Stargirl

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, Knopf Books for Young Readers, New York, 2000. ISBN 978-0679886372

Summary

When new students arrive at Mica High School, everyone notices.  But new sophomore Stargirl is unlike any other student before: she wears hippie dresses, plays a ukulele, and doesn’t wear any makeup.  She sings happy birthday to students, dances outside in the rain, and says hello to upperclassmen she doesn’t know.  

Junior Leo Borlock is fascinated by Stargirl, the minute he meets her. She’s different and refreshing from all the other girls at his school.  Everyone else likes Stargirl at first and she quickly becomes one of the more popular kids, making friends with the cheerleaders and embracing lonely freshmen.

But soon Stargirl’s novelty wears off and she’s seen as annoying and fake.  She doesn’t agree with the status quo of the school and thinks everyone should get along. After a disastrous interview on the school’s TV show, students begin to turn on Stargirl. Now as his fellow students mock and bully the girl he loves, Leo must decide what’s more important: his Stargirl, or his friends.

Critical Evaluation

Stargirl herself makes the book stand out.  She is unique not only in how she dresses and behaves but also in how she acts. She knows who she is as a person and isn’t afraid to be herself.  Even when given the chance to stand up and fight her bullies, she continues to show them love and peace.  It would have been easy for Spinelli to create Stargirl as a stereotypical weird outcast, but instead she’s portrayed  as a girl who  really does love her fellow students.

“Stargirl” could have read the same as any other high school tale of bullying and outcasts.  But there is a sense of hope and wonder throughout the novel and the belief that there is something bigger out there then petty high school drama.   The book is set in Arizona and Spinelli’s descriptions of the desert and the sunrises give the setting a mythical, magical feel.  Between Spinelli’s writing and Stargirl herself, the book makes for a beautiful, lasting read.

Reader’s Annotation

With her pet rat and ukulele, Stargirl is unlike any student at Mica High.  Can she show her fellow students that being different is okay?

About the Author

“When I was growing up, the first thing I wanted to be was a cowboy. That lasted till I was about ten. Then I wanted to be a baseball player. Preferably shortstop for the New York Yankees.

I played Little League in junior high and high school. I only hit two home runs in my career, but I had no equal when it came to standing at shortstop and chattering to my pitcher: “C'mon, baby, hum the pea.” Unfortunately, when I stood at the plate, so many peas were hummed past me for strikes that I decided to let somebody else become shortstop for the Yankees.

It was about that time that our high school football team won a heart-stopping game against one of the best teams in the country. While the rest of the town was tooting horns and celebrating, I went home and wrote a poem about the game. A few days later the poem was published in the local newspaper, and suddenly I had something new to become: a writer.

Little did I know that twenty-five years would pass before a book of mine would be published.

Not that I wasn't trying. In the years after college I wrote four novels, but nobody wanted them. They were adult novels. So was number five, or so I thought. However, because it was about a thirteen-year-old boy, adult book publishers didn't even want to see it. But children's publishers did — and that's how, by accident, I became an author of books for kids.

Life is full of happy accidents.”

 (Jerry Spinelli.  Retrieved September 29^th, 2014  from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/jerry-spinelli)

Genres

Coming of Age

Contemporary

Curriculum Ties   N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1: Is it better to stand out, or stick with the crowd?

2:  Have you ever known somebody like Stargirl?

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 12+

Grades 7+

Challenge Issues

N/A

Defense File

Literary Awards: Book Sense Book of the Year Honor Book for Children’s Literature (2001,) NAIBA Book Award for Children’s Literature, YALSA Best Books for Young Adults (Top Ten, 2011) (Retrieved September 29^th, 2014 from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22232.Stargirl)

Why included?

Stargirl was one of my personal favorite in high school. It’s perfect for reluctant readers and for any teen who feels like they are different.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, by Benjamin Alire Saenz. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York City, 2012. ISBN: 978-1442408920

Summary

Fifteen year old Aristotle, known as Ari, is headed into another bored, lonely summer. He has no friends to hang out with and there's nothing to do in his small town.  He’s the only child left at home after his older sisters left and his older brother went to jail. His mother is too busy with her job and her friends, and Ari’s father is silent and solemn, never talking with his son about his life or his memories of the Vietnam War.

Just when Ari thinks he’ll have another miserable summer, he meets Dante at the community pool. Dante is quiet and has a funny voice, but offers to teach Ari how to swim. Their swimming lessons grow to sharing comic books, and spending time at each other’s houses throughout the summer. Dante is the only one who understands Ari: his strained relationship with his father, his Mexican identity, and confusion about his identity.  With Dante, Ari feels like he can finally be himself. But is he ready to share his true self with his parents and family, or will he shut out all the emotions he feels with Dante?

Critical Evaluation

Aristotle and Dante is much more than a friendship or a LGBTQ novel.   While Ari’s conflicting feelings about his sexuality and his relationship with Dante is a central plot point, the novel is more about Ari coming to terms with who he is. His fragile relationship with his father, his questions about his older brother, and figuring out what makes his happy is something that Ari struggles with throughout the book. Dante’s friendship not only makes Ari feel important, but also helps him sort out through his emotions about his family and himself.

With lyrical prose and beautiful descriptions of Texas culture and landscape, Aristotle and Dante's pace is slow and sweet, most of the plot unfolding over the course of four years.  Saenz gives enough time to develop the friendship between the two boys, without making their relationship too rushed or forced. 

The narrative style is at times broken and jumbled, but it  works for the confusion  that Ari is facing.  Saenz does a nice job describing the cultural influence of Ari and Dante’s Hispanic heritage without bombarding the audience with too many confusing terms and experiences.   The setting of El Paso, Texas, in 1987 is a nice change as well, with several 80'3 pop culture references. At almost 400 pages,the slow pace of the story may be a turn off for some readers.  But for those willing to try it, Aristotle and Dante is a beautiful tale of friendship and finding oneself.

Reader’s Annotation

Have you ever felt alone and misunderstood? Aristotle did, at least until he met a quiet, funny voiced boy named Dante.

About the Author

 “Benjamin Alire Sáenz is an author of poetry and prose for adults and teens. He is the winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award and the American Book Award for his books for adults. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe was a Printz Honor Book, the Stonewall Award winner, the Pura Belpre Award winner, the Lambda Literary Award winner, and a finalist for the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award. His first novel for teens, Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood, was an ALA Top Ten Book for Young Adults and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His second book for teens, He Forgot to Say Goodbye, won the Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award, the Southwest Book Award, and was named a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age. He teaches creative writing at the University of Texas, El Paso.”

 (Benjamin Alire Saenz.   Retrieved September 28^th, 2014  from http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Benjamin-Alire-Saenz/44544494)

Genres

LGBTQ

Coming of Age

Friendship

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1: Why was it so hard for Ari to accept his family did love him?

2: In what ways did Dante change Ari’s life?

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 14+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

LGBTQ

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why included?

I included Aristotle and Dante for its emotional, beautiful writing, and the strong relationship between the two characters.

My Life Next Door

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick, Dial, New York, 2012. ISBN: 978-0803736993

Plot Summary

Samantha Reed’s mother has told her to stay away from the Garrett family: easier said than done, seeing as how they are next door neighbors. The Garrett’s are total opposites from the Reed’s—loud, messy, and loving. Samantha’s family on the other hand, is quiet, polite, and emotionally distant, especially now that Ms. Reed is running for senate.  Despite her mother and her friends telling her to stay away from the Garrett’s, Samantha still watches them and wonders what life would be like over there.

One night, gorgeous and caring Jase Garrett sees Samantha watching his family, and comes over to her bedroom window. Their friendship turns into romance, and Samantha finds herself spending more time with the Garrett family.  Soon, Samantha is babysitting the younger Garrett siblings, and changing plans with her old friends, in order to spend time with the Garretts.

As her mother grows more distant and spends more time with her own boyfriend, Samantha uses the family next door to escape her dull life. But when a tragic event strikes, Samantha is forced to keep a secret from the Garretts and from Jace. When her life and heart is with both families, how will she choose what to do?

Critical Evaluation

The characters and the writing style in “My Life Next Door” is what makes the novel stand out.

Samantha is a strong and likeable heroine, and it’s easy to identify with her.  Her relationship with Jase will bring up memories of reader’s first crushes and relationships. While Samantha does have a rocky relationship with her mother, she still  tries to understand her and comes to her aid when need be. The Garrett family also has their own strong personalities that leap off the page. Fitzpatrick gives each of the characters their own interests and voice, without any of them coming across as stereotypical or clichéd. Even Samantha’s mother who at times comes across as selfish and distant, makes choices that show she really does care for her daughter, even if she doesn’t fully agree with all of her choices.

The writing style in the book reminded me of other YA ‘chick lit’ novels, such as Sarah Dessen and Deb Calleti’s works. It’s easy to read, and has a ‘summer beach read’ feel. While the plot is breezy, the choices the characters must make are heartbreaking.  While “My Life Next Door” doesn’t have the angst or tragedy found in many YA novels, it has emotional depth and characters that remain with the reader.

Reader’s Annotation

Samantha Reed has always been told to stay away from the family next door. But what if life over there is better than the life she’s always known?

About the Author

“I was lucky enough to be born to parents who read every kind of written material with interest and enthusiasm, and let me do the same. From the start I searched for books that let me fall in love…with the story and with the boy.

I figured out early that stories were what made sense of the world when it was confusing and made the best moments permanent. I was shy and nearsighted but good at anything that involved reading and imagining, so quickly decided the only logical career to pursue was writing. To this end my father gave me a typewriter (it was a long time ago), a package of Lucky Strike cigarettes, a bottle of Scotch and a note advising me to "Be Bold, Be Bold, Be Bold."

For my tenth birthday.

I passed on the Scotch and the smokes, but kept writing. My first completed story involved a family with twenty children who lived by the ocean. The parents were twenty-two. Some things have never changed for me: my love of family, beaches, and my shaky grasp of math…

Now I live on the coast of Massachusetts with my six remarkable and eccentric children and encouraging husband, all of whom put up with me holding up my hand traffic-cop-style, saying, "I just have to get this down" and dashing to my computer. Or pulling over on the shoulder of the road to jot a note in lipstick on the back of an ATM receipt. They also let me pick their brains on what is currently cool and what always matters. “

(About Huntley. Retrieved September 27^th, 2014 from www.huntleyfitzpatrick.com/huntleyfitzpatrick.html

Genres

Romance

Contemporary/Coming of Age 

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1: Discuss the importance of family in the novel and differences between the two families.

2: Similar titles/read alikes (Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, Jenny Han)

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 14+

Grades 8+

Challenge Issues

Sexual Situations

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why Included?

I included this novel, because Fitzpatrick’s writing style reminded me of one of my favorite YA authors,  Sarah Dessen. I think “My Life Next Door” would be perfect for teen girls looking for a breezy summer read. The characters and the emotional depth in the novel also won me over.

The Twelve-Fingered Boy

The Twelve-Fingered Boy by John Hornor Jacobs

The Twelve-Fingered Boy by  John Hornor Jacobs.  Carolrhoda Books Minneapolis, MN, 2013. ISBN 978-0761390077

Summary

Shreveport Justice Cannon in a ward at the Casmir Pulaski Juvenile Detention  Center, after he was shot trying to steal a truck from his trailer park home. While his life before wasn’t any better than life now, Shreve survives his temporary home by cons and shelling out candy contraband.  His new cellmate, Jack, is strange and quiet—even more so then the other cellmates Shreve has had.  Jack doesn’t talk much about his past or what he did to go to juvie. He doesn’t sleep, is a perfect target for the juvie bullies, and is mocked for his twelve fingers.

But there’s something different about Jack. When Shreve first embarrasses Jack, the air changes and Shreve feels like he’s having an asthma attack. Shreve is sure this is just a one-time thing, something that he imagined in his mind.  But when more attacks happen and a strange man from Department of Health and Human Services comes to pay Jack a visit, Shreve begins to wonder if his new roommate is really human.

Critical Evaluation

The tone of “The Twelve-Fingered Boy” works well with the juvenile detention setting.  Jacobs portrays the daily life and mental abuse of the center well, making it easy for the readers to imagine the hell Shreve and Jack find themselves in.  The sense of danger and darkness continues throughout the book even after the characters escape the detention.

While the book isn’t a traditional superhero story, it works well with modern elements.  The typical roles of hero and sidekick are reversed in this story: quiet, unassuming Jack is the one with special powers, while talkative, slick Shreve is the one tagging along.  While the boys are forced into each other’s lives, they soon learn to watch out for each other as no one else will. The friendship between Jack and Shreve is refreshing as they take turns making fun of each other and protecting each other.

The book is the first in a planned trilogy, but Jacobs doesn’t add too many plot twists or leave the readers hanging.  The ending gives a hint as to what’s coming next, leaving the readers wanting more. “The Twelve-Fingered Boy” is an action packed read, perfect for anyone interested in nontraditional superhero stories.

Reader’s Annotation

After his new cellmate, Jack, displays strange powers, he and Shreve must escape their juvenile detention center to find out the truth.

About the Author

“John Hornor Jacobs has worked in advertising for the last fifteen years, played in bands, and pursued art in various forms. He is also, in his copious spare time, a novelist, represented by Stacia Decker of the Donald Maass Literary Agency. His first novel,Southern Gods, was published by Night Shade Books and shortlisted for the Bram Stoker Award. His second novel, This Dark Earth, was published in July, 2012, by Gallery/Pocket Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. His young adult series, The Incarcerado Trilogy comprised of The Twelve Fingered Boy, The Shibboleth, and The Conformity, will be published by Carolrhoda Labs, an imprint of Lerner Publishing.

His first fantasy series, The Incorruptibles will be published in Spring 2014 by Gollancz in the UK.

John is the co-founder of Needle: A Magazine of Noir and was the active creative director until fall 2012. He has a quartet of horror stories, Fierce As The Grave, available through Amazon.com.

John has played guitar semi-professionally and worked as an animator, videographer, designer, and all around web bon vivant for the last fifteen years – that’s a century in advertising years. He worked for such vaunted clients as Elvis Enterprises, Hallmark, U.S. Marshall Service, the U.S. Army, Phillip Morris, TCBY Yogurt, Atlantic City CVB, Albequrque CVB, the states of Kentucky, South Carolina, Arkansas, Utah. And many more clients, both large and small.

He knows the Adobe CS Master Suite backwards and forward. He can debone a chicken, whole. He has a wife and two children and makes his home in Little Rock, Arkansas.”

 (About. Retrieved September 23^rd, 2014 from http://www.johnhornorjacobs.com/about-2/)

Genres

Action/Adventure

Superheroes

Coming of Age

Curriculum Ties   N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1: Discuss how Jack is different from traditional superheroes.

2:  How does the juvenile detention setting make the book different?

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 13+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

N/A

Why included?

I included this book because of the untraditional superhero story and setting.  While the book is geared toward teen boys, anyone interested in an action story would enjoy “The Twelve-Fingered Boy.”

10 Things I Hate About You (Movie)

10 Things I Hate About You

10 Things I Hate About You, directed by Gil Junger, Touchstone Pictures, 1999, 99  minutes. Rated PG:13 ASIN: B00447l4KA

Summary

Sisters Kat and Bianca Stratford couldn’t be more different.  Bianca is popular and cool, while Kat doesn't care what people think of her.  While nearly everyone wants to be friends with Bianca, everyone is scared of Kat. The only thing these two have in common is their strict dad, who insists that Bianca can only start dating when Kat does.

While it seems nobody in their right mind would date Kat, new student Cameron is determined to find somebody. He’s already fallen for Bianca and just needs to set Kat up with somebody who isn’t afraid of her.  All around bad boy and delinquent Patrick Verona is just the person for the job: that is, if Cameron can convince him to date Kat.  After some incentive from popular Joey—who also wants to date Bianca—Patrick begins his mission to seduce and date Kat.  But just when everything looks like it’s going according to plan, Kat and Patrick start having real feelings for each other. 

Critical Evaluation

“10 Things I Hate About You” is a classic teen comedy that’s still popular even fifteen years after its release. All of the actors do a great job throughout the movie with their comedic timing and unique personalities. Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are all memorable in their roles and even vain and arrogant Joey (played by Andrew Keegan) is fun to watch. Most of the actors were in their late teens or early twenties when the movie was produced, which makes it easy for the audience to vision them as real teens.

The relationship between the sisters and their father is nicely done, with enough sweet moments to balance out all the jokes.  While there is a lot of sex-related jokes and dialogue, the film would be perfect for older teens. Even though some modern teens may see the music and outfits in the film as outdated, the film itself is still hilarious and fun to watch.

Reader’s Annotation

Cameron has only one thing standing in his way of dating his dream girl: finding a date for her abrasive, opinionated older sister.

About the Director

“Gil Junger began his career as a production assistant at Witt-Thomas-Harris Productions, where he worked for over 21 years. Within a year, Junger became the editor of the hit series Soap, a position he held for 5 years. After running post-production, Junger began producing numerous television series for the company, including long-running hit shows Soap, The Golden Girls, Empty Nest, Blossom, Benson, It’s A Living among others. During his tenure as a producer at Witt-Thomas, Junger was a vital member in the production of 20 pilots and over 400 episodes of Network Television. The company remains one of the most profitable television companies of all time.
After leaving Witt-Thomas, Junger focused on directing and producing. He garnered many awards for his work on such hit television shows as Dharma And Greg, Hot In Cleveland, 8 Simple Rules, According To Jim, Greek, Kyle X-Y and Ellen.  Notably, Junger received multiple nominations, Emmy and Directors Guild plus critical acclaim for Ellen’s “Coming Out Episode.” Junger has produced/directed dozens of pilots, 5 Television movies and 3 feature films, including the hit teen film 10 Things I Hate About You and Black Knight, starring Martin Lawrence. During his development deal with Disney, he set up 4 television projects in his first year.
He currently resides in Topanga California, has two sons Ben (12) and Will (8). He is an avid photographer, woodworker, surfer and by his own account, a mediocre musician.”
(Gil Junger. Retrieved November 21^st, 2014 from http://novafilmhouse.com/about-us/team/gil-junger/)

Genres

Movies

Comedy

Classics

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

N/A

Reading Level/Interest Age

15+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

Alcohol and drug-related scenes

Language

Sex-related dialogue and jokes

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why Included?

I included  this movie because it’s one of my personal favorites and a classic. The acting is wonderful, the jokes are hilarious, and it’s a movie that teens today would still enjoy.

The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Dutton Books, New York City, 2012. ISBN: 978-0525478812

Summary

Seventeen year old Hazel would much rather watch TV and read her favorite books then go to a support group or make friends. But since Hazel has terminal cancer, her parents make her attend

a weekly support group for other young people with cancer. Listening to the other tragedies and details of her fellow patients is bad enough for Hazel to never make friends with someone like her.

But that all changes when Augustus comes to a group meeting.  He’s had osteosarcoma, but isn’t like any cancer patient Hazel has ever met: he’s funny, he’s worldly, and he’s attractive.  Most important, he’s interested in Hazel for who she is, and not just because she happens to have cancer. The two of them become friends and share their interests, including Hazel’s favorite book, “An Imperial Affliction.”  After growing closer to Hazel,  Augustus decides to use his saved Wish from the Genie Foundation to take Hazel to Amsterdam, where the author of “An Imperial Affliction” lives.   While Hazel and Augustus grow closer on the trip, a sudden revelation  will change everything about their relationship.

Critical Evaluation

Despite the bleak fate that awaits Hazel and Augustus, Green manages to have a lot of heart and humor in his ‘cancer story.’  Both Hazel and Augustus, as well as their friend Isaac, still act like normal teens and for the most part don’t let their cancer define their life.  The emotional scenes are heartbreaking and realistic, but never come across as too depressive. Green’s trademark humor shines through Hazel’s narrative and the dialogue between the teens.

The love story between Hazel and Augustus is both beautiful and heartbreaking.  The relationship between the two teens doesn’t come across as melodramatic or too cutesy to be believable. For anyone who’s dealt with young heartbreak and love, Hazel and Augustus’s relationship will bring up bittersweet memories for many readers.

With sexual situations, language, and medical descriptions, the Fault in Our Stars is best for older teens.  Interested readers should look beyond the ‘cancer story’ plot and pick up Green’s latest novel for its beautiful love story and hilarious and realistic narrative.

Reader’s Annotation

When Hazel meets Augustus, she might just get the chance to be a normal teen and fall in love.

About the Author

“John Green is the New York Times bestselling author of Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, and The Fault in Our Stars. He is also the coauthor, with David Levithan, of Will Grayson, Will Grayson. He was 2006 recipient of the Michael L. Printz Award, a 2009 Edgar Award winner, and has twice been a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. Green’s books have been published in more than a dozen languages.

In 2007, Green and his brother Hank ceased textual communication and began to talk primarily through videoblogs posted to YouTube. The videos spawned a community of people called nerdfighters who fight for intellectualism and to decrease the overall worldwide level of suck. (Decreasing suck takes many forms: Nerdfighters have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to fight poverty in the developing world; they also planted thousands of trees around the world in May of 2010 to celebrate Hank’s 30th birthday.) Although they have long since resumed textual communication, John and Hank continue to upload two videos a week to their YouTube channel, vlogbrothers. Their videos have been viewed more than 200 million times, and their channel is one of the most popular in the history of online video. He is also an active Twitter user with more than 1.2 million followers.

Green’s book reviews have appeared in The New York Times Book Review andBooklist, a wonderful book review journal where he worked as a publishing assistant and production editor while writing Looking for Alaska. Green grew up in Orlando, Florida before attending Indian Springs School and then Kenyon College.”

(John Green’s Biography.  Retrieved September 21^st, 2014 from http://johngreenbooks.com/bio-contact/)

Genres

Romance

Comedy

Contemporary

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1: Hazel and Gus’ favorite books: what does that say about them?

2: How realistic is the story?

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 14+

Grades 8+

Challenge Issues

Language

Sexual Situations

Medical/Cancer descriptions

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why included?

I included The Fault In Our Stars for Green’s humor and writing style, as well as the heartbreaking, beautiful love story.

Eleanor and Park

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell . St. Martin's Griffin, New York City, 2013. ISBN: 978-1250012579

Summary

Park and Eleanor are both lonely outcasts. Park is one of the few Asian students at school and Eleanor is the new girl at school who lives  with her four siblings and her mom’s new husband. Park would rather sit on the back of the bus and listen to his mix tapes, and Eleanor could care less what her hellish classmates think of her.

It's not love at first sight for these two teens--they actually dislike each other when they first meet, and think the other is weird and annoying. While hey sit next to each other on the bus, they don't talk--until Park spots Eleanor reading his comics over his shoulder. He gives her a few copies to read along with his Walkman to listen to. Soon, Eleanor and Park start conversations about music and comics and slowly become friends. As the school year goes by and their friendship turns into romantic feelings, Eleanor and Park struggle to understand how they really feel about each other. If feelings weren't fickle enough, dealing with their family and friends's opinion of their relationship is also annoying. 

Critical Evaluation

Eleanor and Park isn’t a typical boy meets girl romance story, but it still has a lot of heart.  The slow buildup from strangers, to friends and finally, love, allows the audience to understand the characters and their emotions, before getting into the relationship part of the story.  Even with their flaws, both Eleanor and Park are loveable characters. Rowell does an excellent job creating two characters that aren’t solely defined by their families or their past.  Despite the fact that they consider themselves to be weird outcasts, their relationship with each other proves that there is a chance for love even for the misfits of the world.

The 80s pop culture and music references mentioned throughout the book are a nice touch.  The alternating, third person chapters also give readers a look into what both Eleanor and Park are thinking and feeling. The frequent language and sexual situations make this  book best for older teens who are looking for a quirky, heartfelt romance story.

Reader’s Annotation

Can two lonely outcasts find love with each other?

About the Author

“Rainbow Rowell writes books.

Sometimes she writes about adults (Attachments and Landline).

Sometimes she writes about teenagers (Eleanor & Park and Fangirl).

But she always writes about people who talk a lot. And people who feel like they’re screwing up. And people who fall in love.

When she’s not writing, Rainbow is reading comic books, planning Disney World trips and arguing about things that don’t really matter in the big scheme of things.

She lives in Nebraska with her husband and two sons.”

 (About.    Retrieved September 21^st, 2014 from http://rainbowrowell.com/blog/about/)

Genres

Romance

Coming of Age

Curriculum Ties

80’s History

Multicultural

Music

Booktalking Ideas

1: Discuss the theme of music throughout the story

2: Difference between Park and Eleanor’s family.

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 15+

Grades 9+

Literary Awards

Printz Honor (2014)

YALSA Teen’s Top Ten (2014)

YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults (Top Ten, 2014)

Michigan Library Association Thumbs Up! Award (2014)

Challenge Issues

Language

Sexual situations

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why included?

I included Eleanor and Park for its sweet love story and for its 80’s pop culture and music references. 

The First Part Last

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson.  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York, 2003. ISBN: 978-0689849220

Summary

Bobby’s life of being a careless teenager and hanging out with his friends is over. Now the sixteen year old is a dad to beautiful Feather.  When Bobby’s girlfriend, Nia, announced  she was pregnant, Bobby knew his life would change from pizza and video games to baby formula and sleepless nights. While Bobby's friends still hang out with him and support him,  it’s not the same now that he has Feather to watch over. And Bobby’s parents are willing to help out but he wants to prove he’s an adult now and not just a kid.  And where does Nia fit into the picture?

As Bobby struggles with finishing school and taking care of Feather, his journey from being a teenager to a ‘real’ adult hits some bumps in the road.  He gets in trouble a few times and misses school. His long nights up with his baby are cutting into his study time. And Bobby’s family is starting to wonder if Feather would be happier somewhere else. But no matter what he goes through, Bobby knows he’ll always be there for his Feather.

Critical Evaluation

The First Part Last is unique in its point of view of a teenage father.  While many novels about teen pregnancies are either written from the point of view of the mother, or don’t mention the teen father at all, Bobby’s perspective was a refreshing change from the norm.  Bobby himself comes across as a very likeable character: although he still does reckless, teenage things, it’s clear to the audience how much he cares and loves his daughter.  His mature decision at the end of the novel especially speaks to the love between a father and daughter.  

The alternating chapters between the past and the present was a nice touch, allowing readers to see all the events in Bobby’s life.  While the book could have gone a more dramatic, depressing way, there is a sense of hope and love throughout the novel: hope that even with all  the setbacks and challenges, Bobby and Feather will be okay.  This book is perfect for teens or librarians looking for another perspective about teenage pregnancy.  

Reader’s Annotation

When his daughter is born, sixteen year old Bobby juggles with finishing school, being a teen, and becoming a father.

About the Author

“Angela Johnson is an award winning American children's book and poetry author with over 40 books to her credit. She began her writing career in 1989 with the publication of a picture book called "Tell Me a Story, Mama" which won the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award in 1991. She has won three Coretta Scott King Awards, one each for her novels"The First Part Last (2004)," "Heaven(1999)," and "Toning the Sweep" (1994)."The First Part Last" was also the recipient of the Michael L Printz Award. "When I Am Old With You" was an Honor Book in 1990 and named anAmerican Library Association Notable Book. "The Other Side, The Shorter Poems" was also selected as a Coretta Scott King Honor book in 1998. In recognition of her outstanding talent, Angela was named a 2003 MacArthur Fellow. Born in Tuskegee, Alabama in 1961, she grew up in Alabama and Ohio. She lives in Kent, Ohio.”

(Home.  Retrieved September 20^th, 2014 from http://www.ajohnsonauthor.com/)

Genres

Family

Coming of Age

Curriculum Ties

Social Sciences

Booktalking Ideas

1: The difference between Nia and Bobby’s parents.

2: How would the story had been different if Feather was given up for adoption?

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 15+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

N/A

Literary Awards

Coretta Scott King Award for Author (2004)

YALSA Best Books for Young Adults (Top Ten, 2004)

Michael L. Printz Award (2004)

Why included?

I included the First Part Last for its teenage father narrator, and for the beautiful writing.

What Happened to Goodbye

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen. Speak Publications, New York City, 2013. ISBN: 978-0142423837

Summary

For the past two years, Mclean has been moving around the country with her dad. He’s a restaurant consultant and offers business and retail advice to struggling small town restaurants. Once the restaurants succeed on their own, Mclean and her dad move on. Which is fine with Mclean: she never liked making or keeping friends anyway. In each town they’ve been in, Mclean has changed who she is: one time she was overachiever and popular Beth, another time she was dramatic and theatric Lizbet.  All of the people Mclean has left behind never even knew who she really was.

Mclean is planning on being yet another person while she’s in Lakeview. But when she introduces herself by her real name, she wonders if being herself is okay. Her new friends seem to like her already, and Dave, the cute boy next door, seems to like her for who she is.  But Mclean knows better than to get close to people: because goodbye could happen tomorrow.

Critical Evaluation

The realistic and quirky characters are what make What Happened to Goodbye so strong. From Mclean’s family, to her new friends, to the kitchen staff that works at the restaurant, all of the characters stand out in their own way. While some are more emotional and others add humor to the story, the supporting characters all aid in Mclean’s journey to finding herself.  Character growth is also a big part of the novel, with both the main and the supporting characters changing and adapting to each other’s needs. One example is Deb, an odd, overachiever classmate of Mclean’s.  While she first comes across as strange and needy, her emotional back story and quirks are seen as endearing and needed by the novel’s end.

Teens will also be able to relate to Mclean’s family struggles, and her quest of trying to find out who she the real Mclean is.  As in her other novels, Dessen’s creative characters and easy writing style make What Happened to Goodbye an enjoyable read.

Reader’s Annotation

After years of pretending to be somebody else, is Mclean ready to be herself?

About the Author

 “Hi. I’m Sarah. Writing a bio is always a little weird, if only because it seems completely self-absorbed. I have a standard one that I send out, which lists where I got my degree, the names of my books, all the same boring basic facts. But for this website, I’m supposed to do something more, give a sense of who I really am. So here goes. I was born in 1970 in Illinois, but all the life I remember I’ve spent in Chapel Hill, NC. My parents were both professors at the University
of North Carolina: my mom is a classicist (which means she knows everything you could ever imagine about myths, Latin, and words) and my dad teaches Shakespeare (which means I’d seen As You Like It about five times by the age of 18.)

I’ve been writing, in one way or another, for as long as I can remember. I was always a big reader, mostly because my parents were. I used to get frustrated with my mom because she bought me books for Christmas when what I really wanted were the gift my friends got, things like sweaters and jewelry. But I did love to read. When I was eight or nine my parents gave me an old manual typewriter and a little desk in the corner of our den, and I’d sit there and type up my stories. I was the kind of kid that people always sighed over and said, “She has such a wild imagination,” which usually meant “I wish Sarah would try to stick to the truth.” I have a tendency to embellish: I think it’s just a weakness of fiction writers. Once you learn how to make a story better, it’s hard not to do it all the time.”

 (Bio/Press Kit.    Retrieved September 19^th, 2014 from http://sarahdessen.com/press-kit/)

Genres

Contemporary

Coming of Age

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1: How does Mclean cope with moving around?

2: Mclean’s family: good example of a divorced family or not?

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 14+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

N/A

Why included?

I included What Happened to Goodbye because of the strong and quirky characters and the ‘summer reading’ feel of the novel.