interest Level

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  Violence, drug use, abuse

   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  I asked my friend for a non fiction recommendation for teens that has stuck out. 

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

Grahame-Smith, S. (2010). Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. New York: Grand Central Publishing. ISBN: 0446563080

Plot Summary

  This is another horror mash up and surprises readers with a whole new outlook on the 16th president of the United States. Abraham Lincoln learns from his father at the age of 11 that, not only are vampires real, but that his grandfather was killed by one. He is later shocked to find out that his mother also had the the "milk sickness". Lincoln vows to kill as many vampires as he can. 

Critical Evaluation

  What a great book! I love biographies, and horror, and this was a great union! I loved Grahame- Smith's previous mash ups and I was not disappointed. There are so many great historical facts, and it actually fits when vampires are added. The best was when the Civil War was started by Southern vampires in order to enslave and feed on the North, and that John Wilkes Boothe was a vampire. Hilarious, graphic, gruesome, and entertaining to the very end. 

Readers Annotation

  Everything you know about American History is wrong. 

Information about the Author

    Seth Grahame-Smith was born January 4, 1976 in Bethel, Connecticut. He received his degree from Emerson College and began writing at an early age. He then moved to Los Angeles where he wrote and produced several TV shows. 

  His first published book was about erotic art and was published in 2005, and he continued writing superhero and satirical books. The idea for this book came from his editor at Quirk Books, Jason Rekulak. The goal was to create the first literary mash ups. He has compared adding the zombie parts to microsurgery. He followed this book with, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Both books are being adopted for film. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and son. 

Genre

  Horror

Curriculum Ties

  In History classes, students can rewrite history. 

Booktalking Ideas

  - Can you think of another vampires can be explained in history?

  - What is 2010's obsession with creatures?

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  Gore, vampires
   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  I bought this book for my father and it is a great crossover from teens to adults, and vice versa. 

After School Nightmare v.1 by Setona Mizushiro

Mizushiro, S. (2004). After School Nightmare: Volume one. Japan: Akita Shoten. ISBN: 1933617160

Plot Summary

  After School Nightmare is a mix of typical teenage drama and confusion with a mix of science fiction and unbelievability. Mashiro Ichijo is popular with the ladies but he has a secret that no one knows, he is half man and half woman. If this isn't enough, he takes a class and in order to graduate he must venture into a fantasy world to retrieve a key, if he does, he will graduate and no one will ever remember him. 

Critical Evaluation

  Huh?!?! This manga made no sense whatsoever. The characters are bland, annoying and plain pathetic. The concept of the story has some awesomeness to it, but the execution of the writing is not. There was little to no character development. 

Readers Annotation

  You thought being a woman was hard, try being a man too. 

Information about the Author

  Setona Mizushiro was born October 23, 1971 in Japan. In 1985 she participated in a publication of a dojinshi and remained active in this until her debut in 1993 after writing a short story called, Fuyu ga Owarou Toshiteita. She is well known in Japan and China but not so much in America or Europe, this could be because her stories are not licensed there and distribution has only recently begun.

  Her popularity has grown due to her storytelling and her novels are known for their deep plots and exploration of the human psyche. Her works include shojo, josei, yaoi, and have been translated into many languages. 

Genre

  Manga

  

 Curriculum Ties

  n/a

Booktalking Ideas

  n/a

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  Sex, gender identity

   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  I found this manga series on a list for top manga for teens. 

All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab

Jarzab, A. (2010). All Unquiet Things. New York: Delacorte Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 038573858

Plot Summary

  All Unquiet Things allows readers to catch a glimpse of the dysfunction of families who seem to have it all. Carly was a simple and smart girl until her mother dies and she starts hanging out with a tough crowd, leaving her boyfriend and best friend and cousin behind. Both her ex boyfriend Neily and her cousin and best friend Audrey loved her but neither of them knew the right way to comfort her after her mother dies. Both are shocked when Carly is murdered and Audrey's dad is arrested for her murder. 

  A year later, Audrey returns, determined to clear her fathers name and to find the real killer. Neily helps, and together they fight against all odds to find out the truth even if it means losing everything, including their lives. 

Critical Evaluation

  This was one of the first YA novels that I have read, and I am so glad that it was this one. It took me from one extreme to the other, and it left me with a heat open and ready for more. Jarzab's writing style is poignant and truthful. Her characters are believable and the story, although a murder mystery, is not far fetched. You can feel the anger Neily and Audrey have one chapter, and the sorrow and deep pain they feel for their loss in another. I have re read this book many times, and it never gets old. 

Readers Annotation

  They know who killed Carly, but so does the killer. 

Information about the Author

  Anna grew up in the suburbs located outside of both Chicago and San Fransisco. She graduated from Santa Clara University and earned her Masters from the University of Chicago. This book is her first novel and she currently lives in New York. 

  Anna served three years on the Peer Medical Board and was the Frosh Escape Leader as well as the Fiction Editor and Assistant Editor of the Santa Clara Review. While at the University of Chicago, she finished All Unquiet Things, which was actually her thesis. She works in book marketing. 

Genre

  Mystery

  

Curriculum Ties

  n/a

Booktalking Ideas

  - What does the title represent?

  - Why do you think Carly fell in with the wrong crowd after her mother died?

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  Underage sex, drug and alcohol use, violence
   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  Random book left out on a table. 

Ash by Malinda Lo

Lo, M. (2010). Ash. New York: Little Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 031604010X

Plot Summary

  Ash is a retelling of the classic Cinderella fairy tale. Aisling, who is called Ash, has grown up in a world of faeries, magic, and strong connections to the natural world. When her mother dies, so does her connections to this magical world. Ash's father remarries and then mysteriously dies, leaving Ash in the care of her horrible stepmother. 

  Instead of being alone, Ash makes friends with a faerie and a Royal Huntress. Ash's world, like Cinderella's, if filled with surprise love and adventure. 

Critical Evaluation

  I usually love fairy tale retellings but this novel tended to drag and run circles in most areas. The lesbian love story seemed thrown in the story for shock value and literally came out of nowhere. Most of the characters had no backbone and were pretty pathetic. I would not recommend this book. 

Readers Annotation

  Cinderella got her Fairy Godmother, Ash has the whole faerie world. 

Information about the Author

  Malinda Lo was born in China and moved to Lafayette and Louisville Kentucky when she was three years old. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and has a Masters from Harvard and Stanford. 

  She was first published at the age of 12 after she published a poem about her cat for a cat magazine. She has worked in book publishing, as a reporter, and worked for AfterEllen.com. Her second novel is set to be released in April 2011. She is a huge supporter of the gay and lesbian community

Genre

  Fantasy

Curriculum Ties

  This can be used in English classes or writing workshops. Students can re-write classics. 

Booktalking Ideas

  - What is the significance of the name Ash?

  - If you had nowhere to go, what would you do?

   - Why didn't Ash just run away?

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  Lesbian love, occult, magic

  I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  Recommended by a librarian. 

Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini

Vizzini, N. (2005). Be More Chill. CA: Disney-Hyperion. ISBN: 0786809965

Plot Summary

  Jeremy Heere is a hopeless nerd who wants to date the beautiful and popular Christine Caniglia. He thinks she is way out of his league until he acquires a squib which guides him through a physical and mental transformation. By having the squib tell him how to act, he rises to popularity. 

Critical Evaluation

  This graphic novel is hilarious. It is sarcastic and thought provoking as it takes readers through so many different human emotions. It also shows how far someone may go in order to gain popularity. 

Readers Annotation

  How far would you go in order to be popular?

Information about the Author

  Edison Price "Ned" Vizzini was born April 4, 1981 and grew up in Park Slope in New York City. He attended Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan, and graduated in 1999. He began working for the New York Press as a teenager. 

  After writing essays that were published by the New York Times Magazine, several of his essays were combined to form his first book, Teen Angst. Ned lives in Los Angeles and continues to write and speak about books. 

Genre

  Graphic Novel

Curriculum Ties

  n/a

Booktalking Ideas

  - How far would you go to become popular?

  - What does the squib symbolize in reality?

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  I grabbed this off of the return truck at the library where I work. 

Brand New Eyes by Paramore

Paramore. (2009). Brand New Eyes [CD]. New York: Fueled by Ramen. ASIN: B002FRNCGO

Plot Summary

  Paramore's album, Brand New Eyes, has shown a progression and growth while still keeping their distinct sound. There are 11 songs on this album and each song is unique in every aspect. Singer Hayley Williams sings her heart out and the production is superb. 

Critical Evaluation

  To fans, it is obvious that this album has an overall theme which is the loss of a bandmate and possible band break up. Unlike their previous CD, this is not as catchy or commercial, which is why I like it so much. 

Readers Annotation

  Fans know the meaning, and new listeners will learn fast. 

Information about the Band

  In 2002, singer Hayley Williams moved from her hometown in Meridan, Mississippi to Tennessee where she met brothers Josh and Zac Farro and immediately started playing music together. Williams was originally signed to Atlantic Records as a solo artist in 2003 but without her friends, there would be no band. The bands first song was "Conspiracy" which was featured on their debut album. 

  Their first album was, All We Know is Falling, came out in 2006 and their popularity took off. They are constantly featured on MTV, tour extensively, and have won awards around the world. They are taking a break after their South African tour in 2011. The band has been featured on video games and soundtracks. 

Genre

  CD

Curriculum Ties

  n/a

Booktalking Ideas

  n/a

Interest Level

  Young Adult

Challenge Issues

    I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  I have been a fan of this band since they were playing smaller venues, and many of the teens I know, love this band. 

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Meyer, S. (2008). Breaking Dawn. New York: Little Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780316067928

Plot Summary

  Breaking Dawn is the last book in the Twilight series and it is a fast paced novel chronicling the continuing love triangle of Bella, Edward, and Jacob and the feuds between the werewolves, vampires, and Volturi and other Vampire clans. Readers are then blown away by the new development and Bella shows readers the true meaning of personal sacrifice for true love. 

Critical Evaluation

  As a huge fan of this series, this last book does not disappoint. True to Meyer's writing which is fast paced, witty, gripping, and a blast to read, Breaking Dawn answers questions fans have always wondered and it makes us hold our breath as new realizations and story lines come to light. 

Readers Annotation

  You thought you knew the answers and ending to this saga, you have no idea how much you don't!

  

Information about the Author

  Stephenie Meyer was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1973. She attended Brigham Young University and earned her B.A in English. She has worked as a receptionist in a property company and considered going to law school because she didn't think she would have a chance as a writer. Twilight was her first shot at writing. 

  She is a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Meyer has written six books and won numerous awards and literary honors. She is also involved in her philanthropic work Project Book Base. 

Genre

  Fantasy

Curriculum Ties

  n/a

Booktalking Ideas

  - Were you satisfied with the ending of this saga? Why or why not?

  - When Jacob imprinted on Renesmee did you feel happy that he was finally able to let go of his love for Bella?

  - Of the different vampire clans, which one would you like to know more about?

  - It is rumoured that Twilight was about finding love, New Moon was about losing love, Eclipse was about choosing love, and Breaking Dawn was about protecting love, what are your thought on this?

Reading Level/Interest Age

  -9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  Supernatural, sex, violence

   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  I am a Twihard fan!!!

Carries Diaries by Candace Bushnell

Bushnell, C. (2010). The Carrie Diaries. New York: Balzer and Bray. ISBN: 0061728918.

Plot Summary

  This is a prequel to the Sex and the City phenomenon. This book begins with Carrie Bradshaw as a senior in high school in the 1980's and continues as she moves to New York City to pursue her writing. Carrie has always known what she wanted in life and she was not going to let anyone take that away, until she meets Sebastian Kydd and she falls in love. This causes a rift between Carrie and the most popular girl in school, and we see Carrie struggle with young adulthood, rejection, and professional acceptance. 

Critical Evaluation

  I love love love Sex and the City and I even flew to New York for the premier of the second movie. I was giddy when I saw this book on the shelf at the library were I worked. I was so disappointed. This book almost had nothing to do with the original series and most of the plot was silly and seemed forced. It was a fun read just because I was already a fan, but if someone who knows nothing about the series were to read this book, they would hate it. The only part that I loved and held something to the original series was the introduction of Samantha, even though in the series, we hear a totally different version. 

Readers Annotation

  You think you know all you can about Carrie Bradshaw, little do you know! See where it all began. 

Information about the Author

  Candace Bushnell was born December 1, 1958 in Glastonbury, Connecticut. She attended Rice University and New York University in the 1970's. She became a socialite and part goer who frequented Studio 54. 

  At age 19 she moved to New York City and sold a children's book idea to Simon and Schuster but it was never published. She continued writing and worked as a freelance journalist for different publications and then began working for the New York Observer where she created a column titled, Sex and the City. This column was later turned into a book series, HBO television show, and two feature films. 

  Bushnell was contracted by HarperCollins in 2008 to write books for young adults, the first one being Carrie Diaries. She married a principal ballet dancer and lives in Manhattan. 

Genre

  Fiction

Curriculum Ties

  n/a

Booktalking Ideas

  n/a

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  Underage sex, drug and alcohol use.
   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  I was thrilled when I saw this on the shelf at my local library and I had to read it. 

Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson

Patterson, J. (2010). Dangerous Days of Daniel X. New York: Little Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 0316119709

Plot Summary

  This book begins twelve years from the present day when Daniel was three years old. His parents were killed in front of him when a terrifying creature called the Prayer comes to take "The List" from his parents but ends up killing them instead. Back to present day, Daniel is your normal fifteen year old Alien Hunter. Daniel X vows to protect Tierra Firma (Earth) from the most villainous killers, the Alien Outlaws and avenge the death of his parents. He is armed with his charming personality, his three unimaginary friends, and his unique powers. 

Critical Evaluation

  James Patterson does it again. Instead of hunting serial killers as his characters usually do, Daniel X is hunting aliens. This book is fast paced, full of twists and turns, and a fun read. You don't have to be a science fiction fan to enjoy this book. The back of the book says that readers 9-90 will love this book, but it is a better fit for teens as they can relate to Daniel X. Patterson's characters are well developed, and his writing is humorous and poignant. 

Readers Annotation

  Daniel X is your typical normal fifteen year old teenager...if you are an alien hunter!

Information about the Author

  James Patterson was born March 22, 1947. He received his Bachelors Degree from Manhattan College and his Masters from Vanderbilt University. He retired from advertising in 1996 and devoted his life to writing. Most of his books are written for adults including his popular Alex Cross series.

   James Patterson has nineteen consecutive number one New York best selling novels and he holds the Guinness World Record for Most Hardcover Fiction best selling titles by a single author. He was won hundreds of awards and honors and he has even appeared as himself on the Fox Television show, The Simpsons. He also founded the James Patterson Page Turner Awards in 2005 and he personally gives away $850,000.00 to reward people, companies, schools, and anyone else who finds original ways to spread excitement of books and reading. 

  He lives in Palm Beach, Florida with his wife and son. 

Genre

  Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties

  Can be used in English courses or after school writing workshops. 

Booktalking Ideas

  n/a

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  Supernatural
   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  I have always been a fan of James Patterson and was excited to try one of his Young Adult novels. 

The Dead and Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Pfeffer, B. (2010). The Dead and Gone. New York: Harcourt Children's Books. ISBN:

9780152063115

Plot Summary

  The sequel to Life as we Knew It follows Alex Morales, a seventeen year old Puerto Rican and his sisters Briana and Julie as they struggle after disaster. The story is the same as the first, a meteor has hit the moon which knocked it out of orbit and brought it closer to Earth. This book takes place in New York City and it is plagued by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis and the terrible famine and disease. Alex must protect his sisters in the absence of their parents, even raiding dead bodies for valuables. 

Critical Evaluation

  I was a little disappointed with this book because it was like I was trying to finish really fast to get ready for the third book. I already knew what was going to happen with the moon and the series of disasters that would follow. The characters were well defined and thought provoking, Beth has once again brought the realistic and terrifying possibility of disaster and struggle of survival to light. Alex is a strong lead character who not only has to grow up and take care of his sisters, but he is also struggling with his faith, Followers of this series really don't need to read this book to get the understanding of this series. The ending also bothered me that Alex and his sisters were able to get out, it was almost a forced happy ending, and it left it a little unbelievable. 

Readers Annotation

  How far would you go to survive?

Information about the Author

  Susan Beth Pfeffer was born February 17, 1948 in New York, New York. Susan wrote her first published novel while in her last semester at New York University when she was just 20 years old. She wrote five pages a day for five days until she finished her book in one semester. Ever since that first book she has published at least one book a year. 

  Susan grew up in the city and nearby suburbs and she spent her summers in the Catskill Mountains. Her father was a published author who encouraged her to write. Her first book as a child was about the relationship between a pair of scissors and an Oreo cookie. Susan has won numerous awards and citations for her work that ranges from picture books to books about writing for adults. She enjoys watching movies, collecting movie memorabilia, reading biographies and eating foods that are bad for her. She still lives in New York with her two adopted cats. 

Genre

  Fantasy

Curriculum Ties

  This book can be used in English courses or after school workshops. Students can write their own disaster paper. 

Booktalking Ideas

  - Would you be able to send away a family member if you knew they would have a better life, or would you rather keep everyone together?

  - Do you think that Alex and his sisters will really reach safety?

  - Has there ever been a time when your faith has been questioned?

  - Do you think Alex had an advantage that Miranda didn't because he was very religious?

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  Violence, gore, alcohol use, religion
   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  I read the first book and I just had to read the second in order to read the third. 

Eclipse by David Slade and Melissa Rosenburg

Slade, D. [Director]. & Rosenburg, M. [Writer]. (2010). Eclipse [Motion Picture]. USA: Summit Entertainment. ASIN: B001UV4XFG

Plot Summary

  A string of mysterious killings are terrifying Seattle as a newborn army is being created. With Bella's impending graduation, she is being forced to make a decision between her love for Edward or Jacob which just may cause a war between vampires and werewolves. She also is facing the hardest decision that she has ever had to make.

Critical Evaluation

  I am a huge fan of the Twilight series, but not so much of the movies. I was very surprised after sitting through six and a half hours of all the movies played straight in a row that I really liked this one. There was no cheesy stunt movements or lame dialogues and awkward pauses. The story followed better than the other two movies, and I loved the background stories of the usually left out characters. Even with the actress change, Victoria was exactly how I pictured her in the book. My all time favorite part was the tent scene during the blizzard. Had to rewind that part a couple of times.

Readers Annotation

  Bella faces the hardest decision of her life and it doesn't help that she has to fight a war that may just destroy all living things.

Information about the Creator

  David Slade was born September 26, 1969 in the United Kingdom. David began making videos for music artists such as Stone Temple Pilots and Muse. His first feature film, Hard Candy, was released in 2005 by Lions Gate Entertainment. His favorite trademark is dim light settings and his astrological sign is the Libra.

  Melissa Rosenburg was born August 28, 1962 in Marin County, California, She graduated from Bennington College in Vermont and majored in dance. She has worked in both film and television and as won a Peabody award. She is on the Board of Directors for the Writers Guild of America. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband Lev Spiro who is a television director.

Genre

  Movie

Curriculum Ties

  Classes can compare the book to the movie.

Booktalking Ideas

 

Reading Level/Interest Age

Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  Vampires, occult, violence
   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  Die hard fan of series. Saw all three movies in a row at the midnight showing with a bunch of other librarians. I couldn't miss it.

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Zevin, G. (2007). Elsewhere. New York: Squarefish. ISBN: 0312367465

Plot Summary

  Lizzie is killed in a hit and run accident and Elsewhere is the story of her after life. At just 15, her life is taken without her consent. She boards a cruise ship that is destined for Elsewhere. She rejects her new life and spends hours keeping track of her family and friends through coin operated telescopes. She refuses to take advice from the leaders and it isn't until she meets her grandmother who she never knew, that she begins the process of acceptance.

Critical Evaluation

  This is an absolute must read. No one knows what happens when you die and Zevin makes Elsewhere easier to accept death and to appreciate where they are in life. The tone is hopeful, the writing is realistic, and the ending is perfect. All questions about the afterlife are covered, from animals to reincarnation. The thought of growing younger in heaven until the possible rebirth, is an interesting take on living forever in the afterlife. Even if you don't believe in Heaven or other religious endings, this book is a book about acceptance and appreciation of the life you are living.

Readers Annotation

  Don't let dying being you back to reality.

Information about the Author

  Gabrielle was born October 24, 1977 in New York City. She grew fond of typing after receiving an IBM electric typewriter as a gift and she would spend house typing nonsense stories which gradually turned into autobiographies and then plays on her new computer. She then used her computer to write anything from letters to pen pals to music reviews. She published her first novel, Elsewhere, in 2007, after telling her best friend that she would never finish a novel. This book was nominated for the 2006 Quill Award and the 2007 Independent Spirit award for her screenplay, Conversations with Other Woman.

  She still lives in new York with her pet pug.

Genre

Fantasy

Curriculum Ties

  Can be used in creative writing classes.

Booktalking Ideas

 - Would you mind sharing your beliefs of the afterlife?

  - Would you want to keep track of what your friends and family are doing from above? Why or why not?

  - What are your thoughts of the way Elsewhere's system works?

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  Religion
   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  I received the galley.

  

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Kate, L. (2010). Fallen. New York: Delacorte Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 0385738935

Plot Summary

  After her boyfriend mysteriously dies in a fire, Luce spends most of her senior year at a reform skull where she makes friends and enemies. Plagued by dark shadows, Luce is sure that they had something to do with her boyfriends death.

  Enter Cam and Daniel, both of who strike Luce's attention. Daniel is a hot and cold guy who seems to string Luce around, and Cam is a charming and respectful. Just as Bella falls for Edward, Luce falls for Daniel until she realizes he is a fallen angel who she falls in love with every seventeen years and then dies.

Critical Evaluation

  The plot was dynamic and Luce is a familiar awkward YA teen girl. Sometimes you want to smack Luce for falling for jerk Daniel until readers find the truth and you start to sympathize for her. I still can't understand why most of the plot is at a reform school but a lot of secrets are kept under wraps for the sequel. Of course, as a stickler for love stories, I couldn't wait to see what happened between Luce and Daniel and Cam. I love bad boys but I secretly rooted for Cam.

Readers Annotation

  Haunted by her past, experiences at her school place her smack in the middle between a good and bad boy.

Information about the Author

   Lauren Kate was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, attended college in Atlanta, Georgia, and then moved to New York City to write. Kate has said that her background and knowledge of the "Old South" helped inspire her to set her first novel, Fallen, in a Civil War era academy.

  Her first novel, Fallen, came out in 2009 and was quickly followed by the sequel Torment, which stayed on the New York Times Bestseller list for a month at number 1. The third book is Passion and will be released in 2011. She also wrote the book The Betrayal of Natalie Horgrove. 

Genre

  Fantasy: Paranormal Romance

Curriculum Ties

  n/a

Booktalking Ideas

  - What is keeping Luce from Cam when everything seems so perfect?

  -  Do you think Luce is a correct generalization of teen girls?

 

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

   Supernatural, religion
   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  Recommended to me by the YA Librarian at my work.

Final Fantasy XIII by Square Enix

Square Enix. (2009). Final Fantasy: XIII. Japan: Square Enix. ASIN: B000FQ2DTA.

Plot Summary

  Final Fantasy is a role playing game developed for the PlayStation 3 and the XBOX 360 game consoles. It is the thirteenth installment in the Final Fantasy series. This game has fast paced combat mechanism, a new Crystarium system, and a customized Paradigm system.

  This game takes place in the floating world of Cocoon whose government is ordering a purge of civilians who have come into contact with Pulse, the feared world below. A former soildier named Lightening must fight back against the government in order to save her sister who has been branded.

Critical Evaluation

  Huh?!??! I didn't even know where to start. My husband was one of those who stood in line in the freezing cold in order to be one of the first people to play this game. He beat it within a day. Me, I couldn't even fly without falling to my doom below. The graphics and animation is breathtaking, and the motion sensors really make you feel like you are floating around on a giant island. I found the story line and background information to be more interesting, which makes me believe I would be a fan of the manga or book series, or even of the feature film, all of which, my husband owns.

Readers Annotation

 Sometimes you have no choice. 

Information about the Creator

  Square Enix is a Japanese video game and publishing company. It was formed as a result of a merger between Square Company and Enix Corporation in 2003. As part of the merger, many top officials assumed leadership roles in the new company. The original founder of Enix, Yasuhiro Fukushima, is the largest shareholder of the corporation.

  The company also owns Taito Corporation and Square Enix Europe. Their headquarters are in Tokyo, Japan. They have control of video games, online gaming, and other media like films, manga, and books.

Genre

  Video Game

Curriculum Ties

  n/a

Booktalking Ideas

  n/a

Interest Age

Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  My husband recommended it when I asked him what a great game for teens was.

Frida Kahlo by Emma Berne

Berne, E. (2009). Frida Kahlo: Mexican Artist. CA: Essential Libraries. ISBN: 1604537019

Plot Summary

  This biography tells the story of Frida Kahlo as a young strong woman, to a passionate artist and leader. This biography is very easy to read and breaks her life into ten chapters starting from Frida's terrible trolley accident, to her peak and decline as an artist. On the side of the pages, boxes are filled with information about the time, and about Frida's personal life such as how much money her parents made, or her favorite thing to eat for breakfast. Teens will have an easy time with this fast paced story of survival.

Critical Evaluation

  There are only so many Frida biographies that normal people can take, but I collect them all. I have been a huge fan of Frida's life and art since I was a little kid. She has inspired me through troubled times as well as encouraged my work as an artist. The first thing that struck me about this book was its beautiful colored pictures and there are even some that I have never seen before which is hard to imagine. The facts in this biography are spot on and her story flows wonderfully. This book also offers readers extra features that include, essential facts, added resources, glossary, source notes, index, timeline, and information about the author.

Readers Annotation

  Frida Kahlo rises from the ashes.

Information about the Author

  I could not find a lot of information about Emma Berne even though she has written over a dozen fiction and non fiction books for children and young adults. She started as a freelance ghost writer in 2003.
  She presently resides in Cincinnati with her husband. She lives in a restored farmhouse and she loved to cook, write and just gaze out of her window to stare at the deer.

Curriculum Ties
  Any of her biographies would be great resources in history classes.

Booktalking Ideas
  n/a

Interest Level/Reading Age
  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues
   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection
  I collect anything having to do with Frida Kahlo and have a mass collection of biographies.

Game Pro Magazine by IDG

Rignall, J. (2010). Game Pro Magazine. CA: IDG. ASIN: B00005NIPK

Summary

  Game Pro Media is a United States gaming media company that publishes both online and print content on the video game industry. Game Pro was first published in 1989 and provides feature articles, news, previews and reviews on video games and video game hardware, and articles on the video game industry.

Critical Evaluation

  This magazine is a great resource for teens who are into gaming. From sneak peeks to secret codes, gamers will fall over the mass of great information. I am not a gamer, so much of this information went way over my head, but the articles were funny and you didn't have to be a gamer to understand the topics discussed. My husband works for a video game company and this is like his Bible. He doesn't go anywhere without this magazine. He has been reading it since he was a teen.

Readers Annotation

  You thought you knew it all.

Information about the Creators

  Game Pro was established in 1988 in Redwood City, California. Its creators were Patrick Ferrell, his sister in law Leeanne McDermot, and Michael and Lynn Kavish. They sought a major publisher IDG Peterborough in order to finance costs. With the addition of John Rousseau as publisher, Wes Nihel as editor in chief, and Francis Mao as head artist, it is now a large profitable worldwide magazine. Early in 2006, IDG Entertainment began to change internally and shift to the online mentality.

Genre

  Magazine

Curriculum Ties

  n/a

Booktalking Ideas

  n/a

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  My gammer husband recommended it.



Good Neighbors by Holly Black and Ted Naifeh

faeBlack, H. & Naifeh, T. (2008). The Good Neighbors Book One: Kin. New York: GRAPHIX. ISBN: 0439855624

Plot Summary

  Rue was a typical teen, she had great friends, did normal teen stuff, but then her mom disappeared and everything changed. Her father is arrested for the murder of her mother and for one of his grad students, but Rue knows deep down that he is innocent. As if things could not get any weirder, Rue discovers that she is a faerie and so is her mother. She must set out to find her mother, free her father, and discover herself in a whole new world which is at the brink of war between good and evil. 

Critical Evaluation

 Kin had beautiful grayscale artwork that was an excellent help when portraying the emotions of the characters. I am a fan of the Spiderwick Chronicles and was pleased that Black's writing skills carried over into this form of writing. Just as in other fantasy novels, sometimes new found power is unwanted as we see for poor Rue who wants nothing more than to be normal. Some parts were a bit choppy and confusing but for the most part I look forward to Book 2. 

Readers Annotation

   Not only does Rue have to deal with typical teenage drama, but her mother is kidnapped, her father is charged with her murder, and Rue finds out she is a Faerie. Oh yeah, and the fantasy world is about to wage war between good and evil and it is up to poor Rue to save everything!

Information about the Author

  Holly Black was born on November 10, 1971 and grew up in decrepit Victorian houses in West Long Branch New Jersey. She graduated with a B.A in English from the College of New Jersey in 1994. She worked as a production editor of medical journals while studying at Rutgers University. She considered becoming a librarian but decided against it.

  Her first novel was published in 2002 and her novella, The Wrath of the Mulgarath, reached the top of the New York Times Bestseller List in 2004. She was a co producer of the film adaptation of the Spiderwick Chronicles.

  She married her high school sweetheart who is an illustrator and a web designer and she lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Genre
  Graphic Novel

Curriculum Ties
  n/a

Booktalking Ideas
  n/a

Reading Level/Interest Age
  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues
  Supernatural, violence
   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection
  I am a fan of Holly Black and read great reviews about this graphic novel.

I Kill Giants by Joe Kelly

Kelly, J. (2009). I Kill Giants. CA: Image Comics. ISBN: 1607060922

Plot Summary

  Barbara Thorson is a seriously peculiar girl. She has secluded herself from any friends, is constantly bullied, and has a hard time telling fantasy from reality. She wears bunny ears, refuses to follow rules, shuns others because they are either stupid or annoying, and she refuses to back down when she believes she is killing giants. Then comes Sophia who manages to break through Barbara's tough and confusing shell and a beautiful friendship is born and readers find out the reason for her escape into this world.

Critical Evaluation

  I Kill Giants is a powerful graphic novel of a young girl who is battling her own awkwardness and differences as she shuts herself up in an imaginary world. From the description I thought i would be reading a true fantasy novel and was pleasantly surprised when I instead read a poignant approach of childhood and the struggles that it brings. This novel is a great example of how graphic novels can have the same literary affect that books do. I loved the manga style illustrations which just added to this inspiring book.

Readers Annotation

  Sometimes fantasy is better than reality.

Information about the Author

  Joe Kelly studies at the New York University where he was recruited into Marvel Comic's Stan-Hatten Project. His first published work for Marvel was 2099: World of Tomorrow in 1996. In 1997, Kelly began his first monthly assignment, Deadpool. He has since worked on Marvel Comics that have featured popular characters such as Daredevil, the X-Men, and the Green Lantern.

  Kelly is part of the Man of Action Collective o Creators whose works are featured on Cartoon Network. In 2007 he taught a course on graphic novel writing at Tisch School of the Arts at NYU.

Genre

  Graphic Novel

Curriculum Ties

  Can be used in a psychology class to better understand how children shut themselves up when things go bad.

Booktalking Ideas

  - How do you deal with pain? Can you understand why she escaped into the fantasy world?

  - What do the giants symbolize?

  - It only takes one person to save someone, have you ever come across a situation like this?

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  Magic, supernatural
   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  I found this on a list of the top graphic novels for teens.

I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I Would Have To Kill You by Ally Carter

Carter, A. (2006). I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I Would Have To Kill You. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN: 9781423100034

Plot Summary

  Cammie Ann Morgan attends Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, which is actually a school for spy training. While in her fourth year of spy training and during a mission she meets Josh who is normal and she keeps her spy background from him. With the help of her friends and roommates, she sneaks out and her and Josh form a steady relationship. Her cover is blown when Josh's friend follows Cammie to her school, which leads to Josh breaking  up with her. After Cammie is "kidnapped" for a final, Josh, thinking she is really kidnapped, tried to rescue her. He is eventually let in on the secret and the story ends with readers knowing that there is so much more to the story, and that a sequel is in the future. 

Critical Evaluation

  Judging this book by its cover, it sat on my bookshelf until I ran out of things to read and I was too lazy to buy something new. I was pleasantly surprised. Lead character Cammie Morgan is a great protagonist and she reminds me of Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible. It is nice to read about an intelligent and independent girl who also has a heart and fashion sense. It is a great laugh out loud book that is also packed with action and adventure. It was a fast read, and I can't wait to read the sequel. 

Readers Annotation

  When you are a spy, love can be your biggest mission. 

Information about the Author

  Ally Carter was born Sarah Leigh Foglemmanon on January 1, 1974. She graduated from Oklahoma State University and then Cornell University. She wrote her first book, Cheating at Solitaire, in 2005. I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I Would Have To Kill You, was her first young adult novel and it is rumoured to be in the works with Disney. This book was followed by three more Gallagher Girl books and there is one more in the works. She is currently working on a new YA series. 

  Her books have been published in more than twenty different counties and have appeared on best seller lists. She currently lives in Oklahoma. 

Genre

  Mystery

Curriculum Ties

  n/a

Booktalking Ideas

  - Think of ideas that your current classes or courses can be turned into spy training. 

  - If you were a spy, would you be able to have a relationship?

  - If you were a spy would you be willing to sacrifice everything for love?

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

    I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  I received this as a galley. 

Inexcusable by Chris Lynch

Lynch, C. (2005). Inexcusable. New York: Ginee Seo Books. ISBN: 0689847890

Plot Summary

  Keir has it all. He is smart guy, star athlete, and fairly good looking. He lives with his father who tends to be more of a friend than a father. Unfortunately, Keir rationalizes every wrong doing that he does, and readers begin to see a sociopath being born. When he intentionally cripples a teammate, he believes that it was an accident, when he takes drugs and drinks, it is harmless, and when he rapes his friend, he knows that he didn't mean it. This is a terrifying look at how evil is defended. 

Critical Evaluation

  I couldn't bury this book far enough down if I tried. I hated this book for its harsh reality of evil people rationalizing their actions and I loved this book for the insight it gave to people who try and make sense of  the evil. Keir is annoying from the get go. He defends his implorable actions and it makes you want to reach in the book and knock him upside the head. We also get a look into the making of someone who can cripple and rape without accepting blame. This book will stay with me for a long time, and I think Lynch hit the nail on the head when introducing young readers to a sociopath in the making. The characters are unbelievably believable and the story is a fast paced but so full of emotion and depth that I couldn't help but feel sorry for Keir, which made me want to bury this book even deeper and then dig it up to highlight the hell out of it.

Readers Annotation

  Keir thought he could rationalize anything, but what if the one thing he can't rationalize is himself?

Information about the Author

  Chris Lynch was born July 2, 1962 and he grew up in Jamaica Plain and attended Boston University. He was a truck driver, house painter, and proofreader before he turned to writing. His first published book was Whitechurch, which was published in 2000. He has written nine books for young adults. His influences range from John Fitzgerald to Tennessee Williams and constantly gets mistaken for Chris Crutcher. 

  He was married, has two grown children, and currently teaches a MFA Creative Writing Course at the Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He encourages new writers to be bold, be different, excite, amuse and scare themselves. 

Genre

  Fiction

  

Curriculum Ties

  Workshops or classes that teach sex education, drug and alcohol use, and sexual abuse recovery sessions. 

Booktalking Ideas

  - Did you ever feel sorry for Keir?

  - Did you ever see Keirs rationalization for his horrible deeds?

  - What do you think the symbolism of his curling up in a ball at the end meant? Do you think he finally realized what kind of person he was?

  - Do you think he can change?

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/ Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  Drug and alcohol use, rape, violence, abuse

   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  I was introduced to this author in my 267 course and I wanted to read his works. Even though I swear that I am going to bury this book, I find myself reading it over again in hopes of finding reasoning behind Keirs actions. 

Insatiable by Meg Cabot

Cabot, M. (2010). Insatiable. New York: William Morrow Publishing. ISBN: 006173506X

Plot Summary

  Meena Harper is a television writer who creates plot lines for the soap opera Insatiable. She also has the special ability to foresee the future and determines how others will die, which only helps her career as a writer. When mysterious murders threatens New York and the change of her television show to include vampire, Meena is thrown into the vampire craze against her will. With the help Lucien Antonescu, a history professor and vampire (he is the son of the actual Dracula), Meena falls in love and solves murders all at the same time. Together they must stop these vampire murders and keep the lead detective off of their trail. 

Critical Evaluation

  I am a huge fan of Cabot's books and was intrigued by this one. It was great. At first, like the character Meena, I was a little over the whole vampire craze but Cabot demonstrated her writing skills brilliantly and thrusted me back into the vampire world. Her characters are full of life and creative back stories and there is a great introduction into the glamours world of television. This is a humorous, sarcastic, and romantic tale of vampire lore and love. 

Reader Annotation

  When is being dead ever a happy ending?

Information about the Author

  Meggin Patricia Cabot was born February 1, 1967 in Bloomington, Indiana. She graduated from Indiana University and then moved to New York to pursue her hopes of becoming an illustrator. She quit and worked as an assistant manager of the freshman dormitory at New York University. 

  She found her love of writing and under several pen names and then her own, she has written fifty books for children, teens, and adults. Her first novel, Every Boy's Got One, was based loosely on her elopement. Her Princess Diaries series has been turned into two Disney movies. Meg has received many awards, honors and nominations such as the Queen of Teen in 2008 and ALA's Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers award. 

  She is married to a financial writer and has lived in Indiana, California, New York, and France. She currently lives in Florida but still spends time at her apartment in New York and farmhouse in Indiana. She has two cats whom she blogs about. 

Genre

  Horror

Curriculum Ties

  n/a

Booktalking Ideas

  - What is Meena's attraction to the painting of Joan of Arc? What does it mean?

  - Can you understand why Meena's brother thinks that she is protecting her "abusive boyfriend"?

  - What characters prove to be insatiable?

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  Sex, vampire, occult, fortune telling
   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  Just one more vampire book!

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

Han, J. (2010). It's Not Summer Without You. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN: 14169955525

Plot Summary

  This is the highly anticipated sequel to The Summer I Turned Pretty which introduced readers to beautifully woven characters and a family who can't lose hope. Still recovering from the death of her mother's best friend and her confidant, Suzanne, Belly wonders if summer will ever be the same. When Conrad disappears from school, his brother Jeremiah asks Belly to help him find him. They discover him back at Cousins Beach and they all remember a time when life was simple. The three must come to terms with their loss and come together to save the beach house where everything made sense. 

Critical Evaluation

  It is hard not to get emotionally involved with these characters. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when I first picked up the first book and I still choke up reading about Suzanne's immense love for her boys and Belly. I was pleasantly pleased to see such growing up of the characters but at the same time, they were still the same old trio. Jenny Han writes such great coming of age novels, that it makes sense why this book is always checked out. This book takes an emotional look on how different people grieve and how their grief affects their family, friends, and future. I am glad that the ending left readers wondering if this was really the end and I was so happy when I found out there will be another installment. 

Readers Annotation

  Can their grief be overcome in time to save their memories?

Curriculum Ties

  n/a

Booktalking Ideas

  - How do you grieve?

  - Is it sometimes better to move on rather than hold on to memories?

  - Do you agree with Belly's relationship decision?

  - What are your predictions for the third book?

Reading Level/ Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  Sexual innuendo, drug and alcohol use
   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  I just had to read the sequel.